The ongoing collection Volume XXV

By J. R. Wagner

TheNeverChronicles.com

       

                               J. R. Wagner TheNeverChronicles.com

The first day of October My twenty-first day in the cabin The year remains unknown On a full stomach, I packed slabs of smoked pork into my bedroll. They lay beside Akil’s knife, the map and several glass phials whose contents may prove useful. I folded over and tied the ends closed, then tied both end fasteners to a length of rope I’d discovered behind the whetting stone outside. Bronchio and Swat appeared to enjoy the outdoors but, to my surprise, they did not travel beyond the edge of the forest -as if they, too were aware of Akil’s instructions. Once more, I stood over the broken watch whose weight appeared to continually stress the marble floor as the depression it created when let fall to the ground has continually grown in size and depth. Cracks extend like vines working their way to the cabin walls. The only direction they did not stretch was toward the archway. I reached for the watch while Bronchio and Swat looked in cautiously through the open front door. As my fingers drew near, I felt no barrier. No images appeared in my mind. For the first time since its arrival, I was able to touch it. The metal was cold. I ran my finger along the back of the open lid. The smooth silver gave way to a rough, charred, uneven surface. Whatever source of heat had contacted the watch had begun to melt it. Cautiously, I grasped the chain and attempted to lift it from the floor. It did not give nor could I slide my fingers beneath it. Frustrated, I stood, surveyed the room for anything else I may need, then nodded to Bronchio and Swat. Both entered the cabin cautiously avoiding the cracks in the floor and giving as wide a berth as the room allowed to the trinket they so feared. I pulled closed the round, green door for the last time and moved toward the archway. Bronchio and swat took to the air as I stepped beneath it, leading the way with their rain of glowing dust falling from their brilliant underwings. As I stepped onto the roughly hewn floor that was the beginning of the passage beyond, a feeling that I would never return swept over me. With my heart in my throat, we moved down the passage.