Transformation Ritual

If you wanted to be well-liked, you basically only needed to do two things.

First, don't be a killjoy.

Second, don't always say things like, "I told you so," afterward.

In essence, those two things were the same—just the difference between before and after. As long as you could manage them, even if you could not become universally adored, at least people would not dislike you.

Even as the three girls reclined into the pool under the watchful eyes of the Spider Tribe, Henry said nothing more about their decision. Because no one had asked him.

Besides, the tribal elder's warning did make sense. The killers had already caught up; it was only a matter of time before they arrived. Even if Dragon could dive beneath the water and safely take them back to New York, their predicament of being hunted would not change.

If they wanted to strike back, the lawless land of the Amazon Rainforest was indeed a much better place than causing trouble in New York City. They would not have to worry about disturbing the neighbors, being spotted by reporters, or going through the trouble of cleanup. Nature would handle everything.

A tribal elder supported each girl so that she would not lie completely submerged in the water. Cathy Weber stood nearby with a worried expression. Although she had seen scenes from the past in her visions—her mother had completed this ritual and safely given birth to her—Cathy had never experienced it herself. She did not know what they might encounter during the ritual, so she could not help worrying about the girls.

Henry stood behind Cathy Weber with the tribal elder who had initially led them there, farther away from the ritual site.

After all, this was a sacred relic guarded by the entire tribe.