I stared at the prisoner.

His black eye had swollen so much that only his right eye was open. His busted lips and the way he flinched at each breath spoke the silent tale of his struggle to fight back. I couldn't tell what color his hair was, it was too caked with mud and unmentionable garbage. He was not tall but stocky. Well built, strong shoulders. His good eye flickered around the cell as he looked for a way out. Good. He would notice the loose slab soon. Then my job would begin.

"Oy," Lor bumped me as he came over, his blonde hair gleaming in the light from the holograph I was watching, "give me warning next time ya want to 'elp me."

I glanced over at him, momentarily taking my eyes off the holographs, "After we finish this job we go free. Forever. We are done after this."

His jaw dropped, "Shite," he whistled softly as he sunk into a chair, trying to recover his thoughts, "Just tell me what we need done an' I'll do it."

"I just someone to annoy," I replied casually, "You always took my weirdness well so I figured I'd return the favor. Besides, it would be weird not having you tag along," I crossed my arms and turned back to the holograph to observe my target.

"And my good wit and charmin' self, aye?" He gave me that devilish grin of his I had become immune to. I ignored that jibe.

On the live feed, I saw the prisoner's shoe disappear down the hole he'd opened up. Work was about to begin. For the last time. This was going to be tricky. But it had to work. Or Captain Wesson would set me free the way all of us were set free. By a bullet to the heart.

NO one was ever released. Not once in a hundred years. They would not break that record. Not for me.

Even though the weather was favorable, it was humid. Insects were all over and the air was full of their incessant chirping. The prisoner had made good headway despite his broken ribs, a pleasant surprise.

One of the issues I had with hunting prey was that it took forever. And while I was in reach of the eye of the Military I could not get away. With luck, the escapee would get out of the territory. Or I would make him. Lor did not know this yet. He would soon, once we were beyond the hearing of our commanders' very sharp ears.

Freedom was finally within my reach at long last.

We set out at about dawn, giving the captive time to get far enough away.

The morning was crisp, despite the humidity. Perfect for hunting. The tracks would be clear and fresh enough to follow but just challenging enough to make the hunt interesting.

"You think we're goin' to need the tent with this runner? It's just a single man," Lor was confused by my packing.

I grinned up at him from where I was putting my sleeping back away and straightened, ignoring the doubt in his voice, "This one's special," I put my bag next to my pack, "trust me."

Brow furrowed, Lor nodded, A'ight, if you say so."

Nodding, "So I suggest you pack stuff you can't live without," I glanced around the camp.

Tents surrounded us. It was a miracle that the runner had made it as far as he had without being spotted. Trees lined the edge of the campsite; a natural clearing in a wilderness of flora and fauna.

I was not going to miss this. The smell of man and sweat was strong. It clung to me for days even while I tracked separate from the others. Honestly, I was shocked that the prisoners I had tracked in the past could not smell me.

It was probably a feline thing.

Anson, the guy that had been an understudy of mine, saw me and Lor packing.

"You heading out, Wylds?" He was sweet in a puppy sort of way, big brown eyes and an easy personality. Tall but an honest face, he was a good tracker. I could leave him behind because he would be alright. Good guys always got away. Right?

"Yeah, you coming?" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

He looked surprised and I did not blame him. I was normally cold and aloof. But I was leaving. He had been nice enough and I. . . I did not know how I could leave him behind when we both had a shot at freedom.

"Y-yeah," He nodded, "of course if you want me to join in."

There was no way I needed him, I was too good at my job.

"Yeah, sure," I nodded anyway, not sure how I would get him out of the area with me. It was hard enough with Lor. With him and Anson, it was almost suicidal.

I liked those odds.

Author's Note:

So, new character! YAY! Suggestions requested! Not sure where this is going but I like what I have so far. Lol.

Ink out.