Permafrost: Thunderbird

Chapter 5: A Lost Cause?

⭐️Chapter 5: A Lost Cause?

Well then. 

Being lost in the woods wasn't so bad, right?

She had her phone, so she could still call the others if she wanted to. She pulled it out and unlocked it, pressing the text feature. Really, she only had to pray that someone was up at this time. As she was about to type though, she heard some rustling in the nearby bushes. She quickly shut her phone off in case the light attracted unwanted predators or other creatures.

Ryn looked around, unsure as to where the noise had come from since it was so dark. Even though it sounded small, it could be anything. There had been cautions of night creatures, though Ryn couldn't see anything as it stood now. She didn't want to speak in case that gave her away further, so she slowly and carefully made her way towards a tree and some bushes. As she moved, only the soft crunch of her shoes against stones and dirt could be heard.

Ryn heard another rustle in the plants just as she reached the tree. This time, as she turned her head around to face the source, she could see something moving from bush to bush. It definitely looked small, nothing like a mutant fangtooth or Sea Monster. But...if it wasn't one of those, then what was it? Was it perhaps a juvenile? Maybe just a regular woodland creature?

Ryn decided to try calling out to it, since she figured it wasn't something malevolent. There was no growling or snarling, though she still had to be careful.

"H...hello? Who's there?" she said, her voice quieted to a whisper.

There was silence as Ryn anticipated a possible attack. The tree was right there, so she could use that for a shield. She also brought her pin with her, so her splattershot was there too...but then a humanoid stepped out. They looked like a normal inkling to her, though this could be a trick or a trap.

"Who are...you?" Ryn asked slowly.

"N-no, who are you?" the strange girl asked back.

"I asked you first," Ryn replied.

"Well what if I don't have a name?"

"You don't actually have a name?"

"Well, the people back at the lab call me "Project Thunderbird", but..."

"Hmm...how about I call you Bird, then! If...that's okay with you," Ryn suggested.

"Um...okay...but I still asked-"

"Wait, wait, wait, "Project Thunderbird"? "People back at the lab"? What are you, a science experiment?"

"W-well yeah, apparently..."

"Oh wait you actually ARE a science experiment?"

"It's a long story...anyway, who are you again?" Bird asked.

"How do I know if I can trust you?"

"Erm...I don't know, but I'll do anything! Just don't hurt me!"

Ryn looked at this kid. They sure were an enigma, but was there really anything she could do about them? They seemed harmless enough...

"Well...what if I meet you back here tomorrow? That sound okay? Then I could explain everything, since it's kinda late now..."

"W-wait!"

"Hm?"

"I um...don't have a place to live, and there are people after me, so can I pleeeease stay at your house?" Bird pleaded.

"How old are you?"

"14."

"No parents of any sort?"

"Nope! Not that I remember..."

Ryn sighed. She began to wonder how this would play out tomorrow. She could text her friends now, but...they most likely wouldn't get it until tomorrow morning. It was up to her, here and now to make this decision. She DID want this kid to be safe, but...they'd come from unknown origins.

Hmm...it was getting late. She didn't have forever to do this, so it was now or never. Trust a random kid and pray it isn't a mistake, or leave the kid to get hurt. Oh wait, the group had trusted a random kid before when they met Corrin, and he was the species of their enemy. So her choice was decided then and there.

"Alright, I guess you can stay..."

"Yay!"

"But I might need to introduce you to my friends as well, okay? We'll try to keep you a secret in the meantime," Ryn said.

"Well...okay. I'll go with that," Bird replied.

"Good. Now, let's head home."

"Right."

There wasn't a single word spoken as Ryn and Bird made their way back to Ryn's house. The only noise around them was the sounds of the nocturnal animals. The moonlight was still high enough in the sky, enough to light the way back...partially. Ryn had to use her phone's light to make sure she didn't trip over roots or rocks on the trek home.

Ryn considered texting her friends about Bird so that they'd be prepared, but she also didn't want to give away too much. She figured she could just tell them she'd be bringing another person with her tomorrow at turf, since it was basically the truth. They could help her with hiding Bird anyway, and keeping Bird a secret from THEM would only make things harder. Ryn got out her phone and began texting, fully aware of the fact her friends might not see this until tomorrow. She could only hope they would be okay with such a thing on short notice.

Eventually the two arrived at Ryn's house, and she opened the door to let Bird in. Ryn then locked the door behind them and told Bird to sleep wherever as long as she didn't break or mess with anything. Bird agreed, and after thinking for only a minute or two, went over to the couch and passed out on it. Ryn sighed and did a minor version of her getting ready for bed sequence before heading back to her own room and opening the door. As she closed it behind her and got into her bed, she couldn't help but think that perhaps this was all but a dream, and that this probably wouldn't mean anything in the long run.

Sighing as she closed her eyes, Ryn just decided to let any thought of loss or disappointment leave her. It had already been an eventful week...

She didn't need more.