SURVIVORS
Chaptre 265. The Black Swamp
Morning agreement reached. Linch will drop them off tonight. So all day he could spend time at home with his wife and newborn son.
The women used the kitchen in Linch's house to cook the dishes that day. Dean took out their food supply.
Linch did not expect that the people who hired his services would generously help with childbirth as well as prepare dishes for everything.
'No wonder Captain Smith asked for my help to deliver this team safely' Inner Linch.
That day they rested, preparing for the heavy journey as Linch had said.
But not with Dean, Alan and Sunil. They dismantled part of the deck floor in the courtyard of the house.
Dean pulled and collected all the trash stuck in the foundation posts. So much damp and foul-smelling garbage.
Alan burned it with a red laser beam from his eyes. Soon all the rubbish becomes dust. The smell of burning garbage filled the air. But immediately swept by the sea breeze.
Linch came out of the house to see what was burning. He could not believe that his house was now completely clean of rubbish.
But the disgusting black muddy ground down there, Dean had yet to find a solution to fix it.
"What's wrong. Thank you for helping me clean up all the trash here. But, just save your energy. As the sea rises, trash from elsewhere will slowly spread across the city and get stuck in all the foundation pylons." Linch looked desperate.
Dean was silent to hear it. Linch has a point. Cleaning solutions like this are not very effective. Because the garbage has spread throughout the city, and has been going on for decades, ever since the city was founded.
After all, the unraveling trash had raised the level of the city's land that was originally a very wet swamp. And it seems, the residents here are also used to smelling this unpleasant aroma. That's why they don't bother about it anymore.
"alright. I'm gonna get this deckboard straight back together again" Dean said.
Linch nodded. Pat Dean on the shoulder and return home. He was helped Sunil was tidying up the kitchen and bathroom. There are a lot of dirty things that are being washed.
Linch had to finish everything at home before afternoon. He will leave his wife for a few days. While his condition is still weak. So Linch had to make sure all of Leah's needs were inside the house.
After drying all the cloth he had washed, Linch decided to find a supply of firewood and food for Leah. Dean handed Linch 300 silver coins.
"I'll go first. You guys should lock the gate. Don't open it, whoever's calling. Unless I go home," Linch said.
Although he was astonished, Dean nodded. He has no intention of interfering in other people's affairs.
Dean continues cleaning the house, while killing time.
*
*
"I have to go."
Linch said goodbye to Leah and hugged her.
"Be careful," Leah said as she returned her embrace.
"If you want to go back again, let me accompany you before you leave" Linch bargained.
Leah shook her head. "Bring them in safety. They look like good people. Avoid the red line!" message Leah.
Linch nodded. "certain."
Linch tied a pouch on his waist. He checked the contents. Then tuck two large curved blades on the left-right of his belt.
Linch looked ready.
"There's food on the table, if you're hungry. There is enough water, food and wood in the kitchen. You don't need to be out for a few days" Linch said.
Leah smiled. "You're the best."
Linch peed Leah's forehead. "I'm leaving. If anything happens to me, open our secret place. You can raise our son in peace" whispered Leon.
"You should go back. Or I'll curse you, so you won't die so easily!" Leah stared intently into Linch's eyes. Linch nodded.
"We're leaving, Leah. Thank you for your hospitality" Dean said.
"No. I have to thank you. You were sent by the gods to save my son. I owe my life." Leah said wholeheartedly.
"Take care of your handsome son" said Dr. Chandra.
"Thank you, doctor." Leah nodded.
*
*
The team was out as the night got late. The city had been sleeping in the cradle of the night wind.
Linch took the path very carefully and vigilantly. Dean was unable to understand Linch's high alertness, even while he was in his own home. When they left earlier, Linch made sure that the wooden fence had been locked properly.
So far, their journey has been smooth. Although it had to turn around several times to avoid the city officers who were patrolling.
Now they stand at the end of a street made of wood. The wood looks old and weathered here and there. Not many people seem to have crossed this road.
"It's the end of our journey" Linch said. He looked towards the dense darkness ahead.
Dean's team members looked at him confused and expected an explanation. In front of them there is no road. Then where are you going? Do I have to jump into the darkness?
"Yes, we must wade through that dark swamp!"
"What?!"
There was a little protest from the women. They are not willing to plunge into the swamp water full of dirt and smell. They can't afford. Just imagining it makes you sick.
"Sunil, Alan, can you detect the presence of aliens in that darkness?" ask Dean.
Sunil and Alan circulated their gazes around. Both eyes glowed blue and red.
"Is there any danger at the top of this swamp?" dean asked Linch.
"No. You guys have to follow my way to stay safe. There are many traps in this swamp, to avoid people crossing it," Linch replied.
"How far do we get to land after the swamp?" ask Dean again.
"If we walk fast without a hitch, we will reach the end of the swamp when the sun appears" Linch replied again.
"I don't see anything suspicious in this darkness" Alan said.
Sunil nodded in agreement. "I didn't see anything either."
"Good! We take turns to take them to dry land at the end of the swamp. Sunil, you keep the others here!" Dean made the arrangements.
"No! We better walk together. It's a waste of time if you have to go back and forth here" argued Linch.
Dean shakes. He wanted a bivara, but it preceded Linch.
"I've been through this swamp a lot. Trust me, there's dry land at the end there. I'm not lying!" linch said insistent.
Dean sighed. He smiled and patted Linch on the shoulder.
"Well, if there really is dry land there. But I've got a better way of getting there" Dean said calmly.
"Sunil, we're ready. I'm taking Widuri and Cloudy. You take Linch and Robert. Can you?" ask Dean.
"OK," replied Sunil.
Dean hugged Widuri and Cloudy. Then the three floated above the weathered road.
Linch was very surprised to see Dean who could fly soaring. Looking at it, the team members looked ordinary and not surprised. Except Leon and Jane.
Sunil has Robert's hand. Impatiently, Linch's hand was drawn so that it could be carried. Linch shouted stifledly. He had not expected to be taken flying by Sunil.
They waded through the thick black mud of the swamp.
"Show the dry land!"
Sunil's words managed to restore Linch's focus. He began to notice the darkness. He gave directions to his right and left, following his memories as he walked through the swamp.
Sunil little mangkel. They could actually fly straight. Not having to follow the zig-zag like you are avoiding a trap in the swamp.
"Front there!" exclaimed Linch.
"Is it dry land ahead?" ask Dean.
"No! You guys are flying. Beware of the big, shady tree ahead!" obviously Linch.
"okay!"
Dean nodded. They could soon find the tree. The tree shines in the darkness. Illuminate the whole place and the dense marsh water.
"That's the tree of death. That's why this swamp is closed so that no more victims fall!"
Linch explained without being asked.
"Death tree?" Widuri.
"I thought it was just a glow in the dark tree. There may be a source of phosphorus beneath the swamp that feeds him" Robert said.
"It makes sense," Dean said.
"Where are we going now?" sunil asked Linch.
"Oh, we're going this way."
Linch pointed in a turning direction avoiding the tree.
Although it felt silly, Dean and Sunil still followed Linch's direction.
"That's the land!" exclaimed Linch happily. He was happy, because the journey became faster by flying.
"You guys wait here. We picked up the others" Dean said.
"okay!" replied Robert.
Robert watched around and checked. He's being vigilant. That's why Dean brought him here first.
******