The Radix
Chapter Seven - Questioning Dawn
Jay was surprised to find he'd slept solidly through the night and only woke when their breakfast was brought to them by a boy of fifteen. The young teen's wavy brown locks fell across his eyes in such a way that Jay wondered how the kid was able to see at all. He had a friendly face and a cheery disposition and hummed as he bustled into the room.
"Sleep well?" He asked without looking up.
"Uh, yes." Jay ran a hand through his hair. "Thank you."
"Good. Be sure to eat up. These apples are last of the season and the sweetest. The ones we got in preserves ain't half as good." He laughed lightly and looked up. His bright smile suddenly faded as he made eye contact with Jay and he quickly set down the tray of food and excused himself.
"What was that all about?"
"Call me crazy," Lex yawned from his side of the room. "but it could be that mark on your forehead." Jay jumped as he hadn't realized Lex was awake. Judging from the circles under his brooding eyes, he hadn't slept at all. Jay's hand went to his head as he frowned. Such prejudice over a tiny symbol. "Why do you still wear that?" Lex slid off his bed to the tray, his appetite now fully restored. "You keep telling everyone that you're not one of them anymore..."
"I'm not."
"So what gives?" Lex narrowed his eyes. Having spent a sleepless night battling with his own fears he was up for a fight and Jay was good as anyone. "You quit them how many months ago? Yet you take the time to paint that thing on everyday."
Jay frowned as he watched his dark haired companion bite into an apple. He knew Lex was goading him, gunning for an argument and Jay wasn't taking the bait. Still, Lex's words had more truth in them than Jay was wanting to admit. He climbed out of bed and stared at himself in the small mirror that hung beside the door.
Why did he still wear the symbol? In the beginning he was sure it was from simple habit. As a Techno he'd been drilled and trained to do things the same way every time, resulting in much of his actions becoming second nature. But after awhile he began consciously connecting the symbol with Ved. As the rift between brothers grew, it became the only thing they had in common. After Ved's disappearance Jay continued to paint it on every day. He now wondered if subconsciously it was his way of keeping Ved alive. As long as he wore it his little brother wasn't forgotten. In fact, as he stared at himself he thought he could almost see Ved staring back out at him. The symbol on their foreheads was all that connected them.
Lex suddenly kicked the door causing Jay to jerk his head from his reflection. "How long are they going to keep us in here?" He griped in annoyance.
When Jay looked back at the mirror, Ved was gone. His shoulders dropped and he stared down into the basin of water that sat on the table below the mirror. Jay had to face the truth. Ved was lost to him and they might never find each other. All he could do was hope his brother was alive and move on with his life. With a resigned sigh Jay picked up the towel that sat beside the basin and dipped it into the cool water. Taking one last look at his reflection he began rubbing the wet fabric against his forehead.
An hour or so later a young woman entered, her arms full of dark blue and brown clothing. Jay could tell she was older than the boy had been, maybe nineteen. Her blond curls boasted several braids and the red feather of a Crimson Rosella*. Lex thought she looked familiar and was proved right when he saw the symbol painted on her cheek. She had been one of the Orphans, a city tribe with whom Lex had more than his fair share of run ins. Whatever was formidable about her back then had melted away through the passing of time. It surprised Lex how attractive she was without her old tribal makeup.
"Good mornin'." She said sweetly as she paused in front of the door.
"Morning." Jay was polite enough to respond while Lex only gave her a suspicious glance from his position at the window.
She looked at them both nervously, narrowing her eyes at Lex in recognition before stepping forward. Seeming not to want to get any closer to Lex than necessary she decided to drop the clothes on Jay's cot. He sat watching her curiously before looking at the pile of clothes. After stepping away from the bed she backed toward the door and glanced into the basin of used water.
"Good, it looks like you cleaned up." She finally found her voice. "Those clothes are for you. If you like you can change and we'll have your old ones washed."
