"Shit, shit, shit!" Grousing in a rage, Maya twists and turns the doorknob before hitting and kicking the door several times in a pitiful attempt at opening it. "Fuck this" Footsteps, then a clipping sound, and my machete is taken off my belt. Seconds later, glass smashes and little bits and pieces of the once strong window litter my skin. Dancing across me and leaving little nicks. Loafing to my right, I avoid any more stabbing wounds. I'm as dead as it is.
Everything finally begins to fade out now for the last time.
* * *
Groaning, it takes all my energy to simply open my eyelids. Leaning up was even more of a chore. I'm on a double sized, dark forest green poofy sofa. Around me is an almost perfect looking home. Untouched, undisturbed, left to fester at the side of town peacefully where it remains as it was before the world went to shit. It's a nice change of pace compared to the ranger station.
Several candles litter the cabin, giving off a sweet smelling aroma. Yawning, I stay perfectly still. I feel out the two poorly made bandages that are tightly wrapped around my wounds. Made from what looks like a curtain? Plus the fact I am pretty much naked save for a pair of boxer shorts that only raises more questions. I couldn't care less though; Maya did what she had to save me I imagine. The sick smell is gone mostly, which is great. The blood and mud have been wiped clean. A small, comfy dark blue cotton blanket rests over my body and several cushions comfort my head. Throwing myself back, I lay down completely for a moment to just, rest.
So, I survived. My arms feeling numb but it could be worse though. It's my calf that's gotten much, much worse.
Once I'm ready, I swing my legs out of the blanket and over the side of the sofa. Carefully, I place my feet down on the floor and feel a pain shoot up my leg. I wince, falling back down for a moment. Steadying myself and taking a deep breath, I try again. After a winning struggle, I stand on my two feet. Still feeling slightly dizzy, I take my time. Minding my steps as I probe around the house, I begin locomoting to looking around the picturesque home. First thing I lay my eyes on is a photo of the family that lived here. A man in his forties with a shaved head, blue eyes, and wearing an army uniform while in his arms is his wife who has blonde hair and blue eyes. Him being the handsome one and her being the gorgeous one. In her arms is a little baby boy wrapped up in a cute white blanket. From the look of the area, they must have been at an airport. The father had returned from active duty I guess. Inspecting the picture closer, I can see the father has a patch of skin missing from the left side of his forehead. As if it had been burnt to ash, his right eyebrow has been seared off in the process. So overall, I see a sweet lovely family who once upon a time, probably lived a happy life.
Next, is another picture of the father and another man? This other man looks much younger than the father, but so alike at the same time. It could be his son who's all grown up? A decent looking young man holding up a large fish, I haven't got a clue what kind of fish that is. Except, I do know it must have been one hell of a fight to catch! The father looks so proud. In this picture, the father is older looking, maybe in his sixties now. That patch on his forehead has spread to most of his face. No facial hair is growing, unlike the other picture where he had a minimal amount of stubble coming through. No eyebrows either, just a patchy looking face. His skin turning to different shades of peachy, some parts healthy, some parts unhealthy. Looking to my side, I see the fishing equipment in this picture is beside the cupboard the pictures are on. He and his son have a hobby of going to the lake clearly. One final picture is out of place. Having fallen over and never been picked up. Putting it upright, I inspect this cracked picture closely.
"What the fuck" The words slip past my blistered lips. In this picture, the father is much, much older. Though his son doesn't look much different from the previous picture, I'm not sure, but it looks like the father's age escalated way beyond what it should be. This picture must have been most recent. In the picture, the father wields a brave face. He is standing tall and strong in front of a coffin. Beside him is his eldest son and another younger (and guessing by the differences in hair and eye colour; adopted) son beside him. Next to the coffin is a picture of his wife. She has passed away, unfortunately. While this picture is saddening to see, it's not the picture itself that throws me off. Ha, no, it’s the father. No longer looking like the same man he once was. Bigger, stronger, taller, no hair, and the iris has transformed into a faint blue. He looks sick. Pale as well as if he stopped going outside. Is this the effect of war? Or something else entirely...
Humming to myself, my hand reaches for the second drawdown of the cupboard where the tiniest little gap reveals something glinting in the reflection of the basic lighting in the room. Opening the drawer, several bullets roll around a strange looking handgun. Out of all the ones I've seen, I don't think I have ever seen one like this. Made of silver, the advanced looking handgun has these words inscribed into its barrel - Hercules IV.
That's quite the title to have engraved? Anyway, next to the mysterious weapon is a note. Picking it up, I scan through it, reading each word.
Son, I leave this to you. I am sorry to have left so soon. I know it puts a damper on our relationship as father and son. Please, look after your younger brother. When the time comes, you will know why I left this tool here for you. I love you with all my heart and could never ask for two better sons.
