Grounded On Juniper Island

An Odd Descent

The odds were not in the group's favour when it was realised they all wouldn't be able to bound in tandem. Walking to Junipo was not an option as time was a source they needed plentifully.

After much debate, it was decided Dom would have to stay behind. He was seen to be the most resilient of all the Urthkai and had Coco to watch over him.

However before they could say goodbye to him, the now large group had to make a descent.

"How are we going to to do that?" asked Lorne scratching his head. It seemed an unfathomable task for him. If they weren't going to bound  or trek their way down the mountainside, how else would they descend?

"Trust me," said Oleg wrapping his arms around Lorne, "our mate Hudson you will show you the way."

"You heard him," said Lior, relaying Oleg's command, "grab a hand."

Without hesitation each member of the group linked hands,  forming an oddly shaped circle. Tina happily accepted the situation, despite the obscurity of it all, skipping to Lior whilst forcing the dimples out from her cheeks. Lorne joined in the furore with hesitation, still asking himself what was going on? On his left, he held the hand of Hudson. The sight of him brought an unexpected gurgle to his stomach. He was a Bounder of certainty but recently, all of that had been flipped upside down.

"Do it Huddy," said Oleg. Hudson gave him a sheepish smile. The little Urthkai squinted, focusing on the task at hand.

The group started sinking. The process normally happened quicker for Hudson, but with such a large group being transported, it would be slower than usual.

Tina giggled uncontrollably. It was as if she had been tickled from behind.

"Kazinga! This is amazing," cried out Tina. Her attention was directed at Lorne, who was having the opposite experience to his girlfriend.

His eyes were stretched as far they could go as he stared at his feet, disappearing into the ground. He flicked his head towards the others. He was baffled by their contentment.

"Please tell me this isn't normal for you," said Lorne to Lior.

"Mate, nothing is anymore. You'll get use to it."

Lorne responded with a high pitch sigh. I guess he is right, he thought to himself. After the experiences of Erasmus, the world couldn't be looked at the same way again.

The group had sunk down to their knees, with the exception of Hudson who only had his upper body showing. Hudson tugged at Lorne and gave him a cheeky wink.

"Me will make you safe," said Hudson nodding to him. Hudson pursed his lips and narrowed his eyelids further.

Lorne thought it was a cute. Hudson was like a little bear cub. He finally felt like he could relax.

Across from him were Oleg and Jane. Lorne watched as she rested her head on his shoulders. She was met with a soft kiss on the forehead.

It was pleasing for Lorne to see Oleg other than sour. He felt bad for partaking in the witch hunt against him. He knew now why he wasn't like the rest. The Oaf was something much greater.

Dom, who was one down from Hudson, appeared to be unmoved by what was happening. There was a deep longing on his face. They were expressions that mimicked a warrior preparing go into battle. His overall aura gave off this impression to anyone he met, regardless of the what was happening at the time. It was his simply his nature. He just hoped one day he would regain the memories that were stolen from him.

Without his realisation, the warmth of the sun and the touch of the whirling breeze that was around Lorne, had disappeared. There was no light underground, though his other senses awoke and came into play.

The smell of damp soil entered his nostrils. It was reminiscent of the compost used by his father to grow their plants. It was rich, pure and sent humidity across his body.

Constant squelches were heard as the group sunk deeper into the Island's depths. The longer it went, the more frequent it became. It had reached a point where Lorne felt like bubbles were popping in his earholes.

But as they continued to venture down, a purple glow shone around them.

The squelching had been replaced by scratching.

Bitterness filtered into Hudson's tastebuds.

His arm was bothered by pinches.

In the faint purple hue, Hudson stared at the swarm of circular insects climbing all over his arms. These strange looking insects were the size of a fifty cent pieces and had six legs. Vice-like incisors poked out from their disproportionally small heads, gently biting Hudson's skin. Their purple glow emanated from the base of their abdomens.

"Me don't like this. Me need to know what these are," he said pale-faced as if he had bumped into a ghost.

"It's okay," said Lorne, "they are only sorps. These buggers will leave you with a sour taste but a good chug of water will stop it."

Hudson, who didn't quite understand what chug meant, forced himself to smile at him. He was uncomfortable, though the reassurance from Lorne made him forget about them. He twirled his arm around, looking at the insects with fascination. Despite each pinch giving him an unwelcome jolt, knowing the journey would soon be over made it bearable.

Soon enough, they had resurfaced.

The forest floor was cool and overshadowed by the thick vegetation above. Oleg welcomed the change of environment as his body had sweated profusely through the narrow confines of the underground.

Lior, who had overhead the conversation, reached into his bathers and handed his flask to Hudson. He titled his head back and let two big gulps travel down his throat. The sourness disappeared in an instant.

"Hey where's mine?" asked Oleg, wiping the trail of sweat off his brow.

"Me will be right back," replied Hudson.

Hudson vanished down below.

The ground beneath Oleg strangely felt moist.

In the nick of time, Oleg cleared out of the way. A puddle had formed where he had been, bubbling with muddied water.

"Me found it for you," appeared Hudson at the edge of newly made reservoir. He was quite pleased to show off his party trick once more.

"Indeed you have," said Lorne folding his arm with admiration. The little Urthkai had also proved to him, he was more than what met your eyes.

Smiles appeared on everyone's face, stretching from cheek to cheek. Tina blushed at Lorne and mouthed him the words "I love you."

In quick succession another pair of strings had been added to the bow. Oleg had amassed strength in numbers.

Perhaps the pendulum was starting to swing their way.