Scanning the caged-community Izzy was satisfied. She jumped down from the chain linked ceiling, practically flying to the ground. Everyone sat still and for the first time in months no cages or children were rattled. Some children napped while others played hand games with new friends.

Concentration 64 no repeats or hesitations, I will lead and you will follow. The category is food... 

The special food had forged friendships and for some it was their first inkling of what being part of a family felt like.  Any digestive problems, from the rancid oils, were healed. No one had the urge to pee or poop in the grotesque groove in the concrete floor.  Even the littlest cage member didn't vomit that morning. It was a record.  If the guards hadn't noticed it was because they were simply following orders. If the placed smelled sweeter and the screams had died down they accepted it no-questions-asked. 

The Shadow of Deception was pleased when the innocent were punished and the guilty went free.  So far SOD's plan for complete annihilation of the freaks and the faithful had backfired. Somehow King Rophe was gaining followers at a steady rate and SOD had to put a stop to it.  

SOD pricked the shallow hearts of those running Fat Camp. He gave them a Hell of an idea. 

The following memo was sent to all Fat Camp workers:

Att: All Fat Camp Personnel,

Starting today all parts of the mutants will be used for protein. Not simply the meat, as in times past, but their bones, organs and so forth will be ground into pellets. Nothing is to be wasted. This fortified protein will be used to feed military troops on the go.  This new initiative is much more efficient; there will be no more wait time. The campers are to be "processed" within 24  upon entry.

Fat camp is being streamlined.

Sincerely,

Upper Management

The kibble will not be palatable, then again good taste was never SOD's forte'.  Devilishly SOD smiled to himself, "I can see the packaging now: 

EAT FAT CAMP PELLETS AND YOU'LL HAVE THE ENERGY OF A CHILD.

In her mind, Izzy talked to the invisible King. She asked him what her next move should be.  As she appealed to the Author he laid out the full scheme of the evil one.  Izzy knew there was no time to waste. If she didn't act fast, in less than 24 hours they'd all become people pellets!  Observing the 20 peaceful cage-homes she didn't have the heart to give them bad news.

That morning she realized talking to the King enabled her to see the future.  This new gift both comforted and terrified her at the same time.

Izzy pondered the future vision, then remembered the haunting line uttered by Ebenezer Scrooge:

Answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?"

—-

Speed and Lonely began sniffing and pawing through the ashes of what once was: The Woods Shoppe:

Building your mind through books.

Covered in soot Speed was all black. Lonely rolled in the ashes.

Speed tilted his head and asked, "What under the earth are you doing?"

Lonely answered, "Marking it with my signature scent." He crawled around on his back propelling his massive body with his back paws. He continued, "This way other creatures know a ferocious beast has been here and they back off." Lonely stood up with a grunt and sneezed seven times.

Speed snickered then he lifted his leg and peed on the ashes. "My way's much neater and more and efficient."

Lonely stood on his hind legs. "Speed, you are one disgusting animal. Do you know that? All instinct—no brains!"

Speed argued, "I'm disgusting? Look at yourself, you overgrown smelly baboon!"

Lonely retorted, "Speed you've proven you're 
indeed brainless, for I'm neither ape nor monkey."

Speed lost his temper, "That's it LONELY! Did you ever stop to think the real reason you're lonely is your horrible social skills?!"

Like Cinderella, Lonely sat in the ashes. He knew Speed was right. His parents were dead. His siblings had scattered and he'd been alone most of his life. He'd always had trouble making friends. He covered his face with his big paws and cried.

Speed trotted over. "I'm sorry buddy. Too harsh?"

Lonely sniffled, "Ya think?"

The ground moved under Speed. "Lonely do you feel that?"

Lonely answered, "No, but I smell that, Jean Nate after bath body splash."

Speed was impressed. "And I thought my sniffer was sensitive!"

Bang! Bang! BANG!

The earth under Speed's feet began lifting up. He began skittering backwards. "What's h-h-happening?"

The hatch opened. "I thought you boys would never shut up." Marina climbed up and out of her secret lair.

Speed was speechless.

Marina stood there with her hands on her slender hips. She reached toward the sky and bent over and touched her toes. Standing up she took a deep breath. "Even this stale air feels good after being underground for so long." She removed her yellow safely goggles and put them in the pocket of her kaki-colored utility pouch. Her silvery-white hair had begun growing in. It shined in the afternoon light.

Lonely spoke up, "You must be Marina Woods? It's your old lady scent I smelled!"

Speed whispered to Leon in a sing-song tone, "Social cues..." Speed nervously cleared his throat.

"Who you calling old—bear? And I'll have you know  Jean Nate is a timeless fragrance." Marina took a step toward Lonely.

Lonely looked behind him, hoping she was talking to some other bear.

"And I'll have you know I don't get older; I get wiser."  Marina took off her stiff gray work-gloves and stuck them into another pocket. Then she ran her fingers through her hair and spiked it up. Removing blood red lipstick from yet another pocket she touched up her lipstick.

Lonely lowered his head. "Ma'am, I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect."

Speed continued, "Yes, I'm afraid we got a bit side tracked. You must be the infamous Marina Woods the Author told us about."

"Infamous huh? Now that's better..." Like Mary Poppins Marina pulled yet another item from her pouch: large gold hooped earrings. She hooked them in her ears. "Always look your best." She looked at the filthy motley pair.

As if coming up out of  a river Speed vigorously shook his body.  Black soot clouded around him.

Lonely coughed.

Marina spoke, "You two are gonna need to be hosed off before you come into my house."

Speed piped up, "Ma'am I don't see any house."

Lonely added, "Me either."

Marina belly-laughed. "Speed and Lonely, do you always see with your eyes?"

Cautiously Speed asked, "How do you know our names?"

Marina answered nonchalantly, "The Author told me. I've been expecting you."

-End of Chapter 22-

Author's note: In the first book (The Wasting) some chapters are over 3000 words. (If I have a chance I will fix them and make them between 1000 and 1500 words.) What do you think is a good chapter length on Wattpad?
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