With tensions high at the revelation of this native animal that approached them. The team was trying their best to find a slow way to increase the gap between them and the creature, but Tobi had other plans.
The sight of the bunny with the freaky legs coming from its back ignited a primal and visceral fear in him, an overwhelming surge of dread that warned being in its proximity was perilous. Fear eclipsed rational thought, propelling his legs to action and urging him away from his companions.
Footsteps thudded on the forest floor as he sprinted, quick gasps punctuating his laboured breaths. His body seemed on autopilot, instinctually seeking distance as if his very life depended on it. The rest of the team without taking their eyes off of the creature heard the fading footsteps, their faces a mix of bewilderment and concern, grappling to fathom what had prompted Tobi's sudden flight from the team.
It wasn't that Tobi doubted his teammates' competence. His instincts were guided by a profound sense of self-preservation, a visceral response to an incomprehensible threat. His actions weren't deliberate choices but reflexes to a perceived peril his mind struggled to understand.
Meanwhile, Ben's intuition diverged. A gut feeling suggested the creature harboured timidity beneath its imposing exterior. This curiosity impelled Ben to step beyond the protective circle, drawn toward the creature while everyone was still to afraid to move without hesitation.
The mantle of leadership bore heavily on Timmon's shoulders as he confronted this perplexing conundrum. The creature confronting them defied all precedent, stirring a complex mix of fear and intrigue in Timmon's heart.
As Ben cautiously approached the creature, seeking to gauge its reaction, conflicting thoughts churned within Timmon's mind.
On one hand, Ben's actions were scientific—a pursuit of knowledge. Close observation might unveil the creature's intent, offering insight on how to navigate this perilous juncture.
Yet, this approach was overcast by the looming spectre of danger. The possibility of the creature exhibiting territorial tendencies or unpredictable behaviour added an elevated level of danger to Ben's endeavour, putting both him and the team in a precarious situation. Moreover, if this alien creature happened to be a pack animal, the mere thought sent a shiver down Timmon’s spine, leaving him cold with sweat.
The forest itself seemed to respond to the unfolding drama. The air carried a tense undercurrent, thick with the scent of damp Earth and a hint of something otherworldly. The chorus of birds, once harmonious, now held an anxious tremor as if they, too, were bracing for an unforeseen outcome.
Mr Major, observing the unfolding events with a mix of concern and vigilance, couldn't help but feel a ripple of fear himself. The creature's unusual appearance and the conflicting responses within the team stirred his instincts. He remained on the alert, ready to act decisively if the situation took a perilous turn.
Scott, being pragmatic, considered the various angles of their predicament. He weighed the risks and potential rewards of this encounter, his analytical mind processing the available information. His stance remained cautious yet measured, an anchor of reason amidst the turbulence of emotions.
As the team teetered on the precipice of uncertainty, the forest bore witness to this extraordinary standoff—a moment that could redefine their understanding of the alien world they now found themselves entangled with.
As Scott remained watchful, he became captivated by the swaying of the tree branches. Their peculiar movement reminded him of the unsettling presence of the creature, but at the same time they didn’t look out of place, they looked like thing branches. Even though there was danger, the branches gave off the same eerie feeling as the creature did. Speaking urgently, Scott suggested that there might be more rabbit-like entities hidden in the shadows, and now Timmon's suspicions were now mirrored by another, intensifying his disquiet. The prospect of a collective of these creatures elevated the stakes, amplifying the urgency and vulnerability of their predicament.
Amid the cacophony of thoughts, Timmon confronted a pivotal decision, the repercussions of Ben's and Tobi's actions. The boundary between valour and recklessness blurred in this heightened moment. Though mere seconds elapsed in the corporeal realm, time stretched in his perception, affording him an eternity to determine their next move.
Pursuing Tobi, who had fled the scene, carried equal measures of peril and promise. Dividing from the group could spell their collective doom, yet abandoning Tobi brought its own risks.
"Save one and lose one. Save two and lose all.”
