Displaced

by Drake,Stephen

  After reaching the river, they levitated over it and turned downriver. The trees covered them, and their astral selves made sure they were on the right track. As they proceeded past the area in which they found Mark Hunt, they were pleased to see a thick line of trees lining the river on their right. With the mountains on their left, they crossed a fairly smooth, grassy depression. Consequently, Murdock, who pulled the cart, covered a lot of ground. Rose led the way with Mei Lee guarding the rear. They saw no humans, but they did see a few deer.

  After spotting the deer, Murdock decided to test his bow. Setting the cart down and taking up his bow, he crept forward quietly. The deer were at varying ranges; he decided to try for the farthest. Rose watched closely as he nocked an arrow silently.

  “Which one are you trying for?” Rose flashed to him.

  “The older doe. The one about one hundred yards away, maybe a little more,” Murdock flashed back. He saw Rose’s expression out of the corner of his eye. After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Murdock moved so that his target was in clear view. He drew the bow easily and held it. For a fraction of a second, he became a statue, and then he released.

  Rose watched the arrow as best she could. She lost sight of it when the arrow was about halfway to the target. She saw the deer stumble and then run off. “Did you hit it?” she asked in a quiet voice, her disbelief evidenced by her tone.

  “I think so,” Murdock said. “The bow appears to shoot a little to the left, though.”

  Rose looked at him, mouth open, and shook her head slightly.

  “What?” he asked her.

  “You hit where you were aiming, at a target farther than I would even think of trying for, and all you can say is ‘it shoots a little to the left’. Sometimes, you’re unbelievable!” Rose returned to the cart to check on little Andy.

  “How did he do?” Mei Lee asked.

  “I don’t know. I think he hit it. It was only a hundred yards away,” Rose said flippantly.

  “Only?” Mei Lee asked playfully.

  Murdock returned shortly and took up the cart. Then they set off to the spot at which Murdock had shot the deer. Reaching the spot, Murdock tracked the deer along its blood trail. Rose followed him carrying her bow. Soon they found it — dead.

  Murdock quickly processed the kill. Rose noticed that his arrow had hit perfectly, puncturing both of the deer’s lungs and then passing straight through. They repacked and redistribute the load on the cart to hold the fresh kill, and as darkness fell, they proceeded farther downstream.

  “Why did you take the deer?” Mei Lee asked from behind the cart.

  “I noticed our meat supply was getting low, and I wanted to test my bow,” Murdock said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Add to that, the others haven’t had much to eat all winter and could probably use some.”

  “You aren’t going to give them any, are you?” Rose asked in an angry voice.

  “I will if it’s to our advantage.”

  Soon they reached the first cliff. Though the dark was deepening, as he looked out over the valley below, Murdock saw no sign of a fire. Rose and Mei Lee levitated themselves down to the valley floor, and Murdock followed by levitating the cart and himself. There they set up a traveling camp.

  “Why didn’t we camp up there?” Rose asked, indicating the cliff they had just left.

  “I didn’t want to tip off Whittier,” Murdock said.

  “How would that have tipped him off?” Rose asked in an innocent voice.

  “You can see a fire that high up from a long way off,” Mei Lee chimed in as she cooked some of the fresh deer meat.

  “If he saw it, it may pressure him to move faster or travel longer,” Murdock explained.

  “Like a deer you shoot,” Rose added.

  “Exactly,” Murdock said.

  “How far are they?” Rose asked.

  “I have no idea,” Murdock said. “I saw no sign of a fire, and this plateau looks to end in a few miles, so he could be over the edge of the next cliff or even farther. These trees are a problem, though. Until now, we were somewhat secure because the thick trees growing on this side hid us. They’re thinning out considerably as we go downriver.”

  Mei Lee began to eat, and Murdock and Rose did the same.

  “I can’t imagine what they went through this past winter,” Mei Lee said, trying to promote conversation.

  “I can’t either,” Rose said. “We had a nice, warm cabin, a hot bath whenever we wanted, plenty to eat.”

  “Did you find the arrow that hit the deer?” Mei Lee asked Murdock.

