-Three years later-
I am perched on a branch keeping an eye for trouble. I was told very kindly to come down and help the others pack up. We were moving again. I wanted to perched up there. It is great feeling. But I was born deaf and mute I can't be a birdie. Birdie is someone who stays hidden as they keep an eye out for any and all trouble and whistles to warn others. Being deaf and mute meant all my other senses had to sharpen up. I can sense the vibration of vehicles before anyone can see it. I can smell when the vampires are near and have saved lives on a few occasions. I was told to go and search for food once we find a place to stay. I am a forager. I spend hours far away from the camp. My job is to find useful things in weird places. These are stuff others would use. They range from electronic devices to edible food. Occasional I would sneak into the city to clothes and other things. I just make sure I keep my head down and avoid any contact.
The main reason I sneak in is to find my brother. He is nowhere to be seen. I have no money so I usually wait till people hang their clothes to dry before I snatch them. Usually someone goes grocery shopping and leaves the trunk open as they go to open the front door. I pick as little as possible so they won't notice. I make sure the clothes are not bright so they won't attract attention. Winter was coming so we had to find a place to call home. I had to get new coats for the kids. I had to sneak into the school and search lost and found. Usually there is the right size. Once I come back with the goods. I had to tell them about the latest news I managed to observe. We all voted to go to the ghost town to get all the burnable items and go to the beach. There are caves where we can stay till the place was thawed. I went to collect what I can get my hands on. I collected water, mushrooms and a few medicinal plants. Virga wasn't far away. He is the one in charge of my protection.
The sun was rising and we had to find a place to sleep. We will be doing so in groups. The ones group stays awake while the others rest. The ones who are awake will eat, do the laundry and watch out for trouble. Our main concern is the conscripts and haulers. Conscripts are humans who work for the vampires. They help them find us. In exchange for their constant services the vampires turn into them into their kind after a few years. The haulers are the military personnel tasked to find us so we can be part of the grand repopulation initiative. Drones would be seen flying overhead every few days. They constantly scan the surrounding areas for heat signatures or lack there of. So we had cover ourselves with mud. This brought our core temp down so we would remain hidden. We would hold our breaths for the most part. Those flying spies would linger as they had to scan every single inch. Once it goes we take a dip in the nearest stream and keep walking. We would collect water and use an old t-shirt to strain it. The water purifiers are gone now. But before drinking we would boil it.
Two defenders will go in the front. Next is the one holding the map. The next was another defender. Then comes adults. Then another few defenders followed by the birdies, children, trainees and others. Everyone has learned to walk for miles without complaining. They know if they keep moving they can't be caught and they can't be killed. We have been to strange places and recovered weird things that are part of the norm. We have a packet that works like a lamp if we add salt and water. It's good for ten years. According to the expiry date we had another eight years. We made it to the beach and tried to find a place to warm up. We were going to set up camp when a couple showed up. They spoke kindly and disappeared. I followed them and read their and simultaneously used sign to warn the others that we have been found by haulers. Everyone quickly packed their things and we went back to the woods. Since we didn't know how to vehicles we decided to go to ghost town. It looked like haphazard but right now we will take it.
We got in and caught our breath. The kids were hungry and they began to cry. I pulled out the packet of smoked fish and water. Instantly the crying had ceased and they ate it without question. We tried to figure out how we were escape the ghost town. The couple came with a few others. They decided to split up. We decided to stay them so they won't be able to find us. They looked everywhere and finally gave up. The woman was annoyed but she didn't give up. We left as soon as the opportunity presented itself. We had no choice. Either lose our life or lose our freedom. We found a clearing in the woods and pitched the tents. The kids went to sleep. We used everything to make sure they were warm. A group of teens grabbed the shovels and went to exact their revenge. They dug a hole on a path which had frequently seen military grade vehicles passing by. They placed as many branches they could acquire. After a good trim they were placed on top of the hole. Quickly they poured dirt over it.
They smoothed the path and came back. I recommended scattering leaves and twigs all over. Chances are they could get suspicious. They ran to impliment my idea. The others were laughing before they took turns with the daily routine. I sat down to check the dehydrated food. I had to double the effort since the group had grown along the way. We were about to start a fire when another group of gypsies showed up. They are called the Marauders. They used vehicles that they acquired whilst fighting the army. Their leader was Patrik. A slight chubby man with a growing bald patch and a short temper. After each fight they walk away with their inventory. Our leader told him to move along since the drones were out looking for us. It is possible they would be able to find us because of the heat. They wanted to do a trade. Aldridge told him to move along. Because the last time they met we almost lost because he got bold. He was asked nicely to turn around. He asked for food and for a birdie. Aldridge told him we didn't have enough. He can try his luck elsewhere with the other gypsies.
He gritted his teeth as he walked away. He turned around and gave Aldridge a bag of guns. We are known for our silence. Our call sign is hush. He gave the guns back. We don't drive either so he had nothing to barter with. Everyone got up and used sign language to tell him to leave. He was dead weight. He didn't like being unwanted but left regardless. First I found a water source and broke the surface. Then used a five gallons bottle to collect the water. After twelve trips and straining through a brand new t-shirt we boiled water for drinking, cooking and washing. I took out bags of sun dried rosehips and bergamot which I steeped to make tea. Everyone gathered for a cup. The others pulled out knives as Pete came with a bunch of trout. They were gutted and cleaned before they grilled. Ty pulled out a jar of honey Kayla pulled out a carton of eggs. After eating we cleaned up and made sure the napping ones have less work to do. Their food was ready and their clothes washed too. The birdies watched with binoculars as the Marauders drove away. We got the green light to relax but we chose to be tense. Patrik likes to retaliate sometimes.