THE BROKEN BOND

CHAPTER 4-DEPARTURE

That morning the three had awoken early in order to make any last minute adjustments without needing to be in a hurry.  It had finally come, the day they had all been waiting for.  As the sun rose above the water, the three gathered supplies and carried them onto the raft.   It was departure day.  The children were unsure of what they may find but one thing was certain, they would find civilization. 

“Well guys, today we say goodbye to our little island paradise.  We not only depart from our home but we depart from what we know.  Today, we jump headfirst into the unknown, together,” Karin declared as the three set sail for what they hoped to be a new home.

‘Day 1

 Today, we start our departure.  It will be a long and treacherous journey no doubt, but we’ll survive.  Karin has been feeling a little homesick though, but so have I, so I understand.  They say journaling helps you keep your stuff together.  It calms you and helps you keep your cool when faced with a situation like this.  Tora hasn’t said a word since we left, so nothing out of the ordinary.  A storm seems to be rolling in so we ought to watch out.  Well I guess this is goodbye for now, Izen signing out.’

As Karin slept soundly on the raft, the two boys sat in parallel directions, over-looking the seas.  Off in the distance Tora could see storm clouds gathering.  In less than an hour, the clouds moved overhead and it began to rain very hard. 

“Izen, wake Karin,” Tora commanded,” We’re in for one heck of a joyride.”

Izen began to nudge Karin,” Wake up Karin, wake up.”

As Karin rose from her slumber, she noticed what looked to be a figure out in the distance.  She began to pull on Izen’s shirt, asking him if he could see it.

   “Look you two, out there.  It’s a man out on the waves.”

    Tora looked out but saw nothing.  He looked back at Karin and scoffed.

     “Impudent girl, you’re just drowsy.  Get up and prepare yourself for the storm.  Don’t be such dead weight.”

     Lightning began to strike the waves causing them to become more ferocious than ever.  The sound of crashing waves began to drown out the sound of cracking wood.  The raft was falling apart, but the three continued to hold their own.

     Tora began to shout at the top of his lungs,” C’mon, don’t hold back, you never have before!  Give me everything you got, I won’t back down.  You continue to throw challenge after challenge at me and all I’ve done is run.  Well, not this time,” Tora calmed himself and looked up at the great thundercloud circling above,” I can take it.”

     The thunder began to roar like a mighty lion and the lightning struck the raft with tremendous force, leaving the three adrift in the sea.

      “Where am I?” Izen thought aloud, as he held his head in pain. 

      He had awoken on the shore of a great beach.  As he struggled to rise, he noticed the sand was stained a deep red.  It was a trail of red leading up a sandy hill.  Not knowing where he was and curious to find out, he decided to follow it.  As he climbed up the hill this overwhelming feeling of dread came upon him.  Once he reached the top, he couldn’t believe what was before his eyes.  Never had Izen felt such a feeling before.  Tears swelled up in his eyes yet he knew not why he felt so sad.  He had a view of all that was left of what looked to be a great metropolis.  Sadly, the only thing left was a battleground, stained with the blood of fallen soldiers. 

  Before Izen had time to let what he had seen sink in, he felt a hand upon his shoulder.  He was immediately and forcefully, turned around and thrown to the ground.  The man who had thrown him down grabbed him by the collar and pinned him down.

    “How are you alive?  We killed everyone, every last one of them.  How are you alive?”

Izen was still quite exhausted and weary from the storm.  As he struggled to overpower his foe, he felt his strength wither away and die out.  As he gave one last attempt to free himself, he gave in to the man, and passed out.