Three men approach a round wooden table, roughly in the middle of a small restaurant. The place had opened recently, but didn't get a lot of customers. It was to be expected after all. While the food may have been good, it was rather expensive for the time. There was little to no decoration in the place, making it look gray and boring, and the overabundance of candles, combined with the lack of ventilation, made the place very warm. Even so, these three knew the drawbacks, yet still decided to eat there, knowing full well that it would be their last chance to eat together for a while, and that it would be a somewhat relaxing place of discussion.
Lawrence Smeeber, the tallest of the three, as well as the most responsible, pulled off his brown poncho, setting it on the back of his chair, before unbuttoning his linen shirt, rolling up his sleeves, and taking a seat. His long, rectangular head, pointed nose, and small –yet buggy– eyes exuded maturity. That, and his dirty blonde buzzcut, and serious neutral face, he was a man who everyone looked up to, almost as a leader. A role he took very seriously, and accepted without complaint. Although, his close friends still called him Larry. Not only out of respect and love, but also friendly teasing. The other two people at the table –his closest friends of all– found the name 'Larry Smeeber' to be pretty funny. A joke that lasted through their teenage years, far into adulthood.
Larry: Eat up, gentleman. Who knows when we'll have a luxury like this again. But don't get too comfortable, ya hear? We must maintain our professionalism in this depressing time.
Brian Hember, the second person at the table, and also the most naturally quiet. He's not necessarily an introvert, in fact he generally prefers being with people. Nor is he shy, or likes keeping to himself. Brian simply enjoys hearing other people talk, rather than talking himself.
In the town of Huttle, it's normal for people to wear large, beige, hoodless ponchos. In a way, it's their town uniform. The ponchos are light, and very easy to move around in, without becoming an issue from their size. They extend down just above the knee, and are comfortable to wear in all kinds of weather.
People don't always wear ponchos however. Uniforms for work sometimes forbid them, while others allow the ponchos to be worn overtop. Some people also just don't like them. Personal preference is nothing new after all. But the majority of Huttle citizens do usually wear their ponchos.
The three men have the job of 'town guardian' which only around ten people have, only because Huttle isn't a particularly big town. In fact, gardens would eventually take up a majority of the land. Their uniform is a white button up linen shirt, with black pants. Their job is basically that of a local police officer. Maintain order, deescalate situations, and protect Huttle from threats. Whether those be outside, or inside.
In modern day, Huttle would be one of the many small, old towns that are detached from the 'good part' and 'bad part' cities of the world. Scattered around the small globe, these towns remain the same today as they did 400 years ago, when Brian, Larry, and the third lived. There are minor differences however, such as the use of electricity, better hygiene, and better healthcare. Because of their simple yet effective lifestyle, Huttle would be seen as a paradise hiding amongst the trees to a person living in the cities.
Back to Brian. Despite the uniform for his job being what it is, Brian instead wears a long sleeve black shirt, and light grey pants. He doesn't wear a poncho. His round head, stubby nose, and wide, almond shaped eyes, make him radiate warmth and comfort. That, combined with his short, black hair that's always parted to the left side, his slightly below average height, and neutral smile, he gives off nothing but friendliness.
Brian: I think we should try to handle this as soon as possible. I could come up with ideas of how but…
Larry: Yeah, don't worry about it, bud. I know you got your hands full with Emily and all. My prayers go out to you two, and your future child.
Brian: Thanks. That means a lot. More than you'd think at least.
Larry gave Brian a comforting and understanding smile as he spoke, trying to respect the rough situation the Hember family deals with everyday. The third man, George Welhert, butted into the conversation, asking his own question.
George: Oh yeah, speakin' of that. You think the baby will end up havin' that uhh… The what's it called? Zero… Door… Something?
Brian: Xeroderma pigmentosum, George.
George: Right, right, yeah. You think you're kid'll end up having that then? Considering Emily has had it her whole life and all.
Neutral smile fading, Brian stares at George with a somber expression. After a few seconds of silence, Larry takes a breath to speak, before immediately getting interrupted by Brian.
