Thanks everyone who stayed with me so far. I'm very proud of this story and I hope more people will come to like it. I've already wrote up until chapter 52.
Please do leave a review it really does make me happy to see that people actually enjoy the crap I write.
PART TEN - THE HERO OF HATINO
Gus couldn't eat breakfast. His stomach didn't have the strength to hold in any food. They were all having a discussion concerning Andie and his posters. Ilia was wondering out loud if there was enough paint and Hank boasted that his artistic touch was still spot on.
Gus noticed the change of the atmosphere. Smiles came a bit more easily and there were a few jocose chuckles here and there. If Andie and Quill weren't missing it would almost seem like things were back to normal.
Words couldn't describe how ashamed Gus feels regarding last night. That was so unlike of him to throw a tantrum like that and he nearly lost his life. Thankfully, no one took the luxury in humiliating him any further.
Link helped lift the mood by sharing jokes and of course drinking sake. Even Ilia looked a lot better and the morning light made her eyes shiner and cheeks pinker. Hank had a wide grin on his face that stretched his scar, that was turning white now, and Dyer was gulfing down breakfast.
Dyer had been quiet as always, paying attention and answering questions when asked, rarely ever giving his own opinion. There were times when Gus had wanted Dyer to speak up a bit. The only time you could ever hear Dyer's voice was when he tries to break up fights. But that's Dyer, good old softy Dyer.
Gus smiled a little but felt dreaded inside. It was the two empty chairs that caused his worrying. Quill must've went out on his own to search for Andie but to be gone for so long and without a word…
Gus was the only one who could go to town to get paint and paper without getting anyone suspicious. Ilia had suggested to go but thought against it since she needed to wear a disguise which would make people pretty skeptical.
After saying goodbye and promising to return in time for dinner, Gus went on his own, feeling that dread grow bigger. Something must have happened to Quill but what? Did he find Andie? Are the two of them in trouble?
He didn't know and as he walked through the gates of Hatino he froze. His hope sunk like a ship on the sea. They couldn't possibly rely on the villagers in search for Andie. The villagers were the ones in need. Barely anyone was left; the streets that once roamed a massive wave of bodies were now mostly deserted.
The sight that tugged his heart was the state of the puppet show. The tickets Gus had purchased felt heavy in his pockets and he wanted to rip them apart. It bereft of all the vibrant colors and friendly smiles. It was now smudged by dirt and mud, with only a few pieces of wood to keep it all standing. The velvet curtains were nothing more than flimsy threads. It was barely recognizable now. To think children had once been agog by the sight of it.
What made him even more nauseous besides the poor, miserable state of the puppet show was the sight of tainted blood in front of it. This was a place where children played around, a place where they would listen to stories. And Andie was so excited to see the Hero of Hatino too.
It was so depressing that Gus had to look away.
Only few stalls were allowed, some men sitting outside the café seem to be staring at him. He felt sick to his pit when there were more stains on the ground. It was terrifying. Who did it belong to, he wondered. Was it a protester? Was it a merchant that refused to leave?
Gorge, he gritted his teeth at the thought. What is he doing to this town?
This has to stop. Gus may hate this town but he couldn't just watch it burn. Maybe him and the gang could…no, what is he thinking? He isn't a hero, no saint, how could he protect anyone? Especially when he doesn't even have a weapon?
He let out a ragged breath, feeling languid inside. Then his eyes caught some shiny red apples. He turned to see the men on the café and found them that they were continuously staring at him. When his eyes met theirs, they turned away promptly. He didn't think much on it, guessing they were curious, then turned to the food. His stomach groaned and his tongue licked his lips unconsciously.
Its seller was fast asleep with a newspaper shading his eyes. Gus' fingers twitched as he took a step forward. No one is even looking, safe for those men over there but he could make it work, and it's only one apple. There's no harm in it, right?
He took another step feeling agitated. It's only a small piece of fruit. It's nothing. It won't be missed. The merchant won't even notice it missing. He could just take it and go on his day. The merchant has dozens of them, surely he wouldn't mind if he loses one?
A memory stopped him cold. It was Link in the chief's house and the way his eyes stared at the jewel. He was tempted, no doubt, to steal everything in front of him. Gus saw him and was smirking at the time, thinking of calling him a hypocrite. But Link fought against the temptation and simply left the room.
As childhood friends, Gus could recall his amazement at Link's strength, how nothing seemed to faze him and even now, as they entered adulthood, Gus still found himself envying and admiring Link. Link really is stopping his old ways and while he's evidently struggling against the whispers in his head, he still fights it off and remains the stubborn fool he's always been.
