7 – The River (OLD)

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The likeness of Michael Kramer is used in this project through AI-generated technology. Please note that Michael Kramer did not record any audio for this content, and his voice is not being used for any monetary gain. The rights to Michael Kramer’s voice and likeness do not belong to Redmatter Creations. Furthermore, the voice and likeness of Michael Kramer will not be used in the final product.

Looking for any indication or documents as to what happened nearly 29 rotations ago is next to impossible.

From the Journal of Azura Seren. -Turseno section, 28th rotation

Light flickers through the leaves as Oberon, Mattias, and I traverse the forest south of Hollyard. Mattias wears one of my spare hunting suits. They are designed to suppress the sound of fabric rubbing up against itself and to provide camouflage. It’s a little large for his figure. Unfortunately, Mattias doesn’t know anything about hunting and keeping quiet, making the suit almost useless. 

“Why don’t I get a crossbow?” Mattias complains.

“You’re here just to watch our process,” I say. A twig snaps underneath his foot. “Watch where you step. Make very little noise.”

“If I knew I wasn’t going to have my own crossbow, I wouldn’t have come.”

“Shh,” Oberon shushes him and miraculously, Mattias keeps his mouth shut. When he isn’t speaking, he is slightly more bearable.

We trek into the depths of the forest, watching for natural landmarks to help us find our way back. Birds above us chirp and call out to each other. A woodpecker drills away against a tree. A couple of squirrels notice our presence and dash away.

Being out in the forest again feels amazing. I love the breeze against my face and hearing the roar of trees blowing in the wind. Too bad the road we take for The Path doesn’t go through more forests. I’d love to let the rest of the Brightest experience this. Most Brightest members would refuse to explore these forests. The only experience they’ve had in one is through the Luminous Forest, which is much different.

Mattias starts spitting and swatting at his face. He’d walked right into a gnat cluster. I’m so used to avoiding them, I didn’t even realize I ducked right under it. “Ew. They got in my mouth.” he cries out. He continues to spit and rubs at his tongue to clear the bugs out. Oberon and I couldn’t help but snicker at his mild misfortune. He is being way too loud, but seeing Mattias out of his usual element is such a treat.

“Welcome t’the real world buddy.” Oberon chuckles. “Out here, you need eyes in every direction. Never know when something is gonna jump out at you.” Oberon leaps slightly toward Mattias at the word ‘jump’ and he flinches, putting his arms up, covering his face.

“You guys sure you haven’t seen any snakes out here?” Mattias asks. He sounds worried, and I take advantage of it.

“If there are, I haven’t seen any. So you better watch where you step.” His eyes widen even more. I’ve never seen the little man so afraid in his life. 

“You guys better make sure I make it back alive.” Mattias says shakily, “I’ve gotta date tonight.”

Oberon and I perk up at that statement. Our eyes lock immediately. A woman wants Mattias? Surely he is just messing with us.

“Alone time with a dead dear is not called a date,” Oberon says, “It’s called messed up.” Him and I giggle quietly, but Mattias does not find it funny.

“Ha, good one.” He mumbles, “But really, I do have a date.”

“You’re kidding,” I say, “Who then?”

“You know her. Lyria.”

I freeze at the mention of her name. How does he know it? I didn’t tell anyone else her name. Unless she and Mattias talked while I wasn’t around. The world spins and I place my palm against a tree, catching myself from falling. Lyria? You’ve got to be joking. 

“Lyria?” Oberon asks, “Who’s that?” I see his face as he puts the pieces together. I remind him anyway.

“The woman we found at the willow tree.”

“Oh yeah! That’s the woman sleeping with you right?” Oberon asks. Mattias’ cheeks become bright red. He doesn’t look mad, just flustered.

“Yeah, that’s her,” I say. We aren’t actually sleeping together, but Mattias is the last person Lyria should interact with. The best thing I should do is drive a wench between them. For her sake.

“Oh, so,” Mattias starts, “She’s already taken then?”

Before I could speak, Oberon blurts out, “Hey man, just because there’s a goalie, doesn’t mean you can’t score.” He grins stupidly. I resist the urge to punch him in the gut.

It’s quiet for a while as we continue our trek deeper into the forest. A heavy rushing sound indicates a river is nearby. Where there’s a river, there’s a deer. The ocean east of us is thawing out, causing all the water in the river to rush westward. The current roars, moving quickly. Anything caught in the water will end up being washed away blazingly fast.

We three sit in the bushes along the bank. We talk at a normal volume since the water is loud enough. “So, Lyria huh?” I ask Mattias. “When did you get a chance to talk to her?”

“When you two ran off, she introduced herself to everyone.” Mattias snorts, “I asked if she wanted to go on a date and she said yes.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Some women just want a direct man sometimes.”

