As soon as Two stepped inside the building, Beth sneaked inside the compound. She looked around the building until she found a broken window. The light was too dim for her to see the ground. She hoped that whatever she was stepping on in the dark wouldn't bite her. Trying her best to stay quiet, she took each step carefully, balancing herself by leaning onto the burnt wall of the building.
She settled herself outside the window, careful not to touch the broken glass. Beth licked her lips nervously as she peered inside. The only light in the room was a lone candle that was stuck to the floor. The metal door that Two had entered only a while ago was now locked from inside. The man stood towering over a tiny crouching figure, throwing a huge shadow on the wall.
"Please spare me." Fifty-eight's frail voice came out pleading.
Beth clenched her teeth as she watched the girl look up at the minor god in fear. Her face was smeared with dirt and her cheeks had tear stains on them. It was a miserable sight to look at. Beth knew that it would have been her in that place had they known the truth about the tree. She hid her left hand behind her so as not to let the bracelet catch the light and give her away. Standing on her tip-toes, she leaned closer to hear better.
Two huffed. "You should have thought about it before you planted the tree." He said, shaking his hand at the crouching girl. "Tell me, where did you steal the seeds from?"
Fifty-eight was visibly disturbed by the question. She shook her head violently, denying the accusation. One might almost think that she is doing that out of guilt. Beth sighed, seeing the state of her companion. Why was she so easily fit to be the victim when she was clearly innocent?
"I swear I didn't!" Fifty-eight exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie slave!" Two shouted, leaning down to grab the girl's collar. He pulled her up mercilessly, the chains bound around her ankles and wrists rattling like a child's toy. Bringing her uncomfortably close to his face, he continued, "Four gods were killed just because they saw you pouring water on the spot."
"I-"
Beth was as baffled by the revelation as Fifty-eight was. It was hard to believe that in order to cover up their crime, the minor gods were willing to kill other gods. If that was so, the lives of those slaves like them were much less valuable to them than she had thought. Surely, such a crime wouldn't go unnoticed by the higher-ups, or would it? She thought, doubting the functioning of the hierarchy for a moment.
Maybe if they were so confidently finishing them off, then it would mean that they'd know how to cover it up too. The situation was looking quite bleak. Their only escape now was to get out of this godforsaken place and run as fast as their little feet would carry them back to the settlement. If they were lucky enough to catch the eye of a royal, they'd be saved. As plans were forming in her head, Two threw the girl back on the ground as if tossing a sack onto the floor. Fifty-eight landed painfully, a miserable cry escaping her mouth.
"Stay here quietly." The minor god warned, turning towards the door. "Don't irritate me now, or else I will finish you off before the others arrive."
Fifty-eight shivered, nodding her head hastily in reply. Shaking his head, Two opened the door and stepped outside, latching it shut from the other side. As soon as she heard the click of the lock, Beth climbed up the window and covertly slipped into the room, making sure not to make any noise. She tip-toed across the cold place, until she reached the crumpled form of the ten-year-old on the floor. She leaned forward and patted her back gently.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise as she turned around and spotted her. "Twenty-three!" She exclaimed, grabbing her hand desperately.
"Shh!" Beth hushed her as she quickly worked through the chains.
Since there was no lock and the chains were interlocked with each other by knots, it was quite easy to get through it. In no time, the girl was free from all bonds. With a relieved sigh, she said, "Come, we need to go now."
Fifty-eight shook her head. "No. You should go." She said, pushing her away. Her eyes trailed towards the door. "They will find us." She said, shivering in fright.
"I have a plan. Trust me." Beth replied, looking into the girl's eyes with determination.
After what seemed like ages and an internal battle of decisions, Fifty-eight finally nodded in agreement. She stood up weakly, holding onto Beth for support. Her knees were scraped and her wrists and ankles were bruised from the chains. With quiet calculated steps, the two moved towards the window, trying their best not to make any sound. But their luck came to an end as they reached the middle of the room. The sound of the door creaking open caught both of them by surprise. The girls stilled, their hearts beating nervously in sync.
"Where do you think you're going?" A cold voice asked.
Beth turned around slowly, her mind going blank from fear. beside her, Fifty-eight had already started to shiver.
"One!" The girl exclaimed, her teeth chattering loudly.
Two stepped forward with a smirk on his face. "Did you think that I wouldn't notice you?" he asked, raising his brows at her.
Beth licked her lips nervously. The man had known all along?! She had walked right into his trap then, she thought, her eyes growing wide. She quickly stepped in front of FIfty-eight.
"She's innocent!" She shouted, spreading her hands around the girl protectively.
One narrowed her eyes at her, crossing her arms over her chest. "I decide whether she's innocent or not." She spat through clenched teeth.