We See You

The Forge - Part Five

The quiet sounds of humming rang in the ears of the trio, each waking slowly from their slumber. Alex raised his fists to rub his eyes, before groaning and sitting up. "Hey... please lie down, it is too early for you to be moving." A gentle voice called out, before Alex was pushed to lie back down. The soft glow of the sunlight shone through his eyelids, his eyes had not yet opened as he knew, wherever he might be, that he was safe.

His ears pricked, hearing a soft grunt come from somewhere beside him. "You awake yet Alex?" Tyler grumbled, Alex only responding with a small hum. He let his body melt into the soft mattress below him, the sound of lapping waves helping to lull him into a trance. "What happened?" Alex eventually spoke. "I wish I knew... But we're alive, so I think we won?" Tyler chuckled, before hissing. Alex heard the sheets beside him shuffle, so he assumed Tyler must have been injured badly.

"Can you feel that?" Tyler said, "The wind I mean." The two fell silent, each relishing in the tranquillity that surrounded them. The breeze, feeling like a cooling blanket, smoothly swishing Alex's hair, it felt so peaceful. He could lie like this forever.

"Excuse me? Mr Alex? That is your name, right?" A timid hand tapped Alex's arm, causing his eyes to shoot open. He was in a tent of some sorts, although everything looked very medical. "I'm so sorry! Did I disturb you? It's just... I've been ordered to give you medicine!" His eyes fell on a short girl, most likely a nurse due to her outfit; she looked terrified, although she was the one holding a giant needle full of yellow liquid. Alex heard a laugh from beside him, and other hiss, "I was woken up 2 hours ago for mine, good luck." Tyler grinned.

"Can you guys be quiet, mew?" A whine was heard from the bed on the other side of Alex, "Some of us need their beauty sleep." Kira shuffled to sit, yawning loudly and stretching her arms above her head. Her body was caked in bandages, the only space open was her face and neck. Alex couldn't help but let a smile slip onto his face as he looked up at the nurse. "Alright, give me everything you got!" he said, beaming widely.

Hours later, the three were all sat on Alex's bed, attempting to play a game of cards with Kira's tarot deck after they had all recapped their stories to each other, "I told you this wouldn't work, mew!" Kira furrowed her eyebrows after rolling her eyes. Tyler set down a card, "Uno." he stated simply, a smug grin on his face. "We're not playing uno! Stupid!" Kira slammed her fist down on his head, causing Alex to burst into laughter, followed by the other two.

The sound of footsteps caused everyone's ears to prick up, their eyes darting to the tent flap as it slowly opened. "I hope I'm not disturbing anything." The Fifth Ancient One hummed, a smile present under the low hood of his gown. "Wassup." Tyler nodded, "Hello! Mew!" Kira beamed. "Hello Five." Alex gently laid down his cards. "Hello everyone, I came on behalf of the others. Thank you, all of you." The Fifth quietly sat on a chair near the enterance. "I'm sure you all want to know what happened after you blacked out, but I'm afraid I cannot tell you that, as I do not know."

"You don't know? Who put us here? Why doesn't everyone hate us? Is there food?" Alex blurted out, earning a punch from Kira too. The Fifth laughed and shook his head, "Okay maybe I should fill you in a little. You all were rescued by Dirkotholese, it seemed he was watching over you, he brought you back here. The people found out you were innocent too, so they rushed you to the nearest medical tent of emergency attention. As for food... well, you'll just have to wait and see." The Fifth tapped the side of his nose and stood up. "Dirkotholese will wish to see you too, whenever you are well enough to visit. He is grateful for his eye back, thank you for catching it when you did Kira."

A small blush fell on Kira's cheeks as she covered them with her hands, "It's no biggie, mew, just wanted to help."

"Once again, thank you all, and we will see you all later." The Fifth finished, bowing deeply, before turning to exit. "Wait!" Tyler began, reaching an arm out, "What about the kids? Are they back?" His outstretched arm moved to grip onto the vial around his neck. "The children... It seemed like the boat with them on left as soon as the tsunami ended... I'm afraid they are gone for good." Tyler's grip only tightened around the glass, imprinting his palm. The Fifth left, after bowing once more, leaving the three in silence.