The next chapter is here! Enjoy :)
For the next couple of weeks, Kristin's shoulder wound was healing nicely, and she was getting more movement out of it again.
Her and Galen have been growing much closer too since that night. They would sneak in kisses and make out sessions whenever they could when out of sight of their friends.
Even held hands as they walked behind the others during their treks.
Though Kristin has a feeling that Alan and Pete already have an idea about what's going on between them. After they fell asleep together that night in each other's arms, the two astronauts were the first to wake up and saw them laying together beneath the blankets.
Surprisingly, neither of them said anything to the pair.
When Kristin and Galen weren't in earshot though, Pete did bring it up with Alan. While they both cared for their friends, it seemed a very odd relationship with Galen being an ape and Kristin a human.
Alan just told him it was none of their business who their friends wanted to have a relationship with. It was their choice if they wanted to be together.
While it was not your controversial relationship, Alan was happy for them. They may not be of the same backgrounds or species, but they do have good chemistry with one another and got along great from the start.
Still, the two men haven't mentioned to the pair yet that they knew what was going on.
Hell, Pete was certain he caught them out of the corner of his eye sharing a kiss once, while they were down by the stream refilling their waters.
It was a pretty odd sight to see. But Alan was right. It was none of his business. Both were consenting adults who could see who they wanted.
The two men would still continue to converse with them like nothing was out of the ordinary. At this time, their trek brought them closer to the beach again.
They spotted a house that overlooked it and saw a man outside doing some work around the home.
The four approached him, and introduced themselves and asked if he needed help with anything. He was quite friendly and was grateful to have some help.
He introduced himself as Janosko.
Altogether, the five of them did what was asked to be done around and in the home. Which between all of them was not that much. They were all able to finish their jobs quite quickly.
As a thank you, Janosko provided them with a meal for their hard work and helping him.
Then he told them a little about the community around here. Which sadly was a very troubled one where apes really didn't like humans much and had problems with them.
He even gave them examples of what has been happening and how many of the humans here lived in fear or fled the community due to this rebel group called the Dragoons that were coming in and causing all kinds of intimidation and destruction in the area.
The latest that poured gasoline onto the fire, was the murder of a very prominent chimp that lived here in town. Supposedly by a couple of humans.
"It's a nice, friendly little community you have her Janosko." Pete stated.
"All this, because one ape was killed?" Alan questioned.
"The killing caused the kettle here to boil over. The apes here hate humans. There's too many of us." Janosko said, as he poured some drinks.
"These Dragoons as you call them, surely they're illegal. Even ape law prohibits such actions against humans." Galen mentioned.
"Yeah, considering vigilantism is still breaking the law." Kristin added.
"Perdix and Zon. Well, they try. But they can't be everywhere." Janosko told them, then walked away to put the jug back.
This left the group of four behind, thinking about all the craziness that apparently was going on here.
They spent the rest of the afternoon there, chatting and helping out with a few small things. Then they decided to take a break to head out and do a little fishing off of a nearby bridge over what was a small inlet that came off of the sea.
Galen wasn't all for fishing, so he just stood by and watched, while leaning against the railing. While Alan, Pete, and Kristin sported makeshift poles made of long, thin sticks and some string.
"C'mon, something, anything. Jump on that hook." Alan said.
"I don't think you're doing well as the fish whisperer, Alan. Maybe time to find another hobby." Kristin teased.
He just smirked and shook his head at her joke. Even Galen and Pete found it pretty amusing.
"Galen, why don't you let us teach you how to fish?" Alan offered.
"Oh no, the only thing I like less than fish, is the water they swim in." The chimp retorted.
"Ehh, the fish probably don't like you much either, anyway." Kristin teased.
"And yet, you're doing no better at catching them yourself. So, I think it's safe to say, they don't like you much either." He teased her back.
Kristin was sitting right next to where he was standing, with her pole. She contemplated tossing him in a couple times when he kept grabbing the stick and wiggling it. One time she almost dropped it in the water when he did this.
Alan and Pete got a good chuckle out of his response too.
It was then he looked up and then looked to his left when he heard horses in the distance.
