Necessary Villain

6 - Scouting

"Attention!" Lucas screams, getting us all to look towards him. "It's time to head out now. For now, don't wander too far and just map out the surrounding area. Use the <Task> time remaining to track how long you have been exploring and return before four hours pass. That goes for all groups, including those hunting and gathering. Right now, the time remaining is approximately 719 hours. So you should explore for about two hours, then return so you will arrive at around 715 hours remaining to report and consolidate our findings. Good luck, and may we return healthy and bearing good news!"

I have to hand it to him, for every screw he has loose, he makes up for it by his ability to command us. Although, if he's truly competent is a question that can't be answered yet.

We are directed to travel to the south. We divine the direction using the sun's position. However, we have yet to determine where we are, and we are not even sure if this is Earth or what the actual time of day is, so the accuracy of our educated guess is not all that reliable. Though, that is not important, what is important is that we all identify each direction as the same so when we come together, understanding where something is, is easier.

"Let's go!" I try to sound happy while addressing my group who all have gone back to their own little worlds. We haven't said much to each other since our introductions, but I don't know if it's me being delusional, but these people seem to have eased up around me.

"As we walk I suggest looking for a stick to defend yourself. Even though Lucas said to run, the possibility of being f-forcibly drawn into a fight remains, and being armed will help with that. With that in mind, let's begin our mission!" I try to sound cheery, but my nerves are getting to me, causing me to falter a bit. But with this, we start our awkward trek southward.

We step out of the clearing and into the forest and immediately a sense of wonder fills me, overcoming my fear.

"I-it's beautiful," Claire stops not even a full step into the forest, and starts scanning left to right.

I agree with Claire, but the word beautiful doesn't do this sight justice. The trees are filled with green, lush leaves, and a series of knolls filled with flowers of all colors are visible, lightened by the sun which periodically pierces the canopy of the trees. A herd of deer rushes by in the distance and birds chirp overhead.

"Y-yeah," Ryon says as he bends down and plucks a dandelion, softly blowing onto it and letting the bits fly off into the wind.

After our brief pause to take in the scenery, we start our walk again, but not even two more paces in I hear a thud sound from behind me.

"Ouch!"

I look back to see Claire face down in the dirt having tripped on a fallen tree branch.

Ryon hurriedly drops to his knees and helps her up.

"Thanks," she says quickly before dusting herself off, taking one step, and nearly falling again.

After that small hold-up, we restart our march into this alluring forest. For a time, we go silent as we continue our walk into this breathtaking landscape, occasionally making markers so we can find our way back. And, even though I'm at the vanguard of our group, I do my best to observe those behind me as we walk in an attempt to learn more about them.

Zayn is still staring at his tattoo as if he doesn't even know how it got there. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't even know he's been kidnapped and randomly screams when he realizes.

Ryon keeps running his hands through his short brown hair and the second the wind moves it an inch while staring at Claire the entire time. Seems like survival is secondary to girls to him.