Untitled - Chapter 4 - Something Wrong - Seg.2

{segment 2 of chapter 4 - }1

We reached the base of the mountains two days ago. Avalia has been by my side for most of that time. At first I thought she just wanted my protection after I saved her life, but I soon realise that the real reason is that she feels like she owes me or something. Sasher isn’t quite happy with this little arrangement, but what can either of us do? Avi does whatever she wants no matter what everyone else tells her, and I can’t imagine a convincing reason for me or Sasher to ask her to stop hanging around me. To be honest, I’m ok with that. I kind of enjoy her company. 2

In spite of her plain, eventless life, she has a serious and well thought-out opinion on everything. When that girl contemplates something, she breaks it down to its base molecules. I didn’t think any Outsiders thought about stuff like the natural order of the world and how it has adapted since we messed it up in the Great War. It seems she’s compiled every scrap of information she’s heard around a campfire into a solid foundation of belief. And she’s quite right in this belief. I hope Avalia is the person I think she is, if only for the fact that I’ll look forward to travelling with her without maintaining this façade. I wonder how Sasher would take the news.3

When we got to the mountains two days ago we found what I called a battlefield and what the troop called free pickings. Two gangs had fought here perhaps a week ago; Sasher must have seen it on the flat horizon. I felt like a vulture, picking through the belongings of these dead people, but my food had run out and my rationed water is down to one third for the second time. It’s a good thing I took a big flask. On a previous night I told everyone I was going hunting, when in secret I merely flew back to the City, got a refill, and returned by morning on a ‘failed hunt’. If I run out again I can just steal away some other night. 4

From the battlefield, we decided it would be a good idea to travel around the mountains in the direction of my ‘old territory’. This obviously wasn’t my idea, but Avi had good reasoning when she thought of this idea. She asked innocently that night about my territory, but I thought she was just making conversation. But now everyone believes the territory I left behind when my gang and I tried to get into the City will now be there still, waiting for me. Oh well; I said it was far away. I plan to leave before we get there anyhow. It’ll be a shame to leave Sasher in a lurch though. I hope this spirited little gang survives after I’m gone.5

So now we’re gradually edging around the right side of the mountains. My excuse for not knowing where we’re going is that I went ‘round the other side of the mountain range. We stopped at midday when we found a waterhole to bathe in… I’m not quite as excited as Avi when I find out it’s now expected that everyone clean themselves up in this acid. I lean over the edge to have a look at the water. I’m relieved to find that this kind is the one that completely burns the flesh off normal insiders, but it’ll only sting like hell for me. I envy the Outsiders as they dump their things and jump fully-clothed into the murky depths, feeling nothing.6

“Are you coming, Nrag?” Avi asks as she pulls off her coat and moves to the water’s edge. “We can drink this kind too, so you can fill up your flask here.” With a happy smile, she jumps neatly in. I didn’t know it was possible to jump into a waterhole neatly, but there it is. I’m the only one still out of the water. Better not draw unwanted attention to myself. With an inward sigh, I pull my shirt off and jump in with my eyes tightly shut. If this water burns my skin, I’d hate to think what it would do to my eyes. Probably blind me or something. At first I feel nothing but the water around me and think I’ve been spared, but the burning sets in after a few seconds. It’s like cutting my entire body and showering in lemon juice. When I emerge, I carefully wipe my eyes before opening them. The water still on my eyelashes makes my eyes water, but at least I’m not blind.7

By now the troop has settled down and is merely sitting in the water in a circle around the edges of the waterhole, enjoying the peace. I’m good with this; it’s easier to keep a natural blank face than a natural smile when your whole body feels like it’s on fire. A realisation hits me as it has a few times before. The things I do for my job!8

I talk with the rest of the gang for the next half-hour, and a sort of numbness sets in that suits me fine. The stinging now just feels like I’m swimming in ice. And then everyone gradually retrieves their coats and other discarded garments to wash them in this water. Naturally I do the same with my shirt. At the bottom of the waterhole I can feel a mess of sharp sticks. I hope it isn’t bones or something. I wouldn’t put it past Outsiders to habitually dump their dead in this pool.9

“That’s a funny expression. What are you thinking about?” Avi asks me suddenly.10

I grimace. “You don’t want to know.”11

She laughs, deciding for some reason that this is a good thing.12

The old man, Avi’s father is next to me washing his coat, splashing quite a bit. He must be senile because he often acts like a child. I don’t really care normally, but it’s hard to keep water out of my eyes when he’s doing that. Finally the inevitable occurs and the water splashes straight across my face before I can look away. Needles fly through my head and I manage a grunt of discomfort. The pain only intensifies. I end up swearing repeatedly whilst clutching my head. I sting all over. Dimly I’m aware of Avi asking me what’s wrong.13

“The water… eyes… sensitive eyes,” I reply. My head burns from my pupils to the centre of my brain. A dry piece of material is shoved in my hands, and I blindly wipe my face with it, pressing the material onto my eyeballs. The burning subsides a bit and I’m able to look around in a squint. My eyes water profusely. Eleven blurry faces stare at me, and I wonder what lie could possibly get me out of this one. I blink a lot to gain time, and finally my sight returns properly.14

“Yeah…” I mutter. “As I said, my eyes are sensitive.”15

There’s an uncomfortable silence. “Hey, don’t feel bad,” Avi’s dad pipes up. “He was born without an arm.” He points in the direction of a man on the other side of the waterhole who holds a stump up out of the water. I’ve seen before that he doesn’t have a lower arm, but I thought perhaps he lost it in battle. I guess not. “You’re lucky you were just born with something that doesn’t affect your life much.” The group murmurs agreement. So I didn’t even have to make up a lie, they just made the assumption. They must trust me a lot now.16

Later in the day, when the sun is low on the horizon, Avalia spots a group of people seeming to be coming toward us. At first we think it’s whatever gang that controls this territory, but it doesn’t take long for us to realise otherwise. It’s the gang of cannibals that we only just finished beating. Why on earth have they followed us out here? 17

Sasher is happy to stay where we are; there’s no point in running from people we can stop easily. But there’s something bothering me. Why would they come back for more? If they think they can beat us this time, they must have a good reason for it. I tell Avi, and she agrees with me. Maybe they’re just going to use the night to attack us, which won’t matter a bit. But what if it’s something else? I’ll just have to stay on my toes and keep a sharp eye out for anything strange.18

I’m on first watch along with a couple of guys I haven’t spoken to much. We stand in a triangle around the troop; though the enemy is only coming from my side, we want to be prepared for any tricks. I stand with my back to the campfire and watch as the sun sets behind the clouds and the tiny approaching group lights torches. They’ll be here by late this night if they keep moving.19