Chapter 9: The Next Steps

Waking up the next day looking forward to a day was a nice surprise, we had finally sorted multiple areas of concern out and we had a solid plan going forward. Putting off the ventures out of the Sanctuary we started our normal routine, it was Tom and Nat's turn to have some of the food and after the initial effect had run it's course, we put the group through a workout to keep ourselves active.

Working out some form of combat training was a bit more difficult as none of us had any experience, so we were all starting from the same point. Dan had a leg up on everyone else though due to the limited exposure he had the few days before. We worked on simple thrusts and sweeps with the long handles, parrying each other's thrusts and cutting with the sharpened tips.

After a few hours we rotated through the food and Dan, Sarah and I took our turns, at this stage we knew what to expect after going through the process 3-4 times already. Jotting down the results I could notice a pattern emerging, the initial intake of the food had the most impact on our bodies with the subsequent doses reducing in efficacy. There wasn't an exact number, but I would say roughly a reduction of 10-15% for each following dose after the initial.

This meant that we could have at the least 6 doses and the most 10, this number basically related to the initial fitness level of the participant. For myself I noted that I was looking at a reduction of around 15% but Dan was closer to the 10% mark, my theory was that the fitter you were the better your body was able to absorb the energy hence a lack of waste due to the condition of the body. Where my body absorbed a fair portion less and reached its capacity much faster so the effect from the berries was much more reduced.

Though this was a theory at best, it had proven accurate so far with the 5 of us showing results that confirmed my investigation. Following the final intake of the day for each of us we set out to follow the previous days schedule, Sarah and I collected resources, Tom was doing a structural inspection of the building and Nat was creating an inventory of what supplies we currently had. It was all pretty basic, but we could see the results of our training and improvement of our bodies, which got us excited to nearly be in condition to be able to explore the forest.

Dan headed out again with a plan to find some kind of outdoor supply store, we knew there was a bunnings nearby and this being the best chance we had of finding some kind of storage mediums as well as tools for Tom to use. Heading in the general direction it had been we didn't see Dan for the rest of the day.

Come that evening saw him return with a trolley packed full of supplies, he regaled us on the story of his adventure, and it seemed like something straight out of a book. He came across various groups of shadow cats and saw other people moving through the treetops. Staying out of sight to avoid any misunderstandings he continued on his way until he came across the commercial area where the shops had been, jaw dropping at the sight that unfurled before his eyes were trees thirty to forty metres in diameter soaring 50 to 60 metres in the air. They were spread out beneath all the shops and warehouses and created a surreal spectacle.

Noticing various ropes and vines hanging down from some of the shops made it evident that others had made it inside and he wasn't sure what would be left, hoping they hadn't been picked bare. Scaling the vines with ease and making his way inside showed Dan that he needn't be worried about nothing being left, as Bunnings seemed just as full as normally expected. Apart from some of the general tools and necessary items for outdoor living that's had been cleared out leaving the bare minimum. He had the pick of the place and made his way through the store collecting the goods based off the list we gave him.

The trip back was uneventful and passed normally, sometime having to skirt around some cats meanwhile passing beneath houses and being watched by the inhabitants. Not paying particular attention to the occupants above his head he made his way back, noting in the back of his head the location of whoever he sensed watching him. Being curious was a good sign and showing that he was able to move around on the ground unhindered by the surroundings was a good way to show we had some strength.

Getting everything put away and passed along to Nat we could see the excitement she showed being presented with more storage options, tools and materials. Watching her go to town on what Dan brought and organise the shit out of the back room was an art form in of itself. She seemed to have a sixth sense of where everything was and in record time had everything squared away.

We got into a bit of a routine and over the next week we settled into a rhythm feeling more proficient day by day in our physical fitness and combat level. Dan was extremely efficient in sourcing supplies and was able to find everything he set out to, it made the day to day significantly easier, and we had gotten Tom started on buildings a secondary warehouse for Nat to efficiently organise everything we had been bringing in. He had made some initial contact with other individuals around the commercial district and had broached the idea of joining forces, not detailing what the benefit was and why they should come join us until we had a chance to meet them the three of us.

Sarah, Theo and I had been dividing up the berries, vegetables and flowers into different quantities in preparation to other individuals coming on board. We wanted to be prepared for the differing levels other people would be at, as this week we had come to the conclusion that my theory was sound. Sarah, Nat and I were only able to eat the food 6 times, Tom pushed it to 8 and Dan was able to get improvement 11 times going past the initial suspected 10 max limit. I theorised that this was due to his body adjusting to the energy levels quicker than most and taking in an increasing amount each subsequent intake, hence he would be able to take it longer due to his body's adaption.