Jay and Lex exchanged looks of slight surprise before Jay nodded. "Thanks uh..." He looked down at the clothes a moment before continuing. "How long are we going to be in here? I mean are we prisoners?"
The girl flushed slightly. "Of... of course not. Um, you're our gue...."
"Where's Bray?" Lex didn't wait for her to finish. "I wanna see him."
"Bray?" The girl looked confused at the name.
Jay picked up on it immediately. "I think he means Cipher?"
"Oh," She flushed harder. "Right. Um he's gone. They left at daybreak to get your friends."
"Daybreak?" Lex frowned. "Why so early? We should have gone with him. They might not even recognize him."
"All I know is they wanted to beat the tide."
Jay sat and wondered how those left on the boat would react when he, Amber and Lex didn't return. And in their place was a group of unfamiliar men on the beach. He wondered if any of them would recognize Bray. Jay knew he hadn't despite seeing his picture briefly on a computer screen. What if they thought something bad had happened and tried to leave? Jay shook the thought from his head and tried to think on more positive things.
"Well do we have to stay in here until he comes back?" Lex asked with irritation to which Jay cut in gently,
"What about our friend Amber? Can we see her?"
"Um, I don't see why not." The girl seemed grateful for Jay's presence as Lex intimidated her. "I'll just go and get an escort for you. You can change while you wait." Having nothing more to say she let herself out quickly.
"An escort." Lex scoffed and went back to staring out the window. He saw nothing of interest as this side of the building faced the woods.
"It's better than nothing." Jay began sifting through the clothes. "Though I will say your friends sure are flighty."
"My friends?" Lex glared at Jay. "Last time I checked you're the one they have a problem with."
Jay decided to let the comment slide as he somewhat understood what was causing Lex's bad mood. He wasn't completely sure what had happened between Lex and Taisan the night before. So few words had been spoken and it all happened so fast. Besides he'd been preoccupied with getting help for Amber. He did know that last night two reunions happened in the worst way possible for all of them. Lifting up one of the shirts Jay found himself shaking his head in slight amusement. He held it up for his companion to see clearly.
"Hey Lex,"
Turning Lex narrowed his eyes at the garment. It was an over sized cotton weave which appeared to be hand dyed indigo blue. It was longer than most shirts and reminded him of a monkish tunic. The fabric was loose and had a feminine appeal to it. The long sleeves ballooned out at the ends and the collar was decorated with the same shells and small stones he'd seen on Taisan's dress.
"I am not wearing that." He pointed.
Jay chuckled and threw it over to the other bed. "Don't have much choice do we?"
"I'm staying in this." Lex pulled at his vest.
"Come on Lex," Jay said lightly. "you stink. We both do."
Lex growled inwardly but couldn't reply knowing it was the truth. They'd left the city with only the clothes on their backs. On the boat they'd been crammed together like sardines sleeping on everything from the deck itself to life vests and old fishing nets. Even when they had the opportunity to wash themselves in the stream at the beach, their clothing suffered and remained subjected to sand and salt and whatever else. Jay was right, they smelled something awful. They were both dressed when their escort arrived. At least the pants were more to their liking: brown leather with a loose fit. From the coloring and stitching Lex could tell they'd not only sewn the pants but they had also aged the leather themselves. He was more than impressed and was still picking at his ensemble when a girl with light red hair poked her head in the door.
"Hi, I'm Quinn." The first to introduce herself she didn't seem at all as nervous or distrusting as the others. As she slipped through the small opening her thin locks of hair danced behind her in an unearthly manner. Her hair indeed was a strange shade of red, almost burnt orange really, a color Jay had once seen in a picture of a fawn. It contrasted with the blue Swallow feather she had weaved within a single braid. Her blouse matched theirs except the coloring was sea foam green with a long broom skirt of the same hue. Tiny unseen bells were sewn into the fabric and could be heard as she moved to the center of the room. There was a strange unnatural quality to her movements, as though gravity had no affect on her and she swept along the floor like she was floating. "You wanted to see your friend?"
