Pāhonoa te oro

A bow in their hand—better made than anything Jessie had seen so far. Not rushed. Not desperate. This was someone who knew the bush. Their eyes met his for only a second. Then they saw behind him. Heard something. Distant voices. Soldiers. The stranger didn’t speak. Didn’t hesitate. They turned— And disappeared into the bush like they were part of it. Gone. Jessie stood there for half a second. Then moved again. Faster now. He didn’t look back. At the cave…