Baekhyun stayed close by Luhan at the meet up. There were more people who were participating than he had thought, girls and guys from all different classes. No one was allowed to use their novas until the game started.

"Here." Luhan says excitedly, handing Baekhyun a tiny bracelet.

"What's this?"

Luhan helped him slip it on as he explained. "It's a spell band. IT's used only for these kinds of nova activities and it protects you from dying if someone else's nova strikes you."

Baekhyun's eyes widened with fear as he observed the small bracelet that would possibly save his life. "Y-You can die?!" He squeaked.

Luhan chuckled and put his hand on Baekhyun's shoulder. "Don't worry, the worst we've had was just a few missing fingers."

Baekhyun jumped back in panic. "What?!!?"

Luhan laughed and waved his hand side to side. "I'm joking! I promise you'll come out alive. As long as you wear this bracelet."

Baekhyun ran his fingertips across the piece of metal. "Has anyone actually died before?"

Just then, Jongdae came skipping over, wraping his arms around Baekhyun and Luhan's shoulders. "What's up guys? Excited?"

Baekhyun nervously laughed and Luhan shrugged.

"Aye, come on! Its the first scavenger hunt of the year! And it's Baekhyun's first scavenger hunt ever!"

Baekhyun gulped, hoping it wouldn't also be his last.

"Attention please." A voice from the speaker poles, scattered all across the campus, sudden speaks. Jongdae straightened up and Baekhyun turned to look at the speaker machine.

"Gi-hyeon's first scavenger hunt wll be beginning in only a few moments, Please be patient and be sure to wear your nova band. No students will be allowed into the forest without a nova band."

Xiumin came over to drag Jongdae away, giving Baekhyun a tiny smile before they walked over to another area. Almost everyone was in a pair or a group of three.

"What happens if we get separated, hyung?" Baekhyun asks and Luhan laughs, noticing how worried the younger male was.

"I'll come find you. Just send me some signals."

Baekhyun blinks. "How do I do that?"

People were starting to get onto two lines.

"Just think of me really hard. You could also call for others this way too, but my nova allows me to get these signals faster. Also, try to hint me your location so I can get to you."

They stood side by side on line and Baekhyun couldn't help but look for Kyungsoo. After a few seconds of searching, Baekhyun located his roommate further up trying to ignore the bouncing second year beside him.

"How long does this game last?"

Luhan shrugs. "It depends..A couple of hours maybe? After that, we have lunch!"

Baekhyun frowns. A couple hours?!

"Well, who usually wins these games?"

Luhan puts a finger to his chin and thinks back to the past years. "If I remember clearly..Freshman year, it was a senior with a speed nova..Then these past two years....it's been Chanyeol."

Baekhyun's eyes widen. "Chanyeol?!"

Luhan nods a bit more positive about his answer. "He's really good at finding things, despite how much lack of emotion he usually shows. But the thing is, because he's the highest rank, he can't use his nova."

"Yet he still wins." Baekhyun says and Luhan sighs.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he won again today."

Baekhyun catches a glimpse of the taller male standing a couple pairs away and can't help but think how much he stands out among the other students. His large ears and height contrasted from those standing around him.

Luhan puts his arm around Baekhyun and pull his closer, snapping the younger male out of his thoughts. "Let's try our best, Baeekhyun-ah!"

Baekhyun hesitantly nods and gives the senior a weak smile. "Yeah..let's."

The first hour of the game was going well. He and Luhan had found four of the 10 listed, including B-Berries, Green Glow stones, and other random earthly objects. Baekhyun carried them in a small basket as they continued.

"See? This isn't too difficult." Luhan says carefreely as they walk down the trail. Once they got into the forest, students who were eager to win (mostly freshmen who had no idea who the two time champion was) ran further with hopes to get a head start. Luhan ad Baekhyun on the other hand, took their time.

"I guess." Baekhyun replies, silently breathing out a sigh of relief. So far, there had been no need for Luhan to use his nova, nor did he have to show proof that he had any supernatural powers. It was simply like a normal scavenger hunt in the forest.

Occasionally, they heard a crash of a tree falling over or a few bursts of laughter from other groups but there were no announcements of injuries or winners. It was only the beginning.

"What's next?" Baekhyun asks and Luhan shows him the list. By now, they were deep in the forest. He couldn't help but think how much it reminded him of the previous day. They were in a different area of the forest surrounding the whole school but everything looked similar. It was still bright out and they would only see a pair possbily once every twenty minutes. They hadn't bump into Jongdae or Kyungsoo yet but Baekhyun constantly wished for them to meet.

"Okay, we've found these already....so..-"

Luhan immediately snapped his head up and looked around with a worried expression.

"W-What?" Baekhyun asked, confused by Luhan's sudden actions.

"He's-!" Luhan took a few steps backwards.

"Hyung-"

Luhan looked at Baekhyun apologetically. "I'm sorry, Baek. I have to go. He needs me right now!"

Before Baekhyun could say anything else, the senior took off in one direction. The shorter male tried to follow but gave up when Luhan was too far out of reach.

