The Price of Blood [ONC 2024] {SHORTLISTED}

Chapter Seven

I check my watch again, trying to ensure I'm on the right track. Thankfully, it's functioning right now, but I can't help worrying that it'll shut down and get us lost. The location Rory initially sent us to is still saved in my watch's map function, and I'm hoping that they won't have moved since I left.

Adella walks next to me, keeping an eye on Sav flying above us. Part of me wants to reach out, to get some of this weight of my chest, but I know there's nothing my aunt can do to help. There's only one person who can really help now, and I can't decide if I want to face him or run the other way.

I think some part of me is still clinging to the hope that there's a logical explanation, some part of it that hasn't sunk in yet. I catch myself occasionally zoning out, losing track of what's happening.

Adella gives me a long look, and I can't tell if she's keeping an eye on me or if she's just worried.

I frown. I'm glad Adella and Sav are here for me, but I don't want them to pity me. I glance back down at the map on my watch, trying to decipher the flickering image on it's screen. I think we're close.

Sav swoops down low enough for us to hear her. "I can see smoke ahead. There's definitely someone in a camp up there."

I think back to the fire the poachers had huddled around. "That should be them," I say, my gut twisting as the reality of everything hits me. I'm going to have to face Rory and Caelen again. I don't know how I should act, or what I should say.

Adella gives me a firm pat on the back and I turn to give her a smile. It feels as though she's pushing me forward - maybe that's her intention. I take a deep breath and continue walking. I can hear voices now, likely the poachers talking. I'm not ready for this. I don't know that I ever will be.

I push aside a branch in front of me and come face to face with the camp I was held captive in only hours earlier. Rory is standing near the fire with some of the other poachers, and they don't look happy. I feel what little confidence I have start to wane, but it's too late to back down.

One of the poachers glances up and spots me, and Rory is quick to saunter over to where I'm standing. I don't have to look behind me to know Adella is already gone. It's probably best if I don't - anything that could give those two away is the worst thing I could do right now.

Rory crosses their arms. "Finally came to your senses, did you?" They say. Their voice is flat, and it makes their annoyance even more obvious. The look they give me is sharp enough to cut diamonds, and I have to stop myself from flinching.

"I just want answers," I say, mimicking their crossed arms. "Are you going to give them to me, or am I wasting my time?"

I see Adella's figure shifting behind the poachers, toward the clearing with the workstation. I quickly return my gaze to Rory. This plan relies on secret, and I don't intend to ruin that by one careless glance.

Rory eyes me with suspicion, and I can't help but hold my breath.

Finally, a slow smirk grows on their face. "Finish that weapon and I'll give you all the answers you could ask for."

The breath comes out, and I keep it as quiet as possible so as not to alert Rory to my relief.

"What are we doing here, then?" I ask. "Let me get to work."

Rory looks amused as they start to lead us to the workstation. "Had I known this is what it took to get you motivated, I'd have used it a while ago," they say, falling in line with me. "I told you, Vaughn, we're cut of the same cloth, you and I. This is the world we belong to," they gesture with their free hand to the clearing around us, their other hand on my back, firmly pushing me forward.