Caught!

“You must be the alien that Flintlock told us about and the one that ruined our ship.” I flinched at the voice and my hand inched forward toward the weapon I had set down. Why hadn't I held onto it? How the hell had I not realized that someone had shuck up on me?

“You go for it and you lose that hand.” As a warning a shot was blasted so close that I felt dirt and derby rain down on me. I jerked my hand back against my chest and kept it flat against it. I could feel my heart starting up even through the thick fabric

“Now get up.” The voice growled. I moved slowly to my feet, doing my best not to make any sudden movements in case the owner of the voice had an itchy trigger finger. The egg ended up slipping out from my sleeve and rolled under the bush and I was thankful that he did not notice. I just left it where it was along with the skull I had been given, which was under the same bush. He did pick up the gun however and pressed a button I had missed underneath it. It retreated back to its small size and was pocketed.

Apparently I did not move fast enough as before I could get all the way up, I felt a hand grab hold of the back of my shirt and lift me roughly to my feet. I was given a hard shove in the small of my back and I stumbled forward, but stayed upright.

“Move” He added unnecessary.

“I am.” I snapped back, hands drawing into fists as I walked forward Could nobody let me go at my own damn pace? There was another shove, a much harder one than before and this time I did fall down. I landed hard on my hands and knees, wincing where the sharp edge of a rock cut into my palm. Note to self, keep your mouth shut.

Again I did not move fast enough to his liking and again I was manhandled to my feet and given another push toward the group of Five and Tober still standing around the ship.

“Found it.” The alien who had me growled, although by now the others had turned to watch our arrival. Nearly every face was hostile with some, like one eyed looked downright murderous. He had a patch over one eye that looked as if had been torn from someone's shirt.

It was funny what sort of emotions would arise during times of stress, but I couldn't help but be slightly amused at the patch. My lips curved upward before I could help then and I ducked my head down hoping nobody would see. Of course they did.

“You find something about us amusing?” The one next to one eye asked..

“No, uh..” I sputtered.

“That's how our species shows fear.” I settled on and inwardly winced at how incredibly stupid it sounded. I forced myself to grin even wider however, and made a sound halfway between a laugh and a loud intake of air. I had not meant to do the last bit, but as I mentioned before, pressure and me does not mix. I knew I was sweating bullets already.

“and this is how we show gratitude when someone destroys our mode of transportation.” He growled and the swung his fist forward. I had tried to duck away, but was unable to move fast enough to avoid it. Instead of the front of my face however like he had been aiming he struck the left side below my eye and I went down like a sack of potatoes. My entire head seemed to throb and even lightly touching the side of the face with my hand was enough to send a wave of agony through me.

I laid where I was, halfway between a sitting and laying position, not wanting to get up. I was rethinking what a mistake it as to quit karate when I was four. Thankfully none of them demanded that I get up.

“I oughta kill you now for the trouble that you have caused us.” He pointed his gun down at me, clawed finger resting on the trigger. I just stared back at him, doing my bets not to show how frightened I really was. There was not a thing that I could have done if he wanted to kill me. A little more pressure on the trigger and I would be dead just like the river monster I had killed. It was humbling and terrifying and made me realized that I did not want to die. I couldn't if I ever hoped to save Earth

I set my jaw, determined not to start crying and was rewarded with a searing pain that shot through it. I hope that did not mean it was broke. At least it would keep my silent and less likely to get punched or kicked or shoved.

“but I think I want Fozthuk to meet who single handlely destroyed his favorite warship So you will become his second gift, along with Tob over there.” He said with a jerk of his head toward the hooded and bound figure who had yet to say a word. Great. I had spent a whole two days a free woman. Why had I tried coming back again? Right...something about wanting to do the right thing. Having a conscious sucked sometimes.

“Flinlock, Mamayaima, watch the the two drukis, while the rest of us find something to eat.” Mama mia looked as that was the last thing he wanted to do, while Flint or one eyed just glared at me.

Flint made his way over to me and directed a kick to my side. It wasn't hard, more enough to draw my attention it seemed.

“What the frag are you anyhow?” I sighed and was amazed at how just that little movement was

enough to make my jaw hurt. Please, don't be broken I prayed. Please.

