Blood in the Dirt

Chapter 22

Andrea stayed there, unable to move. So many emotions were surging through her body. Daniel stood beside her, as silent as a blade of grass, not daring even to breathe. "How could this happen?" Andrea asked no one in particular, but Daniel answered anyways.

"I think we both have a pretty good idea." Andrea raised, and stared into the older boy's eyes.

"The Nobles wouldn't do this? Would they?"

Daniel's eyes widened. "Of course not. They would at least have the decency to leave his hand on."

"Then who?" Daniel didn't respond, but instead allowed Andrea to realize it for herself. Twelve seconds passed before the thought struck her. "The Outsiders." She stared at the ground as her vision blurred with anger.

A rustling sound came from behind her, and she jerked her head upwards to stare at Daniel. He was on high alert, staring past her. His rapid blinking unsettled her. She began to turn, but he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her close to him. "Run." he whispered into her ear before pushing her behind him.

She didn't move at first, curious about who was there, but sprung forward when he screamed, "I said run!"

She leaped through the woods. Bounding over logs and stepping over roots camouflaged with the ground. Andrea halted after she thought she was far enough. She ran to a nearby tree, hiding herself behind the trunk. She heard footsteps beneath her so she climbed into the branches. She didn't stop until she was positive the leaves could hide her well enough.

The footsteps grew closer, but Andrea kept still. She didn't want to draw attention to herself. She waited until the footsteps had passed before she began to move through the trees.

She scanned the ground below her as she glided from limb to limb. She heard voices on her left, and slowed to a stop. Looking through the leaves, she watched the scene unfold in front of her.

A tall, scrawny looking man only a few years older than Daniel stood beside a muscular beast of a man. "Listen Roger, we don't have time to go chasing these idiots through the woods."

Roger, being half the size of the other, answered, "I know, but I could've sworn I had seen that kid before."

"Which one? The boy or the girl?"

"The boy. He looked like Tanner's son, don't you think?"

"Well, a little, but what would he be doing out here? I heard he's on medic duty for the next few days."

"I have no idea. Come on, let's head back to base. You keep an eye out for anyone following us."

The muscular man nodded, and they began trotting away. Andrea jumped as she felt something touch her shoulder. She turned around, and there was a monkey sitting behind her. It was looking away from her, but when it turned its head back around, the creature had no face.

"Ah!" Andrea screamed, and fell backwards out of shock. She plummeted out of the tree, and landed hard on her shoulder. She stayed on the ground for a moment, as she waited for the sharp pain to subside. She rose to her feet and stood face to face with Roger.

"Hey, how's it going kiddo?" he asked, smiling wide.

Andrea became confused. She knew he wasn't planning on inviting her to a tea party, so why the big smile?

"Andrea behind you!" she heard Daniel's voice shout. She dipped into a tremble stance and watched as a knife swiped the air where her head used to be.

She rolled to the side and went to unsheathe her swords. Then she realized that they were still in the infirmary. The muscular man went for another strike. Andrea scissor kicked the blade out of his hand. As it flew through the air, she jumped and kicked it back into his face. She waited for the blade to strike him but it never did.

Roger had thrown a separate weapon, and it caught the knife in midair. Andrea landed, and felt Daniel's presence at her side. "See Joseph? I told you it was Tanner's kid."

"So, Daniel right? Yeah, I think we've met before." Joseph sneered. Andrea looked at Daniel, and saw that he had become pale. "Who's your friend?"

Daniel didn't respond, but instead took a step and placed himself in front of Andrea. "Aw, come on Daniel! You don't have to be like that." Roger began walking towards them, but Daniel stayed quiet. "Okay, how about this? Joseph and I won't tell a soul about how you're working with a Sanction, as long as you hand over the girl."

Daniel shifted his weight, and began walking backwards. He pushed Andrea with him as he went. Joseph laughed, "He must be pretty fond of you little girl. Daniel has taken our deals quite a few times over the years."

Daniel began tapping his finger on Andrea's thigh. She didn't need to know Morse Code to realize what he was trying to tell her. She began sprinting into the foliage, when she heard Daniel shriek in pain.

She turned around and saw that the Outsiders had thrown a knife into his leg. Roger grabbed Daniel and flipped him onto his backside. Joseph grabbed his legs, and stopped Daniel from being able to wiggle free.

"Andrea, get out of here. Now!" Daniel shouted, but Andrea stood rooted to the spot. "And-" Roger clasped a hand over his mouth, causing his screams to be muted.

"That's enough of that noise. Joseph, grab his mouth will ya?" Joseph kneeled on top of Daniel's leg, causing the knife on the back of his thigh to lodge itself deeper into his flesh.

Joseph put his hand over Daniel's mouth in place of Roger's, as he pulled a knife from his belt. "Staying for the show?" Roger purred, as he forced open Daniel's left eyelid. "Daniel, let me tell you a little story..." He lowered the knife, and brought the tip closer to Daniel's eye. Whimpers emitted from Daniel's throat, making Joseph smile. "It's about someone who thought they could switch sides halfway through the fight."

Roger sliced into the top of Daniel's eye, and he writhed in torment. "You see Daniel, switching sides isn't allowed, so when someone tries to, bad things happen."

"Stop!" Andrea managed to squeak, but her voice had no confidence, and Roger simply laughed.

"What's wrong princess? Don't like seeing others in pain? Well, that's a damn shame since pretty soon you're going to get the chance to watch your entire society burn to the ground." He ripped the knife out of Daniel's eye and stood up. Joseph stood too, and Daniel's cries erupted through the forest.

"We'll leave you to it kiddo. See you soon." Joseph called, and the two stalked away.

Andrea finally could move, and kneeled down beside Daniel. He had quieted down, and was now crying into his sleeve. "Daniel?"

He looked up, and his entire eye had swollen shut, but blood still leaked out the sides. "Andrea, I need a doctor..." he whispered.

"That's too bad." Daniel looked into her eyes in shock.

"Andrea...Please."

"I can't believe I trusted an Outsider." she breathed to herself, but Daniel had heard.

"Andrea, I'm not like them. I used to be, but not anymore."

She didn't respond, but instead began walking away. She ignored the cries from behind her as she went back to the village.

Once an Outsider, always an Outsider.