By the end of the week, we had all reached the limit of improvement and with the daily workout and combat training we came to a conclusion that we were able to venture out with Dan to help find supplies and now approach others with the intention of inviting them to join us. Tom and Nat would stay back with Theo and guard the Sanctuary as well as our resources, while the three of us headed out to get into contact with some of the other individuals and groups around the area. Getting a bit nervous moving to the edge of the clearing we looked around furtively trying to spot any threat hiding beneath the trees, Dan looking back at us and seeing the reaction just chuckled, "hey, guys don't worry about it, there isn't anything there and whenever I've gone out, I make sure to draw the cats away from this area.

I'll let you know when we start getting close to their territory, until then just keep an eye out on your surroundings getting to know some of the landmarks."

A bit more at ease we followed close behind Dan setting into a slow jog noticing the odd tree that was a different and marking it in our minds to help us navigate back if needed.

"Now we are going to meet up with a smaller group of people that I've met up with a few times over the last week. They are a small extended family who lived near each other, consisting of the mum and dad their names are Sue and Andrew, his brother and children, in total about 6 people.

They are really nice and are open to coming along, they just didn't feel completely safe there just being me to protect them. Now we have all three of us it should be fine."

Making out way to a house further in the forest we had to change path a few times to avoid the cats; we travelled for about 20 minutes or so and come to a treehouse where Dan stopped and upon having a final look around, he threw a stone from the ground hitting the side of the house. A head poked out of the house and quickly retreated inside, a few minutes later a rope ladder was unfurled hitting the ground. Looking at each other we quick scaled the ladder entering onto a wooden deck stretching for about 5 metres.

A great landing pad and place to scope out the surrounding areas; not having been this high before especially after the trees emerged it was quite picturesque. The branches spread out as far as the eye could see making a wooden highway with each building interconnected. Quickly joining us outside was Sue and Andrew who upon sighting Dan broke out into big grins,

"Hey Dan, great to have you back with us, these must be the friends you told us about, David and Sarah, yes?"

"Yeah, that's right, we've finally prepared enough that they can join me on my trips into the forest." Dan replied.

"Well, it looks like you kept your word mate, let us get our stuff together and we can head off, give us a moment and we'll get everything sorted."

"Yeah, no worries, I might take Dave and Sarah around the area and show them what to look out for and the territories of the cats.

Take your time and we can meet you guys back here in about an hour, give you time to get squared away." Yeah, no worries, see you in a bit."

We then made our way down the ladder which was retracted up to the house and made our way through the immediate area. Dan wanted us to be aware of where to go and avoid, what to keep an eye out for and some of the signs that he uses for directions. It seems like he had created his very own outdoor markings dictionary, with each symbol representing a different thing.

From three almost cat like claw marks leading down in a circle meaning shadow cats are in the vicinity, to a box with an arrow pointing up signifying supplies in the trees above. They weren't too noticeable but now that he had pointed them out, we could see them clear as day. We moved around the area with Dan telling us we were gradually circling toward the commercial area when we came across a symbol being skull and crossbones.

Asking Dan what that one meant got a very sober response from him,

"Probably on my third or fourth day out here I found a group of cats which had attacked, killed and were nearly done eating a human, I couldn't see if they were male or female due to the lack of anything apart from bones and some tissue remaining. It was a horrible sight and I made sure that I marked the area due to such a large group of cats inhabiting the area. If you see one of these marks, stay far far away.

Feeling slightly sick in our stomachs with the thought of something like that happened we quickly changed the topic asking about some of the other discoveries he had made. With a much lighter topic of discussion, we continued for another few minutes or so and came to a halt upon witnessing the sight before us.

Behemoth like trees spread before us as thick around as the treehouses had been tall and soared into the sky like a majestic Colossus towering over all they ruled. Nothing had prepared us for the sight and we felt miniscule and tiny compared to them. Dan pointed out different stores that he knew had plenty of resources remaining so we could know where to go if we came back without him. Keeping an eye on the time we made our way back to Sue and Andrew and their family, arriving at their house we noticed the rope ladder extending down with Andrew keeping watch at the top.

Calling out to him he turned and spoke to someone behind him, we soon saw luggage and supplies lowering on ropes with some children swiftly descending on the ladder. Another individual and sue following we were surrounded by five new people, the other man and oldest child moving quickly over to the luggage to untie it watching the rope quickly snake back up to the house. After a few more trips and us organising the luggage in order to properly carry it back the last few supplies were lowered and shortly after the ladder came tumbling down detached from the house above.

Andrew came down soon after that on one of the ropes he had tied off abseiling down the now 40-metre-tall tree. The 6 of them were relatively quiet not speaking much and looking around seemingly nervous about being down on the ground. With the last of the luggage sorted and everyone with us we started the trek back to the Sanctuary. On the walk there we gradually introduced the new people to what we had discovered and what we had worked on.