There was another kick, a harder one at my side.

“I asked you a question. What the frag kind of alien are you?” I looked as if I where going going to have to answer.

“A... human.” I answered doing my best to move my jaw as little as possible. Even so it was incredibly sore.

“A what?” It figured he would be hard of hearing.

“A.. human.” I managed a little louder, drawing my hands into lose fists. Not out of anger, but out of pain.

He snorted but said nothing else. I turned to look over at Tober who was a silent as ever and felt the need to say something, but what. I was not a good conversation starter in the best of times.

“how.... are... you.. doing?” I finally manged having to pause in between each word to rest my jaw. At first he did not answer and I wondered if he even heard me.

“How the frag do you think?” Finally came the reply. So much for trying to start a conversation with him. Instead I forced myself into a sitting position, but made no move to get to my feet. I did not see the point if we where not going anywhere. I looked over to see One Eye still glaring daggers at me, or rather dagger since he only had the one eye and all.

When he saw me staring, he began to make his way toward me, his narrowed yellow eyes never leaving my face I pushed away when he knelt down besides me, but he grabbed hold of my jaw. I winced and he squeezed even harder, bringing fresh tears of pain to my eyes. He forced my face close to his so that his breath washed over me when he spoke and I had to fight the urge not to vomit. I smelled like decomposing bodies.

“I may not be be able to kill you, but nothing was said about injuring you.” The fingers squeezed around my jaw harder and I was unable to stop myself from letting out a whimper of pain. I struggled harder than ever not to cry.

His other hand moved up to my face and one clawed finger was pressed just below my left eye. He dug his nail in hard enough to draw blood and I gridded my teeth together, ignoring the pain that it caused.

“Do you know how much it hurts to have something sharp puncture your eye?” He asked and the finger pressed even harder into the skin. I was crying now but silently, and I was determined not to whimper again or make any sound.

“Well..” he started and then was abruptly cut off as he was wrenched off of me violently. I scuttled backwards and looked up to see that Tober had somehow broken free of his bounds and had grabbed hold of One Eye. He had him now, doing his best to drag him backwards.

Mam suddenly appeared however and easily wrenched Tober away from One Eye and gave him a hard enough shove that he fell Before he could get up Mamma removed what looked like a long silver pen from his pocket and jammed it down into Tober's side. Blue sparks emitted from the device and Tober gave a violent shudder before going stiff and unmoving. I watched, waiting for a sign of life, but nothing happened and the the seconds seemed to stretch on for an enetrnty. Was he dead? I wondered.

One Eye had finally risen to his feet and gave Tober a viscous kick to his side.

“Stop!” I screamed out, ignoring the pain it brought to my jaw. One Eye turned to me but before he could say anything a voice interrupted.

“What the frag is going on around here?!” The others had come back

“He attacked Flintlock. Manged to break free of his bounds. I had to subdue him.” Growled Mama, casting a glare at what I now took to be their leader.

“well.. try not to damage them any more than you have to. Fozthuk would frail us alive if he died before he could see him.”

“Fozthunk don't even know about her!” Objected One Eye who had gone back to glaring at me again

“and you know how gets when you don't OK things without asking. So she stays alive until them” One Eyed continued to glare at me but said nothing.

“We got food.” He added and tossed what looked like a black pillow sack looking sack to One Eye, who easily caught it with one hand. I realized with a start that the case was moving. No, something inside the sack was moving. One Eye plunged an arm down in the sack blindly and when the arm returned he had a small fury creature in the hand. It was a bright red in color and reminded me of an overly fat rat, but with a bushier tali, like a squirrels. The animal wriggled madly in his grasp and made a high pitch EEEEE ing sound.

Oh, please don't tell me was going to eat it alive. I looked away, unable to watch as a wave of nausea crept up on me. While I may have been fine with things already dead, alive and kicking was another matter.

Apparently he caught sight of my revolution, because had made his way over to me, creature still in hand. I tried to turn my head, but he once more gripped my jaw with his free hand and forced me to look at him. I attempted to pull away, but the fingers just tightened to the point where it was less painful to remain as still as possible.

“You got a problem with what we eat?” He taunted and brought the creatures closer so that its tail brushed up against my face in its frenzied struggle.

