Barren Wilderness ~16

Hue and Stripe dive within the lake and tried to save the old man. The water gave out a rustic smell it was too strong that he was force to glide up the surface.

"This water is foul." Stripe complained.

"Are you alright?" Nod asked leaning in forward and forgetting that he can pass through the fence.

Nod fell down the water and was surprised to feel that the water can touch sipped in his skin. His breath are withheld.

"The water!" Nod exclaimed

"Exactly." Hue responded.

Oak jumped in as the water get chiller the evening became longer.

They swim deeper the lake and found out why the names are written up. Stripe yanked the old man and glided upward.

Hue gave out the signal to arise. When they reached the top they fenced in to secure the old man.

"We can't even apply a cpr here!" Hue grunted.

"Let's have him drink more water till it reaches his lungs." Stripe suggested.

"That make sense but it's dangerous." Oak replied.

"No, it might work. It seems that he prevented himself to drink the water." Nod responded.

"It's unsafe, carcasses of human is underneath." Oak stated.

"Yes, but in all the facts, human had the healthiest flesh." Nod seriously pointed.

The statement left the team muted.

"It's the truth. We need to move or this old man dies!" Nod stated

No one was moving, Nod took of his pouch and carefully put it down on the ground.

He removed his shirt and squeezed it in the old man's mouth. Perry strated coughing and gasping.

Hue was surprised, Stripe just watched Nod in awe but Oak stared at the tubes connected in the pouch. She can see how it beat like his heart. His breathing circulated in a motion that sync with his pulse. Oak was shy and ashamed of thinking that this man who offered to share her stain have something bigger than hers.

Perry opened his eyes and another water rain unto his face. it was just in his face. He gulped and looked around.

"I am alive!" The old man stated in disbelief.

"I should support their theory." the old man muttured. He stripped his royal robe and ornaments. He three it down by the lake as it sink.

"I have decided to speak the truth about you. I am sorry for realising it this late." He sentimentally regretted. The old man slowly walked and staggered. The four followed him helplessly. Even if they try to hold him whenever he stumbles their hands and gesture only got counted as invisible.

Nod felt the fafe powder vibrate in his pouch.

"Groan."

The old man reached a small elegant house. It was a simple structure for one person but is made of strong stone and marbles. it's adorned with royal curtains with silver embroidery.

"This place is awesome. It gaves out a natured spring home." Oak commented.

Stripe slump on the bed and was deceived.

"No, this bed is hard as rock at all!" He wailed as he tend his back.

"I wonder what left him this alone?" Nod asked.

"Yeah, I can sense his pitiful regret." Hue added as they watched the old man.

"I don't know who you are but I won't thank you. You interfered in my life. Stop following me!" The old man screamed within the house.

"I did not ask you to save me! How dare you decide if I should live or die!" Perry accused.

Stripe broke the vase when he get irked.

The old man was surprised but was prideful.

"How shameless! You even followed me in my house! Get out you are not welcome! And I won't thank you." He arrogantly spoken.

Hue clenched his fist and Nod held his shoulder and said.

"Let's go we can't help those does not value it."

Stirpe passes through the door he walked out growling and frowning.

"How did you threw the vase?" Oak asked.

"I inserted my hand inside the vase for water." Stripe explained.

"Does that mean the water in the vase is from the lake?" Oak questioned.

"Yes, It smell the same." Stripe replied.

"Let us wait at the lake." Hue stated.

Stripe started to realised that they are within a grave.

"Do you think this people died because of crime or just because of the king's whimp?" Nod aired as he watch the plates dangle and away with the air.

"I don't know but it seems that the old man felt most guilty than the king." Hue stated.

They were surprised when two men with torch rode a boat and strated to burn each plate. The coal and rust sparkling enchantedly displayed an emotion that carried wishes up the sky but the reality was dim in comparison to what they are watching right now. This names are death certificate but the main issue was the death behind those piled carcasses underneath the water. Deep within the lake are bones and blood that were rotting.

The view was breath taking the lake reflect the invisible faries watching the names perish into fireworks. The old man stood from a distant as he yearned for justice.

"If this fire beautifully sparks your names then how much more if your alive even so your death will be avanged by me." Perry whispered as he wished his longing will be sent with those fireworks.

"I can tell that the old man won't miss this." Hue stated.

"If we are in our place we won't be able to see this." Nod stated.

"Yes, but the emotions it give after seeing the bones of this names are beyond description." Stripe spoke.

Hue can't help but to think the death must have been done tp cover something more scandalous. He stared at the torch that was used to lit the names. His mind wonder in a dangerous direction as the full moon approaches,

" If help is not needed here then maybe something more effective than justice." Hue thought as the evening faded.