Persephone's Ring

“They’re back,” Susan stood up seeing two figures break through the trees. “Find any water?” She asked.

Andrew opened his bag then passed out the containers.

“Great.” Cole nodded. “We’ll have water at least,” he said.

“We found some bananas,” Rayen said as she opened her bag. “Not much, but it’ll help.” She set them with the other food items.

She handed over the fruit then looked around for something flat. Using a piece of the plane, she began digging.

“What are you doing?” Fredrick asked her noticing her actions.

“Burying them.” Rayen kept digging. “They deserve at least to be laid to rest not left out to rot for animals.”

“What for?” Natasha rolled her eyes.

“Firstly, it’ll keep animals from coming to eat them and hurting us,” Charmayne told her. “Or at least I saw in a movie,” she shrugged, looking away then at her hands.

“Good idea,” Cole nodded then went to help.

Fredrick also went to help. “Well, the dead should but buried properly.”

Susan smiled, nodding in agreement as she followed suit. Andrew also went to help while DeAnne tended their food and the fire.

“Make yourselves useful,” she glanced at the useless posh duo. “Grab a few more pieces of wood and gather some dishes.”

Natasha was going to protest, but a sharp stare from the woman and a tug from Charmayne stopped her.

The next three days were spent going back and forth to get water as well as rationing food and burying those they couldn’t on the first day. There wasn’t much left that was salvageable in any category. On the fourth day after they’d eaten almost all the food they had left, Rayen packed up a bag with a canteen some clothes and a small portion of food.

“What are you doing?” Fredrick asked, walking over he took the bag from her.

“I’m leaving,” Rayen snatched the bag back.”There’s nothing here, I’m going to look elsewhere, we’re almost out of food it’s not going to end well.”

Taking the bag back, she put it on, then turned around. Rayen wasn’t going to stay here wondering when someone was coming it was time to take a little bit of action and go in search of a way off or out of wherever this was.

“Wait!” Cole called out, which caught her attention. “You may have a point, why don’t we all follow suit and pack up?” he suggested. “Maybe we’ll find more resources if we head forward.”

“As if, what if we leave and people come?” Charmayne asked.

“And don’t forget wild animals,” Natasha added.

“Wild animals are more likely to get us if we stay put,” Susan commented, rolling her eyes. “And we can leave a note.” she walked over to the pile of bags and picked one up.

“Why don’t we vote on it?” Cole suggested. “Majority rules, things will be easier.”

“Then those in favor of leaving?” Fredrick called out.

Susan, Cole, DeAnne, Andrew, and Rayen all raised their hands. This automatically ended the vote four to three in favor of leaving. So as the others packed up bottles and clothes and one large pot with bowls and spoons in it for more comfortable transport, Rayen silently sat aside watching. To Rayen, this was all a little foreign; she hadn’t been around people in such a standard-setting in a long time.

“Okay,” Cole called. “We’re ready.”

This snapped Rayen from her thoughts. She nodded and began walking. They had barely started when the complaining came from the two everyone figured it would, but for the most part, they were ignored.

“Where are you leading us?” Fredrick called just as annoying as the fantastic duo.

Rayen did nothing but point to the marks she’d made on trees days earlier. She kept forward following the signs.

“We should get water first then make our way further in.”

The river glistened and gleamed as they approached it. Taking a few moments, they relaxed and refilled their bottles. A short break now wouldn’t do too much damage to their trek. Refreshed, they walked until the sky was a fiery blend. It was a unanimous decision to set up camp for the night they carefully picked a spot under some large trees to protect against the rain. Rayen got up, excusing herself from the group to go off for some peace.

Susan hummed as she prepared something with the last of their food. Everyone else just patiently sat minding their own. As the meal was readied, Rayen returned with a bundle of sticks and some apples.

“Here,” she put the sticks and the bag of apples down.

“This’ll be a good change, but we’re gonna need to catch something from here on, we’re out of plane food,” Susan sighed as she filled bowls passing them out.

“Haven’t you noticed, though?” Rayen sat down, taking a bowl.

“You’re right,” DeAnne laughed, glancing at Andrew, her words drawing everyone’s attention. “We’ve yet to hear or see any animals or bugs for that matter, it’s tranquil here,” she glanced at the rest. “Isn’t my grandson a smart one,” she laughed.

