37 Days In A Strange World

by Dave Hazel

The four stopped and looked at each other. Kurt shrugged as if to say he didn’t care. “Go ahead, tell them.”

  “Yeah, go ahead I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks,” Boris grumbled. “We had to stay alive.”

  “You probably ain’t gonna believe this,” Kurt said with a nervous laugh while he looked over the food held to his mouth. “But after a few days of wandering around out there avoiding Sosos we started to starve and we knew we’d never make it back in time without any food or water. We came to a place where we snuck up on these three Sosos and we killed them. Thankfully they were carrying several bags of water.”

  “Yeah, that water tasted like shit,” Sam interjected. “I’m serious. It tasted how sewer gas smells in the big city.”

  “The water tasted bad,” Smith added. “But we really needed it to stay alive.”

  “Wha’d y’all do for food?” Rich asked again.

  “We cut up one of the Sosos and we ate him,” Kurt said without missing a beat. “I’m serious,” he replied when they started to laugh. The laughter turned to shocked and disbelieving glares. “We were some starving mo-fo’s out there. I don’t care what anyone thinks cuz we woulda died out there if we didn’t. At first I couldn’t eat that shit but after Boris and Sam showed me what kind of cannibals they could be, I thought what they hell, I’ll give it a try. It really wasn’t that bad,” Kurt laughed under the visual scrutiny.

  “Stinky Feet almost died out there,” Sam snorted with food hanging from his mouth. The way he ripped into his food he looked like a maniac. “We had to force him to eat or he woulda died. I’m telling ya, it was bad out there.”

  “We literally shoved the meat down his throat while we held him down,” Boris explained, making food fly from his mouth.

  “After a few days Stinky Feet would say, ‘Hey we need to find another Soso to eat’,” Kurt laughed. “He ended up liking it more than we did.”

  “What can I say?” Stinky Feet smirked. “It got to be pretty good. Just like chicken. Don’t knock it till ya done tried it.”

  “How the hell did--?” Larry stopped himself. He looked like he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.

  “We traveled at night cuz we know the Sosos won’t fight or travel at night,” Kurt explained. “And we slept during the day.”

  “We tried to sleep during the day,” Boris corrected him. “Between the heat and trying to remain hidden, it was hard.”

  Kurt chuckled at Larry’s expression. “I’ll answer your question. After we killed a Soso we would cut him up and lay the meat out to dry in the sun. It was kinda like jerky but we just never gave it enough time to get hard like jerky. Here, try some,” Kurt laughed as he pulled some dried meat out of a small pouch that once belonged to a Soso. “This one didn’t taste too bad,” he added playfully as he dropped the strips on the ground.

  Everyone took a step back and eyed the brownish pieces of meat suspiciously. Mykal felt terrible and his heart sank that his friends had to endure such survival techniques. ‘All cuz the LT wanted to leave them to die they had to stoop to cannibalism to stay alive.’ Part of Mykal wanted to cry in sadness over the suffering his friends endured. But part of him wanted to laugh and rejoice that his closest friends, ‘his family’, came back alive and safe. His emotions were torn.

  Boris started to laugh. “That one, that Kurt is talking about not tasting too bad, he’s probably the one that’s got some weird freaky disease that’s gonna kill us.”

  Mykal, Jake, Larry and Rich all looked at each other unable to understand the humor at that level. They hadn’t been through their ordeal. Mykal knew they had no place to judge them.

  Towbar didn’t seem troubled by their public admission of cannibalism. “At times one must do unpleasant things in order for one to survive.”

  “Honestly guys, it was messed up out there,” Kurt said and started to slow down. “Be careful guys. Don’t eat too much cuz you’ll get sick. We covered that in training once,” he warned while fighting to hold down his food. “But we almost ran right into two large groups of Sosos. We woulda got killed for sure.”

  “I know I can trust you guys,” Sam looked up from his food. “But please don’t tell anyone that we became cannibals. I know no one would understand and I don’t want that to get back to my parents when we get back to the world.”

  “Hey, you guys are family,” Mykal said. “You never said it and it’s never gonna be repeated. Clear?” He demanded.

  “I agree,” Jake replied. He winked and placed a caring hand on Sam and Boris’s shoulder.

