"I doubt it. There's bound to be more of them out here. Keep your eyes open. We don't want to get caught off guard."
Eron finished the last of his berries, scanning the area for any sign of the creature. For several minutes, he paused, looking out into the forest, but nothing appeared.
"Let's be careful how we proceed. There might be something waiting for us," Eron said.
CHAPTER 27
"Who do you think made this path? Do you think anyone is still here?" Eron said as they walked.
"Who knows. The Selection's been going on for decades. Longer even. This could've been here from the beginning. It doesn't really matter, I guess. So long as we're careful, we should be fine," Phelan said.
"I suppose so. Still, don't you ever wonder how things came to be? Why certain things are the way they are?"
"Eron, it's your own fault you know nothing about the Selection. I'm positive they trained you in Rippon. I mean, what parent would send their son here without preparation? For some reason, you forgot. Not your finest moment, but that's only my guess. Maybe they didn't prep you; maybe they did. It doesn't really matter anymore. You're here and alive. That's what matters. You can make it if you want to. We both can."
"I feel like I'm missing something. Like I should know all this. But you're right. We can make this together," Eron said.
The boys continued deeper into the forest. The early evening rays of red sun grew dimmer as they went farther in. Shadows danced around them. The often-noisy animals were settling in for the night. Ahead, the trees thinned out, indicating another clearing. As they got closer, they saw it wasn't a normal break in the trees.
"I was wondering when we'd come across this," Phelan said. Beyond the forest's edge, they stood on a cliff overlooking a canyon. As far as Eron could see in both directions was a sheer rock ledge.
"Now what?" he said to Phelan.
"We go down. There's a path to the valley cut into the cliffs. We've just got to find it."
"How do you know all this stuff? Wait. Don't tell me. I should've learned all this in school. Never mind," Eron said.
"Actually, I heard about it from some of the few old timers in Greater Manthus."
Eron shrugged. "Ok, so where do we start?"
Phelan walked closer to the cliff's edge, looking both ways. "Let's try that way," he said, pointing to the right.
The boys edged along the cliff. Sheer red rock faces lined their side of the valley. The far end of the valley was obscured by cover of heavy trees and low yellow clouds.
"Looks like storms moving in," Eron said, pointing at the clouds.
"Good thing we're above them, isn't it? Let's make camp up ahead, and in the morning, we’ll look for the way down." Several meters along the cliff's edge, they built a crude shelter and foraged for food. They found a few grubs and edible grass. It would have to do.
"I can't wait until we get out of here and get some real food," Eron said. They were leaning against the small rock wall that formed the backside of their camp and looking over the canyon and valley below. The sun was sinking below the horizon and stars shined brightly in the sky above. The moon was just peeking above the trees.
"I can taste it now. A nice juicy buff steak. Medium rare, with a side of mashed roots," Phelan said. Eron's stomach rumbled.
"That sounds fantastic!"
They sat in silence for a while before Eron spoke.
"Phelan, after we get out of here, will we ever see each other again? I mean, will you go back to your colony and that's it?"
"I'm not sure. I suppose I will. After I get my bride, of course!" he said, punching the other boy on the arm.
"Ha, yeah I guess there's that, too. I'll be so busy with her, that I'll forget all about you!" Eron said. He returned the punch.
They laughed and quieted down again.
"Well, what will happen? Is this it? What do we do with our lives after we make it through the Selection?"
"We live in bliss! We get a wife, we settle down, we have children, and we live a long life until we die at an old age. At least, that's my plan," Phelan said.
"If that's true, why didn't I know much about my dad? Why wasn't he around? I have an older sister and brother, but I don't know much about my dad at all. Do you? About your dad, I mean."
Phelan looked down and tossed a stick off the cliff.
"No, not really. After I was born, he went to the Defense Force. That's what my mom said, anyway."
"Mine, too," Eron said. "Is that the life we get when this is all done? Is this just preparation for that? Are we in some ridiculous boot camp and whoever makes it through gets the privilege of joining the military?" Eron said.
