Burn Bright

Bandit and Ryan snuck out of the cave, no one saw them leave, so they begun their mission of finding Mikey. They walked in silence for several minutes, the only sounds being heard were the soft crunches of the pine-needles under their feet, and the clanking of their bags against their bodies. Finally Ryan spoke up, “Do you have any idea where he might have gone?”

Bandit thought deeply about it before answering, “Maybe he went to the top of Silent Mountain, he took me there for my birthday…he said it was a special place for him.”

Ryan nodded his curls bouncing, “Alright, we’ll start there.”

After a hour of walking they made it to the top of the mountain, Bandit sighed, she missed the feeling that the top of the mountain gave her. That feeling was gone, all she could think about was her uncle, they hadn't seen any trace of him. She was worried that he actually left the area, that he really wouldn't come back.

“Bandit…what are you doing?” Her heart froze as she heard her father's voice behind her. Ryan’s whole body tensed, his chief was here, he had disobeyed an order, he didn't know if he would be banished too.

"Dad…” Bandit turned to face her father, he looked angry but she could see a hint of relief in his eyes.

“I was worried B, y-you were gone. I thought they had you.” Gerard rushed over to his daughter and hugged her tightly. Bandit was taken off guard, she expected him to yell, and demand that she go back to the cave. She hugged him back.

“We need to get back to the cave Bandit, it's not safe out here.” Gerard stated, he motioned for Ryan and Bandit to follow him but Bandit shook her head, staying still.

“No Dad, that's exactly why we need to look for Mikey.” Bandit said, “You injured him, and then sent him out to the woods. He could be really hurt.”

“B… Frank, Ray, and I will look for him once I get you and Ryan back safe.” Gerard directed his gaze to Ryan, “Your father is worried about you.” Ryan quickly glazed at Bandit, but she wasn't going to change her mind.

“No, I'm going to find him. Whether you help me or not, I'm going to find my uncle…your brother who you sent away.” Bandit snapped, her father looked taken aback, but slowly he nodded his head.

“Okay…alright we will all look for him.” Gerard agreed, he was worried about their safety but he knew he had to begin to trust his daughter. He had to let her make her own decisions.

******

“I-is t-that all you g-got?” Mikey wheezed, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Marcus punched Mikey hard in the gut, making the younger cough again. Marcus grabbed a sharp blade and held it dauntingly in front of Mikey's face. Mikey eyed the blade, but didn't express any emotion. Marcus trailed it gently down Mikey's bare chest, not breaking any skin, but causing a shiver to run down Mikey's spine. Marcus noticed this and smiled, he stopped towards Mikey's side, he knew he wouldn't hit any major organs, he knew that Mikey was not going to die from this injury, he plunged the knife deep into Mikey's side. Mikey screamed out of shock and pain.

Marcus pulled the knife out and blood began to pour from the wound, causing Mikey’s vision to blur. Marcus force Mikey to look at him, “Would you like to tell me where your tribe is?” Marcus asked.

“G-go to h-hell.” Mikey's voice was barely above a whisper, Marcus seethed and backhanded Mikey, making the throbbing in Mikey's head worse. Mikey smirked, his teeth tinged red by the blood in his mouth, “I'll never tell...I'll d-die b-before you'll g-get anyt-thing from me.”

Marcus blinded by rage smacked Mikey again, harder this time, making the younger man instantly black out. “That can be arranged.” He growled, he titled Mikey's head back and gave him another dose of the medicine that kept him from changing, Marcus then stomped out of the room, trying to think of another way to get Mikey to talk.

Notes

Welp things aren't looking too good for Mikey!

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