The merchant stood frozen, pale as a sheet.
— Alright, alright! — he shouted, raising his hands. His eyes darted nervously between Lyra and Alex. — You don't have to kill me! I can help you!
His voice, once smooth and composed, now trembled, and the sweat beading on his forehead betrayed his fear. He knew he no longer held the upper hand — he couldn't intimidate them, and bribery was out of the question.
Lyra glanced at Alex, and they exchanged a wordless look. They couldn't just let him go. But they couldn't trust him either.
— Help? — Lyra repeated coldly, tightening her grip on the dagger's hilt. — And what could you possibly offer us that we couldn't get ourselves?
The merchant swallowed hard and looked around nervously, as if searching for an escape route.
— I have… I have information. A map! — he blurted out suddenly, as if struck by inspiration. — I have a map that might interest you! It leads to a place of treasure, ancient artifacts!
Alex narrowed his eyes.
— And why should we believe that?
— I bought it with my last coin in the city! It's not a fake! — the merchant spoke rapidly, almost desperately, as if speed alone would lend his words credibility. — Please, spare me, and I'll show you everything!
Lyra looked at Alex again.
— We're tying him up, she said without hesitation.
The merchant opened his mouth to protest, but one look from Alex was enough to silence him.
They found ropes near the camels — likely used by the merchant to secure his goods. Alex grabbed one and bound his hands behind his back, not bothering to be gentle.
— You're tying it too tight! — the merchant groaned.
— Don't move, and it won't hurt, Alex replied coldly.
Once the merchant was restrained, they began rummaging through his belongings.
Inside the camels' packs, they found supplies: dried meat, vegetables, dates, nuts, and bread. There were even sacks of fodder — the merchant's animals had clearly eaten better than they had lately.
Lyra and Alex didn't hesitate. They tore into the food immediately. Alex took a big bite of dried meat and chewed slowly, savoring the intense flavor. It was tough, but after days of hunger, it tasted like a feast. Lyra grabbed some bread and vegetables, eating with a quiet sigh of relief.
— Bloody miracle, she muttered, licking her lips.
They ate greedily, ignoring the merchant's gaze. He lay tied nearby, his eyes filled at first with fear, then slowly turning to icy fury. His hands clenched against the ropes, and the veins in his temples throbbed with frustration.
— Look at him squirm, Alex noted while chewing.
Lyra raised an eyebrow and looked at the merchant.
— Did you really think we'd leave it all for you? she mocked.
— That's my food… the merchant hissed, his face red with rage.
— Was your food, Alex corrected him, reaching for some dates.
The merchant watched their hands move toward more portions. He stared as they savored each bite, devouring what he had spent weeks gathering with effort and planning.
Hatred grew inside him — bitter and suffocating.
But he said nothing.
The merchant waited.
When Lyra and Alex finally fell asleep, he began to move. Despite the restraints, his fingers searched for any chance. Slowly, almost silently, they reached a hidden pocket from which he pulled a small dagger.
His eyes locked on Alex.
He couldn't run.
But he could survive.
He moved silently, his breath shallow. Every step was made with utmost care.
He raised the blade.
One more step…
And then—
A strong hand grabbed his wrist.
The merchant froze.
Alex, who had only been pretending to sleep, twisted his arm so brutally that the dagger fell from his fingers. The merchant howled in pain.
— You didn't really think that would work, did you? Alex muttered, rising to his feet.
Lyra looked down at the merchant with pure contempt.
— If you were smarter, you'd have had a few more hours to live.
The merchant wailed as they dragged him toward the barrier. He struggled, resisted, fell to his knees, grabbing at their legs and begging for mercy.
— NOOO! PLEASE! LET ME LIVE!
They didn't stop.
— I'LL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING! PLEASE!
With every step, his desperation became more pathetic. When they reached the edge of the barrier, he dropped to the ground, clawing at the sand.
— NO! DON'T DO THIS!
His tears mixed with the dust. Lyra sighed and looked at Alex.
— Let's finish this.
Alex and Lyra grabbed him by the arms and shoved him past the barrier.
For a moment, there was silence.
And then...
The demons descended.
Claws tore into his abdomen, spilling entrails onto the sand.
A scream pierced the night.
Talons crushed bone, shredded skin.
And then — silence.
Alex turned his gaze from the gruesome scene and looked at Lyra.
— Let's get back to the fire.
Lyra nodded. They walked away, leaving the darkness to finish its work.