We Lay Strangers

Chapter 2

The fire crackled, sending sparks into the air. They floated down, singeing the tips of the grass. Carter leaned up against Hambones knees, munching on the stew Marie had made. She held her bowl in her lap, protecting it behind crossed legs.

Hambone shifted in his seat on a log behind Carter, causing her stew to splash on her jeans. "Hey, hey!" Carter said, sitting up. 

"Sorry Car." Hambone said. "Ore needed a spot to sit."

Ore grinned, slinging an arm around Hambone's shoulders. Carter rolled her eyes playfully. "You made me spill my stew."

"Whoops." Ore smiled.

Carter turned back to the fire, watching the flames dance. Ernie was sitting across from her, holding Victorie on his lap, laughing at something Kenny had said. Next to Carter was Marie, chatting with Amelia. Wiggins was scribbling away in his journal next to Cleo, as she wove a grass braid.

Ernie caught Carter's eye from across the fire. He raised his eyebrows, gesturing at everyone around him. Carter nodded.

Victorie slid off Ernie's lap as he stood up. He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the entire group. He smiled.

"So I have some news." He paused.

"Go on then." Amelia called.

Ernie shot her a look. "I dont know exactly how to say this, so Im just going to say it. We think we have a way out."

Dead silence overtook the group.

It was broken when Ore stood up, letting out a war whoop into the night. Cheering overtook the group, and soon everyone was on their feet, laughing and smiling and patting each other on the back. 

Hambone pulled Carter to her feet, smiling. "That's why you've been covering for Wig haven't you? You knew!"

"I didn't know why I was covering for him until today." Carter said.

"Alright, alright!" Ernie shouted over the din. "I'm not finished!"

The shouting quieted. Ernie started speaking again. "Turns out, the maze was a code. Wiggins there, figured it out, so-"

"Wiggins!" Ore shouted, clapping Wiggins on the back. Wiggins flushed bright red as congratulations and thanks came pouring in.

"Alright!" Ernie shouted again. "Everyone quiet down!"

Silence overtook the group again. Carter watched smiles and whispers travel around the circle. 

"We have a lot of work to do now." Ernie continued. "Tomorrow, I want my Planters to make packs for everyone here."

Hambone nodded, looking over at Cleo.

"Healers, gather up all your medical supplies, or as much as you can carry, and make some kits for those packs."

Victorie and Marie nodded.

"Searchers, I want you to map out the quickest route to the Stalker den."

Amelia grinned. "Kenny and I could do that in our sleep."

Ernie rolled his eyes. "Wiggins, Ore, I want you guys to make some long spears to keep those Stalkers out of reach." 

Wiggins nodded.

"Carter and I will be around, I want everyone to have the code memorized by tomorrows end." Ernie finished. 

"We're getting out!" Amelia shouted, sending everyone into cheers again.

~~~

"They've cracked it." 

He ran a hand through his hair, looking over at the screen. The subjects were abuzz, chattering excitedly at the prospect of escape.

"How many subjects did we have on hold?" He asked.

"About twenty."

He sighed. "Re-brand them all."

"Sir?"

"You heard me." He said. "Re-brand and disperse them."

"But we haven't-"

"Trigger the ending." He said.

"But sir, we-"

"Direct orders from the top. Trigger the ending." He said.

He glanced at the screen again, watching the subjects celebrate. He sighed again. "I thought we were going to at least get a full year out of this group."

"10 months is s new record."

"That's not what I'm concerned about." He said. "There arent enough of them for there to be more than a few survivors."

"Well, even with the large groups sometimes there are only a few survivors."

"But at least then its not a guarantee." He said.

"Do you still want me to-"

"Just trigger it already." He said.