Children of the Slums

No Quarter Held (part one)

David and I tread lightly through the garbage yard, keeping our eyes peeled for anything. I glanced at Laura, who was perfectly moving behind all the largest mounds of trash in the area. A few times I even lost her location.

I felt like my senses were going to burst; looking everywhere like a maniac. Combined with the sensation of all the hair on my body standing up, this was the worst kind of adrenaline rush. I looked to David, confidently walking on with no fear in his step.

I kind of hated him for that moment. He really had no worries of this turning out bad for us. Or maybe he does, but he's sure he can protect himself. I sound ridiculous. I'm making him sound like a selfish guy when I know he's not... But at times, he makes me think otherwise, like this is a time for him to strut his stuff and play hero when the only thing he's really playing up is his ego.

As we proceeded, David sees an unguarded red flag in the distance to our right. "Awesome, a free flag!" David said as he began to run toward it.

"David, no!" I said, stopping him. "We don't need to collect flags right now. That's our last resort."

"Pfft, forget that, this is called getting an edge in case of failure," he said before walking toward the flag.

"David, stop!"

"Take it," Nathaniel calmly said, sitting at the top of a large trash hill with a bed sheet beneath him as he watched us.

"What?" How long was he there? I didn't even see him... I was careless.

"You can have it." He turned his head, eyeing something at the corner of his eye. "Laura," he said, greeting her. Though Laura was well hidden, he surprised all of us with his keen sight on our informant.

"How did he know?" David said, still looking shocked.

"You're giving up?" I asked, trying not to seem rattled.

"No, I intend to win."

"Then why are you not stopping us?" David asked.

"Your theft will not prevent victory."

"Fine by me."

"No, David," I said. "This could be a trap."

"It is not," Nathaniel said.

David put his hands on his hips, "Then where's your team?"

"Out getting flags."

"He's lying," David said to me.

"No, he's telling the truth," Laura said, nervously moving closer to us. "There's no one in the area."

David looked at Laura, seeing the certainty in her eyes, "I still think he's—"

"Then why?" I interrupted. "Why let us have it?"

Nathaniel looked out into the distance, "To see who I'll be up against last."

"And you're confident you can get your flag back before the time is up."

"Yes."

For some reason, that kind of annoyed me. Okay, it did a lot. His lack of care about the situation and the simple idea that he won't be walking from this with a loss, bugged me. "Take it, David," I said, not breaking my stern stare with Nathaniel.

"You sure?" David asked.

"Yup. He's gonna win anyway, right? Let's just take it and go."

David cautiously walked over and took the flag before slowly walking my way, glancing at Nathaniel. I continued to stare him down while he watched me with his dull expression. "That look in your eyes is a good one, John," Nathaniel said.