Cornered 5

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They were going to leave her behind.

The woman had countless injuries, she was asleep, her arms were fractured, and they were going to leave her behind.

Going back was a must. Too many anomalies were taking place, and the caves weren't safe anymore. It had to be reported. They went back and forth on it, but eventually decided against carrying her. The route was dangerous enough, with wolves possibly still on their trail. Carrying an injured person would slow them down, risk injuring her more, and possibly kill all of them in case of an encounter. Her wounds would attract more beasts.

The hole they occupied was likely to be the safest place - a high ground, ample supplies, protected from weather. They opened some of the food packets, placing them over a small wooden stool they had found, putting water in a bowl as well. Even she couldn't move her arms, she would be able to drink and eat. If she even woke up.

Tommy wanted to stay back, so did Fatty. But what could they do. They had no way of helping her beyond what they already had. They knew nothing about this woman, it was hard to sacrifice themselves for someone who would probably be dead anyway had they not met her.

Staying back was a much safer choice for all of them. However, a lot more lives were at risk. Whatever changes were happening had progressed beyond the acceptable threshold. Explosive berry growth, return of extinct wolves, the sharp unknown feathers, the attack on the caves - if connected, they hinted at a major shift somewhere further up. Whenever such seismic events happened, the shockwaves could be felt downstream, particularly in the displacement of the fauna. And, that was worrying.

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It was a bitter end to the discussion, none of them really comfortable. But they left. Moving through a different set of channels, they found a shorter path back. Not much though, just the straight line path connecting the points where they diverged towards the berry field, and their run to the canyon.

It was late afternoon, the warmth of the day decreasing. They ran, taking only essential supplies, to make it back by the time it got dark. Of course, it wasn't meant to be. The path was getting fogged, slowly but surely.

"Something is wrong, guys." Tommy said, when he saw them wobble like drunk people.

Lester straightened, focusing, "Oh no, the fog..." He stopped mid sentence.

"Mana sickness." Tommy realized.

That's when Dagger stabbed herself, her eyes red.