Chapter 64: 63

Chapter 62

The Lancers continued their travel with Caitlin's squad finally accepting Salt's argument.

It was inevitable.

Eventually, they all realized that his reasoning was valid.

In addition to that, Pepper didn't seem to be just pretending when she argued that their squad wanted to lend aid as much as they did as well.

Caitlin had to second-guess in the end.

Salt wasn't kidding when he told them that their squad would really leave them behind should they insist having their way.

At first, she thought it was just a mere bluff—an attempt to stop them from going anywhere.

However, Salt remained firm, and gave her a piece of his mind.

He didn't hold back.

Caitlin definitely owes Amber an earnest apology, and she's aware of that.

She acted out of line, and just like what Pepper said, she had no right to shun Amber the way that she did earlier.

She had said awful things out of spite, and under pressure.

The truth was, she felt agitated when she saw the red flare.

She didn't expect that anyone of them would encounter misfortunes this early into the expedition.

It hasn't been an hour since they left, and one squad is already facing a serious problem that warrants the official pack warriors' help.

Caitlin didn't know it was possible.

Especially when they all left in huge groups.

The enemies should know better than recklessly ambush them.

Unfortunately, they weren't able to confirm what happened there. They just assumed it was a rogue encounter because red flares shouldn't be used without any regard.

It also seems implausible for them to be lured into traps because the Alpha regularly goes out into the nearby forest to check the status of the unclaimed territories, and disentangle traps that were set by unknown identities beforehand.

The Lancers had been running for two hours already.

They didn't make quick stops in between because time was of the essence for them.

Besides, Salt and Aries were leading the run.

And it looked like they were waiting for each other to slow down, and appeal for a short break.

Caitlin was positioned in the middle while Drake and Pepper took her opposite sides to reinforce their formation.

And Amber…

She was at the back, keeping her stable pace.

Caitlin noticed that Salt and Pepper seemed fine with it. No one has expressed their worry about the danger that comes with occupying the position in the back.

If she'd be asked, it was safer to have Salt in front, and Aries in the back. Boys should handle the most complicated arrangements.

Besides…

Caitlin doesn't feel comfortable with the fact that Amber is running right behind her back.

There's no telling what that girl is thinking right now.

Caitlin did something to piss her off after all.

Is Amber Santiago someone who holds grudges?

She has no idea at all.

'I smell blood,' Salt suddenly announced. 'It's fresh blood.'

'That's what I'm about to say, too,' said Aries. 'Let's scatter.'

The Lancers didn't challenge his command. They knew it was the right thing to do, so they didn't need to be told twice. Caitlin joined Drake and Salt on the left side. Meanwhile, Pepper and Aries took right.

Her forehead formed a crease when she found out that Amber didn't deviate from the main path.

She's the only one left in the middle.

'What is she doing?' she asked Salt. 'Your friend isn't listening.'

'We're scattered this way. Let her be,' was his flat response.

Caitlin shut her mouth afterward. Salt and Pepper know their friend better, so she's leaving it up to them to whether or not reprove her actions.

Drake spoke worriedly. 'She's with no company. We can't confirm whose blood we've detected yet.'

'How much distance do we have left before we arrive in Talgar? I haven't been keeping tabs.'

'Not sure. But it won't be anytime soon.'

The Lancers have now entered a mangrove forest. Wolves don't usually inhabit such areas, so they're not expecting to encounter rogues around these parts.

But the coppery scent of blood is strong.

And it's coming from deep into the mangroves.

'Where's Amber? I can't see her now.' The swamp is hindering Caitlin's senses. The shrubs and roots were thick and well-distributed.

When they decided to scatter, Amber probably took the route with most vegetation. That's why she's nowhere in sight now.

'Don't panic. She's good at finding her own way,' Salt responded.

Hell, she wouldn't even hesitate to explore unknown territories by herself.

That's what she did last time.

'I'm not panicking.'

'Alright, suit yourself.'

Everyone remained silent and vigilant as they zoomed past the trees without looking back. They all know that quiet places don't equate to 'peace'—especially if you're out in the wild.

