Chapter 111
One hour later, they set off.
Even with markers, getting lost was still common.
In the dense jungle, the sky was hidden, and the thick canopy of branches and leaves blocked out all the light.
Caroline soon found a few leeches on her feet.
The jungle was dark and damp, like a purgatory, with danger lurking at every turn, ready to claim a life at any moment.
There were no paths, so the group trudged slowly, their hunger compounding their fatigue.
"Hang in there," Nathan's deep voice sounded.
Caroline couldn't help but think, 'Nathan has been navigating this harsh environment for days, always leading the group. What kind of strength and perseverance does that take?'
After Nathan helped remove the leeches, Caroline sat down on the ground. Exhaustion hit her like a wave, her legs turning to lead, making every step a struggle.
"Get up; you can't rest," Nathan said coldly.
"Just one minute, please," Caroline panted.
"Mommy, you can't sit on the ground," Ryan said from Nathan's back.
"I'm too tired," Caroline sighed.
Nathan reached out his hand and gently pulled her up. "Just stand for a while, the ground is too cold."
"Why?" Caroline asked, puzzled.
"It will make you more tired and you might get cramps," Ryan explained.
Caroline was partially convinced, but her body desperately needed rest.
"Let's go; I'll support you," Nathan said softly.
"No need, you're already tired carrying Ryan; I can manage."
"Let's go," Nathan insisted, supporting Caroline as they moved forward.
Nathan's support made her steps a bit lighter.
Caroline was resilient, but she was already exhausted. She hadn't eaten for two days, yet she gritted her teeth and persevered.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached their destination before nightfall.
Compared to the previous jungle, this place was paradise: a clear river wound through an open area, the blue sky stretched above, and a quaint wooden hut sat by the riverbank.
John put down Sophie, who was on his back, and took deep breaths.
"Someone actually lives here?" Caroline couldn't believe it.
"No, this is a temporary hideout for drug dealers to evade capture," John explained.
"What if they suddenly come back? Won't there be a conflict?" Caroline worried.
"Don't worry; the chances are slim. Even if someone does come, we'll protect you," John assured.
Inside the hut, there were simple cooking utensils and a few plastic buckets filled with food.
Due to the high humidity, the surface was already moldy.
But these were precious items. John had them cleaned and made porridge.
The unmoldy food was naturally reserved for Caroline, Ryan, and Sophie.
After a short rest, John took some people to the river to fish.
The harvest was good, with a few sizable fish and even a snake.
Caroline woke up, enticed by the aroma of food.
In the big pot was a mix of fish and wild vegetables, emitting a rich fragrance.
But this was the meal for the guards. Caroline, Ryan, and Sophie had more refined porridge and fish without wild vegetables.
Caroline wanted to eat with the team but was politely refused.
After dinner, Nathan and Ryan sat around the campfire and started a conversation.
Having found food and water and being temporarily out of danger, everyone was in high spirits.
Caroline quietly approached, curious about their conversation.
Nathan was usually taciturn, only speaking when with children.
Caroline found that his speech was actually humorous, quite different from his appearance.
However, after listening for a while, she found she couldn't join the conversation.
It turned out Ryan and Nathan were discussing astronomy.
This made Caroline feel quite frustrated. Had she fallen so far behind?
Couldn't they talk about celebrity gossip instead of astronomy and geography?
Sophie was also a bit exasperated. "Nathan, what are you guys talking about? I don't understand!"
Caroline silently agreed and thought, 'Yes, talking about topics everyone can join in would be much more harmonious!'
"Why does Ryan understand, but you don't?" Nathan asked gently.
Whenever Nathan was gentle, Caroline always felt it was unreal and a bit uncomfortable.
"Because I'm a girl," Sophie answered in a sweet, childlike voice.
"Oh?" Nathan waited for Sophie to explain further.
"Girls just need to be pretty, we don't need to understand difficult things!" Sophie said confidently.
Caroline secretly gave Sophie a thumbs up. She had said it perfectly!
It wasn't shameful at all that they didn't understand those complex things!
Nathan's lips curled into a smile, his handsome face illuminated by the firelight.
Night fell, and a sudden rainstorm hit.
The weather here was like that, sunny in the afternoon, and then pouring rain in an instant.
Although there was a wooden hut, Caroline set up a mosquito net tent inside to avoid mosquitoes, allowing Ryan and Sophie to sleep safely inside.
The mosquitoes here were relentless. Even with jackets for protection, it was nearly impossible to avoid them. Their bites would swell to the size of an egg, causing unbearable pain and itching.
The next morning, everyone had swollen bites on their bodies, some even on their faces, causing great discomfort.
Nathan and Ryan gathered again, seemingly discussing something important.
Caroline was curious. Did they really have endless topics to talk about?
So, she quietly approached to find out.
"That herb is only for snake bites. Mosquito toxins are different from snake venom, and even snake venoms vary," Nathan said.
"It's worth a try," Ryan suggested.
"We can't act rashly. What if there are side effects?" Nathan opposed.
"Probably not. Those mosquitoes might carry dangerous bacteria; otherwise, the swelling wouldn't be so severe. If we don't treat it, there could be risks," Ryan and Nathan both frowned, sharing the same intense, uncompromising look.
"Using it also carries risks. If side effects occur, it could be life-threatening," Nathan emphasized.
"I don't think there will be a problem," Ryan insisted.
"Do you have any evidence?" Nathan asked.
"I remember it has the effect of treating infectious diseases, but I'm not entirely sure."
"Then you can't risk it."
"Mommy?" Ryan noticed Caroline eavesdropping.
Caroline was startled and coughed lightly to cover up. "What are you guys talking about?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