However, Mr Major, attuned and quick to appraise situations, preempted Timmon's response. He sprang into action with remarkable precision, flinging a stone towards Tobi. The well-aimed projectile struck Tobi's shoulder, causing him to stumble and fall. In a swift, resolute gesture, Mr. Major dashed toward Ben, who advanced toward the creature. With swift efficiency, he extracted Ben from danger's path, hastening their return to Timmon and Scott, who remained steadfast, forming a defensive line against the encroaching entity.
The atmosphere brimmed with tangible, electric tension as the team grappled with the intricate web of their circumstance. Each choice bore a burden, and each action could tip the scales of fate. Timmon's mind raced, the rhythm of his heartbeat echoing in his chest as he calculated the upcoming steps, each holding the promise of ensuring his team's survival.
With the defensive formation intact, the team retreated gradually toward Tobi's fallen position. walking backwards one step at a time. Amid the charged air, Timmon commenced a dialogue, seeking both clarity and resolve.
"Listen to me, everyone!" Timmon's voice was authoritative as he addressed the team while being mindful to keep his eyes fixed on the monstrosity that was the bunny rabbit spider. "I do not have all the answers, but we need to stick together. I'm scared of this jungle mess, and I know this situation is just the beginning.
So far, during our journey among this forest, I've been keeping an eye on the moss that grows on the trees and rocks around here to determine our location. We entered the forest somewhere in the southeast, so directly behind that creature is the northwest, where the settlement should be located. This isn't entirely accurate, but it's a rough indicator. Moss generally prefers shady and damp conditions, so it might be more abundant on the north side of trees. I've been trying to find ant nests and study wind flow. I've even attempted to take directions from our shadows, but this forest makes it hard to pinpoint the sun, and this entire environment is a shady sanctuary for moss, so don't take my words as gospel, but we've been lost for quite some time. These tricks ain’t tricking like they used too.”
"Seriously, Timmon?" Ben's voice dripped with disbelief and frustration. "Moss, ants, and shadows? You're acting like we're in some survival reality show. I can't believe we're lost in this mess, and you're talking about all these half-baked techniques. This jungle is so disorienting that I doubt even a compass would help at this point. Let's face it: your methods aren't exactly instilling confidence here. I'd rather focus on something practical, like finding a clearing where we can signal for help or building a makeshift shelter. So unless you've got a real solution, maybe save the moss and ants talk for later.”
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Timmon responded, his tone defensive but determined. "Look, I get your frustration, Ben. None of us planned for this, and I'm well aware that my attempts might sound far-fetched. But in a situation like this, trying anything that might give us a clue is better than just sitting around feeling helpless. We're in uncharted territory, and yeah, maybe I'm grasping at straws here. But what's the alternative? Should we just give up and wait for rescue without trying anything? Guess what? Rescue ain't coming.”
Mr Major intervened, his voice calm and composed. "Hey, calm down, you two. We still have a teammate we need to reach. Let's focus on staying vigilant. Tobi, are you okay?”
"Nah, you son of a bitch." Tobi's voice was a mixture of pain and irritation. "My shoulder is messed up, why the fuck would you though a stone at me sir! And this slimy, icky stuff is making my skin itch. It's all mucus-like, but surprisingly, it smells like dove soap, but thats besides the point.”
"Slime?" Ben's voice held a note of caution. "Be careful over there. It could be some kind of poison. Don’t play in it.”
Tobi's response held defiance tinged with curiosity. "Whatever it is, I think it might be edible. Aren't you hungry, Ben? Let's find a way to cook up this fluid that's oozing out from these weird egg-like sacks. It's both hard and soft, which makes it weird. I'm pretty sure I heard it pop and crack when I fell. Nothing I know of has ever did that before.”
Ben's voice held a hint of intrigue. "Egg sacks? Could it really be? Hmmm. What if its something else? I do need the proteins. Where are they exactly?”
"Come look for yourself," Tobi invited. "They seem to be tucked away under the soft moss in this area of the forest. I wonder if it tastes like raw eggs or bubbles.”
