Joel made his way a short distance back through the undergrowth. He kept checking his surroundings and stopped where he could see area where the fallen scavenger lay as well as also being able to take in the cabin. He kept low. The trees were partially blocking his view but he still had a decent line of sight.
Good enough, he thought.
He waited.
After a while Joel's patience paid off. He saw one of his attackers come around from behind the cabin. The man kept making a short whistling noise.
Signalling for your comrade ? Good. Means I don't have to search for him...
A minute or two later the other man came into view from the right side of the front of the cabin. Both of the scavengers quietly talked for a moment in front of the old building and then they split up to search the surrounding area. They didn't go far, Joel could see both as they started to look around the outskirts of the clearing near to the cabin. He watched as each man disappeared from view for a few seconds at a time as they passed behind tree trunks, only to reappear again as they continued their search. Every couple of steps the men whistled again and then listened. It took a minute before Joel realised what they were now looking for.
You can't find your buddy can you ?
Joel pressed himself deeper into cover as he noticed that the taller man had started to not only move towards him, but also nearet the now dead bandit Joel had tried to interogate.
Any minute now...
"Carl, over here ! Come quick", Joel heard as the tall scavenger finally discovered the body. He fidgeted on the spot as he waited for the other man to arrive.
"Carl ! Hurry !" he cried out again.
Joel continued to watch, not moving an inch.
The man called Carl came running into view.
So my ratty friend has a name...
Carl was easily the shorter of the two men. Joel had towered over him during their first meeting the previous day but now his thin frame next to the taller man only made him seem smaller. His dirty clothes and his vicious demeanour gave him a chilling presence. Joel understood why he was in charge of the group, his men were clearly terrified of him. His newly missing teeth completed his horrific appearance.
Carl bent down to examine the corpse, and stood back up after a short time. He looked around and then bent back over again, searching the nearby area.
What are you looking for ? A sign for where I went ? You've got no chance. I was careful...
Joel continued to observe the remaining two scavengers as they were deep in animated conversation although from his position he couldn't hear what was being said. Both men repeatedly looked around, using occasional hand gestures and pointing at the cabin.
Wondering what to do next, or wondering how you let me get away, eh guys ?
Carl stepped away from the other man, taking a few steps in the direction of where Joel was. He started to shout, turning slowly as he did.
"I know you can hear me, the time for games is over my friend. I had offered you a quick death. You have killed my brother. That deal is no longer on offer. Now you will die a slow painful death. We will find you, we will torture you and then you will beg us to end you. After that we will go back to Boston and kill your woman, Tess. I'm going to radio my comrades now to take her. It's too late for you, but you come out now, and maybe we leave her alone. This I promise you, my friend."
Despite the threat Joel smiled to himself.
Well that clears a few things up...
Now it was obvious. They had been watching them, they had played him for a fool. A few questions remained but any doubts were now gone. He couldn't put Tess in danger. He knew what needed to be done.
He checked the rifle again, risking the noise.
He only had three bullets left.
Well 'my friend'. Looks like you just sealed your fate...
Joel aimed the gun. Slowed his breathing and waited for the right moment. His finger tightened on the trigger as he waited, the muscles in it tensed. He considered his options.
He fired.
