Daydream

Chapter 4

"Good evening," Eliezer greeted the scouting party, as they wove their wave back to the fires.

"Evenin' mister," one of them grunted back, the other four nodded and took the food he offered them. He sat down next to them, listening to their recount of the day.

"So," a particularly grizzly one began, "we followed the lead, found footprints up on the hill just over that way." He pointed east, toward the moon.

"Two sets, one tiny, the other normal-sized. Both were wearing boots, they had the prints of Reppo-made soles on them. Anyways, chased them into the hills, deep into the hills, mind, and places where no good man should go. Through rabbit holes and brambles, crossed about a dozen streams on the way before they finally lost us. Minor streams that lead into the Serpentine. They didn't stop, we think. Crazy fast, must know the land real well to mislead us within a few hours. Still, we searched over and over for prints to pick up; nothing. Must have passed over hard ground to cover their trail. Buggered how they knew where it would be."

"Yeah, most of us were so friggen tired by the time Rory let us stop. So we though," Jacinta picked up, taking a deep draught from her cup before continuing, "Turns out we came right back, almost to camp! and tried to trace them to where they began. Ended up at some deserted house near Byford region; they might have slept there, but they don't live there- it can't have been lived in for at least ten years."

"Smart buggers, shouldn't be wandering the woods."

"Dangerous for us."

"What if they come back?"

"Never know what those kinds think."

Murmurs from the group concluded the story, as small groups picked up whatever conversation they had before. Eliezer picked up his empty cup and plate at took it to the sink area, washing them in hot water. His fingers burnt as they scrubbed the plate clean. He turned at walked away from the fire, shaking his hands dry. He walked toward the corral where two guards stood watch, smoking weed and chatting merrily. Eliezer waved them away; they hurried quickly to the fire with a nod of their caps.

"Good evening, outliers," he looked at each individually; two males who were very similar in looks he was assuming they were related stood their with arms crossed, breath steaming. A small girl was hugging one of theirs legs, bruised facing looking anywhere but him. An older female sat on the ground, plaiting some reeds that hadn't been confiscated off of her. Lastly he looked at the boy, a teenager. He stared back at him arrogantly, dark face blending in with the inky night. Eliezer smiled; he remained still as stone.

"Well... if it pleases you, your comrades have eluded my scouts. No doubt they are someplace cold and hungry. Are any of you now willing to help us? They could be hurt," he looked at each face in turn; they looked blankly back.

He had yet to decide who he would question first, for he wanted to know who was closest with the other outliers. The arrogant boy suddenly coughed, and a flicker of a smirk lit his face for a second.

"Do you know something, boy?" Eliezer controlled his emotions.

He remained silent, staring intently at the ground.

"Speak to me. Answer when you are spoken to," he injected authority into his voice; the boy would understand that, it was always the way with outliers like him.

He snorted. "You're never gunna get 'em."

The little girl giggled, before being touched lightly on the shoulder by the man. She fell silent.

"Why so?"

"Too good. You lot nothun compared to 'em."

"So you think," Eliezer replied dryly.