841. Hope and despair, 9
(Mathilde)
Over the following days, our travel continued to follow the river, until it threw itself into a bigger one, and onward.
We had wonders, and some instincts to look for a place to stay also for now.
We didn’t attempt crossing this other natural barrier still tumultuous and unfamiliar to us. It was frustrating, but we continued to drift on the easier roads we could find for now.
Even if on the other side of these flows that ruptured the ground abruptly, we could see a city every now and then. They all looked still, and somewhat spooky.
We didn’t see anyone.
Along our way, we still all three of us shared a kind of a daze, being away and free. We chatted light heartedly, still a little shocked we managed to escape from our long and heavy past.
The true projects for the future were just beginning to be discussed and built.
From vital researches, essential to survive in so different environments. To deeper wonder around the cause of the changing of times. We were opening rusty options to do and discover more. These muscles had been atrophied from misused for so long, it felt weird for all of us.
Children or not, our hearts were feeling heavy every time we thought back about our escape. Everything we’ve won. We gained everything, escaping at last.
Now following the easy roads along this river, we didn’t notice how much our travel turned us around over time.
And maybe we should have pushed our escape beyond the scary and lively waters.
We spent a nice time dreaming on the open roads and fields at the realm of possibilities.
We entered woodlands somewhat familiar one day, and found our way reaching a clearing that was unlike any other. There was a pond, and sheds roughly built. There was a lingering smell of smoke.
We entered a deserted camp like any other abandoned village or field of ruins we’ve seen along our way, unaware.
We didn’t realise how recent the buildings and cuts in the trees were.
Finding only a lonely man praying before a clumsy effigy to his faith, we thought with joy we were about to meet another survivor.
Pascal walked ahead first, happy to make this encounter. Mathieu was more reserved, shivering at the sight of the symbols of faith too familiar to him. I too was too surprised to react truly, but the more I looked around, the more I could recognise things we thought we’d left behind.
Hearing us getting closer the man spoke before turning around.
Y - Still nothing?
We stopped where we stood, even Pascal. Because we recognised that voice, for good and bad.
Yral turned around and looked as if he’d met his god.
But thankfully, against our initial fears, he didn’t attack us as we all cramped in fear. He instead fell on his knees before us. He lowered his head and offered his hand in complaint, in amend.
Y - You... You’re alive! Oh thank god!
What we discovered was a weaken and tired man, unlike anything we’ve known before. His eyes were teary.
We began noticing that his head and hands were bandaged from wounds.
I began to better realise what might have happened to everyone else behind us.
Y - Thank you merciful god...
We were all a little struck and unsure on how to react or what to say honestly. This man before us was the strangest thing we had seen around since we all left our hell behind.
Y - De... Don’t stop here. You must leave. You must go as far as you can! If the others find you now, they will kill you! Flee.... I’m begging you...
We began stepping back, realising better and better where we were and what happened. Pascal had a sad look back to that man, and we left.
We never understood this man especially, and he didn’t seem to seek our forgiveness. But something from him reached us.
We headed back toward the forest, leaving him behind and kneeling on the ground where he was. He seemed, resigned...
And I believe it was the case. I had begun facing death his own way.
Because as he spoke, someone far behind we had not seen had begun running his way.
And then another. And things escalated.
We heard shouts, after him and us. And Yral picked up a makeshift weapon to strike someone near that would otherwise have pursued us.
The mob gathering turned on him then first. I think Yral had seen too much. He didn’t stand it any longer.
For the first and last time, I realised, some adults like him might have also felt as we have. If only a little, all this time along.
Speechless, and unfortunate, our escape was unfortunately cut short. It felt as if monsters were suddenly sprawling around from everywhere around us.
These hopeless adults, from another world always more dangerous and nonsensical were creeping on us.
Mathieu screamed, a wound to the leg or foot as we ran. An arrow, a blade or a bullet I wouldn’t know. I was too scared in my run and didn’t think in words anymore. I only felt the panic and heard his struggle.
He collapsed and was captured while we managed to run away.
~
Pascal and I we gathered around a boulder, exchanging terrified looks and already exhausted. We were panicking about what to do. We had to help my brother, but we had nothing...
Except that heavy thing that felt as if it was burning my back now... I was hesitant.
Pascal didn’t force me. He preferred that I kept it anyway.
Slowly, fearing to discover the worst, we made a detour and cautiously approached the camp again from another side. We left our older tracks distract them while we turned back to try to save my brother before it would be too late.
