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TetemaStories, London, NJ (2026)

05/11/2026

THE F VIRUS

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Viola sat by Reece's side looking at his sleeping face. It was two hours since she had spoken to Shidred.

Shidred had told her that Reece had been poisoned and she was shocked. Those things are poisonous? And Reece had taken all of the strikes for her.

She pursed her lips. She hoped he was going to wake up.
Suddenly, Reece groaned and squeezed his face.
“Reece,” Viola called silently.
“Georgia,” he whispered and Viola froze.
Georgia? Who... who was Georgia? Maybe it was his sister... yes maybe...
Viola willed her mind not to go into overdrive. But she couldn't help it.
“No... stay with me... please...”
Viola got up and left the room in a hurry. She couldn't breathe. She felt the whole world crumble before her. What the hell? Why was she feeling this way because he called someone else's name? She shook her head trying to get the feeling out of her.
However it wasn't easy. The name kept ringing over and over in her head like a mantra... Georgia, Georgia...
“Hey, want something to eat?” Reila asked, jumping on the spot next to Vioa.
“No, I'm cool.”
She nodded. “Sure whatever you say. You aren't watching over your husband again?”
Viola huffed. “He isn't my husband. He is just helping me.”
Reila opened her eyes in shock. “Really? Everyone thought you were together!”
“Which we aren't. I want to go back to Shelika.”
A deep voice made her jump from her skin.
“Where the f**k am I?” Reece stood at the doorway, face pale, hand on his left side.
“Reece!” Viola stood up and ran to him. Reila followed suit.
“You are in our village.” Reila said. “Are you OK? Should I call the doctor?”
Reece shook his head and smiled. “No, thanks. What happened to me? How long was I out?” he asked Viola.
Viola huffed. “About sixteen hours.” she said.
Reece inhaled. “What is that smell?”
“You mean aroma. The garden flowers.” Reila said. “This place has the most wonderful species of flowers you'll ever see. I'll show you around one day.”
Viola felt a pang of what she'd never felt before. She couldn't describe it. It felt like she didn't was Reila to show Reece around. Like she didn't...
“I'm going to tell Shi that you've woken up,” Reila said skipping away.
“Earth to Viola,” Reece said snapping his fingers in front of her face. “I need to make a call.”
Viola shook her head. “What? Wouldn't the police find us faster that way?”
Reece nodded. “But who said I was going to use your phone or mine? And besides mine is registered in another name.”
“Who do you want to call? Georgia?” Viola didn't mean to say it but it just came out of her mouth.
Reece stiffened. “Where did you hear that name?”
Viola crossed her arms. “When you were calling her in your sleep how wouldn't I know? Who is she? Your ex?”
Reece chuckled. “You almost sound agitated to hear who it is. Are you jealous?”
Viola scoffed. “Yeah, right. Jealous of what?”
“She was my sister. At least till she died.” Reece said.
Viola's breath stopped. His dead sister? She couldn't believe herself. Was she getting jealous over his dead sister? Was she really just jealous now?
“I'm sorry. I didn't know.”
Reece stared into space. “Where is my bag?”
“Your belongings are still with the leader.” came Shidred's voice. “And it's about time that you go see him, come with me.”
Without words between them, Shidred led the duo to the leader's house. It was a bright white brick house. It was the one that commanded the most attention. A little fenced garden was at the side and fruits grew in it.
“Does everyone have a garden here?” Viola asked Reila.
“You bet.”
The leader came out a few second after Shidred walked inside.
“Have you any place to go?” he asked getting straight to the point.
Reece scoffed. “Yeah thanks. I'm fine.”
The leader shook his head and looked at Shidred. “Arrange a room for them at Isban's place. They shall be staying there till his wounds heal.”
“Can they get their stuff back, uncle?” Reila asked.
“Yes, they may.”

TO BE CONTINUED...

