“How do you purpose to do that, Roan?” His voiced bounced off the cave walls.
With the stick in hand, he struggled as he pushed off the ground to a standing position. Sucking in his breath, he balanced his weight against the cave wall, huffing, unable to catch a full breath, he started to panic. With eyes closed he once again focused his mind on the task of breathing until it evened out, letting him breathe normally.
“Okay, so far, so good.”
It took him awhile, but he finally made it to the cave’s entrance and stepped into the darkness.
“God damn it. I can’t start out in the dark. I’ll never make it.” Looking up into the sky he yelled, “Why me?”
Shallow, labored breathing made it difficult for him to take a deep breath. The more he tried the less air he took in. A fit of coughing racked his body. The wound on his leg throbbed and started oozing a phlegmy like fluid tinged with green. It took all his willpower to concentrate so he didn’t pass out again. Trying to fight through the pain, he gritted his teeth, dragging his wounded leg behind him as he made it back to his original spot in the cave where he collapsed with exhaustion. Drenched with sweat and gulping for air, he looked around to make sure he was still alone. It’s sweat, he told himself as he swiped the tears from his eyes. It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. For Christ sake, he planned and planned for this day, hitting the gym everyday to make sure to build up his strength and endurance. How could some city pretty boy outsmart and out strength him? Now if he didn’t pull it together, he would die in someone else’s cave alone. Closing his eyes, totally exhausted from his efforts, he fell asleep, only to be awoken a couple of hours later by footsteps.
Rob’s mind wouldn’t quiet down. Sleep eluded him though he needed it desperately. His exhausted body required rest for their trek down the mountain tomorrow. For all his posturing in front of Lauren, his mind screamed, you shot a man. Not only did he shoot the man, he willfully left him to die. To die. Should he go back and help him? Would they get down the mountain in enough time to get help to him and save him? Did he want him to live? That last question bothered Rob the most, because his answer was emphatically, no. He went after what was mine. Surprised that his hand-to-hand combat training had kicked in when Roan jumped him. Training he thought he’d long forgotten. I guess it’s true, you never forget. It’s like riding a bike. “Thank you, Uncle Sam,” he shouted. Lauren moaned in his lap, he rubbed her back to settle her down. What a trooper she’d been, not once complaining about the conditions. Her empathy for Roan bothered him, but he had to acknowledge it was her gentle, loving soul that he had fallen in love with the first time he met her. Her laughter was another thing that warmed his heart. Lauren was Lauren and he wouldn’t want it any other way. It would be a sad day for him, if he had to train her to be anything other than what she had always been.
Roan rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Cocking his head to the side he listened intently for another sound—the crunch of dirt and gravel echoed through the cave. A scream caught in his throat, his pulse spiked through the roof of his head. His heart pounded in his chest as he fought to focus. Whatever it was out there wasn’t casting a shadow. It must still be dark out. Did that bastard come back for me? Roan gently placed his hand down on the ground beside him, searching for his gun. Pull it together. The last thing I need do is show fear to any kind of animal. Grow a pair.
Unable to gauge the time or distinguish between day and night, his mind raced to identify the predator. Danger most times was in the prey’s mind. Didn’t he read that somewhere. Shifting, he let out a groan when the pain shot up his leg. All of a sudden—dead quiet—the noise stopped. Did that bastard have a conscience? The silence filled the air spooking him beyond reason.
“Hey, Rob, I’m in here,” Roan called.
Nothing.
“Rob?” Bile burned its way upward into his throat. Though he tried, he couldn’t push down his fear.
More silence.
If it’s not Rob, it must be an animal. Question is what kind of animal? For the love of God, please make it a small one. I couldn’t deal with anything else right now. Deeper in the cave he heard the bats flapping their wings. He knew only young children could actually hear the bats echolocation, not adults, unless they had recording devices. He had studied bats for awhile until he got bored with them and moved on to the Mayan’s. He picked up his stick and banged it on the ground hoping to scare away whatever was outside. Leaning back against the wall, he closed his eyes, straining to hear.