Rayen nodded. “Even while I was out there, I didn’t hear or see a thing, don’t you think it’s strange?” she asked.

Cole put a finger to his chin in thought over that bit of information. “That is a little weird…” he agreed.

“So then what?” Susan asked. “Do we just keep eating fruit?”

“Who knows,” Cole shrugged, swirling the spoon in his bowl. “Maybe, for now, let’s just get through the night.”

They all stayed quiet as they ate their meal. After this, where would the group’s next meal come from was on their mind. What would they do from here?

The first watch of the night went to Cole, who volunteered. As always, they would all take turns and circle around over and over every few hours. There was never anything happening since the nights were beyond quiet. One by one they traded, next was Rayen then Fredrick. Breakfast was quick, leftover from last night, and an apple. They were up and moving east with the sun as their guide. Two days passed with nothing but fruit to fill their stomachs. They were running low on water as the days progressed and had yet to refill. On agreement, they stopped for a few moments to go out in pairs to search for water. DeAnne and Andrew stayed behind to hold position while everyone else went off in teams of two. Susan and Fredrick headed northwest, Rayen and Cole continued west and Charmayne headed southwest with Natasha.

Charmayne listened to Natasha complain as they walked agreeing with some of her statements on how things were going and that they would die at this rate and how she really wished she could have a bath.

“And Cole is a hotty, but seriously can he not see that I’m the best thing even out here?” Natasha frowned. “No offense, hun,” she winked at Charmayne.”

“Yes, you are a catch,” Charmayne agreed.

“Right, I’ve got killer looks, and I’ve got a modeling contract too!”

The two laughed as they continued.

For Rayen and Cole, it was a quiet affair. Neither said too much their goal, the only thing keeping them moving. Cole stopped Rayen once or twice when she almost ran into trees, but otherwise, the interaction was a minimum. Luck was on Susan’s side, though, as she happened to stumble across a small stream with Fredrick. After they took a few moments to themselves, she followed it upstream, coming across a cabin.

Fredrick took the time to check around the outside while Susan checked if anyone was home.

“Hello?” she called. “We’re looking for a place to stay just for a little while if it’s alright.” she knocked once more then turned the knob to open the door. The cabin was empty; a layer of dust settled over it. Susan looked around a little more, but after a while deduced, no one had been there for a while.

Back at the rendezvous point, DeAnne sat with Andrew talking over how long everyone had been gone, everything looked the same aside for a sparse trail of flowers to the west where Rayen and Cole continued.

“They should be back soon; it’s been two hours,” DeAnne assured her grandson.

“I’m worried,” Andrew signed, “should we search?”

“No, no, let’s give them a little more okay,” she put a hand on his shoulder. “This old woman needs a rest.”

Andrew sat with a sigh nodding. DeAnne was years older than the rest; he knew it was hard on her and that this rest was for the best for her. Everyone was a little banged up from the accident, but her being older makes it worse.

“We’re back,” Cole announced a few minutes later.

Andrew glanced up as he heard him waving happily.

Cole nodded in response. “We found nothing, just some apples, and bananas,” he held up his bag, “We really need to get some proper food.”

“Need to find an animal first,” Rayen mumbled as she sat next to Andrew.

She began signing to Andrew. Whenever the group stopped for a rest, she’d practice with Andrew or DeAnne. She’d come to enjoy the lessons they made for an enjoyable pastime.

“You’re all back,” Fredrick spoke as he came into view. “We found something this way,” he turned heading back.

“We have to wait,” Cole sighed. “We’re two short.”

The man only groaned as he was made to wait. It was a long wait as it seemed the two were lost and came stumbling back covered in dirt. Now they really did pack up to leave. They didn’t take too long or wait for Natasha and Charmayne to clean up since it’d take too long.

Following the irritable older man, they ended up at the small cabin.

“Nice,” Cole looked it over.

Susan came from inside. “You’re finally here,” she said. “This place was covered in dust, but I cleaned it a little, doesn’t seem anyone has been here for a long time.”

“Well, it looks like a good spot to set up for the time being,” Rayen commented, taking off her bag. Taking a breath, she sat next to the river. “Fresh water, and there’s fish too,” she added. “Guess we can eat something new.”

“Why don’t you help me?” Cole turned to Andrew. “We can find some sticks and sharpen them, make a spear to fish with.”

