Cherreads

Chapter 13 - Carpenter

Season 1-Foreign Ground.

Two days after the long-rifle training in the forest.

Viktor: (yawns) Huaaah. The air is freezing…

Lucien: Remi. Come with me for a sec.

Remi: Where? It's still dark and early…

Lucien: Just come. Bring S. too.

Lucien: I'll be waiting outside.

Remi: A-alright then…

Remi: (wakes S.)

Hey. S. Get up. Come with me outside for a bit.

S: (barely opens his eyes) Huaaah… What is it?

S: It's still dark out.

Remi: Hurry up. Lucien's waiting outside.

S: I'll wash my face first. You go ahead.

Remi: Okay. But don't go back to sleep, alright?

S: Yeah yeah. Go on.

Remi: Alright. Me and Lucien will be outside.

— In front of the house —

Remi: Hey Lucien. S is washing his face out back.

Remi: He'll be here soon.

Lucien: That's fine.

Lucien: I just want to talk about something important with you both.

Remi: What exactly is this important thing?

Remi: You've been bringing it up since yesterday, but never actually said it.

Lucien: I want to talk about… our purpose and where we stand right now.

Lucien: Why are we even here?

Lucien: We ended up here because of Siro's weird coordinate input into the Cryport.

Lucien: And now we're stuck here?

S: (from behind) Yeah. Maybe it's my fault.

Remi & Lucien: (shocked)

S: I've been asking myself lately… What are we even doing here?

Remi: I get how you both feel…

Remi: But… why don't we at least try to live here?

Remi: It's better here than in Cryverra, right?

Lucien: (hesitates) About that…

Lucien: I agree. This place is better than Cryverra.

Lucien: But here's what really bugs me… What is this place? It clearly isn't Cryverra.

Lucien: And what's even weirder… why do people here look exactly like us?

S: Calm yourself, Lucien.

S: We've only been here a few days. And they've been treating us kindly, haven't they?

Lucien: (irritated) Huffftt…

Lucien: Okay fine. I do agree with you guys. Life here—and the people—are not bad at all.

Lucien: Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just being a coward.

Remi: Hey. None of us said that. You're brave, and you're one of us, right?

Lucien: (smiles) You guys are too kind for someone as selfish as me.

Lucien: (hugs Remi & S. warmly)

S: Heeey. What is this?

Remi: (startled) Woah! What the—?

Lucien: A warm hug. For people I now see as family.

Lucien: Please, both of you. Keep going strong, even if I act like a child sometimes.

Lucien: I'll try to get rid of my selfishness.

Remi: (smiles proudly) We believe in you, bro.

S: I'm holding you to that. (proud smile)

A door creaks open from behind.

Lucien: Sounds like everyone's waking up.

Remi: Yeah, I heard that too.

S: Let's get ready for the day.

Siro: (behind them, yawns) Huaaffftt…

Siro (quietly) Hey, you guys are up early…

S: Heeey! Siro Bowman!

Lucien: Hahaha. Our bowmaster's here.

Siro: Cut the jokes. You guys won't stop with that nickname…

Remi: But your name is actually cool. Siro Bowman.

Remi: I wonder who Franz will name next?

Lucien: We'll think about that later. Let's get ready.

Remi & S: LET'S GO!

Siro: Hey, where are you guys going?

Remi & S: I think you need a cup of tea, Siro.

Siro: (confused) Huh??

7:20 AM — In front of Franz's house

Emrik: (shivering) Geez… it's so cold this morning…

Dario: Drink some warm milk.

Emrik: Nah, thanks. You can have it all.

Franz: (from behind) Huuuuh. Cold air today…

Franz: Even the water's starting to freeze.

Cashew: That's Franz's voice.

Siro: Just let him be.

Tiber: Hey hey hey! Look who's here!

Tiber: It's Siro Bowman! Haha!

Siro: (annoyed) Please stop. I'm sick of it.

Cashew: But your name is cool, Siro.

Siro: Yeah yeah, I know.

Remi: I wonder what we're gonna do today?

Lucien: Who knows? Maybe fight a bear?