"Look!" He told them.
The three humans looked over in that direction and saw a bunch of apes on horseback headed down the sandy road in the distance.
"Dragoons, let's go." Alan commanded.
Then the four of them ran from the bridge and raced back to Janosko's home.
By the time they got there, it was sadly too late. His home was on fire, and he lied in the road, dead. Kristin's eyes widened and placed her hand over her mouth in shock when she saw the home set ablaze and the poor man dead.
It was a cruel and senseless killing of an innocent and nice man who most likely never harmed another creature a day in his life.
They went over to inspect him, to make sure. But it was no use. He was gone. And they sadly knew it.
"Oh boy." Alan sighed.
"It's so senseless. Why, why, why?" Galen exclaimed, clearly shocked and angered by such actions.
"Because they're fucking savages. That's why." Kristin grounded out, trying not to let any tears leave her eyes.
"I can make a guess." Alan replied.
"We've seen this kind of thing before. Another time, another place." He added.
"It almost makes me ashamed to be an ape. Isn't there something we can do about it?" Galen asked.
"For starters, we could look for the killers." Pete pondered.
"This whole thing started, when that ape girl's father was murdered. Maybe she could help us." Alan suggested.
They left the house, which was already stripped down by the roaring flames, to search for the ape girl and hopefully get some answers that will help them.
It took a little while, but they found her standing near a sandy cliff that overlooked a lovely view of the ocean.
The four of them paused a few yards away when they spotted her.
"I'll talk to her." Galen offered.
Then he approached the young female chimp.
She quickly turned around to face them.
"Who is it? Who's there?" She asked, while seemingly looking right at them.
It took a moment to realize, the poor girl was blind. Which was confirmed by Galen when he turned to them and made a gesture with his hand over his eyes.
Then he turned his attention back to the female chimp.
"We are strangers. But we wish you no harm." Galen assured her.
"You are apes?" She inquired.
"I don't think there is any doubt that I am an ape. A chimpanzee. Why?" He asks.
"I'm sorry, but for a moment I...was afraid you were humans." She stated.
"Surely, you're not afraid of humans." He said.
"They killed my father." She spat.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't know that they kill apes." He replied.
"They're savages! And I hate them! I shall always hate them for what they did." She snapped vehemently.
"Uh, my name is Febus. These are my friends. Alar, Pargo, and uh, Klara." Galen informed her.
"I am Fauna. Where are you?" She asks.
"We're right here." Pete responded.
"Your voice sounds familiar. Which one are you?" She inquires.
"I'm Pargo. I don't think you met me. I'm from a distant place." He said.
"We've been traveling a long way." Alan added.
"And been to many places in between." Kristin chimed in.
"You must be tired and hungry then. Won't you come to my house and rest? I have food and drink." She offered.
Galen turned to them and nodded in confirmation.
"Do you live alone?" Alan asked.
"With my uncle, Sestus. He went to the village to get some supplies, but he'll back by nightfall." Fauna told them.
"Well, we don't have much time to spare. But we are very hungry." Pete replied.
"Good, follow me then." She said.
She started walking then paused.
"I hope you stay to meet uncle Sestus. You'll like him." Fauna added.
It took them several minutes, but she led them back to her home and opened the door for them.
"Please, sit down and be comfortable." She offered.
"Uh may we help you with anything?" Galen suggested.
"Because I am blind? Don't be silly, I manage quite well." Fauna replied.
"You have a lovely home, Fauna." Kristin said, being polite as she looked around the dwellings.
"Thank you." The female chimp responded with a small smile.
Then she walked around the table to grab things off of the counter.
"Being blind, has really changed very little. I know the farm and the area around for some distance that I really don't need my eyes. Of course...they are some things I miss. The setting of the sun, colors of the flowers, and...and reading.
Reading most of all. My father collected lots of books. And though I read them all before I lost my sight, he uh...used to sit and read them to me. Over and over again. Every night by the fire, my father would..." She trailed off.
The more she heard, the more Kristin felt sorry for this young girl. By the way she talked, it almost sounded like she didn't get a lot of company here to talk to. And that her main source of company was in fact her father.
