Be prepared for a dramatic chapter of arguments, Nassau, unconscious Clive and a very, very evil man.
Emmy woke to the sound of a loud bang and scrambled to her knees, screaming as she caught sight of the blood pooling around Nassau. "NASSAU!" Instantly the others were spurred awake and around Nassau.
He sat up with a groan. "My shoulder hurts," he whined. "Oww. I think we better get back home, right?" He smiled up at Emmy, who hugged him instantly.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're okay!" she declared, and pulled away as Nassau winced. She glanced at his injured shoulder, bare flesh covered with a layer of blood. "Sorry."
"Wait," Luke interrupted. "Nassau, is there somewhere closer that we can go?" Nassau was in the know about all the rebel camps in the Tunnels, and he looked up.
"That's a good idea," he grinned, then nodded his head. "There's a camp somewhere nearby rigged with bombs. I know where the bombs are, so we can get in. I believe the person behind the bombs has more resources than five of our camps combined." Nassau gave a toothy grin.
He lead them through the Tunnels, and suddenly stopped. "Wait," he said, "the bombs are here." He slowly began moving, carefully, avoiding the bombs that nobody else could see. "The bombs are slight bulges in the ground. I'll help you." So Nassau took everyone step-by-step through their bomb avoiding, until they were all at the mouth of a cave.
It was extremely dark, but there was a slight humming and light pouring in from another cave. Nassau carefully took them into that cave, and the party couldn't believe themselves. The cave was filled with supplies, machinery and lit by fire torches. At a wooden desk, on a wooden chair, sat a figure blanketed by a cape.
"Oh, I don't believe this!" Emmy exclaimed, causing the sleeping figure to jump and turn around. "Descole!" She pointed a finger, searching for words. "Ah... ah..."
"Hello," Descole said with a malicious smirk. "What can I do for you?"
"We need medicine," Nassau interrupted, unknowing of Descole's identity. "I've been shot, and a friend of mine is dying. If you have any to spare, please, give us some." Descole raised an eyebrow at Emmy, Luke and Flora.
"He doesn't know," Luke said. Descole nodded and grinned, a grin full of evil.
He looked at Nassau. "The phantom gunman's been around for a few days. We have reason to suspect he's one of the government. Do you know what this implies?"
"The government have been spying on us?" Nassau suggested. Descole nodded.
"Precisely," he said. "And that bullet could've been a tracking device, or at the very least harbouring a tracking device. The agent wouldn't shoot you - or any of the others - for no reason, because that alerts us of his presence. What's his name?" He turned to Flora and Luke with the question.
"He's Nassau!" Flora said brightly. "And he's very nice and kind. In fact, he helped us set up camp and he's been ever so helpful... Oh! I'm rambling." She blushed and looked at the ground.
"Nassau. I'm afraid you will have to stay here for some time while we remove the tracker from you. And you said you needed medicine for a friend? Bring your friend. As malicious as my intents usually are, we are in this war together," Descole explained. He gestured to a door in the back of the cavern. "Nassau. Go on through. You three, bring whatever friend has found themself injured. Now it's late, so I need sleep."
Luke, Flora and Emmy left Descole to sleep and guided themselves through the bomb trail themselves, Emmy calling out instructions in place of sharp-eyed Nassau. They silently made the hour-long trek back to their camp and while Luke and Flora slept, Emmy filled Dr Skylar in on the events, then got some sleep.
The next day, they trudged through the Tunnels, Dr Skylar carrying an unconscious and ill Clive and Emmy directing them with what little knowledge she retained of where Descole's camp was. Dr Skylar had difficulty avoiding the bombs with Clive in her arms, but she made it into Descole's supply haven. He turned from writing something.
"Welcome back," he said, almost dryly. "Doctor, there's a room in the back for Clive. But such filth of humanity should hardly be allowed to use the facilities of MY cave."
"Shut up!" Emmy yelled. Descole effortlessly pulled Emmy down until her face was level with his. She had the urge to spit in his face, but Descole's free hand was gripping the hilt of his sword. She decided spitting wasn't worth it.
"You make no mistake about it, I am being kind by letting you even walk through my door," he hissed. "Throw my kindness back in my face and I'm afraid I'll have to cut you down where you stand. It's easier than it sounds, Altava." He flung her back with enough force that Emmy nearly toppled backwards. She glared at Descole and swore.
Luke and Flora stared at her with disgust and... wonder. Her eyes were narrowed and she was glaring at Descole as if he had just killed somebody, rather than take in two of her friends to care for.
Descole hissed. "Get out of my sight. One more bit of hostility from you, and I'll arrange for both your friends to be killed. Do you understand?" Emmy glared and nodded, then strode out the door and into the pitch black room, throwing herself to the ground. Her body shook as she cried, but no noise would come, just tears.
"Emmy?" Luke's voice broke into the darkness.
"Go away." Emmy didn't look up, but her voice shook. Luke knew she was crying.
"Emmy, I-"
"GO AWAY!"
Luke recoiled and burst out into the tunnel. The last thing he heard before the red took him away was the loudest 'BANG!' he'd ever heard.
Uh oh. That sounds... dangerous. I bet everyone hates Descole now. A shame, cause I like Descole.
Next chapter full of heartbreak and romance and... I actually don't know. Be prepared for insanity, though.
Ta!
FVKWY