Chapter 706: Teammates
Chapter 706: Chapter 706: Teammates
Evelyn Ford gave the two little birds a scare before handing them over to Zoe.
"Zoe, can you ask them for me what the situation is like at Demon’s Ridge? Find out if the four people who stayed behind are safe, and if the wild boars and buffalo are still in the mountains."
Zoe knew this was important. Her expression turned serious as she looked at the two little birds. After she muttered a few words, the birds began to respond.
"Auntie, the little birds say the people are still alive, but they’re in four different places. They also saw lots of wild boars and buffalo. They aren’t on just one mountain—they’re spread across many different ones."
Evelyn understood. Her four teammates were safe and sound. The wild boars and buffalo had moved to other mountains, so the four of them had split up to keep tracking them.
"Is there anyone else in the mountains besides our four teammates?"
"The birds said no. They flew all night, crossing dozens of mountains, and only saw those four people."
Evelyn nodded. "Okay, I get it." Even though the birds had cursed her out, Evelyn still chopped up a large plate of meat for them.
Evelyn poked the two birds on the head. "Don’t glare at me. Hurry and eat. When you’re done, you’re going out to lead the way for us."
Back in their room, Ronan Kendrick was already awake. Evelyn quickly went into the bathroom to wash up. Even though she was on her period, she was still full of energy. It was only after the two had eaten and drunk their fill that they remembered the two people outside.
Evelyn quickly packed some food for them. Taking the two little birds with them, she and Ronan Kendrick slipped out of the space.
Outside, Ryan Rowe and Flynn Hansen had already packed up their tent. Evelyn handed them the food container and then pulled out the map Rhys Chase had given her to study it.
Using the location provided by the birds, Evelyn found the spot on the map and marked it. Their mission for the day was to find their four teammates and regroup.
Once Ryan Rowe and Flynn Hansen finished their breakfast, the four of them discussed the route into Demon’s Ridge and set off.
The terrain in the mountains was difficult, so they had to proceed on foot. Once everything was packed, Ronan Kendrick took point as usual, with Evelyn and Flynn Hansen in the middle and Ryan Rowe bringing up the rear.
The mountains were dense with trees, and the path was covered in beggar-ticks. Also known as Spanish needles, their seeds stick to clothing and are incredibly difficult to remove, just as bad as cockleburs. The temperature on Demon’s Ridge was a little high, so all four of them took off their jackets. Evelyn handed out overalls for them to wear, which would protect them from the persistent beggar-ticks.
As they ventured deeper into the mountains, the sound of birdsong rose and fell all around them. Hearing the calls of their own kind, the two little birds leading the way grew excited. They darted back and forth between the trees, chattering nonstop.
"The layer of fallen leaves on the ground is so thick! This leaf mold would be perfect for fertilizer. Even the most barren patch of land would become fertile soil the following year if you spread this over it."
Ryan Rowe’s eyes lit up. ’If we could bring this leaf mold back, wouldn’t that save the soil at the base? And Demon’s Ridge has so many trees... if we chopped some down to take back, the base would have firewood to burn.’
Flynn Hansen, however, could only think about his teammates. After Evelyn told him the news the birds had gathered, he was filled with both worry and guilt.
"I can’t imagine how they’ve managed to survive out here for over a month."
Ryan Rowe clapped him on the shoulder. "Don’t blame yourself. You should be happy for them. The fact that they’re still safe and sound in such a harsh and dangerous environment just means they’ve all gotten a lot tougher this past month."
Flynn Hansen managed a small smile. "You’re right. Actually, the reason they were the ones who stayed behind is kind of funny. None of them have a very good sense of direction, so they had me take the injured teammates back to deliver the message. Honestly, if I’d stayed and sent them back instead, they’d probably still be wandering around lost in some corner of these mountains. And I... I’d probably have been trampled to death by a wild buffalo by now."