When I woke up, I spend some time to think what to do now. Since my options were limited I quickly decided that there is no choice but to go back to the city center. I was so hungry, that I almost forgot about the pain. I could barely walk, but had to push through. It took me a few hours, but I finally managed to reach my finish line.
The view was unusual, but nothing unexpected. Those who weren't hunting, focused on craft. Everybody had something to do. I wanted to take a closer look at some people, but in my state, it was impossible without obvious staring, which could earn me another beating. I sat by the bonfire but none of the firekeepers that I knew were there. Instead, I noticed a lot of new faces. Some I've never seen before belonging to fresh newcomers.
As I was looking around, it finally got to me. There were no children around. Another secret of this strange place - I thought to myself.
Asking others for crystals now was pointless. They had none. I needed to wait for hunters to come back. Sneaking to the device and buying stuff was also out of the question. Close to it, on a piece of rubble, Pierre had made his observing spot. He clearly moved that big piece so everybody could see him clearly. I immediately knew that it was to scare those who didn't want to obey the law.
Our lives had slowly changed to those more reminding medieval times. Where strong nobles rule over weak plebians.
I sat there for hours, observing crafters at work. I couldn't clearly see how they were working, but there was nothing else to do. My body hurt like hell, but nobody cared. I just had to endure. Hunger and thirst were the worse. Every time I've seen some food or drink here and there, I couldn't stop myself from licking my lips. It was painful, and the taste of blood appeared in my mount.
When the night started to approach, they finally showed up. Nobles of our world, hunters. They were talking loudly and laughing, which indicated high morale. The two first groups were Wuxia and the Mariachis. Pierre got paid for his work and got back to his gang. They returned with the rest which meant that they were hunting. Leaders sold their score first, and in the meantime, the rest approached the crafters. Exchange of goods started. Some guys also got pretty handsy with girls. Few were protesting, the rest just accepted their fate.
It had to be established before, when I was outside the city. Couse, they were approaching just a few selected women.
I saw a bunch of familiar faces. Bill, Ian, and Aisha traded few stones for leather armors. They maybe didn't recognize me, or just pretended. I don't know.
Then there was Boris, Ilja, Mbeki, and Irina. I discovered that they started to hang out with other familiar to me people. Zdravets and Georgi. Duo I haven't seen for a while. I got up and started to make my way to them.
- Hey - I said.
It was probably barely hearable because of the noise, and my weak voice. They didn't hear, but a moment later Ilja noticed me and gave me a nod while poking Boris with his elbow.
- Oh, friend - he said recognizing me. - They got you good. I thought you were dead. People were talking.
There was something about his voice, or maybe it was the heavy accent, but it gave me hope. To the point, I almost started to cry.
- Yea - just escaped my mouth.
- You need help, huh? No crystals for the tax, am I correct?
I just confirmed with a slight nod.
- No worries - said Mbeki with his also heavy accent. - We got you.
He smiled at me, and his perfectly white teeth contrasted strongly against his brown face.
- You shared food when we were in need, now we can repay.
- I have points, I just need to pay the tax. I can return you the points in food or materials.
- No worries, no worries.
He approached me while taking one stone out of his pocket, and gave it to me. Then friendly bumped my shoulder. I thought I'm gonna pass out. The pain was terrible, but I didn't budge. Instead, I just smiled at him.
- Thank you.
- We got a few things to do now, friend, but come by the fire later. We will be there. Then we can talk.
- Thank you.
Mbeki just laughed, and repeated:
- No worries, no worries.
I had to wait for a pretty long time to finally be able to pay the tax and use the device. Nacho was the one taking care of that. It was so embarrassing to face him. A guy I wanted to beat up so badly, but now I was again under his thumb. He was smiling the entire time.
- Did you stole it from somebody? You shouldn't do such bad things you know, Peter?
I didn't answer, but he didn't expect me to do, and just continued his monolog.
- You know what? I'll be a better man here, and not report you. Just this once. Don't ever tell me I didn't do anything for you, friend.
I just left. I got nothing to indicate that I paid the tax. Nobody did. Nobody thought this whole system through, and probably when people complained, they just didn't care. It was unjust and unfair, but our world officially became like this. Strong ruled, and weak had to obey.
I had to wait a bit more by the device, but finally, my turn came. I bought some string, a piece of bone, to make a needle out of it, a flint knife, and some cloth to make new pair of pants. I also bought a small shell to cover the finger with, that was 1 point. Total of 206 points.
Then I sat in the proximity of the bonfire and waited. Boris, Ilja, Irina, and Mbeki came when it was already dark.
- Hey, Peter. How are you feeling? - asked Boris.
- Not that good, but thank you.
- So, can we help you with something more?
- Yes. I had a backpack, but it got destroyed. I bought materials, but I can't make it right now. My hands...
- I'll do it - said Irina before I could finish.
- We are looking for a house to buy - said Boris. - We just came back from a little stroll, and tomorrow the two of us was gonna look some more, but I can do it alone, and she will make you that backpack.
- I also bought come cloth for new pants, cause those got ripped. I don't wanna...
- It's fine. She likes to sew. Crocheting used to be her hobby, and she also learned her way with the needle.
- I always wanted to make my own wedding dress - said Irina with a smile.
- Thank you. I'll definitely pay you back for this.
Mbeki laughed, and She just picked the materials.
- You keep repeating that, friend.
- And you keep laughing at me.
That's how we parted our ways. I bought food for 10 points and found myself a place to eat and sleep.
Day ended with 1345 points on my account.