As the pickup truck was struck on the right side, the back swayed in the opposite direction and nearly toppled over, but somehow, it remained upright.
Then I saw what hit it. It was one of the big women. She had slammed her right shoulder into the truck's side as if trying to break down a door.
---
...Screeeech...
The pickup halted suddenly. Two girls were thrown from the back, screaming as they tumbled into the bushes.
As the big woman regained her stance and attempted to lift the truck, two more emerged behind her, heading toward the vehicle.
I slammed my foot onto the accelerator, trying to close the remaining fifteen feet while gaining momentum. At the last second, I jerked the steering wheel to the right and...
BAAAM!!!
I collided with another one of them as she rushed out from the front. My Jeep struck her squarely in the chest. She flew a few feet before crash-landing into the first woman, sending both tumbling like dominoes into the others behind them.
I backed the Jeep up, but after a few feet, something heavy and metallic struck the rear. The entire vehicle shook.
Flustered, I looked back—only to see their leader. Furious, she raised a massive hammer axe above her head.
I stomped on the brakes and reversed hard, smashing the back of the Jeep into her face. But it did little damage. She merely staggered backward before regaining her stance.
---
"What the hell are you people doing?! Get away from our vehicle!" Mr. Sakilua shouted in rage as he flung open the pickup's right-side door.
"GET INSIDE THE TRUCK!! DON'T GET OUT!!" I screamed with everything in my lungs before accelerating toward the fallen women as they struggled to rise.
I tried to ram them again, but the first woman rolled to the side. Instead, I crashed into the pickup's rear, sending it lurching forward.
The collision nearly sent Mr. Sakilua tumbling out of the truck. Meanwhile, one of the women rushed toward my door, trying to pry it open.
I knew the locks wouldn't hold for long.
"Melody... listen." My voice was sharp and urgent. **"When I say
"Melody... listen." My voice was sharp and urgent. "When I say 'now,' open your door and run straight toward the pickup."
"Bu-but..." she stammered.
"No buts! Just listen and do exactly as I say."
I could already feel the Jeep being lifted from behind. Two of the giant women were gathering at the back—one gripping the vehicle with both hands, the other trying to lift it from the side.
"...NOW!"
Melody threw open the passenger door and darted toward the pickup, which was still rolling forward, inching closer to the steep road just a few feet away.
Meanwhile, I floored the gas pedal one more time.
BAAMMM!
The entire Jeep lurched forward, knocking one of the women off balance. She coughed violently, stumbling back.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Eat that smoke, you FREA—"
BANG. BANG.
The side door of the Jeep shuddered violently. I turned just in time to see one of them pounding against it.
The metal buckled under her strength.
On the fifth strike, she ripped through the door, her massive arm plunging into the vehicle.
Then—she tore the entire door off its hinges.
I barely had time to react before her enormous hand clamped onto my chest. With terrifying ease, she yanked me from my seat and flung me across the road.
I felt my body soar through the air, crashing down nearly ten feet away. The impact sent a jolt of pain through my back.
Before I could even get up, three more surrounded me.
One of them grabbed my shoulders and lifted me effortlessly—like I was nothing more than a ragdoll.
Another pulled out a thick rope from a bag and tied my hands against my chest before striking the back of my head.
Everything went dark.
---
When I woke up, the sky had turned to deep evening hues.
I was being carried—suspended by a long wooden stick threaded between the ropes binding my hands and feet.
They had also stuffed my mouth with a rag.
My throat burned with dryness, and my limbs throbbed from being restrained for so long.
"Nghhh..." I groaned weakly.
I opened my eyes just enough to recognize the surroundings. We were near the creek—the very place I first saw them.
Panic flooded my mind.
Where were they taking me?
Who were these people?
They looked human, but their size was unnatural. If their women were this massive... then how big were their men?
And more importantly...
What if they were cannibals?
My mind raced with possibilities—so much so that I barely noticed the cold splash of water hitting my cheek.
---
After a few more minutes of walking, they exited the creek and stopped on a dry bank.
They lowered me gently and began untying the stick from my bindings.
One of them yanked the rag out of my mouth.
The moment I was free, I lunged at the nearest woman—my eyes locked onto the knife strapped to her waist.
...PAKKKK!
A solid hit to my stomach sent me sprawling to the ground.
I coughed, curling into myself. The hit wasn't enough to knock me out, but it hurt like hell.
Their laughter erupted around me.
"Shaj shejnan dnsjwjajdkf dnsj!"
"Hahaha!"
"Shehhsgshwjwj!"
I clenched my teeth. They were mocking me.
Then—suddenly—the laughter stopped.
A voice from behind me spoke. The tone was sharp.
The others immediately fell silent.
She stepped forward, kneeling in front of me. Her gaze locked onto mine.
After a few moments of staring, she reached into a pouch and pulled out a waterskin.
Without breaking eye contact, she took a sip from it—as if to show me it wasn't poisoned—then pressed it to my lips.
I hesitated.
Sensing my unease, she tilted the waterskin slightly, letting a small stream drip onto my lips.
Then, my body gave in to thirst.
Chug. Chug. Chug.
I drank greedily, gulping down the cool liquid.
After I had my fill, she pulled the waterskin away and murmured something to one of her subordinates.
A moment later, another woman stepped forward, offering me something small and round.
I frowned at it suspiciously.
When I didn't take it, she forcefully grabbed my jaw, pried my mouth open, and shoved a handful inside.
I tried to spit them out—but it was too late.
The moment the strange pellets hit my stomach, a burning sensation erupted inside me.
Then, my strength drained away.
My body felt like dead weight—as if my muscles had been shut down.
I barely even reacted when one of them effortlessly slung me over her shoulder like a sack of rice.
Without a word, she carried me into the thick forest.
---
To Be Continued...