Jay nodded as he stood. "Yes, is she alright?"
Quinn nodded with a smile. "Yes." She gave them both a flirtatious glance. "You look nice. The colors suit you."
Even Lex was hard pressed to keep from blushing and was surprised as Quinn approached him to gaze into his face more closely. He wanted to step back but the bed hindered his movement. She seemed to be studying him and her eyes, one blue, the other hazel, were quite off putting. Lex frowned as she tilted her head in interest. He felt as though she were peering right through him and he was exposed. He didn't like it. Finally she broke into a friendly smile as though she'd learned a secret.
"She was right about you."
Before he could ask who she was talking about Quinn glided to the door and motioned for them to follow. Both boys were surprised to see two teenage males standing on either side of the door in the hall. Jay and Lex had forgotten they were being guarded. As they followed after Quinn, the other boys came along behind them wordlessly. No sense in watching an empty room.
"They're not paranoid at all." Lex said sarcastically under his breath.
Jay glanced behind him. "They prob'ly just want to make sure we don't cause any trouble." He looked at Lex pointedly who promptly ignored the hint.
Outside their senses were bombarded with bright light and the lively noises of the village. It was impossible to make out what was happening within the encampment of shacks but small conversations could be picked up, the shrieks of small children playing, and bits of music. Instead of heading directly into the center of the chaos, Quinn took a path between a row of shacks and the compound building. She was purposely avoiding the confrontation between the villagers and their guests. What the boys weren't aware of was that their arrival was known by only a small group, including those they had encountered the night before. Their presence had not been announced and until it was, it was best to keep them out of sight. The end of the path came out into a smaller open area between several shacks, one being the infirmary. Though they would been seen crossing through it by some, Quinn knew it was easier to explain the presence of strangers to a few people rather than a large crowd. Two girls sat sewing in front of one shack and were so engrossed in their fun conversation neither looked up at the passing procession. Across the way, on a small makeshift porch, a little boy napped in a hammock while a young woman skinned a large container of potatoes. She gave the group a curious glance but was contented when Quinn offered her a big smile and continued on with her work.
Suddenly Quinn turned to Lex with a sympathetic look and said, "Don't do it."
He and Jay both regarded her as though she were some strange creature and it was then that Taisan came walking into the clearing. She and Lex saw one another right away and Taisan looked as though she might stop and turn around. Lex didn't give her a chance and broke from the group and ran to her.
"Taisan!" She avoided his eyes and Lex was forced to grab her arms to make her look at him. "Taisan, what is going on?! What happened last night? I thought you'd be happy to see me..."
"I am happy to see you." She replied quickly. "I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you then Lex, I... I'm..." Taisan look down trembling. She wasn't ready for this. If she had known he would be running around freely she would have stayed in her shack. As it was she only wanted to check on Amber's progress.
"Pregnant!" He blurted, anger in his tone. "Yeah I can see that. What I wanna know is how." He'd told himself he wouldn't get mad but suddenly found he couldn't control his temper. As it was with anything that Lex held close to his heart, his emotions were heightened and even more explosive.
"I can't." Taisan closed her eyes in attempt to center herself but she'd learned long ago that even in the best of situations it was impossible to meditate around Lex. "I can't do this. Cipher said he would..."
Lex had never seen his wife so flustered. It was worrisome and frustrating at the same time. "Cipher?! What the hell does he have to do with this?" Suddenly the image of Taisan and Bray embracing played before Lex's eyes and heated anger flowed through every vein in his body. "Oh my God it's his!" He glared at Taisan with disbelieving hatred. "You and him?!
Taisan shook her head as tears fell. "Lex, please don't do this."
"Me?!" Lex was overcome with rage at this betrayal and without thought shook his wife by the shoulders. "Me, Taisan? What have I done?! How could you do this?"