Gus swallowed. This is definitely going to be difficult. His hands were clenching the side of his trousers as he took in a steady breath. He felt so weak and helpless, staring at those small goodness. He didn't even feel hungry anymore and found himself just wanting to take it.
How did Link fight against this? It felt like being stranded on a lonely island and the need to take for survival was so strong his lips bled from biting it for so long. Is he honestly considering going through with this?
Gus let out a deep breath and turned his back on the unsupervised goods. Link was always the strongest out of them all. Dealing with blows like they were nothing, pushing himself to the limit. Never in Gus' life has he ever seen anyone so determined and focused in their beliefs.
When Link stole in front of them for the first time, he did it with such boldness and courage. It was incredible, the way he made it so easy, and that look in his eyes was so strong, so fierce, so brave, that it could've honestly convinced anyone that what he was doing was right.
No more stealing, he thought to himself almost desperately, averting his eyes away from the right. On his right was a charred building, burned woods sticking out. Maybe underneath all that rubble could be some of the bones missing.
He'll change but it won't be overnight. It will take time and hardship and maybe without support of his gang but he'll do it. Not for Link and not even for the chief but for himself. He's tired of living in a lie and tired of feeling helpless all the time.
He straightened up his back and suddenly felt stronger. His new lifestyle may take time to getting used to but he'll find a way.
Walking away from the food stand, he could still feel the burn of the stares. This time they were most unequivocally glaring at him and he felt his shoulders tense up. Run, his mind said and his body is preparing to obey, run and get help.
He rejected the urge and continued to head to the market. They must be looking out for Link and are giving everyone the suspicious eye. Gus would never let anyone suspect him, no way. He was too careful and quick to be caught. As he turned down a corner he bumped into a man's broad chest.
Gus stumbled back, blinking at the man, feeling a tad of irritation and cleared his throat. "Excuse me," he said polity, moving to the right and the man did the same, blocking his way. The voice inside him was screaming and it took his willpower to stay on his ground than run off.
The man didn't say anything and loomed down at him. He had a thick beard and his blond hair went in a long ponytail. His red lips went to a firm line as he studied Gus' face.
Tensing up, Gus backed away from the stranger and his back met a wall.
It wasn't a wall but another man built of muscles and his hair shined of brown in the sunlight. He grabbed Gus' thin arm.
"You'll be coming with us, son."
Gus threw his fist into the man's face and a bolt of pain exploded on his knuckles when he did so. He winced then tried to wiggle out of the iron grip. The man, annoyed but didn't flinch, plunged his fist into Gus' gut and knocked Gus off his feet. The other man took a hold of his hand and Gus was dragged off.
Saliva drooled out of his lips as he coughed. "Let me go," he weakly protested, gasping for air. "Let me you, you bastards."
The area where he took the blow burned and he felt it difficult to move. His shoes were dragging on the dirt leaving a trail behind and his arms begun to feel sore. He could only give querulous muttering. Every time he breathed was like nails digging to his stomach.
Some onlookers stared at him with concern, some glared as he was dragged into a low small building. Unlike the other houses built this one stood out with its eerier gloomy bricks and black shaded windows. He tried to move again, even if they take him at least he'll go down in a fight but the men took him with ease.
What's happening? What did he do wrong? Did they recognize him that night? He was nowhere in sight and was taking care of Hank who passed out.
Sweat began to form when he entered the building. It was like an oven. The only source of light came from the torches that hung on the wall. There was also a powerful stench that made him cough. Rotten eggs. He would know that since he once accidently served it to his friends. He gulped, glancing over at the cells with nothing but darkness in them. What are they planning to do with him?
He gritted his teeth against the pain and shame. He was caught almost too easily. This is humiliating. It's the first time this has ever happened. Back in the tree house he would taunt them all by declaring that he's the cleverest one to be unseen and mock them for being careless.
Aren't you a hypocrite? Link's voice taunted him. 'Oh, look at me! I'm Genius Gus and I will never get caught! I'm the most slickest snake in the nest!'
"Shut up," Gus mumbled under his breath.
They wordlessly dropped him to the ground and he made his own cloud of dirt. Some of it came in his nose and he hacked, lifting his head and his forearms on the ground. The smell was almost unbearable. His eyes watered and now his nose was running. The pounding in his head rang in his ears so loud he wanted to pass out.
There was more of Link's taunting inside Gus' head. See what happens when you don't listen to me? Why didn't you pick up a sword like I told you to? Genius Gus my ass.
