You and Ellie followed the blood trail spotting two grown men standing over the dead stag,
Without a word Ellie quickly pulled you both behind a tree watching the men
"Well, what do you think?"
the man with the navy blue coat asked, holding his rifle
"I don't see anybody."
the man with the beanie answered, looking around
"You think we can just take it?"
"Yeah. Quickly. Whoever shot it is probably nearby."
Blue Coat placed his rifle on his back.
"Don't!"
Ellie called from behind the men, deepening her voice
"Drop your rifles! Now!"
You shouted,
joining Ellie holding your knife out menacingly
They both carefully placed their weapons onto the snow raising their hands up
"Turn and face me... slow." Ellie ordered. "Any sudden moves, I put one right between your eyes. Ditto for buddy boy."
"You're quite a hunter."
blue coat said "We didn't even hear you coming."
"Turn around and walk away," you called staring down the men, fear bubbling inside your chest
"Okay."
Blue Coat replied softly
"Just go!"
Ellie yelled
"Okay, all I ask is ten seconds of your time. I just wanna talk."
"I won't say it twice."
Ellie threatened, gesturing to the rifle
"Please. Just ten seconds, My name is David. This is my friend, James. We're from a larger group: women, children, and we're all very, very hungry."
"I'm from a large group, too. Also hungry" Ellie lied, adjusting the heavy gun
"Well, even so, ya can't drag this back on your own, We're not asking for charity. We can trade you for some of the deer. We have... what do you need? We have boots."
"Medicine? Like for infections." Ellie blurted out,
desperation written all over her face
"We do. Back in our village. You're welcome to follow us."
David suggested
"We're not following you anywhere. Buddy boy can go get it. He comes back, you get half the deer Anyone else shows up, I put—"
"One right between my eyes." David finished
"That's right."
David turned to a shocked James,
"All right, go talk to Howard. He's got a case with some penicillin. Bring back two bottles and a syringe."
David instructed.
James stared back at him, confused "It's not code, James. Do as I said." James glanced between You and Ellie before going off to whoever Howard was,
"Ten steps back!" Ellie aimed at David, who began to step backwards
"Keep going." You jumped in
"That your dad's gun?"
David asked
Ellie didn't respond, watching as you bent down to unload the men's rifles,
"He the one that's sick? That's why you're out here on your own? Well, look, uh... it's a four-mile round trip back to our settlement. It's gonna be a while before James gets back. I have some oil and matches in my pack. We could... take shelter. Start a fire."
He gestured behind him
Ellie looked over at the shelter and noticed your shivering frame, and how her fingers were quickly beginning to lose sensation from the cold
"Bring him with us."
She pointed to the deer. "Go."