05/11/2026

THE F VIRUS

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Viola stood at the doorway, feeling the chilly air pass through her very skin pores. She hugged the jacket closer than ever, feeling alone. She had never felt so helpless when she was running alone. She only felt that way once when her mother was killed. How had she already grown this attached to Reece?

The next morning found Viola sitting at the head of the bed. A knock came to the door.

“Come in.” she said.
The door opened and a little girl peeked inside.
Viola smiled at her. “Hello. How are you?”
The girl looked around the room as though expecting to see a monster. “My momma said I should call you down for breakfast.”
Viola smiled and nodded. “I will be there shortly.”
She still stood there, looking at Viola.
Viola sighed and stood up from the bed following the girl.
“Good morning.” a woman smiled.
“Good morning.” Viola said back.
“Breakfast is ready. You should come and eat.” the woman said.
Viola pursed her lips.
“Don't worry about him. I'm sure he's fine by now.” The woman smiled at her.
Viola nodded, sitting at the table.
The woman laid out breakfast in front of them.
“I'm Shelika.” she said.
“Viola.”
“What is the little girl's name?” Viola asked looking at the little girl.
“Dila.” Her mother answered. “She's my second. What about you? Do you have a child yet?”
Viola coloured. “I... uh ...We aren't married. I... I mean, he's just helping me run away.”
Shelika shook her head. “Ah. My mistake. I believed you were together. So you don't have anything between you?” she asked, eyes twinkling like a teenager.
“No. He's only trying to help me.”
Shelika nodded. “My husband is one of the guardsmen. They watch over the whole village.”
“Is that how you knew we where here?” Viola asked, putting a spoon of something that seemed mushy into her mouth. It was actually sweet and Viola spooned herself more.
“No. We didn't know.”
Dila sat next to her mother. “Momma, can I go meet poppa? I was supposed to deliver him breakfast! I promised him that!”
Shelika nodded. “Alright you will. But your brother has to go with you.”
Dila nodded. “Alright.” she bounced out of the house.
Someone knocked on the door. “Dila, open the door!” Shelika yelled from outside.
Soon after, Reila entered.
“Oh, Reila!” Shelika stood up and hugged her.
“Look at you. Growing more beautiful everyday.” Shelika said.
Reila chuckled and flung her hair behind her back. “I know right?”
She looked at Viola. Wow. She had never seen anyone with such bright blue eyes before and such beauty that was unlike theirs in the village. And her hair!
Was that yellow? She wondered.
“I'm Reila.” she stretched out her hand. Viola shook it firmly.
“Viola.” she said.
“The doctor sent me to fetch you.” Reika said and Viola got up.
“Fetch me? How is he?” Viola asked, alarmed.
Reila chuckled. “As at the time I left, breathing was he still.”
Viola followed her out of the house. “So where are you from?” Reila asked.
“Me?” Viola pointed at herself. “I'm from Cincinnati.”
Reila's eyes shone. “Oh really? I'm from Mumbai but I came here during the war. My mother died when I was seven and since then I've been working for the doctor.”
“What do they do here?” Viola asked. “I mean, how did you all come together?”
Reila chuckled. “It's a long story. I will tell you later. But first why don't we see your husband?” she said as they walked into the modern brick building. The place was surrounded with different types of flowers. Types that Viola had never seen in her life.
“Wow, this place is wonderful.” Viola said taking in a deep breath.
Reila laughed. “Yes, it is. I stay here a lot. It reminds me of the grasslands back where I come from. You know India was a very beautiful place.”
Reila spoke with love about her country as they walked into the building.
Reila led her to a door and knocked once before entering.
Shidred sat behind a desk looking through some paperwork.

“Shi, she's here.” Reila said running to the back of Shidred's chair.

TO BE CONTINUED....

