Hey guys, sorry for not posting in a while. Or what's felt like a while. I know you guys usually ask for more chapters in my stories but I feel like short and sweet is my way to go. This time is gonna be different, though. I feel like this fic needs more than one chapter too. I'll be working on other stuff that'll need more than one chapter so dont expect all my focus to be on this. That my quick update. Other than that, enjoy.
Lincoln's heavy boot sunk into the burning sand. The stormy winds brought the sand up into a dancing rage. The white cloth safely wrapped around his head kept out the grains and the blazing sun. His hands tenderly held his body, keeping his tan button-up shirt and swamp green trench coat from flailing around in the raging winds. His boiling body was automatic, moving on with steady haste and ignoring the pain.
Almost there. Almost there.
He groaned. He stopped and his firm boot buried itself. He turned around and sighed in relief when he noticed all his sister right behind him, following desperately. Except for Lily. She stayed with Mom and Dad. Good, good.
Their clothing was much alike. Dark green coats, tight denim jeans, and leather boots. Underneath was a button-up shirt with an army green undershirt. It was heavy but it kept them cool from the sun's rays.
Lincoln turned back and continued walking. His feet burned and his body ached. They've been walking aimlessly for an hour now. A tiresome, hellish walk that consisted of nothing but sand, sand, and more fucking sand. The sun was up but it was going to set soon. And when it did, it was going to get cold. Real cold.
The Loud children managed to survive the last past two nights scarcely. They slept in the open, huddled together for as much warmth as possible. Sleep fearfully took them away and the sound of the howling coyotes grew closer and closer. Lincoln stayed up for those two nights, refusing rest and kept his body and mind on alert.
It was amazing how he kept pushing himself more and more. Even the tough and mighty Lynn met her match after the first day. But not Lincoln. No, his sisters needed him now more than ever. Even when his body cried for water and begged to stop, he went on with a brave face.
When water came into his mind, he made sure his sisters drank. When his belly growled, he handed them all his bits of food. And when his younger sisters were too tired, he carried them for a while. His mind and body suffered greatly.
He started seeing things. Things fabricated from his dwindling mind.
Once, he saw an oasis. A lone pond with palm trees branching out. The water looked crystal clear and fresh. His eyes grew wide and he ran towards it. After a couple minutes, his sisters yelled and called his name. He turned around and waved his hand. He turned back and there was nothing there.
Another time, he could see a tall building in the distance. He called it out with joy and excitement but his sisters looked at him skeptically. There was nothing there but he refused to believe it. He tried to tug his sister's over to the building but they wouldn't move. They just stared at him with painful eyes. His hope fell and when he cleared his eyes, there was only sand. He marched on wordlessly.
There was also this one time where he saw two shadowy figures lurking in the distance. The racing sand obscured his vision, but he swore that they were human-like. Male, probably. The two tall entities didn't move. They stared at him and watched carefully. Lincoln didn't point it out. He was just imagining things.
Illusions, he remembered Lisa told him. They're just illusions.
Now, he saw a tall pyramid peeking up from the ground a couple of yards that way. He giggled and snickered for awhile. His face went strong as if he hasn't laughed in ages. Something about it tickled his brain but he ignored it.
"Holy shit," he heard Lori from behind. "Look!"
Lincoln ignored her and kept walking. Almost there. Just keep going. He heard his sister's call his name again. This time, it was with joy and praise. He could imagine it. When he got home, to safety, his sisters would cherish him like a God. His heart soared and his worries melted away. The pain in his leg went numb and his burning face felt lovingly warm.
The food he would eat. The water he could drink. And the sleep that he so respectful deserves.
"Lincoln!" Luna called out. Lincoln turned around lazily and saw his sisters looking and pointing at the Pyramid.
They could see it too.
He ran back and huddled with his sisters in a small circle.
"Okay, I think we should rest in her for the day. Get ourselves organized and see what we can find to eat or drink." Lori ordered. "Sound like a plan?"
All the sisters nodded and agreed. Lincoln felt hot, unknown hatred rising to his head. Here he was leading them to salvation, sacrificing his sleep, food, drinks and practically finding this shitty pyramid. And this bitch Lori takes away the spotlight like candy from a baby.
Lincoln shook his head and brushed away the negative thoughts. His main priority was taking care of his sisters. He doesn't need praise for that. It was only natural that he'd give everything for them. Lori turned to the boy.
"You okay, Lincoln?" Lori asked.
The boy raised a thumbs up and nodded. His face was stretched into a painful smile. Something about this didn't feel right, though. Why was there a pyramid in the middle of nowhere?
He wasn't an expert or anything but he expected pyramids to come in threes. Two at the least. But having one single pyramid appear out of thin air was a little unnerving.
He didn't want to stay here. He wanted to leave. In the corner of his eyes, he could see those two mysterious figures watching him. Waiting for him to do something. Anything.
Lincoln needed to go, now. He needed to take his sister far away from here and run. Because as much as he hated to admit it, something about those dark figures felt real.
