Footsteps echoed softly and the barest hint of light was visible. Arthur squinted up at the ceiling. No, wait— not a ceiling.
He sat up and looked around him frantically. Where was he? It looked like some kind of tunnel, long and narrow underground. How on earth did he get here? The last thing he remembered was arguing with someone in the Madrigal Stronghold…
A soft groan emitted from a lump beside him. He jumped up, startled. And the person he least expected released a loud yawn.
"Hope?" The previous nights events came rushing back to him.
Hope stared at him, looking as confused as he had felt a few seconds ago. Then comprehension flooded her face. She blinked.
"How long have I been asleep?"
Arthur glanced at his watch and almost wished he hadn't. "Twelve hours." He flinched as Hope's expression turned into a glare.
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You… you had a penknife," Arthur said weakly. The excuse sounded lame even to him.
Hope glowered at him.
"I fell asleep to, okay?" He threw his hands up exasperatedly. "So it's my fault! All my fault!"
Hope crawled towards him, dragging her bag along with her. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.
Closing her eyes, she said, "I forgive you. 'Cause, you know, there's no point in getting mad anymore. I know you'll just keep screwing up."
Arthur nearly attacked her. Hope? Acting like this? Forgiving him? Not possible. He took her by the shoulders and shook her violently. "Who are you? Where's Hope?"
Hope swatted him away, with a perfect black-belt punch. "I am Hope you hopeless imbecile!"
He cringed and massaged his aching side. "Ouch. Okay, relax. I just thought…" he trailed off.
Hope peered at him. "Arthur? What's up?"
"Footsteps..." he murmured.
She stared at him. "What are you talking about?"
"I heard footsteps, that's why I woke up," he whispered and put a finger on his lips.
Immediately, Hope clammed up. They both listened intently. A moment later, a gruff male voice spoke.
"See any of 'em?" He had a heavy accent.
"No," a high-pitch and delicate woman snapped back. "Now shut up. It's a wonder they didn't hear us after your loud footsteps."
The man grunted. "And it's a wonder they didn't hear you after your loud voice."
Silence. Arthur could tell the woman was seething and trying not to lose her temper. He stood up, pulling Hope with him.
"You're lucky they didn't hear you screaming," Hope muttered in a barely audible voice.
"Speak for your self," Arthur shot back.
They crept along the wall, trying not to make any noises. Everything was going smoothly (well, smooth enough) until Hope stepped on a stick.
The snapping woman immediately stopped walking. "What was that?" She turned to her companion.
Grunting man grunted. "Pro'lly just a squirrel. Nev'ah could stand 'em."
"You idiot!" Snapping woman hissed. "The Cahill and Traitor is here!" This time, she projected her voice. "Trent? Cahill? I know you're out there! Might as well give up right now and give us the clues you have."
Arthur looked at Hope. She rolled her eyes. He could tell what she was thinking. Yeah, like that's gonna happen. To be honest, Arthur could never understand why anyone ever said that. It was obvious that neither side would cave.
"I shall have mercy. Perhaps I could even persuade the Vespers to spare your lives!" Snapping woman was persistent. She refused to give up.
Hope rolled her eyes again. Yeah, right. He couldn't blame her.
Arthur attempted to take another tentative step. Another twig cracked. Hope glared at him and he suddenly understood.
It was a trap. A simple trap, yes, but nonetheless ingenious. After all, who could see them with this lighting?
Snapping woman was becoming impatient. "Look, young ex-Vesper and Cahill. If you do not step out of those shadows and surrender yourselves right now, I will personally ensure that your families shall suffer a painful death. And yourselves too, of course."
Hope stepped out. And she faced a gun.
Arthur could tell it took all her willpower to prevent herself from squeaking with terror. He gripped her hand tightly, took a deep breath and stepped next to her. A petit but pretty woman stood in front of him. He recognized her.
"Paige," he nodded coldly. "That is just a dart gun. A simple invention the Lucians have created. A toy."
Paige laughed. "Oh, no. You see, the Vespers have made several, ah, improvements to the darts able to fit in it." She aimed it at the ground and shot. A loud and piercing bang rang out.
Arthur felt Hope cringe and he himself stiffened.
A large dent had been made in the ground and blown-up rocks were scattered all over their feet.
"So," Paige said brightly, "the clues?"
Arthur hesitated. He didn't care much for himself, but Hope was another story. Grace would not let him live to see dawn if something happened to her.
Hope squeezed his hand. A warning. No.
"Go on," she said loud, and bravely.
Paige's face tightened and she spoke to her companion. Arthur had forgotten that he was there.
"Take care of them. I'd rather not taint one of my darts with the likes of them." Paige swivelled around and began to leave.
Grunting Man grabbed her elbow roughly. "Wait just a sec!" he growled. "Why me? It's always me tha's doin' all the dirty work! You deal with 'em for once!"
Paige raised a fragile eyebrow. "I am your boss, am I not?"
"Well maybe we can change that! Maybe I can be your boss!"
Paige stiffened. "I think not."
"Ya think not, eh'? Tha' don' matter. I'm not workin' for any of ya no more." And he swiped a beefy hand at Paige, knocking her out cold. The gun bounced onto the floor.
"Now," he grunted, turning his attention back on Hope and Arthur. "Dealin' with you lot."
Arthur saw his chance. He dived for the gun.
Grunting Man may have been beefy and athletic. But he was completely taken by surprise, and all her could do was body slam Arthur.
The gun flew into the air and landed— right at Hope's feet. She was surprised, but recovered fast. She snatched it up and shot Grunting Man right in the shin.
He stopped moving. "Ow. Tha's gonna hurt when I wake up." He blinked once more. Then his eyes closed and he was unconscious.
Hope picked herself up and ran towards Arthur. She heaved him up.
"Ouch," he said weakly. "I'm sore."
Hope could only grin and laugh. "What goes around comes around. Come on. Let's get out of here."
Arthur smiled at her. "Fine. But first, get rid of that gun." And he headed towards the exit.
A/N: Gladness that I finished! This was rushed.
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TMA; Sorry I didn't put this on until later. I was away...
