Chubby's face was flushed red with excitement. He desperately craned his neck to look at Paige Summers, his expression so sycophantic it was hard to bear.
Looking down, she could see he was a complete mess.
His shirt was snagged and bunched up in the tree, exposing his skin. His pants were shredded down the middle, his shoes were caked with dirt, and there was even a hole over his big toe...
As Paige Summers sized him up, she used the tip of her long knife to search him.
Nothing.
No weapons, no food.
If he was telling the truth about being abandoned by his companions, then this was to be expected.
Paige Summers didn't take the bait of his plea for help. Instead, she asked, "How long have you been on the mountain?"
Chubby froze for a second. Instead of answering, he said defiantly, "You get me down first, then I'll tell you!"
