Escape

Chapter Eighteen

Aaron and I wait for a long time before an older man walks into the tent, followed closely by none other than Adam.

I recognize the man as one of the men who ambushed me. Who knew he was also the leader of this iniquitous group? (Random side-note, I learned that word through a dictionary I read awhile back.)

Adam looks at me with a look akin to guilt, for whatever reason, before it's masked by impassiveness when his father turns to us.

"Bryna, I do believe is your name. Correct?" the man asks.

I roll my eyes. "Give the man a prize," I answer sarcastically.

He shoots me a look that suggests he's not afraid to do something if I keep up my act. Be my guest, old man. 

He turns to Aaron. "You seem to be evasive to our methods. Your name?"

I look at Adam while the man is preoccupied with Aaron. The guy shrugs innocently, yet the sly smile on his face says that he's got something to do with Aaron's anonymity. 

I turn back as Aaron remains completely silent. After a moment, the man turns to me.

"Is he mute or something?" Adam's father asks me.

I shrug. "Selectively," I reply, to the guy's utter befuddlement.

Aaron chuckles slightly at my side. 

"Well, then what's his name? Will you tell me?"

I glance at Aaron, who shrugs at me. Ah, so he's playing this card then.

"His name is Aaron," I address the man. "And yours? Unless you want me to mentally dub you 'Man' or whatever creative adjective my mind can come up with..."

The man looks actually quite amused at me. That's new. I expected my sass to piss him off. It's kind of what I was going for, actually.

"I am Marcus Greene, leader of this settlement."

"I see. And you thought it wise to capture a pair of rebellious teenagers? Then proceed to torture them and put them in a dark room with no light, food, or water?" I inquire.

Adam looks at his father pointedly, as if to say 'I told you so'.

Marcus ignores his son and replies smoothly, "I know that my charming son gave you food and water, so you can't play that card. As for the torture, some measures have to be taken to the extreme so we can get our answers. The dark room is the only solid building in this settlement, and it is commonly used for criminals in our establishment."

"And we're criminals?" I ask. "Of what crime?"

"You killed three of my men," he tells me.

"Alright, yeah. One was an accident. Even you could see that. The other two attacked me first. The first guy did too, if I'm honest." I shrug. "So you have an excuse for me here. What about Aaron?"

"Leverage," Marcus says, as if it's the simplest thing in the world.

"And how'd that work out for you?" I ask. "Now you're stuck with two non-compliant teenagers who know how to sass and kick ass. Allow me to slow clap at your incredible failure."

Aaron snickers in amusement, and Adam tries and fails to hide an amused smile.

Marcus regards me coolly. "You will be compliant, or you will pay the price."

"What price?" I inquire. "I mean, I've already endured torture. Aaron's already seen me close to death. Are you going to beat him half to death for my crimes? Because I'll tell you now that won't get either of us to be compliant." I shrug. "Like I said; we're teenagers without a sense of loyalty. You lucked out, dude."