UNKNOWN LAND - CHAPTER 10: LOVE IN THE WILDERNESS

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpHmk0RI2x

Chapter 10: Lost in the Wilderness

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uzxNvZ1dd

"When the road disappears, faith becomes the traveler's compass."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gMqVdMuEy

The morning after the robbery felt different.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsTmzHy0AV

The sun still rose.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLcybHqoxD

Birds still sang.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TVJvtnOVO

The wind still moved through the trees.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCXZIA7ykU

But inside Tunde, Musa, and Emeka, something had changed.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCec2Gw4LQ

The innocence they carried from Ajanaku was gone.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx3s0jSSnh

The road had shown them its darker face.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qhsA4VPmZ

The thieves had stolen their money.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq21RbnDaWf

Their food.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4HM271NkV

Their possessions.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCjJGLy3fG

Yet the greatest wound was the fear now living inside their hearts.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX35QSI2EVl

For the first time since leaving home, they began to question everything.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CZ4fQ3Q1h

Was the journey worth it?

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxbnYGlFCN

Would they ever reach the Unknown Land?

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIHFYjjgSV

Had they made a terrible mistake?

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pgGTEYhfJ

Despite their doubts, they continued walking.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUOnOrkg5x

Because turning back seemed just as frightening as moving forward.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCN10q2ZM6

The road ahead led them away from the busy highway and into a remote area covered with thick vegetation.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDcrvd1ZPz

Tall grasses stretched endlessly.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt2mBH1h4b

Ancient trees towered above them.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtA3QllS7b

The path narrowed with every mile.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuibKKMMvOO

Soon, there were no vehicles.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1cmxDxKav

No travelers.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cE1zYM2pI

No villages.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj52D96o1Z

Only wilderness.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDa0JNjNEZ

Musa looked around nervously.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFr2ncYANl

"I don't like this place."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPNRyZ0xZl

Tunde nodded.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc1G4YD9tH

"It feels strange."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQBHu3F1GI

Emeka unfolded an old map they had purchased days earlier.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdGY7fqk4j

According to the map, a shortcut passed through the wilderness.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOtpVgozhW

It would save them two days of travel.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzEU2dlbgK

At least that was what the seller had promised.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W4daFSmQw

"We should keep moving," Emeka said.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ggMUEsF9

The others agreed.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiioTo6wEt

As afternoon approached, the forest grew denser.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mvxxLfJji

The sunlight struggled to penetrate the thick canopy overhead.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulGCLRAzik

Shadows covered the ground.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoYLuQO6a6

Strange sounds echoed between the trees.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9Ry7Klktv

The deeper they traveled, the more isolated they became.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B1YS2Au4Y

A Yoruba proverb says:

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yo8EsfSeG

"The forest does not reveal all its secrets to the traveler on the first day."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SOTAo1800

The boys were about to learn why.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlf0nK9gNF

Several hours later, they reached a fork in the path.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdaouVzblA

One trail curved east.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta2BsOoqrF

The other stretched west.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsEL17LyrE

Both appeared identical.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBsO1RdWjQ

The friends stopped.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL5cdm5OT4

Confusion spread across their faces.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6jArbGvHI

Emeka studied the map carefully.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmpKggMq1M

Then frowned.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuJDw9VVfA

"The map doesn't show this."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0Yc50uycZ

A heavy silence followed.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mE5JSIQAM

"Are you serious?" Musa asked.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoAIt6xbv9

Emeka nodded slowly.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXkgFgQpad

Tunde sighed.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dNIvFCPem

"This is bad."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7E6Rh6GrM

For nearly thirty minutes they debated.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleu4GQUmy8

East or west?

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiZdPB72dg

Left or right?