"I'm sorry, Fauna." Alan said.
"Those humans; you know who they were?" He added.
"No one knows. My uncle Sestus was going to see my father and saw it. He was too far away to help." She told him.
"How did it happen?" Pete inquired.
"There were two of them. They had come here asking for food and my father gave it to them. He tried to be friends with them. Uncle Sestus warned him that humans were treacherous, but he wouldn't listen. Then later, down by the sea, they attacked my father, and they killed him." She explained.
"What about your uncle? Did he get a description of them? How tall they were? What they were wearing, anything?" Alan questioned.
"No, it was dark. He saw very little. Besides, how can you tell one human from another? When I could see, they all looked alike to me." She spat.
"I have the same problem." Galen replied, then wiggled his eye ridges at his friends.
Kristin just smirked and shook her head. While Pete gave him a 'yeah, sure' kind of look.
Pargo? Pargo, where are you?" Fauna asked.
"Right here." Pete replied.
"Fauna then picked up the pitcher of milk to fill his cup.
Pete lifted the cup up to the spout of the pitcher. But he panicked and pulled away, spilling his cup when she almost touched his hand.
"I'm sorry, Fauna, I'm afraid I spilled the milk." Pete apologized.
"It's alright, I'll clean it up. You pour yourself some more." She said.
Then she turned around to get the things she needed to clean it.
While the group left out sighs of relief afterwards. They knew it wouldn't end well if she felt Pete's nearly hairless hand. It would mean she would know he wasn't an ape.
It was then they heard the distant sound of a horse neighing.
"Uncle Sestus." She said.
The four of them quickly looked at each other, then scrambled out of their seats to look out a nearby window. They saw an ape drawn carriage headed right up the road towards the house.
"Fauna, I...I think there is something we better tell you." Pete told her.
"What is it?" She asked.
"You said, that you missed reading most of all. Well, the love of books we share with you has gotten us into some trouble with the ministry of knowledge." Pete hastily explained.
"What kind of trouble?" Fauna inquired.
"Well, there were some books that we didn't know were band and the police found them at our house." Pete admitted.
"They were going to punish you for reading?" She asked, incredulously.
"Well, it was the idea in the books that some people believed would challenge their whole way of life." Alan added.
"Things they believed would change it." Kristin said.
"Well, surely it can't be against the law to think!" She blurted out.
"Your uncle might not be as understanding as you are, so we think we better leave." Pete told her.
"I'm afraid uncle Sestus doesn't feel the same way about books as I do. He and my father used to quarrel about them...I have an idea! A place where you can hide safely it's not far from here and you can rest." She suggested.
"Oh, Fauna I..." Galen tried to say but was cut off.
"Please! Let me do this for you. It would give me so much pleasure." She pleaded.
Before either of them could say anymore, she was ushering them out the back door and towards the beach.
They went down and around the cliff to an opening within it and she led them inside. It was clearly a nice size cave with a stone table and wooden stump of a stool within it.
There were a few items on said table like a couple plates, cups, and a candle.
"There still here." She said, as she felt around the familiar objects with her hands.
"I haven't had use of these in a long time." She said, while handing some matches to Galen.
He scraped a match on the side of the stone table to ignite a tiny flame. Then he used it to light the one single candle.
She explained how she used to come here with someone she grew up with. Someone she became very close to. She used to say how they would sneak in here to play games and spend time with each other away from the grownup world and their problems. But sadly, he left her when she became blind.
Then she addressed Pete and told him that his voice reminded her of this ape.
But everything turned to slight panic when she asked to touch his face. Then she came walking over with her hands held up and out in front of her.
Thinking quickly, Galen went to stand in front of Pete.
Fauna started feeling around his face, analyzing his features through touch. A smile lit up her face.
"It's just as I thought. A strong, handsome face." She told him.
"You'll be safe here. I'll come back in the morning with more food after uncle Sestus leaves for the village. Will you stay...please?" She asks.
They all shared a look, then Pete turned his attention to Fauna.
"I'll stay." He replied.
A small smile lit up her face then she went to leave the cave.