S: What are you even saying?

From a distance…

"Hey everyone—!"

Emrik: (squints) It's Tomas and Daniel.

Viktor: They're right on time.

Franz: Looks like we're all here.

Tomas: Good morning everyone.

Tomas: Sorry I'm late. I was helping clean up a wagon that tipped over on the road.

Viktor: Whose wagon?

Tomas: Not sure. Probably a fruit merchant's.

Franz: Bundle up. We're heading to the forest again today.

Lucien: (thinking) Great. Here we go again…

Daniel: What for? The weather's awful… (mutters)

Franz: We're out of firewood. If we don't chop some now, we'll freeze to death.

Remi: I'll go get ready right now!

Cashew: You're fired up, Remi!

Remi: I'm not freezing to death.

S: I'll get ready too.

Franz: Bring food too! I'll prep the horses. Two per horse!

Lucien: (shocked) Horses?

Lucien (thinking)

"For some reason… hearing Franz say 'horses' reminded me of when I rescued Chloe… back in Cryverra."

Franz: Lucien, you alright?

Lucien: (startled) Oh—yeah, I'll get ready now!

Cashew: Finally, we're riding horses! I'm so done with walking.

They all start preparing to leave for the forest. Franz readies the horses.

Franz (thinking)

"A new lesson for them… in the forest."

S: I'm ready! Brought plenty of food too.

Viktor: Me, Tomas, and Daniel are ready too.

Franz: What about the rest?

Remi: I'm good. Everyone else looks ready too.

Cashew: We're all set! Let's go!

Franz: One last question. Anyone here can't ride a horse?

S: My friends all know how.

Viktor: The three of us can too.

Franz: (smiles) Good. Let's ride!! (yells)

All: LET'S GOOO!

Remi: Cashew, ride with me! I'll steer!

Cashew: Got it! (hyped tone)

Franz: Everyone paired up?

All: READY!

Franz: Move out!

Whip crack!

The horses gallop through the snow, heading from the village to the alpine forest.

On the way there, the team chats and jokes atop their horses.

Team Formation:

1. Remi & Cashew

2. Lucien & S.

3. Tiber & Dario

4. Siro & Emrik

5. Franz Adler (Solo)

6. Viktor Petrovic (Solo)

7. Tomas & Daniel

Riding conversations

Franz: (serious face) Hey! Don't forget your axes!

S: We got them, don't worry!

Tiber: Damn, the wind is brutal! I can barely see the road!

Dario: Idiot. If you can't ride properly, let me drive.

Tiber: No need!

Viktor: Eyes on the path, rookie.

Lucien: (gritting teeth) He's so annoying.

S: Calm down. We're just gathering wood.

Remi: Yeah, don't lose your temper.

Tomas: (squinting) Wild boar incoming from the left!

Franz: Siro! Do it!

"Thooomp!"

Siro: Got it.

Emrik: So accurate! I'm lucky I got to ride with you! (proud face)

Daniel: You're amazing, Siro!

Siro: Thanks.

Viktor: (slightly bitter) I could've done that too…

Lucien: (eyeing Viktor) I hate that expression on his face.

S: Let it go, man. Maybe that's just how he is. Look at Tomas and Daniel—calm and composed, right?

Lucien: Yeah… you're right again.

Remi: (approaching Franz's horse) Mr. Franz, is our destination still far?

Franz: Just a little more and we'll be there.

Franz: There, up ahead. That's where I usually collect firewood. We've arrived!

Dario: Hey, idiot! Slow that horse down—we're almost there!

Tiber: Relax! I know how to ride a horse!

Franz: EVERYONE, GET READY! (yelling loudly)

Cashew: (startled) That was really loud…

Narration: "Franz began to slow his horse."

Franz: We're here.

Tiber: Hey hey! This horse won't stop!

Dario: You're such an idiot. I'm gonna jump—

Booffftt!

Remi: (confused expression) Those two are seriously unpredictable…

Emrik: Hahaha! Your horses suck so bad!

Dario: This is your fault, Tiber!

Tiber: Hey! I did everything right!

