Escape
Copyright© 2026 by Ka Hmnd
Chapter 5: The escape
The whole camp was up and walked us out the gate. I led the way and nocked an arrow as I slipped into the brush. The first obstacle came twenty kilometres away when we reached a river. The admiral looked at me, and I grinned as I began pulling ribs out of packs to put the long canoe together. We had tested it in the pond, but this would be the real test.
I moved to the prow as we climbed in and started watching. As we started across, I saw a few ripples and got the bow ready. We were almost to the other bank when the large amphibian attacked, and I put an arrow straight into one eye and into its brain. Everyone almost panicked until the admiral cleared his throat, “Nice shot, lieutenant.”
Captain Zane laughed, “Bloody perfect shot, lieutenant. As soon as I clean my pants, I will recommend you for the expert bowmanship award.”
The others laughed, and we landed and started taking the canoe apart after checking it for leaks. It was perfect, and we put it away before starting to walk. We almost walked into the Chinese Dragon later that day, and I froze before gesturing everyone back. It was feeding as we slowly circled it and moved away. The sun was starting to go down when we climbed into a tree.
We slept as close to the top as we could get but took shifts listening and guarding. When the sun rose, we sat together and ate one ration before climbing down. At the first stream, Colonel Caress used the wooden container and filter, and we all drank and filled our water bottles (a hollowed-out thick branch). I checked the direction before we waded across and started walking.
The werewolf attacked that afternoon when we were climbing a ridge. Commander Morris reacted perfectly, as if he had done this a hundred times. The beast leaped, and he shoved Commander Adams as he planted the butt of his spear. The werewolf hit the spear as he let it go and rolled away. Commander Sara lunged to stab his spear into its neck, but Morris had aimed his, and it was already dying.
We climbed a tree that evening at the base of a small cliff. I watched as the sun set and knew we had been lucky so far. I reached up to hit a foot when I heard something and started peering into the darkness. The animal that came out was like an old earth bear but with wicked claws like a sloth. It had huge fangs and three spiralling antler-like horns that sprang up from the forehead.
It sniffed and I realized it was following our trail. I glanced up and gestured as I quietly shifted. The bear thing’s head snapped up and I heard the growl as it stalked towards us. I shook my head and dropped several branches and then swung down and dropped to the ground. It rushed me and I rolled away and sprang to my feet as it missed.
I lunged with the spear and the blade grated as it sank into its back. I yanked it out as the bear turned and stood on its back legs like the werewolf. I shifted and sidestepped and it followed while swiping with a paw. It was in front of the tree when it leaped and I aimed the spear. It hit and the spear sank into its broad chest as I dropped and rolled.
I pulled my machete as the animal turned and shook itself. It clawed at the spear but started moving towards me as it dropped to all four feet. I was waiting for the rush as I circled and moved back and several minutes later it came. The spear was dragging under the animal and pulling it down which slowed it. I leaped aside and spun to bring the machete down.
It struck behind the front shoulders and there was the jarring impact as the blade hit the spine. I twisted and yanked it back as its back legs dropped. I moved around the enraged animal as it continued to struggle and moved in suddenly and struck. This time I hit the neck and blood fountained out as I backed away and waited. Zane dropped out of the tree, “Lieutenant, you are one crazy bastard.”
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