They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 328: Help!!

Abuchi’s protective instincts flared, Ekene’s silent frustration simmered, and John’s internal conflict grew.

The forest had already tested them in countless ways, but now, it seemed to be revealing their true natures too. Their unknown fears, their silent longings for love, all their true feelings.

As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows through the trees, the weight of their strained relationships hung over them, each person too consumed with their thoughts to speak. Nnenna, quiet as ever, was lost in her own mind, unaware of the tensions between the others.

A week and a few days later…

“I think I see an opening!” Karen shouted, her voice filled with excitement. She had spotted something up ahead, and the thought of finally getting out of the forest made her feel lighter than she had been in weeks. Without hesitation, she broke into a run, her pace faster than the others as she headed toward the clearing.

The others, eager but not as quick, moved along behind her, trying to keep up, though they could not match Karen’s speed. Nnenna, trailing behind, wasn’t as fast, but she was doing her best to keep up.

The thick forest made it hard to move quickly, and the branches and vines made every step feel like a struggle. Still, Nnenna pushed forward, determined to reach the others.

Suddenly, the path grew denser, and a cluster of large leaves blocked her view of the group ahead. She could still hear them, but the thick undergrowth kept her from seeing anything. She worked her way through the leaves, trying to get closer, her heart racing with the excitement of nearing the exit.

But then

A scream shattered the air. It was sharp, filled with fear.

“AHHH!!”

Nnenna’s heart skipped a beat. Karen!

The scream was followed by John’s frantic voice. “Karen!!”

Her chest tightened as she froze in place. What had happened? Why was John shouting like that? Then, through the distance, she heard Abuchi’s commanding voice, his words clear despite the distance.

“Stop moving!” Abuchi shouted.

couldn’t see anything through the leaves, but the panic in their voices sent a wave of dread through

raced as she pushed through the thick leaves, desperate to

soon, three more loud cries filled

“Help! Help! Help!”

thick leaves and hurried forward,

Don’t come any closer!”

so fast it was like a speeding car hitting the brakes. Gasping for

almost

John, and Ekene were all slowly sinking

was thrashing around the most, already had half her body swallowed by the soil. The others weren’t doing much better, the thick mud had already

take a genius to realize what

Quicksand.

them had reacted on instinct, struggling wildly to escape. But Abuchi, Ekene, and John

only made

she was too scared to listen. Panic had taken over, and every frantic

frozen, horror flashing through

going to get out

Nnenna froze in place.

widened, breath

visible, everything else swallowed by the hungry pit of quicksand. A few feet behind her, the boys were also trapped, sunken waist deep and deathly still. Terror glazed their eyes, but they weren’t

Thank God.

hummed

Just

know this. I’ve read this before. I can do

“Survival Beyond the Compass”, one of her favorite old

boys. “Don’t

looked toward

not sinking fast because you’ve stopped struggling, that’s good. Now lean back! Lie flat and spread your arms. Slowly. You need to