"Why did you have to bind my hands again? It's so uncomfortable." She walked behind him with her bound hands resting on her stomach.

"So I could have something to hold over you the next time I wanted affection. That and so you don't get any ideas about running off." He was using the pole as a sort of walking stick.

"You're sick."

"I'm just doing as I please. You know, I wouldn't be complaining. I was nice enough to tie them in front of you."

"You just did that so I could carry a pack. How come my bag has all the stuff in it and yours only has a blanket?"

"Well, when we run into a pack of murderous bandits and I have to fend them off, do you want me weighed down?"

"You can always drop the pack."

"But you can't because your hands are tied. I guess it just works out like that."

"You're a real jerk, you know that?"

"Yeah yeah. Tell you what, I'll carry the heavy bag and untie you if you hold my hand while I walk."

"You know, this bag is actually pretty light." He chuckled and kept walking. Hopefully if they ran into anyone they’d be willing to trade for the stuff he packed. They had been walking for a few hours and hadn’t come across anyone. Andrew was thirsty and knew they wouldn’t last long without water. They were going to need to find supplies, but since they left his room they hadn’t seen anything but featureless tunnel.

After another half hour or so of walking he started hearing distant voices. Yui didn’t seem to notice. He stopped walking and motioned for her to do the same. He held a single finger over his lip, then kept walking without letting the stick touch the ground. Yui followed behind him, this time a little quieter. The cave started to slowly curve to the left. The farther they went, the louder the voices became. At least three people. All male. Eventually he reached a point where he could make out what they were saying. They were probably just on around the bend. Maybe fifty feet away from him? He stopped and listened to what they were saying.

“...good haul. Last room had a trashcan full of bottles. I hear there’s a bounty for pillows and blankets now.”

“The merchant will like what we got, then.” Andrew motioned for Yui to stay still and silent. “How many things of water you guys have? I have three liters in my bag.” That would last them a while. What did he have worth trading? A small pocket knife, a pillow and a blanket, some extra clothes, the food. There were some other things he had, but those seemed like essentials he shouldn’t get rid of.

“Joey, open up your bag, mine’s too heavy and I want to move some stuff into yours.”

“Alright, set it down here.”

“Okay Yui,” He whispered to her, “I’m going to untie you now. We’re going to try to talk to these guys and trade for food and water. If they won’t give us anything, we’ll liberate some stuff from them, alright?” He gently took her hands and undid the bonds.

“Liberate? You mean steal. They’re not going to just let you do that you know.”

“Well yeah, walk softly and carry a big stick and all. If I hit first they probably won’t be able to win, and it sounds like they have their bags open, so they probably won’t be able to run.” Andrew moved the knife sheath from his side to inside the back of his waistband and pulled his shirt down over it.

“I don’t want to hurt anybody. I don’t think I could make myself.” She said, gently rubbing her wrists.

“Don’t worry about that babe, just let me take the lead. If we’re able to be civil about this you won’t need to do anything. If we’re not, just grab the bags when I tell you to and I’ll handle the fighting. I promise I’ll keep you safe Yui.” Andrew put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. Her eyes widened in surprise and she blushed a little, more at the gesture than the actual words. She nodded at him, then followed him out into the open.

“I’m here and I’m friendly! Don’t attack” Andrew walked out with his arms spread apart. Yui didn’t bother making any motions, coming out staring at Andrew’s feet. There were three guys, two scrawny and one normal sized. They all immediately turned to face him and backed up a few steps.

“Who are you and what do you want?” The bigger guy took a step forward and spoke

“Name’s Simon, she’s Lily. We’re new here I guess you could say and running a wee bit low on supplies. If y’all didn’t mind we’d like to trade some of the stuff we had for food and water.”

“Are those swastikas?” One of the scrawny guys in the back asked.

“Yeah, I came out of my room without any pants, but thankfully I was able to find these comfy pajamas in an unattended room. It’s a shame they’re covered in such a vile hateful antisemitic racist-” Yui gave him a little nudge with her elbow and he stopped. “So uh, what’s your name big guy?”

“Joey.”

“Alright. There wouldn’t happen to be any convenience stores or anything in this place?”

“There’s The Merchant a ways away. He’s got basically everything you’d need in terms of supplies, as well as jobs.” Joey and the others seemed to relax, not seeing any immediate signs of hostility.

“Can you give me directions to him?” Joey listed out the route to the merchant and Andrew repeated it a few times to get it into his head. “Alright great, now uh, how much water will a pillow and a blanket get me?”

“Four li-” One of the scrawny guys started to say before Joey turned around and glared at him.

“Half a liter.” Joey said coolly, scanning Andrew’s face for a reaction.

“Man, you know that’s harsh. Me and my lady here need stuff to survive. How about a liter.”

“Three quarters of a liter. If you want any more than that you’ll have to trade something else, or maybe let me have some time with your girl.” Andrew felt as if he had been slapped, but he kept his composure.

“Joey you can’t ask for that!”

“Shut up Carl, I’m the one in charge here.” Joey didn’t even turn around to tell him off.

“I think I’ll pass on your second offer and take you up on your first. Can we have our water out of that bottle?” Andrew pointed to a bag just behind him. Joey turned around and bent over to grab it. Before he could Andrew raised his stick and swung it down into the back of the man’s head. Joey fell onto his knees and instinctively covered his head with his hands. Yui shrieked and the other two guys took a few steps back. Joey started to turn around but fell splayed on the floor when Andrew swung the pole right into his face. For effect he made eye contact with Carl and jabbed Joey hard in the stomach with the end of the rod. He then moved the end of it up against his throat. Joey seemed too dazed to resist.

“Alright boys listen up! You’re all going to surrender and let me take your stuff now. If you don’t big boy here is going to end up with a crushed windpipe. I didn’t pay attention in anatomy class, but I’m pretty sure that’ll kill ya. Lily! Come on, grab the bags.” She was frozen for a moment with a look of horror on her face. “Lily, if you will.” He repeated himself in a more gentle tone. She walked over to them and started zipping up the bags.

“What the fuck is wrong with you An- Simon?” She hissed under her breath, looking between him and the bloodied man he was standing over.

“Don’t act so surprised, I’m doing exactly what I told you I would do. Go grab that backpack over there, it looks like it has mostly pillows and blankets in it so it shouldn’t be too heavy. Twigs over there! I want you to turn your pockets out.”

“Please, you can’t do this to us, we’re just a bunch of poor scavengers.” Carl pleaded.

“I’ll see how poor y’all are once I take everything you got.” Carl placed a pocket knife on the floor. The other removed a canteen from his belt. Andrew hadn’t even noticed it; his jacket covered it. Yui put the lightest bag on her shoulders then picked up a duffel bag.

“Alright now boys, I want you to lay down on your stomachs and put your hands over your heads.” They nodded nervously then complied. “Lily, can you carry those other two bags for a few minutes?” She picked them up with a strain, then nodded. “I want you all to close your eyes and count to five hundred. If I catch any of you moving or looking before that’s done I’m going to mash Joey’s skull like a potato.” Joey mumbled out some sort of affirmation while sluggishly looking between Andrew and his comrades. He removed the end of the pole from his throat.

“How could you do this to us?” Carl stammered out in disbelief. They were probably making off with days worth of work.

“Pretty easily actually, Joey let his guard down way too easily.”

“No, I mean ethically.”

“Oh, that. The weak should fear the strong.”

“What are you some kind of comic book villain?” Yui stared at him with disgust.

“Not all villains wear capes.” They were quiet for a long moment after that. Andrew counted to forty then motioned for Yui to move. They left as quietly as they could, leaving behind their victims and heading towards the merchant.