“Well, I can fix that.” and with that he chomped down hard on the poor creature's head. I heard the sickening sound of bones snapping and and awful crunching sound and I finally closed my eyes unable to watch anymore. I could hear everything though. The snapping and crunching as he bit into the and sounds he made when he chewed. Something wet and sticky fell against my face and I felt myself gag horribly and had I eaten anything that day, I likely would have lost it. As it was, One Eye shoved me backwards when it happened, not wanting to get puked on apparently.

I fell back hard and when I looked up I saw him still looming over me. Something dark and red clung to to his chin and his forked tongue came out and lapped it up. Again, I fought back the urge to gag ad he grinned at my revulsion. I felt something land on my chest and it was a part of leg from the creature. I brushed it away and scuttled backwards which only further amused him..

“Thought you might be a little hungry.” He said in a tone of mock sincerity. I turned away from him to look at Tober who still lay unmoving. He had saved me I realized. He had stopped One Eye, from blinding me. I wondered what had made him do it though. He did not seem particularly fond of me, so why go out and risk his own neck?

Whatever the reason I was regretful however and made my way over to him. I gently shook his shoulder, but he did not respond. I shook a little harder this time. They had said he was just subdued. Unconscious more than likely or whatever it was cyborgs got. I did not have the heart to give him a kick like the last time however.

“C'mon, wake up.” I mumbled but neither my pleas or my shaking did anything. It seemed to bring amusement to my captors however.

'How sweet.” One of them mocked and I did not give him the satisfaction of looking back. I just brought my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them as I watched Tober. More comments where thrown my way but I never once looked up. Time passed, I don't know how long, but I heard him moan suddenly.

My head jerked up from where it had bee resting on my knees and went to Tober who groaned again. I watched as slowly came back to life. Moving first his legs and then the rest of him. Yet when he tried to push himself up he groaned and fell back down. I reached out and gripped hold of one of his arms and used it to help lift him.

'I can..” He groaned and tried to pull away, but it was a weak attempt.

“No you can't.” I shot back and kept my hold on him as I finally got him into a sitting position. . I kept my hand on him afraid if I let go he would fall back over. Finally however he tugged his arm free from my grip and I let him. He remained sitting fortunately, although he had to press both palms into the surface of the ground to do so.

“I guess it would be stupid of me to ask how you feel?” I said and managed a weak grin. I don't know if he gave me one back or not because of the mask. I bet he was sick of the damn thing by now. I knew if I had been unable to see what was going on around me, it would have driven me mad I reached forward to take it off, when one of my captors gripped my hand before I could.

“I don't think so.” He hissed. I tried to tug my hand free and he just gripped even harder

“Why don't you just take it off. He knows who you are anyhow.” I asked and this brought a wave a of cruel laughter through the group

“Don't you know what he can do now?” One of them asked.

“He can cook you from the inside out.” He finished before I had a chance to try and guess.

“This sucker.” He said and, rapped his other hand against the metal.

“prevents that.” he finished and then kicked at Tober's side.

“Isn't that right, Tobs?” Tober aid nothing, although his hands did draw into fists. He gave my hand another hard squeeze and then let go. Another came to bind Tober's arms behind his back once more. Thankfully we where left alone for the rest of the day. Or rather we where not bothered . We where always, always under watch buy at least two of them who kept their weapons trained on us

I was surprised at how bored I became once the initial fear of being a captive wore off. Tober was even less of a conversationalist then me so most of us the day was kept in silence. I kept myself entertained by listening in on the conversations I learned what everyone's name was at least.

The leader was called Shazerk and the others where Zintank, Hershik and Yamert. Or at least that was what they sounded like. I was sure that I would likely forgotten then within the next day. I was horrible with names. I drew patterns in the dirt with my finger. First just random patterns and then a cat and a turtle, a smiley face. Then I scrawled out the words I was bored in block letters.

When I got sick of that I picked up all the rocks I could and flung them at a nearby tree. I missed more than I hit. When I ran out of things to throw, I went back to scrawling in the dirt. I wrote out insults and then pointed arrows the direction of my captors for who the insult was meant. What did have to fear, after all? They could not read English. Plus it helped to pass the time.

