From the journal of Charlie Fast Fingers Pearson, May 5

May 5, 2017

We got stuck right where the trail heads back down the mountain. The going was so rough that Melanie was really out of it from the pain. I was limping so bad, even my walking stick wasn't helping and Buck said his ribs felt like they were breaking with every step and he was having a lot of trouble catching his breath. Will and Marty talked it over and decided that it would be better if we took a couple days of rest before heading down the trail. Also, some of the guys are making a better sled to get Melanie down the mountain, hopefully with less pain.

Besides, our fruit supply is running low, so Terry and Martin are going to look for something we can eat. If they have to, they will go back up the mountain to get some more fruit. I know that they want to get moving, but some of us are still recovering from the injuries we got in the crash. Most of us that got hurt are doing ok now. Jessie and Mick are not in much pain when they use their arms and stopped using their slings. Will is still having headaches and his vision isn't back to normal yet, if it'll ever be. He was hit in the head really fucking hard and he might not ever be back to the way he was before. Not that any of us ever will be.
I know that I am grateful that I don't have to walk much tomorrow. My leg feels like it's on fire and every step is fucking agony! At least the cut is closed and doesn't look like it will open on it's own again. Although, I will not be entering any leg beauty contests, ever. Maybe, if the world rights it's fucking self, I can get a tattoo to cover the worst of it. I thought when it happened that it was one cut, straight down the leg. But really, it is a few cuts that connected and it has healed really jagged and rough. Shit, my last woman wouldn't be willing to look at my leg anymore, let alone touch it. I don't even want to touch it or look at it. But, we had to rip off the leg on my pants, so it is out there for everyone to see. Yuck!
The one I really am worried about is Buck. His bruising has gotten a little better, but his breathing hasn't been very good since the accident. I hope nothing was hit or punctured when his ribs were broken. He hasn't coughed up blood in a while, but what do I know about internal injuries? I played the guitar for a living. I didn't go to medical school or even have any training, even first aid. He has been slowing us down more even than Melanie on her sled. At least she goes as fast as the guys pulling the sled can go. With the terrain, they've had to lift the sled and her over branches more than they have been able to drag her. Good thing they're strong men, used to lifting heavy equipment.
Well, I need to stop writing and get a fire ring set up so I can start a fire. I guess I am just the fire tender now.

As a writer and artist, I appreciate any readers and their comments. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Please, come read the other blog I write for our artisan collective, Raven's Castle Creations, on our website at www.ravencastlecreations.com. It includes posts on art, the mythology of symbols we use in our art, history and more! Also, come see the art we produce in our Etsy store at etsy.com/shop/RavenCastleCreations. Follow us on Twitter at @ravencastleart and on Facebook at @ravencastlecreations.