Silence echoed back to him. All of a sudden, the little hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up. Opening one eye, he squelched a scream. What seemed like mere inches from his face amber eyes stared into his brown ones. A red fox its pupils no more than slits. Its ears point skyward. The fox’s posture yelled attack. Roan held perfectly still. The fox’s brownish red coat and spots of black stood on end. Electrified. Roan dared not breathe, but he needed his knife. Slowly he inched his hand down his leg to remove the knife from its sheath. The seconds became hours as he worked his hand down. A slight movement could mean his death. The fox stood about ten feet away. Roan knew all too well that the fox could move at the speed of light. Foxes in general were adept at hiding and escaping from predators, including man; but would stand and fight if threatened and couldn’t escape. Roan estimated it weighed around fifteen pounds. Sweating, burning up with both fever and fear, he knew the fox held all the cards. In his weakened state, Roan understood he was at a disadvantage. With his hand on his knife, he slid it slowly up his body, resting it against his good leg.
It was a game. They were playing chicken. He needed to win. “Bastard,” he hissed out, thinking of Rob again.
He shifted his weight. The fox came at him fast and hard, landing on his injured leg. Roan’s screams echoed off the cave walls, as a wave of nausea jostled the contents of his stomach. Lighter than he’d anticipated, the fox still possessed a strength Roan couldn’t match. It went for his throat. The knife slipped, clanging to the ground. The noise vibrating in his ears. Scrambling, Roan used his hands, pushing with all the strength he had left, to dislodge the fox; but the animal had a good grip on him. Luckily for him, the fox had grabbed his jacket and not his bare neck. Hoping to dislodge the animal, Roan rolled to his side, the pain shooting up his leg, but the fox didn’t let go. The fox’s teeth had broken through the jacket and scraped the skin on his neck. Now the pain in his neck and leg fought for dominance. Frustrated and pissed, Roan scrambled for the knife. The hilt scraping his fingertips, he reached for it, gripping it tightly as he swung it up and into the fox’s belly, repeatedly. The animal’s screeches deafened him, and it clamped its teeth harder and deeper into his neck. His body on fire, heart pounding wildly in his chest, Roan continued to stab the animal until it stopped fighting.
Collapsing on the ground, Roan lay panting. Staring at the dead animal, he couldn’t figure out for the life of him why it had attacked him. Normally, they ran away from humans. I wasn’t a threat. It must have scented my blood. He should skin it and save its coat, but he wasn’t sure how to do that exactly.
It seemed like hours passed, but he was sure it was only minutes. In his weakened state he assessed his body and his new wounds. The neck wound was gonna be a problem, He couldn’t see it to treat it. Didn’t know how deeply the fox had sunk his teeth in. Would he bleed out? There was pain and blood though it didn’t seem to be an ungodly amount of either. The fox landing on his leg had reopened the wound causing it to throb and bleed steadily. He had no choice. Everything he needed was back at his cave to tend to the wounds and administer first-aid before his leg got totally infected. Dragging his body off the ground required all his strength as he bit down on his bottom lip to avoid screaming out. His breathing labored, his head dizzy, and his leg throbbing, he left the cave. A rustle in the bushes caught his attention. Letting out a loud growl in frustration Roan prayed it wasn’t something or someone bigger than him. To his relief, whatever was in the bush
es scurried away.
“Good, I’m taking no more shit. Do you hear me?” he screamed into the night.
Lauren woke in a convoluted position with a stiff, achy back from being cramped up all night. Rob leaned against the other door snoring, his mouth wide open. At first disorientated, she couldn’t remember why they were in the truck, and then it hit her. Roan attacked Rob yesterday. He’d defended both of them by shooting Roan in the leg before leaving him there to fend for himself. Looking at Rob with love and confusion she didn’t understand how he could be such a contradiction. Normally such a compassionate man, something inside of him snapped yesterday. It not only scared her, she wondered how far he would go to protect them. The truck breaking down was a bad break. Lauren looked out the windows to make sure Roan hadn’t caught up to them. Though she wanted him to live, she wanted to reach town first and send help back. She didn’t want to be within ten feet of Roan. Her skin crawled every time he looked at her. At this pace, they’d never reach the town in time to save him. There seemed to be a lot of blood yesterday. Wounded, was he safe from the animals during the night? If he died would she be able to live with it? Would Rob?
