Eventually I pass the stream that I ran into the traders that caught me. I realized it's been so long since I was captured that I don't know how long I spent in Oaken Woods. The season change is the only thing that I can use to estimate the passing of time without writing in my journal daily.
I continue walking throughout the rest of daylight, continuing to contemplate what to do if I do find my parents, and what if I don't find them. They couldn't have gotten much farther than I did before being traded, at least I wouldn't think that any traders would take them any farther then they had to because it would mean they would have to provide them food and water. Part of me worries that something much worse could have happened to them, but since supplies were taken then I feel confident that it was traders that took them away. What if I never manage to find out what happened to them, could I go back to the village and return to Kallem without ever knowing.
CHAPTER 11
EXPLORATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT
I
t's getting late and I need to rest as I come across a path with plant growth, it appears it has been abandoned for a while. Looks like it may have been a hunting shed, small but efficient I suppose. Curiosity always gets the best of me, but this may be the perfect place to get some supplies if there is anything left to take. Using caution when I go inside; I always have this constant fear when I wonder into the unknown where people could still be hiding out. Although, part of me is excited at the thought of discovering something forgotten. There could be supplies and the other part knows that there is always a risk for searching places. I mummer to myself.
“Oh, please, I really need this. Please, let there be supplies here.”
After cautiously wondering around the entire outside, I push open the front door; it's obvious no one has been around in months. It appears like someone must have just left and never returned. My mind wonders about the person that once would have took refuge here, what could have happened to him. It's horrible to know that you are walking around taking what once belonged to someone that may now be dead, a Will'er or captured by traders. I try not to think about it too much, but my mind constantly wonders about all the personal items that people left behind that was once the prized possessions of their lively hood. Then suddenly it has no meaning, they have no value anymore. People themselves become no one… just like a leaf blowing into the wind and it weathers away and is so easily forgotten. Survival, it has become who we are now it seems, and emotions are hard to afford.
Luckily for me it doesn't appear that anyone has raided here for supplies yet. I shut the door behind me and start browsing around to find a few cans of food, luckily still some of them are in a safe date range. There is even a can opener, a few pieces of silver ware and a couple of plates and cups. I sigh in relief and decide to stop here for a while to eat one of the cans of beans and collect anything else that I can find. Whoever was here didn't plan on leaving, and he wasn't taken from his home because all this canned food would be gone. I start thinking the worst as I see a picture pinned to the wall of a man and a little girl at a lake in the woods. The man looks like the rugged outdoors type man probably around thirty-five and the little girl looks maybe six years old with the most adorable smile and missing upper front teeth in a pink bathing suite. Willer's often wonder away without anything, they often forget who they are quickly. So, it's easy to assume that this was the man's sad fate and I can't even think about a child right now. Which leads me back to thoughts of Bella, I have a hard time dealing with the fact that I made the choice to leave her behind. I know she has her father, but it doesn't seem to make me worry any less about her safety.
I sit on the cold floor with an opened can, eating as I remember why emotions are useless and dangerous in this environment we live in now. Guilt for leaving Choas, Kallem, and knowing that in the blink of an eye, they could fall to the same fate as the man that once took refuge here and the girl by his side in the photograph. The fear for my parents; I need to know if they are still alive, and I need to let them know that I am surviving without them like they prepared me to do. Torn between what is now, and what once was, I am going to stop…I need time to rest and to clear my head for just a night. I finish eating with watery eyes and take in a deep breath before pulling myself off the floor and continuing to seek for items of use. I find a very useful larger style pocketknife with a wood and pearl handle, a box of match sticks, an old fabric bag that I can use to carry items. Awesome, he has a pair of black boots that are just slightly too big but will still work great and they are in pretty good condition. He also has fishing rods, an axe, and many other things but they are unpractical to carry for long distances. I need to be able to run and bulky items are just going to slow me down. I find sealed dried jerky, bonus! Light and easy to carry food.
“Score!” I scream with excitement as I find some men's clothes that I can manage to make fit with the aid of a worn leather belt and tying a knot in the old gray t-shirt as I slip on the clothes for a try. It's great to have something different to wear and the boots are a too big, but I tie them as tightly as possible and they fit well enough to be able to run in, which is what matters. Honestly, it's nice just to have shoes to wear again.
Packing my bag efficiently with everything, and I find paper and a pencil which is great for writing and drawing to pass time. Tonight, I will stay here and enjoy the safety of this old shack, as I cover myself with a dusty woven blanket and lay down on the wooden bed staring at the ceiling. It will be nice to sleep in a bed; I had forgotten how comforting it is to sleep in bed alone with room to stretch out. Within minutes I find myself drifting off into a slumber filled with night terrors as always.
