Chapter 92: Snap in Two

Code’s POV

Reeking of filth, blood, and grime, I slug back into camp. The astounded expressions from everybody came as no surprise, and I was too exhausted to care about the line of weaponry being raised in my direction. Because after yesterday, I'd probably be doing the same thing if I was in their position. With that lone thought, I didn't utter a single word conveying any distress nor judge them for their belligerent welcome back.

I haven't slept in over a day. My clothes are shredded into rags, and in terms of energy, I have been scraping at the very bottom of the barrel for hours.

"Code… what happened to you?" asks Ember, dropping her sword before jogging over to me. "Sky, go to my tent and grab my canteen! Get some food for him also!"

"On it!" says Sky, checking on Faith one last time before scurrying off to acquire the items Ember requested.

"Wait, Ember! Don't get too close to Code. What if he's working with Cliff? Or Cr- Zeris?!" shouts Hunter, whose focus had shifted back on Cliff, a glimmering shine reflecting off the cloudy-colored sword he was clutching.

In response to his hostility, the bow in Cliff's hands that was priorly pointed at me was now fixed on Hunter while Cliff shuffled himself back a few steps to give himself some distance.

Where did they get those weapons? And how did they find out his real name?

"Honestly, Hunter, you need to think sometimes before you speak," replies Ember, who is now strolling up toward me while keeping an eye on Cliff. "Look at him. His bruised face is so swollen that I can hardly see his eyes. His entire body is sulked over and shaking as if standing up alone puts a lot of stress on him."

Am I really that beat up…?

As Ember approaches me, I glance up at her as she inspects me from head to toe. It was hard to get a read on her as she did so, which made me contemplate if she was genuinely concerned about my health, or… as it is clearly apparent, had more problematic issues on her mind.

"Are you able to talk?"

"I- … yeah," I respond, a withered voice leaving my depleted throat. "I can talk."

"Good," she nods before looking over her shoulder and shouting. "Forest, can you grab some clothes for him from his tent?"

"But what about- ?" Forest starts to question before Ember waves it off.

"Cliff would be a dumbass to try and kill us now. Whatever his motive is, it may be completely nullified by whatever Code went through yesterday, and Cliff already recognizes that. Look, he hasn't fired another arrow at any of us yet, even after we learned he was withholding information from us. If he didn't have any doubts, he would've killed Code without hesitation when he walked back into camp, as he wouldn't want to risk the possibility of Code telling us anything he was trying to hide. But since he didn't shoot, he must still be missing a key piece of information," says Ember, flashing the number two beside her waist, out of view from Cliff.

What does that signal mean?

Grumbling, Forest says, "Of course, I realize that. But what you just said is based on theory, not facts. Consider our positions here. Cliff has the keys to the two remaining crates, the only weapon that can be properly utilized from range, and probably retains knowledge that we so desperately need. He's in a position of power, and we have nothing to bargain with. Your theory about him missing something crucial may be correct, but it's obvious from him shooting Faith that we don't possess that information. And what if Code doesn't either? What happens then?"

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Has another crate been opened? I don't understand... why did he only open one if he could open all three?

"That's a bridge we'll have to cross when we get there. Now, damn it, go grab Code some spare clothes."

Scoffing in disbelief at Ember's potential ignorance, Forest reluctantly does as she asks and saunters off toward my tent. Ember then abruptly asks me, whispering only loud enough for me to hear, "I'm sorry to do this to you, but our circumstances require it. Can you walk with me?"

In the dark about what she thought about before she imposed me with that question, I skeptically answered, "Yeah…"

Giving me a curt nod, Ember gently grabs my wrist and allows me to set the pace while she dictates the direction we are walking in. And the direction we are heading… is right on course toward Cliff, and alarm bells start going off.

What the hell is she thinking? I only just returned, but it's clearly evident that these guys are at each other's throats! Why are we walking straight toward the person who had apparently just shot an arrow at Faith?!

"Ember, what are you-"

"You'll be fine, trust me. I'm the one risking my life here, so just let me do the talking."

Staring ahead at Cliff, whose eyes were darting back and forth between Hunter and us, it was obvious how uncomfortable Ember's strategy was making him. With beads of sweat dripping off his face, his gaze hardens as he internally makes up his mind.

Swiveling the arrow in our direction, he clamors, "Stay the hell back! Both of you!"

Coming to a halt only a few strides away, Ember suddenly drags my arm toward her and pins it behind my back while wrapping her other arm around my neck. Putting me into a crude headlock from behind, Ember forcibly positions me to stand before her, acting as a human shield. Furious, I attempt to glare back at her while I squirm in her grasp, my fatigued muscles churning in agony.

"You won't shoot. You can't," says Ember, her tone poised with malevolence. "Now, hand over the keys, the bow, and the quiver."

Still trying to wiggle out of her clutches, I grasp what Ember is doing. But if the situation is dire enough to enact such a bold move… I only fear for what's to come as the little thread of trust currently holding this group together is tested extensively. Because if lack of trust in each other continues to spread like a disease, this scanty thread will eventually…

Snap in two.

Using me as shark bait is a genius move, but the fact she withheld this plan from me leaves a sour taste in my mouth. My reaction was authentic, sure, but considering what I've learned in such a short period, Cliff's actions are unpredictable. From my perspective, I can't help but wonder what's actually stopping him from shooting me right now.

But Ember's grip… is pretty firm for just being for show… right?

"Toss over what I've asked for, and I'll spare Code's life," presses Ember, her arm tightening around my neck, making it very difficult for me to breathe.

"Em… ber," I gasp, alarmed at how things have elevated. A severe influx of pain then derived from the back of my thigh as Ember thrusts a knee into my hamstring.

As my legs crumble over, a rush of doubt invades my consciousness.

Is she actually being serious? Will she really kill me if Cliff doesn't comply?! I might have to–

As Ember suddenly lifts me back up, I hear Sky's voice as my eyelids flutter in and out of a daze, "Ember! What are you doing?!"

"What will it be, Cliff?!" hollers Ember, drowning out Sky's question.

"Just… stay behind me Sky…"

That was Hunter's voice… what is going on? I can't- after everything… I’m not letting myself go out like this!

"You see how purple his face is getting, don't you? Time's ticking," utters Ember.

She's not budging! Ember is serious about this threat! At this rate…

"So be it…" mutters Cliff, who, through my blurred vision, appears as just a massive, grey human silhouette.

"Kill him if you wish. I'm not handing over shit. Whether you let Code go or not now is irrelevant… this arrow has your name on it, Ember. If you take Code along with you, that's just two fewer people I have to worry about outlasting," says Cliff while my strangled neck is still being throttled by Ember.

With Cliff calling her bluff, Ember ground out through clenched teeth, "Damn it…"

If I want to live, I have to do something! Now!

Ramming my elbow into Ember's gut, she marginally loosens her grip as she wheezes, "A- gain..?"

Pivoting my head and body around as far as Ember's slackened clasp will allow, my neck and shoulder muscles strain while I activate and move my only free arm to–

Wait, is she also-?!