"Stop!" Taisan shouted and wrestled out of his grip. "You don't understand!"
"What don't I understand?!" Lex growled back as Bray's words replayed themselves in his head. 'you may not like what you see'. "Damn him!" Lex was disgusted for not guessing this right away. Bray had even tried to tell him. "I'm going to kill him!"
Taisan glared at Lex, painful tears spilling down her face. She hated him for reacted in such a predictable manner. It seemed that there were things that not even time could change. She was aware that she'd broken his heart, as she could hear it in his anguish and see it in his eyes. If only he would calm down she could explain but it was clear Lex was too enraged to see reason now. Too overwhelmed to face him any longer Taisan turned on her heel to walk away.
This only upset Lex more for he'd always hated that habit of hers. He lunged forward to grab her but was held back by two pairs of strong arms. Having seen how upset Taisan was becoming, the two watch guards with Quinn decided to end the argument themselves. Jay watched in shock as Lex was dragged away, still calling Taisan's name angrily. Despite the fact that Lex was at fault, Jay now understood that the young man's anger was valid and hoped he wasn't in too much trouble.
"I told him not to do it." Quinn spoke gently over Jay's shoulder.
He turned to her. "Where are they taking him?"
"Into solitary. He needs time to cool down. Don't worry, Cipher will deal with him when he returns."
Jay narrowed his light eyes at Quinn. She certainly was an odd egg. "How do you know? What did you tell Lex not to do?" Quinn didn't answer as she stared at him knowingly. Jay cracked a nervous smile. "You're not telling me you knew Lex was going to flip out like that, are you?"
Quinn smirked. "Am I?"
"You told him, don't do it.."
"But he did." Quinn nodded. "Some people can't heed advice when they don't know what it pertains to."
Jay stared off in the direction Lex was dragged to. "But how did you know he would do that? How did you know she would show up?"
"Ah," Quinn leaned in with a teasing smile. "That is the real question isn't it?" Taking a moment to enjoy his confusion Quinn then turned toward the infirmary. "Come on, she's waking up."
Jay stood watching her go thrown off by her weird behavior. He didn't believe in having a sixth sense but how else could one explain Quinn's strange awareness? Realizing that it was Amber she was most likely talking about, Jay followed and hoped Lex would be alright on his own for awhile. Inside the infirmary Amber tossed fitfully on her cot as she murmured in distress. She was in labor again. Trapped in the barn, her surroundings swam around her in a disorienting manner. The pains of the baby ripped through her abdomen and she was calling for help.
"Bray!" She cried but he didn't come. Somewhere in the corner of her mind she could see him walking away from her. Walking across the field toward the Technos. He was saying something but his words were muted and she couldn't understand. She tried to call to him, warn him to run away but he couldn't hear her. Suddenly he was struck down by a Techno laser and crumpled to the ground. "No!" Amber screamed and reached out to him but Bray's image faded further from her. "Bray!"
Suddenly Amber woke up gasping for air. The barn was gone but she still didn't recognize where she was. The shed-like room was large with several other cots, one housing a sleeping tenant. Against one wall was a plank table covered in bottles, pitchers of liquids, flowers, herbs and a great basin of water. As Amber pulled herself into a sitting position, her muscles ached with rigidity. Her neck throbbed and as she rubbed at it she was surprised to find a tender bump. She could hear a lot of friendly activity outside but it brought little comfort. Suddenly Amber became even more anxious as she realized that she not only had no memory of how she'd gotten to this place, but her child was missing as well.
"Bray?" She called but it only came out as a startled whisper.
Seeing that he was no where in sight Amber tried to remember what had happened. Her last memory was on the boat, but where were they heading? There were strange images of trees, rocks and waves swimming through her mind. Then she was hit with the strangest memory. Somewhere between the rocks and the trees she thought she'd seen Bray. Not her son but his father. He looked so different but she was sure it was him. Amber shook her head at the impossibility. It had to have been a dream. The door opened then and Amber was relieved to see Jay enter behind a red headed girl.
