Its so different now. I'm different now. When I fell, I was found by a group of people who escaped the slaughter as well but needed to head west as well. Many of the adults in the group who held onto some sort of power knew of the other community that lay west, but that was all the information that they knew themselves. The information was so limited and secretive, but I get it. You couldn't trust anyone.
I was unconscious, laying in the mixed rubble of rock and dirt covered in dust and blood. At first they didn't know if I was alive, but refused to leave me on the side of the mountain. A few of the refugees carried me up the mountain, pass the line of view of the community.
I woke from my forced slumber with cold water being poured onto my face and light slaps on my cheek.
"Ahava, please wake up. Its okay. You're safe right now."
I slowly open my eyes, realizing that Gilda was looking over me. A larger, older woman, about 40 years old, was looming over me cupping my cheek with her hand. Her hair was wild. Even though her hair was braided, her hair had a mind of its own and went any direction it wanted too. She had aged wrinkles around her glistening eyes and smile lines surrounding her thin lips. I knew those wrinkles were caused by the years of happiness and laughter that she had experienced throughout her life. It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to my surroundings while my brain was still processing the timeline of events that was my life.
I lightly smiled back at her happy to see her. Ahava was an old term used by our people as an endearment for love or loved ones. Hearing Gilda say it, made my situation a bit more tolerable. I attempted to sit up and immediately moaned in pain as i realized that the rock slide did some damage. I had cuts along my neck and arms, bruises everywhere, and it felt like I got kicked by a horse on the side of my torso. My head was spinning from the pain caused by the rock hitting my head.
"How is she?" asked a man I did not recognize.
"She might have a broken rib or two, but her legs aren't broken, and it doesn't seem any more severe then that. I think she is going to be okay. Her head has a small cut, but nothing severe."
"Okay then we have to keep moving. They are going do clear this area soon and we have to head west as soon as possible." said the mysterious man again.
Gilda looked down at me and extended her hand. "This is gonna hurt dear, but we have to keep moving. You survived what the Earth gave you, you can survive walking. Let's go."
I grab her hand and force myself up. It felt like my body was protesting every movement possible and was content in lying down for the rest of my life.
"My....my family.....I need to get to them. Find them. Please."
"Look, we are all heading west and will probably catch up to them. Come with us or stay behind."
"Niko!" Gilda yelled. "She is one of us, and will stay with us, no matter what. We do NOT leave our own behind. You saw what they did to us. What they would do to her!"
Niko stared at Gilda, and nodded.
"Sorry, my son can be a bit temperamental sometimes. He's just stressed is all. Come dear."
Okay, so everyone seemed to be heading west to this much talked about settlement. The only thing that worried me is that many people know, I guess knew about this place, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Zuir found some information themselves.
Our group consisted of myself, Gilda, Niko, Ester and Isaiah (older married couple) and Joni ( his name was actually Johnathan, but Joni is what he preferred.) Our group did not consist of brave warriors or leaders, but regular people who needed to survive, for themselves or their family. But regular people have talent too. Gilda is an amazing cook who could turn grass into a delicious casserole. Don't ask me how, but she made it work. Joni was the skilled huntsman thank Achad. He trusted his bow and arrow more then he trusted us. He was able to catch more small game such as rabbit, fish, or foul but large game was very risky. I had some experience hunting with my father with rifle, bow and arrow, so I began to go on hunts with Joni. Ester would collect the firewould or anything that our group needed at the time. Isaiah had bad heart issues so he needed to rest often. He and Ester would collect dry pieces of wood together, her humming some made up melody that Isaiah would join in, them laughing at their little creation.
We trekked out west for days, full of the same hope. Everyone knew the same information, The community was out west. That's all we knew, and we had to find it fast. We didn't have guns or anything like that, but we did carry knives and Joni's bow and arrow. We were all tired, so tired. Supplies were beginning to run low, and we had to find this community fast.
We traveled for about 2 long months through different mountains separated by tall grassy plains. Occasionally I would catch a passing glimpse of a mother coyote and her babies always hungry, always searching. Deer trimming the prairie grass moving with a strong confidence and grace. Deer were highly valued in our community. To respect nature, is to respect yourself for nature is mother to all. Achad is mother to all.
We made it to the abundant treeline where bright rays of sun were fighting to get through the wide and broad leaves of the trees leaving shadow imprints scattered on the florest floor, illuminating the speckles of disturbed brown earth when suddenly we were ambushed on all sides completey surrounded by seven soldiers, guns drawn and no where to go. They were so silent and quick, who knows how long they have been watching us cross the field. A shiver went down my spine, and my mouth became ridiculously dry. We looked at each other frantically and slowly lifted how hands up. They weren't enemy soldiers, but they weren't friendly either.
"Move to the middle with your hands up! Any movement against our orders, and you will be shot...in the head."
We gingerly moved toward each other, dirt stricken hands in the air, not turning our backs on the soldiers. I scanned my surroundings hoping it was just these seven soldiers, not knowing who could be hiding in the landscape. I had to be honest with myself. There are so many places to hide and blend in, I would truly never know. That worried me more than terrified me.
"We are from the Achad people. We were attacked by the Zuir nation a few months ago." Gilda stepped forward.
"We have been traveling for quite some time and need rest. Will you not help us?" asked Ester tearfully.
