Benjamin steps out of the pines, rifle up and steady. The clearing freezes, mud sucking at boots, Dane held dead center in the standoff.
Benjamin
Give him back. Now.
The Raider With The Red Scarf
Not a chance. Drop the rifle and toss over your food, your weapons, everything useful.
The scarfed raider jams the sidearm harder against Dane's temple. The other two spread out, muzzles wavering between Benjamin and the treeline.
Dane
Benjamin is here. Just do not miss.
The Scarred Scavenger
You want him alive, you make it worth our while. Supplies first, then we talk.
A low groan rolls through the woods behind them. Something undead is close enough to hear. The scavengers hear it too, and their grip tightens.
Third Scavenger
Clock's ticking. We get what we need, or Dane gets left in the mud.
“"We've barely got enough for ourselves. Just fuck off and let our friend go. Nobody has to get shot."”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
“Are more undead closing in behind them?”
NO (VeryLikely, rolled 89)
The rustle in the brush fades into the damp silence of the woods. No further movement stirs the shadows behind the scavengers, leaving the standoff isolated to the clearing.
“"Okay okay! We have some supplies back home. Just give us a moment to get them and we can talk."”
SUCCESS (Good Bartering, rolled +0)
“I aim at the red-scarf raider”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Benjamin settles his rifle and takes the red scarf in the sights. The clearing narrows to breathing, mud, and the tiny tremor of a finger on a trigger.
The Raider With The Red Scarf freezes. Their sidearm dips a fraction from Dane’s temple as they feel the weight of Benjamin’s aim lock onto their chest.
The Raider With The Red Scarf
Easy. Nobody has to die over this.
The Scarred Scavenger glances past the trees, then back to the gun barrel, uneasy enough to stop fidgeting.
The Scarred Scavenger
We got movement somewhere out there. We should move, now.
Dane lifts their bound hands a little, staring straight at Benjamin, ready for the next command.
The red-scarf raider swallows hard, keeping Dane covered but no longer pressing the gun in, waiting to see whether Benjamin fires or forces a trade.
“"We outnumber you. You might get one or two of us, but we'll kill all three of you bastards. Walk away and give us our friend back."”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)