The Price of Blood [ONC 2024] {SHORTLISTED}

Chapter Six

I can't help my hands from fumbling as I work with the metal. Rory's schematics aren't too different from my normal work - though, considering what they know about my operation, I can't say I'm surprised. Rory spends most of the time keeping an eye on me, a fact I really wish weren't true. 

While I'm busy working with the blood over here, Caelen has been left alone with Rory's gang of poachers. I try to look busy as I study the plans for Rory's weapon. The process is slow-going, between the inconsistent materials and Rory's constant gaze, and I feel more and more stress building up not knowing what's happening back in the poacher's camp. 

I hold the vial of blood up and study the few parts assembled in front of me. Imbuing technology with mystic blood is no easy feat - it takes a lot of knowledge, precision, and care, and with the patchwork weapon this will wind up being, I'm not sure I can truly bring out the qualities of the Recluse blood. 

Rory hovers behind me, frowning at my work. "Think you can move any faster?" They ask, and I look back to see their frown. 

My look must say enough because they back off and head to the other side of the small clearing and I turn back to the scraps of metal I've been working with. 

I pick up what will likely be the core of the weapon and with shaky hands, uncork the vial of blood. I can feel Rory's gaze on me, studying how I work. I bite back the wave of nausea that comes with the stench of the blood. 

I carefully extract a few drops of the blood and run my hand over the metal. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be pure, meaning the properties I can get from the blood will be limited. I wince at the thought of trial and error with Rory watching my every move. 

"Boss!" 

I turn around to see one of the poachers jogging up to Rory. She grabs his arm and says something, and I watch the two of them head a few feet into the cover of trees. My heart leaps into my throat as I realize this could be my one chance to get out of here. 

I keep my eyes on their figures as I slip into the trees in a different direction. I vaguely remember the direction we came from before, and though I know it isn't the smartest move, I make my way in that direction. I can't bear the thought of leaving Caelen alone with them. 

My heart is pounding in my chest, every slight noise causing me to flinch. I have no idea if Rory has realized that I've gone, or if they're still talking with the other pocher. 

I hear a twig snap, and I freeze, my breaths speeding up and everything tensing. I don't know what'll happen if I get caught. I remind myself that Rory won't hurt me too bad - they need me to build them a weapon. 

Caelen, on the other hand... 

I wring my hands. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. 

I look around at the trees, but I can't fully tell which direction I came from. I take a gulp of air and try to calm myself. I can't be lost - it isn't that far from the poacher's camp to the workstation. I must be close. 

I hear cracking and remember the fire that the poachers had lit. I squint at the sky, looking for smoke, but the trees make it so hard to see anything. The forest is dark, I'm alone, and I have no idea where I am. 

I groan, heading off in the direction I think I hear noises from. I realize then just how hungry I am, how long it's been since we last ate. I sigh as I trudge through the forest for a while longer, finally reaching a small clearing. 

I peer around a tree and scan the area ahead. Sure enough, there's the fire. I don't know whether I should be relieved that I'm not lost, or if I should be worried about being so close to the poacher's camp.