Sanctuary

Chapter 1

Eben sat at the campfire and was deep in thoughts. "How long has it been since I've last been here? Was it six or seven years ago? Sometime after graduating my studies. Biology. I was here with my parents and sister. We were celebrating my graduation, here, in this serene place, in the middle of nature, away from the stench and turmoil of the city. I always loved being in the middle of nature, surrounded by all its magic. Yes, although I am somewhat of a scientist, I always thought nature to be more magical than scientific.

I remember my parents being proud. And most of all happy. So was my older sister, although she tried her best not showing it. What a strange relation the two of us had... Shortly after we returned to the city, I booked a flight to Fukuoka. I remember being anxious to start my trip around Asia, trying to find out all I could about different plants and their use in natural medicine. I wanted to come back and expand the knowledge of my family and help them grow their little business they were so fond of: a small pharmacy chain build around herb extracts.

Now I'm back. A little bit sooner than I have expected and after a tiresome flight, of which I am not exalted anymore. That's the reason I chose to drive all the way here from the city and not join the others on the plane. And coming one day earlier also gave me a chance to tidy a little up, since the families trailer park wasn't used in the last couple years. Jan will pick them up at dawn from the small airfield about 40 km away and drive them here. This reminds me I probably should try and get some sleep. I'll have to start early tomorrow and it's going to be a long day. Two weeks actually. And I am really tired. Both physically and mentally."

It had been some rough time with a long flight, preparing and attending to the funeral, examining the search results the hiring company presented, making decisions, phone calls and not to forget, the long drive here. There was no time for mourning, either.

With a clear night sky and lying close to the fire, Eben decided to sleep outside. Although the trailers looked comfy – and he remembered them to be so – he just could not go inside and spend the night there. Never slept alone in one of them. Actually he never came here alone. Always with his parents and sister. But they will not come here anymore and some years have passed since the last time. "Strange how old places trigger old, long lost memories of those you hold dear", he thought.

He slipped inside the sleeping bag and closed his eyes. Slowly his tense muscles started to relax and his thoughts vanished. All he could hear was the fire burning and the comforting breeze in the high tree canopy. Maybe the half empty bottle of Irish Whiskey tossed on the ground near him also helped the slumber finally settling in.

"In about 30 minutes the others should arrive, so I'll better get a fire burning and make some coffee". He started collecting firewood, some small branches and dry leaf litter. He hated using modern stuff to make a fire. Matches was as far as he'd always gone in this matter. He filled the small cauldron with water from the near spring, mounted it above the fire and waited for the water to boil. He heard a distant engine roar, closing in. Getting louder and louder until Eben could finally catch eyesight of the hired car Jan was driving from the airfield. Seconds later, the car stopped and the guests started coming out of the van, one by one.

Eben walked towards them and said: "Welcome and well met travelers. I'm the culprit of your journey and I'll be your host for the next two weeks...or at least I'll try" he said, his lips slightly turning into a smile. "Hope everyone brought sleeping bags, comfy cloths and shoes and a backpack. Oh, an some good mood and the desire for a fresh start, I've read your files and know you all need it. That's all you'll be needing. The nature will provide all the rest. I'm into herbs, berries and the like and Tim specialized in long range combat in the mandatory army service, years ago. I had also some practice shooting with the bow in my childhood. Hope we remember it, I brought fathers old bow for hunting. And I have also stocked up on some canned food, just to be on the safe side. Unpack your bags in the trailers and meet me up by the fireplace in twenty minutes, there's fresh coffee and some breakfast awaiting. Feel free to choose were you are going to sleep and most important, feel at home. Only trailer you should not settle in is the one farthest to the left...It has my family's belongings and it's where I am going to sleep if the weather should be changing." "Or if I can bring myself to spend the nights in there", he whispered to himself.