The Lost ( A Sequel To The Forgotten )

Re-caged

"Get up, I repeat, wake up!" A loud voice wakes me. I open my eyes and sit up. The sun's barely even risen yet. Why all the commotion?

"The issue that has us stuck here is fixed, more or less," the voice continues. "Please return to your cages. If, for some reason, you choose not to obey, then we have patrollers who will catch you." Sure enough, a small distance away, I spot a large man with a scowl on his face. He looks in my direction, but doesn't make any threatening movements. I decide to return to my cage. No point in trying to escape now, anyway. Not with that guy so close. I force myself to go fully awake and begin the walk back to my cage. On the way there, I count dozens of patrollers. No way I'm escaping now. Once I reach the cages, three men are herding people in. I get into my cage, and the curtain is placed back on top. Once again behind bars.

The next few hours are dull. I bump around in my moving cage, which makes it impossible to get comfortable. I can't see anything through my curtain. We continue moving for hours. At least, it feels like hours. When we finally stop, the same voice as before makes another announcement.

"Your cages will be opened shortly. You may go to the usual tents. There is no problem. This is just a routine stop." The door of my cage creaks open, and I push it all the way open. After my eyes adjust, I get out of my cage and glance at the sun. It's just past noon. Cass won't be at our meeting place yet. I've got a few hours yo waste, so I head over to the food tent. Today's meal is a few large fruits. They're orangish, and when I bite into one, it's sticky ad soft. Although it's a bit difficult to swallow, it tastes good. I eat slowly, making my food last. But I've cleared my plate in half an hour, so I've still got some time to waste. I decide to search for a tent that I haven't explored yet. I find a blue tent with white stripes relatively quickly, and its sign reads Free Entry. Entering, I notice the this tent, although not too small, has hardly any people in it. A man with large dish-like things for fists approaches me. I notice that he has no mouth. He begins to rub his odd fists together, and a ringing sound starts to form words.

"Welcome to the favors tent. Does Axle owe you anything?"

"No," I respond, feeling a bit silly. "I didn't know this was a favor tent."

"That's fine," the man says, making his ringing voice. "Folks stumble in here all the time." I grin apologetically and start to walk out, but a voice- a regular voice- stops me.

"Hey, boy." The voice is muffled. I know that voice. Axle strolls into view.

"I was just stopping by, but I suppose its lucky I found you. I suppose you ought to know... head here if you find yourself in trouble, right?"

"Um, okay," I respond nervously. Axle doesn't seem to be threatening me... why would she want me here if I'm in trouble? But Axle gives me no time to ask questions as she walks out of the tent. After a moment, I walk out as well.

After a time of pointless wandering, it's finally sundown. I head to the help tent and wait for Cass. After only a few moments, I spot a hooded figure among the crowd. Cass walks over to me and grins.

"Hey there. Good of you to show up."

"Wouldn't miss it," I reply truthfully. Cass smiles, but her smile quickly fades.

"Okay, let's get serious. I think Rolly is here somewhere."

"Really?" I ask, excited. "Why do you think that?"

"While snooping around, I thought I saw someone with glasses in a crowd. I tried to follow, but the crowd was tight. I lost him pretty quickly."

"All you've got is someone with glasses?" I ask, discouraged. "That could be anyone."