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x5XzrppNU

Neither choice felt certain.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLnWbGfK6T

Eventually, they selected the western path.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz3SmYYFzd

It seemed wider.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj38qMijWDQ

More traveled.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmLKdoMtDy

More promising.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhT0WxH0kX

Unfortunately, appearances can be deceiving.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dDLzKSc7Y

They walked for hours.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpZX3QrcWZ

The forest became thicker.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxqNWnAv2D

The terrain became rougher.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zoukN0lMw

And the path gradually disappeared.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcOmdvpXei

By sunset, there was no road at all.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL6P9lYfZ4

Only trees.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2zKph6HPh

Endless trees.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojmbrh2IjD

Musa stopped walking.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUBbIjCZRm

His face turned pale.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CCGbAtr53

"We're lost."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocvrlU4DPm

Nobody argued.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTid0Yiz3Ln

Because it was true.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4obqgX5m90

They were completely lost.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9vgHdwLdk

Fear settled over them like a dark cloud.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBuT1W16HS

The wilderness stretched in every direction.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DtwcPxmTE

No signs.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqD9e4s2y8

No people.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz5xcp6dT8

No guidance.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkZvyq5ibn

Only uncertainty.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGVj4bXibX

Night was approaching.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXSXeND7fW

And the forest was no place to wander after dark.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTUedvFZDW

"We need shelter," Tunde said.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdmoMlDzQM

The others nodded.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAwAETRcBO

Together they searched for a safe place.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFEb3rHAbq

Eventually they discovered a small clearing surrounded by large trees.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WaEgxUs5T

It wasn't ideal.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhWw6Ao3sI

But it would have to do.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdZ64m6wWa

The three friends gathered fallen branches and built a small fire.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWulUI5DKrs

As darkness consumed the forest, the flames became their only source of comfort.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J0FuOddeX

The wilderness transformed at night.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzEVuK5qVE

Every sound seemed louder.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNanGQKybpl

Every shadow seemed dangerous.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7DhPkPsg8

Strange cries echoed in the distance.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HlRgJOmFQ

Leaves rustled unexpectedly.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OUIRMbT0P

Branches cracked without warning.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZMay2epFI

Fear sat beside them like an unwanted guest.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykUfQ5SNKz

Musa stared into the fire.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv4Tu25Bgq

"What if we never find the road again?"

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihxISZ8sbG

Nobody answered immediately.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhkA2SJKuu

The question haunted all three of them.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIax18Hvfz

Finally, Tunde spoke.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOIKNjlvUl

"We will."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHwNmbFF2V

His voice lacked confidence.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31SQsVTpRY

But he tried anyway.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixzRWnqHva

"We have to."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jdXUPvb3T

Hours passed.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIQyYFHXli

Sleep refused to come.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCtye8UFTp

The forest remained alive around them.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEWgbuobeY

At midnight, a sudden roar shattered the silence.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Et8QIBEu3

The sound echoed through the trees.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfVm3VfJVr

Deep.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEkgZ9HMgW

Powerful.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tlXWRevEx

Terrifying.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn87TUPN9r

Musa jumped to his feet.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCPRTWrTv2

"What was that?"

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNwhj86bLO

Nobody knew.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6qT38rjAB

Another roar followed.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8CH3pAdql

Closer this time.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrMWPUPTuN

Fear exploded through the camp.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CWD9UjxgW

The friends grabbed burning sticks from the fire.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA30OfHTyFU

Their hearts pounded violently.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoQuCbtuzi

The unseen creature remained hidden.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM4G7iOapP

Yet its presence was undeniable.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1xw9LeyS9

For nearly an hour, they sat awake, listening.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5deZxBw9aN

Waiting.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu404OeTqv

Praying.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g2dj1IKIJ

Eventually the sounds faded.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXT87KmEr7

But sleep never returned.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANZCoul1ab

By dawn, exhaustion covered their faces.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbNJQl9pFK

The wilderness had stolen their rest.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHZrL17ffA

And the day had barely begun.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGuKCZg5au

As sunlight filtered through the trees, the friends resumed searching for a way out.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmG1qkcK5x

Hour after hour they wandered.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGvva27v5j

The forest seemed endless.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrOLDZWj59

Every direction looked the same.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGirFAfJdZ

Every path led nowhere.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVSORkUVa9

Hope began to fade.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQZFPW0U5d

Then something unexpected happened.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcMfCd8cHf

Around midday, Musa collapsed.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TMXStypF0

His legs simply gave out.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5xGZB56SW

The combination of hunger, stress, exhaustion, and fear had finally overwhelmed him.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5z2hchLH6

"Tunde!"

