The Banditos

Bella Arrives

Nico calls me via walkie-talkie to help. I arrive 20 minutes later, carrying a towel.

Clancy looks up as I arrive, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He's still feeling cold and shaky, and the sight of a familiar face is more than welcome. He accepts the towel from me and tries to dry himself off. It's still not enough to warm him up, though. He's still freezing, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.

I look down at him, looking kind and sweet as always, before speaking slowly. "Need a blanket?"

Clancy nods weakly, his teeth still chattering. "Y-y-yes, p-please," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, disappearing for a moment before returning with a thick blanket. I spread it out over Clancy, wrapping it around his shoulders. The warmth from the blanket is immediately soothing, and Clancy feels some of his shivering slowly subside.

"Thanks," Clancy mumbles, his voice sounding a bit stronger now. "I-I'm s-still freezing."

Nico looks over at Andre, before coming up to Clancy before speaking. "I'm not going to put you through any more trouble. You're free to go. And take your friend with you. I don't care."

Clancy looks up at Nico in confusion, not sure whether to trust him. He glances over at me. I give him a small nod, as if to say, "It's okay".

He looks back at Nico, still feeling a bit suspicious. "Just like that? No more tests?"

Nico sighs, before looking at him again. "Yes. Go before I change my mind."

Clancy hesitates for a moment, looking from Nico, to me, to Andre. He's still not sure if this is some kind of trick, but he doesn't want to test Nico's patience.

He slowly stands up, feeling a bit unsteady on his feet. The blanket is helping to warm him up a little, but he's still cold and shivering weakly.

I grab his hand, leading him out of the room and outside. The air is warm.

Clancy follows, leaning on me slightly for support as we walk. The fresh air feels good on his face, and the warmth of the sun is heavenly after the chill of the cold water and stone room he was trapped in.

I look at him, before stopping in front of him. "Ready to go back to camp? I'll be there to keep you company."

Clancy nods, still feeling shaken and cold. "Yeah," he mutters. "Lead the way."