Somebody To Keep Her Company

The rain hit down on us, each drop like a knife piercing skin. I could see the forest not that far ahead, calling and urging me to carry on. I looked over my shoulder and saw nothing but a dusty haze blocking the slowly approaching sunrise.1

I glanced over at Matt, his pace had slowed, his mouth was slightly open and I could hear the wheezing of each breath. It tore me apart seeing him hurt like this. Because of his shirtless torso you could see cuts, scars and scratches across his back and bruises on his chest. Through one of the rips in his jeans you can see his wound, the deep crimson cuts.2

I looked straight ahead, we're not that far now. I pushed it the last bit and ran faster into the edge of the forest, the shadowy trees towering over me. I stopped and turned around, waiting for Matt to catch up. I bit my bottom lip as I saw his running turn into limping as he neared me. He reached me and came to a hault, his eyes wide and teary, filled with pain and loss. He swayed, battling to stand up before collapsing in a heap.3

I throw myself over him, laying my cheek against his chest, my hair falling over my face. A low rumbling sound echoes around us and the ground shakes as if it's just about to split in two. I hear Matt's fast heartbeat and I am thank full he's still alive and with me. The dusty haze has spread, making the forest look darker if that's at all possible. Tears leak out my eyes and drop onto his soft skin.4

Suddenly all is still and quiet, the ground stops shaking and the rumbling stops. It takes me a few moments before I can finally lift my head and flick my hair out of my eyes. The haze is lifted and the sunrise is in perfect view.5

"Look Matt... The sun's coming up... We've beaten them."6

The sun sets on the hills with only one person there to appreciate it's beauty. A young woman, no more than twenty years of age, sat beside a rock, leaves and a couple of broken branches surrounding her.7

No two people escape at once... Only one gets past the gates.8