SURVIVORS
Chapters 7. First Night (revision)
Dean continued his work cleaning branches and tree branches not far from there. The full twigs of leaves are collected for later use. Work is faster with a saw.
Some others came back by dragging down trees. Dean points out which parts need to be cut and cleaned. This work must be completed before dusk.
Assisted by 2 men, Dean tied 3 of the longest tree trunks with young branches that had been flexed on the fire. That would be the main support pole of their shelter.
The wooden ties were lifted to the door of the remaining aircraft room. Wooden rods are stretched into a triangle. 2 on the side of the plane wall, another one is directed near the fireplace for cooking.
After that they stuck the three rods deep enough in the snow pile. Then start adding the wooden rod again following the main pole. Surround the cooking area until it reaches the wall of the plane.
The men followed Dean's direction to cover the wooden gap with pine branches full of leaves. Now there are leaf walls as tall as their bodies. That was enough to hold back the wind from sneaking into the cooking room.
Dean covered the bottom of the fence with more snow to make it more sturdy. Others help his work.
Before long the work of building the fort was completed. They soon helped gather more supplies of wood to keep the fire at night. The wood was piled up near the campfire.
And quite a number of twigs full of leaves were picked and carried at Dean's request. They don't understand what it's for. But believe that Dean has a plan.
Shortly after that Robert and the others returned from the task of burying the bodies of the victims. The smell of food makes their stomachs hungrier. Robert nodded his head in satisfaction. They now have a refuge.
As soon as everyone got inside, Dean and Robert closed the entrance with the remaining wood and tucked away the leaves as cover and piled up the snow from inside.
The sky is reddish orange, the sign of the evening has come.
Widuri immediately distributed food to the women in the cabin of the plane.
The men followed Robert's way of picking up a handful of snow then rubbing it in both hands to clean it.
Soon they sat on a bed of pine leaves and warmed themselves in front of the fire. They were very tired, hungry and cold.
Laras and Niken distribute food to everyone. Although a little, but everyone gets their share, it should be grateful.
That afternoon Widuri was lucky to find tea and sugar packaging, so she could make and distribute tea for men to warm up.
But they're running out of bottled water. Tomorrow he'll ask Dean or Robert for a water source to drink.
They eat without sound. Scattered wood was burning fire as if music was delivering everyone to their minds. Undeniably, they must be thinking about family at home. Hope soon found rescue team to be able to gather again with loved ones left behind.
The night came with the howling of wolves. His voice was simple and very close. Dean and Robert decided to stand guard near the fire tonight. The others immediately entered the cabin of the plane to rest.
Dean and Robert worked together to dredge the snow, leaving some high to be used as beds. Dredged snow is stacked near the wooden rod so that the position is more sturdy.
Dean moved the fire more to the center so that the warm air could help warm the cabin space. Robert coats the snow cots with piles of pine leaves to make them warmer. Then cover it with a blanket given Baras.
Some other leaves are placed near the fire for a standing seat.
Widuri, Laras and Niken were still sitting in front of the cabin door checking the luggage that Robert had been carrying and was placed near the door.
They found food supplies, there were souvenir snacks and bottles of beer Pletok souvenirs typical of Jakarta. They also found instant noodles and bottled chili sauce in other suitcases. All three are excited not braids, because tomorrow everyone can still eat breakfast before activities.
Aaauuuuu....
Dean, Robert and the three women were shocked and immediately stopped their activities when they heard the sound of wolf howls so close.
"We go inside" whispered Widuri to Dean who was not far from her. Dean nodded.
"Be careful, and good night" whispered Widuri again in a low voice as if afraid of being heard by wolves.
He also followed two colleagues who had slipped first.
After Widuri disappeared, Dean immediately arranged and piled up the suitcase to close the cabin entrance. It was the last bastion.whatever happens, the people inside must be safe, his resolve was deep in heart.
Dean looked at Robert and said:
"We take turns to guard. You rest first. I'll keep the fire burning to keep the beast away."
"No, I see your body needs to be broken down, so rest first. I'll be on my guard" Robert refused.
"Is 2 hours enough? Because I guess, I will also reach the limit of sleepiness in 2 hours," added Robert joking.
Robert is a former soldier, sleep deprivation last night is nothing to exaggerate.
"alright. Wake me in 2 hours" Dean agreed.
He was very tired and his head hurt. So we need to rest now.
"Let the doctor examine your wound tomorrow morning. It seems very uncomfortable."
"This is a pain medication, take it. It's just a common medicine, whether it's useful to you," Robert bargained as he held out the medicine in his hand.
Dean immediately picked up and skimmed, it was Paracetamol. Right now, it was the medicine he desperately needed. Dean took the medicine and finished the warm tea in his glass, then lay down on the mat Robert had made.
Dean tightened his long coat and used a folded warm shirt as the base of his injured head to reduce pain. The warmth of the campfire and fatigue helped her fall asleep in an instant.
Robert turned to Dean who was already drifting in a dream.
"So soon he fell asleep" murmured Robert.
While sitting in front of the fire, Robert took out his beloved dagger. He picked and took 1 sturdy tree branch. Robert started slicing and slurping the tip of the branch. Made tapered sharp. It will be used as an emergency weapon.
So he continued to tap out a few more branches that he carefully selected. More guns, safer for everyone, he thought.
Robert stopped his work when he heard the small steps around the wooden fence. The beasts of the forest have come. They're trying to dig up snow.
But Dean had calculated that by piling snow higher outside and inside and plugging tree trunks deep enough. So it wasn't easy for the wolves to sneak in from below.
The beasts were still digging here and there, Robert was on standby with a dagger in his hand. Robert picked up and raised a wooden rod full of fire towards some of the animals trying to dig. There was the sound of the wolves growling every time they felt the heat of the fire approaching. It made them stop digging.
******
Spear