A Rational Zombie

Chapter 34

Ill wait. But first, Ill climb a tree. My vision increases when I climb up. If I climb to the very top of the largest tree, I should be able to see over the other trees, see the preys camp. If Im lucky, theyll be obtaining sustenance. If Im not lucky, Ill have to wait. Until the sun rises to its highest point, Ill watch the prey. After that, I cant afford to waste any more time. I can delay the hunger with marrow. But only up to that point. If the prey seem too hard to hunt, Ill run. But I dont believe it. I have two hundred others. Even if they all die, they have to kill one prey, minimum. I can take its brains and run.

The tree isnt hard to climb. The straps of the bag are useful. Theyre very tight. The bag is stuck to my back, my two weapons wedged between, freeing my hands. But these branches that appear higher up. Theyre very annoying, slowing me a lot. I have to release my hands, bring it over the branch, hug the trunk again, then do the same for my legs. I shouldve went back to the fire, brought the tree-cutting tool. But I was distracted, too preoccupied with the armored clothes and dome. And if I go back for it, there might not be time to find more prey. But it shouldnt matter. The prey here should have a tool to cut trees. Theyre smarter, more prepared than the other prey.

Near the top of the tree, theres another branch, angled up. Its a nice spot to sit, pointed towards the preys camp. Can it support me? It should. I used a wooden stick to break others bones. Wood is strong. But this branch is really small, creaking too. Ill tie myself to the trunk as a precaution. I havent seen any others fall from this high up. But the ending wont be good if I fall. I might break something. Others twisted their legs when they fell into the trap pits. Those werent deep compared to this drop. Is this dangerous? I think so. But Im already up here.

The preys camp, its not well lit. Theres a fire. But its not very big compared to the previous camp. There arent any cabins here either. Just one big building. Theres faint letters: Ranger something. Its hard to see in the dark. The walls look like theyre made of logs. Easy to set on fire. Theres a fence very close to the building. It has spikes pointing out of it, lining the whole fence. Like pointed antlers. The others will impale themselves on it if theyre not careful. Or if theyre tricked into walking towards them. Even others cant be that dumb. They wont walk into something that can kill them. Theres a gap in the fence, with no spikes, no fence, just a gap. But its a small gap, very similar to the doorway of the metal hunk. One other can enter at a time. Like I thought, compared to the last prey, theyre smart. The others wont walk into the spikes; searching for a different way in, theyll funnel into that gap, the trap the prey set up. How troublesome.

But wheres the food? How do the prey survive? Maybe its inside the building. Yes. Theres a fire inside, lights streaming out the windows. Or maybe those are lights that the prey bottle in cylinders. Having a fire inside seems dangerous. But if there really is a fire in there, itll be difficult to burn down the building. The prey are confident in putting out flames if theyre keeping one inside. Im too far away to see inside the building. And I cant see behind it. But theres a pair of doors, the way in. More doors, more singular entrances. Will two hundred others really be enough? How can I catch prey when theyre defending themselves so efficiently? Its a shame the walls arent made of glass either. I cant see what theyre doing inside. If they keep their food in there, Ill have to enter to observe.

There arent many trees close to the building either, a large clearing separating it from all directions. But what are those shiny things? Some things in the clearing are giving off light, bits and sparkles, nothing major. I cant tell. Its too far. When I get closer, Ill see. Too bad the trees arent closer to the building. If the prey take arrow shooters to the roof, theyll have the higher vantage point. The others cant take shelter behind anything in an open field like that. Not like they know the concept of taking shelter from arrows. But theres no chance of them getting lucky, an arrow hitting a tree instead. At least I can hide behind the others, using them as shields. But I really dont want to approach the building. Ill be funneled in by myself. If Im too close to the front, Ill die. If Im in the back, its safer, but the others will make a mess inside, maybe ruining things I could learn from.

But do I have to go inside? Why cant I wait for the prey to come out? Instead of attacking something from such a disadvantageous position, isnt it better to wait for the prey to give up their position? I dont know how long itll take. And Im limited by time. Marrow rots slowly compared to everything else. But it rots really quick. Its annoying. The sooner I learn how to preserve food from the prey, the sooner Ill tame my hunger. Without the fear of it eating my brain, I can hunt at a slower pace, more deliberately. I can observe prey for longer periods of time. Theres so much Ill be able to do.

I already decided to wait and observe until the sun reached its peak. The night is still long. The others are restless. But with their noises plugged, their vision hampered, a few knocks of my metal stick against the tree trunk is enough to keep their attention. There shouldnt be anything else making sound. Ive gathered all the others in the vicinity. And prey are sluggish at night. They wouldnt wander around. Theyre too smart to do that. So now, I wait. Itd be nice if the prey left the building, leaving their defenses behind. Maybe Ill ask God for help. He brought prey back to life when they asked. But I cant speak; my voice comes out as groans. What a shame.