Never roll the dice

There was silence once the rider stopped its movement, a deafening silence for the boys. Everything was quietened, not a chirp from a bird or the swirling gust of the wind made noise. Almost as if all things fled in terror, and they were the only fools that dared to stay.

Broken! A scream, as if from a dying man, tore through the silence, willing to shatter the minds and will of those who would have heard.

The three looked into each other's eyes, unspoken words passing between them.

They know! They must know! Sheer terror strewn upon their faces.

As they started hearing sounds of movement, aggressive and toward their direction, only two thoughts dominated in Sol's mind at that current moment.

Should they flee or remain hidden?

There is one rider. If we run away, even if we scatter in different directions, someone will die. If they are not aware of where we are and we stay hidden, then we all live. But if they do... Then we all die.

Sol looked into the faces of Kaya and Mayy'k, and they looked at his. Terrified, but not resigned. Nevertheless pleading, waiting for him to give a command.

His face hardened, willing to command as much determination as he could. Twisting his features into something frightening that he could wield against the horrors they will face.

'He would do the same'

Sol stretched his hand towards his friends, signaling for them to stay still as he slowly raised his body. The two understood what he was about to do.

'He would do the same'

He felt a surging warmth, adrenaline coursing through him. His mind and body in sync. The yoke of responsibility slowly overcoming his fears.

'He would do the same'

A single thought, a mantra, ran through his head. A myriad of images, of times, of moments that shaped him into who he is now. Of who he wished to be at his very end.

'He would do the same!'

An explosion of thoughts and action as Sol erupted into a sprint!

'If just one person is needed, then let it be just one!' He would send himself to do what must be done. Not others, himself.

"Fuck you! Fuck you all!" His shout expelled all his pent-up fears and at the same time provoked the undead.

'Jarrem - Jarrem would do the same!'

The undead snapped their necks towards Sol and hurriedly sprinted. Their speed betraying their otherwise frail-looking forms. Bony legs and bony popping and clicking, which would have made for an amusing sight if not for the weapons they were carrying. If not for the dark rider keeping pace with its minions, unhurried by the sight of the fleeing Sol.

= * =

As Sol left, the sound of the undead followed suit. The sound of the ground trembling and swallowing itself, thereafter silence.

Mustering all of his courage, Mayy'k peeked behind the tree to check if the eye has burrowed back into the ground. After confirming that it had left, he staggered himself up and looked towards the direction where Sol was heading, trailing undead behind him.

He looked at Kaya slumped on the ground, both of them drowning in sweat. He reached out for him, grabbing his arm and hauling it on his shoulder as he started moving.

"Come on, we need to go."

"I know," Kaya muttered under his breath as he took his arm back from Mayy'k.

"We were so close, why now? This close to the settlement."

"It doesn't matter! You know it's up to us now, right? We managed to get out safely because we are a much smaller group. If the main camp runs into these undead, then a lot of people will die. We need to turn them back; we need to get to them no matter what!"

"I know that too!"

Kaya grabbed Mayy'k by his shirt, flipping the boy aggressively toward him. Frustration clouding Mayy'k's face, about to ask him what he was doing.

"Maya will kill me -" Kaya uttered.

"She will kill me if you don't make it back. Sol is gone now, so you listen to me. Next time, and if there will be a next time, I will go next. Do you understand me?"

Realization dawned on Mayy'k's face.

"You make it to them, and convince them to turn back. To take their chances in the mountains. Do you understand?"

"I'm only a year younger than you, Kaya."

Clearly not up for debate, Kaya's face further disfigured itself, which prompted Mayy'k to nod.

"Rules are rules; we follow them as the others did before us. I'm passing to you the kindness given to me and to Sol. I only ask that when your time comes, you give yours willingly."

= * =

It's karma.

It has to be karma!

All those musings about boredom being the most dangerous part of being a nomad. How arrogant!

I can't believe a nobody like me has the gall to entertain the idea of a monster attack happening to alleviate my boredom. To even think that I would somehow make it out of one and be unscathed is downright retarded. I've never seen myself as someone smart, witty maybe? I think I've had my moments.

Now look at where I am. I sure as hell am not bored now, no, far from it. Some power surely read my mind and granted me my damnable wish.

I don't know how long I've been running, but it must have been for hours now. It's clear to me that they don't want me caught - not right now - though I can't think of why. They are tiring me out for sure.

Regardless, I am more than sure that I've done my best for the group - I've made him proud.

I have a few more hours in me; I know if I tried as if my life depended on it I could give a few more! HAHA!