Hammington packed his skewer, sustenance for a few days, water, and a blanket. Soon enough, he was alone in the mountains. After his camp was out of sight, he sat on a rock. He took a breath of the fresh air. It was one of the best feelings he ever felt. Thoughts were flying through Hammington's head. Thoughts of the war. Thoughts of his people. Thoughts of the other nations. Before he knew it, it was dark. Hammington took one last breath of the mountain air. Time to go home.

  He couldn't see much but he hiked down the mountain none-the-less. The hours dragged on. Hammington could feel that he was getting close to the base of the mountain.

  Suddenly, he fell. Quickly, he reached out into the darkness. He was met with a large thorned branch that cut deep into his left arm, but he still took hold of it firmly. It stooped down, bringing him safely to the ground. Now his hand was bleeding, and his arm was bleeding. Oh brother.

  He wrapped his blanket around this arm and continued back to camp. He arrived only a few minutes later and didn't feel like going all the way back to his quarters. Hammington just found a pile of hay on the floor and got comfortable.

  Hammington woke to the sound of rustling leaves. He had an unfamiliar blanket laid over him and his left arm was professionally bandaged.

  Hammington stood up and noticed a Lettuce freshling watching him. He didn't even know what to think. He just froze. The freshling ran away laughing. Enemy Territory.

  He pulled out his skewer and took in his surroundings. Must've been kidnapped in my sleep. Disgusting, I can't believe they bring children into their war crimes.

  A full-grown Lettuce started walking towards him. Hammington prepared his skewer.

  "You're awake." He spoke.

  "You're a coward." Hammington scowled.

  The Lettuce continued as if it didn't hear Hammington's comment, "Breakfast is ready. We thought you might enjoy something to eat before you leave."

  This threw off Hammington's guard. Likely a trap, but it doesn't feel like a trap...

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  He looked back at the pile of hay he slept on, it was definitely the same one he slept on during the night. Why would the bandage my arm just to kill me?

  Hammington's aching stomach reminded him that he would enjoy a little breakfast.

  "I'm Lettin, by the way." Lettin held out his hand.

  Disregarding his judgment, Hammington put his skewer away and shook Lettin's hand, "Hammington."

  The inside of Lettin's house was so odd. The inner design was unique to say the least. Strange pots and designs scattered in more places than Hammington thought was possible, this was his first time seeing the inside of a Vegetopian home that wasn't burnt to a crisp. The nutrients they offered were even stranger. Even the look of them left Hammington confused.

  Sitting at the table in front of him were three other Lettuces.

  "This is Letta." Lettin pointed at the other full grown, "And these are our Freshlings, Luce and Romain." Lettin introduced his bed of Lettuce.

  "You can sit here; Ret won't be needing it." Letta said, as she pulled out a chair for Hammington.

  Hammington nodding thankfully.

  Lettin gave Hammington a plate of nutrients.

  "Why did you help me?" Hammington looked up from the table.

  "Because you're a fellow food, and you needed it." Lettin smiled.

  "I'm an enemy food." Hammington responded.

  "The teachings of the Garden tell us to help our enemies."

  What? But then, what if? What!?

  "Why were you sleeping in our hay?" Luce, the younger freshling, looked over at him.

  "Are you a traveling meat?" Letta looked curious.

  Hammington smiled, "No, nothing like that. I just thought I arrived at camp and decided to get comfortable.".

  "Camp? Are you a soldier?" Romain suddenly got more interested.

  It was then that Hammington realized that he was one of the leaders in a war against these foods. "You could say that." Hammington chose his words carefully.

  Hammington finally tried the nutrients. He really enjoyed them. Not that he would willingly eat them again, but to his starving stomach, they were delicious.

  "You work with the army then? At your age, you're probably in training, right?" Lettin asked.

  Hammington knew he had to tread lightly. He technically was still learning, "Yea. I was just taking a little hiking trip, and I guess I got lost. What about you? How fairs your fields?"

  "The season has been kind to us, but this war is only getting worse. It seems all of us in the patch have been affected in some way." Lettin answered.

  Letta continued, "They sent out a call for soldiers, and that's where Ret, our oldest, is."

  "I'm sorry to hear that. It must've been hard seeing as he's so young." Hammington tried to connect with them.

  "Yea," Lettin paused. "I'm sure you're in a similar situation."

  By this time, Hammington had finished his food, "Yea, I guess so. I'm very grateful for your help, but I must be getting back to my troop."

  "Glad we could help." Lettin smiled as he opened the front door for Hammington.

  The way back to camp was simple enough, now that he could see. The whole situation gave Hammington a headache. How could food do that? I am their enemy, yet they helped me. Hammington thought hard on the way back. None of it made any sense.