As the hours stretched above the towering canopy, an endless night gradually gave way as they opened their eyes to a brighter atmosphere from what they had been subjected to while travelling beneath the forest. Timmon's worry clung to him like a shadow.
It was a shadow, not cast by the towering trees, but by the unsettling possibility that their fellow settlers back at the encampment were now imperilled, potentially venturing into the forest in search of them. He was sure that sixteen hours had come and gone, and if it’s one thing he knew about humans, it is that they love a good search and rescue mission.
Even if that wasn’t the case and they decided to cut their losses by giving up on team Uno, the people at the encampment had no idea about the dangers that lay in waiting within this forest.
Shit, these native animals might not even wait for people to venture into the forest. Knowing that fact, Timmon began rolling back and forth as sticks and leaves crunched beneath him, wondering if there was anything worth going back to, wondering if the mission was still worth it, wondering if he could keep the team alive.
As his mind turned, he began thinking about the people he was risking his life for. He could vividly see in his mind the team and the none non-descriptive faces within the crowd who let them walk off to their deaths without any protest. He could imagine those alien creatures as if they were still around, especially those creatures who he thought would be confined to the surrounding forest. Not that he would know. But what if they had grown bolder, and these creatures were now lurking closer to the settlement, seeking easier prey? Then again, this was the wild; why would he think that the wild could be confined? Humans are fucking useless without tools or experience. A bug or a plant could kill any of them if they look the wrong way.
Sadly they had to worry about real dangerous creatures that they had come across already. If they manage to, … then again that Gemski man looked pretty strong, maybe he could find a way in which they wouldn’t get picked off one by one, they most be surviving better than the team was. They had the numbers and that is everything.
Just imagine if the team managed to make it back; come to find out, they all died while still being strangers to both him and himself.
If any native creature were to attack the settlement and get the better of them, it would probably be the wolves. Once relentless in their pursuit of the team, the wolves had randomly abandoned their forward trail. But what if they didn’t give up but started retracing the team's steps to follow them back to the encampment, bringing the terrors of the forest straight to the doorstep of their fellow settlers? Could that Gemski guy stop the wolves if they were to appear? The dread was palpable, a relentless fear that overshadowed every thought. The thought had crossed his mind before. Call it a sixth sense, Timmon believed that danger was a foot to the settlement.
By the time Mr Major woke up, he noticed Timmon in a panicked trans, muttering words he couldn’t quite hear, but for some reason, he felt like he needed to focus on his breathing first to catch himself. “In, and out. In, and out.” as the low scent of honey catches his senses. “In, and out. In, and out.” Even while he slept, his body was still pumping those fight-or-flight chemicals. Trying all of his little breathing techniques he learned over the years, “In, and out. In, and out.” He could feel his breathing regulating as the pain and his senses slowly returned. “In, and out. In, and out.” The scent of blood and sweat added to the honey in the air, mixed with the pain of hunger, made his stomach queasy, on the verge of throwing up the little he knew his body was trying to make use of.
His hunger was enough to leave him crippled on the forest floor, but he couldn't allow another distraction from their core mission to find water. His lips and tongue were starting to crack. In that instance, his mind locked in on the smell of honey, but he couldn't even begin to imagine what monstrous form the bees on the planet might take on or if bees were the type of creatures that would make honey on this planet. Looking over his shoulder, he offered a subtle nudge to the other three men, prompting them to their feet.
In order to motivate the others, Mr Major jumped to his feet despite the pain in his ribs. Looking at them, he said, "In the worst-case scenario, we make it to the forest's edge, and from there, perhaps we can ascend the mountain face. Once atop, we can orient ourselves with the camp's direction and plot a safer path back to the base. Before our bodies get to used to this rest period we were force to take lets get going. Who knows how long we’ve been knocked out for, and without any defence. If there really is a God, then he really did us a favour after going through all that trouble just to bring us to this planet. There is no way he would let us die off so soon, plus you guys are looking healthier than I expected, especially Mr. Tobi, A.k.a, the Walking Dead over there.”
