Chapter 5

Jagger carried Cora away from the settlement, heading toward the steep, jagged cliffs at the back of the valley.

The noise of the tribe faded, replaced by the sound of rushing water. Cora let her head rest against his chest. The adrenaline was crashing, leaving her bones feeling like lead.

The path upward was treacherous. It was a near-vertical climb over sharp, loose rocks.

Jagger didn't even breathe hard. He scaled the cliff face with terrifying ease, his arm locked around her waist like an iron band.

Cora made the mistake of looking down. The ground was hundreds of feet below, a dizzying drop that made her stomach lurch. She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face into the crook of his neck, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

Jagger felt her tremble. His throat worked, swallowing hard, and he adjusted his grip, pulling her even tighter against him.

They reached a wide ledge hidden entirely behind a massive, roaring waterfall.

Jagger stepped through the mist. The entrance to the cave was lined with sharpened bone spikes and tripwires-a paranoid, highly lethal defense system.

He navigated the traps with practiced ease and carried her into the dry, cavernous space. Faint, glowing moss illuminated the walls.

He walked to the back of the cave and gently set Cora down on a massive bed made of thick, snow-white furs. His touch was incredibly light, a stark contrast to the violence he had just displayed.

"BEEP! Congratulations. Host has successfully survived and entered a Safe Zone."

"Quest Settlement: Thwarted the malicious female's plot. Reward: High-Tier Survival Loot Box."

Cora's heart leaped, but she kept her face blank. She watched Jagger through her eyelashes as he walked over to a fire pit in the center of the cave.

He struck two dark stones together. Sparks flew, catching the dry moss instantly. The fire flared, casting dancing shadows over his heavily muscled back.

He reached into a pit dug into the stone floor and pulled out a massive, bloody haunch of meat. He used his bone knife to hack off a thick slab, the blood dripping onto the floor.

He walked over and held the raw, dripping meat out to her.

The metallic smell of blood hit Cora's nose. Her stomach violently rejected the idea. She clamped a hand over her mouth and shook her head frantically, pressing herself back against the furs.

Jagger frowned. He looked at the meat, then back at her. He thought she wanted a softer piece. He turned back to the haunch to cut a different slice.

Cora panicked. She pointed at the meat, then pointed at the fire, making a sizzling sound with her teeth.

Jagger stared at her, completely baffled. In his world, only the weak and toothless cooked their meat, burning away the raw energy.

But he looked at her pale face, her desperate eyes, and he sighed. A low, rumbling sigh.

He grabbed a thick stick, impaled the meat, and jammed it into the ground next to the flames.

While his back was turned, Cora mentally screamed at DAISY. Open the loot box!

The virtual box exploded in a shower of golden pixels.

"Items acquired: Earth-grade Appearance Restoration Serum (Oral), Plant-fiber Towel, High-Purity Synthetic Salt (1 jar)."

Cora nearly cried with relief. These were exactly what she needed.

The smell of burning fat filled the cave. Jagger pulled the charred meat from the fire and handed it to her.

It was tough, unseasoned, and tasted like ash, but Cora forced it down. She needed the calories.

When she finished, she looked down at herself. Her hazard suit was torn, caked in mud, dried blood, and the acidic slime from the predator. She felt disgusting.

She looked at Jagger, then mimed scrubbing her arms and pointed toward the back of the cave where the sound of water echoed.

"I need to wash," she pleaded softly. "Please."

Jagger looked at her dirt-smudged face. Something soft flickered in his dangerous gold eyes.

He stood up, his massive frame blocking the firelight. "Come."

He didn't wait for her to stand. He scooped her up again and carried her deeper into the dark tunnels of the cave.