by Joe Stanley

4

So now it was clear, where ever we were, there were dangers all around. We could not turn back for the charge of disobedience, we were sure, would yield up much more than the lash. We were trapped between death and death. On the ship it was certain, but here there was a chance, albeit a chance none dared calculate.

Turning, we began a trek toward the rift sparing not a single branch or leaf from our vengeance. At first our progress was slow, but as we reached the twisted trees the undergrowth was thankfully thin.

What trees! They rose like gnarled claws or the horned domes of buried, giant demons sleeping just beneath the soil. I, though not one to carry weapons, was thankful for the pistols and the ball and powder I held. If such could not protect me, well…

For a time we found that we could only climb and fall and wander through this maze. One by one we noticed shadows slipping through the distant haze. We said it is but some bird or forest creature scurrying away. For if it meant us harm surely it would fall upon us and not away.

Within the verdant cavern, the air was hot and steamy and we found ourselves exhausted repeatedly. Sadly, we would glance back while we gasped seeing still the place where we rested last. Frequent and more numerous the shadow things appeared and slipped away.

As we crested a hill a sight caught us by surprise. On the ground there were structures which resembled the most primitive of huts, these being little more than branches forming cones about the height of a man. A village perhaps? If so, where were the people?

For there, nothing stirred in the gloominess around. Not a greeting or a warning broke the silence with a sound. There were no fires burning nor a pit upon the ground. And of the cone-like huts there was no entrance to be found.

What in God’s name goes on here?

Then some fool lashed out and smashed one of the cones. And then he stumbled back with many anguished gasps and groans. For piled within were resting some collection of bare bones. There I swear I thought I heard some soft escaping moans.

These were not the bones of men.

Then from behind us, through the trees there came a howl. Then another joined it in a dirge both foul and humbling for anyone who never heard its sound. And so we met the builders! They swarmed in from all directions flinging rocks and sharpened sticks.

Several of us quickly bleeding brought our arms to bear upon the green and stinking ape-things who had left their dead with care. Though many fell and many fled, still others stormed us there. One seized a man and flung him, like a ragdoll, through the air. Into a tree and battered lifeless, no more then aware.

Now these things with red eyes gleaming knew that we could die and they mustered in the shadows ready for another try. So come then beast, come with me, and together we will fly! And there we repelled them and our smoke filled up the sky.

Our mate shouted that the rift we sought then was in sight. So we concentrated fire and escaped there from the fight. As we fled the forest shadows how they roared with all their might, but we left them far behind us as we fled into its night.

Into the gloomy darkness of the rift we fled the light.

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