Chapter 12, Menace

"WHA-" Was all Lyla could slip out as she was tugged with rocket speed by the collar of her coat out of the snowy hole she was in. The freezing air she had been more than glad to have a break from breathing back into her lungs once she was out in the open where the slow-flakes hit hard against her skin like tiny bullets. Her eyes were closed for the first few blinding seconds as Lyla had to adjust to the bright outside. Around her, she heard shuffling and what sounded like mumbled hollars from Steve. Immediately, Lyla knew this was bad. Just from listening, she could tell there were at least five individuals out here on the snow.

Several muffled bursts of laughter made Lyla finally open her eyes, and she saw in her blurry vision maybe three or four armor coated figures crowded around Steve, pushing him around a little as he wobbled on his own two feet with a gag in his mouth.

"H- hey! Stop!! Let Steve go!" The young lady shouted as she was set down. The crew of what must be Trudgers only snarled in her direction. It was a lot easier to see their armor out here in the light of day, even with the insanely fast wind blowing buckets of snow past. They all had almost identical, dark grey armor, with a few tweaks to each set depending on the user's fighting style and choice of weaponry. The one in charge's armor was also a bit darker than the others' and stood out more in the snow. Heat radiated from under their armor. The source looked like just some warmly glowing red stuff under the armor itself, likely making them immune to the cold. For a moment Lyla wondered why they weren't simply sinking into the deep snow with that heat, until she looked down at their feet to see their armored boots were wide like some kind of robotic duck feet, and under that sunk a dark blue glow, which appeared to only freeze the snow under 0n eat further, turning the frost into solid ice, which their special boots could walk on just fine. They thought of everything!!

"Well, well, well, looks like we will finally be doing business together, Miz Lyla.." That same feminine voice which had lured them out spoke from one of the suits of armor. Once she looked the thing dead in the visor, the helmet pried itself away so that Raethe, the inn keeper's, face was visible, showing off the most punch-able smirk. "So glad you two decided to show up today." She spoke smoothly. The evil kind. Right after, she looked to Steve and those around him, and gave a signal with a simple nod of her head. Taking the cue, the largest of the Trudgers held on to the young man, pulling out a large knife, which he held close to his throat. The other two watching chuckled as Steve shuffled stiffly, not even holding most of his own weight. Before Lyla could shout in protest, Raethe spoke first.

"Now, you are either going to hand us the amulet, or watch your man-friend die." The lady laid out her demands like a killing dagger, leaving Lyla completely speechless.

"No! Just go, Lyla! You can make it! Don't care about killing my brother. Run in and save your sister, Lyla, save your-" Steve shouted over the winds and Lyla's own beating heart.

"Be quiet and let the woman speak!" Raethe interrupted, turning all eyes once again onto the decision-maker.

Of course... The answer was so simple. Lyla would definitely trade in a useless rock for Steve... but, she had left it behind nearly two hours before even arriving in this valley of snow. Her face blended in with the white flakes around her as dread emptied her brain of hope. Raethe frowned at her expression.

"What?! Why so hesitant? Surely, a human's life, especially a friend's, is more valuable than that amulet!-"

"-Of course it is! I- I know it is!.. Just... I left it... behind." Lyla interrupted the negotiator. Raethe looked like she was about ready to scream up at the sky at the top of her lungs in response to that, but instead kept it cool, signaling the Trudgers once again with the flick of her wrist. Her eyes seemed to radiate like lava as the Trudger holding Steve squeezed the young man to an almost rib breaking point, while the blade lightly penetrated his skin, provoking a little blood to seep out. "S- STOP! I still know where it is!!" Lyla screamed, looking directly into Steve's hurting eyes, which seemed to be hurting more, mentally rather than physically. He looked almost betrayed when she said she had left the amulet behind. She still didn't understand why he cared so much. Raethe looked somewhat satisfied by Lyla's words, and signaled for the big Trudger to let Steve drop to the floor.

"You have 6 hours. If you have not returned with it by then.." She said as she walked over to the young man who could barely even stay up on his hands and knees. "You know what will happen." She said, easily kicking him over. Lyla's eyes watered. Small tears crystallized on her cheeks... She couldn't let that happen... Silently, Lyla nodded, turning to leave.

"Wait! Lyla! Don't return the amulet! It is too special!" Steve shouted over the roaring wind as he stumbled onto his wobbly feet. Lyla turned around, almost angry that he would try to stop her from saving his LIFE!

"Oh, really?! Then why not tell me WHY already! It was just some pointless gift that meant nothing from the start! I bet my parents didn't even mean to give it to me!!" Lyla shouted, teary-eyed.

"..Listen, I don't know where you got the idea that the amulet was just left behind, or accidentally given to you by your parents, because it wasn't!.. I, was the one who gave you that amulet, Lyla! Do you really not remember?!" Steve spoke up, catching the young lady off guard.

"I want you to have this, Lyla.. Lyla... Lyla.." The sound of a distant memory echoed in Lyla's head. It sounded like a young boy, a voice she didn't even recognize. Shaking her head quickly to get herself back into the now, Lyla looked back at Steve, this time slowly shaking her head in denial, as she backed off, then, she turned and ran back to where she had come from. Not caring about the snow biting her face. Not caring about the freezing cold blowing up her coat sleeves. And not even caring that much about the amulet, but about that lie. That gosh darn lie! And she thought she trusted him! Why would Steve suddenly go out of his way, even to the point of lying about something he KNOWS is personal, just to keep the Trudgers away from that rock of hers?!

It just.. it just makes no sense!

...