What the fuck did they do to me?

The cell was dark and once again Amos had earned his own floor. Like his old cell, this one was made entirely of stone. It was part of a crude cavern they’d carved into the mountainside. A neat array of cells with one way in or out. It made escape more challenging, as did the shackles and locked doors. None of that matters, Amos thought. Not if I can’t call the fucking Reema!

It had been nearly a full call since they’d left him in here, at least if his count was right. As soon as he woke up he knew something was off. He’d been trying to test his strength since, but he couldn’t tap into the Reema. Not at all. Every attempt only proved more futile than the last. I’m not done yet! Amos spat in his thoughts. And I’m gonna try again! He crouched down and emptied his mind. Breathe. Then he drew his focus to the word. Come. Nothing happened. Come! Nothing again. Come! I need you! Get the fuck out here! Nothing. None of it worked. The power never came.

“Fuck!” He stood and kicked a bucket back into shadows, letting it join the bed looming there. The only two things he’d been given besides the dull garb they had him wear. There was almost nothing else in the wider room besides a couple other cells and the door leading out into the hall. Dust and unlit torches claimed the rest of the space. It’s more than I got last time I guess.

“Aww, are you thinking about me?” The warden stepped out of the shadows of his cell, smiling with his hands behind his back.

Amos turned his head away. “You’re not real,” he said.

“Are we really doing this again?” The warden asked, as he cocked his head to the side. “It never does seem to work out for you.”

“I don’t have time for this.”

The warden laughed at that. “That’s funny,” he said as he straightened himself back out. “Looks like you’ve got all the time in the world!” And there was his laugh again.

“This is bullshit!” Amos said, pacing away from the warden. “I’ve got other shit going on, I can’t deal with you! I never want to deal with you!”

The warden stepped in close. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

“Are you talking to yourself?”

The warden vanished as the stranger’s voice echoed across the stone. Amos snapped to the sound. Who is that? He thought. And why do they sound like they’re two?

Amos stood and faced the voice as a figure stepped out and into sight. Admittedly they weren’t two. The boy was probably closer to 14. He had wild dark brown hair that a nearly black bandana kept pushed back and somewhat tame. Youth and cleverness were a twinkle in his matching brown eyes, and his brows crowned a far-spread field of freckles that dotted the space around his nose and lips. He had on a drab scarf and tunic that matched his frayed pants and well-worn boots. And who the fuck is this?

Amos looked him over again. “You’re lost.”

The boy looked around the space. “No…” he said. “I think I know where I am.”

“That wasn’t a question.”

“Well it should’ve been,” the boy said. “You should be chock full of questions. Like ‘what’re you doing here mister?’ ‘Are you here to break me out?’”

“You’re eight,” Amos said, “and you can’t get me out of here.”

“I’m 15,” the boy replied, “and what if I could?” He brought up his hand, opened it, and the keys dangled from his finger.

Amos gawked. “How did you—”

“I have pull with the right people,” the boy said.

Amos snorted. “What kind of pull does a 15 year old have with anyone?”

“Same as everyone else,” the boy said with a shrug. “Money. Now, are you coming or not?”

This is probably a trap, Amos thought. But if he opens the door, I can handle the rest. “Fine.”

“Good,” the boy said as he snatched the keys away. “Cause I’ve got two conditions.”

“Conditions?”

“Well, let’s make it three—”

“I’m not bargaining with you,” Amos said. “Open the door or—”

There was a ruckus just outside the door to the larger space. “What was that?” Amos asked. Oh shit. “Where’s the guard?!”

“It’s not him,” the boy said. “I took care of him.”

What?! This kid— “You killed him?!” Amos hissed through the bars.

The boy gave him a look. “Relax,” he said. “ I mixed something in his mead. He’s only unconscious.”

“Then what’s all that noise?”

“Probably the shift change coming to replace him,” the boy said. “It’ll be pretty weird when he can’t find his buddy. Even weirder when he does and tries to wake him. He’s sure to check on you once he realizes he can’t. And maybe he’s the guy I paid… to kill the guard's most hated man.”

