"Who wants some coconuts?!" John called out as everyone settled down to relax on that cool afternoon.
"We just finished snacking and hydrating. Sleepiness is creeping in after that arduous cycling—made worse by the breeze," William said with a tired smile.
"But that coconut's way too high to reach. Who the hell would dare climb up there? Unless we use weapons!" Lama said, eyeing the tall tree.
"We can use the anchor guns for that. That way, no one gets hurt!" Tiffy suggested.
"Good idea, Tiffy. But we'll also need to hook chains to one person who volunteers to climb. They'll tie one end of the chains to the anchor gun, shoot it up near the fruit, and then climb using the chains," Jasmine explained thoughtfully.
"That's brilliant, Jasmine! We just need to link the chains, tie them to the volunteer, and then I can hook them up," Tiffy added confidently.
"Okay, who's volunteering to climb?" Jasmine asked the group.
A brief silence followed. Most of them had already dozed off, lulled by the monotony of the day.
"Looks like we're boring them. Everyone's fallen asleep—at least partially—except the four of us! Lama, William, would you like to volunteer?" Jasmine asked again.
Lama and William exchanged glances but shook their heads. "We changed our minds. We'd rather sleep now. That can wait," Lama said on behalf of William as they both settled beneath the tree.
"Looks like it's just you and me, Tiffy! You can tie the chains around me. Let's find those chains in the bags!" Jasmine said.
The two girls rummaged through their supplies, linking chains with tight rope strings. Jasmine, light and agile, was perfect for climbing.
Holding her anchor gun, Tiffy asked, "Ready, Jasmine?"
"Ready!" Jasmine replied.
Tiffy fired the anchor gun, shooting the hook high above and securing it near the coconuts.
"Go for it!" Tiffy encouraged as Jasmine began to climb.
"Don't look sideways—it'll make you anxious. Climb slowly and carefully!" Tiffy cheered her on.
"I'm trying, but these chains seem weak!" Jasmine hesitated, barefoot, relying on her cheerleading gymnastics skills. Fear crept in halfway up as her feet slipped on the tree's bark.
"The bark's slippery—catch me if I fall! I'm not sure I have the stamina to keep going," Jasmine admitted nervously.
"I've got you covered! Don't worry!" Tiffy reassured her.
"Okay, I hear you!" Jasmine gripped tighter.
"I know I can do this!" Jasmine focused, then launched into a flawless climb. Reaching the coconuts, she shouted excitedly, "Tiffy! I can't believe it—I made it!"
"I knew you would! Remember your first cheerleading jumps? You always find a way!" Tiffy reminded her with a smile.
"Oh yeah! I messed up my first three tries but believed in myself and mastered it," Jasmine laughed.
"Now carefully throw down the coconuts. Don't hit anyone—let sleeping cats lie!" Tiffy joked.
Jasmine laughed and tossed down eleven coconuts. "There are nine of us. Looks like we get to eat double for the effort!"
"Fair enough! Now carefully climb down!" Tiffy instructed.
Jasmine descended carefully while Tiffy stayed close to catch her if needed. Back on the ground, Jasmine embraced Tiffy, whispering, "I'm really sorry about what you're going through with Nick. I know you're broken hearing about the divorce plans if we make it out alive. Don't worry, Tiffy—you've always been good. I don't know where to stand with all this, but I'll stay neutral. We're all allies here."
Their hug lingered before Tiffy replied, "It's hard, but it's personal. We should focus on the mission. I hope Nick can forgive me. I love him and don't want a divorce, even after everything—including when I attacked Elizabeth and Sally for his sake."
"And what if he ends up with Elizabeth by fate or choice?"
"Then I'll let go. No forcing anymore."
They separated and sat beneath the coconut tree. Jasmine asked, "Away from that... now that we have water and some ammo—even smeared with UV chemicals—how do we get more photovoltaic cells? And how do we start the energy transformation?"
"The library said mixing water with UV chemicals helps neutralize mutant villains. We didn't have UV chemicals before, only bottled water, so dipping ammo in water would waste it or make it unhygienic. But now with surplus water, we could try," Tiffy explained. "For more photovoltaic cells, we'd need to find a nearby village. The energy transformations also depend on network availability for research—combined with radioactive material, extraction, and liquidification processes."
"Thoughtful! We need to hurry and find that village. But first—let's eat the coconuts!" Jasmine said.
They broke and drank the coconuts, then eventually drifted into sleep. Dusk fell.
Suddenly, Tiffy woke, hearing a distant chopper. "Guys! Wake up! I think I hear choppers!" she urged.
"What?! Are they after us?!" Jasmine asked anxiously.
"We have to keep moving! I heard them!" Tiffy repeated urgently.
"Who leads this time? Not me!" Nick said as they mounted their bikes.
"Let's vote before moving," Tiffy said.
The group huddled as Tiffy spun an empty bottle to pick the leader.
The bottle landed on Jasmine, who interrupted, "Wait! We need to smear the ammo with water first."
They hurriedly smeared the UV-infused ammo before leaving, Jasmine leading.
"We picked coconuts while you slept," Jasmine called back.
"Coconuts? Where?" Nick asked curiously.
"In my backpack. One for each. Tiffy and I hooked, climbed, and harvested," Jasmine said proudly.
"Thanks, guys!" Mikal smiled.
"We're also looking for photovoltaic cells to build anti-mutant weapons. Not sure about more ammo here," Jasmine added nervously.
"We shouldn't worry about ammo or cells now. We need a safe haven—away from mutants," Nick advised.
"Tiffy, did you really hear choppers, or was it hallucinations?" John asked skeptically.
"I'm sure! I heard them!" Tiffy insisted.
"Darkness is falling. Are your torches rechargeable?" Jasmine asked.
"They charge via solar energy, so no worries. The lanterns use oil—that's the problem," Tiffy said, distributing torches.
Night deepened as they cycled tirelessly. Suddenly, vampires and bats appeared, chasing from behind.
"Guys! We have company!" Nick warned.
Tiffy slowed to cycle beside Nick.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Watching your back. Making the most of my last moments with my husband before the divorce," she replied softly.
"Tiffy, no time for jokes! Hybrids are after us!" Nick snapped.
"Exactly! So I want you to remember my last kind act, even if we can't talk after this. I wasn't a cruel wife—even if I offended you for Nick's sake," Tiffy said quietly.
"Focus on keeping hybrids off us!" Nick urged.
"No time for lovebird fights! Get your weapons ready and wait for my orders!" Jasmine commanded.
They obeyed.
"I'll lead from the front and slow them down," Jasmine said.
The hybrids surged forward.
"Fire!" Jasmine ordered.
A fierce firefight erupted. The hybrids outnumbered them.
"They're increasing! We're running low! Retreat! Fast!" Jasmine yelled.
They ceased firing and sped up. Tiffy had extra ammo.
"You all go ahead! I'll hold them off!" Tiffy pleaded.
"Tiffy, it's suicidal! Please don't!" Nick begged.
"Nick, just move. I've got this!" she insisted.
"As you wish. I love you, still," Nick said sadly and pedaled ahead.
Tiffy fought fiercely, neutralizing hybrids.
When the hybrids stopped chasing, the group regrouped.
"Tiffy! You saved us!" Jasmine praised.
"We didn't know you had that much ammo!" Lama said.
"Thanks so much!" John added.
"Incredible!" William exclaimed.
"You're vital to this team," Mikal said.
"Thanks, everyone. I had extra ammo, so I knew I could hold them off," Tiffy said humbly.