As we were walking even more slowly than before, it was well dark before we reached the bottom of the hill.
I was covered in disgusting, cold sweat. My hands were cold as ice, probably due to anxiety.
The queerats stalked us silently, keeping their distance.
According to Shun's explanations, {making a crucial decision, such as starting a war, involves searching for a suitable focal point. The focal point has to be easily visible, somewhere where nature and awareness converge.}
For example, imagine a hunter with a bow and arrow stalking a deer. The deer runs through the forest, ending up at a riverbank, where chances of the hunter shooting the deer successfully rises. With the change of scenery comes a change in atmosphere; the refraction of light on the surface of the river not only enhances awareness, it also widens the field of vision, so the hunter realizes that he can easily capture the deer. All these factors help to support his actions.
Until now, the queerats' actions have all been very human-like. That's why Shun predicted that they would try to use the terrain to their advantage. If their nests were in indeed at the top of the hill, then the spot where the hill and flat ground meet would be a logical boundary.
"What do we do?" I asked Shun. I felt like he was only one we could depend on now.
"We have no choice but to split up when we get to the forest."
If we stuck together, we'd be an easy target for the queerats. Splitting up would be hard for all of us, but like Shun said, there was nothing else we could do.
"If they start coming at you from a hidden position, just run as fast as you can. It's all over if they catch you, so try to conserve energy too. Get as far away as you can, then hide. Once you're sure that the coast is clear, go back to the path we took today. We'll meet up where the canoes are hidden."
The chances of all of us meeting up again seemed rather bleak. To begin with, wasn't the idea of splitting up based on the thought that some people would be sacrificed while others escaped?
"And before we reach the forest?" Satoru asked, coming up next to Shun.
I understood at once what he was asking.
The edge of the forest was a good fifty meters away from the foot of the hill. There were no trees or rocks to hide behind, so we would be easy targets.
Maria let out a sob. I couldn't help but realize again the seriousness of the situation we were in. I wrapped my arms around her shaking shoulders and nuzzled my forehead against hers, trying to comfort her.
Before long, the discussion began again in hushed voices.
It was about the enemy's intentions. Were they going to attack here? Were they just making sure we were really leaving?
If we assume that they were going to attack, we would have to make for the forest as fast as we could. In that instant, we would reveal that we didn't have cantus. The act of running away would definitely induce them to attack. In that case, the probability of all five of us making it out alive was impossibly small.
On the other hand, if we bet on the chance that they wouldn't attack, and lost, then no one could save us.
"...no choice but hold out until we're nearly there to watch their reaction," Shun's words had a touch of defiance in them.
"And who gets to determine that?" Satoru said.
"All of our lives are on the line," Shun sighed.
