9 Abandoned

'YOU LIED!'

'Kid, listen-'

'No, I am not gonna listen any longer!' Robin yelled. 'You said you don't know what's the meaning of the symbol, you made me sound like a lunatic. Now I have the proof. Who else could have made this besides Hyrax? Those tribal people? A holographic tablet in 50 000 BC? That's enough. I will keep this with me and question my father once I have met him.'

Kael tried calling Robin again but there was no response. He left his desk and went to see Syrah. Syrah's office was located at the top floor of Hyrax laboratory, with securities on all sides. She was busy going through archeological documents when Kael opened the door.

'Syrah, we might have a situation here.'

'What situation?' Syrah asked calmly.

Kael explained to her about Robin's discovery. Throughout the conversation, Syrah maintained a calm demeanor.

'Not to worry.' Syrah assured. 'Alex should know things better. All Robin wants is to find his father, and let's just wait for that.' She smiled.

Robin was reluctant to take anymore pills. His long-buried hatred for strange science experiments was rising again. He does not know whether they are really hiding something from him, or is he just overthinking? Nevertheless, he continued to climb the hill while holding the tablet.

A sudden sharp noise nearly made Robin slip and tumble down, the tablet slipped from his grip. It was like hissing, but on a higher pitcher than that of a snake. The hissing grew louder, but Robin ignored it, since nothing could be seen. But he noticed a human-like figure far ahead. He wondered whether he should go near it. Could it be one of the scientists? Robin slowly walked towards the figure. He noticed that the figure was resting on a tree. He went closer. It was an injured tribal man.

Robin decided to ignore him and walk away, but he realized that the man's leg was bleeding profusely. Robin searched for few long leaves and covered the wound temporarily. He then gave a Genogrape pill to the man, who refused to take it. Robin gestured to him to swallow the pill. Eventually, the man acceded. The primitive man kept looking at Robin with a bewildering look, while Robin smiled and walked away. Then Robin saw something between the bushes. It was the same pair of eyes he saw in the cave earlier.

For a moment, Robin was hooked to the eyes. He felt something invisible penetrating his body, and talking to his mind. His consciousness was slowly fading away. He recalled his mother's face, and his mind protested to the intrusion. His mind was under his control again. He looked around, those eyes were gone. Robin wondered whether the side-effects of the pills were getting worse, or was he really experiencing something odd?

Gregarious booms of thunder began to crackle through the skies, signaling that a heavy downpour was about to drench the forest. Robin continued climbing the hill. As he reached the highest elevation point, he climbed a tree to have a better view of his surroundings. Wherever he turned, he could only see greenery and streams flowing nearby. There seemed to be no indication of any infiltration of a group of scientists. Robin noticed something blue was flickering in between the trees far ahead. It appeared to form a dome-like shape, but quickly vanished before reappearing again. Robin recognized the bluish aura. It was a Hyrax Shield Dome.

'General, I think I found it. Their last known location!' Robin exclaimed.

'You sure, kid?' Kael growled.

'I can see a Hyrax Shield Dome from atop a hill here. But the light is flickering.'

'Flickering?'

'Yea, I don't know why. Perhaps it is broken? I will go near and check it out. I hope they are somewhere nearby.'

Robin was excited, his heart was beating rapidly. He quickly ran down the hill, hoping to find his father after a long while. The whole journey was arduous, beginning with John's death. He hoped that at least it should end well. Suddenly, he heard a growl. He turned behind, and saw a mountain lion.

Robin reached for his gun, but the lion jumped on him before he could take it out. He kicked its belly and ran. He ran nonstop, but his fragile legs were no match for the beast's agility. He ran until he reached the edge of a waterfall. The large falls were pounding the rocks as it surged and plunged down the mountain. Robin had no choice. The lion was right behind him. As the beast raised his paws to pounce on him, Robin jumped.

It was darkness all over the place. Water entered his nostrils and ears as he struggled to breathe. His ribs felt like it was broken from the strong impact. Visions of his mother appeared again. 'I am sorry, Robin.' Her sweet, melodious voice called upon him. Robin used his weak arms to push himself up to the surface. He gasped for breath as his face appeared out of the strong currents. He grabbed a dangling branch and pulled himself up.

The heavy downpour washed his face of dirt and sweat. He tried to walk, but the pain was unbearable. His left calf was pierced by a small branch. But the young man was not ready to give up yet. He kept his spirit strong, he believed that he was nearly there. He kept walking to the direction where he noticed the blue aura, albeit slowly and with immense pain. With strong determination, he finally reached the spot. No one was there.

Indeed, the blue light was emitting from a broken Hyrax Shield Dome. The place seemed abandoned, with burnt marks visible on the trees and shrubs. What could have happened to them?

Robin was not ready to give up yet. He looked around for more clues. Bloodstains were spotted, indicating an attack that must have happened recently. His heart was pounding. He kept searching for more clues. There had to be something. Robin searched between the bushes, and found his father, Alex's finger. His heart sank.