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CHAPTER TWO
Informed
"Thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty…Okay, We're complete." I saw that Jeb had a smile on his face when Ian and I walked in. We sat down on one end of a counter with Jared, Melanie, and Jamie. Kyle and Sunny, who never let go of each other, were sitting across from us. It seemed like every couple who were staying under this house; or at this case, cave, were more inseparable than ever.
Ian and I never let go of each other, unless we had work to do. Jared and Melanie were always together. They only separated when someone needed either of them. But Kyle and Sunny were of course different from us. They really, literally, by no means separated. Kyle didn't work that much like he used to. He had some errands to do now and again, but with Sunny always tagging along.
But otherwise, she would always look afraid and her eyes would fill with tears when it looked like that Kyle would be leaving even a mile away from her. Sunny was still not used to being around these humans. She was still mortified with everything, but she didn't look like she was going to get used to it any sooner. Sharon and her mother, Maggie, were at the very corner of the kitchen. The farthest corner from any of us, but they always stayed there. They still wouldn't like a soul near them, and there were two of us now. Jeb was still searching the room, like he was looking for someone in particular but everyone was in the room by now.
"I know it's a little early for breakfast and you guys aren't that much eager to wake up, But I couldn't wait any longer." Jeb said in an ecstatic tone. "What is it, Jeb?" Andy asked. He still looked like he needed more sleep. Of course, we all worked a little more than we used too since our population under this cave increased by two people; rather, souls inside people.
"Well, before you people judge and fume and do something, I just all want to let you know that, why I kept this from you was because things still had to be discussed and thought about." Jeb said defensively, his smile gone from his face. Everyone was still staring at the man who was standing in front and gave information that didn't make sense. They didn't look like they cared, as if they weren't up for surprises and other intriguing gossip.
It didn't make any sense to me at first, too. But then everything sank in and I realized what he was trying to do. I wonder why he waited all this time to say it. Things didn't have to be discussed, not like what he said, because it wasn't bad news at all. It was good news, really excellent news. Maybe that's why he gave the warning, because he was sure that there would be complaints after he told them what was happening. I looked at Ian, but his eyes were still fixed at Jeb, just like everyone else. Maybe he didn't know what was going on, or maybe he was just still tired, judging by the time of day Jeb had chosen to give this "important" gathering. I looked at Jared this time, and it surprised me that he, too, seemed like he didn't know what Jeb was talking about. So I joined the bandwagon and shifted my gaze towards the man.
"So, a couple of months ago, when Jared, Mel, Wanda, Ian, Aaron and Brandt went on with the raid…" From the corner of my eye, I saw Ian straighten his back from his slumped shoulders. I heard someone clear their throat, and it was Melanie. Maybe they were getting the message now. "There was an…unexpected discovery." He said. The rest of the words came out in a rush now. "See, we aren't the only human beings out here hiding in the hot, baking desert. There are over fifty more people in different, separate cells in the midst of the desert." He abruptly stopped to see the reaction he was getting from the information he was giving.
I stopped to look at him too and scanned around the room. Everyone was in shock, frozen in place except for the ones who already knew, and those were the ones who joined the raid; myself included. I bet they didn't expect this kind of news.
Jeb sighed heavily; maybe he was relieved because this wasn't the response he was anticipating for. But that relief only lasted for seconds when every living human in the room stood up, eyes still faced at Jeb, and raged up like angry animals. It was only the six of us that stayed still, faces looking down on the floor, and said nothing. I flinched when everyone started ranting altogether. Even Jamie had a shade of red from the anger.
"I can't believe you kept this from us, Jeb!" Someone shouted.
"There are other humans out there and no one told us?"
"Over fifty people?"
"Living humans?"
I couldn't make out what the others said, they were too loud. I felt something touch my hand, and I winced. But it was just Ian. He squeezed my hand, but we were still silent.
Here's the outline. It has been almost two years since Jeb had found me and I've been staying with the humans. It has been nearly nine months since I've been with Ian; In Melanie and Pet's body all together. And it has been vaguely two months since we have discovered other human clans roaming around the wilderness. Hiding from the Seekers and any possible souls that will try to hurt and seize them. It is also the point of those months that we found out that I'm not the only soul that has decided to live with the humans than stay in our civilized world—aside from Sunny, of course. So somewhat a traitor then, but I preferred the term "Native", as Burns, the other noble soul from the other human group, would say.
"Okay, hold on. Hold on!" Jeb rapidly said, his booming voice drowning out everyone else's. When the chattering stome, Jeb sighed and nodded towards the man beside him. "Geoffrey? You first. What d'ya got to say?" Jeb asked politely.
"Jeb, how can you wait for months until you actually decided to tell us this? Didn't you think that we would want to know sooner rather than later?" Geoffrey assumed softly. The raving was starting to build up again in agreement with him when Jeb held out one hand in the air. The noise suddenly stopped, and Jeb nodded his head toward Geoffrey, advising him to continue.
