Chapter 10

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows that danced with the swaying grass. The light grew dimmer, painting the world in a warm, amber hue that seemed almost peaceful if not for the thunderous beating of their hearts. Karen’s breaths grew shorter, her lungs burning with the effort of maintaining their breakneck pace. Yet she pushed on, her eyes never leaving the back of her son’s head, her legs propelled by a primal instinct to keep him safe.

Ezelda’s knowledge of the savanna proved invaluable as she navigated the treacherous path with a grace that belied her pain. Her eyes searched the landscape, finding paths where there seemed to be none, leading them through a labyrinth of rock and earth that grew steeper and more precarious with every step. The poachers had switched to foot pursuit, their jeep abandoned at the hilltop, their shouts fading with the distance.

The light grew dimmer, the vibrant hues of the savanna giving way to the soft embrace of twilight. The shadows grew long and the air grew cooler, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the landscape that belied the terror that chased them. The poachers’ footsteps grew fainter, the echo of their shouts lost to the wind, but they didn’t dare to slow down. They pushed onward, driven by the instinctual need to escape the predators that had invaded their sanctuary.

The path grew steeper, the rocks more jagged, until finally, it ended abruptly at the edge of a ravine. The river below, a silver ribbon snaking through the darkening land, reflected the last vestiges of daylight. The water’s gentle murmur was a stark contrast to the harshness of their situation. For a moment, Karen, Jason, and Ezelda could only stare in disbelief at the vast expanse that separated them from safety.

The poachers’ shouts grew louder, their footsteps pounding closer. Desperation painted Ezelda’s features as she surveyed the chasm before them. “We have to jump,” she panted, her voice thick with urgency. “It’s our only chance.”

Karen’s eyes widened with terror at the thought, but she knew Ezelda was right. The ravine was deep, the river below a distant whisper of life in the growing darkness. She took a deep breath and turned to Jason, her eyes filled with a fierce love. “We’re going to jump,” she said, her voice firm. “You first, then me.”

Jason looked at her, his eyes wide with fear, but he nodded. He knew she would not lead him into certain death. With a deep breath, he took a step back, then launched himself into the abyss. The wind rushed past him, a scream caught in his throat as he fell through the air, his heart pounding like a drum.

Karen watched her son’s body arc through the air, the fear for his safety a cold knife in her chest. She took a step back, her eyes on the approaching poachers, and then she too jumped. The world around her was a blur of color and motion until she hit the water with a splash that seemed to echo through the ravine.

The shock of the cold river water stole her breath, but she kicked and flailed her arms, fighting the current with every ounce of strength she had. She surfaced, gasping for air, and saw Jason doing the same a few feet away. The relief washed over her, but it was short-lived as the sound of a shotgun echoed through the ravine, the poachers’ final act of spite before they were swallowed by the distance.

They swam with the current, the water carrying them away from the danger above. The river was swift, pulling at their limbs and clothes, but they managed to keep their heads above water. The sound of the shotgun faded into the background, a grim reminder of the price of freedom.

Karen’s eyes never left Jason, ensuring he was okay, her motherly instincts in overdrive. They fought the river’s pull, stroking towards the nearest bank. The water was cold, a stark contrast to the heat of their pursuit, but it was a welcome relief from the fear that had gripped them.

As the current slowed, Ezelda raised a hand, her voice cutting through the water’s whispers. “Here,” she gasped, pointing to a small, secluded inlet. “We can rest here.” They grabbed onto the rocks jutting out from the riverbed, their bodies heavy with exhaustion and the weight of their escape.

The night had fully descended by the time they stumbled onto the riverbank, the stars winking at them like a thousand eyes of the gods who had watched over their harrowing escape. The chill of the evening air wrapped around them, a stark contrast to the heat of their earlier pursuit. Without wasting a moment, Ezelda set to work, her movements swift and efficient. She gathered twigs and dried grass, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger before she struck a match and coaxed a small campfire to life.