Hearts in pain, we reached the camp again. Now realising, we were encountering the remaining humans from Moldovgrad...
Why? Why here? Why now? Why so unlucky! These acidic questions were burning me from inside. We were disgusted by this turn of events. I was nauseous. I wanted to vomit away all these sensations gathering, that past, wishing that all of them would disappear along them, for ever and for good.
So long these humans remain, our pains seem promised to never end...
We heard Mathieu screaming in pain. We crawled our way closer, desperate to find a way out to save him and run away from them.
~
Mathieu was hit one last time. I recognised the democratically elected leader then approaching to speak to him.
- Mathieu... You want to leave?
M - ... Yes...
- You know what? We’re going to let you go. If we’ve won our liberty now, it’s also a little thanks to you. So I’m grateful for that. In exchange for a single little thing, you three will be free to go wherever you want for good.
M - Wh... What?
- Yeah... Looking back, I understand you wouldn’t believe that. I think that if I were in your shoes right now, I’d share the same frame of mind... of wounded animal. But hear me, it’ll be easy. The thing I’m asking you is really simple. I want the sword. You know, the one that makes some light. If one of your friends throw it in this clearing, we’ll let you all go.
M - The sword... What sword?
- I’ve seen it. I could recognise it, even through the sheet covering it. I saw Mathilde taking it away. She must have told you what that thing was.
My heart felt pressurised. It swallowed my lungs. It hurts.
Mathieu was looking lost and stunned by what he had just heard. Hold on brother...
- Well, it may look like a sword, but it’s more than that of course. Anyway, even if we don’t know what it was, I want it.
M - W... Why?
- Because it’s a powerful weapon, it’s too dangerous to be left between the hands of children! You could cause catastrophes with that.
M - What about you then? All you know to do is torture us.
The man sighed, a little annoyed. I expected far more violent a reaction. Brother please don’t push them...
- It’s true... But believe it or not, it wasn’t against you. As children, when something went wrong, you thought it was against you, or even your fault. But that wasn’t the case. Then, I’m not planning to use that thing as a weapon. You would have learnt in my younger days, that a weapon sometimes isn’t meant to be used. It’s meant for dissuasion... This kind of things might have destroyed the world when idiots began using them, but we’ll do our best to avoid that.
M - That’s stupid.... Even without weapons you were all horrible. With one it will be worst.
- No, because you’ll be far away. Far from us. It’s the best deal I can give you kid.
Mathieu tried to stand, hurt.
M - Why... Why now?
- Because I thought it was lost. The old fool threw it away in the canyon he said. And it was still growing then. I could see through some of his lies, but the thing that kept us safe, he hid it well. But when you left, I was able to see it again. So I knew you had it.... So, are you calling them?
Pascal and I looked at each other with more despair than courage and good ideas.
A little further away, Yral was on the ground, probably dead.
The mayor yelled the bargain call to the surrounding, while Mathieu was kept to lie on the ground.
I couldn’t decide what to do.
And Pascal was against it.
He didn’t trust him.
P - He’ll kill us!
Mi - I don’t have a choice... I must save him.
P - It’s clearly a trap! Don’t trust him now of all days!
I let myself being convinced, though painful it was. But we still can’t just leave.
Mi - What can we do?
P - Wrap some stick instead of it in the same sheet first. Then, give me your knife. I’ll go around them and get closer. Then when you try to trick them, we’ll take over.
Pascal... Resourceful in planning things ahead, again.
I’m terrified, but I trust him. I handle him my knife and watch him sneak away.
Be careful please...
I unwrapped the weapon I carried all this time behind some bigger tree with hollow trunk.
The old sword with peculiar curved shaped seemed moulded from one single piece, sculpted and dirty.
I put it on the ground, trying not to notice how it glows where I touch it, as if reacting.
It’s never been as heavy as if it had been iron, I don’t know what it was.
It keeps emitting a metallic or crystalline sound like a chime, low and distant but stuck in my head.
What that thing is scares me.
For now I just cover it with dirt and pebbles.
I wrap some broken branches that haven’t decomposed until it looks a rather similar shape.
I had to break more branches around to arrange that fake sculpture. Fresh broken would rots faster than dry one, so I’ll have to hurry.
I was about to go for the ploy into the clearing, when my heart felt again a spike of pain and doubt.
No...
I changed my mind in a way.
I grabbed the weapon back, and hid it along my back and clothes. I have to walk carefully lest it shows, but it can work this way too.
I grabbed the decoy too and walked forward into the clearing.
For the ones I love...
And for the ones I hate too...
~
