Like Clockwork (For Stuffy)

"Exactly."

 

"About another quarter of a kilometer. Almost there."

 

"We can sprint the last way, if you want."

 

"Hm... we'll keep it at this. No need to waste our energy."

 

"Mm. And we'll have to do some heavy lifting on the way back..."

 

"It's alright," he reassured her. "I won't give you more than you can handle."

 

"For now."

 

"Soon, we'll have to get you used to it."

 

Eli hesitated for a moment.

"Aug... well, a couple of reasons. One is that it's just not his thing; he prefers to be building than scavenging."

 

"We're here," he said, slowing to a stop as they approached a seemingly flat landscape on the edge of a forest. He began to count under his breath, looking down."