Chapter 9: Amaya
Chapter 9: Amaya
~~[961 Words]~~
Almost two hours in, and Yuren had managed to scrounge up just one bandana. He'd need six more, and honestly, he felt like he was already running out of steam. But he kept forcing himself forward, making his body move even though his muscles wanted nothing more than to give out.
What messed with his head was the why. The minute he'd grabbed the first bandana, all hell broke loose—real, sudden danger. He couldn't tell if that was all part of his grandfather's plan or if he just had terrible luck, but either way, none of it sat well with him.
One thing he did know: whatever was waiting for him when this was over, it wasn't about to go easy on him. He squared his focus, ready for whatever else this ridiculous scavenger hunt threw his way.
His clothes were a joke—caked in mud, torn so much they barely stayed on. But his eyes? Still sharp. No way was he quitting now. Not with his grandfather waiting up on that mountaintop, acting like it was no big deal to climb up there in the first place.
"This forest is way too damn big," he muttered. "How am I supposed to find the rest? Where's Grandpa even at? Thought he'd at least check in. What's he doing right now?" He let out a long sigh. "I just want this done. I just want to see him."
He scrambled on, almost tripping headfirst before staggering across a skinny little stream, hopping over to the other side and somehow staying upright.
"I'm so done," he groaned. "They couldn't pack me a snack? Not even one? I'm starving—what am I supposed to do with that?" He waved frantically at the swarm of insects buzzing around his face, as if he could beat them all back just by sheer annoyance. "This place is disgusting. And Uncle just left me here! Mum's going to bite my head off when I get home; I already know it. Ugh. Maybe I should've just—no. Never mind. Grandpa, I swear—"
He didn't finish. Just left the words hanging.
The mountain still waited up ahead, and he hadn't even hit the steep part yet. He was barely keeping it together, half a mental breakdown in, but somehow still moving. Mosquitoes were feasting; trees pressed in tight, like the woods would never run out.
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He stepped over a creepy, twisted root that looked almost alive, then sneezed—probably from all the bugs.
"The bugs keep getting bigger," he managed through gritted teeth, swatting at something that landed on his arm. "Started out tiny; now they're basically flies. Big ones. Get off me! I'm skin and bones—there's nothing here for you!"
At least he wasn't totally alone out here.
Floating nearby was Amaya, his bird—pretty much the only one pulling her weight when it came to pest control.
"Go on, Amaya—chase 'em. Eat 'em for all I care. They're food, right? Maybe then you'd finally eat enough to be full."
Amaya zipped and dove through the bug cloud, looking almost thrilled. Yuren had no clue if she was actually eating them or just stirring up more chaos.
"You're so picky," he said, not really expecting an answer. "I give you food—you ignore it. You won't eat bugs either. What do you even want? I've had you forever, and you still act like a mystery. The ants eat your food before you do." He shook his head. "I have no clue how you're even alive. You're a weird one." He watched the ground as he walked. "Sometimes you vanish and then—"
"Amaya? Amaya, where'd you go?"
He looked around. She was gone again.
Then he heard it.
A rush of air. The heavy WHUMP of wings.
He spun.
Massive wings, hooked talons, and a needle-sharp screech that made his skin crawl.
An Aligoula.
He remembered that name—from some ancient, half-forgotten class. A bird that could weigh up to ten kilos. Big, even for these parts. And this one—she meant business.
"Amaya—?"
He barely got the name out before his brain caught up.
It was chasing her.
His eyes went wide. No time to think—he just ran. Full sprint, as fast as his legs would go, lungs on fire, legs ready to buckle. He didn't need to look back to know those talons would be on him in one more heartbeat—dragging him off for dinner or for some monster's nest.
Somehow, it ended. A few minutes later — or maybe forever — it was over. He'd made it. Amaya floated beside him looking completely fine, not even a ruffled feather in sight.
Yuren, on the other hand, was bent double, gulping air like it was the last stuff left in the world.
"That was an Aligoula," he gasped, squinting at the ground. The teacher talked about them. Didn't think they were that huge." His whole body trembled. He let himself stand still, just breathing, for a couple precious seconds.
"That was way too close," he finally muttered, glancing at Amaya. "Are you okay? So that's why you kept vanishing—it was after you. If it had caught you, you'd have been dinner for a baby monster bird. Good thing you got away."
Amaya hovered, wings still, utterly unbothered.
"Must be nice, having wings," he grumbled.
He straightened, rolled his shoulders, and started walking again.
"What am I even saying? I'm not a bird."
He lumbered forward.
"Come on, Amaya. We've still got bandanas to find. If we're out here after dark, Mum's going to murder me. And honestly? She's scarier than anything in this whole forest."
The hairs on his neck stood up for no real reason, but he shook it off.
They kept moving.