If Trees Could Talk!

When the Hunter Gets Hunted

At around noon, Kyle got up, as the leader, to start the ritual, for others to pick a leaf just as their norm was. Slowly and slowly, he approached the tallest tree of the forest. He launched his axe as usual but this time, things were not usual.

A branch from a nearby tree “magically”, in the eyes of the onlookers, strongly hit his back driving him through the air. He fell two meters away and badly injured his leg. His fellows quickly rushed to his rescue.

“Sorry, Kyle. I hope you are not very injured,” said Sheya.

Peter took up the responsibility of giving Kyle the first aid while Jarod, Jack and Sheya inaudibly gazed at each other not knowing what to do next. To everyone’s bewilderment, Jarod picked up a chainsaw and frantically sauntered towards the same tall tree.

“Today Kyle was reckless yet it is him who always stresses us to work smart. Therefore, let me show these people how it should be done,” said Jarod to himself.

One meter to the tree, he heard the sound of something that was falling. He looked up and saw a big branch that was approaching his head. Luckily, he managed to step back and then survived by a whisker.

Suddenly, they all heard voices that were saying, “One for you, one for me.”

In fear, Peter, Jack and Sheya started running without any sense of geography so as to save their dear lives. Peter, the coward of course left Kyle lying helpless on the ground. How fast each of them ran, no one knows. They fortunately managed to make it out of the forest. They all did not know had happened but were sure there was something wrong with the forest.

After a few minutes, of staring at each other in total shock, Jarod asked his fellows about where Kyle was but no one was replying. He then looked at Peter, who had been treating him, but he also appeared to have no answer.

Peter, who was still sweating profusely by now, then whispered that he had left Kyle in the forest. With raging fury, Jarod swiftly slapped Peter to the right cheek and Peter fell head first to the ground as though he was diving into a swimming pool.

“What kind of carelessness is this? How I wish it was you that got injured in there instead of Kyle because you are a sleeping giant, with no benefit to us. Peter, I am indeed disappointed in you. If we do not find Kyle, I swear I will cut you into pieces,” thundered Jarod.

Now, no one dared to oppose what Jarod said. Other than Kyle, he was the only one courageous enough to assume leadership of the group.

Jarod said, “Prepare, we stick to the plan. That forest must be put down by all means regardless of whether we find Kyle or not.”

Therefore, let us move around and try to interact with the locals if at all there are any. I hope they can help us by giving us food plus where to stay. If they are not willing, we take it by force.