The Eaters by Corrie Brundage

Author:Corrie Brundage [Brundage, Corrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Easton Studio Press, LLC
Published: 2017-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

My first day of work dawned bright and hot. Eva had contacted me on my communication device with pertinent information but not much else. She told me which trains to take and what to wear, but no further details on whom I’d be meeting, or what my first day would consist of.

I was grumpy at breakfast, which Jack tried to make enticing. I didn’t even bother with coffee, my stomach already a nervous wreck. He was upbeat and casual, so as to distract me, but I wasn’t having it. Donning the light, breathable material of my tunic and wearing shoes that were intended to be sturdy, I kissed Jack goodbye and made my way to the train. In my pack I carried all my devices along with a lunch Jack had made for me. I had braided my blanket of a mane and was entertaining myself by thinking about whether I should get it trimmed. I had observed the styles of the women in the city, and it seemed as if the natural look was the fashion, which was quite a difference from some of the complex hairstyles of my generation.

Still lost in trivial thoughts, I caught the right train, settled into a cozy seat, and tried some breathing exercises to calm myself. I had gotten used to looking out the windows, at least enough so that I didn’t feel nauseated by the speeding landscape. We passed through the city and went out beyond the trails I had explored by myself and with Jack. We were heading into the jungle, and my excitement began to overtake my anxiety. I moved closer to the window and watched as the rain forest grew denser. This was my territory, I reminded myself, and immediately began to feel more confident. We were speeding along too quickly for me to spot any animals, but the foliage was a welcome distraction. How many forests had I sat in for hours on end? I couldn’t count how much time had been spent among the trees in my previous life.

The train eventually stopped, and the few people who were on board with me disembarked into the humid atmosphere. Until now, I hadn’t noticed how many passengers were riding along with me. There were four, two men and two women, dressed similarly to me. They also carried bags, and were looking at me questioningly. Were these my team members?

We all stood on the platform, looking at one another, when one of the women broke the silence. “You’re her, aren’t you?”

I looked into the young face directing the question at me, and my mouth opened to respond.

“Don’t hassle her, she’s probably freaked out enough as it is,” said one of the young men, and I quickly turned to look at him.

“Yeah but she’s our team leader now, Nick. Show some respect,” said the other girl, and I felt dizzy.

Whom should I respond to first? Had they been watching me this whole train ride? I mustered my courage and attempted to give a dignified response.

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