I'm gonna admit that I was pretty ashamed of myself for all the short chapters, but hopefully this chapter will be longer and more eventful.
I know what your all thinking. "When r they actually gonna meet and get to the story u read in the intro?"
Soon...soon..U must be patient cause we're getting really close.
I'm just hoping u won't kill me for what's in this chapter ^-^
Enjoy
Jesse's POV
The walk back to Axel's location had been longer than we previously thought. By the time we reached him, the sun was high and the heat was intense. You could see the heat waves throughout the overgrown canopy and steam slowly rising from the rocks and stone scattered about. My overworked feet ached as my pace became slower, too exhausted. I almost cried for joy when we finally reached our destination after our long and tiring hike.
He had set up camp under the safety of a small cave opening. The smooth and cool stone sent shivers up my spine as I plunked myself against the wall. Away from the deadly rays of the sun, I felt myself begin to cool off.
It seemed both Olivia and Petra had the exact same idea, as they all but fell to the ground. Brushing the damp bangs from my eyes, I surveyed the cave. The sunlight allowed just enough for everyone to see, though the slight overhang of rock and weed cast a dark shadow over the area, which we gratefully excepted.
Strange it was, to be hiding away from the very thing that kills the Mobs. You would think the big ball of gas was on our side, but it seems it just enjoys scorching anyone who dares step into its sunlight till they feel like they're roasting in an oven. I glanced at the darkness lurking beside us, a passage leading deeper into the cave's looming abyss. A maze of horrors and wonders alike, though too often, the negatives out way the positives.
"I just don't get it." I let my eyes wonder to the origin of the voice. "It was raining yesterday, and it was freezing last night!" Axel, a large, bulky boy, the eldest of the group, stood from his position. He had dark unruly hair and deep brown, almost black eyes. His dark green coat with a fur hood, had been tossed to the ground in exasperation, revealing a black shirt with words so faded, nobody knew what it said.
He glared outside, probably at the sun, his mono brow, that I admit amused me at times, furrowed. "Its like it hates us!"
"What do you expect Axel? The weathers been.."Petra paused, searching for the right word.
"Unpredictable." Olivia offered, inspecting her slice of bread. Petra nodded.
"Right. Its been that way since the Turning-"
"And, it always will be, so I suggest you just learn to deal with it." I grabbed my water bottle from a small satchel I kept my supplies in. It was a tough, dark leather and smelled of smoke.
Axel and Olivia gave me a look that made me feel bad about snapping. I blame the sun. I've always seemed to get grouchier when exposed to the heat. Sipping on my water, I rolled my eyes as Axel 'humfed'. "Fine, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it."
"I'll take it." I said with a smile.
Olivia munched on her bread and gazed outside. She's probably trying to think something up to cool us off. I thought, noting her thoughtful expression. "I just don't understand why." I frowned, confused. "The weather I mean. Sure the worlds in ruins and have been overrun by monsters but that doesn't mean the weather should be affected." I shrugged.
"Its probably just an apocalypse thing."
"Yeah. Remember those DVDs we found last year? The zombie movies always had like, a green spooky sky!" Axel grinned. Those movies were an amazing find, including the working TV, but we couldn't stay for long unfortunately.
"Those were just movies Axel." I informed him, amused.
"Awesome movies." He retorted back.
"Real life, movie. Normal weather, weird weather. It doesn't matter and no good it's no good trying to find an answer. Focus on survival." Petra was sharpening her axe, which glinted dangerously in the sun rays that managed to sneak in through some openings in the ceiling.
"There's more to life than just survival Petra. Knowledge is one of the world's greatest treasures!" Olivia argued.
"A treasure that was lost long ago. Maybe one day it'll be found again, but right now, we'll have to do without it." Olivia frowned. Her and Petra were so different, it amazed me how they became close.
"Speaking of treasure, I'm not the only one who sees a window to opportunity." Axel motioned deeper inside the cave. I glanced at it, a disapproving frown on my face. "No, I see a trapdoor to Nether."
"Oh come on! We could find some iron, gold maybe even diamonds!" He whined. I shook my head. "Ok Axel, first, it's to dangerous to go down there, especially without a motive." Olivia explained to him. "And second, you are not going deep enough to find diamonds."
"Getting a whole lotta loot sounds like a motive." Olivia groaned, rubbing her temple.
"Fine, lets go see if we can find some coal, but we are not going any deeper than this level. Got i-?" Axel was already running into the darkness, not worried at all what might be there.
"Axel!" Olivia hissed, springing up from her spot. I just laughed at the reaction and Petra handed her, her pick axe. "Be careful!" I yelled as their bodies were incased by the darkness, becoming nothing more than a dark outline.
I leaned my head against the rocky surface, my exhaustion finally taking over. I guess my late night marathon didn't help at all. I decided to inspect my arms only to grimace at what I saw. Dozens of cuts and bruises covered my arms, and when rolling up my dirty brown jeans, I discovered they were just as bad. Groaning, I grabbed my water bottle and some cloth, and began to clean my wounds the best I could. All our medical supplies being left back at home camp.