Mr Major knew that his optimistic energy could come back to bite him in the ass. At the end of the day, he was trained by the United Nations Military, and to them, he was a superior man, probably capable of doing things he couldn’t actually do in reality. With the rhythmic pulse of pain coming from his injured ribs, served as a grim reminder of his mortal vulnerability. Looking at the guys who were mustering up their strength for one more push, a decision was made right there and then. There was no room for weakness or hesitation. Every decision carried weight, every action bore consequences that could mean the difference between life and death.
With a soldier's resolve, Mr. Major contemplated the dilemma that lay before him. Should he disclose his injuries to his team, risking the erosion of their morale, which could destabilize their mission? Or should he steel himself against the pain, drawing upon his training and experience to soldier on, undeterred by the physical limitations that threatened to impede his progress?
As Mr. Major observed his teammates closer from where he stood, a sense of determination welled up within him. Despite their current struggles and the relentless situation they faced in the bipolar forest, he remained acutely aware of the untapped potential that lay dormant within each of them.`
Their bodies, honed by a mystery that was far from discovery, possessed a raw power waiting to be unleashed. Yet, it was not merely physical prowess that Mr. Major sought to cultivate. He sensed something deeper, something primal, lurking within the very core of their beings.
If they made it out alive, he promised to find a way to tap into that inner power and instinct. Being this close to nature, face-to-face with death on a daily basis might be enough to kick start those primal skills trapped within the team’s DNA, which were lost to generations. The laws of nature and survival have always helped humanity, so if Mr Major could help them stay alive long enough to make it out of the forest, their skills would be easier to mould and refine. Looking at them, he could see that the team was starting to develop nicely as their instincts got sharper. Scott’s awareness, Tobi’s speed and observation skills, Ben’s perversions and adaptability, and Timmon’s void-like mind.
If he had to be the glue to keep this team together, then he would. With a steely resolve, he vowed to himself that he would not falter, nor would he allow his team to succumb to despair. The fire of determination burned bright within his soul; though fear still gripped them all, he could see the glimmer of survival instinct burning fiercely in their eyes. It was that primal drive, that indomitable will to live, that would ultimately see them through to a successful mission, and Mr Major was resolved to do whatever it took to ensure their triumph. Vigilance was non-negotiable; they had to maintain an unwavering focus to stand a chance of returning home intact.
As Timmon's restlessly paced back and forth, his muttered words a reflection of the turmoil raging within his mind. Each step he took seemed to carry the weight of an impossible decision, a choice between the lives of his comrades and his own survival.
"I must decide to survive," he murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Not just me, but to keep them alive. But I can't. The choice is mine to bear. One life traded for four, or four lives for none."
His thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of doubt and despair, grappling with the harsh reality of their situation. The injured man, once a liability, now teetered on the edge of recovery, but Timmon's faith in his reliability wavered like a flickering flame in the wind.
"F*ck it," he spat bitterly, his frustration boiling over. "Why should I care about him or anyone else? If another member gets injured, there would be no chance to successfully finish the mission. The strong should survive, right? It's survival. The law of nature."
But even as he voiced these cold, rational thoughts, doubt crept insidiously into his mind. Were they truly stronger alone, or did their strength lie in their unity? He was strong if nothing else; he knew that fact for sure because he was unity itself.
“But what if I'm the next person to fall to an injury?" Timmon wondered in a whisper, his voice laced with a hint of fear. "Who would put me out? I bet it would most likely be him. He’s been waiting for me to give up the position. He’s been waiting for me to fail.”
"I must decide to survive. I must. I must. I must survive. If not for me, then for my girlfriend and daughter who’s faces I want to see more than anything in the world.”
Observing from the sidelines, Mr Major's keen senses didn't miss the signs of Timmon's inner turmoil etched across his face. Slowly approaching, as he heard bits and pieces of the contents of what he was saying, he simply steadied Timmon by his shoulders, who was surprised, putting an end to his restless pacing, saying, "Fear must not distort our judgment. Whatever it is that is troubling you, just let it go.” Mr. Major asserted, his voice carrying the weight of authority tempered by compassion. "Though the road ahead may seem daunting, we will overcome these trials together. We will find the sustenance we need—food, water, and sunlight—once we emerge from the depths of this forest." His words were not merely reassurance; they were a rallying cry. "While the stakes are high," he continued, his tone unwavering, "our mission's clarity must not waver. Offering Timmon a small measure of sustenance—a handful of crushed wild grey berries he had in his pocket. "I still have some wild berries," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of optimism. "Though they may be crushed from all the falling and rolling we did, they are still edible. The sugar might give you the strength you need to face what's ahead."
