Same Planet but Different Worlds

Chapter 10 Our Traps

Kaya's POV

We keep pushing our way through the large trees, poofy bushes and branches that are hanging low, scraping over my head and brushing my hair as I duck under. Everyone seems to look annoyed with that extra effort put in to avoiding the greenery in our way. Whether we like this trail or not, it's the only option for this trek since forestry is taking over everything in this area. They are covering and seeping through every structure my eyes can make out.

My curious orbs bounce all around like usual, until I see something shining from underneath some of the branches, realizing that the greenery is intertwined through each piece of metal, so much so that you can barely see the metal structures underneath. Which is causing the curiosity to burst within me, wondering what is inside of those or what they were originally made for. What could possibly be this structure's purpose? Who knows?

What I do know is that everything out here looks amazing, probably because I have no idea what it could possibly be, making it even better, at least in my eyes. It's a strange beauty but something I could continuously look at and never get bored with. I watched my friends stomp through the greenery fighting it just as much as I am, while Crew effortlessly prances back and forth between the feet of metal structures looking almost as amazed as I do.

Especially since it's not like we have anything like this under the surface, so even though no one else is acting like this exists or is even remotely intriguing, I will enjoy the view and thoughts of what these things could possibly be. Or at least what they used to do on a regular basis to require them being created out here of all places.. Maybe this used to be a completely different place and nothing like this in the past. My imagination runs wild as I get a pep in my step. I watched as Crew starts wandering too far for comfort, as I give a little whistle to get his attention as he instantly comes back to my side, making sure that we are both safe, and I appreciated that.

"So Atlas you're the smartest and greatest man I know.. but do you think these little traps you put together actually worked this time around? Or am I just following you to the ends of the surface to receive nothing within my screaming stomach? Which is the usual, and ok since I will continue to follow you, even if it ends with nothing for us. But I'm just wondering if you tweaking the traps worked this time for the small animals at least." Soya asks with playfulness in her tone as we all chuckle at her flirting with him, because he still doesn't know that she even likes him yet.

But she has been throwing out as many signals as she can come up with to get his attention, and he is just to blind to the affections. That is not his forte, so he is having a hard time understanding what these signals mean, but we have been trying to help with that because we know he likes her as well. For example, she is not a fan of the hunting aspect, but Atlas loves it, so Soya likes to join on these long travels just to be around him. But I don't think he even realizes what she is willing to do just to be around him.

I glance up at the two of them walking one in front of the other, but still further in front of me. Atlas turns around, getting mad at her making fun of him, or at least that's what he thinks. He has to do something in response, so he softly shoves her back as she stumbles but we help catch her. She turns and smiles at all of us showing the mischievousness in her actions. We automatically smile back, showing that she is just as funny as she thinks, well at least to us.

"Well Soya.. I am.. hoping.. and being positive that it worked.. even though it never worked on the small game around home.. but this small game isn't like the animals we have at home.. So hopefully it worked.. But if you're going to be following me everywhere, then you have to get used to all the empty traps just to appreciate the ones that catch something. This was just something new to try somewhere else that we hadn't been to. so you can take your negativity somewhere else, unless you have any better ideas." He declares with all the backbone in the world before looking back at her as if he feels bad about saying anything remotely negative to her.

He hates hurting her in any aspect, but she just smiles at him positively causing him to smile back realizing she is joking with him. Atlas shakes his head as he keeps leading the way to his traps while we follow blindly. I look all around keeping my eyes on the forestry since it can cover up anything, even enemies, so you need to stay on your toes to ensure your safety in a place like this. My head quickly looks to the side of me, hearing the bushes moving as Crew pops out with a stick in his mouth as he gets back into line following behind me, before wandering off again.

That sound of something moving in the bushes beside me caused my heart to race, even if it was just for a moment. But that sight had me smiling just as widely as I could imagine that Crew would be at that moment. He looks so happy out here in the wilderness. Crew is a free soul and the only one out of all of us that actually knows his way around the area. So I keep my eyes on him and his mannerisms as much as I can.

