It's been a day since the attack on the scavengers. While Remmington was fixing Don up, the rest of us went through their camp in search of supplies. There wasn't much except a very small ration of food and some dull weapons. Calum explained to me that it's because they mostly go out and steal from others. The canyons aren't a place where wildlife and vegetation come in abundance, so it makes sense. Since then, we moved Don into a tent with an old cot so that he was as comfortable as possible. He's been unconscious for quite a while now and it's driving us all nuts with anxiety. The hunters thought it would be best if we burned the bodies of the scavengers. It would take us way too long to bury all of them, but if we left them lying around, it would attract animals that would want to feast off their corpses. I didn't have the stomach to help, so when they were burning the bodies I decided to get some well-needed rest.
After I woke up, Pietra and Calum left to explore the canyons on the other side of the camp from where we entered. They said it was to find anything else of value, but I think it's because being in this camp makes them nervous. I don't blame them, I don't want to be here either. Currently, I am sitting out in the middle of the scavengers camp. Jaiver is nowhere to be found and Nate is in Don's tent keeping an eye on him. Ryan - my dad - is in one of the other tents getting some rest. I need to go speak with him. I have a lot of questions that I need to be answered. I stood up and brushed the dirt off my pants, making my way to the tent where my "dad" is sleeping. As I got to the entrance of the tent, I couldn't help but be nervous. What if he is actually my dad? I shook my head. I'm not ready for this. I was about to step away but then he opened the tent.
His eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, it's you, Arden, you scared me. Come on in. I'm guessing you came here to talk."
I nodded and followed him into the tent. In the tent, there wasn't much. All there was was a bedroll and a chest. He sat down and motioned me to do the same. I took a deep breath as I sat down. I don't even know where to start. We sat in silence for a little bit. Remmington/Ryan coughed awkwardly, "So, uh- Arden."
"Why did you leave us?" I snapped, all of my emotions coming to the surface.
He flinched as I yelled at him. He scratched the back of his head obviously uncomfortable. He started, "Arden, it was never my intention to leave you and your mother behind. I had to." He looked at me sheepishly. "It's actually quite a long story if you're willing to listen."
I wanted to scream and yell at him, but I nodded silently for him to continue.
He took a breath, "Well, as you might know, the Burrow has a system for hunting. A couple of scouts search around until they find traces of animals and we report back and set up for a hunt. The day that I disappeared, Davis and I were supposed to go out and patrol but he ended up getting sick at the last minute. Being the grown yet stupid man, I went out on my own. I left at dawn so I could cover more ground. I ended up staying out nearly all day because I was stalking a group of elk. They lead me to a part of the forest that I have never been to. I was about to turn back and head back to the Burrow, but I heard noises that didn't sound like any animal. I was shocked when I stumbled upon a group of people. I hesitant because the burrower way was ingrained in me – "
"Stay safe, stay hidden." We said in unison.
He chuckled lightly as he continued, "Exactly. Being a burrower has made us so secluded that we know nothing about the world around us. Anyways, some of the people in the group saw me and decided to chase after me. It was a group of scavengers, but I didn't know that back then. I had to make a choice. Run back to the Burrow in hopes that they'll give up or run the opposite direction so that I don't give up the location of the Burrow. I decided to run, run far away from the Burrow. The scavengers didn't make it easy either, they followed me for days. I had no idea where I was, but I lead them far away from the Burrow. I ended up running into a group of hunters that helped me escape from the scavengers. I stuck with them for a couple of years while I learned about the world and the other groups. It was better off that way, I would've been dead otherwise. The group was headed towards the ocean, so I decided to turn back. I ended up being in a small group with Jaiver for a while until his parents died because of sickness. It was just him and me for a long time until we found the others. My name ended up going from Ryan to Remmington because at some points it was too hard thinking about how I got separated from the love of my life and my little girl. So I changed it."
Entranced by his storytelling I asked, "Why did you never come back? After all of those years."
He shrugged, "Actually, I was planning on bringing these kids with me back to the Burrow. I've always wanted to make my way back there. Even though their adults now, they deserve a chance - to not have a life full of sorrow and fighting to live. They deserve better. I didn't tell them where we were going, I just told them that we were going to the place that I grew up in. That was my plan until we were traveling through the canyons and ran into these scavengers. I offered myself as a prisoner so the rest of the kids could make it to the Burrow and live their lives happily. Of course, though, they tried to rescue me and that didn't go well. I told them to stick with the plan. I'm guessing somewhere along the way, they ran into you and your friend and recruited you two to help. Now we're here and my little girl has grown up to be a strong, brave, and beautiful woman."
I started crying as he pulled me into an embrace. I told him everything. How I was a top hunter in the Burrow, about my friends, about mom. I told him the whole story about the hunters, how they distrusted us, how we decided to help. He laughed when I mentioned that Pietra and I got into a fight. When I told him how I almost got strangled to death, he clenched his fists angrily. When I was done, all the tears I cried were dried. We both sat in silence as we soaked in what happened. So Ryan-my dad has gone through so much. He didn't purposely leave us and more importantly, he's alive. We finally let each other go. I looked up at him and smiled. He returned it.
I heard Calum's voice from outside the tent, "Hey Remmington and Arden, you need to get out here and see this!"
Dad was the first to stand up, he offered me a hand to stand up. He rubbed my head gently, "Shall we go kiddo?"
I nodded. We walked out of the tent to see Nate, Jaiver, Calum, and Pietra they were holding onto someone. My eyes widen. It's Timmy! Timmy didn't look good. He looked very thin and I could tell that he was frightened. Of course, he is, we just took away everything he knew and probably killed his parents too. Dad must've noticed the same thing. He instantly grabbed onto Timmy. He spoke earnestly, "Everyone, this is Timmy. He fed Arden and I while we were captured."
"He's a scavenger Remmington," Pietra said flatly.
"What are we going to do?" Calum asked.
"We're going to take him with us of course. He's just a kid. He doesn't deserve the same fate as the rest of them."
It was Javier's turn to speak, "Remmington, your generosity is gone too far. He's a scavenger. We can't take him with us."
I heard Timmy whimper. I clenched my teeth. How rude can these people be? He's just a kid! Ryan spoke softly, "Timmy is a kid, he hasn't shown anything else but kindness to Arden and myself. I know all of you hate scavengers. However, if you do not show compassion, you are just as bad as the scavengers if not worse."
After awhile of agonizing silence, Calum was the first to cede. "Remmington, I'm sorry."
Pietra and Jaiver followed suit not too long after. I was surprised at how easily the hunters listened to him. Granted, he was like a father figure to them. The hunters walked off and went to various tents within the camp as Ryan went to go find some food with Timmy. That just left Nate and I. We looked at each other. I smiled weakly at Nate. It's been a while since I have gotten to look at him. Before I could think Nate pulled me into a hug. He gave me a quick kiss on my forehead as he whispered, "I am so glad you're okay."
I shrugged, "You and me both."