As they caught their breath, Amina, Bisola, and TJ exchanged worried glances, their minds racing with thoughts of Mike's fate. They knew they had to come up with a plan to rescue him, but their options seemed limited. The creatures below seemed completely absorbed in their argument, but the group knew that could change at any moment.
Bisola whispered, "What do we do now?" Amina's eyes scanned the surrounding area, searching for any possible advantage. TJ, meanwhile, was quietly working on loosening the ropes that bound their wrists. "If we can get these ropes off," he whispered, "we might have a chance to sneak back and get Mike."
The group's eyes met, and a spark of determination ignited. They were going to get Mike out of there, no matter what it took. TJ nodded in agreement, his eyes locked on the creatures below, still arguing among themselves. "I think I can get us out of these ropes," he whispered, his fingers working quietly to loosen the knots.
Bisola watched, her eyes darting between TJ's hands and the creatures, her face tense with anxiety. "What if they notice us?" she whispered. Amina's gaze never wavered from the surrounding area, her mind racing with possibilities. "We need a distraction," she whispered. "Something to draw them away from Mike and give us a chance to grab him and get out."
The group's eyes met, and a silent understanding passed between them. They were in this together, and they would do whatever it took to rescue Mike and make it out alive. Amina's eyes narrowed as she thought. "We need to get a better view," she whispered. "If we can see the layout of this place, we might be able to spot Mike and come up with a plan."
TJ nodded, his fingers still working on the ropes. "If I can get these ropes off, I can climb higher and get a better look." Bisola's eyes widened slightly as she glanced at the creatures below, still arguing. "Be quick," she whispered.
TJ's face set in determination as he worked faster, the knots slowly loosening. Finally, with a quiet grunt of satisfaction, he slipped free from the ropes. He rubbed his wrists, relief washing over his face, before beginning to climb higher up the tree.
The branches creaked beneath his weight as he ascended, and the group's hearts skipped a beat as they held their breath, hoping the creatures wouldn't notice. Amina and Bisola exchanged hopeful glances.
"But what about Mike?" Amina whispered urgently. TJ's face was set in determination. "We'll get him," he whispered back. "But first, we need to get out of here and find help. We can't rescue Mike on our own if we're stuck here with these... things."
Bisola nodded, her eyes still fixed on the creatures below. "Let's do it," she whispered. The three friends shared a resolute look, their plan taking shape. They would escape, find help, and then come back for Mike. With newfound determination, they began to make their way down the tree, their eyes fixed on the path ahead, ready to make their move.
The group's hearts sank as the creatures' argument ceased, and their attention snapped back to the tree. Eyes glowing with renewed interest, they began to circle the trunk, their growls and snarls intensifying. Amina, Bisola, and TJ froze, their plan foiled. They clung to the branches, hoping to remain hidden, but it was clear the creatures had spotted them.
One of the beasts let out a high-pitched screech, and the others joined in, their voices echoing through the forest. The group's grip on the tree tightened as they realized they were trapped, with no clear way to escape. The creatures began to climb, their twisted forms scaling the trunk with ease. The group's time was running out.