CHAPTER IV:

The jungle was quiet. Zeltron and Isabelle had been there for more than an hour now. They were hidden behind a large tree just waiting for their future meal to come out of its hideout. By the looks of it, that would take a long while so Isabelle decided to start a conversation:

- How come you speak English so well?

Zeltron broke off from his thoughts and answered:

- You're not the first humans ever brought to this planet. Like I said, humans are their favorite game. I can speak many others of your languages. I came in contact with several humans before you two arrived. With time, I learned how to communicate with you people. I tried to help as many as I could but none of them survived, except for this one man. I never knew his name. He would always say he was better on his own. I don't know what happened to him, maybe he's still alive.

- He isn't.

Isabelle said, fully aware of the fact that the man Zeltron was talking about was Noland.

Finally the creature they were hunting came out of its hiding place just to be welcome by a sniper's rifle shot in the head. As Zeltron was picking up the dead animal, Isabelle asked:

- Have you seen Royce today? When I woke up this morning he'd already left.

- You really care about him, don't you?

The alien answered with another question.

- It's just that he has a thing for leaving people behind…

Isabelle answered with a sad voice.

- He would never leave you.

Zeltron replied.

Isabelle looked surprised by the humanoid's statement. She didn't have the time to say anything though because just then, Royce showed up to lighten her heart.

- Where the hell have you been?

Isabelle asked with her best angry tone.

She waited for a good answer but all she got was:

- So, what are we having for dinner?

…

For the first time in almost a month, Royce and Isabelle were having a decent meal. It was delicious; actually. Zeltron was the responsible for their fantastic dinner.

- So, in two days, a new season begins…

Isabelle said after she finished her last bite.

- It's been this way for decades. The same gap between seasons. In two days, another season begins and we'll have a chance to get the code.

Zeltron added.

- Well, this time, you'll get help. We're gonna get that code so you can get your plant back and we can get back to ours.

Isabelle stated.

She was more hopeful than ever and Royce liked seeing her like that... Suddenly, a big explosion was heard by the trio. It seemed to come from one of the rooms. Royce and Isabelle grabbed their guns as fast as they could and headed to the door.

- They're early.

Those were Zeltron's only words.

Royce and Isabelle were still by the door, guns at ready, waiting for the creature to come out of the darkness. There was a moment of total silence before it finally appeared. Zeltron was right. A predator was now standing in the middle of the hall, facing them. Royce and Isabelle were not willing to give it a chance so they started to shoot frantically. Just then, the predator began to run towards them and became invisible. They kept shooting but that didn't seem to work at all. The fucker just wouldn't die, not even twinge at the bullets hitting its body. They were about to get caught so they decided to run to another room, looking for cover. By the time they finally got to the other room, the predator had already disappeared from sight. They were trapped in there without knowing where the predator was. "Maybe it just left. No, that's not possible, unless it's toying with us…"Royce couldn't stop thinking about a variety of possible scenarios. Just then, the mercenary was dragged back to reality by Zeltron's words:

- There are some explosives stored in room 's not too far from here.

- You're crazy; we don't even know where that thing is.

Royce whispered.

- So, let's find out!

The alien said and ran through the door. By the movement, the predator appeared again and started to chase after Zeltron. The humanoid managed to outrun it and got to the room he was aiming for. The hunter stopped for a bit before entering the same room. It looked empty and dark. The predator went through the door looking for its prey. Suddenly, the door closed behind it. It was Zeltron. He managed to lock it too. The hunter turned to face the alien behind the door. Facing the predator as well, Zeltron stated:

- You are not welcome to this planet anymore.

The humanoid, then, pushed the button that would active the explosives.

- ZELTRON!

Isabelle yelled after the big explosion heard by the two soldiers. She ran towards the sound of it hoping to find him still alive. But deep inside, she knew it was too late.

…

It was raining a lot. Royce and Isabelle were now staring at a grave they'd dug earlier. Since they couldn't find Zeltron's body through the wreckage that only symbolized his funeral. Isabelle was devastated. Just when she thought they had an actual chance to get back to Earth…Other than that, she was becoming really close to Zeltron, she was beginning to like having him around.

- Why would he do that? He knew he wouldn't be able to get out of that room in time…

The sniper managed to say between sobs.

- What are we gonna do now?

She asked, tears rolling down her face.

- We're gonna get that fucking code.

Royce stated firmly and then walked back to the lab. After all, it was raining a lot.