Andrew nodded then set down his bag following Cole.

“We should first fill our bottles as well,” Cole said before he left.

Rayen, on the other hand, stood back, staring at it puzzled. She pressed one finger to each of her temples, rubbing small circles a headache inching in.

“Why?” asked Fredrick setting down the pot. “We’re in no rush now that we have shelter, maybe there’s a satellite phone inside.”

“No one lives here… not anymore…” Rayen groaned as she continued rubbing her temples.

“What makes you say that?” the irritated older man asked.

“We crashed, had someone lived here, don’t you think they would’ve come to see what happened?” she raised a brow.

“That is a valid point.” Susan agreed. “Inside it was covered in dust, no one’s been back for a while, and no phone of any kind.”

Rayen glanced around as she entered the abandoned cabin door. It was a small place; there were only simple things. A table, two chairs, a kitchen area, a door which probably led to a bathroom as the bed and nightstand were visible beside a bookcase and a fireplace.

“We should all get cleaned up before we move on,” she added.

“And why would we move on?” Charmayne asked, walking in after her. “It’s a roof we don’t need to.”

“If this is here, that means somewhere there are people, people who may be able to help, right?” Susan smiled, walking in. “That’s got to be it.”

Rayen nodded. “We can rest then move hopefully further in there are more people, and this one is just a loner.”

Susan was helping DeAnne. She led her to the bed so that she could comfortably rest while the group figured out their next move.

“Why don’t you girls go fill the bottles for now?” DeAnne glanced at Charmayne and Natasha. “The boys won’t have gone far; some maybe we can start on food soon.”

Without fuss, for once, they did as told as they were thirsty anyway.

Everyone took this time to rest and relax in the room while they waited for the duo. The pair was gone for about forty-five minutes returning with twigs and sticks.

“We’ve got some kindling for a fire,” Cole called. He set them down inside. Cole walked over to Rayen, then held out his hand. “Can I borrow that knife?” he asked. “Wanna sharpen these up.”

She handed it over, watching him go outside to work.

Andrew walked in, checking on his grandmother for a moment. When she assured him she was okay, he glanced at the bookcase. It was small but packed. He scanned the spines then pulled off a book, passing it to Rayen.

She looked over the book. “A book on plants, this will help greatly,” she opened it, flipping through the pages. “Seems like there are edible things here, we should keep an eye out.” She passed the book to Andrew, who was closest to her.

Rayen stood then looked through the other books spines scanning as if looking for something specific. She didn’t pay much attention as the others were actively making themselves at home after their rest.

“The Island of Flame…?” the spine of a red book on the bottom row read, there was something else etched on it, but she couldn’t make it out.

She picked it up then opened one of the windows sitting in the windowsill. She opened the book flipping through it. The thought that she’d heard the words or seen them somewhere kept rattling in her head, but where or when she didn’t know.

Shaking it off, she stretched then closed her eyes relaxing. Much happened and was swirling through her head, and only now did she realize how tired her whole body was. Susan had started working on making something remotely edible from what they had left as she waited for the fish that would hopefully be caught. Andrew was outside looking for some of the plants in the book, hoping to find something else they could use as food along the way. After they changed, Natasha and Charmayne made themselves scarce, not wanting to be asked to help; instead the duo foolishly tried for cell service.

The bathroom free Fredrick was next to use the bathroom, after him DeAnne then Susan as the pot cooked followed by Cole when he finished making spear who then traded off with Andrew taking the book to continue the search. The last to go was Rayen, who just quickly wiped herself down, not wanting to spend too much time in the bathroom.

“Okay, everyone,” DeAnne spoke as she sat up. “I was a nurse, so I’d like to take this moment of relaxation to check everyone’s wounds if you don’t mind.

There was no argument as one by one they were all looked over wounds cleaned and bandaged. Nothing was really too bad, no broken bones or sprains, which they all counted themselves lucky for not having.

Now that they were deemed okay, Andrew and Cole set about spearing in the lake. They caught a few fish, but it was really hard.

“Then fish soup it is,” Susan laughed. “Not enough for everyone to get their own, so the soup will have to do.”

