While running back up the rocky steep hils towards the village, I would hear Elana yell "Orchid! Get over here already! You're late!" "I'm coming! Just give me a second to shut the gate!" I shouted back.
The gate was part of out nightly routine, we had to shut the gates that branched off into the open, keeping the shadows at bay.
Every night, right before dawn, our village gathers at the village centre with food, mats, water, and all kinds of necessities to survive the daylight, then we all walk down to a nearby cave down by the creek. The cave would then be shut so tightly that no sound could come in or out of the walls, that was thanks to our village's younglings.
The younger people of our tribe could quite literally do everything and anything we needed to do before the nights end, repeatedly, they were the foundation of the survival of our tribe.
From the outside our home may just look like a shabby old village, filled with old cotton bell tents, but once you enter you see that we're not just a village and that we're an entire city.
Our tribe has markets, wells, bars, and councils, our village elders decide on the major stuff, but our leader makes the final decision.
The village centre is where we post all upcoming events and warnings, we have a grand-tree with banners from the other six dusk tribes with their crests carved in. The tree is surrounded by a circle of flowers and the tents around are filled with laughter and games while the village people have a nice couple of beers.
Sure it's nothing compared to the seven dawning tribes but it's what we have. My family oversaw the dawn rush, it was at least until mother, father, and Stella died, now it's just Elana and I's duty to bring the supplies from the village to the cave every sunrise and sunset, while others lead the village and set up in the cave, instead of doing it all.
As I reached my tents entance I heard a loud conch horn blare through the valley. That made me realise that I was fucked. The 5 minute signal. I had 5 minutes to run all the way down to the creek with the light stoppers.
"Shit. I need to go now." Grabbing the light stoppers I positioned them on top of my left shoulder and ran. I ran faster then the birds above. If I didn't make it in time I would be dead by the full-moons rise.
Another conch horn, yet louder this time.
1 minute left.