The next clue was a little hard to find.“There” Dana pointed at a patch of missing grass. This formed the shape of ‘B’. Dana and Ben dug up a box with a note “1 wheelchair.” Dana pressed their buzzers.They trotted for a while before spotting the next clue. It was a clever one, a climber with tiny yellow green flowers was arranged in a B shape. Ben and Dana dismounted and walked towards the climber.“Stay there. These shrubs are thorny.” Ben extended his hand to stop Dana coming closer to him.Dana frowned but listened.Ben walked closer and noted that the treasure box was placed at the foot of the climber, but it was closely surrounded by small thorny shrubs. He looked around.“What are you looking for?”“Something long and strong.”Dana could move more freely as she wasn’t standing in the thorny area. She looked around and picked a branch “Will this do?”It was thick and sturdy. Ben nodded and walked towards her.“Stay there.” Dana ran forward and extended it to him.Ben stuck the
BOOM!Sarah jittered and opened her eyes. Frank looked with annoyance towards the exploded letterbox.The second box had exploded with a shower of confetti and a large satchel cover that looked about 50 cms in length and width.Sarah sat up in a hurry as she came to her senses “Hurry…. That’s the next task.”Frank bought the satchel and gave it to her. Sarah opened the satchel curiously.There were two large, laminated photos, 2 fridge magnets, a pager and a note.“Ha…ha….ha…” Sarah started laughing as she saw the photos and warned Frank “You are not allowed to show this to the kids”In the first picture, a frightened Sarah was clinging on to Frank who had a big smile on his face as he carried his wife.The second one, Frank and Sarah were sitting under the tree with their heads touching and enjoying snacks.The note read-I can be hot, I can be cold, I can run and I can be still, I can be hard and I can be soft. What am I?Once you’ve figured who I am, type in the pager and wait for
Two seconds later, a message came. It read-“Search on banks of the river, the length should not exceed 1 m to left and 1m to the right of your tent’s outer width. Find an undamaged conch and cross the river from that point. Your path is lined by your team alphabet.Your first task for this segment is to collect 5 treasures that are hidden along the path. Press the buzzer every time you collect one. Your alphabet will guide you.Your second task is to hunt for lunch and press the buzzer when you have completed. Type what you caught in the pager for next instructions.”“Hurry up! Let’s go.” Lara rushed Ed. She was very competitive, she wanted to win. Dana was probably the only person she didn’t mind losing to!Lady luck was smiling at Lara. As soon as she reached the bank, she spotted a conch; She dismounted and ran to pick it up. It was an undamaged, complete, pure white conch.“Got it” Lara jumped up and down, holding the conch excitedly.Ed lazily trotted towards her pulling her hor
Ed pursed his lips “Ben isn’t as bad as you think.”Lara hooked her eyebrows as if to ask, ‘What does it have to do with me?’“He is very sincere to her. I have never seen his like this. You should have seen him those two weeks he promised you…. Zombies are better company!” Ed decided to brainwash Lara.“I know he is sincere. I have seen it. But…” Lara paused, shook her head and shrugged “It will depend on how he can convince her.”“True.” Ed couldn’t agree more.“I will not interfere. I respect whatever choice she makes; however unreasonable it is.” Lara made her stand.“Yes, as friends that’s all we can do.” Ed slouched back.“Actually, you’re not too bad.” Lara smiled.“You’re alright too…” Ed smiled “I had fun today. I rarely do this sort of thing. You’re not daft and might have already figured it out, but if it was not for Ben dragging me here; I wouldn’t come.”Lara shrugged as she swung in the hammock.An hour passed with the two contemplating amiably about Ben and Dana’s fate.
Sarah decided to show their pictures to dispel the awkward atmosphere. Lara and Dana gathered around Sarah. Ed passed the ones in his hand to Ben and Frank.“AAAwwwhhhh” Dana and Lara sighed in unison.“You two are so lovey-dovey” Lara giggled.“We haven’t done something like today since the kids came around.” Sarah smiled blissfully.“Kids??” Lara shrieked.Sarah put 3 fingers up proudly “One in university, one finishing high school and the other one was with you guys the other day.”Lara repeated 3 kids and looked at the pictures again…. she hugged Dana and mumbled “Why are some people so lucky?”Dana and Sarah giggled.Sarah spotted the ring on Dana’s promise finger. She held her hand with wide open eyes and stared at Dana “When???? Treat???”Dana pulled her hand in embarrassment and mumbled “I can’t even take it off.”“I can’t either.” Sarah smiled meaningfully as she raised her hand and showed her wedding ring.“I will tell you the story of this unremovable ring some other day” S
“Are you sure you don’t want your share of the prize?” Dana checked with Ben again.Ben shook his head.“Then come with me. Let’s give it to Dr Ericson. Coincidently he is also here.”Ben nodded and followed. He was happy even to go to Hades with her, let alone Dr Ericson.“Wait.” Lara stopped Dana seeing that she was about to go.“Major General” Lara called out to Ed.Ed looked uncomfortable; He preferred it when she didn’t know him and rebuked him as the drug lord. At least she called him by his name!“Can you give me your account number?”“What?” Ed knew this woman’s brain wasn’t connected properly but why did she…“I want to go with Dana to handover the prize money. I will transfer your share to you.” Lara explained politely before Ed’s thoughts could fly.“No need. I don’t need it.”“Then…. Shall I give your share as well?” Lara asked hesitantly.Ed nodded “Also, please call me Ed. Any friend of Dana’s is also a friend of mine.”“Alright.” Lara agreed straightforwardly. She wasn’
A week later on Thursday, Dana had just finished her shower and was lying lazily on the sofa watching her favorite movie when her phone rang.“Dring…Dring….Dring…”She felt really tired today, she was going to ignore it. Her day had started at 6 in the morning today as there was an important meeting with clients who were overseas; She finished her session with Kim and got back only around 7pm. She was exhausted. She didn’t even have the strength to make diner. Luckily Lara forced her to buy take-away. Now all she wanted was peace and quiet. But the phone seemed relentless.“Dring…Dring….Dring…”Dana looked at the unknown number and frowned. While she was thinking whether she should pick up the call, it ended. Just as she was about to put it down the phone rang again.“Hello”“Ms. Williams.” An unfamiliar deep male voice came from the other end.“Yes.”“Ms. Williams, I am officer Quinn from the Dorsen police department.”“Yes.”“My chief Mr. Jenkins wants to have a chat with you. Woul
Ben explained that these Tyson’s people following her since the last 4 weeks. He had ordered his men to take action if anyone came near her.Dana shivered when she thought that she had been followed for the last 4 weeks. At the same time, she was grateful to Ben protecting her even without her knowledge.Ed noticed Lara shaking in fear and patted her shoulders comfortingly.“But those 3 men, only spoke at the most 1-2 sentences.?” Dana looked helplessly at Ben. ‘Were those three sentences worth a life?’“They weren’t killed for the sentences.” Shadow stepped in. “The guy on Monday followed you all the way to your house. He waited outside till all the lights were turned off. We thought he was just tailing at first and didn’t pay much attention. He was silenced only when he tried to break into your house.”“Enough” Ben growled. He could feel Dana trembling. He pulled her into his embrace.Shadow lowered his head. He knew Ben was angry.Dana tugged shirt with a pleading look “I want to k