  “No, I didn’t,” Murdock said. He had finished eating and was absentmindedly sharpening his six-inch knife. “It went all the way through, though.”

  “You shot an arrow more than a hundred yards, and it still had enough energy to go all the way through the deer,” Rose clarified. “Does anyone else find that a little disturbing?”

  Mei Lee shook her head. “It tells me,” she said, “not to be on the business end of Kevin’s bow!”

  “What’s the big deal?” Murdock asked after a short pause. “It didn’t hit any bone. Just went through soft tissue.”

  Both women said nothing further, they only looked at him.

  #

  Scott woke Thomas roughly.

  “Get your lazy ass up,” Scott said while untying him. “If I have to work with you today, you’re going to get started early and get it over with!”

  Thomas heard the venom in Scott’s voice. He wasn’t intimidated, though; he was used to being addressed that way. Trying to work out the kinks, Thomas went to the river and splashed some water on his face. Even though it was cold, it felt good.

  “Quit stalling,” Scott yelled as he tossed the sharpened stick to Thomas.

  Thomas caught it and started harvesting fish. Though he soon had quite a few, he still had caught only half of the quota. He stopped a few times to show Scott how to clean the ones he caught, and Scott did manage to cook them. However, those that weren’t over-cooked were under-cooked. Then Scott half-heartedly served the others.

  Whittier took a couple of bites. “This is raw, Scott, you imbecile!”

  Scott didn’t know what to do or what to say. Whittier went to Thomas, who was still trying to get the rest of the quota for the day. Scott followed, concerned for himself. “You, whatever your name is. Come here,” Whittier commanded Thomas. “You can quit trying to fill the quota. Your partner has ruined the catch, so he will continue to serve his penance with you.”

  “That’s not fair,” Scott protested in a loud voice.

  “You best remember who decides what’s fair,” Whittier warned Scott. “Pack up! We’re moving! Bring him, Scott.”

  Thomas was starting to get the impression that he would never fulfill the quota. Scott tied Thomas’ hands behind him, and they continued downriver. Because they brought up the rear, they waited while everyone else climbed down the cliff. When only Scott and Thomas were left, Thomas balked.

  “I can’t climb down with my hands tied behind me,” Thomas said.

  “Tough,” Scott yelled as he poked Thomas in the back with the makeshift spear.

  “Who you gonna get to do the fishing if I fall and break an arm or a leg?” Thomas argued.

  “Get a move on,” Scott commanded. “We’re being left behind. I don’t want to be out here by myself!” Scott pushed Thomas closer to the edge, and Thomas turned his feet sideways and leaned back, away from the edge.

  “You can either untie me, or I’ll make sure we both fall off the cliff,” Thomas threatened Scott. “The fall doesn’t need to kill you. It just needs to injure you enough that you get left behind.”

  Scott thought about it for a moment. The others were continuing on, not waiting for the pair. Then he got an idea that would solve all his problems. He pulled Thomas back away from the ledge and forced him to sit against a tree. Then Scott tied him to it.

  “There! Now, I don’t have to clean or cook any more stinking fish,”
Scott justified himself aloud. “And I don’t have to figure out how to get you down the cliff without killing us both!”

  “You haven’t thought this through,” Thomas said in a cool voice. “What happens if I get free? All I have to do is show up, and Whittier will have your head!”

  “You haven’t had anything to eat or drink for a while, so I don’t think I have to worry too much about you!” Scott countered him in a threatening tone. “I think you’re going to be dead before long.”

  After making sure that Thomas was secured, Scott climbed down the cliff. The last thing Thomas saw as he struggled against his bonds was the top of Scott’s head disappearing over the edge of the cliff. But Thomas continued struggling, even though he knew he couldn’t get free.

  #

  The next morning, because Murdock, Rose, and Mei Lee were used to traveling as a group, they prepared to leave without arguing or being told. As before, Rose was point, Murdock pulled the cart, and Mei Lee took rear guard. They seemed to travel best in these positions. They spent the day walking farther downriver while watching all around with their astral selves for some distance. Because of their efficiency and physical stamina, Murdock guessed they would be at the next cliff well before dark.

