The Sitting Alive - Season 3

Episode 3 - The Marauders?

The journey back was somber. Each step felt heavier than the last as the weight of their failure pressed down on them. They trudged through the dense forest, the sun setting behind them, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch infinitely. "I can't believe we didn't fucking find anything," Charlie said, breaking the silence. His voice was tinged with frustration.
Dan nodded. "I know. But we can't give up. We have to tell the others what we found out. Maybe together, we can come up with a plan to somehow track them down."
Rubin sighed, "I just hope they haven't moved on already. If the Marauders are as ruthless as we think, they'll strike again soon, and it will only be a matter of time before they reach Glynne."
As night fell, they finally reached the familiar grounds of Glynne. The sight of the school's sturdy walls brought a slight sense of relief, but the grim news they carried weighed heavily on their minds. They entered the gates, their footsteps echoing in the quiet playground. Inside, they found the rest of their friends gathered in the main hall. Lily, Taylor, Audrey, Colin, Ethel, Chloe, and Sam all looked up as they entered, their faces etched with concern. "You're back," Lily said, rushing to Dan's side. She could see the concern in their faces. "What happened...?"
Dan shook his head. "Well... we made it to Himley Hall, but it was a massacre. This gang called The Marauders left their mark, they killed most of the survivors there. Thats why they needed help, but we couldn't find any trace of where they went."
Charlie stepped forward, holding up the blood-stained notebook they had found. "We did find some clues. This notebook mentions their leader, somebody called Skullface."
Audrey frowned. "Skullface? That sounds like something out of a horror movie."
"We're practically already living in one" Chimed Fluff.
"It's real," Rubin said. "And he's as dangerous as his name suggests. We need to figure out what to do next."
Chloe and Sam exchanged worried glances. "What if we set up a watch?" Chloe suggested. "We could send out scouts to keep an eye on the area around Himley Hall. Maybe we'll catch them when they come back."
"Good idea," Sam added. "And in the meantime, we can fortify our defenses here. If the Marauders come this way, we need to be ready."
Dan looked around at his friends, their faces resolute despite the fear. "Alright," he said. "We scout, we fortify, and we prepare. We'll figure this out together. We can't let these bastards terrorize anyone else."
With a renewed sense of purpose, the group began to organize. They divided tasks among themselves-some would gather supplies and reinforce their defenses, while others prepared to scout the surrounding areas for any signs of the Marauders. As they set to work, the weight of their mission was clear. They were up against a formidable enemy. As the group busily organized and prepared, Taylor found Charlie standing by the map, deep in thought. She approached him, her concern evident in her eyes.
"Charlie," Taylor said softly, placing a hand on his arm, "This is really serious. What if we can't find them? What if they find us first?"
Charlie looked at her, his expression a mix of determination and worry. "I know, Taylor. It's a lot to take in. But we can't let fear stop us. We have to be smart about this. We'll find a way to protect everyone."
Taylor sighed, glancing at the map. "I just wish we had more information. Going out there without knowing what we're up against... it scares me."
Charlie nodded. "It scares me too. But we can't stay hidden forever. They could end up finding us"
Taylor squeezed his arm. He gave her a reasurring smile. "Right now, we need to focus on gathering as much information as we can and keeping everyone here safe."
Taylor nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright. Let's do this. Together." They both turned back to the group, ready to tackle the challenges ahead. The stakes were higher than ever, but with each other by their side, they knew they could face whatever came their way.
"So how are we gonna do this? We have no idea where they've hone and it will be too risky keep sending people out to look for them" Spoke Audrey, hesitant.
Dan nodded, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. "You're right, Audrey. We can't keep sending people out blindly. It's too dangerous. We need a new approach."
Charlie leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. "What if we set up a watch system? Keep an eye out for any signs of movement or anything unusual. We can use the radio to monitor for any signals or communication."
Lily, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "And maybe we can fortify our defenses here. Make sure we're prepared in case they find us first."
Taylor nodded. "We should also focus on gathering supplies and making sure we have everything we need. If they come, we need to be ready to fight."
Dan rubbed his head. "I think we need to send out a more discreet team to gather information. Maybe try to find out more about these Marauders without engaging them directly. We need to know who we're dealing with."
Audrey still looked hesitant. "But who would go? It's still a huge risk."
"I'll go," Rubin volunteered, stepping forward.
Charlie nodded. "I'll go with you, Rubin. We can handle this."
But Fluff then stepped forward. "You guys have already been out, you're both probably exhausted. I'll go instead" Fluff Implied.
Rubin nodded, "Alright then, just be careful". Charlie was still going to go however. But Taylor wanted to be with Charlie so she volunteered to go with Charlie and Fluff too.
Dan looked at Fluff, Charlie, and Taylor, appreciating their willingness to step up. "Alright," he said, his tone serious. "Fluff, Charlie, and Taylor, you three will go. But remember, this is a reconnaissance mission. Gather information and avoid any direct contact."
Fluff nodded firmly. Taylor squeezed Charlie's hand, giving him a reassuring look.
"We'll monitor the radio for anymore signals" Lily said. Dan nodded.
As they prepared to leave, Dan handed Fluff a map of the area. "This should help you navigate. Mark any locations or clues you find. And remember, if things get too dangerous, come back immediately."
Fluff nodded with a determined grin on his face. Audrey stepped forward, offering a few extra supplies. "Here, you'll probably need these out there."
Taylor smiled at Audrey's offer.
With final goodbyes and reassurances, Fluff, Charlie, and Taylor set off, leaving the rest of the group to fortify their defenses and keep watch.