Four hours later.
Laura's entourage stops over in an eatery on the side of the road to eat lunch and feed the horses with food and water.
Simon told the driver of the carriage to find a decent inn near the road before the sunset comes because he doesn't want to spend the night traveling on the road, he was afraid of robbers. Then he also recalled that Laura was abducted while she was inside the chest during the night. He doesn't want that to happen again.
After they finished eating their lunch they resumed their journey.
Laura looked at his father. "When are we going to reach the South Pond Town, Father?" she inquired.
"Tomorrow, we're going to arrive there probably at around 8 in the evening..." Simon replied.
"Okay," Laura murmured and resumed reading the five hundred pages fantasy book. While his father was dozing on and off during the trip.
Five hours later.
They stopped over at a board and lodging establishment. A 2-story brick house called Sanctuary Inn.
Thirsty minutes later, Simon's entourage was already eating dinner in the eatery that was also owned by the Sanctuary Inn.
One hour later, they were done eating and were about to leave the eatery when a small group of men wearing black masks on their faces arrived at the eatery. There are bout more than a dozen of them, they were holding long guns in their hands.
One of the patrons of the eatery whispered to his companion. "Oh, shiit! The notorious RazorBlade bandits are here!" he said as his face turned pale.
The leader of the bandits scanned the faces of the people eating in the eatery. His eyes landed on Laura, he smirks. "Attention, everyone! We're not here to kill people! We are here to rob you a little bit of your money. Share your blessing to us, my friends! So... if you value your life and want to get out of this eatery with your body intact...put your money on the table. I promise you... you will get out of that door alive!" he said grinning at Laura.
There are about thirty people inside the eatery, they looked at each other, mirroring the horror in their eyes. Their bodies were shaking with fright including Laura and Simon.
"What - nobody wants to part with their money? I will kill one of you to set an example so that you will know that I'm not joking here! I will count one to five... I will kill anyone who doesn't put their money on the table!" the leader shouted evilly.
"One..."
"Two..."
"Three..."
"Four..."
"Five...! Time is up!" the leader of the bandit said.
Due to fear of losing their lives, everyone's money such as coins and silver, and other valuables were already up on the table.
The bandits began putting their loot in one shabby looking knapsack.
The leader went to Laura's side. "What is your name pretty girl?" he asked.
"L-Laura," she stammered, her eyes filled with horror.
"Such a beautiful name! You will come with us!" the leader said. He looked at his right man. "Take her with us! Let's go!" he commanded with authority in his voice.
Laura was frozen on the chair in absolute horror.
Simon dropped on his knees in front of the bandit begging for mercy. "Please, don't take my precious daughter away! Please... I begged you!" he cried.
The right man pointed his gun at Simon's temple. "Don't beg anymore for your daughter's life. Our leader doesn't like hearing people beg. What he wants, what he gets! Pray that after tonight he will have mercy and set your daughter free... if not...consider your daughter dead!" he said menacingly.
The bandits around them erupted in maniacal laughter.
Laura looked at her father. "Father, please don't come after us!" she begged. She was afraid of what the bandits will do to her father.
The right man grabbed Laura's right arm and dragged her out of the eatery.
Simon's tears rolled from his eyes, he watched helplessly as his daughter was taken away by the bandits.
Outside the eatery.
The bandits rode their horses and left the area immediately.
Laura was saddled on the horse alone. She was glad that no one rode on the horse with her. If she can see an opportunity she will escape! Although her hands were tied in front of her she can still command the horse to gallop away from the bandits. There is only one problem though...the bullets on the bandits loaded guns travels much faster than the horse. She was sure she will end up dead before she can even escape that far.
Sighing, she studied the terrains that they were passing through. She tried to memorize the path they had taken just in case she has a chance to escape, she won't be lost her way back to the Sanctuary Inn.
The bandits were traveling close to her. They make sure she won't be able to go far. In front of her is a bandit, behind her back is another bandit. Both left and right, she was surrounded by the bandits. Escape looks impossible to do at this time!
Every minute that passes by, she was losing hope of escaping, her heart was submerged in despair.
They traveled nonstop for three hours, passing valleys, lakes, deserted lands, houses, and forests.
Finally, they stopped near a mountain.
The bandits took camp in the middle of a clearing near the forest. They made a bonfire and gathered around the fire drinking liquor and singing a song.
The leader of the bandits took Laura down from the horse, her feet touched the ground. He untied her hands from the rope.
"Take off your clothes and dance naked for us!" he commanded her.
Laura looked at the leader with horror in her eyes. "No! I can't do that!" she shouted fiercely at his face.
"Playing hard to get, eh?" the leader grabbed a handful of her hair and dragged her to the bonfire.
Laura grimaced in pain. "Please, let me go!" she cried in despair.
"Let the woman go or else all of you will die tonight!" a loud male voice rang in the air, it came out of nowhere.
Everyone stopped what they're doing and looking everywhere trying to find the location of the voice. They have readied their guns...ready to fire if the unseen enemy will show his face.
There... besides the tree covered with darkness was a silhouette of a man wearing a black hooded cape. His face was hidden by the hood.
No more words were needed...as the deafening sounds of guns erupted in the air destroying the calmness of the night.
Laura took cover in the nearest tree as the bandits were busy firing at the unwanted intruder. She was looking at the horses nearby. She will grab one to escape! She was about to run towards the horses but she felt the barrel of the gun pointed at her temple.
"Escape, and you will die!" the leader of the bandit said. It looks like your father had sent an assassin after us to rescue you! Watch how that bastard will die in our guns!" he said, laughing hard.
The bandits emptied their bullets towards the location of the stranger.
Oh, no! Laura watched in horror as the guy that was standing beside the tree had fallen into the ground. Darned! Her heart sank as her only chance of escape died along with the fallen guy.
****