One of them, Thankful or Hershik scowled down at the message that read. I am a dilly weed. It did not mean that they would not become curious by it however.

“What the frag is that?” He asked, or rather demanded.

“just scribbles.” I said and avoided looking up at him in the eye and hoped he would buy it. He kicked at the message and erased it, as he did with the rest of my drawings and writing, taking care to aim most of the dirt on me.

“Well, don't.” He growled and then left. The day dragged on slowly into the afternoon and then the evening. I was both hungry and thirsty but I was loath to admit that to them. Not that they would have given me anything to eat anyhow. I had already asked to use the bathroom and then was watched the entire time.

I really needed some water though. It had been yesterday evening when I had last had something to drink. My lips where already chapped.

“Can I get something to drink?” I finally asked one of them when they walked by, making sure it was not One Eye. I think it was Thankful He scowled down at me and then walked away without a word. Well, so much for that.

About half an hour later he returned with a silver cup and thrust it at me so hard some of the water slopped over and spilled. I eagerly drank it down, great full for how cool it was. He glared at me the entire time and yanked the cup away from before I had taken the last sip however.

“Thanks.” I said but he just scowled and walked away.

Night fell, although I doubted I would be able to get to sleep. Tober's warning about what lived in the forest floor was more than enough to make me weary of laying down. Still as the hours passed by I grew more and more bleary eyed and figured it would not hurt to stretch out just for a minute. I had gotten cramped sitting in the same place and they still would not let me get up and walk around.

Before I knew it I was woken with a hard jab to my side. I grunted and thrashed around, kicking wildly stiff half asleep and wondering what had attacked me. I glanced up to see one of them looming above me and I figured that I had been kicked

“Oh, I am sorry. Where you asleep?” The voice was full of sarcasm and I recognized it as One Eye. I grounded my teeth together and said nothing, just turned away from him.

I managed to fall asleep twice more and twice more I was kicked awake less than a minute or so afterward. I finally gave up as it was obvious that he was not going to let me have any peace at all. Sleep deprivation was a form of torture I remembered.

I ended up turning to Tober who still sat sat besides me. I realized I had not yet thanked him for saving me from One eye earlier

“Tober?” I asked. Hoping he was not asleep. That is if he ever slept at all.

“What?” Came the gruff response. I swallowed before continuing.

“I just wanted to say thanks... for earlier today.” For a long while he did not answer and I thought that he wasn't going to and then he finally responded nonchalantly.

'It was nothing.”

“Ye..” I had started to say, yes it was it was when One Eye suddenly growled at me before I could finish.

“Shut it!” I scowled at him, but said nothing and the rest of the night passed by in silence. Or as silent as you could get in a jungle full of nocturnal animals.

Morning finally arrived again after the longest night of my life and the others woke up.

I was actually given food this time. The same kind of purple fruit I had eaten with Pat. I noticed however that someone had picked the mushiest and moldiest fruit they could find and most of it had to be tossed away. I ate what I could however. It managed to curb some of my thirst and hunger at least.

I was hoping for an uneventful day or to at least be ignored an for a while my wish was granted. Then One Eye decided to pay me another visit. He folded his arms across his chest and glared down at me.

“So what the frag happened to your face?” He asked. My face, I thought, what was wrong with it? I had no idea what I looked liked at my current state. Dirty and pale more than likely.. and bruised. He must have seen my puzzled expression, because he grunted.

“That mark on the side of your face. It wasn't there the first time I saw you.” He had meant the tattoo Pat had given me, I realized. Funny how that had already slipped from my mind.

“Makes you look even uglier than you already did.” I did not rise to the bait of the insult, instead I swirled the index finger of my right hand in the dirt in small in small spirals. Like hell if I was going to tell him about Pat and his tribe.

“I asked you a question.” He prompted and I moved onto drawing figure 8s. Go away, I thought, just go away and leave me alone. Mind control was nother skill I did not possess.

“You going to answer it?” He asked giving me a chance for an easy way our, or easier. I didn't want to answer him though. What the hell did he care anyhow? He didn't I realized, it was just a play about dominance and submissiveness.

