Blood In The Bushes

Dang it, Isela, you have school today.

Get it together.

Sighs.

I walked out of the house and noticed how beautiful the sky was. However, that faded away quickly with my thoughts about Mason.

Was he good or was he bad to begin with? It pounded my mind on a daily basis. With that being said, I want to be by his side no matter what path he chooses. The day we first met, I couldn't stop thinking about myself.

I am very naive, I know that, so being naive one more time won't hurt me… unless Mason would.

I walked to the school campus headed to class. It was boring after school was done. I wanted to do some special training to help Mason in my own way.

I grabbed some explosives and walked into the guild to register so I could train.

“Congrats, Isela, here is your guild card.”

“Thank you, chica.”

I glanced over the board looking for a quest. Ha, I found it. Hoping to find one, and I did. I was struck with excitement; a feeling of euphoria came over me. I went back to the guild lady and told her I want this one.

“Okay, Isela, when you are done with fighting bandits, please bring back their heads so we can confirm.”

“I gasp. There he—heads?”

“Yes, that is correct. Bandits don't have ID cards, even if they are often stolen.”

My stomach turned, but I must take the quest from the guild lady.

I walked out.

My head felt dizzy.

body was shaking.

I made it back to my house.

sprinted to the restroom and threw up.

My hair is covered in throw-ups. I took a shower to freshen up, and then I cried.

I had to confirm they… are de-dead. I knew it was my job to kill them. I never actually did it, granted I did help with placing them to kill people. But I never once expected to see the day where I have to see it up close.

The next day, I got up and headed to take down these bandits. On the way there I also battle some slimes and goblins just to deal with it. I found the bandits; while I was looking at them, I heard a rattle in the bushes. It was an odd-looking creature. I heard the loud chatter coming from them.

My body froze as I heard their talk.

Bandit one

“I can’t wait to take these slaves to auction.”

Bandit two

“For sure, boss, we can play with them a little without damaging the goods.”

There were six bandits left.

I couldn't make out what the rest were saying.

But I made up my mind.

They must die.

I had a flashback to when I was being trained by my late father, who taught me the arts of destruction. It didn't make sense at the time, but it does now.

The words he mentioned make sense.

“Isela, your role is to be diligent and be precise. That is what we do and how we were raised. We don’t see the faces we destroy with our traps. There is nothing to be ashamed of, but up close it’s a sight no one should see. Choose wisely when and where to use it."

Those words linger over me as if I had a knife held up against my throat.

I smirked.

They were getting closer, then I realized they had slaves with them. The guest didn't mention this, nor did the guild receptionist. If that carriage got blown up, those teens would die.

I saw a glimpse of a hand outside of the caged jail.

I remember the training we did at the school, not to mention the battle royal. I got the idea it was very risky.

Plan 1

Draw them in and stand in front of them as if you were lost, then run away and let some of the guys follow you.

Plan 3,

Get the rest of them to fall into my trap.

Plan 4

Rescue those slaves and bring them back to the guild.

Here goes nothing. I jumped out of the bushes looking helpless and a little pernicious with my long hair and my somewhat revealing skin. I acted innocent.

Phase one

While working, most of their guards followed me deeper into the woods.

Those horndogs will never touch me.

Hasta la vista, chicos.

A loud but contained explosion The rest of the bandits were aware but didn't show what happened.

Now for phase 3,

I counted 6 of them.

I made intentional noises to distract them as they were distracted.

I snapped two of their necks.

So be it,

I hopped out of the woods again with the bandit's blood on my face as if I had been assaulted.

The two other bandits licked their lips with a vile smile. I didn't feel bad anymore.

“Help”

I screamed at the top of my lungs like an opera singer. The further I got away, the faster they chased. Before they died, I shouted,

“Oh boys, come get me. I know you want to. Don’t be shy, come and catch me.”

“You heard that, she wants us.”

"You're right, brother, let's get her."

Little did they know I planned my traps in the perfect spot.

Their bodies flew a few meters away from me.

Two bandits were left. I tore my clothes, revealing more skin to them, and I got on all fours and begged for help as if I had barely survived.

“Pl-please help me.”

The bandits were skeptical, but the way my body was positioned made them lose that awareness.

Now the moment has come.

I headbutted one of the bandits, a crack of our skulls collided, and the bandit faltered and fell back headfirst, hitting a rock.

Ironically, I did not plant that.

Pendejo, that hurt like a bitch.

The second to last bandit got on top of me. His breath smelled, his teeth were yellow, and his odor smelled like booze.

I twisted my legs around him, then got on top of him. His face grins as if this was his dream.

I started to punch that pervert into oblivion. His face was all bloody, and my knuckles were stained with wet blood.

I am sure to take a shower when I get home. I checked on the wagon; the slaves were saved. But the fatigue of the teens was demolished, to the point of seeing their bones.

I got on the horse, which didn't even move, which is shocking, and we rode back to the city. I informed the guards about the issue and then urgently told the guild. While I looked back, I saw the teens terrified but happy.

I looked over at the heads and the dry blood started to smell. A dark cloud clung to me for the rest of the night.

I took a shower and collected my payment.

Look up at the brown ceiling.

I wonder if today taught me anything. Sure, I felt like my wit got stronger, but something just fell off. I don’t know what it was.

Time to doze off. "Goodnight, Father," as I reached my hand out with an open fist, as he was there holding my hand. One last thing I would like to say further.

“I know you are gone. You brought me life and taught me how to fend for myself. I hope I don’t lose myself,” you once said.

“People tend to lose themself when there is something major going on; it is a breaking point we all have or have had experience with. There is always light no matter what, my dear little Isela.”

“Good night, Dad.”