Kadota (Love Trilogy)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

...

In the sweltering heart of the jungle, I was hidden away, trying to enjoy a moment of solitude. Engaging in a quick stretch amidst the emerald sea of foliage, I prized these moments alone, free from my camp's unending scrutiny.

Abruptly, a routine soundscape of chirps and rustling leaves was invaded by the ominous, foreign crunch of nearby underbrush. Heart pounding, I instinctively snatch up a sturdy stick and prepare to defend myself.

"Just look at this specimen! Majestic, isn't it?"

A familiar voice penetrated the silence. Emerging from the dense growth, Tai sauntered into view. A timber rattlesnake coiled nonchalantly in his gloved grasp.

"Tai!" I gasped, my anxiety immediately subsiding in light of the familiar, albeit audacious face. "Is this part of our survival training where you scare me to death?"

With a broad grin stretched across his face, Tai admired the snake's intricate scales.

"Well, fear is a useful lesson, isn't it?" He winked before continuing. "Plus, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show you this magnificent creature. Did you know it's the least aggressive snake we can encounter on the ISA?"

I simply stared, barely masked fear punctuated with a note of incredulity at his exhilarating demeanor.

"That's, um, comforting, in a bizarre way," I retorted, my voice a little shaky. Tai laughed, an infectious, melodious sound bouncing off the enclosing foliage.

"Something to remember, Dee," Tai advised, setting the snake aside gently, its armored tail disappearing into the verdant undergrowth. "Always be aware of your surroundings. A Timber rattlesnake will give you an ample warning before it would ever strike. Quite considerate, isn't it?"

The sarcastic humor was evident, but the message echoed with the grave reality of our circumstances.

"We're all a part of this island, Dee," Tai continued, leading the way into our concealed training ground. "The wilderness doesn't care for our man-made rules. Whether human or animal, the law of survival reigns supreme here. Unfortunately, humans often tend to be more treacherous than the animals themselves."

Casting a glance around the fascinating, yet terrifying nature around us, Tai's words resonated deeply. The natural beauty of the jungle was untamed and wild, belying the myriad of dangers lurking within.

A grinning Tai resumed the snake conversation. "You know, I'd love to have a snake as a pet. But our dear commander would likely cook it up for breakfast and serve it to us cold," he chuckled darkly.

An involuntary shudder swept through me as I visualized Red's predatory, fiery eyes.

"You're right," I agreed, the lightness of our banter disguising the bleaker reality.

As the jungle continued its ceaseless sounds around us, we moved on to another day of training.

...

The morning was unusually calm as Tai and I made our way toward the canteen, a stark contrast to the unbridled energy within me.

We stopped abruptly when Tai noticed something intriguing. A girl, a member of the fighters section, was immersed in working on a sketch. As we came closer, I recognized the familiar cityscape she was drawing. It was Vedasgrad, the capital city I had seen only in pictures.

"Been to the capital, have you?" Tai asked in an offhand manner, trying to break the silence.

The girl, Bee, responded without so much as looking at us. Her tone was icy. "Detour once more from your path to poke your nose in my drawing, and I'll probably break some major camp rules."