Chapter Text
The unforgiving burn in my muscles was a reminder that I had to keep going. No matter the cost, I couldn't give in to the cramps seizing along my calves or the temptation to just collapse to the earth below me.
The sound of foliage behind being destroyed only fueled the heart-wrenching terror in me to keep going.
The monster chasing me is one of the hounds sent from the Sakia Empire, a powerful race of beings from outer space. No one knows how or when they caught wind of Earth but one day they just arrived from thin air.
The massive ship orbiting Earth is a constant punch to the gut that shows that this planet no longer belongs to humans.
When they first interacted with the leaders of the most prominent countries on Earth it went well. There was no sign of hostility, only mild discontent of our species. When the first month passed with a peace treaty in place between all of humanity and the Sakia Empire, that was when everything changed.
The Sakia Empire grew impatient at the slowness of our trading.
With our supplies being short and very little time to produce the materials they wanted, they sought out violence. They sent waves of attacks internationally to all countries. Many lives were taken that day as the governments scrambled to gain control over the impenetrable army of soldiers. The Sakia—Corbeli's—is a race that naturally grows thick armour plates along their body for better survival. Their facial features are sharp and pointed except for the hideous mandibles protruding from where their mouths are.
When I first saw them on the TV news broadcast I was repulsed by the sight of the things.
I guess I should've suspected something back then that they weren't all peaceful and kind beings sent from above.
Gasping out in shock I scrape my hands against the ground after tripping from a root extending out of the soil inconspicuously. Quickly getting back up I glance backwards only to widen my brown eyes fearfully.
The massive dog-like creature was not even thirty meters from me. The beast would catch me not even in a minute if I continue running like this. Despite its massive lumbering size, the animal has prominent muscles showing off its resilience for long, lengthy chases.
With a sudden burst of energy, I put all my effort into escaping the nightmare following behind me.
Coming across a little stream I start bounding down the way the water is flowing. The splashes made by my clumsy leaps could be quieter but with no time for subtly, I keep venturing down with a renewed determination. I can't stop, not now. Caleb still needs me and I won't leave him to fend for himself. Not in this cruel and shitty world.
Making a large jump I slip unexpectedly on some mossy pebbles; plunging under the surface of the water. The depth of the stream had gotten deeper turning abruptly into a rapid river. Forgetting the creature chasing me I realise with a sudden dread of the awaiting doom ahead of me. The current of the strong river is enough to keep me away from the banks—securing me tightly in the centre of the body of water.
Breathing in heavy gulps of air whenever I can, I splash wildly around trying to keep myself above the dangerous current that pulls me along with no effort at all.
When I caught sight of the waterfall, I could only hope that I don't sustain any injuries severe enough to cripple me.
As my body flew off the edge the gut-clenching sense of falling had my head spinning with nausea. I could barely even think of how to land safely in the pool of water beneath when I collided harshly below. The bubbles made by the water raining down on the surface above were blinding as I looked around in the water. I could barely see streaks of sunlight from above showing me the way to the surface safely.
As I breached upwards I sucked in a sharp breath of air and coughed out some water that I swallowed by accident. The cold chill of the water sapping away at my warmth made a shiver travel down my spine involuntarily. Tiredly I swam over to the nearby banks lined with dark, brown sand. Crawling on my belly I collapsed to the ground resting my head gently on the soft terrain. Loud snarls above made me slowly look back up at the waterfall.
The massive beast chasing me looks down at me with dismay. The eyes; small but sharp with intelligence, good for finding prey, narrow down at me with frustration. The thing stamps the ground furiously at the edge trying to think of what to do. I prayed that it didn't decide to jump down here too.
The beast raised its head fiercely letting one last horrifying snarl out before turning back in the direction it came.
A breath I didn't know I was holding onto was released.
Taking a moment to gather myself I lay there on the soothing sand in drenched clothes shivering profusely. Gradually I start to breathe more easily after straining my lungs of oxygen for so long. Placing a hand beneath me I carefully position myself to sit up. The stinging at the back of my throat did nothing to quench the victorious smirk crossing my face.
I decided to sit there for five more minutes before moving on.
I knew sort of where I was heading, I've only gone this way twice due to it's rather dangerous individuals who patrol the area. Cue the monster dog. I only went this way because rumours have spread from fellow scavengers of nearby activity from both the Sakia and Aruka on the regular path I'd take. Even though I doubt anything big is happening, I would prefer to take this path because most of the time the whispers are true.
Brushing a gentle caress along the bark of the tree next to me I spot a familiar rock close by.
It's usually around here where I recognise the mark of the rock—the pointed hook of the stone is used as a checkpoint along my journeys. If I didn't memorize certain parts along my trips out I would definitely get lost. Steadying my feet, I begin walking up a very sharp incline with two wedged rocks narrowing the trail from the sides. The area is more mountainous than the area below. The location I'm going to is hidden amongst all the curves and sharp cliff sides made up of the jagged stones naturally formed here.
