I ran like I had never run before.
I could hear the sound of my heartbeat as if it were the last sound I would ever hear.
I felt them above me, ready to devour me at any moment.
What brought me here?
Why didn't I run away?
Stop… just stop.
No time for regret, just think.
All I had to do was continue the plan.
I just had to head toward the desert gorilla like Valex said.
Easier said than done.
The massive birds were above me, and I was slow.
I was already feeling the burn in my throat and the pain in my legs.
Is this the end?
Suddenly, I began to hear sounds coming toward me.
It wasn't the birds—it was a familiar sound.
Was that… was that Valex's voice?!
The voice grew louder; it was shouting.
Suddenly, I saw him in the distance, running toward me.
What was this? What about the plan?
Wait—I didn't see a bird.
Then suddenly, I heard a louder sound… a stronger sound.
The sound of massive footsteps pounding with rage.
I focused my eyes and saw Valex being chased.
Not by a bird… if only it were a bird.
It was… it was the gorilla.
Valex, what did you do?
He started shouting.
I could barely hear him from that distance.
He was yelling:
"Keep running, I'm coming… get ready!"
Get ready? Get ready for what?
More running.
More steps, each one making the burn in my chest worse.
Each one making my heart beat as if it would stop.
I felt like I was about to faint.
We were getting closer to each other.
And the birds were getting closer to me.
Closer… closer… and then…
The gorilla was getting closer to Valex… closer still.
Wait… no. He was the one slowing down.
What was he doing?
We reached the moment of collision.
Valex grabbed me quickly and jumped between the gorilla's legs in an instant.
He leapt, lying flat on the ground.
At the very last second before the gorilla's strike hit the ground and crushed us.
Then the gorilla roared with furious anger.
Its roar nearly pierced my ears.
A sound similar to the giant birds, but a million times more savage.
Then I saw the birds turn toward the gorilla.
They started fighting—it was a bloody sight.
I saw the gorilla grab one of the birds and snap its neck.
Then it used the bird's corpse to smash the others.
The sounds were unbearable.
Beaks and bones breaking.
Blood splattering everywhere… blood that, for some reason, was black.
It wasn't exactly a battle… it was a massacre from one side.
The gorilla was completely dominant.
Then Valex began burying us under the sand.
Was he really trying to hide like this?
I had forgotten the feeling of sand.
It wasn't warm or cold—it felt like nothing.
Suddenly, the sounds stopped.
Valex and I held our breath under the sand.
Then we heard the gorilla's footsteps grow calm again and fade into the distance.
When it was far enough away, we crawled out of the sand.
We sat in silence for a moment.
I felt something strange, like something was moving inside my stomach.
And that disgusting smell wouldn't leave my nose, and a dizzy wave hit me.
Then, without warning, I started vomiting.
So this is what they call nausea? It hurts.
Valex patted my back.
"Kid, are you alright?"
"Yeah… it was just weird, that's all. What happened? How did you even bring the gorilla here?"
"Well… after I lured the bird toward the gorilla, they started fighting, and when it ended, I forgot to run away. The moment it saw me, the gorilla charged at me, so I just started running like a madman."
"Alright… let's head to the tree now."
"Of cou—wait… where's Flit?!"
"At the tree, don't worry. She's safe."
He placed his hand on my head and spoke with a warm smile on his face.
"Good. Thank you, kid."
It was a nice feeling, and somehow familiar.
Then he suddenly lifted me up, placed me on his shoulder, and started walking.
I didn't resist—I was exhausted from all the running anyway.
I guess this companionship isn't so bad after all.
---
To be continued…
Next chapter: The Mark.