obelisk 2022
That man with the dogs might be coming back .” Whitney hurriedly led the two of them through the dense jungle towards the edge of the island .
“ His name is General Zaroff ,” said Rainsford , “ and he ’ s an expert hunter . Only he hunts people . He ’ s made it into a sport . Like a sick game .”
Rainsford and Whitney burst out of the jungle . The ground changed from dirt to sand , and they could see the ocean now . Whitney turned to the right and shouted , “ This way !”
Rainsford could see the ship now , anchored near land . The two men made it to the water and began swimming towards the side of the ship . Two sailors on the deck noticed them and threw down a rope ladder . Whitney and Rainsford reached the ship and started to climb up the side of the boat .
“ Set sail , quickly !” Whitney shouted across the deck to Captain Nielsen . The captain promptly began ordering his men to ready the ship to leave the island , hoisting up the anchor . Rainsford pulled himself up to the ship ’ s deck . Suddenly , the familiar sound of the pack of hounds made its way to Rainsford ’ s ear . He tensely turned his head back towards the island and looked at the beach where he knew General Zaroff would be standing . Rainsford stumbled and fell onto the hard wooden deck . The ship was moving . Relieved at last , he looked back one more time at the island , for he wanted to make sure the Cossack knew he had beaten him at his own game . But the general just stood there , staring . His cold , mad eyes locked with Rainsford ’ s and sent a horrible chill down his spine . Rainsford quickly turned away , towards the vast , empty ocean in front of the ship .
Rainsford had escaped the island , and he was quite sure he would never want to hunt — or be hunted — ever again .
~ Nicholas Bettwy
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