Author's note: Hope you all like this story. Again, parts are kind of far fetched. This story would probably take place in season one, some time after episode three.
Disclaimer: I don't own any Flashpoint characters.
Warnings: Un-betaed.
These guys aren't very smart if they were so easily goaded which told Ed that this might be their first time hunting humans. It was good, for one, it meant there were probably no other victims and two, they would make plenty of mistakes, mistakes Ed could exploit. Ed picked up the bottle and pulled Sam's arm over his shoulder. He gave the three scums of the earth one last glare, a promise that he will make sure they will pay for this, before leaving with Sam. Once they were out of hearing range, Ed told Sam his plan. "I left our bow and arrows back near that trap. Once we get them, we'll head up and see if we can't find an area with reception."
Sam nodded, "You know I'm just going to slow you down."
"Don't even think about telling me to leaving you." Sam knew Ed wouldn't leave him, even though he knew for a fact that he stood a better chance of surviving this if he left Sam, but that would never be an option.
Sam grimace with each step they took. He was trying his hardest to walk at a fast pace and taking most of his weight, but he knew he couldn't keep it up for long. He needed to make the most of the 20 minutes head start. Sam concentrated on his breathing. If he wanted to get through this, then he needed to keep calm and his breathing is a big part of that.
Ed tried not to look at Sam because he had a job to focus on and looking at Sam would just distract him from it. He had about half an hour at the most to get to their bow and arrows otherwise they will be at a serious disadvantage. "So how good are you with your bow?" Sam asked Ed, hoping to get his mind off the pain in his leg.
Ed laughed, "As good as I am with a rifle."
"Ha!" Sam snickered, "Yeah, right. You think you're Legolas?"
"Hey, I'm good, okay? That's all you need to know."
"Yeah, I'm good too, doesn't mean we have a chance against three rifles." Sam knew the situation was bad and he knew he would only be burden for Ed. "You know I'm right about leaving me."
"Sam, shut up and save your strength." Ed would not even contemplate leaving Sam behind.
Sam sighed and did what he was told. He may not have joined the team that long ago, but that didn't mean he didn't know this man was the most stubborn and protective when it came to his family and team. They walked in silence until they heard a gun shot.
Ed stopped for a second, and looked around, then started walking again at double the pace. He knew how much pain it was causing Sam, but he was running out of time. "That's twenty minutes." Sam puffed.
"Yeah, so we don't have much time. You need to hang it there, Sam. We're almost there." Ed encouraged.
"Yes, Sir." Sam answered weakly.
Finally, after another 10 minutes, they reached their pit stop. Ed looked around to make sure the area was clear before leaning Sam against a tree and jumping behind the bush where the equipment was. It was a relief when he found the weapons. "Now we're getting somewhere." Ed swung a quiver of arrows over his shoulder and grabbed the other one and the two bows and headed back to Sam. He handed a bow and quiver to Sam. "Can you use it?" Sam took out an arrow and notched it, pulling it back to check it, then nodded. "Good. Let's see if we can find reception."
Sam nodded, sweat already running down his back. "Why do you think they didn't take our phones?"
"Because they're cocky bastards…or just plain stupid." Ed answered, more proof that these men weren't serial killers…yet.
"Or both."
Ed nodded, "Most probably both. How much longer do you think you can hold out?"
Sam shook his head, "Don't worry about me, just concentrate on getting us out of here."
They tracked for another 20 minutes before a shot rang out and the bullet hit a tree just near Ed's head, sending bark fly. Ed immediately ducked behind a tree and dragged Sam with him, keeping himself low. "Well, they took longer to find us than I thought."
"And they're not very good shots." Sam added, out of breath.
"But they have us pinned down now." Ed looked around. He couldn't get up without exposing himself. "Stay here." He ordered Sam, "I'm going to see if I can move around behind them." Judging from where the shots came from Ed could only guess where one of them was. "Stay low, Sam."
Sam nodded. "Be careful."
Ed kept low and moved to the left. Working his way around and back to where they came. When he thought he was far enough from Sam, he got behind a tree and looked around it to see if he could spot them. His eyes widened in panic when the first guy he saw was Johnny and he was closing in on Sam. He looked to his right and saw Jack, standing out in the open, grinning. He thought that they got them and hence was cocky, allowing his brother to make the kill. Ed looked further to the right and saw Joe standing there with no expression, again out in the open. He wished he could take out Jack first, but Sam was in danger and he needed to take out the immediate threat. Ed notched his arrow and aimed. It was a clear shot and if he wanted to make sure Sam was out of danger, it had to be a fatal shot. Ed aimed for the jugular, took the wind into consideration and let the arrow fly. Ed didn't need to wait to know the shot was good. Ed got back down immediately. "Johnny!" He heard Jack scream out. Yep, his shot was good. "Jack! You have to take cover! They have weapons!" Ed started making his way back to where Sam was, knowing they were safe for now.
