Dweller
Chapter 10

I was awake all throughout the night. Staring up at the beautiful stars that littered the black canvas above me. The perfect crescent moon ascended a light white hue. The cold air whipped around, having a small breeze.

I watched as thick heavy gray clouds slowly passed the sky blocking the twinkling lights. The smell of rain was thick in the air. In the distance you can hear the calls of the wolves, the noise of crickets singing to their brothers and sisters. The hooting of the owls, swooping in the air.

I stayed awake all hours of the evening, staring up, not moving. I wasn’t going to take the risk of walking in pitch black, a lot of unfortunate things could happen and I would rather not risk it. When dawn slowly crossed the sky; warming the land of the night, I was ready to leave. Bag on my back, and a small bunny tied to my waist. I had saved it from the previous day to eat it today. I hardly doubt as I climbed there would be much food.

I slowly followed up the wind, narrow, and steep mountain, coming to a halt every once in a while to jump over a pile of fallen rocks or take a break to rest and catch my breath. The path was a hard stone with patches of other stones that I didn’t know. The ground felt almost like gravel, it was lost and one wrong step could make you slip and fall. The path was wide enough for a cart to barely pass through. I wonder how often this path was used. Along the edges small rocks poked out forming a very small sort of railing.

With the lack of sleep I have gotten and with being on the move constantly I have gotten used to my aching muscles and my heavy eyes. I had not stopped for too long before I was on the move again. The sky started to darken and the sun was completely hidden making it hard to tell what time of day it was. The smell of rain was thick and lingered in the air. The downpour was coming and I wouldn’t be shocked if it started while I was climbing.

I was completely ready to get drenched. After the last incident at the lake with the almost near death experience, I tried staying away from big bodies of water for awhile. As if on cue the rain let go of the water and started to down poor soaking the whole land. The flying birds quickly fluttered around looking for a spot to wait out the storm and dry of their wings. I, on the other hand, continued walking.

I had no reason to stop walking. If I did stop I would have nothing to do and I was not at the moment comfortable with sleeping. I continued my walk up the steep and now slippery incline as the water drenched my clothes and hair. Washing away all of the dirt and mud that had formed in my clothing and hair.

It felt nice to get clean again. The mud washed away from my hair getting rid of the horrible ends and cleaning it. My hair would tangled by the time it dried but my looks weren't what I was worrying about.

The path became slick and I was scared of falling off as it narrowed making it hard to freely walk. I did not believe that a cart could pass up here. It was so thin. After the last of my walking through the cold rain. I finally walked up and it even out into a small landing, in front of me was a big cave opening. There was a small stable looking building, with some hay layed. An obvious resting point.

I walked past the stable and walked straight into the cave checking it out. With the dark sky and the lack of light It was hard to see anything. I couldn’t make out the ending of the cave and decided to leave exploration of the cave for tomorrow.

I walked over to the small stable and opened the gate. I settled into the hay as the roof above me shielded me away from the rain. I laid my bag under the hay hiding it and hoping for it to dry off. Before I completely hid it, I took out my canteen and my notebook.

I started writing about my journey over the past day, even though the day wasn’t over. I had gotten all I could have done and knew with the rain seeming not stopping anytime soon I would just call it a day.

Dear Diary,

I finally found the cave! But let's not get ahead of ourselves yet. Today's date is 9/21/1978. After the dream about the mysterious cave and the wolf I haven’t and wouldn’t dare to sleep. It still haunts me, everything felt so real and too familiar.

I had dreaded and hoped when I first noticed the path leading to a cave that it led to the one I dreamed about, but it isn’t. I’m not sure how I know that but they just aren't the same. We're not even going to get into the whole wolf part, I love wolves but I never had any hopes of being one.

During the night, when I was staring up at the stars, I could smell the stench of rain as it slowly got pushed by the wind. And shocker shocker it poured as I traveled up. I was walking in the rain for a good 3 hours! I wasn’t happy.

Then there were the weird cart tracks. The pathways are way too thin for any merchant to trust using that route. And the tracks seem to get smaller as the path gets smaller, it was quite mysterious but not the weirdest thing going on these days.

Once I got up to the cave there was a conveniently placed shack up here. That's when I really started to get my suspicions. There were no trees in sight anywhere near these mountains. If you were to get wood it would take at least 2-3 days. Even then to carry it all the way up here. I don’t believe it.

Everything just seems to be good to be true, Can you blame me with my track history so far things haven't been good. I’m just lucky I haven't come across anyone and got robbed yet.

On a good note! I’m getting used to hunting, it's become a lot more natural and less and less something I dread doing. Don’t get me wrong I still hate it, but it's gotten better. The sound of the rain is so peaceful, it really creates a calming noise and helps sooth a raging mind. I’m going to wrap it up. It's been a long day and not a lot has happened but I’m still exhausted.

Sincerely,

Quarry

As I wrapped up my journal I took a finally swig of water from my canteen and unburied my bag putting everything back in, I laid my back against the hay.

The hay was a nice change of pace, it was nice to lay on and was definitely softer than the last couple of nights.

The soft pattering of the rain and the cozy hay set my mind to rest and make my exhaustion hit its limit. I finally supcome to the darkness and slept off into the night.

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