04/06/2026

THE F VIRUS

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

“What about your injuries, Reece?” Viola asked quietly.
Reece looked at her. “My injuries? What proof do I have that these bunch wouldn't instead poison me?” he asked loud enough for them to hear.
Viola sighed. “Just shut up. I'll take care of it.”
She turned to the men. “Please help us. We are trying to protect ourselves and we had no idea we would stumble upon a place like this.”
The leader still squinted. “So can you explain this?” he lifted the gun.
Viola raised an eyebrow. “Uh, Reece did you have that?”
Reece chuckled. “If I didn't have that do you think I would still be here talking to these bunch...”
Viola interrupted him. “Yes. But it was only for protection.”
“Not many people trespass into our lands. And the few that we have had only seek trouble. What proof do you have that you are unlike the lot?” the Leader asked. Reece could understand that the guy was only being cautious but what the actual hell?
Viola looked at Reece pleading with her eyes. “Your injuries. It's the only way we can ensure we survive.”
Reece chuckled. “Great. So I'm gonna have to take off my shirt in front of a couple strangers. Splendid.” He slowly took off his shirt with elicited multiple gasps from the watchers.
“Proof enough?” he said, before wearing it back.
“That is infected!” the Leader shrieked. “He needs immediate attention! Call forth the doctor! He needs to be checked upon!”
Manav dashed away.
Reece scoffed. “Seriously? I have been moving around with this for a while and I haven't felt a bit of pain....”
He hadn't finished speaking when a pang of pain hit him like a tsunami.
He groaned. “F**k... what the hell?”
The Leader raised an eyebrow. “Still don't need the doctor?”
Viola held Reece by the shoulder. “Are you OK?”
Reece shut his eyes. “Does it look like I am?”
Manav reappeared with a man obviously well on in his years, but who ran with agility of a tiger.
“Reece!” Viola asked when she felt Reece tremble against her.
Reece couldn't explain what was going in inside of him. It was like... like something was moving inside him. Like something was twisting his insides. He shut his eyes, gripping his chest.
“Reece!”
“Stop agitating him all the more, Lady!” the doctor said, shouting orders at Manav and some other men.
“Take him to my house and get Reila ready!”
Everything happened too fast for Viola to comprehend. At one point she saw Reece being taken away. At the other, someone ushered her into their home and at the next, she was standing inside a room.
“Reece.” she said softly when she came back to her senses. She ran out of the room.
“Where is he?” she asked the first woman she saw.
The woman was a little bit shorter than her with a warm smile on her face.
“Your husband will be fine, as far as doctor Shidred is attending to him. Worry not yourself.”
Husband? The word sounded strange to Viola and she didn't seem to concentrate on anything the woman was saying except for: 'fine...attending to him. Worry...yourself.'
Viola bit the insides of her cheek, her heart beating wildly. Reece, please be alright. Please be alright.
She turned over restlessly in bed. It was unlike the one in Reece's home. Reece. How was he now? Where was he?
She got out of the bed and walked out of the room. The whole place was cast in dark and dim shadows due to the candlelight flickering around the house. It seemed eerie to her and she wrapped Reece's jacket around herself and inhaled his scent- it seemed to be the only thing that comforted her in this strange place.
The doctor stood over Reece watching his injuries bleed.
“Why aren't you doing anything?” Reila asked.
“The poisoned blood needs to bleed out.” Shidred said wisely.
“But how could he have gotten so poisoned? Tis not possible for him to be alive still.” Reila asked.
Shidred shook his head. “We can only know when he wakes up.” He said, when the black blood seemed to have slowed down to drops. He dabbed at it before Reila placed in his hand a long needle like tool. Shidred pierced it into Reece's side and he frowned a little in his unconscious state. He sewed it together and Reila looked at the stranger with amusement. She was already used to the people in the village- it was a blessing to meet outsiders.
“Leave him to sleep. He needs to rest as he is.” Shidred said. “What about his wife?”
Reila looked surprised. “His wife?” she asked. “He is married?”
Shidred nodded. “Fetch me her early tomorrow. I shall like to have a talk with her.”
Reila nodded.
TO BE CONTINUED....

