by Amanda Rose
“Well aren’t we in a mess,” Vince said starring up at the ice barrier. “Yea, talk about a sticky situation. This really blows… how the hell are we going to get out of here?” Mei sighed. Kairu walked up to the wall of snow and ice, examining it closely. “What do you see?” Yu-Lee noticed him, and took up an interest. “Come here…” he said as he touched his hand up against it. “What is it?” she said upon approach. “It’s thick and the inside is completely ice. Before the fire went out it probably heated the snow closest to it, and then when it blew out the melting snow froze,” his wise words theorised. “I think you’re right… this isn’t good,” Yu-Lee said feeling the wall just as he had.
Mack rose from the fire and looked around, “We’re going to have to dig our way out, lots of force to get threw the ice sheet…” before he could make the start of another word Masumi jumped in, “Whoa, you have to be careful with this! If you pound it too much it’s going to collapse in on us,” she offered her expertise. “We’re in trouble,” Mei huffed. Little did they know just how right Mei would be; they were in trouble, a heap load of it.
Their fire dissipated slowly away until it was not much more than a flicker. They continued to add items they could spare to keep it burning, but the fire consumed them as quickly as they hit the flame. Then finally it ceased, on the third day, and that was when the cold began to take its wrath out on them. Becoming brutally tired they noticed their bodies being drawn to sleep. They could only chip at the ice during the day now, by mid-afternoon when the light shone appropriately on their dig site. The rest of the time the danger was too high for a cave in, so, for those few hours they summoned their bodies to work for them, against the fatigue through sheer will.
They rationed their food, and snow they had melted into water until there was no more fire, before resorting to their canteens. They sat chilled in nature’s freezer, knowing they needed to escape fast, or they would die in this place. Within the first fire-free day Yu-Lee became quite ill; she’d been asleep near the fire before it had gone out, and the heat had melted the snow near her. When the fire dyed the water began to freeze on her body. The shock had rendered her morbidly ill, and her weak constitution was working against her. She coughed harshly until they noticed her start to bring up phlegm. They gave her extra water, and she used her magick connection to try and help herself to be aided, as well as to guide them to be freed from this death trap.
Suako got Masumi to take care of Yu-Lee during the hours they all worked to carefully chip away the ice. Masumi cared for Yu-Lee as a nurse would her patient, tending to her with water and the left-over broth. In between keeping an eye on Yu-Lee, she went out to watch them dig and make sure the ice wasn’t cracking up above their heads. Slashing away at the ice with knives, and random crude objects, they were making some headway. Ice flung this way and that, attacking the chipper with sharp shards; small cuts were etched into the skin of whoever had been working on the tunnel.
Just living out the hours of the rest of the day was agonising, their skin became red-raw in their entrapped climate. It wasn’t long before the others began to show symptoms like Yu-Lee had first shown. Their lunges became saturated with their own bodily fluids, and the liquid seemed to double the intensity of the frigid air they brought into their bodies. The rest of the day and the night stretched on into an abyss of time.
The feeling of claustrophobia was slowly starting to agitate Jenko, who longed to wander the great wide world. He distracted himself by working on his map of the Imperial continent, for as long as the dim light stayed around. The others tried to encourage him with the idea of escape into mind. With great struggle he contained his anxiety, but after his ink became to thick to utilise, his desperation for escape started to nag at him. Mack tantalised his brain with distracting conversation whenever he could muster up the thought capacity to do so.
Kairu stuck by Masumi. He felt the need to protect her, and he offered to help keep her warm and share his blankets. “Thanks…” Masumi, quite jittery, crawled under the partially warm weave. “You’re welcome,” he told her. In silence the group sat most of the time. It was a difficult decision on whether to use one’s voice or not, for either choice was twofold: talk and be distracted from your mind’s lonely contempt, but struggle and aggravate an already weary body, or, stay silent and rest the body, but overwork the mind. “S… so, tell me a, about your home…” Masumi stuttered.
