Within an hour of bringing down the box, Bato knew something was off. He could sense a presence trailing him. He glanced over his shoulder once to find only the foliage he had just passed. There was no hint of animal activity behind him. He doubted it was a predator. The apex predators of the forest so far outstripped their prey they had foregone the use of stealth. The intruders were unlikely to be following him, he knew from observation they lacked the speed he commanded. This left only one conclusion.

He was being hunted.

His heart skipped a beat at the realization. He whipped his head around, looking through the undergrowth and branches above. Still no movement. He was several hours from home. Perhaps more considering his baggage. At earliest he would be there after the sun had touched the horizon. That was a long time to try and outrun his pursuers. Perhaps without all the extra weight, but not laden as he was.

If that were the case he would have to devise another plan. Today was the eighth day of the time of the growing moon. That meant his tribe's hunters would be on the northeastern border of their lands. They weren’t in the direct path home, but he would be within reach well before his village if he made for them now. He pondered other options for only a few moments longer before he made his mind.

Adjusting his heading, he took off again at an even greater pace. He needed to get there as quickly as possible if he wanted to avoid trouble. He had hoped he would be closer to the village before anyone else realized what had occurred. He had not planned on dealing with another tribe. He had not planned on the box going over a cliff or catching fire. He had not planned on having such little time to claim his treasures. The others in his tribe had often told him he was an unlucky individual. He was feeling that sentiment now.

----------------------------------------

The sun had passed its highest when Bato heard the first signs of trouble. The high pitched chirps of hunter calls. It was a sound caused by sharply inhaling while trying to collapse the throat. The hair on his arms and neck stood on end and his eyes widened. They were catching up. Would he have the time to make it to his allies, or would it be better to try and hide? Neither was a good option. He did not know the land well, so hiding was not easily achieved. He was still a ways from safety, and even once he was near them, they would have to hear his calls and respond in time to help.

Even as this dilemma plagued his mind, lady luck grinned wickedly and struck again. The female over his shoulder stirred for the first time. She groaned and he could feel her shifting around on his back. Not now he thought, slowing so as not to cause her harm.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

The girl was clearly disoriented. She grumbled and rubbed her head. After a few moments she must have realized something was off, and she made to lift herself up. Bracing her hands against Bato’s back, she pushed up, peering behind them blearily.

“Behrto neen?” she mumbled. She made to turn her head, but Bato bounced his shoulder heavily. Her hands slipped and she fell back over. He did not have the time to deal with her now.

“Vera doo quhwayo!” she blurted out, quickly picking herself back up. This time, when Bato bounced his shoulder, she was ready. The action had little effect and he saw her lift up, held in place by his arm around her legs. She looked down at him from where she sat perched, anger flaring in her eyes momentarily. But it was quickly replaced by a look of confusion.

She blinked rapidly several times before rubbing her eyes. Then she looked up, taking in her surroundings, before looking his body over. Her frown deepened with each passing second. She was completely unsure of what had happened. But as her mouth opened to speak, another hunter call could be heard as it rang out through the forest. A second quickly answered back, this time reaching him from a different angle.

Bato tensed at the sound. It was close enough now that any hope of outrunning, or even hiding at this point, was futile. All he could hope to do was find a more advantageous spot for the encounter. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the girl's face pale, her eyes widening in shock. He could sense her heart beating wildly, and her legs began trembling slightly.

She stared in the direction of the calls, waiting, watching for what had made the noise. Had she never seen a hunter before? Nearly a minute later, the shrill sound trumpeted out again. They were almost on them. Any second now Bato would be able to hear their feet thudding on the ground, make out the grunts of effort as they fought their way through the growth in their path. The girl looked down at him. Her jaw was clenched, the fear etched on her face excruciating.

Bato had to find a clearing. Caving in his throat and expanding his chest as much as he could, he opened his mouth to produce a single, high pitch note. The girl's head jerked back in surprise as she slapped her hands over her ears. The returning noise gave him nothing. He was beginning to worry. If they caught him here he would be at a disadvantage. Again, he produced the single, clear note. Nothing.

Just keep moving, stall as long as you can. His frantic thoughts raced, looking for any options. His legs moved ever faster, pushing ever harder as the situation became more desperate. The return of his sixth cry he felt the lag of a return ahead and to the left. It was his only shot. Diverting his course, he burst out into a small clearing, roughly twenty yards across. He slid to a stop in the center and whipped around, readying himself for the coming conflict.