Chapter 40: Translation?
We had walked for a few more miles before the men had decided that they had enough. Setting up camp, they rolled out three sleeping bags, built a fire, and started eating something coming from the packs in front of them.
The women, on the other hand, had completely surrounded me, as if they were trying to act as a barrier between me and the men.
"You aren’t tied up," murmured the woman who had introduced herself as Elizabeth-May. "The second you get the chance, try to make a run for it. Head to the right; there is a forest on that side of the highway where you can get lost. They’ll give up after a few minutes, and then you’ll be safe."
I cocked my head to the side as I clutched my fingers around Envy. He had been holding my hand for the past little while, making sure that I couldn’t be caught off guard. He knew the importance of being around humans, but he also wasn’t willing to risk me for it, either.
It was nice.
"If it’s that easy, why don’t you do it?" I asked. Honestly, the woman spoke perfect English, a slight Northern accent the only thing giving away the fact that she wasn’t from around here. How she ended up with the Swamp Things seemed to be an interesting story; I just wasn’t interested in it.
"I can’t run as fast as you," she replied, smiling at me. Reaching her hand up, she brushed her fingers lightly against my cheek with all the staples in it. "It’s not your time," she continued, studying my face. "But you need to be smart. You can’t trust anyone to take care of you. You need to look after yourself first and foremost... okay?"
Silently, I nodded my head.
"People... men... can’t be trusted, do you understand me? They will say one thing and mean another, and you are too precious to be forced to do something you don’t want."