"There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills." Buddha
He was cold, bone aching cold, that much he knew...What else? It was dark, okay cold and dark...there must be more, maybe he should try moving...a fierce burning pain stabbed through his chest, a rasping cry escaped his dry, cracked lips and echoed through the darkness.
Moving seemed like a really bad idea...so what was the option? Could he stay here? Nothing would be easier, he could close his eyes again...sleep was good, wasn't it? People always said you'll feel better after a good night's sleep...only nothing felt good about this night.
He reached out his hand, slowly, carefully. There was pain, but not so much that he couldn't move his arm...what did he feel? Dirt, grass, leaves maybe...he wasn't sure, he looked up and tried to focus, stars...this was wrong, he shouldn't be here, he shouldn't be hurting, there was somewhere he was supposed to be, he was sure of it, he was also sure this wasn't the place, something bad had happened...was still happening...
Deep down in his consciousness he must know what was going on...he tried to think, but everything was clouded, there were faces, people shouting...but he couldn't remember what they said...couldn't remember much of anything, least of all how he ended up hurting so bad...he was tired...it couldn't hurt to sleep some more, when he was sleeping he didn't feel the pain...
Awareness came slowly...something was different, light...the sun had come up...green, there was so much green, trees, lots of trees towering high over him, the leaves forming a canopy that almost obliterated the blue sky...but there was still enough light for him to see...Lifting his head he tried to get some idea of what was causing the pain, if he knew what was wrong maybe he could...he hissed as a fresh spasm sliced through his head...take it slow...he raised his hand, that hurt some, but not too much, his fingers were filthy, the nails torn and bleeding, how? Stop...no use asking questions he couldn't answer, he brought his hand toward his face, seemed to take a long time, his hand was shaking, was he cold? Not right now...so why was he shivering? More questions without answers, he touched his face, exploring gently, another hiss ghosted from his lips as his fingers made contact with what felt like a pretty nasty gash on his temple; there were other tender spots but nothing that made him cry aloud...okay, how about moving his legs...seemed to work for his right leg...his left...
"Aargh!" The scream echoed through the trees, he quickly covered his mouth to stifle the noise. What if they were still out there, whoever they were? He tried to take a deep breath, to bring himself back under control, but his chest hurt so bad...he took a few shallow breaths, counted slowly to ten...He turned his head to the side and was astonished to see tracks on the ground, not footprints, but flattened and torn undergrowth where someone had dragged themselves along the forest floor; he looked again at his hands...not someone...he'd done it, he'd made those marks...He was trying to get away from something, or maybe he was trying to get to something, somewhere, he didn't know...there was a sound, just on the edge of his hearing, was someone coming for him, should he be trying to get away? There it was again...a car, travelling pretty fast, then another...it must mean something, think! A road...if he could get to the road surely someone would help him...
He knew it would hurt...lying still was painful, moving...could he do it; put his body through such agony? There wasn't any real choice, if he stayed here he was a dead man, if he moved he had a chance. First thing he had to do was turn over, couldn't crawl on his back, he breathed as deep as he was able and rolled over. His world exploded into white, searing hot agony that caused him to cry out in renewed anguish, he let his head fall to the ground and his cries were muted by the lush undergrowth and loose foliage on the ground.
He lay still and quiet for a few pain-filled moments, he shivered...cold...the cold could kill him...he had to escape the cold, and to do that he had to move...it was time...Summoning up every bit of strength he could he threw out his arm, dug his nails into the earth and dragged himself along, his progress was tortuously slow, but he stopped only to catch his breath, to tear at the succulent grass and chew on it...the only way he could think of to slake his raging thirst...inch by inch he moved on, minute by minute he felt his meagre reserves fading...he wouldn't rest, couldn't take the chance that if he closed his eyes he'd never open them again.
The traffic noise was getting louder, he was sure of it...he must be getting closer...he became aware of a lack of shadows, the sun was going down, it would be getting dark soon...so many hours to travel how far? He had no idea, fifty yards, five hundred...might as well have been a marathon, he was almost spent and he still couldn't see the road...he was heading in the right direction, of that he was certain, the sounds were louder, but were they loud enough, was he close enough to be seen? He managed to drag himself a few more yards...it was hopeless...whatever he'd been hoping to achieve, futile...the pain had lessened, that was a good thing...leastways he hoped it was...but he was exhausted...his limit had been reached and he simply could not move another inch...rest...for a few minutes he'd rest.
NCIS NCIS
His breath came in short gasps...someone was chasing him, shouting...he had to get away.
"Timothy, steady...you're safe now."
He felt gentle hands on his shoulders, heard the soothing words, it was a voice he thought he knew, but he wasn't sure. Everything was so mixed-up, he opened his eyes, it took a few seconds to focus on his new surroundings, when he did he saw a kind face staring down at him...there was no danger here, he felt sure of that. He settled back on the pillows...pillows, he was in a bed...the man said he was safe...
"Good lad, it is wonderful to have you back; we were so worried about you."
There were people who cared about him, was that true? He reached out a hand and the kind-eyed man held on gently, taking care not to disturb the dressings protecting the damaged fingers. "P...please..." His mouth was so dry, and he was still so tired, but he had to know, the man leaned closer so that he could hear the raspy whisper. "What happened to me?"