She cooked it as best she could with the supplies the cabin offered. As soon as the food was ready, they pulled out some cracked dishes then began passing around bowls of thrown together soup. It was a quiet meal as the reality that they survived only seemed to be sinking in, the fact that they may or may not be stuck for a while in unknown lush lands.

Before, the group knew it more time than they thought had passed, and the sky was beginning to darken. The useless duo we made to clean up as the rest set up for the night. DeAnne was boiling water to fill their bottles. Cole was chopping wood he’d found on the other side of the cabin to use in the fireplace, it’d help keep them warm. Rayen and Andrew were moving things and setting out the blankets for everyone. Susan was packing up everything, not in use. Finally, Fredrick was sorting plants for what was edible using the book as a guide.

By the time they were all done, night had fallen, and everyone settled it. It was decided the bed would go to DeAnne mostly due to her age, though a few would argue they should have it instead. Even though there was a roof over their heads, sleeping was still hard. They all lie awake for some time before sleep took them.

The silence of the night was a peaceful and welcoming thing for them all. With nothing but crickets singing and the soft illumination of the moon. Sometime after the rest were asleep, Rayen had awoken and made her way out the door. The sight in the night was beautiful but lonely and cold.

“Can’t sleep?” a voice came from behind. Rayen turned to see Susan. “Understandable.”

“Just working through some thoughts,” Rayen turned back to look at the moon’s reflection in the river. “I just keep getting this bad feeling is all.”

“Well, if this were some story or movie or game I’d agree, things have gone fairly easy,” Susan laughed, walking up to stand beside her. “Crash, collect, move on, find shelter when you feel safe, something terrible always comes along or so entertainment sources have taught me.

Rayen gave a small laugh as they both sat. “True.”

“And she can smile!” Susan put on an exaggerated shock face. “Haven’t seen any expression, thought your face might crack or something,” she joked. “But I guess people handle things differently, I joke you… well, you look all serious all the time.” Susan shrugged her shoulders.

“Experiences shape the way we react,” Rayen stated.

“I agree with that.” Susan gave a nod. “But we should both try to sleep else we’ll just be tired.”

Rayen nodded, then stood. She was about to say something when nearby the bushes rustled and moved. A ghoulish groaning could be heard in the same direction. A foul stench reached their noses before the horrific sight. Before them figures of dead bodies: swollen, blackened, and hideous to look at.

“What the hell!” Susan stepped back in shock.

“It’s time to go…” Rayen said, glancing between the dead things and her companion. “Move,” she ordered.

Sadly Susan was too shocked and scared to do anything feet frozen in place.

“MOVE!” Rayen yelled, shoving Susan.

Susan took off for the cabin. “WAKE UP!” she yelled. “We need to go.”

Groaning, everyone rose from their sleep while Susan tugged on her bag, nudging and shaking the rest.

“Throw the blankets in a bag we gotta go!”

Cole sat up. “What’s the problem?”

“Look outside,” Susan answered, panicked.

Rayen was still outside, swinging the ax Cole used earlier on the wood. The creatures didn’t approach much closer, watching keeping their distance.

Seeing what was going on, Cole ran out, taking the ax. “Go help the rest I’ll keep them at bay.”

“But!” Rayen tried to argue but was pushed away as one of the creatures lunged toward them.

Cole whacked it with the ax knocking it to the side before bringing the ax down once more at the creature. In the cabin, Rayen quickly helped pack up what she could. Anything smaller could be left.

Walking out, the others finally saw the horror that threatened them, making them all twist their faces in disgust. They were all still a bit out of it, confused.

“Here!” Rayen tossed Cole his bag. “This way!” she yelled, then started running.

Cole caught his pack by the strap then hacked at an oncoming creature. Once it was down, he slipped on his bag, picked up the ax, and followed the others behind Rayen.

Run. Run. Run. The group ran and ran, not stopping as the foul-smelling creatures were closing in. They couldn’t keep running forever, though sooner or later, most likely sooner, they’d all be too tired to continue. As some looked back they thought they were hallucinating, the trees seemed to be closing in behind them block the monsters way, but still, they didn’t stop

The sun was beginning to rise, and with it, the adrenaline that had been pushing them was failing. Rayen panted, stopping and leaning against a tree. She could not run much more, but before anyone could tell her that wasn’t an option, a blinding light came over them. What followed the bright light was the smell of burning flesh. Not much else could be remembered because they all fell unconscious after.