“Alright then.” He continued and bent down besides me. This time I did not flinch away from him and even meet his gaze with my own. He took something out of his pocket. It was the silver pen device that had been used on Tober. The one that had knocked him out and caused blue sparks to emit. I had no idea what it did. But I knew it was not pleasant.

He pressed the end into the side of my neck.

“I'll ask you again, where did you get that mark?” This was a battle of wills I was not going to be able to win. Yet I loathed to give it to him.

There was humming noise all of a sudden that reminded me of a Bee and then my body went rigid and stiff and I fell over backwards. I realized that I was unable to move, but it was not like being paralyzed. I remembered the times I had gotten shocked because I touched something metal and there was static in the air. This was a hundred times worse than this. It felt like being stabbed and burned at the same and seemed to go on and on. I wanted to die at that moment it hurt so bad.

It seemed like forever before I became gradually aware of my surroundings again. I was laying on my side and curled up in a ball. There was something wet trailing down my chin and it took a moment to realized I had been drooling. I felt disoriented and dazed and not all together there and everything felt weak and limp. I had been crying I realized. Still was in fact

What the fuck had that been? Was that what it was like to be tased? Someone was talking above me and it was struggle to put a name a voice. One Eye I finally realized. I had not heard a thing he had said to me however..

“I said are you ready to answer?” he asked again. He was still crouched over me, the silver device held in front of him and ready to use. I shrank away from it and him. I could move again, my feet, my hands, my head.

He moved it toward me again, until it rested against my neck once more. I couldn't take that again. Now now. Not ever.

“Wu.. wait.” I manged to get out and I hated myself for it.

'What?” He asked, although I knew he more than likely heard me

“I'll... tell.” I did not have to tell the truth I realized. I could make something up, but what? I was not good at coming up with things on the spot. Thankfully before we could there was an interruption.

“So where's the Nyiat who destroyed my ship?” Roared a voice, making us both jump. Flyntlock. The cavalierly had arrived it appeared. To be it was for the other side

One Eye looked positivity livid to have our session of fun interrupted I however let out a relieved breath of air. As less time as he got to spend with me, the better. He stood up and moved to greet Flyntlock who was approaching us and looking as peeved as he did on the ship's screen. I noticed that he walked with a limp and his left leg drug uselessly and lifelessly behind him. I remembered something the others had said earlier, that Tober had crippled him.

One Eyed stepped up to greet him, but he brushed right past him and made his way toward me. I could not hep but grin. He had gotten burned..

“Get up.” He demanded and my smile faded instantly. Best not to let the bad guys think you are amused by them. They tended to treat you better when you where properly terrified as I had learned earlier with a punch to the jaw.

It was still sore to move, but I forced myself to my feet. These aliens did not like to to kept waiting... just. like someone else I knew. I looked over at Tober to see him still sitting and looking our way. I had no idea how he might have been feeling. Frightened, angry, maybe both. If they had been the ones to kill my family I would have been nearly besides myself with rage.

When I had risen, he did a complete circle around me, despite his leg. He looked me up and down and with a frown that never left his face. Part of me wanted to suggest he take a picture, but the smarter part of me resisted. Let him stare, he could be doing a lot worse than simply gawking.

“Humph.” He finally said after a moment and then began to pace back and forth in front of me, his leg dragging a trail in the dirt

“Do you know how much Drats where put into the ship?” He asked as he walked, his head turned toward me. This had been mentioned earlier but I had already forgotten. When I showed no signs of answering he scowl but kept pacing

“10. Millon. Drats” He stated between clenched teeth and pausing between each word. If he wanted a reaction I did not give it to him. I had no idea how much a Drat was. He stopped suddenly when he got in front of me and then turned his body to face mine.

“and you are going to pay for every last one of them.” He hissed and I realized that it was not a threat he was making to me, but a promise. The only question was how was I going to pay him. I was afraid to find out.

He then turned his attention to Tober and grinned. It was not a happy grin though. More like how a lion might look at a gazelle before he went in for the kill. If lions could smile anyhow.

“You miss me?'” He asked as he limped his way to Tober who still said nothing. I could see his hands clench into fists behind his back though. Flyntlock circled around him, reminding me again of a predator who had found his prey. It was offset somewhat by the limp however

“I have to say I like your new body.” He stated as he continued his slow trek around Tober

“It is shame nothing could have been done to my leg.” He continued, scowling down at his left leg as he did.

