SURVIVORS
Chaptre 76. Fireflies
Three days later.
In the morning the horses were taken out of the stable. The bridles were tied to the wood of the fence, and they were given grass and water. The horses were eating happily because this morning they were finally removed from the stable after the mud started to dry up. Some days they don't feel free in that cage.
Previously, Robert had made plates of clay engraved with their names all as a reminder to anyone who would later find this place. Robert burned the plate in the fireplace in the middle of the yard last night. Now the name plate is placed in front of the cottage door.
The women prepare breakfast. The wooden table has been left in the kitchen since the rain. Everyone gathered and finished breakfast. There wasn't much talk, because everything was decided last night.
The cutlery is quickly cleaned and stored as necessary in a basket. Horses are given saddles and upholstery to fasten the built-in load-bearing ropes.
They're ready now. Everyone was holding a horse's harness. The doors of the cottage and the kitchen and the windows were closed. They pulled the horse out of the yard. As Robert tied the gate, they saw the place one last time. The spy who started to feel warm and wet looked down and immediately turned around, pulling the horse following Indra who had walked first.
The warm residence that some time they occupy comfortably, will now be a memory because it has to be abandoned in order to find a way home.
There was a bit of a discrepancy given how hard they worked to build it from scratch to feel comfortable and humane to live in.
Given the grief they went through in this world, losing 3 friends in a day. It is also the difficulties of surviving in the wild that force them to adapt quickly. From who do not know how to make an earthenware bowl, so proficient.from who do not know the types of wild plants that can be eaten so understand.
The body that used to be weak due to pampered modern facilities has turned into a strong sturdy. Now they are skilled at riding, archery and using spears to hunt or defend themselves.
They walked towards the river. Crossing the small river that used to be a place to bathe and wash. Then along the side of the river through the willow grove. Half an hour later it turned towards the maple forest after finding the branching of the river.
It didn't take long, they had arrived at the edge of the hot spring. Indra stopped his horse, followed by the others.
"We can drop off the luggage here" said Robert who was immediately carried out by another team member.
Two horses were lined up and on their backs they were placed wood with willow webbing. Some luggage is placed on top of the matting to avoid wetness.
Indra, Gilang and Robert entered the pool, walked towards the middle of the pool and disappeared behind the rock cliffs that jutted into the middle of the pond.
"Well, we first go up to the edge and wait for you guys," Indra said.
Indra and Gilang pulled the horse slowly so that all the items on the horse's back did not fall if it slipped. Robert noticed they started to take the items down and return the willowwood matting to Robert.
Robert returned to the edge of the pool where the other team members were waiting. They again juxtaposed two horses and placed a willow webbing on his back. Then put their luggage there. This time it was Chandra and Niken's doctor's turn to walk into the pool.
As soon as they took turns crossing the pool of warm water while guiding the horses carrying the goods on their backs. Robert and Laras ended the crossing. They gave time for Robert and Laras to change their wet clothes first.
"Well, now is the time to continue our journey" said Robert, with a nod of his head.
"Robert, don't you think this pool might be a 2-way door?" ask Indra.
"You mean?" Robert asked back.
"So this willow webbing can be brought back many times by you right? Unlike the time we crossed that wall of light, this time we could even still see the existence of that pond." Indra explained.
"Hmm, I don't know. It's probable. Why?" robert did not understand.
"Maybe we can go back to the beach through this pool again" replied Indra.
Robert finally understood.
"If the environment ahead is very bad, we might be able to go back. That's what you mean, isn't it?"
Robert guessed the point of their conversation. Indra nodded. Robert smiled and patted Indra on the back.
"Let's start our adventure in this new world. All set?" ask Robert.
"Ready!" they answered excitedly.
Robert led the party in front. Lead the horse while looking left right. But the trunks of the tree were like they were covered in a dark wall behind them. Make Robert can not see the view of the forest or choose another path other than the very long maple tree aisle.