"Jay!" She cried in relief.
"Amber." Jay hurried to her bedside and embraced her. She was trembling. "It's alright." He comforted. "It's alright. You're safe."
Amber pulled back to look at him, puzzled by his new look. "What happened? Where are we?"
"We're safe." He reiterated.
"Where's my baby? How did we get here?"
"Bray's on the boat with the others." He stroked her face with concern. "Don't you remember anything?"
Amber shook her head. "No. I mean, the last thing I can remember was being on the boat and then it gets all... fuzzy."
"We're at the compound from the map. We came to check it out last night."
"We did?" Amber frowned as she tried to retrieve these events. "What happened? Why can't I remember?"
Jay glanced at Quinn with worry. "I don't know, you were hit with a dart of some kind."
Quinn offered Amber a cup of water. "Don't worry. The poison acts as a tranquilizer causing temporary paralysis. Your memory will return. Drink this." She ran a gentle hand over the blond girl's knotted hair. "Your son is safe. You'll see him soon." Confused yet comforted by Quinn's strange manner Amber nodded and sipped from the cup. Satisfied Quinn stepped from the bed. "I'll leave you two alone. You must be hungry." She smiled at Amber and then left the room.
"Who is she?"
Jay shrugged. "I've just met her myself. She's nice enough. A bit odd though."
Amber took another large swig before setting the cup down. "I feel odd. Everything aches." She looked at Jay, her eyebrow arched. "You said I was hit with a dart?"
He nodded thinking of the unpleasant encounter. "Yes. We ran into a bit of... trouble." Jay wondered how he should bring up the subject of Bray and his being alive but Amber beat him to it.
"It's so strange. I can't really remember anything but I see these pictures and..." She lowered her voice and leaned in close as though the confession frightened her. "I swear I saw Bray. Not the little one but his father." She explained not sure her boyfriend would understand. "I know it's crazy but he was there." She watched Jay's face for reaction and was surprised as he looked down with a painful sigh. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Gazing wistfully at her, Jay sighed again knowing this news would change everything. "It's not crazy." He said quietly then closed his eyes as he explained. "Bray is here. He's who we ran into. His friend shot the dart before he realized it was you. Then they brought us to this compound. This village... the Radix, I think it's where he and the others were sent by the Technos." He stressed the last word with regretful irritation before opening his eyes. Amber's face was the very definition of shock.
"Bray's alive?" She whispered as if saying it any louder would make it untrue.
Jay nodded reluctantly before continuing the story while Amber sat and listened, her eyes wide. This couldn't be happening. It was all too surreal to be true. Bray wasn't dead. The thought repeated itself in her mind over and over even after Jay finished his tale. They sat in silence each pondering what was going to happen next. Neither wanted to say it but they both knew that Bray's being alive realigned the world as they knew it. Whatever dreams of a blissful future as a family had now blown away into winds of uncertainty. Amber had yet to grasp her emotions and wasn't sure how she felt about this new development. On the other hand Jay watched her flickering eyes, his heart already beginning to break with the belief he was going to lose her forever.
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"I'm sorry there isn't more." Salene said regretfully as she scooped a small pile of scrambled eggs into a bowl for Lottie. "But I thought it would be wise to save the last of the crabs and mushrooms for later. There aren't many left and I'll have to make a soup of some kind."
"It's okay Salene." Sammy tried to be encouraging though he'd already inhaled his meager ration and was still having hunger pangs. "By tonight we'll be on shore."