Unease flickered in Timmon's eyes, a tempest of emotions roiling beneath the surface as his decision overwhelmed him. His voice quivered with uncertainty as he struggled to make sense of the shadows that surrounded his mind. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his tone tinged with frustration. "Give me my space. I'm sick and tired of everyone trying to come at me.” His words had the weariness of someone who had borne the burden of responsibility for far too long; his shoulders bowed beneath the weight of expectations and obligations. "My job, those bounty hunters, God!" Timmon exclaimed, his voice rising with each word. "What did I do, Lord? All I wanted was to hang out with my friends for the weekend, why did I end up on a run for a year, only to be teleported to a planet where I'm forced to take lives! Am I God too?" The bitterness in his words was palpable."If I take a life, will it truly secure our survival?" Timmon mused softly so that Mr Major alone could hear his words, his voice tinged with desperation. "Does this forest demand a sacrifice?”
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Mr. Major softened his gaze, fully comprehending the situation. "Every life holds value, and adversity might demand tough choices," he said empathetically, his words carrying the weight of their situation. "But remember, we are explorers, not executioners. Our purpose is to navigate a path back to safety while upholding our principles as humans, the day we give that up is the day we cease to be humans. Trust me, it's the harder road to take, but it's the one we must travel for inner peace. Nature will make the decision for us one way or the other; once we all do our best and stand on business, then we won't have any regrets or nightmares about the decisions we make to take God's role."
Mr. Major's gaze shifted solemnly to Tobi, the concern etched upon his features softened by a glimmer of hope as he observed the gradual improvement in his condition. The swelling in his neck and face was subsiding, and his speech was becoming clearer with each passing moment.
"We are not killing him if I wasn’t clear enough," Mr. Major declared, his voice resolute. "We will do everything in our power to protect him and ensure his safe return to the settlement. However, if we find ourselves facing a life-or-death situation, we must prioritize our own survival and allow nature to take its course we can’t all die for a life that is rapidly on the decline."
His words carried the weight of hard-earned wisdom, born of countless combat experiences. He knew that tough decisions lay ahead, but he remained steadfast in his resolve to seek solutions that did not necessitate sacrificing one of their own for the greater good.
"It was Tobi who proved to be the key to our survival against the snake heads," Mr. Major continued, his tone unwavering. "We must remember his value to our team and seek alternatives that preserve his life. If there are medical professionals among the people who were brought to this planet with us then they could aid in his recovery. We can take care of ourselves till then," he asserted. "And if we find ourselves in need of assistance out here, just remember we got each others back, just call for help. But until then, let us focus on our mission and ensure that we all make it out of this forest alive."
As Timmon took a deep breath, a sense of calm washed over him, anchoring him in the present moment. He absorbed Mr. Major's wisdom, feeling the weight of his words resonate within him. Though the annoyance and anger still simmered beneath the surface, they were tempered by a newfound resolve.
"You're right," Timmon acknowledged, his voice steadier now. "I won't let fear dictate my actions. Together, we'll all find a solution to survive."
Mr. Major's reassuring pat on Timmon's back served as a tangible reminder of their solidarity as a team. "Precisely," he affirmed, his tone firm but supportive. "We are a team, equipped to surmount this challenge as we have been doing so far. We just escaped mother-fucking death for the second mother-fucking time."
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Mr Major's lips as he continued, his language is colourful but fitting given the gravity of their situation. "Our focus should be on aiding Tobi and charting our next steps to the wall. Excuse my language, but that shit is going to be a bitch to climb if we have to do that."
As the others gathered around Timmon, their weary forms reflecting the toll of their arduous journey, he addressed them with a mix of exhaustion and determination.
"Yo, I'm tired, and I know you guys are too," Timmon began, his voice tinged with fatigue. "But I can feel it, the finish line. It's not time to give up just yet."
