The Farmhouse

Part 10- Cave and Clarity

I snapped my eyes open and inhaled sharply. Cold air filled my lungs and burned my nostrils. I sat up and gasped.
"KIM- Kimmy, calm down." Said Max. I shook my head and looked at him.
"What happened?" I asked.
"You slipped on a patch of ice and fell. You passed out." Relief fled through me as my suspicions had been confirmed- all that crazy stuff wasn't real.
"You slept for a long time!" Said Gale. "It turned dark." She said, gesturing at the sky. I nodded.
"Did you set up camp? Eat anything?" I questioned.
"Yes, and yes. We had some canned food. Want some?" Max stated. I shook my head, feeling queasy. I couldn't get my bizarre dream out of my head. But I was shivering, so I stood up and walked to camp. Everything was set up perfectly. I saw Karen smiling in her nest, warm and cozy. I felt a rush of pride as I looked at Max. He was so grown- up, and I taught it all. But then I remembered what forced him to mature so quickly.
The death of all his siblings.
I patted his shoulder and smiled weakly. "Good job, Max." He nodded and looked away. I felt a terrible headache coming on, so I requested Max to take first watch. He accepted without hesitation.
I kissed Gale and Karen and hugged Max before getting into my sleeping bag. It was surprisingly warm, and I snuggled in deeper.
Without warning, a wave of utter hopelessness crashed over me. I had lost everything. Everything. And there was no going back. I pictured Logan. His shaggy hair covered his eyes and he was laughing. Then I pictured right before Daisy tore him apart. I shuddered and began to cry. I was deep enough in my sleeping bag though, so no one saw anything.
     I would never hear his laugh again. Never see his blue eyes. Never hug him. Ever. He was gone for good.
Then Maya's image flashed across my vision. She was so happy, smiling and giggling. And then it hit me again. I would never see her either. I still felt what it was like to kill her, to take her life mercifully before Daisy could hurt her more. I could barely comprehend this. All of it. I was crying harder than before, sobs wracking my body.
Johnny and his innocent smile, his wide eyes ready to learn. He was now in the arms of Daisy, the one who ruined everything. The magnitude of the situation seemed to just be hitting me. Everything hurt. My heart hurt physically, a dull pain that came from my sadness. I wanted to give up, to let her win- but I would never do that to Max, or Gale, or baby Karen. Or Johnny, who I needed to save. My breathes turned into hiccups and my tears fell.
     I felt my sleeping bag rustle and I opened my eyes. Gale was standing above me, looking sad. "Don't cry Kimmy. I'm here!" She said. I couldn't help but smile, just a little and she pushed me over. Gale slid in next to me and I felt her warm body heat envelope me. We snuggled for a while.
     "Kimmy?" Her small voice whispered.
     "Yes?" I responded.
     "Where's Logan? And Maya? I can't find them anywhere!"
     My heart stopped. Her words stung me like a whip and I realized she really didn't understand what was going on.
"Gale, do you know what it means to die?"

I spent over an hour explaining things to Gale. She was furious and refused to believe me, but eventually she broke down in tears. I hugged her tightly and we cried together.
"Logan's gone. Maya is gone. And they aren't coming back." She sniffed. I nodded. "I miss them."
"Me too. But if we miss them together, we won't feel so lonely." I said. I knew only time would heal our wounds. Only time will help us.
We fell asleep together.

Max shook me up in the morning. He put his finger over his lip, telling us to be silent. He motioned towards our stuff, which had been raised. Everything was missing. But he raised an eyebrow and I saw a ghost of a smile as he showed us how he hid some food.
We spoke in hushed tones as we discussed how he knew. Max said he just guessed Daisy was watching us. I decided we needed to move quickly, so we packed up our stuff and walked in silence.
I carried Karen and held Gale's hand as we crunched our way across the snow. We were still following Johnny's this trail of blood. Eventually, it stopped and I almost screamed with frustration.
I spotted a broken branch, and walked over to it slowly. From their, I saw Daisy's hideout clearly.
She was in a cave.
     I gestured wildly for my siblings to get over here. They saw what I saw and we creeped toward it slowly.

The mouth of the cave was wide and gaping. I peered inside and saw a faint light. I knew that was where Daisy was.
"Max, stay here." I said, still distracted by the cave.
"Never." He said coldly. "I'm coming with you."
I saw he wasn't going to change his mind. "Fine. Whatever." I sighed. "Gale sit right here and watch Karen." I stated firmly. She nodded and I handed the baby to her.
     Max and I looked at each other and walked into the cave.

Wassuuuupp!!! I know, I know. I suck at being active. I'm sorry, I really am. I do try- but don't get worried... I always come back.r
I feel like a lot of people don't really read my story. Can all my real readers comment their favorite part (specific) of The Farmhouse? Just so I know who is real and who is fake.
I'm very sorry if this chapter sucks. I'll start writing another one and hopefully have it out soon... 💖💚
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Love you all!! Byeee!!!⭐️💘