Page 11 of Red Fire

At first, they argue among themselves, but the narrative quickly becomes similar to before. There’s arguing and shouting. Just like before, Creed ends up going down to them. There’s more shouting. For a moment, I am sure that one or more of them is going to come up here. I don’t know what to do. Should I attempt to hide? There’s the chest, as well as the closet. I look to the left and see a stack of wood piled high. None of them are very good as far as hiding places go. What if I move and a floorboard creaks? It can happen. Creed told me that they have better hearing than your average man. He told me not to move, so I just stand there, trying hard to control my breathing. I’m in a semi-panic right now at what is going on down there.

“She may not have survived!” Creed yells. “Her helicopter crashed, for fuck’s sake.”

“She did survive! Maximus had her, and someone blindsided him. Someone, according to him, who looks a lot like you.”

There is more talking, but I can’t make it out.

“She’s alive. Someone has her. I think that someone is you, Creed. Where are you hiding her? Is she up there?”

A loud roar fills the air, causing the men below to become silent. I’m pretty sure it was Creed. I hold my breath, hoping that they will go away now. The tension in the air is thick, and I can practically feel my heart beating in my throat.

Please! Please! Let them leave now.

Please!

I close my eyes, saying a little prayer.

“For the last time, there is no female here.” Creed’s voice rumbles like thunder.

“I don’t believe you.”

Another loud roar fills the air again, and then there is the unmistakable sound of flesh against flesh. Are they fighting?

When more blows are exchanged, it becomes apparent that they are indeed fighting. I hear the strikes land with hard thuds. How hard are they hitting each other? The men fighting sound like animals as they snarl and growl. These mountain men sure are wild. No wonder Creed is so worried. My heart is going wild in my chest. I’m panting a little. I can’t help it; I’m so afraid of what will happen if they find me. I’m also afraid for Creed. I would hate for something to happen to him on account of me.

Just as soon as the fight begins, it is over. There is a loud crash and then silence.

“There is no female here.” Creed’s voice booms. Thank god he is okay. I think the other guy is on the ground.

I sigh under my breath when the men start to leave.

“Whoever finds the female first keeps her,” one male yells.

“She’s mine!” another one snarls.

“Get off my property,” Creed grumbles.

“I don’t see a deed with your name on it.”

“Here’s your deed.” There is another slapping noise followed by a yelp filled with both pain and rage. “Go away! All of you. I am growing tired of saying the same thing over and over again. There is no female here.”

Nothing else happens, so I think they are leaving. I strain my ears, but I don’t hear anything more aside from the sound of the wind in the leaves and a bird chirping. It sounds peaceful out there, but I know that isn’t the case.

“What about him?” Creed snarls. “Take him with you. The two of you can carry him.”

Is he talking about the guy he fought? Did he knock him out? I wish I could see what is going on. Then again, maybe it’s better if I can’t see them. It would probably terrify me more. After a few long minutes, Creed comes back up, sitting on his chair like nothing happened. I hear his knife scraping the wood.

This can’t be happening!

How is this happening?

It feels like just the other day that I was getting my shit together. That I finally decided, at the age of twenty-four, what I was going to do with my life. And then that blasted letter arrived in the mail. The one with the bronze dragon embossed on the paper. The letter that ripped my life away from me. The letter that stated that I had been selected as a Tribute.

I stand there like a statue for a long time before putting the bucket down and taking a seat at the fireplace.

There are dozens of these guys roaming the area. They all know that I am here somewhere. I will sit quietly. I won’t be caught. I will do everything Creed asks of me.

I can get through this. I will make it off this island. My mother always said that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. This is one of those things.