The cuts stung, as I pressed the wet cloth over them. I bit my tongue, resisting the urge cry out. My hand shook as I continued but I didn't stop. Petra watched, pity in her eyes. I didn't want her pity, I didn't want anyone's pity, and I bet she had just as much to clean up as I did. Suddenly she grabbed a bundle from her pack, throwing it over to me.
I caught it, finding it to be a bunch of bandages. "I suggest using them for your hands and forearms. They'll need them most."
"But don't yo-"
"I already fixed myself up last night. Couldn't sleep." She then began to dig through her pack, ending the conversation. I stared at the bandages, and then at my hands. I didn't even notice all the cuts and blisters and suddenly felt grateful. Nether, life would be hard having to feel pain every time I handled something.
"Thanks."
Night had fallen again, though this time, we were all wide awake. It's true that it's dangerous travel under the moon, but it was just as bad sleeping under it. Our last disaster had made an example of that.
The heat had left, and frost began to form out on the swaying grass and rustling leafs. The cave had suddenly became as cold as ice and water dripped from the cavern's overhang like teardrops.
I shivered as a great gust of wind blew through the entrance. True, I prefer the cold to the heat, but I was beginning to miss the warmth the day had brought. We couldn't light a fire without attracting attention, but we couldn't sit here and freeze to death either.
Having made my decision, I slung my satchel over my shoulder and checked my sword was in place. Olivia jumped, started by my sudden movement and regarded my warily. "What are you doing?" She asked carefully.
"We, are leaving tonight, right now." Her eyes widened in disbelief, her head whipping to the others to find they had the same reactions. "Are you joking! We'll die if we leave!" Axel stared at me like I had grown another extra head. "And we'll die if we stay here."
"As much as I hate to admit it but, Jesses right." Petra pulled her jacket closer as she got up, slipping her arms through her pack's straps. "Half frozen, in plain sight, we're sitting chickens."
"But we're not in plain sight! We've got the cave!" Olivia tried desperately.
"You mean a cave where monsters lurk? At least outside we can get away." I didn't want to leave either. It'd be risky, but unfortunately, it was safer than staying here.
Axel saw our determination and started packing up as well. "Come on Olivia. These two know what they're doing." After not moving for a few seconds, she got up without another word.
An so, that's how we found ourselves deep in the forest, surrounded by Mobs. Hey, at least we're not frozen anymore.
Erie moans echoed around us, slight shuffles and inhuman growls. The hisses of spiders from above us and the clinking of bones becoming louder and louder. We didn't run, that would be plain stupid. With our whole group this large it would attract too much attention.
I could hear my heart beating loudly and every twig that snapped I'd whirl around, ready to strike. I wasn't the only one tense. The other three all had their weapons out, eyes scanning the overgrowth as we steadily crossed though. I clenched my fist around the sword hilt, growing more jumpy at every moan or hiss.
The moon was bright, but the looming canopy above us darkened the forest floor. Flickers of the white light shone through the small gaps, giving out an even spookier vibe. The hair prickled at the back of my neck, and I spun around, my eyes shining with some deranged look. I didn't like this, at all. Sure it wasn't the first time we'd done this, but back then, we had a larger group full of skilled fighters and were prepared.
Who knew where the other survivors were, all I knew was that right now, it was just us...and about a dozen of the undead.
No one dared to speak, small nods and grunts were thrown around, but that was all. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I continued to stare behind me, convinced there was something following us. I had a gut feeling and when I get that feeling, I believe it. "I don't like this." I murmured, earning myself some glares. Mentally slapping myself, I winced and left the bush after one last look.
We were heading towards a great lake that looked to be almost frozen over. Interesting, I'd forgotten how cold it had gotten, though being reminded I shivered, goosebumps covering my, now matched up, arms. Suddenly Petra froze, literally. I turned back to look at her, analysing her expression. She was in a state of pure shock. "Oh Notch." She whispered bewildered. "I know why there's so many Mobs out tonight now."
I must have looked at confused as Nether since she pointed, almost looking possessed, into the distance. I squinted, trying to make out what she was seeing. On the other side of the plain was another wall of vegetation...no. I gasped.
The night was dark, but the moon was bright enough too see and large and dark outline that I originally mistook as wood. An enormous metal, black wall stood tall and proud. A faint orange-like glow radiated from the top as though fire was burning inside. It's stretched out for miles and touched the sky.
A city. A surviving, living city.
I had always heard rumours of these great civilisations that had managed to outwit the Turning, but I've never seen one. I turned back to the group, theirs mouths agape and eyes wide. For years we've roamed the broken world, barely scraping enough food and supplies. Now, there lied a massive city with probably no problems at all. My throat suddenly felt dry.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" It wasn't necessarily a question, Axel just had to break the silence. "I can't stop thinking right now, but I think I see where your getting at." Olivia answered, still unmoving.
