A gruesome sound of tearing echoed as the skin on her hand ripped.

Her scream, deep and guttural, resonated through the forest. "Ah!"

Roscoe, distressed by her scream, asked anxiously, "Nicole... Nicole... Are you alright..."

Being tied back to back, they couldn't see each other's struggles, which heightened Roscoe's concern.

After catching her breath, Nicole slowly opened her eyes. Her hand was nearly free, but the skin on her wrist and the back of her hand was gruesomely peeled back, exposing a bloody and raw wound. Blood trickled down continuously, a sight both terrifying and nauseating...

Yet, fear outweighed the horror. Being halfway free meant she had to face the unbearable pain again.

The intensity of the pain nearly overwhelmed her, but retreat was not an option. The urgency was critical.

The fire consuming the chief's corpse was dying down, and the parasites were drawing nearer.

Parasites' fear of the flames had kept them away, but as the fire faded, they would soon venture closer.

The arrival of even a single parasite could trigger a devastating attack. Nicole and Roscoe, still restrained, would become live nests for these creatures.

Just the thought sent a shiver of dread through Nicole, an outcome she was determined to prevent at all costs. With renewed resolve, she gritted her teeth, shut her eyes, and continued to wrench her hand free.

Nicole's scream resonated across the valley, sharp and clear.

The sound was so intense that it nearly transmitted her excruciating pain.

Roscoe's heart ached deeply, murmuring, "Nicole..."

His words felt empty, unable to alleviate even a bit of her torment.

Overcome with a feeling of helplessness, he detested his own inability to assist her.

Nicole teetered on the edge of consciousness, biting her tongue to maintain alertness.

After a brief moment of silence, she realized time was running out.

With a trembling effort, Nicole lifted her bloodied, skinless hand to release her other hand. Ignoring the intense pain, she managed to free one hand and quickly started untying the restraints on her legs.

Suddenly, a parasite, attracted by the blood, scurried toward Nicole.