Scattered Seed Part 2

Having rested, the siblings readied for the walk home. They moved along, continuing to gather as they traveled. The early summer season was a great time for collecting desirable items. The elders would laugh at the number of dandelions they would present. The ones from before The Change always joked as to how the yellow flowered plant would be around forever. It was a wondrous plant, however, providing materials for salads, wines, teas, dyes, and medicines. The young ones never understood why the people in earlier times hated them so.

“Father will be pleased with our work today.” Simone affirmed as she shifted her pack to sling a smaller bag over her shoulder.

“Indeed, he will,” Ethan agreed, “as will the rest of the community. What we do means a lot to everyone.”

“I am sure,” he added with a teasing tone, “Jason will be proud of your accomplishment.”

She turned to show him her rolling eyes and a nose wrinkled as if she had come across some foul smell.

“Well,” he continued, “You know he will. Then he will laud your abilities as a medicine woman, a cook, and a huntress. Then he will comment on how beautiful you are and what a benefit you are to the community.”

Simone turned and looked at him as if she had stepped into whatever had created that foul odor she had imagined a few moments earlier.

“You know, Simone,” he said seriously, “I have heard the rumors. He is going to ask father for permission to take you as his wife.”

Simone stopped and sharply turned to face him again, looking somewhat ill.

“No!” she stated emphatically, “No … no … no … no … NO!”

“Father will say it would be a good union between our family and his.”

“I’d sooner marry a tunnel drone!” she said, smacking him smartly on the arm.

Ethan laughed as he rubbed his arm to ease the sting. He believed if Jason asked, Father would agree. He wondered if the ensuing battle would earn a title similar to The Change. Their thoughts kept them moving quietly for some time.

Their mood lightened as they stepped onto the path to their home. The community had been established by those who had escaped the invaders at the start of the battles. It was hidden in a mountainous cul-de-sac for its safety and ease of defense. The initial settlers stayed in caves. Later, after the fighting calmed, they expanded their living area. They built on the land outside of the caves, yet stayed within the confines of the rocky bowl in the mountain.

“They’re here!” the returning gatherers heard as they approached the entrance of the cul-de-sac.

“Miriam,” said Simone,” She is always waiting for us.”

“Indeed,” Ethan responded, “and always wants to hear of every minute of the trip.”

“… aaand ..” Simone continued, smiling, “will pester more then ever to go with us next time.”

They both laughed lightly as they knew the truth of this prediction. They took her on short trips into the areas nearby. Miriam was quick to learn and did well traveling through the hillside terrain. She wanted to go into the tunnels, but it would not happen soon.

Miriam greeted them as they moved closer to them and continued to eagerly ask questions as the trio moved toward the living area.

“Did you see any drones? Did you find any berries? Were there rats in the tunnel? Did you see the traveler? Did you find any pretty rocks? Were the lights still working? I bet you got a lot of dandelions, didn’t you? Simone, did you find any glow powder? Ethan, did you get the vines for some rope? Are you exhausted? Do you want me to make you some tea? Can I see what is in the packs?”

“Enough, Miriam!” Ethan exclaimed, smiling, as he realized his sister had stopped a few steps back.

“What traveler?” asked Simone.

Scattered Seed: Part 1

Scattered Seed

“Simone!” he whispered intensely into the faint light of the tunnel.

“Simone!” he whispered again, hoping to hear her footsteps near.

He gave a startled jump when her young face popped up near him.  She held a soft glowing light near her face and put her finger to her smiling lips.  Her green eyes sparkled in the light as she motioned for him to follow.  He rolled his eyes, stifled a low groan and closed in behind her bouncing curls.  He loved his sister dearly; and, had always taken the role as her guardian and guide.  It had never been an easy undertaking.

He hated the tunnels.  Try as he might, he could not be silent as he followed her; and, making noise could alert a drone. They never knew where the mechanical workers would be patrolling. Though many of the robots had specific task assignments, some were always set to wander the tunnels randomly.  They made sure the pathways were clear of fallen debris and any unwelcome vermin.  Humans were no less vermin to them than the tunnel rats.

