Hunt

Chapter 59: Even More Unanswered Questions

My grip on the rifle tightens, my thumb flipping the safety to the fire position. Shooting a glance back to where I know Reyna is hidden I make the snap decision to act. To go off script a bit. I'd been given a unique opportunity to get some more answers. I wasn't going to waste it.

Shouldering the rifle I quickly slip around the side of the building. The campfire comes into view alongside the two individuals huddled around it. My eyes lock with one of them as I begin to raise the rifle towards them.

"H-hey—!" He stammers out as they both begin to stand. The other person quickly turning to spot me, freezing as I quickly turn the gun on them.

"Shhh," I raise a finger to my mouth. Keeping my voice low and the gun aimed at the closer target, "Don't you dare call for help. They'll only find corpses."

The two individuals I'm holding at gun point go rigid, slowly raising their hands in surrender. Sound of moving foliage from behind me alerts me to Reyna moving from hiding, quickly moving my way.

"W-we don't have anything of value. We don't have any money." The first guy tries to explain.

"Im not here to rob you," I say in a low voice. "Markus, where is he?"

The demeanor of the two rogues shifts almost instantly at me simply saying his name. They slowly begin to put their hands down. Footfalls beside me alert me to Reyna's arrival.

"This wasn't the plan. What're you doing Ky— Boss?" Reyna hisses at me. Despite her frustration she quickly follows my lead and bringing her rifle to bear against the other rogue.

The second rogue picks up on Reyna's slip of the tongue quicker than the other. His eyes darting cautiously between the two of us. "W-wait... What is this? R-Reyna is that you?"

"Where. Is. Markus?" I ask again, slowly.  Quickly beginning to lose my patience. "I'm not asking again."

I'm quickly directed to another building further in with a quick gesture of the hand. Through grit teeth I quietly order Reyna keep our two hostages detained and quiet as I push further in. I make sure to tell her to shoot them if they try anything, hoping that them hearing the threat would keep them in line. Reyna begins to argue, but after a quick back and forth she reluctantly agrees. Letting me go as I slip back into the shadows.

Creeping my way along the edge of the trees alone I begin to second guess my snap decision to go after Markus. Seeds of doubt beginning to pop up along the edges of my determination, causing cracks to begin to form. I didn't intend on going this far off script, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. If I was lucky he would be alone and I'd be able to pry some answers out of him. I never seem to be that fortunate, but I still feel like I have to try. If he and his father were still having secret conversations like the two rogues had suggested it could change everything about this treaty we established.

The next building is dark as I approach. No fire or conversation like the previous one had. Keeping my rifle at the ready I creep past the threshold, scanning the dark corners for anything. Finding nobody lying in wait to ambush me I continue further inside. So far so good.

The two rogues weren't lying to me, I find Markus in the corner. Seemingly asleep in the furthest reaches of the brick foundation almost completely out of sight behind the mantle. It was like he was trying to hide from everyone. It made him seem small, weak, something I know that he isn't. A quick scan of the interior confirms that he is alone, much to my surprise. I was sure that a rouge group such as this would have more guards. Or at least using the buddy system. But here I find the so called 'leader' of this rouge lycan group fast asleep and completely unguarded. Creeping across the dirt floor I kick him gently, aiming to rouse him from his sleep instead of actually hurting him. I take a quick step back, rifle trained on him in case he tries to do something stupid.