04/06/2026

THE F VIRUS

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

“What about your injuries, Reece?” Viola asked quietly.
Reece looked at her. “My injuries? What proof do I have that these bunch wouldn't instead poison me?” he asked loud enough for them to hear.
Viola sighed. “Just shut up. I'll take care of it.”
She turned to the men. “Please help us. We are trying to protect ourselves and we had no idea we would stumble upon a place like this.”
The leader still squinted. “So can you explain this?” he lifted the gun.
Viola raised an eyebrow. “Uh, Reece did you have that?”
Reece chuckled. “If I didn't have that do you think I would still be here talking to these bunch...”
Viola interrupted him. “Yes. But it was only for protection.”
“Not many people trespass into our lands. And the few that we have had only seek trouble. What proof do you have that you are unlike the lot?” the Leader asked. Reece could understand that the guy was only being cautious but what the actual hell?
Viola looked at Reece pleading with her eyes. “Your injuries. It's the only way we can ensure we survive.”
Reece chuckled. “Great. So I'm gonna have to take off my shirt in front of a couple strangers. Splendid.” He slowly took off his shirt with elicited multiple gasps from the watchers.
“Proof enough?” he said, before wearing it back.
“That is infected!” the Leader shrieked. “He needs immediate attention! Call forth the doctor! He needs to be checked upon!”
Manav dashed away.
Reece scoffed. “Seriously? I have been moving around with this for a while and I haven't felt a bit of pain....”
He hadn't finished speaking when a pang of pain hit him like a tsunami.
He groaned. “F**k... what the hell?”
The Leader raised an eyebrow. “Still don't need the doctor?”
Viola held Reece by the shoulder. “Are you OK?”
Reece shut his eyes. “Does it look like I am?”
Manav reappeared with a man obviously well on in his years, but who ran with agility of a tiger.
“Reece!” Viola asked when she felt Reece tremble against her.
Reece couldn't explain what was going in inside of him. It was like... like something was moving inside him. Like something was twisting his insides. He shut his eyes, gripping his chest.
“Reece!”
“Stop agitating him all the more, Lady!” the doctor said, shouting orders at Manav and some other men.
“Take him to my house and get Reila ready!”
Everything happened too fast for Viola to comprehend. At one point she saw Reece being taken away. At the other, someone ushered her into their home and at the next, she was standing inside a room.
“Reece.” she said softly when she came back to her senses. She ran out of the room.
“Where is he?” she asked the first woman she saw.
The woman was a little bit shorter than her with a warm smile on her face.
“Your husband will be fine, as far as doctor Shidred is attending to him. Worry not yourself.”
Husband? The word sounded strange to Viola and she didn't seem to concentrate on anything the woman was saying except for: 'fine...attending to him. Worry...yourself.'
Viola bit the insides of her cheek, her heart beating wildly. Reece, please be alright. Please be alright.
She turned over restlessly in bed. It was unlike the one in Reece's home. Reece. How was he now? Where was he?
She got out of the bed and walked out of the room. The whole place was cast in dark and dim shadows due to the candlelight flickering around the house. It seemed eerie to her and she wrapped Reece's jacket around herself and inhaled his scent- it seemed to be the only thing that comforted her in this strange place.
The doctor stood over Reece watching his injuries bleed.
“Why aren't you doing anything?” Reila asked.
“The poisoned blood needs to bleed out.” Shidred said wisely.
“But how could he have gotten so poisoned? Tis not possible for him to be alive still.” Reila asked.
Shidred shook his head. “We can only know when he wakes up.” He said, when the black blood seemed to have slowed down to drops. He dabbed at it before Reila placed in his hand a long needle like tool. Shidred pierced it into Reece's side and he frowned a little in his unconscious state. He sewed it together and Reila looked at the stranger with amusement. She was already used to the people in the village- it was a blessing to meet outsiders.
“Leave him to sleep. He needs to rest as he is.” Shidred said. “What about his wife?”
Reila looked surprised. “His wife?” she asked. “He is married?”
Shidred nodded. “Fetch me her early tomorrow. I shall like to have a talk with her.”
Reila nodded.
TO BE CONTINUED...

