Journey: Chapter 18

After a half hour of chasing, Forest finally got the Pegos to stop chasing Nightfall. They all knew how to speak Carnivore but only the father spoke it fluently. They all looked at both Nightfall and Forest in agitation.

“So, your saying that this isn’t the troodon that stole our kibble?” He said scowling. Forest nodded.

“It’s nearly impossible for him to be the thief.” Forest said,

“Then where did he get the kibble?” The mother asked, Nightfall rolled his eyes.

“Look, that isn’t necessary to know. But I got it from him okay. I said it when I first met you three.” Nightfall said,

“So our kibble is gone?” She said,

“Sorry, but it probably is.” Nightfall answered. The female pego began crying. Tears running down her snout

“That was the last of our kibble it took from us. All our precious food gone.” She sobbed, Forest couldn’t help but feel bad for her, for them. And he could do something about it. He set down his pack and started going through it. Nightfall looked at with a confused expression.

“Forest, what are you doing?” He whispered. Forest pulled out the rest of his kibble. And reached his talons out

“It isn’t much. But I hope it enough for you three.” Forest said, the pego eye’s sparkled as it screeched and squeaked in joy.

“Thank you!” She said as the she and her child and husband ran off into the thick brush. Forest smiled, but Nightfall cupped his claws over his eyes.

“Good job Forest, you just got conned on a different Ark.” Nightfall said sarcastically, Forest gave him a look.

“No, I just gave them my kibble because they lost theirs.” He said,

“Forest… They conned you for the kibble. That was all an act at the end. Pego’s will do anything to get something from you.” Nightfall said, Forest was gobsmacked at realizing this. Nightfall sighed.

“Don’t worry about it. You still got meat. We should probably head to the Green Obelisk as soon as we can.” Nightfall continued. Forest sighed and looked at Nightfall.

“Why wait then? Let’s go now.” Forest said, Nightfall smiled and the two set off for the Green Obelisk.

“So how long have you been up?” Forest asked Nightfall, “Oh, for a few hours. I didn’t hit hard ground like you, I hit a softer spot in the ground.” Nightfall said.

“How did you hit softer ground??? We are in the middle of a desert!! All there is is sand and rock and the occasional tree or cactus!!! What did you hit that didn’t make you not pass out” Forest said.

“Uhh, you!! I aimed for you after you hit the ground!!” Nightfall fibbed, grinning a mile wide. Forest glared at him “You’re Joking?” Forest said unamused.

“If I said no, would you leave me here?” Nightfall said still grinning. “Why would you do that?!” Forest yelled in shock.

“I’m joking, I’m joking. I landed in a tree.” Nightfall said. Forest glared at him.

“That’s not funny.” He said. Hot, dry wind blew into his face.

“I thought it was.” Nightfall said,

“It wasn’t.”

“Jeez, don’t be uptight about it, I never get to do stuff like that.” Nightfall huffed. Forest sighed.

“It’s sorry, I’m just not use to this heat and I need water. I haven’t had any water since early morning yesterday and my mouth is dry.” Forest said. “Oh, well there are water veins here on Scorched Earth so we should run into water soon. If not, there’s water at the green obelisk.” Nightfall said.

“So. Why did we land here? You said you’re from Fjordur??” Nightfall said. “I am. I don’t even know where we are besides knowing it’s name Scorched Earth and that it’s has a desert.” Forest said confused.

“It is a desert, nothing else.” Nightfall said back to him. “Oh I think there’s a water vein here.” Nightfall said adding to his comment before.

“This entire place is a Desert!!!!!” Forest yelled, “If you’ve found water, I getting water first and I’m filling my canteen.” Forest continued exacerbated.

“Okay, let me make sure this is a water vein.” Nightfall said. He walked further ahead

“Okay, so the water vein is over that ridge-!!!!” Nightfall screamed.

All Forest saw was red blur flash by as it hit Nightfall and he went flying with the blur. Forest followed and when he caught up, Forest couldn’t believe his eyes.