Predator

57

This time, S didn't mention taking Amelia, but Liam brought her along anyway.

He drove the lead car, Amelia in the passenger seat.

Danny arrived early, exchanging pleasantries with S. They sat in the second SUV.

Mike was loaded onto the cargo truck, his short trunk clinging to the bars of his cage, his eyes fixed on Amelia.

She took only two things with her—a secretly hidden key and the contract she had found near the first aid kit.

The man next to her stepped on the gas, the SUV roared away, his left hand gripping the steering wheel, and he reached into his jacket with his right hand, pulling out a steel knife and handing it to her.

The gift he had once given her, now returned.

"Don't cry later. And protect yourself."

This time, Amelia said nothing, silently taking the steel knife.

She wasn't without hope. She still had Danny.

Soon, this nightmare would be over.

"One more test." Liam braked, slowing down.

"The way to the Grumeti River, how do you get there?"

She gave directions.

"Correct."

Liam leaned over, unbuckling her seatbelt—

But only to unfasten her seatbelt.

"Get out."

Mike's hind legs were chained with an iron chain thicker than Amelia's leg, the other end sharply anchored into the ground.

To be safe, S had also ordered a small dose of tranquilizer.

Mike's eyes drooped, exhausted, unable to muster any strength to resist, let alone escape. He could only watch as the mercenaries surrounded him, forming a small circle, using spades to dig a trap less than a meter away, burying the cable-wrapped trap and covering it with turf.

Danny praised S's method.

He looked at Mike, like inspecting merchandise—

"I heard this one is a descendant of the giant Tsavo elephant?"

"Well-informed."

"Too bad." Danny raised an eyebrow. "I heard its tusks nearly touched the ground. Too bad I never got to see it."

"When this one grows up, you can have it."

"Of course." S's eyes gleamed with excitement, giving a signal to the mercenaries.

One of them understood, pulling an elephant hook from his sleeve.

Unlike Liam's earlier teasing with a wooden handle, the sharp hook pierced forward—

A weak, mournful trumpet.

Mike weakly turned his head, searching for Amelia.

Through tear-filled eyes, he saw the one person he could rely on in the black market being held by Liam.

"Enough." S stopped them, staring at the small piece of peeled skin, skillfully controlling the spread of the scent of blood.

"Too much noise will attract other things."

In the bushes, sharp yellow eyes flashed.