𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊⠀ ⁽ ¹ ⁾

REUNITED

"How'd you both end up like this?!" Darlene asks, putting her nursing skills to the test, with the help of Aunty Patty and Allison. They settle them in the back of Arthur's truck. Regan whimpers from the pain whenever his wounds are touched, and Rex growls, almost snapping at Allison who comes to him with a cloth full of alcohol. I stand beside him, and place my hand on his shoulder. He sucks in a breath, as the cloth is dabbed against his gashes. He grips my hand, and I don't say anything on the action.

"On our way home, we got ambushed." Rex explains. "They came out of nowhere. We didn't smell them at all. How could I have let my guard down?" He says, slamming his fist on his leg. "It wasn't your fault." I reassure him, he looks up at me. "They use broom plants to hide their scent. They've done it to us a few times now." My gaze drops from him for a moment as I try to think. "But why would they randomly take Abigale?" 

"It wasn't random." He says, which draws everyone's attention. Rex looks away ashamed. "They said they'd give her back, for a trade." 
"What do they want?" Aunt Patty asks, standing with her arms crossed. Rex submissively bows at her. "The status." Everyone goes still, as if a hush fell through the atmosphere, but they look directly at me.

Again, I feel the grab on my arm, and Rex looks at me desperate. "You have to save her, Brom. Please. They could hurt her or worse-" I shake my head. "They won't hurt her at all." My hand tightly gripping his hand. "Because we'll have the trade." 

"You can't be serious!" Dirk shouts at me. "You can't give them the status, they'll kill you!" I hold my hand up, shushing him immediately. "Yes, we will have the trade," I repeat. "But it won't be what they expect. This time, they won't see us coming." 

After everyone settles down, and Rex and Regan are patched up, I go over my plan of taking the rogues strategy, and applying it to us. Everyone spends the majority of the day looking for broom plants, once they understand their role, and where the plan will end, I finally turn to Rex. "Do you know where they'll be?" He nods slowly. "Yeah, they made sure I wouldn't forget."

I then turn my attention to the rest of the group. "It's time we take the upper hand and fight back. First thing in the morning we start, understood?" Without question, everyone agrees, and goes to get their much-needed sleep for the next day. 

...

Once it's day break, Rex leads me through the woods, carrying a handful of broom plants. As it turns out, they're easier to find than expected. "I'm sorry I was being difficult yesterday." Rex apologizes beside me. "I just wanted to keep them all safe." Nodding slowly, I continue to reassure him, while my fingers play and rub the broom plant in my pocket. "I understand, Rex. There aren't any hard feelings, you were doing what was best for your family." He looks at me, unsure of what will happen.

In all honesty, I'm not even sure if this plan of ours will work either, but there's no way any of us will go without a fight. Looking up to where we're headed, I notice the abandoned cabin approaching, and take a deep breath. Show time.

Rex stays a few feet away, making sure he is in position for when the plan starts. Taking the lead on my own, I pause before the door and try to remain focused. Taking the knob in my hand, I give it a turn, and it opens into a naturally lit space. I see Abigale sitting in the middle of the room, strapped to a chair with silver restraints and in pain.

When she sees me, she starts to squirm in her seat. Then shrieks behind the gag, and starts to cry.  "Abigale!" I shout, and run over to her. Kneeling beside her, and reaching for the gag around her mouth. "Leave." She whispers, tears spilling. "They'll kill you." At the sound of her raspy voice speaking for the first time, I place my hands against her cheeks. "No, they won't. I promise."