"You do ask a lot of questions, you know that?"
"I like to know things. Don't you?"
"There you go with the questions again!" Phelan said.
"Sorry, I'll stop." He laughed a little and Phelan nodded.
"I hope we find something good down there. I could use a break from all this fighting," Phelan said.
"I agree. Maybe we'll find some buffs roaming around and get us a thick steak now!"
They fell silent again, staring up at the night sky. The moon cast a pinkish glow on the yellow clouds below in the valley. Stars grew brighter.
"I do hope this will be easier now," Eron said breaking the silence. "I’m done with hurting people."
"If we aren't, at least you know you can do it," Phelan said.
It took a while, but eventually they rested.
CHAPTER 28
It took most of the next morning, but they found the path leading down the cliff face. They'd passed it several times before Eron spotted the first step.
The ledge was only half a meter wide and the path was treacherous. Winds whipped at them as they clung to the cliff, hoping to avoid being caught up in a gust and knocked to the valley below.
"Phelan, are you sure there's no other way?" Eron said. Both boys were pressed flat against the red rock and moving slowly along the narrow path.
"Positive. It's the only way, and one of the last great obstacles. Many have died here."
"I can understand why," Eron said. A foothold loosened, sending pebbles and rocks tumbling down the cliff. Eron pulled his foot back fast and almost lost his balance. His knuckles went white as he clung to what little purchase he had in the rocks.
"Careful now; it wouldn't be good to lose your balance up here," Phelan said.
Overhead, large yellow-headed anthels swirled in the windy sky. The translucent membrane of their large brown wings stretched wide to catch the current and drift along. Typically, they ate other animals, preferring live ones, though they were known to feast on carcasses. Alive or dead, the boys were desperately trying not to be a meal.
They descended about a third of the way down the cliff face along the dangerous path. A wide landing greeted them and they stopped to rest.
As they sat there, Phelan cupped his eyes and scanned the valley. "It's beautiful down there, don't you think?"
Eron looked down. "Yeah, I guess."
"Have you ever seen anything like this? Being up so high and having this view? It's spectacular."
"If you say so. To me, it looks dangerous. It looks like a trap."
"Why would you think that?"
"I don't know. It just does. I feel like we're heading to a battle we aren't prepared for. And down there, those trees and the colors and everything is just a trap."
"So why go down here with me?" Phelan said. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Eron.
"What else am I going to do? You said there was no other way. Unless you lied, but I don’t think you did. I hope not, anyway. I don't want to die. Not up here. Not down there. I want to make it to the end. I want to see Mina again. I want to live."
Phelan grinned. "Of course, you want to live! We all do! We'll make it, Eron, you'll see. We'll be jumping up and down, crying and laughing when we see Victory Point. And I
'm sure this girl of yours will be waiting with open arms to give you a big, fat, wet kiss!"
Eron's face turned bright red. "I hope so!" he said.
"Here, want some berries?" Phelan said. He'd saved some from earlier. Though they stained his pocket, they were still edible. Eron reached out to get a few and the rocks shifted beneath him.
He slid toward the edge. The loose gravel made it difficult to grab on to anything. His legs swung over the edge, kicking rocks down the cliff. He scrambled and tried to push his way back up with his feet, but he slid on pebbles and dirt.
Phelan tossed the berries and lunged toward Eron, grabbing his arms. Heaving and straining, he pulled and stopped the downward momentum.
"Come on, Eron, push yourself up! I can't hold you much longer," Phelan said. Spittle flew from his mouth. Veins pulsed on his blue forehead.
"I'm trying! I can't brace my feet on anything. Help me, Phelan!"
The other boy pulled harder as he tried to heave Eron over the ledge. His feet slipped and he almost went over, sending them both down. At the last moment, a large rock gave him something to support against and stop the momentum. Using the leverage, he pulled back and tried to bring Eron up the ledge before he lost his strength.
"Come on, Eron, my arms are giving out. I can't hold this!" Phelan said.
