As they approach the cave opening, the light brightens. Yes, this will be their way to escape! The raft carries them down a widening tunnel and then they are outside. The cats blink at the bright sky and gaze around. The are floating on an open body of water bordered by tropical jungle. Right in front of them is a patch of wild grass.
Nero imagines a cosy fire in that open area, where they could toast the insects they found nearby. They would need to make a clear space for the fire. That is a positive, as everyone is hungry and they are eking out their remaining provisions.
Pulling up to the bank, they leave the raft secured to a tree. Both Brango and Nero try to contact the resort on their mobiles, but reception in this mountainous area is poor and no one answers them. Nero notices his battery is nearly flat. All the paddling to get this far has tired everyone so they relax for a while on the bank. But the time is passing rapidly.
Brango says. ‘Let’s go back and bring the others.’
The images and videos were generated by AI from the author’s prompts