Amos gawked. “Why would—” Then he paused. “What do you want?”

The boy smiled. “And look at that,” he said. “Bargaining.”

“What do you want?”

“So, straight to business then.” The boy cleared his throat. “Well first, I don’t want us to be strangers, since we’ll be working together soon. I’m Kiba.”

Amos heard more movement behind the door. “Working together on what?”

Kiba raised his hand. “One thing at a time,” he said. “First my two other conditions—

“Which are—”

“One, very rude to interrupt by the way, our deal is voided if you run or try to harm me. And don’t think I couldn’t get you back here.” He jingled the keys in his hand. “Cause clearly I could.”

“How’s this a deal if I don’t get anything? Amos asked. Then he gave him a dry look. “And don’t make empty threats. It just makes you seem weak.”

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Kiba smirked as he tucked the keys into his pocket. “Aren’t you the one who said we didn’t have time?”

“Then you better answer the question or we’ll both end up in here.”

Kiba scoffed. “You think my man will hurt me?”

“No,” Amos said. “But after I kill him you’ll run and get the guard. We’ll have a little chase. They might even save you, but within a week you’ll have that cell right over there.” He motioned to the one in front of him. “Cause they’re gonna be pissed. Someone fucked up their friend out there.” He raised his shackled arms. “And it sure as shit wasn’t me.” He brought his hands back down. “They’ll lock you up in a heart beat. Tell your parents you got lost in the Basin.”

“My parents are dead.” Kiba let those words stand.

“But you made your point,” he said. “It’s a stupid one though, I’m giving you your freedom. And if I’m connected enough to be in here with you, surely I’m connected enough to put you back.” He leaned in close to the bars. “No matter where you go.” Then he waved his hand in the air. “I’d barely have to ask the guard. They’d be hungry to bring you in.”

Amos scoffed. “I could get out myself.”

Kiba laughed at that as he backed away. “Oh yeah, I can tell just by looking at you.”

“And clearly I’m not afraid of the guard.”

“Though, clearly, you have a losing record.”

Amos nodded toward the door. “I don’t think there’s time…”

Kiba looked up and shook his head. “Fine,” he said at last, as he looked back at Amos. “Then why don’t I sweeten the deal.” He came back closer to the bars. “You’re looking for Gad.”

Amos said nothing at first.

Kiba smirked. “That wasn’t a question.”

Could he really know? Amos thought. “I attacked the garrison.”

“You attacked the archives,” Kiba said. “And yeah, I know what was in there—”

Ok, Amos thought. Maybe this kid could be useful.

“— and I think you were trying to draw Gad out. Well, I can do better. Work with me and we’ll have Gad vulnerable, without his guards, and as pliable as you need him to be.”

Amos looked him over a moment. There’s one thing I don’t know yet though. “What’s in it for you?”

Kiba sighed. “Well.” Then his face started to change. All that youthful swagger and jovial charm festered into something ugly. A look far too violent and far too painful to be on a 15 year old’s face. “I want Gad too,” he said. “Don’t you worry about why.”

Amos studied him as he said those words. He’s angry, Amos thought. That much is true.

“Do we have a deal?” Kiba asked.

There was banging at the door. “He can’t get in?” Amos asked.

“It’s locked. He has the key. Do we have a deal?”

If Reema’s out I need an edge. Maybe this is it. But I still gotta deal with that guard. He cracked his neck. “Deal.”

Kiba briskly unlocked the door and unshackled Amos’s feet. The door to the room swung open. “Don’t be gentle.”

“I won’t.”

Amos burst out the cell and rushed the guard.

The man looked on stunned. “What?” He went for his sword.

Too slow. Amos cracked him over the head with his shackles. The guard staggered back, and as he did Amos stepped in, reached around the guard’s head, and hooked his neck. Time to wrap this up. He jumped and thrust his knee high, yanking back the chain to drive his head into the blow.

