The Remnants
Page 15
The soldier appeared above her and his rifle was aimed at her head. Anger filled his face and he was yelling something down at her but even that seemed to slowly float down to her ears. He was going to shoot her in the face, it was as simply as that. Jess didn’t close her eyes, she didn’t even brace herself, she just stared up waiting for the inevitable.
Then the arrow struck.
One second the soldier was standing above her with a look of hatred in his face, the next second an arrow was protruding from his neck and a look of horror covered his face. As her senses came back to normal she heard him let out a guttural cry and fall over to the side.
Ally appeared over her in place of him with her bow and arrow still in hand.
Jess rolled to the side and saw the man squirming in agony. He was pushing away from them with his legs while clawing frantically at his throat. The man’s cries began to sound wet like he was trying to scream while drowning, it took her a moment longer than it should have but Jess realized the man was drowning in his own blood. The man continued pushing back until he was up against a nearby tree, he gave them one more terror filled look then his eyes went unfocused.
There could be more, the thought floated to her across a great distance.
Jess tried to use her good arm to push herself to her feet but the world spun violently and she ended up on her back. She wanted to try again but her body wasn’t cooperating. She was too tired she just needed to rest for a little while then she would try again.
Ally appeared above her again and the look on the little girl’s face was one of terror. Jess wanted to look around at what was scaring the girl but once again the orders didn’t seem to make it to her head. Her head moved forward slightly and she caught a glance of her chest before her head fall back onto the ground.
Her shirt was soaked through with her blood.
The edges of the world started to darken and she realized what was about to happen. She was going to abandon this little girl. She had promised not to leave and she was about to break that promise. Her body was filled with a momentary surge of energy and she looked up at Ally who had tears running down her face.
“Jess.” Was all the little girl could say.
The world seemed to slow down and Jess felt like Ally was getting further and further away.
“Ally, Ally I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry you’ll be ok, I need you to be ok.”
“Ally,” she had to force the words from her mouth. “Ally I’m not going to make it.”
“No.” Ally pleaded. “You can’t go too. I don’t want to be all alone.”
It felt as if she was floating now. With all of her strength she forced herself to focus. “You need to stay away from the bad soldiers. Use your bow and arrow to hunt for food.” She was aware of the little girl’s face on her chest. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.”
The last of the pain slipped away and the last sight she saw was Ally sitting in front of her tears pouring from her eyes, then darkness.
Ally
She was gone.
Just like her mother, and Joseph, and Alec, Ben, her father, Gruff, every single person she loved was gone.
Ally sat there on her knees with Jess’s head on her lap and just stared down at the woman through tear filled eyes. The thundering sounds of explosions filled the air and the smell of smoke filled her nose but she was oblivious to it all.
There was nothing left.
Ally ran her hand through Jess’s hair removing the twigs and dirt that had gotten caught in it during the struggle. Once the woman’s hair was clear she wiped off the blood off her face and bent down and gave the woman a kiss on the cheek. As carefully as she could she laid Jess’s head on the ground and curled up next to her. She laid her head down on Jess’ unmoving chest and closed her eyes.
Everything was gone, there was nothing left.
About The Author
T.A. Williams is the author of the After The Event Series (After The Event, and The Remnants). He lives in middle America, USA with his wife and son.
http://www.TheTAwilliams.com/