Chapter 73 - Hunt (2)

On the other side, Son, Maïko, and Shailly also arrived in the mouth of a cave, each of them struck by its sheer size.

_ Son: " Seriously, this is their cave? It’s nothing more than a common hole! "

_ Maïko: " I knew we shouldn't have trusted that old man! "

_ Shailly: " Calm down... I think those animals won't be able to reach us… "

_ Maïko: " Stop talking! First, we need to cover your wound. "

_ Son: " The medical kits are in Kona's bag. "

Eyes look up at the ceiling. The young girl, frustrated, grimaces.

_ Maïko: “ Holy shit! ”

_ Shailly: “ It’ll be okay... I can still keep up the pace. “

Amidst the tumult of the rain, the animal's footsteps echo, amplified by the puddles. Its warm breath mingles with the damp air as it approaches, jaws agape. At its coming, the children's hearts race even faster, trapped. However, the animal comes to a halt after a few meters, offering the children an unexpected respite. A faint smile then begins to form.

_ Shailly: “ You see... I... what did I tell you? “

Maïko stares back at her without a word, simply enraged by the current situation. Meanwhile, Hazel and Kona, also in a cave, watch intently as the last hyena approaches them and, just like the others, comes to a halt.

_ Hazel: " That's what I thought; we’re safe. "

_ Kona: " Yes, but for how long? "

_ Hazel: " I don't know, but I'm thinking about that problem. "

A sigh escaped shortly after.

_ Kona: " I hope everyone is doing okay… "

On my end, imprisoned with the girls, I recall all the information gathered during our escape. But my concentration slips away at the sound of that damn hyena’s growl.

_ Kaya: " That's all well and good, but we're not out of the woods yet. "

With no immediate alternative, I thrust my hands into my pockets, determined to take action.

_ Ayden: “ I have two sparrows in my possession. I plan to use them as a diversion. Once the hyena is lured, we can make our way out. “

Eyes widen instantly.

_ Kaya: " But... they're dead?! "

_ Ayden: " Yes. "

Kaya stares at me, her eyes still wide.

_ Kaya: “ Ayden… Why do you have sparrows in your pockets? ”

_ Ayden: “ I killed them. ”

_ Kaya: “ ... Why? ”

I lock my eyes with his, my gaze brimming with determination.

_ Ayden: “ If this is what it takes for me to survive, then I won't hesitate. “

I drop my answer without any pressure. Visibly shocked by what I’ve said, she simply stares at me, her face both stunned and frightened. Hardly had I finished my sentence when Edna grabs me by the collar.

_ Edna: “ Fuck, for all we know, they've been attracted to us because of you this whole time! "

_ Ayden: " You heard that other Recluse earlier; he trapped us with his Source. "

_ Edna: " Maybe, but without his intervention, you would have doomed us sooner or later! "

Impassive, I stare her down.

_ Ayden: " I don't need a lecture on morality from the person who killed Jenna. "

A brief but fleeting look of astonishment crossed her face.

_ Edna: “ Jenna? Who is she? I was unconscious during our battle. “

Then he recalls their reunion.

_ Edna: " Now that I think about it, they are not all here. "

An expressionless face is revealed.

_ Edna: " Let me guess, Memba's the killer? " she said, in a strangely calm voice.

_ Ayden: " Who gives a damn? The facts are right there. "

She releases my collar then turns her head away.

_ Edna: " Fucking hell, Memba is such a asshole. "

The paradox in what she says leaves us puzzled. This annoyance toward Memba, his former comrade-in-arms, is impossible to understand.

_ Edna: “ Anyway, so what’s your strat? "

Despite my piqued curiosity, I am prioritizing our escape above all else, as it is our main priority given how time is slipping away.

_ Ayden: " First of all, throw the first sparrow as far as possible from our position to create a diversion. Then, someone runs in the opposite direction with the second sparrow to act as bait. "

A jaw clenches.

_ Kaya: “ This is absurd! Do you realize what you’re saying?? “

_ Ayden: “ Don't worry. While we were running, I spotted a slope, a kind of embankment to the west that we can climb. “

_ Kaya: " So what? "

_ Ayden: " At mid-height, those hyenas won't be able to reach us. They’re too bulky. From that point on, the bait will release the second sparrow and will be able to flee. "

A massive sigh looms as he sees how deadly serious I am about my strategy.

_ Kaya: " You're insane. "

_ Ayden: " Still, it worked against the cannibal, didn't it? "

_ Kaya: " That's not the same thing! Now you want us to be the bait! "

I look her straight in the eye.

_ Ayden: " Who said it would be you? I’ll be the bait. "

_ Kaya: " Are you serious? "

Before moving on, I pull myself up with difficulty in this narrow lair, bracing myself for action.

_ Ayden: " It is my strategy, my responsibility. Meanwhile, you take the opportunity to fl… "

Suddenly, an outstretched hand appears before my eyes.

_ Edna: “ Pass. “

Then I raise my head, slightly surprised.

_ Ayden: " What do you mean? "

_ Edna: “ Don't screw with me. Give it to me. "

_ Ayden: " I can handle it myself. "

_ Edna: “Oh, really? And if the first distraction flops and he nabs you, then what? "

Knowing this probability already, my opinion remains unchanged. That being said, this same sentence intrigues me.

_ Ayden: " Why does it bother you? It’s not as if you’d worry about my death, would you? "

A smile breaks out.

_ Edna: “ It’s true, I don’t give a damn if you die. But surviving by following someone else’s orders? No way. If I’m going to act, it’ll be on my own terms. "

_ Ayden: “ … “

_ Edna: “ Anyway, I'm more athletic than all of you. I'm the only one who can pull off your shitty strategy. “

I lower my eyes a little, observing the marks she carries.

_ Ayden: " You're pretty banged up, though. "

_ Edna: “ Shut your damn mouth, give me your shit, and get the fuck out of my face. “

Resigned in my motivation, I do not persist, and give him the sparrow.