"Didn't you think that maybe one of those people could possibly be related to us?" His meaningful eyes were almost filled with tears but at the same time was evident with the spark of hope in them. I considered the thought for a moment, and he was right. Why did Jeb keep this as a secret from them? From his own kind, same species; from the Humans...? I cringed when I thought about it again.
Wasn't it unfair that I was one of the first ones to find out about it when it wasn't really my concern in the first place? One of those humans could be their family. Still searching, still hoping...
Jeb interrupted my thoughts with his response.
"Geoff, I'm sorry—you're right. I didn't think about that." Jeb was avoiding Geoff's gaze. He was staring at the floor, speculating. Perhaps he was looking for a valid reason, or searching answers for upcoming questions the others had to ask.
"I wasn't really thinking about the downside of not telling you all sooner. I was actually thinking about what we're about to do and will continue to do starting tomorrow." He wasn't showing any remorse now, not even the slightest. He was looking into each and every one's eyes, one by one. It looked like no one wanted to ask any questions anymore, like they were satisfied with Jeb's apology, also taking into thought about Geoff's incessant yet significant questions.
"Okay. So what are we going to do starting tomorrow then, Jeb?" I was startled how close the voice came from. "What are you planning? 'Cause I know they wouldn't want any more surprises." Jared continued. I was surprised how quiet Jamie was through all this. Maybe he was considering the options, too.
"Well, on our latest raid, I met up with Nate. He's handling one of the human crowds. There are four other crowds, not including our society, which has different caves too. They're all scattered around the desert but it's lucky enough that they're in good reach." None of us seemed to comprehend what he was implying. But he continued anyway.
"Now and again, we will have trades. You know, helping out in any way that we can. Giving Materials that they can use, lending out tools they need and all the stuff. It's kinda unfair if we don't share. I mean, we do have an advantage, getting more supplies easily if we're low on them." He looked at me and one of the corners of his mouth turned up into a smile. He was right; it was unfair if we didn't allocate any of these. But then again, one of the groups always had Burns.
"We trade in our updates, too. Letting each and every one of them know what's happening and they'll do the same. Again, we have another advantage to that. We have more supplies than we need and I'd bet they could use the supplement. And, we are the biggest population among all four. The first group reaches until eleven, the second one until seven, the third one until eighteen, the last one until twenty-two, and then there's us. Now, we all treat them like family. Just like how we treat everyone here." I could feel some of the eyes turn to my direction, but something told me that those were just the eyes of Sharon and Maggie, but they always did that anyway. So I ignored them.
"And of course, there's always the part when we can just, you know, talk. No worries, their premises are so close; we can walk to them without being noticed. But, we won't take the risk, so if we're coming to visit them or vice versa, we do it in groups or at least pairs." He flashed a sharp grin, looking at everyone. Maybe he was hoping that the angry thoughts were about gone now. And it was.
The room was immediately filled with excited chatter. Most of the room was filled with glee and hope. I could see Geoffrey making out images with his hands.
Perhaps he was already preparing himself on what to say when the time comes to talk to the other living humans out in the wilderness. Ian flushed down the entire mutter when he raised his voice to talk in order for him to be heard.
"Jeb, I think you're forgetting one thing." He nudged me by the elbow and Jeb appeared to understand, but I didn't. The noise that they made was beginning to falter and all eyes were on Jeb again.
"Uh, I may have forgotten one small thing." Jeb admitted, but with no sign of embarrassment. I could feel the atmosphere that was once dull, and then furious, then turned to understanding then slowly formed into excitement and was now full of curiosity. "I know you all struggled once with the appearance and stay of Wanda…" He trailed off. Trying to find the right words to continue on what he was about to say. Now I understood what Ian was trying to tell Jeb to announce to everybody. "Now listen here," His tone fully changed, clear with authorization. „I would expect nobody to stare, whine or do anything negative when you see him."
"Get to the point, Jebediah." Maggie nearly shouted. She was really impatient now; I could tell that she doesn't want any riddles to figure out anymore.
"I'm getting to it, Magnolia." Jeb snapped back and cleared his throat. "Look, Nate's group has one of their own. They have—Uh, a special friend too. So no one complain now." I know that Jeb was expecting a gasp or some notice of disapproval just as I was. But nothing came. Not even a hiss from Sharon or Maggie or whoever else.
This inevitably gave me a slight sting. Did everyone just act very brutal and hostile towards me? Maybe. Or were they just used to the fact that I mean no harm and they think Burns did too. Maybe that was it. Strange humans. No ways to fully understand them. But it still stung, just the slightest.
Jeb was holding his breath, but so was I. "Whew. Okay then. We'll meet up with them tomorrow afternoon." He let out another sigh. "Alright, let's eat."
