Hunt

Chapter 67: The Tough Decision

Our captive doesn't need much convincing as he quickly leads us deeper through the forest. All the while we're moving I'm keeping watch on the trees around us, waiting for the ambush that would spell our doom. My hands tremble against my rifle. Thousands of scenarios are coursing through my head. Just how deep did I dig our graves by pulling the trigger?

After a couple minutes of silence the rogue stops, turning to Julie. "They're just up ahead. C-can I go now? I did what you asked, no tricks."

I motion for Julie to keep watch over our captive for a minute as I push forward to verify that the rogue was actually telling us the truth. Rounding the trunk a rather large tree I quickly spot a group of people silhouetted by a couple small lights, seemingly from rifles. From my angle I could clearly see three kneeling individuals tied up at the edge of the crowd. It doesn't take long to identify them. Sneaking back to Julie I give her a confirming nod.

"They're there."

The rogue begins to stammer, "O-okay. I held up my end..."

"Yeah, you did. Thank you." I say as I quickly slam the butt if my rifle into his forehead. Silencing him as he hits the ground like a sack of potatoes. Out cold.

Julie sighs, kneeling down to begin tying him up. "Alright, so what's the plan? Go in guns blazing and get the team free?"

"That'll just get us and the others killed. There's too many of them for us to take in a frontal assault. I could see at least three hostages, but there's probably more, and they're definitely armed with our gear now... shit." I grumble the last bit mostly to myself as we finish tying up our hostage. "Okay here's an idea. I'll confront them, while they're distracted by me you sneak around and free the team."

"David didn't seem to be in a talking mood Kyle. What will you do if he just attacks you?" Julie asks.

I lift my rifle. "I'll fight back. Besides, we know he wants me alive. But the others are expendable to him. Go now, get in position. Key the mic twice when you're ready. I'll try my best to keep the doggies distracted and give you an opening to get the hostages out."

Julie nods before she slinks off into the darkness. As I watch her fade into the shadows I could feel my heart beginning to race even faster. Doubt was creeping back into my heart where confidence was quickly fading. But I know that I have to trust her if I wanted this plan to work and have a happy ending. Julie is capable, I knew she had it in her to get this done right. But this would all be for nothing if I can't hold up my side of the plan. Turning my attention back to the group ahead of me I begin my approach, walking out of the safety of the tree line and right into the kill box.

"Come on out Mr. Parker..." I can hear David call my name from the clearing. He seemed to be talking to the radio, not directly to me. I apparently haven't been seen yet. "Your friends are all waiting for you."

Peering from around the tree one last time I could see David. He was pacing back and forth in front of the kneeling figures, a rifle slung over his shoulder as he holds the radio up.

Stepping from the shadows I call out, feigning a smile. "There you are David! I've been looking all over for you!"

All eyes quickly converge onto me, David spinning quickly at my sudden outburst. Growling erupts from the forest around me, quickly cementing the idea that I am quickly getting in over my head. I'm quick to drop the smile to a scowl.

"Ah! The mighty hunter finally makes his grand appearance!" David says, mirroring my faux smile as he quickly aims the rifle he's carrying at me. "Alright kid, drop the gun."

-click click- Julie's signal pops through my radio as I begin to approach David. She got into position quickly. Good. Time to make a distraction.