The lighthouse. That was the single place that they found of civilization, and it looked like someone or more people had been trampling about.
As it turned out, Haliow was a great tracker. "In total, there must have been at least four people here," he said, motioning to the crushed grass. "Plus," he said in a whisper, "I don't think they would have left this thing for too long. You know..." He trailed off. "This would be a great place for meetings."
It's exactly what Jake had been thinking. If he had half a mind, he would want to stay near here for comfort. If there was anyone smart in the group, though, he wouldn't want to stay. Any predator lurking around would eventually come to the conclusion Haliow had.
The pocket watch felt heavy in Jake's pocket. It had become a habit to touch it through the pocket.
"Well... I'm gonna check it out on top," Jake said, already opening the door to the lighthouse. It creaked open, and—
Jake suddenly staggered backwards with a force that even made Haliow stumble. Haliow let out a string of colourful curses.
Jokes. Laughs. The same sound of a door creaking. Darkness. A boy with red dyed hair, possibly even his friend.
It was a strange combination, yet Jake felt sure it was a memory trying to resurface. When he tried to get the feeling again, to try to remember more, it was lost altogether.
"I-I'm fine," Jake muttered, remembering Haliow was still behind him.
"Lead the way," was all Haliow said.
There was definitely people here before them. Dust was disturbed in every corner, and some was floating in the stagnant air. Jake drew in a deep breath when they reached the top.
On the wall beside the light, there was a message. It looked like it was carved in with nothing more than a knife, possibly even a regular pocket knife. Had people gotten an item just like me? How come all I got was just a stupid pocket watch? Jake thought stubbornly.
It read, 'If you are a newcomer, you're in luck. There are other people here. Head north of here through the forest until you find a clearing fallen trees. There will be a cave in that area, and that's where you'll find us.'
Below it there was something Jake almost missed. 'If you are deemed as an enemy we won't allow you in.' Jake betted the writing to be feminine, much unlike the masculine writing on his pocket watch. Not only was it neat, but the cursive was large and confident, sassy cursive for a sassy message.
Jake could almost see Haliow's answer on his face before he heard it. "We should check out the place. Ignore the message at the end. They won't know if we are enemies or not."
Jake shrugged. "Maybe," he said. Then, "We shouldn't kill them off right away. Four or more would definitely be a challenge. We need to pick away at them slowly to avoid suspicion."
They headed back down the stairs. Jake's legs were wobbly descending them from the information he had just received. If they were lucky, that'd be the last of the people. If they were lucky, they'd get to go home. Shouldn't two people going home be better than none at all?
Of course he couldn't think of the last option.
As soon as they were walking away from the lighthouse Haliow froze. "There's a girl out there," he whispered, and Jake saw her too. She had flowing black hair, and a huge black sunhat to go with it, even though the sun was going down. Stop that, he thought. It'll only make the pain worse for you. I'll take her," Haliow said. "Don't you worry."
Before Jake could say no, he went charging after her. Halfway there, the girl saw him and started to run, but at that point it was already too late. Jake could barely watch as Haliow turned into something Jake would only think to see in a predator. Then he stopped himself. Weren't they considered predators now?
The world stopped as a huge sound rang across the thin part of the forest. Jake just recognized it as a bullet when Haliow staggered, yet somehow he was still alive with a bullet wound on his chest. Another shot followed the first in only a few seconds, and Haliow was on the ground.
And Jake ran.
