Sufian glanced around, taking in his surroundings. So this is camp, huh? he thought. The so-called "camp" was nothing more than an old school building on the edge of the city's suburbs.

  I say "camp," but we're just holed up in another school… Leave it to us to spend our break at yet another place of learning. Though, to be fair, this school is nothing like the one we usually go to.

  His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

  “’Sup, Sufian! Today we're checking out that sandy old landmark? Sounds laaame…” Ali drawled, his usual carefree attitude on full display.

  Sufian sighed but offered a half-hearted defense. “Come on, don’t say that, Ali! Not like I disagree, but still.”

  Malak, standing nearby, crossed her arms and frowned. “Hey, you two, don’t talk like that! I told you, we aren’t here for fun and games.”

  Ali groaned dramatically. “Yaaas, Malak, sorrrry!”

  Malak sighed, shaking her head. “Again with that kind of talk…”

  Sufian glanced at his two companions, reflecting on their dynamic. That knucklehead over there is Ali, and the girl lecturing him is Malak. I didn’t talk to Ali much at school, but Malak’s different. She came here from another school. We got to know each other better thanks to this camp—mostly because of Ali dragging us together. The three of us ended up doing all our extracurricular activities together.

  “What's today's route, Malak?” Sufian asked. “We’re starting at the main road, right?”

  Malak pulled out her tablet, quickly opening the maps application. She studied the screen for a moment before answering. “Today, we’re going here first, then here.” She tapped the map. “And do you know why, Ali?”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Ali smirked. “Something about the old local religion or legends, right? They say some wild stuff! Sounds interesting… Not that it matters to me! I’m just here for the fun in the dry, humid sun!”

  Malak sighed again, shaking her head in exasperation. “You’re the only one I can rely on, Sufian. Keep an eye on him, would you?”

  “I’m not Ali’s mom over here,” Sufian muttered.

  “Oh, WOW!” Ali suddenly exclaimed.

  Sufian raised an eyebrow. “Huh? What is it?”

  Ali held out his phone, shoving it in Sufian’s face. “Look at this! Another report about another rockslide!”

  Malak’s expression grew serious. “That’s several days in a row now… I hope this doesn’t mean a bigger earthquake is coming.”

  Ali shook his head. “Not that, Malak! Look here—this is close to where we’re supposed to go today!”

  “Wait, really?” Malak leaned in, eyes narrowing at the screen. “I wonder if our plans for the day are still on…”

  Sufian could feel the tension in the air. Others must have seen the news too, as murmurs began spreading through the group.

  “All right, everyone, CALM DOWN!”

  A commanding voice cut through the chatter. Jeremy, an alumnus of Malak’s school and one of the camp chaperones, stepped forward with an authoritative stance. “Everything’s going to be just FINE! All the teachers have CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS for dealing with ANY emergency! Please remain calm.”

  Sufian recognized Jeremy as the kind of guy who took his role a little too seriously.

  Jeremy continued, his voice booming, “The teachers and chaperones are ensuring our safety, so there is NOTHING to WORRY ABOUT! Fear not, fellow students! Our destination is the historic tomb—OFF WE GO!”

  Ali snorted, shaking his head. “There he goes again… That Jeremy is too straight-laced for his own good.”

  Malak shot him a look. “Is that any way to talk about someone two years older than you?”

  Ali grinned. “Yaaas, little MALAK!”

  Malak narrowed her eyes. “And do I have to remind you, Ali, that I’m actually in a grade above yours?”

  Ali shrugged. “I mean, shouldn’t you act like it then, Malak? Or something? You should be more of a nag, like… ‘I told you to knock that off!’” He mimicked an exaggerated scolding tone. “C’mon, practice it now.”

  Malak rolled her eyes. “Does that sound like something I would say? Let’s just go before we’re left behind. Sufian?”

  Ali grinned. “Yeah, c’mon, Sufian! Let’s hit it!”

  Sufian sighed but followed.

  ?????