SURVIVORS
Chapters 27. Eugene et Cerise (revision)
After a long walk in the cave passage that was only illuminated by the dim rays of firewood, Dean finally found a branching path. 'Hmmm, which direction should I choose? Left or right?' Dean thought hard.
"Ah, to the right first.. If it's a dead end then stay back" murmured Dean. He then started to enter the right hallway and walked quite a distance before finally seeing a small light from his front. Dean's very happy. The hope of getting out of the cave will soon be fulfilled. With a quick step Dean approached the direction of the small white light.
'Is that the sunlight coming in through the mouth of this cave? The path is somewhat downhill, meaning there is a cave mouth at the foot of the inner mountain again.
Dean watched the descending path and looked wider like a room in front of him. It might still be easy to get down, but it wouldn't be so easy to ride without help. It would be difficult to go back and tell this to Widuri who was waiting away from him. 'If Widuri then follows in and chooses the other path, we might be separated' Dean's inner self. He decided to postpone the descent and then turned back to the crossroads.
Arriving at the intersection, Dean continued his investigation into the passage he had not entered earlier. Dean walked for about 15 minutes as the dark, light-filled passageway of firewood he was holding suddenly became brighter. But it was different from the bright white light in the other hallway. With curiosity Dean approached the small, purplishly glowing dots along the wall. Dean brought the firewood closer to see what was shining on the wall. She's surprised. It was like a purple colored gemstone. The stone gave off a faint light in the dark. It would not be bright enough if there were only 1 stone, but since the stone was along the cave passage within a certain distance, then the light was enough to illuminate the passageway.
"There's something strange," murmured Dean frowned then took a closer look at all the light on the wall. Dean was shocked beyond measure when he realized it.
"The stones are arranged neatly and straight as high as his chest with the same distance between each stone. The light stones were deliberately placed on a small hole in the wall. Means there was someone here before. But where was this previous occupant?"
Dean was very excited to continue his move. A hundred yards after that Dean found another branch. The two branches were illuminated by the light of a purple gemstone. 'Hmmm, I think they stayed here long enough to feel the need to light the hallways for easy walking. Perhaps these two passageways were where they lived, and the passageway with the white light was the entrance'. Dean thought with a happy smile. He chose the passageway to the right.
Quite far away from the intersection Dean finally saw a brighter purple light at the end of the passageway. Dean sped up his pace and was transfixed when he finally arrived at the end of the passageway which was like the mouth of a cave. Dean came closer and saw that the cave was quite spacious and filled with light from the wall to the top. Even under his feet were purple gemstones shining brightly. The sizes vary, from big to small. Dean stepped in and saw some age-eaten wooden sticks slung against the wall.
"Is this the light stone mine? They're mining it with the wood" Dean spoke to himself. He was expecting one of the woods to be leaned against the wall and tried to pry one of the stones. After poking it with the old wood twice, the wood was instantly broken. 'Yahh, this wood is getting too old and starting to be fragile' Dean's inner. Then he took the spear and used it to bring the purple glowing stone. After some effort, the stone finally loosened from its place. Dean tried to wiggle with his hands to release him from the surrounding pile of rocks.
Krakk! The stone finally came off. The bottom attached to the pile of stones had been broken. Dean observed the fault. Trying to hit that little break with his spear. Krakk. Back the tip of the stone was broken a little. 'It's more like a crystal, prone to breaking or breaking. Gems are usually much harder and may have to be mined with iron tools' Dean thought.
Dean walked out of the mine while carrying the sizable purple light crystal. 'I have to discuss this with others. If here is the mine, then the next passageway is where they live.' Dean stepped more excitedly towards the intersection of the original passageway and then took a step into the next passageway.
Dean also found a small leather-bound book on a flat rock. Dean picked up the book and sat down on the rock. He took off the leather strap that tied the book. Dean was shocked to see the writing there. How not, it's written in French. Dean is from Canada, he also speaks French in addition to English. Both languages are official languages in the country.
Dean read the front page of the book.
Carnet de voyage de Eugene et Cerise.
*Eugene and Cerise's travel records.
(Further written in Indonesian.. Author is not proficient in the beautiful French language ðŸ¤)
June 1956
The first summer after we got married. This is the honeymoon trip I promised you when I proposed to Cerise. May you always love each other forever.
'Wait first! 1956? It's been a long time. From France to here? How come?' Dean thought hard.
Dean flips the next page when an old photo slides down. Dean picked it up. Black and white wedding photo on the terrace of a magnificent building showing pillars and a large door behind it. Although it began to blur because it was eaten time, but because the photo was taken with a good distance then Dean could still see a handsome man and a beautiful woman there. They smiled happily in the photo. "They must be Eugene and Cerise. Enough family." muttered Dean and slipped the photo back on the front page. Dean proceeded to read the page of notes he opened as faintly echoed voices calling out his name. Dean listened carefully.
"Ahh, that's Widuri. He must be worried about being left alone. I'm too cool to explore these cave passages. I'd better go back and tell you about this finding. Besides, the people at the shelter should have delivered a little food here." Dean spoke for himself. He closed and rewinding the leather strap to close the notebook and put it in a bag. He also stored the purple crystal stone he had obtained earlier. Dean walked back to where Widuri had left him while grasping the spear and the firewood trunk that lived in coals.
***