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Saturday
November 21, 2009
11:51pm EST

>> Campfire Creative >> Draft >> Fantasy >> ID #1443124 | Show Details

Afterworld		Rated: XGC
The end of the world and the begining of another.
by: Darkstorm	This item has no ratings.

[Introduction] The End of the World as we knew it

In the distant future mankind destroys its self due to war over shortages of oil, food and other resources. Scientists are working hard to discover new forms of energy and stumble across old text about alchemy or magic mankind has to learn to master these arts or forever live in medieval times once more.

Rage

I wake up startled, and move quickly to sit up but lay back down from the intense pain, and almost pass out. Laying still clearing my mindm getting my focus back, taking in all I can without moving.
The Sky is faded, No longer blue it is a pale red. The ground is trembling as if I am laying down near the peak of an erupting volcano. I'm laying on a grassy field, the grass is a deep red. and all the flowers and trees match it.
My ears start ringing, I suddenly am alert. I don't remember what this means. I search my brain, mind racing on what I should do. What can I do, I can barely move. All I know is this ringing, Means Danger. I feel fear setting in. My heart is racing and i move my head ignoring the intense pain to seek for what this danger might be. Suddenly I see my doom and for a split second remember what that ringing means. Right before I fade out of this world... once again.

Darkstorm

Huddled behind a stand of trees is a hidden cave I can see what lays beyond and what once was. But my thoughts seem scattered here and there as I shake my head and try to remember how I got here.

Rocks shift above me some where on the mountain side and scatter down the hill in a small storm of debre I jump back to avoid being hit. The ringing gets loudier as the rocks and dirt shift down lower.

Cauiously I move to the edge of the cave once more as something is moving down on the grass below my hideing spot. I stop for a moment and debate on checking it out as the rocks stop falling above me.

The fire glows behind me as well as a fresh water supply the small dog I rescued whimpers quietly in the corner of our hideing spot. Curiosty gets the upper hand as I slowly venture out to see what it was that was moveing in the grass. Who knows it could be another small creature needing help I think to myself.

I stop to check once more that no one else is around before slipping out of the cave a bit more. It looks human in form and isn't moveing as I move closer slowly I lean down and touch him and he whimpers in pain. I run back to my make shift home and reach for the blankets to help me drag it back here.

Slowly I roll him over onto the blanket and begin dragging it up the hillside. It's hard work and slow as I drag his sleeping body up and into the cave. Oscar comes over and sniffs him briefly as he lays there upon the stone floor.

I scratch Oscar behind the ears and smile down at the poor creature. So Oscar looks like we have company for now. The sleeping strangers begins stirring as Oscar and I take a few steps back and into the shadows of the cave.

Rage

I feel the warmth of a fire as I awake. I stay still, continue breathing slowly, listening to what seems like a lady talking to someone else. Yet she is getting no responses.

Darkstorm

As the stranger settles back down I look over at Oscar who still isn't so sure about this new human I brought inot our home. Slowly I walk towards the water and grab the make shift bucket I repaired then begin looking for something to use as a wash cloth to at least clean the stranger up a little.

After all it wouldn't be poliete to leave him lay in his own filfth and I can not assess his wounds if I don't remove the dust and dirt. There is a bit of what looks to be dried blood in his hair as I stand a bit nearer obsevering him as he lays motionless upon the floor still.

Slowly I remove some of the warmer water from near the fire and add it to the cold stream water in the bucket. Carefully pulling his hands back down to his sides I begin to wash his hands and notice the small scratches that should be dealt with. Slowly getting back up I reach for the salve in one of the old jars along the wall.

Oscar still sits across the room surveying all that is going on when he suddenly begins to growl at the stranger as his hand twitches. "Oscar stop that "' , I snap at him as I return to our guest. "It isn't nice to growl at sleeping people." The salve in one hand I begin to slowly cover the scratches on his hand and then slowly wipe his face off.

He has soft skin and appealing facical features that make him some what attractive if the times were different. His head wound isn't as bad as I first thought as I wash it off tring to be gentle and watching a nerveous twitch at the corner of his mouth. I guess him to be in his early twenty's although time here doesn't really seem to matter. Slowly and as careful as possible I begin applying the salve to his head wound. As he begins to move and whimper in his sleep.

Well Oscar looks like now all we can do is wait and see if he awakens. I move slowly away from him and put a pot of hearbal tea on and pull an extra cup down off the shelf setting it gentlely on the make shift table. I reach down and scratch Oscar loveingly behind the ears well guess it is about time I find us something to eat huh.

