Chapter 3
"Who are you," Fue asked the people around him. "We are here to help. You've been lost for several days and you need our help," a woman said to him. "Who do you work for," Fue inquired with more than just a hint of distrust. He reached for his dagger and gripped it slightly.
"Look, we don't mean no harm. We don't work for anyone, but ourselves. If you want help getting out of here, then come find us. Otherwise, we shall try to bury you in a nice tomb after you die of thirst," a man stepped up and said. The woman looked at him and then at Fue.
"I guess it won't hurt if I come to check out what your organization structure is and maybe speak to your leader," Fue told them. The woman smiled. "But don't think you can catch me off guard. I'll take you all on if I have to," Fue warned them. Her smile melted away.
Fue followed the group as they went into a cave that turned out to be an enterance to a secret compound. "Welcome inside Hope Cave," the woman said with a welcoming gesture. "Hope cave? That sounds like a fishy name," Fue commented. "Hope Cave was originally named after Janet Hope who created this compound as a way to help those who fell into trouble," the woman explained.
"I see," Fue said. "We only have a few people here at the moment. One of them is in very serious condition. He was brought to us practically dead," the woman said. "What happens to him once he is fully recovered," Fue asked. "He is free to go when he recovers. He seems to be doing well, but we don't know when he'll be well enough to go," the woman commented.
"Am I to be held a prisoner," Fue inquired. The man shook his head. "You don't quite get it yet, do you? This isn't a prison. It's a place where we help others. You can have free meals, free medical attention, and what not. That's the way it is here," the man told him.
"For nothing? Isn't that quite pointless? What's the catch? What do we have to do," Fue asked skeptically. The man sighed. "Sometimes I think some people are too hard headed to realize that not everyone in this world is after the almighty diner or freznic or whatever currency you want to worship. We do this cause we love people not to pad paychecks. We don't get paid. We don't get supported by any state. Most people don't even know we exist. We are the people in the shadows that help and never get recognized," the main told him impatiently.
"But why? What good does it do you? What do you get out of it," Fue asked trying to understand. The man sighed and rubbed his head. "What we get out of it is the satisfaction that we've helped one person. After all, we can't fix the whole world, but we can work on fixing a person. Helping others is its own reward," the woman told Fue. Fue looked at her and then him.
"I guess, to each their own... So, I can get a free meal, eh? I'd like something to eat," Fue requested. "Excellent, let's go into the dining room. I need to get a meal ready for one of our guests anyway," the lady said guiding him towards the dining room. "Right this way, Fue," she said with a smile.
Arriving in the dining room, Fue saw a feast prepared for him. "Expecting me," Fue asked with a raised brow. "Actually, we had heard of you out there. It was wierd. An old man came up to us to let us know where you were and then he left. We came to where you were and had told the chef to cook up a feast. So, here we are," she said with a smile.
Fue couldn't believe his eyes. Right in front of him was a meal fit for a king. He was so hungry, he felt like he could eat it all himself. He sat down and looked around. "Am I to eat alone or...," Fue asked looking around. The man sat down and started to eat the food. Fue shrugged and followed the example. The lady, however, prepared a plate for the one guest she was referring to earlier.
"This food is excellent! Compliments to the chef. This is probably the best food I have had in a long, long time," Fue commented. "I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it. He doesn't get to make this much good often. But it seems like there are more and more opportunities right now," the man informed Fue.
"After dinner, I'll show you to your room. Make sure you eat well. After a long day or so out there, you need your refueling. I understand that all too well. I was found out there by Janet," the man said. "Who's Janet," Fue asked. "Oh, that's the lady that made the plate for our other guest," the man replied.
Fue smiled for the first time in a long time and tried to fill every last inch of his stomach. After quite a bit of time, he succeeded in his attempts and felt sleepy. "You ready for your room," the man asked. Fue nodded and stood up. The man guided Fue to where his room was. It was bigger than the room he had at the old viceroy's palace. He laid down on the bed and feel asleep as soon as his head his the pillows.
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