The Chicken Lover

We're Rescued

"Dead. I'm dead! That's the only explanation." I said out loud. It was pitch black and I couldn't feel my arms. Suddenly the black gave way to an extremely bright light. No, it wasn't bright, it was quite dim actually. It was a lantern. I found myself tied to a tree with my arms above my head. Edana squirmed beside me, her head in a sack. Briant was on my other side.

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" Daray smiled menacingly. "I thought you'd left for good! This is a surprise."

"Let us go! We haven't done anything." I yelled.

He stood, tossing a small knife into the air and catching it by the handle.

"Oh? Well, where's my rooster gone to? Why are my man's clothes missing?  Who is this man wearing them? Hm? Feel free to explain. Any moment now."

I couldn't explain. I wasn't sure why I had wanted to help Edana and her rooster-turned-brother. I looked to the ground.

"Mhm. I thought not. Well, we shall see how much the people are willing to pay for these lovely servants in England, yes?"

"No..." I looked up at him.

"You'll certainly bring a pretty penny. Evan!" He called to his son who was standing in the darkness.

"Yes, father?"

"Have the men prepare our horses. We ride at dawn."

Evan nodded and looked at me. His eyes looked sad. I guess mine did too, because he hung his head as he left.

"See you later." Daray laughed. He left me alone in the darkness. Edana still squirmed, but she didn't say a word. I think Briant must have put up a fight; he was out cold. No need for a sack over his head.

"Edana? Edana? Are you alright?" I whispered.

"Of course I'm not alright! My arms feel like they've fallen off and I have a ghastly headache!" She yelled, although it was muffled through the sack. "I also lost my knife. Oh hang it all!"

My arm itched terribly, so I tried to pull my arm down to scratch it, when I realized the ropes on my arms were cut. My arm fell down extremely numb. "What the...?"

Suddenly I fell off the tree. I looked around but it was too dark to see who'd done it. Edana fell off next. She yanked the sack off her head. "That's better!"

Briant fell on his face. Edana ran over and lifted his head on her knees.

"Is he alright?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's alive. Just a bit bruised." She answered.

I crept behind the tree I had been tied to. A man in a cloak stood behind.

"Thank you. You didn't have to do that, I don't know why you did, but thank you so much."

"You don't know?" He said.

"Wait... Evan?" I pulled his hood down. "You act nothing like a rogue." I smiled.

"That's because I'm not one. Quickly, you must leave now. Get your friends and hurry. Here's some water. That might wake the man up." He handed me a bottle and turned to leave.

"Evan, won't you come with us?"

He sighed. "I must stay with my father."

I hugged him. He looked surprised.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"It was for you. Just for you." I grinned. He bowed, smiled, and walked away.