  “Agreed,” Larry echoed. “Cindy would never invite you guys over the house again. She’d be afraid you’d eat one of the kids or something,” he laughed. “Then who’d I drink beers with?”

  “That’s cold Sarge,” Kurt laughed with him. “So what were you saying about Black and Putman?”

  They took turns relaying the story to them and they gave credit to Knox for sharing the truth. Mykal then explained everything he learned about the green fog and going home.

  “…so we’ll make sure we take care of Edwards before we go.”

  “No Myk,” Kurt stopped him. “I’m gonna kill him! I’m gonna kill that worthless bastard today! As a matter of fact, as soon as our food settles, he’s dead. The scumbag left us to die and I really didn’t think we could make it back,” Kurt said. His voice quivered. “We coulda been killed a couple times. I was forced to become a cannibal cuz of that scumbag,” Kurt huffed. “Every hour of every friggin day we were out there I dreamed how good it’s gonna be to kill him if we got back. Well, we’re back and I’m gonna kill him. No one is gonna stop me.” He looked at Jake.

  “I don’t wanna know anything,” Jake replied and shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to make it so obvious.”

  “Right now I don’t care if it’s a good idea or not. I’m gonna kill him,” Kurt declared and held his stomach. “He didn’t even try to rescue us. The sad part is if it had been the other way around, as much as I hate the guy, we woulda still risked our lives to save them. I’m killing that bastard today!”

  They were interrupted by one of Towbar’s ranking soldiers. “Towbar my Lord, please forgive the intrusion,” the soldier said after snapping to attention. “There is a large gathering of Sosos to the east of us and they are near the mountain wall. We know they can not climb the mountain. I do not know what other reason they would be gathered there for. With your permission I would like to take my men and destroy them.”

  “You have my permission,” the giant answered. “I know the men have been hungry for a battle. Be wary of a trap. If it appears to be a trap avoid the conflict and return to the Pass.”

  “Yes my Lord. Should I also send a force to the west to ensure something similar is not taking place to the west?”

  “Yes, proceed.”

  “I will give a full report upon return,” the soldier said. He gave a quick bow and turned away.

  “The Sosos are a sneaky bunch,” Towbar told those present. “It would not surprise me if they tried to climb the mountain. They will not succeed if that is their intention.”

  Mykal eyed the mountains. “Almost straight up and down, nah they ain’t getting anywhere. They’re too high and too deep.”

  The Dwarven army remained positioned behind the pit waiting for an attack. Their numbers had been increased to fifteen thousand little warriors positioned through the Pass. Most were practicing with various weapons. Some tried to communicate with Towbar’s soldiers who were mingled among them and some were stationed farther back in the Pass in rest status.

  “Man, look at all those friggin people just sitting around waiting for the big battle to take place,” Larry mentioned and then turned his attention to the north outside the Pass. “And look how many Sosos are out there. When the big one starts it’s gonna be one hell of a mess.”

  “Too bad both sides wouldn’t agree to just do nothing,” Sam joked. “Just tell all their bosses to go to hell, hold hands and sing
Kumbaya. All the lives that will be lost on both sides is gonna be un-friggin-believable.”

  Towbar gave Sam an odd look. “We must fight. Sosos will not let us live in peace. We stand to lose all if we do not fight.”

  “We agree, Sam’s just playing.” Mykal looked around. “We’ve never seen anything like this in our world. We know if that Zizmon-Tarl character didn’t have it in his head to rule your world, everything would probably be okay.”

  “Yeah, it sounds like a shitty plot to an old movie,” Boris chuckled while chomping on the last of his food.

  “Hey, where’re Ricky and Debbie?” Kurt asked as he wiped his hands and face. “I missed those two little kids.”

  “Kurt’s mommy side is showing,” Boris laughed. “Squeeze his tits and you’ll get some milk.” He caused everyone to laugh.

  “Screw you tubby,” Kurt fired back. “Well, screw you smaller tubby,” he joked in reference to Boris’s weight loss. “I care about them little kids and I’m gonna make sure they get back to their dad. I feel bad for them,” he added. “It’s not their fault they’re here. They’re stuck here in this screwed up world and their mom is dead. If you had a heart you’d be concerned about them too. Besides, they really are good kids.” Kurt smiled like a loving uncle. “I really get a kick outta them.”

