Challenge #04481-L097: Place of Special Interest

You find them in odd places, people clustered in groups, armed with note books or 'guides to'. Focusing on what seems like nothing in particular or hovering at railway station on spots near the tarmac at airports. "Spotters", "Twitchers", eager to see or spot something rare. Planes, birds, rare engines. -- She Who Knits

There was a shelter-house at the crossroads. Generally a place for travelers to find relief from the weather. They were expected to restock the firewood and any long-term supplies they were able to, since it was a lonely place on an equally lonely road. In the height of summer, it attracted a particular, peculiar group of people.

They called themselves 'Zervers' if asked, but generally kept to themselves. They brought their own tents so the travelers had full use of the shelter-house.

And, as a traveler passed by, many of them took notes. Some would cluster and compare those notes. It was just one such cluster that attracted the curiosity of Horizon as he approached. They were so interesting in the way they looked at him and made urgent whispering and scribbling in their books... but also seemed very pleased about it. The words, "Fascinating specimen," was usually said with vitriol and Horizon's cue to run. This time, they weren't.

Horizon had to peek. Had to ask, "What are you people doing?"

"We're just Zervers. We don't mean any harm," said one, as if that meant something to Horizon.

"Er," said Horizon. "What?" He finally caught a glimpse of a book.

It was open at a section detailing Hellkin, and had divided the anatomy up into a series of checklists. There was a colour wheel for skin tone. A series of illustrations for horn type, tail type, leg and foot configurations. Claws, hand, and arm types. Whether or not wings were present, and what kind or dimensions there were. There was even space for the 'Zerver' to take further notes.

"We're observers of intelligent life," said another. "This is one of the better locations for variety and diversity."

"So... I'm now a part of your checklists?"

"If you want to put it so crudely, yes. Zerving is a little more sophisticated than merely ticking boxes and completing lists. We're exploring the unity of intelligent life by cataloguing the diversity within it. You see..." that was where Horizon lost the train of logic. Which took half an hour before they reached a, "Do you understand?"

Horizon lied with a nod and scurried off to gather extra twigs or deadfall for the shelter-house's firewood supply. He checked the shelter's upkeep and did what he could to fix a rotten spot in the roof. As night fell, he sought out another cluster, ignoring their excited chatter about his visible anatomy.

"Y'all could probably help your own interests by maintaining the shelter once in a while. Just saying."

[Photo by Andrei Ionov on Unsplash]

If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.

Send me a prompt [18 remaining prompts!]

Support me on Patreon / Buy me a Ko-fi

Check out the other stuff I'm selling