The Collapse

Chapter 13: Captive

Alder awoke with the weight of a chain on his wrists, a dry mouth, and a throbbing headache. A fire crackled nearby, and the scent of wood smoke permeated the air. He cracked his eyes to reveal the men that had been in the bird huddled around a campfire in Lot 13's building, all shivering with the nighttime coolness. But he wasn't interested in them.

Ember had approached him with a gallon jug of water and a ration can while he had gotten his bearings. She knelt and set the can down in front of him, reaching out with her free hand to stroke his hair. Alder drew back with a throaty warning growl, rage and hatred contorting his face.

Without breaking eye contact Alder seized the jug's handle and lifted it to smell. After a few wafts, he held the water out as far as his manacles would allow him and poured it on the ground. When the pitcher was empty of its contents he chucked it as hard as he could at the man who had ordered him to lay his weapons down. It connected with a hollow thump on the man's back, obviously startling him.

In a flash, the company was on their feet, weapons at the ready.

"Whoa, whoa! Stand down!" Ember ordered the men. Looks of confusion and some anger spread throughout the force as they slung their weapons back over their shoulders. With a huff, the girl turned back to Alder, an apologetic grin on her face. "Sorry about that. They're touchy bastards, to be honest."

Alder snorted and looked away. Ember cleared her throat and spoke again. "Look, I know you're pissed at this whole thing, but it was for your own safety."

The chains rubbed together with a metallic rasp as Alder crossed his arms, still refusing to look at Ember. The girl let out an exasperated sigh and ran her fingers through her long brown hair. Suddenly, an idea came to mind, another tack to try. "You want those chains off? Well, you're gonna have to trust me -- and behave."

That did the trick, Ember thought smugly, as Alder turned his head ever so slightly to look at her sideways. Slow as molasses, Alder extended his arms, turning them up so the keyhole was visible.

Ember produced a key from her pocket and undid the manacles from Alder's wrist, letting them drop to the ground. Rubbing his wrists, Alder glared at the people around him. His burning gaze landed on Ember last. "You had best start to explain this -- and fast," he growled.

Ember raised her hands in a peaceful gesture. "All right, calm down. I'll tell you this — the faction that I work for would like to speak to you. I didn't think that you'd go willingly, so that's why we had the cloak-and-dagger act. We don't want to hurt you, and we have a chance to save the wasteland. But only if we have your help."

Alder sat for a moment, lost in thought. After a few minutes he looked back up at Ember. "Okay, I'll go, after I get my guns back."

Ember smiled, satisfied. "Roger that. And afterwards, you'd better eat something. We got a long way to go." She cocked her head, as if to listen. Alder followed suit, and heard the faint clatter of battle in the distance. A grim look crossed Ember's face. "Looks like you'll get a chance to test your new Iapetus knight, too. Sounds like some of our boys are in trouble with the locals."