The Bitter Truth

Chapter 26 ~ A pail of fuel

With Saija a few short strides ahead of them, Ronny and Arliss assisted Marcus with the trek to the mine—one of his arms over each of their shoulders. The earth crunched beneath their boots, a cloud of dust rising with every step they took. As they walked, they chatted with Marcus about their scheme to sneak into the mysterious building last night for the stolen rusnine.

Marcus listened to their dilemma thoughtfully before inputting his suggestion. "It sounds like ya need ta break that door down, or I reckon have the kid scale the window..."

"She's not scalin' da window!" Ronny spat.

"The door it is, then," Marcus shrugged.

"We break that door, we gonna alert our presence. What if it doesn't even budge, and all we do is alarm them of our endeavor?" Arliss argued.

"What if they hurt her, Arliss?!" Ronny growled.

"We can at least peek and make sure it's empty first. I don't like it any more than ya do!"

"She's not doin' it! End of discussion."

Arliss sighed, using his free hand to run down his face. After a moment of silence, he finally caved in.

"The door it is..." he muttered.

As they reached the mine, they led Marcus to his cart and helped him mount inside to his seat. Ronny then took a moment to speak to Saija, gently pulling her to the side.

"Listen, darlin', he's strugglin' a lot. Do what ya can so he don't gotta be hoppin' n' out, hear?"

She nodded with understanding. She then gently touched his back, tilting her head and making an asking face about his condition.

"I'm alright, little one. Thanks for askin'," he smiled. "Now be a good for Marcus. Work hard. Don't ya run off again, or imma drop ya pants and really whip ya tail, ya hear me?"

She gulped and shook her head with widened eyes.

"Alright," he squeezed her shoulder before ushering her to the cart and lifting her up into the back.

As Marcus drove off, he shouted, "Behave!"

She sent a thumbs up before the cart turned out of sight.

"Why ya so anxious?" Arliss probed, taking in his furrowed brow and his eyes as they lingered down the path.

"She don't listen ta me, man... 'm scared she gonna do the same to him. This ain't the place... she could get really hurt."

Guards were approaching from behind, so they swung their axes over their shoulders and headed toward their site.

Arliss disputed as they walked, "She does heed Marcus and Klaus, sonny that ain't true she dont... That time was an exception. She heard a woman in pain and wanted to help. Don't fret it."

"Ya say it likes it's so easy..." Ronny grumbled. "Ever since bringing her here, my damn brain be on worried overdrive twenty-four-seven now, man..."

 "No, I get it, sonny, I do."

"Ya feel the same way?" Ronny asked, turning his head toward him.

"I do..." Arliss admitted, yet his gaze didn't meet him; it remained fixed on the grey and brown earth at their feet.

As they approached their site, they instinctively separated a few feet, then began axing into the rocks. Right from the start, something felt off with their rhythm. It took a few swings before Ronny figured out what it was: the incentives.