3 The Art of War

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

It was a loud male scream from the near distance not far away from their location. While taking in the distant woods, it felt like the forest was a monster swallowing one live after the other and the scream that echoed out now only strengthened that feeling.

Jafar looked concerned at the other two and asked:

"What do we do? Should we go and take a look? You know, it sounded like ..."

The others didn't say anything and just nodded. It sounded just like when they woke up. Suddenly finding yourself in a completely new environment. A horrible feeling that grips your heart and needs to be released in one form or another.

But Anastasia was worried and threw a question back to him:

"And what if it's not ... one of us? If it's one of the kidnappers? How do you know that person will not harbour any bad intentions?"

"Class Prez is right. We can't be sure who that exactly was, either friend or foe. But we also can't continue to stay here and do nothing. Or else maybe someone might come and take us back into captivity. Let's approach the place where the voice came from, but let's do it quietly and observe from the distance till we know more about the actual situation.", Sieg suggested.

The others agreed and went further into the woods, sneaking and avoiding twigs or bushes which could create sounds.

It was weird that they still wore their school uniforms and outdoor shoes now that he noticed it but that wasn't important and he quickly forgot about it as well.

They made their way forward slowly but steady and after what felt like 20 minutes, they reached an open circular grass field within the forest. They lurked behind the broad dark brown trees and poked their heads out to understand more about the situation.

The first thing they saw was a fat man with thick arms and short legs. It looked weird, and almost impossible to comprehend how he could stand straight on his feet with his big body. He wore a what looked like a leather jacket underneath which was a white shirt. His bottom was covered with brown pants and a pair of black boots. His belly was quite ... corpulent, so much so that it seemed like his leather jacket would burst out any moment now. He had a belt with a sharp battle axe strapped to it.

His face looked sweaty and dirty. His hair oily and disheveled. His expression like a mix of a rat and an ox. As hideous as a rat and as large as an ox. An abomination of nature itself.

He laughed loudly and his voice could be heard even from their distance:

"Gwahahaha! Scream more you little brat, scream louder and more frightened, gwahahaha! Today I must have been blessed by the gods. I found three tender young children, two boys and a delicious looking girl. But what's the most surprising is that you all look so beautiful and clean! Untouched, full of innocence yet to be reaped and harvested. Hurgh, you would fetch me a huge amount of money on the slave market! A pity though that I will have to hand you over to the Boss later. But maybe he will give me some considerations for finding you and I will get a share of the pie. But before that ... gwuhuhuhuhu!"

He let out a creepy giggling sound, while looking lustfully at the girl on the ground. His eyes reflected a glint of eager desire. It looked really disgusting to observe.

In front of him were the three children who wore the same uniform as Sieg and the others.

The brown haired girl looked scared and her chest went up and down repeatedly. Her face got pale and she might have fainted any moment now. Her eyes were reddened and at the corners of her eyes were traces of glistening tears visible.

The boys looked battered and bruised but their faces remained mostly untouched. The man must have restrained himself not to damage his 'goods' too much.

One was black haired the other blond-red haired. One of them looked dejected and depressed. The eyes of the other one was full of deep hatred but he swallowed it down. They had obviously fought already but the outcome had not been a good one.

"What are you looking at me like that for?! Didn't I tell you to continue screaming?! I swear if you lied to me and there aren't any more of your companions coming I will break every single one of your fingers into smithereens. Let's see how you want to act so tough then!", growled the fat man to the glaring boy. The boy felt provoked but he also knew that at the current moment he had no other choice than to obey or else he might risk his and the other's lives.

The group in the distance who watched this whole scene happening, felt each different emotions stirring in their minds. And Jafar was the first one to break out:

"Did you see that?! That's Jean, and Sasha and Craig! We have to help them immediately!"

He was an honest person, and he usually showed what was on his mind directly. He didn't hold himself back with his feelings at all. That's why he got along well with the other's in class, Jean was especially one of those he had the best contact with.

He felt rage burning in his chest when seeing his friends in their injured states. He wanted to rush out as fast as possible to help them.

Sieg, in contrast, displayed a calm appearance on his gloomy-looking face. He felt a faint sense of threat when he saw the injured boys lying on the ground. The man didn't seem to have any scruples hurting children. And he showed signs to have even worse things in mind. His speech, appearance and laughter made him look like an idiot but they still couldn't underestimate him.

When Sieg noticed that sudden outburst of Jafar, he pushed him against the tree and put his finger on his lips as a hint to be quiet. Jafar felt irritated and wanted to break free but Anastasia helped Sieg restrain him. Only then did he reluctantly calm down, yet he couldn't help but ask him frustratingly:

"What is wrong with you?! Have you become a coward? Our friends are in danger and we need to help them get out there!"

Sieg frowned and replied sharply:

"Shut Up! Haven't you seen how Jean and Craig ended up? They also resisted and obviously lost without putting up a real fight. Do you think you would get better results if you just rushed out to them head-butting your way in? And haven't you seen that battle axe on his waist yet?! One hit and you're a goner! You shouldn't fight a battle you can't win!"

But Jafar didn't let the matter go and asked back helplessly:

"So you are telling me to abandon them? Even though they are there directly in front of my eyes?"

Sieg responded with a tranquil voice and a mysterious flicker in his eyes:

"That's not what I said. I said you shouldn't fight a battle you can't win. Going into a head to head clash with him won't bring you victory over him. Even if we three charge up to him together, he will notice us miles ahead in advance and will be prepared for a direct confrontation.

That said, we have to use other methods to defeat him and save the others ... listen well now. I've got a plan. Are you willing to hear me out?"

They were surprised at the rational analysis Sieg delivered them.

At first, the other two had concerned and worried looks on their faces after hearing his explanations. But after a single moment passed they both agreed without hesitation. They couldn't just abandon their friends. Not without even trying to save them. Or else regret might haunt them for the rest of their lives.