The Eden Projects (Book I)

Chapter 23. New beginnings.

Kasper never wanted to lead.

But now he had to.

He was forced into the role with a heated prodding rod. Though he himself held it, it still burned when it hit him. Group up or die. Group up or lose it all. Group up and gain power. Group up, and stay fed. It was everything. And suddenly, the idea of Zak and him going it alone seemed much too risky.

This was their new beginning whether they wanted it or not. It had to be...

Day after day, Zak and Kasper did nothing but come and go from the camp. They didn't talk to anyone. They didn't bark any orders, and rarely took anything from the group, food or otherwise. They had been self sufficient for so long that it felt almost unnatural to take something even if they needed it.

By day they did their best to blend in; every night came and with it, the chance for quiet meetings which they held in their tree just outside of the camp. Weeks passed before they were sure the drama from the siege had died down and their presence was seen as less of a threat. The shadows cast by trees were growing longer and they both feared what it might mean. Neither had ever gone a winter outside of their own Rim. Kasper didn't know where on the calendar they fell, but leaves were begin to take on tinges of brown and red. The seasons were changing or they were nearly ready to. He could feel it.

But If anything, he himself felt just that. Changed. For once he was unbound from his hunger. For once, a sense of calm filled him. He wondered if this was what the flickers felt. If it was why they hunted night after night like ravenous wolves. He thought just maybe... This was the promised paradise. This was the reason for Eden. Kasper knew he was making sense of an inexplicable madness. And he himself wished he was a kid again. He hadn't been for so very long that he wondered if a kid was something he ever was. His life was a rat ridden maze and a well remembered childhood was a treat lost somewhere deep within the corridors of himself. His memory was slipping...

After casting lots into who would do the talking, it was finally time for Zak, and Kasper to address the group. They couldn't stay silent forever. So now would be that time. Kasper would lead, and Zak would provide support. So it was decided.

"This will work. It's the only way we get rid of him without getting our hands dirty." Kasper lowered into a chair in the empty meeting room. Soon the place would be pressed full with people there to listen and find out their fates.

Zak sat down across from him. "Okay. Then we can't chicken out. We bait him and lose him. He gets minced and it isn't our fault." He crossed his arms. Picking at the pilling fabric of his sweater. It was old and gray, knitted in a Fishermans loop. A staple in his wardrobe. In it he looked so much like his father that Kasper had to take a second to set the two apart. "Then we drink." Zak clapped as the door came open and Riley entered; Malcolm, Jack, and the rest of the most prominent in the group with her.

Once they had settled, Kasper began. Swallowing hard. "Alright. How many of you have ever fought a flicker? Not taken potshots but actually have fought up close with them." He studied the crowd. "Anyone?"

"We don't fight them. We avoid em'."

"You've never.... is that why you guys are busy trapping people? That's just stupid..."

"I don't see you doing anything-" Malcolm stepped forward, his pride wounded. "-more than that. Don't act like you're better than us just because you killed a few monsters."

Kasper sighed, rose to his feet and squared into Malcolm. "I am better than you." He held his fist ready at his side. "You sure you want to do this? I'd think twice before speaking." He looked down his nose. He rarely looked up to anyone and wouldn't be starting now.