  “They take to him like a father,” Sam said. “Myk, you weren’t here when they started to take to him. It’s really cute.”

  “I just think he’s making a mistake,” Boris said displaying a hint of jealousy. “It’s too dangerous to get attached to those two rug rats. Besides, you’re not connected biologically.”

  “That’s just it,” Kurt replied. “Their mom is dead and they have no one. Would you rather I just let them be on their own?”

  “No. I didn’t mean that.” Boris squirmed. It was obvious anything said to defend his position would make him appear immature and selfish. “There’s other people who--”

  “Look Myk,” Rich laughed. “Boris’s wife is wanting to spend time with the kids an he’s gettin’ all jealous.”

  “Screw you,” Kurt and Boris fired back simultaneously.

  “Hey, you guys haven’t seen my Quecktarbs yet, have you?” Mykal change the subject. “And you guys wouldn’t believe all the diamonds we have. But if you behave, we’ll share some with you.”

  “What, you guys went and got some without us?” Kurt pouted.

  “We thought you guys died,” Larry joked. “So we said screw them, let’s go get filthy rich without ‘em.”

  “That figures,” Sam retorted. “What about us?”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Mykal assured them. “I got you covered. I can go back anytime I want,” he bragged. “All I gotta do is set it up with Norg or Krink. Do you guys wanna see my Quecktarbs? I think they’re great.”

  “They’re ugly as hell,” Larry chided.

  “Go get ‘em Myk,” Kurt said as he lay back on the grass. “Oh, I ate too much. I think I’m gonna explode.”

  “Why don’t we all go back behind the pit?” Mykal suggested so he wouldn’t have to walk that distance with his clumsy pups.

  “Nah Myk, just bring them here,” Kurt argued. He looked up from the ground as if in great pain. “I can’t move. I really ate too much or I ate too damn fast. And I was the one who warned everyone else.”

  “Lazy slackers. That’s what you are,” Mykal joked and left.

  “Hey Mykal,” Roy Dosch called out when he neared the two headed pups. “Is it true that Boris and Kurt are alive?”

  “Yeah, they’re over there,” Mykal pointed. “Edwards is gonna have a lot of explaining to do.”

  Roy and his two sons left to welcome the four back. The Kraft family with Ricky and Debbie followed to see if it was true. Since Kurt was thought to be dead the Kraft family took the two Holen children into their clan.

  Doninka approached Mykal as he untied his Quecktarb pups. “I heard your friends are alive,” she said with a pretty smile.

  “Yeah they are. What a weight has been lifted from my shoulders,” he replied and realized if he wasn’t careful he could easily start looking at her differently. He couldn’t allow that to happen. His heart longed for home. His heart and flesh were committed to his wife, but that solid wall of commitment seemed to be weakening. “Look at those two little kids,” Mykal shook his head in sadness as he watched the three and five year old walking with the others. He couldn’t comprehend what those two little ones must be dealing with. “But Kurt’s back now.”

  “The little boy really seems to love Kurt.”

  “Yeah, I’m really proud of Kurt,” Mykal replied. “He’s a big goof, but he really loves kids and he’s taken it upon himself to make sure those kids get back to their father.”

  “He is a good man just like you, Mykal.”

  “I really missed those guys. Boris and Kurt are like family to me,” he said to take her focus off of him. “It really broke my heart when I heard they were dead and it really made my day to see they’re alive,” he laughed out happily. He suddenly felt drawn to Doninka. Was it just the happiness of his close friends returning from the dead? Could it be her persistent desire for him mixed with the uncertainty of returning home?

  “May I come with you?” Doninka asked. She nearly burst into joyful tears when she saw the children’s reaction to seeing Kurt. “Oh, look at that.”

  “Yeah, come on. They wanna see my Quecktarbs.”

  The Quecktarbs eyed him, wagging their stubby tails. They wanted his attention. All eight heads eyed him, waiting for him to give them some sort of command.

  “Come on,” he called and slapped his leg. They jumped up in an instant and tried to mob him like a brood of excited puppies. After the focus had been broken they started to jump on each other to get closer to him. Playfully, they fought each other.

