Tales of the Wastelander Ch. 30 - Teaser (Patreon)

“It’s not you, Sambo. I keep getting this niggling feeling like… like we’re being… watched. By what or who, I don’t know, and I don’t like it,” Chelsea grumbled.

“Well, those boys or the posse haven’t followed us into this place. If they had, we would probably be dead by now,” Samara replied.

“Not arguing that, but it feels like… there’s something else… out there. Something that could be unfriendly and you know how much I hate not knowing about shit,” Chelsea reminded her friend, who nodded in agreement.

“Do you really think it could be unfriendly?” Solena queried, wondering about what could potentially be out there.

“As I have learned about this world as it is today, anything’s possible. At best, they could just be making sure we don’t cause any trouble. At worst, I worry that we’ve traded one monster for another,” Chelsea huffed as she took point under the tree with Markie.

“You don’t have to tell me about that shit! I know full well what it is to trade the devil you know for the devil you don’t,” Markie said with a sigh, as memories of her days hiding in the vault surfaced.

“Well, I think we need to put an end to this,” Samara stated as she strode forward. “Hey you out there! How about you lot stop being creeps and come out where we can see you? If you’re friendly, then you should know it’s bad manners to spy on people! So how about you knock that shit and show yourselves?”

“Sam, what the fuck are you doing?” Chelsea hissed, thinking her friend had lost her mind.

“Just sending out an invitation is all,” Samara stated before she carried on. “If you and yours out there mean us no harm, how about you all come out and join us around the fire? It’s cold out and I’m sure you could use some warmth and maybe some breakfast! I’m sure you’re all hungry and could do with something hot in your bellies. What do you say?”

Everyone there looked at Samara as though she had completely lost her wits. Well, the cat was out of the bag now and if those who were watching them were hostile, there was bound to be blood spilled today. Just as Zahn opened his mouth to cuss Samara out, they all heard a voice on the air.

“A warm fire and hot food does sound quite lovely! We’re coming out, so put up your weapons, please,” the feminine voice called out.

Now everyone’s attention was on the area where they saw movement, where they saw three figures come out of the murk. They looked like tree people, with the way they were garbed, in greens and browns, with moss and mud all over their clothing. They also had massive heads made of wood, which looked to be carved to resemble dark creatures straight out of their nightmares.

“Ladies, the heads,” the leader of the trio called out.

Their hands came up, taking the wooden heads off. It was then revealed that the heads were just helmets, designed to invoke fear and terror in those who looked upon them. Mainly because the gorgeous faces of the three women who stared back at them would only bring up feelings the opposite of fear.

“Our apologies for spying on you as we did. We just had to be sure that all was as it appeared when you entered the forest,” the leader of the group said. “My name is Rhyka and these are my friends, Nyka and Khara.”