"Thank you for helping us," Astrid said, her voice filled with sincere appreciation.
Kiki remained silent, his gaze scanning their surroundings. The landscape before them was parched and barren, as if drought had ravaged the land. The group stood there, searching for something - likely a shelter from the desolate environment.
After what seemed like an eternity, standing under the scorching sun, Someone spoke up.
" Look at that rock there, if you look closely, you will see an opening. Let us go and settle there for the time being." Kiki was the one who gave the suggestion.
" Is there really an opening? It looks just like a huge rock that settled over there." Kaelyn was the one who questioned Kiki.
Kiki didn't answer Kaelyn, but started walking towards the rock.
Everyone turned to each other, giving themselves uncertain glances before following him. On reaching the rock, they discovered Kiki was right.
There was an opening on the rock.
As they ventured inside the rock, and they were surprised by what they saw. The rock's interior had branches that bore fruits and grains on it.
They were surprised to see grains and fruits in the rock. After all,the land was dry and barren. How did fruits grow on a parched and barren land?
" There are fruits here, let us gather as much as we can so we'll have plenty to eat."
Astrid pointed out and started walking towards the fruits to pluck them.
" No!" Sierra yelled out, firm and serious which attracted the attention of everyone.
"Astrid shocked at Sierra's outburst, stopped her movements and turned to Sierra. "What is it Sierra?" Astrid asked with confusion evident on her face.
" Don't touch, pluck, or even near those fruits!" Sierra said as she pulled Astrid away from them.
" Why!?" Kaelyn chimed in and questioned Sierra, her voice laced with skepticism
They had been rationing their food for so long,now that they had stumbled upon what seemed like an abundant source of food, it seemed almost counterintuitive to question its safety. Why then should they not eat the fruits?
" Because, they are actually insects. Not fruits." Sierra said with a serious expression still masked on her face.
The group's reaction was immediate, some looking at her with annoyance, others skepticism.
Sierra seeing that they did not believe her elaborated " When was the last time you saw crops grow out of rocks? Never, because that does not happen. But these grow out of a rock, because they are insects" Sierra explained.
" But they look like branches and actual fruits. Are you sure you know what you are saying?" Xavier questioned Sierra. It was no time to make guesses. They had to make good advantage of all available resources and materials they found in other to survive. So,he was still skeptical about what Sierra said.
" Yes." Sierra said with a matter of fact tone. Her certainty and conviction unshakeable.
The group sensing her certainty,decided to agree with her.
They found somewhere to settle down and sat on a rock each.
They sat there on the rock.