Odyssey Of Survival-Chapter 40 Old Memories

Madison leaned against a tree near Nate’s tent, her gaze fixed on Nate, who was sitting cross-legged by the fire pit. The light from the embers cast flickering shadows across his face, making his expression harder to read. She hesitated for a moment before finally breaking the silence.

"Why are you giving Bella so much attitude?" she asked, her tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.

Nate glanced up at her, raising an eyebrow. "I’m not giving her attitude," he said evenly. "I’m just returning the same energy she’s always given me."

Madison tilted her head, confused. "What are you talking about? Bella’s always been... well, Bella. She’s just like that with everyone."

Nate shook his head and let out a dry laugh, the sound tinged with bitterness. "Not quite," he replied. "Back in school, I didn’t even exist to her. She was my first chemistry lab partner, you know. At least, she was supposed to be."

Madison furrowed her brows. "Supposed to be?"

Nate leaned back, his eyes focused on the fire. "Yeah. She rejected me—publicly, might I add. Told the entire class I was too skinny and that she needed someone ’more capable.’"

Madison’s eyes widened slightly, the words sinking in. "She actually said that?"

"She did," Nate said with a shrug. "I thought she might remember it when we ended up here and started talking again. But nope. Nothing. It’s like I never existed in her world." He paused, his lips curling into a humorless smile. "It’s funny, isn’t it? People always think they can treat others like they’re invisible, and when they finally see them, it’s like meeting a stranger."

Madison shifted uncomfortably. "I… I didn’t know. I mean, I knew Bella in school, but not well. We were in different circles. I mostly just heard stories about her."

"She hasn’t changed much," Nate said softly. "At first, when we got here, I thought maybe things would be different. She acted normal for a while. But then... she went right back to her old self."

Madison didn’t know how to respond. She bit her lip, glancing away as the fire crackled between them.

The silence stretched until Madison’s expression shifted, a sudden realization flashing in her eyes. "Wait," she said, narrowing her gaze at Nate. "How did you know which tunnel Bella was in earlier? When she was taken by that... thing?"

Nate froze for a moment, his eyes flickering with something she couldn’t quite place. "I… I don’t know," he admitted finally. "I just felt her. Like... I could sense her. I can’t explain it."

Madison raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a skeptical smirk. "Sure you did," she teased, snorting softly as she stood up. "You’re full of mysteries, Nate. Let me know when you figure that one out."

As she turned to leave, Nate’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Madison," he called, his tone serious now.

She turned back to face him.

"What happened out there… with the icy being," he said, his voice low but firm. "Keep it a secret. No one else needs to know."

Madison frowned. "Why?"

"Because it’s our responsibility," Nate said, his eyes locking onto hers. "We let it out, and we’ll find a way to deal with it. We don’t need to get everyone else involved and risk more chaos."

Madison stared at him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Fine," she said. "But you’d better have a plan, Nate."

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Nate gave a small nod, his gaze returning to the fire as Madison walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Madison rubbed the small of her back as she walked toward her tent, her muscles aching slightly. The pain had lessened considerably since the fight, but it still lingered as a dull throb. Her thoughts swirled in chaotic directions, from Nate’s revelations to the icy being and the strange energy they’d unleashed.

She was so preoccupied she almost didn’t notice Axel until he stepped in front of her with a smug grin.

"Hi," he said, his voice dripping with false charm.

Madison barely glanced at him before rolling her eyes. "Fuck off," she snapped, brushing past him without breaking stride.

Axel turned to watch her retreating form, a sly smirk tugging at his lips despite her cold dismissal. He stared after her, his dark eyes narrowing as if trying to figure her out.

Jason appeared beside him, hands in his pockets, grinning like he’d caught Axel in the act. "Damn, bro," Jason said with a chuckle. "What’d you do to piss her off so bad?"

"I didn’t do shit," Axel replied, shrugging. "She’s just playing hard to get."

Jason laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Anyway, how’d your little thing go with Bella?" Axel asked

Axel’s smirk faded as he turned to face Jason fully, giving him a sharp look. "It didn’t go the way I wanted," Jason admitted with a frown. "But it’s all good. I’ve got a way to stay close to her now. I’ll get in eventually. Just need time."

Axel clapped him on the back, a mocking grin returning to his face. "That’s my boy. Keep at it. These bitches like to act tough at first, but they’ll fold eventually. Madison’s the same. She might be acting all cold now, but trust me, she’ll come around."

"Sure thing," Jason said, smirking. "We’ll see who wins first."

Axel snorted. "Bet your ass I will."

---

The moment Nate opened his eyes, he felt strangely rejuvenated, his body lighter, and his mind clearer. The events of the previous night still lingered, but he decided to focus on the present. Stretching, he stepped out of his tent and was greeted by the sight of the morning sun rising over the horizon.

The rays warmed his skin, and he let out a small sigh of contentment, basking in the sunlight. But his peace was short-lived.

A strange, acrid smell filled the air. Smoke. Nate’s senses sharpened as he scanned the camp, his stomach sinking. The camp was eerily silent, the usual morning activity replaced by a haunting emptiness. Many of the tents were gone, leaving the area desolate.

"What the hell…" he murmured to himself, taking a cautious step forward.

Before he could investigate further, he heard a sound he recognized all too well: the distinct, sharp noise of Madison’s rift opening. She appeared before him in an instant, her face twisted with panic.

"Run!" she screamed, her voice raw and urgent.

Nate froze, confusion etched across his face. "Madison, what are you—"

He took a step toward her, but his movements stopped abruptly. His blood turned to ice as he saw what emerged behind her.

The icy being.

Its lifeless eyes locked onto them, and a chilling grin stretched across its frozen face. Its hand shifted, forming a sharp, glistening ice blade.

"Madison, get out of there!" Nate shouted, his voice cracking with desperation.

But it was too late.

With terrifying speed, the icy being closed the distance and drove the blade into Madison’s back. Her scream of agony pierced the air as the blade lifted her off the ground. Blood spilled from her mouth, staining her chin as her wide, pained eyes met Nate’s.

"No!" Nate screamed, his voice echoing across the empty camp.

His legs moved on their own, but he felt like he was running in slow motion, his mind screaming at him to do something, anything, to save her.

The icy being’s grin widened, its frozen blade gleaming with Madison’s blood as it stared directly at Nate.