A/N: I had a break earlier and tried to post, but couldn't get onto the site. Sorry, but blame them and not me for the later update. Now on with our story...
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strenth, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
-Lao Tzu
The crack of bone breaking reverberated in his ears like a clap of thunder as he collided with the ground. Reflexively, Marshall clenched his jaw in anticipation of the pain and it struck like a fire bomb exploding in his ankle, setting his entire body on fire. Blinded by pain, an agonizing scream escaped his throat as he rolled onto his back, hands groping for his injured lower left leg.
Oblivious to the world around him, he rocked back and forth over dust-covered earth, unaware of the blood that flowed down the side of his head. An eternity later, the world around him began to take shape again and rational thought slowly crept back into Marshall's mind telling him to move. Body screaming in protest, he coaxed it into a sitting position and leaned back against the rock.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
Marshall repeated the mantra over and over in his mind as he struggled to regain control of his adrenalized system. Reaching down, he grasped for the left boot lace. Swollen ankle throbbing with every tug, he worked to loosen it as he fought the urge to rip the boot off completely…to relieve the pressure, stop the pain. The inkling of reason that had returned won out. Boot or no, the pain wasn't going to stop. It was better to let the boot serve as a splint and hope the swelling didn't get so bad that it cut off his circulation entirely.
Collapsing back against the rock once more, Marshall closed his eyes. Just the simple act of untying a shoe lace had exhausted him. He knew it was the result of the agony his body was in, but the thought held little consolation. Heart pounding, he was focused on taking deep breaths when he saw Mary. The image in his mind so real, he called out to her as his eyelids flew open to reveal only disappointment.
Get a grip, he scolded. You can do this.
Move. It was the last thing that should be done, considering the injury, but it was too risky for him to sit still. While Marshall had no conscious memory of crying out, he knew in all likelihood that he had and if they had heard him, it was only a matter of time before the hunter became the hunted. Being defenseless, the only option was to find a place with better cover. Knowing his left leg was out of commission, he scanned the area for something to use as a crutch.
Spotting a large branch behind some rocks several yards away, Marshall groaned at the prospect of retrieving it. Using the power of his good leg and pushing back against the rock, he forced his body upright and eyed the target a moment before proceeding. Ankle throbbing with every hop, hands clenched into fists that grew tighter with each ragged breath, eyes locked on the prize.
x
Fifteen excruciating minutes after he'd manage to forge a makeshift crutch out of the branch, Marshall had covered little of the trail that would lead him back into the depths of the forest. A short rest to regroup revealed that he'd left his canteens behind. Swearing under his breath, he remembered taking them off before climbing up over the trail to spy on Jesse's crew.
Hot, tired, and in pain with dehydration soon to be added to an ever growing list of afflictions, Marshall sat. His tongue escaped a parched mouth to wet dry lips when a wave of dizziness threatened to overtake him. Head swimming, his eyes drifted shut as his arm reached for the support of a nearby tree.
"Marshall! Wake up, Marshall." Mary's panicked voice broke through the haze. "Stay with me. You can you do it. Just hang on."
The words were familiar and Marshall concentrated on them. She had spoken them that day in the desert as he had drifted in and out of consciousness and once again they served to bring him out of a stupor. Marshall opened his eyes half expecting to back in that dirty abandoned gas station, only to find he was surrounded by wilderness.
Mary's coming. I know she's coming.
As Marshall reached for the crutch, he redirected his attention to the Herculean task ahead. Step by painful step he advanced until the trees began to spin and suddenly he was back at the County Fair riding the Round Up with Jenny Hinkle. He'd always hated that ride. A heartbeat later, the nausea set in and as he doubled over, a new sensation overtook him. He was freefalling.
Panicked, he swung the branch out in desperation, mistakenly convinced it was no long supporting him. It came back down hard at an awkward angle and skidded along the ground under Marshall's weight. No time for thought or plans, survival instinct kicked in and his injured left foot hit the dirt in an attempt to brace against the fall. Knees hitting the earth, Marshall blinked in confusion and waited. When the pain shot through him, the world was set on fire before it faded away to black.
xxx
Hiking boots were designed for climbing, to offer support and protection on varying terrain. They were not designed for running; at least hers weren't. Feet aching and calves sore, Mary traversed the unfamiliar landscape. Boots? How was it possible that she was analyzing her choice of boots at a time like this?
A quick look at her feet and she was back in Albuquerque at the Sporting Goods store with Marshall looking over her shoulder.
"Stop grabbing all the boots out my hand!" Mary growled, grabbing back the shoe. "Get your own damn pair."
"These are all women's boots," Marshall replied, realizing too late he was setting himself up for mockery.
The salesperson interrupted just as Mary was about to speak and her smirk morphed into an annoyed scowl. Throwing the boot at the young man, she demanded a size 8 and plopped herself on the bench to wait. A few minutes later a box was handed to her and as she opened it up, Marshall launched into a dissertation on how to find the proper hiking boot.