Robert stopped, then grabbed the maple leaves that were falling on the ground. The red leaves were held. 'These leaves are real' he thought. Try to approach and feel the maple stem, 'this is also real' he murmured.
But, even though it was that close to the maple trunk, Robert still could not see what was behind the tree trunk. He could only see what was in front of his eyes.
"What's wrong?" ask Laras who is standing behind him.
"Can you see past this side of the maple stem?" Robert pointed to the dark field between the tree trunks.
"Isn't that weird? Sunlight penetrates this part we're going through, but not the back of that tree." Robert expressed his astonishment.
"You're right! We are led to follow the path."
Indra chimed in after observing the maple walls on the left and right of the passageway.
"Like an illusionary field that limits our view. I don't know what the world behind it is like." Niken shuddered to imagine.
"you mean? Did someone intentionally put up an illusion here?" Angel nimbrung's.
They stopped and gathered at that place now. Look at each other with worry.
"I think this beautiful maple alley might be a trap to lure people in. Being led along the path they set out to take, and then into their very bad world." Niken expressed his thoughts.
"Then how? We gonna go on or come back?" ask Silvia.
"We've been looking for a way out there for a long time, but there's no other way but by sea like that alien ship, or through this passageway. Through the sea we obviously can't. So there's only a choice of this path to find a way out" Robert explained.
Robert was not bothered by their doubts at this moment. He understood that in recent times, his friends had felt a settled and comfortable life. Unknowingly, they had already considered the cottage as a home. No wonder if they hesitate to continue the journey, because they must definitely face the difficulties of life again. Difficulties that have not been imagined.
"Well, anyway, we have to keep going. If you want to go home, then there's no turning back." Doctor Chandra reminded them of their original purpose.
All looked down and looked back up and straightened their heads.
"Okay, we're going to walk."
Leon stood up from his seat and confirmed the position of the bow on his back, followed by Liam who immediately stroked the head of his horse.
"Come," Robert again led the group to leave where they had rested earlier.
The fall of the sunlight that broke through the leaves began to change direction. The longer the more lopsided the sign of the day starting in the afternoon. But the maple aisle is like no end.
"How about we rest here?" ask Robert to the exhausted team member.
They immediately sat down to stretch their legs on the maple leaves to relieve soreness.
"Don't forget to give drink and grass to the horses, ' exclaimed Robert reminded.
Robert checked his little water jug. Drink a little, then give the rest to drink his dark horse. As soon as Robert gave the grass he was carrying to the horse, the horse neighed happily and ate voraciously.
Robert patted the trunk of a maple tree near the horse standing. He cleaned a little surface of the tree trunk from moss and dirt, then stabbed it deep enough. He pulled the knife and waited. Shortly dripped water out of the knife.
'Thank God' his mind was happy.
He made another prick cut the knife's puncture mark earlier. Make a small triangular shape with the pointed part below. Then stick a small willow twig at the small end. Robert tied his water jug with a rope to hold the water droplets coming out of the willow stem.
"What are you doing?" ask doctor Chandra.
"Capturing a supply of drinking water," replied Robert straightforwardly.
"Water can be drunk?" Dr. Chandra observed the water dripping from the willow twig.
"Yes." Yeah."Robert was sure.
"Make it for us too Robert. My water supply is also running out" Silvia said.
Robert nodded. Assisted by Leon, finally all drinking water jugs tied up in the tree to accommodate the water droplets of maple trees.
That night they rested under the shade of a maple tree. The place was illuminated by the fireplace light and flickering firefly body light as night fell. They save the candle, because the place is already fully illuminated.
"Waahh, I haven't seen a firefly in a long time. So remember when I was a kid in the village." Doctor Chandra let out a long sigh and smiled.
For Robert, the presence of fireflies hints that the place is still very natural and awake. He was no longer worried about strangers who might harm his team. So it is only necessary to keep an eye on the presence of the savage beast.
***