Summary: It was strange that the one who couldn't talk had the most to say
Wes plucked the rabbit out of the trap before placing a new trap atop the rabbit hole. He sighed. It was his self-assigned job to get enough small meats for the others, even though they had long reached the point where their base was perfectly stocked and ready for any kind of problem.
A small hand tapped his shoulder, Wes spun around to see Wendy staring at him. He never really interacted with the younger child, as embarrassingly enough, he was quite intimidated by her.
"Why do you continue to catch rabbits?" Wendy asked the question with no malice behind her words. "We have enough food to last all year. We have entire farms of dragon fruit and koalaphants herded in pens for emergencies. There simply is no point for you to continue to waste your energy."
Wes scratched the back of his head a bit flustered. Wendy continued to stare at him as if expecting a response. Her face hit a moment of clarity as if she remembered something.
"Ah. I forgot. You do not talk." Her nose scrunched up as if remembered something foul.
Wes averted his eyes, feeling a bit offended by her snide remark. It was one thing to ask a question, and another to insult him. He walked past Wendy, no longer wanting to talk to her.
"You did not answer my question. Why do you keep gathering food?" Wendy walked alongside Wes. Wes sped up his pace. He wished she could get a hint
"Are you afraid?" Wes slowed his walk to give the girl a confused look, "Are you afraid they will leave you?" Wes stopped to face her.
He did have a fear. He was scared that perhaps one day they would be desperate for food and resources. If one person had to be sacrificed, it would be him. He was a weak frail mime who ate more than any of them, it was obvious that if it came down to it he would be last pick for survival. Sometimes he thinks if he got seriously hurt, they wouldn't help him, he would only get hurt again and use up more supplies."
Wendy took notice of the sudden halt in his stride, "It is a stupid fear to have." Wes glared at her, almost as if daring her to say more.
She continued on, "You know as well as I do that you aren't useless. You're weak. So am I. Yet we both are still alive and thriving with the group. Do you see me as a burden? Of course not. You're so blind you cannot see that nobody except you sees you that way." She paused for a second. "Although if you actually talked to us, I'm sure their opinion of you would improve. I know I am personally sick of trying to understand your ridiculous gestures." Wendy spat bitterly
Wes blinked a few times in shock of what the young girl had to say. It didn't take a genius to see the shift in her mood. Wendy was far from a normal girl, although she seems to have the same abundance of anger as one. Wes hesitatingly rested a hand on Wendy's shoulder, hoping it was the right move..
"I hate it when people don't respond to me. When I talk and have to listen to my own echo even if someone is there." Wendy closed her eyes to shut out the world.
The ghost of her sister lurked only a few feet behind Wendy. A shiver prickled Wes' skin. It seemed Abigale's revival did more harm than good to the poor girl's psyche.
Wanting to comfort Wendy, Wes knelt down and wrapped his arms around Wendy in an embrace. She gave a weak squeeze in return. It was a nonverbal way of communicating that he hoped would be enough for her.
When they returned to camp, the sun was tinged with the hue of the evening. Wes quietly emptied more rabbits into the many chests they had. Wendy watched, a forlorn expression on her face.
Wendy dragged herself over to the small tent to sleep. She gave a quick pitiful look at him before going to sleep.
When night came, Wes kept thinking back to what his conversation with Wendy. While he was afraid of being abandoned, it wasn't what kept him awake at night. In his worst nightmares, he believed they cared for him, they would laugh with him and he'd feel loved. But something would always happen. Hounds, spiders, or even giants would come after him, and his friends would try to stand by him.
And. They. All. Die
What kept him up was how easily it could happen one day.