"You like the steeper climbs," he reminded her, ignoring the eye roll in response. "That's an important factor in determining…"
Mary tried on the boots, no longer paying attention to what her partner was saying. After checking the room in the heel and toe, she got up and walked away, leaving Marshall staring after her mid-sentence. A quick trip around the store and she was ready to lay out more money than she'd ever spent on shoes in her life.
"What the…" she said as she looked from the sales guy to Marshall and back again.
"You're boyfriend said you'd like to test them on the slant board," the guy said smiling. All it took was one look from Mary and he froze, scared shitless to speak or even breathe.
"My who said what?" Mary barked, turning her attention to Marshall.
With a smile and slight nod, Marshall released the sales guy and watched him scurry off before looking back to Mary.
"A slant board allows you to test the boots on an incline to make sure…"
"I don't give a shit what it is or does and the next time you tell someone you're my boyfriend, I guarantee you won't live to regret it."
"I know the idea disgusts you." A controlled, steady voice masked the hurt. "I'm not too keen on it myself," Marshall lied, "but I simply asked for the board. I never said anything about status of our relationship." He held up his hands to keep her from interrupting. "Maybe, just maybe, he overheard your snide comments and saw you how you ignored me and just assumed that I had to be your boyfriend to put up with that crap."
This time it was Marshall that walked away, leaving Mary staring after him with mouth agape.
After taking off the boots and paying for them, she shot the sales guy a look that told him just what he could do with his board. A week later, she returned the boots because her foot was sliding forward. A fact she discovered after buyer's remorse set in and she did her own version of a slant board test. She never told Marshall.
Mary's brow furrowed and she scrunched her nose. The originally distracting thoughts about boots now had her questioning her relationship with Marshall yet again. She knew she was a bitch to everyone else, but Marshall was different. Wasn't he? Partner, best friend…she'd opened up to him in so many ways, let him see beyond the hard exterior. They traded barbs and bickered, but it was all in good fun. Or was it?
Face it, Shannon, you're a bitch. Especially to the one person that doesn't deserve it.
A tear pricked at the corner of her eye and she looked up as she blinked it away. The sun had worked its way lower in the sky and Mary knew there wasn't much daylight left. Her mind jumped to the 'what if' scenarios. No! She'd come this far and would find him before dark…she had to; there simply was no other option. The pace having increased beyond that of a jog, the rugged, unmarked back country was navigated swiftly. Worry and fear driving her, she pressed on, alert. The changing scents, every noise committed to memory as her eyes scanned for some sign…any sign of her partner.
Damn it, Marshall. Where the hell are you?
Based on the information he'd carved into the trees, she'd plotted the course and had to be getting close. But more than calculations, it was Mary's gut that was telling her Marshall was near. Slowing, she searched for a better vantage point. From higher up, it would be possible to survey the options the land held. A breath, unknowingly held, escaped her lips when she spotted the large rock formation just off to the right.
Coming upon a trail, Mary followed it and found herself standing below the rock, its smooth face mocking her. Hand skimming the surface, it became more jagged as the earth rose slightly underfoot. Reaching the top wouldn't be a problem after all. A carefully placed foot led her ascension. A few fluid motions later and she was nearing the top. Closer to the far side, she glanced down at the ground below and froze.
Marshall's canteens.
Heart pounding in her chest, Mary stared. They had to be Marshall's. The Star Wars stickers a dead giveaway. No one else over the age of ten could pull that off and this was no child's playground.
"Marshall," she called, beginning her descent. "Marshall!"
Relief? Hope? Joy? An array of emotions had sprung up within Mary, but they faded at the lack of response. There was no way he'd leave those behind voluntarily. Something had happened…but what? Knowing there were no good answers to that question, she jumped and hit the ground running. Rounding the rock in a few long strides, she fell to her knees and snatched up the canteens.
"Marshall!"
Silence.
Get up! This is Marshall. He must have left you a clue…something. Get up!
Hand against the rock for support, Mary rose to her feet and slung a canteen over each shoulder, listening to them rattle against her own. Head still down, she noticed an impression in the dirt. It appeared as if something had been lying on the ground just a few feet away. Walking over to investigate, she squatted and ran her hand along the dirt until she hit a few small patches that were darker, clumped together. It looked…wet.
Rubbing a sample between her fingers, she didn't think much of it until it took on an almost reddish hue. Head cocked, Mary squinted, trying to make sense of it. Eyes darted back and forth from the fingers to the ground. Not sure what to make of it, she stood and looked around; spotting the one thing she'd feared the most…blood.
I know, I know...another cliffhanger. Please don't hold it against me. In fact, your reviews have made week, most I've ever gotten. So thanks for the love 3
