Oddworld Just Got Stranger

[Dark Elite_H2]

Ok, NOW i've seen the next chapter. And damn, did that make me laugh.
Oh man he's got an infestation of ticks AND fleas. If I had fur and all of that, I'd be purdy misreable. But hey, it made me laugh! you made my day, Lobo, once again! Keep the goodness comin, buddy! It's gettin' good!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Parasites And River Fish

It took some time but eventually, a day later Stranger and Bailey found what they were looking for, a deep, clear pool whose surface was calm and mirror bright. The dark forms of fish darted through the water.

Bailey stood on it’s banks and smiled.

“This is perfect.” She turned to Stranger, “I warn yer, you’re gonna get wet.”

“Jist as long as I can git rid of this Odd-damn itch…” Stranger muttered. Bailey flicked out the dagger and grabbed a lock of her own hair, it took her a moment to cut it off. She put the dagger back into her belt and tied the strands of hair into a tight knot.

“Right, this may be a bit crude, but it should work.” She turned to Stranger, who was tugging off his faded green shirt. Bailey gave him a look, “What are you doin’?” she asked completely baffled.

“I don’t want dead fleas in me shirt.” Stranger said shaking the shirt at Bailey. Bailey raised her eyebrows momentarily but shrugged and took the shirt, examining it for parasites. She found a couple but soon it was clean and she put it on a lip of rock that hung as a shelf over one part of the pool.

“Then yer better take out yer pony as well.” Stranger gave her a confused look. “Oh c’mere.” Bailey said and reached up behind his ear, Stranger tilted his head to one side so that Bailey could reach better. She slid out Stranger’s hair tie and mussed Stranger’s surprisingly long mane. She pulled the hair tie over her wrist.

“So whadda I havta do?” Stranger asked.

“What ya gotta do,” she handed the knot of hair to Stranger, Stranger looked at it and scratched the fur on his chest irritably, “Back inta the water very slowly, so that you can feel the fleas movin’. Eventually you’ll nearly be totally under the water. Make sure this,” she pointed at the knot of hair, “Is the last thing above the surface.” Bailey could see Stranger was twitching because of the fleas, she sighed and scratched his ribs and stomach for him with one hand while she continued, “If this works, the fleas will congregate onto the hair and you’ll be able ter let it go. Say bye bye fleas.” She grinned. “Clever eh?” Stranger broke into a relieved grin and then, to Bailey’s complete and utter surprise, he bent down and kissed her cheek gently.

“Genius.” He agreed and passed her, heading for the pool of water. Bailey watched after him, her brows furrowed gently but a confused half-smile on her face. She rubbed on her cheek.

“You are the strangest creature I think I have ever met…” she thought wryly watching him. She padded over to the rock lip and sat cross-legged on it as Stranger proceeded to get rid of his fleas. “Yer know, I wish I had toothpaste and a toothbrush right now.” Bailey commented,

“Why?” Stranger asked,

“Well,” Bailey grinned slightly evilly. “Yer takin’ a bath, yer could do with a crash course in oral hygiene as well.” She grinned. Stranger scowled at her but she knew he was amused.

“All Steef have bad oral hygiene. They’re well known fer it.” Bailey scowled at him but her eyes smiled.

“But you’re a unique Steef, you could be the exception, start a trend. Please for everyone’s sake, start a trend.” She snickered, Stranger splashed water at her. “Hey!” Bailey yelped as she was drenched in cool water. She lent over the rock lip and splashed him back.

Stranger took a deep breath and pulled his head under the water and released the hair knot. Bailey sat and waited patiently for him to resurface.

He didn’t.

Bailey couldn’t see far into the water because of the mud Stranger’d stirred up at the bottom of the pool getting rid of his fleas. Bailey got onto her knees and looked over the rock lip. Peering into the water.

The only warning she got was when a vaguely dark shadow came next to the rock lip before Stranger suddenly burst up, out of the water and grabbed Bailey around the middle. Pulling her down into the pool with him. Bailey shrieked before she went under the water. Her eyes snapped open and she saw Stranger – also under the water – grinning at her, his neon green eyes glowing. Bailey swatted his head. Stranger continued to grin hugely. Bailey kicked her legs and swam to the surface.

She paddled to shore, scrambled out onto the bank and then plonked down to sit in the shallows. Stranger came out after her, all his pale, creamy brown fur turned dark by the water. Even though he was soaked through, he was grinning.

“Aww man. Stranger, now I’m totally soaked.” Stranger began to grin wider.

“Well then, it won’t matter if I do this.” Stranger lunged forward, grabbed hold of Bailey and picked her up, Bailey realised what he was going to do and shrieked;

“STRANGER! DON’T YOU DARE! GAAAAAAH!” Stranger ignored her and plunged back into the pool, taking a screaming Bailey with him.

Once again Bailey found herself under the water. Bailey scowled at Stranger and wriggled in his arms. She pointed upward, a serious look on her face.

Stranger understood and kicked up from the bottom. Bailey took a great gasp of air as they broke the surface and then gave Stranger a whack on his chest.

“That was fer being a jerk.” She said, scowling.

“Aww, yer know yer love me really.” Bailey looked unfathomably at him for a moment then put her arms around Stranger’s neck. Pressing her forehead to his thick, wet fur.

“Yes.” She whispered, “I do.” Stranger went still, “I love you.” Bailey said, “Very much… S’what I wanted to tell you…when I first found out you were a Steef. That I loved you and I always would. I will never stop loving you Stranger. Doesn’t matter who you are, you’ll always be family to me.”

Whatever Stranger had been expecting as an answer, it definitely wasn’t that. In response he cuddled Bailey closer. Unable to say anything.

They stayed like that, in the same position. Neither moving nor speaking. Until finally Bailey noticed the dark forms of the river fish swimming around Stranger’s legs. She cocked her head to one side, watching them.

“Bailey? Whadda ya doin’?” Stranger asked quietly. Bailey pointed.

“Dinner.” She muttered. Stranger followed her finger and saw the fish. He grinned and carried Bailey to the rock lip, setting her carefully on it. Pressing his nose to her hair he smiled.

“You up fer makin’ a javelin, can’t catch fish with me bare hands.” Bailey grinned playfully and nudged his uninjured shoulder with her fist.

“What there’s something you can’t do?” she asked in mock surprise. “I don’t believe that fer a second.” Stranger smiled slightly but there was a sadness in his eyes as he put a hand on Bailey’s head.

“There’s quite a few things I can’t do…” he murmured quietly. The corner of his mouth twitched in a vaguely broader smile. “S’why I need you…” There was a comfortable silence.

“I’ll start on that javelin then.” said Bailey.

¤§¤

A little while later Bailey once again sat on the lip of rock overhanging the pool. She watched Stranger, now flea-less and armed with a crude javelin of wood, moving quietly through the water with smooth, precise almost liquid movements of a hunter. It reminded Bailey of the tigers on Earth.

Suddenly he lunged, stabbing down with the javelin. Bailey watched quietly, waiting, as Stranger brought up the sharp end of the javelin and triumphantly showed her the fat, dark brown wiggling fish impaled on it. It was a dirty brown on top with a paler underbelly and a patch of watery red under it’s jaw. Stranger came to the over hang and handed the fish over to Bailey.

“Enough fish kid?” he asked. Bailey glanced over the small pile of fish they’d caught and cooked, mentally totting them up.

“Just one more’ll do us fer rations.” She finally said. Stranger nodded and went back in until the water came up to his stomach. Bailey fed the fire she’d built she some more sticks and proceeded to behead and betail the fish with the hatchet, disposing of the head by burying it a little way away, avoiding looking at it’s eyes.

That still creeped her out…

Then, using the dagger, she cut this newest fish in strips, in essence making fish sticks and put them on the fire to cook.

Next to the fire, keeping warm on a flat rock were the two bigger fish Stranger had caught. They’d been removed of their heads and tails but were still in one piece to be eaten that day. The other fish had been treated the same way as the one cooking at that moment. They were laid out on the remains of Bailey’s green strappy top that she used to wear over her dark t-shirt, Bailey had cut along the seams to make a length of cloth to wrap the cooked fish sticks in. It was pretty poor supplies but it was better then nothing.

Once Bailey was finished she went back to watching Stranger. She lay on her stomach, just watching. After a moment or two Stranger looked at her and caught her gaze.

“What?” he asked grinning. Bailey shrugged.

“I was just wonderin’…” intrigued Stranger abandoned his hunt for the moment and waded over to the outcropping. He rested his arms on the ledge and stood eye-to-eye with Bailey, a couple of inches between their noses.

“About?” Bailey looked uncomfortable. She broke the eye contact.

“Promise you won’t get annoyed at me?” she asked, not looking at him. Stranger nudged her cheek so that she met his eyes.

“Promise.”

“How d’you do it?” Stranger looked confused,

“Do what?”

“How d’you stay hidden all that time? I mean, you had to change your body completely and learn how to do everything all over again. How did you walk so differently? I was just thinking it must have been hard…” Stranger made a deep sound of agreement in his chest. Bailey looked mildly depressed. “You promised you wouldn’t get angry.” She said plaintively. Stranger looked at her, green eyes bright.

“I’m not angry… I was…jist wonderin’ how I did do it… I guess it was jist somat I had ter do… the prospect of dyin’ is a great motivator…” he faded off and looked away. He felt Bailey rest her forehead on his.

“If you did it…” Bailey whispered thoughtfully, “Then others could have…there could be more Steef out there…we just havta find them…” Stranger met her eyes. Green looking intensely into hazel brown. He stroked her cheek with his thumb,

“Yer’d do tha’ my Bailey?” he asked softly, “Yer’d look fer Steef with me?” Bailey nodded slightly.

“Yes.” Stranger felt something rise in his chest.

“Thank you.” He murmured.

¤§¤

It was dark. The stars blanketed the sky and the moon rose above the trees. Bailey cuddled up close to Stranger, as she was drifting off to sleep she asked Stranger something that was on her mind.

“Stranger?”

“Yes?”

“Are we really…yer know, gonna look fer Steef?” Stranger paused thoughtfully.

“Yer willin’ ter come with me?”

