Social Experiment

Outfoxed (Zeke)

"When did you say they're coming?"

"We don't know," Mikayla answers, "they didn't exactly give us the battle plan as we were leaving."

I sigh. I had hoped the Riverstones would be able to offer some better information.

When we had first spotted four Riverstones walking towards us through the trees, my people had rushed forward with weapons raised. It didn't take long to realize that they were unarmed, and angry with both Terrance and Hailey.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry, I'm confident we can still beat them in a fight. They're outnumbered, and now we'll have a better defense built."

Mikayla nods. "I just hope we have time to finish."

I've decided that a great weapon against any attack is a fort. Since I strongly doubt that the Outcasts are going to give us time enough to construct one, I've ordered my people to dig.

We're digging four wide trenches, one on each side of a hill near our village. So far, we've dug about half of one. My plan is to always have a guard posted on the hilltop, which grows gradually as we pile up the dirt. The guard will alert everyone if he or she sees any signs of Outcasts. We can grab our weapons and spring to the top of the hill for a better vantage point.

I'm pretty confident in this plan. We've rehearsed it once so far. I hope that we finish at least three of the trenches before an attack. I know that if Hailey's leading, she'll want to wait, practice so there are little to no fatalities on her side. If Terrance is in charge, however, the Outcasts could storm the village right now.

"Zeke."

I look up, flinging dirt into the hill. "Elle, good to see you."

"We need to speak-"

"In private," I finish, knowing that my spy coming back so soon can't be good, "come to my place."

We walk over to my structure, and close the door. Elle begins reporting straight away.

"It appears that Hailey, Westin, and Terrance are in charge. They're rarely outside, while the others train all day. I think they're planning something big."

"Don't worry, we've got a good defense. We-"

"Yes, I know, the trenches. But Zeke, don't you think we ought to practice with our weapons, too?"

"We outnumber them," I point out, "by three people. And you know Hailey, she won't want to fight again after one or two of her people are injured."

"May I make a suggestion?"

"Of course."

"We should at least carve different weapons. The Outcasts don't just have spears, they have wooden arrows, bows, and throwing knives."

This is a bit surprising. I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed. It's so much harder trying to defend rather than attack! We're the ones who have to spend all day digging trenches. We barely have time to eat, let alone carve weapons and train with them! I remind myself again that we'll have the high ground advantage and outnumber the Outcasts.

"Alright, I'll make different weapons. We'll give people a choice which one they want to use. Elle, I need you to stay here and help the others dig."

"No problem." She exits, and I grab an axe to gather wood.

I wonder how the Outcasts have made bows. Where did they find string? I begin carving knives with jagged teeth, thinking about the Outcasts. I know the Riverstones who're on their side: Hailey, West, Ozzie, even fun-loving Xavier's taken their side. Not to mention that Scott, who's barely been with us over a month, has decided to fight for people he doesn't even know.