"Are we gonna die?" Emily asked again, her voice filled with such desperation that it tore at the emotions of the men gathered around her.
Leoric, positioned to her left, enveloped her in a comforting embrace. With a gentle tone, he reassured her, saying, "You will not perish, Em. I and the rest will shield you from harm."
Emily sobbed and burrowed her head into Leoric's chest. He patted her back gently.
As the scene unfolded, Rose, the escort, and Dr. Reeves both turned towards Angel with a look of pity in their eyes. Angel stood to the right of Leoric, seemingly unaffected by the affectionate display before her. She nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders and shifted her gaze towards the captain, anticipating further instructions. As the captain remained silent, Angel turned and made her way towards their waiting vehicle. Her aloof demeanor suggested that the commotion caused by Emily's actions didn't faze her in the least.
Leoric, who was comforting Emily in his arms, frowned at Angel's lack of reaction. But, what did he expect? She was someone he married for revenge. He would understand that if she had feelings for him, then it would be nothing but abhorrence.
...
After a grueling three-day journey, the group found themselves in dire straits as their dwindling water supply threatened their well-being. Deprived of sufficient water, each member was limited to a mere sip from a small bottle, insufficient to alleviate their parched throats. The group appeared disheveled, their lips cracked and dry, a telltale indication of severe dehydration.
The majestic eagle, which Angel regarded as her cherished pet, sought shelter inside the vehicle to escape the scorching heat of the day. It spread its wings and took flight only during the serene hours of early morning and late afternoon to forage for food. By nightfall, the eagle returned and gracefully perched itself atop V1, completing its daily routine.
On the fourth day after they were attacked, the group's water supply dwindled to nothing. Emily fell ill and became delirious, her condition worsening by the hour. Leoric, known for his strength and resilience, felt a sense of helplessness for the first time in his life. Even his robust body showed signs of reaching its limit. As they pressed on, the grim realization set in that unless they found a water source, their fate seemed sealed.
Feeling dizzy and light-headed, Angel carefully stepped out of the vehicle and decided to take a short break. After eating a biscuit and finishing the last drop of water ration, she felt a bit better. It was still early in the morning, so the sun hadn't started to beat down yet. Angel gazed up and saw Agilus perched majestically on top of their vehicle, which sparked a sudden revelation within her.
'I was so stupid. Why did I not think of it before?' She went back inside the vehicle, gathered a few empty bottles, and placed them in her backpack. She then went out, pushed her body atop the vehicle, and jumped at the back of the eagle.
"Common, Agilus, let's check if there is a water source nearby."
Leoric, Gavin Reeves, and even Captain Neil got out of their vehicles and were horrified to see Angel sitting astride the eagle.
"What are you doing? Get down here. Don't cause more trouble." Leoric shouted.
Angel just glanced at him indifferently. She stroked the bird at the back of its head and gave it a light kick at the side of its body.
"Come on, boy, let's go."
The eagle seemed to understand it's master's intent. It flapped its wings and ascended to the sky.
The people on the ground watched helplessly as the bird and the woman became smaller and smaller until they completely disappeared from their view.
Leoric snapped back to his senses. He took the binoculars, climbed on top of the vehicle, and scanned the horizon. He saw a blurry figure heading northeast.
"Let's go. They headed northeast," Leroic exclaimed. With a swift leap from the roof of the vehicle, he landed in the driver's seat. He drove the vehicle at maximum speed, and the rest of the vehicles had difficulty following.
"Alec, could you use the binoculars to see if you can spot her," Leoric said in a tense and agitated tone. Alec, who was seated beside him, shot him a quick glance before he grabbed the binoculars and ascended to the roof of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Angel, who was soaring in the sky on top of the eagle, has the best time of her life. She felt exhilarated as the warm breeze kissed her face and turned her hair into disarray; some strands were lifted higher, while others cascaded back down, giving a sense of dynamic movement and freedom. She felt a profound sense of liberation that came with flying. For a moment she had broken free from the constraints of the ground and gravity and from worries that she might not survive in the desert.
Then, she saw it. In the vast expanse of the undulating desert, with dunes stretching to the horizon, a verdant patch of green appeared. The vibrant green foliage stood out vividly against the golden sands of the desert. It was just a small area, but to Angel, it looked like the Garden of Eden.
"So, you know this place, Agilus. Have you been flying here for the past few days?" Angel asked her mount.
"Kee kee kee kee.."
The eagle beneath her sounded as if trying to say 'Yes.' Then, it started its descent and landed right in the heart of the oasis beside a small lake. The water was clear and inviting, reflecting the sky and the surrounding greenery.
Angel dismounted from the eagle and knelt beside the tranquil lake. She reached for a bottle in her backpack and used it to collect the clear, refreshing water, quenching her thirst before refilling the other bottles. Pausing to revel in the serene surroundings, she impulsively decided to undress and immerse herself in the pool for a refreshing, rejuvenating bath.
Unbeknowest to Angel, a pair of round big black eyes was intently watching her.