It’s been three days since I talked to Chief Harrow, and right now I’m with Drake at the pond.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaHGufF7ov
As I sharpen my knife I say, “Today I go hunting with your dad and his group.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me that you’re gonna be hanging with my dad,” says Drake.
I laugh. “Oh I forgot… you think I’m gonna ask him questions about you and your sister from when you were younger,” I say to him.
Drake throws a small rock in the pond.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLsZQf3gbE
“You better not. He’s got stories… and none of them make me look good.”
“That just makes me wanna ask more,” I say, grinning.
He shakes his head. “You’re a terrible friend.”
“Yep. But I’m the one going hunting,” I say, holding up my knife to check the edge.
Drake looks at the blade and then back at me.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvruaA0EDhx
“You’re really excited about this, ain’t you?”
“Yeah,” I say, a little quieter. “Feels like the old days again… like before we got here.”
Drake nods but doesn’t smile this time.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBi8UNnbT5
“Just… be careful out there. My dad don’t take chances, but the woods ain’t the desert. Things move different out there.”
I shrug. “Danger’s danger.”
Right then we hear someone calling from the path behind us.
“Jack! Harrow says get ready, they’re leaving soon!”
I stand up fast, grab my knife, and slide it into my belt.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQAxWPPJwl
“Well… guess this is it.”
Drake smirks. “Try not to get yourself killed on your first trip.”
“No promises,” I say, and start heading toward town.
…
I get to the town center and see Harrow, Greg, Lilith, and Sammy waiting for me.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRtz3kNrNS
I walk over to Harrow.
“We leaving?” I ask.
“Yes. You got everything you need?” asks Harrow.
Before I can say anything, Sammy speaks up.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsG2S9hWYd
“Yeah, ’cause these woods ain’t no desert wasteland. You ever seen a bear before?”
“No,” I say, “but have you ever fought a giant scorpion?”
Sammy pauses, then nods.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x4qJV3oi0
“…touche.”
Lilith laughs.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWxFy2HdTl
“He’s got you there.”
Greg smirks and looks at me.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfT2vBEewE
“Just stay close, desert boy. Woods got their own kind of monsters.”
That last part makes my stomach twist a little… but I don’t say anything.
“And listen to me,” says Harrow. “Stay close, do what I say, and we’ll all come back fine. Now let’s get going.”
Right when we start to move, Abby comes running up.
“Wait!”
She runs right up to me and gives me a quick hug before I can even say anything.
“You be careful,” she says. “If you get yourself killed, I’ll kill you myself.”
I laugh a little.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtLny0lM8M
“Good to know somebody cares.”
She rolls her eyes but smiles.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqqZVF8M3t
“Just come back, idiot.”
Harrow clears his throat.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPx3wz7wp2
“We leaving now.”
I take one last look back at town… then turn and follow the group into the tree
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and then Add to home screen.