Ember

Water dripped from the ceiling onto the stone floor below. The echoing sound of boots walking across grit echoes off the surrounding walls. These footfalls belong to Kael Fury, a bounty hunter nicknamed the Ravager. Kael stopped in front of a cell with his latest catch.

“Hello, little Ember. How did you sleep?”

The one called Ember refused to speak, turning their head away from the bounty hunter.

Kael chuckled in amusement. His hand grips one of the metal bars. “Are you refusing to speak to me, Ember?” he asks, shaking his head.

“It’s such a pity.” He shrugs, lifting his arms in a pushing motion as if to stop something from falling. “All that hard work it took to find and capture you. Maybe I will turn you in for that reward on your head instead.”

Ember gave Kael a sideways glare, crossing their arms as if daring him to.

“You know—I bet you’re hungry. My purpose for coming down here was to offer a meal.”

Ember’s stomach growls at the mention of food, embarrassing them.

“Well, it seems that your stomach has answered for you.”

The Ravager opened the cell door, its metal hinges creaking from years of being used.

“Let’s go upstairs and eat.”

Both walked up the spiraling staircase, leaving the basement dungeon, and entered a Mediterranean-style home. Ember looked around them in awe. Their bare feet make a soft patter on the cherry wooden floor. They gazed at the stucco walls in fascination.

“Not what you expected?”

Ember shook their head, looking over their shoulder at Kael. “Especially not from someone they call Ravager.”

The Ravager sighs, leading Ember into the dining room.

He pulled out the chair for them. It accidentally scraped on the floor, causing Ember to flinch at the sound it made. “My apologies. Please have a seat.”

Ember sits, and Kael brings over the food and drinks, placing them on the table.

“I tried to make something simple sense. I was unsure what you would like.”

The Ravager sat across from Ember, who began eating.

He smiled, knowing he was right to assume that his catch was hungry.

“Ember, do you know why I captured you?”

“At first, I thought it was for the money, but—” they motioned around them. “It seems you don’t lack cash unless you’re greedy,” said Ember through a bite of food.

“No, it isn’t about the money, and don’t talk with your mouth full.”

Ember rolled their eyes. “Then why?” they asked.

Kael sighed and sat back, placing his fork on the table. “I need information. I’m looking for someone, and you know exactly where they went.”

“Depends on who you’re looking for?” they say, tilting their head to the side.

“I’m searching for Viper.”

Ember paled. Viper was different from a typical bounty hunter. He hunts the bounties, proclaiming them wanted, dead or alive. However, as time went on, he’d gone rogue, bringing them back more dead than alive. Viper had become a murderer.

The Ravager leaned onto the table using his forearms, which creaked under his weight.

“Where is he, Ember?”

Ember fidgets in their seat, looking at their lap.

“Ember, look at me. Where is Viper?”

They reluctantly look up at Kael and reply, “Viper went to Luton.”

“Luton? Are you sure?” Kael’s eyes lock with Ember’s. “If he went there, it means he is going after Nightshade,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Who is Nightshade?” Ember asked curiously.

“You don’t know who Nightshade is?” The Ravager answered in surprise.

“No, I don’t know who that is.” Ember shook their head.

“Nightshade is a retired and famous ex-bounty hunter; he’s undefeated.”

“Viper is after him because of that?” Ember questioned, unconvinced.

“That and Nightshade have a pristine reputation. He’s never killed anyone.” Kael replied.

Ember frowned, thinking to themselves: If Viper were to get Nightshade to fight him, and Nightshade were to have a slip of the hand, it means no one would trust a bounty hunter again.

As the day slowly turned into night, the Ravager gave Ember a room with an en suite. They showered and settled down for the night, wearing a pair of Kael’s spare pajamas. For now, they should get their rest because when morning comes, they, along with the Ravager, will go searching for Nightshade.

Ember stared at the wall across from them as they got settled under the covers and curled into the fetal position. Viper had gone to Luton and was seeking death. Not only that, but he wanted to drag the bounty hunter career along with him. Ember turned onto their back; their dull-colored eyes bore into the ceiling. They would be left all alone again if something happened to Viper.

However, Ember would face imprisonment if Kael decided to turn them in instead. They closed their eyes. There’s no point in thinking about it now. Come morning, there will be a lot of traveling to do. For now, Ember would enjoy their freedom until the Ravager no longer had a use for them.

The door to Ember’s bedroom flung open, causing them to sit upright in bed. Kael stood in the doorway, tossing a duffle bag onto the bed. “Rise and shine, Ember.”

Ember groaned, lying back down and pulling the covers up over their head "It’s too early..." they mumbled under their breath. Footsteps quickly stride across the wooden floor, and the blankets are ripped off them.

“You have ten minutes to get ready,” Kael said while looking down at Ember, who slowly cracked an eye open.

“Fine—” Ember groaned, rubbing a hand over their face as the Ravager turned and left the room, closing the door behind himself. Sitting up, Ember dug through the duffle bag, quickly finding clothes and shoes to change into.

Ember made their way downstairs with the bag over their shoulder, spotting their traveling companion by the door, leaning against the wall next to it with his arms crossed.

“About time, Ember,” Kael smirked, looking up as Ember descended the stairs, their eyes meeting.

Ember rolled their eyes, mocking the Ravager under their breath. “Let’s get going. I’m dying for some coffee.”

Kael chuckled. “We’ll grab some on the way.”

Both individuals get into an arctic turquoise 1958 Plymouth Fury. Ember tossed their bag into the back seat, then got into the passenger seat, buckling up as the Ravager started the car’s engine and backed out of the driveway. After stopping at a drive-thru shop, they continued their way for one hundred miles until their destination.

Ember happily sipped on the liquid gold as Kael drove with one hand on the steering wheel. The other is resting on the middle console. Twenty miles into their destination, the Ravager pulled into a truck stop so they could take a break, get some food, drinks, and snacks for the road.

“Go use the restroom. I’m going to fill up the cooler and grab some food from the diner.” Kael told Ember, who nodded. Not having to be told twice, they hopped out of the car, making a beeline for the restroom. Sighing in relief, they cleaned up, washed their hands, and walked out.

Ember bumped into someone, causing them to stumble backward. “Watch where you’re going!” a man snapped, grabbing Ember by the front of their shirt. Noticing who they were, the man laughed and let go. “Ember Rose! I thought you got captured and turned in for the bounty on your head.”

Ember sighed, fixing their now wrinkled shirt. “Good to see you too, Spark.”

Spark stood to his full height and leered down at Ember’s hands in his pockets. “Why are you here?” he questioned, narrowing his eyes at the other, who paled, avoiding eye contact.

“Just traveling,” Ember mumbled.

“Is that so. Who are you traveling with? I know you don’t drive.” Spark spat, growing suspicious.

Ember peered around the hulk of a man, spotting Kael waiting. “I have to go!” they exclaimed, running around Spark, who let them pass. His eyesight followed Ember until they disappeared out of sight; he knew something was up.

Making a beeline for Kael, Ember felt relieved once they reached them. “What happened?” the Ravager asked as he handed over take-out to Ember.

“Nothing much. I just ran into an old co-worker.” They cleared their throat.

Kael knew something was wrong, but didn’t press Ember for answers. Ember ate their food in silence, feeling uneasy about this trip. Was Spark sent to be Viper’s eyes and ears?

“We still have quite a while to go before reaching the hotel,” said the Ravager, tossing away his trash and waiting for Ember to finish eating. The sun was preparing to set, ready to blanket them in darkness. As both got into the car, Kae drove onto the main road, passing a sign advertising the Stardust Hotel.