“Y-y-yes.” Bailey said through a huge yawn. Stranger chuckled and ran his claws through her hair, but only lightly, he didn’t want to hurt the human. He felt a protective urge stir in his stomach. He never wanted Bailey hurt again. He would do anything to keep her safe.

“Bailey,” he said softly, feeling the need to tell her what he was feeling, “Yer know I wouldn’t let anyone hurt yer.” Bailey made a sleepy affirmative and nodded into his fur. “I’ll look afta yer. I promise.” But by now Bailey had fallen asleep. Stranger sighed. “Because I love you too kid…” he whispered.

¤§¤

“Stranger, can we stop for a bit?” Stranger looked round at Bailey. She had stopped and was massaging her leg, the one that had been shot when they been captured by Caster Raider. Stranger knew that the bullet had been removed and it had been bandaged, he therefore began to feel a bit concerned. He went back to Bailey.

“Yer leg hurt?” Bailey nodded,

“Yeh, it’s bin aching fer a while now, but it really hurts now.”

“It’s bin hurtin’, an’ yer didn’t tell me?” Stranger asked.

“It didn’t hurt that much.” Bailey said shrugging. Stranger cracked a half grin and picked her up.

“Oh Stranger.” Bailey sighed, “Are you gonna pick me up every time I ask ter stop?” Stranger rubbed her nose with his own.

“If tha’s what it takes.” He murmured. Stranger walked over to a large boulder and sat Bailey down. He crouched in front of her, “So, where yer hurtin’?” Bailey touched her lower leg, (the one that hadn’t been bitten by the Fleech), “So it ain’t yer Fleech bite?”

“Nah, that ain’t bothered me fer yonks, it’s where I got shot by them Outlaws.” Stranger nodded and rolled up Bailey’s pant leg. He ran his fingers over the muscle and it’s bandage thoughtfully. After a moment he stood up.

“I think yer muscle’s damaged, yer’ve used it too much, it ain't had time ter heal.” Bailey groaned.

“Great.” She muttered, “Fantastic.” She looked at Stranger, “Sorry Stranger…” she said apologetically. Stranger smiled gently.

“T’ain’t yer fault.” He grinned, “Well, there ain’t nowt fer yer ter do but fer me ter carry yer.” Ignoring Bailey’s protests Stranger picked her up again and set her on his back. Bailey gave a sigh of futility.

“Fine.” She muttered, Stranger chuckled and reached back to ruffle Bailey’s hair.

“Hold on squirt.” And Stranger broke into a walk, Bailey found that she couldn’t just sit, but actively ride like she was riding a pony.

It was while she was riding that she noticed she hadn’t actually gotten rid of all of Stranger’s parasites…

“Stranger, stop a sec.” Stranger did so and Bailey slid from his back and rooted around for a moment among the leaf litter and soon came back with a smooth pebble and a stick of wood.

“Bailey… Whadda ya doin’?”

“Damn ticks…” Bailey muttered, “Forgot about them.” Stranger looked at her, with one eyebrow raise as she struck the pebble against her dagger blade until she produced a spark, setting fire to the stick.

“What in Odd-”

“Ticks hate very high temperatures. I’m gonna just heat up the blade and use it to get rid of the ticks. If I give ‘em a poke with a hot blade they’ll let go real quick.” Stranger practically jumped away from her.

“Yer gonna WHAT!?” Bailey looked at him.

“Do you trust me?” Stranger gazed at the young girl with bright, neon green eyes, right before him Bailey had changed, become older, graver, more serious… She wasn’t just asking about the ticks now. The question went deeper.

Stranger walked up to Bailey, he reached out and touched her cheek softly with callous fingers.

“Yes. I trust you.”

“Then trust me now… I won’t hurt you.” Stranger gazed into Bailey’s eyes. And nodded. Bailey held the tip of the blade in the flaming brand, she held it up to her eye and scrutinised it, satisfied. She doused the brand and using one hand she began running her fingers through Stranger’s fur. Every time she came on a tick she prodded it gently with the hot dagger blade tip. Each parasite shivered and let go of Stranger, each one wiggling it’s legs as she flicked them away.

Finally she slipped the dagger back into her belt and stepped back with a satisfied look on her face.

“And voila, that’s that. Done and dusted.” Bailey broke into a grin, “Yer’ll be in Grand National Derby Champion condition in no time.”

“Grand National Derby?” Stranger cocked his head to one side curiously.

Bailey laughed but didn’t explain what she meant…

[Dark Elite_H2]

That chapter ALSO made me laugh. How I can see the expression on Stranger's face when Bailey said she was going to poke him with a hot knife (not literally) I'll say it again, and I'll continue to say it again! Keep the goodness comin', Lobo!

[Dancing Steef]

whoa, eh good chapter LW! I wanna read more, more!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Realisation Of A Destiny

“Take me down ter the Paradise City,
Where the grass is green,
And the girls are pretty.
Oh won’t you please take me home!”

“What kinda music is that?” Stranger asked, cringing as Bailey belted out the song at the top of her lungs.

“Guns and Roses dude!” grinned Bailey. “It’s good music!”

“That short-stuff, is a matter of opinion.” Stranger said. Bailey grinned good-naturedly and laid her head between Stranger’s shoulder blades, putting her arms around Stranger’s chest she hugged him.

“I think I can walk on me own now Stranger, me leg feels fine.” Bailey ventured. Stranger chuckled,

“Oh no yer don’t squirt, yer stayin’ right there, I ain’t gonna let yer hurt yerself. We’ve discussed this…” Bailey snorted,

“I think ‘discuss’ is a mild description…” she muttered.

Two days ago, after they had left the little forest pool and Bailey had been carried by Stranger for awhile, Bailey had had trouble with her leg as soon as she’d tried to walk again. But still she’d insisted that it was fine, that she could walk by herself. But Stranger was stubborn, he refused to let Bailey do herself any more damage and after a rather short but violent verbal argument Stranger had won and Bailey had submitted to him. Acquiescing grudgingly as a child would to a parent.

So here she was, sitting on Stranger’s back again as they walked through a thickly wooded canyon.

After a time they came out of the canyon and into a very familiar part of the forest. Stranger stopped dead and stood stock-still.

“Stranger?” Bailey’s quiet, concerned voice snapped Stranger out of his daze. Stranger let out a gasp of air. Bailey frowned and put her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder, “What is it?”

“Don’t yer recognise it lil’ one?” Stranger asked in a quiet voice. Bailey looked around, Stranger heard a sharp intake of breath and Bailey nuzzled into his neck. This was where they had fought Wart and Bunion.

“Can we leave now?” she whispered. Stranger nodded and began walking, but then, “Stranger wait.” Stranger stopped and Bailey slid down from his back.

“Bailey?” Bailey wandered away from Stranger, she frowned and closed her eyes as if trying to remember something. Stranger followed, “Bailey? Whatcha ya doin’?” he asked softly.

“Before they were murdered,” Bailey began, eyes still closed, “The Steef, they protected the Grubbs right? But Sekto… he came and dammed their water and killed their guardians…” Stranger gave Bailey a look. “Cry not for us,” Bailey murmured, “Our souls survive. Justice awaits the waters rise…remember us…” her eyes snapped open, “That’s it!” she yelled, she spun to face Stranger. “We have to go back.”

“Go back? Go back where?”

“After the branch snapped, when we were fighting Bunion and Wart, I woke up and you were gone, Wart woke up too, so I ran, and stumbled onto a graveyard. A Grubb graveyard, overlooking a dry valley. I heard voices, they said to remember what I’d seen. Then I saw you and ran again.” Bailey explained, her eyes were bright. “That’s where we have to go, the Grubbs, we havta find them.”

“An’ do what!?”

“I dunno,” Bailey grinned as Stranger lifted her onto his back, “But I will.” She said confidently. “They may even be able ter lead us ter other Steef.” She thought to herself.

It took the best part of the day for Bailey to find her way to the Grubb graveyard, but she did it eventually, just before the sun began to set. As they left the trees Bailey slid from Stranger’s back and as if in a trance she moved through the graves, up the little hill and looked over the dry valley.

Bailey heard the voices again as soon as she went amongst the graves. She couldn’t understand what they were saying this time, she could just hear the whispers, like the breeze rustling over long grass. But she could sense that they were happy that she had returned. Even though she could not understand the words they spoke, somehow she knew what she had too do…what she was being asked…

Back at the graveyard’s entrance Stranger watched Bailey with a faint uncomfortable feeling as she wandered through the graves, up a sloping rise and looked over the Mongo valley. She sank to her knees. Stranger came up beside her and also dropped to the floor.

“D’you…” Bailey began, “Think we’re too late?” Stranger looked over the near dead valley.

“I don’t know. But we’re gonna find out, c’mon Bailey.” Stranger rose, Bailey sat for a moment, gazing out at the dry river valley but then she too got up.

“I’ll walk from here.” She murmured. Stranger didn’t argue.

“Let’s go then.” He said and led the way around the graveyard and back into the treeline. “We’ll go the way I went.” He said quietly as he led Bailey down towards the Grubb village, neither of them knowing what they were going to discover…

¤§¤

The sun was setting when they finally reached the valley floor. The two found themselves just north of the Grubb village Stranger had led Bunion through.

“Yer think yer up fer walkin’ jist a bit further?” Stranger asked Bailey quietly as they stood side-by-side and looked southward, down the dry riverbed.

“Yeh, I’ll be alright.” Bailey assured, Stranger gave Bailey a piercing look, his green eyes vaguely concerned. Bailey was pale and her face seemed drawn. He realised she’d been very quiet since they’d left the graveyard. It struck him that she’d been buoyant and cheerful beforehand and exuberant when she’d first had the idea to find the Grubbs but she’d become practically silent as soon as she’d entered the graveyard itself.

Stranger felt apprehension stir in his gut. It was as if something had been drained out of Bailey as soon as she had been among those stones. She seemed weaker, and exhausted. Her strength, it seemed, her very life-force had diminished.

Something had happened to her, Stranger realised, something had caused this change in Bailey. He remembered when Bailey had told him about when she had first seen the graveyard;

“…I ran, and stumbled onto a graveyard. A Grubb graveyard, and a dry valley. I heard voices, they said to remember what I’d seen…”

Something about those voices…somehow they had done something to Bailey. Were they really the voices of the dead Grubbs? Stranger wondered. Was Bailey hearing the victims of the drought and Sekto? Had they brought her here?

