The two of them rode down the narrow mountain path in companionable silence, with only the rhythmic thudding of hoofbeats accompanying their journey. They had been on the road since morning - by the looks of the sun, it had to be afternoon by then, yet with every crunch and snap of dried leaves and twigs beneath their horses Oscar couldn’t help but feel uneasy, the same brewing anxiety that had been chewing away at him since they’d left a few hours ago. Surely Rob or whoever was supposed to be relieving him for guard duty would’ve already noticed his absence by now. They have a huge head start on the hypothetical search party sent out to look for them, but Oscar still had the lingering fear in the back of his mind that they’d somehow be caught.
Perhaps it was mingled with guilt too, as his mind strayed away to the other members of the gang they’d left behind. Rob, Fraser, the Patels, little Pauline… it was a necessary decision not to involve anyone else in the escape, but they were good people, and Oscar couldn’t help but feel for them, having to stay behind in the midst of the mess of what’s left of the gang. Perhaps one day they too would find a way to sneak out of the gang, but ultimately the rest weren’t their responsibility, no matter how much it felt like it was.
Trying to shake off the unwelcome thoughts, Oscar urged Houyi forward such that he was riding alongside Asa.
“You think any of the others are gonna make like we do and run for it?”