When he starts to sneak, as if he is trying to hide from something. I do the same, I slowly move and quiet down in every way I can, until I find out why he is acting that way, and normally it's for a good reason. When he is prancing around as if there isn't a care in the world with nothing to worry about, I do the same.. well, as much as I can in this new place. But I can't help trying to stay on my toes just in case. You never know what could happen out here and I have heard many horrible things.

We get to the little look off, which is a big cliff that overlooks the entirely forested area below. I go towards the edge looking around, squinting my eyes to see if there is anything I can see in the distance. But nothing just treetops and birds flying over, I think they are trying to do the same as us, looking for anything to eat. They are quite majestic if I do say so myself, making me wish I was a bird to be able to fly and see things the way that they do. That would be something special.

I look back at my friends just to see that Atlas looks disappointed. He is trying to set up the empty trap once again, looking increasingly frustrated as he deals with the straps and wood. "I don't understand, there are so many fresh tracks and droppings from the small game.. how did I not catch a thing?" he huffs to himself, before pushing the trap over. All of us look back and forth between one another, realizing that he hasn't caught anything in his little traps. You can see the frustration embedded in his features as Soya hugs his side.

"It's ok.. I know you will catch something.. I have seen you do it many times.. Just because you didn't catch something this time doesn't mean you're not capable of doing it at a different time. You're the best at making traps and catching small game, especially within our group of friends.. Don't let this get you down." she states so sweetly to him, making a smile creep back onto his face as he nods and hugs her back.

"It's ok.. better luck next time." Tallulah says to him with so much positivity that I think Atlas finally believes it. I hope he does, he is what my mother calls an inventor. He has interesting ideas that don't always make sense to us or work all the time, but the fact that he is coming up with more and more is an inspiration to others that want to try something new. We don't like to hold back when it comes to things like this, especially when it comes to Atlas, because he has helped create so many things that have made life easier for all of us.

I glance around before hearing a stick break besides me. I pull out my bow and arrow as I slowly creep out, between the trees not saying anything, even to my friends, because I don't want to alarm them or let whatever this thing is making that noise, know that I am here. I keep slowly going out until I don't see my friends in my peripherals anymore. The trees are thick, making me work to push through them, so it's much harder to be quiet than I thought it would be.

I get through taking a look around but not seeing anything until I hear another crack of a leaves beside me as I quickly turn to face what is making that noise. I see something move, but I can't make out what it is, so I inch closer to get a better look before shooting. Especially since it might be my companion Crew, I would never feel ok if I ever hurt him by mistake. I keep my eyes glued to the area where I saw movement until I see.. a rabbit... I let out the breath I was holding in before really looking at the rabbit that is only feet in front of me, eating the foliage and not even noticing I am here yet. It's small game but enough to give us something to snack on for the night.

I stretch out the bow string with the arrow attached, ready to let this arrow fly if need be. That is until I see the sparkle and happiness in it's eyes, which deters my motivation to let the arrow fly. I hate hurting anything.. I really do. I nod to myself, knowing I don't want to hurt anything, so I turn to leave. But stop mid-step, not wanting to waste this good opportunity for an easy meal especially since Atlas wasn't able to catch anything.

I bite my lip being deep in thought, knowing that I hate killing but that it will help us to have all the strength we need for being out here. Especially since darkness has started taking over at this point. I feel my eyes watering as I stare at its cute little fluffy head. I feel awful but as I let go of the arrow. I see it fly past my face and directly into his. My hand covers over my mouth, not wanting to cry but knowing the tears are on the brink of falling.

I walk over to its lifeless body as I kneel down next to it and bow my head to whisper to not only myself but the poor being's life that I took for my own nourishment. "thank you for your sacrifice for our nourishment. It means the world to us and won't be forgotten little one." I wipe away the stray tear that drifted from my eyes as I take the arrow and pulling it out, hearing a snap and squish before I wipe the arrow off and put it back into my quiver. I stand up with the limp body in hand as I turn around just to take it back to my friends.

"Kaya? Where are you?" Tallulah ask with even more panic in her tone as she looks around for me. "I'm fine.. I.. got us some rabbit to eat." I declare before letting out another deep breath as they get excited coming to the sound of my voice before taking the rabbit from my hands to prepare it for our dinner. I take another look around as Tallula puts her arm around my back, and slowly pushing me forward and back through the trees to be close to the group again.