The Journey

Chapter 1

Patrick leaned over the bed, inspecting the box.

"We have found many of these over the boundaries of the land we inhabit. But, none of them have contained a message such as this one. Your work has been beneficial to us Douglas. You have helped us build the huts, find food, and survive. But most importantly, you may have helped us escape. That is not short of a miracle, you know. But, know that your work has helped us. I shall share this with very few of our group here, and I expect the same of you. We are not united as one whole here, on this death cliff we live on. The only thing that brings us together is our need for food, water, and shelter. Then we fall apart. Just keep quiet. Not all of us can escape together. And you knew that from the beginning, and over time, every other person here did, too. Thank you Douglas. Now, go to sleep."

Douglas tried to comprehend the words that had just been said, but could not put them together to make one meaning in his head. Was he going to escape? Or was he going to be left behind when the time came? Douglas tried to put it all aside, and soon fell asleep.

In the morning, as Douglas awoke, he got out of bed, and saw no one else was there. What had happened? He ran outside to find everybody crowded around somebody. What was going on?

Running up, Douglas found Cooper and Theo on the ground throwing punches. Theo was one of his best friends, and Cooper was one of John's friends, of whom hated Patrick more than anything. Douglas never understood why, Patrick always stiffened up and walked away when John was mentioned in a conversation, and they argued at every chance they got.

Anyways Theo, was beating Cooper up pretty bad, throwing punches, and such. Douglas ran in pulled Theo out, and John followed suit with Cooper.

Running into the center of the circle, Patrick yelled, "What the frag is going on here? Are we animals?? NO! Now stop fighting, or we'll all be working in the fields today, and no dinner!" Patrick spotted John, and scowled. "You, get out of here. Drop Cooper in the infirmary, and get out of this. Anybody wanna explain what just happened?"

Theo jumped out of Douglas' grasp, and marched up to Patrick. "Well, I'm already dead, must I worsen my punishment by telling the truth, or can I make up some lie that Cooper punched me first?"

You could just make out a smile on Patrick's face, but he was working hard to not show it. Theo, work an extra hour in the fields today during dinner. Then all's good. Douglas, I need to see you in my hut. NOW."