With a note of cautious optimism, he continued, "Sorry to count the chickens before they hatch, but we may have basically found water. Unless it's some alien monster mimicking the sound of gallons of water flowing, half of the mission would be complete. Plus, we can drink some water, wash our faces, our skin—we can even shit in it if we want to."
A brief moment of self-doubt crept in as he questioned his choice of words, but he quickly brushed it aside. "You know what? It doesn't even matter, because we won't be dehydrated," Timmon declared, his resolve unwavering. "In a few more minutes, if we keep following the sound, we will thirst no more."
Together, they took a few breaths; the very air around them charged with the weight of their challenges. The ground beneath their feet shifted, testing their traction and grit, a cruel reminder of their fatigue.
They didn't have the strength to stop and take a rest any more or the strength to hunt or set traps, and they didn't have the luxury to test if things were edible or poisonous anymore. They left it all to nature and faith, dragging their feet to the sound of the water and putting whatever their hands plucked into their mouths. With trembling hands, they plucked berries from the surrounding foliage, their colours a vibrant tapestry against the muted tones of the forest. Grey round berries, purple star berries, black rectangle berries, and even white curling berries were all consumed without hesitation, their bitter taste a harsh reminder of the unforgiving wilderness that surrounded them.
As they pushed forward, their senses dulled by fatigue and deprivation, the forest seeming to be a perplexing maze, with danger and uncertainty all around. Every shadow seemed to conceal a new threat, every tree a potential trap. Yet, despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them, they pressed on like zombies walking through the forest, driven by instinct and sheer willpower. With each agonizing step, they drew closer to the sound of rushing water, drawn to the sound like moths to a flame.
In an attempt to pass the agonizing hours, they exchanged hushed stories and anecdotes from their lives before this harrowing journey. The berries were able to give them some energy and hydration, and to keep themselves alert, they decided to learn more about each other, sharing tales from their pasts as a way to maintain morale. It was a small comfort in the face of adversity, a reminder that they were not alone in this perilous journey.
Tobi was the first to break the silence with a wry grin. Ever since he washed the dried slime off his skin, the fog around his mind began to fade, the intoxicated effect gone, and his voice returned to him. However, Tobi knew deep down that this moment was the calm before the storm, and he was determined to make the most of it by bonding with his teammates and leaving behind memories that would outlast him and maybe make it back to earth to his mother and sister.
Throughout their time in the forest, Tobi had been a liability, isolated to an extent from the group due to his condition. But now, with a renewed sense of clarity, he saw an opportunity to connect with his fellow survivors in a meaningful way. He understood the weight of his past actions and the burden they placed on the group.
Though his life as a triathlon winner had its fair share of drama, Tobi knew it paled in comparison to the challenges they faced in the forest. As he prepared to share an unexpected and outrageous story from his past, he did so with a mixture of apprehension and determination, hoping to leave a lasting mark on his companions despite the challenges he had faced.
Tobi: "You know," he began with a mischievous glint in his eye, "I once managed to escape a furious ex-lover by swimming across an entire lake. Thought I was going to meet my maker that day!”
As he continued, his words spilt forth in a torrent of excitement and disbelief. "It all started when I went over to see her and asked for the key to my Rhino gyro cycle. One thing led to another, and we did the dirty. I'm not sure when she left the bed, but I knew she was gone longer than usual, so I decided to go look for her."
His companions listened intently as Tobi painted a vivid picture of the scene unfolding before his mind's eye. “When I got to the kitchen,” he continued, “I heard her before I saw her. The cloth maid machine going off. She had one of the newer models that washed, dried, and folded the clothes. Quietly peeping around the corner to see what she was up to, to my surprise, she was still naked and from the angle at which I stood at the top of the stairs, there was something about the way she bent over to put the fabrics into the machine, had me wondering why I never appreciated her body more, she opened up like a rose, and before I knew it, I was on the move. Something about her butt, when I was coming down those stairs, looked different to me; it looked richer, more full like it had weight and wisdom to it. As she threw the shirts into the machine, the sudden jerk made her butt jiggle with ripples I had never seen before; even the muscles in her back looked more toned.
