Knowledge and Climate.
It was scary to even imagine what else he might do to keep himself safe. What lengths he might go to, just to save his own precious skin!
Already deep in the woods, once everyone had caught their breath and realized the chase had finally backed off, Roman- with an innocent - enough look but a very firm tone- pulled a coil of rope out of his bottomless pockets and said without discussion:
I'm pretty sure I know where you're I'll only come with you if we all tie ourselves together with this rope so no one gets lost.
Grofo had a stabbing pain in his side and was drenched in sweat, so he didn't have the energy to argue with his brother's nonsense. Instead, he simply grabbed the rope and started tying his wrist to Roman's with each end, catching the spark of joy in his little brother's eyes.
Yeah, right- everyone always plays by his rules! And I fall for it every damn .. To hide his irritation, Grofo turned to Suzie and said mockingly: Wanna tie you up too, so you don't float away into those fluffy clouds you love so much? - Suzie stepped in close, tapped him on the forehead with two fingers, and replied: Stupid, grumpy little
He probably should've been offended- but truth has a way of making you either blow up or just accept it. And knowing his friend always spoke her mind (however oddly that mind worked), Grofo hung his head and mumbled:
Sorry, Suzie. I guess I'm being a whiny brat That came out wrong... And Roman, you don't have to worry anymore- we're tied together. I'll find you wherever you go, so don't you dare get lost.
He smiled- and, miraculously, so did the others. Their spirits started to lift.
Maybe this was what real leaders did- at least the kind Grofo always imagined himself being. He'd changed a lot over these past few days, once he realized everyone he cared about was in danger.
That sudden wave of responsibility hit him- grown - up, sober, and nothing like the carefree guy he used to be.
And so, off they went, calmer now, their footsteps lighter. Grofo still had a bit of nervous tension bottled up, but the others helped him out- Roman pulled out a big kitchen knife, the one their grandma always used to chop onions she hated, and handed it to his brother.
Protect me Yourself second.
Then he immediately leapt away, narrowly dodging the swat Grofo aimed at his head. The air got smacked instead- Roman's quick little skull stayed untouched.
One more word and I'll cut this rope and tie you to a tree, - Grofo threatened. Roman didn't believe a word of it- he saw the laughter dancing in his brother's
Alright, time to pick up the pace. The lake was waiting for them. And maybe, just maybe, so were all the answers they'd been chasing.
Oddly enough, the thought slowed Grofo down. He turned to Suzie and started poking at her with questions:
Do you even know what we're looking for? You think Valdis is at the lake? That some psycho dragged her off? -
Suzie just shrugged.
She doesn't know the Only the place. That's all she was shown. Grofo shook his head.