04/06/2026

THE F VIRUS

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Footsteps. Figures emerged from the dense foliage below, their movement careful and deliberate. They weren't soldiers or tourists. Their clothes was more of natural fibre woven together their skin adorned with beads and unfamiliar markings. Some bore weapons, spears and clubs but their manner was disciplined rather than savage.

Villagers. And they didn't look friendly.

“Huh, outsiders,” said a boy of about twenty.
“Who are you?” an elderly man pushed the boy aside. He looked at them as if trying to decipher the very meaning of their existence.
“We pose no threat to you.” Reece said.
The elderly man squinted at Reece. “Cut it.”
The duo fell on top of each other in a mess. Then they were dragged up to their feet.
The young boy roughly held Viola.
Reece saw this and couldn't hold himself back when he growled. “Let her go.”
The boy looked at Reece and lifted his chest. “You don't tell me what to do.”
“Treat the lady with respect Manav.” the elder said and Manav huffed in faux annoyance before letting go of Viola who swiftly hid behind Reece.
“Take them,” the Rlder said before walking away. The other men took hold of Viola and Reece.

The others villagers stared at the outsiders as their clansmen walked into the village. They walked them to a house that stood in the center. It seemed like it was screaming, 'Look at me! I demand all of the glory!'
Another Elderly man came out and the others bowed to him.

“We found them at the trap. They bore weapons, Leader,” the Elder said.
“State your purpose, outsiders,” the Leader commanded.
“We mean no harm. We were only peacefully passing.” Reece said.
The Leader huffed. “No one peacefully passes this lands.”
Reece rolled his eyes, getting annoyed. Only god knew when those things were going to come after them. “Look. We do not seek for trouble. Our lifes are at stake here and we are just trying to protect ourselves.”
“Lock them away. And take their belongings.” The Leader said as though all Reece said meant nothing to him.
Reece gasped when two gruffly looking men took their bags. “You seriously want to lock us up? This is not right! How can you possibly want to lock us?”
His words fell on deaf ears as they were thrown into what Reece thought was an ancient dungeon.
The room was cramped, smelly and airless. “What the hell is this place?” Viola asked.
Reece slid down to the floor. “I'm not sure I would know either.”
Viola sat opposite him. They couldn't see the features of each other very well but they could see their face outline.
“I wonder how my foster sister would be doing.”
Viola looked at him. “You had a foster sister?”
“Yes, I did. I'm sure she'll be missing me by now.”
“I was always envious of those who had siblings. I wanted to have siblings. But now I'm really glad I didn't.”
“Why?” Reece asked.
“I definitely wouldn't be able to protect both of us. I can barely protect myself.” Viola chuckled.
Reece nodded. “I believe that. Talk less of the fact that you have terrible survival instincts.”
Viola scoffed. “Yeah, thanks for reminding me.”
Silence ensued for the rest of the day. It was night. At least it seemed extraordinarily dark and the cell was darker than it was when they were first thrown in. It was way more smelly and the mosquitoes were unbearable.
“I hate this place!” Viola half yelled, swiping a singing mosquito from her ear.
Reece took of his jacket and threw it to her. “Manage with this.”
Viola caught it in the darkness. “Thanks, Reece.”
Reece didn't reply.
“I'm starving.” Viola said a moment later.
“I'm not faring any better,” Reece said. “Besides, I need to change the bandage on my wound,”
Sounds came from outside like metal moving over another metal. It was screeching and Viola winced.
“F**k what is with me and all these noise?”
The Elder and Manav walked up to their cell. “The Leader wants to see you.”
The Leader looked them over. “And how am I to know that you lie not to me?”
Reece scoffed. This guy really was joking.

