Once again, just as it always did, dawn had arrived. Only this time, it had done so far to soon. Arlo awoke, smoke from the fires the night before drifting through the air. He sat up, stiff and sore. Dirt and small rocks stuck to the side of his face. He was confused, because this wasn’t where he remembered laying down. Looking around, he saw other individuals here and there. They were scattered out all across the area. He rubbed his eyes, after doing so, he saw the silhouette of someone through the smoke who was walking amongst the others. They were going about it very slowly. Looking down at each one of them. Once his vision straightened out, and he could see a bit more clearly. He saw that it was Gideon, and that he was steadily heading in his direction. Arlo reluctantly stood up, in attempt to locate a better place to lay. Also finding that he wasn’t to steady on his feet. While he was walking, Gideon called out to him, asking how his night was. Arlo did not answer. The very sound of Gideon’s voice, which slightly echoed in the quietness of the morning. Made Arlo’s head hurt worse than it already did. As he stammered to a near by tree, so that he lay on at least some grass and leaves in the shade. As opposed to the hard uncomfortable ground that he had been on. All he could do, was think about how awful he felt. Physically, he felt drained and exhausted. The pain in his head and chest, along with his arms and knees being weak. Emotionally, he felt sad, but didn’t really know why. He hadn’t done anything to anyone, at least that he could remember. But that made him feel even worse. Not being able to remember all that had gone on the night before. Almost as soon as Arlo laid down beneath the tree, Gideon began speaking loudly, almost shouting. Telling everyone that it was time to get up. Arlo rolled his eyes, but he did not rise. Why, he wondered. What was the need? He rolled on his side, watching all the other individuals. Some of which sprang up quickly and with spirit. Genuinely seemed quite enthusiastic about it. All of the others, either reluctantly arose, or simply stayed put. Gideon grew aggravated with all who did not get up and began shouting. Explaining that everything that needed to be done and prepared for that night wasn’t going to magically be achieved on its own. Arlo, in no mood to be lectured or yelled at, slowly arose to his feet. Thinking, what was there to prepare? What was happening that evening? He saw the others doing the same thing that they were when he had arrived with Gideon. They were moving and stacking limbs, twigs and underbrush. Making the burn piles from the previous evening nice and neat again. As Arlo joined in, he asked one of the other individuals why they were doing all of this again. Especially, why so early in the morning. The response that he got, was not one that he expected. Arlo was told that this was the daily routine. No matter the weather or amount of desire. Regardless of health or physical condition. This is when Arlo noticed Gideon staring directly at him.