Darkness Falls [Open]

[Timber Adams]

Darkness Falls

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Timber dropped the last piece of lumber into the wood pile, and that would finish his shift at the lumber yard. His arms ached from all the heavy lifting; why couldn’t he be sorted in something that required less physical labour, like a forest surveyor. He took off his work gloves, and tossed them aside so he could wipe the sweat that dripped from his brow. It was now time to go home, and he could enjoy a bowl of his Aunt’s mushroom stew.

He walked through the lumberyard, passing a peacekeeper on patrol. The sun was just about the horizon, but a patch of mountains was blocking most of the light. It already looked like evening; though it would be for another couple hours. Timber passed the metal gate, making sure he swiped his employee card before passed the metal gate. Bad things happen to people who don’t show up, or forget to sign in or sign out. Timber remembers a couple months ago; some guy that worked as a lumberjack got his knees bashed for not showing up for his shifts.

Another peacekeeper stopped him before he left, it was a woman. She wore her standard issued uniform, with her baton placed tightly on her hip. Her eyes were hidden by her visor.

“Just to inform you that there’s been some report of bears in the area. Keep alert.” She said in a stern tone; totally stripped of any emotion. Timber nodded, and continued home.

A path was carved in the forest going back into the town. It was dimly lit, and that’s if the lights were even functioning. Timber calmly walked through the forest; bear attacks were nothing. Being from District 7, you knew how to handle a bear. Puff out your chest, and act tall. His foots carried back home at a gradual pace. He was halfway in the forest.

SNAP!

Timber stopped immediately. His head turned in all directions, trying to pin point the sound. He saw some bushes rustle, but it was probably just an animal. Timber hoped. SNAP! It sounded like someone was purposely snapping branches. Maybe?

“Hey, who’s out there? Umm, show yourself.” Timber said trying to sound stern, but his voice was quivering slightly. It failed.

[Stormy]

Kage Brimstone

When the days work was over, I was already setting out for home. Sweat beaded my forehead, and I walked slowly and tiredly. The sun was orange as it began to climb down the sky, casting long shadows across the trail I walked every day after working. My hands used to become splintered and sore after such work, even with the gloves on. But after spending a long time there day after day, my hands had toughened. I pressed them together and glanced at the sky.

It was unimportant now. The only thing that mattered was I was returning home and could rest. Once my shift had been turned over, I was out of there within the minute. I wanted to get to my family.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, taking my time through the woods. I breathe slowly, smelling in the breeze that whisped the air. I could already tell autumn was around the corner. The trees were a beautiful color, and I admired them.

When I first heard a twig snap, I thought nothing of it, and continued on. When it snapped again, I turned my head and paused, curiosity getting the best of me. I stood still fir a few moments before there was a third snap. Then there was a voice. "Hey, who's out there? Umm, show yourself!" Came an unfamiliar voice, with a slight waft of worriedness.

I step closer to the bush. "I would ask you the same thing." I reply, hands up as I approached. "What are you doing?" I ask, wondering if he was the one snapping the twigs.

[Timber Adams]

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Timber turned around to a boy he recognized from work, he had dirty blonde hair, and hazel eyes. He slicked backed his hair to get it away from his eyes; what did he mean “what he was doing”. Timber though, what did it look like? He better say something.

“I am just going back to village. I thought you were snapping the branches? I am not sure if the female peacekeeper said that there were some bears around the yard”.

Timber remember his Aunt Susan telling him about a local legend about failed Capitol experiment that somehow managed to escape, and somehow made its’ way to the district. He recalled it being named the, The Lumber Shredder. It preys on people that wander through the forest late at night, though Timber believes that his Aunt told him that so he doesn’t go pass his curfew when he was a child. It has a distinct chainsaw sound.

“I assume you’re going back to the village?” Timber added.

[Stormy]

I glance at the person, and I remember seeing him around where we would work. His name escaped me. I cross my arms and turn my head, staring at where the snapping had been coming from. "Bears, huh?" I ask with curiosity. "I'm not snapping those branches. But yeah, I'm heading back to the village." I respond, stepping forward to look at the bushes. I could be a little late coming home.

"Any bears in there and we can just scare em off. Haven't seen a bear in a while, anyway." I crack my knuckles, a smile splitting my face.

[Timber Adams]

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Timber looked at his blonde counterpart, fixated on his visage, but his concentration was interrupted by another twig snapping in the distance, and then some scuffling. It didn’t sound like any animal that he’s heard before. Deer have a more clacking sound due to their hooves, and a bear are a lot louder when they are around. It is a large animal after all.

“I’m sorry, umm - never got your name, I’m Timber. I am a gatherer.” Timber introduced himself in a cool matter, “I know we’ve never socialized before, and you have zero grounds to trust me; do you want to find out what it is? Who knows? It could be tomorrow’s dinner”?

He wasn’t carrying much except a small pocket knife, and some string. Tracking down a rogue animal could be fun; breaking up the mundane life as a Capitol slave. We do the same thing every day, and hardly anything breaks the cycle. District 7 can be boring as hell.

[Stormy]

My attention turns to the scuffling that resumed farther away. I star. few moments beore turning to the one who calls himself Timber. I was very interested in the noise, rhere was no way I was walking away until I knew what was in that bush.

"My name's Kage." I introduce myself with a nod. "Kage Brimstone. And, that rustling sounds like a meal I'd love to have." I smile. What will Ryan think when I bring home half of what we catch here. His blue eyes would widen and he would leap onto his feet in amazement. I always liked that feeling of being looked up to.