"How do we know that you are not spies?" One of the soldiers asked.
"I am an old weary woman traveling with my son, and acquaintances we have known in our community. We also have a young girl with us who has lost her entire family. You can ask each of us our own separate account and the ending answer will be the same."
"The Zuir people do not choose spies. They will come and take. They do not care about others or peace. We despise them." Niko states abruptly, not afraid of the pointed artillery.
The soldiers looked at each other, and then to each of us. They slowly lowered their weapons.
"Okay, you will follow us, and be interviewed separately. If you are all telling the truth, you having nothing to worry about and you will be safe."
It takes me to now, 6 years later. Still searching for my family. I know they are alive, I can feel it in my heart. We found the west community or they found us really, but my family and Rachael were no where. I wept for my family every day. Thinking about my mother, my father, my sister. Where were they? I knew they were alive, I just knew. Things were different at this settlement. They carried guns, knives, and everything in between. About one hundred people from different walks of life called this settlement home. Achad, Druid, Banhid, all refugees. This was our sanctuary. Every one of us strived to make this place normal, a place to call home. We knew it was temporary. We knew that each day wasn't guaranteed. A mix of stone and wood houses lined across from each other, separated by a pebbled mountain path hugging the ground, surrounded my giant evergreens on the hillside. The soft blowing wind would flutter the soft white drapes while children would be quietly playing, mothers would be conversing about the war, their husbands, the future. The men would hunt, build, protect, and provide.
I was angry and I wanted my revenge. I wanted to train, to learn, so I could defend not only myself, but a higher chance of finding my family. And that is exactly what I did. For those six years, I trained in proficiency with knives and hand to hand combat. I preferred to train with men because I knew I would be fighting men. I did this almost everyday for six years, thinking about my family, Rachael and my old life. We all knew it was a matter of time before the Zuir would try to conquer this community as well.
After the attack, more refugees began arriving from different parts of the forest. Some from the Duid communities in the south, the Banhjd communities from the east. The Duid communities comprised of tall thin individuals with fire red hair and pale skin. The Banhid communities were short, blonde individuals of a fiery nature. A peaceful people that focused on the life that fire could bring and take away. They would defend their honor and their families to the death. It seems that the Zuir's were focused on just destruction, and destroying anything that we believe in their path.
It was a welcoming change to have so many unique individuals in the community. Of course there were the usual spats and intermingling, but this community ran pretty smoothly. Everyone was assigned a job in this community, and they all enjoyed what they did. Within the walls of the community, it seemed that we could almost forget what loomed beyond our wooden fortress, lurking beyond the dark shadows and trees.
I thoroughly enjoyed practicing my hand to hand combat, or my knife handling just outside the community walls because 1. it was good alone time, and 2. I could slowly make my way to my favorite spring, my most precious secret. There were more than different shades of green, each shade brighter than the other, illuminated by Achad, a love note.
I hear leaves rustling and I frantically turn my head, listening, not breathing. My right hand begins to slowly drift toward the small knife I kept at my belt. I suddenly see a woman with fiery straight hair, giggling obviously loud, take a stocky blonde man behind a tree. He immediately began fondling her breasts and pulling his pants down while she grabbed his cock and started rubbing his shaft. I could hear both of them moaning as they began to have sex against the tree. I sighed, walking away.
You guys cant do that anywhere else huh, I murmur to myself.
I had sex once with a guy named joseph who was actually Achad who escaped the initial onslaught, but it was horrible and awkward. It was about a year or two after myself and our group were ambushed. We didn't know what we were doing and it didn't feel that great to be honest. We had some alone time in his selected house and I believed that I was ready. We were both virgins, and didn't know that much about either of our bodies. Maybe his dick needed to be bigger, but who knows. That was my one time since i had any romantic "situations" but the people here just didn't interest me.
I began walking toward my favorite spring. It was so peaceful and beautiful that I could let my guard down for a short time and think about my family and the good times we use to have. I would pray to Achad for peace and the wellbeing of my family. The forest floor lies littered with layers of pine needles and forgotten trees of years past, destroyed by storms, stripping the bark bare. The pines reach for sun, trying to grab the golden rays while the birds sing and whistle creating a beautiful melody. A smile paints itself on my sun kissed faced, my soft pink lips welcoming the warmth.
I see disturbed flora and ground ahead of me and immediately hide behind the thick brush, blocked by the forest. I peer though and see a man in MY spring.
"wait, no one else knows about my spot? Who is this man?" i whisper to myself.
This was a younger male, maybe in his mid twenties who had thick, black wavy hair that matched his beard, sun-kissed skin covered in scars from years of battle, thick lips, and piercing eyes. His impressive form covered in grizzled chest hair that trailed below the semi clear water. I gulped. He was a big man, and he looked like someone important, maybe familiar? He was definitely naked, but where were his clothes? I look over, and my body freezes. All black attire with a large knife and assault rifle sitting comfortably on top. He was Zuir. My heart was racing. Where were his men and did they know how close they were to us? I had to delay them getting to us so we could all escape. I had to make a decision.
He dives under the water and I step out from behind the bushes with my knife drawn.
He comes up for air wiping the water from his eyes and spots me immediately, knife out. Most likely not intimidating.