  “I do not understand why you would want such creatures,” Doninka said. “I still experience fear at the remembrance of the one that tried to attack us inside the mountain.”

  “They’re different. Back where I’m from, I’ll be the only person in the world who will have them. I mean, the only person in my world. That’ll be cool.” He smiled at the thought.

  Mykal pet and caressed them. He had to fight back eight tongues that tried to lick his hand. They all tried to jump into his hands but there were too many for him to carry. He didn’t want to show favoritism so he didn’t carry any of them.

  “Come on, let’s go,” he called and slapped his leg. The four Quecktarbs ran with him and playfully attacked each other like normal dogs. Looking at them Mykal agreed they were ugly animals, but they had a special kind of cuteness to them that only a parent or owner would understand.

  When Mykal returned to the gathering he found that more people had joined them to welcome the four dead men back. They were all in an odd shaped circle. Kurt rolled on the ground playing with Ricky and Debbie. Mykal realized how dirty his friends had become. Their beards and hair were longer than everyone else. The Air Force people inside the Pass at least kept themselves somewhat clean and facial hair trim.

  Stinky Feet did a double take. “Damn! What thay hell?”

  Kurt rolled over from playing on the ground with Ricky and Debbie and looked up into the faces for the eight heads on four bodies. “Damn Sarge, Am I drunk? Thems is some ugly ass looking doggies you got there.”

  “Kinda like what you always dated back in the real world,” Boris laughed which evoked a roar of laughter from the crowd. He scratched his hairy face as if attacked by bugs. Boris had more facial hair than all of them.

  “At least I dated,” Kurt fired back.

  “They’re great pets though,” Mykal defended his unappealing animals. “Sit,” he commanded and three quickly obeyed but the fourth needed a gentle tap on the rear to follow suit. “Stay,” he pointed to them and walked away to join his friends. “These animals catch on quickly and they listen when given commands, unlike my co-workers,” he chuckled and sat down inside the odd cir
cle. The four animals watched his every movement and waited for him to give a word to release them from the last command so they could join him.

  “I see, attach you quickly,” Krink said.

  “Yeah, I’m glad cuz I’m getting attached to them already. They’re just like regular dogs,” he said to the rest of the group who eyed the animals strangely. “They only look different. Krink, when you told me they make great war-dogs,” Mykal turned back to him. “I can believe it. They’re great obeying commands. I can’t wait till I’ve had them for a while.”

  “When we talk war-dogs,” Norg spoke up. “We talk ability in war. Fierce warriors. Great battle comrades. Be sure train war.”

  “Can you guys imagine the looks I’ll get back in the world when I walk them down the street?” Mykal laughed.

  “I bet if you were to raise them and breed them you could make a pretty penny,” William Kraft suggested. “What do you suppose you could get for one of them?”

  “I would love to have one,” twelve year old Brian Kraft piped up with excitement and looked to his mother.

  “Oh no. Not in my house,” Karen Kraft definitively shot down her son’s idea. “Not those things. No offense Mykal.”

  “None taken,” he laughed and then turned to William. “I suppose I could get a truck load of money for one, but I would never sell them. I’m gonna keep them all to myself.”

  “Good. Very good.” Norg nodded briskly. “That make Dwarven people proud. You not take Quecktarbs make greed. What you do you business. We proud not sell Quecktarbs--”

  A painfully loud scream cut Norg’s words off. It was one of the Kraft daughters. Lisa had been struck in the back with a death arrow and her sister Annette let out the scream. Just as the arrow slammed into the girl, dozens of other arrows flew into their gathering and struck the ground.

  Mykal turned to see thousands of Sosos charging into the Pass. Angrily he wanted to yell they should have moved back behind the pit when they first gathered. It wouldn’t do any good to say ‘I told you so’ now. It was too late. Most of Towbar’s soldiers and the Dwarven warriors were behind the pit. The rest of Towbar’s soldiers were outside of the Pass pursuing Sosos along the mountain wall. No one expected the Sosos to attack with such a large number of Towbar’s mounted soldiers out beyond the Pass opening. No one paid attention to the potential danger.