I stare out into the grassy fields and then back at the sleeping form thinking he should be ok till I can return. I slowly venture out into the field looking for something to have for our supper.

Rage

Awaking, and feeling much better. I sit up and push myself backwards against the cave wall.
I clench my teeth and arch my back as I feel the heat from the wall. Quickly becoming fully awake. I slowly press my back up against the rocky cave wall again. It is hot at first but I quickly got used to the warmth on my back. Staring at me from across the room is a small dog looking as if he is amused by my efforts.
I reach my hand towards the dog. "Come here little fella"
The dog backs up growling and bearing his teeth.
In no shape to reason with the dog, I begin looking around and taking in my surroundings.
I'm obviously in someone's home. If you could call it that.
A table made out of what seems to be a piece of metal with the 4 table legs made out of different material.
Suddenly, my ears begin ringing again, and before I knew it, a woman rushed in the cave grabbing a glove made of all sorts of materials and pulled a pot out of the fire.
Now standing up. Frightened the ringing. But knowing I was no longer in danger I slumped back down against the wall.
"Got here just in time didn't I Oscar?" The strange woman continued as if not expecting a response. "Told you I could make a kettle didn't I? You didn't believe me. But it works, You heard it yourself!"
She then took the strange lid that looked beaten and torn to shreds off the pot, and the whistling I had mistaken for my ears ringing faded away.
I thought for a moment of what to say. It almost felt wrong to interrupt her conversation. That I believe she was having with the small dog that was now wagging its tail.
I spoke anyway, without thinking, and not knowing exactly what to say.
"Hi, I'm R.C."

Darkstorm

Jumping at the sound of another human voice I drop the pot and lid upon the floor. Oscar jumps as well as I drop it to the floor. Startled I look at R.C. my mouth hanging open and temporaily forgetting my manners. I reach down to pick up what I had dropped encluding our megar supper of berries, wild green onions, and carrots.

"Hello R.C.", I managed to finally say " I'm Asal and this is Oscar", as I point to the small dog half hideing under my bed. "Sorry but I think I may of just ruined our supper ," I manage to half mumble while contuineing to still try and save what I can.

I point to the cup sitting on the table and look up at you, " Since you are awake there is no sense in me doing all the work so pour yourself a cup of the tea. Just grab the pot holder sitting on the table first so as not to burn yourself. I'm sorry we don't have much but if you like I can leave so you may wash up. You will find a clean robe and towel and things by the far back wall. But I do suggest you don't move to fast or try leaveing just yet it will be night fall soon and no one is safe when the darkness falls."

I half smile as I set the food in the basket and turn to leave to allow him some privacy. "Oscar come on boy" I call after the small dog as I start to exit our home.

Rage

I watch the woman leave. Catching myself staring at her butt, I shake my head, shaking the inappropriate thoughts out. I tend to myself cleaning myself up and put on the clean robe after quickly drying off with the towel. I sit down and pour myself another cup of tea, trying to think of how I got here, or... more importantly. Other than the name R.C. I can't recall anything about my past. My thoughts are quickly forgotten as sounds of the woman reentering the cave make me think about what conversation I could possibly have without a memory.

The woman walks into the cave.
"
Welcome back. Anything Interesting happen?

Darkstorm

Smiling up at our visitor , Oscar and I enter our home "Hello R.C., " I manage to half mumble while setting things down upon the table and turning back to the entrance to hide where we just entered just incase anything is lurking in the dark.

Keeping my back to him and feeling his eyes stare through me I try to contuine placeing the make shift door back in place before muttering a few words of a protection spell. Stopping half way through it to turn and face this man, "Do you mind not stareing? It is hard enough to remember and get things correct without feeling someone's elses eyes upon you." Turning back around and starting over once more tring to make sure everything is done correctly so we have no unwanted intruders again.

Haveing finished I look back at R.C. feeling half frustrated at myself for haveing snapped at him and for him haveing turned so very silent again. I move closer to the table and begin makeing what shall be our supper. Oscar has found himself a nice sleeping point upon my bed in the corner. When a sudden thought pops in my head and I turn beat red. Where is he going to sleep certainly not in my bed it isn't big enough for the both of us nor would it be right to expect him to sleep on the cold floor haveing been injured.

Shakeing my head and I turn to ask a question and find myself suddenly without words as I stare at R.C.'s crystal green eyes and becomeing lost in their depth.

Rage

I suddenly step forward and embrace Asal with a tight hug. My head resting next to hers.
"Thank you.... For Everything"

Asal relaxes and put her arms around me returning the hug.
We pull apart. And stare back into each others eyes before catching ourselves and we begin blushing, looking around for something to keep our minds off each other.

