Whispers Underground

The underground shelter was uncovered, allowing sound to freely enter and leave the shelter. The evening sun's light danced between shadows of jagged, far-reaching branches, which shifted within the frigid breeze. The dwindling firelight could only keep Olpi and Elero warm for so long.

Olpi winced at the pain in her hip. On instinct she went to rub the spot, but her hands were still tied behind a thin support beam. She leaned her back against it and sighed: "Are you still annoyed at me?"

"Of course not," Elero sarcastically remarked. "These are just friendly kicks."

"Look, I'm sorry. Owen could be back any minute. Do you think you could use anything in here to take him down?"

Elero slowly flopped onto her stomach, wincing even with the smallest movement. "Take him down?" she said. "I doubt I can swing a blade right now, even if we manage to find one and cut ourselves loose. What's Owen doing now?"