Ranger's Apprentice - The Afterwards

Ch. 19

   Maddie groaned and opened her eyes. She was laying on her back, looking through the gaps in the trees. He head was on somebody's lap, but her vision was too fuzzy to see who's it was.
   Why and I here? She thought. The last thing she remembered was riding up the hill with Jason and getting attacked...
   Jason!
   Maddie tried to sit up, but nearly passed out trying. Her head throbbed and her vision swam. A hand gently pushed her back down, and she collapsed on the person's lap again.
   "Easy, Mads." The voice crooned.
   "J-Jason?" Maddie croaked. She opened her eyes slowly and blinked several times before she could see clearly enough. The face was upside down, but she knew who it was.
   "You feeling any better?" Jason asked.
   "No." Maddie admitted. "What happened? Where are we?"
   "We got ambused. You were drug off Bumper. You hit your head on a rock and I tried to help but they wouldn't let me get near you. Until we got here. I guess they're resting. They didn't want you to die, but they don't really care if you're hurt. I finally got them to let my wrap your leg and bandage your head. But they have your weapons."
   Maddie closed her eyes and tried to ease her headache. It wasn't long before a loud voice sent her head throbbing again.
   "Get up you two! Let's get a move on!" The voice was gruffy and male. Maddie opened her eyes.
   "Ah! Our little princess is awake!" He boomed. "Welcome back!" The man bent down and yanked Maddie's chin up. She whimpered in pain. The man was scruffy, like he hadn't shave in months. He was tall and slightly overweight. His eyes were cruel.
   "Oh, she's so pretty!" He yelled. A few other men laughed from behind him.
   "Leave her alone." Jason snapped.
   "Watch it boy!" The man spit. "You're lucky you're not dead yet!"
   "Jerold! We goin' or not!" Another man yelled.
   "Quiet! I'm comin'!" Jerold replied. He turned back to Jason and sneered. "Get her up. We're goin' somewhere far away from here."
   Jerold walked away. Jason rose to his knees and lifted Maddie up.
   "Let me walk," she whispered.
   "You can't even sit up without nearly loosing it." Jason replied just as quietly.
   "Exactly," Maddie said. "We can make it seem like it's impossible to move until I'm better. That way, we can buy Will and my father some more time."
   "You're sure they're coming?" Jason asked. Maddie closed her eyes.
   "Yes. Now set me down."
   Jason did. As soon as she was upright, Maddie began swaying. Some of it was part of her act, but mostly, she really was about to pass out.
   "Hey!" Jason yelled. Maddie detected the hint and she collapsed. Jason caught her.
   "What's the matter boy!" Jerold whirled around. "What'd she do!"
   "What did she do!" Jason yelled. "This is your fault! You made her hit her head! You shot her in the leg, and then you wouldn't let me take care of her!" Jason sounded so mad, Maddie was temted to crawl away. But she didn't stir.
   "Well fix her!" Jerold exclaimed.
   "I can't fix her you moron! She can't go anywhere. You're trip is gonna have to wait until she gets a little better."
   Jerold must have really been a moron, because after about two seconds he agreed to wait until Maddie could walk again. Then he set his men to making camp.
   Jason pulled Maddie onto his lap and stroked her hair.
   "What now?" He whispered.
   Maddie kept her eyes closed, but answered as best she could.
   "Now," she said, "We wait."

I made up Jerold and his crew.