Fragile Phantasy

Part 16

The forest was alive with the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. KC and Edgar trudged through the dense underbrush, their eyes trained on the tracker's readings. It was referring to two positions - one was moving and darting from place to place, while the other remained still.

"We need to hurry, Edgar," KC urged, feeling the pulse of adrenaline coursing through his veins. "We must catch them before they escape. The watch's energy will run out."

Edgar groaned, his eyes cast downward. "Who would choose to live in such a remote location? If You ask me We should attack the one whose not moving."

KC nodded in agreement, and they continued their arduous trek through the woods. After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the location of the still target. A decrepit hut stood before them, seemingly on the brink of collapse.

With cautious steps, they entered the structure and found an elderly woman lying asleep on a tattered bed. The pair were taken aback - this wasn't the person they were seeking. "What's going on? The tracker isn't working correctly," Edgar whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

As KC scrutinized the tracker, he noticed another DNA source approaching their location. They scurried to find hiding places, with Edgar hiding beneath the old woman's bed. KC, in his panic, was unable to find a suitable spot to conceal himself and was left in plain sight behind the door.

The door suddenly creaked open, revealing a woman whose face matched the picture on the wanted poster. "Mom, dinner is ready," she announced, but her words were cut short.

The woman lunged at KC, her sharp knife glinting in the dim light. She wrapped her hands around his throat, strangling him with alarming force. "Who are you?" she hissed, her eyes filled with a primal rage.

Edgar sprang from his hiding place, brandishing his dagger. "Release my friend, or else," he barked, his voice dripping with menace.

The woman hesitated, her grip on KC slackening. "Please, don't hurt her," she pleaded, her face contorted with concern.

In that moment, the tension was palpable. Edgar slowly lowered his blade, and the woman followed suit. They stood there, staring at one another, until finally, the woman broke the silence.

The old woman lay in her bed, her breathing labored and weak. Zeline, her daughter, watched over her, anxiously awaiting any sign of life from her mother. Suddenly, the woman's eyes opened, and she struggled to speak.

"Zeline, is that you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, mother," Zeline replied, immediately coming to her side and holding her hand.

The old woman seemed to have difficulty seeing, but she could sense that Zeline had brought some company with her.

"I could feel that you bought some companion?" she said, coughing up blood as she spoke. "Are they your friends?"

Zeline nodded, "Yes mother there were friends so please rest". She would prepare her mother's meal and take care of her, as she always had.

But her mother had noticed something that Zeline had not intended to reveal. She glimpsed earlier Zeline holding KC with a knife, mistaking it for a hug. "Is he your boyfriend?" she asked, shocking everyone.

Before they could react, the old woman coughed up blood again. Zeline sprang into action, "Yes mother we promise to take you to the hospital and dont worry i have enough money to cover the costs".

The two could only stand there in pity, but KC knew that they were here for a mission. He approached Zeline and handcuffed her, without her resting mother noticing.