Picking the unusual table to look at. I begin to attempt to explain myself.
"Its just you've done so much. And you didn't have to. I'd feel that I'm intruding except for the fact that your the one that brought me here. Not that I know where here is. Its just that without you. I don't think I'd be alive.

Both of our heads turn as we hear a voice from inside the cave. Oscar begins growling.
"And I get no thanks?"
I strange a young girl, dressed in bright green clothing with symbols written on it... no the symbols aren't on the clothing, they are floating around her! Its hard to tell, or even see the symbols. I wonder if Asal sees this. The hair on my arms is standing up. My fists are clenched tight ready for a fight. She is leaning against the wall, near Oscar.
She waves her hand towards Oscar who quickly seems to get sleepy still growling with eyes drooping and Oscar yawns, then continues growling.
"This little fella has a strong will of his own", says the girl. "Most creatures would of easily given in to such fatigue."
She smiles at both of our shocked faces, "What?"
I begin to clear my mind and think logically. Quickly thinking up a theory. "So you brought me here?"
The girl smiles, "Yep! Do you have your memory back already, or did you think of that all on your own?"
Quickly thinking through what she said, "You gave me amnesia?! Why?"
Turning to Asal, "And I suppose your her accomplice?"
Asal replies, "No! Don't accuse me of such things. I would never steal anything, especially ones memories, those are priceless possessions of any creature!"
I ask Asal, "So you expect me to believe don't know this girl?"
The girl interrupting, "Of course she doesn't, What type of assassin would I be if people knew my name and who I was?"
We see Oscar run out of the cave. We turn towards the girl but she is no longer there.
Asal yells after Oscar "Oscar No! Come back! Its too dangerous! The sun isn't up!"

Darkstorm

Upset at Oscar and the strange woman and R.C. for thinking I could of done all this I turn and run towards the entrance of the cave. My mind races how the hell did she manage to get in here I am sure I placed the spell right and where the hell did she manage to disappear to?

Stopping just short of the entrance I hit the magic barrier I had placed on the entrance and in my frantic state forget the words to undue the spell. A resounding and sickening thud as I hit the barrier and then the cave floor flat on my own rear. Tears run down my face as I stand up and begin undoing the spell so I can find poor Oscar, waveing my hands frantically and resiteing the words I start to cross the barrier as R.C. stops me from leaving.

His warm firm hands grasp my arm pulling me back hard against him. "Asal don't go." he states so firmly as I contuine to struggle in his grip I kick him hard in the shins and yell "Don't ever touch me again!" As I run recklessly out into the still night looking for Oscar.

Rage

I run out after Asal, she is a fast runner. Shadows dance in the night, as if giving away positions of terrors that are hiding. I hear barking, and loud inhuman shrieks in the distance. I see Asal turn towards the sounds ahead of me, making them her destination. I turn to.

I come threw the trees into a meadow. Oscar is now standing in front of Asal Growling towards the trees on the opposite side of the meadow, where we see sudden flashes of red, going back and forth as if some creature is pacing there. Shrieks are heard and The Assassin appears beside me.

The Assassin, "That dog is nothing but trouble!" "Following me threw the night, alerting everyone and everything of my presence and position!"

Asal, "I never told you to barge in my house and disrupt everything!!! Look what you've caused, how do you expect us to get away from those!"

As if interrupting the conversation, a loud shriek in unison comes from the foliage ahead and a large pack of hideous creatures can be seen crossing the large hill towards us. Asal immediatly begins muttering the words to a spell, and the assassin disapears.

"Coward!" I yell into the night, fists clenched, angry at the cowardliness of such a seemingly powerful girl, running away at a time like this. Asal finishes her spell and a most of the creatures stop falling to the ground. some remaining still and others getting up and walking around dazed and a few got up, only to hit the barrier again and fall the the ground giving up.

3 creatures were left and as they neared us we could truly see how horrible they really were. The monsters head was of a birds but without feathers, it had fur, but a long beak that with each shriek snapped

Darkstorm

Thier bodies resembled something of a large cat with what looked like talons for feet R.C. half mindedly observed. His thoughts on protecting the girl and being mad at the other and the strange turn of events was a big blur in his mind.

Oscar stood growling and barking between the creatures and the humans. The bright red light they had seen moments ago suddenly seemed brightier like it was moveing towards them. Neither R.C. or Asal were sure what other horrid creature was headed their way or if it was the assaaain playing some cruel trick on them. But Oscar's gaze never left the edge of the forest as his growling turned even deepier.

