For a moment all I could here was the panting of my desperate breaths the forest floor crunching and moving with every step I took, my mother's warm hand in mine. We hurried through the trees up the river its water rushing loudly as it bounces off rocks and against the banks...
But that's when I heard it as if the wind began to clap,like thunder it was rumbling just above the trees. I freeze in my tracks hugging close to a tree and I bring my mother close to me.
I try to ease my frantic breathing forcefully I can feel my lungs aching for more oxygen. I can hear my mother's shaky breathe her chest expanding and contracting as she gulps down air.
I hear the rumbling pass over us and soar ahead downstream. My heart beating frantically as my mind races and before a sense of ease can rush over me I hear it coming back. I could not believe how loud the wings were as they flapped violently in the air.
Adam:whispering Ma what do we do?
Esmeralda: Shhh
She puts her finger on her lips shushing me, I could feel my heart beat in my ears. Now she was the one holding my hand, together we carefully walked in the forest sticking closely to tree trunks and darker areas. Although I could hear the flapping of powerful wings nearby and I knew we had to move and get farther from here before we were found. Because if that happened I feared what they would do to my mother and there would be nothing for me to do...
We continue creeping through the forest our heads scanning the surroundings and eyes shot wide open. I could even almost feel my ears perked up like an animal alerted. But there was just one problem that rose to the top...Once we were to reach the hot springs at the base of the mountain there would be a large clearing with no cover to hide under the only place is a crevice in the mountain wall barely wide enough for me to fit into but me and my brother use it to put tools in and some cool rocks we had found by the river.
THE HOT SPRINGS
Soon we arrived at the hot springs the large clearing revealing the grand waterfall and all the dozens of springs bubbling and steaming.
It looked so amazing I could imagine my body relaxing in the hot water. Forgetting all the stress and just healing...but there would not be any moment of rest soon. My eyes began to dart around looking for any signs of movement maybe my brother was in a bush or squeezed himself into the crevice... I did not know.
Adam:Ma can you stay here in going to look around and see if Robert is here.
She nods her head and gives me a kiss on the forehead,her cold hands on my cheeks stinging me. I begin making my way toward the crevice my eyes constantly darting around, if there ever was a moment to be paranoid it would be now. The screamings had stopped but I could still hear the thundering wooosh of the noble in the area. Im sure he must have seen most of us run into the woods...there have been rumors as well that the nobles abduct the woman to reproduce and continue the noble bloodline supposedly creating natural born nobles...so it's not like these bastards are going anywhere soon.
As I enclose on the crevice I find it be still and quiet not even a missing tool or any sign my brother had been here. But there was no one around.
My mind raced and puzzled I began to wonder if he was still alive...the thought confused me I don't know what I would do much more I don't know what I could do. I could once again feel myself sinking down that dark hole...slowly falling...
I whisper to my self
Adam-no damm it.
I turn back around see my mother peeking from the forest line waving her hand around wanting to know what is going on. I shrug my shoulder and make my way back down to where she is. Slowly and carefully manoeuvering around sticks and rocks.
ADAM- I don't know Ma he's not here but I don't know how safe it is to linger around.*clenching my fist* these dammed Nobles...
The skys go quiet no more incessant flapping just an eerie quiteness.
ADAM-Well we have to wait here ma I told him I would meet him here if anything happened...
I lay down against the tree trunk, wondering if there was even anything left of the village. Sure I hated the place but it was the only home we had. My stomach rumbling the cold mountain air blowing and howling through the forest. No more screams and no more flapping of wings...
A FEW HOURS LATER
*Rustle*
My eyes dart to a distant patch of bushes the crunching of leaves and sticks making my heart race,every crunch bringing whatever closer and closer.
I lay down as plane as I can just barely being able to see the bushes.
ADAM-*whisper* You sun of a gun.
I smile carves into my face,my brother comes sneaking out of the bushes following behind him was Luna the daughter of the Robinsons.
I dart up waving my hand at him,they freeze for a moment their faces drawn with terror before coming to the realization that it was a familiar face.
As they rush over to us I can't help but think of their faces,the horror of being found that's no way to live it's just not right.
ROBERT-*shaking my hand* Adam what happened? I was out collecting berry's with Luna when I heard yelling and shouting,we started heading for here but we got sidetracked when we met with a hunting party for a while before things quieted down and they decided to go and see what happened *shaking his head* im just darn glad to see you and ma here.
ADAM- Im not sure what happened but a noble found the village he flew in and well we ran out and darted for here. I brought ma with me soon as I saw what was happening.*deep sigh*
They sit down with us around the tree catching their breath and trying to think of what to do. Myself I figure it's best we at least stay put the night sure it means not eating but at least we could hit the hot springs at night.
I look towards my mother I can tell it's been rough for her.
ADAM- I think it would be best for us to camp out here the night, it's too early to tell how it is over there and if Im being honest I could do with a hot dip into the springs here.
Esmeralda-I too think it would be best my feet are killing me and who knows if it still stalks the skies.
There isn't much objection we've all been a longways to get here and it seems to be safe for the time being. I walk around carefully and most vigilante being carefull. Plenty of dead and dry wood in the area just perfect for a fire.
I hear back to camp and put it in a pile together with a bunch of crushed dry leaves as my kindle. I cut a peice of my shirt into a long string tying that to a curved piece of wood and a getting a rock and a stick with rhose things I have my bow drill and begin creating friction slowly smoke rises from the wood as I put leaves on it embers begin to form and I put it in the stack. Soon a fire begins to form. As the embers begin to spread I start to dig a hole about a foot deep moving the fire into the hole.
ADAM-Works like a charm everytime.
I always thought that boy scout camp I went to when I was younger was a waste of time but im pretty damm glad that I learned a thing or two.
I lay beside the fire the warmth melting away the chill of the wind. My brother and Luna also join us their hands still stained with berries they picked.
Suddenly I remember, reaching into my pocket I grab the silver ring.
ADAM-Hey wasn't this yours?
I hand over the ring to my brother he looks at it then at me with confusion. As he holds and inspects it.
ROBERT- How did you get this? I thought it got lost.
I think back to that eerie night
ADAM- Im really not sure I was out walking by the town shed last night when I found it laying around inside. It was pretty strange because I thought I heard something inside but when I looked I just found this on the ground.
He hands it over to Luna who for some reason looks troubled a deep pensative thought hangs on her face.If it was anyone else I might have asked what was on their mind but things between us were to say the least awkward.
Robert-Hey luna didn't you tell me you lost this yesterday?
He grabs her hand putting the ring on her finger again. Her hands pale and veins blue on her skin. Long and clean nails a sign of care even in a world that does not care about you.
The rest of the evening goes by slowly just gathering firewood and building a small teepe to stop the breeze. I lay down my fingers running through the dirt I grab a clump of it in my hands watching it fall through. I try to squeeze and it just continues to fall out,no sense in holding on I let it go.