Still Alive?

" So soon?" Jake stopped in his tracks and reconsidered his options.

To keep going or to go back and witness the judgment's outcome? Undecided, he let Xi settle the matter.

[We can go back to the forest any time we want.] Xi replied plainly. Comparatively speaking, it is not certain that the voice will announce the outcome if this Peter Brady survives his retribution. On the other hand, it might be interesting to ask Susan Burn about the motive for this attack. Everyone seems tense, but it's too early to panic.]

Jake weighed the pros and cons for a moment before agreeing.

"Okay, let's go see what's going on. "

He let out a regretful sigh as he gazed at the exotic trees stretching as far as the eye could see, then turned back with ease. He had spent time analyzing and memorizing everything during his short stay in the forest, and his return to the Village proceeded swiftly.