Tw: Imprisonment, severe injury

A while ago...

A knock. I groan as I wake up, aching from my turn on the floor. On the bed, Cub opens his eyes, slightly disoriented. 

'What is it?'

'Ren wishes to talk to you.' Comes the call. Cleo. I roll over.

'Later.'

'Now.'

'I'm tired...' But I force my way up, standing slowly. I stretch. Cub sits up too.

'You alright?'

'Yeah... I'm fine. Just tired.'

'Your outfit is just outside the door.' Calls Cleo as well. 'Be quick. Ren said it's urgent.'

I sigh.

'See you later, Cub.'

'Stay safe.'

I leave the room, grabbing the folded clothes, bow and arrows, entering a bathroom to change. I struggle into the skintight suit and fingerless gloves, clip the quiver of arrows and bow to my belt, don a pair of sunglasses and leave the room. 

Towards the throne room, downstairs, and inside to where Ren and Bdubs are waiting. He seems excited, like he's come up with a cunning plan he can't wait to share.

'Hotguy! It's great you're here... I've got a mission for you.'

'What is it?' I bow.

'I've been thinking. We need to cut right into the heart of the resistance... and I know this will be dangerous, dude, but I want to kill Pearl.'

'Pearl?'

'That's right. According to our spy, the base hasn't moved. You need to get in, kill her, and let them know it was us that did it... good luck.'

I stare at the ground, then give a nod.

'As you wish, my king.'

I feel his eyes staring me down as I leave the throne room. And, to my surprise, I bump into Cub.

'Pearl.'

'What?'

'My target is Pearl. I need to get into the base and kill her.' I mutter.

'Stay safe. Please.' We hug. I break away.

'See you when I get back.'

It doesn't take long to reach the hidden entrance resistance base. I slip down inside, scouring the scene below. Someone's on watch. I don't shoot, but aim my bow. This is the main area. Pearl has to be here somewhere...

I creep along to a better point. No one's seen me. I dream to think what I'll have to do if I am. After a while of just aiming my bow, my arm grows tired. I shake it out, squinting...

There.

I catch sight of Pearl. She's talking with Impulse.

Perfect.

I draw back my bow, aiming. I'm a good enough shot to hit first time if I aim well enough... I take a breath, and fire.

It's a perfect shot. Pearl collapses and I hear Impulse's yell from here. Faces turn. I try to leave, jumping to where I got in and scrambling up the wall. But then I remember Ren's second request. Let them know it was us that did it. 

'HEY! IMPULSE!'

His head turns. 

'YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BEAT HIM, IMPULSE. REN WILL WIN!'

'GET HIM!' Impulse's voice breaks as he yells. He's crying. Impulse, the leader of the resistance, is crying.

Pain. I fall, crashing to the ground. I scramble to my feet, checking the wound in my arm. Blood streams down. I try to shoot, but a flash of agony stops me. All I can do is back further away, before turning to climb out again.

I wince as I haul myself up and get halfway up before...

'Not so fast, homey.'

I yell as I'm dragged down, trying to twist out of my attacker's grip. An arm chokes me and I kick back, hoping to hit them. But they let go before I can. I barely gain footing before they punch me in my the face. My head hits the wall, exploding with pain, and blood covers my face as my nose breaks. I catch their furious expression. Dark blue eyes, dark brown hair, a loose shirt and sleeveless jacket. 

I try to shoot again and they yank the bow out my hand before kicking me in the leg, other hand pushing me against the wall. There's no way to escape.

'I've got him, Dippledop!' He yells. The fury in his voice doesn't fade, only growing a cold triumph at my defeat. I pant, bleeding, as I'm stuck there, unable to fight free without getting hit again.

'Take him to the cells.'

I'm dragged forwards, glancing around the area. Some stare at me. Some are crying over Pearl. There's nothing I can do. No escape, no power, no chance of running... a guard lets us through to another room, darker and colder than the first. And just before the door closes, someone calls over.

'She's dead.'

The guard's grip tightens on my shoulder as they fumble for keys. A row of small stone prison cells sit next to us. There's something somewhere between a sob and a growl as emotions grow, and a door is opened.

I'm pushed inside, landing on my bad arm. This is my only chance. I spring to my feet, running for the guard as they close the door and-

I fight a yell as my arm is pulled behind my back. I'm walked into the prison, as the guard speaks, voice quiet, malicious, and shaking with fury.

'Listen here, Hotguy. You might have power and strength back where Ren treats you like a hero, but here you're nothing. We outnumber you. So if you even try to escape again... I don't care what Dippledop says, you're dead.' I nod, the pain too much to speak. He doesn't let go, continuing to speak. 'You killed Pearlie. You shot her from afar and were about to run away like a little coward.'

'Please...' I force out. 'You're hurting me...'

'I know.' A sharp yank back. I scream as I feel my arm break. He lets go, and I land on the ground. The door shuts with a clang and I curl up, cradling my arm as I stifle a sob.

'You even try, and you're dead.' The guard reminds. The only noise I make is a whimper, as the main door is closed and I'm left in total darkness.

Hurt, scared, and completely alone, time stretches by too slowly. I can't figure if I'm there for days or minutes, arm and nose throbbing as they keep bleeding. I fight the want to cry as long as I can, but can't survive long before I'm yelling for help. No one even comes to deliver food, no matter how hungry I get. But have I only been here for an hour? I don't know. I can't tell. I think I drift unconscious from pain and blood-loss, but can't tell. I can't even hear anyone.

Light.

The scenes flash by. The prison door opening. Someone helping me to my feet. Out in the main area. At the stairs. Impulse and the one who caught me, standing next to each other, eyes narrowed. Outside. It's dark, and I collapse. It takes all this time to realise who it is.

Cub.

Cub saved me.

'Ren didn't want me to help you.' He's crying. 'I had to do something...'

The realisation slowly sets in.

Ren would've just let me die. He doesn't care.

It's the last thing I think before I fall unconscious again.