An Outdoorsman's Guide To The Calls Of Common Thieves

Convict trouble

09/04/2024

Underground Trial - Masafumi Takada

Outside the Lantern, there is a small crowd of people blocking our view. We attempt to push past them to see what's going on.

"I'm telling you, he's dangerous!"
"You don't get the right to judge for all of us, Mac."
Mac ... he's Riley's ex. I wonder why he's causing trouble.
"Riley, you believe me, right?"
"Don't you try to get me involved! I have the right to my own opinion here, I'm not just going to side with you like that."
We finally get past all of the people to see Mac pointing fingers at a rough-looking man.
Ry: "Mac, what is going on?"
M: "He's a criminal, and they were going to just let him stay here."
S: "What do you mean, criminal?"
M: "I've seen this guy on the news man ... he just got out of prison and-"
Ri: "Wait, he got out of prison?"
M: "Yeah, his sentence ended two weeks ago."
S: "Then why the fuck are you pushing him so hard?"
M: "Did you forget the fact that he was IN prison in the first place?"
I look over to Alex who seems to be struggling. I suddenly remember what she said - she can feel strong emotions.
Z: "You wanna go back up?"
A: "Yeah, let's."
Ryan and Steph look to us as we leave and we nod to each other as they understand what is happening. Me and Alex escape through the crowd and back up to my room.

"You alright? Want some water?"
"Yeah, thanks."
I grab her a glass and start to fill it up as she sits on the couch.
"I see how it works. Must be hard, how do you usually cope?"
"By leaving. Thanks for looking out for me."
"Of course." I hand her the glass. "I know what it's like. Struggling with emotions. As a kid I struggled with my own. I can't imagine what it must be like dealing with other people's."
"It's a challenge, but also a learning experience. You learn ways to cope."

"You guys are real sneaky, you know that?"
"What?"
"You know, that dare you gave me?"
"Oh, that. That was hilarious."
"Yeah maybe for you."
"You managed to get out of it in the end, but a dare's a dare."
"It'll happen. Someday. I hope."
"Hey, don't worry about it. It will."

Ryan and Steph walk in.
Z: "What happened? Is it sorted?"
S: "Just Mac causing more shit. Yeah, it's sorted. Sorry about that babe."
A: "No worries, glad you could help the guy. Speaking of, what happened to him?"
R: "He wanted to stay, and they let him in the end. I understand Mac's concern, but he was out of line."
A: "We should probably go. It's getting late."
S: "We'll see you guys tomorrow."
Z: "See you!"
Alex and Steph leave with Steph's arm around Alex, leaving just me and Ryan. We stand in silence for a second.
R: "I should ... I should probably go too."
Z: "Yeah sure. See you tomorrow. Cliff, right?"
R: "Yeah. See you doc."
Z: "Next time, ranger."
He walks through the door and stops at the frame. 
"Zoe?"
"Yeah?"
"Nevermind. Goodnight."
"O-ok, goodnight Ryan."
I wonder what he wanted to say as I drift off to sleep.

The next day, as I walk down the stairs from my room, I run into the guy from yesterday. 
"Oh, hello sir."
"Hi miss, the name's Ben. Ben Joverly." He has a bit of a southern drawl.
"Hi Mr Joverly, I'm Zoe."
"I saw your ad, and I just wanted to know if I could get your services? I know I'm new to this here place, and some of yall don't really trust me, but I figured I should try."
"Of course! I don't mind, I'm quite new too. Just send me the information and we can organise a time and a date."
"Phew, thank you ever so much miss."
"No problem, at all."
He leaves and I go after him down to the bar.

After two appointments, I went out to the cliff as usual to check up on Ryan. My popularity is growing, and the more I talk with my new clients, the more I get to know the people of Haven. 

Photograph - Ed Sheeran

"Hey Ryan!"
"Hey Z. Busy day?"
"A little, it's getting busier. Which is good, right?"
"Hell yeah, you're super useful to everyone."
"Thank you."
"The eggs are almost ready to hatch."
"Aww, cute little baby birds."
"I also saw something else ... follow me."
We walk through some woods which lead us to the back of town.
"I can see the bridge from here."
"Stay behind this bush."
I crouch behind the bush and he crouches behind me. He places one hand on my shoulder and points towards a stag, drinking water from the stream. I watch in awe as it finishes drinking and gracefully raises its head. It looks in our direction, as if it knows we are here, and then runs off into the woods.
"Wow."
"I know right."
"They're so elegant. And wise."
"Its family is just off the way, 2 kids."
"Awww!"
We slowly walk back to the cliff so we can take our regular path back round the town.

"My dad used to hunt them."
"Stag?"
"Yeah. Almost made me shoot one, but I refused. I think he thought I was weak."
"You're not weak. You're strong, for sticking to your morals and not giving in to the pressure, and you're caring for not wanting to shoot it. That's what makes you a nature superhero, right?"
"I guess it is."

"How do you always know how to lift someone's spirits?"
"Just doin' my job, sweetheart." I say in a Texas accent, and we both laugh. "I'm sure it would be easier if I could read minds, but I try."
"So Alex told you?"
"Yep. That's how I realised she was freaking out yesterday."
"Was she ok in the end?"
"Yeah."

"Does Mac usually cause big scenes like that?"
"Not in a while he hasn't."
"You're talking about last year?"
"Yes. He caused a lot of stuff last year."
"I'm glad it worked out in the end though."
"So am I. Not so well for him and Riley though."
"Dang, poor her."

As we get closer to the record store, I ask "Do you wanna actually check out the records for once?"
"Go for it."
"What, you don't like to dance? I love dancing!"
"I'd dance if you ask me to."
"Watch out, I'll remember that."
"Uh oh."
He opens the door. "After you."
"Thank you."
A: "Hey guys."
R + Z: "Hey Alex."
Z: "What's your favourite song?"
R: "I don't think I know enough to pick a favourite."
Z: "You're joking, right?"
R: "I'm dead serious."
A: "That's Ryan."
S: "Hey guys, what's up?" Steph says as she steps out of the studio.
Z: "Can you believe this guy? Doesn't have a favourite song."
S: "That's Ryan. You guys ready to go?"
A: "Yeah, let's go."