The moment the group started ascending the quiet slope of Fairpon Tips, a sudden rustling sound echoed from the distance.
Sharp, hurried steps against dry leaves. Snorts. Hooves.
Silas's body stiffened, and in a low, commanding voice, he whispered,
"Hide. Everyone... behind the trees, now."
Without waiting for them to react, his arm instinctively reached for Ivy and pulled her behind the broadest trunk in sight.
His grip was firm but not rough, and for a second, Ivy's breath hitched.
Her heart thumped rapidly, not from fear, but from the heat of his touch.
One by one, the rest quickly ducked behind the trees.
The rustling grew louder until a herd of boars burst into view, galloping westward.
Their tusks gleamed slightly under the patches of sunlight that slipped through the leaves. Dust and dried twigs flew into the air as their feet drummed the earth.
Everyone held their breath.
Finally, the herd vanished into the western woods.
Silas stepped out from behind the tree, scanning the surroundings. "Boars," he muttered.
"That's good. Let's adjust the plan. Henry, Chloe, go to the right ridge. You'll flank from above if they double back.
Amelia, go with Ivy and me... We'll take the clear path. Boars usually stick to the lower terrain."
Everyone nodded.
Each member reached for their weapon, a custom tranquilizer rifle designed for animals.
It didn't kill, but within seconds, it could knock out a mid-sized beast and keep it unconscious long enough for capture or relocation.
Ivy's hands remained empty. She hadn't received any.
Just as she looked toward the others, unsure of what to do, Silas turned and handed her the spare rifle from his backpack.
"Here. Use mine."
Henry's face darkened. His voice trembled with barely restrained anger.
"Wait… that one. You told me it was lost. You said you dropped it near the west fence."
Silas didn't look at him. "I did."
Henry's jaw clenched, his pride wounded.
But before the words could spill out, Amelia stepped in. She gently touched Henry's elbow and whispered, "Not now. Please."
Henry held his tongue, but his thoughts boiled.
'Again. Again, he's picking her. That manipulative girl. Doesn't he see what she's doing? She's weak, she's trouble. She doesn't deserve that gun. I asked for it yesterday. My rifle's jammed once already. He lied… just for her. Is he blind?!'
He glanced at Amelia beside him, her eyes pleading silently. He sighed, forcing himself to stay quiet.
With the group split and ready, they advanced cautiously toward the sound trail left by the boars.
It didn't take long.
They spotted the boars gathered near a dried-up stream, scavenging and digging at the earth for roots.
Following Silas's signal, they raised their rifles.
Pfft. Pfft. Pfft.
Each shot was clean. Silenced. Accurate.
Within seconds, three of the largest boars collapsed to the ground.
There were still more than 10 or so boars left.
Silas moved forward, crouching behind a fallen log.
He peered at the remaining boars rummaging near the dried stream, then gave a quick signal with two fingers. It was time.
Another round of tranquilizer darts flew.
Chloe hit one in the shoulder. Henry grazed another, and it took a moment before it stumbled to the side, dizzy.
But Ivy...
Ivy didn't hesitate. She steadied her breathing, locked eyes on a boar charging slightly to the left, and pulled the trigger.
Pfft.
The dart was embedded cleanly behind its ear. The beast didn't even manage a grunt before its knees buckled and it slumped to the ground.
A second dart. A third. One aimed low beneath the ribs. Another across the snout. Every single shot—swift, silent, effective.
In less than a minute, Ivy had downed four boars on her own.
Henry stopped mid-reload, blinking in disbelief. "Wait… did she just—"
Chloe lowered her rifle, watching Ivy's movements closely. "How...?"
Even Amelia was stunned. She'd seen Ivy flinch even at the sound of a footstep... but this?
Silas stood still, eyes trained on Ivy, who was calmly reloading her dart canister. No tremble in her fingers. No hint of panic.
There was only quiet precision in her posture, as if her hands knew what to do long before her mind gave the command.
Ivy finally noticed the silence. She looked up, confused. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Henry:!!!
Amelia:!!!
Chloe:!!!
'She is a monster!' They all thought simultaneously.