He and Simone did all they could to be smart in the tunnels.  They wore tightly bound leather on their feet so they could be protected and step quietly.  They wore no cloaks that could catch on the rock walls of the tunnel or make noise as they ran.  They wore tight gloves that allowed them a solid grip on their surroundings, and would not leave any blood from a scratch or cut that the rats or other starving creatures could follow.  Even the packs were bound tightly to their bodies so they would not bounce as the couple traveled.  

They were lucky that tunnels were lighted, though dimly, which made traveling easier. No one knew why the creators of the drones would want to have light in the tunnels.  Micah, an elder scholar, said it was probably for the creators to use if they entered the tunnels and might be a way for the creators to communicate with the drones.  No one had ever seen one of the creators in the tunnels; and for that, Ethan was most grateful.

“Ethan, look!” she whispered as she stopped abruptly, pointing to the wall.  It was covered with a soft web like moss. The fresh scent of the moss was a delightful contrast to the dank smell of most of the tunnel. Simone could take the moss and make delicious tea, medicine and flavoring for cooking from its different parts.  She gathered a large quantity of the web moss, leaving plenty to spread again across the wall and provide for future use.

 The two moved on to gather several types of mushrooms, some foul smelling mold scrapings, and a pot full of mud flecked with minerals.  It was then that they saw the rat.  Above ground, seeing the rodent might have meant an exciting hunt for meat and leather. Here, however, it meant people were the hunted meal.

Seldom was there a lone rat in the tunnels.  They were ruthless fighters, quick and vicious.  Their sharp teeth could easily rip through flesh and their claws were sharp enough to be painfully damaging. Both teeth and claws drew blood easily, and the scent of blood would quickly draw others to the scene.  The filthy scavengers could be killed, but that could attract the attention of a drone. Rats, normally, did not die quietly.

Simone saw it first, freezing suddenly in front of Ethan. Now alert to their visitor, he froze, too, hoping no drone was near enough to detect the upcoming fight. Being still and silent could sometimes work with a drone in the area, but never with rats.  They had a keen sense of smell and unbeatable persistence … and they were always hungry. The brother and sister team had a well practiced plan; but, it was not always successful.

Ethan slowly and quietly drew a blade from his belt as Simone untied the ends of the leather kerchief that wrapped her upper curls.  She reached for a pinch of powder from her belt pouch and waited.  As the rat approached, they could hear the claws of others on the rocks further down the tunnel. 

“Now!” said Ethan with a soft urgency and delayed log enough for Simone to throw the pinch of caustic powder into face of the rat and toss her kerchief over its body.  This enabled Ethan to grab the squealing target safely, slit it open and toss it down the path away from them.  As the other rats gathered to dine on their fallen brother, Simone and Ethan ran toward their exit.

Ethan loved it when they began to smell the fresh air from above.  It meant they would soon be above ground and free of the rocky corridors.  Though far from being out of danger, it meant they would be away from the drones and the darkness.  He understood that the trips to the tunnels were necessary, and he would trust no other to go with his sister; but, the very thoughts of the tunnels made him feel ill.

It was not a difficult climb from their entrance to the tunnels into the daylight. It was well hidden, though there was little need for secrecy here.  The creatures who controlled and dwelled within the domes, those who had created the drones, no longer ventured into the hills.

Ethan and Simone had not yet been born in the time of The Change. They had not known the horrors of the invasion and enslavement.  They had heard the stories … stories of great fiery battles, of weapons too powerful to defeat, of many people taken by the aggressors and others killed in great masses. They had heard stories of the time before The Change when people were everywhere and moved as they wished in the world … a time of no domes or domination.

“We did well today, my brother!” Simone said proudly, removing her gloves and loosening her pack. She shook her head as if releasing her red curls to the fresh air and sunlight.

“Yes, my sister, we did.” Ethan agreed, smiling as he also loosened his binding attire.

They sat to rest, reviewing the treasures and troubles of their journey. They shared some jerky from the packs and a flask of fresh water. It was a traditional respite before the walk home. They dared not drink until they were free of the tunnels, as less than a full flask would make splashing sounds.  When the weather was not friendly to their resting outside, they would remain in the crevice that led to the tunnels. They still would chat and share food and rest, but always lingered when the area was warm and welcoming.