And if they had…

Why?

Bailey on the other hand knew now why the dead Grubbs were talking to her.

Stranger.

It was about Stranger.

She was meant to lead him here, to make sure he got to the Grubbs alive and well. He had a destiny here and Bailey had been chosen to be sent to this place to guide him. The souls of the dead Grubbs had told her this.

And she had a destiny too. Everything that had happened to her since meeting Stranger, all was part of that destiny.

They hadn’t told her what Stranger had to do, only that she had to take him to the Grubbs and from there it would become clear.

Bailey knew the message was cryptic, but she also knew what she was been told was the truth.

And it was something she had to do…

¤§¤

The long sunset drenched the sky with watery reds and oranges as Stranger and Bailey finally walked along the riverbank of the dead Mongo River towards the remains of a Grubb settlement. It was so severely dry that dust rose just by them walking. It grew darker and Bailey began to get more and more agitated as they came closer to their destination.

“What if…” she began, but Stranger cut her off. He put a finger gently on her nose, Bailey looked at him.

“None a tha’ now.” He said softly, “We’ll know when we get there.” Bailey swallowed gently and nodded. Stranger started forward again, but on not hearing Bailey with him, he turned. She’d not moved. She just stood there, hugging herself as if she were cold and stared into nothingness. His concern mounting Stranger approached her again, “Bailey.” Bailey blinked as if coming out of some kind of trance and looked at him. “Bailey, are yer alright?” Bailey shivered.

“I…I…don’t know…” she whispered. But Stranger smelt the fear in her. Fear of the unknown. And fear of an uncertain future.

“Bailey, listen ter me, whateva’s there, we’ll face it tergether. Like we always do.” Stranger offered her a hand, “We go together.” Bailey looked hesitant, but after a moment she took Stranger’s hand.

“Always together.” She whispered. Stranger smiled and together, Steef and human made there way towards the Grubb village around the next bend in the river.

As they reached the river bend Stranger slowed and eventually stopped.

“Stranger?” Bailey said questioningly,

“I don’t think we should go any further tonight…” Bailey looked at him but didn’t argue. Obviously what had happened at the Clakker farm was still very clear in her mind. It would take a long time for her to regain her previous flippancy. She was starting to trust Stranger’s instincts…

“Should we stop here then?” she asked, Stranger paused, then nodded.

“Yeh. We’ll stop here fer the night.”

It didn’t take them long to set up camp and start a small fire. Soon they were sat, huddled together to stay warm.

“How’s your arm?” Bailey asked tentatively. Stranger rubbed it absentmindedly,

“It’s better, abit stiff, but otha then tha’…”

“Well, I can help with the stiffness…if yer want…”

“I was hopin’ yer’d say that.” Stranger grinned, Bailey took his arm in her gentle hands and began kneading the muscle with her knuckles. Stranger’s fur bristled, but not in an angry way, he made a deep rumbling sound that wasn’t exactly a purr but like a sound of relief. “Oh yer can keep doin’ that…” Bailey smiled and continued. Stranger leaned back against a huge rock that they made camp by and closed his eyes. “Tha’s real nice Bailey.” Bailey gave him a look.

“Yer know, in future if yer want somat, you just have to ask right?” Stranger opened his eyes and went thoughtful, as if thinking if Bailey’s offer was genuine or not. “I mean it.” Bailey said, watching him.

“Anything?” Stranger asked,

“Within reason.” Bailey nodded. Stranger grinned hugely as Bailey let his arm go, “There, finished.” Stranger flexed his arm,

“Feels good, thanks…” he hesitated “Bailey?” Bailey looked at him, curious about his tone.

“Yes?”

“Anything?” Stranger asked again, looking hopeful,

“Within reason.” Bailey repeated. Stranger let out a breath,

“Oh good,” he suddenly laid his head on Bailey’s shoulder and took her hand, placing it on his neck. “Then you can rub here.” Bailey snickered. But she did as he asked and soon Stranger had his eyes closed again and was emitting deep, rumbling purrs.

-----

Sorry it’s so slow, the plot’ll pick up during the next coupla chapters, I promise. And I’ll admit, it was abit garbled, so sorry about that…

[Dark Elite_H2]

Ok, the beginning made me laugh, fer the Guns an' Roses theme you started.
And the ending, became a little more funny, fer Stranger always wants that spot on his jaw scratched, which also makes me giggle.
I'm awaitin' yer next chapter, buddy! And I'll finish up mine too!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Return Of The River Guardian

She could hear the whispers again. Even in her sleep Bailey could hear muttering around her.

Something’s wrong. Said that voice deep down inside her, Something’s wrong and you need to wake up. So saying, Bailey forced herself out of her sleep. She became groggily aware of Stranger’s fur under her cheek, the thud of his heartbeat and the rise and fall of his breathing. And then she heard the whispers.

Muttering. All around them.

Though her mind was running at full speed Bailey became frustrated to find her body less then cooperative. Feeling like it was filled with lead Bailey lifted her head and looked around blearily. She rubbed her eyes lethargically and blinked several times to clear her vision.

Around them were a group of masked creatures that was only just above Bailey’s knees in height. And they were armed with some very nasty looking spear and pike type weapons…

“Oooh, not good…” She thought. She surreptitiously glanced at Stranger, and, wouldn’t you know it, he was still asleep. Not taking her eyes off the surrounding creatures and not making a sound Bailey reached back and clenched her fist in Stranger’s fur, giving it a sharp tug. Stranger snorted quietly and finally awoke. He looked at Bailey sleepily and was about to ask what the devil she thought she was doing, when he caught sight of the strangers circling them.

Immediately all drowsiness left him and he watched the surrounding soldiers with sharp green eyes. Bailey could feel all his muscles tense and go rigid, ready for action. Slowly, he unfolded his four Steef legs from beneath him and stood, Bailey rose as well, her fingers closing around the hatchet at her belt.

But as soon as Stranger had stood up and came into full view the soldiers all took a step back and Bailey heard several gasps.

“A Steef.” They whispered,

“Are the Steef returning?” one asked another,

“What’s that other creature?” another one whispered, gazing intently at Bailey. Bailey and Stranger looked at each other. One of the soldiers stepped forward, and bowed.

“Dude Steef.” it said, it’s voice feminine. Bailey’s eyes widened in surprise, the creature’s voice and accent reminded Bailey of the few friends she’d had when she was at home. Friends she couldn’t openly call friends…they were not looked favourably on by society…

Bailey shook her head slightly, pushing away the memories.

Stranger noticed her shift and put a hand on her shoulder. The creatures saw the way Stranger treated Bailey and their eyes seemed to soften towards her.

“Dude Steef,” said the leader again, “We’ve been waiting a long time.” Bailey frowned gently in confusion but Stranger seemed to understand, he nodded. “The Seer is waiting for ya.” Said the leader. Stranger let out a deep breath. He drew Bailey closer to him,

“My kid comes with me.” He warned, the leader of the soldiers nodded.

“Course Steef dude.” Bailey noticed that the leader of the soldiers around them said the word ‘Steef’ differently. As if it were an honoured title, like she was saying ‘Lord’.

“Who are you guys?” Bailey asked at last. Even though she couldn’t see their faces Bailey had the distinct impression that she had delighted them in some way. Maybe it was because she had the same pattern of speech as themselves, or maybe it was just hearing an alien being speak that excited them, she didn’t know, and she didn’t care either. She just wanted her questions answered.

In answer the leader of the soldiers took off her helmet. Her face was painted with green markings. She bowed slightly to Bailey,

“We are the Grubbs,” she said, smiling, “And we have been waiting for the return on the river guardians for a long time now. Now, at last, Steef has returned… Follow me, the Seer of our tribe will want to meet you.” Bailey looked up at Stranger with an expression he had never seen on her before. He suddenly saw in Bailey a young child completely trusting him. He smiled down at her reassuringly. Bailey looked into his eyes and was calmed. She nodded.

It was as if she had spoken, though she had not said a word to him, Stranger heard words speak in his mind in Bailey’s voice;

I will follow you.

The female Grubb leader watched the silent exchange and realised that there was more too these two travellers then met the eye. She knew what it was as well…

“It is as the Seer said. They are the two we have been waiting for…” she thought, smiling inwardly. “This way.” She said, a hint of the smile on her face. She turned and with her soldiers, Stranger and Bailey following, she led the way along to the river towards the Grubb village.

¤§¤

Bailey stayed close to Stranger as they followed the group of Grubb soldiers towards the village. She was sure this was what the whisperers in the graveyard had wanted her to do, but she didn’t know what it would lead too. Now that she was here, and faced with the consequences of her actions and the brink of Stranger’s destiny, Bailey began to feel slightly nervous. What if she was wrong? What if she went wrong?

The consequences would be dire.

Bailey just hoped she could do what she had to when the time came.

When they arrived at the village it seemed that every Grubb that lived there was out to greet them, but they stood, in complete silence. Both Bailey and Stranger felt uncomfortable with such quiet and so many eyes on them.

Bailey looked up at Stranger, outwardly he was calm, stern and strong, staring straight ahead, but Bailey knew that he was ready for an attack at any moment. Bailey became unnerved by the silence of the Grubbs and decided it was high time she got some answers. She glanced at Stranger, feeling her gaze he looked down at her.

Bailey discreetly nodded her head towards the female Grubb leader.

“I just wanna ask her somat.” She whispered. Stranger nodded, Bailey moved away from Stranger and fell into step next to the Grubb leader.

“Why are they are so quiet?” she whispered.

“They are showing respect for Steef. They have waited for many years for their guardian to return.”

“You mean Stranger’s been here before?” Bailey asked,

“Stranger?” the Grubb asked confused,

“Er…I mean Steef.” Bailey corrected herself,

“His kind has not been seen since Sekto began hunting them, many years ago. We have been waiting for the Mongo River guardians to return and defend us, for a very long time.”

“So now that he’s here, what does he have ter do?”