Brian: I suppose that's the question, isn't it? We've talked about it and… It's really scary to think about. We honestly don't know if it's hereditary or not. It feels… Almost hopeless in a way. Not just the future, but our situation in general. No matter how much I love Emily, I don't think it could ever hold a candle to her desire to feel the sun. To feel the rays of light beam down on her, without the risk of skin cancer. It's heartbreaking. She tries to distract herself with her writing, but that's not enough. I feel absolutely horrible when I have to leave for work in the middle of one of her depressive states.
Placing his hand on Brian's shoulder, Larry gives a supportive smile. He quickly gazes to George –who is leaning comfortably on the table–, before turning back to look at Brian.
Larry: I get that. It sucks, I know. I mean, hell, ever since we were kids, we've all felt horrible for her. But you gotta remember one thing, okay? You can't let it detract from your own well being. And if you really need it, it's perfectly okay if you take a day or two off. Just… Talk to me first before you do, got it?
Straightening his posture and returning Larry's gaze, Brian shows off a genuine smile, along with a deep breath. With the mini-issue now being resolved, Larry –even though he knows deep down that it hasn't– clears his throat before continuing.
Larry: Back to our discussion then. Let's try and stay on topic, men. As you already know, Jamie Womlop went missing last night. If I'm being honest, I blame myself completely. So I, more than anyone else, am determined to not only find him, but to bring these forest creatures to justice!
George: You see, I think we're not thinking about this hard enough. What if those uhh… What'd we decide to call them again?
Briann: Wolves, George.
George: Right, yeah! What if the wolves didn't kidnap or kill Jamie or anything like that? What if he actually did his job, and is hunting them down on his own out there?
Brian: Wouldn't that be a violation of the orders Larry gave him?
Larry: That's correct. I told him to simply keep watch, and report back to us if anything happened. He's young, and I know he can't handle this kind of situation on his own. That's why I gave him an easy task, and why I feel so guilty about it.
George: Yeah, exactly! He's young, so he'd try to show off by taking them on by himself! Well, in that case, yeah he's totally dead. I mean, hell. I think we'd even die if we went up against those freaks. Damn monsters scratched me blind for God's sake! Out of all of us, I'm the only one who had real one-on-one experience with a wolf, and it wasn't fun, lemme tell ya. I should have some major say in this, I think.
George Welhert. A mature and professional man on the inside, even if he presents himself with arrogance and a childish attitude. At least, that's what people assume. With the way he acts, no one can really tell what he's thinking, leading to people badmouthing him for being too bland and basic. However, some people do claim that George has opened up to them on occasions, but if neither Larry nor Brian have experienced something such as that, then it can't be true.
As far as physical appearances go, George is fairly average in everything except the top. His blocky head, flat nose, oval eyes, and very short dark grey hair definitely make him stand out from others, without even mentioning the scratch mark over his blind right eye. Other than that, the only less than basic feature on him is his somewhat plump torso, but even that is covered up by the poncho.
Larry: You're absolutely right George. That's part of the reason I wanted you here during this. I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to handle the wolves.
At Larry's words, George suddenly fixes his posture, widens his eyes, and stares at him as his mind races to think of something. Even though the three of them have been working together for years, George is still a novice when it comes to strategizing. Despite all his weak points though, he still makes sure to present himself as strong and capable. Whether that be for the peace of mind for the people, or his own ego, no one really knows.
George: Well considering our last plan of keeping guard and defending our crops and livestock didn't work out, it'll be hard to come up with a new, foolproof plan, that doesn't just boil down to 'attack them first'.
Brian: Why couldn't we do that?
Both of their attentions suddenly turn to Brian as he speaks. Before he can continue however, the restaurant's only waitress walks to the table. It's instantly clear to tell how nervous she is, despite the fact that she's worked there since it opened a few months prior. The lack of customers made it hard for her to adapt to public speaking. She always tried her best to look professional, but when the spotlight is on you after interrupting an important discussion in a near empty restaurant, the nerves would quickly catch up. With a shaky voice, and sweat soaking through her poncho, she speaks.
