Chapter 6: The Secret Plan
Colt and Ash spent the next few hours in the café, talking over plans. Colt couldn't help but be impressed by Ash's level of knowledge. She wasn't just smart—she was clever, calculating, and always thinking ahead. It was exactly what Colt needed if he was going to make it past the Red Sparrow and his mysterious allies.
As they sipped their coffee, Ash spread out several old maps on the table, pointing to key locations that Colt had never heard of before.
"Here," Ash said, tapping a location on the map with her finger. "This is Crosswind Ridge. It's one of the most dangerous places to cross, but it's the fastest way to get west. It's also a key part of the trade route the Red Sparrow's people control. That means if we're going to get through without getting caught, we'll need to come up with a plan."
Colt leaned in closer, his brow furrowing. "So you're saying this guy's got the whole place locked down? And we have to sneak past?"
"Exactly," Ash replied, folding her arms. "It's not just about getting through—it's about getting through unnoticed. The Red Sparrow and his crew have spies everywhere. They control the road, the air, and even some of the nearby towns. If we take the direct route, we're walking straight into a trap."
Colt scratched his head, clearly processing the challenge ahead. "So what, we need to find another way? A hidden path or something?"
Ash smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "That's exactly what I'm thinking."
She stood up and went to the back of the café, disappearing for a few moments. Colt sipped his coffee nervously, wondering what exactly Ash had in mind. When she returned, she had a small bundle wrapped in cloth. She unwrapped it to reveal a curious-looking device, a sort of tracker with a glowing blue light.
"This," Ash said, "is something I've been working on for months. It's a stealth tracker. If we attach this to a cart, a person—anything really—we can track where they've been, where they're going, and if they're being followed."
Colt raised an eyebrow. "You made that? That's pretty slick."
Ash grinned. "Told you I was good with gadgets. It's not perfect, but it'll do the trick."
"Alright, but how does that help us sneak past the Red Sparrow's crew?" Colt asked, still feeling unsure.
Ash sat back down and took a deep breath. "Here's the plan: We're going to use the tracker to follow one of the trade caravans that passes through Crosswind Ridge. If we can tag along without anyone noticing, we'll get to see their route and spot any potential ambushes or spies. It'll give us the perfect chance to slip through unnoticed."
Colt's eyes lit up. "Wait, you mean we're going to sneak in like thieves? I love it!"
Ash raised an eyebrow at him. "This isn't some casual walk in the park, Colt. We have to be careful. This is dangerous. If we're caught, we're done for."
"I know, I know. But it sounds like fun!" Colt said with a grin. "Alright, I'm in. Let's do this."
Ash's expression softened. "You're crazy, you know that?"
Colt laughed. "That's what they keep telling me."
The two of them quickly gathered their things. Ash led Colt down the back alleyways of Midway City, making sure to avoid any unnecessary attention. The streets were crowded, but with Ash's quick thinking and Colt's ability to blend into the background, they managed to slip past unnoticed.
As they reached the edge of the city, they came to a clearing where several large wagons were parked. The trade caravans were preparing to depart for the dangerous journey ahead, with workers loading crates and barrels onto the carts.
Ash crouched low, watching the caravan from a distance. "There," she whispered, pointing to a cart at the back of the line. "That's our target."
The cart was filled with barrels of what looked like expensive goods—gold, spices, maybe even rare materials. The caravan was headed for Crosswind Ridge, and it was guarded by a few tough-looking men, all carrying weapons and looking suspiciously alert.
"Okay," Ash murmured, "we wait for the right moment. When they're not looking, we slip on board. No mistakes."
Colt nodded eagerly, though his heart was racing with excitement. He wasn't sure if he was more nervous about sneaking past the guards or just the fact that he was about to embark on another dangerous adventure.
As the caravan began to move, Colt and Ash carefully crept toward the back of the cart. They had to move quickly—if they were spotted now, the whole plan would fall apart.
Colt took a deep breath and, in one smooth motion, hopped onto the back of the cart, hiding behind one of the barrels. Ash was right behind him, slipping into place without making a sound.
They were in.
The caravan slowly began to move forward, the horses pulling the carts along the rugged path. Colt could hear the guards talking among themselves, but they were too far away to notice the two stowaways on the back.
As the caravan made its way through the city gates and into the open plains, Colt leaned against the barrel and whispered to Ash, "This is actually happening, huh?"
Ash smirked. "Keep your head down, Colt. We're not out of the woods yet."
But deep down, Colt knew they were already on the way to something much bigger than they had anticipated. If they could make it through this, they were one step closer to uncovering the mysteries of the Red Sparrow and the dangerous road ahead.
And Colt couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of a much larger adventure.