Timmon's tone held urgency as he addressed Tobi. "Tobi, listen to me. Whatever you do, please do not consume that fluid, and try not to move. We don't want that creature or any others creature that might be around to suddenly become interested in you as a meal. Those eggs belong to something, and let's hope and pray it's not these bunny rabbit spiders monsters before us.”
Mr Major offered a plan. "Let's try to move faster towards Tobi and the mossy area. Whatever you do, do not take your eyes off the bunny spider.”
Ben's tone was cautious as he spoke to Tobi. "Hey Tobi, do me a favour and stay calm. Try not to get that slime too much on your skin. I have a bad feeling about it.”
Tobi's voice, gritting his teeth, held a mix of compliance and irritation. "Yeah, yeah, I'll keep my cool. But seriously, this itch is driving me crazy. And about the slime, I get your concern, but we're not exactly in a five-star restaurant right now. If this goo could give us some energy, I'm willing to risk it. I'm so hungry I could fuck a horse.”
Timmon interjected, his tone laced with disbelief. "Listen, man, that horse thing isn't a saying. Also, there is a lot of slime on you. If we didn't know better, it almost looks like a horse fucked you!"
The team shared a moment of lightness, their chuckles breaking the tension, but their eyes stayed steadfast on the bunny spiders before them.
Mr. Major's voice shifted the focus back to survival. “Shut up all off you! Let’s not make any rash movements, guys. There is no time for humour, only survival. We need to find a way to help Tobi and make sure we don't attract any more unwanted attention from those bunny spiders. We're in this together, so let's stay focused and figure this out one step at a time. Plus, in a few more steps, we will be by Tobi.”
Scott suggested a course of action. "Let's just run towards him. He just has to stand, and get ready to run! It’s clear he’s the fastest among us. Plus the stone only hit him in the shoulder, not the leg. Why isn't he standing or coming to us?”
Ben quickly responded with a giggle in his throat. "Listen, you're a man of few words, mostly because you are usually ahead scouting, but your words are packed with some facts, my boy!”
Tobi carefully examined his hands and arms, which were smeared with the strange slime, and started to panic. "Stay calm?" he mused, "Is it serious? It must be serious if you want me not to worry. Right? What if it's some kind of estrogen slime, and I grow a pussy at the end of my penis, or perhaps it's poisonous?" As his heart raced, goosebumps erupted on his skin, and he couldn't shake the feeling of an allergic reaction creeping in.
Moments later, Tobi's voice echoed out. "Ouchy! You stepped on me!" The team had finally reached him just as the bizarre sensations from the slime began to affect his nerves. Disgust twisted his features as the warped sensations took hold. "Guys, what the fuck is going on right now? What is this shit all over me? The moment you made contact it's like my body began to interpret everything as a subtle, yet slowly increasing pain.”
Ben responded firmly, aiming to bring a sense of control. "My guy! CHILL! No one told your ass to run. If you had stayed with the team, you wouldn't have landed yourself in this literal mess. Just stand up and save us from having to touch you. I still think its poison and if it is then we shouldn’t get everyone or anyone else exposed to it.”
Timmon's voice cut through the rising tension. "Alright, everyone. Let's not lose focus. Tobi made a mistake. But whatever this slime is, let's stay on task and quickly escape this situation and find food and water, when we locate that water source we can wash him off there, and all should be well. In the meantime, let's stay cautious and avoid touching him or the slime. We still have a FUCKING MONSTER TO AVOID!”
Scott added his agreement with a nod. "I'm on board. And do we really need to get any closer? I suggest Tobi walks a small distance ahead or behind us, ensuring that whatever alien slime he's coated in can only target him and not all of us.”
Tobi's throat emitted a loud gulp, his panic intensifying. "Am I really going to die? Is this thing poison? Listen, I can't handle this. I'll crawl back to the settlement right now if I have to. Please tell me I won't die. You guys, you have to help me! GUYS!”
