Chapter 169: Escape

The arrival of Merle, the crimson gunner, and two of his redneck companions, Boyd and Ruth, surprised Alan. 

"How do you know I am here?" Alan asked with a mix of disbelief and gratitude.

Merle didn't respond immediately. Instead, he set up a small plastic explosive on the cell door, handling it with the confidence of someone who had done this before. With a glance towards Alan, he said, "Get back now, I don't want to bring you home in pieces."

KABBBOOMM!

The explosion, while not massive, sent shockwaves through the dungeon, and the door was propelled into the opposite wall, creating a gaping opening. As the dust settled, Merle looked at Alan, who now bore the loss of his right arm, and remarked with a wry smile, "Damn... that Frenchman knows how to make you look prettier."

Alan, maintaining his sense of humor in the direst of circumstances, replied, "Yes, you should stay then. They will fix you up nicely."