Seriously Weird: People of the Mist

Ral froze. He was too frightened to move.

The woman came towards him. She deliberately tilted her knife to catch the sun. The sun flashed along the blade of her knife and shone into Ral's face. She concentrated the light in his eyes, blinding him. Defeated, he pulled himself out on his elbows until he was able to kneel in front of the stranger, looking up at her meekly.

"Who are you?"

Ral was too scared to answer.

"What's that thing on your face?"

The woman lowered her knife. She saw no threat in the wild-looking boy. She was concerned now, sympathetic. She came down on her haunches so her eyes were at the same level as Ral's and looked at him curiously.

"Can you speak?"

"Yes," said Ral.

"What's your name?"

"Ral."

"I'm Carlee. Do you live here?"

"Yes."

"By yourself? No, you wouldn't. You must live with someone."

The woman reached out and touched the muzzle. "Someone makes you wear that? Why? Do you have a disease?"

"No!" said Ral, "I'm healthy!"

"This is very strange?" said Carlee to herself, "Almost unbelievable" Then, to Ral she said: "Where do you live?"

"I'm not allowed to say."

"Why not"

"I am forbidden to."

"Who do you live with then?"

"My mother."

"Anyone else?"

"No."