They have been following me for weeks, watching me, learning my mannerisms and habits. It is only a matter of time before I am Taken. I have bought salt in bulk, lined my windowsill with iron nails, but I fear it will not be enough to save me. I cannot remain inside forever. The tree outside my window grows restless.
I first see her on a food run. She looks just like me, if I were made of sticks and leaves, sap and moss.
The next time I see her the resemblance is closer. I abandon my order and hurry out of the coffee shop, passing by some odd looking students waving signs on my way out, "Elsewhere Local #101", reads one of the more legible signs.
I stay in my room after that, trading some bones I collected from the creek bed for supply deliveries. I can hear branches scratching outside my window, then knocking, then the sound of the latch and the window opening.
I throw open my curtains and she is there, sitting on a branch. I hold out my knife in front of me, I will not be Replaced without a fight. She reaches for the window, as does the tree, it's branch breaking the salt line and covering the nails. Her hand crosses the windowsill.
An angry shout comes from below the window, "Scab! Vile fiend! Breaker of Strikes!", followed by a rock tossed in the direction of Not-Me. She turns, pulling her arm, and the tree branch, out of my room, and looks down. "Coward! Blackleg! Knobstick!", another rock is thrown. She glares back at me and descends.
There is a horrible ruckus below my window. I cannot know the cause of it, I dare not look outside. Eventually it quiets. I wait, in silence, for hours. Eventually I peer outside. There's nothing unusual there, no blood, no sap, no sign of a fight. There is nothing unusual there, not even the tree. I get the feeling I don't have to worry about being Taken. Knowing the Gentry, I'll graduate long before whatever demands inspired this strike are met.
Judge: “They call me soothing because I be profen”
Layer: “I hate you.”
Joa: “Our relationship status says otherwise.”
Mod note! Sorry guys, I meant to publish this sooner, just been dealing with some mental health issues, I hope you guys like todays Strikebreaker!
@mrevilvillanplotman-offical @sans-the-skeleconch