Chapter 3 Hide and Seek

The sudden appearance of an opening surprised Phuro. Despite spending fifteen years exploring the preserve, she had never noticed this particular cave. It wasn't nestled into a hill or rocky cliff but seemed carved out of the flat ground. The area surrounding the cave entrance was cluttered with piles of dirt, decaying leaves, and rotting trees, creating a makeshift pathway. Phuro couldn't help but think that if she tugged on a single twig, the entire structure would collapse and cover up the entrance.

The bespectacled Doctor and Muscular moneyman strode into the cavern without hesitation. They had been discussing something animatedly, but their conversation abruptly ended when they saw the cavern. Phuro couldn't help but wonder what they were looking for, especially since they didn't have any typical hiking gear for exploring the preserve.

Luckily, the men remained unaware of her pursuit. After her close call with the decaying twig, she moved with utmost care, sacrificing speed for diligence.

In addition to her heightened hearing abilities, her vision was also far superior to that of humans. She could effortlessly follow the movements of a stag for over a mile with precise accuracy. Despite the obstructing trees, she could still keep an eye on the men easily as she made her way through the thick foliage. Their clothing made them stand out against the natural background, making it virtually impossible for her to lose track of them.

Amidst the clamor emanating from the cave, the bespectacled doctor spoke up. "Doctor Berry, Director Thompson wanted to see how far along we are with our work."

Phuro crept forward, her bare feet sinking into the soft soil. She pressed her palms against the rough, earthen wall and peered around the corner. Her heart raced as she listened for any sounds of human presence, her trembling hands betraying her fear. She prayed that the humans were too occupied to discover her presence.

"Welcome to our amazing discovery, sir," greeted a cheerful and feminine voice enthusiastically.

"I wanted to confirm that my investments were being used wisely," stated the muscular man, likely Director Thompson. "So, Doctor Berry, based on your latest discoveries, can I expect a substantial return on my investment?"

"Without a doubt," answered Doctor Berry, nodding her head.

A deafening crack echoed through the air as a massive tree branch plummeted from the towering earthen wall, narrowly missing Phuro's feet. Her heart raced, and she froze in fear as her eyes darted around for any sign of danger. The loud thud of the fallen branch was impossible to ignore, and Phuro knew that everyone inside would have heard it. She braced herself for the inevitable commotion that would soon follow.

"What was that?" Doctor Berry inquired, her voice laced with concern.

Director Thompson coughed before speaking. "Doctor Martin, could you please accompany our unexpected visitor off the premises? We don't want curious teenagers or lost hikers interrupting our research."

"Certainly," replied the bespectacled man, Doctor Martin.

Phuro quickly climbed up the ramp made of earth and stone, determined to avoid any attention from Doctor Martin. It's not that she hadn't encountered humans before; she had been to Munford multiple times and met many of them. However, there was something different about these humans, something that gave her a feeling of unease.

"Hey, hold on!" Doctor Martin's voice echoed as Phuro scampered away from the earthen wall.

"No," she whispered through gritted teeth.

The Doctor's footsteps pounded against the hard, compacted ground, but his human speed wasn't enough to close the distance between them. "Come back," he demanded, but his breathing was already heavy from the minimal effort he put in.

"No." She shook her head, her eyes narrowed in a firm refusal. As Doctor Martin emerged from the narrow tunnel lined with damp soil, she darted behind a nearby tree, careful to stay out of his line of sight.

"Please come out," Doctor Martin urged. "I won't harm you. Can we have a conversation?" His voice echoed, indicating that he was close to the cave entrance but not too close. He would be able to see her if she tried to escape.

Her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her throat. She pressed one hand against her chest to calm the erratic beats while keeping perfectly still so the human wouldn't hear her. She prayed he would leave and return to their underground tunnels, allowing her to sprint back to her tribe and warn the elders about the outsiders' unnerving presence.

The crunch of dead leaves alerted Phuro to the Doctor's search for her. "Please?" His voice sounded too close for Phuro's liking.

Phuro knew she should escape and use all her energy to run back to the tribe, but she didn't think she could put enough distance between her and the human. She was certain that the humans had discovered the presence of the N'kara in the preserve and were now aware of where the tribe resided. However, just like how Skinwalkers and other 'supernatural' creatures were avoided by humans with great determination, they also avoided interactions with the N'kara. The N'kara served as a reminder to humans that they were not alone in this world, even in modern times.

The doctor's voice and footsteps continued to fade as he spoke, but Phuro knew she couldn't escape just yet. He was still too close for her to make a run for it. "I know you haven't gone far," he said.

"Continue in that direction," Phuro whispered.

The doctor appeared about forty feet away from Phuro. He was looking eastward, presumably toward a popular hiking trail. "I guarantee it," he shouted back. His tone sounded genuine and compassionate, but it could have been an act meant to deceive rather than an honest sentiment.

Every time he walked towards the east, Phuro found herself moving in the opposite direction around the tree. It wasn't a towering tree, more like a medium-sized one, but it was enough to provide cover if she leaned against its trunk. "Not likely," she said.

A deep, masculine voice that Phuro didn't recognize called out from the cavern, "Doctor Martin, where did you go off to?"

The voice had been moving towards her as it spoke, its echo fading as the owner moved out of the earthen alley and onto the forest floor. Phuro felt trapped between this newcomer and the doctor. She frantically searched for a way to escape, but her mind couldn't come up with any feasible plans.

"I'm on my way!" The Doctor shouted.

Phuro caught a glimpse of another tall, muscular man dressed in mismatched patterns of black, green, and tan. He didn't seem as intimidating as Director Thompson, but Phuro couldn't shake off the feeling that he was still dangerous.

He made his way closer to her, but his focus was on Doctor Martin. Phuro had to circle the tree and return to where she first stood. She hoped the doctor would have passed the tree by now and wouldn't notice her. But she was wrong.

The Doctor's intense gaze, with its warm, hazel eyes, locked onto Phuro's own. His face was twisted in a perplexed expression as he whispered, "You."