Chapter 26 Cold Paradise

Words : 844 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Malik didn't even remember falling asleep. Again. One moment he was sitting against the cave wall, trying to convince himself that everything was fine—that he could handle this—and the next, he was out cold. When he woke up, it wasn't because of a peaceful sunrise or even his body deciding it was rested. "Please..." Nope, it was because Sinbad was shaking him, his small hands gripping his arm hard enough to bruise. "...brother!" Sinbad's voice was high and shaky, like he'd been holding in his fear for hours. "Big brother, wake up! Please wake up!" Malik blinked blearily, his mind dragging itself out of the fog called exhaustion. "Wha—what?" He mumbled, trying to sit up. "What's wrong? Did I die?" Sinbad sniffled, his wide eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I thought you did! You wouldn't wake up!" A faint smile tugged at Malik's lips, feeling déjà vu. He didn't mean to say that last part out loud, but oh well. "Nah, still kicking. Promise." Malik reached out, ruffling Sinbad's hair. "Good job waking me up, though. What's going on?" Sinbad pointed toward the cave's depths, his finger trembling. "Monsters. I've been hearing them for a while, but now they're really close. I didn't know what to do." KEEI... KEEI... Malik perked up when a familiar screech echoed as if to support the boy's words. They were distant but unmistakably getting closer. "You did great, kid. Really." "O-Of course~!" "Let's get outta here before they decide we're dinner." He pushed himself to his feet and tried to scoop up Huda, thinking that he had gained enough strength to do so, but failed, somehow even worse than last time. "I got her!" Immediately understanding his plight, Sinbad lowered himself and picked her up on his back. She was still burning sick but visibly more at ease now that she'd had some water. "Thanks. Now stick close, and don't make a sound, got it?" Sinbad nodded, his face pale but determined. Together, they slipped out of the cave and into the cool night air. The grass glowed faintly under the reflection of the distant lighthouse. If not for that light, the night would've been suffocatingly dark. But Malik didn't have time to appreciate the eerie beauty of it. The screeches were louder now, closer, and the thought of running wasn't something he entertained. They needed to hide. Malik stayed frozen, counting each shaky beat of his heart, waiting for another sound, another clue that they might come back. Yet all he heard was the faint rustling of the wind. "Hoooooooohhhhh..." He exhaled, the breath escaping in a trembling rush he couldn't control. His hand fell from Huda's mouth as he pushed Sinbad away and flopped onto his back, sucking in air like it was the first time he'd ever breathed. "Holy shit... holy fucking shit." Malik's whisper to himself was barely audible over the thundering in his ears. His body was just that taut. "Hey kid..." Turning to his Sinbad, he slowly asked: "You alright?" "Y-Y-Y-Yes." "...Alright... let's move." He helped Sinbad to his feet and pushed Huda back up on the boy's back. They hurried back into the cave, not saying another word. Each step echoed louder than it should've in the silence while Malik's mind raced with thoughts of his failure. 'I should've been the one that woke him up.' '...Not the other way around...' 'Fuck it—' But those thoughts quickly disappeared as they went deeper into the cave, intent on reaching the water source while those nightmares were out. And it wasn't long before they did. It felt like stepping into a dream. The cool, clear pool shimmered faintly in the dim light, the sound of water dripping from the ceiling almost soothing. "Whoooo!" Sinbad didn't hesitate—he practically dove in with Huda still on her back, splashing water everywhere. "Hmph..." Malik couldn't blame him. He knelt at the edge, cupping the water in his hands and drinking deeply. It was cold, crisp, and impossibly refreshing. "This..." Malik said between gulps, "is the best damn water I've ever had." Sinbad laughed, the sound light and genuine for the first time in what felt like forever. "It's like a cold paradise!" Malik grinned, joining him and forcing Huda to drink more even as she mumbled in protest. "C'mon, kid. Drink up! You'll thank me later." Once they'd all had their fill—and then some—Malik leaned back, his legs sprawled out as he let the cold seep into his bones. He glanced at Sinbad, who was grinning like a fool. "Hey, you wanna check out this cave later? See what else is hiding in here?" Sinbad's eyes widened, a mix of excitement and nervousness flashing across his face. "You mean it?" Malik smirked. "Yeah. But only if you're up for it. What d'ya say?"

Chapter 26 Cold Paradise

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