A cold breeze ran through his heart. His face fell and his eyes widened. His knees felt weak and his spine was brittle. His legs gave out and he fell face first into the scorching sand. His face burned but not for long. Darkness took over his world and, in seconds, Lincoln was unconscious.
His sisters called his name in shock. Luna ran over, fell to her knees and flipped the boy over. She shook him and gently slapped his face a bit.
"Hey, Lincoln," Luna slapped him. "Wake up, bro."
"Everyone, in. Now!" Lori said pointing at the sandy structure with a firmness that seemed old and forgotten. The children ran over to the pyramid, Luan leading them with a motherly care.
Luna wrapped his arms behind her neck and barely picked him up with a painful groan. Lori ran over and got his other arm. They carried him away. His feet dragged across the sand, leaving a track that brought great attention from peering eyes.
Lori and Luna saw their sisters under the pyramid. Its amazing height was intimidating. The entrance was like a wide rectangular opening that sank into the ground with a sloped ramp. They tried to look further down but it was too dark. They got under the shade of the entrance but didn't go too far in.
They lied Lincoln down against the cold wall. His head hung and his body was limp.
"What happened to him?" Luan asked with worry.
"I don't know, dude," Luna said. "He just passed out."
Lisa walked over. She grabbed a hand and placed her forefinger and pressed middle finger near his wrist. She looked up and waited. She felt a soft beat. Then another.
"Well, he certainly isn't dead," Lisa said, taking off her glasses and wiping them on her sleeve. Lori and Luna glared at her. Lisa noticed and her cheeks burned with shame. "Sorry."
"Is he gonna be okay?" Lynn asked.
"I'm not sure. He's been pushing himself non-stop for the past few days. He's refused to eat or drink anything. It's only evident that the effects of fatigue started sinking in. He'll be fine but If he wakes up-"
Lori smacked her behind the head. Lisa yelped and her glasses almost fell. The little genius glared at Lori and growled. Lisa fixed her glasses and mumbled something.
"When he wakes up," Lisa continued. "He'll need lots of rest. He also needs to eat and drink more. We need to make sure he isn't up and moving so much."
"How much food and water do we have left anyways? I'm totes starving." Leni asked.
"We're all starving Leni but we need to ration our food and drinks or we'll run out sooner than later," Lori said.
"You think there's any water in there?" Lynn asked, pointing into the darkness. Lori looked and shivered.
"N-no. We're not going in there," Lori quivered. "What if it's dangerous."
"Well, we either go back out there or check down here," Lynn said sharply. "We've been cooking out there for hours already. The sandstorm doesn't look like it'll be stopping soon and we're one man down. Got any better ideas?"
Lori looked at Lincoln then at her frail younger sisters. It was dark down there and it'd be tough if they brought Lincoln along.
"Okay. How about we split into two groups?" Lori asked. "One group stays up here with Lincoln and another goes down there and finds… anything."
"Sounds good to me." Luna pitched in. A murmur of approval filled the air.
"Okay. It's settled. So who's going in?" Lori asked.
There was a pregnant silence. The howling of the wind and tapping of the sand was maddening. Lori looked around and all her sisters avoided her gaze. She sighed in annoyance.
"Lynn, it was your idea so you go." Lori barked.
"By myself?" Lynn asked, her eyes widening and her heart racing.
"Unless anyone wants to go with you then, yes, by yourself." Lori crossed her arms and stood tall. Her nose was up and her brows furrowed. Lynn sighed.
"Fuck. Fine." Lynn turned to her sisters. And with a tone that was dead and robotic, Lynn said, "Anyone wanna go with me?"
Another minute of silence.
"Anyone? Anyone? Opportunity of a lifetime. Come on." No one did anything. Until Leni raised her hand. Lynn's brow raised.
"I'll stay here with Lincy," Leni said and another wave of approval conquered the raging wind.
"That wasn't the question, idiot!" Lynn shouted.
"Look," Luna said walking over and standing next to Lynn. "If it'll make you feel better then I'll go with you."
"It does. Thank you." Lynn said sarcastically.
"I'll go too," Luan said. Lynn glared at her. Luan turned her head away shamefully and shrunk.
"I'm in," Lucy piped up.
"Might as well," Lisa said walking away from Lincoln and standing next to Luna. "There's nothing worse than waiting."
"Cool. Anyone else?" Lynn asked. Silence. "Lori, wanna come?" The eldest loud looked into the darkness down below and shuddered.
"Uhh. No, no. I'm good." Lori laughed nervously. "I'll stay here. Keep an eye on everything, you know?"
Everyone stared at Lori. Lynn looked into the darkness then back to Lori.
"Are you scared of the dark?" Lynn asked teasingly.
"Ha. Funny." Lori said awkwardly. "Of course not. Why would I be?"
Lynn chuckled.
"Whatever, pussy," Lynn walked dangerously close into the darkness. "Alright team, Let's go." Lynn marched in with little fear. Luna, Luan, Lucy, and Lisa followed closely behind.
Lucy held hands with Luan. Lisa made sure Luna was constantly at her side as they all went on further and further into the unknown. None not knowing that they were walking away from the light of God.