  Murdock’s astral self, who was on the other side of the river watching the trail, found Thomas first.

  “We need to stop soon,” he flashed to Rose.

  “Why? I’m fine, and Mei Lee hasn’t said she needs to stop,” Rose flashed back.

  “Someone is tied to a tree on the other side fairly close to the cliff that’s coming up,” Murdock flashed to both women.

  “How far away is he?” Mei Lee flashed back.

  “It appears to be about a mile or so.”

  The trio walked on for a little while before stopping.

  “Make camp here,” Murdock said in a quiet voice. “I’ll go over and check on things. I’ll keep you both apprised of the situation.”

  As the women began setting the camp, Murdock headed toward the cliff, though he remained on their side of the river. Soon he was at the cliff, which looked just like the previous one. As he looked over the edge, he saw no one else, no smoke, nor any other sign. Projecting himself astrally, Murdock checked the opposite river bank for signs of an ambush. Finding none, he levitated himself across without being observed. Then Murdock drew his eighteen-inch machete as quietly as he could.

  He approached the tree in such a way as to hide himself for as long as possible. Then he quietly walked around the tree so he could see who was tied there without being in striking range. When he saw the man, Murdock knew he had seen him before, but he didn’t know the man’s name. The prisoner appeared to be either unconscious or dead, so Murdock checked his carotid for a pulse and found one.

  “Hey,” he said, shaking the man roughly. The man’s head lolled to the side, and Murdock opened his eyelids to check his eyes, which were rolled back. Murdock splashed some water on the man’s face. Seeing the chapped lips, Murdock knew the man was probably dehydrated. While he untied the other man, he sent a telepathic message to Mei Lee asking that she join him. Once untied, the man fell over, limp, and after removing the rope and checking him for concealed weapons, Murdock laid him out as straight as possible in the shade.

  Because of the man’s general build and unconscious state, Murdock assessed him as no or minimal threat. However, he did seem to be just above the starvation point. Murdock had just finished when Mei Lee came quietly up.

  “You know him?” he flashed to Mei Lee.

  Mei Lee looked the man over. “He seems familiar, but I don’t think I know his name,” she said. “He was one who kept to himself a lot. Wasn’t friendly and didn’t associate with the others.”

  Murdock knelt down and splashed more water on the man’s face.

  “What do we do with him?” Mei Lee asked. “We’re on a mission, you know, and this is slowing us down.”

  “If we can revive him, we could get a lot of needed information,” Murdock argued. “I’m unwilling, however, to expose the babies to him.”

  Mei Lee knelt down and slapped the man’s face lightly. “Hey, are you in there? Hello, is anyone home?”

  The man moaned a little and was unable to hold his head steady. Mei Lee tried to give him small sips of water. He coughed a few times, some water coming back out, but most of it went in. Then his arms flopped uncontrollably as he jerked his legs, which appeared to cause him a lot of pain.

  “Can you hear me?” Mei Lee asked after a while. “What’s your name?”

  “T-Thomas,” the man murmured.

  “Well, Thomas,” Mei Lee said, “we’re not here to hurt you. We’re trying to help you.” The man nodded. “Do you know who I am?” she went on.

  “M-Mei . . . M-Mei Lee,” he said. “Y-you’re dead!”

  Mei Lee leaned back as if struck.

  “I didn’t know you were a Valkyrie,” Murdock said facetiously.

  “Neither did I. I’m very much alive, thank you,” she said to Thomas.

  After they’d given him a few more small sips of water, Thomas seemed to come around. Murdock helped him to a sitting position and gave him the water skin. Thomas was able to sip some water on his own. Then Murdock moved out of view and levitated back across the river to retrieve some fresh venison. Mei Lee started a fire and cooked it; when the smell of the cooking meat wafted in Thomas’ direction, he perked up.

  “Can you answer some questions now?” Murdock asked. Thomas nodded. “How long have you been here?”

  “Two days,” Thomas said in a weak voice, “maybe more. At least two days.”

  “Why were you tied?” Murdock asked.

  Taking food and water breaks, Thomas explained to Murdock and Mei Lee what had happened. Rose heard it by way of the mental connection that Murdock had established.