As I got farther down the stairs towards heaven. I mean, towards her butt, it looked like it was freshly ripped out of the plastic, a brand new thick ass right there to fall deep into, and my tip was dripping and ready.” he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. “So as I approached her, I used some pre-cum, using it as a loob on the tip, and at the same time, I placed my hand on her lower back to deepen her arch and slipped it in all at the same time. The way she moaned was something that I had never heard before; the feeling I got was chilling; it was unreal, I struggled to keep my composure, but I couldn’t clinch my asshole any tighter; if I could, I would probably implode.” The forest seemed to hold its breath as Tobi recounted the daring escapade, his words weaving a tale of passion and danger. "With every stroke I gave her, she got wetter. It was as if I was out at sea using a beach ball to push the waves of a raging storm down and back into the dark below. Every time she pushed back, She asked for more in a strange, lustful voice. I kid you not; I tried to get even deeper on this slip-and-slide of a ride.” With each word, Tobi's tale grew more tantalizing, his teammates hanging on his every word.
“Then all of a sudden, from the top of the stairs, I heard. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK! DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING MOTHER FUCKER! WHY. ARE. YOU. FUCKING. MY. MOTHER! OH MY GOD, WHY! WHY! WHY!"
Ben's chuckle cut through the tension like a ray of light in the darkness, breaking the spell of disbelief that had settled over the group. As they slowed their pace and turned their attention to Tobi, his words hung in the air, each one laden with a weight of its own.
"As I looked back in panic," Tobi continued, his voice trembling with emotion, "I almost couldn't believe what I was looking at, but at the same time, I couldn't stop. We couldn't stop."
His companions listened in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on Tobi as he recounted the harrowing moments that had unfolded before him. "I looked up at her," he went on, "as tears filled her eyes and her mother yelled, 'Please don't stop. I'm almost there.' I couldn't bring myself to stop."
A heavy silence settled over the group as Tobi's words hung in the air, each one carrying the weight of the emotions they evoked. "As tears filled my Ex's eyes at the top of the stairs," he concluded, his voice barely above a whisper, "so did my eyes as we painfully held each other's gaze."
The forest seemed to hold its breath as Tobi's story reached its climax, the air thick with emotion and uncertainty. At that moment, they were all suspended in time, but Tobi continued his story.
"And just when I thought that things couldn't get better and worse all at the same time," Tobi continued, his voice tinged with disbelief, "I saw my Ex stumble forward, and I then realized that she was passing out due to being overwhelmed."
His companions leaned in, captivated by the twists and turns of Tobi's tale. "As I positioned my foot to turn and dash to catch her," he recounted, "my foot slipped on all that butter that fell on the floor between her mother and myself."
The forest echoed with the sounds of their collective gasps as Tobi's story took yet another unexpected turn. The tension hung thick in the air as they waited with bated breath to hear how the story would unfold.
“As my dick dragged out of her mother's vagina, her old ass squirted with the pressure of a young woman.” His companions exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to process the graphic imagery that Tobi's words conjured. “Scraping and scrambling up the stairs on all fours towards my Ex,” Tobi pressed on, his tone tinged with a mixture of regret and defiance, “just before I got to her, she gave me one of the coldest stares I could have ever seen. It gave me goosebumps, and it only made my dick even harder in that moment.”
As I knelt down next to her, all she did was look at my face and penis as the lines in her forehead got more defined. Her mom, who was now at the foot of the stairs, was trying her best to say sorry but had it hard getting the words out as she fought to catch her breath. When my ex saw the state of her mother and the mess we made, I felt the muscles in her body tense up and knew that it wasn't going to be an easy way out, so I decided it would be best to run. And as I did, so did she. She was a fast runner, almost as fast as me, but her aim was trash, and she couldn't swim for shit, and the lake behind the house seemed like my saving grace, so I went for it. Lucky for me, it was summer and not any other time of the year. The things we do for sex. Am I right, men?"
As the men chuckled at Tobi's words, their laughter echoing through the forest, Mr. Major's expression shifted sourly, his demeanour turning serious as memories of war and pain surfaced in his mind. The jovial atmosphere dissipated, replaced by a solemn silence as they recognized the weight of Mr. Major's impending tale.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Major spoke, his voice steady but tinged with the weight of his memories. "It's time for a somber tale," he began, his words cutting through the air like a knife.