Astra Chronicles

Chapter 14: A Little Hand

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"It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change." ―Leon C. Megginson

Year 2113, 586 km from A City, 100 km beyond The Walls, Gaea

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"Step on it, half-wit!" Lizzie screamed at the top of her lungs in sheer panic.

Her golden locks were a mess and her clothes had deep red blood stains. The blood was not hers, thankfully.

Our rear-view mirror revealed a menacing grizzly bear with a severed human intestine dangling from its snout.

The angry growls were increasing in volume. It was closing in on us.

"I'm trying! I'm trying!" I frantically shouted back at Goldilocks, repeatedly.

Trembling in a fear I've never felt before, I slouched further into the driver seat and stretched my bony legs to reach the gas pedal. But my lower limbs were obviously too short to accomplish that.

"Do something, you useless mutt!"

Lizzie began stomping her feet as she nervously looked at the approaching monster and then at me.

She started hitting my arms and sides wildly with rage, maybe to hasten me. But she wasn't helping. Her actions were distracting.

Why was there no other adult with us?

Like guards or other teachers?

Are there no recon patrols nearby?

Then again, who would have known that the rumored mutated animals really exist?

I tried to keep my grip steady and clear my mind.

Focus. I must focus.

If I were to join the recon, I had to know how to keep calm and save us all.

Somehow.

I tried to convince myself to be brave yet I could feel my hands shake in terror.

Now, I realized why Tram warned about looking for excitement.

Do they deal with these kinds of stuff in the recon? On a regular basis?

The Class E kids from the back side of the jeep screamed while I continued trying to figure out how to start the engine and drive this thing.

What we were riding wasn't a typical mini jeep; it had buttons on the dashboard. Those buttons were plenty. And confusing.

I wish we had practice driving lessons before our foraging skill test but the Academia didn't mean for us, kids, to pilot our rides during the trip.

I inhaled sharply.

I needed to summon courage from every fiber of my muscles.

My eyes peered on the mirror, making me instantly regret I dared to.

I was mortified.

The grizzly bear was gigantic beyond what was normal.

The dark fur and yellow green snake-like eyes made me shiver. Its teeth and claws were drenched in what I presumed were our school guide's fresh blood.