Why are we doing all of this Complained Trey as he helped haul a relatively large piece of wood to the new building site.

Like I said before I feel it’s necessary and given how our last fight went I would think you agreed James spoke as he directed Trey to set down the piece of wood at the same time.

Putting down the piece of wood James looked up at the project he had them all working on since getting back from there fight with the White Rabbit. Now all healed up James and Trey wanted to try again while John was content with whatever James decided. There was also the matter of where the points went for each.

John put both of his points of intelligence and it showed, sometimes when James was trying to remember how to do something and had most of the idea John would figure out that little bit missing. As for the special ability they both suspected he had it had not appeared. Rather than being annoyed John was patient and was willing to wait.

None of this could be said for Trey and had never been since James explained the specifics when he had been reborn. His points went into Wisdom but it did not show from his attempts at unlocking his power. They involved staring intensely and the object that was stared at was usually the person who annoyed him last. So far nothing had come of it but every time Trey noticed James arms flaming up (most of the time on accident) it renewed his resolve.

Of course the happiest of the three was Logan since he had experienced a small amount of control of his now natural abilities even at the cost of whiplash. Given the nature of his powers working in anyway with wood was not advised so James had him working on another project.

Hey boss I don’t think anything is happening Logan called out jokingly while gripping the lock on the metal chest.

Well that’s the whole point. Doing that does two things, 1. Practice controlling those flames of your and 2. If it works we can finally get in. Also enough with the boss stuff. Orion Responded while trying to get Johns attention.

So how big of a door are we making Trey wondered out loud

Only as wide as one of us, Trey help me start carving the bottom and top

I can’t carve

…Trey give me that tool so you can watch me carve the bottom and top

That I can do

Okay then John, I want the door to be sliding so figure out how clamps could work. Here is a stick go draw over there. James gave up a rapid fire of commands.

They both went to their respected duties while James looked at the progress of the building. What stood in front of him was a wall made of clay in front of the earth slope. Coming in a nearly four feet high it was his greatest work yet and had a few basic features to help them from the inside. From reading The Walking Dead he had made sure the outer portion of the all was slightly higher so that their arms could reach over while still being protected.

The other was how to work the opening so given what was around them James decided on a four inch thick wood door that slides. Since he had never really made anything in his previous life it was becoming guess work for best guesses about how things should be made. Once Trey brought back the stone James had found the other day for craving the wood they both sat down next to it while John was doodling on the ground a little distance away.

So I am just going to watch? Trey asked while tapping his fingers on the wood

Watching will be good for now and once you get the general idea. When that happens you can practice on the center part.

Sounds like a waste of time

Your right for the most part it pretty much is for what need to be done now. Later being able to do this may be helpful.

When you put it like that I guess it makes sense. Trey said realizing James was right

I have my moments, now watch James began to flatten on the bottom of what would be the door.

This kind of work was not at the same level [Digging] was but his hope was skills related to crafting would pick up some of the slack. Both sat in silence, James worked and Trey just watched. For the first time James noticed a good quality and it seemed he actually seemed to enjoy it.

If you end up getting the some sort of sculpting class I am renaming you Weed

What?

Sorry nothing just remembering something I read

You think of some odd stuff Trey noticed leaning back for a moment

Well… got me there James laughed in agreement

After talking Trey seemed already confident enough to start pointing out mistakes in what James was doing. When James brought it up he expected another sarcastic response but this time Trey seemed embarrassed.

Quite the unexpected response

Trey did not respond, rather he gazed off into the difference watching Logan with his hands still on the lock.

Do you know who my parents are? Look I know you saved us and that is good enough on its own, I am just worried for no reason. Since we were all taken from the town they must be out of their minds worried. Can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they see me again can’t wait… Trey softy laughed but it was clear it was just his poor attempt to hide his worry.

