Swords were not the best weapon to fight slimes, in fact some slimes couldn’t be truly harmed with a sword. Nevertheless, it was all Hadrian had. The humans in this world were woefully unprepared, overall, for any kind of combat. Rock dragged the horses away, but the women were focused entirely on Hadrian and the slime.

As the unique scent of slime wafted over to assail his nostrils, Hadrian stepped forward with a piercing thrust. The white slime oozed out of the way, flowing away almost as quickly as the sword thrust forward. The six-legged abomination of a dog was yanked back and out of the way by the slime that it floated in. A tendril of slime lashed out in retaliation and the orckin pulled back an out of the way. He had never encountered a white slime in all his many years, but experience with slimes told him that generally they would have some sort of acid.

The slime followed him as he stepped gracefully back, sword ready for a thrust as soon as any opportunity presented itself. The slime was slow, but relentless. Another quick thrust missed its mark as the slime swept its core creature out of the way. Hadrian ducked as a tendril of the slime slapped toward him. He wasn’t going to get out of the way quickly enough.

There was a crack of sound, like a massive tree trunk giving way and something struck the slime, splattering the white sludge in burning droplets over Hadrian’s face as it exploded. The six-legged beast gave a single cry and fell dead at the orckin’s feet.

“You alright there, mister?” A man stood off to Hadrian’s left a strangely shaped iron rod held in his hands.

When Hadrian turned toward him, the man pointed the iron rod at him. “I’m fine. Thank you for your help with the slime.”

“You’re one of them!” The rod was seated firmly against the stranger’s shoulder.

Hadrian lifted both hands, sword held loosely in his right. “I mean you no harm.” He kept his words calm and didn’t make eye contact.

The man’s dark eyes narrowed as he studied Hadrian from the tips of his green ears to the soles of his boots. “What are you?”

“He’s an orckin.” It was Rock who spoke. The weapon shifted to point at the new voice. “Mr. Vicker, he’s no threat.”

“Alan?” Mr. Vicker seemed confused as he looked from stranger to friend.

“That’s right, Mr. Vicker. Class of ‘13.”

The grey-haired man with the weapon seemed to relax a little as he recognized Rock. “Thirteen. That’s right. You and the Nolan girl.”

“She’s here with me, too.” Rock was moving toward Hadrian, getting between him and Mr. Vicker.

“How’s she doing? She hasn’t been back in a long time.” The weapon started to lower, pointing toward the ground. “Damn sorry to hear about her old man, he was a hell of a guy.”

“A real loss.” This from another stranger, emerging from the home behind the first. She held no weapon, but something about her seemed even more of a threat than the man.

“Mrs. Vicker,” Rock said with a smile. “How are you doing?”

“I’ve had better years.” The woman, grey hair caught back in a bun at the nape of her neck. “I think we all have.”

“Ain’ that the truth.” Rock said to the Vickers. He glanced over his shoulder at Hadrian, “Sheathe your sword.” The worse were faint, barely a whisper.

Hadrian did as he was told, tucking his sword away and raising both hands in an inoffensive gesture.

“Going to introduce us to your friend there?” Mrs. Vicker asked, her arms crossing and her stern face almost glaring at Rock.

“Mr. and Mrs. Vicker, I’d like to introduce you to Hadrian Tien.”

Mr. Vicker fiddled with the metal rod he was carrying and shifted it so it wrested on his shoulder. “Can’t say it’s a pleasure.” The old man said, his voice stern.

“I can see that.” Hadrian answered. “I imagine this has been difficult for you.”

Mrs. Vicker snorted. “That’s putting it lightly.”

“We won’t trouble you anymore, Mr. and Mrs. Vicker. We were heading down to the store to see if we could pick up some supplies.”

“Stores’ closed.” Mr. Vicker’s tone was firm. “Most of ‘em have been looted until they’re darn near empty.”

“Shit.”

The Vicker’s both nodded. “Maybe you’ll find what you need.” Mr. Vicker offered. “Most of us are planning on heading out soon. Going to Des Moines.”

“Is it any different down there?”

Mrs. Vicker lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Who knows. No news is coming in or out of anywhere.”

“Has anybody been through? Any government or anything?” Rock asked.

Mr. Vicker only shook his head and looked away. Mrs. Vicker met Rock’s eyes for a moment.

“No. And they won’t be. This is middle America. Unless we’re fucking up a caucus, nobody cares.” This came from a younger man, a teenager really, who had been sitting on the porch.

Rock’s laugh was humorless. Hadrian put a hand on his shoulder, offering silent support. “We’ll be moving on then. Thank you for the information. And for not shooting my friend here.” Rock said.

“You’re welcome.” Mr. Vicker said, but he didn’t turn away from the pair of them as Rock led the way back to where he had left the cart and the women.

“Thanks for stepping in.” Hadrian said.

“No problem. Thanks for keeping the slime off of us. You fight things like that often?”

Hadrian shook his head, scratching at his head with the nails of one hand. “Not really. I’ve never seen a slime quite like that one. It makes me wish that we had a researcher here.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I wish I knew how this will all change your world.”