Chapter 81

The first rays of morning light had just crept into the cave when Lucy White opened her eyes.

She tiptoed out of the entrance, careful not to wake the others still asleep. Last night's incident had forced her to change plans—she was supposed to gather everyone to search for food, but now she had to go alone.

A branch snapped under her foot with a sharp crack.

"Leaving so early?" Ethan Smith's deep voice came from behind her.

Lucy turned to see him leaning against the cave entrance, the dawn light casting a golden halo around him.

"Yeah. Wanted to give everyone more rest." She kept her voice low. "Today might be... complicated."

Ethan closed the distance between them in a few strides. "I'll come with you."

They walked side by side into the dense forest. Lucy noticed Ethan checking his phone periodically.

"No signal?" she asked.

He nodded. "Completely dead since last night."

A chill ran down Lucy's spine. If the production crew's satellite relay was malfunctioning, that wasn't a good sign. She pulled three divination coins from her pocket and tossed them lightly in her palm.

"The crew's alive, but in danger," she said, studying the hexagram.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Kidnapped, then."

"Most likely." Lucy pocketed the coins. "Those men weren't amateurs."

Ethan smirked. "Great location choice by the crew. 'Uninhabited island,' they said. Turns out we've got some very well-armed 'neighbors.'"

"They must have found a way to block satellite detection." Lucy kicked aside a loose stone. "Those three last night knew the terrain too well. They've been here a while."

They gathered wild berries and bird eggs in silence. Lucy's fingertips felt cold—in her past life, this episode had been filmed domestically. Why was everything different now?

"What do you think they are?" Ethan asked suddenly.

Lucy looked up. "Trained, well-equipped... probably pirates."

When they returned to the cave, Hank Cooper was waiting under a tree. He gave them a meaningful look.

"Couldn't reach the crew?" Lucy cut straight to the point.

Hank raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know?"

"Divination." She briefly explained the reading, then added, "The helicopter's probably compromised too."

Hank stroked his chin. "Two options. First, stick to the original plan and head for the extraction point. Second, try to rescue them."

"Second option," Lucy said without hesitation. "If they're after us, they won't let anyone leave easily."

She paused, lowering her voice further. "I think they want ransom."

A flicker of approval crossed Hank's eyes. "Same thought."

The three exchanged glances, the gravity of the situation settling over them. This wasn't a reality show anymore—it was a real survival game.

"Don't alert the others yet," Hank finally said. "We'll discuss details when Victor gets back."

Lucy nodded and turned to leave with the bag of food. Then she stopped and glanced back. "Ethan... are you scared?"

He gave her a faint smile. "Not with you here."

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling them in shifting patterns, but it did nothing to dispel the shadow hanging over them.