"Not again!" Baekhyun groaned in frustration. He looked down at the list of objects in his hand and then at the basket looped in his arm.

Who was in danger?

Baekhyun couldn't help but think that it had become a habit for everyone to just start running away when someone was hurt.

He made his way back, or at least in the direction he believed he had come from. Every tree trunk and bush looked identical. There was the ocassional sound of birds chirping and the leaves rustling in the wind.

"Stupid scavenger hunt..Stupid Luhan hyung." Baekhyun mumbled.

Baekhyun continued for another ten minutes before seeing a figure up ahead, sitting on a large rock. He lets out of breath of hope and hurried over.

"E-Excuse me! Do you know where the exit i-" Baekhyun paused as the person turned around.

"Chan..yeol." He says, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. They weren't friends. They weren't exactly enemies. Just two people who knew of each other.

"What?" He says almost emotionlessly from the higher location. He sat about 8 feet above the ground and Baekhyun had to look up to see part of his face.

"N- I just thought.." Baekhyun found himself stuttering. Why should I be scared? We're the same age.

"Anyway, do you know where the exit is?" Baekhyun clears his throat and asks, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Chanyeol scoffs quietly but it was loud enough in the silent forest for Baekhyun to hear.

"W-What?" Baekhyun asks, defiantly but deep inside, he was screaming for help.

Chanyeol lifted his leg so it was bent and tucked in closer to his body before resting his forearm on his knee. He looked at Baekhyun from the corner of his eye.

"I'll help you find the exit," He starts and Baehyun's eyes widen.

"Reall-!?"

"If," He cuts Baelhyun off sharply. "you help me win."

Baekhyun blinks and points to himself. "M-Me?"

There was no way he could help Chanyeol. He had a terrible sense of navigation and he didn't even have a useful nova, let alone one at all. His hopes were crushed and Baekhyun only sighed.

"I can't do that. If anything, I'd only slow you down."

Chanyeol raised at eyebrow and cocked his head, eyeing Baekhyun's basket. "What do you have so far.?"

Baekhyun look down at the basket as well before checking his list.

"The first four...but that's-"

"Good, I have the the next two. We only need four more." Chanyeol says, standing up with ease. Now, he stood much taller than Baekhyun and the light rays shined on his hair , giving Chanyeol a glow.

"Wai-"

Chanyeol grabbed his basket and jumped down from the rock, nearly giving Baekhyun a heart attack. Chanyeol was surely atheltic for someone as lanky looking as he was. He smoothly landed on his feet and looked at Baekhyun, handing him his basket before walking away with his hands in his pockets. Baekhyun scoffed.

What does he think I am? His servant?

As Chanyeol began to get further away, Baekhyun only sighed in frustration and sighed in defeat.

"Hold on, Chanyeol!" He yelled after the taller male, struggling to carry both baskets.

Baekhyun eventually caught up to the latter, silently following behind him. Baekhyun stared at Chanyeol's broad shoulders that never turned back once. Chanyeol would occasionally stop and look around but he never said a word to him.

Why is he telling me to help when he's just doing everything himself?

He's only taking away the objects Luhan and I found..

Baekhyun huffs before bumping into Chanyeol, who had come to a sudden stop. Baekhyun frowns and tries to blow his hair out of his face, having both his hands full.

"Wha-"

"Sh!" Chanyeol silenced him and slowly turned his head to face Baehyun. The taller male stared into his eyes and Baekhyun felt his heart beat faster.

Thumpthumpthumpthump

Baekhyun felt his face get warmer as Chanyeol leaned closer and Baekhyun couldn't hold it in anymore.

"W-Wh-What are you doing!?" He yells, pushing Chanyeol away with all his might and holds the baskets closer to his body. Chanyeol look at him as if he's crazy and groans in frustration, running a hand through his hair.

"Are you being serious right now?" Chanyeol asks, looking him dead in the eye with a glare. Baekhyun gulped. Had he done something wrong?

"W-Well you c-came so close all of the sudden and y-"

"I was trying to catch the Blue Diamond salamander." Chanyeol says with a heavy sigh and Baekhyun furrowed his brows in confusion before turning around to look at the amphibian scurrying away from the tree trunk behind him.

Baekhyun felt his heart drop with heavy embarrassment. He had just gotten in the way of Chanyeol's victory. They only need two more of the listed objects and by now, they were probably already two hours into the hunt.

"O-Oh.." Baekhyun stutters out, looking down at his feet. His shoes were fairly dirty and his legs were sore from all the walking.

"That's all you have to say?" Chanyeol says, annoyance clear in his voice.

Baekhyun was starting to regret ever agreeing to help Chanyeol. All the other male had done was make Baekhyun  feel bad about himself and basically ignored him most of he time.

"Whatever. Just, sit here. I'll go catch another." Just like that, Chanyeol took several strides to another direction and disappeared out of Baekhyun's sight. The shorter male didn't have the confidence to follow him once more. Doing as he was told, Baekhyun sat down on a near by log, placing the baskets beside him with a frown.

"This is definitely not fun.."

Another silent five minutes passed and Chanyeol still hadn't returned.

He wouldn't just leave me here to die..would he?

