Under the Dome

Chapter 14

With Lex carrying Jr and I, it was faster than the pace we were doing earlier. Douglas carried Larann with one arm; a prick of jealousy nipped my gut but I ignored it. And lastly, Travis was the caboose of the hike, with his little brother cratled in his arms.

Travis's cheeks was stained with tears. His eyes was red, puffy, and empty. He kept his head down, never leaving his gaze on his brother's body. I would have never expect Travis - a huge, muscular and a soft, collected guy - to be grieving.

My whole body was washed over with pity and I wanted to reach out for him and tell him that Matt will be in a better place. But I couldn't find the words nor the courage to bring myself to say anything.

Lex came to a halt as we reached the mouth of my cave. The gray stone, the river's cries echoing in the deep green vegetation, the soggy soil below me; I missed it all.

I slid down from Lex's back and planted my feet to the earth; the dirt let out a slush and slurp as I pressed my boots in the soil. I inhaled the air around me; fresh breeze and dew drops, musky earth, and rust.

"So this is home?" Douglas stated. I whipped around to face him with a smile, my body and aura fled off excitement. He flinched but relaxed when I did nothing.

"Yeah, this is home." I raised my hands in the air and twirled around in a circle. I steadied myself when I grasped Lex's red fur, almost falling on my face.

"Where can I put Larann?" Douglas asked sweetly.

"On the black sleeping bag. Inside the cave." I pointed.

I watch him carry Larann in my home. The muscles in his back jumped and fidgeted under his shirt, the wind licked his brown hair and his stride made him vanish in the darkness.

"I'm going to go get water. I'll be back." Travis said. He set Matt down next to the lip of the cave; gently guiding Matt's head to the earth, resting his massive hand on his little brother's chest before pulling away.

I didn't say anything. I was scared too. I witness Travis vanishing through the trees and vines, striding sadly on the deer trail. I heard the twigs and dry, dead leaves crunch under his footsteps until I heard nothing at all.

I gripped onto Jr's shirt and guided him down to the ground, I almost got flattened because of the old man's weight. The old blood on Jr's shirt licked my palm, making me cringe. Douglas mysteriously popped out nowhere, grasping Jr's arm to ensure that the old man didn't squash me.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

We lifted him up, and carried him next to Matt by the lip of the cave. Both of them looked like they were sleeping. Their bodies was pressed together, hair tossed by the wind, and eyelids closed so they won't freak me out. Lex trotted off after a butterfly and danced around in the training arena, a moment later he vanished into the forest. I was left alone with Douglas, and also along with an awkward silence.

"You children are a pain in my neck." A chilling, familiar voice rang out. Douglas and I sprung around and witness Sarah and six of her men behind her.

"Mom! What are you doing here?" Douglas shocking spat out. Both of his arms was spread out from his body, like the branches on a tree reaching out to the sun.

"Oh, shut up! You were never my son." She snapped. She threw her head to one of her guards then to us. A slim man with long brown hair walked up to me, a barrel of a gun to my face, as he cuffed my hands together.

"What are you talking about?" Douglas stuttered. Unlike me, he didn't resist when another man grabbed both on his arms.

I tried to keep my eyes on all of the men but I couldn't. They were like ants penetrating a picnic. One man, greasy hair and wild eyes, trotted over to Matt and Jr's body, pressing his hand to their neck and wrist.