Chapter 5

Jasper

After a few beats, we hear the squad run past us. “Come on, men, look harder, they couldn’t have gone far!” The echo of their footsteps faded as we looked at each other, holding our breath, waiting. We wait for what seems like ages until finally we can't hear a sound. I look to Mishael and Noah and mouth for them to stay there. I take a step outside of the crevice and look around, getting a bearing of my surroundings. No signs of them.

“Ok, come out.” The kids walk out slowly, looking around. “I think we are safe for now. Let’s keep heading south through here, and then we can make it to the jungles of Ashu, where we can find rest.”

“But what if the slavers are still around, lurking?” Noah says.

“It’s ok, I’ll make sure that they won’t get to you. Do you trust me?” They nod in unison, “Good, then let’s keep moving.”

We continue our walk through the canyon for several more hours until the sun begins to set. A light catches my eye, and I see in the horizon a structure-like figure rising up from the canyon floor. I pick up speed as excitement begins to fill my chest. I turn to the kids and say, “Hurry, I think I see something!” We jog along until we see lights pouring from the structures. We get to the entrance of this settlement, and we begin to hear joy, laughter, music, almost like they are having a celebration. An older man with a weathered face and an unkempt white beard comes to greet us.

“Welcome, children, to the City Hidden in the Rocks. The name is Jeb, and you arrived just in time, for we are in the middle of celebrating.”

“What are you all celebrating for?”

“Life, my boy, we are celebrating life itself,” Jeb says with a twinkle in his eye. He begins to walk forward and leads us to the main dance circle. The settlement was like nothing I had ever seen. It was small, and there were few people, but it was impressive how they designed their tents to blend into the canyon walls. The use of tans and various red clays to provide camouflage and protection in the desert left the eye wanting for more. The people dancing were gathered around the fire, contorting and moving their bodies to the beat of the music the musicians were playing. The atmosphere was lively and made me want to dance along with them. “Here sit, sit, join us, we welcome all who seek refuge.”

I take a look towards the kids, their eyes are big with awe and wonder as they take in all of the excitement. It dawns on me that this is the first time they have seen something as extravagant as this. “Why don’t you guys go and have fun?”

“Wait, are you sure?” Noah squeaked.

“Yes, of course, it’s time we had a break, enjoy your night, but don’t go too far.” As soon as the words left my lips, Noah and Mishael took off running. They ran to join the other kids and took off into the night. I turned to Jed, “Why are you all living a life that is hidden? Why don’t you live in any of the main cities?”

“A long time ago, our ancestors came and settled this place to escape persecution. They wanted a place that was far away from civilization so that they could stick to their way of life.”

“Way of Life?”

“Yes, our ancestors believed in the Great Light. They were one of the first people to accept the message and became what is known as the first Light Keepers; however, they were attacked and killed for what they believed in, and so they fled and found sanctuary here in the canyon's cliffs, and we have lived here ever since.” I looked at Jed’s face, and a flash of hatred flickered behind his warm eyes as he spoke those words.

“I’m so sorry, Jed, I know life out here in the desert must not have been easy, but at least it looks like you all have been thriving; otherwise, you wouldn’t have survived for this long?”

“Hmm, yeah, thriving, you could say that.” A young man walks up to Jed and whispers in his ear. His demeanor shifted, and I could see his muscles begin to tense up. He doesn’t let it show on his face as he begins to get up. “Excuse me, Jasper, something just came up. Please enjoy tonight’s festivities.”

Something is off, I can feel it. I stood up and started walking around the edges of the party. I looked up at the cliffs and noticed something strange; there were no lights in the houses. I climb up in one of the buildings and begin to realize they look abandoned. I move from one house to the next and realize they are all empty. A sense of dread fell on me, and I began to think back to when we first arrived. Everyone appeared to be malnourished and bony; on top of that, I only saw people walking in and out of tents. If this were really a settlement, why would they need mobile shelters? I need to get back and find the kids.

I rush back to the main event when a man comes and stops me. “Excuse me, sir, but I have been asked by Jed to show you to where you will be sleeping tonight.”

“Ummm, yeah, ok, but have you seen the two children I was with? One has one blue and one green eye, the other has pin-straight black hair?”

I assure you, sir, they will meet us where we will be taking you.” Something just doesn’t feel right. It’s his tone, it’s not sincere. I look around and realize that more men have surrounded us. In the darkness shrouded by the light of the bonfire, I can see their weapons tucked in their belts. I realize now there is no getting out of this peaceably.

“Ok, yeah, I’m beat, take me to where we are gonna sleep tonight.”

“Of course, sir, right this way.” The man takes me to the other side of the encampment, where we walk to the entrance of what looks like some sort of cave. Instinctively, I reach to my back where my bow staff is located. I figured if I cooperate and follow him, there should be fewer guards in the area. With his back towards me, I grabbed my staff and quickly struck downwards on his head. The muscles in his neck twitch as his head dodges to the side to avoid my blow. I take a step back as he turns around quickly and faces me. “Oh, Jasper, I wish you wouldn’t have attacked me like that. We were going to give you a nice warm bed and treat you so well.” He says in a calm demeanor.

“Where are the kids?” I say with anger boiling underneath.

“Oh, they are quite safe, trust me, in fact, you all will be reunited with them quite shortly.”

“Stop playing games with me and tell me where they are right now!” The man slowly walks toward me with something in his hand. I can’t make it out in the darkness, but every muscle in my body is telling me to run. I keep my guard up and look for an opening as he comes closer.

“Fine, you want me to tell you where they are? We killed them and sliced them up for our next meal. Their screams were like music to my ears.”

 A large grin stretched from ear to ear as he spoke. A hot white sensation began to spread all over my body as my legs began to move forward. I let out a great scream and twirled my bow staff in the air to gain momentum and begin to swing it down on his head. Simultaneously, the man crossed the distance between us, and I realized he was behind me. I hear a large crack as everything fades into darkness.