Suako slept on her side next to Vince, as she lay their, her breaths were rashly taken in and exhaled in a raspy fashion. Vince watched every little movements her body made, listening to the heavy struggled breaths. Her once soft porcelain skin cheeks now red and dry. Her chain hung about her neck, the amethyst pendant rested on the ground near her slightly outstretched arm. Her hair lay down her neck and face gracefully, framing her face like a portrait. Ruby red lips looked like candy, deliciously tempting candy begging to be had. It was so amazing to him that so much beauty could appear in such a brutally treated being.
Despite the dissipating light Vince held his journal open to a blank page in his hand, and with a piece of charcoal in his hand, he began to grace the sheet. Dark strokes morphed into a gradually shaping form on the paper; Suako began to emerge in his book. The sleeping beauty of the snow cavern, each hair he placed with much thought and caution. He looked at his subject, his grim heart aching with every cough her gentle frame endured.
Suako, recreated from all time within those moments, would ever remain in his sacred book. Her symmetrical features pleased the critical eye. Ruffled sheets below shoulder covered the rest of her body. Besides her face, the only other skin showing was her hand next to her pendant. Long graceful fingers stretched out, slender but not bone-like, they pressed against the floor. Her curvy nails complimented the already outstanding glory of her angelic hands.
Vince looked about their prison. He saw Mei and Kato sleeping, pressed up against one another. Their mutual heat kept them within a comfort zone, if such a thing was possible to achieve within this morbid cavern. Masumi and Kairu sat side by side talking, chilled down to the bone. Yu-Lee slept to his right, Mack paced around, and Jenko working, intensely focused in on his map.
We’re were birds trapped in a cage... Birds need to be free to explore. They were given wing so that they could fly. Birds that are caged always die unhappily, and much before their time. Caged birds lived with heavy hearts, always dreaming of the wild. I want our freedom back. No way in hell are we falling victims to this cage! Vince thought, his blood heated from the anger for the first time in a while.
The sun had reached the peak, and Vince was on a mission. Freedom was his goal. He would not watch his friends die in this place. He would not submit himself, he would fight to survive until his last breath; nothing could get in his way.
Throbbing fingers took grasp of a long metal pole. Marching over to the icy door they were opening, he was ready to finally get through the damn thing once and for all. Vengeance glittered in his determined eyes. Raising the pole up high he brought it down hard, striking their work site. Wham, Whack! The pole struck repeatedly. Adrenaline drove him on. “I,” Whack! “…Will,” Crack! “…Not,” Crunch! “…Die,” Whoop! “…In,” Wham! “…Here!” with one last beat down on the ice it finally shattered into a million tiny pieces.
Vince stood there, heaving from exhaustion, looking at what he’d done in a state of disbelief. He wondered for a moment if he’d just been dreaming, his heart pounded his chest from his angry breathing. Then suddenly he began coughing, as his weary body had been through a lot. “You did it Vince!” Mei exclaimed coming out from the tent. They all flocked around him. Together they dug through the few feet of snow on the other side, praising Vince as they did. And then it came: Light! Glorious light peered in and lit up the dark cave; the door to the birdcage had swung open, and now they could fly away.
They took down the tent and packed their things quickly, then crawled out to freedom. Carefully they pulled Yu-Lee threw, who lacked the
energy to make it by herself. Blinding light pierced their unadjusted eyes, but after several disorienting moments, once their eyes stopped stinging, they could see the outside world once again. The sky above was as blue as it had ever been, the ground all around was covered in deep snow, and slippery ice sheets lay below that. The warmth felt tangible as the sun heated their near-death bodies; instant relief overcame them all.
Hoarsely breathing, Masumi made out what she wished to say, “On… On the other side, side of the bridge… there… there’s a cabin… blankets… fireplace…” coughs followed. “Good. Let’s go,” Mack insisted. Hiking Yu-Lee onto his back, Mack carried her for the entire duration of the trip. Trudging along, the snow tired already tiresome bodies. They circled to the back of the mountain in hastily. Just as Masumi had told them before a rope bridge connect the two mountains.