“The Seer will answer all your questions.” Said the female Grubb,

“Erm…before we came down into the valley…” began Bailey, “We went through a graveyard and I-”

“The Seer knows. He will tell you.” The Grubb cut her off. She glanced behind them, “I think Steef wants you.” She said mildly. Bailey blinked and looked back. Stranger was watching them with bright, neon green eyes. He looked edgy and when Bailey looked at him, those green eyes which she found so fascinating pleaded for her to come back.

Bailey looked at the female Grubb leader again. She smiled mysteriously. Unnerved Bailey went back to Stranger. He looked at her.

“She wouldn’t tell me anything. Apart from there had been waiting for a Steef to return to the valley for a long time. She kept saying this Seer dude’ll tell us what we want to know.”

“Bailey. What are yer afraid of?” Stranger asked suddenly, Bailey blinked at him in surprise.

“I’m not-”

“I can smell it Bailey. I smell fear in you. Why?”

“Stranger, I am not afraid.” Stranger sighed, knowing very well that she was lying.

“When yer ready ter tell me. I’ll be here.” He murmured. They walked on in silence, past little mud huts built on little woven platforms reached by ladders, and crowds of Grubbs. Then suddenly the group of Grubbs they were following stopped before a hut that looked like every other. Stranger and Bailey looked at each other and stopped too. Stranger, wary and Bailey, apprehensive.

The little band of warrior Grubbs parted into two groups and their leader turned to them.

“This is the hut of our Seer, you will meet with him now, and he will tell you all that you need to know.” She moved aside and after a slight hesitation Stranger went forward, Bailey following. The Grubb leader climbed up the hut’s ladder, (Stranger finding this slightly more difficult then Bailey) and pulled aside the bead curtain that was over the entranceway of the hut and Stranger ducked down into the hut that was almost half his height. Bailey looked at the Grubb leader one last time as she passed.

The Grubb could not hold the human’s piercing gaze.

“There’s some Steef soul in that one too…” the Grubb leader thought to herself.

Bailey followed Stranger, stooping into the hut.

[Dark Elite_H2]

Wow. THat's really good, Lobo. The way how the Grubbs reacted to Bailey and Stranger's bond, made me turn to goo...it's just like Umi and Stranger....Damn...we're so similar....

[Dancing Steef]

ooohh more, more, more! LW yer story rox! I'm so curious what's gonna hapen next

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Well thanks guys. Huggles for everyone! Heeee! Jokin'. Anyway, thanks fer readin' me luverly liddle friends, and the next chapter is comin' up right now.

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Revelation

The inside of the hut was dark and warm, Bailey smelt the vague smoky smell of the dying fire in the grate at one end of the little hut. She could also smell herbs burning, or the trace of herbs being burnt earlier and the damp smell of other herbs drying. Hanging from the ceiling were skulls of birds and fish and a couple of animals, and circles of feathers and hide that reminded Bailey of the Native American Indian dreamcatchers. In fact the whole atmosphere put Bailey in mind of a Native American medicine man or religious leader. Bailey was uncomfortably aware of all the stares of glass-eyed stuffed animals boring into her. This place, she decided, creeped her out.

Stranger on the other hand seemed completely relaxed, as if he belonged here. His own discomfort was Bailey’s unease. He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it.

“Well well, so you are finally here.” Said an old, cracked voice from the shadows of the fire. Bailey and Stranger’s attention snapped towards the voice. Bailey realised with shock that Stranger had been as unaware of this new presence as she had been. Her unease increase.

As if reading her mind, the old voice chuckled,

“When you have been in this life as long as I have child, you learn a few tricks that can even deceive a Steef.” There was a pause. “Come closer, both of you, my old eyes are not what they used to be I’m afraid.” This time Bailey was the first to move, she edged closer to the fire and saw, for the first time, a small armchair with a wizened Grubb male in it.

Bailey had the sudden urge to call him Yoda…

The old Grubb peered at her with rheumy eyes. Then he broke into a smile.

“Ah.” He sighed, sounding like a man who having been in the desert had been able to quench his thirst with cool, clear water, “So you have made it young one. And guided your Steef friend all the way here in one piece. Well done child.”

“It wasn’t easy.” Bailey found herself saying. “And it took us awhile…”

“Ah, but you were the one destined to do it and so you did. You truly are who we have been waiting for little human.” The old Grubb suddenly looked past Bailey and she had the impression of bright eyes being turned on Stranger. Maybe this old Grubb was not as feeble as he made out… “But why does your friend not come forward? He, who has a greater destiny then even you child. Come, come my Steef friend, I sense you have many questions.”

Stranger took an uncertain step forward until he was by Bailey.

“Sit, sit, make yourselves comfortable. You have had a long, treacherous journey, which I fear may not be over just yet.” Bailey sat on the soft rug covering the floor. Stranger copied her though more slowly, folding his Steef legs comfortably. “Now, time for your questions.” Beamed the old Grubb. Stranger and Bailey looked at each other. Now that they had permission to ask their questions, neither of them knew what to say first. Finally Stranger spoke.

“How d’yer know that Bailey was a human?” the Grubb cracked a smile.

“I saw her coming a long time ago.” He smiled at Bailey, who blinked at him, “You were destined to come here little one. And you have fulfilled that destiny up to now better then I ever could have hoped.” Bailey looked like she was about to disagree but the Grubb continued before she had the chance, “Even if you may see some of the things that have happened to you as mistakes, they are not. Every happening had a purpose and you have come through them wiser then before. You have done nothing wrong. Even the mistakes were supposed to happen.” The Grubb assured her.

Bailey felt a weight lift from her heart, one that she hadn’t even known she had been carrying. She had thought she had failed, she thought she had led Stranger into more danger then she had meant too, but now she knew that this wasn’t so. She hadn’t failed. She had brought Stranger here safely.

Stranger looked at Bailey for a moment. But it wasn’t the look Bailey was used too. There was something in his eyes that she hadn’t seen there before. And she could not even begin to guess what it was.

“Bailey has a destiny?” he finally asked quietly.

“Oh yes, a very important one. She was meant to come here, to Oddworld and she was meant to be apart of the Magog Cartel’s collapse. But this was only to prepare her for most important part of her fate.” Bailey’s mind spun with all this new information. She had known that she had been chosen to lead Stranger, but she hadn’t known what for and she hadn’t realised that it had been decided before she had even met Stranger.

Everything that had happened to her…was fate? It hurt Bailey’s mind to try and work that out. So even when she was a freedom fighter for the Mudokons against the Magog Cartel, she was destined to leave Abe and Slick and come here?

“Most important part?” she asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, the most important part of your destiny. Was to guide Stranger.” There was a silence, the Grubb paused a moment before elaborating; “You were chosen before you even came into the living world to be the one to cross over to Oddworld and bring Stranger to his own destiny, a destiny which is even greater then your own.”

Stranger’s mind too was whirling. Bailey had just been sent to guide him to his own destiny? Was that her only use? Stranger felt anger begin to simmer in him. He wouldn’t believe it, she was much more to him then a guide. He didn’t care what her ‘destiny’ was, Bailey was not just a means for his own end.

“So…Bailey was sent here, jist ter guide me?” he asked,

“To guide you, to help you, to be your friend. And, if I’m not mistaken she has played a part in protecting you too.” The Grubb answered,

“But I wasn’t even going to come here,” protested Bailey, “Not until-”

“Until the voices of those gone before spoke to you, and told you what you had to do… you know what he is going to do, don’t you…” it wasn’t a question. Bailey’s eyes widened as she understood. Bringing him here would lead to Stranger saving the Grubbs and finding more Steef. “Do not fight what you know child. They told you the truth.” Bailey let out a breath,

“So that was why they spoke to me? Because they knew I was the one that had to bring Stranger here?”

“Yes, I’m sure you’ve been told many times, but was have been waiting a long time for him, and you too.”

“But…why?” asked Stranger, “Who am I?”

“I think you know the answer to that question.” Said the Grubb, but his answer was not directed to Stranger, but Bailey.

“The Steef protected the Grubbs before Sekto came…” she looked at Stranger, “And now you’ve come, they think that the Steef are back to protect them.”

“But I didn’t come here ter protect Grubbs, I-”

“You came to find more Steef.” Finished the elder Grubb, “The old Steef protected the valley, that responsibility falls on you now. That is your destiny.” Stranger stood up abruptly.

“No.” he said, voice a low growl, “I make my own way.” He left the hut without looking back. The elder Grubb sighed and shook his head. He looked up, Bailey still sat before him, a look of understanding in her expression.

“He may not know it now. But it is his destiny to protect this valley, just as his ancestors did before him.” The Grubb said,

“He had his heart set on finding more Steef, it’s why I brought him here, I dunno how, but I had the idea that bringing him here would help him in that.” Bailey admitted, the Grubb smiled.

“And so it will. I knew a Steef would come and protect us again, I knew they would be returning soon. But it was not until I saw Stranger being led by you – a special guide - in my visions did I realise the full extent of his – and your own – destiny.”

“You mean that just because he was led here by me that his destiny contains something more then a valley guardian? You talk as if he has something bigger to do then that.” Bailey said, the Grubb smiled and nodded.

“That is because he does.” Bailey frowned, “Simply because he was sent extra guidance – you child – I knew that he is destined to do more then protect the Grubb people.” The Grubb smiled and Bailey tilted her head to one side, “He, and he alone, will destroy Sekto and bring back the Steef…” Bailey blinked and gaped.

“But,” she said after a pause, “He won’t, if he doesn’t want to he won’t do it. I don’t think he believes in his fate being set…he didn’t seem to like it just now…” The Grubb shook his head ruefully.

“No my child.” He said, “I think what bothered the Steef was that he has just been told that his best friend, one he cares about more then any, is nothing more then someone to guide him on his own destiny. I believe the thought upsets him. He cares about you child, more then I think you know. But regardless of what he wants to do, one way or another he will fulfil his fate. And though I do not know what your own fate is other then his guide, you have yet another great part to play… And not just here, in this place…” Something in the old Grubb’s eye and the tone of his voice made this prediction very ominous.

Bailey suppressed a shudder, cold liquid fear pooling in her stomach…

-----

That was so short I could cry…

And just a side note, to avoid confusion (although this might just cause more…), I reckon the word ‘Steef’ is both single and plural, like for example sheep and fish…ok, you got that??? *shrugs* Ah-well, there it is…

[Dark Elite_H2]

mhm....that made me laugh at the part of where Bailey was about to call the old grubb Yoda...^.^
It wasn't short...It was pretty good. Send out another chapter! I'ma be waitin'!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Among The Grubbs

Bailey stood up.

