52 Baiting (1/2)

”Don't make a sound.” Upma whispered in my ear as I looked at the hundreds of abnormals in front of me with caution. ”They've not noticed your presence so far.”

”Stay absolutely still.” Jasvinder said and I did as I was asked. I looked around in the clearing where most of the abnormals were roaming around and found that a few of them were looking in my direction. A few tense moments passed where they kept looking at me after which they looked away and continued on with their activities.

”Now move back slowly.” Upma whispered. ”I'll tell you about any obstacles behind us.”

I took a step back, then another, then another all the while looking intensely at the numerous abnormals in front of myself until I was finally able to hide behind a large tree.

I let out a breath that I didn't knew I was holding before finally dropping Jasvinder on the ground while Upma climbed down from my back.

”That was dangerous.” I said as I extended my head to look at the horde in front of me. Just a single glace was enough to show me many tall figures. While two in the middle of the group were even taller. ”Two 3rd tier abnormals” I said and tried to control the shiver in my voice.

I was much more powerful than the last time I had fought the 3rd tier abnormal but I had no doubt in my mind that I cannot win against it in a fair combat, let alone two of them.

”Yeah. We saw them.” Upma said looking more calm than me and I wondered if she was truly as calm as she seemed or was she just good at hiding her emotions.

I looked at Jasvinder and realized that he had scowl on his face. But that was just his normal expression so there was nothing to worry about in his case either. I looked at the sun and found it halfway down the horizon already.

”We need a place to stay for the night.” I said in a whisper. The 1st tier and 2nd tier abnormals would not be able to hear my voice from here. But I was not so sure about the 3rd tier ones. I would rather be cautious than be dead.

”You're right. We need to find shelter quickly.” Upma said. ”The forest is already crawling with mutant beasts of all kinds. Now there are a bunch of abnormals here as well. I would rather not take the chance of sleeping out here at night.”

Her words made sense. But at the same time he realized that he had no idea where they were in the forest. Going in any particular direction in search for proper shelter at this point could prove to be counter productive.

He told his thoughts to Upma who nodded in consent with a frown while Jasvinder's face remained as impassive as ever. A few moments of silence followed after which Jasvinder finally spoke.

”I have an idea.” Jasvinder said.

”And what would that be?” I asked.

”The beasts following us were about the same in numbers as the abnormals in front of us.” He said and looked at me impassively and I understood what his 'idea' was immediately.

”You want the two groups to fight against each other.” I stated.