Chapter 81: Hole
"Watch out!" Zukka dashed into the scene and grabbed Little Black by the hand.
The huge creature rose tall and was about to pounce on Little Black, who was on the floor, as Zukka pulled him. He swung him off the path and carried him to the side as the creature landed on the ground and began moving ahead.
It was a beaver. A huge brown beaver that moved while scratching the ground, leaving it with marks as it headed forward.
It moved past Zukka and Little Black, who turned to watch it move towards the others. Little Black still stood there, partially traumatized. His eyes were wide open in shock as he watched it.
The others were already aware. Everyone stared in panic as it approached.
"Watch out! A monster!" one of the women screamed as everyone began running off. Sunnie stepped backwards as Azure pulled her to his side.
The huge beaver crawled fast through the ground, the earth shaking as it moved. Everyone was in panic as it drew closer. But they had already stepped out of the way.
The beaver couldn’t get to them. But the beaver moved straight to the quiet woman who was sitting alone in the distance with her child in her arms.
Sunnie panicked as she broke free from Azure’s arms and stared in that direction. "No!"
But it was already too late. The beaver snatched the baby from the quiet woman’s hands and turned, crawling its way off while cracking through the ground.
"No!" The woman let out a sharp cry—the loudest she had made since she came here. She was about to go after the beaver, but it was already too late.
The beaver dug another hole and crawled into it, moving underground and soon out of sight.
The woman cried as she got to the huge hole of the beaver. "My child! Someone save my child! My child!" She wanted to jump into the hole, but the women around stopped her.
"No! That’s not safe! Stop!" they all said as she struggled in tears.
Sunnie and the rest approached immediately and gathered around the hole as well, staring down into the darkness. It had happened so fast that no one could stop it. Sunnie stared at the woman, feeling pity and guilt.
They all tried calming her down but to no avail. She was still shattered and heartbroken. Sunnie sighed as she stared into the hole.
Little Black stared into the hole. "That monster..." he added, "That monster that stays underground and steals everything... I’ve heard of it, but this is the first time I’ve seen it. And it’s bigger and faster than I thought."
Azure consoled the woman. "Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to get her back."
"Don’t worry, I’ll get her back," Sunnie said almost immediately.
As she said that, everyone turned and stared at her, shocked.
"What are you talking about...? Going there is not safe for you..." Azure tried saying, but Sunnie insisted.
"Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I can handle it. I’ll go and bring the baby back." She stared at the quiet woman who was in tears. Sunnie approached her and patted her on the shoulder with a soft smile. "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I bring your child back without fail."
The woman only stared at her without words. She had none at the moment.
"That’s dangerous for you, Sister Sunnie," Little Black said to her. "I’ve heard how cunning that monster can be! Besides, it lives underground, and that makes it almost impossible to even get to it!"
Sunnie said without looking his way, "It still won’t stop me. She’s part of this community, and as one responsible for everyone here... I have to make sure everyone is safe. Which means I have to bring her back."
Everyone was quiet for a while before Eris said, "But you shouldn’t go alone then. At least let us come with you."
Sunnie stared at him. "If you wish to come along, then do so." She said as she turned to Little Black. "You, stay here."
"I know about the beaver, and I also know where to find it. So I should come with you. I’ll be useful!" He insisted.
Sunnie stared at him for a while. She was worried for his safety, but she guessed he did have a point. "Okay then. Come along. I’ll protect you."
Little Black smiled happily. "Sure!"
She turned to Zukka and said, "Please take care of everyone else here. I’m leaving the responsibility with you."
Zukka nodded as he said, "I will, don’t worry. You can trust me."
Sunnie turned to the hole as Little Black rushed to stand beside her. Without a second thought, she jumped into the hole. Little Black followed behind.
Everyone gasped in shock.
"She really went?" one woman asked.
"She really is courageous..." another observed.
Three of her beast husbands jumped right after her, leaving Zayn and Karl.
Karl hesitated, both arms folded as he raised an eyebrow. Then he thought for a while with a sigh and then said, "I guess I still owe her some protection." He sighed as he jumped into the hole as well.
They all stared at Zayn, but he stood there calmly with both arms folded. "Don’t worry, they’ll be fine," he said as he turned and walked off.
Everyone turned back to the hole, staring anxiously in anticipation as though someone was going to jump out of it any minute.
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Sunnie moved in the dark for a while before she purchased a light stick from the system store. She held the stick high as fire flickered from above it. She was leading the way as her husbands all followed behind. Little Black moved closely beside her.
"And where did you even suddenly get the fire from?" Little Black asked—the same question her husbands were curious to know.
But Sunnie casually smiled as she said, "Well, it’s a mystery." She said, leading the way with her light.