Waitress: Hi. What do you want?
Expression suddenly shifting from serious to friendly in the blink of an eye, Larry gives the waitress a smile. The three swiftly shift their attention to the menu, which is written down on the wall behind them. While not a very practical way of doing things, it kept them from spending money they didn't have on making menus.
Larry: Well goodmorning to you Chloe. I think I'll just have chicken bits, if that's okay.
Because of Larry's inviting and comforting attitude, Chloe –the waitress– calms down a bit. Her leg stops bouncing, and she clears her throat, ready to respond in a more confident way.
Chloe: We don't actually. Sorry about that.
Brian: Do you have any mashed potatoes? Emily really likes them, and I wanted to bring some home for her. If not, that's okay too.
The newfound confidence and comfort Chloe had was quickly shattered by Brian's mention of Emily. With Huttle being a small town –and fairly ahead of its time–, almost everyone knew about Emily, and her tragic condition. The idea that Chloe would have to outright deny her one of the few things that brought her joy, was really depressing.
Mustering up the courage to say it, Chloe lifted up her left leg and lightly kicked the floor a few times, and squinted her eyes. Based on her reaction alone, Brian knew the answer to his own question. With an unchanged expression, he calmed her nerves by speaking first.
Brian: Like I said, it's okay. Don't worry about not having any. I'm sure Emily will understand.
George: So like, what do you guys have?
Widening her eyes a bit at George's sudden interruption, Chloe tilts her head down an inch and looks over at him. Although his face makes him seem polite, with him leaning back in his chair, and crossing his arms, it's easy to tell that it's just a front. Even still, Chloe answers his question honestly.
Chloe: If I remember correctly, we have bread and butter. But even the butter is almost gone, so you'll have to pay extra for it, I'm afraid.
Being caught off guard by the reveal, Larry wasted no time in standing up, buttoning his shirt, pulling his poncho over himself, and pushing his chair in. Picking up on his obvious sign, the two others do the same, although with different attitudes.
George: We're leaving? I'm hungry. Plus, we're still not done talking.
Larry: Are you starving to death, George?
Brian and Chloe watch the scene unfold. Even though his expression or tone of voice never changed, Larry's attitude was enough to show how far his patience was running thin with George. It seemed that George understood this too, as he quickly donned a serious face, before responding in a low, somewhat respectful voice.
George: No, sir.
Larry: I didn't think you were. But there are people who will be soon. Seeing as we're the guardians of Huttle, we don't have the luxury of taking a break in a time of need. As much as I'd like to sit down and enjoy a meal, we have more important matters to take care of.
George: Yes sir.
Turning his attention back to Chloe as the other two head to the door, Larry pulls out some money from his pocket and holds it out to her with a smile. Even though they didn't eat anything, he still wants to support her in any way he can.
Chloe: Oh… Are you sure? I don't really need it.
Larry: If you didn't need money, you wouldn't be working here. It's only a few bucks. Don't worry about it.
With hesitant bewilderment, Chloe takes the money out of his hand, and carefully places it in her pocket. Before she's even done with that though, Larry has already started making his way to the door.
George: Alright. So now what are we doing?
Larry: Haven't you ever heard of walking and talking?
The three begin walking down the mostly brick streets of Huttle. While a lot of the architecture is centered around brick and stone, there are a little over a dozen smaller wooden houses on the outskirts of town. These wood homes are generally reserved for town guardians and their families, but also for some farmers or shepherds, since the gardens and livestock are grown and kept around that area.
Other than that, every building in Huttle was made of brick and stone. A lot of the housing was in one area. Taller brick buildings that were full of apartments, although there were larger houses on the side for richer people. Things like stores, business locations, the one hospital, and the one school are all larger buildings for obvious reasons. With a population of a little over a thousand, there's no real need for over the top fancy architecture, but Huttle is a town that prides itself in its advancements.
Larry: So, Brian. Please continue what you were saying.
Brian: Well, George said that we shouldn't attack the wolves before they get to us or our food, but I'd just like to know why not?
