As they were running not knowing the safest path to take, they ran towards another group. They quickly diverted to another direction. But they weren’t fast enough because of the injuries they sustained while falling from the slope. Their dogs were very fast and aggressive but something unplanned made them stop. The dogs stopped to eat the fishes that fell from the bags Mata and Nazi were carrying.
Bond was always coming behind. When they drew too close he would stop and groan to scared them. It continued like that until they got use to it and refused to stop the last time he tried it. They attacked him. His friends didn’t leave the fight for him alone. They fought together and defeated them, then took off immediately because the greater number of them were still coming behind.
“This way, a cave!” Dylan shouted. Immediately they all ran into it. They entered the cave and did not go deep thinking the savages will not follow them but they did. There were many paths in the cave. Dylan and his friends all followed one direction, but the savages not being sure which way they follow separated themselves.
They move in a little and lied in ambush. When they succeed bringing down the closest chasers they continue their run inside the cave, going deeper because there will surely come another group. They kept pacing on and on until there was no sign of anyone coming, then they rested there.
The cave was dark as if it was already night. They needed light. Dylan searched his pocket for a lighter but found nothing. Zack did and found his but the gas was very small. He shook it and struck it for fire so he could look for something to keep it steady. They saw dried grass and burned them. As the grass was burning they were searching for other things. Soon they got more than enough of what could keep the fire till whenever they want to take off.
“Are we still going back the same way we came?” Sonia asked doubtfully. As she asked the question Dina too turn to Zack to hear his response but Zack needed the consent of others to be sure.
“Of course not. They will surely be at the entrance waiting for us” Dylan replied.
“There will definitely be another way out” Mata assured.
“But we need to rest here a bit” Bond said making Dylan remembered all he did from the time they went to steal foodstuffs to the chase.
“I don’t believe Bond did all that” Dylan said smiling.
They all turned to Bond who was just grinning shyly trying to avoid their gazes.
“Neither of us did”
As they were all focused on Bond, Rickie noticed Dina’s attention was on him. It wasn’t casual. Her eyes were certainly filled with affection. She blinked and smiled. Rickie smiled back and looked away. Since then he couldn’t concentrate on any other thing. She always come to his mind. He was always ruminating about her.
Everything in the cave was covered with thick dust and cobwebs like a place deserted for centuries. There were stones of many sizes which they gathered to sit. Some were unmovable. As they were chatting on things they have done and things to do Dina stood up as if to go check something. When she returned she did not go back to where she was sitting. She sat between Rickie and the new friend they had with them, making it look as if she wanted to have a private discussion with her.
Their discussion was simple and not the type to intrigue. The girl was beginning to feel drowsy, at the other side was Bond already snoring loudly. He crashed faced up with mouth opened. Sonia placed her head on Zack’s chest as they slept. Rickie and Dylan too were beginning to blink irregularly as they gazed at the dying flames. Nazi and Mata at the other hand were actively awake eating what they had, deep in thought.
It did not go the way Dina wanted it. She wanted everyone to sleep except Rickie. She has failed on this, she had to sleep too. But before she could fall asleep, Rickie pocked her.
“I thought you were sleeping” Dina whispered looking at the direction Nazi and Mata were sitting. They have already gone far.
“No, I wasn’t. I wanted to simulate sleeping so that if they see no one to talk to they will also sleep”
“Why?”
“I wanted to know why you keep staring at me that way”
She curved a trap smile staring steadily at Rickie's face.
“Come” She held Rickie’s hand and pulled him to a corner where their conversation will not disturb others.
“You are cute and gentle” She said expectantly but Rickie stared rather confusedly at her as if she was not making sense.
“I like you” She finally exposed.
“You barely know me. Perhaps hunger made me weak”
“I see you in the village. But I never had the chance, no the courage to get close”
Rickie smiled as he noticed she was shy. She couldn’t look up even as she did not hear Rickie’s response. Rickie went closer held her chin up and made her look at his face, he wanted to do something then they got distracted. It was an image, which left immediately they turned. They had to go and find out. When they came back they saw the savage girl sitting with her kneels folded up to her chin.
“Hey! Why are you awake?” Dina bent towards her. The girl shook her head. Rickie stood behind Dina.
“Are you scared?”
She shook her head again.
“Are you catching cold” She shook her head again. Dina did not know what to ask again. She sat near her.
“Is there anything you want to talk to me about? Spit it out”
“You both are lovers?” She asked. Dina turned to Rickie but Rickie did not talk. Instead he smiled. It was seen in a blurry glimpse. The light made their faces red an unclear.
“I love him”
“I love her too” Rickie said making Dina feel comfortable and satisfied.
“But you stopped as soon as you saw me”
“You must be silly” Dina got amused.
“Are you scared?”
“Scared of what?” Dina gave her unbelieving gaze.
“Don’t stare at me like that, I am not a child. I know as much as you do despite I grew in this wilderness”
“How do you mean? Do you have a boyfriend”
“Not really, but I have done all what lovers do. Anyway it’s not my fault, they started raping me before I could find out what sexual intercourse is. So there was nothing to fear about. No one to fear neither was there a purpose living a decent life. Everyone one there lives wild and shamelessly”
This response shocked them. Dina diverted her gaze to Rickie with opened mouth. They realized what she thought they were about doing was not just a kiss.
“You have not told us your name” Dina said trying to change the topic.
“I am Emily”
“Emily” Dina repeated. “Nice name”