By the time they reached the edge of the base, the moon had risen high, casting a silver glow over the water and forest. Egwene's clothes were torn, her face smudged with dried blood, and her steps sluggish from fatigue. Theron leaned on her for balance, limping, still pale and weak but alive.
The guards at the outer perimeter spotted them first.
"Egwene?!"
"Theron?!"
Voices called out in shock and disbelief as people rushed toward them. Flashlights flickered in the darkness, lighting up their faces and revealing the stunned expressions of those who'd already mourned them.
Aaron pushed through the crowd first, breath caught in his throat as his eyes locked on Egwene… and then fell to the man beside her.
He stopped cold.
"Theron?" he said, barely audible.
Theron looked up, his eyes meeting Aaron's.
Neither of them spoke.
Egwene was surrounded instantly—Aurora running to her, wrapping her arms around her, nearly sobbing.
"I told you not to go! I told you—"
"I had to," Egwene whispered into her shoulder. "He was alive."
Liam and Klaus stood nearby, looking at Theron like they were seeing a ghost.
"I don't understand," Ethan murmured. "We searched… we thought he—"
"He fell," Egwene said, stepping forward. "But he survived. And you left him."
Aaron flinched like he'd been slapped. "I tried to go after him—"
"But you didn't."
The silence was heavy, broken only by the occasional murmur from the crowd. Then Aiden stepped forward, clearing his throat. "We'll talk later. First, we need to treat their wounds."
Theron gave Egwene a look of quiet gratitude as they led him away to the medical tent. She lingered for just a moment, her eyes meeting Aaron's.
"I found him," she said simply.
And then she walked away.
Later That Night
The fire crackled in the center of the camp, casting golden light over the group as they gathered for warmth and updates. A heavy rain had fallen after sunset, and now everything smelled like damp earth and ash. Egwene sat quietly beside Aurora, her arm freshly bandaged. She hadn't said much since returning, lost in her thoughts.
Aaron finally approached.
He didn't ask to sit. He just lowered himself to the log beside her, not looking directly at her.
"You were right," he said after a long pause. "I should have gone back."
Egwene looked at the flames. "It's not about being right."
"I thought he was dead. We all did."
"You didn't feel it like I did," she whispered. "I just… I knew he wasn't gone."
Aaron looked at her then. "I would've done anything to be the one you came back for."
She closed her eyes.
"Egwene, I've never felt this way about anyone. But when you look at him…" He exhaled. "I see it."
She finally turned to him. "Aaron…"
"I'm not asking you to say anything. I just needed you to know."
Before she could respond, footsteps approached.
It was Theron.
His injuries were wrapped, and he leaned slightly on a makeshift crutch, but there was strength in his gaze.
"I need to talk to her," he said, voice steady.
Aaron looked between them, then nodded slowly and stood, walking away without another word.
Theron took his place beside her, wincing slightly.
She smiled faintly. "You shouldn't be walking."
"I've survived worse," he said. "But nothing like that fall."
They sat in silence for a moment, the night humming around them. Somewhere beyond the trees, the strange sounds of the island whispered again—but softer now.
"You really came back for me," Theron said, voice low.
"I couldn't leave you. I couldn't live with that."
"You risked everything."
"You would've done the same for me."
He didn't answer that. He just reached out, his fingers brushing against hers.
"I meant what I said earlier. About the forest, the picnic…" His eyes searched hers. "About you."
Egwene felt her heart catch.
"I care about you, Theron. But this isn't simple."
"I'm not asking for simple. I just want the truth."
She looked away. "Aaron has always been there. He's loyal, and kind, and he doesn't hide his feelings."
"And me?"
"You're fire," she whispered. "You make me feel like the world could fall apart, and I'd still want to be in it if you were next to me."
Theron reached up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Then let's see where that leads us."
The Next Morning
The mood in the camp had shifted. People buzzed with talk of Egwene's rescue mission, of the monsters on the island, and of the deep jungle beyond the river. But beneath that hum was something else—hope.
Theron gathered the others in the central clearing , we need to search the island find out how many of those things are on this island and kill them, we also need to search for the island resources, if it has any other thing that could help us in surviving,
Liam nodded. "It could be safer. knowing the whole island and everything in it.
Aaron stayed silent, arms crossed, gaze distant.
Egwene stood beside Theron. Aurora nearby.
"We'll take a small group," Theron said. "Egwene knows the way. We'll scout it properly this time. Document everything. We're done being blind."
And just like that, a new plan began to form , if they were going to survive they need to understand what they're up against .
But not everyone was happy.
Later, Aaron stood at the edge of the camp, watching Egwene laugh at something Theron said as they examined the map. The way she looked at him—it wasn't pity. It was affection.
And Aaron knew then.
He hadn't lost her completely.
But he was no longer the only one fighting for her heart. he has to think of a better way to win her heart.