---
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Mountain Assignment
A few days after Daniel's quiet birthday, the familiar rhythm of school life returned.
The trio was finally back to normal.
Jack argued loudly in class again, Noah scolded him like usual, and Clare tried to keep both of them focused on their assignments.
But one afternoon, their teacher announced something unexpected.
"Your next assignment will require observation and reporting," the teacher explained. "You will visit the mountain area outside town. Study the plants, the weather patterns, and write a short report."
The classroom buzzed with excitement.
A trip outside town was far more interesting than sitting through lectures.
Jack leaned back in his chair with a grin. "So… this means picnic."
Noah rolled her eyes. "It means work."
"Work with food," Jack corrected confidently.
Clare laughed quietly.
After class, the group gathered near the café as usual.
Daniel joined them soon after arriving from the university.
"We're going to the mountains this weekend," Clare told him.
Jack crossed his arms proudly. "Important academic mission."
Daniel looked unconvinced. "You mean picnic."
"Exactly," Jack replied.
Noah sighed. "Both."
Alice stood slightly apart, listening.
Clare noticed and smiled gently. "You should come too."
Alice hesitated.
But after a moment, she nodded.
"Alright."
The weekend arrived with clear skies and cool air.
Winter was still a few weeks away, but the cold had already started to creep into the mornings.
The mountains stood tall beyond the town, their peaks brushing the pale blue sky.
The group climbed slowly along the trail.
Jack carried the picnic basket, complaining loudly about its weight.
"This is definitely not an academic activity," he grumbled.
Noah walked beside him. "You packed half the café inside that basket."
"Preparation is important."
Clare and Daniel walked ahead, discussing the plants they needed to identify for their report.
Alice followed quietly behind them.
And Xavier joined shortly after meeting them near the forest path.
They reached a small clearing near a rocky slope.
The view was beautiful.
The town below looked tiny, almost like a painting.
Jack immediately dropped the basket on the ground.
"Finally!"
Noah folded her arms. "You're dramatic."
"But correct."
Soon they spread a blanket and unpacked their food.
There was laughter, teasing, and a small argument when Jack tried to steal Noah's share of fruit.
Clare and Daniel laughed watching them.
Alice even smiled.
For a while, everything felt light again.
Peaceful.
Later, as the afternoon sun softened, the conversation slowly shifted.
They began talking about school.
About their future plans.
About what they might do after graduation.
Xavier had been quiet most of the day.
Finally, Jack noticed.
"You're unusually silent today," he said.
Xavier looked toward the distant cliffs.
"My parents died in the mountains," he said calmly.
The group fell silent.
He continued quietly.
"They were traveling through a mountain road. Their carriage fell from a cliff."
Clare lowered her gaze.
Xavier's voice remained steady, but something in it felt heavy.
"After that, my father's relatives took everything. Property, money… all of it."
Jack frowned. "That's illegal."
"It wasn't easy to prove," Xavier replied. "One document was missing. Without it, the inheritance was considered invalid."
Noah spoke softly. "Your uncle fought for it, right?"
Xavier nodded.
"My mother's brother. He raised me after that. He tried to fight the case too."
Daniel listened carefully.
"But without the missing document… the law sided with them," Xavier finished.
The wind moved softly through the trees.
For the first time that day, the mountains felt different.
Heavier.
Clare finally spoke gently.
"You'll get it back someday."
Xavier smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
Jack suddenly straightened.
"Well then," he said firmly, "we'll become lawyers and fix it."
Noah looked at him. "You just decided that?"
"Yes."
Clare laughed softly.
Daniel watched them quietly.
The mountains held many stories.
Some joyful.
Some painful.
---