Chapter 22

John

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jared sneered, wiping the remnants of whatever questionable snack he’d just inhaled from his scruffy goatee. His piggy eyes followed me with open suspicion, like a mangy watchdog too dumb to know its master had long since abandoned it.

I sighed, forcing the tension out of my shoulders. “Jared, Matt said we weren’t prisoners, right? We’re allowed to move around as long as we’re not making trouble.” I kept my voice calm and even, the way you might talk to a child on the verge of a tantrum.

Jared squinted, clearly weighing whether or not to make an issue out of it. He looked like he’d been hoping for a confrontation to spice up his day. “Yeah, well, Matt’s not here, is he? And if I say you’re not going anywhere—”

“I’m going to the latrine,” I interjected, cutting him off. “Unless you’d prefer I just piss right here?”

His face twisted in disgust. “Gross, man. No one wants to see your junk. But be quick about it, and stay where I can see you.”

“Of course, Jared. Just don’t watch too closely I’m shy,” I said, giving him my most placating smile. I turned away before he could notice how forced it was and walked slowly across the camp, feeling his gaze burning into the back of my skull. I barely nodded my head and blinked slowly at Darren, our prearranged signal that I needed a distraction. I counted to 150 waiting for Darren to spring into action.

I continued at a steady pace, my senses on high alert. Darren’s voice rose behind me, shouting something about stolen rations. Jared hesitated, his gaze flicking between me and the commotion, before he grunted and stomped off toward the argument.

Perfect. I kept moving, resisting the urge to look back as I slipped away from the main camp area. The place had transformed over the past few days. It used to feel like a community—a fragile, tentative one, sure, but one that people were trying to build together. Now it felt more like a military camp, with Matt’s crew prowling around, enforcing rules that seemed to change on a whim.

I thought to myself of all of the data I had learned over the last four days. Most of Matt’s people had been on the fringes of society even before the tutorial began. A few of them were the types who carried weapons openly, always ready for a fight. Guys like Jared were easy to spot: loud, abrasive, spoiling for any excuse to use the guns they always toted around. It made them quick to violence when the tutorial started and, apparently, quick to level up too. They’d ransacked other camps before they found us, raiding and killing anyone who wouldn’t submit. That’s when they caught the attention of Leander, a local leader under the Patron Archelaus.

Patrons appeared to be some kind of god or all powerful entity. There were several levels of powerful entities below a patron in something called a Pantheon and Leander was the lowest of these.

Leander had given a few of Matt’s group Minor Blessings in exchange for their allegiance. Blessings appeared to be something that a signified allegiance to a patron. These blessings were given to Matt’s group to try and increase the number of followers they could get to follow Archelaus. They had already converted a couple of the people from the camp.

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Additionally the blessings seemed to give a boost to Strength or Dexterity. It also solidified Matt’s position as the leader, and anyone who resisted or tried to leave was “punished” to set an example.

I reached a small stand of trees just past the edge of the camp, where the ground sloped down toward the creek. The trees provided some cover, but more importantly, they muffled sound. I glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then stepped behind the thickest trunk.

“Just take a leak,” I muttered, making a show of unzipping my pants. I waited, listening intently. Jared’s voice was still faintly audible, arguing heatedly with Darren. Good. I needed at least a few more minutes.

I touched my forefinger to my thumb and then stretched it back in the shape of an ‘L’ activating my Strategist’s PDA. This interface allowed me to take notes, chart, graph and predict outcomes and probabilities. I’d been hiding some notes about the information I’d gleaned in a note labeled “Latrine Log"

Day 5:

Summary: We were raided this morning. Elara killed the leader of the group before she was mortally wounded herself. Matt took over and promised a “peaceful coexistence.” We lost several members, and those still here are keeping their heads down. Matt’s men are watching us too closely.

Notes:

* The camp is split into two groups: those who are too scared to fight back and those who are trying to leave or resist.

* Maura, Felix, Darren and Jackie missing.

* Casualties: Elara, Billy, Franklin and Louis

* Darren has returned. He appears to know Jared.

* Matt keeps asking about my class boosts and how his group can take advantage of the buffs.

Day 6:

Summary: Matt’s group formally took control. I told him I’d only allow them to sign the charter of Galene if they promised they wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Notes:

* Jared is in charge of ration distribution—likely to keep him loyal.

* Matt’s men keep disappearing for hours at a time. I suspect they’re meeting someone outside of camp, but I haven’t confirmed it.

* Darren tried approaching me twice when we’re alone. I don’t trust him. He seems like he fits in too well with Matt’s group.

* Corwin is acting like he’s a swordsman but it using any excuse to get out of sight so he can practice his mage abilities. They don’t view a one armed man a threat at all so he’s able to get away with a lot.

Day 7:

Summary: A young man named Colin challenged Matt’s authority. Hunger and Fear has people turning on each other. Colin disappeared. Matt claims he left Galene. Maura and Felix called

Notes:

* Jackie still missing.

* Darren finally got me aside and told me that he saw what Matt did to Colin. He claims he’s not with them and is willing to do anything to help get them out of camp.

* Food has become increasingly scarce. Matt’s crew haven’t been hunting. They mostly stick to bullying around the rest of the camp.

* Most are only level 10 or 11.

Day 8 (Today):

Summary: Matt’s behavior is becoming more erratic. He’s openly threatening anyone who questions him, and rations have been cut again. Jared mentioned “preparations” being almost complete. I believe they have found another camp to raid.

Notes:

* Camp morale is at an all-time low. The people following Matt are just happy to feel safe and fed, but there’s tension brewing.

* Mrs. Alcott was seen this morning leaving Matt’s tent. She looks much happier. She got double rations at lunch.

I grimaced as I read through the last note. Matt was playing some kind of game, and he was close to making his next move. Whatever he had planned, I could almost guarantee people were going to get hurt.

I pulled the phone that used to belong to Elara out of my pocket and held my breath as the clock ticked from 3:59 to 4:00.