Baekhyun looks at the list paper that was now folded and crumpled in every way possible.

"Red Maple...leaf?" Baekhyun said to himself. Most of the objects were things he had never seen before but if there was one thing Baekhyun knew, it would be a maple leaf.

That can't be too difficult to find.

Baekhyun stood up with a new desire to find the last item on the scavenger hunt list.

"Leaves would be on trees so.." He looked up, hoping to spot a tree of red leaves. It was the beginning of September and the leaves were beginning to lose their green color. How would he know which one was the Red Maple?

Baekhyun took careful steps and continued to look up as he walked down the slopes. He felt something tickling his arm and when he looked down, he noticed a large spider crawling on his arm.

"Yah yah yah yah!!!" He had the worst fear of any bugs or insects with more than 4 legs. Screaming his head off as he ran, Baekhyun found himself somewhere much further away. He was completely out of breath and he didn't have the energy to run anymore. He huffed as he took a few steps forward, hoping he could just find the leaf a go. Baekhyun looked up once more and scanned every tree he could see.
Something bright red flashed under the rays of the sunlight and Baekhyun's eyes widened.

"Is...that it?"

Baekhyun looks around and puts his baskets down on a rock before proceeding to climb the tree. He had always been a tree-climber since a young age, always causing his mother the constantly worry of her son falling to his death. Luckily the leaf was on a low branch and he wouldn't have to climb too high up to obtain it. It was different from the other leaves around it, having an almost glass like quality.

With one foot at a time, Baekhyun put his feet on the lumps of bark on the tree trunk and slowly moved his way up.

"Almost there, Baek.." He says to himself, inching closer and closer to the leaf.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Someone yells from below and Baekhyun almost loses his balance. He looks down only to see Chanyeol frowning with confusion and disbelief.

Baekhyun points to the leaf just a few inches away from his fingertips.

"The maple leaf." He replies and moves another inch closer. By now, he was half on the branch, and half dangling in the air.

"You're going fall!" Chanyeol yells back but Baekhyun shakes his head.

"Trust me, I'm a professional."

Chanyeol rolls his eyes. "Come down before I burn the tree you're climbing."

Baekhyun almost laughed. "I'm not stupid. You're not allowed to use your nova."

Chanyeol sighed, muttering something under his breath.

"Just please, get down."

With a quick extension of his arm, Baekhyun grasped the leaf between his fingertips and a smile broke out on his face.

"I got it!" Baekhyun exclaims but Chanyeol didn't look any more elated or any less worried.

"Yeah, yeah. Now, get the down." Chanyeol demanded and Baekhyun obeyed.

When his feet touched the ground, Chanyeol came over and stared at Baekhyun. "You're unbelievable."

Baekhyun didn't appreciate his harsh tone. He was getting fed up with Chanyeol's ignorant behavior. He roughly shoved the leaf into Chanyeol's hands. "At least I got something."

Chanyeol frowned and spoke sarcastically. "One one of the ten, how fantastic."

Who do you think I'm doing this for?!

"You asked me to help but all you do is yell at me and call me names! I don't know why- Hey!" Baekhyun looked over and noticed there were two students looking into their basket that he had set down earlier. His eyes widened and he knew they wouldn't return it.

"Finder's keepers." One of them says teasingly and Baekhyun immediately runs after them.

"Yah!" Baekhyun yells, following closely behind them. He couldn't help but feel angry at the two students who dared to steal their basket.  "I went through way too much for you two to just take it away like that!"

One of the guys, who looked in fact younger than Baekhyun, turned around as the other one sped up. He had a smirk on his face and Baekhyun had a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Baekhyun slowed down but the student extended his arm, sending a bright blue stream of light directly at the latter.

Baekhyun's eyes widened and he shut them tightly, waiting for the blow to hit him. Before he could register what was happening, there was something warm embracing him, almost enveloping his body.

He opened his eyes and found his face buried in someone's chest. The fabric was pressed against his cheek and Baekhyun tried to pull away but the person's arms wouldn't budge.

"Wh-"

"Shut up will you?" A deep voice says and Baekhyun could feel the subtle vibrations from the speaker.

"Ch-Chanyeol?" Baekhyun squeaks in surprise. he tried to lift his face up to see the taller male but their position didn't allow him to.

"You really don't listen." He mutters.

Baekhyun frowned and spoke in a more upset tone. He was still angry at Chanyeol from blowing up at him. "You can let go now."

Chanyeol scoffed. "Trust me, I would if I could. But I literally can't."

Baekhyun furrowed his eyebrows. "What are you talking about? Let g-"

Baekhyun tried to move but Chanyeol's grip was too strong.

"That student had a Paralyze nova." Chanyeol explains but it took a few seconds for that to register through Baehyun's brain.

Paralyze nova?...Wait...

"Does that mean-!"

Chanyeol let out a sigh. "Yep. You and me. Like this. For another half hour."

Fun times in the forest ;)

Leave a comment! Who do you think Luhan went to help? Why do you think Chanyeol protected Baekhyun from being paralyzed? If you're confused about anything, don't hesitate to ask any questions!

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