"We were so close..." Petra whispered. "They were so close." I thought back to her aunt and uncle, realising what she meant. I put a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
"They'd want you to make the best of it."
"Yeah, I'm sure they're jumping for joy with Notch right now." Axel added, making it worse or better, I'm not sure.
She smiled, shaking it off. "Well what are we waiting for?!" She said a bit too loudly. Out of nowhere a small object leapt up from the bushes, catching us by surprise. "YAAAAAHHHHHHH!" I screamed, subconsciously noting everyone else did too. The creature rammed into my legs, pushing me over. Letting out a yelp as I hit the soft icy dirt, I was about to swing my sword down when I stopped.
The damn things a pig. I growled, my cheeks red from embarrassment. I sensed the others were about to laugh when a much fiercer, angrier growl echoed from the brush behind us. Bones clinked, hisses sounded, and I suddenly remembered where we were. "Crap." We had been to loud, and that stupid pig caused it.
Shuffles were no longer heard but the sound of branches snapping and heavy footsteps made it clear that the Mobs were now hunting. Us. "Go go go!" Petra shouted, and we ran. If we could just get to the wall...I don't what then, knock on the door?
We sprinted across the plain, our position now given away by the screams, we didn't bother trying to conceal ourselves. "CREEPER!" Was the only warning we got as a massive explosion blew me off my feet. I risked a look back to see the Mobs gaining on us. They were dead, they could run indefinitely, which was bad for us. I scrambled back to my feet and began running again. I felt an odd sense of Déjà vu, as I ran without missing a beat.
Axel and Petra were in front, running madly away. To my dismay, Olivia wasn't there, but behind me. My worries were soon ended though, as Axel feel behind and grabbed her hand, sprinting off again. I smiled slightly, but couldn't for too long. I had to concentrate on not falling over thin air.
The Mobs had made it to the group and began attacking. I barely had time to glance at the others as I swung more sword down, decapitating a zombie. A spider leapt up on me a moment later, and I fought it off my back while dodging some arrows. An instinct kicked in, that small part of me that was determined to stay alive, and I could only hope the rest of them felt it too.
"How do we get in?!" Axel yelled when we reached the monstrous wall. It was even larger than I previously thought, but there didn't seem to be any way through. I stopped, eyes frantically scanning the wall. It was too steep and smooth to climb, too high to catch anyone's attention, and too long to find a way round. I shouted in frustration, and turned to them, stabbing another spider. "Just run along the edge until we can find something."
"There's gotta be guards or something though right? You couldn't just leave it unprotected." Petra chimed in, reasoning. I nodded.
It began raining as we ran along the edge if the metal boundary, shouting and calling for help. All we managed to do was attract more attention, the Mobs began to overwhelm us. We stood no chance.
"No NO! It can't end like this!"
"Jesse!" Olivia called out. She let an arrow fly and hit a creeper, ironically, creeping up behind me. "Thanks Liv!"
"No, wait look!" I followed her gaze, and my heart pounded with excitement. An old sewerage drain stuck up between some moss covered rocks. A likely entry into like city. "Come on! This way!"
We made a mad dash to the drain, my feet stumbled across the uneven ground, my breathing unsteady and my arms and legs aching. But this chance to live, this small sliver of hope kept me going. Olivia slid through first, followed by Axel. As I was about to join them, a scream caught my attention. I turned around, and my heart stopped.
Petra was surrounded by the Mobs. Their ghastly and disgusting hands swiped at her. Her axe had been abandoned a little way away, and she was desperately throwing punches and kicks in their way. Not knowing what to do, but knowing I couldn't just stand there, I lit one of my torches and threw it into the crowd. It lit a few on fire, that scrambled away, shrieking, but in the long run, didn't help at all.
A spider leapt up on her, pushing her to the ground and sinking it's fangs into her arm. Letting out a scream, she grabbed it's neck, and threw it away. Though winning that battle, the war was still on, and now on the ground with a weapon she was vulnerable as the monsters overwhelmed her. My eyes were wide and tears fell freely to the ground. The wind howled, though unable to drown out the sound of her screams. "PETRA!" I let go of the pipe, sword in hand, only to be grabbed by the waist.
"Jesse come on." I fought against their hold, shoving back and forth furiously, wanting to help the girl who had was like a sister to me. With a final tug, I was pulled down into the dark depths still screaming out Petra's name.
Mawhahahahahaha, I'm evil.
Sorry, but it's part of the story I have planned out, u can get out ur pitchforks after I finish writing, but by then I think u'll forgive me.
So, will Petra survive?
Will they make it to the city?
Who the Nether does that pig think he is? (Contrary to who most of you will guess him to be, it's a little more complicated)
Like, comment and enjoy!
Till next time!
