readease Chapter 1429: The Grand Finale (Part 15)
Chapter 1429: The Grand Finale (Part 15)
The group stared into those drowsy green eyeballs in the pool while forcing down their pounding hearts and edging forward step by cautious step.
The little monkey lay sprawled in Uncle Qi’s arms, feeling that this uncle’s embrace was as warm as his dad’s. He wasn’t scared at all, only felt very safe. He couldn’t help recalling what his dad had said: turns out as long as you have companions with you, no matter how terrifying the hardships and dangers are, you’re not afraid. So once he got out of here, he was definitely going to make lots of friends like this.
No one knew how long they’d been walking when a woman’s shrill scream suddenly came from behind: "Ah!" It was immediately followed by a loud splash—someone had fallen into the water.
Wa Zicong hurriedly clarified first, "The person on my back is just fine."
If it wasn’t Xiao Shumei who fell in, then in this group the only other woman was Xiao Shumei, so everyone didn’t have to think hard to know whose voice that was—it was Su Yixia. Su Yixia had watched them escaping smoothly and bolted out after them, but who knew she’d lose her footing. Blinded and voiceless as she was, she plunged straight into the Crocodile Pond with a splash. That fall could be considered her getting what she deserved. The trouble, however, came right on its heels. Her scream and the splash first jolted awake the pack of half‑dozing crocodiles in the pond.
After Su Yixia floundered in the pool a few times, she let out another blood‑curdling scream. The sound of crocodiles swarming and tearing at her in the water reached the ears of those standing by the edge of the Crocodile Pond, who had yet to truly escape danger. As the stench of blood spread from the pool, everyone’s hearts clenched, and an even stronger wave of terror flooded them.
Move, move! Every person screamed this inside, yet found that their legs wouldn’t budge. At the same time, the crocodiles that had just tasted meat had their appetites whetted; the thrill of the hunt returned, and they came chasing the scent of humans.
Anthony suddenly yanked hard, grabbing Zhuang Haoran’s clothes as if to pull him down. "Second Uncle, they’re coming—"
The steadily approaching breath of death along the pool’s edge filled this fleeing group with a sense of despair. Even Xiaoqi, who had been leading the way, felt a helpless fear wash over him. The little monkey clawed at Xiaoqi’s clothes, cheering the others on at the same time: "My dad’s here, he’s Superman, he’s gonna get everyone out. I see them—"
In truth, no one could really hear what this kid was saying anymore. Each of them stood on the brink at the pool’s edge, swaying, and the last bit of strength keeping them upright was slowly draining away in their despair.
"Dad!" the little monkey shouted up at the sky.
Suddenly, a beam of light pierced the darkness. The intense shaft of light turned the sky above them bright as day. At the same time, the crocodiles that were used to lurking in the dark, irritated by this harsh glare, quickly sank back into the black water of the pond.
A voice shouted to their group, "You’re almost there, just a few more steps!"
"It’s Uncle Zhan!" the little monkey yelled in the direction of the voice.
Xiaoqi snapped back to himself and quickened his pace. With the light illuminating the way, the path along the pool’s edge became sharply visible, letting him pick up speed. Wa Zicong gritted his teeth and hurried along right behind him. Farther back, Zhuang Haoran and Anthony, exhausted, were moving a bit slower.
Up ahead, the welcoming party was fully armed and ready. Zhan Dapeng had ordered machine guns set up and aimed at the Crocodile Pond—if any crocodile dared surface to attack them, they’d be mowed down immediately. All the while, the special sonic emitter kept firing at the Crocodile Pond, sending out waves to hypnotize the crocodiles.
One step, two steps, three steps. On the last step, Xiaoqi was the first to leap with the child into the broad, flat safe zone. At that moment, his strength was almost completely spent, and he nearly collapsed from sheer exhaustion. A hand shot out in time to steady him. He looked up and saw a woman’s face.