“Let's get them both to our ship so we can continue the rest of out conversation in comfort.” He suddenly ordered the others who where all gathered a few feet behind him

“Enough time has been wasted here.” He said as he cast as a disapproving look at the jungle, before turning and limping off. Two of them came and drug to my feet before I could do it myself

“I can move myself.” I argued and was rewarded with a sharp jab to the gut as the began to drag me forward. Up ahead and and trailing behind Flytlock where two more aliens I had never seen before. They where the same species as the others however.

I suddenly stopped dead when I realized that a small figure was between then. There looked to be a rope tied around its neck and the other end was held by the alien on the right. Like a dog, I thought with disgust. It was also a figure that I recognized. I recolonized him because I had wrapped the plant bandage around his leg. It was the kid I had rescued. He staggered behind and was given a sharp tug on the rope and drug forward.

My hands drew into fists. I don't know how they had caught him, but damned if I was going to allow him to be taken away.

“Move.” Mama demanded and tugged hard on my arm when I failed to start walking again. I dug in my heels however.

“What are you doing with him!” I demanded, not caring that I was raising my voice. He followed me gaze and made a face when he looked at the kid.

'Flyntlock said he caught him spying. Said he was going to take us with him. Figured that he might make someone a nice pet. Certainly stupid eno...” He never got to finish his sentience however as in a moment of sheer rage I had managed to break free of my hold of my other captor. I brought back my fist and slugged him as hard as I could. I was amazed at how much it hurt my hand and amazed even more that I had made a great big lug like him stagger backwards.

It was short lived however as the next thing I knew I was wrestled to the ground and shoved onto my stomach . I fought with everything I had, but whoever had me just pressed down harder until I was nearly immobile.

My struggles had drawn the attention of Flyntlock however because he had made his way back toward us.

“What the frag is all the trouble?” He growled. I lifted my head up, the only part of me that could and glared up at him.

“You had better let him go!” I demanded. The fear had left me replaced with a near rage. God only knew what the poor kid was thinking and it was all my fault. If I had never wrecked his ship he never would have had to come here.

“Who?” He asked causally as if we where just two friends talking.

“The alien you caught.” I said and lifted my head over toward the cowering figure still held by one of fkyntlock's henchmen.

“Oh, him.” He said matter of factually.

“I thought he would make a nice pet for someone.” He stated as if he had picked up a stray dog or kitten.

“You let him go or I'll.”

“You'll what?” He cut me off, sounding amused.

“Kill me?” He finished with a laugh.

“Yes.” I promised. I would do it to if I had to I realized. I would do whatever it took to free the kid.

“and wha..” He never got to finish whatever it was he was about to say because suddenly he toppled over froward. He landed hard on his stomach and not but a foot from where I was laying. I waited but he did not move. Wouldn't move I realized for sticking out of his back was a wooden spear. He was dead.

For a long moment nothing happened, it was as if everyone where in disbelief and then everyone seemed to start up at once. I heard anger, disbelief and even fear

'What the frag?”

“He's dead..... the boss is dead!”

“Where the frag did it come from?

Suddenly another alien fell, the one that had been holding the kid. He was dead before he even hit the ground. Another spear through the back. Panic was starting up I realized. I heard shots being fired and the sound of running footsteps. I had been let go I realized and I sat up. The seven reaming had moved to cover every direction that they could.

The kid had taken off for the woods and quickly vanished into the jungle without having been noticed. I let out a relieved breath of air. He was safe. I got to my knees and then turned back to look at Tober who had also been left alone. He was crouched low, hands still bond behind him. I quickly made my toward him and kept low. I first undid his hands and then took the metal hood which was a lot heavier than I thought. I grunted when I tossed it down. Thus far nobody had noticed, to busy looking for the next spear

“Don't freak. They aren't after us.” I whispered. I hoped at least. Pat and his tribe had come to the rescue. I didn't know if they would stick around however, now that they had their own back.

“I don't... freak.” He replied indigently. I sighed. Typical Tober. The others where still glaring off into the jungle, guns pointed and ready. Standing targets We should try and make a move for it while everyone was distracted. How to get past, without being seen however. The kid had did it, but the kid moved like some anyway. I moved like an elephant. We might never get as good a chance as this again and every second we stood there was another wasted.

