[4:51 AM] Water Spring Post 1
The quiet night slowly faded away. Morning dew clung to blades of grass, catching faint glimmers of light like tiny jewels scattered across a green carpet.
Dawn had arrived. Behind the pale veil of morning mist, the sun began to rise—its presence subtle, almost hesitant, as it illuminated the world in muted gray.
Not long after, phone alarms rang out in uneven chorus, pulling Raffy and the others from their deep sleep.
One by one, they stirred. In the neighboring tent, the girls were already heating water, preparing warm milk coffee to fend off the cold morning air.
“While we’re up, let’s just make breakfast,” Ezra suggested. “After that, we keep moving!”
“Sounds good!” Dafina and Lalita agreed, while Gita remained curled comfortably in her sleeping bag, sitting at the tent entrance like a bundled caterpillar.
About an hour later, breakfast was ready. Instant noodles, rice, omelets, grilled sausages—even maryam bread made it onto their makeshift spread.
Warm coffee—an unspoken ritual among hikers—was poured into bamboo cups, steam rising gently into the cold air.
They savored the moment together, laughter and warmth blooming amid the foggy chill.
𓂃˳ Time slipped by unnoticed ˳𓂃
At 6:55 AM, they began packing up. Cooking gear was cleaned, supplies checked. Ezra suggested refilling all water reserves—there would be no water source for the next three days.
For efficiency, tasks were divided. The girls packed utensils and personal items. Raffy and Ezra dismantled the tents. Chafik and Akasa were assigned to refill the water.
[7:05 AM] Water Spring Area
Carrying empty bottles, Akasa and Chafik headed toward the spring. After a ten-minute walk, they arrived at the small water source not far from camp.
Clear water flowed steadily through a bamboo pipe. Patiently, they filled three 1.5-liter bottles. Two were done. As they started on the last bottle, a familiar voice cut through the quiet.
“Well, well… so you really did make it up here.”
Akasa and Chafik turned. Enzi stood there, smirking—Danindra and Noviyanto flanking him as always.
“L–let’s just ignore them, Sa,” Chafik whispered urgently. “D–don’t respond.”
“Try not to slow your group down,” Danindra added mockingly. “Wouldn’t want you becoming dead weight later.”
Chafik grew visibly uneasy.
“Akasa. L–let’s go back!” he urged, tugging at Akasa’s sleeve. But Enzi stepped forward, blocking their path.
“That’s right. Run along,” Enzi sneered. “Go home. Cry to your mommy.”