When all three of them had exited the cave, Mark stopped them. “I just received a new system message that I now have 2% control for the cave. That means that we will need to continue to make visits and see what changes.”
Cora replied, “It is interesting how you get control messages. My skills act completely different. Mine lean to stealth and scouting-related skills and abilities.”
Ava said, “My last skill lets me sense animals and understand more of their desires and behaviors.”
Mark answered, “Yes, the system is pushing us in different directions. Leading us down different paths of advancement.”
Just then Cora’s eyes drifted into the forest. “Did you hear that?”
Mark answered, “Hear what?”
“Something in that direction,” Cora said, pointing to her right into the forest. “I can hear voices.”
Cora then started walking in the direction she pointed quietly like she was on the trail of something. Mark and Ava followed along. Mark finally realized that Bramble, likewise, was reacting to whatever Cora had heard.
It took them about five minutes of walking slowly before they reached the edge of a clearing. In it were standing two people. A younger woman holding a spear and an older man closer to Mark’s age examining the remains of a root crawler.
The woman finally realized something had changed and turned toward their group. She instantly put her spear forward and had the man move behind her in a protective pose.
The groups just looked at each other, both saying nothing.
Then Ava broke the silence. “Hey, how are you doing?”
Cora looked at her and scowled like she was not happy that she had spoken.
Mark finally took a step forward. “Hello, my name is Mark. It’s nice to find someone else.”
The woman stepped forward and asked, “Where did you guys come from?”
They introduced themselves as Lena and Tom. Lena was extremely protective of him. She had rescued Tom from an attack a week earlier, and since then she had done most of the fighting while he supported her. He was not a strong fighter.
Mark said, “I am glad to know that others are surviving and helping one another. We’ve got a camp not far from here. You can take a look if you want. We could also offer you some food and show you a safe area if you’re interested.”
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Tom and Lena had a brief conversation, and then Lena said, “Sure, I would love to see what you have done. We also have made a camp, but it’s a long trip from here.”
They followed Mark toward camp. At the stream, he pointed out his fish trap and collected the fish caught inside.
Tom said, “That is a pretty smart way to get some food.”
Mark said, “I realized when I first got here that I needed food and water to survive, so I started making traps and set up my camp not far from the stream.”
He passed a few more traps on the way back and pointed them out. When they got to camp, they were surprised at the barriers and entry gate. They watched as he disarmed the alarms and ushered them into camp.
Lena said, “This is much more than what I expected.”
Dale came out of his A-frame and said hello. Mark introduced Dale to Tom and Lena.
Mark said, “Hello Dale, we found these guys in the forest and told them that you could feed them something.” Mark then pulled out the fresh fish he had just gotten and handed it to Dale along with more of the salt.
Dale smiled and turned around and stirred the food he already had over the fire. The whole time he cooked, Tom just watched him, never taking his eyes off the food.
Mark realized that he was watching like a man that had been starving for a while. While they waited on the food, Mark noticed that Lena was more interested in the things in and around camp. She walked over to the rough wall Mark had built around the camp. She then looked at the cooking area and the a-frames.
Lena said, “I see that there are 6 structures built. Are there more of you?”
Ava piped up. “No. Mark has this thing about making sure there is enough for an army. If he needs to make an axe, he makes five. He is just weird like that.”
Mark chimed in. “Not weird; just want to be prepared.”
Lena said, “So just the four of you live here then?”
Mark said, “Well, actually, just three of us sleep here.”
Cora then added. “I do not live here. We trade goods and we have been exploring the cave together.” After she said that she grabbed some food from Dale and put more items on the cooking table for Dale to use and headed out of camp.
Lena watched her go. When Cora was out of sight, Lena turned back toward Mark.
But before she could ask, Mark spoke. “To be honest, I don’t know where she lives. She has been coming and going. Now that Dale started to cook for her, she shows up at least once a day and gets some food to go.”
Dale said, “Speaking of food, this is done.”
They all took a plate and sat down to eat. As they were eating, Mark realized that there were more than the four plates he had made, and Dale brought out a clay pitcher full of juice and poured them each a glass. When they were done eating, Lena stood up and took a last look around camp.
Lena said, “Thank you very much for the food. We have a long hike back to camp. Hope to see you around.”
Before they could leave, Dale ran over with 2 bundles of cooked food and gave one to each of them.
Lena said, “Oh, we can’t take all your food.”
Dale replied, “We have plenty. Mark’s traps catch more food than we can eat.”
As they left, Mark watched as Tom looked around the camp, focusing especially on the A-frames and on Dale cooking.
They then quietly walked into the forest.
When Lena and Tom were far enough away not to hear them, Ava bounced over and said, “Do you think they will come back? We have room for them. Why did you not invite them to stay?”
Mark chuckled. “Did you watch Tom as he looked around camp? I am sure they will be back. They ate like they were starving.”
Dale walked over. “They looked like good people. I sure hope they come back. It would be nice to have more people around. Someone has to eat all this food you guys keep bringing back.”