Seeing the surprise on their faces as we talked about the lake and the food that enhanced our bodies was priceless and they seemed skeptical about the whole thing. Thinking about it we came to the agreement that if we came across a smaller group of cats on the way back to the Sanctuary, we could put our training into practice and show what we are capable of.

What went without mentioning is that Andrew and his family has seen firsthand what happened with the shadow cats and how they hunted down some of the animals and attacked people over the last week or so. Keeping an eye out for an opportunity to prove ourselves we kept moving back to the Sanctuary and after walking for roughly 20-25 minutes we came upon a smaller pack of cats maybe 4 to 5 strong. Making eye contact and agreement we signaled the others to stay put and silent.

We spread out surrounding the pack which seemed to be resting after a hunt spotting some blood on the ground, staying close to the ground and covered by some of the low bush cover we gave each other another two to three minutes to get into position. Just like training we let Daniel go first as he was the most proficient in combat, bursting from his cover Dan made it to the first cat piercing his makeshift spear into the cat's abdomen from the left angling up towards its right shoulder.

Watching it shudder and go still we could tell that it was a lethal blow and had pierced its heart killing the creature instantly, crying out in distress the other cats sprang towards Dan now 4 strong as he ducked and weaved between razor sharp claws and snapping teeth. Keeping their attention on him Sarah and I ran from our cover with silent footsteps and with quick thrusts pierced the hindlegs of the rear most cats laming them and giving us the chance to back away and wait for an opening.

Seeing the ambush and attack on two of their numbers the other ones attacking Dan renewed their attack with increased ferocity, yet despite their increased threat he kept flowing and weaving between any and all attacks coming his way like the most graceful dancer. Missing the claws and teeth by inches and contorting his body around the animals it was pure perfection in of itself. Leaving an increasing number of cuts on the bodies of the animals the shadow form concealing the beasts form was dissipating and their real forms soon became visible.

Sporting mottled grey and black fur their very skin rippled as they moved making it seem fluid and the bodies malleable able to bend in ways not thought possible, though now we could see what we were working with and how they did move, it made sense why only Dan was able to hit them before. Sarah and I having done the hardest part continued to make probing attacks on the animals gradually whittling away their tenacity and stamina until they were on their last legs.

Making a last feint towards their heads the cats turned away protecting their faces leaving their necks and upper torse open. With a quick swift thrust we pierced the cats from the neck angling towards their right chest and like with the first one we watched them succumb to their injuries and collapse to the ground dead.

After finishing off the cats we turned to Dan seeing him flip over one cat striking to the side of the spine and between its ribs piercing its heart and landing with a roll taking him past the second one, which then spun on the spot leaping at his body as it flashed past. Faking movement to the left the cat moved with him, though Dan spun around moving to the right and with a final thrust ended the life of the remaining cat.

Coming together we looked at each other with massive grins on our faces thinking back to how successful our first fight was as a group. The cats had been a plague on the forest and seeing how we were able to take down a group outnumbering us had hope blooming in our hearts for the future. Moving to the family we saw them looking at us slack jawed in amazement, explaining again all that we had gone through to get to this point, and it was only the matter of a week til we could hold our own with the cats, the same hope we felt, we could also see taking root inside of them.

Moving quickly not wanting to loiter around the area in case the smell of blood drew any other predators we collected the bodies of the cats and made our way to the Sanctuary. The rest of the trip was uneventful, we didn't come across any other cats and made it with no problems. Coming into the clearing we could feel a sense of relief wash over us being in what was quickly becoming our home and could see Nat making her way over to us.

Upon seeing the new people and what they were bringing she became excited having some stuff to do and quickly pulled them to the club house to organise the supplies and luggage. Stopping her before she got into too much of a roll, we brought the family outside to the lake and after confirming that this was the lake we had mentioned to them, proceeded to take our shoes off and took a dip in the water. The pleasant cooling sensation and feeling the stress and tension fade away was heaven and seeing how much we enjoyed it they all came in to join us.

After about an hour or se we all moved out of the lake and to the club rooms, Andrew, Sue and their family showing amazement once again due to the fact that the clothes were completely clean and seemed like they had been washed and dried. Smiling inside I knew that this was nothing compared to what was coming, though bringing it up in conversation I mentioned that it would be a good idea to get a good rest and start up the next morning. Nat had taken the initiative to put some bedding together and set up an area for them to sleep.

After settling down and getting everyone together for dinner, we introduced the new arrivals to Tom and Theo, spending the rest of the night in good conversation and everyone just enjoying themselves and relaxing in a way that made us forget about the outside world and all that had changed. Seeing a few of the faces starting to nod off and stifling a few yawns myself I headed off to bed to get a good rest and recover enough energy to tackle all that tomorrow was going to bring.