Franz: That's enough. Neither of you is to blame. Maybe the horse panicked or felt uncomfortable.

Franz: Come on, let's gather some firewood.

Everyone: YEAH!

Franz: One thing—this is brown bear territory. If any of you spot one, yell as loud as you can.

Cashew: (gulps nervously) I'm not sure about this…

Remi: Relax. We've all got rifles, right?

Remi: (whispering to Cashew) Besides, with your powers, you can build a weapon out of thin air, can't you?

Cashew: (surprised) What are you talking about?

Remi: Come on, let's split up and gather firewood!

Remi: I'll head that way! (points north)

Viktor: (grumpy face) He's acting like the leader now…

Lucien: (losing patience) Why do you always have to comment on people? What Remi's doing is good—he's keeping us motivated.

S: Lucien. Chill, man. Take it easy.

Franz: Arguing won't help us gather wood. This isn't the time to fight.

Narration: "Everyone was surprised by Franz's words."

Remi: You guys are so slow. I already gathered a bunch of wood here.

Cashew: Wait for me!

Emrik: I'll head this way.

Siro: I'll come with you.

Tomas: Daniel, let's collect firewood.

Daniel: L-let's go.

Viktor: Everyone's moving already… I guess Lucien was right. I do complain too much.

Viktor: I'll just gather wood by myself.

Franz: (noticing Viktor) Why is he going off alone?

Crackkk!

Remi: I've got a decent amount of wood. How about you, Cashew?

Crackkk!

Cashew: I've got a good amount too.

Remi: Nice!

Lucien: Hey guys! I've collected a whole bunch!

Lucien: Now I'm just waiting for you to finish.

Remi: Lucien, didn't you promise to stop being so selfish?

Lucien: But I feel like… this time, I'm not being selfish.

S: (from afar) He's right. I agree. This time, Lucien's not the selfish one.

S: But he still needs to learn to control his emotions.

Franz: (from afar) Hey! Are you all done yet? (approaching)

Lucien: I'm done. Not sure about the others.

Franz: I noticed you're really skilled with an axe and chopping wood.

Lucien: Maybe it's just coincidence.

"ARGHHH! STAY AWAY!"

Franz: That voice…

Tomas: Viktor!

Franz: Everyone—move! Find Viktor's location!

Franz: I think he's encountered a wild animal!

Narration: "Franz immediately ran to find Viktor."

S: Lucien! Come on, why are you just standing there?

Remi: Remember your promise, bro. I'll go ahead and find Viktor!

Lucien: Ughh. He went off alone, and now we have to deal with it?

Lucien: Wait for me, guys!

Narration: "Meanwhile, Viktor…"

Viktor: (terrified) W-what do I do now…

Viktor: I-it's… a massive brown bear! I'm cornered!

Franz: (shouting while running) HEY! CLIMB A TREE, VIKTOR!

Viktor: (resigned) My ankle's twisted… Just leave me here, Mr. Franz.

Toorrr Torrr Tooorrr! (gunfire)

Siro: (from afar) Damn… Why isn't the bear scared?

Franz: (sees Siro's group) They're trying to scare it off… but it's not working!

Franz: Should I use my ultimate technique? (thinking to himself)

S: Let's set a trap!

Lucien: (panting) Huff… huff… You guys ran too fast…

Lucien: (shocked) A-a bear?! That HUGE?!

Cashew: Lucien, help us build the trap!

Lucien: W-why don't you just shoot it?

Tiber: Mr. Franz forbade us from shooting the bear.

S: Everyone, follow me! I've got a crazy plan!

Remi: Got it! Let's go!

Daniel: Lucien, why aren't you moving?

Lucien: (nervously) I-I'll catch up. You guys go ahead first!

Daniel: Alright. Be careful.

Lucien: (looks at axe in his hand) I think… I'll give him a second chance.

Lucien: I also have a promise to keep. To S and Remi. (runs)

Narration: "Meanwhile, S and the others…"

Siro: Hey, S, what's this crazy plan of yours?

Tomas: And why call it crazy?

Daniel: I-is it actually crazy?

S: We're going to bait the bear… up close.

