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Malcolm went back to the forest and stood in the top of a tree next to the tall waterfall that he had been to earlier. With a great leap, he landed inside the small cave and just as he suspected, the boys were there. He had to go inside the cave for a few feet before he saw what he knew to be there. In the back of the small cave along the wall in a dark corner he found two white cocoons. When he shined his flashlight at them they sparkled like they had dust particles on them and he could see small movement inside each. Malcolm reached into the backpack he brought with him and pulled out a large syringe filled with a dark liquid. He went to the first cocoon and injected the entire contents of the syringe into it. There was a low humming sound followed by slight movement, and the cocoon changed to a dark black color, similar to that of the cave. He got another syringe and went to the other and performed the same action with equal results.
The process would take time so Malcolm went to the front of the cave and stood looking at the waterfall and the trees. He took a moment to take in all the natural beauty of the forest; he loved the parts of his job that led him out here to its beauty. He gazed at the nearby stream and thought of trout making their way home. He smiled. He looked back at the cocoons to check their progress before taking out his phone and making a call.
“Yes.” He recognized the voice as belonging to Bethany, his leader.
“I found two of my escaped birds, they are in crystallite form.”
“Did you fix their mess?” She said, choosing her words carefully in case someone was listening to their conversation.
“Yes. I am waiting for completion before leaving.”
“Search for the other and then return.” The phone went silent.
Malcolm put away his phone and went back into the cave. The two cocoons had become smaller and darker in color. He picked the first one up and carried it to the back of the cave. There was a hole cut into the side of the cave for just this purpose. He placed the cocoon deep within it. He retrieved the other and placed it within the hole. Malcolm went back to his pack and pulled out a large can and attached a sprayer nozzle to it. He aimed the sprayer at the opening and sprayed the chemical in the can over the cocoons and the opening. Within seconds the chemical hardened and filled the opening so anyone looking in that area would only see a wall. Malcolm made a visual check to confirm he had correctly sealed the area before packing his equipment and leaving.
After leaping beyond the waterfall and back into the tree, Malcolm’s search for the last was not successful. He then began leaping from tree to tree back home to Caveena. He arrived and went straight in to see Bethany and update her on the three boys’ condition.
Chapter Four: Connie Benton