At noon, after finishing their meal, everyone lay down for a short rest to regain strength. The sea breeze blew in, carrying with it a salty tang and a stifling heat, yet compared to the night before, it was almost pleasant. Ethan did not allow them to rest for long. He pushed himself up with one arm, his deep, hoarse voice ordering them to continue completing the unfinished tasks.
The group scattered again. Eric and Mary dug additional drainage ditches around the meat racks, Lucas secured the shelter roof, while Lucy and Emily busied themselves wiping the blood off the remaining cuts of meat before hanging them back up. Stella checked the leopard’s hide, sprinkled it with salt, and folded it neatly in preparation for drying the next day. The afternoon slipped away in the silence of labor