“I’m gonna check up on Stranger.” She murmured. The elder Grubb inclined his head, Bailey stood frozen for a moment before darting from the hut. She took a deep breath as soon as she left the Grubb Seer’s hut. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she closed her eyes. “That was a nightmare.” She thought to herself. Rubbing the corners of her eyes Bailey mumbled incoherently to herself. Finally she trotted over to the ladder and climbed down.

Fortunately the crowds of Grubbs had dispersed by now, although those doing their every-day chores stopped to stare awe-struck at Bailey which made her feel extremely uncomfortable and self conscious…

Bailey did her best to ignore the stares as she wandered through the riverside village, looking for Stranger. She must have looked lost as after a while a Grubb hesitantly approached her, looking nervous.

“Erm, you lookin’ fer Steef dude?” he asked. Bailey, not realising he was there nearly jumped out of her skin. Making the Grubb yelp and cower in fright. Bailey looked round at him, she let out a breath.

“Good grief, you scared me.” The Grubb still cowered. “Hey, hey, it’s alright.” Bailey went down on one knee and tapped the Grubb’s shoulder, the Grubb looked up fearfully, Bailey tried to grin reassuring but it just seemed to scare the Grubb more. “Erm,” Bailey tried to think of something to say, “Very quiet on yer feet ain’t ya.” She said finally. The Grubb smiled wanly and slowly stood.

“So, are yer lookin’ fer the Steef dude?” he asked again tentatively, Bailey nodded, the Grubb pointed out of the village, towards the river. “He went that way.” Bailey nodded,

“Thanks.” And began walking again. She glanced back to see the Grubb she had spoken to surrounded by others, as if they were quizzing him eagerly on his experience. Bailey shrugged and continued looking for Stranger.

She found him by the almost dry river outside the village, he was sitting on the bank, neon green eyes distant and staring into nothing. Bailey plonked down beside him. For a while there was silence, then;

“Whadda ma gonna do kid?” Stranger asked quietly.

“I dunno.” Answered Bailey, “It’s up to you.”

“…Bailey…what tha’ ol’ Grubb said in there…”

“You didn’t like it…I know…” Bailey picked up a pebble and flicked it into the little trickle of water that was all that remained of the Mongo River. “I don’t mind though. Really.”

“But I do. Yer ain’t just a guide fer me kid, yer ma friend too.” Stranger reached out and ruffled her hair. “No matter what tha’ Grubb says. Yer more important.” Bailey shrugged.

“I’m sorry Stranger,” she said after a while, “I know you really wanted to find more Steef.” Stranger let out a sigh.

“I don’t think I can protect these people…”

“You look after me just fine.” Bailey said, Stranger smiled slightly and tugged lightly on Bailey’s hair,

“Yeh, but you are capable of lookin’ afta yerself as well… But it ain’t jist that…Sekto’ll be lookin’ fer us now…both of us…I wanted ter find more Steef because it’d be safe where they were hidin’, so it’d be safe fer you…and fer me as well…”

“We’d be safe here, the Grubbs wouldn’t give us up…they have been waitin’ fer a Steef to come back after all…”

“You think I should stay and be the valley guardian then? Like my ancestors?”

“No…I’m sayin’ that we can’t just leave ‘em at Sekto’s mercy…but it’s your choice, it’s you who’ll be their protector, not me.” Bailey stood up, “I’m off to explore this place. I’ll leave you to think about it.” Bailey went to leave but turned again, “Stranger?” he looked round, “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll follow ya.” Said Bailey before turning and going back to the Grubb village, leaving Stranger with his thoughts.

¤§¤

Bailey wandered through the Grubb village, just observing the Grubbs. She came across some beating rugs outside their homes, others weaving baskets and mending fishing nets. A few children playing in the street. She also came across some Grubbs sitting next the vats sunk into the ground that were filled with brightly coloured dies, dying cloth. She wandered past some fish drying racks and couldn’t help noticing that the fish were few in number and small in size.

Sekto had a lot to answer for.

Suddenly a young female Grubb appeared in front of Bailey. Bailey knew right away she was different but couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Hi!” greeted the Grubb cheerfully, it was then that Bailey realised what had struck her before, this Grubb was not afraid of her, she was smiling broadly and her eyes were bright.

“Hi.” Bailey returned the greeting, she went down on one knee so that they were closer to eye-level.

“The Seer asked me ter show ya around.” The Grubb explained.

“Ah, I see,” Bailey put out a hand, “I’m called Bailey.” The Grubb shook her hand with her own much smaller one.

“Jolee. Although most people call me Joey.”

“Alright Joey, what you gonna show me first?” The young Grubb giggled,

“Bathhouse.” She grinned, Bailey chuckled,

“Could do with it couldn’t I?” she joked, Jolee laughed and taking hold of Bailey’s hand, led the much taller human off.

A few minutes later Bailey and Jolee stood outside a large hut that had steam rising from a hole in the roof.

“This it?” asked Bailey,

“This is it.” Jolee clarified.

“So, whadda I have ter do?” Bailey inquired.

“Well it’s empty right now, I made sure you wouldn’t be disturbed, there’s soap and towels in there, so if yer want to go in and pass out yer clothes I’ll get ‘em cleaned up and see if we got anything fer yer to wear.” Bailey began to protest but Jolee smiled and shook her head, “Seer wishes it.” she replied simply. Bailey raised an eyebrow but conceded.

“Right.” She said and went into the bathhouse. Inside it looked a small swimming pool with a large rectangle sunk into the floor, deeper at one end and shallower at the other. The water could easily have come up to Bailey’s neck at the deep end.

Soon Bailey was sinking gratefully into the hot water of the bath. Bailey dunked her head under the water and came back up, her hair wet. She leant against the pool’s side and relaxed for a while.

This was definitely the life.

After she’d bathed and washed her hair. Bailey clambered out and wrapped herself in one of the huge towels hanging on the rail by the poolside. She approached the door and opened it fractionally.

“Joey?” she called in a low voice.

“’Ello?” came the reply.

“I’m done.”

“Oh, here ya. They took the measurements from your old clothes and made these.” Jolee passed a pile of neatly folded clothes and her old sneakers through the gap.

“Well damn,” Bailey said, “They did that quick.” Jolee shrugged. But looked pleased. “Right, I’ll be out in a mo’.” Bailey said and shut the door.

¤§¤

After a while Bailey came out of the Bathhouse with her damp hair wrapped in a towel and dressed in the clothes the Grubbs had made her. She had to admit they were beautifully made and a lot of care had gone into making them, she made a mental note to find out who had sacrificed the time and effort and thank them.

She was now wearing a green shirt with elbow length sleeves that had a little embroidered design that looked like some kind of animal on the sleeve and bell bottomed trousers made from loads of strips of material of varying shades of green.

She grinned at Jolee.

“Ya like?” asked Jolee, Bailey nodded,

“Yeh, very much, who made ‘em.” But Jolee shook her head,

“They’re very shy, finding them would be a bad idea, if you want to thank them I’ll tell them for you.”

“Yeh, please do. Thanks Joey.” Joey beckoned to her,

“C’mon Bailey, I got someone to do your hair.” Bailey blinked, Joey laughed, “See-”

“Seer wishes it, right?” finished Bailey. Jolee giggled,

“You got it, c’mon.” and Bailey allowed herself to be led away.

“So whadda ya mean when yer say ‘do my hair’?” Bailey asked as they walked.

“Ya’ll see.” Jolee said mischievously. Bailey rolled her eyes in an amused sort of way. Finally they reached another hut, on one of the woven platforms off the ground. After climbing up three ladders and Bailey getting irritable at her towel turban for keep coming loose, they got to the bead-curtained entranceway. “Mam!” Jolee called, “Mam! We’re here!” another female Grubb, older the Jolee poked her head out,

“Ah Joey! This is our guest I take it.”

“Yup!” Jolee turned to Bailey, “This is me Mam.” She explained. Bailey bowed slightly and held out a hand, the older Grubb shook it.

“You must be Bailey,” Bailey nodded, “I’m Mali, Joey’s mother.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Bailey said politely. Mail drew Bailey and her daughter into the hut. “Now if you’ll take off that towel and just sit there Bailey.” Bailey did as she was told while Mali bustled around gathering what she needed, Jolee bouncing around and chattering excitedly. “You must have patience to put up with my Joey.” Mali commented when she returned to Bailey,

“She’s a good kid.” Said Bailey dropping a conspiratorial wink at Jolee, Jolee returned it with a grin.

Mali began brushing Bailey’s hair with a stiff brush while it was still damp. Bailey wondered why she had a brush when Grubbs didn’t have hair… As if reading her mind Jolee, who was sitting on a small stool, answered the unasked question.

“Steef brush.” She said matter-o-factly. Bailey’s face twitched as she tried to fight a smile.

“Hope the previous owner of this brush mastered pest removal…” she thought amusedly to herself.

After a while with the soothing motion of the brush Bailey found herself completely relaxed and her eyes began drooping. Jolee’s giggle made her throw off the soporific effect of the brushing and she mock growled at Jolee,

“You laughin’ at me?” she asked, Jolee stifled more giggles.

“Ya looked so funny, noddin’ off there were ya Bailey?” Jolee laughed. Bailey gave a small smile. Mali came around to Bailey’s side, three green beads in her palm.

“What are they?” Bailey asked curiously.

“It was traditional for the Steef valley guardians to wear these.” Mali explained. Bailey remember the amber-tan beads Stranger had in his mane of fur and nodded. But she frowned slightly.

“But I ain’t a Steef-”

“You are a guardian, maybe not of the valley, but of your Steef friend.” Mali said. Bailey’s eyes widened fractionally for a second but she nodded in consent. The older Grubb mother took one of Bailey’s bangs and plated it tightly, fixing the three wooden beads at the end. She stood back. “There, all done.” Bailey rose and fingered the plait with a smile on her face.

“Thank you.” She bowed slightly to Mali, the Grubb clasped her hands and returned the bow.

“You’re very welcome.”

