Chapter 25: Let's Get Salty

Chapter 25: Let's Get Salty

Salt. Holy shit. For one chob, wed got a small bag of salt that would last us weeks. One pinch was enough to season a plate of food. You can keep your crack cocaine and your black tar heroin. That nights rabbit stew blew our minds.

After we ate it became clear the other groups had moved on. Levelled up. Cleared the final boss. Found a way to Stage 2. Who knows? They were gone and we were still here.

We threw some extra logs on the fire just for the hell of it and considered our next move.

From tomorrow, I said, were really going to have to start grinding those rabbits.

Ugh! said Flossie. Why?

No, I said. What I means is, we have to kill a lot more and as quickly as possible. Its going to be a grind, like how a boring job is a grind, but its the best way for us to make money without too many risks. Once we can afford better equipment, we can think about hunting more rewarding beasts.

They all nodded knowingly. Two days in and they were all veterans. Sadly, rabbits were not going to prepare us for the things waiting out there. Apparently, that was my job.

Were definitely getting better, but were still too slow and too hesitant. We need to be merciless with those rabbits, and with anything else we might run into. So far weve been lucky. We havent encountered any monsters, but that can change any minute. We need to be prepared.

Nods all round again. I guess it was better than them arguing with me about the rights of monsters to live a peaceful life, eating who they please.

Were still weak and our gear is unreliable. Getting good with weapons doesnt happen overnight. It takes months, years even. What we need is better teamwork. The way we got all those rabbits in the end wasnt with our super ninja skills, it was teamwork, right?

The nods were more enthusiastic. They were onboard with my message of mutual cooperation and positivity. Youre probably thinking, how wonderful. Finally theyre coming together and with the power of friendship these guys have a chance of making it. But then, sometimes what you think is happening, isnt whats actually happening.

We have to trust each other. Rely on each other. We cant get depressed and all self-doubty because were afraid others might not like us. There are no others here. Its just us, and none of us is perfect. Far from it. Which is why I think we should all just admit our fears, our weaknesses. If everybody knows what youre worried they might find out, what have you got to lose? Nothing, right?

They looked less sure with their nods this time. Their heads bobbed ambiguously, like maybe they were agreeing, maybe they got caught by a breeze. New novel chapters are published on

Ill start. I tend to push people away. You might have noticed. I like to reject them before they reject me, because thats what usually happens, and it doesnt feel good. So I do it first and Im much happier that way. Or at least less unhappy. Of course, if someone really wants to be friends with me, theyll resist when I push them away. No one ever has. So thats me.

I looked expectantly at them, letting my gaze pass from one to the next. Nothing. No one spoke or looked like they were going to. I kept going.

Theres no point, said Maurice. Youre too old for him.

What about the Remix of Ignition? said Claire. I like that tune.

Flossie agreed.

Hot and fresh out the kitchen, threw in Dudley in his incredibly plummy voice.

Maurice looked over at me, somewhat baffled. I shrugged.

My point, continued Maurice, is that other black people have never accepted me. They think Im trying to be something Im not. Whereas actually theyre the ones trying to force me to pretend. And of course, white people arent keen to have someone on their turf either, so Im something of an outsider. I mean my parents have tried to reach out to me, but they dont know how to relate to me. Last Christmas my mother got me... He started to choke up. She got me a Maroon 5 CD. Pain flashed behind his eyes. She meant well. She meant well.

What kind of music do you like? I asked him, genuinely curious.

Oh, Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, any quality rock really.

What the fuck?

Maurice, before you got transported here, when you were back on Earth, what year was it?

He pushed his glasses back up his face. 2016. Why?

Nothing. Just surprised you listen to those bands.

Timeless music is timeless, he said.

Each to his own, I guess. In any case, I had a better idea of who I was dealing with now. Of course, what I said about myself was utter horseshit. I didnt reject people because I thought theyd reject me. I could care less. Oh, youre thinking, poor guys in denial. Cant admit the truth. Maybe, but if I am in denial, then I have no idea if it is true (thats why its called denial) so either way, it isnt something I waste time getting worked up about. The only reason Id said it was to get the ball rolling. Now I knew their insecurities and weaknesses, it would be much easier to manipulate and control them.

Not that I intended to use the knowledge in a malicious way, but if I didnt get them into some kind of decent fighting force wed all be dead by the weekend, assuming the concept of weekends existed here. And if it didnt, Im sure Maurice would attempt to invent it.