Gus felt a twitch of irritation but his mind went blank when he saw what was in front of him. This was the source of that ghastly smell and he gasped. The pain in his stomach prevented him from getting up so instead he crawled. He must have looked so pathetic, gasping and sweating but he didn't care. His arm reached through the gaps of the bars.
"Andie!" He cried, wincing when his chest moved.
The little boy opened his eyes and they widened. At first glance he almost looked nothing like the sweet, angelic Andie they had known and loved. His eyes shimmered as hot tears trekked down his muddy and bloody cheeks. He shuffled over to the bars, muffling in his gag and trembling badly. There were bruises on his face and arms.
He wore nothing but a horribly brown tattered clothing made of rough leather. Even the homeless dress better.
The fury that Gus feels was unlike anything he had ever experience. Last night pales in comparison. Andie was just a little boy. He was the sweetest boy in this whole town. He was just good. No meanness, no acrimony, no temper, just good.
Gus had always thought that if something so good had managed to stay pure despite being surrounded by horrible people such as Gus and the others, then perhaps they weren't the terrible people that fairy thought they were. Maybe they were good people since Andie represented their good side.
But that had been a lie since if Gus had been any better they wouldn't have dragged an innocent child in all this. It should be Gus behind that bar, or any of the others who actually committed the crime.
There was a deep, dull animosity directed at Gorge. If that man were standing there Gus would have loved to kill him on the spot. He wanted to so badly to see that man die a horrible death.
There was a foot that planted on Gus' cheek. "Don't give me that look, runt," he grunted, twisting his boot into his cheek. "Be glad that we didn't roughen you up."
It was hard to breath. A part of that was because of the smell. They must have fed Andie that. There was just disgust and this anger, this anger that he had never felt before that made his whole body tremble.
"You bastards!" He screamed feeling hysteria, ignoring the ache on his chest and tried to get up. "You bloody bastards! He did nothing wrong!" His voice echoed into the cell. His hands clenched and pounded on the dirt. Then a tight smile came on his face. "Are you all so miserable that you have to sink this low? I wonder—"
He never got to finish when he tasted blood and he put his hand to his mouth. One of his teeth was chipped off, he noticed, when he ran a tongue over it. Andie muffled louder, falling on his side and the motion caused his tears to fall. The brown-headed man put his foot down and glared down at Gus.
Gus grinned behind his hand. "Oh no, did I make you mad? I'm so sorry to tell you this old-timer but—" His words were cut off by a boot and he held in a shriek. He will not scream. They will not break him in front of Andie. He'd rather have his arms cut off before that.
"That's enough."
The brown-headed man stopped his blows and gave a respectable nod. "Boss."
Emerging from the darkness, Gus felt his pit sinking. "Gorge." His tone dripping with venom and content. Nothing good had ever come from this man when he ran the office.
Gus scolded at himself. He's an idiot. A complete moron. He should've obviated the possibility that Gorge might come after him from what happened to those merchants. Gorge had gotten rid of all the people that humiliated him and must've put Gus on the list. But he was so desperate to find Andie that he couldn't think of anyone else or the consequences.
The man gave a teasing smile. "Oh, I'm glad you remember me." His eyes darkened. "Because I remember you."
The air in his lungs was forced out as powerful kick made him shrivel like a fetus. Saliva burst out of his mouth when he took the blow, running down his chin. He bit his tongue to avoid screaming. He could hear Andie making noise and sobbing helplessly.
Gus wanted to make a snarky comment to show that he isn't intimated at all and to show Andie that this is no big deal. Gus has always been pugnacious so he refuses to keep his mouth shut. He could've said 'I remember you as well. As a beggar and a poor, miserable man' or 'why don't you go die in a shelter?' something to make him tick but his words were barely audible. He took in gulps of breath with his head down, trembling on the chief's feet.
The chief rubbed his hands. "As much as I love for a chat, we need to get to business."
Gus coughed, trying to breath. Arguing is otiose at this point and ticking him off might make Gorge point his anger at the Andie. In order to escape this Gus has to give the man what he wants. Swallowing his burning pride, he forced himself to look at the grinning man. "I learned my lesson. I get it. You're in charge and I'm sorry." For Andie and his sake, Gus said as meaningful as he can, "We won't come back ever again so just let him go."
Oh he won't be coming back to the town but his gang might say different. Andie will run back to them and when Link sees what they've done to his little Anny, oh boy, oh boy…
Gus' anger pales to comparison by far to Link's.