She gave him a weak smile before sharing an uncertain look with Trudy. The young mother sat on the deck with both Brady and Bray on each knee. Brady was having a good time of feeding her small cousin and herself. Morning on the boat had come with a sense of bleakness and the passengers restlessly awaited the return of their friends. The night before they made a small contained fire in a metal trashcan of sorts and fried what remained of the fish. The smoke was overwhelming but everyone was too hungry to care. They finished the last of Lex's turkey before arriving at the cove. At sunrise Salene was dismayed to realize that most of the eggs had spoiled and that meant a pathetic breakfast for all. The designated cook did her best to scramble and thicken the mixture with a bit of water. Still even with Slade, Ebony, Trader, Trudy and Salene herself skipping the meal, while Jack and Ellie shared their small ration, there was very little to go around.
"More Momma." Brady held up her empty bowl with a smile to which Trudy couldn't return. How could she tell her young child that there wasn't anymore?
Ram, who had been sitting and staring at his eggs in deep thought, surprised all when he stood and handed the bowl to Trudy. "I'm not really hungry." Without taking a moment to acknowledge the looks from everyone he walked toward the bow of the boat.
"Thanks." Trudy called after him and with relief watched both Brady and Bray dive into the food with vigor.
Darryl then came up from below deck with two more empty dishes. Salene turned to him. "Did Ruby eat anything?"
"Yeah," Darryl smirked. "she ate hers and mine. I almost lost a hand. She's lucky she's so pretty or there would've been a fight." There was a chorus of small laughs which delighted Darryl enough to forget his empty stomach.
"At least she's eating. That's a good sign." Ellie took his dishes and began to wash them in a basin of cold, soapy water. "But I don't think she'll be strong enough to handle that rock climb when Amber and them get back."
"If they get back." Jack muttered to himself. Having heard Ellie slapped a wet hand across his arm. They shared annoyed stares until Jack relented and mumbled "Sorry."
Ellie shook her head. "We so don't need that negativity now."
Having watched them, Lottie gave Salene a concerned glance. "They are coming back aren't they?"
"Of course they are." The red head placed a comforting arm around Lottie's shoulders while frowning at Jack as a big sister might. "And then we're all going to get off this boat and find someplace nice to live."
"Amen to that." May spoke up before handing her half eaten breakfast to Sammy who had been staring at the bowl in her hands with moist lips. "Here kid, you could stand to gain a few pounds."
Happily he sat and ate beside Gel who was uncommonly silent this morning. She finished her food without complaint and now quietly ran fingers through her stringy hair with a sad look on her face. Though Lex had insulted her by rebuffing her many advances, she missed his dark presence. Something about his strong persona made her feel safe and with him gone she was now fearful of the future. At the stern of the vessel stood Slade where he'd been since sunrise watching the cliffs while Ebony sat beside him. Suddenly he tapped her arm.
"Do you see that?" He asked with alarm in his voice.
"See what?" She stood up and looked in the direction of the cliff side. "What is it?"
"Up there," He pointed. "near the trees. There's someone there."
Ebony peered into the distance before she too spotted the group of strangers coming out of the forest. She could just barely make out their odd attire and the weapons they carried. Noticing Slade's change in attentiveness Jack came along beside him.
"Is it them?" He asked hopefully.
Slade shook his dark head slowly. "I don't think so."
"What's going on?" Salene asked joining the small group. "Do you see them?"
"That's not them." Ebony glared, her voice threatening. "There's too many."
Within seconds most of the Mallrats stood staring out at the cliffs with concern. Trudy looked up from where she sat with the kids. "What is it?"
"Trader!" Slade shouted to their boatman.
Jumping up from his seat in the tiny captain's room, Trader quickly hid his flask of moonshine before joining the others. "What's up? They back yet?" He was answered with silence before he too saw what appeared to be a menacing group of hunters starting down the cliff side.
"What are we going to do?" May leaned against the railing.
"Do you think they're dangerous?" Darryl asked. "They could be coming to help."
"They don't look like they wanna help to me." Was Lottie's skeptical reply.
"I can't see Lex, Amber or Jay." Ellie gave her companions a worried glance. "You don't think something happened to them do you?" Again no one answered though the possibility weighed on all of their minds.
"Maybe we should leave." Sammy offered tentatively.