It's a perfect place to seek sanctuary away from the prying eyes of the demons prowling about below.
Spotting the next checkpoint, I run a finger along the human-made line carved into the stone. The smooth dip in the stone brings relief flooding through me. Almost there. Heaving myself up a particularly large boulder, I made the last stretch to the cave I left earlier this morning. Shaking my mop of brown curls out of my eyes, I look back across the vast view. From up on the high perch I'm able to take in the beautiful sight of the land laid before me.
I can barely spot in the distance behind the cover of the forest trees, the same river I had fallen into. Massive buildings long abandoned stand empty with moss growing on them and can be seen even further away near the horizon. That used to be where Caleb and I lived before... this. Our parents both had stable jobs earning enough income to live comfortably. I was too focused on finishing my studies to be bothered getting myself a job. My career pathway has always been to be an author. I loved writing stories in English so I tried to further myself by getting advanced courses in the subject.
Of course, it all went south after the Sakia arrived.
The day they attacked my parents had both been working. Caleb and I had both gone to the same school so I was able to get to him swiftly when the attack struck. When I tried ringing Mum and Dad I had gotten no response. I only later realised that the Sakia had cut all ways of communication with each other. With such highly advanced technology, we never stood a chance.
That morning I had bid both my parents farewell hoping they would stay safe at work before heading to school with Caleb.
That was the last time I got to see them.
Hearing shuffling I turn away from the breathtaking view. Peering into the cave I can see a small orange light flickering amongst the cave's inner walls. Getting up I head in slowly, taking my time. Reaching into one of my pockets I pull out a can of soup. These babies sure come in handy for food preservation. Once I got closer I ran my eyes over the small campfire burning softly; a pile of rocks placed neatly around the burning sticks stacked together perpendicularly in the middle.
The figure of a young boy searching in a bag; back facing me, made me grin deviously.
Approaching the boy as quietly as possible I place both my hands on his shoulders. Jumping he swings around stiffly, shock apparent in his wide blue eyes. Once the moment passed, his face soured as he pinned me with a glare.
"Callie! For god's sake! You scared the shit out of me, don't do that again." The boy, Caleb, grumbled under his breath, probably an insult knowing him. He carefully eyes me up and down with confusion clouding his face. “How did you get wet?”
Taking this opportunity to slip past Caleb while he is distracted I place the can in front of him. "Here."
Looking down at the item he studies the can of soup curiously. He reaches for it and turns it over and back; blue eyes snap up to gaze at me in astonishment.
"How did you get this?" Suppressing the smug smile trying to reach my lips I stay stoic and wave a flippant hand at Caleb. "I just went a different route than usual."
Narrowing his eyes he lowers the food in his hands.
"When you mean different, what type of different route are we talking about? Please don't tell me it involves you being soaked.”
Looking away from the deadpan stare he is aiming towards me, I walk over to the fire and grab a stick to poke at it. The flame emits loud crackles while some charcoal falls down the sticks burnt to a crisp from the fire.
"I just happened to go a different path here and there that's all, don't stress, bro."
Frowning Caleb gets up and sits next to me with the soup in hand. Ignoring him I grab ahold of the pot nearby that we use to cook and hold an open palm to Caleb. Silently he hands the can over and watches me prep our lunch.
"You didn't get hurt or encounter one of those things did you?"
Biting back the immediate response I wanted to say I plaster on a fake smile hoping he believes it. "Of course not, otherwise I would tell you, brother, you know me." I hated lying to him, especially since he is the only family I currently know that is still alive. I just don't want him to worry about me.
Caleb is currently fourteen years old, he was barely at that age before everything went to the shit house. I still grieve over the loss of our parents but I try to help him let his emotions out. If I'm suffering; Caleb's got to be suffering. I've always found it easier talking about what troubles me, I suppose I try to put the same methodology of sorting my issues out onto Caleb.
He does hold onto things more than me, making him seem like he is carrying a heavy burden, which is why I ask him daily if he has anything he wants to talk about.
"How have you been holding up today, Caleb? Anything you want to talk about or... bring up?" Brows furrowing he thinks hard about the sensitive question. I give him time to contemplate his thoughts while continuing to open the can and pour the succulent contents into the pot. Grabbing the makeshift spoon Caleb made I stir the liquid around with hunger in my eyes.
"I've... I... I am doing okay... I just—I just miss them a lot. I just want Mum to give me a hu-hug... and Dad to say he wants to play with me on my game... I... want my mum and dad, sis..." Hearing him break apart hurts me so much. I know that it's good for him to talk it off but fuck does it hurt me just listening to him fall into pieces. I miss our parents just as much as him but I need to be strong for the both of us.
Reaching over I embrace my brother in a warm hug.
He grunts in discomfort from the wet and cold clothing hugging him but otherwise, he leans closer to me in my arms.
We both stayed like that, clutching onto one another desperately; sitting in front of the gentle wisp of flames, until I needed to separate to take care of the soup before it gets burnt.