When the wind shifted directions unfavorably, enveloping me in a stream of smoke, I could do nothing but scoot around awkwardly, trying not to attract the attention of my captors as I choked on the polluted air.
Eventually, I couldn't take it any longer and just flopped onto the ground, which, thankfully, wasn't too rocky. The smoke couldn't get me down there.
And while I was out there suffering, the rebels were chilling in their tent, chatting about whatever rebels chat about. The sounds of their voices occasionally drifted in my direction, but I was never quite able to make out what they said. Every once in a while, someone would unzip the tent and come out to tend to the fire. I guess that was courteous of them.
As time continued to drag on, I could feel my heart beat a little harder. Are they just going to leave me here to die of thirst? Maybe they really are the sadistic criminals everyone claims them to be… Am I their entertainment?
Despite the various outcomes that were flashing through my mind, I was able to find some solace in the sounds of the fire. The never-ending cycle of snaps, crackles, and pops soothed the fibers of my mind, and everything else just seemed to fade away.
"Sorry for making you wait."
I think I pulled a muscle in my neck as I jerked my head at the sudden voice. It was the same smooth tone that I'd heard on the mountainside earlier.
With my head still sideways on the ground, I squinted at the gleaming orange flames as the blindfold was peeled off of my face.
"You can turn around." The man was still standing behind me as he said this, and I was certain I heard a hint of mockery in his voice.
How rude, I thought. It looks like I really am entertainment to him. At least I hadn't been physically attacked yet.
I was reluctant, but my curiosity got the best of me and I began awkwardly rolling around until I was able to get back into a seated position. From there, I shifted my weight from side to side, rope-bound shoulders screaming as I tried to get a visual of my captor.
At long last, the form of a man, illuminated by the flickering glow of the fire, came into sight.
He had a kind of rugged, youthful look, but I could tell that he was probably in his mid-thirties. His stubbled jawline was sharp, and his dark, messy hair reached down over his eyebrows.
Not quite what I'd expected, but the thing about him that stood out the most was his clothing. No camo, protection, or tactical gear; instead, all he had on was a plain T-shirt and shorts. He looked like he belonged on a beach, sipping from a cold beer while a sexy, bikini-clad girl cuddled up next to him.
"Here's the deal," he said with a hint of a smile, the firelight giving his eyes an orange flicker. "You've caught my attention, and I'm interested in whether you would like to join our squad."
Huh? As soon as I realized what he was saying–it had been a long day–I almost laughed out loud.
Was I not a part of the mass of soldiers that had just come to wipe them out? Did they not just turn the tables and utterly destroy us? What interest could we have in each other?
I frowned. "What's the alternative?" I asked, my voice raspy from inhaling smoke.
"Death."
"Then I'd love to join," I responded immediately. When it came to life and death, there was no room for negotiation.
"Are you sure? We have some highly wanted members, so we can hardly ever rest. Between bounty hunters, and, of course, those military death squads, we're popular targets."
I raised my eyebrows. "Didn't you just say you'd kill me if I didn't join?"
"Great!" he responded, clasping his hands together as a satisfied smile curled onto his lips. "It sounds like you're interested."
"Wait a second, Blake."
The voice came from the shadows, just out of the firelight's reach. A girl stepped forward, her boots crunching on the dry needles. She appeared to be around my age, and she was wearing a black hoodie and camo army pants.
"You're not just going to let this military kid join for free, right?" Her sharp gray eyes bored into me with a cold stare.
"Of course not," the man, whose name seemed to be Blake, assured her. "I'm just getting to that part now."
He rummaged for a while in a large pine green backpack that he'd brought out with him.
Shit, I thought. Here we go…
Blake apparently found what he was looking for and stood up. "Alright," he began, as if kicking off a business meeting. "As Eve just implied, you'll need to prove that you're both trustworthy and useful before we can take you in."
He held out something that resembled a small gemstone. It had sharp edges, a diamond-like shape, and was probably about the size of his thumb. The soft, red glow emanating from the translucent crystal drew my eyes in like a magnet.
Maybe the firelight was to blame, but I saw a strange gleam in Blake's eyes as he said, "If you can consume this and tolerate it, you're in."
My tense shoulders relaxed and my eyes widened. I recognized the gleaming stone for what it really was, and I felt the impact of every heart beat thumping inside my chest.
"No way…" I muttered under my breath, hands shivering. "An element?"
Over the previous two years, I had only seen one: the element of healing I'd consumed upon joining the military. Resting innocently in this man's palm was the very source of the mysterious power that resided in this world. The power that had captivated me for my entire life.
For a moment, I was no longer a captive in the Hoodsdale wilderness; instead, I was back in my hometown. A young, innocent boy who had a burning desire to uncover the mysteries of the world–specifically, the elements. And then, a boy who was unjustly torn from the joy and hope in his life.
It was for the best, I'd told myself.
It was for the best.
However, the sight before me ignited a fire that had been extinguished for three years. Now, more so than when our company had been attacked, my heart rate really began to rise.
badum badum badum badum…
I stared into the eyes of beauty, and my fingertips tingled.
Surely, nothing could be more fascinating than this.
I barely noticed as the girl untied my arms, which flooded with fresh, hot blood as they finally fell free of their shackles. I barely noticed the hard, cold weight of the gun that she pressed against my temple.
The world around me faded away as I slowly raised my arm and reached for what was sitting in Blake's hand.
As my fingers closed around its sharp, clean edges, I could feel every pressure point against my skin. It was light. So light that it felt weightless as I brought it towards my mouth.
I held a dream in my hand, and with it came a surge of long forgotten sensations. Grief and joy, so powerful that they brought a stinging to my eyes.
Here is a reason to live, I thought.