Mary squatted beside him calmly. "I came to save you. Your factory director is guarding outside. Try standing. See if you can move."
Albert struggled up, testing his legs. Aside from soreness and bruises, he could still walk. Relief flashed across his face. He then crouched beside William and shook him gently, calling his name as anxiety crept back in.
Mary nodded, her thoughts steady despite the tension. "You can hunt more prey and store it in the mindscape. It preserves everything perfectly. Whatever condition it's put in, that's the condition it comes out in."
She paused, gaze drifting back toward the forest. Worry crept into her eyes. "But Albert and William still haven't shown up. The mountain is huge. If something happened, we might already be too late."
Ryan rose to his feet and scanned the mountain range ahead. After a moment, his eyes narrowed. On the opposite slope, a thin thread of smoke curled upward, barely noticeable against the trees. He lifted his hand and pointed. "Wife, look over there. Someone's making a fire. That smoke shouldn't be there."
Mary followed his line of sight and stiffened. "I see it." She waved her hand, storing the remaining food and supplies into her space in one smooth motion. "Let's go. We'll check it out."
The distance looked deceptively close, but the terrain told another story. Thick undergrowth, uneven ground, and winding paths slowed them down. By the time they reached the source of the smoke, nearly an hour had passed, and both of them were alert and tense.
From their hiding spot, Ryan carefully observed the area. What stood before them was a crude but organized compound, hidden deep in the forest. People stood guard at the entrance, rifles slung casually but ready. Others patrolled around the perimeter at regular intervals. This was no temporary camp.
Mary lowered her voice. "This looks deliberate. Like a private base. Do you think Albert and William are inside?"
Ryan studied it again, his expression dark. "Whether they are or not, this place isn't clean. No one builds something like this in the mountains for honest reasons. We need to investigate."
Mary nodded without hesitation. She calmly took several guns and a few bombs out of her space and handed them to him. Ryan accepted them, his eyes flickering briefly with surprise. These weapons were far more advanced than anything commonly seen outside.
They moved together, slipping through blind spots in the sentries' patrol routes. Their steps were light, their breathing controlled. They hadn't worked together like this before, but their coordination felt natural.
Soon, two men appeared nearby, carrying pots and ingredients. From their relaxed posture, it was clear they were cooks.
The man dressed in black spat on the ground and muttered, "Did you hear? Boss went out to deliver goods this morning. Two brats spotted him."
The man in blue chuckled. "Yeah. I saw it myself. One of them was beaten until he spat blood. Tough guy, though. Didn't beg once."
Ryan glanced at Mary and gestured subtly toward the two men. She understood instantly.
Ryan stepped out from cover, gun raised and aimed squarely at them. His voice was cold and controlled. "Don't move. Answer honestly. Where are the two men you caught? What goods are you dealing with? How many people are here? How many guns?"
The man in blue panicked and turned to run, but Mary moved faster. Dressed in black, she struck him down with a sharp kick, sending him crashing to the ground.
Both men froze, faces drained of color. The man in black swallowed hard and hurried to speak. "Ten people. Everyone has a gun. The goods… are women. We sell them outside the country."
Ryan and Mary exchanged a look. The truth was clear now. A gang of kidnappers, armed and organized, hiding deep in the mountains.
Ryan didn't waste time. "Where are the two men we're looking for?"
"In the dungeon," both replied at the same time.
Ryan pressed the gun against the black-shirted man's back. "Lead the way. Quietly. Avoid the others."
The black-shirted man led them through narrow paths and turns, the blue-shirted man stumbling behind, with Mary guarding the rear. They stopped at a concealed manhole cover. The man pointed downward. "They're down there. No guards, but there's a locked metal door inside."
Mary assessed the situation quickly. "I'll go down. You stay here and watch them."
Ryan immediately objected, his expression tense, but Mary mouthed one word: "Mindscape."
He understood. If anything went wrong, she could escape. If he went instead and something happened, she would be left alone outside. After a brief pause, he nodded.
Mary descended into the darkness, pulling a flashlight from her space. The air was damp and foul, clinging to her skin. At the bottom, she found the metal door and snapped the lock open with pliers taken from her space.
Inside, two figures lay on the ground. She checked their breathing first. Both were alive. She quickly took out the antibiotics and injected them.
After a short while, Albert stirred awake. When he saw Mary, his eyes widened in shock. "Sister-in-law? Were you caught, too? Are you alright?"
Mary squatted beside him calmly. "I came to get you out. My husband is guarding upstairs. Try standing. See if you can move."
Albert tested his legs. Aside from pain and bruises, he could still walk. Relief flashed across his face. He crouched down and gently shook William.
William groaned and slowly regained consciousness, fear and confusion crossing his face as memories returned.
Seeing that neither of them was in immediate danger, Mary spoke firmly. "Both of you try to walk. We're leaving now."
Albert supported William as Mary illuminated the narrow path ahead. When they reached the stairs, Mary pushed Albert up first. Ryan immediately reached out and pulled him out safely. William followed, helped from behind, and Mary climbed up last.
Once all four were together, Mary let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Now we deal with the rest. If they notice the escape, they'll move. And there are kidnapped women here. They're the real victims."
Her words carried weight. They reminded her too much of the powerless women she had seen in the apocalypse, especially those without abilities. That was why she had forced herself to become strong. She would never be someone else's prey.
Ryan looked up at the darkening sky. "We wait until night. William won't be able to move fast. Tonight, we end this in one sweep." He glanced at the two captured cooks. "I'll tie them up and gag them. They won't interfere."
"Wait." Mary handed him two high-grade sleeping pills. "Use these."
Ryan took them and led the two men into the forest.
Mary hid with Albert and William in the grass. She knew the pills would keep the men unconscious for a long time. They could act without worry.
Half an hour later, Ryan returned and crouched beside them. Darkness had settled in. When the time felt right, he gestured for them to move.
He picked up a stone and tossed it, luring a sentry away. In seconds, the man was knocked out. A gun was taken and handed to Albert. They moved methodically, clearing the guards one by one.
By the time they reached the largest building, six men lay unconscious outside.
From inside came raised voices, both male and female, sharp and ugly.
"Let go of me! I'm County Chief's daughter!"
A rough voice sneered, "So what if you are? Don't listen, and I'll sell you to the poorest family."
The sound of tearing cloth followed.
Ryan's expression hardened. He kicked the door open without hesitation.
Chaos erupted. The men inside lunged forward, but Ryan and the others moved faster. Within moments, the room was under control.
A young woman lay on the floor, her clothes torn. Mary immediately took off an outer garment and handed it to her.
The girl accepted it shakily. "Thank you. I'll return it to you."
After putting it on, she stood up and looked at the group carefully. Their clothes were plain, their faces unfamiliar.
"I'm Miranda," she said, lifting her chin a bit proudly. "County Magistrate Patrick's daughter. You saved me today. I'll make sure you're rewarded."
Mary felt irritation surge. The words sounded more like bragging than a gesture of gratitude.
She noticed Miranda walking toward Ryan, wiping tears from her face. "Mister, thank you for saving me."
The girl leaned forward as if about to collapse into his arms.
Mary's eyes narrowed. Another rotten apple who doesn't know what's good for her.