I feel a pain within when I think about Mattias taking the only woman I may have had a chance with. I haven’t even had time to get to know her, and he’s already making moves. He’s so good at trying to ruin my life, he doesn’t even have to try.

I decide to let it go. If it is what makes them happy, then I’m all for it. Maybe he’ll become a better person because of it. I’m sure another woman will come my way and I can fall in love again. I’m not even sure if I really like Lyria in that way. I think I just wanted to live out a fantasy.

“You know, it’s really nice to have some guy time with you two.” Mattias says, “It’s nice to get away from the group and I’m glad that I’ve been able to experience this.” Oberon and I stay silent as he continues. “I know I give you guys a hard time, but the truth is—I’m jealous.” Jealous? “It’s hard being the only one butchering. I can barely even lift the animals. Everyone teases me because of my height and I feel unwanted.”

“You’re not unwanted because you are short.” Oberon reassures, “You’re unwanted because you’re a little shit.”

“You’re right,” Mattias admits. “I figured that if people constantly find me annoying, I might as well give them what they expect.” He pauses for a moment. “But I think it’s time for a change. I want to come hunting with you guys more. Maybe we could go in shifts since three hunters may be overkill. I could get my own crossbow and clothes. Maybe I could even teach you guys how to butcher meat!”

Oberon and I are speechless. I couldn’t find the right words to say. Mattias hunting with us? It seems unnatural. Could I really deal with his crap alone in the middle of the forest? Could Oberon? I think I could look past it if he doesn’t antagonize us. Although I’m always down for some lighthearted banter. As long as I know it’s just that—banter.

Maybe I am too harsh on him. He doesn’t seem to have many friends or admired by anyone, despite having an important role in the group. Could I see myself actually being friends with him? Could I see him and Lyria being happy together? Based on what she told me, Mattias wouldn’t get to be a father. Would that bother him?

“Give me your crossbow,” Mattias urges, “Right now!”

I’m caught off guard. “What? No!” I respond reflexively. He reaches for my hip trying to detach my weapon. An image flashes in my mind. I imagine him shooting Obeorn and slashing me across the neck with one of his butcher knives. We were out here alone with him. He could kill us.

He grabs my crossbow, still attached to my belt. I twist my hip quickly, and the little man flings to the side before letting go. He rolls down the hill, screaming. I faintly hear the sound of hooves stomping off. Across the stream is a deer. A good-sized one, too. He had seen it before us and wanted to shoot it.

He tumbles further down the hill and into the rushing current making a splash. Oberon shuffles down the hill toward the river. I follow him and watch Mattias struggle to stay afloat. The deadly current threatens to drag Mattias under.

“Help!” Mattias yells, reaching out of the water. I quickly weigh the options and consequences in my head before I unhook my crossbow, setting it on the ground and leaping into the water after him.

The water’s temperature shocks me to my core. I immediately feel my appendages become numb. This water is deadly cold. I almost give up and save myself, but decide against it. I’ve already committed.

I don’t panic. Instead, I keep an eye on Mattias’ flailing body in front of me. I swim forward. The weight of my clothes nearly pulls me under. Everything feels unresponsive. I have a hard time willing my arms to move. I have to take into consideration that if Mattias panics while I’m holding on to him, he could take us both under.

When I am close, I grab him by the shirt. He sees me and pulls in closer, trying to hold on. “Caelius,” He says frantically. “Caelius.”

“It’s okay buddy, I’m here,” I reassure him. I can practically feel his heartbeat from his chest.

Oberon dips a long branch into the water in front of us. Perfect, he can pull us out. I let the current take us closer. I hope my fingers will let me grab and hold onto the branch. 

I grab the wood and I feel part of it puncturing my hand. It doesn’t hurt. “Hold on!” Oberon yells. He grounds himself against a tree, trying not to fall in himself and pulls. He strains hard, but the current is too strong. If I could just swim toward the shore…

Something hits Mattias and he flies backward. I hold his hand tightly and I nearly let go of the branch. If we stay in this water much longer we are both going to die. I don’t know what to do.

I remember what Oberon said to me yesterday. I asked him if I had to take a life to save a life. Sometimes you do. We take the lives of deer to save our own. We squish poisonous bugs to protect our kids.

I need to save myself. I take a look at Mattias behind me, freezing water splashing against my face. I see the man that I am holding on to. The same man who helps feed the group. The same man who denies me food sometimes. The same man who wanted to take the same girl I wanted. The same man who drove a wedge between Oberon and Dolora. The fear in his eyes tells me everything. He knows.

I release my grip.

He doesn’t float away. He must be holding onto the branch with his other hand. “Come on!” Oberon yells.

I lift both my feet and push off of him. The force propels me toward the shore and his body deeper into the depths of the river. He lets go and I can hear him screaming as he floats away. With numb fingers and a lot of effort, I pull myself out of the flowing water.

Shivering, I find my crossbow on the ground. I’d killed him.

The End of Part 1