Social Experiment

Invasion of Foxes (Brooke)

West comes over to our village, asking to speak to Terrance.

"Just going to have a nice little chat, are you?" I inquire.

"Please. It's important."

"No. He doesn't want to see you."

He rolls his eyes. "Whatever."

Ignoring my disapproval, he walls towards The Home, where Terrance is currently sleeping. Liz gave an order to let him rest, so rest he will.

"Nick!" I call.

Westin's look of shock as a tall, fit Canadian tackles him to the ground is priceless. When he recovers, he spits in Nick's eye, causing him to yell and let West up.

"Hey! Stop! You can't-"

I help Nick to his feet.

"Sorry." He mutters.

"No problem. Well, there is a problem, but it's not your fault. Stupid Westin! He's gonna wake Terrance and-"

Just then, Terrance emerges from behind the deer pelt shielding the entrance to The Home.

"Brooke, Nick, tell everyone to meet here. I have an announcement."

Suspicious, I split up from Nick, each looking for Outcasts. The other three Outcasts, that is.

I find them hunting, and give them Terrance's message. Groaning, Liz, Vince, and Irisha abandon their posts surrounding a small doe. Saved by the bell. I think as the deer bounds away.

"I have a confession to make," Terrance, West beside him, says once we're all gathered, "I lied to you about where I returned from yesterday."

"Even what you told me in private?" Liz asks.

"Yes. And I'm sorry, to all of you. But the trip I took only three people knew of, until now.

"Zeke has discovered that I invited West and Ozzie of Riverstone to join in my mission to open Chamber 13. He had also found out that we succeeded. What he doesn't know is that we've read about the past lives of five people, ourselves included."

"What did you find out?" I ask.

Terrance glances at West. "It doesn't make a difference. What matters now is that Zeke knows I didn't ask any Foxes to help me. He's probably angry, and I don't honestly know what he'll do."

Irisha glares at Westin. "And why are you helping us?"

"Because if Zeke tries anything, he'll target Ozzie and I as well."

Terrance looks out at us, head held high. "To protect their village, West and Ozzie will be staying here, with us. I understand if any of you wish to leave, this isn't your problem."

Everyone's silent. I look around, and notice Ozzie in the back. Has he been there the whole time, silent and unnoticed?

Irisha breaks the silence. "I'll stay."

"If there's to be a fight, let's give it all we got," Liz agrees, "We're Outcasts! We can beat those Foxes any day!"

Soon, everyone is clapping, cheering, and whopping in agreement. Terrence smiles, glancing at Westin.

The day is a good one. Everyone warms up to our new editions, especially Ozzie. He's so smart, and it's always a plus to have a doctor in your midst.

Terrence asks the two Riverstones what they told their leader, Hailey.

There's an uncomfortable silence before West answers. "Just said we were leaving."

Ozzie licks his lips, finding the ground rather interesting at the moment. "Earlier, Zeke sent a Fox to tell her our secret. She wasn't happy, and so when we said we were going, she didn't need an explanation."