Chapter 64: Slaves.
Lee never knew it was so much fun to run. When Butalax took off his shackles, he felt so light as if he was made of cotton candy. Every step he took was three yards wide, and for a brief moment Lee got scared that if he jumped, he would depart from the solid ground and fly directly towards the ominous red moon.
After they departed, Butalax observed Lee at first, but then bit by bit began to increase the pace. And while running with giant steps was fun, soon Lee realized he was completely out of breath. Fortunately his older companion noticed that and they continued to run just barely within Lee's limits.
***
Lee had no clue how long they were on the way. They periodically stopped to have a slurp from their waterskins, rested for a brief moment and then rushed further.
The red moon had long set, but the never disappearing sun right above the horizon was getting on Lee's nerves.
From the moment he arrived to this strange place, he hadn't experienced a bright day, but the same problem was with the night. He really wished for the sun to finally set so he could have a good night's sleep.
In addition, his left hand and chest hurt, and he needed a period of rest so the damned spark could regenerate the damage caused by the kids, or rather – the pack resembling human-looking beasts.
After a long time they arrived at a more rocky area with high cliffs sticking from the ground, and at this point Lee was completely spent. Fortunately next to one of the cliffs there were numerous wide, one story buildings, and it filled him with hope this was their final destination.
The place looked like a large warehouse district with many people rushing about – some in armor, some dressed like the guys at the blob farm, but Lee was too tired to think of any implications. By now their waterskin bags were long empty, and he felt as if he could pass out any moment.
Butalax slowed down and exchanged few phrases with one one the locals who pointed towards the cliff, apparently giving them directions. But after another couple hundred yards a feeling of dread made Lee's hair stand on end.
At first he thought he was seeing ghosts.