On the Outer Rim

Chapter 5: Home

Date – January 22nd 3035

Time – 10:11pm

System – Outer Rim system Alpha

Planet – -unknown-

Location – -Mountain Range-

Status – Saddened

Justin, Addis and Covy sat around the fire in the cave to recollect the thoughts of what just happened. Hutch was long gone, walking off into the dead of night and his brothers already buried. They wanted to wait out the rain but it seemed it wouldn't let up.

Justin stood up. "I'll go get Manlin and Jamal and bring back some stuff. You two can stay here to warm up by the fire." Addis was not in favor of this.

"We don't know what's out there Justin. We should travel together." Justin shook his head.

"We don't know what's out there, true, but I rather take my chances. You two rest up. Tomorrow is gonna be tiring." Thunder roared again.

Addis submitted and hung her head between her legs as Covy tended to the fire. Justin sighed and started jogging through the rain back to the pods.

It took 30 minutes to get back. Justin pushed aside the tall grass to see Manlin starting to fall a sleep as she stood guard in front of the tent. After making a bit more noise Manlin quickly looked around with the carbine raised.

"Manlin its me!" Justin called out. "Put the gun down! Jesus." Manlin slung the handle of the gun over her shoulder and ran towards Justin to give him a hug of relief.

"Thank God you're back. Where's Covy and Addis?" She asked urgently.

"They're fine, we found a place. Where's Jamal?" Manlin looked to the tent where Jamal's been sleeping since the endeavor with the wolves and she showed what the beasts did to him.

"We were attacked by some...huge wolves. Like, seriously huge." Justin's eyes grew wide. "Tall, big teeth and fangs. Jamal did most of the fighting but...he got hurt in the process." Justin breathed heavily and shook his head.

"Well, at least you guys got a campfire story too." Justin said before leaving the tent. Manlin jumped up.

"Wha- what do you mean? What happened?" She called out.

"I'll tell you when we get back to the cave," Justin was throwing more stuff into bags. "Wake Jamal up. I need some help here."

After making a few trips, Justin and Jamal finished off hauling and came back to the cave. They stored all the stuff inside the room Addis peered into at first and sat around the fire to eat before going to bed.

"Well...that sucks." Covy said after hearing the story of Jamal's injures. Justin walked inside with a gallon bottle of water.

"Past around your plates." He said sitting down. "We got muffin, chicken, bacon, croissants and...whoa nice, french fry flavor. What do you guys want?" They put in their orders and Justin happily served them.

Addis had the croissants, Covy and Jamal had the muffin but Manlin and Justin had the chicken and french fries. Justin poured water, tore open packs and stirred with a spoon till everyone was served and laid on his side next to Addis.

"So, what now?" Manlin asked taking a bite out of her chicken, it was weirdly shaped but it is a re-hydrated chicken, you can only ask for so much.

Everyone shrugged and looked to Justin for the answer. He breathed heavily and finished whatever was in his mouth before he spoke. "I was thinking we...make our mark here. Make it a bit more safe, make it feel like home at least."