Chapter 74 - Hunt (3)

Meanwhile, in the other shelter, the hyena salivated just a few steps from Son’s group, its fangs sharpened, waiting only for the right moment to begin its meal. Everyone searched for a solution, in vain.

_ Son: “ I’m pathetic! I’m incapable of finding a solution in moments like these! Ayden and Hazel would have found one! "

Then, he looks at the girls out of the corner of his eye.

_ Son: “ I messed up with Jenna; there’s no way I’m letting that happen again! “

The fist clenches.

_ Son: " Come on, think, think, think, think! "

Shortly after, an idea crosses his mind. He immediately looks at the girls.

_ Son: " Maïko! "

_ Maïko: " Yes? "

_ Son: " Do you still have Ayden's whistle with you?? "

_ Maïko: " The whistle? "

She fumbles through all her pockets, reflecting on past events.

_ Maïko: “ Now that I think about it, I completely forgot to give him back his whistle. It should normally be… “

A whistle emerges from the shadows.

_ Maïko: " Found it! "

_ Son: " Perfect! Ayden told me about your first exploration. We could use it to lure them in! "

_ Maïko: " Oh, right! Exactly! "

Noticing a flicker of hope in their eyes, Shailly remained calm.

_ Shailly: " Yes, but are you sure it will work? "

_ Maïko: " No idea. Personally, I don't know anything about animals. "

_ Son: " Me neither, but it's worth a try. "

With no other alternative at hand, Shailly placed her trust in them.

_ Shailly: " All right, let's do this! "

At the same time, Son looks his companion straight in the eyes.

_ Son: “ I know it's dangerous but... would you be able to try it again? “

She, surprisingly calm, shows a hidden determination.

_ Maïko: “ Yes, I can do it. “

Then, she looks at the environment through their hole.

_ Maïko: " And besides, the conditions are good. It's raining, the trees are very damp, and my flasks are full. "

Turns around once more.

_ Maïko: " I won't have any trouble tapping into my Source, but what about Shailly? "

_ Shailly: " Yes, will you be okay to carry me again? You're tired. " she said, her eyes instinctively flickering toward the child with the crest.

_ Son: “ Do not fear for me. I shall carry you and run with all my might. I am a man, and though this situation is dire, it is no reason to surrender. "

An arm gesture reveals itself, fist clenched.

_ Son: “ Then we’ll survive, okay? “

After these words, Maïko, Son, and Shailly bump their fists together, a simple yet powerful gesture, symbolizing their unwavering determination.

_ Maïko: “ Totally! ”

_ Shailly: “ Yes! “

Ready for the operation, I hold the second sparrow firmly in my hand and position myself so as to extend my arm to the maximum for a better throw. Before my throw, I look at the girls one last time.

_ Ayden: " Ready? "

_ Kaya: " Whenever you are. "

_ Edna: " … "

I throw my sparrow with all my might. Inertia makes it bounce slightly before it lands near a bush, enough, as hoped, to lure the hyena. The next second, Edna emerges fully from the cave, feeling liberated, then hurries toward the embankment. The sound of footsteps echoing through several puddles once again disturbs the hyena which, sensing the scents disperse, hesitates for a moment. In the end, she decides to go after Edna. Since the coast is clear, we wait an extra five seconds for safety. I raise my hand, signaling Kaya that it's time to go.

Moments later, in the other cave, Maïko placed the whistle in her mouth, ready to act. Despite the hyena's imposing size partially obscuring her view, she was still able to activate her Source and perfectly transpose herself onto a tree.

Unfazed by the situation, the hyena remains stoic, its steady growls echoing its focus on the remaining prey. Meanwhile, Son tears a piece of his shorts with the intent of gagging Shailly, but doubt gnaws at him.

_ Son: " Are you sure it wouldn't be better to bandage your wound? It’s bleeding more and more. "

_ Shailly: " No... I’d rather you gagged me. If I scream from the pain... that animal will attack us... and all Maïko’s efforts will have been for nothing. "

With his jaw clenched, the young boy reluctantly performed the task.

_ Son: " Hang in there a bit longer. Once we've found Kona, we'll dress your wound properly! "

She nodded and gave a simple nod in agreement. Maïko blows the whistle for several seconds, hoping to lure the animal. The high-pitched ultrasound distracts the creature, which looks away from its prey and hurries toward the sound. Reassured by the hyena’s actions, Maïko repeated the process, moving her body to a new tree to draw the animal away from her companions. Alert to the situation, Son painstakingly pulled Shailly out of the narrow hole, dragging her by the arm. Her cries, muffled by the gag, died away.

For my part, after covering several meters, I came to a sudden halt, a clear idea taking shape in my mind. This abrupt stop did not go unnoticed by my companion.

_ Kaya : “ What the hell are you doing?? ”

_ Ayden : “ Keep going this way. At the end of the path, there’s a heat source. ”

_ Kaya: " What?? "

_ Ayden: " Do everything you can to make it happen. I still have one more task to finish. "

Then, I set off in a new direction without another word, also pressed for time. Frustrated, and having neither the time to argue nor the inclination to hold me back, the twin resumed her run.

_ Kaya: “ Damn it! "

Only the horizon holds my gaze.

_ Ayden: " I don’t know where this heat is coming from, but if I’m right, it could be our last resort. But first, I need to make sure of something. "

Several minutes pass. The view clears at the end of the path, and the heat becomes unbearable. Kaya finally reaches her destination, only to discover, much to her surprise, a wooden rope bridge. This bridge looks sturdy, but she isn't reassured by it. She carefully observes the condition of the ropes and notices how worn they are. Intrigued also by the suffocating heat, she approached and noted with astonishment a flow of lava about fifteen meters below.