Smack in the Middle

Encampment

The little band of men marched forward into the darkness, away from the pit.

Seth still had me over his shoulder and he walked a little behind the others. I wondered why, but figured it out as soon as his began speaking.

He breathed in deeply, "You were really hard to find, you know," he told me pointedly, as if he was scolding a child who had run off in a grocery store. Maybe I didn't want to be found, I thought defiantly.

But I didn't say anything and just stared at the invisible ground. I could hardly see anything because the fire had left me blinded in this darkness. They didn't use torches or anything to light their way. I assumed they had the route memorized.

Seth wiggled his arm, which made me yelp. He hardly jostled me when he walked and the only thing that didn't move slowly was his breathing, which brushed against the back of my knees.

"Hey, don't be mad. We would have found you anyway," he said, trying to sound consoling, "It turned out a lot better this way, if you ask me." He came off as a little smug at that last part, which sent me right over the edge.

"Better for whom, exactly?" I snapped at him, a little louder than intended. The voices up ahead quieted down, but only for a second. I felt myself flush.

As the conversations returned back to normal, Seth chuckled. "So, she speaks," he observed, then continued "It is better for everyone. It's better for us because we didn't have to spend all night searching for you. And it's better for you because you didn't have to face Cethin when he's in a bad mood."

Before I could stop myself, I spoke, "Cethin?" Was he that guy from earlier?

Seth nodded, "He's our leader. Sort of the Alpha male among us." The way he said that made me think of wolves. It wasn't too unbelievable, actually.

I felt my eyes grow heavy. It was so dark here and I was still shivering, even though Seth was extremely warm. I struggled to keep my head up straight. I tried staying away by making him talk to me. "Where are we going," I asked, digging my nails into my skin.

"To your home, of course," he responded, as if it were obvious.

I frowned.

This place might have been his home, but it sure wasn't mine.

"I don't live here. My home is Baltimore," I said, surprised that my voice didn't waver, "Just let me go wherever I'm supposed to be. I'm sure as hell that it's not here."

It was Seth turn to be silent. I wondered if he was angry, since I was being difficult. I almost wanted to apologize, which was weird since I didn't do anything bad. 

He interrupted my thoughts, "By the way, what is your name?"

I felt my jaw drop. I was dumbfounded. He had completely ignored everything that just I said. He didn't even bother to tell me to quit dreaming. He just changed the subject without warning. 

Clearing my throat, I spoke again. "It's Alexis." I gave up on lying to him. They could sense when I wasn't telling the truth. Since he was this close, he'd know for sure.

He mulled over my response, "I'd say it's fake, but it sounds legit. And I don't think anyone is creative enough to make up a name like that." Whether that was a compliment or not, I didn't ask.

I no longer tried to get him to talk. I didn't care if I went to sleep or not. Maybe I'll wake up at home or in the hospital or something. All I knew is that anywhere was better than this place.

Before I knew it, Seth was talking again. "Hey, girly, we're here." I rubbed my tired face, "Where?" I responded groggily, wondering where "here" was in this cold, dark place. I was curious.