Session Starts: August 31st, 4:00 PM – Jacobs Boat, Anchored in Andelie Bay
We’re still on the boat, anchored in the middle of Andelie Bay, watching from a safe distance as the town of Andelie burns. The flames flicker in the distance, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky. Chaos erupts around the docks. People are scrambling, desperately trying to flee toward the water and the boats, but there’s no time. The zombies are closing in fast, their groans mixing with the screams of the terrified townsfolk. I draw my bow, loosing arrows at the zombies attacking the people trying to escape. It’s impossible to stop them all. It feels like the entire town is running for its life—some along the coastline, others jumping into whatever boats they can find. The scene is madness.
As the hours go by, everything quiets down. The boat rocks gently in the bay, the only sound now being the occasional crash of a building’s roof collapsing under the weight of the fire. Luke and Jacob, both of them still feeling the effects of the weed they smoked earlier, sit on the deck, disoriented. I, on the other hand, sit in silence. My mind races. I can’t stop thinking about the town’s destruction—about what could have been done, what I could’ve done.
The rest of the evening drags on. Luke and Jacob eventually decide to head below deck for a nap and to prepare dinner. I remain up top, staring out at the water, the flickering reflections of the flames dancing on the surface. I’m lost in my thoughts, trying to process everything, trying to come to terms with the horror I’ve just witnessed.
Eventually, I go below deck to join them for dinner. Jacob has prepared something called sushi. It’s raw fish, which is a little unsettling for me. I’ve never had it before. It’s not my favorite, but I manage to eat it. Luke and Jacob, however, are still high, talking a mile a minute. Jacob tells us bizarre stories about his friends, his voice animated and erratic. At one point, he gets so far into his own head that he starts talking about how he thinks we’re all part of some magic prank—his friends, disguised as us, pulling one over on him. It’s strange, and it piqued my curiosity. Not everyone can change their appearance like that. What kind of friends does Jacob have?
The stories continue. Jacob talks about his adventures, about the wild people he meets at the bar, and one tale stands out. He tells us about a cave, located a little ways inland from the shore, not far from where we are now. It’s said to contain a precious gemstone—guarded, however, by a baby red dragon. Jacob didn’t know what to make of it when he first heard the story, but now he’s sharing it with us, as if he’s trying to suggest something. He mentions that his friends have visited the cave, though not for the gem. They just wanted to check it out.
I don’t think much of it at first, but Luke seems intrigued. He asks Jacob how far away the cave is. Jacob shrugs and says it’s on the way to his next destination—the place where he’ll deliver the pearls we helped load back in Andelie. I can’t help but feel a little detached, still processing the events of the day. It’s hard for me to engage when everything seems so surreal, but Luke seems eager to explore.
Jacob asks if we want to stop by the cave, just to check it out. After some back-and-forth with Luke, we decide to go—if only to satisfy Jacob’s enthusiasm. After all, it’s only a short detour on the way.
September 3rd, 6:00 PM – Unknown Coastline
The three-day voyage to the cave is humid and uneventful. The air hangs heavy in the sails, and the boat moves steadily along the shore. When we finally arrive near the cave, we see why Jacob was so insistent on coming here: massive waves crash against the rocky coastline. Jacob, practically bouncing with excitement, has already started waxing a surfboard. He rushes us to get into the rowboat, eager to ride the waves.
Luke and I do most of the rowing, while Jacob fidgets, practically vibrating with anticipation. The sand on the shore doesn’t stretch far. Just beyond the beach, a dense, thick forest stretches out toward the horizon. We pull the rowboat onto the shore and climb out, taking in the breathtaking landscape. Jacob, however, isn’t interested in the view. He’s already halfway up the beach, shouting that the cave entrance is up a creek and pointing vaguely to the ocean. He’s far off in the distance now, a speck against the bright sun, riding the waves on his surfboard.
Luke and I exchange a glance, both a little confused, but we decide to head in the opposite direction, following the creek that cuts through the dense underbrush. Before long, we’re immersed in the thick, humid forest, the towering trees surrounding us. The air is heavy with the earthy scent of damp soil and the briny tang of saltwater. Our adventure is just beginning.
Session Ends: September 3rd, 6:00 PM – Unknown Coastline