The assaassin sat in the trees behind them waiting and watching to see if the creatures would devour her new play toys or if they would survive it on their own. She also watched the red light suddenly disappear into a deep canyon she knew was beyond the tree line. Her curiousity getting the better of her she headed towards the canyon forgetting about her play toys for a few moments.

Asal looked at R.C. and recited a few words as she drew a shield around him hopeing to protect him from the immediate danger. She said something to him but he couldn't quite make out what she was saying to him as the strange ringing noise began deep again in his head and he suddenly saw one of the creatures reach towards Asal before she moved and everything went black once more.

Oscar got between the creatures' feet and began tring to deter it from attacking Asal. She wasn't fast enough as the creatures strong talon cut the tender flesh of her upper arm and side. She screamed loud as she tried to fend the creature off. She saw it move in towards her once more as she tripped and hit the ground and her head hard upon the rocky surface. As she started to black out she saw something dive between the creatures and her. Oscar jumped upon her chest licking her face and she heard and felt nothing after that.

The assassin upon hearing the screaming had turned about sheilding the stupid or very brave young girl and transported the creatures elsewhere for now. She smiled as she heard more screaming comming form the canyon. She stared at the stupid dog and the now unconious humans laying before her.

The dog contuined to bark at her as she disappeared back into the trees but not before transporting them all further then they had previously explored. Since they wanted to explore let's see how they do in unfamiliar surroundings. She laughed wickedly as she disappeared into thin air once more.

Rage

I wake up, not knowing how much time had passed, its raining, and thundering, and wind is blowing, I sit up a bit to see Asal apparently unconscious a few feet away. I crawl to her, muscles burning, still feeling the aches of my wounds. I cover her with my body, shielding her from the elements of the storm. I wrap my arms around her and whisper in her ear. "Its going to be ok" Before passing out again arms still around her.

I wake up again, The Storm has cleared, Me and Asal are covered in dirt and brush. I wipe her face clean with my hand, she wakes up. We stare into each others eyes and she buries her head into my chest. putting her arms tighter around me, both bodies exhausted from the storm. We are at the base of a huge tree. I sit up to lean against it as Asal huddles in my arms, dried blood covers her arm and her shirt was the color of blood with a tear all the way down the side. I was embarrassed noticing her shirt was cut all the way down the side, I moved it to cover her better. Looking around and just seeing forest in all directions. I decided to just stay still and awake, and guard over Asal until she fully wakes up.

Darkstorm

Slowly I wake as Oscar licks my face I'm wrapped tightly in R.C. arms. I look slowly up at him he's sleeping "how did we get here?" I wonder. Tring to sit up I scream out in pain my side hurts and memories come rushing back at me.

"Where are those creatures? And that odd woman? How did we get here? Where are we?", I stammer at him before half falling back against him as Oscar jumps up to lick both of us his tail waggling.

"R.C. we can't stay here." I half mumble at him but yet; I am completely content to sit here wrapped in his arms. His breatheing sounds so soft and I can feel his heart beating hard beneath his chest. Without thinking I lean up a bit and kiss him lightly upon the lips before pulling away out of pain.

Blushing lightly I turn my head away from his all seeing gaze and try to sit up on my own more so. I look like something the dog would drag in and begin to laugh lightly to myself. Turning back to look at him, "Well how well can you climb a tree? I ask as I stare up and into the leafy branches still not sure I can climb but sure that we can not stay here any longer. After all who knows what other horrid creatures are about and I sure do not care to meet any more as long as I smell of blood which will attract them soon enough.

Looking back up at the sky I guess we have roughly two hours before night fall. And then the real danger will strike if we don't find shelter.

Darkstorm

The Assassin sat watching the two of us from a few feet away wondering how long it would be till we both began to move or if she would have to guard us as well. Such trouble these two are she thought more to herself and again wondered why we were wanted dead.

Her boss had sent her on this mission but she had no clue as to why these two halfwits as far as she was concerned were ordered to be killed. Neither of them seemed to be any threat except maybe to themselves. But who was she to argue with her boss at the moment. It was a job and one she needed to keep herself fed in these tring times.

She blended in with the trees as she watched these two begin to stir. Although she had to admit the male was kinda strangely familiar for some reason. The girl and the dog she considered to be nussicnes and could be easly dealt with.

She began to laugh at the surprised look on the males face as the girl kissed him and the dog stepped between both of them. How long had it been since she had last found any simple joys in life?

Asal Looked at R.C and asked once more '"How well can you climb trees? Because honestly I do not think I can at the moment." she tried moving a bit but ended up falling back once more against him. She had lost more blood then apperently she had known as it began to bleed and sting once more.