The rest of the note becomes a messy scribble. Something wet having made the ink run. From the specific placement of each damp spot, I can assume it could only be tears. At the end, I can faintly make out, 'I'm a dead man. He's coming for me'
Placing the depressing note down, I step backwards. Taking one long last look of the home, I take in what feels like the history of an entire family in the space of a few minutes. I feel as if I had learnt it all.
A gentle breeze makes my skin itch. The window Maya broke has been poorly covered by a bookshelf; most of the books have fallen onto the floor in a damaging pile. Limping my way across the room, I stand right in front of the locked door. Looking out the other adjoining window in the lounge, I see the only light source across the whole resort. Other then the red smoke from a recent flare signal, I see the entire forest is alight in flames...
Chapter 21 - Saving someone who's not me
Maya
Ducking down low, I keep to the shadows, the darkness as my only ally to avoid the monsters who eerily watch the burning forest in an uncanny stupor. Slipping away, I make my move, thundering my way down the pitch black alleyway as quietly as I can. The only weapon I have is Ed's machete. This final weapon is going to be the key between life and death. Reaching the end of the alleyway, I stand back against the wall. The alleyway I've taken comes out at a small parking lot at the back of several stores and warehouses that are meant for trucks that deliver goods to the surrounding retail buildings. When escaping through here earlier with Ed, I noticed a pharmacy that we didn't have the time to salvage anything from. Now, I'm back to gain something to save his life.
I perk my ears up to listen carefully for any life-ending threats. After scoping out the area, I follow my gut that says it's as clear as it's going to get. Peaking nosily around the corner, I squint through the darkness. It's now or never...
Sneaking my way through the open area, I keep low, using the various cars and huge cargo trucks as my means of stealth. Ascertaining my objective, I place my undivided attention on the reason I am risking my life for him. I don't even know what I am looking for; all I know is that whatever he needs to survive is in there. I've only done this a few times in my life, and I was never any good at saving lives. Especially after what went down last time...
Flashbacks hit me, and I feel a shiver scratch its way down my spine. Shaking it off, I continue, remembering I am doing this to save his life. All I know is that I need something to clean the wounds, something to stop the wounds from getting contaminated, something to stitch them up and lastly, a professional bandage that isn't silky burgundy curtains...
; Approaching the back entrance, I peer inside through the already smashed open back door. There is no chance I am going to be seeing anything in there. It's even darker in there than it is out here. Chewing the inside of my lip, I turn and look at the single truck that directly faces the building. I can't believe I am about to try this...
Manoeuvring around the truck and towards the driver's seat, I search for the handle to the open the door. Once I've found it, I close my eyes and pray...
With a single click, the door slides open easily, and I climb inside the truck. It's been a while, but hotwiring this shouldn't be too difficult. The second I get it working, I will only have a short time to grab what I need and escape otherwise I'm a dead woman. Hotwiring the truck using the steering column method gets the job done every time. Except, it doesn’t work and I can’t figure out why-?
Seriously Maya, the keys are right there in the ignition...
Wow. I am exhausted.
Now-
Three, two, one and-
The truck booms to life and the lights shoot on instantly! The engine rumbles to life and the whole area is set in a bright light under the non-existent moon. "Damn right" I whisper to myself smugly.
The race begins. Ditching the truck and sprinting for the pharmacy, I barrel straight through the door and search around with the minimal light I have. God, there's so much left here. Anything this far from the ranger station is generally untouched. Scrambling around, I find bits and pieces that might be useful but I can only stuff so much into my pockets. Only the essentials Maya, remember that, only the essentials.
First, I find a bottle of saline which is perfect to clean his wounds. So, that's step one already done. Next, I find some tape, which is perfect for binding the wound while it clots and cleans. I already searched the home, clothes and more are already ready at my disposal. I just need the specific items to save his life. He seemed to be doing alright, at least last I saw him. It took hours, but I was finally able to strip him down and clean him. No big deal other than that it was a pain in the ass to do. I put him in all the right positions to help his breathing and comfort as well. His bleeding did stop eventually, and he seemed almost peaceful as he slept. Seeing him still alive made my heart flutter so much at the time. I hadn't felt so, accomplished in a long time. He's going to make it, I just know it.
I grab some antibiotic ointment which is contained in a spray. Perfect, that should stop infection. All I need now is some bandages which are right there in my view, this is going amazingly!
Darkness hits.
I squeak, embarrassing myself in front of no one. Having been taken off guard by the sudden eclipse, I already know my time here has ended. I shove everything into my pockets. I hear them, they're coming. No, no, no! All I need now is a pin and some thread to stitch up his wound! Please, not now!
I hear a roar outside. They're here. Within seconds, I'm bolting out of the store and making my slip away from death as smoothly as I can. My hearts hammering in my chest, any moment could be my last.
Undetected, I glide away stealthily into the night as monsters bash the truck apart in the hopes I'd be in there...