TO BE CONTINUED…

04/06/2026

THE F VIRUS

CHAPTER TWENTY

Viola looked between the goat and Reece before a large grin spread on her face.
“Reece you are wonderful.”
Reece nodded. “I know right?”
“You are very thoughtful.” she said looking the goat over. “Looks good for meat.”
Reece recoiled. “Meat? I brought him as a pet!”
Viola huffed. “Pet. Really. Nice. We could roast him over slow fire, salt him even.” she was thinking about different ways to kill it.
“You are not doing that, Viola. Not while I'm here.” Reece said.
Viola scoffed. “Are you a goat sympathizer now?”
“Whatever, Viola.” Reece said. “But you aren't having him as meal.”
Viola noticed what he was trying to do when he shouted. “RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, BEAST!” and the goat ran with all the strength it had in its four hooves.
Viola tried to chase but Reece held her in place. “You aren't gonna chase it,”
Vioa struggled so violently that the both of them toppled to the ground, Viola just above Reece.
“You,” she poked his chest with her index finger. “Let our meal go. Do you know what that means?”
“What does it mean?” Reece asked.
Viola tried not to notice it the way his chest vibrated when he spoke.
“It means we could starve to death in this godforsaken place. I don't even know where we are anymore. I couldn't find the way we came in from.”
“Is that even helping?”
Viola rolled off him. “No. I'm serious. It was like someone moved us or that we...we appeared in a different place entirely.”
Reece sat next to her. “There's only one way to find out.”

They walked in silence, a rare and uneasy silence about them, their steps muffled by the damp forest floor. The morning had banished all of the night's shadows yet between them stayed the silence, like the weight of unspoken thoughts lay at the very tip of their mouths. Unable to take it any longer, Viola spoke.
“Do you think we'll ever stop running?”
Reece stopped to examine her for a second.
“You don't think so?” he asked before continuing on his journey.
“I don't know,” she sighed.
“Don't worry. I bet we will. And when we do, I'll treat you to a huge dinner.”
“I'll be looking forward to it.” Viola smiled.
The forest grew dense, shadows deepening, underbrush, thick and unyielding, the scent of the soils and unknown creatures clinging to the air. Reece was beginning to believe what Viola had said earlier.

The forest looked different from the one he was used to back in New Jersey. The forest here was thicker and lusher with various fruits that he hadn't seen before.
Then he stopped. Viola barely had time to register what had happened before his hand shot out, gripping her hand in silent urgency.
“What?” she asked.
Reece placed a finger to his lips.
She followed his gaze to the ground. It looked normal at first glance; scattered leaves and loose soil. But something was off. It was too carefully disturbed. As though something awaited them beneath the soil.

A trap.

Viola opened her mouth to call out to Reece, to warn. But a tangle of net blocked her rational thinking as she flew up, suspended in the air.
A disgruntled grunt made her know that Reece was there too.
Reece moved about trying to find a way to get his hands free from the unnatural angle it was twisted at. Instead he only managed, how he did it- he didn't know, to tangle himself even more.

“Could you please not move?” Viola asked.
“I certainly could,” he said with zero intention of stopping.
“Whatever. Just do not move.”
“Oh, I'm making you uncomfortable? I wasn't aware.” he said testing the strength of the ropes.
“Are you injured?” he asked.
“No,” She said feeling Reece's warm body against hers. “I just I seem to have lost the knife I stole from your house.”
Reece chuckled. “Really? You stole a dagger from my house?”
“I needed to protect myself against you.”
Reece was silent for a while. “Can you reach mine?”
“Where?” Viola asked, wondering what had strolled up his pants.
“Behind my back.”
Without hesitation, her hand fumbled to his back, and the moment her fingers brushed the hilt, he tensed.
“A fore warning would be nice next time.” Reece said.
“Would you prefer I leave it where it is?” Viola asked, her face turning red.

Viola adjusted her grip in a way that would have enabled her to hold the dagger, but the net had other plans. Every movement tangled them further, her palm flattening against his back.
He inhaled. “Could you be gentle?”
Viola felt body tense beside her. Even when his breathing became erratic, it wasn't hard to know.
“I wasn't trying to be.”
Then came the sound of cracking of dry leaves.