As morning approaches, I am awoken by the light breaking through the tiny cracks in the wooden walls of the shed. I lay in bed listening to the chirping of the birds nearby. Facing a moral dilemma of wishing that I could split myself into three. One person to find my parents, one to stay behind with Kallem and Bella, and a person that is truly free to adventure again. How can I be all three? I can't, at least not all at the same time, but maybe in time I will learn to be the person I need to be at the right time. My parents and I got along so well until the last few months before they were taken, and I am starting to figure out why they were probably so upset with me, because I spent the day drawing and often dismissed their lessons. Finding balance is hard and I think my parents were trying to help, but I wasn't ready to listen.
It's time to focus, to find that balance, and my parents need me. I have supplies, I can at least try the villages or tribes close by and if no luck, then I will head back to Kallem's village. If I could trade my way into the village this time, then I would be free, no longer a servant to anyone, and know my parents are safe here with me. However, even if I did have valuable things to trade, they will punish the crime of being a runaway. I worry that once every one hears that I was a runaway that they may not ever let me become a villager, but I didn't really have time to think about the consequences in that moment when I fled Oaken Woods. The way some of those people gossip, because they literally have nothing better to do, the entire village is probably talking about what I did to Kallem. I know, it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do and I do feel horrible since Kallem let me leave. As much as I wish that I could go back to the village and be welcomed, I know there will be a price to pay and it won't be a simple trade. My tiny little Chaos would not have anyone but her father, and I don't know if I could sleep at night knowing that I didn't return to care for her. Of course, Kallem may be angry with me as well, but I think I need to go back regardless of the punishment that awaits.
I compose myself as I grab the bag stuffed with supplies and food and head out the door, turning back to look around before shutting it. Then I venture back out into the woods from the path I came in from so that I can get my bearings. Once I reach the end of the trail then I head back in the direction towards Raveer's village as Kallem directed. After walking for a few hours, I take a rest, my legs hurt from wa
lking so much. I think being stuck inside the village so long has made my muscles a bit mushy. I crotch down; the woods are so peaceful as I listen to the sounds of the birds chirping. Then I lounge out across the dew-covered grass and try to get comfortable to rest for a few minutes until I hear the crunching of dried leaves to the east of where I am setting. Quickly I crawl quietly behind the bush beside me as I listen carefully as the sound continues to get closer. I did pack the knife I found into my bag, but I don't want to risk anyone hearing me shuffle things around to find it. I know, I said efficient….at the time my mind was on the food so I may have packed the food in the easiest position to get out. Once again, not my brightest decision.
Peeking through the branches and what's left of the foliage I see what appears to be two people passing. I anticipate the worst, but they are talking and continue to listen to try hearing their conversation. They don't appear to be infected; I watch cautiously as they continue their way. They are searching for Laetiporus which is a wild fungus that grows on trees late in the fall season, and easy to find. They have a chicken like taste and texture, which tastes great, but mother always said they can't be eaten raw. The men wonder around for a while before they gather what they need, and they are talking about heading back to camp. Keeping my distance, I decide to follow the sound of their talking as they head to what they consider home, being sure to keep my distance and being stealth as possible. Not much farther into the woods we come up onto a wooden gated encampment. Not at all safe from the outside dangers by the looks of it and I find myself wondering how these people haven't been all killed off or captured as servants yet with such little protection. It's a very small fenced off area, outside the encampment I climb up the wooden fence that just about 6 feet high and look over to see that they are living in tiny clay houses and tent like structures. Couldn't be more than 20 people living here by the size of the area. However all the free space is covered in gardens, most of the plants are dead since it's the start of winter season soon but they must have been a pretty good abundance of food during the warm season for such a small amount of people living here. As I continue to examine the little village, I wonder how we had such a bad attack, yet they can live with very little shelter. There is no way my parents could be here, this does not look like the type of place where you would find servants. Traders wouldn't want anything these people have to offer, but food maybe and they obviously depend on foraging as well. Still, I continue my search while holding onto the fence just watching closely around the area. Then I spot what appears to be a handmade greenhouse amongst some of the tents. It's small but it appears to be packed with thriving plants, it's frosted only once this season, but winters full force seems to be late this year. Jumping down off the outside of the fence and make my way around to the other side of the village close to the green house as I am intrigued. Keeping out of view from anyone; I climb back up the fence where I find that they are still growing loads of vegetation. I decide to climb down onto a wheelbarrow inside the fence, carefully trying to balance to stay up and take a better look inside this green house. This gives me an excellent opportunity to pack my bag with some fresh food which is more of a rarity this time of the year. Sneaking inside, looking around to make sure no one is nearby, I am at awe to see tomatoes and strawberries, among many other things. These people have a green thumb that's for sure… this greenhouse is brilliantly made and it's so warm inside here and filled with thriving plant life. There is food in my bag, but anyone would be tempted to take some regardless. What they fail in housing structures or security they have made up for with their fresh food supply. It's weird how each village or tribe has adapted to their own lifestyle based on a small group of people's innovations and culture. One based on technology and politics, while the other is relaxed and focused on nature. It's amazing that I got to see both the ending of civilization as I had known and the beginning of civilization in my lifetime, not that I wanted to be forced into this life.
