Burn Bright

Gerard and Ryan walked on the ground in their wolf and bear form, Gerard felt rather small compared to the giant brown bear beside him. He looked up and saw Bandit flying up above, knowing the truth Gerard could feel pride in his daughter. Her wings were a golden color with white spots, and her yellow beak shined brightly in the sun.

Gerard’s ears twitched when he heard a sound in the distance, he could smell that it wasn't any sort of animal, it was a group of warlocks wondering around the forest. He changed back into his human form, Ryan and Bandit followed suit, he pulled on his daughter’s arm and usher her behind a large tree that had fallen down. The three of them crouched down and hid their bodies behind the tree, “Dad…what's going on?” Bandit whispered, but her father only answered by putting a finger to his lips, telling them to be quiet.

“Do you think Marcus will get him to talk?” One voice stated, they were just on the other side of tree. Bandit felt her heart begin to pound faster in her chest, she looked to Ryan, his eyes were wide in fear. Gerard listened intently to the conversation.

“I don't know, he's holding out longer than any of the others. Of course you would expect that from the brother of the chief.” Another voice piped in, Bandit felt her whole body freeze. The reason Mikey has been hard to find is because the warlocks had him.

"Yeah but after a little bit longer with Marcus, he's going to be spilling information just to get Marcus to stop. Honestly I hope Marcus doesn't take pity on him like the others…I want that rat to suffer.” Another man seethed. It took everything in Gerard's power not to launch himself over that tree and attack the men. The voices began to fade away in the distance, and after a few more minutes the voices were completely gone.

“Dad…we have to help him! They're going to kill Mikey!” Bandit harshly whispered, trying to keep her voice down in case the warlocks were still around.

“How? We don't even know where their base camp is.” Ryan asked.

“We're going to have to find it…we can't let them kill Mikey. They might be torturing him! Dad…what are we going to do?” Bandit could feel herself shaking, she was afraid for her uncle, but she was more afraid that her father would decline to help his brother.

Gerard was silent for a few moments before nodding his head, "Okay, this is what we are going to do…we are going to look for the warlocks’ camp…when we find it, we will try to get Mikey out undetected. I know that isn't much of a plan now…but when I see the camp I can make more of a plan. Bandit you fly up above the treetops, the warlocks don't know that you have the ability of the falcon, so you will not arise suspicion. Try to find the camp, most likely there will smoke from their fires. Ryan and I will try a keep up.” Both Ryan and Bandit nodded that they understood, Bandit changed and took to the skies. She prayed that they would be able to find Mikey before it was too late.

*******

Mikey’s eyes opened slowly, the bleeding from the stab wound had stopped however he felt extremely lightheaded. His hands were still bound above his head, he tried to loosen the straps by moving his wrists, but the only thing he accomplished was causing the skin on his wrists to burn. He groaned when he saw Marcus step into the tent, “You…m-missed me already? I-I'm flattered r-really.” Mikey did his best to look and sound unfazed.

Marcus smirked, “You were passed out for a while, you are really proving to be quite the challenge Michael. You are very stubborn, all your people usually begged for me to end their pathetic lives by now.”

"I told you...I-I'm not telling y-you where they are.” Mikey stammered.

“Ah yes,” Marcus picked up a small vile filled with bright blue liquid, “Well I've been yearning to test out this new potion, but all your people died before I got the chance.” Mikey eyed the vile, he swallowed dryly. Marcus continued, “You see, this potion…it makes your inside feel as if they are melting from the inside out. It's quite painful, I'd assume. However it does no physical harm. All the pain will be inside that little head of yours.” Marcus stepped closer, Mikey tried to shrink away from the warlock, who smiled evilly at the younger man.

He grabbed Mikey’s chin and pulled his face closer to his own. “C’mon…be a good rat…just open your mouth. It doesn't have to be a lot.” Mikey clamped his jaw shut, refusing to open his mouth. Marcus grew impatient and jabbed his thumb into the stab wound on his side. Blood began to pour freely from the wound, Mikey could help but cry out because of the pain. Marcus acted fast and poured the entire contents of the vile down Mikey’s throat.

The pain was immediate, a fiery pain made its way down Mikey's throat and into is stomach. All his organs felt as if they were disintegrating. Mikey coughed and sputtered, trying to get the potion out of his system. It was the most pain Mikey had ever been in. His whole body began to shake, sweat glistened on his skin.

Marcus took out another vile, this one a light pink in color, “Now Mikey, I can make all that pain go away. Just tell me where you tribe is, tell me where they are. The pain can stop almost immediately.
Mikey couldn’t form words, his throat burned and he could swear it was swelling. Instead he shook his head once, he tried to cough again but it only made the pain intensify.

Marcus’ face contorted in anger, he smacked Mikey hard, “You pathetic little rat! You are loyal to a tribe who discarded you. Threw you away like a piece of trash! Just tell me where they are!” Marcus snarled. Mikey just shook, his whole body shook. The pain only got worse with time, every part of his body burned. “You will tell me Michael…next time I'll up the dosage. The pain just might make your heart stop.” Marcus growled and left the room again.

After Mikey was sure that Marcus was gone, he began to cry and whimper. He just wanted the burning to stop, he almost wished that his heart would stop, maybe then the pain would go away.

Notes

Thanks you everyone who is reading!