Flesh: Solomon Islands

Kilu Cave

Anna wiped the sweat from her forehead as she scanned the horizon. She could see the faint outline of Buka Island, where they hoped to find a safe haven from the zombies. She turned to look at the others, who were resting on the deck of the small fishing boat. David, her husband, was checking the fuel gauge. John, their teenage son, was listening to music on his headphones. Mary, their daughter, was reading a book. And Peter, their neighbor and friend, was fishing with a rod.

They had left Honiara two days ago, after the city was overrun by the undead. They had managed to escape with some supplies and weapons, but they knew they couldn't stay on Guadalcanal. The island was too big and too populated, and the zombies were everywhere. They had heard rumors of a safe zone on Buka, where the locals had barricaded themselves in a cave. They decided to take their chances and head there.

Anna sighed and looked at the sky. It was getting dark, and they would have to anchor soon. She hoped they would reach Buka by tomorrow. She wondered if the rumors were true, if there was really a place where they could be safe. She had heard of Kilu Cave before, from a history book. It was an ancient site, where the first humans had settled in the Solomon Islands. She wondered what it was like, and if it had changed much over the millennia.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was David. He smiled and kissed her cheek.

"How are you holding up?" he asked.

"I'm okay," she said. "Just tired."

"Me too," he said. "But we're almost there. We'll make it."

He hugged her and looked at the island. "Do you think it's true?" he asked. "Do you think there's a safe zone there?"

"I don't know," she said. "But we have to hope. It's all we have left."

They stayed silent for a while, watching the sunset. Then they heard a splash. They turned and saw Peter pulling up a fish.

"Hey, look what I got!" he shouted. "Dinner!"

They cheered and went to help him. They cooked the fish over a fire and ate it with some bread and canned beans. It was the best meal they had had in a long time. They felt a bit of joy and gratitude, despite the horror that surrounded them.

They finished eating and cleaned up. Then they prepared to sleep. They took turns keeping watch, in case any zombies or pirates came near. Anna and David slept in the cabin, while John, Mary, and Peter slept on the deck. They wrapped themselves in blankets and tried to forget their nightmares.

The next morning, they woke up to the sound of a horn. They jumped up and saw a large ship approaching them. It was a navy vessel, flying the flag of Papua New Guinea.

"Hello, hello!" a voice came over a loudspeaker. "We are here to help. Please identify yourselves."

Anna and David grabbed a radio and responded.

"Hello, we are survivors from Honiara. We are heading to Buka Island. Do you know anything about it?"

"Yes, we do," the voice said. "We have been in contact with the people there. They have set up a safe zone in Kilu Cave. They have food, water, medicine, and weapons. They are willing to take in more survivors. We can escort you there."

"Really?" Anna asked. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, we are sure," the voice said. "We have seen it with our own eyes. It's amazing. They have turned the cave into a fortress. They have barricades, traps, generators, and radios. They have even carved out rooms and tunnels. They have made it their home."

Anna and David looked at each other in disbelief. They couldn't believe their luck. They had found a way out of the hell they had been living in.

"Thank you, thank you so much," Anna said. "We are so grateful. Please, lead the way."

"Roger that," the voice said. "Follow us. We will take you to the last refuge."

They followed the ship, which led them to a small bay. There, they saw a group of people waving at them from the shore. They were wearing masks and carrying guns. They looked like soldiers, but they also looked like friends.

They docked the boat and got off. The people greeted them warmly and helped them carry their belongings. They introduced themselves and told them their stories. They had come from different islands and backgrounds, but they had one thing in common: they had survived.

They led them to the cave, which was hidden by a wall of rocks and trees. They entered through a narrow passage, which opened up into a large chamber. There, they saw a sight that amazed them. The cave was lit by electric lights and candles. There were tables, chairs, beds, and shelves. There were books, games, music, and art. There were gardens, farms, and workshops. There were children, animals, and laughter. There was life.

They were welcomed by the leader of the group, a man named Solomon. He was an elder of the island, and he had been the one who had the idea of using the cave as a shelter. He had studied the history and culture of the island, and he knew the significance of Kilu Cave. He said it was a sacred place, where their ancestors had lived and died. He said it was a place of power, where they could connect with their past and their future. He said it was a place of hope, where they could rebuild their lives and their society.

He gave them a tour of the cave, and showed them the different rooms and sections. He explained how they had organized themselves and how they had managed to survive. He said they had a system of rules and roles, and they had a council of elders and a council of youths. He said they had a radio network, and they had contact with other survivors and allies. He said they had a plan, and they had a vision. He said they were not just hiding, they were fighting. He said they were not just surviving, they were living.

He took them to a special room, where he showed them something that made them gasp. It was a mural, painted on the wall of the cave. It was a depiction of their history, from the first humans to the present day. It showed the different phases and events that had shaped their island and their people. It showed the good and the bad, the joy and the sorrow, the peace and the war. It showed the past, the present, and the future. It showed their story.

Solomon smiled and said, "This is our legacy. This is our destiny. This is our home."

He invited them to join them, and to be part of their community. He said they had a place for them, and they had a role for them. He said they had a family for them, and they had a name for them. He said they were no longer strangers, they were brothers and sisters. He said they were no longer survivors, they were warriors. He said they were no longer refugees, they were citizens.

He said they were the people of Kilu Cave.