I motioned to Tober and pointed toward a gap between two Glorkians behind us. They where both looking in the other direction He nodded and started forward and I followed close behind. We had made it halfway when a voice grunted from behind us.

“Where the frag do you think that you are going?” Shazerk! Dammit. We both turned to see his weapon pointed at the both of us.

He jerked his head behind him

“Come on back.”

Tober glared at him, his blue eyes narrowing. Shazerk moved his gun towards his head.

“You even think about it and I'll end you here.” He warned. Having no other choice we made our way back to where we had just come from. He kept his gun trained on us the whole time. It seemed he wasn't about to get as careless as he had just been.

Twenty minutes passed and when no signs of another attacked came the others grew less tense .After another ten they turned away from the jungle but still kept a strong grip on their weapons. They slowly mad their way back toward Shazerk.

“What about flynt?” One asked with a jerk of his head toward their fallen leader.

“Not anything we can do.” grunted Shazerk.

'We need to get to the ship and get out before any more attacks come.” With that the group began to make their way forward again Shazerk took up the the rear kept his weapon trained on us. Soon we reached the ship that Flyntlock and the other two must have arrived in. It was only half as size as the one I had wrecked and sleeker looking.

We drew closer and closer towards it and more and more hope left me. This was it I realized. Pat's tribe had left.

I don't know what it was that made me look over. Maybe it was feeling, an instinct. Or maybe I had just gotten tired of looking at the damn ship. Whatever the reason however I glanced over to the the left of the ship to between two trees and there he was. Pat, even from this distance I could see him, his tattoos. He caught me looking and put a hand up, palm facing me and spread his fingers apart. I still did not know what that meant.

Someone else had seen him however because there was a sudden shout and then a shot fired his way. I cried out but when I looked he was gone. I bent down and picked up another one of the sharp stones that I had blinded One Eye with. This one was bigger, palm sized. It cut into my hand but did not notice or care. Instead, I flung it toward the shooter and it ht hm in the back of the head. He grunted and whirled around, gun firing accidentally and he ended up hinting his buddy next to him His head exploded and I looked away horrified. Even if they where the bad guys somethings where just to much to stomach.

Then all he broke loose. The one who had shot at Tober suddenly had spear sticking out of his stomach. He gaped down at it with an look of surprise before slumping over. Shots where fired randomly and there where shouts and screams. Another one went down. Yet again me and Tober where unwatched. I kept low and made my way toward him, more frightened of getting hit by the Glorkians weapons then a spear. On the way I stopped once, to pick up another piece of rock. Juts in case I might need it again. The little buggers where amazingly handy.

“Let's go.” I whispered. I was not about to risk another chance at escape. It could be the only one we got. We made our way slowly back the way we came this time since most of the activity was taking place near or around the ship. We made it until we could no longer see the ship. It looked like we where going to made it! For once things where actually looking up.

Of course it didn't last long. Something stepped out from a behind a tree to my right. I thought it was someone from Pat's tribe at first and grinned. It faded however when I saw who it was. One Eye. He must have followed us. His weapon was trained on my chest, less than a foot away.

“You did not think that I would let you get away did I?” He asked.

“I told you that you would pay for what you did to my eye.” He went on. My hand closed around the rock. He had yet to see it. Instead he glanced down at his own weapon

“Killing you with this would be to easy and fast though. ' Although he kept his weapon on me, he looked down and as he rummaged for something in his pocket. That was his mistake

No.. I have got something else in mind.” I knew it was now or never. I brought up my hand and jammed the rock down hard through his shoulder. It easily punctured through the fabric and into the skin below. He cried out and jerked backward, dropping what he had just pulled out of his pocket Before I could think to go after it Tober had already stepped forward and picked it up. It was the sliver teaser pen of hell. He did not need any further prompting and quickly jammed the end into One Eye's neck Sparks issued, he gave a jolt and then fell over backwards and did not get up. Awesome

I reached down and took his gun, yet again. He was going to be pissed as hell when woke up. Thankfully I planned on being as far away as possible when it happened.

“let's go!” Tober grunted