  “I need to have a word with Mei Lee,” Murdock said to Thomas. “Help yourself to the food and water.”

  Murdock moved out of earshot from Thomas.

  “What do we do now?” Mei Lee asked.

  “I say send him back to the pod,” Rose flashed to Murdock and Mei Lee.

  “I don’t like sending him off by himself in his weakened condition,” Murdock said. They paused, trying to think of a solution.

  “We could leave him here with enough food to last a few days and one of the spears for protection,” Mei Lee offered. Murdock nodded a little.

  “Do we protect him?” Murdock asked after a short pause. “If so, how?”

  “I vote no,” Rose flashed with no emotion. “He managed to stay alive for two days tied to a tree, so he should be okay alone, armed, and untied.”

  “I agree with Rose,” Mei Lee said. “I don’t trust him.”

  “Neither do I,” Murdock said. “So, we are agreed?” Neither woman argued.

  When Murdock was back within earshot of Thomas, he asked the other man, “How are you doing, Thomas?”

  “I’m doing better,” Thomas answered weakly. “I do need to try to get to my feet, though.”

  Murdock offered a hand, and Thomas took it, both men pulling until Thomas was unsteadily on his feet. Thomas leaned heavily against the tree and stomped his feet.

  “We’re going on,” Murdock said. “We’ll leave you with a spear and enough food for a few days. You’ll have plenty of water with the river.”

  “Are you coming back?” Thomas asked.

  “Yes, we are,” Murdock said. “We don’t know exactly when or by what path, though. When you feel up to it, you can head back to the pod.”

  “Can’t I come with you?” Thomas asked, his eyes pleading.

  “We travel fast, and you can’t keep up,” Murdock said. “We’re going to find Whittier and the rest, so you could follow him, when you feel up to it. We won’t be close by, so you’ll be on your own. You can suit yourself as to what you want to do.”

  Thomas noticed a distinct coolness in the way Murdock and Mei Lee talked to him. As the two were turning to leave,
Thomas reached out and touched Mei Lee. Before he knew what happened, Mei Lee had him face down, his arm wrenched behind his back.

  “No one gave you leave to touch me,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “I’d be careful, if I were you,” Murdock warned Thomas with a hand on his twelve-inch machete. “Mei Lee doesn’t tolerate such breaches in protocol, and neither do I!”

  Mei Lee released Thomas and stood over him. Thomas struggled to his feet.

  “I just wanted to warn you,” Thomas said weakly, “and to thank you.”

  “Warn us that Whittier will kill us on sight?” Mei Lee snapped. “We’re well aware of that!”

  “Yes, and warn you that Whittier is off his nut. He thinks he has more support among the rest than he actually has,” Thomas said with downcast eyes.

  “We figured that much already,” Mei Lee said sharply as she turned to walk upriver and out of sight.

  “Thanks aren’t necessary,” Murdock said. Then, warning Thomas, he went on, “Politeness, however, is. Politeness and respect are always necessary.”

  As Murdock followed Mei Lee, he saw the tension in her back. Both levitated over the river when they could do so unobserved. At the camp, Murdock unpacked a spear and carved off a good-sized chunk of venison, then returned to Thomas.

  “You do know how to use this?” Murdock asked as he handed the spear to Thomas. Thomas shook his head. “Use it like a pike. Don’t throw it.” With the rope that had secured Thomas. Murdock threw the end over a limb. He then attached the chunk of venison to it, lifting it well off the ground, and tied the loose end around the tree. “That should last a few days. I’d wait at least that long to build up your strength before going anywhere.” Murdock pulled his six-inch knife from his boot sheath and handed it to Thomas. “I expect to get my knife back in good condition.”

  “Would you tell Mei Lee that I’m sorry if I offended her,” Thomas said in a meek voice. “I didn’t intend to.”

  “I’ll tell her, but I wouldn’t expect forgiveness if I were you,” Murdock answered as he turned back upstream and disappeared.

  “Does this change anything?” Rose asked Murdock when he returned to camp, indicating Thomas with her eyes.