Capítulo 8: Intuition
Idris leaned against the rough bark of a tree, his breath hitching as he strained to listen for any signs of pursuit. The forest had fallen into an unsettling silence, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves nearby. His heart raced, pounding against his ribcage like a frantic bird desperate for escape. He peered into the dense underbrush, eyes wide, searching for the source of the sound.
The rustling grew louder, and Idris instinctively crouched lower, scanning the ground for something to defend himself with. His fingers brushed against a small, brittle twig—far from ideal, but it would have to do. He clenched it tightly, its rough texture grounding him amidst the rising tide of anxiety.
As the sound drew closer, Idris braced himself, ready for a confrontation. But to his bewilderment, a small, brown rabbit hopped into view, its nose twitching as it paused to sniff the air. Idris let out a long, relieved sigh, his shoulders dropping as he relaxed. Just a rabbit. Again.
Feeling the weight of tension finally ease, he sank to the forest floor, his knees weak beneath him. The adrenaline that had fueled his escape was waning, leaving behind a tired ache that seeped into his bones. He leaned his head back against the tree, closing his eyes for a brief moment of respite.
But then, a thought pierced through the haze of exhaustion: Nyx! He shot upright, suddenly alert. His backpack! With trembling hands, he unzipped it, praying the little creature was still safe inside. He rummaged through the pack, pushing aside his supplies until he found the small bundle nestled deep in the fabric.
There lay Nyx, the baby reptile he had brought along, sleeping peacefully. Idris's heart swelled with a mix of affection and relief. Carefully, he lifted the creature into his palm, cradling it gently. Nyx stirred, its tiny body stretching as it opened its large, innocent eyes, resembling a pair of shiny black beads.
Idris couldn't help but grin like a father admiring his child. "Look at you, sleeping like a little angel," he murmured softly. The little creature blinked slowly, as if trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, and Idris's heart burst with warmth.
Patting Nyx's head gently, Idris whispered, "You've got to stay safe, okay? I don't know where your mother is but I promise I'll take care of you." To his astonishment, Nyx emitted a soft, low growl, the sound almost like a purr, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as if the creature understood every word.
"Yeah, I know. I'm not sure what I'm doing either," Idris chuckled softly, his mind racing. "But we have to keep moving. I don't even know this forest, and I'm not sure where to go now."
He looked around, taking in the dense foliage and towering trees, each seeming to close in around him. The fear of being lost settled in his stomach, gnawing at him. Taking a deep breath, he decided, "Let's just follow this path. It feels right. Maybe it'll lead us somewhere safe."
With Nyx securely in his hands, he began to walk, a sense of determination igniting within him. For two days, he wandered through the forest, the terrain shifting from dense thickets to open clearings. The air was cool, and every rustle of leaves made him cautious.
Idris searched for food and water, relying on wild fruits that hung temptingly from branches or grew in patches along the ground. Hunger gnawed at him, but he forced himself to remain vigilant, always glancing at Nyx, who seemed oblivious to the urgency of their situation.
As the days passed, his throat grew dry, and his stomach grumbled in protest. The vibrant greens of the forest began to fade into shades of gray in his mind, the beauty of nature overshadowed by the reality of survival. Each step felt heavier, yet he pressed on, driven by a mix of hope and desperation.
On the morning of the third day, a faint sound reached his ears, a trickle that grew louder as he drew closer. He quickened his pace, heart racing with excitement. Water! The stream! He emerged from the thicket into a small clearing, and there it was, glistening in the sunlight like a precious jewel.
Idris nearly stumbled as he rushed forward, nearly losing his balance in his eagerness. He dropped to his knees beside the stream, cupping his hands and splashing water onto his face before drinking deeply. The cool liquid felt like life itself, revitalizing him in ways he hadn't imagined.
As he lapped up the water, he caught a glimpse of Nyx watching him with curious eyes. "See, Nyx? We made it," he said, smiling down at the little creature. "You can drink too, you know." He held out a small amount of water in his palm, and to his delight, Nyx leaned forward and delicately sipped from his hand, the tiny baby creature's tongue flicking out with a playful curiosity.
Idris laughed softly, feeling lighter than he had in days. After drinking his fill, he lay back on the soft grass, staring up at the canopy of leaves above him. He felt the warmth of the sun on his face, and for a moment, all seemed right. Yet, a nagging thought crept into his mind: why hadn't Garren and Erena arrived at the stream yet?
They should have been here by now. The fear of the unknown settled in, a heavy weight in his chest. He had expected to regroup with his friends, to share the burden of survival, but the longer he waited, the more doubt crept in.
What if they were hurt? What if they'd been caught? The possibilities swirled in his mind, darkening the joy of finding the stream. Idris clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe steadily.
"I can't just wait here," he muttered, pushing himself up. "I need to find them." He took a deep breath, determination flooding back as he looked around, choosing the direction he had initially come from. If they had run in that direction, surely they'd still be trying to find their way back.
Idris glanced at Nyx, who was now nestled comfortably in the crook of his arm. "We can do this, buddy. We'll find them. We just need to keep moving."
With Nyx secure, he set off once more, each step fueled by the bond he felt with the little creature. He had no map, no guide, just an instinct pulling him forward. Whatever awaited him in the depths of the forest, he was determined to face it head-on.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Idris steeled himself. This forest, though filled with uncertainties, was also alive with possibilities. And with Nyx by his side, he knew he wouldn't face them alone. The journey had just begun.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder