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The jungle was alive with movement, and not just ours.
Everywhere we stepped, every path we took, held a trap I had meticulously set up.
I knew them intimately; they were my creation.
And every time Riley and I neared one, I’d subtly steer her away or signal for her to jump or duck.
The symphony of the chase was an odd combination of Krexar’s persistent footfalls, the rhythm of our own racing heartbeats, and the intermittent noises of the traps springing to life.
At one point, a net of tightly wound vines shot up into the air, snagging whatever was unfortunate enough to be caught.
We didn’t need to look back to know that it was doing its job; the brief grunt of surprise was evidence enough.
We dashed across a dense network of nettles, and as I turned my head, I saw a series of wooden spikes emerge from the ground, forming a deadly barrier.
Another trap activated.
The thrill of the chase, coupled with the satisfaction of seeing my handiwork play out, was exhilarating.
But the undercurrent of danger, the knowledge that one misstep could spell disaster, was ever-present.
Traps were indiscriminate.
They didn’t carewhosprung them, nor who created them.
My main priority was to keep Riley safe, and she placed her trust in me, matching my pace and following my cues.
Together, we hurdled over a series of logs, the ground behind them collapsing into a concealed pit.
The muffled roar of an explosion told us that our proximity mines had been successful.
The chaos we left in our wake was a testament to our synergy.
Yet, as much as we moved in tandem, moments of sheer terror pierced through.
Like when we reached the river, its waters deceptively calm.
I could recall planting aquatic traps, devices that would ensnare or deter anyone trying to wade through.
As we entered the water, Riley’s grip on my hand tightened.
We moved swiftly, but carefully, avoiding the underwater tripwires I knew were there, attached to a dangerous marine alien creature with snapping jaws and vicious claws.
The water was a blessing, masking our scent and making it harder for Krexar to track us, but it also slowed us down, making us vulnerable.
Halfway across, a geyser erupted to our right, a massive water spout shooting skyward.
Another trap ready to be triggered.
Riley yelped, pulling me towards the riverbank.
We clambered out, drenched but undeterred.
Beyond the river, the terrain changed.
The dense foliage gave way to a maze of rocky outcrops and narrow gorges.
