Page 36 of Shared By Two Orcs

“I’m only asking because you’re well regarded in this encampment. Some of the younger orcs look up to you, whereas someone like Duma… Well he’s a bit of a loser.”

There comes an urge within me to jump to Duma’s defense. I open my mouth to speak but one thing stops me; my shame.

“Anyway, hang out with whoever you want, I’m not going to judge. I got to run, I’ll catch you soon for a drink eh?”

With that, Milug spins around and wanders off. That part of me that wanted to jump to Duma’s defense now feels guilty, something I try shrugging off as I head into the mines. On the overseer’s table is a report, listing all the acquired materials from the past twelve hours as well as the humans currently on duty. My eyes aimlessly wander upon the names until one catches me off my guard.

Shit, Willo’s working today?

I look up at the closest group of workers in panic, feeling relief come over me when I see Willo isn’t among them. I make it my aim to avoid her at all costs today, knowing I won’t have the energy to deal with her questions on when her, Duma, and I were going to get together again. Besides, by now she’s likely started to get suspicious. I’ve only seen her once in the past week.

“Still, I have a duty to make sure everyone is meeting their quota. I ought to concentrate on my duties for the day. If I see Willo, I’ll just stay out of her line of sight.”

I sign my name on the report before beginning my rounds. As I head deeper into the mines, it feels as though I’m descending into doom. I have no idea what I’m going to do should I run into Duma again, nor have I any more excuses to give to Willo. If I go out with her again, she’d more than likely drag us to the Duma’s house.

The torment is enough to ignite a throbbing pain in the front of my head. I groan, throwing a hand to my head but it only seems to make the agony spread. The constant thwack of the pickaxes and shovels against walls and pits only aggravates it. I’m in so much discomfort that I don’t notice a human walk right up to me.

“Sir, are you okay?” he asks, wearing a genuine look of concern over his face.

“Hmm? Oh uhm… Yeah, I’m fine. Get back to work.”

The worker looks at me distrustfully before heading back to his station.

Damn… Even the humans are noticing.

I look in the other direction. In the distance, I spot Willo emptying a bucket of ore into a large container. I turn back without hesitation, not willing to face her in this state. I can’t risk being seen. The last thing I need right now is an interrogation.

I make my way back to the entrance, taking a seat at the overseer’s table. I pour myself a glass of water, drinking it in the hopes it’ll ease my pain. Closing my eyes, I continue rubbing my forehead, tuning out all of the noise coming from the mining. That’s when a familiar voice calls out to me.

“Yamarz, we need to talk.”

I spin around in surprise, my eyes widening when I see Duma standing right behind me.

20

WILLO

Ipull the pickaxe over my shoulder and swing at the wall for the millionth time today. From long periods of use, the tool has gone blunt and does barely a thing to mine the hidium ore vein. On top of that, my arms are sore and my shoulders are stiff.

Using extra strength to get the job done is out of the question. It also didn’t help that my clothes were sticking to my skin in the blistering damp heat of the mines. I can barely breathe with the lack of ventilation in here.

“I’m damn sick of this shit…” I mutter to myself.

My body isn’t the only part of me suffering. My mind is a mess, running rampant with thoughts of Duma and Yamarz. For some reason, I’ve barely seen any of them this week. All week, it’s been excuses of being busy with work or being sick.

Yet something isn’t right about it all. The guys haven’t seen each other since that night we all slept in my place. Given how sudden this all is, I can’t help but think that something has happened. I’m more upset with each passing day. I need to get to the bottom of it all.

All these thoughts have my head pumping. I rub it in pain, desperate for some relief when a familiar hand rests itself in my shoulder. I spin around, greeted by Jinnow.

“Willo, are you okay?” she asks, brows raised in concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Come on, you don’t look fine. What’s going on?”

I’m up to my neck in boiling blood and frustration but Jinnow is the last person I’ll take any of this out on.

“I’m just not feeling well,” I sigh.

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