Episode Two, Part 1:
Debts

Two days had passed since Wynn woke up in the medic tent; he was finally able to walk again, but the limp in his leg served as a constant reminder of what the world was like outside the gates of Basilisk.

There was still no word on any of the missing members of his family and as each day passed without knowing if they were okay, the choking, suffocating feeling in Wynn's throat only seemed to worsen.

He and Ares had asked around, trying to be discreet about it so they didn't get in trouble with Sol, but they were desperate to know what the people of Basilisk knew about Blood Riders and most of all, if anyone knew how to get there.

But no one seemed to be able to help them. The only person who they knew for sure could get them to Blood Riders was Sol, and she was the last person they could turn to for help. 

When the realization settled that they were running out of options, the only thing Wynn could think of was to round up the survivors of his family and brainstorm a plan; an escape; something that would get them the hell out of Basilisk, seeing as walking out of the manned front gates had proven not to be an option. 

With Ares hot on his tail, Wynn entered one of the tents where Quill, Bas, and MaReya were waiting for them, all anxiously trying to predict what was coming their way. 

Truthfully, Wynn couldn't deny his gratitude at being given a tent to sleep in - cramped up safe amongst the cluster of other tents that scattered Basilisk's campgrounds. He was even surprised at the generosity his family had been shown since they arrived; each of them had somewhere safe to sleep, a set of clean clothes - as their own had either been torn apart or covered in blood during the invasion - and two portions of rations each day with the rest of the clan. In spite of how cold Sol was being to them, everything suggested that they were being made to feel at home in Basilisk... Everything except a search for the rest of their family. 

Trudging inside the tent, Wynn took a seat on one of the camp beds next to Ares, already praying to have found an answer by the time they left. 

As he looked around at everyone, Wynn was struck by the truth, suddenly aware that each of them had lost someone. MaReya had lost her brother and father; Bas had lost his mother and three siblings, and Quill was stuck in the same boat as him and Ares - not knowing what had happened to their sister or parents. And suddenly, his seemingly hopeful suggestion at devising a plan felt over before it had begun, with the losses they had faced far surpassing who they had left. 

"So, who's got any ideas?" MaReya asked, not nearly as bright and eager as Wynn had always known her to be. 

"I have one," Bas declared. "We get the hell out of here and find the others the first chance we get. Run through the gates, or whatever. If we take the guards by surprise, they won't be able to stop us." 

"I agree," Ares mumbled. Then, hurrying to clarify, "with the getting out of here part, not the running at the gates. I don't think that'd work in our favor." 

"What are they going to do? Keep us here as hostages? Oh wait, that's pretty much what they're doing, already," Bas challenged. 

"It's not my first choice either, Bas, but at least I'm confident with my chances of surviving the night whilst I'm here... I can't say the same if I'm unprotected out there with no clue what I'm doing. We have to be smart," Ares replied. 

"What does that mean? What do you suggest we do?" MaReya asked again. 

"We should try and leave," Ares said. "But not all of us." 

"No one's getting left behind-" Wynn said, already prepared to argue his brother's statement, but he was soon cut off. 

"That's not what I'm saying. Look, there's six of us here, right? Us, and Azha." 

"Azha's still in the medic tent," MaReya pointed out. 

"I know. Even more reason for some of us to stay here. Besides, right now, I'm not leaning towards making any rash decision - like leaving this place for good." 

Wynn glanced around the tent, noting that everyone shared the same look of confusion as he had plastered over his face. "I don't think any of us are attached to this place, Ares. We all want to leave." 

"I want to be home in the Bunker as much as the rest of you do," Ares continued, "but I'm trying to be realistic. If that can't happen, the next best thing is for us to be somewhere safe. And until we know what the other clan is like, we have to keep this open as a possibility, at least until we're all together. Besides, Mom and Dad will be able to help us figure out what to do." 

"Okay. You're right. But I still don't see why we can't all go. That'll give us a better chance at getting everyone back," Bas said. 

Wynn nodded, still unable to see things from his brother's perspective. "Bas has a good point." 

"Think about it," Ares began, "if we all go, they'll notice. Two of us go and the other three stay here. They won't bat an eye."

"Why two?" MaReya asked.

"Does anyone want to go out there alone?" Ares said, letting their silence answer his question.

"It makes sense," Wynn said, "but how are any of us going to get out? Riverly made strict commands to not let us leave. And as much as I couldn't care less about her rules, I don't see a way around them, either."

"We leave at night," Ares replied nonchalantly, as if he had gone over the plan a thousand times in his head that it now seemed like the most obvious answer he could think of. "I was watching last night when you guys went to sleep; there's only ever a few people on guard after the evening fire they have." 

"A few guards are still more trouble than we need right now," MaReya said, suddenly quite nervous even though she knew she wouldn't be one of the people leaving. "We need a way past them. How are any of us going to do that without being seen?"

Wynn cocked his head a little, arching one of his eyebrows upwards as he thought of something. "Who said anything about leaving through the gates?" 

Two // Part One
We get the hell out of here.

12/08/22.