Mr Major's gaze shifted from the creature to Tobi, his stare cold as steel. "Silence, dummy! If you keep up this fucking noise, I'll silence you myself before the creatures around us come to investigate. This isn't a game. It's life or death with enemies all around. Your voice, energy or pheromones could trigger these creatures into an aggressive frenzy. Please get a hold of yourself.”
Timmon's astonishment at Mr Major's response stirred a mixture of frustration and unease within him, a turmoil that seemed to penetrate his very soul. He questioned whether these emotions stemmed from fear or perhaps a tinge of jealousy, leaving him in contemplation. Regardless, Timmon felt threatened. Giving Mr. Major a tense side-eye, he spoke up. "Hey, man, was that really necessary? We, regular civilians, haven't undergone the same training as you military personnel. Tobi might not have ever been in a forest before today. Give him some leniency. He made a mistake. Give us some time to process all of this. Our survival instincts might be slower to kick in. Don't compare us to you.”
Mr. Major retorted sharply, his voice laced with desperation. "Leniency? Catch up? Time? Bitch! Tell those fucking bunnies to give us a break! They're just observing and keeping us on edge! I've been tense, anticipating an attack, and I'm fed up with all of you not taking this seriously. If these foes were tigers or wolves, we'd be dead ten times over. Treat this with seriousness, or I'll be the sole survivor. I swear it on all of your family's lives. Ho can you guy not get this through your heads? That creature is a threat! It is an Alien! It might just be an apex native animal! Please help me so I can help you.”
An undeniable quietness and tension hung in the air, enveloping the wooded surroundings, and every member of the group felt its weight.
Encircling Tobi, Mr. Major, drawing upon his experience, allowed his gaze to drift from the creature once more, taking a quick scan of the surroundings. A discerning eye caught variations in the ground's coating of moss – some patches heavier than others. While their current spot had a light layer of moss, Tobi's landing area was buried beneath a dense one. Did the bunny spiders place their egg sacks beneath the heavy moss? The thought weighed on him.
Mr. Major, his composure restored, shattered the silence by directing his attention to Timmon. "Mr. Leader," he began, his tone steady but laced with a desperate urgency, "You're a fine individual, but remaining here is not a wise choice. Observe the ground – the thick moss has me concerned. I suggest we move away and confront this bunny creature in a new location. We need distance from whatever this entails. Now!”
Ben, nodding in agreement, chimed in with a sense of desperation, "Sound advice. We can't be certain these patches can support our weight. Especially with Tobi's hulk-like legs crushing them. I suspect they're barely holding us.”
Meanwhile, as Ben spoke, Scott balled his fist up and raised it in the air slowly, and silently, serving as a gesture for silence among the group. A seasoned hunter and tracker, Scott's skills were known only to himself. Every holiday back on Earth, he had indulged in hunting, a tradition that held sentimental value since his father's passing.
Over time, Scott had honed an ability to sense truly dangerous creatures, and in this moment, he felt his throat constricting with foreboding. "Guys, I'm not convinced discussing this here was wise," he admitted, his voice fraught with desperation and fear. "I sense a presence watching us, and its making my balls feel cold. We really need to get out of here.”
Timmon interjected, echoing Scott's prior sentiments, his voice tinged with the same desperation. "We're aware. You've mentioned it earlier. Conceivably, more bunny spiders could be lurking around, concealed by trees and the ever precent canopy above us.”
Once again Scott's plea held urgency and desperation. "Please stop talking and listen. We are in real danger now, and our window to relocate sadly is no longer feasible. We should have tried to move the moment I felt the danger.”
As the group huddled even closer, attempting to formulate a plan, a breeze stirred, causing the trees' canopy to sway. Gradually, light pierced the dim forest floor, much like the moment when lights dim in a suspenseful movie scene.
Previously comforting sounds now evolved into dread-inducing noise. Amid their proximity, they discerned cracking and popping sounds – one after another.
Tobi: “Please Don’t let it be what I think it is!”
Mr Major: “Shut up Tobi!”