Stormtamers: Lightning (Book 2)

22

"Dessa."

Rosa's harsh voice was the first thing the siren heard the next morning...well, that and the sound of someone being shoved to the ground next to them.  She heard Doug give a small snort, signalling that whoever it was bumped into him.

She ignored that fact and looked up at Rosa with weak, tired eyes.  

Rosa's glare was as cold and harsh as ever.  "Come."

She tugged Dessa's chain, beckoning her to follow.  Obediently, Dessa leaped to her feet and followed.

She was led to a private tent — one usually only used for private meetings — and forced to sit down.

"Now.  You remember the offer you were given before?"

"T...to join the gang."

"Yes.  Do you have your answer?"

Dessa paused for a moment.  She wasn't sure.  She wasn't completely sure she wanted to join, but at the same time, she knew that death was the penalty if she didn't.

"Well?" Rosa sounded rather impatient.

It felt like hours were passing by.  Sweat dripped down Dessa's face.

"...I..."

Rosa slowly pulled out one of her pistols.  "You have ten seconds."

Dessa's heart was pounding now.  

"Ten..."

"I..."

"Nine..."

Tension was in the air.

"Eight..."

Dessa almost couldn't breathe.

"Seven..."

Rosa's glare remained steady.

"Six..."

Their eyes met.

"Five..."

Rosa's finger tightened around the trigger.

"Fo-"

"OKAY!"

Rosa stopped and lowered the pistol slightly, her expression not faltering.

"...I have my answer."

"And what is it?"

Dessa hesitated and took a deep breath.

"... I'll join."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Doug gave muffled barks and Orchid whined and paced as they both stared at the unconscious Cory in front of them.  He had a muzzle on — similar to Doug's, but smaller — and his hands were chained behind his back.

Finally, after a few moments, Cory groaned and slowly woke up.  His vision was blurry.

"...wh..whaa..?"

Pain surged through him.  He was almost unbearably hungry, making it hard to focus.

Doug gave another muffled bark and gently nudged Cory.  Orchid jumped around a little before licking Cory's face.

"Pff...stop, that tickles." Cory said, trying to move his hands to gently push Orchid away.  He paused when he noticed they were chained.

"..great.."

He barely managed to sit up.  He felt like he was underwater.  He managed to rub his eyes with his shoulders.

Doug gave a concerned whine and nudged Cory one more time.  Cory opened his eyes again and paused, then perked up.