The Free (Unedited)

Something... Different

Lindsay's POV

I sifted through the many papers, receipts, and all other documents, looking over them all to file them into a certain order. I told Analee how I was going to sort them, and then I started. Simple as that.

I heard the door open softly then close of course. Footsteps came closer to my open space filled with cabinets and a small fridge for some snacks. In my peripheral vision, I saw some boots walking my way, and the smell of food hit my face as they came closer. I looked at a man with a trim body, strong but modest, with a worn shirt and jeans that took some beatings in the weather.

"Hi there," he said in a strong southern accent, carrying a bag of Subway foods that smelled like a meatball sub. He held it out to me, and I took it with some degree of suspicion.

"No need to worry," he said, seeing my hesitance. "I don't hurt women." He followed up with a wink.

I took the food, knowing I was hungry and I wasn't going to eat for the rest of the day. He took this as an invitation to sit down and have some conversation with me.

"Just got back from the ranch," he said. "I only work half the day, but it's good, honest work and money."

"Cool," I said, trying to get back to my work.

"The name is Hunter. What's yours?"

"Nature." I looked over some papers.

"So you're new here in town."

"I guess you could say that. Just got my name a week ago."

"Ah, just in time for our yearly meeting," he said with a smile.

"That's not for a while though," I said, already getting annoyed with this conversation.

He smiled. "I guess not."

The door opened again, the footsteps of a man reverberating through the small office.

Leader came into sight and I immediately stood up, giving him the respect I saw given to him at the meeting. Hunter didn't stand at all.

"Ah, so you're already training someone new," Hunter smirked.

"That is none of your concern," Leader said quietly.

"Training?" I asked. They both looked at me.

"I was wondering why someone fresh would be in this place." Hunter stood up. "I have my answer." He walked out.

I looked at Leader, "Training?"

"Don't worry about it," he said before turning away.

But I was worried. Things like this always messed me up. I wanted to get away from the stress, but apparently I can't just run away. This place seems pretty great, but maybe it isn't? I pondered this for a second then shook it off, immersing myself into my work.

At 8:00 that night, I walked out of the office, tired and hungry. I wasn't given any money, so I guess I was going to be walking home in the dark.

I heard laughing and music towards the center of this huge place, the smell of food leading me closer and closer towards the center of the complex. A woman caught sight of me and immediately bounded over, her personality bubbly and excited. A man walked with her.

"Hi, I'm Addie," she said, holding her hand up. I took it hesitantly, and she shook it vigorously. The man came up right after that, a tall thick man, with a beard covering half of his face.

"This is Bruce," Addie cheerfully said. I waved awkwardly before turning to walk away.

"What's your name?" Addie called to my retreating back. Since this is my new family, I turned back around slightly. "Nature," I said.

The name threw her off. I could see it in her face. She tried to change it but she had the air of a person who kept their heart on their sleeve.

"Um, hi," she said trying to make up for the look on her face. "Why don't you come join us? The sunset is pretty tonight. And we have food."

"I don't know really," I replied. "I have to go back to my house."

"Please," she whined before grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the people. The sound of music and the smell of food became more and more potent, and I could feel my tiredness lift and excitement come to take its place. The food was on the outside of the crowd, a huge bonfire burning in the middle and the sounds of fiddles and other instruments filling the air with music without words.

I grabbed a few pieces of food and nibbled on them as I stood on the outskirts of the crowd. There were beers among with other alcoholic beverages, water, and soda, but I was going to wait before I got anything.

The crowd moved around together, grinding on each other and dancing alone. The people closest to the bonfire were the most lit ones, swaying to the upbeat music and dancing with other people. I watched attentively, slowly eating my food.

The crowd moved like the ocean, and soon I was sucked in. I was jostled forward towards the middle, the music getting louder and louder the further I moved. I stood still, awkwardly and scared, but I loved music, and this kind of music was something I didn't know I was starved for. My whole body moved of its own accord until I was swinging myself around to the music.

Men came up to me with hungry stares, wanting to get with me, but I kept dancing. Everyone was staring at me, and I kept dancing, but then the music stopped, and so did I, my chest heaving from the heat and exertion. I looked around me at all the stares of these people, very very shy and uncomfortable. Addie came up to me from the middle of the crowd, and addressed all of the people here.

"Nature of The Free," she shouted. Everyone had a change of face, to wonder, sadness, maybe even hope, but they were all gone as the drums started beating.

Boom, boom, boom, boom the drum sounded. Everyone moved to the beats, the music becoming more and more feral. There were shouts and screams of people who welcomed me into this strange group. The drum continued its tune, getting louder and louder as the people got more and more wild.

I spun around when everything started going in slow motion. I saw the happy faces in the crowd, dancing together in wild abandon. I saw every flick and twirl, every twist and turn. But there was one person I noticed above all. My eyes locked on him, and everything began to freeze in me as the world stopped on its own accord and all I could do was stare at him.

At Leader standing in front of me.