speak, I will kill you.” He paused. “If you tell me where it is, and you are true to your word, you will be left here to fend for yourself. If you survive, fine, I don’t care. It doesn't matter to me.”
Silas smiled weakly. “If I knew, I would have given it to you when you brought me here in the first place. But I don’t.”
Marcus lifted up a hand. “Stop talking.” He walked to Silas and grabbed his neck and forced him to walk further into the moonlight. He took him to the edge of the cliff and shoved Silas to his knees.
The moon shed its light onto the entire landscape. It was beautiful, yet eerie as it illuminated the 500-foot drop Silas would encounter should he slip. Or be pushed.
“I’m going to give you one last chance to tell me where it is,” Marcus said as he slid the sword from its sheath. The sound sent an electric shock to Silas’ heart. He was about to die. “If you don’t tell me, I will cut your throat and your body will fall down the mountain. But if you do, I’ll leave you out here in the wilderness alone. Either way, you will never hear from us again.”
Silas didn’t believe it for a moment. If he told them the location of the medallion he would be at the bottom of the cliff before he knew what happened to him. But if he refused he would be there too. Telling them the truth, however, might buy him an hour more. It was worth a try. A certain peace came to his mind as the mountain’s night wind shuffled his blonde, shaggy hair. He almost didn't mind dying in such a wonderful, tranquil landscape. For a moment, he was alone with nature, but he was pulled from his thoughts by the sudden cold press of steel against his throat. Silas closed his eyes, ready to accept the fate that was about to present itself.
“It's in the truck.”
“What?”
“The medallion. My grandfather left it in the truck before we sent it over the cliff.” He sighed loudly. If his 'protector' wasn't coming then this was his only chance. He was out of time. “You will find it there.”
“You lie, I looked in the truck,” Theron said, stepping forward.
“Well, look again,” Silas said. “There’s a secret compartment behind the passenger seat.”
“Mr. Ainsley, I've grown tired of your deception,” Marcus said. “Whether you are telling the truth or not, I'm tired of you.”
Theron moved closer. “Marcus, what are you doing?”
“Shut up,” Marcus said.
“It's really there,” said Silas frantically. Even in his physical state of weakness, he felt adrenaline pulse through his veins. “You told me you would let me go.”
“I'm through with you, Ainsley.”
“Marcus! Stop!”
“He’ll be no use to us!” Marcus yelled, facing Theron.
“We’re supposed to keep him alive!”
Marcus shook his head and turned back to Silas. “Let Judoc take care of him.”
Silas closed his eyes as Marcus reared back to slice through his neck, but the swipe never came. Silas’ eyes flew open at the sound of Marcus screaming in horror as an arrow tore through his shoulder. The whistle from the arrow shot seemed to chase the impact. Silas instantly dropped flat to the ground as he heard more shots through the air. Theron was hit in the knee, bringing him to the ground. He pulled out his sword ready for a fight, but another arrow soared into his chest, ending his life on Earth.
Whoever was doing this was helping Silas tremendously, but perhaps they were not a friend at all. Could this be the protector? Silas began to crawl with his bound wrists away from the cave and down the path as Marcus continued to scream out in pain. Another arrow ended his cries as it struck him through the neck.
Seeing a chance to flee, Silas pulled himself off the ground to run, but before he was able to take two strides, an arrow landed only inches in front of him. He froze in place, knowing if he took another step the next arrow would not miss. The commotion from behind him had stopped; Marcus and Theron were dead. Silas stood with his tied hands in the air feeling stupid and even more vulnerable than when Marcus had a sword to his neck. He shuffled around on his feet, trying to see his attacker, or savior, he wasn’t sure which. He looked into the trees surrounding the cave and the path. The