Chapter 22 - Something to remember
Maya
Holding myself together with the little hope I have left, I heave myself up the steps and towards the front door. I locked it on my way out. Only Ed can open it now. Bringing my knuckles up to the door, I take a breath and gently tap three times. I wait, the suspense causing me to hop from one foot to the other. Soon enough I am fidgeting with the contents of my pockets, juggling the different items around in a scrap. Carefully, the door creaks open; Ed peers through the tiny little slit in the door. His crystal blue eyes study me for a moment. Relief washes over me as I gently begin pushing the door, and thus him back. He hobbles back, bouncing on his good leg until he hits the arm of the sofa. We stare at each other for a moment. Holding back a laugh of pure happiness at how well this night has gone, I move past him to the coffee table to avoid letting my true feelings slip. Reaching deep inside my ripped, bloodied jacket pockets, I grab everything I have before literally flinging it all out over the coffee table in one go. Ed gawks, dropping onto the sofa before asking me out of bewilderment. "Did you have to go and chuck it like that?" He's surprised really; he just hides it behind his layer of casualness. His shimmering blue eyes turn from the contents on the coffee table to face my own eyes. "Maya..." He whispers my name and I feel the butterflies in my stomach take off. The corner of my mouth lifts, and I tuck some hair behind my ear. "Do I get a thank you then?" I playfully question the dubious Ed.
"I can't get over the fact you would've died for me... Also, you'll get your thank you when you stop joshing around and close the door" Ed simpers, raising a suggestive eyebrow at me before pointing at the door like a smartass. I roll my eyes. "Fine" I rush to the door quietly, closing it quickly.
Ed
I can't believe it; she truly travelled out there to get all this stuff for me! She actually went and found all the stuff to help sort my leg out. Maya is going to sort my leg out. "Nope, you are NOT putting any of that on me" Because I realise then, that an untrained person I barely know anything about is going to try and patch MY wounds up. I chuckle, crossing my arms and sticking my nose in the other direction. "Not happening you chicken nugget," I say with a high, proud tone. As if, making me sound like I am too high and mighty for a mere peasant like her to be touching me.
"Did you just call me a chicken nugget?" Full of amused disbelief, Maya places a hand on her hips whilst staring me down with a raised eyebrow. "I said what I said. “Is there a problem?" I reply confidently.
Though yapping at Maya does nothing but make her all the more playful for some reason. "No, not a problem at all" She laughs slightly, seemingly taken aback by the strange ‘chicken nugget’ comment. To be honest, I'm not really sure why I said it either. I would only ever be that weird to someone like Marcus.
"You're still not putting any of that on me" Keeping my persistent consistency, I keep my integrity with a side of giving her a hard, childish glare. "Oh, what you gonna do?" Maya taunts, walking across the room and picking up the different items she scavenged as she goes. "Come on, what are you gonna do chicken nugget?" She uses my joke back, but it's not the same. Somehow, she ruins it. Looking heavenward, I feel awkwardness come over us and she tries to fix it by proceeding to call me a pizza. Oh, you poor, poor thing. Her weird teasing isn't said coyly or even remotely close to something that could be fun for a game of cat and mouse. Like a verbal play fight where one person doesn't know how to play. Is she trying to be flirty now? If she's trying to be flirty - she is failing horribly. Maya just administers this pissed off look. Her expressions never match her words. She could be singing happy birthday and look like she is about murder someone!
"Do you like the candles I found?" She asks simply after a few moments had passed. She wanders around the sofa, organises everything she needs into the right order on the coffee table before she gestures for me to move up. I comply, shifting my ass along the sofa so she can sit down. Grabbing the covers and cushions, I pull them with me and bundle myself up like a cocoon in the corner. "Yeah, they're nice" I reply with my mouth pushed into the cushion. Maya ups an eyebrow at me for god knows how many times tonight. Puckering her lips and sniffing the air elegantly, she ends up focusing on the aroma given off by the burning candles that are jotted around instead of my defiance. I mean, I suppose the candles are quite nice. They smell good, look good, also having been placed in discreet places so that the outside world wouldn't see, nor smell them, which is always helpful. The cabin feels all the homier now that it has its signature lavender scent.
Maya wipes her baggy eyes before reaching out for the first product she sees. "Come on then, reveal yourself dickhead" She grumbles, trying her best to then stifle the yawn she lets out. "Nah, nope, not happening. You're like, half asleep. Hell no, do you think you are-"
Maya reaches out, and I let out a playful scream as she t
ears the covers away from me. She's not impressed with my below average body. Wait, she might just not be impressed with how I am acting in this situation. "What?" I ask her. Maya rolls her eyes at me. "Please make my life easy and grow up for five minutes"
"Fine..." I take my turn to disobediently grumble in protest, but I nevertheless accept the fact that I desperately need this. I am feeling playful, but nothing is going to change my concerns about her doing this for me.
The Carnage Trilogy (Book 1): The Carnage [Unbending, Unyielding, Unforgiving] Page 19