Hunting and Gathering *Elijah*

[Dylan Woods]

Dylan simply nodded. It was a good idea to head into town, if Elijah was unable to gather enough supplies to make it through the winter. Dylan already had a decent supply built up, with food kept in his underground cellar. He had figured out how to make a cellar that would keep food cool, so it wouldn't spoil. He'd dug a cellar about 10 feet down and filled it with ice and snow during the winter. The depth and the ice kept it cool all year round, so he could store meats and fish down there. He'd even fashioned a sturdy wooden staircase and a door to keep it secure. He would most likely smoke the fish he caught today, so they would stay fresh even longer.

Still, two fish wouldn't make much difference. And while Elijah was actually being relatively pleasant, it seemed like a good idea to keep him that way. "Think I'll cook these up right now," he said, nodding toward the bucket. "Want some?"

[Elijah]

Elijah looked from Dylan to the bucket of fish. He thought about it for a moment. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to say no." He figured that he might as well get a start for the winter as soon as he could. He had to have a back up plan if he couldn't find shelter in town. Elijah tossed him a lighter. "I think you might need that more than I will."

He looked in the direction of town. "I think I'm going to head on in and look for a few things. I'll see you sometime. Good luck this winter Dylan." Elijah gave him a toothy grin. "Next time I see you, I might not be as nice." He chuckled a little and made his way to jump across the rocks.

[Dylan Woods]

Dylan watched him go, shaking his head. He didn't understand Elijah at all. Why had he even bothered talking to him for so long? Was he that desperate for conversation? Did he just like hearing himself talk?

Dylan often went whole days without hearing a human voice, even his own. He preferred it that way. But Elijah was so talkative, he seemed to talk just for the hell of it. Maybe if he talked less, he could spend more time preparing for the winter.

Sighing to himself, he got out the net and prepared to stretch it across the stream to catch a larger amount of fish at once.