“What are you staring at honey?” Rob asked.
“I thought you were sleeping,” Lauren said, watching Rob sit up.
“I was, but I felt you staring.”
“How do you feel a stare?” She laughed.
“I just do. Are you okay?” He reached out taking her hand in his. Her hand disappeared in his. Strong, capable hands, she thought. Hands he used to make love to her. Hands he used to shoot a man. Tears filled her eyes, but they didn’t fall.
“Yes, I am. Why do you ask?” She rubbed her thumb over his hand.
“Your expression says otherwise.” He could always see inside me. What do I say? For the first time since I’ve known you, you scare me.
He reached over, touched her hair, with his other hand he ran it down her face, cupping her chin. She loved when he did that. This was her Rob. Why was she questioning him? I love him. He loves me. Hasn’t he proven it so many times over the years?
“I’m still upset about the shooting,” she answered honestly.
“I am too. Do you think he would have just walked away from us and left us alone?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t...it’s just…oh, Rob.” She pushed to him, climbing into his lap as she snuggled into him.
Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her back. “I love you.”
“I love you back.” With all her strength she clung to him.
Neither spoke for awhile finding comfort in each other’s arms while they dealt with their own conscience, thoughts and feelings. Finally Lauren looked up into Rob’s eyes.
“I know we’ll survive and so will our love…” she hesitated, couldn’t find the words to express her feelings.
“But,” Rob questioned.
“No buts, Rob. I want you to know I also trust you completely. I’m coming to grips with what you did yesterday. I know it was for us.”
“Now, where did that come from?” He studied her. “I’m the same person I was yesterday and the day before that, Lauren. I haven’t changed. In fact, I’m more me than ever.”
“How so?” She frowned.
“You’re all that ever mattered to me. Yesterday it was tested to the limits. It proved what I would do to protect you. I’ve always wondered in a situation like this if I could. I’m glad to say, I can and will do anything…anything, Lauren.”
The simple truth in his statement settled her. To him it was black or white. She needed grey in her life. It often softened the bad and blended it with the good.
Lost for words, she questioned if she could be as strong as he was in the same situation. If it was reversed, could she protect him? Would she shoot another human being? Pushing off his chest she turned to face him, and then knelt over him. Leaning down, she gently kissed him. A sweet ‘I love you kiss.’ He parted his lips so she took it deeper, devouring his mouth, swallowing his breath, devouring him, and still she couldn’t get enough. As she plunged her tongue deeper into his mouth, his response excited her beyond reason. How could she love one person so deeply?
Awkwardly, Rob changed positions to kneel in front of her. Unbuttoning one button at a time, he placed kisses on each area he exposed. He pushed her shirt off her shoulders, leaning around her to search out the hook to her bra. Plain white, no fancy lace, just functional and yet, sexy as hell on her, though he loved it, it too needed to go. Sliding it down her arms he leaned forward to face her again.
“My Lauren, so beautiful. It’s true, good things come in small packages.” He smiled down at her, comforting her. This he could give her.
She reached for his t-shirt, grabbed the bottom edges and pulled it up over his head. Next, she worked on his belt. Rob lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed one and then the other.
“Let me make love to you.” Trailing kisses down the side of her neck, while maneuvering her onto her back, he slid her shorts off, and then her panties.
“What a sight you are in just your socks and boots.” Running his hand over her body, her skin burned under his touch. Parting her thighs, he brushed his fingers lightly up and down them until he landed right in the middle. Lauren tried to pull him down. Rob, used to her impatience, continued stroking her.
