Part 23 (1/2)

She clenches her free hand into a fist and hits me. I try to stop her, but she hits me again, then again and again and again until my face is numb and my eyes are almost swollen shut. Too tired. Can't fight back.

I feel her get up.

There's so much I need to say, but I can't get even the first word out. I'm aware of her looking down at me, breathing hard, my blood on her hands.

”Ellis-” I start to say, but she isn't listening. She looks up, then sprints away. I turn my head and watch as she disappears into the maze of crashed vehicles, searching for her next kill. All I can do is watch her go.

41.

COLD.

Body shaking.

Breathing in dust.

The fighters are long gone. Ellis is long gone.

Empty.

Everything's lost.

Still lying in the road, curled up in a ball. Stomach churning, legs and arms aching. Head pounding. Throat dry, lungs scorched. Warm wind gusting. Swirling sky black above me. Light's fading. Stench of burning meat is everywhere. Been here for hours, facedown on the asphalt.

Heavy footsteps.

Someone standing next to me. A soldier? Stay still. Don't move.

”Found one,” he shouts, face hidden, voice m.u.f.fled by a gas mask.

”Worth taking?” someone shouts back.

”Not sure.”

He kicks me in the gut to see if he gets a reaction, forcing air out. I look up but don't move. I feel the Hate rising.

”Well, has it still got two arms and two legs?”

”Yes.”