They looked toward the rickety bridge with questioning eyes. “This… will, ‘ll actually hold? Masumi?” Kato asked, examining it. “Yes… my father crossed it… many times. L-look… see? The cabin…” She replied, pointing across. Her legs were barely able to support her. They all turned. And saw the cabin, which appeared minuscule in the distance, but they could see it regardless. Mack passed of Yu-Lee to Vince. “I’ll test it first… everyone follows after me,” Mack commanded. “We’re right behind you boss,” Mei quickly pushed her words free of her lips in a single gasp.
Cautiously Mack tested the bridge. He applied his foot and gave it a strong pus, which made it creak like an overly used floorboard in an old house. The snow hadn’t piled much on the surface of the bridge, the wind had blown it off while it gusted the stormy night. Ignoring the noise, he recognised that it took the pressure well, and stepping on with his full weight he felt supported. Looking down between the wooden boards beneath his feet he could see the sharp icicles shimmering like threatening daggers hundreds of feet below. He raised his head and regretted to look down again. Taking in a deep breath he shuttered and continued onward; the rope guard-rails clenched in his fists. A quarter of the way across he could tell the bridge was sturdily constructed, so he called back to the others and they began to follow.
The bridge swayed as they crossed. The sheer elevation, and that they were above the ice below was eyrie, sending shivers down each one of their spines. Kairu and Masumi supported each other as they crossed. Speedily they went, travelling with light steps. They each felt that the faster they were on solid ground again, the better. Uncomfortably they heard each sound being amplified as it echoed throughout the gorge far below.
Mack was closing in on the snow covered rocky edge ahead. Thoughts of food, shelter and warmth permeated his thoughts. He was contented to be so close to luxury, but also thought of the need to get the others the cabin because of their desperate need for a healthy environment. Yu-Lee was ghastly white and barely conscious the past day.
So many thoughts swirling around in his busy mind Mack wasn’t watching his step. Whoosh! He found his feet sliding and dropping off the side threw a gap in the criss-crossing ropes. Luckily, he had a death grip on the rope with his hand, though the wind seemed to tease him with its sick sense of humour as it whisked by his tangling feet, whistling as it went.
Mack felt the nothingness surrounding his dangling limbs. The icicles below looked ever so much more sharp and pointy in this position, like starved dogs that are held back just by a cage, they seemed to antagonise him. The precarious way in which he hung strained his arms. Looking down he watched his feet swish to and from his line of sight.
“Mack!” Mei screamed frantically. Kato was about to make his move toward him, but Kairu had been a step ahead of him. Like a cheetah he ran, pushing past the mental and physical barriers of lethargy. The others hobbled as quickly as numb limbs, and unresponsive muscles, could endure to take them. Kairu soared across the bridge, his legs felt like glass bending just before it cracks. The ache was horrible, but presence of mind prevailed.
Suspended in the air, everything seemed to slow down for about the first thirty seconds for Mack, each movement lasted an eternity. Not until Kairu hovered above him, hand extended toward him, did life revamp itself into its natural flow. “Mack, here…” Kairu said clasping down on Mack’s forearm. Kato caught up and helped Kairu to yank Mack back up. Mack felt the pressure of their fingers press into his skin, and the gradual elevation; upward his limp body went. His body tingled where they had grabbed onto him as he was laid on the bridge.
Bam! The sudden realisation struck light a bolt of lightning. “Are you ok Mack?” worried voices asked, and dwelled on him. He sat there with his thoughts for a second, then he looked up at them all to see them staring down at him. He trying to stand, and Kairu and Kato helped him to his feet. He then addressed them, “I’m fine. Let’s just keep going.” And from there he walked on, not desiring to discuss the intense reality check. Looking around dumbfounded at each other, all they could do was follow and pry with continuous questions of his well being. Repetitiously he dismissed their questions, insisting he was fine, and then returned to the path they were on.
Eventually they accepted their defeat in getting him to talk, and they followed their leader as steadfast as ever. Her took them to the end of the bridge, where each of them was thrilled to be leaving the slippery, wobbling suspension they’d had to cross. Masumi then guided them the rest of the way to the cabin. Forcing leaden eyes open wide enough to watch her step, their only motivation was the destination that lay ahead. One foot in front of the other Masumi… almost there… she told herself as she stumbled forth leaning on Kairu.
