The Universe Rings (A Ringing Purpose)

Chapter Four

Sun rays filtered through the branches, Kenneth squinted up, an ache in his neck—feeling as if he'd slept on boulders. Sitting in a slouch position, he saw Halo hugging her legs, curled up like a dog in the cold, and her skirt as a blanket for her feet.

Exiting the shelter, Kenneth's stiff back cracked as he stood—the night had been cold and he recalled lying awake more than actually sleeping. In retrospect, he probably would've slept better if he had removed his shoes, but he felt it would've been safer to keep them on in case that wild beast came back—or worse.

His sudden movements reminded him of his burns, and he winced as pain seared across his skin. Overnight large blisters had formed and skin now peeled off his arms. Walking was agonizing as his jeans chafed his legs.

Sighing, he reached inside under the branches for Halo's pocket knife before surveying the fallen tree, observing his surroundings. He hoped for food but he didn't see any fruit on the bushes or hanging from trees.

Biting the inside of his cheek as a breeze tingled his burns, he sat on a boulder as he considered the correct course of action. His stomach rumbled and his lips felt chapped—water and food needed to be found but who knows if he would ever find any. Halo had water of her own but it wouldn't last forever.

The horrible realization hit him; they had no universe ring, and no one knew their location. How could all of this have happened in a few days? His simple life was just fine till the Interitus ruined it all—the Venenarius didn't even attempt to make his predicament better.

Kenneth's face heated, anger coursing through his veins. Fifteen. He was fifteen and his life had already driven off course. His hand clenched a stick, snapping it between his fingers.

His fingers wrapped around the first stone he found, and as he stood he hurled it into the foliage. He glared at his jungle surroundings till he heard the splashing of water and his gaze widened. The insignificant rock might have solved one problem...

Kenneth inhaled a deep breath and ran in the direction he had thrown the stone. He hadn't run far before rippling water appeared through the tall grass, he slowed his pace and stared over a shallow river. Upstream, the current grew stronger and it clearly expanded in depth—how hadn't Kenneth heard the rushing water previously?

He knelt on the moist dirt and ran his fingers through the cold water. The pleasant stream brought some relief to his anxieties—at least he and Halo had a new source of running water.

~
When Kenneth arrived back at the fallen tree shelter, Halo sat cross-legged on the massive tree trunk; compared to the fourteen-year-old girl, it looked as nearly wide as a school bus. Kenneth decided against contemplating why or how she climbed up there.

Halo's white hair draped like curtains over her flushed face. Her head darted up from her lap—where she had been peeling bark off of a stick—and her gaze traveled to Kenneth. "In the universes..." she sighed. "Why didn't you wake me? I had no idea where you were."

Kenneth squinted up at her. "Sorry...I found a river." Her nose tilted the slightest upward—an odd detail his brain decided to bring to his attention...

~
Upon reaching the river, Halo filled her canteens to the top with water, picking out as much dirt and grime as possible. Kenneth would've suggested boiling the water, but he knew he'd never be able to start a fire without at least a lighter of some sort. So instead, the two teens only had dirt-tasting water to share—Kenneth felt glad he was never a germaphobe.

"Halo, I'm going to look for food, and after we eat I'll look for civilization," Kenneth said, crouching at the entrance of the gap in the fallen tree shelter. The sun roasted his back through the jungle leaves, and he hoped he'd survive a walk as long as he stayed by the river. "I don't have high hopes of meeting civilization, but I guess it's worth a try," he added.