Interlude, Pt. 1

“What do you think?” he asked.

“I think we should have killed the things a year ago,” Pénélope said. “We should have found every rifle, every pistol, shit – every large knife, and killed them.”

“They’ve managed to stay hidden for as long as we’ve known about them. What makes you think we could just get the drop on them like that? Not to mention,” he said, “They’re notoriously strong. No, I think we would have had a massacre.”

“So you think Maël’s death was worth it then to not go to the trouble?” His eyes became hard and she knew she’d said too much. Duc had asked what she thought, but she had gone too far questioning his decision. She changed the subject.

“We know another tribe of the things moved in here, then a week later they all leave. And before they go they kill Maël. At least we’re rid of them,” she said. She was relieved when he stopped staring at her and went back to looking at the tracks. “Did they abduct him?”

“No,” Duc said. “He holds a knife. There’s blood here that isn’t his. He fought with them at this point, and his are the only tracks up to here. He came out here by himself…?” Duc covered his eyes with his hand.

“Maybe he decided to kill them himself?” she said.

“He wouldn’t bring a knife to kill them. No, he came here to go to the Cave.”

She saw it now. A knotted rope was slung over his shoulder. His belt held candles. Duc continued.

“He came to go the Cave. I don’t know why. They stopped him and killed him. Protecting something maybe?”

“Something he wanted,” she said. Duc looked at her and nodded.

“Let’s see what it is,” he said. He bent over and stood back up holding the rope. He handed her the candles.