The Eden Projects (EDITING)

Chapter 16. The Rat King.

Kasper had chosen wrong. And now it was far too late to turn back. Several sets of boots trampled the grass ahead of him. He focused on the leading pair.

"Wow." That man kicked at the grass, flattening it where he stood. "All the way from Redside, huh, whatcha boys doin' so far from home?"

"We're just passing through." Archer spoke clearly.

Kasper couldn't bear looking up. Facing the decision that led them here. We should have left. He studied the mans boots. Army? Definitely. Military grade combat boots, they were a sandy tan, stained with mud and wear. Years ago, you could tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wore, now, they all wore similar duds.

"Kinda weird place to be 'passing through' wouldn't you say? You do know what a Peninsula is right? Are you planning to stay nearby?"

"A penis-what?" Zak questioned.

"You must be the comedian huh." The man snorted. "I don't think you're funny." 

"Then that's on you." Zak scoffed. 

"He's an idiot." Archer said with a leaders strength. "We don't want any trouble." 

Something jingled as the dog trotted back into view, it was being led by a girl who bounded over behind them where their car had crashed. Barely sending a glance in their direction. 

"Idiot, huh? Well, idiot, my name is Malcolm and," he stepped to the side of Zak, looking past him. "All that stuff in your car, I'll be taking it."

Zak lurched forward, trying to get to his feet. "What?!?"

"I'll let you keep your food-" Malcolm stopped in front of Kasper. "-oh, you don't have any? What're you guys thinking? You travel without anything to give us locals?"

"Traveling- light." Zak was shoved down aggressively. "Easier that way..."

Archer interrupted. "Take what you want." 

Zak pulled away from the man behind him. "Snakey piece of scum-" He spat in Malcolm's direction and was quickly met with a punch to the face for talking back.

"Talk again smart mouth, see what happens."

From his reaction, Kasper gleaned two things. One, they were each guarded, and these people weren't a ragtag group. They were serious. Kasper leaned back, feeling the knees of the guard behind him. Confirming his assumption. The knees shoved him forward again. "Sorry." He apologized as the commotion spun Malcolm around. The dog moved past and joined the girl at the car. They were unloading everything. I'm forgetting something.

"What's your deal? Don't have anything to add like your buddy there?" 

"No Sir." Kasper said quietly. 

Zak scrambled to get closer as Malcolm slapped the bill of Kasper's hat. Knocking it clean off. Instinctually, he lurched for it and felt the grip on his shoulder release quickly. Everything fell silent. No.

"He's infected?!?" Malcolm stepped back grabbing his gun from the holster.

"No no no it's not what you think!" Zak scooted forward bucking against his captor. "That's just his hair- it grows like that-"

The knee Kasper had felt before slammed into his back with a force that knocked the breath out of him, causing his face to meet the grass with a crinkly thud that echoed in his ears. Dazed, he rolled to the side, pushing himself up slightly to get a look at his captors. The sun filtered through the leaves above, casting dappled shadows on the ground as he squinted to make out their features, feeling the rough texture of the grass beneath him.