TO BE CONTINUED...

03/24/2026

THE F VIRUS

CHAPTER NINETEEN

A gentle chill clung to the air as dawn's first light blended across the horizon, casting on the sky, a muted shade of lavender and pale gold. The forest hushed in the embrace of the morning and stirred only with the rustling of leaves and the occasional bird song, soft and unintrusive. Viola stirred before opening her eyes. She felt the warmth that she hadn't expected. She lifted her head only to find Reece's sweater over her. She looked around. Reece was squatted a few feet away from her searching though the backpack.

“You didn't sleep last night?” she asked.
“Sleep evaded me.” Reece replied, turning to face her.
Viola stretched her hands above her head and yawned.
“I'm starving.” she said, standing up.
“Maybe we should look for something to eat.” Reece said, nodding.
“You stay. I'll do it.” Viola said looking around.
Reece chuckled. “Oh really. I like to think that you have zero survival instincts.”
Viola gasped dramatically. “That is so nice of you.”
“So why don't I test your survival instincts skill?” Reece suggested.
Viola crossed her arms. “Really. So now we have to do this?”
Reece shrugged and broke off a branch with blue cherry like fruits.
“Is this edible?”
Viola squinted at it. “Yes?”
Reece gasped. “Oh no, Viola. This is very poisonous. It would melt your liver before you even realize.”
He threw that behind his back into the forest before breaking off a twig.
“What about this?” he asked. This was a branch with juicy looking red fruits.
“Yes?” Viola was unsure.
“Talk about survival skill, no! Viola. This is another poisonous fruit that would kill you before you finish chewing it.”
He picked up a last twig with leaves. “What about this?”
Viola determined not to be caught unawares, said. “No. It isn't edible.”
Reece gave her the ghost of a smile. “Smart answer, but it is edible and is at least the least poisonous,”
Viola huffed.
“What exactly did you use to survive on your own?”
“My instincts!” Viola said, flinging her hands into the air.
Reece stared at her, knowingly. “Well, we shall be using my instincts today considering that I don't want to die yet. I wouldn't be surprised if you bring back a lizard you thought was edible.”
Viola gasped. “Wow. You have so much faith in me. I'll check for water then.”
Reece raised an eyebrow.
“Or I should undergo another test?” she asked.
Reece shook his head. “We wouldn't have to go through all that trouble. Just be careful,” Was all Reece said before they went separate ways.
His sneakers was pressing into the damp earth, the scent of pine and soil, thick in the crisp air. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, scattering golden patterns across the underbrush, but his focus remained undeterred, trained on the task ahead. Unlike a certain someone he could name, he was rather commendable in the sense of survival.
He plicked a round green fruit from a branch and sent it into his mouth. Cautiously chewing it as though he wanted to determine its poisonous nature. Juicy and plump he threw it into the bag, that Viola had earlier given him. He gathered a couple of other things. Wild garlic, apples from withered tree, edible roots and a minty leaf that could make the water Viola got taste less riverish.
Reece walked back, with a spring in his step. His wound still hurt he couldn't be bothered about it. The air was fresh, clear almost to a point that Reece wished he could be a part if it. Birds sang soft tunes as they flew overhead. Reece stood watching them with amusement and a light smile in his face. Rustling of leaves sounded on his left and Reece turned around sharply and quietly. In the little clearing stood a goat.
He blinked. The goat blinked back.
Reece titled his head and the goat seemed to do the same. “I have a feeling we could be friends, little goat. Why don't you come on?”
The goat stood a step forward. “Good.”
The goat took another step. Then one more and without warning the goat rammed into him.
“Aaah!” Reece gripped his stomach and bent over, his grin widening. He straightened up and without missing a beat, he tied a rope that was in his bag around the goat's neck. It didn't even try to protest as Reece led it away.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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