She began to try and think of a spell she could cast to at least shield them from any more beasts. Maybe a bit more sleep would do them some good. But how long had they already slept? And how far were they from there home?

Slowly with a little help from R.C. she once again sat up a bit moving so that he could get up. If he couldn't climb a tree she knew they would be in far worse trouble and soon. Her head was begining to spin and her side ached. As she began to see colors swirl in front of her she knew they were in real trouble.

Oscar barked at both of them as he jumped about between the two. He looked as her then at him. Then as if he caught the odor of something good he ran off under some bushes and began barking even more loudly as Asal tried to yell "Oscar get back here," she colapased againt the tree. Leaveing R.C. to figure out what to do next.

Rage

Seeing Asal collapse woke R.C. up completely. Barely a few days and he had already developed such feeling for this woman. Taking off his shirt he tore and wrapped all of Asal's wounds the best he could. then picking her up he set her on a low limb of the awkwardly shaped tree they were under. Holding her and climbing onto the limb was difficult, but he was able to. R.C looked for the next step up, which would probably be the last for fear of falling out and getting hurt more. He sat Asal up on a higher limb, letting her rest against the trunk, he pulled himself up, and squeezed in between Asal and the trunk. Letting Asal rest against him, and him against the trunk. He wrapped his arms around Asal's Waist giving her time to rest some more. He knew they needed a fire, and proper shelter, and the time to properly dress and tend to their wounds. But by the looks of it they weren't going to be able to.

R.C. tore some vines and made it so Asal wouldn't fall out of the tree by lightly wrapping the vines around Asal, and a few support branches. Taking care to make sure she could get free, but making positive she wouldn't fall.

Climbing down. R.C.'s instincts began to take over. Looking towards the direction of the sun. I turned to the east and began walking, taking in his surroundings, and learning the terrain. After every few hundred steps I would scratch an E into a nearby tree. Then I would walk back to where Asal was to check on her, and pick the next direction. South, marking the trees with an S. making an easy to read map

Darkstorm

She awoke to find herself sore and alone. At first things just didn't register in her mind of what had happened and how she had gotten here. slowly she went to stand up only to find herself completely off balance and hanging upside down above the ground.

Screaming like a mad woman as she fell she hung their wondering what and how this had happened. Then the pain and bright light of realaztion suddenly struck her. She quieted listening to what may be around her.

Where was Oscar and R.C. and how in the name of the Gods had she gotten up in this tree? And more importantly how was she going to get down before something thought she looked like a tastey treat meant to be sampled.

Suddenly she heard a sound from behind her rustleing in the brush as she tried to pull herself up so she wasn't such a spectacle if it was R.C. but it was just Oscar dragging some small bundle of squirming something with him. She stopped tring to upright herself as she stared at the small dog. Watching him struggleing so hard tring to pull what ever he had found back to her.

Once she had uprighted herself she slowly began to climb down the tree and lost her grip slipping on the last couple of branches and landing with a loud thud in the leaves beneath the tree. Hurting even more so then before she sat for a few moments totally silent before Oscar ran over and licked her face in a fever of affection.

"Ok ok Oscar down already," she scratched her beloved dog behind the ears. "Where's R.C?, she stared at the dog as if expecting him to suddenly answer her before she heard a faint cry from the buddle that Oscar had hidden in the brush as he had ran to greet her. She looked first at the dog then slowly began to drag herself over to the bushes. To her surprise there laid a small child, she looked shocked as Oscar ran up and licked it.

It cried as she slowly reached out to pick it up. Where on earth did you find this Oscar and where are the parents she sat there wondering all sorts of things as the small child began to scream at the top of it's tiny lungs. She cuddled it to her and began to slowly rock it wondering what R.C. was going to think if and when he returned not to mention how she was even going to begin takeing care of this thing.

She began examining the small squirming bundle in her arms it looked healthy But still so many questions ran through her mind as the pain began to remind her it was still present. She laid the child in her lap as she sat back against a tree and scratched Oscar between the ears.
"Oscar sighes what am I suppose to do with this small child when we have no idea where we are?" As she sat there cuddleing the small child she looked up into the darkening sky and wondered even more so where R. C. had taken off to. And how long they all would last out here in the open.

The baby began to drift off to sleep in her arms as Oscar dragged the basket over to her. It was splatter with blood but had a few basic supplies in it at least. She carefully laid the sleeping child in the basket and covered it gentlely as she heard a rustleing noise comming up the path to the back of them.

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