oh noes

Chapter 13

That was…a depressing read.

I sit up from my position on the floor, rubbing my head.

So…he just…died? But that can’t be right…there’s still more pages with writing.

…ugh.

I try to grasp at the thin remnants of my dream, but they slip through the cracks and disappear just as quickly as I pull at them. Argh…

I kinda want to just sit here and read the rest of the journal, but it’s probably midday already, and I don’t want to waste anymore time…and besides, I’ll have tonight and the next few nights after that.

What should I start with today? Uh…

Should I go back to the place with the massive globe? It might have some details left over…or I could pick up a bunch more of those papers.

I eye the fat stack of papers inside my bag. I’m not too…keen on getting more of them, but I’ll do it if I don’t find anything else.

I scarf down breakfast and exit my shelter. I think…I’ll scan the entire area again. Go to the harbor and make my way back here when the sun sets…oh! And I can also test whether the trees fall when I touch the stone with the rune to them. I snatch the stone from where it lies and put it into my bag before sliding the strap over my shoulder.

Up we go, then…I inch out of my tent and stretch, feeling the sleepiness wear off bit by bit. I don’t think I’ll find anything new…maybe I will? But for the most part, probably not…

I start making my way back to the harbor, the snow crunching underneath my feet as the cold air brushes against my face. I’ve gotten pretty used to these temperatures, but it’s still uncomfortable when I unwrap myself from my blanket.

The silence, though…not something I’m getting used to anytime soon. No wildlife, no rustling trees…I’d have to go back to the harbor or the edge of the pine forest just to hear something, and I’m not about to make the walk because I want to hear water noises in the middle of the night.

In addition, my clothes smell like dead bodies now - not the best of developments, since it kinda stops me from sleeping, but at least it takes my mind off the other stuff.

Thinking of clothes…they’re very dirty. I can keep my hands and feet clean with the Lake, but I can’t exactly strip and dunk all my clothes into that freezing cold water.

And I’m definitely not gonna use the clothes in that mansion. Absolutely not. No way.

I sigh, trudging through the snow. My footprints from all my other excursions are still there, looking as crisp as they were when I first made them.

Spending a few more days in this place will probably leave me talking to the fox and squirrel like they’re human beings who understand human things. Like…I’d pick up a conversation with one of them, talking about the weather, and then I’d just imagine some voice talking to me or whatever.

Ah, the things we humans take for granted every single day…

I spend the rest of the walk in silence, admiring my frozen surroundings and traipsing through the area. Even if there are a bunch of bodies strewn about the town, it’s still a nice sight to behold. 

I continue to stroll about, taking in my surroundings and following the path to the harbor until I hear a familiar voice.

“…you know, I really don’t want to go in there…it’s so creepy. Who knows what crawlies are in there?”

That’s…Nova!

My heart pumps as I begin to sprint towards the dock. Is the crew finally back?

“Nova, you picked the short stick. Quit complaining already.”