CHAPTER EIGHT

The outpost is a decrepit huddle of tents. They're brown and worn and they look out of place, surrounded by the lush green of the forest.

A chain link fence keeps the outpost locked in, and just beyond that, there are several wooden huts.

As I walk towards the fence, I keep my mind focused on my goal. I can't let myself get distracted. I need to be disciplined and focused. I need to stay in control.

I keep my bow and my quiver firmly in my hands, and I try to look as confident as I can.

I know the guards usually do a head count every few hours. But it's late at night and they're distracted by their dinner. I just have to hope they don't do it today.

I can hear them talking and laughing, and I can smell the food from their dinner. They're gathered around a fire and they're passing around a bottle.

The guard on duty is sitting with his back to me. I slowly walk around the outpost, looking for a way in. There's a hole in the fence made by an animal. I crawl through it and I keep my breath shallow so that it doesn't come out in puffs. I can't allow myself to make any kind of sound.

I look around the outpost. There are several prisoners sitting outside, but none of them are Matthew. I can't see him anywhere, but I can smell him. There's a strong smell of blood and sweat mixed together. I follow the scent and peer through the window of the wooden hut.

The door is slightly ajar, and I can see him inside. He's sitting down in a small cell, with his hands tied behind his back. I can see the cuts and bruises on his face. He's a mess.

As I stand there, he looks up at me, his eyes wide and frightened. "Please," he says. "I don't want any trouble."

I shake my head. "I'm here to rescue you," I say.

He looks confused. "You are?" he asks, hopeful.

"Yeah," I say. "I'm here to get you out of here."

"Are you with the resistance?" he asks.

"I sure am," I say, lying through my teeth.

There's no way I can explain the whole situation to him, so I focus on the most important part.

"We need to get out of here and back to the pack," I say. "You have to come with me."

He nods. "I'm ready," he says.

He tries to get up, but he can't. The ropes are tied tight. I can see the skin on his wrists turning red and raw.

"I can't get out of here myself," he explains. "I'm tied up."

"I'm going to shoot the lock," I say. "I'm going to shoot it off, and then you can get out."

"Alright," he says.

I take out my bow and I line up the arrow. I take a deep breath and focus on my aim.

I shoot, but I hit the door on the left.

I frown and try again. This time, I shoot the lock on the right side of the door. I hit it on the second try, and the lock flies off the door, and the door swings open.

I go over to Matthew and sit down next to him. I untie his hands and he rubs his wrists. He looks at me, and then he looks down at the floor.

"You okay?" I ask.

"I honestly thought I would be dead by now," he admits.

I stand up. "Come on," I say, reaching for his hand. "We have to get out of here.

We walk fast, and I'm sure we're faster than the guards. As we approach the edge of the forest, I see the guards making their way out of the hut. One of them is carrying a rifle.

I take out my bow and I aim for the barrel of the rifle. I shoot, but the arrow bounces off the barrel and clatters to the ground.

I shoot again and this time, the arrow hits the forest behind them.

The guards turn around. They see us and they start to shout. Then one of them starts to run towards us.

I take out my knife, but I'm not sure if it's going to be enough.

Then Matthew runs towards him and tackles him to the ground. Before the guard can react, Matthew grabs the guard's rifle and shoots him.

I'm surprised, but I don't have time to be shocked. There are two other guards coming towards us, and they're armed with guns.

I shoot at one, and my arrow hits him in the shoulder. I hit the other one in the stomach.

He falls to the ground, and I can see that he's still alive. But he's not a threat anymore.

The other guard is dead, and Matthew grabs his gun.

He looks at me, and then he starts to run.

We run until we're in the forest. I tell him to keep running. We're too close to the outpost. They might be able to catch us if we stay here.

As we run, a sense of relief washes over me. I've done it. I've actually done it. I've rescued Matthew, and I've made it out without any problems.

It's a heady feeling, and I start to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Matthew gasps, trying to catch his breath.

"I've done it," I say. "I rescued you."

He grins. "I'm even more grateful than you can imagine."

I smile. "I'm glad you're okay," I say.

We sit in silence for a moment. There is a quizzical expression on his face. I can tell he's studying me, but I'm not quite sure why.

"I know you're not with the resistance," he says. "Tell me the truth. Why did you rescue me?"

"It's a long story," I say. "But the short version is that saving your life is the best chance I have at saving my own."