In seconds, they were gone, leaving behind a hopeful bunch in worry. The minutes gruesomely stretched and an hour had easily gone by. There was still no return. The storm had stopped but the waves of heat continued.
Lori and Leni sat and rested beside Lincoln, the twins both asleep in either one's lap. Leni grew reasonably anxious.
"Where are they?" Leni shakingly asked. "Do you think they're okay?"
"I'm sure they're fine," Lori said automatically but deep down, she didn't know. She was optimistic nonetheless. She could imagine Lynn, Luna and all the rest of them coming back with gallons of water. Something to eat, maybe. And Lynn just laughing it up.
But that was just wishful thinking. It was hot. Extremely hot. Lori's mouth was dry and her throat burned whenever she swallowed air. Leni huffed and puffed like a poor dog, her eyes were lost and empty. And the twins sleep away peacefully. She almost believed the twins were dead.
As Lori looked out into the desert opening, a certain hunger filled her heart. It was painful. She wanted to give up. It was so enticing. So compelling.
She had a hunting knife in her pouch. She wanted to… help. It would be easy. Kill Leni, the twins then Lincoln. It would be calm and more relaxing than waiting.
Wait for what exactly? For death to come and go? For her other sisters to come back?
Hell, she wasn't entirely sure they were alive at this point. It was pretty dark down there. It'd be reasonable that they got lost the moment they were out of sight. They probably wouldn't have gone far anyway. And now here they were, at the end of the road.
Whatever.
As Lori was about to lift herself up, she heard a slight whine beside her. She looked over and Lincoln sturred. The boy's eyes fluttered open. He hissed and grabbed his aching head.
Lori picked up Lola and gently placed her on the cold stone floor. The little girl rustled a bit and Lori sighed in relief. She scooted over to Lincoln and grabbed his shoulder.
"Hey, you okay?" Lori whispered.
"Yeah," Lincoln looked around and noticed Leni and the twins sleeping. "What happened?"
"You fainted," Lori sat beside him and pressed her back against the stone wall. Her body gave out and her limbs went numb. Everything hurt.
"Where's everyone else?" Lincoln asked. He took off the white cloth from his head and revealed his white set of hair. Lori pointed into the dark.
"They went in there a while ago," Lori said lazily.
"How long?"
"I don't know," Lori said defeatedly. "Too long. Probably an hour and a half."
"An hour!" Lincoln shouted. His heart raced. The boy tried to get up but his legs gave out. His arms felt weak and his mind swirled. "We have to go get them. W-what if they're lost?"
Lincoln began to panic. Lori laughed to herself. That was just like him. Barely up and he's already worrying about others. Or at least, his sisters. Hm. What did Lisa say again? Make sure he isn't moving much. Yeah, that was it.
Lori looked at Lincoln. The boy was leaning against the wall for support. His face was pained and his breathing was uneven. Lori stared at him pitifully. She sighed and her eyes fell to the ground. The stone floor was covered in bits of sand. Rough but smooth at the same time. The howling of the wind was faint but still lingered in the distance.
"Lori," Lincoln called out. She hummed when their eyes met. "We have to go find them."
"Sure," Lori said. "Why not?"
Lincoln waited but Lori didn't move.
"Come on. Get up." Lincoln commanded. Lori looked at her sleeping sisters.
"What about them?" Lori asked. Lincoln growled and cursed. The boy walked over to Leni and shook her awake. The ditz mumbled and her eyes cracked open. Her lips were dry and her skin was darker than usual.
"Are we home yet?" Leni asked. Lincoln ignored her and walked over to the twins. He shook them awake.
"What happened?" Lola asked.
"Don't worry about it," Lincoln whispered gently. "Come on, we gotta go."
"Where?" Lana's voice was scratchy and rough.
"Down there," Lincoln said softly. "We gotta go find our sisters, okay?"
"I don't wanna go down there," Lana said. She coughed and whined. "It's scary."
"I know, I know. But we'll go together, okay?" Lincoln picked up Lana with an awful grown. When Lana was over his shoulder, she went back to sleep. Lincoln turned to Lori and she looked at him with astonishment. Her eyes were wide and heart thumped more than ever.
"Lori, get Lola," Lincoln said but Lori didn't move. "Now, dude! Come on!"
Lori got up, fighting through the pain, and did as she was told. Lincoln walked over to a dazed Leni and kicked her foot. Her eyes gently fluttered open again.
"Leni, wake up. We're going." Lincoln said.
"Home?" Leni asked weakly.
"Yeah, we're going home," Lincoln said softly. "Come on." Leni got up gently and summoned up a soft smile.
"Finally," Leni said.
Lincoln took a step into the darkness. He turned and his sisters were there, following desperately. Lori held Lola over her shoulders, the little girl sleeping peacefully. Leni dangerously wobbled from side to side as she held a hand with Lori. Lincoln sighed in relief and marched on, his boots clicking against the stone floor.
The howling wind disappeared behind them. The pile of bags that was left near the entrance was huddled together. All were open and scavenged carefully. And in Lori's bag, her hunting knife was missing.
The howling wind echoed in the vacant entrance, sounding more like a desperate cry than a bad omen.