The boat stops a few meters from the shore.
The crowd at the edge of the forest is paralyzed. Everyone seems to hold their breaths as their eyes freeze on the skeletal figure of the Ferryman.
His features hidden by his hood, his black cloak which encompasses him like a monk's robe, the being extends his arm, his fingers point towards all those who wish to leave the cursed place.
The voice that comes out of the darkness is strange, indifferent it leaves a dry echo spreading clearly among those who are waiting for it:
-For one head, two passengers can board.
-When my boat is seen, all combat stops on the shore, and can only resume when it disappears on the horizon.
-At each of my visits, only 6 people can ride.
- Those closest to the water are those who board first.
-Get in line before I arrive, do not pass anyone in line when I am there.
-I will come back as long as people want to cross, as long as there are travelers alive and as long as none of those are on board.
-If all the natives have taken the boat, the travelers will no longer be able to pay for the passage.
-All natives can only reach the other shore if all natives have reached the other shore.
Dust listens attentively, almost hypnotized.
In his memories the ferryman had not stated so many rules...
What does he mean by traveler? he seems to have a nuance between traveler and native...
and this last rule "All the natives can only reach the other shore if all the natives have reached the other shore." Seems useless. It seemed logical. A sentence that doesn't need to be said so why?
Traveler...
Natives,who are the natives,who are the travelers?
The last rule is not for Dust or Suspicious but for everyone around.
A rule for all these people with a cadaverous aspect.
Dust pauses to think about everything that last rule implies, his brown irises reflecting the mist and the black water.
The natives remain motionless, patient to the extreme. Until the end they listen to the ferryman in silence.
Then the first in line move forward without anyone intervening to take their place.
The punishment that would follow if the rules cited were not followed should be severe enough for everyone to obey without resistance.
The first duo to go up is a couple of old mens. Their skin is riddled with holes, from their forehead to their neck. Dust only sees that.
Their epidermis, thick as leather and perforated in every direction like a sponge, forms wrinkles under their chins and under their eyes.
Their age and state of health should not allow them to move so easily. And yet...
The head of a child is given, the smuggler throws it overboard after accepting it.
The scene is strangely solemn, almost ceremonial.
A woman came forward her long hair dripping with blood left pink marks on her skin. Her eyes empty of emotion ignore the envious glances placed on her
Her yellowed nails are buried deep in the blistered flesh of her "payment."
A man follows her, trying to keep a certain distance between him and his companion until they take their places in the boat. The native withdrawn into himself between the old men and the woman does not let go of his weapon.
From where Dust is, the boy can discern a discreet and relieved smile blooming on purplish lips. A trace of humanity in this place imbued with habitual madness.
The individual does not look at the shore he is leaving, he stares at the motionless black water as if lost in a dream.
The last ones climb in haste, impatient and excited. The head they brought was thrown into the arms of the smuggler in a hurry.
Under their sudden weight the boat rocks.
The oars hit the water in tandem and the ferryman and his passengers are already leaving.
Their forms gradually shrinking in front of those left on the ground, a palpable tension rises. At first they remain still but then they become agitated. Their black gazes intertwine and some turn to look at Suspiscious and Dust. They are not attacking but a sort of encirclement is already looming.
Red's hand comes to grip Dust's forearm familiarly.
The crows, until then very well-behaved, quiver as if they are one body. Their wings opening in the trees propagating a sound like foliage shaken by a storm.
The birds of ill omen rise into the sky once again, croaking among themselves.
Red doesn't wait any longer, he pulls Dust and with long strides they both head towards the swamp.
Some block them without attacking them, their dark gazes weighing heavily on their necks.
Suspiscious begins to push them without sparing a glance but many hands come from all sides to hold them in place.
One of this hands is pressed against the face of Dust two of the fingers infested with larvae infiltrating between his lips. Another grab the light brown hair to pull his head back.
By reflex Dust almost kicks the one behind him and the native that has grabbed his face nearly got his fingers bitten off.
But he stops himself in a second. A rule comes to his mind: "When my boat is seen, all combat stops on the shore, and can only resume when it disappears on the horizon."
Until now it is true that these people have not used their weapons. Nor have they been hit.
....What would happen if he hit one?
He tries to dislodge himself as best he can without using violence, moving in all directions.
Hands are added to the previous ones, colder than his companion with red hair and wet like some kind of big slugs.
On his neck on his arms, on his hips.
Suspiscious was also grabbed but the man is determined. He walks with big steps, pulling Dust with his strength.
Under his icy eyes black traces are left after so many dirty palms tried to hold him back.
Behind them the boat sinks into the mist but does not yet disappear.
The crows fly in a circle under the gray sky so numerous that they form a mini black whirlwind.
If the natives cannot block them, they stay in their place, not moving away from their position as long as they can.
As soon as the path is clearer, the two mens run to reach the forest.
No one else is chasing them.
A few seconds later, probably after the boat was no longer visible on the horizon, screams resonate. The crows in the sky swoop down, ready for a feast.
Dust realise that the natives are killing each other to escape.