Eron looked down into the valley. "Just let me go. I'm not gonna make it. Don't waste your time, Phelan. I'm not strong enough for this. You are. Let me go."
"No! Don't give up. We're so close now! Push yourself up now, or I go with you over the edge."
"That's stupid, Phelan! If you let me go, at least you'll have a chance."
"I said no! It's both of us, or neither of us. Call it, Eron."
Eron closed his eyes. Shifting his legs, his foot bumped into something solid. He raised himself up a bit.
"That's it, Eron! Push!"
Then Phelan pulled as hard as he could with the little bit of help from Eron and it was enough to lift the boy back on the ledge.
Both boys sat against the cliff wall breathing heavy, sweat dripping down their faces.
"Thank you, Phelan. Thank you for not letting me go."
Phelan punched him in the arm. "Don't ever give up. Under any circumstances, don't you ever give up. Do you hear me? I might not always be able to help. You have to want to live, Eron."
"I got it. Sorry. I saw no other way."
"There's always a way if you want it bad enough. Next time, stay close to the wall. I don't think I can do that again."
By the time the sun had set, they'd made it down into the lush valley.
CHAPTER 29
Thin everpurple needles covered the valley floor. They were soft and quiet to walk on, quite the contrast to the forest. The boys made camp under one of the vibrant everpurple trees. They slept soundly that night, better than any night yet.
When they awoke and continued their journey, the mood was upbeat and expectant.
Larger gracers flew overhead. They were at least five times the size of their cousins on higher ground. Large oval-shaped leaves on thick stems burst forth from shrubs like Eron had never seen before. The green leaves had small white pods on the undersides.
"Stay away from those spores," Phelan said. "You get them on your skin, and they'll burn right in. You can't wash them off. There's a salve made of concentrated spearleaf and broadwind seed oil that clears them from your skin, but...we don't have any. It's best to stay away."
Eron stepped back from the leaves. "Ok, then," he said.
A rock landed on the ground in front of them. Eron looked to Phelan, who shrugged. Another one rolled next to Eron's foot. The rocks were coming from behind them. Turning around, they saw a boy standing twenty meters away.
"Hey, coward. I thought I'd catch up with you. Who's that? You need someone to fight for you?"
Bello. He was a bit thinner and his eyes were sunken in his skull.
"Oh no," said Eron. He gripped his staff tight.
"Who's that?" Phelan asked.
"That's the guy from my colony that messed with me. His name is Bello. He's a jerk."
"And alone," said Phelan. "What do you want?" Phelan said to the larger boy.
Bello smirked. "So, you do need his help, huh, coward? I knew you'd never make it alone. Just like your brother."
Eron slammed his staff on the ground with shaking arms. His lips were tight.
"He's with me. Anyone has a problem with Eron has a problem with me," Phelan said.
"Shut up, blue face. Your kind are liars and cowards, just like him. I'm not afraid of you. Don't get in my way." Bello stood with his hands balled into fists at his sides. He tapped them on his legs.
"You know," Phelan said to Eron, "I'm getting a bit tired of being called blue face. What's that supposed to mean, anyway? Of course, my face is blue! All my skin is. Idiots."
"If all you've got is blue face, then you might be the one to worry," Phelan said. Bello's eyes narrowed. Startled by a sound in the bush near him, Bello jumped to the side. Eron laughed at the comical way he moved.
"Shut up!" Bello yelled. He ran towards the two boys, smashing through bushes and branches. Phelan and Eron took defensive stances as the larger boy came at them.
Suddenly, Laird sprung from a bush and slammed into Bello, knocking him to the ground. Eron and Phelan looked to each other, then watched as Laird pummeled Bello.
"I'm going to kill you!" he screamed. Bello held his hands over his face against the blows. Fists flew as Laird beat on the unsuspecting boy. Blood sprayed. Bello cried out.
"We've got to do something!" Eron said.
"Like what? It seems like he's taking care of your problem," Phelan said.
Ignoring Phelan, Eron rushed to the boys, raising his staff high. Laird looked up and smiled.