Gorge faked a shock. "But we're just getting started, my boy!" He hummed as if pretending to think, pacing around the shrunken Gus as if a lion playing with its prey. "Have about this? Tell us where your friend is at and we'll let the boy go."
Gus was about to ask who but it struck him. Link. They wanted Link. Gorge gave the villagers countless of promises to capture the chief's killer. How did they get Andie though? And how do they know they're both connected to Link?
Had Andie say something?
Gus looked at the cell to see the kid's head down and tears rolling down his cheeks. When Andie looked up, he winced at Gus' gaze and put his head down again, an action he would always does when he thinks he's in trouble.
Oh Andie, Gus wanted to say and hug him tightly. It's okay, Andie. It's okay. I'm not mad at you.
Gus should tell them. Link will understand if it's for Andie's sake. He'll do anything for the kid. And besides, if Gorge and his buffy boys honest to Goddesses think they can take down Link…oh what a joke! They couldn't kill him even if Link let them.
But then there's Ilia and the others and the hideout. He doubted Gorge would let any of them go and even if Link is the strongest he couldn't protect all of them.
Gus can't bring them into this.
When Gus sealed his lips shut, a fist collided to his cheek and then a kick. The blow had been enough to roll him away and leave him gasping for air. Andie couldn't bear the sight and turned his gaze away. He could've covered his ears if he could since Gus' resistance died when Gorge stomped his foot down. Gus choked out a tempestuous cry that echoed in the darkness. Was this it? Is this is end of life? After trying to improve himself?
"Answer me when I speak to you," the new chief seethed. "Where's Link?"
How do they know his name? What's even more concerning was how much do they know?
Gus couldn't even think of anything else. Every muscle had seized up. They wouldn't even give him a moment to recover, to catch his breath. A small part of him wanted to end it. He wasn't used to this much pain or any pain. This is more than what he's taken his whole life. All he wanted was for it to stop. He would have told them if they gave him the opportunity.
As if reading his mind, Gorge ceased his attacks and went down on one neck. Gus' heart thumped when he noticed a pistol in the chief's hand and the gun was used to lift Gus' chin. There was a reek of alcohol on Gorge's nicely shaved face. He stared at him straight in the eye. "I don't like saying things twice, kid. Now, how's about you be a good boy and tell me where's Link? You don't want to make things more complicated, do you?"
It took willpower not to cry out. There was dispear that twisted his guts. "He's…" Gus paused to cough out a mouthful of blood.
"Yes?" Gorge looked eager.
The pistol was cold under his chin and was starting to hurt. But Gus had no energy to lift his head on his own. His eyes glanced away from Gorge's dark ones and he saw Andie shaking his head frantically. There was something new in his eyes. Not fear but something. Andie had been here for days and Gorge still didn't know the Link's whereabouts. It's already been ten minutes and Gus was about to crack.
Gus returned his eyes at Gorge with fierce bravery. "He's looking through your mom's knickers."
There was raw fury in the chief's eyes as his jaw clenched and he stood up. Gus closed his eyes, waiting for a powerful blow to take his life.
"He won't talk," a new and familiar voice saved him. Something came out of the shadows and gave a gloomy look at Gorge as if he's as idiot.
Gus peered up weakly at him, and gaped when he saw a Sheikah. Sweat began to drip over his eyes as he panted. Quill studied him and there was no familiarly in those bloody eyes. As if he doesn't recognize his friend at all. Why is he here? How can he be here?
Thousands of questions raced in his mind and he could only stare at the Sheikah in disbelief. "Quill…" He muttered, too shocked and in pain to even go further.
Gorge turned to the Sheikah almost astound. "He knows your name?!" He shouted, his hands groping his gun and his men took a step forward. "How does he know you?"
"That's what I was coming to you about," Quill said calmly, looking down at Gus like he's a waste of space. There was only alienation in his eyes. "I met him at the gate and we chatted for a bit. I wanted to keep him in town and alert you as soon as possible." He only took a cursory look before turning away. "I see you've beaten me to that."
One of the men, the blonde, frowned. "We didn't see you there," he grunted, scratching his head uncertainty. "I think."
Quill's eyes narrowed. "I'm a Sheikah. I think that's the whole point." He turned to the chief, not flinching at the sight of his hand ready to pull out his gun. "That's how he knows my name."
There must be a good explanation about this. Surely Quill would never work for anyone. He quit being a Sheikah a long time ago. Maybe Quill just wanted to help the villagers by selling his services to the new chief. Perhaps he couldn't tell anyone because he was worried about reprimand. That makes more sense than betrayal. Quill would never turn his back on them. Not in a million years.