"Sammy!" Salene exclaimed at the same time as May slapped the back of his head.
"We're not leaving." Trudy said sternly.
Little Bray began whimpering then as he felt the tension in his aunt's arms and Slade turned to them with concern. "Let's get the kids below deck." He attempted to give Salene and Trudy an easy look. "Just in case."
"Come on." Salene hesitated only a moment before she ushered Lottie and Sammy down the stairs. "You too Gel."
"But I'm not a kid."
"Well you're no use up here." May quipped though there was no malice in her tone as she gently gave Gel a push toward the stairs. Offering Trudy a helping hand, May took Brady from her and they both carried the children below. After the kids were safely tucked away with Ruby, May went back above deck with Trudy following her only halfway up the stairs.
"If Jay and them are in trouble I don't see what we can do from here." Ram was saying.
"Well we can't leave them." Ellie retorted. "They may need our help."
"They've nearly reached the bottom." Ebony announced secretly admiring the skill and speed of the strangers on the rocks. "Whatever we're going to do, we'd better think of it fast."
"What the worst they can do to us?" Jack asked. "The only way over here is with the inflatable and that barely carries five at a time. We could handle five couldn't we?"
"Unless they're armed." Trader narrowed his eyes.
"Still, even with weapons, we have the upper hand. They can't rush the boat."
Trader gave Jack a wicked smirk. "Ever heard of an arrow? Or a gun for that matter. They don't gotta get on the boat to use those."
"They live in the woods, I doubt they have guns." Ellie rolled her eyes.
"Who knows what they've got." Ebony snapped at the lot of them. Their petty argument was irritating her to no end. "Better to be prepared I say. We know they can't necessarily attack us but unless we plan on getting out of here, we still have to deal with them. Since I'm sure everyone is against leaving our friends," She looked pointedly at Trudy who she could see standing on the stairs. "then we really only have one choice. We have to go out and face them."
"Face them?" Ram frowned at what he considered to be Ebony's ignorance of proper battle tactics. "You mean row to shore and see what happens?"
"Look," Ebony ignored his condescending tone. "we're pretty much defenseless here. We have no food, little water and no fuel to go anywhere. And if Lex, Amber and Jay," She stressed the last name with slight bitterness. "are in trouble, getting onshore is the only chance we have in helping them."
"She's right." Slade agreed without taking his eyes off the cove. The group had reached the bottom of the cliffs.
"I ain't rowing out there to be attacked." Trader shook his head.
"What are they doing?" May squinted, bringing attention back to the hunters on the shore.
"Nothing." Jack answered surprised. "They just standing there."
Ellie leaned forward. "I think someone is waving at us."
"Is that a good thing?" Darryl spoke up nervously.
"Damn it." Slade was frustrated. He couldn't see anything clearly at this distance. Though they were anchored, the strong current was slowly dragging them further from shore. "If only we could get a better look at them."
Trader sat up as a thought dawned on him. "Wait a minute." He dashed off and in a couple minutes was back with binoculars in hand. "I forgot about these."
"Thank you." Slade quickly snatched them now able to to check out their opponents properly.
"What can you see?" Ellie asked.
Slade frowned. "Well they don't look dangerous. They have some weapons but they're not drawn." He peered through the binoculars again. "They're just standing there and some guy is waving to us."
"How many?" Ram inquired already trying to decide how they could strategically take the shore.
"About... fifteen."
"Let me see." Ebony took the binoculars and looked through herself. After a pause she sucked in her breath. "I don't believe it."
"What is it?" The group asked collectively.
She slowly smiled. "I can't believe it. It's Bray."
"What?!" Trudy's surprised cry overshadowed them all as she bounded up the steps and ripped the binoculars from Ebony's hands. "Oh my God!" She laughed happily. "It is. It's Bray!"
*Crimson Rosella - native bird of New Zealand known for it's vibrant red plumage
chap six <-----> chap eight