Amity and Enmity

Chapter 31

"Who has been talking to him!" yelled Annika as she exited her tent and noticed that the gag in Kai's mouth was not in properly. "Who was it!"

Everyone nearby shook their heads and shirked away, a few looking at Kai with pity. But, of course, they knew who it was; Betty wasn't exactly subtle.

"I said, who was it!" Annika glared around, attempting to weed out the worst liars, but everyone continued to feign ignorance. "What did I tell you all? Don't let him brainwash you-"

"It's alright, I did it myself," said Kai, managing to spit out the gag.

Annika's eyes narrowed. She stepped closer, towering over Kai. "And how was that possible?"

Kai shrugged. "I've been here long enough to work it out. It involves a lot of tongue-"

"You're lying. Someone's been talking to you."

"And why would they do that? I'm the bad guy, remember?" said Kai sweetly. "Why would you think someone would disobey you? I mean, you have a gun, don't you? So there's nothing to worry about. If someone betrays you, you can just shoot them."

Annika remained silent, her hand rolling into a fist, hovering to her hip where the gun was holstered.

"Are you worried that someone will betray you?" Kai continued, seeing Annika's reaction. "Why would they? As you said, we have nothing that any of you would want. Unless you've lost some semblance of control, that kidnapping me has lost your favour-"

"I know what you're trying to do. But, unfortunately, it won't work."

"Oh, so you believe wholeheartedly that your followers will follow every word you say?"

"They do."

Kai nodded. "Okay." He smiled. "Well-"

"No one has come for you," said Annika. "They haven't even noticed that a doppelganger has replaced you."

All of Kai's courage and cockiness vanished in an instant.

"You said that they would notice your absence and easily see through a fake. But I guess you were wrong." Annika crouched down and retrieved a dagger attached to her belt. She held the blade's tip underneath Kai's chin, raising it up. "It has been a month, and no one has noticed. Are you sure they're your friends? Friends would notice."

Kai tried to look away, to hide his watering eyes, but Annika's dagger prevented him.

"Do they care about you? Do they know you? Do they even pay enough attention? Your absence has had no effect at all. You could not exist, and everything would stay the same. How exactly do you help that group? Perhaps they're doing better without you? From the reports, it sounds like you're clumsy, forgetful, constantly getting caught in your own traps, and not trusted to go on scouting missions... I wonder why they chose you to represent them when you tried to trade with us? Was it because you were the least threatening among them? You're the least dangerous to us even when there are children, an elderly woman in a wheelchair, and a mute woman with no hands."

That was where you are wrong, was what Kai wanted to say. But he knew that if he tried to say something now, his voice would crack, and the tears he held back would break through.

Annika rose, bearing a victorious grin. She donned her green-scaled mask.

"Annika! Annika!" Rita rushed over, smiling at being able to deliver a message. "Talon is back with a new report."

*

Talon sat in Annika and Junior's tent, fidgeting with the shiny metal bracelet on their wrist. Junior was lounging on a pile of cushions, occasionally sighing as they both waited for Annika to arrive.