Chapter 40: Dead in My Tracks
CRACKKK.
Promptly jolted awake, my eyes darted to figure out where that sound originated. After a few more seconds of feverishly checking my surroundings, I silently sit up more as I start to relax. Bringing my left hand to my forehead, I rub the skin above my eyebrows.
How long was I out...?
Glancing over toward Code, he’s still sleeping soundly.
Shit, Code fell asleep too. That sound… did I imagine that just now?
CRACKKK.
Back on high alert, I immediately lock on to my right, the direction where I know the sound came from this time.
That one was definitely real, which means the first was as well. This one sounded like it was much closer, as well. This isn’t good…
Quickly getting to my feet, I begin jogging up the mountain as I glance at the sky.
The sun has moved a bit, but not all that much. We couldn’t have been asleep for more than two to three hours. I’m not happy with how much time we’ve lost today, but we can still be productive.
I enter a clearing of level ground near the mountain's peak.
The sound… it came from off to the right, in the direction that Forest’s group took…
Turning toward that direction, I immediately recognize a thin line of smoke rising into the sky.
Hunter, Forest, Falcon… something must’ve happened to them! They did have the most dangerous job today, but they are still probably our best survival assets. Think Scar, this may seem bad, but they were able to set off a signal fire, so the plan should be working so far. If all has gone well… everybody should have returned to camp without trouble. Maybe they’re already back, and we’re the ones they are waiting on and worried about right now. That would be the best-case scenario for sure, but… damn it. If I didn’t fall asleep… who knows when they first signaled?!
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
CRACKKK.
What? Another one? That one came from behind me… in the opposite direction!
Rotating around, I see the smoke of another signal fire.
This doesn’t make any sense. This time, the sound came from around where Sky’s group would be. So why are there two signal fires? That’s only possible if…
Opening up my shoulders, I step back as I take in the view before me, ranging from the signal fire from Forest’s group on my far left to the signal fire from Sky’s group on my far right. There were also two more lines of smoke rising off in the distance, making a total of four signals.
What the hell… every other group set off a signal fire?
CRACKKK.
Tch. That one came from the left, toward Forest's group again! The only rationale behind this is that we are against multiple enemies, not just Crow! I considered this possibility, but it seemed highly unlikely based on what Ace and Delta said the other day! For it to actually be the case…
No. Maybe Crow is just far more powerful than we could’ve imagined…
CRACKKK.
Shit, that was right in front of me. Code...!
A scream follows, and I instantly book it down the path, my mind racing as I try to process all the events that have occurred. Spotting my backpack, I plant my feet to halt myself. Glancing toward where Code was sleeping, Code was gone, only his backpack was left behind.
Damn it… what the hell is going on?
Wasting no time, I rush over to Code’s bag and see some blood splattered on it.
Shit… Code was probably taken. If this is similar to what happened to Grace, he might die soon if I don’t find and rescue him.
Noticing the torch knocked over on the ground, its flame was still dimly going. Quickly grabbing Code’s backpack and the torch lying on the ground, I hastily try to work through a plan as I attempt to light the tree on fire.
These embers… might still work, but it’s clear the torch has been tampered with. Somebody purposely put it out… but when? Was Code still asleep? I don’t remember seeing the torch when I first woke up. Where was it? Wait. Back up. The torch, yes, somebody attempted to smother it, but they couldn’t. Why? Did Code intervene? Shit. Come on, light…!
CRACKKK.
I drop Code’s backpack and the torch next to the tree as I rush back to my backpack.
I guess Code wasn’t enough… the bastard’s come back for seconds.
Scooping up my backpack on the run, I throw it over my shoulder. Tucking my free arm under the other strap to put my bag on completely, I regained my footing and booked it down the path.
First, I need to get out of here… rendezvous with anyone who made it back to camp. We can work out a new strategy there. I just need to make it back… I need to get back!
CRACKKK.
The kinkling of chains sounds as I’m stopped dead in my tracks.