Derek and Anthony both stopped mid swing, weapons hanging poised for the downward blow, like a bizarre action painting of the scene. The straddling man took the opportunity to clamber to his feet, kicking Anthony hard in the groin as he staggered away unchecked into the tree line, still trailing blood from his hand. Derek gaped at the man who had shouted his name; clearly he was under the impression that they were acquainted. Derek clamoured for a memory of this face, but the pulsing adrenaline clouded his mind, his guard now completely down. Doubled over in agony, Anthony did not see the small man climb out of the ditch and approach Derek from behind.
“What's going on?” bellowed the man at the still baffled Derek, “where are the others?”
Others? This man must have known he was with the
