We Lay Strangers

Chapter 5

Carter woke up when Hambone ruffled her hair.

"Dont touch." Carter mumbled, smoothing her hair back down.

"You need your pack, it's almost time to go." Hambone said. "Cant be napping now, can we?"

Carter picked herself up, stretching out her back. It was achy from leaning up against that crate for hours. 

The Base was bustling with activity. Ore was sharpening spears. Amelia and Kenny were talking to Ernie near the embers of the fire. Marie and Victorie were waking up from naps just like CArter, shrugging on their packs and grabbing their spears.

Carter shrugged her pack back on, making sure the cylinder and her knife were secure in her belt. She walked over to Ernie.

"Carter, you're up." Ernie greeted grimly. "We were just going over the plan."

Amelia shifted her stance. "I still think we should re-evaluate. The circle idea got Cleo killed."

"It still worked for the most part, and we're going to need to fend off Stalkers while moving. If we can just get someone to the hole, they can put in the code." Ernie said.

"Why doesn't Kenny do that?" Carter asked. "He's injured, but hes still fast, and if he darts in and the rest of us circle around him, he can put it in."

Glances were traded. 

"I like it better than just hoping someone gets in." Amelia said. 

"I think I could do it." Kenny added.

"I guess thats it then." Ernie said. 

The embers of last nights fire crackled. 

~~~

Carter's breathing was heavy as she kept pace with Hambone and Ore, clutching her spear as she ran. Amelia and Kenny headed the group, signaling turns with flicks of their arms and not slowing for anything. 

Ernie was behind them, jogging along with Victorie. Marie held up the back, her breathing ragged. 

Amelia flicked her right arm out, and the group turned right, heading down a narrow passage. Carter was amazed at how monotonous the maze was. All the walls seemed the same, ivy covering anything that might have been a landmark. She didnt understand how Amelia and Kenny remembered anything.

The cylinder in Carter's belt ticked along with her footsteps. 

Amelia slowed down to a jog, stopping at a turn in the passage. The rest of the group came to s top around her, Ernie pushing his way into the middle. 

"Around that bend is the Stalker den." Amelia said.

"Everyone remember the plan?" Ernie asked. 

Nods and murmurs of assent.

"Remember, we're in this together." Ernie said. 

Amelia took a deep breath before racing around the corner. 

~~~

"Sir?"

He turned around. 

"They're making a go for it."

"Release the creatures."

~~~

"Spears up!" Ernie shouted. Metallic clicking filled the air, as the Stalker den opened up and the creatures came scuttling out. The remains of Cleo's sweater clung to the back of one.