We turned a corner and ran into the woods.
Almost there.
"We call them different things, but they mean the same thing."
"But I was told-"
"Shut up, I'll explain when we get there."
"Where exactly is there?"
We had finally reached the opening. Simon looked up at the large wall, covered in ivy and leaves, in front of us. He let out a gasp. I ignored him and punched in a four-digit code.
"There," I said pulling a hatch open on one of the trees. "-is the base camp."
Two gates opened, revealing a large glen, surrounded by four walls on each side. "CLOSE THE GATES!" I shouted to the man, on the nearest post. He nodded and the
gates swung shut behind us. We entered the base camp, both breathing heavy from running.
Simon could not hide his surprise. As we walked through the mini-village, he was gasping at the townsfolk, the kids playing with swords in the back fields, the Farmers gathering crops, everything. He was like a kid in a candy store.
"Simon's new." I would have to tell people, as they stared at his attire.
"Why are they looking at me funny?" Simon asked, as we stopped at the market
-place to buy food. I paid the Marketer and we sat down on a bench. I broke off a piece of bread and gave it to him.
"Look at yourself, you look like one of them. You act like one of them."
"I am one of them!" He protested.
"Not now you aren't." I stood up and lead him to the edge of our glen, towards the
Leader of our society. "I have to introduce you to the chief."
Simon grumbled but didn't say anything as we entered the chief's building. Inside was different than I remembered. Where there once was a round table, was now just empty space filled with charts, maps and other various weapons. The chief was staring at a large whiteboard in the front of the one room.
"Number 1? What's going on?" I asked, tapping the old man on his shoulder. His
whole demeanor instantly changed. "220359! What have you to report?"
"Hello Number 1. I have Simon here to join us."
"Join us?" Simon whispered. "I thought we were just-"
I smacked him in the stomach subtlety. "Sir –what's going on?"
"Ah, yes. It seems as though your people," he nodded towards Simon, "have been
feeding the Demonites more of our people in return for protection. They've been capturing our scouts left and right."
"Sorry what?" Simon asked.
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