The Chronicles of Outsider: Humble Beginnings

by Justin Wayne

  ***

  “Brilliant!” Cuke exclaimed and clapped his hands together excitedly. Already his mind was awhirl with possibilities.

  “Brilliant.” Natalia echoed sarcastically and slumped slightly as she swapped arms to stir. She looked out the window and bit her lip. “He’s been gone a long time hasn’t he?”

  Merlon glanced out the glass and shrugged. “Huntin’s patient business, ‘specially in bad weather.” Then went back to stroking his beard in deep thought and leaned against the wall; oblivious to the concern in the exotic woman’s eyes.

  She chewed the inside of her cheek and focused on the boiling pot before her; watching the bits of vegetable bob in and out of the frothy broth like turtles checking if the coast was clear, but found her thoughts turning to the meat missing from the stew and who was responsible fo bringing it.

  She glanced out the window once more and took an involuntary breath in. The spoon dropped into the kettle and disappeared beneath the roiling surface. Bryn looked up and saw Natalia’s pale face still staring at the outside.

  “Relax, Nat, he’ll be back soon; just taking his time to be careful in this storm.” she reasoned and shook her lightly. “How about we get some bread to hold us over for now?” She opened her bag’s flap and removed a thick length of sourdough.

  Merlon’s thinking, Cuke’s planning, and even Thom’s sleeping ceased immediately and all three appeared before the woman with the loaf; eyes wide and mouths watering. She laughed and tore them off a few chunks. “Boys.” She turned to her three companions and they took their share as well.

  Natalia refused her portion and continued to watch the growing blizzard silently; trying to justify what she had seen. Her mind worked furiously to come up with a reasonable explanation but for the moment none came forth. She chewed her lip and watched the window long after it had frosted over.