Kallem's village didn't have much farming if you could call it that, gardens were small and usually wild plants were more of a resource. However, we had small amounts of solar power which allowed for some to have power, which was a bonus, I think. The structures were mostly log built cabins that were sturdy and wood burning fireplaces were in all the homes. This village is entirely different from Oaken Woods, and I notice how peaceful it is as I wonder around for a moment.
Everyone seems to be gathered inside a clay building in the center of the village and I can hear lots of commotion as I head out of the green house. I stand bent over beside the building cautiously as I glance around, and ease drop at the side of a small clay made building near me. Nothing but silence, I creep around to the roughly made wooden door then carefully push the door just enough to make a crack for me to look through to see the inside. Appears to be empty as I push the door the rest of the way open. This isn't what I expected but it's cozy little house that is decorated with a lot of what appears to be made handmade furniture and cloths.
These people have done very well for themselves with very little, my thoughts broken by the sound of voices getting close. My eyes widen as I wonder where the hell I can hide, there isn't any place in here. Shit! I realize I've also left the door still standing open as I see a woman standing at it staring directly at me. Speechless I just gaze at her with my mouth slightly opened until she finally breaks the silence between us.
“What are you looking for here?” She questions, in a curious but stern tone.
“Nothing, I am passing through and never seen clay houses like this.” I shudder, with my hands tightly gripping each other behind my back.
“I am not sure I believe that, however I will let you know that there isn't anything here worth stealing.” The lady declares, looking at my bag mischievously with disbelief.
Calming my breath for a moment as she stares at me like she can see right through me, I back up a step.
“Okay, you got me, I did see the green house and I was tempted, but I swear I didn't take anything… check my bag if you want.” I confess, sliding the bag off my shoulder, onto the floor in front of me and stepping back half a step once more.
We are interrupted by a man entering the home and immediately puts up a fierce stance, suddenly I find myself at this point in a full panic. No windows big enough to slide through, only one door and this guy is serious looking.
“Who is this? Is she stealing??? You need to get her out in case she is infected you know they aren't safe; why didn't you call for any of us!?” He questions with agitation.
Quickly I back all the way against the wall as I go into fight or flight mode.
“Oh please, she isn't a Will'er she was snooping and carrying a bag; both of us know they are too stupid to be prepared or keep food on them. Besides I'm pretty sure I could beat her into the ground in a second. Look at her, she is like tiny in comparison.” She jokes, then glances at me with a rough smirk, turning back to shrug at him with confidence.
He starts to look upwards with a slight roll of the eyes in sarcasm. “Always think you know everything, don't you?” He says with sarcasm as he squints his eyes at her.
“She claims she didn't steal anything and offered for me to check her bag, so feel free to go for it if you think she is lying.” She points him to the bag in the middle of the floor that I backed away from.
I stand there nervously as he walks over to the bag and crouches down and starts digging to find the supplies that I had from the cabin I rampaged back in the woods.
“She doesn't seem to have anything that is ours, but she does have some pretty good supplies that I rarely see these days. Girl where did you get all this stuff, did you just come from the city or have you been going to villages stealing?” He asks, still crouched over digging though my bag while looking up at me.
“I didn't come from the city, I don't … It's from a cabin I found abandoned in the woods I came across.” Explaining to him but leaving out details.
“We don't tolera
te thievery here and lucky for you it seems you didn't take anything. What are you doing, just wondering around in the woods? Do you not have a village or a place to live that's safe with others?” He says, standing up with my bag still in his hand.
“No, I…” Stuttering to come up with an explanation without saying anything about Oaken Woods.
“Well, go on then.” He tosses the bag back on the floor towards me softly.
“It's not important… you don't have servants, right? Can I go?” My voice shakes as I rush to verbalize my desire to leave.
They both seem humored by what I said “No we don't have anything to do with the human trade market and those people don't come here. We wouldn't offer them anything and passers know that. Here we have built our community on a more natural and freer lifestyle, human trafficking is disgusting and isn't how society should be rebuilt so we do not participate. However, that said, if you steal then we make you repay the debt. I know you didn't, but you considered it. Here we are looking for a different type of person, and we can't ask you to stay since we try to keep our numbers low to match our resources anyways.” The lady explains, as she looks at me and back at the man to verify, he feels the same.
“I agree, we don't keep servants, but we will make sure you move on far from here. I will escort you myself far enough from the village and if you come back, we will take you to a village that does keep servants and let them keep you. Understand?” He says, as he lingers by the doorway.
“Yes, can I go now then?” Asking the man while I grab my bag quickly off the floor and wait impatiently.
Revelation of Raelia: Book One Page 15
