Chapter 63 --63.
Everyone ran—no hesitation, no second thoughts. The dust lifted in thick clouds as the entire tribe disappeared into their homes, slamming doors, bolting windows, hiding like prey sensing the predator’s shadow.
But Kaya didn’t move.
Her body stood rooted, unmoving, as her eyes locked onto one particular vulture in the sky.
It was different.
Larger, slower, and terrifyingly still amid the circling wings above. One eye was scarred—an angry, jagged mark slashing down the side of its face—and yet that wasn’t what held her captive. It was the way it looked at her.
Direct. Unblinking. Ancient.
It was as if she was staring into the eyes of death itself.
A cold breath left her lips, and yet her feet wouldn’t budge. Her instincts screamed at her to run, to hide, to breathe—but she was frozen.
And the vulture... it moved.
No, it descended—slow and deliberate, a terrifying grace in its wings as it dropped from the sky. The villagers screamed from behind locked doors. Someone sobbed. Another prayed. The wind howled.
The enormous bird landed with a gust of wind strong enough to rattle the trees.