“C’mon Bailey.” Jolee said, grabbing hold of Bailey’s hand and leading her from the hut.

“Bye Mali.” Bailey called before she was led down the ladder. Mali smiled as she tidied her home. Bailey was a good creature she decided, with a good heart. But even she, who had never seen battle knew that Bailey was a warrior who could hold her own.

-----

And just for visual reference, here’s a piccy of ol’ Bailey decked out in her Grubb threads.

[Dancing Steef]

awww it's sooo good LW! and i like the way you drew Bailey... have you done her in paint? anyhow it's very good and i guess it was hard to do.
keep' em chapters comin' i'll be waiting for some new ones
by the way i'll be writing some more on me story soon... been busy doing things and stuff later on well gotta go now.

See Ya!

DS

[Dark Elite_H2]

Aww....she looks so cute in her new clothes...Plus I liked the chapter too! It's nearly the same when I get to the part of when Umi and Stranger meets the Grubb tribe (but she ain't gettin' clothes....) Keep the goodies comin', buddy!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

awww it's sooo good LW! and i like the way you drew Bailey... have you done her in paint? anyhow it's very good and i guess it was hard to do.
keep' em chapters comin' i'll be waiting for some new ones
by the way i'll be writing some more on me story soon... been busy doing things and stuff later on well gotta go now.

Erm, well, er...not exactly...see, when I want a visual of a character I've found this site, called dollmaker and after a bit of alteration in paint (colour and added stuff etc) it comes out like Bailey...so I kinda cheated...but thanks anyway

And thanks DE! I'll have another chapter up inna while.

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Seeing And Understanding

“So, where we off to now?” Bailey asked.

“Ya’ll see.” said Jolee mysteriously. Bailey smiled and shook her head.

“Is green an important colour to Grubbs?” Bailey asked after a while.

“Yep,” answered Jolee, “It’s the peace colour, that’s why they welcomed you as much as Stranger.” Bailey raised her eyebrows momentarily.

“Because I was wearing green?” she asked sceptically,

“And you were leadin’ tha Steef.” Added Jolee.

Soon Jolee led Bailey towards another large hut. Outside there was a long sturdy bench and sitting on it, was Stranger wearing a different green shirt then Bailey was used too, it was looser and softer with a deep ‘V’ neck and longer sleeves. It looked like someone had attacked him with a brush too, trying to tame his wild mane of hair, although, Bailey thought, you could never really tame Stranger, he was just too independent.

“Sit on the bench, I’ll be back inna minute.” Said Jolee.

Bailey nodded and crept up behind the relaxing Steef. When she was close enough she pounced and covered his eyes with her hands.

“Guess who.” She grinned. Stranger broke into a smile and covered her hands with his own,

“’Ello Bailey.” He said dryly. Bailey took her hands from his eyes and grinned at him when he looked round. She chuckled when his eyes went wide, she nonchalantly blew at a loose strand of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes.

“Yes?” she asked, mockingly innocent.

“What’s all this then?” Stranger asked softly, twirling Bailey’s braid around his finger.

“Yeh, you don’t look too bad yerself.” Bailey teased, flicking at Stranger’s own newly acquired braids with gentle fingers. His beads were green too, just like the colour of his eyes but made of a slightly translucent material. Bailey grinned as Stranger gently tugged on her own braid. “Apparently I’ve been dubbed a valley guardian as well. Green’s supposed to be their colour after all.” Stranger smiled slightly, he chucked her chin gently and rubbed her nose with his own,

“Well, well, my lil’ one. A valley guardian.” He sounded proud.

Bailey sat down cross-legged on the bench. Stranger stroked her hair while they waited for their Grubb guides to return.

“Have you decided what to do yet?” Bailey asked quietly after a while. Stranger stopped stroking her hair and placed a hand on the back of her neck.

“No. Not yet.” There was a pause, “Bailey?” Bailey looked over at him,

“Yeh?” Stranger let out a sigh.

“Nothin’…” Bailey smiled slightly,

“You want a cuddle,” she asked, Stranger looked at her sharply, “Or what?” Without waiting for an answer Bailey put her arms around Stranger’s stomach and gave him a hug. “Hugs make everythin’ better.” Bailey said cheerfully. Stranger pressed his nose to her hair.

“Nah, you make everythin’ better kid.” He muttered fondly. He ruffled her hair and grinned.

A few minutes later Jolee returned and beckoned to Bailey and Stranger,

“C’mon you guys!” she called, looking at each other questioningly Stranger and Bailey slid off the bench and trotted after Jolee. The young Grubb girl led the two bemused wanderers around the large hut until they came to the doorway, a guard stood at the door, “’Iya Job.”

“’Ello Joey.” Greeted the guard cheerfully, “You want ter go in now then?” Jolee nodded, the guard stood aside and bowed respectfully to Stranger. Stranger still seemed slightly uncomfortable by this treatment.

Jolee led the way into the large hut. When Bailey’s eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting in the hut she saw that it was some sort of storage building, as her eyes fell on one corner, she broke into a grin.

The Grubbs had retrieved all their equipment.

Bailey turned to Jolee,

“You did this?” she asked,

“The Grubb soldiers that met you did, they-”

“Broke the skylight an’ hauled up our stuff, right?” finished Stranger, also grinning. Jolee nodded, smiling broadly.

“It’s all there if yer want ter check.” Jolee said, “Afterwards the Seer wishes for you to join him on a ramble before the evening meal.”

“Thanks Joey.” Bailey said exuberantly. Jolee smiled, bowed and left them. Bailey pulled her hat onto her head.

“Wow I missed this.” She grinned and tugged gently on the hat brim. Stranger pulled his own hat over his ears and held up his poncho.

“I don’t think I fit into this anymore.” He muttered ruefully. Bailey snickered. Stranger’s eyes glowed and he dropped the poncho over Bailey’s head. It came down to Bailey’s knees… Bailey laughed, she pulled the hat brim over her eyes.

“D’you think I could pass off as you?” she asked jokingly. Stranger grinned and brushed Bailey’s hat off her head, ruffling her hair.

“Sure you could squirt.” Stranger said amused. “Sure you could…”

After checking all their equipment both Bailey and Stranger found that the Grubbs had in fact recovered everything they had had before Caste Raider had ambushed them.

Bailey added her hatchet and dagger to her pack and swung it onto her shoulders while Stranger gathered up his poncho, ammo satchel (which was now void of ammo) and folded up his crossbow.

When they’d packed up everything Bailey fidgeted nervously as she brought up the Seer’s request.

“Erm… So whatta ya think we should do?” Stranger made a deep sound of consideration in his chest. Until finally,

“Yeh, we’ll go an’ see what he has ter say.” So saying they left the large storage hut and made their way to the Seer’s hut on it’s woven platform.

It took some time but Stranger finally managed to get up the ladder, while Bailey patiently waited at the top. For a moment or two they dithered outside, wondering how to let the old Grubb know they were there. But really, they needn’t have worried…

“Come, come, come in and make yourselves at home my friends!” called the old cracked voice. Bailey and Stranger looked at each other before ducking through the bead curtain. The elder Grubb was sitting in the same chair and looked delighted to see them both, “My, my, don’t you two look nice.” Bailey and Stranger shared identical looks that said something along the lines of ‘Ooookay’.

“Joey said you wanted to see us.” explained Bailey,

“Aha! So, I did, so I did. Yes, I wondered if you would walk with me a while, share some stories with an old dreamer?” Bailey looked at Stranger, he nodded fractionally. Taking this as permission Bailey inclined her head to the old Grubb,

“We’d be honoured.” The Grubb broke into a wide, toothy grin,

“Good, yes, that’s very good. Would you help me out of my chair, child?” Bailey edged closer and helped the Grubb haul himself from the armchair, “Ah, thank you. Now, let us be on our way, there is something I must show you.” The Grubb, human and Steef left the hut and clambered down the ladder. Seemingly instinctively Stranger set the old Grubb on his shoulders as the mismatched trio set off through the Grubb village.

The elder Grubb directed Stranger and Bailey north along the bank as they left the cluster of buildings up to the source of the Mongo River. As they walked, the old Grubb asked them about their journey to the Grubb village.

Bailey looked at Stranger, Stranger smiled slightly and put a hand on her head, after some hesitation Bailey began to talk.

She started about how she’d met Stranger but the old Grubb stopped her,

“No, no. Tell me how you came to Oddworld and your…revolutionary ventures.” The Grubb Seer smiled at that. Bailey raised an eyebrow but complied and told the old Grubb (with Stranger listening intently) all about how she helped caused the collapse of the Magog Cartel’s two biggest production plants. “And what about you Stranger?” the Grubb asked once she’d finished. Bailey sensed Stranger tense even if outwardly he remained composed.

“That’s fer me ter know, my past is ma own.” There was an uncomfortable silence, and then; “I was checkin’ ma Fuzzle traps when I heard a scream…” he began and between them, Bailey and Stranger told the old Grubb of their adventures.

When they’d finished it was nearing dusk and they had travelled far up the river, it’d be dark by the time they got back… The old Grubb led them up a sharp track, heading away from the river slightly. When they reached the top, they were met with a gruesome sight.

“Steef were the traditional protectors of the valley and the Grubbs, living in harmony with nature.” Began the old Grubb, “All this changed, however, when Sekto dammed the river in order to control the water for his Sekto Springs bottled water company. His forces killed off Grubbs wherever they tried to live as they used to, and he had all of the Steef hunted down to prevent them interfering with his business venture.” The elder Grubb paused sadly, “The heads of our precious Steef guardians, Sekto mounted on the wall of his office…and this is what he did to us…”

Bailey looked at the sign again and swallowed. It consisted of a tall, thick pole, and lashed to the pole at just over Stranger’s head-height, were four dead Grubbs, with signs hung around their necks;

No Fishin’.

Bailey simultaneously felt sickened, upset and outraged.

“Sekto has a lot to answer for…” she thought furiously. Her fists and jaw clenched, her eyes blazed and she felt stirrings of the Rage in her stomach. Stranger sensed Bailey’s ire and was touched by her fierce loyalty, he put a hand on her head and stroked her hair. “We’ll make him pay.” Bailey growled, low enough for only Stranger to hear. “He can’t get away with this… He won’t…I won’t let ‘em…”

“We should head back.” Stranger said finally, “I need ter get Bailey away from this.” he thought to himself, feeling a small amount of resentment towards the old Grubb, “She doesn’t ter see this kinda thing at her age…”

“Yes yes, we will miss dinner if we linger.” Bailey’s stomach rumbled.

