Red West II.

Chapter thirty eight - Helpless night

„There is no pain greater than to be helpless in the face of a loved one's suffering."

The night was cold and calm, disrupted only rarely. Such as by the Sioux's breathing, that was shallow and hoarse. From time to time, also the voices of guards drifted faintly through the air, as the men met on their checking points above the valley. The grains of sand crunched under the boots of two Grenet's gunmen, who were assigned to watch over the captives and the breeze occasionally brought the scent of their cigarettes to the stakes. And then, also a strange and very quiet noise was heard, as if something was grinding over stony ground...

All those sounds in the dark were only an insignificant background for Kame, as he was fully focused on remaining still. It was the only way to bring himself as little of pain as was possible.

His hands were tied somewhere up above his head, but he didn't feel them anymore, as all the blood had drained down from them. His calves were contorted in convulsions, because only the tips of his feet carried the weight of his body now. But Kame didn't move in any attempt to bring himself some relief from this uncomfortable position; it would have been useless anyway.

As Kame's fellow prisoner whispered in his native tongue hours ago, whatever reason the Indian had for it, remaining motionless prevented both of them from hurting their backs even more than they already were. It didn't mean that the little spikes piercing Kame's skin hurt any less, but there was no way around it. At least, the blood stopped dripping from the small but deep injuries.

Kame knew better than to expect that Grenet would be so nice to just lock him up somewhere in the cellar, but this stake thing was something behind his expectations. Already the way he was tied up to it was painful enough, but there was also a dozen of long nails, conversely hammered in its surface, which harmed the body no matter how hard you tried to avoid it.

Despite the pain, thirst and cold, Kame felt strangely calm. He was aware that Grenet was capable of anything to get what he wanted, but he was determined to fight back. He would not give in to the pressure of that creature at all costs.

Not to mention that if his hunch was right, Jin and Koki figured out what happened quickly and they would come for him. He just hoped they would go after Leo to ask for help first, no matter that it would mean for him to spend the longer time in Grenet's 'care'. It would be too risky if they tried to rescue him alone. Grenet was waiting only for that, for any reckless move Jin would make, Kame knew. That man wanted to get both of them... And that could not happen, not ever.

A quiet creak was heard and then the neighing of horses, followed by the sound of many hooves trotting.

"Hey! Watch out!"

"Our horses!!"

"Damn it!"

"Which idiot was supposed to close the fence?!"

Nor the stomping rushing away, neither cursing of Grenet's men made Kame move. And not even almost inaudible steps somewhere behind his stake, even though he somehow knew that he should pay attention to them. Only a gentle touch on his face tore Kame off his trance. He opened his eyes and very slowly, so that he would not move with anything else, raised his head.

At first, he didn't want to believe it; wasn't it just too soon for any kind of rescue? But he would have recognized those handsome features in a much deeper night, than it was at that moment, as the sky above the valley was brightening with the approaching dawn already.

"Kazu... Are you awake?"

Even if not for that whispering voice, Kame would know. Already that touch was too familiar not to recognize it. Or maybe... Maybe that he was just dreaming foolishly.