George: I thought that was pretty obvious. These things are smart. And they're powerful. Not as strong or intelligent as us but you get the point. They can strategize. Based on the fact that they prefer to attack at night, we'd be at a major disadvantage.
Larry: Couldn't we strategize an attack during the day, or an ambush of sorts when they come out at night, assuming they hide themselves during the day?
George: I suppose that could work. But that mere idea points out one of our biggest flaws. That being lack of information. The sum total of our knowledge on these guys is that they like to eat our livestock and crops at night, they come in groups, they're dangerous, and they shriek at night sometimes.
Brian: Hmmm…
Larry: What are you thinking?
Brian: How do we know that the wolves are the ones eating our crops? We know for sure that they eat the livestock, considering their teeth and jaws are fit to be eating those animals. But they don't seem to be omnivores.
George: We don't have the same teeth structure as they do, and we're omnivores. Or is that your point?
Brian: Yeah, exactly. We already know of animals that exclusively eat plants, like deer. So far from what we've seen, they have completely different teeth from wolves.
Larry: So the wolves aren't our only issue, is what you're saying?
Brian: Yes.
George: So what? We have some other animals that we have to deal with?
Brian: Well… Assuming that the wolves only eat meat, then we can also assume that they will take care of the other wild animals that have been eating our crops.
Larry: Hmm. Yeah, I suppose they would.
George: Alright. So then to keep the wolves from attacking our livestock, and hunt the wild animals instead, should we try to guard or further protect the livestock?
Larry: It would most likely be easier to build a more fortified enclosure for them, like the farmers have been saying. Having someone keep guard would most likely result in another Jamie.
George: Would there even be funds for that though? With the food shortage, and the price increases, people are going broke. Would there really be enough to pay for something like this.
Larry: I'd hope so. But that is a good point. It would make sense that the more wealthy companies would pool their money equally into building something like this, considering it's such a big deal. If not, with our status in this town, I'm sure we could figure out a way by talking to some people. If worse comes to worst though, I'm sure that there'd be volunteers to build it. But… There'd be no money to buy materials.
George: Let's just hope that the rich aren't greedy then.
Larry: If I'm being completely honest, I don't think this plan would backfire. This is an issue the whole town is facing, and it's not as if one singular person has more power than another. The wealthy businesses are more generous and intelligent than you might expect, George.
George: Oh. So is that all then?
Brian: What about Jamie?
Larry: Don't worry. I didn't forget about him. That should be our first priority. Jamie is one of us, and loved by many. As long as there's a chance he's alive out there, fighting for his life, then we have to take it.
George: What? But what if he is dead, and we waste our time? Or even worse, what if we die? We can't risk our own lives and potentially the lives of everyone in Huttle just for one guy, right?
Larry: What if it were Brian out there, George? Or me? Would you still be saying this?
George: You ass! What am I supposed to say?
Brian: Why are you questioning your answer at all?
George: Because! If I answer yes, then I'd look like an asshole for not caring about Jamie. If I say no, I'd still look like an asshole for not caring enough about you two.
Larry: Then I'd like to hear your reasoning for whichever answer you have.
George: Well then my answer is no. But for two reasons. One: Brian is always with Emily at night, and Larry would be able to handle himself in that situation. Two: My point still stands that not risking the lives of others would be the better option. I understand your viewpoint, but personally, I disagree with it.
Larry: I respect that, George. But at the end of the day, neither of us have complete say in what we do. We'll have to take a vote with the rest of the town guardians to see what we do. The two of you can do your duties, while I go around talking to the others. Is that okay?
George: Yeah. Just make sure you explain my thought process. Don't be biased when explaining the choices.
Larry: George, it's like you don't know who I am. I guess my memories of the three of us playing as kids were merely a dream. That's truly a shame.
Due to the sudden shift in mood, George chuckles a little, followed by a light punch to Larry's arm. The two begin laughing together and referencing inside jokes, which only lifts their spirits even more. While they do this, Brian stands by with a blank expression, staring out in the general direction of his home. He nervously cracks his knuckles as he stares.
