3. The bandit camp

Annake just barely catches herself before blundering into a clearing as the sun begins to rise. She hears a crackle of fire and smells smoke, which is just enough to bring her to her senses. She realizes what she’s come upon: the camp of the bandits she encountered yesterday morning.

Quietly, she looks out from behind a tree to appraise the situation. She sees two of the same men from yesterday, one now with a splinted ankle, preparing breakfast. Another two lounge, waiting for the meat to come off the cast iron pan. A fifth exits a tent and stretches. That seems to be all of them, but that would be more than enough to take one girl captive.

Annake breathes quietly and begins making her way through the trees at the edge of the camp, **** not to attract attention.