Chapter 4-An (Un)Fortunate Encounter

Stella moved her hands from her eyes to her mouth. She peeked through the gap of Red’s legs at the person staring down at them.

The man was tall, lean with sharp shoulders and light skin; lighter than hers or Red’s. He had light blonde hair

His emerald eyes were almost shining in the dim light. He adorned a dark green leather jacket on top of a ripped back shirt. An oddly shaped hat that she couldn’t describe, sat at an almost impossible angle on his head which sported a feather which was the same shade of gold as the spikes on his choker. His most prominent feature was his smile. That wide, teeth showing smirk. It was cold, almost unnatural, everything a smile shouldn’t be. Stella found it unnerving, she didn’t like it. Not one bit.

“What? No welcome?” He chuckled, getting closer. “Didn’t you miss me, Red?”

Red growled in response, keeping his crossbow pointed right where it hurts.

The man put a hand on his heart as if he was hurt.

“Ouch, how rude,” he smirked and stopped just short of them.

“You know, I thought I never would’ve found you.” They started reaching for something on his waist. “But I guess you didn’t do that great job at hiding, so let me ask you this…”

His smile widened if that was even possible as he unsheathed a dagger.

“Are you going to come willingly, or are you going to run?”

Stella let out a squeak.

The man flinched and looked at where Stella was hiding.

“Well, well, seems someone else has been with us this whole time.”

“I have no idea what you're talking about,” he said, taking a step back.

He smirked and started circling around Red.

“You never were the best liar, Hoodie.”

Stella clung onto his leg, keeping her mouth glued shut when he came close. Red swerved around when the man tried to swipe at his cape.

“Watch it.”

He rolled his eyes.

“How rude,” they huffed.

“Speak for yourself.” Red retorted.

The man threw his hands in the air before eyeing what was behind him again.

“Now, show me what you’re hiding,” his smug attitude faltered, revealing something colder.

Stella poked her head out to watch the stare down between Red and him. She felt a tight grip on her wrist, and before she knew it, Stella was way off the ground. Her legs dangled a few feet in the air, like bait on a hook. Struggling, she pulled from the vice of leather fingers to no avail.

“And here’s the little stowaway Hoodie was protecting.”

“Drop her now, Peter!” Red pushed on the trigger as a warning.

“Or what? You’re gonna shoot me?”

“She has no part in this!” He pleaded with a strained voice.

Holding back a yelp, her arm was twisted behind her back. Stella squeaked when the man, Peter, shoved her flush against his chest. Cold metal was shoved to her neck, and her chin was titled to face him.

“Now what’s a pretty little doll doing with…trash?”

Peter chuckled lowly as Red growled at him.

“Red’s not-"

“How’s ‘bout you ditch this rebel scum and I’ll take you home, hmm?” Peter offered, though it sounded more like a demand.

“N-no way!” Stella glared and puffed up her cheeks.

He smirked at the protest. In response, Peter pressed the blade to her throat.

“Oh, but I wasn’t exactly asking, was I?” He said. “Besides, didn’t your mother ever tell you not to associate with traitors?”

She glanced at Red, giving him a wide eyed stare. He only kept his crossbow locked on her captor with a shaky grip. Stella only got a short look, for head was pushed back to face Peter.

“Look at me when I’m speaking.”

Stella had quite enough of this man. All this tossing around and being talked to like a kid, er, younger kid made her blood boil. She shifted her glare from his smug face to his hand. Stella opened her mouth a little, and as hard as she could, Stella-

“S**t!”

His hand reared back, giving Stella enough room to slip through his arms. She fell to the ground but was quickly put on her feet and dragged away from him.

“Y-you insolent brat! Do you have any idea about what you’ve done?!” He hissed.

Peter clutched his hand, the smile dropped into a burning scowl. He inched closer, the hilt of his dagger almost cracking in his grasp.

“Uh oh.”

They backed away from the ticking time bomb. Stella and Red exchanged a nervous expression. Red, who while shaky, seemed rather… calm?

“W-what are we going to do?” She whispered, looking everywhere except from the man who was raising his weapon.

“Kid, we’re going to…” his voice trailed off, adjusting his aim.

As Peter was about to strike, Red pushed the trigger and an arrow flew out. Stella couldn’t see the impact as she was pulled by him to flee the scene.

“Run!”