THE RUINS

Chapter 11- The Betrayal.

Robert geared up and began to slowly collect himself. The bright orange light of the early morning was peaking into his tent and observing the old man as he awoke. He sat up remembering what this day meant. He, Mark and Travis were all about to go perform a mission shrouded in danger. Yet he felt at peace. Robert had suffered too much pain in his long life time to feel anything close to fear.

On the far outskirts of the compound sat an old RV. Rusted and bleak. That was to be the home of the 3 men. They all said their goodbyes. Robert giving Joseph a firm handshake and Mark kissing his wife and infant daughter on their foreheads. With that they set off for a journey from which they had a low chance of returning from.

As they climbed through the thick woods, advancing with caution over the thick branches and malignant boulders. They heard a shrill wail from above and looked up to see a large crow hovering above the trees. They could vaguely make out it's long beak and oily black wings. It almost seemed as if it was observing them. Nevertheless they continued onwards.

Night had fallen by the time they reached the old RV and made their way inside. They rested for the night trying to catch as much sleep as they could. When Robert awoke he felt the weariness and lack of sleep begin to tear at him. He was far from a young man and the long journey and cold weather was certain to take a toll on him. His joints ached and he felt dizzy.

He had dreamt of Harry last night. As a young boy, as he had been when Robert and his late wife discovered him all alone. Audrey, his wife had been there too, standing by his side. However when Robert embraced the boy he became surrounded by the coldness of death. He saw that his wife had become emaciated and grotesque with a spider crawling from one of her black eye sockets. Harry had become nothing more than a pale rotting corpse. Robert threw the body to the ground as it sprung to life, crawling after him. It's decayed bones scraping together as it moved. With each deep breath the monster spoke. "You let me die...you let us both die..." Robert tried to console himself. "I didn't...it wasn't my fault that you fought in that rebellion Harry..." As he finished his sentence his rotted wife seized him and convulsed. She cried at him through yellowed teeth. "What about me Rob?? You cared more about your booze than my health... It's your fault."

"No...no...NO" he yelled before waking.

"Hey old timer. Want a cup of coffee? I have a little bit from the camp?" Travis asked him.

"No kid. Thanks." He responded grumpily and half asleep.

"Fine well listen I'm gonna go out see if I can hear or see anyone coming out of the compound. I got first shift today so after me it's you."

"Thanks kid. Let me know when it's my shift."

Travis left the RV. Robert got up and walked out of his small room. Mark was sitting at the table smoking a cigarette.

"Yano those things will kill you mark." Robert chuckled.

Mark smirked. "Well if they don't something in this world is bound to...may as well be something I enjoy."

"Your baby girl is growing so fast brother. I'm so happy for you and Becca." Robert said with a compassionate smile.

"Thanks Rob. Yeah she's getting so big. Not sure how I feel about the name though." He laughed.

Robert joined him in laughter. "What's wrong with it?" He asked.

"I don't know, Elizabeth, it just seems so Victorian."

"You're just mad that it wasn't a boy so you could name him Mark ain't ya?"

"You caught me out old man." They both laughed.