Behind the chief's back, Andie was there, nodding his head slightly. Gus wanted to smile and laugh in Gorge's face. There was hope after all. Quill would set them free and they'll make them pay dearly. They may have been culpable for Dobbin's death but to punish a child for it?
There was a moment of ease when the chief's hand moved away from his pistol. Whatever Quill was up to, Gus hoped that he won't get himself killed.
Gorge chuckled, patting Quill on the back. "Guess you're not as stupid as I thought you were." He laughed. "Finally, you got something right for once! Isn't that a first?!"
Quill's shoulders tensed up by the mockery but his lips were clammed shut. It was always a sore spot for him to be pinned down because of his roots.
The blond man stared at Quill then at his boss. "What do you mean? Isn't he a Sheikah?"
The chief snorted, using a towel to wipe the blood off his knuckles. "He's young and stupid that's what he is," he snapped, fumbling with the towel. "Does nothing but cause me headaches."
The person is question didn't say anything but the words were getting under his skin. His body was tensed up as if he touched icy water but he kept his hands behind his back and looked away.
Has he ever looked so imperturbable before? Maybe never. It's the first time behaving this way and Gus could see that it's the way of the Sheikah. Poor Quill. Everything he does is just never enough for people. Gus wanted to slam his fist into the chief's mouth.
Gorge put away the towel and patted Quill's back almost proudly. "He may be a failure of a Sheikah but he gets the job done." This time he looked at Gus who was struggling to keep his head up, the muscles on his back were sore. "You can ask Dobbin for that."
Quill sucked in a breath and tried to speak but Gus cut him off. His heart pounding furiously as he felt agony inside. "What do you mean by that?" He asked, shuffling to his side so he can see Gorge better. "Link's lantern got him killed." Even as he said it, the doubt came back into his mind and he felt the saliva evaporate from his mouth.
Gorge chuckled then burst into laughter at the sight of Gus' incredulity. Both Andie and Gus turned to their silent friend dumbfounded. Andie was shaking, and his eyebrows were furrowed.
No, no no no nononono…Quill couldn't possibly, he would never…his arm was broken at the time so how could he have ever…
The air was too thick to breath in. Gus' teeth chattered as he dropped his gaze down and his racing heart caused him to partially fill his lungs with air as he speedily breathed. Quill said nothing yet at the same time his silence said everything.
Link was right. Someone was there that night. He's always been damn right since the beginning and it was their pride for not listening. How couldn't he see it? During that horrible night, when Quill turned off the fence to let them in, he seemed to be out of breath as if he ran over there.
It was difficult to remember how that night played out. With Link and Hank, both badly injured, Gus didn't bother to question why Quill was wearing black as if he wanted to disappear into the darkness.
Gus' vision began to partially blacken from the corners and his lungs burned causing him to take air in with a choking sound. A tiny voice inside refused to acknowledge the fact that all the grief he suffered, everything his friends went through, was all the doing of one of their own.
He wanted to kill himself at that time. If Link weren't there he would have succeeded. All the nights of restless turning and moving, all the tears and the screams and the misery…
And then there was Hank, who suffered the most out of all of them with that horrible mark forever on his face, and the pain – the physical pain that Gus would feel when his friend would caress the scar with a hopeless look.
The brown-headed guard just shook his head looking grim. "Oh man, I'm glad he's gone. Does nothing but give life lessons. At least the boss is going to make Hatino great again."
His other friend nodded, crossing his hairy arms. "Nothing in town was getting done and all he wanted to do was dig for gold." He grinned his yellow teeth. "Well, now he can dig as much as he wants."
Gorge spluttered a laugh, wiping his eyes of tears. Gus couldn't hear anything. The whole world was muted and blood rushed through his head. His eyes tried to catch Quill's but he looked away and his face hung down.
Quill looked angry. Oh, he's the one angry? He actually has the fucking right to be angry?
Indignation exploded in Gus' head. It was that same suffocating anger. "YOU BLOODY TRA—"
Another kick cut his sentence off and this one was enough for him to see dancing black dots. His mouth opened but there was only a silent scream. "You're too loud," Quill said nonchalantly. Gus was pulled by the hair and met his eyes. "Tell us where the green bastard is." Quill only got a splat of spit on his cheek and pounded the redhead to the ground.
Andie shrieked behind his gag and was struggling even harder to be freed. He glared at the Sheikah with outrage and tried to voice out his animosity towards their so-called friend.
