8 Bandit Boss

For the record, this is the coldest night I've been into. We have nothingness with us. what's worse? Hunger. In the middle of the night, I woke up and felt very hungry since I didn't have dinner.

I turned my head and looked at Luke, his eyes were closed and he was sleeping peacefully. It made me feel a bit jealous. He can capture sleep so easily. With hunger, I stood up and went out of the cave.

I need to look for something to eat and I'm pretty sure Luke will be hungry once he wakes up. Some fruits will do and I need to get enough food for tomorrow, at least for breakfast as well.

I started to walk around the forest, putting a few marks on one tree to another so that I would know how to get back. I made sure not to go too deep in the forest. But if there would be any wild animal that will attack me, I'm pretty confident I can win against them with my magic. And besides, how bad could things turn out? This is just a dream after all.

As I continued looking for food, a certain spark of light caught my attention. Could it possibly be a villager or something? That doesn't matter! I hope it's someone who can help me!

I was about to open my mouth to ask for help when suddenly, someone covered my mouth with a cloth that made me feel dizzy. This is the smell of a drug. I tried my best to resist the kidnapper but the arms around me are too strong for my physique. I struggled hard but I was stopped when my consciousness slowly faded away.

----

When I woke up, I noticed that my wrists were tied together and I was inside a wooden carriage. I looked around and saw that there were two beautiful girls in the carriage with me, and their wrists were tied as well.

I didn't know how long I was unconscious, and I am captured. I wonder if the same men were behind this.

Maybe one of the bandits that attacked us happened to see me while I was searching for something to eat. Outside, I probably look calm, but deep inside I am nervous. I am also nervous that they will find Luke in that state. But there's no point if I panic. I won't be able to change my situation and I will only attract unwanted attention if I dare to.

I sat down and leaned against a box that was also in the carriage.

"Excuse me... How long was I asleep?" I asked the girl nearest to me.

The girl was hugging her knees as she raised her head to look at me. She had short brown hair and brown eyes but from the look of her dress, I'm pretty sure that she's also a noble. The other girl was wearing a plain brown dress and she had long white hair, blue eyes. She was prettier than the other girl, but I noticed her long ears and pale skin. Shes probably an elf. This is the first time I see one. She matches the description in the books I read. Wow, she is really beautiful.

"You've been asleep for two days.." The brunette answered me.

Was that chemical in the cloth so strong? Or was it because I'm a little girl right now?

"My name is Violet"

"I'm Mary..."

"Are we the only ones here?"

"Yes... I heard that they're planning to sell us in the black market.." when she said that, she started being teary. She looked scared but I couldn't blame her. Who would not be scared at a time like this?

However, I feel relieved instead. Why? Well if we are the only ones here, that means the bandits weren't able to find Luke. I guess they gave up looking for him.

Later on, the carriage came to a stop.

"We will rest here for tonight." I heard a familiar voice, it was of one of the bandits that came after Luke and me.

It's evening already? This is a chance to escape! I can burn the ropes around my wrist and I can help the two girls too! We will run away once they're asleep!

I tried burning the rope around my wrist but I couldn't. Why is it not burning?

"It's useless. These ropes are made up of magic-resistant materials. These are the items bandits usually buy from the black market."

I raised my head and those words actually came from the elf who was quiet the whole time. Her voice was like music to my ears. Hearing her talk is such a delight!

"It's useless to even try escaping... I already tried. You can only break off that rope if you at least belong to the B rank. The elf looked down to her tied hands.

I want to cry when I heard her say that. How can we possibly escape now?

"What rank do you belong to?" I asked as I tried composing myself.

"Hazard..."

Ah, hazard ranked beasts should be like B- rank magicians right? If only she can level up one more, maybe we would have a chance to escape! But based on our situation right now, that's impossible... Sigh

The carriage door was opened and I turned my head to look at the guy who opened it.

Mary and the elf lowered their heads, they didn't look at the guy as if they already know what would happen.

I suddenly felt nervous, should I lower my head too?

"Ah, so the new one is a little girl?"

The guy has brown hair and blue eyes. So far, I can say that he's actually good-looking. He looks like he's in his 30s or maybe around the same age as my father. Hmm, brown hair seems to be common in this dream.

"We weren't able to find the ogre. We guessed that he already drowned and died from the fall since we shot him with a tranquilizer. He couldn't have swum out."

The brunette guy sighed. "Ah... That's too bad. I guess we have to prepare for another ambush."

"Yes, boss."

He's the boss? Wow. That was not obvious at all.

The guy finally turned his head on us and our eyes met. He smiled upon seeing me. I gulped nervously. Because despite his kind smile, he's still a bandit! Bandits are always up to no good, right? The man climbed up the carriage and walked towards me. Why is he coming to me?! Is he going to beat me?!

I tried moving away from him.

"I apologize if my men gave you such scary sight." He sighed before he sat in front of me. "We don't usually kidnap little girls, especially your age."

"A-are you going to release me?" I said as my voice came out shaky.

I lowered my head and cleared my throat before I raised my head to him again. I tried to put on my adorable act that even Luke wasn't able to resist. "I promise I won't tell anyone, please let me go, mister."

Hah! I will definitely tell my father about this and let him catch you and your gang! You scum.

The guy seemed to be affected by the cute pitiful face I have. I knew my acting skills were the best~ If I didn't become a doctor, I would have become an actress. A lot would usually praise me for my acting skills since I was part of a drama club in my high school...

He sighed. "Even if I want to, I can't. We are already far from where my men had found you."

I continued my acting and let my tears form on the side of my eyes, adding more cuteness on my pitiful face, hoping it would work.

"Ah, don't cry." The man placed his large hand on my cheek and wiped off the tears that formed on the side of my eye with his thumb. His palm was really rough. "Don't worry, I will not sell you. You are too young to be sold."

"Really?" I made my voice even cuter.

If I can buy time and let his guard down, he'll definitely let go of my rope and that's when I'll escape from them.

I was surprised when the guy carried me in his arms. He stood up and walked out the carriage. "This place is too cold for you. I will take you to my tent and feed you. A girl at your age shouldn't become skinny."

I noticed that Mary and the elf still had their heads down, I couldn't see the expression they were making.

"H-how about my sisters?"

"Don't worry, they'll be given their share of food and blanket too. They should be at their best quality when my men sell them."

I will make sure that we will be able to escape before that happens!

----

I found out that the boss of that bunch was named Kian. His father was a bandit and he took over after his father died. Right now, I am in his tent and he was feeding me all the delicious food that was on the table.

He told me that he cannot remove the rope on my wrists since his men would definitely complain about it. After all, they had a hard time capturing me.

After I ate, Kian gave me his bed to sleep on as he slept on the side of the tent's entrance. It looks like he still doesn't trust me. I have to gain his trust and let him remove the rope around my wrists.

I closed my eyes. Despite my eyes closed, I was fully awake. I couldn't sleep in a place like this. I should not let my guard down at all times.

I was planning to stay awake the whole time but I fell asleep since the bed was too comfortable.