Try and Catch Me

When curiosity killed the cat (4)
The sick feeling in Lia’s gut was replaced by dread with the fast-approaching Pen in front of the crates she had been hiding in. It could not be her right? They could not have seen her. She shivered as she crouched lower. She prayed to any listening gods and saints in heaven to spare her.

But help did not come as the crates shielding her splintered away as Pen kicked them all. Lia scurried backward to avoid the splinters and Pen’s grabbing hands.

Lia turned to bolt to the flap. She would shout and raise the alarm, something she should have done way earlier. Now both she and Eldric were going to die because of her.

But Pen was quicker. She grabbed Lia’s hair and yanked her back. With a fistful of hair in her hand, Pen dragged Lia towards the middle, in between the leader and Eldric. Lia gave a cry out at the top of her lungs, hoping and praying once more that her scream would raise an alarm. She did not know if anyone could hear her from the outside but she exaggerated her shout and facial expressions anyway.

“What are you doing here?” Eldric’s voice sounded hoarse and raw. She could not tell if he was angry no matter how hard she tried to read his expression. He looked more roughed up close, very far from the robust young man she saw not too long ago.

Lia threw her hands around Eldric’s neck. “Oh Eldric, Eldric. I was so worried! I didn’t see you come back so I thought you were d-dead.” She drew back to take a good look at him. She cried and then buried her head on his neck.

She was acting. But crying was something she did not need to force. Just seeing this state Eldric was in was enough to make her cry.

“How charming. But not what I want to see. Pen, give it to Eldric.”

Alarmed, Lia stood in front of Eldric and spread her arms as if she could block whatever they were planning to do with him. It was futile but still, she did it. “Stop! Don’t do this any longer! Stop hurting him!”

Her voice cracked at the last sentence. She was relieved a bit that it came out good. It was hard to maintain the distressed-but-brave-maiden act when you were shaking down to the bones.

The leader cackled. “Do you even know what kind of man you are protecting missy? Well, let me tell you.” He dramatically cleared his throat. “That man behind you was trained to charm and bed women. Basically, trick people. He was a good disciple of mine. How many can you take on at a time back then?” His question was directed to Eldric who just growled behind Lia.

Pen held one of the pouches hanging on her waist. She plucked one and approached Eldric again. Lia stood her ground, spreading her arms as wide as she could. She tried to ignore the prickly feeling caused by the leader’s words.

“Lia,” she heard Eldric say but she did not turn back or back down with her eyes never leaving Pen’s.

Pen, for what its worth, looked every inch of a dainty lady if a dainty lady could kick wooden crates that easily. She may look high with that dead fish eyes of hers but still alluring like the seductress that she was. So Lia was so surprised when Pen’s backhand landed on Lia’s cheeks, sending her on the ground.

‘Holy shit.’

Lia’s ear rang from the impact and her cheek stung. But she could not let Pen get to Eldric. She scrambled back towards them. “Stop!”

She did not know if she was saying that to Pen or for the pain on her face to stop hurting.

The leader watched them and chuckled as if they were all just playing, slapping each other for fun. “Don’t be so scared missy. Pen’s just giving him an aphrodisiac so we all have a good time. While waiting for the drug to take its effect, how about we have our own fun time first?”

To Lia’s horror, the man started walking towards her. She scrambled faster towards Eldric’s side.

“Stay away from her!” Eldric used his body to shield Lia but he could only do so much when he was busy wrestling with Pen.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have your turn,” the leader told Eldric.

But before anyone could have their turn, they heard movements outside the tent which halted any movements inside. For a split second, Lia grew even more terrified. ‘Did the Unseen members came back?’