Not to long after departing the bridge, it was there; just feet ahead the cabin rested. It was a simple cabin, more like a hut, it’s construction was simple, and wood walls quite thin. The lead weights on her eyes seemingly migrated down into her legs just before the reached it the cabin. Mack headed it on, and opened the cabin. Masumi ceased walking allowing the others to pass, and Jenko carried semi-conscious Yu-Lee inside. He happily displaced the extra weight from his back as he placed her down on a soft, at the far side of the cabin near an empty fireplace.
Once everyone else had escaped the cold outdoors Mack scuttled indoors as well closing the thin door behind him. The outer world was now shut out. The dark of the wood had absorbed the sun alone, making it warmer immediately. Somehow Mack found some energy, and dragged himself over to the pilled wood and picked u a few logs, then with every last ounce of strength he could muster took them over the fireplace. Jenko felt a bit of a second wind after releasing Yu-Lee. Clash! Clank! He hit the flint together. Finally, luck was on their side and the caught quickly, roaring upward with strong curling flames, it looked as if it had just been a prisoner freed after years of captivation.
They helped each other heat some water and distribute it amongst the deathly ill mercenaries. Humbly they took it. It may as well have been the nectar of the gods, instantly the sloshing fluid radiated heat from their centres outward. Taking their own share, then one last time checking on Yu-Lee, they found themselves at the mercy of their bodies. Falling on plush pillows, they were soon carried away into their dreams.
Death will NOT consume me here.
Chapter 17: Recuperation
How long has it been? “Mmm… Unn… Uh?” It hurts to breathe… “She’s awake…” “Good. It’s been days…” “I was so worried!” Where am I? Ah, the sun… too bright… “Ooh…” “Shh, take it easy.” But what’s going on? Someone just tell me what’s going on! “But… where…” My throat’s so dry… What happened? “In a safe place… Here we have some water and soup for you if you want?” Yes! Water, sweet juice of life how I want you! And I’m so hungry! It hurts... Feed me! “Y… yes please…” “Then let’s sit you up.” Oh, but my sides ache… Well my stomach hurts more. Fine sit me up, just let me eat!
Light was all there was. Sheer light, so bright it was blinding. Stressing the eyes, straining to keep eyes open, reflex fought her. Blink, blink! Fluttering lids shielded delicate pupils. The haze fi
nally faded gradually away, and Yu-Lee opened her eyes wide and looked around to everyone hovering by her side, everyone except for Suako. Jenko slide a pillow behind her back to sit her up. She had a better view of the room between the bodies that encircled her. She was in a poorly built cabin lying on a faded forest green sofa, which despite appearance couldn’t have possibly been any more comfortable. The curtains were spread wide-open over thin windowpanes. It was late afternoon, and there were four beds scattered around the room and a plaid recliner chair which had definitely seen better years. She looked to her feet when the crackle of the fire pulled her attention briefly.
“We were so worried!” Masumi said, smiling at the sight of Yu-Lee regaining consciousness. “Give her room everyone!” Suako insisted sliding through the crowd holding a bowl in one hand and a cup in the other. “C’mon I said! Shoo! She needs some space to breathe!” she insisted. “Good to have you back with us,” Suako said, as she took a seat beside Yu-Lee. “You gave us quite the scare for a while there!” and other such comments came from concerned, yet relieved, companions as they left to give her room.
“There, they finally went. Here, you must be thirsty…” Suako smiled with kind eyes as she put the cup to Yu-Lee’s dry lips. Diving into her the water, cool and delicious, wet the desert of her throat. Gulp, gulp, gulp! She drank as if she’d never done so before. After consuming a quarter of the glass, the water tickled her throat and she began to cough. “Whoa… take it easy. Don’t worry, you can have as much as you like. Take it slowly,” Suako assured with honest eyes.
Gathering her thoughts together, she just had to know what was going on, even though the food tempted an empty belly that begged for nourishment. “What happened?” she made out through heavy breaths. “Well… what do you remember last?” Suako asked before jumping into tale. “I remember…” What do I remember? Think! Think goddamn you! We climbed the mountain… Suako slipped… we reached top… The storm! “The blizzard… we were snowed in… everything else is a blur.”