Quill sighed. "This is a waste of time," he said to the others, kicking at Gus' side softly. "They won't say anything."
Gorge had another idea. "We can make them talk," he insisted, turning his attention to Andie who was breathing in heavy and his eyes were bloodshot. He stayed very still and glared at Quill. "We can roughen the kid up and make this red runt talk or the other way around."
Gus felt all his hopes drain down a hole. He wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut if they laid a hand on Andie. There's nothing to be done. He wanted to cry so badly. He wanted to go home and besot with his friends and watch Hank make something, annoy Ilia, take Andie on walks, joke with Dyer, fight with Link… he shut his eyes waiting to wake up from this nightmare.
"We're running out of time," Quill stated. "Well, you're running out I mean."
He opened his eyes to see Gorge's jaw clenched. "What?"
"The villagers aren't happy and some of them think you couldn't live up to your promise," he said coolly, ignoring Gorge and how he kicked the wall. "We'll need to bring them to us just like what you said. Show the people that you're more than capable of protecting them."
His words were taking affect and slowly the anger faded. Gorge took a deep breath to calm himself down then glanced at Gus. "Guess we're going to go with execution." He turned to the other two men. "Have a scaffold ready by tomorrow afternoon and make sure to spread the word around." He cracked a smile at Andie and the kid shrunk back. "We'll put the kid up first. That'll make them come flying over here."
It was at this moment Gus would've screamed every insult he ever has on his book. Every hatred and every misery, everything he has would be shouted loud enough for the town to hear. They couldn't do this. His friends weren't murderers. They shouldn't be killed over this. Andie is as dangerous as a bunny. He wouldn't harm a fly.
An image flashed into his mind of Anny with a rope around his neck. Instead of screaming or hurling insults, his voice quietly pleaded, "Please not him. He never did anything wrong. It was all me so please…" He couldn't carry on. Even just talking drained his energy.
Quill lifted Gus up by the shoulder and Gus felt blood thirst like never before. The idea to watch Quill die in the most painful and inhumane way ever is enough to make Gus internally giggle. Quill was never their friend to begin with. He isn't planning to free them and instead would use their lives as bait for the others.
Why though? What did they do to deserve this? Didn't they give Quill everything he ever wanted? They couldn't care any less if he was a Sheikah or a Goron. He was a friend and trusted ally. How could anyone in his position could even think of betrayal?
A lugubrious lump formed on his throat. Weren't they friends? Was everything just a set up?
He wanted to ask for a reason. Did they do something to deserve this traitorous act? Or was Quill that desperate to prove himself.
Instead though, Quill whispered into his ear, "Shut it and don't resist." Gus was thrown into a cell in front of Andie, watching hopelessly the kid struggle.
It dawned to him that Quill never told Gorge the hideout location and he even lied earlier about meeting him just to cover himself up.
He is planning to help us, Gus thought as he lay down at the cold, murky ground. A guard stood to watch, sitting down and flung a leg over the other and unfolded the newspaper.
That didn't lessen the anger boiling from inside. Even if he helped them that didn't make him any less of a traitor. All of his friends nearly lost their minds over the chief's death. There was nothing but depression and grief in their hideout and Link was pinned with all the blame.
The guilt crept in and started to eat him up. All the things he said last night and the hatred he pointed at Link, he never stopped to think rationally. Everyone blamed Link and never gave him the chance to speak.
What is wrong with them?
It's understandable that they were mad at him but to go so far and blame him for everything? They had shown him nothing but hostility and acrimony. He's their friend. Link's been trying to warm them and the only thing he received was animosity.
He does care about them, Gus realized and turned to his other side in vain not to let Andie see his tears. They should've listened to him from the start. Everything could have been avoided. They would've been happier living a carefree life than end up in the gutters.
When they were children, Link had been the center of their world. He was everything a child had admired in a hero. A boy so young and wielded a sword? That's practically every kid's role model.
Gus remembered how everyone wanted Link's approval, they wanted to please him, to be praised by him, to be proud of them. He was a year older than all of them and they see him as an older brother. It was embarrassing now that Gus thinks about it. They were almost like children begging for a father's attention.
It's even more embarrassing since that childish part of Gus is still attached to him. He had always wanted a day to come when Link looked at them with kindness and pride, for him to say that he's proud of them and that he would never leave them alone ever again.
Gus would never forget how warm Link's eyes were just last night. It made him feel safer somehow just like the time when Link fought off against the monsters that ambushed them. A part of Gus wished Link would be like that instead. That he would be a better Link, a kinder friend instead of always putting up this image of being heartless.