The guard stumbled as blood burst out his nose. He teetered back and as he did Amos stepped around behind him. The chain slid across to the base of his neck just as Amos kicked in the back of his knee. The chain tugged with tension, and Amos crossed his wrists and pulled up as hard as he could. Go… to… sleep. A few moments later the guard succumbed, and Amos untangled his wrists and let the body hit the floor.

Kiba looked down at the guard then back up at Amos. “I might’ve undone your hands if you gave me a second.”

Amos held them out to him. “Who cares?” He said, panting and sore. “Do it now.”

“Nope,” he said. “You forgot my second condition.”

“And yet I already agreed.”

“Stupid of you,” he said. He gave the body another look. “We’ll work on that, but I’ll tell you it anyways, since you need to know to complete it.”

“Fine,” Amos said. “What the hell do you want?”

“When we’re done here you and I are going to go for a walk,” Kiba said. “And I have a favor to ask.”

“You can say no to favors.”

Kiba tucked the key away. “And you can say no now. Who needs their hands anyways?”

“Maybe I just take the keys from you.”

“And maybe we go on that merry little chase you talked about. And you bet that an unshackled 15 year old boy can’t beat you with a head start.” He pulled out the keys again. “Are we done here?”

Amos looked down at the keys. What a fucking day. “Yeah, you got a deal. Let’s get out of here.”

Kiba eyed him for a moment then unshackled his hands.

“Where are we going?” Amos asked.

Kiba waited a moment more then gave a satisfied nod. “Out,” he said. Then he walked over to another cell, reached between the bars, and pulled out a worn cloak. “You should wear this though.” He threw the cloak at Amos.

What? Amos caught the robe. “Why?”

Kiba gave him a look as he grabbed a cloak of his own. “Just put the fucking thing on.” Then he slipped the robe on, stepped over the body and started to jog out the door.

This kid. Amos quickly followed behind, throwing on his own cloak as he did.

The hallway was just a bit larger than the cell and smaller dungeon. Torches lit the pathway with a hazy orange light, and the space was unguarded. Well, aside from the two men.

“This way,” Kiba said ducking to the left toward a staircase down. Amos followed behind as they descended. Soon they were on another floor styled the same as the first, but there were no guards here.

“No guards?”

“Prisoners made a fuss,” Kiba said.

Amos eyed him for a moment. “Lot of money going around.”

Kiba just scoffed in response. “These guys just owed me favors.” Then he nodded toward the door. “We’re almost outside now. Just keep the hood on and act natural.”

Wait. Amos thought. “I thought you paid off these guards?”

“What? I didn’t pay any of them. They want way too much.”

Amos gawked. “Then—”

“Here we go.”

They stepped out into a small gated courtyard. A small statue of King Joshua was centered between a few bushes, while more lined the path circling around it and leading to the exit, about twenty paces away. The scene was guarded. Two men were by the near door. Two more stationed by the gate out.

They walked briskly and in silence past the first two men. Nobody ask a fucking question. Nobody need to see a pass. They rounded the statue and started heading for the gate. Just let us walk past. They reached the second pair of men. The guards said nothing as they passed, but one of them spotted Amos and stared. Amos nodded. Fuck.

“Just walk,” Kiba said. “He’ll let it go.”

Two more guards were on the other side of the gate, but the street was right there. Crowds were strolling past. Wherever we’re going, better be a short walk to a safe place. This isn’t gonna work. I’ve got a bad feeling.

“Did those guys back there—”It was one of the guards from before.

Don’t you come over here. Amos thought. Then he glanced at Kiba. “Did you hear?”

“Keep walking.”

The penultimate pair of guards stepped out of the entryway. “Those two there. Did you—” Pain flared in Amos’s leg and he stumbled. Fuck! He was still sore from before.

“Hey!” One of the guards called.

Amos growled. Talk about a quick escape…

A wagon pulled up between Kiba, Amos, and the guards. “Let’s go,” the driver said.

Kiba quickly hopped on. “This is the guy I paid.”

Amos took a breath. Just get it done. With a grunt he followed Kiba’s lead, and before the guards could say anything they rode off down the city street.