Page 71 of Lost Paradise

I can't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over me as I watch Jack, his casual demeanor at odds with the gravity of our situation. It's clear that he marches to the beat of his own drum, a wild card in our carefully laid plans. As we prepare to face the savages, I can't shake the feeling that Jack's unpredictable nature may prove to be our greatest asset—or our downfall.

“We’re all pretty bizarre,” Jack says, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. “Some of us are just better at hiding it; that’s all.”

Eve's fingers wrap around the metal weapon Jack offers, her grip firm and unyielding as she weighs it in her hand. The weapon gleams in the firelight, its polished surface reflecting the dancing flames with a deadly glint.

It's a stark contrast to the simple bamboo spears we had brought with us, a testament to the savages' superior craftsmanship and technological prowess. The sleek and menacing metal weapon, with its sharp and finely sharpened edges, serves as a stark reminder of the danger we face.

But as Eve clutches the weapon tightly, her eyes burning with determination, it's clear that she refuses to be intimidated. Despite the odds stacked against us, even with the danger lurking around every corner, she stands tall and unwavering, ready to face whatever challenges come her way.

I see a glimpse of the warrior within her, a fierce and indomitable spirit that refuses to be cowed by fear or uncertainty. She is not content to stand idly by while others fight for their lives; she is determined to be one of them, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her comrades and face the savages head-on.

“Jack,” I say directly, “You’re with me. We’ll make our way to Astro to free him.” He nods his understanding of our mission and hands me one of the spears he stole.

I turn to Eve and Byron, my voice low but firm as I outline our plan of attack. "Eve, Byron, I need you to keep watch," I instruct, my gaze sweeping over them with a sense of urgency. "Stay hidden and alert. If you see any sign ofdanger, signal us immediately."

Eve nods, her jaw set with determination, while Byron offers a solemn nod of understanding.

"And whatever you do," I continue, my voice tinged with a note of caution, "don't engage unless absolutely necessary. Our priority is to free Astro and get out safely. We can't afford any unnecessary risks."

As we finalize our plans, I pull Zane aside, my voice barely above a whisper as I relay my instructions. "Zane," I say, my tone grave with seriousness, "I need you to keep a close eye on Eve while Jack and I make our way to Astro."

Zane meets my gaze with a solemn nod, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of responsibility. "You can count on me," he assures, his voice steady and unwavering.

"If you sense any sign of danger," I continue, my voice tinged with urgency, "get her out of here immediately. I trust you to keep her safe, no matter what."

Zane nods, his jaw set with determination.

With a silent nod of gratitude, I turn back to the group, my heart heavy with the weight of our mission. As we prepare to face the savages and rescue our man, I know that I can trust Zane to protect Eve with his life, just as I would defend any member of our team.

As Jack and I stealthily make our way toward Astro's cage, the tension is thick, our senses heightened as we prepare to confront the savages who stand between us and our group member. The rhythmic chanting of the tribesmen echoes through the clearing, a haunting melody that sets my nerves on edge.

With a silent nod to each other, Jack and I spring into action, launching ourselves into the fray with calculated precision. We move like shadows, darting between trees and ducking behind cover as we close in on our target.

A male guard is taken by surprise. My movements are fluid, swift, and precise as I slice his throat with the precision of Jack’s knife and drop the body.

Jack follows me close behind, our senses on high alert as we engage the next unsuspecting savage. My weapon finds its victim with a deadly blow. The whites of his eyes bright and wild. Jack takes him and drags him aside, away from the main view.

I purge through, my heart pounding, determined to get my man back. With each passing moment, the odds are stacked against us,threatening to overwhelm us if the others discover us. It’s going to be challenging to fight them all.

Jack and I move like shadows through the darkness, our movements silent and swift. The flickering light of the bonfire casts long shadows across the clearing, providing us with cover as we inch closer to our objective.

As we reach the cage, we pause, our hearts pounding in our chests as we assess the situation. The savages are distracted, their attention focused on their rituals.

With a silent nod to each other, we set to work, our hands moving with practiced precision as we search for a way to free Astro from his captivity.

As we finally make it, what we find inside freezes us in our tracks. Astro sits huddled in the corner of the cage, his body covered in filth and grime, his eyes vacant and hollow. The stench of decay hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.

It's a disturbing sight, one that sends a shiver down my spine as I take in the full extent of his suffering. He's been subjected to unspeakable horrors at the hands of the savages, his spirit broken and his body battered.

“Fucking bastards,” I say, gritting my teeth together with frustration. The binding on the cage is crude but sturdy, a testament to the savages' determination to keep their prisoner secured.

“Try this?” Jack hands me a sharp, jagged object.

Without hesitation, I take it from him and begin to slice through the rope binding on Astro's cage. My heart is pounding with anticipation to get this piece of shit cut.

Finally, the rope falls loose, and I manage to unravel it, the sound of it hitting the ground lost amidst the chaos of the clearing. With a sense of urgency, I swing the door open, my heart pounding with anticipation as I prepare to free our friend.

“Hey, mate,” Jack says softly, his voice filled with empathy as he takes in Astro's mental state. “Scott and Alan Tracy are here to rescue you.”

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