Sam heard the thud of an arrow hitting its mark. It was close, Sam could tell. "Johnny!" He heard and knew that Ed had taken out the youngest. Hmmm…maybe he is Legolas, Sam thought. He didn't risk poking his head out to see what was happening because the brothers were too close to his position, but he could hear them retreating when Joe called out for his brother to take cover. Ed's managed to buy them a little time. Sam heard the rustle and knew Ed was returning, but he notched an arrow on the off chance that he was wrong.
"Woah." Ed whispered when he came out of a bush and found an arrow in his face. Sam relaxed with relief and loosened the string.
"Good shot." Sam approved.
Ed nodded, "You saw?"
"No. I heard." Ed knelt behind the tree and peeked out. Jack was dragging away his brother's body. He wasn't very smart.
"Come on, let's go, before he comes to his senses and starts shooting again." Ed said, "This way." He gestured to the left and pushed Sam in front of him. He knew how hard it was for Sam to walk and stay low, but there wasn't much Ed could do in way of assistance except to stay close behind him and help him up if he fell.
Sam could feel that the pain in his leg was sapping his energy. His ankle was burning and he could tell that the wound had started bleeding again. He didn't say anything to Ed, there was no point. They couldn't slow down. Sam stumbled a few times but managed to catch himself. He kept moving up through the trees, concentrating on his breathing and trying to ignore the pain. He's been through two tours in Afghanistan and came back unscathed, so surely he could get out of a hunting trip without anymore injuries.
Ed had a new found respect for Sam. He knew how much pain he must be in but he continued walking at a solid pace. Ed looked behind him and saw that they were clear of the brothers again. Ed walked up beside Sam and pulled his arm over his shoulder, pulling him to his feet, so that he no longer had to walk and keep low at the same time. One look at Sam told him how much effort it had taken him to maintain that pace and level.
Sam sighed in relief when Ed took some of his weight and he felt the pressure on his right ankle subside significantly. "Thanks." Sam grunted.
"No problem. We've lost them for now." They kept going with Ed checking his phone every once in while to see if that precious bar had come up.
Half an hour later, Ed stopped and looked around. The brothers still hadn't found them. Ed was worried. They would find them soon and they could come from any direction. They were in the shadows while Sam and Ed were in the light, a big disadvantage. Ed was going to need to find a way to turn the tables. He led Sam over to a thick tree and sat him down, leaning his back against the tree, hoping it provided them enough cover until they start moving again.
"Shouldn't stop." Sam gasped out. His voice was weak and his shirt was soaked in sweat. Ed was as well, but he had a feeling that Sam's was due to something else. Ed put a hand to Sam's head and confirmed what he thought. Sam was developing a fever. Ed pulled out the drink bottle and encouraged Sam to drink. The water was cool and soothing. Sam smiled at Ed in relief. "You should drink some too." Ed nodded and took sip. "More." Ed glared at him and took a mouthful. Sam grinned feebly, "Good." Ed shook his head, the guy's only at half-mast and he's looking out for him. He looked down at Sam's right leg and saw the blood on Sam's trousers.
"Damn it, Sam, why didn't you say anything!" Ed was about to take a look when Sam stopped him.
"There's nothing you can do."
Ed glared at Sam and then quickly took off his gear, light jacket and then shirt. Ed put his jacket back on and re-equipped himself before tearing up his shirt. "You owe me a shirt." He quipped as he tied the strips around Sam's ankle, putting on the much needed pressure to stem the bleeding and to provide more support.
Sam chuckled, "It was ugly anyway."
Ed shook his head, "It's a plain black shirt, how ugly can it be?"
"Oh," Sam had a cheeky expression, "Must've confused it with the person wearing it."
Ed narrowed his eyes at him and pulled the strips to tighten them, causing Sam to gasp at the pain. "Oh, did that hurt? I'm sorry." Sam glared at him because it was obvious Ed wasn't sorry. He took out his phone to check the reception again and froze, not believing what he was seeing.
Sam frowned at him, "What's wrong? Out of batteries?" That seems to be their luck these days.
Ed shook his head. He immediately dialled Greg's number, knowing he would pick up. The phone rang.
