Wanderers of the Grasslands

Chapter 3. The Encounter

It was approximately a month after my encounter with the flashing light. We were sitting near Creek's Edge, watching a group of bees tend to a patch of flowers. Hothead, Wildfire, Rodent and I were all exhausted from working that morning. My father had set us up to work for one of the older residents, Clocker, who made us watches for us to use on the go if we were able to clean up his garden.
"Still not worth it," Hothead grumbled as we relaxed under the steadily rising sun.

About a quarter of an hour passed in complete silence, with only a few detached sentences here and there, before a deafening boom rattled the just on the other side of the Opifex Forest. We scrambled up in sync and turned to each other with perplexed faces. "Let's go." Rodent began but Hothead and Wildfire were already tearing across the bridge towards the source of the noise. "We need to stop them." I breathed to Rodent and sprinted after them.

I only saw glimpses of Wildfire far ahead of Hothead, who was calling his name angrily. The trees were thickly entwined and it was difficult to make my way around them at full speed. I could hear Rodent behind me, calling my name. I didn't care though. We stuck together. Regardless if one of us was being stupid. Group rules.

About 15 minutes later, we had emerged on the other side of the Opifex Forest and I heard Wildfire and Hothead tussling. Appearing at the top of the hill, I raced down the slope and skidded towards the fight, hauling Wildfire away and pressing my hand against Hothead. Rodent shot out into the clearing and took Wildfire further away. "What the heck guys!" Rodent yelled. I turned to Hothead who was panting. "That's stupid of you. Wildfire what were you doing?!" Yelled Rodent. The smaller boy was bent over breathing heavily. "I was trying to see what made the noise."
"You idiot! Don't you know what happened to Scrubs when he was caught here? I ought to slam you." Hothead spat. I patted his shoulder gently and he regained his composure. "Guys we need to leave. Immediately." I said and began to head towards the forest. As I did, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked out to the plains. The same lights were blinking. "Scrubs. What is that?" Rodent asked uncertainly.
"I witnessed it last time. I think it might be the Wanderer." I said and made a large effort to walk briskly towards the clearing but Hothead and Rodent made no attempt to move. Therefore I had to stick with them. The lights grew more frequent this time, and I was aware from the book that it was scanning something. Of course, the others watched in fascination. But I knew what was going to happen if we didn't bail.
"Everyone get down. Now," I hissed and shoved Hothead and Rodent into a bramble bush. They didn't have a single smart comment but were too unsure of what was happening to say anything. I turned back and tried to grab Wildfire but he was at the fence now, rapidly approaching the boundary. "Wildfire!" I hissed and tried to motion for him to move to the bush but the small boy shook his head. Beyond irritated and moved out of the bramble as the lights grew to stop flashing and became a single beam of light heading directly towards us from the horizon. "Wildfire come here now!" I barked, so angry I could have let Hothead tussle with him for a good half hour. I rolled out of the bush and grabbed Wildfire roughly, launching him into the bush with a great shove. Hothead scolded him as I waited. But it was far too late. Slowly, the form of an enormous white humanoid creature came into view and I was terrified. It was taller than anything I'd ever seen and, although it was a speck on the horizon, you could see its enormous arms and legs, moving in a rigid motion, the lights of its eyes so blinding you couldn't possibly look at them for more than a second. I watched as the ground shook quietly. It was heading towards the Farmlands.

"We've got to go now!" I yelled and began to run through the Opifex Forest. The others followed me with apprehension.
I knew from the book that the Wanderers would attempt to make the world flat. But their vision was slightly impaired and so it took movement from anything in that area for them to be able to hold onto something and target it. That's why we needed to get to Main House as quickly as possible.