“Wouldn’t wanna do that.” She muttered. The Grubb wheezed with a dry chuckle and Stranger smiled affectionately at her.

“Let’s go then.” Stranger murmured and herded the young human away from the grisly sign.

“I’m afraid we don’t have much on the food front.” Apologised the elder Grubb, as they walked back, darkness beginning to fall. “There have not been many fish to catch, they are dying right along with the river.”

“Trust me,” Bailey said, “When you’ve been livin’ off dried fish sticks for what seems forever, anything else is a feast...”

[Dancing Steef]

great chapter LW! i like the part when Bailey says: “When you’ve been livin’ off dried fish sticks for what seems forever, anything else is a feast...”
that part made me laugh
looking forward to read more of yer story... it's so good

btw yer good describing and explaning the whole nature, the characters and the fighting moments, i like it alot.

- DS

[Dark Elite_H2]

Really good! 'Specially 'bout Bailey's anger. I've seen the heads of them damn Grubbs on the stakes in the game...>.< Made me shudder when i saw it fer the first time...
I'ma do another chapter sooner today, buddy! But I's got's to take a shower first, then go do another...
Keep the goodies comin', Lobo!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Awww, you made me so happy! Thanks guys, glad you liked it...well, we're nearly at the end of this tale ain't we? Or I might just have a liddle surprise for yas...hee hee hee...anway, next chapter comin' soon, and I'm looking forward to new bits to your stories Dancin' Steef and Darky E!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Familiarity

Luckily the trio made it back just in time fore the evening meal. Unusually the whole community took their dinner in a huge hut that served as a dining hall.

As soon as they entered, Stranger and Bailey were pounced upon and enthusiastically led to their seats, near the head on the ridiculously long table at which sat every single Grubb in the village.

Bailey and Stranger exchanged a raised eyebrow look, both, completely overwhelmed by the way the Grubbs treated them. After what they had been through, practically hated and/or hunted by everyone this was a sudden turnabout.

Bailey found herself sitting next to Jolee and across from Stranger.

“’Ello Bailey.” Whispered Jolee,

“Joey? Whadda ya doin’ up here, why ain’t yer with her Mama?”

“I was asked to sit up here and answer any questions you might have.” Jolee beamed,

“Well I can think of no-one better to be ma guide.” Bailey grinned, Jolee looked delighted.

Their conversation was cut short when the food was brought in by a band of Grubbs, all holding large trays between them. Jolee explained that everyone was on the dinner serving rota so that everyone did a fair share of work. In the Grubb community everyone worked together, everyone contributed by using their skills.

When all the meal had been distributed and everyone had sat down and started eating, Bailey picked up the odd eating utensils and gave them a look.

“Great.” She muttered, “Another way to eat food I have ter learn.” Jolee giggled,

“You’re holding it upside down.” She grinned. Bailey put on an expression that made Jolee laugh. “Here, like this.” She showed Bailey how to hold the utensil and how to use. It took a while, but Bailey managed it eventually and proceeded to eat her dinner with great abandon. Across the table Stranger smirked and shook his head, chuckling silently. He doubted there was nothing on Oddworld that could diminish that girl’s appetite…except if she knew what she was actually eating…

After dinner had been eaten and cleared away, the Grubbs began going outside into the star spattered night.

“Whadda they doin’?” Bailey asked Jolee,

“Didn’t ya know? There’s gonna be a celebration.”

“Why?” Bailey asked, completely flummoxed.

“The Steef’s return, why else?” Jolee laughed.

“Oh…”

“C’mon Bailey, they’ll be bonfires and these dudey liddle sparklers. It’ll be fun.”

“Actually, I’m a bit full, maybe I’ll just-”

“Oh no, yer don’t,” said Jolee, “C’mon.” and she dragged Bailey from the mess hall and outside where fires were springing up in the darkness adding their light to the little flickers of the Zappflies dancing in the evening. The Grubbs were dancing and singing and celebrating the arrival of Stranger. Once they were outside Jolee left Bailey and scampered off to join her own friends, chattering excitedly. Bailey broke into a grin as Stranger came up beside her, she poked his stomach gently. He looked down at her. She grinned widely,

“So, hows it feel ter be a celebrity?” she asked, Stranger swatted at her lightly.

“Whelp.” He muttered.

“Aww, yer love me really.” Bailey grinned. Stranger froze. Just then Jolee came running back up to Bailey,

“C’mon Bailey!” she grinned and grabbing her hand she practically dragged the human towards the celebrations. Stranger sat down and watched fondly as Bailey was surrounded by younger Grubbs next to one of the bonfires. Stranger saw Bailey laughing with them, she was soon caught in a circle of dancing and whirled around with them. Looking younger and as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

“You love her do you not?” said a cracked, old voice. Stranger looked round, the old Grubb sat down beside the considerably bigger Steef. Stranger looked back towards Bailey, the young Grubbs had sat her down and were painting her face with the green paint they used on warriors. There was a moment of silence.

“Yes…” he finally murmured. “More ‘n’ anythin’ else in this world. Like she was my own kid…she is my kid…”

“You should tell her. It’s obvious she adores you. Every time she looks at you, every time she speaks to you or about you, every move she makes, says how much she loves you. You’re like her parent.” Stranger shook his head,

“No, I’m part of her family, yes, but no more, or less, then her other family she left behind.”

“Ah, the Mudokon and Slig?” Stranger nodded.

“She sees them as her brothers and she is a sister to them. But you, you are the closest thing she has to a parent, a guardian. She needs you.”

“I need her too…” Stranger muttered. The Grubb made to leave but Stranger put out a hand. “What happened to ‘er, when she was among the graves, she seemed to become weaker…why?”

“Speaking to the dead takes a lot of energy and to hear them one needs to become closer to them.” Stranger’s eyes glowed angrily.

“D’you mean that they were killin’ her.” The old Grubb didn’t answer for a moment,

“No more then her own misery is.” Stranger jerked.

“What…did you say?” he said in a low growl.

“Bailey is miserable, you must have noticed that from time to time she becomes depressed for no apparent reason?” Stranger nodded sharply. “She knows that eventually, she will have to leave you and return to Abe and Slick, but she doesn’t want to. But she can’t in good conscience leave them. She has a good heart, but she is torn. Her love for both you and her other family is tearing her apart and it is slowly killing her.” There was a pensive silence. “You should tell her.” The old Grubb said again, “Before it’s too late…” The Grubb left Stranger to his thoughts.

Bailey laughed along with the young Grubbs as they danced around, Bailey on the outskirt; clapping in time to the music, watching as they wove in and out, trailing threads of coloured light with their sparklers, the green symbols they painted across her eyes and cheeks glowing in the firelight.

“Enjoyin’ yerself kid?” Bailey whipped around, she grinned hugely when she saw who it was.

“Howdy Stranger!” she said cheerfully. Stranger could clearly see the green circles, like bullzeyes on her cheeks, the lines going across her eyes and three dots that went across her forehead. Stranger smiled, vaguely sad. Bailey tilted her head to one side, not understanding, Stranger touched her cheek with his fingers. Bailey took hold of his hand, “…Stranger?…What’s wrong?” Stranger gazed at the human and then looked down.

“Nothin’.” Bailey put her arms around Stranger’s middle and hugged him. Something stabbed at Stranger’s heart and he returned the hug holding Bailey tight and close. There’d be another time to tell her how much he cared, but not now. Not now.

Bailey pulled away and Stranger saw a devilish gleam in her eyes.

“Okay, whadda ya plannin’?” Stranger asked, smiling slightly, Bailey grabbed his hand and pulled the Steef over to the Grubbs.

“He ain’t got any paint!” she exclaimed. The young Grubbs giggled at Stranger’s expression,

“Oh no!” he said, “No way!” Bailey gave him a pleading, puppy-dog look. Stranger sighed and sat down. “Fine, fine.” He grunted. The young Grubbs cheered and fell on the Steef, armed with wooden bowls of green pigment. Bailey sat and looked on laughing as they drew three lines on both of Stranger’s furry cheeks and a band of green across his nose. Stranger turned to Bailey, “How d’I look?” he asked, grinning playfully. Bailey threw her arms around Stranger’s neck and gave him a squeeze.

“Brilliant.” She whispered. Pressing her cheek to his. “C’mon!” she grinned and pulled Stranger up, dragging him into the festivities.

¤§¤

It was late. Everyone had gone to bed and was sleeping peacefully. All except Bailey… In the quarters she’d been given Bailey slept fitfully, tossing and turning in the small bed, in the grip of nightmares.

With a jerk she woke up and sat bolt upright, gasping and sweating.

She covered her face with her hands and flopped back on the bed. With a sigh she stared at the ceiling. She knew that she wouldn’t sleep again tonight. Bailey got out of bed and pulled a woollen jersey and loose pants from the pile of neatly folded clothes. The Grubbs had somehow managed to clean her old clothes and supply her with a few other things in a few hours. Bailey pulled the jumper and pants over the nightgown she was wearing and pulled on her sneakers.

A few minutes later Bailey had clambered down the ladder from her own little hut and was wandering along the riverbank by the Grubb village.

Eventually Bailey stopped and with a sigh she dropped down on the bank and sitting, cross-legged, chin propped on her hands with elbows on knees, she stared out on the dead river and heaved a sigh.

“Couldn’t sleep squirt?” Bailey looked over her shoulder, Stranger was standing there, his green eyes glowing gently.

“Hey Stranger.” Bailey muttered and patted the ground beside her. Stranger came and sat down. “You couldn’t sleep either?”

“No…too much ter think about…” he muttered.

“Yeh…” Bailey shivered. Stranger looked over at her, he opened his arms and beckoned,

“C’mere.” Bailey moved closer to the Steef and Stranger took her into his arms. Bailey cuddled up closer to him and leaned her head on his warm, furry chest. “So why can’t yer sleep lil’ one?” he asked softly, stroking her back.