"Thank you, Fauna." Alan said.
"Yes, thanks for all of your help." Kristin added.
She nodded towards them before vacating the premises.
"Oh man, that was close." Pete sighed.
"I didn't like doing that. It wasn't right to deceive her." Galen admitted.
"Trust me, we're right there with you, Galen. But...what other choice do we have?" Kristin stated, sadly.
"Still, we came up empty. She has no idea who the killers are." Alan said.
"Except that they're humans. If only we could find them." Galen surmised.
"Yes, I know, Galen." Alan said as he walked further into the cave.
"Feel sorry about her father. We're going to have to try and stop the Dragoons and solve a local murder mystery." He suggested.
"The Dragoons, they're homegrown." Pete stated.
"The humans who killed Fauna's father; they could be homegrown too, you know." Galen informed them.
"We at least know they are all local. They could be still in town. If they haven't decided to flee that is." Kristin surmised.
"You can bet that some ape is going to find them and gun them down. It's open season on humans." Pete retorted.
"Who's going to stop the apes?" He inquired.
"Ok, so we zero in on the Dragoons. Try to get to them later. Or the whole thing could fall apart." Alan suggested.
"That doesn't make any sense at all. Even if you do find the member, do you expect him to be the leader?" Galen questioned.
"No, Galen." Alan replied.
"Somebody joins the Dragoons. Someone who infiltrates and gets the scoop on everything." Pete informed him.
"And who is this somebody that gets the scoop on..." He froze, when it finally hit him.
"Me." He added.
Kristin didn't like this idea. There was a huge chance Galen could be hurt or worse.
But unfortunately, they came up short on any other ideas. They would need someone on the inside if they were to solve this, for everyone's sake.
They talked it over a little more to formulate a plan. Eventually, that planned involved none other than Fauna's uncle, Sestus.
The group waited down below in a nearby ditch next to the road out of sight and waited for him. When they spotted his carriage coming down the road, that is when Galen sprang into action and began running up the embankment towards him.
"Stop! Oh Stop! Please Stop!" He yelled as he ran over and grabbed the side of the carriage as it slowed to a stop.
"What is it? What's the matter?" Sestus asked.
"I've been attacked by two humans; they stole my horse. What kind of a district is this have you no law and order!?" Galen said, outraged.
"I understand your anger, but don't shout at me!" Sestus snapped.
"I'm sorry." Galen replied.
"I'm not the one to steal your horse." Sestus stated.
"I am sorry, but you see, I came here to start a farm and settle down." Galen explained.
"Well, this is a good district. Although we do have problems with humans. We are solving those problems." Sestus informed him.
"Look is there a village around here where I can report this to the police?" Galen inquired.
"Hop up, I'll take you there." Sestus offered.
"Oh, thank you!" Galen said, enthusiastically. Then climbed aboard and sat down next to the older chimp.
Then they were off and set down the road.
The three humans watched on rather amused by his performance. He certainly laid it on rather thick, but at least it worked. And now, they were able to successfully execute the first part of their plan.
"You know...I never knew there was so much ham in an ape." Pete said, with an amused grin.
"Think he might have a shot on Broadway." Kristin joked, and the two men let out a small chuckle as they walked off.
They didn't get far, before they had to duck for cover when a single gorilla guard came riding out. The three of them watched as he rode off in another direction.
"Dragoon?" Pete inquired.
"Who knows, maybe." Alan replied.
"C'mon, we can follow him, maybe learn something." Pete said, getting up.
"Wait. Not we, me. Fauna's expecting you back at the cave. Otherwise, she may get suspicious." Alan told him.
"Still, I think I should come with you. In case you need back up." Kristin offered.
Alan wanted to argue with her and tell her it was too dangerous. But knew she would stick it to him. He knew she could fight. But the thought of her getting shot again lingered in his mind.
Still, probably for the best not to bring it up.
"Alright, stay close to me though, understand?" He demanded.
"Yeah, lead the way." She replied.
Alan nodded and they both took off in the direction of the gorilla on horseback. While Pete got up and went back the opposite direction.
Until Next Time ;)