Chapter 77 - Hunt (6)

The two young girls finally step onto the rope bridge, one of them determined to cross.

_ Kona: " You're hurting me! "

_ Edna: " Whatever. "

Immediately after, she averts her eyes from her target.

_ Edna: “ And don’t even think about using your Source. “

Beneath their feet, the bridge trembles as the wind amplifies the oppressive atmosphere. Determined to intervene, an orphan stirs frantically.

_ Son: " I'm going in! "

_ Kaya: " Don't you dare! You'll make them fall! " she said, throwing an arm out to stop him.

Everyone, jaws clenched, hoped for only one thing: no questionable attempts. After several seconds that seemed endless to the children, the girls finally crossed the bridge. Against all odds, Edna releases the orphan, shoving her abruptly toward her companions. Kaya catches her twin instantly.

_ Son: “ Are you okay?? ”

_ Kona: “ Yes… I’m fine. ”

Seeing her friend Shailly bleeding, she rushes to her rescue, grabbing her backpack and searching for the first-aid kit. A scathing look toward the Recluse follows.

_ Son: " You think you can just get away with that? "

_ Edna: " Huh? What are you talking about, shrimp? "

The young boy takes a firm step forward, his steady stride showing great determination.

_ Son: “ Why did you attack us? We didn’t do anything wrong! Because of you… ”

The fist clenches.

_ Son: “ Jenna is… “

_ Edna: “ For you have entered our territory. "

Astonishment suddenly gives way to a dull rage.

_ Son: " AND THAT JUSTIFIES THIS MURDER?? "

_ Edna: " Eh. “

Despite this calm tone, the tension is mounting. She glares at Son.

_ Edna: “ I’m not inside that buffoon Memba’s head, so don't lump me in with him, okay? ”

Despite her attempts to intimidate him, Son didn't back down.

_ Son: " You were part of the same crew, so it's all the same to me! "

Before she could answer, another set of footsteps rang out.

_ Kona: " And since when is this your territory?? It belongs to Tutor Ay! " she said, finishing the treatment for her friend's hemorrhaging.

_ Edna: " I don't give a fuck who it belonged to. As long as the owner is gone, the campsite is up for grabs. "

Everyone fell silent, surprised by this information. Edna scrutinized the orphans and, inadvertently, her gaze landed on their armbands, sparking a mocking smile. But quickly, the smile faded, and a feeling of disgust washed over her.

_ Edna: “ Listen to me, you morons. Get it through your heads that there are no rules out there. Bandits are crawling all over this forest, so if anyone breaks into your home, it’s only right to defend yourself, isn’t it? “

_ Son: " You piece of… "

_ Shailly: " Bullshit. "

All eyes converged on Shailly, making her the center of a tense silence.

_ Shailly: " Defending? Don't make me laugh. Don't try to make us believe we were actually a threat to you. "

Edna, unmoved by these weighted words, traces an enigmatic smile and hides her face beneath her hood, her gaze fixed intently upon the young girl.

_ Edna: " Who knows? "

At that very moment, we suddenly emerged from the depths of the forest, overjoyed to see the rest of the group safe.

_ Maïko: “ Guyyyys!! “

Initially focused on Edna, the orphans quickly forget about her, joyfully scanning the other side of the bridge for their safe and sound companions. In a unanimous gesture, their arms shoot up, hands outstretched, waving from side to side.

_ Kona: " We're here! Cross this bridge! "

Despite the urgency, we cross the bridge with small steps, too preoccupied to pay attention to the danger surrounding us.

_ Son : “ Careful! This bridge is shaky! ”

_ Shailly : “ Watch out, behind you!! ”

Quite startled by the tone of his voice, we immediately sensed the danger looming several meters away. Indeed, our three pursuers had finally arrived, cutting short any hope of respite. Aware of the deadlock, our hearts beat faster. The bridge’s instability forbids any movement, lest we face a fatal penalty.

Under the frightened gaze of our companions, the hyenas approach the bridge and, against all odds, come to a halt. Their initially terrified expressions transform into a glimmer of hope.

_ Son: " Look, the animals have just stopped! "

Then he looks at his classmates.

_ Son: " Do you think they know they’re too heavy for this bridge? "

_ Kaya: " No… they look more like they’re embarrassed. "

Observing the same scene as the others, a sense of relief followed.

_ Maïko: " Incredible. “

She looks at me playfully.

_ Maïko: " You were right! "

Despite the praise, I remain focused on our journey, so close to the goal. Several steps later, we were completely across the bridge; the hardest part was behind us. As a bonus, we watched with joy as the hyenas turned back, likely heading to their dens.