How Things Are

6

It's creepy how slow they ride alongside. None of them says anything, just watch all of us walk. A couple have a woman holding onto them. They both look underfed. Hollow eyes. I'm sure they're treating fine. pff. Eyes forward.

I keep my eyes ahead yet my hand on my sheath. They all pulled over. To ride a motorcycle they must have gotten special permission from their leaders. The tattoo isn't one associated with Derek. However, I recognize one of the men. He has a woman on his knee as he rests on his bike. She glances in my direction then back at the ground.

That's Winrey! I guess she was given to this guy after Kathrin sold us out. She recognizes me. Her new master has no clue. What the heck is going on here?

We're all too tired and they know it. Common curiosity would just let us be. I casually play with the strap of my blade. "Why don't you all take a break uh?" Short but thick with muscles starts saying. Another pulls out some water and starts drinking. Prick.
We've already stopped walking and wait. Turning my back towards them is foolish.

"We don't want any trouble-" some sixth-in-line says. As soon as he opens his mouth a bald guy on a bike shoots him. Stupid. That's why you don't talk on the road fool. Stop speaking for me!

"Is that true? You don't want any trouble?" A tall, curly blonde comes out from behind, asking everyone. He has the other girl on the back of his bike. He drags her with him as he moves closer. Once he stands close enough blonde snaps his fingers and she falls to her knees. I bite my lips and look towards the ground. This isn't my place to step in. No one says anything. "Hmm, you all made it pretty far. Perhaps you'd like a ride the rest of the way?" He's taunting us. His men snicker.
Baldy gets closer to the ninth guy in line (now eighth) "They stink." More laughs. Shorty is pretty jumpy. The tall full-body tattoo guy next to him looks annoyed.
Waterboy comes my way and spits water in my face. (Not gonna lie, it was refreshing.)It made Winwrey gasp. From left side I see her get backhanded. I grind my  to keep composer. "Perhaps we should check their stuff to see if they didn't bring anything illegal before they cross over?" Waterboy suggests.
"We're not a bunch of highway robbers!"  Tattoos says. So what do they want?!
"There's nothing wrong with taking a prize or two." Waterboy and Tattoos argue back and forth.
I'm focused on what Winwrey. She's got a nose bleed. Last time I saw her she was healthy. Now she's shin and bones. She looks like she could use water too. I taught her how to fight and picked up on the basics. I caught her practice knife throwing when she was alone. She was the one who set most of the traps. Her master probably knows most of these facts. Selling a woman who needs breaking is worth more. Looks like he did well. There's scarring on her back. Looks like her wrists were broken and healed painfully slowly more than once. Probably tried escaping with traps-
"You!" I jump. "You looking at what's mine?" Great. All eyes on me.
Blonde steps in front of me "He asked you a question?" This guy creeps me out. His girl is cowering now. If I saw yes, dead. If I say no, he might be insulted. I'm too tired to fight. Gotta think fast.
"I'm sure the samari wasn't-" slap. Winwrey you idiot. "Did I say you could speak?" Every pore is boiling with hatred for this man. "No master." Winwrey mumbles.
Blonde still has eyes on me. I look directly into his eye "Apologies. However I wont be excepting that ride." Answered blondes questions instead of his. That should work. Right?

Everything goes silent until Winwreys master charges after me with two butterfly knifes. I drew my katana before he could touch my throat. It was close. The others in line stepped back. He's swinging out of anger but he's still skilled. I insulted him. It's a matter of pride he has to kill me. Blonde chuckles and walks back to his bike taking his slave woman with him. My legs are like jello but I keep up. Some more get on their bikes. A few on my side try to walk until they get a glare from Tattoos. I'm being set as an example. They want them to see me die.
This death road has taken too much from me. Running on no sleep, these dick heads know none of us are at our full strength. My speed isn't half as fast right now however this guys just angry. He isn't fighting anymore. Flailing his knives. Spinning them to show off to his gang and scare the others. I'm holding my katana with two hands. Blocking only, making him more irritated. He charges faster. The only thing I can think of, I kick sand in his face. Simon would probably be disappointed. It's shady and very un swordsmen like, however I wont be the one who dies here. Winwreys master falters. That split second gives me what I needed to pull the small dagger out from behind me and it flies straight into his eye. Another shallow move for a false samari to pull. Winwrey looks at me surprised. They all do. Most of his crew angry. Everyone gets on their bikes. I received worse glares then that.

The rules of the road apply here. If you're a true criminal they'll follow them. I just one Winwrey along with his bike. Slowly walking up to her dead master I pull out my knife from his eye and clean it. Looking at Waterboy, I remember his suggestion about prizes and tuck his butterfly knifes in my boots. His friends watch me looting his body. As I walk past Winwrey to his bike Shorty jumps up, however Blonde holds out his hand and smiles. They all ride off.
When they're not in sight I tell Winwrey to come. She's the only one who knows the truth. Honestly, this sucks. I have no idea how to ride a motorcycle and protecting someone was the last thing I wanted. The Men look at me with jealousy. I lean on the bike til the noise of the other motorcycles are gone and the group I'm in is far ahead.