Larry (Inner): He must be thinking about Emily. Poor guy. It's always easy to cheer up George when he's getting in a mood, but Brian is always so… Distant, I suppose.
Larry: Hey. Brian.
In sort of a silent way to say 'alright, let's calm it down', Larry firmly places his hands on George's shoulders, making him instantly and perfectly calm. It's almost bewildering to see, considering how rowdy he was getting a moment ago. Like a raging sea suddenly shifting to an undisturbed pond within the blink of an eye. Anyways, upon hearing his name from Larry, Brian is quickly pulled out of whatever daze he was in, and directs his attention toward Larry.
Brian: Hm? What is it?
Larry: Are you alright? You look like you're worried about something.
Brian: Oh. Haha, yeah. You can always tell, huh?
Larry: Hey. If you need to go home first to check up on her, that's okay. Take all the time you need. I trust you to make the right judgement on when to get back to work, alright?
Brian: Alright. Thanks, Larry.
George: Make sure you give us your vote first, though!
A warmthless chuckle involuntarily slid past Brian's lips at George's sudden remark. While he tried desperately to appear giddy, it was disturbingly obvious to the other two that it's a lie. Brian has never been one to hide his feelings after all. Even if he did, simply knowing about his situation at home is enough to make even the dumbest person realize how he feels.
Brian: Sure. What are the two options again? Sorry. My head was a bit in the clouds as you might imagine, haha.
George: Basically just should we try and look for Jamie, or no? I think it'd be cool if we did find him, but it'd be better if we didn't look at all. I mean think about it. If he is dead, then not only are we wasting our time, but we're also risking the lives of other pe-
Larry: Didn't you tell me not not to be biased? Hypocritical much?
George: Oh. Yeah, whoops. I didn't mean to do that. I'm sure you'll be fine, though. You're a lot more responsible than I am, after all.
Brian: Well, based on that logic, I'll have to go with the former.
George: Really? Just 'cause I said I'm not as responsible as Larry is?
Brian: Hahaha. No, no. I'm kidding. Give me a minute to think about it and weigh the options please.
The two watch in real time as Brian's eyes unfocus, and he begins to zone out. It's almost creepy to see how blankly he stares. A soft chill trickles up George's spine as he notices that his gaze is directly on him. That nervous feeling isn't helped at all when he moves out of the way, only to see Brian's eyes following him. It's not as if he was intentionally trying to be creepy. Rather, seeing George move so suddenly, snapped him back to reality.
George: Can you please not be weird like that!?
Brian: Oh… Sorry.
Larry: Do you have your answer, Brian?
His expression greys as he hears the question. A small hint of guilt reflects off the moisture in his eyes, along with a strong hope for forgiveness. While it isn't something George could probably ever pick up on, Larry quickly notices this behavior, and internally prepares his response to the possible bad news.
Brian: I don't. I don't know why I keep drawing a blank on it, I'm sorry. I just feel like I can't think straight right now. I know the pros and cons of both options, but my brain just can't pick one of the two, I don't know.
Larry: That's alright, Brian. Just try to tell me your answer either by the end of the day, or tomorrow morning, alright? I'd like to figure this out as soon as possible.
Brian: Okay. I'm gonna head home now. See you guys later, I guess.
Larry: Bye, Brian.
George: See ya!
Around ten minutes of walking pass before Brian stands a foot away from the front door to his and Emily's house. With a deep breath, he takes that last step, and reaches his hand out to open it.
Emily: Brian! You're back pretty early! You've only been gone a couple of hours! Did something happen!? Tell me!
The voice is from the other room. He can hear her footsteps quickly approach before stopping at the doorway into the living room. Once he closes the door however, she comes rushing in with a big grin on her face. Before Brian even has the chance to let out his breath, she traps him in a warm and loving bear hug. He doesn't reciprocate the action. Instead, he continues holding his breath.
Brian (Inner): She's so happy. I love when she's happy. I love her. Everything about her. But that's exactly why I don't understand. Why do I feel so lonely and frustrated with her? Why do I always want to leave the moment I come home?