Names
825 Words
For the first time in what felt like forever, Alex slept.
It wasn’t deep or peaceful—her mind still churned with flashes of blood, alleyways, and the sharp sting of a blade—but exhaustion finally won out. Her body gave in, dragging her under.
When she woke, dim light filtered through the tent’s canvas walls, casting soft golden patterns on the ceiling. For a second, she just lay there, disoriented, her mind sluggish. Then—
“You’re finally up.”
Her head snapped toward the entrance.
Gunnar stood there, arms crossed, his usual grin in place.
Alex exhaled, pushing herself up on her elbows. “Yeah.” Her voice was rough from sleep, and her body ached from the previous night’s failed escape attempt.
Gunnar stepped inside, tossing something onto the small wooden crate beside her cot. A piece of bread, a hunk of dried meat, and a tin cup of water.
“Figured you’d be hungry,” he said.
Alex eyed the food warily before grabbing the water first. She took slow, measured sips, letting it wash away the dryness in her throat. She wasn’t about to admit it, but she was starving.
Gunnar didn’t say anything as she ate, just watching with that same easy, unreadable expression. It wasn’t until she set the empty cup down that he finally spoke.
“You’re looking better.”
Alex wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Good to know nearly bleeding out didn’t ruin my looks.”
He huffed a small laugh. “Yeah, I doubt anything could do that.”
She rolled her eyes but felt the heat rise to her face anyway. She ignored it.
Gunnar leaned against one of the tent poles, arms still crossed. “Now that you’re up, I’m supposed to show you around. Get you on your feet.”
Alex frowned. “You’re letting me walk around?”
He smirked. “Letting you? No. But if you’re determined to try and sneak off again, you might as well know what you’re up against.”
Alex studied him, searching for any sign of deception. She didn’t trust this place. Didn’t trust these people. But sitting around in this tent wasn’t going to get her anywhere.
Finally, she swung her legs over the side of the cot and stood—too fast. The room tilted slightly, pain flaring in her side.
Gunnar was next to her in an instant, one hand steadying her arm. “Easy, Alex.”
She jerked away from his touch. “I’m fine.”
His amused look told her he didn’t believe her, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he gestured toward the tent flap.
“After you.”
———
The camp was bigger than Alex had expected.
Tents stretched between the trees, some large and sturdy, others smaller and hastily patched together. People moved in groups—some carrying supplies, others sharpening weapons or tending to fires. It wasn’t just soldiers here. There were civilians, too—families, children. People who looked like they’d been running from something, just like her.
But there was order to it. Discipline. A structure she recognized.
This wasn’t just a ragtag group of rebels. This was an army.
Her stomach twisted. Getting out of here wasn’t going to be easy.
Gunnar walked beside her, hands in his pockets, watching her reaction.
“Impressed?”
She scoffed. “You want me to say yes?”
He grinned. “Wouldn’t hurt.”
She didn’t answer. Her gaze flickered to the perimeter—men and women on watch, some stationed on raised platforms, others walking the edges of the camp. Armed. Alert.
She sighed. “How many patrols?”
“Enough.”
“Supplies?”
“Enough.”
She shot him a look. “You’re annoying.”
He smirked. “I’ve heard worse.”
They kept walking, weaving between tents and campfires. Alex memorized every path, every possible weak spot, every exit. She needed to know exactly what she was dealing with before she made another move.
Gunnar eventually stopped near a large tent, crossing his arms. “So. You’ve seen the place. Thoughts?”
Alex shrugged. “Not bad for a bunch of rebels.”
He huffed a laugh. “High praise.”
She turned slightly, gaze flicking back toward the trees. She could make it. Maybe. If she timed it right.
But before she could start thinking too hard, Gunnar spoke again.
“So, Alex.”
She glanced at him. “What?”
He tilted his head, studying her like he was piecing together a puzzle. “You gonna tell me your real name yet?”
She forced herself to stay relaxed. “Already told you. It’s Alex.”
Gunnar sighed dramatically. “You know, you’re really making this difficult.”
She smirked. “That’s kind of my thing.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”
She planned to.
For now.
- Writer
