Chapter 8 - Exploration (3)

Serious anxiety is evident. I place both hands on his shoulders.

_ Ayden: “ Calm down, Maïko! Take a deep breath. ”

She takes a deep breath and calms down.

_ Ayden: “ Listen to me. I know you're really scared, but we don't have time. We have to get out of here, and fast. Help me carry him and walk as fast as you can. ”

_ Maïko: “ O... Okay… ”

_Ayden: “ I have to find a way to get us out of this mess. ”

_Maïko: “ I can hear them... they're coming! ”

_Keren: “ Drop me off. ”

I turn my head toward the tutor.

_ Ayden: “ What? ”

_ Keren: “ I'm going to lock us in a stone igloo... and then... I'm going to lock them in too and blow them up. ” he said, catching his breath.

_ Ayden: “ Okay! ”

We set it down, then the guardian Keren, placing his hand on the ground, forms his igloo of stone and encloses us.

Shortly thereafter, the masked Recluses and their tracking dogs arrive at their destination. They dismount from their horses and notice a stone igloo in front of them.

_ Recluse: “ What the hell is a stone igloo doing there? ”

_ Recluse Leader: “ Send the dog to sniff around the perimeter. ”

_ All Reclus: “ Yes, sir. ”

The dog moves around the perimeter, sniffing for a possible trail. Finally, the dog stops right in front of the igloo. I signal to Maïko that we must not make a sound under any circumstances.

_ Recluse 1: " Chief, the dog is sniffing something right in front of the igloo. I think there must be something inside. “

_ Recluse 2: ” I'm going to smash this igloo with my club. “

_ Recluse Leader: ” No, wait, we don't know what's inside, it's better not to take any risks. "

At that moment, Maïko and I watch with a glimmer of hope as the masked Reclus continue on their way.

_ Recluse Leader: “ I have a better idea. Let's burn the igloo. ”

Maïko and I are shocked by what he has said. A shiver runs through our bodies, sweat on our foreheads.

_ Recluse Leader: “ Prepare a fire for me, I'm going to soak the igloo with oil from my Source. ”

We hear an unimaginable amount of oil dripping over the entire surface of the igloo. Then, a burning smell begins to linger.

_ Recluse Leader: “In the meantime, check the surrounding area again for any traces. We have to find that jar.”

_ Recluse: “Chief, what if the jar is inside the igloo?”

_ Recluse Leader: “No problem, the pills are fairly fire-resistant.”

The masked Recluses therefore begin to disperse into small groups and expand the search area. Meanwhile, we are trapped in the igloo, which is catching fire. Tutor Keren begins to lose consciousness due to the suffocating heat.

It is therefore decided to remove his open jacket, wrap it around his neck, and press it lightly against his mouth to prevent particles from entering. All this is done while leaving enough space for him to breathe. We each take off our T-shirts and hold them over our mouths.

_ Maïko: “ Ayden, what do we do? ” she whispers.

_ Ayden: “ If we leave the igloo, they'll come after us and we'll be done for. If we stay in the igloo, we'll suffocate to death. ”

I think about ways we can all get out of here alive. Shortly after, an idea pops into my head.

_ Ayden: “ I have an idea. I brought an extra whistle in my bag. I want to use it to create a diversion. It will create an opening and we can get out safely. But for that, I still need your help. ”

_ Maïko: “ Okay... Tell me what I need to do. ”

_ Ayden: “ You need to repeat what you did earlier and take the whistle from my hand with you. When you're far enough away from us, blow the whistle. That will attract them and we can escape. ”

_ Maïko: “ I'm willing, but I need vision. I can't transpose my head onto a surface without vision. ”

_ Ayden: “ Okay. In that case, let me do it. ”

_ Maïko: “ ? ”

I concentrate and aim with my hand, without touching the igloo, at a small area to crack it.

_ Maïko: “ Hey, but... do you have the same power as Keren? ” she said, her pupils dilated

_ Ayden: “ Not quite, but I'll explain later. Can you see anything through the crack now? ”

_ Maïko: “ Yes! ”

_ Ayden: “ Perfect. Stand by a tree as far away as possible. When you're ready, give me a thumbs up and I'll put my hand on your shoulder. That will be the signal. ”

_ Maïko: “ Okay. ”

Maïko therefore moves her head to a tree that is quite far away and out of sight. She holds the whistle in her mouth.

_ Recluse: “ Boss, still no sign of the jar. ”

_ Recluse Leader: “ Damn it. ”

The chief looks toward the igloo, which is slowly being consumed by the flames.

_ Recluse Leader: “ When the fire has burned out, check inside. If you find anything, take it all. ”

_ Recluse: “ At your command. ”

_ Ayden: “ It's getting harder and harder to breathe. Tutor Keren is still knocked out. I hope Maïko is ready soon. ”

_ Maïko: “ Okay, I'm ready. There are so many of them, I really hope this works… ”

At the same time, a Recluse nearby approaches Maïko's position.

_ Recluse: “ This is so annoying. How does he expect us to find a jar in the middle of the forest? ”

_ Maïko: “ Ah, Ayden just put his hand on my shoulder. That's the signal. I'm going to whist…”

_ Recluse: “ Who are you? ”