Now it's too late. He would never forgive the treatment that they gave them. He would blame them, mock them and Gus cringed at that. He could even hear the bitter voice at the back of his head.
Oh, what do ya know? I didn't do SHIT to Dobbin!
Of course Link has every right to rub salt into their wounds when he comes for them, if he does. He might decide to leave and never come back. Gus let out a soft series of sobs and kept his voice as low as possible
What have they done?
Gus still hasn't returned and Ilia stood at the front of the fence with her thumbs intertwined. It's been three hours since dinner. The clouds parted as the sun fell, darkening the pathway and her hopes. She heard someone shuffling next to her and felt her skin crawl.
"He's still not back yet?" Hank made it sound like he's annoyed but he looked concerned. "Where is that idiot? Did he get himself into trouble?" When she didn't answer, he glanced at her. "Should we go out to look for him?"
She bit her bottom lip. "I don't—" She stopped when she saw a silhouette emerging from the bushes. Hank brought out his air gun and she took out a dagger. They lowered their weapons when the intruder was Quill, red faced and out of breath.
Relief flooded her body and she gave a shaky little laugh. It's been so long since she's seen him and her smile wavered when she saw his condition. He hasn't eaten in awhile and his eyes were bloodshot. His broken arm had its bandages still wrapped around but worn out as if they haven't been changed.
Hank opened the fence for him and blinked. "Where have you been? You've scared us, man!"
Quill shook his head, panting as he turned at Ilia. His eyes were panicked. "Bring the others." He bended down to catch his breath and Ilia, without question, went back in to alert the others. Her heart pounding and fear squeezed her. Quill almost never loses his composure and his eyes tell her whatever news he has isn't good.
Link frowned when she told him to get off his ass and complained when she took the bottle of sake from him, Dyer was snoring until she left a red mark on his cheek. She wasn't thinking anymore. All she wanted was to hear what Quill has to say. She knew it was something about their two missing members and feared for the worse.
"Seriously? I was having the best dream!" Dyer complained and when he saw Quill, he gasped. "Quill?! Where have you been all this time?!"
Quill was panicking and ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he repeated shakily. His hand clenched to a fist on his hair and pulled.
Link stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?" He demanded, grabbing the Quill by the shirt when he didn't get an answer. "What the hell did you do?"
Quill's crimson eyes turned to slits like thin cuts of rubies, and pushed Link off. "This is all your fault!" He shouted. "If you didn't come back then none of this—"
Dyer had to step in-between them and kept Link back. Hank stood there looking pallid, the scar blinding white as he bit his lip. When Quill calmed down, the handy man gave a shaky laugh. "Come on, man, don't leave us hanging. What happened?"
"They took Andie and Gus," Quill blurted out. Link froze and Ilia felt her breath stop. She stared at Quill as he ran his fingers again, looking furious. "I couldn't help them…."
"Where are they?" Ilia's voice cracked and she cleared her throat. "Just tell me where are they?"
"Gorge has them," he answered and she placed a hand on her mouth. She knew enough about the parlous chief to know that her friends are in danger. "Gus must've ticked Gorge before and that's how he got caught."
Hank laughed but it was hysterical. "Are you kidding me?!" He yelled, kicking a rock near by and sending it tumbling down. "That dumbass actually got himself caught?!"
Link gritted his teeth. "What about Andie? What's happening to him?"
"He was with Gus at the time and that's how Gorge remembered him." Quill shook his head. "One of his men knew that Andie was there that night and they'd figure that Gus was involved as well."
Dyer was pacing around, fuming in his thoughts. "Goddesses help us, this can't be happening."
Quill closed his eyes and took a deep breath as if preparing himself. "They're going to be executed by tomorrow's light." He glared at Link who's face went expressionless. "They're going to kill a child just to lure you in."
They watched as Link stayed motionlessly for a few seconds, cerebrating, and then it came. The slow madness they had always feared from him. He cracked a malicious smile that sent a shiver down her spine and started to make his way to the fence. When he spoke it was quiet and giggly. "Oh, so they want me to come, huh?" The mysterious looking sword on his back moved sideways as he walked. "Okay, I'll come. Just gimme me five minutes."
Ilia hesitated before grabbing his arm. "Wait, they must be using them as baits. This could be a trap, Link."
"You should be worried about them than me." Link turned to the woods and he giggled insanely. "They want an execution? I'll fucking give them the best execution ever."
