Page 3 of Scavenger's Oath
Thankfully the hooded men have their backs to me, but I clutch my knife tighter anyway.
The flicker of firelight reflects off something else in the dirt.
A petrol can.
One of the men kicks the can toward him and the bleeding man struggles to nod in the others grip.
My stomach turns as I watch the sobbing man grab the petrol can and undo the cap. His hands shake as he lifts it to his mouth and drinks the contents.
He coughs and splutters, spilling some of the liquid as he desperately drinks.
Maybe it’s water. Maybe they’re just cruel in how they deliver it.
My hope crumbles as one of the men picks up the flaming stick and tosses it at the man.
He ignites immediately, his pain-filled howls erupting like a flare into the quiet night.
Trees shudder around us as startled birds flee the branches, adding to the horror of what I just witnessed.
I have to run.
Now!
Adjusting myself on the backseat, I reach for the door handle. Even as my heart pounds, I’m grateful that the car is at an angle where I can exit without drawing attention.
Every noise I make sounds thunderous in my heightened state, but I pray that the screams continue long enough to cover any sound.
Pulling the handle gently, the door unlatches with a click. Pausing, I take a deep breath, hoping to stop my trembling. Then I push the door a little more.
The creak of the rusty door sparks my adrenaline higher.
I freeze, holding my breath.
It’s fine. It’ll be fine.
The gargled screams of the burning man continue, and the sick symphony of laughter hasn’t stopped. I push the door a little more, just enough so I can slip out of the car.
The cold air steals my breath immediately and I regret my decision to search for shelter instead of more clothes.
While my scrappy shorts and singlet top are fine during the heat of the day, a jacket and pants would go a long way at night.
Crouching beside the car, I grip my knife and wait for a moment, holding my breath.
When I don’t hear footfall, I try to calm my breathing again and slow my racing heart.
I need to get out of here now!
Undetected.
Lucky for me, this car crashed into a streetlamp long ago, right where a small fence begins. It’s short in height and length, but enough to give me some cover while I put some distance betweenme and them.
That will be my direction.
I take a tentative step, staying low as I creep along the side of the car.
“Well, well. What do we have here?” an amused voice rumbles from behind me.
Gasping, I whip around, falling backward onto my ass as I find myself face-to-face with one of the hooded men.
