The Dead Scout's Handbook of Afterlife Survival

Chapter Eighteen: Training Wheels

They ran and intermittently hobbled for miles, given that the others lacked Cayden's stamina. Even Rebecca, who mastered the art of chair levitation, succumbed to mental fatigue following a day of concentration. Regardless, they found themselves frigid, exhausted, and most importantly, well Northeast of Eden. Cayden gathered the presence of mind to reheat the environment while the group panted within a steep-walled valley, avoiding eye contact until Cayden cracked the silence.

"Did anyone else see that girl?"

"I did," Martha answered. "The one from the hut we investigated."

Charlie, Rebecca, and Sarah whirled to her with a cough from Sarah and a confused Neanderthal grunt from Charlie. "How is that possible?"

Martha didn't reply.

"The hut was vacant! Where was she hiding?" Rebecca cried then ceased. "... in the pile of hair. Hiding in the pile of hair and skin."

"That's disgusting!" Charlie gagged.

"Ew, children are so gross!" Rebecca squealed, composed herself and continued with a cracking voice. "Ugh... the poor thing... we should go back. We can't leave a kid there."

"Go back?" Sarah nearly slipped on the slick snow.

"Well, we're past that hell on earth," Charlie mentioned.

"Let's vote on it. Move on or help her?" Cayden asked.

Everyone fell silent. Rebecca and Cayden nodded while Martha, Sarah, and Charlie all shook their heads, and in that simple a decision, their forward progress was not delayed.

"I'm sorry, Rebecca," Sarah said. "I doubt we'd help her. At best it's a suicide mission, seeing how that one enemy seemed pretty confident on its own. What was that thing, Martha?"

"Pestilence."

Charlie's eyes bulged while Rebecca hunched over and Sarah rubbed her temples.

"So if that's one of The Four, there are at least three more to fight us later. Also, we're assuming the girl wants to be rescued. Doesn't sound like she was putting up any resistance," Sarah continued.

"And what were those dolls?" Charlie interrupted.

"Obviously, they're meant as both a surveillance measure and a scare tactic," Martha started. "The sole reason to make something frightening is to frighten people. Your biggest concern should be that nobody understands The Four's endgame."

Martha was correct, as she tended to be, and upon reflection, this may indeed have been the most frightening aspect about them. You can't barter when you don't have an inkling of what the other side wants.

"At least they don't know our goal either. If we hide, we can avoid them and get to Pirene," Rebecca said.

"The kid got Charlie's bracelet. Remember: 'From Greybull to Pirene, Forever my Love'" Cayden said.

"Dammit. Any alternative safe zones, Martha?" Sarah asked.

"There are numerous satellite cities, though none will be as safe as Pirene. We should maintain our course."

"So, we need to keep out front of them. Any ideas?" Charlie asked.

Almost five minutes passed before Sarah spoke. "I got one, though it takes more effort on Charlie and Rebecca's part. We can rest in shifts and move constantly if Rebecca carries half the group for part of the day, and Charlie carries the other half for the next part. For the rest of us, we can nap on logs while being carried. That way we'll make double time."