Chapter 14

  Coexist

  The sun rose on a new day in the meadow. Everyone took part in the construction effort in one way or another.

  Dan and George were arranging and driving the sharpened stakes for the wall.

  Chris was making and refining the throwing sticks, as well as sharpening the spikes.

  Luna stared and occasionally barked.

  Annette, Belle, and Jaime were making cordage to tie the stakes together with. They also made sure to keep the water topped up from the small nearby stream.

  Kim helped wherever a hand was needed, and practiced with a spear whenever she could.

  Jimmy glanced at his screens while he worked, mumbling to himself.

  “..I guess that makes sense..”

  “..Hmm.. confusion?”

  “..Interesting builds start to open up..”

  Everyone also practiced with their Affinities and their Qi manipulation whenever they had a moment's rest.

  The gasp of excitement or whispered discussions became a common occurrence in the meadow.

  This was not missed by the other group.

  Dan was hopeful this day would bring one of change, where the groups maybe started to come together. It did not seem like that was the case.

  “No thank you, leave me alone now, THANKS!”

  Dan and Jimmy heard Kim's raised voice as well as Luna barking, while they were sitting discussing theory.

  They shared a quick glance and jumped up.

  Kim with Luna, on a return trip from a nearby stream for drinking water, stood near a strange duo.

  The pair, one rail thin and tall, the other average height and kind of burly with a bushy beard, stopped and started talking to her.

  Dan and Jimmy hustled over, and Chris started working his way over from his watch on the tree line.

  “-meant nothing by it, I was just trying to be friendly!” Burly Beard said with a smile.

  He was missing a tooth.

  “And I said to LEAVE ME ALONE! And I am NOT trying to be friendly!"

  They could see how uncomfortable she was, whole body tense.

  Luna stood by her side growling, hackles raised.

  “Listen here bitch-” Burly started, only to be interrupted by a disturbingly loud yell from Dan.

  “HEY! What the hell is the problem here?”

  Burly and Skinny turned, ugly looks on their faces, “I saw her over here, so was just trying to say hello to our fellow survivor, and this bitch ha-”

  “Watch your fucking mouth.” Dan cut him off, visibly shaking in anger.

  Jimmy slowly stepped forward.

  “I'm a fellow survivor.”

  “I see you.”

  “Hello.”

  While puffing up to Dan, the two men were visibly disturbed by Jimmy's response.

  Burly hesitated, “Uh- whatever man, we got stuff to do.”

  They watched the pair scurry off.

  Luna barked at them.

  “You good?” Dan asked while glaring at their retreating backs.

  “Yeah.. fucking creepy assholes.. I wish Ken were here..” Kim sighed.

  She kneeled to pet Luna.

  “Because then they would all be dead! Oh-Yes they would!”

  Luna wagged her tail.