The After -End 07

Sisyphyra is on WebNovel

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The bright sky had turned orange though the cloud remained grey, just as his insides felt. He adjusted his sister's body on his back. The more steps he took, the heavier she became. As the pains on his back and arms proved unbearable, he decided to discard her body secretly in a nearby bush. Saying a final goodbye, he braced himself by murmuring a silent prayer.

He noticed a path in the bush and continued on that path. Along the path he trudged, there were hundreds of huge bare shadowed trees deprived of leaves and fruits. The trees could be assumed dead but the black hard trunks puttered with cracks that released some brown slimy substance. He continued on till he came across a stream, that extended further into the land to its opposite side like a delta. The land had mountains of its own, it was vast and dense.

Suddenly, a herd of Tantamount strode towards the creek. Their round heads and bodies were covered in tiny black spots leaving the tops of their ears, long tails, and their noses bare-skinned. The head of the pack, an alpha that led the pack went first to the river. He stepped into the water and drank while the others later joined him.

All of a sudden, their ears stood erect and they stopped drinking. They raised their heads and turned to look at him. The leaders of the pack made a screeching sound that sounded like a lady screaming hysterically for help. He tried to decipher their reactions, having no idea of what the big cougar had communicated because the rest of

them just stood transfixed. Deliberately, he cautiously retraced his steps backward with his eyes still fixed on them. When he had gotten to a far and almost safe distance, he turned and fled taking the path he had earlier taken.

As soon as he turned, he heard water splashing. Knowing it was a matter of time before got to him. He took a detour and wandered away at a fast pace. He went through a narrow winding bend of a path though attached to the mountain, the path was amply marked with small stones. A route clever animals will never take. He hiked carefully as the path was very narrow and any misstep on his path could lead to his death. Though it didn’t take long for him to notice the change in the atmosphere, he felt the cool air on his face despite the heat his body emanated. Stepping on the last stone, he carefully moved to the path that led to many trees that looked like brown walnut trees. Surprisingly, they had fruits on them. Wandering and wondering at his surroundings, he was amused by the trees and fruits he had seen. All of a sudden, the cold air began to hit his face harshly. It was like a frost- like wind was about to fall. He looked ahead for shelter and discovered that the path he had taken had finally led to the frosty mountains. He decided to climb on a wild black walnut tree to check his navigation. The trees were endowed with lots of fruits and the sight of the fruits made his tongue salivate. They were spherical with brownish-green husk and fleshy fruit. His stomach grumbled loudly as he climbed to its peak and he plucked a fruit along the way.

He noticed that the mountains were larger than when he had viewed it from the ground although no snow was falling. He looked back to where he was running from and saw some fast movement in the trees, he assumed that the cougars had followed but later concluded that the men that had killed his sister were the only suspect. Weighing his options, he decided to stay on the tree at least for a while before continuing on his journey. His habit made the perfect camouflage he needed. He clambered more in heights until he was convinced of his safety.

A mountain wolf howling at a distance did nothing to calm him. Once again, he wondered where he was. This was the first cold air he had felt after several days of hot heat. He gazed at the now, dark sky from where he sat, and for the first time in forever, he spotted a lone star falling from the sky. It was twinkling very dimly.

A star, the only star?

You are all alone. The voice came on again with a depressing vengeance.

Just like that star in the sky, you are all alone .The voice continues harshly

“No, I'm not, I can't be”. He replied with conviction. "I have my daughter and my brother, I will find them"

On the spur of the moment, his father's words crept into his mind.

It's no use going after them, there's nothing you can do.You don't have what it takes to save them.

His wife's words echoed in his head Are you so weak that you lost your right to think?

His sister's words followed. It's too late, I wish you could find me sooner but it's too late

“You are all alone now!” The voice repeated mockingly.

"Keep quiet!" He yelled out and his voice echoed into the night.

"I am not alone, I still have my brother" Taking large gap of air in pants."I have my daughter" he repeated trying to control his senses.

“And I will die trying to save her. She's all I have left”. He concluded.

Everywhere became silent except for his breathing. Shutting the voices out, he reaffirmed his determination and proposed in his mind never to give up.

He decided to continue his journey instead of turning for the night. Getting down from the tree, he commenced his journey towards the frosty mountains.

The trees were cold and looked lifeless, dead twigs and fallen trunks spiked up from the surface of the white flaked ground. There was no path to tread on, everywhere was covered in snow, he took in a deep breath and stepped into the sleet and it covered up his shoes. As he moved forward, the snow surged to his knees. He saw a log of wood covered in snow across the path obstructing the path he was to take, he went over and continued his journey. Suddenly, his legs gave way, the icing floor below his feet broke and he slipped into the hole that led to a very cold river. He tried to get hold of the log of wood which was quite far from where he sank but couldn't. Even the broken ice sheets felt slippery on his hands. He struggled to hold on to the broken iceberg but he slipped into the freezing water. Fighting hard for air, he took in so much water that his body could barely keep him afloat. His garb was completely soaked and heavy pulling him downwards. He could feel his hands grow heavy and he was drowning. His eyes closed of their own volition as he was very exhausted and freezingly cold.

Papa, Papa! Wake up! His daughter's voice crept into his mind.

His eyes opened instantly. Aware he was still in the cold water. He looked up and spotted an

opened surface a few feet above his head. He swam to the exit with all his might.

I need to save her, she needs me! He bluntly affirmed, as he willed his body to swim

Getting to the surface, he stretched out his hand and miraculously caught the extended branch of the log. He pulled on the log and shouted for help.

"Somebody, anybody, help me!" He held onto the branch for dear life.