I have a choice. I could choose not to take part in this rebellion.
It would be a safe, if boring and lonely choice.
I know these kinds of things often don't end well. I paid enough attention in history class to know that revolutions and rebellions take their toll in blood even when it's humans fighting humans.
...But.
There isn't some other, better option being offered. It's these people or it's quietly hoping to find some miracle third option before I get shipped off this planet to...wherever.
There's no telling what comes after this, but I don't expect it to be anything good.
So it's not a hard choice, really. There's no choice to make. I don't really want to die, but if there's any hope, however small, it's with these people.
So.
I swallow and nod at the older man in front of me. "...I'll help." I murmur.
He gives me a small smile, and nods. "I hope so."
...That doesn't inspire much confidence.
Maybe that's a sign I should be nervous, but.
I'm already way too nervous as is. Any more and my stomach might just turn inside out from nerves alone.
Eric sighs and nods after a moment. "I'll do it, too." He offers me a half-smile. "Can't expect you to do everything on your own, can I?"
I gulp and look away from him again.
"...Thanks." I whisper, cheeks flushing.
What is this? I'm not some blushing schoolgirl with a crush!
Eric is not even my type! I'm not the type who has a type!
The older man looks at me for a long moment. His expression is unreadable.
Then, finally, he sighs. "Alright then. We have an understanding." He stands and brushes off his legs. "You must return soon. They cannot be allowed to know you ever left camp."
Eric gets up, too. "We'll be fine. Just...might as well ask. The hell did they bring us out into the forest for anyway?"
"Ah..." The man's smile is faint, a sort of cynical amusement on his lips. "As I said, they do this twice for every slave they have. To make sure you understand that there's nowhere to run and no hope of escape."
The man shrugs. "Tomorrow they will arrange so that you are ambushed by the local predators here. Be on your guard - their intent is to strike fear, but they have little concern if an underdeveloped slave is harmed."
"...They'll what?!"
"They will do this to you both tomorrow." His eyes are hard and he crosses his arms over his chest. "It's unlikely you'll die, as it would do little good for them if they lost all of their product trying to break their will. But you very much can be harmed."
"Any advice to avoid that?" Eric asks, lips pursed.
"Are you a good runner?"
"Yeah, actually."
The man nods at Eric, a wry grin forming. "That's a surprise. But a good one." He shrugs. "When you hear the howls, don't wait for them to tell you to run. That's my advice."
"...Howls?" I murmur.
Eric's hand touches my shoulder. "Sarah. It'll be okay. You just focus on Hestia."
"...Right." I murmur. "I just. I'm not good at this kind of thing, at running and..."
Eric's hand pats my shoulder, gently. "It's alright. You're better at it than you think."
I don't think I'm good enough to outrun monsters.
But...
I nod. "Thanks."
He nods at the older man and the three of us start heading out of the tent. The rest of the group is quiet, but a few wave or nod at us.
I guess we'll be allies of sorts from now on. That feels weird. Like some spy movie.
It doesn't feel real at all. But then again, I guess none of this does.
Not the aliens.
Not this forest, this world.
It all still seems like a dream.
I'm still hoping each day to wake up back in my bed.
To hear the sounds of birds, my mother yelling at me to get up and go to school. My father's quiet snoring, or his heavy footsteps on the wooden floors of our house. The clatter of plates in the sink and the smell of eggs on the stove.
All of that.
Even though I know it isn't going to happen.
This isn't a dream.
It's a waking nightmare.
But this is a chance. A chance to break out of it and go home.
I have to cling to that.
This is a chance to get home, not just dream and hope of it.
So...
I'm damn well going to run. As fast and far as I need to. As far as they'll make me go.
I'll keep running until I find my way back home.
The man leads us out of the camp, back through the dark forest path.
I immediately can't tell what direction we came from or which one we're going, but Eric's hand is lightly on my arm, as if to ensure I don't drift off and end up in the wrong direction.
I'd be offended by the implication but...
In the pitch-dark of this forest, barely able to see the vague shape of the man ahead of me...
...I'm not so sure he's wrong to think I'll just end up wandering off if left to myself. It'd be pretty easy.
I hope he's got a good sense of direction. Or that this guy leading us does.
He did come back here pretty easily. Maybe he knows this forest better.
I'm glad I'm not expected to make my way back on my own, because I'd definitely already be lost.
Hell, I'm lost now.
Finally, though, I catch a glimpse of the fire we're heading toward, and it's just in time. The man in front of me turns around to look at us. "You can go the rest of the way yourselves."
"Thank you." Eric's voice is quiet as he nods at the older man.
Then, he nudges me with his arm.
"Come on. We shouldn't be away for too much longer." His voice is barely more than a murmur.
"Okay."
I follow him the last few feet to the camp and sit back down. My hands are still shaking from what just happened. My whole body is, really.
My legs, especially. They feel like they're made of jello. I'm not sure why, I didn't do anything much, just walk a bit and listen and agree...
Eric sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose, leaning back. "...Knew there were predators somewhere." He grumbles.
He's.
Surprisingly calm about all this.
Meeting people. Being given a mission. One that will take all year and have only one chance of success.
Even the idea that we might be running for our lives tomorrow.
I suppose some of it he wouldn't be able to talk about even if he did have a problem, in case we're overheard, but...
He just doesn't look bothered at all.
He glances at me then and pats my arm. "I'll try to sleep, to not raise suspicion. Wake Mia as soon as you see the sky start to color. It's about an hour."
...How does he even know this?
I don't know. But he's been reliable so far, so.
"...Right. Okay. Good night, then." I whisper.
"Good night, Sarah." His voice is a quiet murmur.
He hesitates a moment, and then squeezes my shoulder one more time in silence.
Then, he's gone to his shelter.