Squib Ep.16 - Bare Backed
(Start at the beginning here)
Squib moved about the room, checking the exits in an attempt to gain his bearing. The old ruin was known to him but it had been a long time since he’d last explored its depths. Its many layers and twisting paths were a confusing labyrinth even after his recent decent, and finding his way out was proving to be of some trouble. That wasn't even the worst part. Squib knew the ruin to be home to a nest of Boggers- a demonic little creature who’s madness was only matched by its aggression. He had never known them to exist anywhere else in the Silkwood, but entering their layer here seemed to inevitably rouse their presence.
Squib sniffed at a large moist stone before licking it lavishly. He ran the taste over in his tongue and shuddered at the twang that forced his nostrils to curl.
“Is this way!” He announced, jumping down from the steps that preempted the exit. He skittered his way back toward the center of the room where Bandana had taken a seat on some fallen stonework.
The human woman had been injured, that much was obvious, but hadn't been slowed by it, much to Squib’s surprise. Now that she’d had a moment to sit in the light of Squib’s torch he could see her interest in tending to her wound. “Time to go!” Squib insisted.
Bandana met Squib with a sharp, suspicious glare, and continued to peel off the leather jerkin to better expose her trouble.
“What is she doing? Leave clothes on, time to go! Up! Up!” Irate as he was, Squib’s scathing prompts were restrained to hushed barks, least his voice bounce off every wall and hall throughout the entire ruin.
“Where are you taking me?” Bandana asked, cutting straight to the point. She drew back the flap of the jerkin, having undone the buckles, and began pulling up her undershirt.
“Out. Up. To surface. To safety!” Squibs hands rung together without his express awareness and he looked over his shoulders nervously.
“Why? Who are you?” Bandana glanced at Squib amidst the examination of her injury. Squib stopped to stare at it for a moment. Where usually a vast sheet of creamy human skin should be, a large red and purple disc of bruising- or worse- had enveloped the woman's rib cage. Despite the obvious pain it must cause, Squib suffered no distress from the sight.
“Squib, the Guide.” Squib answered not looking away. His thoughts traveled back to his last moments stuck in the Witches cage of bones. That’s how the hag had described him, among other things, and that’s who he was. At least he was now, to this woman. “I’ll show you the way out, and then..” He trailed off in thought. Then he’d of helped the lost girl find her way. Then he’d get his purple powder back from the witch. Then he’d be on his own way.
“But why?” Bandana touched at her side tenderly, probing for damage, and seethed with the sudden intake of breath- Sharp, searing pain. She rolled her eyes and let go a tense lungful of air.
“Uugh!” Squib grumbled with exasperation. Did he really have to explain himself? He did not feel mention of the Witch would do him any favors but then there was no apparent lie that seemed capable of moving the girl either.
“Just follow!” He insisted.
“No. Not until you explain yourself.” She released her shirt, leaving its hem to dangle freely, and left her jerkin unbuckled. “I am not stupid you know. I know when someone’s up to something.” She relaxed her elbows on her knees, and looked over at Squib while she rested.
Squib began tapping his foot, narrowing his eyes and meeting Bandana’s gaze periodically as he considered his position. It seemed he would forever be destined to strike a bargain whenever he wanted to move two steps in any direction. “Fine, but if I do, you follow, agree?”
Bandana seemed to consider this, “Agreed,” She answered, but Squib could tell by the look in her eye that if she didn't like what he had to say, the agreement would not likely stand. That annoyed him, but he couldn't blame her. He also didn't have much of a choice.
Squib drew a large breath. “Swamp Witch sent Squib to help Lost Girl find her way. Squib will guide Lost Girl to surface. Lost girl then find her own way. Squib good. Lost Girl good. Everything good.”
Bandana’s face contorted with the familiar signs of confusion which did not instill confidence in Squib. He was hoping for a more explosive response of immediate action. The long pause only told him he’d have to explain again, or worse, that she’d spend the next hour asking him more questions.
“But I’m not headed for the surface.” Bandana protested- much to Squibs surprise.
“You must. Ancient sunken place not safe. Boggers find you soon enough!” Squib checked over his shoulders again, scanning the shadows. He half expected a handful of Boggers to already be there, watching.
“I can’t. Not until I’ve found something.” She explained.
“Found what?!” Squib barked back, exasperated. “Nothing here but Boggers and swamp water.”
“I don’t know, but I’ll know it when I find it. If I don’t..” She trailed off, then shrugged, “Sorry.”
Squib could almost cry but instead let out a throat crackling wail at his dismay. He should have known the Witch would peddle in riddles and double speak. Foolish Goblin for thinking that leading the Lost Girl out of the ruin and into the swamp would be enough. He’d have to guide the girl on her path in the ruin first if he wanted to get his powder back. It was a classic case of so close yet so far, and Squib was beginning to wonder if he shouldn't just abandon all his present troubles to focus on acquiring a fresh batch of the powder he so desperately wanted.
Squib slumped, looking defeated. “Fine, fine. Squib will guide girl through ruin, then out to swamp. Then you will come see Swamp Witch so Squib can get what he’s owed! Agreed?”
Bandana exchanged another look with Squib, the same tempered stare she’d used when considering his first bargain. “Agreed,” She answered, and this time Squib could see she meant it.
Bandana turned her back and shrugged off her jerkin, letting it fall to the mound of stone. “It’s actually good you’re here,” She said in an upbeat tone as she reached for the hem of her shirt and began drawing it up her back.
Squib raised his hands in concern, “Whoa, whoa, again? Clothes on, armor on, Gobbers about!” He said, annoyed at the woman's strange antics.
The fabric rolled away revealing the flesh of Bandana’s back and she motioned with her head for Squib to come closer. “I’m going to need your help. I can’t do this alone.” She hoisted the torch high over her shoulder and as the firelight danced in the round orbs of Squib’s eyes, the many lines of a highly detailed and intricate map laid itself out before him.
(Continue to Ep.17)
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