The Banditos

Clancy Cares

Nico looks at him for a moment, studying him with a cruel glare. "You really care about her, don't you?" he sneers.

Clancy glares back at him, his heart racing. "Of course I do. She's one of my closest friends. She's a part of the Banditos. And I won't let you hurt her."

Nico rolls his eyes again and laughs again. "How noble. You really think you're some kind of hero, don't you? You think you're going to save her and everything will be fine. But you're wrong. You're going to fail. Just like every other rebel who has tried."

Clancy clenches his fists tighter, his frustration mounting. "You're wrong. I'm not going to fail. I'm going to save her, no matter what it takes."

Nico just laughs again, clearly finding Clancy's determination amusing. "You're really not giving up, are you? It's kind of cute, really. It's like watching a little mouse try to take down an elephant."

Clancy scowls at him, his patience thinning. "I don't care how difficult it is. I don't care how outnumbered I am. I'm not giving up on her."

Nico shakes his head, a sinister smile on his face. "You're a fool. But, if you're so determined to save her, maybe I'll give you a little opportunity."

Nico leaves the room, leaving Clancy by himself.

Clancy stands there, alone in the room. His mind is racing, his heart pounding in his chest. He's not sure what Nico has planned, but he knows he has to act fast. He starts pacing back and forth, trying to come up with a plan. He looks around the room, searching for anything that could help him. There's nothing. The room is sparse and plain, with no objects or weapons that he could use. Frustration and anger build up inside him as he continues to pace, his thoughts racing.

He glances towards the door, wondering where Nico has gone and what he plans to do. He doesn't trust him, not for a second. He knows that Nico is evil, that he's cruel and manipulative. He can't shake the feeling that Nico is playing some kind of sick game with him.

Suddenly, he hears footsteps outside the door. He stops pacing and listens, his heart beating faster in his chest.

The door swings open and Nico steps into the room, a smug look on his face again. Clancy turns to face him, his expression guarded.

"I've got a little proposition for you," Nico says, his voice sickeningly sweet.

Clancy crosses his arms, his eyes narrowing. "What kind of proposition?" he asks, his voice wary.

Nico smirks at him, a cold gleam in his eyes. "I'll make you a deal. If you pass my little test, I'll let Bella go free."

Clancy's eyes widen in surprise, his heart skipping a beat. "A test? What kind of test?" he asks, trying to keep his voice steady.

Nico grins, a menacing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well, I can't tell you what it is before you take it. That would be cheating. But I can tell you that it's a test of bravery."

"Bravery?" Clancy repeats, his mind racing as he tries to figure out what Nico could possibly be planning. "And what happens if I don't pass your test?"

Nico's expression darkens, a cruel glint in his eyes. "If you fail, I'll make Bella suffer. And your failure will be all your fault."

Clancy's heart clenches in his chest as he hears this. The thought of Bella suffering because of him is unbearable. But he knows he can't just give up. He has to find a way to pass this test.

"Fine," he says, his voice firm. "I'll take your test. But if I pass, you'll let Bella go?"

"That's the deal," Nico confirms, his smile widening. "Now follow me. It's time for your test."

Clancy nods, steeling himself for whatever is to come. He follows Nico out of the room, down a long hallway, away from the room where Bella is being kept. They pass by several rooms, some with lights on inside. Clancy can hear voices coming from within the rooms, but he can't make out what they're saying.

They reach the end of the hallway and stop in front of a door. Nico turns to Clancy and grins. "Are you ready for your test?"

Clancy nods, trying to hide the anxiety he's feeling. "I'm ready."

Nico chuckles and opens the door, gesturing for Clancy to step inside. "Good. You can find everything you need in here. The test begins as soon as you enter."