Faded Petal

Chapter 6 - George - The Bicycles

DAY SEVEN 

A few days have passed since that brilliant day filled with the tall trees. I hadn't done anything like it in a long while. Every day since then has been same old, same old.

We are almost running out of things to talk about.

This morning is the same as any other- our little group awoke to the swishing of grass and the swooping of birds, cheeping merrily.

It has been a whole week. I don't know how we've made it this far without trouble- but we have.

I am just gathering our things, as Charlie picks bark off of a tree, Edith wanders gracefully across the distant landscape, and Beth and Akiki whisper secretly to each other under their breath.

"Let's go guys!" I call out, and within minutes we are all gathered in our usual circle, suitcases grasped firmly in hands. The weight of mine is slowly decreasing as we travel as the number of food tins I'm carrying becomes less and less.

We are in the middle of a particularly thick forest, the ground springy and the tree's leaves are thick and dark. I can't remember when we entered this forest, and it doesn't look like we are any closer to finding our way out.

***

We've been going for a decent while, when Charlie breaks away from a long-winded conversation with Beth and approaches me from behind.

"George," he mumbles, "I don't mean to cause alarm but the amount of food we're carrying is falling dangerously. I only have a few tins and half a loaf of bread. The girls have almost completely run out too."

"Yes, I did notice that this morning," I breathe back.

"I'm presuming that you don't have much left either, then."

Beth, who has been creeping closer, eavesdropping, chimes in, "We could find berries and mushrooms to eat, and things! Kill a few birds, eh? I reckon you'd be good at that, Charlie." She elbows him and the corners of his mouth curl up into a reluctant smile.

"We might really have to, in a few days' time," I shudder to think of the dangers of this. Who knows what kinds of berries out here are safe to eat or not. And the thought of killing innocent creatures for our meals... I shake the thought out of my head.

"Don't worry, George, I'm sure it'll all be fine," Beth reassures me, but I can see the doubt swirling in her hazel eyes.

We fall into silence once more.

I must admit, this little trip is turning out to be slightly more miserable than we were expecting. Sure, most of the time is filled with laughter and the most magical experience, but I can't bring myself to ignore the impending feeling that it is all going to come crashing down in a matter of time. One way or another.

Akiki's voice cuts through my disheartening thoughts like a knife.

"A hut!"

I look up, and sure enough, there sits a wooden cabin about twenty metres away from us. It's clearly ancient and frail, rotting boards held loosely together by sharp nails coated in orange rust. The roof is shrouded with a blanket of thick vines and the door hangs open, looking ready to fall off at any minute.

"Let's go look!" Beth cries, hurrying forward. We all pick up our pace to follow her, and I notice that a thin path has been trodden out by someone before us, snaking towards the doorway.

The hut looks quite small from the inside, it was probably enough to comfortably house two people when it was first built. The damp wood that makes up the ceiling has evidently caved in since then; I find myself having to duck to avoid bumping my head as I move around.