<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">Madison narrowed her eyes as she watched Arc speak, she could practically feel the anger radiating off him, it was an uncomfortable feeling. She hadn’t ever seen him angry before, and she knew he was controlling it. She knew the ice in his voice wasn’t comparable to him actually angry, and she wasn’t sure that she ever wanted to see him pissed. <br/>
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She wasn’t sure whether or not he would help these people, but then she noticed the child that stepped from the wagon, and her heart sank. He was young, and sickly, if Arc turned them away now she would feel overly guilty for their selfishness. She watched Arc’s tough-guy facade crumble as he looked to the ground, reluctantly agreeing to give them the basic needs. A smile made its way onto her face as he began to instruct them to put their weapons away, climbing onto her feet as he called out for... Well it wasn’t her name, but she knew what he was trying to do, so she brushed herself off and made her way back to the plan, blissfully unaware of a third guard who crouched a few feet behind, trailing her.<br/>
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She did look over her shoulder on the short walk back, but he wasn’t stupid, and was well hidden from her sight. She eventually arrived back to the plane, a little surprised at how relieved seeing the broken bird was, it had become her home. She stepped inside, leaving the door cracked as she went to the back of the plane, gathering some food and water as Arc asked. The man, however, had the same idea and slipped through the door, sneaking behind a cabinet. He wasn’t trying to take anything, he was there for Madison, but he tilted his head when he noticed a bottle on the edge of the counter and grabbed it. He read the label, smiling a little to himself. Arc’s sleeping pills. He figured he could use them at some point so he stuffed them in his pocket quietly. He was very, very quiet and Madison remained ignorant to his presence, putting what she had collected into a spare bag and walking back out of the plane, closing the door behind her.<br/>
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The unknown man gently opens the door, looking around to make sure he hadn’t been noticed as he follows her while she walks back to where Arc stood, with the other five group members. She made it nearly ten feet away before she was grabbed from behind, an arm across her chest and what could have only been a gun pressed to her throat, just below her jaw. He didn’t say a word, but the other two guards widened their eyes, though not out of shock, out of elation. The family that was in the wagon jumped back, the mother holding a hand to her mouth. Madison dropped the bag the she had in her hand, her gun falling from her grasp as well, trying to assess the situation.<br/>
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If Arc hadn’t noticed the issue by now, the man walked her around, past Arc, to the other two guards, who simply laughed. Madison struggled in the man’s grasp, but to no avail. <br/>
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“ tsk, not so fast. Well it’s awfully good to see you, darlin’, we thought you were dead.” The deep, cocky voice of the man made Madison’s expression harden, recognizing it.<br/>
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“Clyde. Long time no see, how’s Martha? Still banging your brother?” She sneered to the man, though he simple growled and pressed the gun tighter to her throat, her breaths becoming rapsy at the pressure as it blocked some of her airway. But she didn’t show signs of distress.<br/>
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“Hmm... you know, I could have sworn that I shot you right...” he trailed his hand that was across her chest down her side, his hand stopping just above her hip as he dug his fingers into her wound, making her cry out in pain. “...here. I can assure you sweetheart, I won’t miss at point blank, I suggest you keep that mouth of yours shut.” <br/>
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Her eyes narrowed, a whimper falling from her lips, though she took a breath of relief when he let go of her side, back to holding her against him. <br/>
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Her eyes flickered to from the family that was standing behind Arc, to Arc himself. She never broke her gaze, though she didn’t seem afraid. Her gaze flicked then to the remaining two guards who had their spare weapons drawn, aimed directly at Arc. She knew that if he tried to do anything, one of them would pull the trigger. So instead she lightly shook her head, telling him to wait.<br/>
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“Back to business. Big guy, if you try to shoot any of us, she’s getting a bullet to the brain, so I suggest lowering that gun.” His voice had a bit of a playful tone to it.<br/>
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“Now, I’m going to make this really easy for everyone. I will take Ms. Blake here, and you will walk away, everyone ends happy, deal?”<br/>
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“Do it, it’s okay.” Madison nods to Arc, a sad smile on her face. She didn’t want to leave, she wanted to stay wit Arc, to make a life with him, but he was severely outnumbered. There was zero chance that if he tried anything, he would get out of it alive. <br/>
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“Alright, now, circus freaks over there, grab your bag of food or whatever the hell is in there as let’s go, Alpha wants us back by tomorrow night, anyways.” He gestures to the other two guards. With that, he tries to back away with her, though she fights a little, her gaze locked on Arc. She wanted to tell him that she would find a way to come back, that she would find him again, but she couldn’t. She didn’t know what to do. <br/>
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The family looked on in horror, but nodded and grabbed the bad, looking to Arc. They wanted to help, but they couldn’t help. She had fire to her, she wasn’t weak, she was playing weak. If being wimpy made it easier for everyone, that’s what she did. She will get her revenge, one way or the other. <br/>
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“I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say, it was a unfortunate situation that seemingly had no solution. ‘I’m sorry’ felt right. </span>