"You won't do it," he said, "because he's right. You're a coward."
Eron pulled back and swung his staff at Laird, knocking him in the head. Wood connected with flesh. A sickening snap sounded and Laird screamed. Eron swung again. And again. Laird tried to block the blows, but only made Eron angrier. He swung harder, snapping the boy's fingers. Laird's blood splattered on Eron when the staff smashed into his mouth, forcing him off Bello.
"Get off him!" Eron screamed. A large red spot tainted Laird's blond hair.
"I'm going to kill you!" he said to Eron through bloody lips.
"Not today," Eron said.
Laird left Bello on the ground and lunged at Eron. "I'm gonna enjoy killing you!" he shouted. Eron swatted at him with his staff, the blow barely registering on Laird. The taller boy caught Eron in the stomach, forcing him to the ground. He kneed Eron in the groin and the smaller boy yelled in pain.
The boys struggled on the ground, a tangle of arms and legs in a furious dance of death. Laird punched Eron in the ribs, striking harder with each hit.
Eron cringed in pain. "Phelan, help," he called. Laird backhanded him in the mouth, spit and blood spraying.
Bello lay on the ground moaning. Phelan remained still.
"You don't deserve to live!" Laird screamed. "You're weak!"
Eron struggled against the larger boy's grasp. He shifted and squirmed underneath, trying to free himself. Laird struck him in the stomach, winding him. Eron could barely see the boy on top of him, his vision turning hazy.
A rock struck Laird on the head. He let up on his punishment. "Ouch, what the--" he said. Eron didn't wait. He pushed upwards, knocking Laird off him. Phelan stood grinning, another rock in his hands.
"Kill him, Eron! Do it now, before he recovers!" Phelan said.
Eron forced himself up and grabbed his staff. He paused, then swung the staff down, striking Laird on the head. The boy's skull caved inward from the vicious hit. Blood streamed from his nose. His eyes rolled back in his head. Eron was poised to strike again as Laird lay splayed on the ground. Dead.
Bello stood on wobbly legs, screaming. "Why did you do that
, coward? I can handle myself! I don't need help from someone like you! I never needed your help!" In a blind rage, Bello ran into the forest, screaming at the top of his lungs. "I don't need help from cowards! Leave me alone!"
Phelan watched the boys without moving. Eron released his grip on the staff. "Why didn't you help earlier?" he said to Phelan. The other boy raised his hand as if to stop Eron from talking.
"You had it under control."
Bello's voice disappeared in the valley and he was gone.
"What just happened?" Eron asked. His staff was covered in blood and Laird lay on the ground in a twisted heap.
"You survived. You saved someone who didn't deserve it," Phelan said.
"We all deserve a chance, Phelan. Did you know they were following us?"
"How would I know? I'm just as surprised as you were! They must've been following and waiting for a chance to strike. Seems like Bello didn't think it through. Neither did Laird. I had no idea you'd break like that. Not bad," he said.
Eron looked at his hands. "I, I didn't mean to kill him. I was only trying to get him off Bello."
"You did that,” Phelan said. "We best keep an eye out for Bello. I don't think he appreciated the assistance."
"Yeah. Maybe he'll finally leave me alone."
He stood shaking, flexing his sore hands. "What have I done?" he said quietly. "What have I become?"
CHAPTER 30
Eron wrestled with his emotions for quite a while after killing Laird. Would Timo have killed someone? he wondered. The pent-up rage that guided his staff when he swung it at the boy concerned him. He'd never felt so aggressive, so destructive before. He fought out of self-defense and helped beat Laird's crew, but this felt different to him.
"Phelan, do you ever get over killing someone?" he asked, his voice quiet and weak.
"What do you mean by that?" Phelan said.
Eron hesitated. "Nothing, I guess."
The boys had put some distance between themselves and Laird's bloody body. They left it to the creatures of the forest. No doubt it had attracted craates and other animals looking to get a free meal. Eron shuddered at the thought of thousands of tiny insects already crawling, heaving, gorging themselves on the body.
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