Large space behind me, can’t let them surround us.
We could turn and run but that could just as easily get us trapped.
The corridor we’re in isn’t wide enough for all three to easily attack at once, so at best I’m looking at two at a time.
It’s unlikely I can win, but not impossible.
More options run through my mind, but I know my time is almost up, even though it’s only been second. I can hear Sammi’s ragged breath behind me, the low chuckles from the men in front of us who see two easy targets. Well, I won’t go down without a fight.
“Ready to leave us so soon?” Dick asks mockingly as he takes a step forward. I resist the urge to take another step back and instead, plant my feet in preparation.
Gritting my teeth, I all but hiss at him.
“Bring it, Dick.”
Forty One
Axle
When we get topside it takes us all a minute to get our bearings. Even the early morning light is bright for our dark-accustomed eyes. The air fresh unlike the stagnant scent of The Tomb. Every breath feels like I’m getting too much oxygen, it’s so much purer than I’m used to. I never really imagined I would ever be on the other side of those walls and now that I’m here, it’s overwhelming.
Once we all regroup, recovering from the awe we feel in the outside world, half of the men rush towards the front of the prison. I carefully and quietly lead the rest towards the other grouping of buildings trying to stay unseen, using the landscape to hide us.
The area around the prison is more barren than I recall, more desert than anything. Stealth in open spaces is something I’ve never needed to know, and the learning curve is high. I can only hope the distraction at the front of the prison and within the walls is enough to keep eyes that way.
I lead the way at a steady jog, eyes open and watering in the light as I lead us toward the bushes ahead. A hint of something moves, so subtle I’m not sure it isn’t a shadow, but I still slow a bit anyways. A faint prickle up my spine has me almost stopping as we approach. I feel Ethan come up beside me, everyone else falling in a few feet behind. If we don’t step into the trees, someone may be able to see us from the barracks. We need the cover.
Pulling my favorite blade out, I walk forward into the thicket with my arms out.
“Who’s there?” I ask, not overly loudly but enough to be heard in the immediate area. I can’t see anyone, but my sixth sense tells me someone is here. I don’t have to wait long before a shadow steps out, a ragged top hat on his head obscuring his face.
“Why hello, kid,” the man says. “Long time no see.”
Forty Two
Ana
Blackness swims before my eyes and my body feels as though it’s spinning, suspended in a haze of numbness. lowly, but surely, my awareness sharpens, turning the haze to pain that blossoms over my entire body. All I can smell and taste is blood and even lifting my tongue to check if my teeth are intact takes too much effort. Sputtering, I half cough-half choke out the remaining blood in my mouth, lifting my head too quickly and bringing back the dizziness.
Lying back quickly, I wait for it to subside before peeling my eyes open. The familiar ceiling of my cell greets me and without turning my head, I know I’m alone. A tear drips from one eye stringing as it hits a cut on my cheek.
I close my eyes and remember I managed to take down two of the guards before Dick held a blade to Sammi’s throat, effectively halting my rampage. I could have gotten the blade away too. I know a lot of handy tricks like that. But before I got a chance, another came up and blindsided me. The last thing I remember is feet and fists raining down on me, Sammi’s voice shrieking into the distance.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath before pushing myself inch by inch into a sitting position. I have to bite back a groan when I move, my ribs not liking certain angles. I don’t think they’re broken, but definitely bruised or cracked.
Once I’m leaning against the wall, I take inventory of the rest, starting with making sure I do have all my teeth. Thank fuck I do, but there are some nasty cuts inside my mouth that are slowly seeping blood and making me nauseous. My lip is split even worse than before and one of my eyes is almost swollen shut. I am pretty sure my nose is broken; I can feel the sticky caked on blood and now that I’m sitting up its leaking. My entire face feels swollen as fuck and I can’t help but wonder how fucked up I look right now. That’s when I realize a specific part of me isn’t hurting.
Unless it was with the tiniest dick in the world, I wasn’t raped. I don’t feel sorethere, and I morbidly wonder if I have my messed-up face to thank for that. My heart hurts for what I imagine Sammi is going through right now.
Something was happening in the prison, and smoke inside stone walls is never a good thing. I remember him telling me about him and Ethan burning shit as a kid and how the smoke filled the prison. If there’s a fire…
But no, I couldn’t even take on four guards. Didn’t even get to land a single hit on Dick. I spit again, a bit more bitterly this time. I know I shouldn’t be blaming myself, but I am.
Ax could be hurt right now. Fuck, he probably still thinks I betrayed him.
I really hope I have the chance to rip Dick’s dick off before I die.
Looking around I don’t see any of our usual water skins and know I’m going to be left to my own devices for a while. Careful not to twist my ribs, I lie back down facing the door and close my eyes, praying I sleep and dream of a way out of this mess.