“Bad dreams…” Bailey muttered. Stranger made a sympathetic sound.

“What kinda bad dreams?” he asked, keeping his voice low and soothing, still stroking.

“Hrm…Steef…I dreamed about Steef…and what Sekto did to ‘em…” Stranger stroked her hair and touched her cheek.

“…A-see…” he murmured. Bailey curled some of Stranger’s fur around her finger. “Bailey?”

“Uhm?”

“All the time yer’ve known I was a Steef…yer ain’t never asked why I wasn’t with any others…”

“You told the old Grubb Seer that that was your business. An’ I didn’t want ta poke my nose in…”

“…I want ter tell yer…” Stranger said softly, there was a pause and then he told her. He told the human how he couldn’t remember his childhood, all he remembered was that he had been alone and hated by every creature he’d come across. He told her about disguising himself and when he found out that the Doc could ‘fix’ his problem he’d become a bounty hunter. Stranger told her all the things he’d done, to himself and to others… “I’m not proud of what I’ve had to do, before I met yer kid…and I wasn’t too keen on tellin’ yer…”

“Oh Stranger…” muttered Bailey, “You really are a dork sometimes… Nothin’ you could do would make me hate you if that’s what you think. Nothing.” Stranger made a contented growling sound. There was a comfortable silence.

“Right, off ter bed with yer.” Stranger said after a while, standing up and setting Bailey on her feet. Bailey nodded, she stood up on tip-toe and tugged gently at the fur on his jaw. Stranger lowered his head to her level. Bailey put her arms around his neck and rubbed her cheek against his jaw.

“Night Stranger.” She whispered and kissed his cheek before letting him go and heading back to her own bed, leaving a stunned Stranger behind.

¤§¤

Back in her hut on it’s woven platform Bailey found that she still couldn’t sleep. She had the vague feeling that something was missing. She listened intently to the nighttime sounds. Only the soft chirruping and rough scratching of the insects in the grass reached her ears.

It was quiet…

Too quiet…

That was it. That was what she was missing… Stranger’s snoring…she couldn’t hear it…she missed it… Well she didn’t miss the rusty chainsaw, but she missed Stranger’s comforting presence, she missed being near him. Missed him being close. Bailey got out of bed again.

“This, is nuts.” She muttered, but she grinned and scrambled down the ladder from her hut and made her way over to where she knew Stranger had been quartered.

On a ground level hut…

Bailey smiled. She reached the bead-curtained entrance and parted it quietly, peeping inside. Stranger was zonked out on the floor, the bed pushed up against one wall, Bailey giggled. Apparently Stranger didn’t like beds…he was curled up on the floor, Steef legs curled up beneath him and lounging on his stomach, head on his arms, snoring away like a engine with a hole in it.

“Awww, he looks so cute…” Bailey thought, grinning and restraining a laugh. The comforting feeling of familiarity calmed Bailey and she crept up to Stranger and curled up next to him, as they had done when they were in the wilds.

Soothed by Stranger’s snores Bailey soon drifted off to sleep.

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Ah, what the heck, here’s another one for ya luverly people.

Tangled Nets

Bailey was woken by her pillow moving. Bailey muttered unintelligibly in protest, she wanted to go back to sleep. Her pillow vibrated and she heard a deep chuckle. She opened one eye, Stranger was curled round and looking at her, his eyes shining with laughter. Bailey scowled and swatted at him. Stranger chuckled again and picked up the groggy teenager like she was a little child.

“An’ what would you be doin’ in here?” he asked amusedly.

“Trying to get back to sleep.” Bailey said through a yawn, rubbing her cheek on his shoulder, making herself comfortable.

“And why didn’t yer do tha’ in yer own room? Instead of invadin’ mine?” asked Stranger, voice still coloured with humour.

“Lonely.” Muttered Bailey sleepily, “Missed you.” She drifted off into a light doze in Stranger’s arms. Stranger smiled slightly,

“Yeh.” He said in a quiet voice, even though he knew Bailey couldn’t hear him. “I missed yer too.” Bailey stirred and one hand touched Stranger’s fur, before gripping it tightly. Stranger’s expression became pensive as he brushed tendrils of tousled hair out of Bailey’s face, including the braid with the green beads. He rolled the beads between his fingers for a moment.

Heaving a sigh Stranger stood up and carried Bailey over to the unused bed and laid her on it, prying her fingers from his fur. He pulled a small coverlet over the sleeping human child and kissed her forehead.

“Sleep well kid.” He muttered before leaving the hut.

¤§¤

Bailey opened one eye and then the other. She sat up, yawning and stretching her arms above her head. She felt safe and contented. She rubbed one eye as she looked around the room.

“Wonder when Stranger left?” she thought idly but not really fretting over the answer. Sliding off the bed Bailey padded over to the hut’s entrance and pulled aside the bead curtain, looking out. The sun was well up in the sky, around mid-morning. Feeling slightly guilty for sleeping in so long when there was probably work to be done, Bailey went back to her own hut and pulled on her now – relatively - clean black pants and shirt, bandana, hat and fingerless gloves. “Must have been to much dirty to clean completely…” she thought as she pulled on the vaguely stained trousers.

For the first time in weeks Bailey left all her gear behind, all in her pack as she clambered down the ladder to greet the morning.

As she walked through the village Bailey decided it was high time she volunteered some help in return for all the Grubbs had done for her and Stranger. Wondering where she could be of most help Bailey found herself walking down to the river where a group of Grubbs wearing wide, flat, cone-shaped hats were fishing with nets.

Bailey hopped down to them.

“Can I help?” she asked brightly. The Grubbs looked up, after the night before they seemed a lot less intimidated by the young human. They smiled and nodded gesturing at a spare net. Happy to be helping Bailey retrieved the net and after some tuition on how to use it she was soon knee deep in muddy water, casting the net. Her legs were cold and her pant legs and sneakers were filthy but she was happy.

After a time the Grubbs and Bailey dragged in the nets and gathered in a huddle, bringing together all the fish they’d caught.

The catch was pathetic. The fish were few and small.

“Is this normal?” Bailey asked,

“Yeh, since Sekto.” Said one of the Grubbs, “And we don’t fish further upstream, too close to Sekto’s people, we’d be killed.” Bailey felt renewed fury towards Sekto percolate in her stomach, spreading an angry fire into her ribs. She bundled up her net.

“I’ll be back.” She said before slinging the net over her shoulder and scrambling up the bank. There was fishing to be done…

¤§¤

About an hour later Bailey had found that further upstream, the river deepened with more water. She grinned to herself as she slid down the bank to the water, caking her pants in mud. She cast the net and waited. It didn’t take long for her to catch three fat fish. She was just untangling the fish from the net when there was a flump from behind her, a guffaw and a nasally voice spoke.

“An’ wat’s this then?” it said, Bailey spun and nudged her hat brim up slightly. She suppressed a groan.

“Oh no…” the Outlaw leered. Bailey bared her teeth, a growl reverberated in her chest. She took a step back into the water. The Outlaw grinned then raised a hand. Something burst up from the water. Bailey pivoted again. And jumped back; “HOLY CRAP!”

There was a thing in the water. A very big, very nasty looking thing. It had a faint purple, bloated head, like a squid. It’s eyes were red and narrowed maliciously. Bailey’s stomach pitted, the thing was definitely intelligent. It also had tentacles where’s it’s mouth piece would have been. It had two angular legs and three pincers on each foot, like a Scrab and it had leather and metal bits wrapped around it’s legs and below it’s head.

Bailey backed away from the thing, her heart thudding. This was unknown territory, and she didn’t have Stranger to protect and guide her.

Stranger.

Were these Sekto’s men? After Stranger? After herself? Bailey’s whole body tensed, she clenched her fists. She would not be afraid. She had to protect Stranger, she had to be brave in face of the unknown and stay strong. She could not, and would not tell them anything.

Bailey took a wide, fighting stance, feet apart, fists up, just as Stranger had taught her. She may not have had a chance against the Outlaw and the thing, but she would go down fighting.

The Outlaw laughed, Bailey’s attention was, for a split second, distracted by the Outlaw’s snort of derision. But that short space of time was all the thing needed. Bailey heard and felt nothing of the thing’s movement, not until she felt a sharp pain on her temple, struck by a blur of faint purple.

Bailey dropped.

-----

Man…that was short…

On a lighter note, here’s Bailey again, (I really like this one).

[Dark Elite_H2]

Ain't a problem, Lobo! It was nice! How the Oktigi appeared outta nowhere. Heee! Tension also left at the end. I wanna read more, Lobo! More! Overjoyous I am today, yes?
Good work, Lobo!

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

You sounded just like Yoda... Creepy...anyway, glad you like and yes, I am lookin' forward to ya next chapter. Hmmm, and that thing was an Oktigi? I was wondering what it was when I saw it's piccy, so am I right in thinkin' that Sekto's a Gloktigi? So are Ok- and Gloktigi related creatures then?

[Dark Elite_H2]

Well, yeah. The big-headed things that walk on their feet are Oktigis. What Sekto is...er...I kinda fergot's what he was. Glukkons are related to the okti family. Look up on TOA or oddworlduniverse. IT'll help yeh more.

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

GASP! What if Ok-, Gloktigi and Glukkons are ALL related species??? Oh the HORROR! It'd explain the 'want to take over the world and suck it dry' complex they have in common...urg...

Oddworld is thiiiiiiiiiiiis close to bein' scuppered me thinks...

[Dark Elite_H2]

Well...here, let's make this easier, 'cause I've gotten yeh confused.
I just discovered Sekto is an Octigi-Parasetic form of an octopus
The thing you said in yer story is a GLOKtigi-The big-headed thing that walks on its feet.
Glokkons are related to the family. Here, I'll show yeh a pic of the Octi family

[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

Aha, *in very cheesy mystical voice* it's all coming together...

Ahem

Anyway, thanks fer that Darky, was wondering what Sekto without a host looked like, and now I know. Brilliant.

[Dark Elite_H2]

T'ain't a problem, buddy. Just tryin' to quit befuddlin' yeh, and get you on the right track. (Even though it's quite fun to confuse yeh )

[Dancing Steef]

wow good chapters ya got there LW! It's getting more intense than bfor
I feel sorry for Bailey

Looking forward to read more

DS