Social Experiment

Abandoned Village (Carly)

Zeke's large, well-built home is where we're keeping the injured, currently Rodney and Dameeka. We had more fatalities than the Riverstones, which is what I don't understand. We outnumbered them 14:11, and now we've lost four brave people. I'm most surprised by Yuri's death, I'd thought that Hailey's people would refuse to fight Riverstones.

Abbi was a strong leader, whether she wanted to be or not. She tried to be fair, but she also stood up against Terrance before any of us. An arrow got her in the throat.

Kara was amazing with words. She talked philosophically a lot, but she was always positive. She helped all of us feel better during bad times. Brooke killed her right in front of me.

Quintrell, better known as Quinn to us, was brave and kind. When we were all building our homes, I was struggling a bit with the heat. I ran out of water, as did many of us, but I remember I was particularly exhausted that day. Quinn gave me the last of his water. He died defending Zeke from Terrance's spear.

Yuri wasn't with us long, so I didn't know him too well. What I do know is that he pretended to be one of Terrance's followers just to get information. I think he always knew we shouldn't trust Terrance. Yuri was killed by one of Ozzie's arrows.

I know that two Outcasts were killed, but that's not enough. Four of ours were taken, four good people. It's only a matter of time before everyone here is ready to strike back.

"We need a doctor."

I glance at Rod, knowing exactly where he's going with this.

"We don't have a doctor."

"Ask Ozzie. Don't go through Hailey, just walk right up to Ozzie and ask him. He'll do it."

"What makes you think that?"

"He's a doctor. He wants to help people."

I sigh. "I don't know, the Outcasts have their own wounded."

"Dameeka and I, we'll die."

"Don't say that," I snap, looking at a sleeping Dameeka, "you'll be fine. You just need to sit out the rest of this war."

Rodney shakes his head. "Carly, the wounds will get infected," he grins, "do it for a fellow ginger."

I try to think of a refute, but I know he's right. "I'll talk to Zeke about it."

"Thank you."

Next thing I know, I'm walking into Riverstone village, hands raised. People are angry here, too, and spears are shoved in my face.

Irisha is the first to scream at me. "You killed Liz!"

"Plenty of our people were killed!" I fire back.

"Why are you here?" Xavier snarls.

"Dameeka and Rodney need medical attention."

"You think we're going to let Ozzie go and heal them?"

"You remember Rod, don't you Xavier? He was Riverstone, he was part of your family! Who cut his shoulder? It wasn't another Riverstone, was it?"

"I should kill you right now." Irisha spits.

I focus on Xavier. "They'll get infected, both of them, if Ozzie doesn't come and help."

His spear lowers a bit, but Irisha keeps hers firmly targeted at by head.

"You don't want them to die, do you?"

"Of course not, I'll talk to-"

"No," Westin pushes his way through the spears, "Ozzie's not going with you. He's needed here."