Pandora Trials

Chapter 4

It took a while but finally Anyilra settled into Trial life. They ate more fruits and understood more and more. Ranks were decided at the end of the moth with Ninat being the leader, Anyilra being the co-leader and Zutec being a Medic. Things seemed to go smoothly until 3 weeks after Anyilra showed up.

Ninat was sitting under a tall tree pondering about how they got here when Zutec approached her. He had a grave face, Ninat could tell something was wrong.

"It's the alarm..." He muttered. "It's blaring. I have no idea what it's for."

Ninat's eyes widened slightly then she took charge.

"Where's Anyilra?"

"She's out hunting."

"Okay. Get to Base now I'll get Anyilra." She commanded.

Zutec nodded and ran for Base Camp. Ninat was looking around frantically for a sign of Anyilra, strong winds started to pick up and rain started to drop. Dark grey clouds loomed over the Jungle. Ninat called out for Anyilra. She waited, then heard a call. It was a cry for help.

Ninat sprinted towards the noise to see a collapsed tree with a scared-looking Anyilra under its humongous trunk. Anyilra was in tears. Ninat stared at her, unable to do much. In desperate attempts she tried to shift the trunk with her hands. It was moving but only gradually. With one final push she managed to free Anyilra. She was in a bad way, but alive. She heaved her up onto her back and made a dash for Base as thunder claps rung out. Ninat was dodging thunder, Base was in sight now. Zutec's pale, blue face pressed against the tinted window. He opened the door as Ninat half-stumbled inside. Zutec's eyes were wide with horror as he assessed Anyilra. He shook his head at Ninat indicating she was in a very bad state. Ninat was just crying, but she managed to lead them to an underground shelter.

Long dreary hour passed, Anyilra was losing a lot of blood and Zutec was giving all he was worth to have a chance of saving Anyilra. Ninat watched hopeless as Zutec was applying herbs and bandaging her up. She knew inside that even if Anyilra did survive she's be left with permanent scars and injuries. Ninat was rubbing her leg, she always did that when she was nervous, it was like a tic. Thunder claps rang out above their heads. They'd never know what truly happened to Anyilra until she woke. Ninat was strangely curious.

Finally the storm subsided but it was now round dawn. The storm took up a day and it was obvious from the destruction outside. Ninat was staring out of the window when Zutec came up to her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"She's awake." He whispered in her ear, her ear turning towards his soft voice.

He kissed her again and put his hands round her waist. He softly squeezed. He leaned his head on her shoulder and she leaned towards it closing her eyes. They stood like that for a while before he gently moved off her and lead her to Anyilra.

Ninat had to stifle a gasp when she looked at Anyilra. She was slumped against a chair wit only half a left arm which Ninat remembered was trapped under the tree. Hr eyes were filled with sadness and she was missing her left foot. Zutec had managed to make a replacement foot made of steel hinges but it was obvious she'd never run as fast again. Anyilra was in tears then got up and hugged Ninat with her half and whole arm. Her tears soaked into Ninat's skin.

"I tried my best to save what I could... I'm so sorry I couldn't do more Anyilra." Zutec murmured, he was obviously angry with himself.

"It wasn't your fault. It was Sylwanin's."

Chapter End - To Be Continued