“Now, Rob.”
“Shush, don’t rush me. Enjoy what I have to give you. Only you,” he whispered in her ear.
He trailed kisses where his hand had been as her body vibrated under him. Spreading her legs wider, teasing her center with his tongue, he was rewarded with her pressing harder against his face. Unable to lie still, she writhed under him, moaning loudly and begging for release. He stopped short of her orgasm, sat up quickly, stripping off his shorts. He climbed on top of her, into her, slowly pushed in then out, until he felt her tighten around him. Then he quickened his pace as she screamed his name.
Smiling down at her, his breath ragged, he said, “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” She smiled back, wrapping her legs around him, locking them together.
He lowered his body to hers and lay there in the warmth of their lovemaking. He started to nod off when he felt her push at him.
“Rob, don’t fall asleep, you’ll crush me. Plus, this isn’t a comfortable position.”
“I guess we should get this day started. What time is it?” He grabbed his watch, “Shit, it’s after eight. We need to get going, it’s going to be a long hike. I’m not familiar with the lower part of the mountain. We’ll need to find shelter for tonight. Let’s eat, and then hit the road.”
“What do you mean for tonight?”
“We’ll never make it down the mountain before the sun starts to set.”
“I just want to be off the mountain, Rob. Don’t baby me.”
“I’m not. I’m being realistic. Walking down hill is dangerous. You have to control your speed and watch out for uneven terrain. I don’t think we’re even half way down the mountain at this point.”
Rob sat up and offered her his hand. She ignored it, staying where she lifting her arms up and placing them behind her head. God, that move always got to him and she knew it. It lifted her breasts up high causing him to lose all reason. He liked her like that, all naked and warm from lovemaking. Rock hard, he shook his head to clear it. It was imperative that they get down off the mountain soon. No time to lounge around.
“Lauren, you stay like that and we won’t be going anywhere. Get up,” he said, trying very hard to be responsible, but she wasn’t helping the cause.
“Who said I want to go anywhere?” she purred, eyes raised innocently to him. God, she owns my heart and everything else. One of us has to be reasonable and it looks like it has to be me. Damn!
“Sorry, hon, we have to get a move on it. This isn’t the suburbs. We’re in the woods, running from some crazed out, survivalist bastard, remember?”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to.”
�
�You’re killing me, Lauren, get up and put some clothes on or I won’t be responsible for what I do next.” He gave her a good yank. Her body was so relaxed, he only managed to drag her upper half off the seat.
“Now, Lauren. We don’t have time to jerk around.”
“God, Rob, you’re no fun anymore.”
“Shush.”
At the same time, they both heard it and froze. The windows fogged over from their steamy lovemaking session, blocked Rob’s view. He wiped the window with yesterday’s dirty t-shirt.
“Shit. Shit, Shit.”
“What?” Lauren pushed up to her knees to look out. Her eyes widened in terror as Rob put a hand over her mouth to stifle her scream.
He spoke into her ear, “Keep quiet and stay very still. This isn’t good. He should be hibernating now. Something or someone disturbed him.” Did Roan disturb the sucker?
A black bear stood about a hundred yards from the truck, almost hidden in the tree line. Rob guessed his weight around five hundred pounds. It stood about five feet tall. Small it must be young. Hitting the locks on the door, he studied the bear’s face looking for signs of agitation. The bear wasn’t opening and closing his mouth, nor was he snarling or showing his teeth. A good sign, Rob thought.
“Who do you think pulled him from hibernation?” Lauren asked.
“Don’t know, don’t care. But I wouldn’t put it past that idiot, Roan,” Rob spit out.
“Rob, the guy couldn’t even walk yesterday. You shot him, for God’s sake. Remember?”
“God damn it, of course I remember. I don’t need you constantly reminding me of that fact. And right now our only concern is the bear and what he does next.”
“I’m just saying…” Rob grabbed her shoulder with one hand and put the other hand over her mouth, interrupting her as the bear moved toward them.
As the World Ends Page 7