Chapter 205
It wasn’t just Elise who was stunned–Sharon’s eight older brothers were just as baffled.
‘Shari bought a satellite? Just like that?‘
The money wasn’t really the issue. They could afford one too if they wanted. But the real surprise was Sharon. She didn’t exactly seem like the kind of gif who would go around purchasing satellites.
Most girls wouldn’t.
And buying one was one thing–knowing how to use it was something else entirely.
As everyone stared at her, clearly full of questions, Sharon looked completely unbothered. “What? What’s the problem?”
Aaron was the first to speak. “Shari’s incredible. What she just did may have looked simple, but sending a signal through a satellite like that? It’s extremely complex. Most people wouldn’t even come close.”
It took serious coding skills, not to mention the impromptu signal amplifier she’d thrown together–it was no beginner’s move.
Sharon just shrugged. “That was nothing. Aaron’s better at this stuff than Lam.”
She hadn’t forgotten Aaron was a hacker, and hoped she hadn’t given too much away just now.”
Richard beamed with pride. “So our Shari’s been hiding all this talent.”
Joan’s eyes practically sparkled. Finally, someone was beginning to see just how extraordinary Sharon really was.
‘It’s about time. Holding onto all those secrets alone has been exhausting.‘
Sharon glanced down at her phone, the signal blinking steadily. “They got the message. Rescue will be here soon. We’re heading to the swamp.”
“Wait,” Elise said suddenly, looking at her with pleading eyes. “Maybe we should turn back.”
“Why?” Sharon asked, her tone cooling.
Elise’s eyes reddened. “You said there might be more than one. If that’s true, we won’t be able to do anything. I can’t let you take that risk.”
If there really were that many Velvyn, charging in wouldn’t save anyone–it would just get Sharon killed.
Sharon paused and then smiled. “I told you–I’m strong.”
“Shari, are you sure?” Richard asked, hesitant. Even if Sharon had some skills, this wasn’t one or two Velvyn–they didn’t even know how many there were. Charging in blind was reckless.
“I’m sure.” Sharon pulled up a display on her phone. “The satellite scan filtered for unidentified life forms near the swamp. There are about twenty of them. Manageable. Let’s go.”
Richard hesitated for a beat longer but didn’t stop her.
They continued forward. The ground grew softer underfoot, the fallen leaves thick and damp with rot, filling the air with a pungent stench.
The forest was quiet–too quiet, with a strange tension hanging in the air.
Sharon, still on Richard’s back, glanced around, her eyes suddenly serious.
‘Twenty… fine. That we can handle.‘
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Chapter 205
But what worried her wasn’t the number. It was the lack of any signs of struggle.
Merrick’s team had come this way, but there was no blood, no tracks, no trace of a fight.
‘That doesn’t make sense. If they encountered Velvyn, someone should’ve gotten hurt. Something isn’t right.
Half an hour later, they reached the edge of the swamp. Bloodstains. Scuff marks. Signs of a struggle.
Elise’s eyes widened. She ran ahead. “Merrick! Where are you?!”
“Stop! Get back!” Sharon shouted.
A massive, bloodied jaw shot out from beneath a pile of leaves right in front of Elise–razor–sharp teeth snapping shut just inches away.
It was an ambush.
Jeffrey, closest to her, rushed in and pulled her away. But they were already surrounded. Dozens of Velvyn emerged from the brush, encircling them.
They were trapped.
Sharon’s eyes narrowed. ‘So that’s what this was. We were being tracked from the start.‘
The Velvyn hadn’t attacked right away. They’d lured them here.
Smart creatures–smart enough to plan a hunt.
Smart enough to store prey.
“Richard, put me down,” Sharon said quietly.
It was time for her to fight.
“No,” Richard snapped. “We’ll protect you.”
A couple of Velvyn, sure–but not a pack. He wasn’t about to let her throw herself into that.
“I agree,” Marvin said quickly. “Don’t risk it. That’s what we’re here for.”
They were pushed further into the swamp, the ground turning into deep, treacherous muck. Still, there was no sign of Merrick’s team.
“Hold on–don’t move,” Sharon said, eyes locked on a shallow pool nearby. “They’re in the water. A lot of them.”
Now everyone saw it–dozens more Velvyn, half–submerged and still, as if asleep. But they weren’t asleep. Just waiting.
Sharon’s gut twisted.
‘This just got worse.‘
She scanned the terrain. “There’s high ground at nine o’clock. Move. Now.”
The active Velvyn began to close in.
Whatever their intention was, staying put wasn’t an option.
As they bolted for the hill, Elise suddenly broke down in tears. “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have dragged you all into this!”
With that many Velvyn, there was no way Merrick’s team had survived.
What was the point of risking Sharon too?
Mon 180
Chapter 205
Blood from Elise’s wounds dripped into the water. The sleeping Velvyn stirred–snapping awake with violent hunger.
They had smelled blood.
The team sprinted with everything they had.
They barely made it to higher ground in time.
Just past the slope, they finally saw him–Merrick, collapsed and covered in injuries. And next to him, a boy.
Elise scrambled down from Jeffrey’s back and stumbled toward them. “Merrick! Are you okay? You’re scaring me!”
Merrick stirred, his face pale as ash. His voice was
“The signal cut out too fast. I didn’t hear the rest,” Elise
Merrick’s eyes filled with tears. “They all… they all sta
Elise bit down hard on her lip, trying not to sob.
‘Why did it have to be like this?‘
but sharp. “Why are you here? I told you not to come!”
choking back tears. “Where is everyone else?”
To protect me and Jude. They didn’t make it.”
“There’s no time for grief,” Sharon said, stepping forward. “We get out alive first.”
Below them, an army of Velvyn swarmed–layer upon layer of scaly, writhing bodies covering the slope.
They were under siege.
