Wolf Kissed Soul

Seen shifts to Prizey's group.....

Rozy clung to her backpack nervously.

Rozy: "Guys, please stay close to me. I'm really scared of Forest's.... What if we run into a lion , or a bear---or worse , a wolf?"

Sonia rolled her eyes: " oh, please. Stop with the childish nonsense. I can't believe, I'm stuck with a bunch of losers."

Max frowned: "Hey Sonia, mind your language. We all know Rozy's innocent and gets scared easily ---stop making fun of her...."

John stepped in calmly: "Guys, can we focus on the project, instead..?

Not far from them, Prizey was lost in her own world again, smiling softly to herself...

Wolf..? Hmm interesting...( She murmured)

Aliyah looked at her, raising an eyebrow..

"Did you say something..?"

Prizey snapped back to reality. "Ohh nothing. So, if we're done fighting...

Can we start planning now..?"

John nodded: "Sure, but first we need to pick a group leader..."

Aliyah: "Yeah, having a leader will prevent all this unnecessary drama."

Sonia smirked: "Let's just flip a coin or something.."

Max scoffed: "Why flipped a coin, when we already know who should be the leader..?'

Sonia narrowed her eyes: "What's that supposed to mean..? Obviously I should be the leader.."

Aliyah glared: "Ohh shut up, Sonia. Prizey should be the leader. She knows more about the Forest's than all of us combined.."

Sonia exploded:" What nonsense?! Prizey? The girl who's always lost in her own world..and picks fight for fun..?"

Aliyah couldn't take it. She stood up furiously: "Say one more word about my bestie, and I'll swear I'll rip that sharp tongue right out of your mouth..!"

Max stepped in between: "Whoa whoa, relax Aliyah! My darling. You know how Sonia is.....no need to explode dear.."

Aliyah huffed: "I do know her, but that doesn't give her the right, to trash-talk my Prizey."

(Prizey placed a gentle hand on besties shoulder)

"Calm down, sweetheart. I don't care, what random people say about me. So let's just move on. Enough fighting---- let's vote!"

They held vote. And everyone's hand went up for Prizey.

Aliyah smirked at Sonia: "See that? Stop staring useless drama."

Sonia grumbled to herself: "You'll all regret this, Idiots ...."

Seen shifts to the van: .....

Prizey sat behind the wheel, focused, but relaxed..

"Okay guys, did you all pack everything? We'll be staying for a while, so we'll turn this into a full on camping trip.."

Aliyah replied with excitement: " Yup, all set..!"

Rozy grinned: "And I'm also getting excited now!"

Prizey smiled at Rozy through review mirror.

"Good job, Roz.."

Rozy giggles...

Aliyah looked around at the peaceful yet silent highway, let out a sigh " Okay guys.... it's getting a little boring now.

How about we sing something..?"

Prizey raised a brow: " Not a bad idea.

Alright dear, let's start !"

Aliyah cleared her throat dramatically and begin to sing. Her voice soft, but confident.

Aliyah: " We are the friends who stay together, forever and ever, no matter the weather.."

Max and John joined in with light harmonies.

Max and John: " Ooooooo, through the wild and stormy weather.....hand in hand. We'll fall never"

Rozy (with her eyes closed ): "We've got fire in our souls....

 Sonia casually joined them: "And dreams we'll never let go.."

Everyone shocked at Sonia..

Sonia: " What..? Let's sing together!.."

Rozy and aliyah (with excitement): "la la la la laaaaa."

Sonia: " Having fun together... nothing feels better.."

John and Max: " la la la laaaaa..."

Prizey with her deep voice and sadness in her eyes: " Chasing light, like feathers..."

Aliyah and John at the same time: "Ohh, finally you awake. Prizey.."

Prizey: "What..?"

Aliyah: "Nothing.."

Prizey, her voice getting deeper and more soulful, added a line that silenced everyone for a moment..

Prizey: "Even if the world forgot us... we'll still remember, who we are.."

Prizey (smiling at Aliyah and other members)

"O co' mon, guys.."

Prizey and Sonia: "la la la laaaaaa..."

Aliyah and Rozy: " We are the dreamers.."

All of them (together, grinning): " Chasing our dreams forever..."

Max: "Woohoo" 

They all burst into laughter, their giggles blending with the rustle of the trees. The highway suddenly felt warmer, alive with youth and friendship.

As the Van finally reached the forest, the mood shifted to the quite focus.

Prizey and everyone else got out of the van.

Prizey stepped forward, hands on her hips..

Prizey: "Okay team, this is our destiny. Everyone get started.."

She turned towards the group with the commanding yet calm tone.

Prizey: " Aliyah, Sonia and John--- you're in charge of setting up the tent's."

"Rozy, I want you to find firewood for the campfire. Stay close..."

"Max, you're coming with me. We will check the surrounding area and make sure , it's secure."

Everyone raised their fist's, playfully..

"Done Master! They said in unison, breaking into laughter again before heading off to complete their tasks.

At night.....

Blankets wrapped around them, the group sat around the glowing campfire.

Max relaxed his head on Aliyah's lap, snacking lazily.

Rozy and Sonia passed out the remaining snacks.

Prizey leaned quietly against a tree in the background --- unaware that John kept glancing at her, admiration hidden in his eye's.

(No one knows, he had been secretly falling for Prizey)

Prizey stood up: " Okay Guy, you all worked hard today. I want you to rest tonight--- we'll start our actual research tomorrow.."

John frowned: " But we are in short time--"

Prizey interrupted him with a calm voice.

"I know John. But before we start any real work, we need to be mentally prepared. Rest is the part of success."

"Quality is the more powerful than the quantity. Do whatever you do----but do it with your best.

Rushing only brings destruction "

(And in John's heart a silent whispered echoed.

"That's why I've fallen for you."

Prizey smiled gently: " Alright everyone go to your tents."

They all walked off to sleep.

Prizey stayed back to extinguish the campfire, watching the last flames flicker..

That's when it happened.

She paused.

Her breath caught.

She felt it--- a presence behind her.

Slowly, she turned.

And then, she saw them.

(To be continued).....