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTIYryEpc5

Emeka rushed forward.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeBVfh5k2Z

Together they helped their friend sit beneath a tree.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsK7btPzwM

Musa's breathing was shallow.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHBUgIFVwY

His face was covered with sweat.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4rwG0EYQp

For the first time, genuine panic appeared in their eyes.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeaZNrfBYp

"What do we do?" Tunde asked.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlJbi2XOWR

Emeka looked around helplessly.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQS8XZDJmB

There were no doctors.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20jvOzQgEW

No hospitals.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzbDdF0Fjb

No villages.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAPdIjsdqR

Nothing.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CxBn5P2MH

Only wilderness.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUEtNheWpx

And three lost travelers.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59G9mR3ECv

Musa forced a weak smile.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEjHaIjrEx

"I guess the forest wins."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D3ZpZWpLR

"No."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCN2bkmymK

Tunde immediately shook his head.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiYt3QkRYe

"No, it doesn't."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YnuEjRtXq

Emeka knelt beside him.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97hJVSMZci

"We didn't come this far to give up."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH2otSVUx2

The determination in his voice surprised even himself.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMYXX41dry

Because deep inside, he was terrified.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1ImDk85om

Yet he refused to surrender.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT12CCfw5a2

A Yoruba proverb says:

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOFSujCZnd

"However long the night, the sun will eventually rise."

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8WOr3mWT4

The proverb suddenly returned to his mind.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX7qLGCORw

The elders had repeated it countless times.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiDGdCWqzE

As a child, he never truly understood its meaning.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d3GcQTDWQ

Now he did.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rkhi3W2lS

The proverb wasn't about the sun.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ptSUWftRg

It was about endurance.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAUlYeT3f0

About surviving difficult moments.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkhK0vALEJ

About refusing to lose faith when circumstances seem hopeless.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dPfYdG9q8

Inspired by the thought, the three friends rested briefly before continuing.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFJm96q1VL

Then, just as the afternoon sun began to descend, they heard something.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL3fHshgTv

A faint sound.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFKBfgcjT6

At first they thought it was the wind.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBzT7WrgIt

But gradually it became clearer.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSqqpG1GuG

Running water.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGU8dHh52Q

The boys froze.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2XXAKvgkz

Then smiled.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhY3W3mpV1

Water often meant life.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhN6GJm0xZ

People settled near water.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TWkD2a3Ex

Paths followed water.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGiri1Wgga

Civilization was never too far from water.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAcRnxqZuR

Hope returned instantly.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhlkZYKx3D

Following the sound, they pushed through thick vegetation.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFy4HM6iKx

And finally, they found it.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4QOicFIkl

A river.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cUODaE1ib

Beautiful.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEUpKWEqFL

Flowing.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3PvlTcqHi

Alive.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMHe55g9wW

The sight nearly brought tears to their eyes.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjsuxfkvmj

After days of hardship, the river felt like a miracle.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcNnmFNDQJ

And perhaps it was.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTfi2Yz1s2

Because they knew one thing for certain.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaaTKynreQ

They were no longer completely lost.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8E27zirIb

As the sun began to set, they followed the riverbank.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuuZfrZfb4

Somewhere ahead, they prayed, there would be people.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGQ2FKTNiy

A village.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm4onFlfGQ

A road.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lkt4AOvZn

A sign.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6xvcrU29Z

Anything.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymyQCQXMDj

Behind them, the wilderness remained silent.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU1FGcE2AI

Watching.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTJC6IzxWN

Waiting.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEYi9IJr3W

As though it had not yet finished testing them.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXodJKGoZh

But the three friends kept moving.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOJ5ZO7zQp

One step at a time.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRXxmVYHv7

One prayer at a time.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWu2g95lN0

One hope at a time.

26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhobXIOpK9B

And somewhere beyond the trees, beyond the river, and beyond the horizon, destiny continued to guide them toward the Unknown Land.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzRBhLRzLw

ns216.73.216.66da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically