Arvad started digging at the wall of the cave. The pain in his hands didn't register nor did the blood. He knew this was the way out and he'd dig them out no matter the damage done to his hands. The thought of light and maybe water, gave him more strength then he knew he had. They would make it out of this cave! Arvad felt it in his heart.
Pebbles and debris started to rain down on his head. Slowing his movements down, Arvad tried to peer into the darkness. Was another cave-in imminent? Hearing movement, Arvad squinted. The bit of light from the hole, showed Perry a few feet from him.
"Perry, stop." Arvad knew the tone of his voice was harsh even as he spoke quietly.
"I can help!" Perry's voice was loud and adamant. More pebbles, and larger rocks fell from the ceiling. "We have to get out of here!"
Reaching out, Arvad pulled him into his arms. Arvad's arms were more restraint then embrace. He tightened his arms when Perry started to squirm. Arvad reacted out of instinct and swatted Perry's thigh.
"I said stop. Not because you aren't capable or unwilling, but because the cave is unsteady. I can't see how the rocks are placed. One wrong move and I'm afraid the rest will fall on our heads," Arvad explained when Perry stopped squirming.
They held their breath as the cave seemed to shift. Perry startled in Arvad's arms when they heard a loud crash just feet from them. Arvad untangled his arms from the trembling man. "Stay right here."
Slowly crawling toward the sound of the crash, Arvad cursed the darkness. The cave wasn't as dark as it was before, the small bit of light coming in cast shadows everywhere. Stopping and reaching his hand out, he cautiously felt the wall of the cave. More rocks had fallen leaving a smooth surface.
"Perry, slowly crawl toward my voice," he directed. Once Perry was beside him, Arvad helped him turn around and sit down. "Please, just rest here. Let me move some more rocks. When we have more light, you can come help. We have to see what each other is doing so we don't move a rock that is holding up others. Tell me you understand."
"I understand."
Arvad heard the disappointed resignation in Perry's voice. Both Perry and Arvad had learned to accept disappointment and tragedy. Their whole life had been full of catastrophes and death. The will to survive had to be maintained daily. Arvad hated the resignation he heard in his lover's voice, but if it kept Perry alive, Arvad would take it. Leaning in, Arvad found Perry's lips. Giving him a quick kiss, Arvad reassured him. "We'll help each other-like we always have. Just let me find a safe way out."
Arvad turned and scooted back to the small opening. Taking a small break to gather his strength, he let his hands gently roam over the rocks. He couldn't remember the last time he and Perry had eaten. Their bodies only had so much energy to expend. This would be slow going, but they would get out, Arvad thought to himself.
Reaching up, Arvad gently shook a couple rocks until he found one that was loose. Carefully pulling it out, he continued to remove the stones blocking their escape. Some stones were stuck firm, others seem to fall into his hand with a single touch. Arvad paused to catch his breath and wipe the sweat from his forehead. The salty liquid kept dripping in his eyes. Gradually the opening grew larger allowing more light to come in. Looking up at the pile of rocks, Arvad saw one that seemed to be about to fall. Lifting his shaky hand, he grabbed the rock. Suddenly several more larger rocks fell. One stone hit his head, cutting his forehead open.
"Damnation!" Arvad cursed out loud. He was exhausted, he desperately needed rest, but they also needed to get out of the cave. Turning around to check on Perry, he froze. The light from the hole, illuminated the wall. Crawling over, Arvad stared in astonishment. Markings, pictures, had been carved into the stone wall. Pictures showing lines descending from the heavens to earth. And in the lines were figures-people.
"Is that what we saw? Is this what was happening?" Perry asked beside him.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Arvad whispered, "I don't know, Per. I just don't know." Arvad felt a mass of confusion in his mind. Was it from the blow he'd taken? Or was there something else?
"Come help now, Per," Arvad said, his voice trembling. "There's enough light now; we can work together."
The unsettled feeling inside him was pushed away as he and Perry worked together. They only needed a hole large enough for them to fit through. The sight of the cave paintings had increased the claustrophobic feel of the cave. Arvad pushed himself harder. He felt an eternity had passed, but finally the hole was big enough.
"Per, crawl through. Be careful of your leg on the other side," Arvad instructed. Helping Perry to slide backward through the opening on his stomach, Arvad looked into his lover's eyes. Giving a reassuring smile, Arvad gently pushed until Perry was free from the cave. Letting go of Perry's arms, Arvad turned and wiggled his body through the hole.
A wave of relief washed over him as they were finally free from the mountain. The pictures on the wall still haunted him, but at this point the need for water was paramount. Shielding his eyes from the bright sun, Arvad looked out to the horizon.
"What happened?" Perry murmured.
Arvad blinked. This was not the world they'd seen before the cave. The sky was cast in burnt orange and for as far as they could see, there was nothing but rocks and dirt. The tall mountain they'd climbed the day before was now only a small hill.
"I don't know, Per." Arvad wanted to reassure him, but didn't know how. He couldn't make sense of all that had happened. "Come on, we need to find water."
Arvad took Perry's hand and started to walk. The steep hard climb the day before was gone. Now they just walked a few yards and were on flat ground. Stepping carefully over a larger rock, Arvad swallowed a gasped. A hand, barely visible, told of a body buried underneath the collapsed mountain. He wondered if it was the man who had tried to steal Perry's food several days before.
"Arvad, look! Is that a storm? Rain! Fresh water!" Perry exclaimed in joy.
Arvad didn't feel the same excitement. Everything had changed. The land. The sky. He didn't know what this new disaster would bring. He only knew they had to find shelter. And fast.
End chapter 4
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Forgotten Ones
RomanceEarth has died. Every living thing is gone. Except Perry and Arvad. They were forgotten.
