Page 26 of Mountain Orc Daddy

When I start heading towards it to check, I notice some footprints on the pathway. Two sets of them. Most of them are scuffed. It feels like a bad sign.

I follow their path. Some are straight while others deviate into a circle. Then they lead straight again.

“This doesn’t seem right,” I grunt.

I keep following them carefully. My movements are calm and calculated. Like if I were stalking a roaming animal. I have to be careful to expect a sudden attack.

The path leads me into the woods. The two sets of footprints begin to fade into one. I don’t know if it’s because of dirt or something else. I bend down to inspect it, something I should’ve done in the first place.

I pick up pieces of it with my fingers. Before I can analyze anything, I hear noises further in the woods. I don’t know whether it was a scream or something falling. I take off running.

I run until I find a peculiar looking house. It’s smaller than Blair’s and nearly falling apart. It’s dark inside the little house. Should I go investigate or should I keep looking around?

My gut tells me to check. With my club in hand, I make my way inside it. I’m in a defensive position checking for enemies. What I find is worse.

“Blair!”

She’s tied up and alone. Her mouth’s covered with a thin cloth. By the looks of it, she’s the one that made the noise earlier. I think she tried to chew her way out of the bind.

I untie the rope and rip the cloth away from her face. Her cheeks are stained with ears. Her eyes are bloodshot. The clothes on her are quite dirty, as if she were dragged.

“What happened to you? How did you get like this?” I ask.

She takes deep breaths, trying to calm down. They quickly turn faster and less stable. She’s leaning into a panic attack. I’ve seen one too many back home.

I gently place my hand over her back. “Calm down, Blair. I’m here, take a few deep breaths so you can tell me what happened.”

She does as I suggest. Soon after, the panting subsides. Then, suddenly, she grabs at my arms.

“We have to get out of here!” she whispers.

“What’s wrong? Please, tell me.”

I try to remain calm but her wide eyes and terrified expression set me off. I’m ready to defend her with my whole body. I need to know first what and who attacked her.

“We have to go before the bounty hunter comes back!”

She pulls my hand but I stop her. “A bounty hunter?”

“I’m fine! But if we don’t get out of here, he’ll come and hurt you!”

She stumbles on the floor. Her legs give out underneath her. I quickly go to help her up. When I hold on to her wrist, I see the cuts on her wrists.

They’re from the rope that said bounty hunter used. She not only has dirt on her clothes, but dried blood. Nothing too alarming, but equally infuriating.

Anger rises in me.

“How long have you been like this?”

She looks at me incredulously. “Uzul, that doesn’t matter. We have to go, please!”

I shake my head. “No, you’re injured. You can get worse if we run out of here.”

“I’m fine, truly. But we really, really, have to leave.”

“He would already be here if he were near. If something does happen, I’ll protect you. Let me help you go back to your house,” I say.

She hesitates to take my hand. In the end, she places her hand on it. Then she leans on to me. Carefully, and slowly, we leave the place.

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