Hank paled a bit but mustered the courage to stand in front of Link. "She's right," Hank told him, looking a bit nervous. "You still haven't healed yet. Don't pretend that you're fine."
Quill snorted. "I may not have saved them," he started, a little cool smile on his lips, "but I do have my way around town and I might have eavesdropped on some of their ambush."
Ilia felt her hope flare up, and when she saw his face he looked penitent. "Don't beat yourself about it," she told him and looked at her gang. "We're going to get them back." She eyed Link. "All of us."
"Gorge is a madman," Dyer spoke out loud. "He's a nut case if this is how far he'll go."
It was beginning to darken and Hank waited anxiously. "I know I'm gonna sound like a jerk but I need to put up the fence so unless you guys want to be dinner—"
Link refused to wait until tomorrow and Ilia assured him that they will pay for this but first they need to arm up and discuss a plan. Running over there blindly will get them all killed. She also hinted that his back is in no condition to fight. In the end it was Dyer that cajoled with him. Link remained unhappy throughout the night but thankfully Ilia didn't see him trying to abscond on his own.
Quill laid out an almost flawless plan, pinpointing all the locations of the possible ambush but warning them that Gorge might make some changes in the morning so they shouldn't count on Quill's information too much. Hank was hammering away to upgrade weapons, Dyer was polishing his hammer, and Link decided he should rest up. Everyone was getting ready for a fight that might end with their lives.
With a heavy heart, she went outside for a breather, taking along a cup of sake and gazed up at the night sky. Andie must be so frightened, she thought blinking back tears. She could still remember their last conversation. She failed him as a leader and it eventuated into him on the ropes. They couldn't kill a child, they shouldn't. Are they that desperate to get Link?
She inhaled a deep breath, moving away from the house and Hank's hammer faded away. She sat down and watched the Bokoblins and Moblins shrieking and dancing at the sparking wires. The sake was invigorating and she took a big gulp. How did they get Gus though? He was like a snake; he couldn't have been caught so easily.
They must've been tried for answers. She wanted the thought to go away but it lingered. Gorge would have toughened Gus or maybe Andie, one of them would be tortured and the other forced to watch until they give in. She bit her bottom lip to keep a sob. To be sentenced to death was just too much.
Something moved behind her and she whirled around with a dagger at hand. Quill's hand reflexively grabbed it. "Gods, are you trying to kill me?!"
She gasped, stepping back. "I'm so sorry." The dragger fell from her hand as she turned away. "I'm just on edge that's it." She sat on the grass, glancing ahead of her.
He sat next to her. "Worried about them? I saw them myself and they weren't too bad." He wanted to make her feel better and could see that it's not working. "We'll give them hell tomorrow, don't worry."
"Yeah," she mumbled, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around it.
A moment of silence took over between them except for the loud shrieks of the monsters that tried to enter. They couldn't even force it down or move the wires. Hank really out done himself this time. Unlike her, he actually does something more laudable. The breeze lifted her braids up momentarily and she turned to Quill to see his eyes at the night sky. Stars dotted out next to a half moon.
"Ilia?" He said quietly, turning over to her. He looked so much like a little boy lost in the dark. Something in her guts told her that what he's about to say isn't something she'd want to hear. He leaned back, his arms holding him up from behind. She could see his throat moving when he swallowed and he closed his eyes. "If I did something horrible, would you hate me?"
He must still be guilty over leaving Gus and Hank, she guessed, and put her hand over his to get his attention.
She gave him a little smile. "Of course not." Her eyebrow rose. "Well, I'd probably kill you if you did something stupid but hate is a little too much." He still didn't look assured or even smiled and she stared at him. "What happened?"
He moved his hand away harshly and glared at the monsters. "I keep messing things up," he blurted out, angrily. His head was in his hands and he pulled onto his hair. "It doesn't matter if I'm a thief or a Sheikah, anything I do just keeps messing up."
The anger calmed when a delicate hand placed on his cheek. "Listen to me," she said slowly, "I don't care if you're a loser or the world's worst Sheikah. You belong with us, okay?"
He studied her carefully. "No matter what?"
"I can never hate you, Quill."
"Swear?"
"With my heart."
He relaxed and kissed her hand. "Whatever you say."
"Good," she said, ignoring how she flushed when his lips touched her hand and cleared her throat. "Let's rest for tomorrow's biggest ambush."
A smile touched his lips and the two went back inside to begin preparation. It will be one big fight, she knew. She could already hear the screams of the villagers and see blood on her hands. Gorge needed to know one thing: he can't harm one wolf without inviting the others.