Without another word, we slipped behind the trunk of a massive tree and pressed ourselves against the bark.
A few seconds passed. Then a scream echoed through the forest. A human scream. Curiosity got the better of me. I carefully peeked around the side of the tree. A man came tumbling down the slope ahead, rolling through the mud before scrambling back to his feet. He immediately continued running, panic written across every movement.
He was probably heading for the same safe zone we were.
The Teleporter appeared at the top of the slope. Its distorted black body stood completely still.
Watching. Waiting.
"No, no, no..." the man muttered as he stumbled forward.
Only then did I notice the metal collar around his neck.
A prisoner. The same kind of collar I had worn before. He had a dirty beard, closely cropped hair, and a torn white shirt stained with blood around one sleeve.
The man looked over his shoulder while running. That was enough.
