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“How many are there?” Rock asks again.
This time, the other man replies. “I don’t know. I’veseen four. But there has to be more.”
“At least ten times more,” Cal agrees.
“Do you think they know where we are?” The man asks.
“No,” Rock assures him. “If they did, we’d know about it.”
“Makes sense,” Cal agrees once more.
“It’s better for us to know where they are, instead of it being the other way around,” Rock points out. “That’s why we have to keep moving. They have to be around here somewhere.”
I strain to understand the nature of the threat they are discussing. Is it related to some enemy from their past? Could it be a pack of bears on the loose? Or is there something else, some hidden danger lurking in the woods?
“Let’s go,” Cal urges, and I hear the sound of their footsteps again.
I wait a few seconds, then start moving myself. I try to make my movements synchronized with theirs, adapting my pace, but still keeping a careful distance to avoid being seen.
I have no idea how long we keep walking. All I know is that it feels like an entire eternity. With each passing step, exhaustion starts to weigh heavily on my shoulders. The trail now seems to extend into darkness, and I feel like I can barely carry my own weight.
My breaths become more pronounced and that same doubt creeps into the recesses of my mind. I consider going back, as I feel exhausted. I yearn for the comfort of my campfire,the wooden bench, my sleeping bag. This is none of my business. I shouldn’t even be here.
I pause for a moment, glancing back in the direction from which I came. The moonlight casts a pale glow on the trail, which seems to beckon me to go back. I contemplate that option even more seriously now.
Yet, a stubborn determination suddenly takes over me. I banish that doubtful voice from my mind, refusing to succumb to weariness and doubt. I shake off the thought of retreat, focusing instead on the mystery that I am about to unravel. With those thoughts in mind, I resume my journey, wherever it may lead.
Chapter Eight
Cal
We crouch in the shadows, glancing at Phillip. As the seasoned tracker, we trust him on this one.
“I can sense something,” he speaks in a hushed tone. “There’s that unfamiliar scent, and it’s not just the forest.”
I nod, inhaling deeply. “You’re right.”
We are still motionless, our breaths slow and deliberate. We can all sense the enemy’s presence. The moonlight oozes through the thick foliage all around us, so we have to stay concealed.
“Phillip, any idea how many we might be dealing with? And where they might be?”
Phillip’s eyes scan the shadows for a few moments, then he replies with careful consideration. “Hard to say for sure. But the scent is fresh, and it’s not just one. I tracked it from the cave.”
Rock’s eyes widen. “Do you think they entered it?”
“No,” Phillip shakes his head. “I only caught their scent close by the cave, not in it.”
“But it’s only a matter of time before they enter it,” I point out, and they both nod in agreement.
“Yes,” Rock replies. “We should proceed with caution. They could be anywhere.”
“We need a plan,” I suggest. “If they’re trying to encroach on our territory, we can’t afford to be caught off guard.”
Phillip’s gaze remains fixed on the darkness, almost as if he’s able to see something we aren’t. “We need to cover more ground. They could be scouting, just like us.”
“We shouldn’t split up,” Rock advises. “Not before we see some sign of them and find out how many there actually are.”
“I agree,” I nod.