Dario: I knew it. No wonder you called it crazy.

Tomas: HEY! ARE YOU NUTS?!

S: Sometimes… you have to be crazy if you want to change something.

Remi: (shocked) S… what do you mean?

S: Don't worry. I won't sacrifice anyone. I'll approach the bear, up close, and you guys just shoot it in the legs.

S: One shot to the leg won't kill it, right?

Emrik: S, are you sure about this?

S: Yeah. I'm sure. Let's go!

Daniel: (pointing) Hey guys—look! Mr. Franz is over there!

Boofff!

Franz: It's been a while since I did this.

Franz: Turns out… he was right. My enemy wasn't bullets—it was brown bears.

Remi: Whoaaa! Mr. Franz kicked the bear!

Cashew: Awesome! But we gotta help him now!

S: Everyone—remember the plan. I'll go close with Mr. Franz.

Franz: Viktor! Wake up!

Viktor: (weak voice) I told you… both my legs are twisted. I can't walk.

Viktor: The bear even clawed me…

Franz: Then stay put! Cover the wound so the bleeding stops!

Franz: (gripping his staff) Alright. Just you and me now…

Roarkkkk…

Toorrr torr torr! (gunfire)

Siro: He's not scared of bullets at all!

Dario: S was right. We have to hurt him. Scaring him won't work!

Narration: "Meanwhile, S…"

S: I'm close. Just gotta throw this rock, and the rest is up to Siro.

S: (throws rock at the bear)

Roarkkkkk rkkkk!!

Franz: S! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

S: (shouting) SIRO! NOW!

Toorrr torrr TOORRR!

Siro: Got both its legs!

Cashew: HEY HEY HEY! It's still going berserk! (panicked)

Remi: (yelling) S, RUN!!

S: Alri—

Crracckkk!

Remi: S.!!

Viktor: (soft voice, resigned) Why are they doing all this?

Cashew: WE HAVE TO GO DOWN! S JUST GOT SLAPPED BY THE BEAR!

Tomas: (shocked) T-THE BEAR'S GOING TO BITE S?!

Daniel: (closing his eyes) I can't watch…

Franz: DAMMIT!

Bokkks!

Franz: Damn! My kick didn't break its focus!

Franz: (whacks the bear with his staff) Hey! Over here, you damn beast!

Toorrr ttorr…

Siro: I gave it everything I had. He's not feeling any pain!

Daniel: I think… the bear is starving to death. All it wants is food.

S: (smiling sadly) Goodbye… everyone.

Kccrackkkk…Booffkkk!

Everyone: (shocked)

Franz: (shocked) That log… that huge log?! From where?!

Lucien: (from a tree) Am I right on time?

Tomas: Lucien! You're perfectly on time!

Franz: The bear's knocked out! QUICK—GET VIKTOR AND S!

Franz: We're getting out of here—NOW!

Everyone: GOT IT!

Franz: Get on your horses, fast!

Franz: Grab whatever you can carry!

Lucien: S, I'll take the reins this time.

S: (proud smile) You're amazing. You just saved three lives.

Lucien: Mr. Franz! We're ready!

Dtasss…

Franz: MOVE OUT, EVERYONE!

Narration: "On horseback, racing away…"

Siro: Lucien, you're amazing.

Emrik: How the heck did you chop a log that huge so fast?

Lucien: I don't even know…

Franz: I've been watching you, Lucien. From the beginning, you've been a natural with an axe and chopping trees.

Franz: And just now—you had the courage and determination to act, even in a life-or-death moment.

Franz: Lucien Carpenter. That name suits you perfectly.

Viktor: (weakly) A cool name… for a cool, brave guy… Lucien Carpenter…

Lucien: (surprised) Eh??

Viktor: I owe you one. But that doesn't mean we're cool just yet.

Remi: (smiling with relief) At least you two aren't fighting anymore.

Siro: Such a badass name, hahaha. Lucien Carpenter.

Lucien: (smiling proudly, inner thoughts) Chloe… if only you were here to see this.

Lucien: (inner monologue) I saved someone again, Chloe…

More Chapters