Before the Gamma left, he had already prepared a map for them to familiarize themselves with. He also gave emphasis to the landmarks that would serve as their guide on their way to Talgar.

This mangrove forest is one of those.

They should be able to get out of here within two hours.

No stops.

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All of a sudden, Amber's raspy voice rang in their heads.

She's nearby.

'Three alligators, bodies cut in half, weighing nearly 700 pounds, all dead.'

She kept it short, but concise.

'Where are you?' Salt asked, picking up his pace.

'A hundred and fifty to your right? I guess…'

'How deep is the inlet?'

'Take the land route, please.'

'Is there something to watch out for in the bodies of water?'

'These reptiles were poisoned first before they got killed. Certainly not the work of nature. Man-made.'

Everyone thinks that, too.

Finding three bodies of large alligators cut in half is something you don't see in everyday life.

The purpose remains unclear.

They would have understood, and passed it as a natural outcome if those alligators were eaten.

But, in this case…

No.

The animals were left to die after having subjected to ruthless torture.

'How do you know they were poisoned?' Aries queried curiously. 'What's the situation there? Is there an enemy in sight?'

'Their deaths happened not too long ago. The culprit is no longer here, but you may encounter them from your direction.' Amber stopped for a moment. 'Please be careful.'

Wait…

What?

The Lancers tensed up at the conviction in her tone.

Amber believes that the evil-doer is still here.

Wandering the mangrove forest.

'We must rendezvous with Amber as soon as possible,' Caitlin suggested.

'Yeah, that's the plan,' Drake agreed. 'Hey, Salt. Do you think your friend was exaggerating when she said that the culprit was still here?'

'There's no such thing as being too careful. Amber meant every word that she said.'

Strange…

Who would even bother to come to this location in the first place?

It's too far from civilization, and there's nothing much to enjoy here.

Unless they have a thing for invertebrates…

'Let's not touch the inlet as advised. Could you go faster?' Aries asked Pepper.

They can't leave Amber alone. If there's a person who needs to be more on guard, it's her. Right now, she's in the middle of nowhere—unaccompanied. No one would watch her back for her.

'Yeah, I can still take it up a notch.'

'Good.'

Salt, Drake, Caitlin, Aries, Pepper…

When they arrived at the site, they couldn't find Amber anywhere.

But as they stared down at the bodies of the dead alligators, they realized one thing.

The alligators stink a lot.

No wonder Amber left the site…

But where is she now?

"Are you able to reach her?" Pepper inhaled deeply, trying to breathe in as much as she could.

Amber's scent is everywhere.

It was hard to pinpoint which way exactly she went to because they were surrounded by mangrove swamps.

Salt shushed his twin sister. He scanned the area carefully until he slowly looked up, his eyes settling on a specific red mangrove branch.

Amber's duffel bag was left there.

"That erases the concern that someone might have taken her away," Salt muttered.

"Should we really be wasting our time… here of all places?" Aries had been keeping an eye on the area as well. "The deaths of these alligators are none of our concern."

Pepper shook her head. "That's not true. The fact that we've come across this situation raises the possibility that this was all set-up. We can't charge ahead when there's… that."

Caitlin and her members shared a look.

Pepper has a point.

And actually, that interpretation slipped past their discernment.

"That's all the more reason for Amber to not go on loitering, then." Drake knitted his brows. "Where would she go anyway? She could have waited for us."

Salt sat down on a mangrove root. "I think it's important for you to know this for future considerations." He looked them in the eye, wearing his usual poker face. "She's not the type who stays still even if you ask her to. I say… let's just take this opportunity to take a rest. We're stuck until we figure out our next plan anyway."

"Oh? You're here…"

Amber's clothes were dripping wet, yet she was smiling.

Their gazes then shifted to the rope rolled in her palm…

As well as the kid she was dragging along with it.

"Who's that?" Pepper whispered in shock. "That's a pup…"

Why would she tie him in a rope, and drag him through the wetland with a smiling face?

"Tried to stab me with poison."

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