This is what Daniel told himself as he struggled through the underbrush, eyes keen for food to forage. His belt bag already held wild green apples, small and more sour than sweet.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zLTogiZhV
Group 5 had three people, three mouths to feed. The finder, the mapper, and the killer.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwNsoV2uCB
George the mapper had said there was a good fishing pond in this area. He hadn’t steered Daniel wrong yet.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJqmgN0xzi
Mosquitoes buzzed in the finder’s ears. He sighed audibly, something he would never do in front of the others. They would undoubtedly quote Rule 3, the lucky ones should never complain. Daniel hated Rule 3.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3Fcj6mEqo
The pond ended up being smaller than he expected. The finder rolled up his sleeves and waded into the murky water, fishing net in hand.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEz78qy8US
While cornering a fat little fish Daniel heard a whisper from the trees above him. He froze, heart pounding. He clutched the coarse net nervously as he slowly looked up.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqf7Qdjmh9
An unlucky one. It was crouched in a branch, so covered in mud and leaves that it blended into the tree. The whites of its eyes were all that allowed Daniel to see it.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCLsbvhVh0
He stood stock still, remembering Rule 1. the lucky ones must never respond to an unlucky one. No matter what it said, he couldn’t speak back to it.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vzfhgcyCB
He was afraid to blink, lest it suddenly jump out, or worse, disappear from sight.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIDu5S44o0
The unlucky one in the tree whispered again, this time loudly enough for Daniel to hear. “Are you alone?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wgNc4DGXF
He moved, splashing out of the pond in the direction of camp. He heard a grunt and the sound of foliage moving behind him. It’s following me.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNVvM235XA
Daniel tore through the underbrush, finally breaking into a run at the edge of a field.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvDYsB9RAj
He was nearing camp when he heard it again, right on his heels. The voice was hoarse and ragged, a shout this time. “Listen to me! We need your help! The survivors all need to come together. . .”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeH7a7tpgP
Daniel didn’t register the rest, he had spotted Group 5. George was crouched over a fire and Kate was emerging from the tent.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQm2PAiZlI
As he ran the finder threw back his head and howled, signaling danger.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7XlbWErsX
Kate immediately snapped into action, heading his way in a full sprint. The unlucky one whimpered and sounds of pursuit behind him ceased.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJqObZc3qA
As Daniel and Kate crossed paths, he breathed a sigh of relief. She would deal with it now.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyn8AWjbcB
It was ten minutes before he and George heard the telltale sound of a gunshot.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9kS7ehvH8
“That one took a while.” George was drawing up a new map, his brow furrowed in concentration.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv1g6UqIPP
“I think I lost my fishing net.” Daniel responded absently.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbOVFfBi5O
Without that net, he could not do his job, and his was the most important job. Without the finder, Group 5 would not survive in the wilderness.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTo4Byi1D2
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4n2fOLRMU
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