All James could think to do was just keep looking forward since the thought of looking at Trey scared him. James remembered when he watched Trey’s family eaten alive by all those rats. There was nothing he could have done but the thought of telling Trey was one James refused to make.

Not another burden, I am barely holding it together. This time hope is something I want to give James made sure to think that to himself and grabbed Treys shoulder

Trey look at me James asked

Nothing happened at first then Trey turned to face him. James could tell the longer he said nothing the worse Trey was going to feel. Already it seemed like Trey was doing his best just to hold it in.

I don’t know if your parents are out there but listen. Believe it when I say when we get back to home, our real home, you will not be alone. If your parents are there or not I will be there. James tried to force up every ounce of courage possible.

Relief spread over Treys face and he quickly wiped his eyes with his arm. With a smile Trey looked back at him.

Thank you Trey said more sincerely then anything he had every spoken before.

Well if you’re really that grateful then have about starting your own work James let go of Treys shoulder and pointed at the center of the piece of wood.

James handed Trey the tool he was using and walked behind him so to watch him work and lend him a hand if need me. Every so often When Trey would make a mistake such as going to deep on an angle James would guide his hand with his own.

You’re helpful with this Trey said surprisingly

What can I say I had a good teacher of my own but that’s the only way I know how to help so that better be enough they both laughed at what he said.

Seeing that Trey could handle this level of work on his own James toke a break and walked over to where John was.

Watch out! John freaked out as James foot was about to step on a picture on the ground.

Sorry how is it coming along? James apologized while trying the designs with what he knew.

He looked at the designs while walking to John on the only path to him and was impressed with the designs. When explaining it to John this morning he just knew the basic of what it looked like. Of course given his technical knowledge amounted to “When it pulls down it get tighter” but he hopped it would be enough.

I can’t figure it out in time John concluded

What do you mean in time? James questioned at what John was getting at.

John walked out of the spiral walkway so that he would be next to James and whispered into his ear.

Time is running out right? That’s why you have us doing all of this John observed

Instead of answering James looked over into the sky at the sight he had been watching every day since he got the three of them. A large, permeant black cloud had formed above the mountain and was growing up the day. What seemed to be fueling it was what James thought was originally the leftover fires from inside but that could no longer what was happening. He was not sure when it would happen but at this rate the cloud would reach them.

Can’t keep anything from you can I? James noticed that once again John was able to see right through him.

You did create me, it stands to reason things could be picked up John hypothesized about the reason why.

Let’s talk down below, there is something I need your help finding anyway James started to walk away with John without needing to be asked.

They stopped by Trey to see his progress and offer some tips before leaving and relaxed Logan so it would be just the two of them. Going back to where the group fought the white rabbit James started looking and feeling the plants around them.

What are we looking for? John asked while observing what James was doing.

I know you love that star knife but unless you’re special ability is something along the lines of teleporting I think making a bow would be something useful. We are looking for a string that can be used to make one”

Alright then John began guessing at what could possibly be used to make the string needed.

So about what we were talking about… John wanted to continue what they were talking about before.

Everything you said was correct, I believe by the time the cloud get to be where we are the window will pass where we can leave here alive James spoke his fears

For a moment James thought he heard John miss a step for surprise about what he heard but could not confirm it. They both started throwing potential materials for the bow in a pile between them.

[Scavenge] skill acquired

Did you...

Yes, I also got it John responded

Help me pick up this stuff and we will head back James said while picking up half the pile that laid there.

What is your plan to get us out of here? John still waited for a response

It was not until the two of them were almost at the top with the wall clearly in view James answered.

I am working on something and when the time comes I could use your help James asking while sticking out his hand.

Just tell me when you need me John responded by both answering and shaking his hand.

The two of them walked back through the still opened pathway, James went to work on the door again and John started to brainstorm ideas with his stick through the dirt about making a sliding door safe. One last time James looked north to the black sky that was growing ever closer and knew he had to make sure his time was used in the fullest or else his secret project would not be done in time and they would all die.