Chapter 4: Defender
A voice in James head was telling him to run and save his own life but he couldn't a force far more powerful had taken over his body now cementing his feet to the to the floor and pumping adrenalin trough him we has ready to fight these wolfs because the force that over took him and his logic and sanity was the most powerful one there is … Love
Lara Drew her Bow but James was unarmed he picked up the Pry Axe Lara asked him "James what are you doing? You should run"
James turned to face her "IM NOT LEAVING YOU!"
Then suddenly the Wolfs howling got closer Lara drew her Arrow and aimed it into the woods then suddenly a dark black figure bolted out of the woods towards them Lara fired sending an arrow straight into its chest sending the Wolf crashing down in front of them then for the side before Lara could ready another one a Wolf Jumped out before it could Attack Lara James furled himself at it knocking it to the ground he stabbed it with the axe as many times as he could as its paws scratched at him the teeth snapped trying to fight its attacker
Lara yelled "LOOK OUT!" before sending an Arrow into another wolf that tried to sneak up on James
James panted back "thanks…" before standing up again and he was about to walk over to Lara and help her when a wolf Jumped out of the Shadows and clamped its Jaws onto his arm James screamed out "AAAA! FUCK!"
Lara scrambled form an arrow and immediately the Wolf let go and spun around and approached Lara slowly she fumbled for the Arrow but couldn't get it, it was snarling blood in its teeth Lara felt like she was about to Die the James Jumped up and in 1 strike killed Sending the Axe straight into his head James was now feeling exhausted and his arm was bleeding after using it even after he had Just been bitten he looked at Lara and tried to get the trap of her forcing it with the axe but it wouldn't budge the pain shot through his arm as he used all his force to open it with his injured arm Lara pleaded with him " James stop please your hurt"
He began to feel Dizzy with blood loss and shock "no … I'm fine … it's just …" he fell down on the floor His head hurt blood mixing with the rain water as it poured down his arm he felt weak he tried to sit up next to her he slumped down Lara made sure he didn't fall face first and laid him down next to her he felt like he let her down he felt as if he had failed her.
He heard a voice "over hear"
Lara looked towards it and shouted ""Reyes!"
The voice shouted again "I found Lara and James!"
She came up to them and shot the Trap with a Pistol Lara immediately forced it open and Went over James She held his head as it was slumped to one said she held it up looking over him "James! … are you ok?"
He replied dazed "no … I'm sorry I let you down"
Lara laughed slightly "ha, you idiot you saved me!"
James was confused "o … did I? o … good" James looked up seeing everyone ells "o hi everyone …"
Reyes came over and Bandaged James arm up "just stay still James you lost a lot of blood you're gonna feel a bit weak and tiered ok"
Lara felt safe now everyone was there and now that James was being seen to she turned her attention to everyone ells "Is Sam with you?"
Jonah replied "she was with you"
Lara told them "she was hear … with that man, Mathias, But we passed out when I woke up they were both gone"
Grim replied "you girls shouldn't go wandering off!"
Lara now reassured that James was safe now thought of her friend Sam "we need to find her"
Dr Whitman helpfully interrupted as always "Uh, w- wait, what about Roth"
Reyes agreed "okay, Lets split up two of you go with James and meet up with Roth"
Lara volunteered "I'll go!"
And immediately to volunteer was Alex "I'll go with her"
Whitman again Interrupted "No, no … Let, me go"
James even in his state didn't know who was worse … Whitman's Ramblings … or Alex being Alone with Lara while he was a mumbling idiot he knew he had feelings for her he had told him not knowing how James felt about Lara … was it really that much of a secret, he must have buried it so deep down that now one could ever see it … Sam was right he had to tell her because he almost died without telling her he had to I couldn't take it to his grave.
Reyes handed Whitman the Pistol "you know how to use one of these?"
Whitman shakily replied "it's … It's been a while. Its-Its all coming back to me" James wanted to take it he was a FAR better shot than him he couldn't trust Whitman to defend Lara that was his job … or was before he almost let her down passing out and leaving her trapped he felt bad and ashamed.
Alex reassured Lara "Get to Roth. We'll find Sam and this Mathias guy" then everyone left.
Whitman asked as Lara limped back to James as he was trying to get up "yes. But James doesn't looks so good we should probably rest for a minutes." Whitman Lifted James up and he barely stumbled over to the Camp fire Lara limping behind them he wanted to help Lara or at least have Whitman help her he wanted her to get some rest her leg was injured and she needed to be in front of the camp fire … how was he kidding they would never allow him to be left there first.
Whitman placed him down at the Fire and Lara limped over to him and sat down he mumbled "you sit, Uh ...You sit here. I'll, ugh *cough* I'll check-up ahead"
Lara confirmed not paying much attention to him looking at James who was sitting trying not to fall backwards "Okay" Whitman wandered off.
Lara asked James still a bit shook from before "hay James … you ok?"
James smiled at her being concerned for him he liked it he felt looked after warm even … although it was probably just the camp fire and his loss of blood but still it was nice.
"yer … thank you Lara … I'm sorry I almost passed out and Left you trapped" he felt like he should apologise.
"James … James … you silly boy you SAVED ME! You fought wolfs! To save me!… I'll never forget what you did for me today James … EVER!"
James was taken aback he didn't know what to say to have HER in his debt it was a strange thing "erm … thank you ..."
She was looking him in the eyes "thank you James"
There was a silence but it was comfortable there weren't any words he could say to her but he felt stronger having now he saved her and not let her down and he was ready to do it 1,000 times if he had to it was his mission now to Defend Lara with his Life.
After they got their strength back Lara got up James got up but immediately felt Dizzy Lara held him balancing him as the blood rushed to his feet he felt dizzy but soon it balanced out and he felt calm. Then walked with Lara to where Dr Whitman was studying some drawings on a gate
He was saying to himself "fascinating 2 distinct styles ..." he noticed Lara and told her "These are fascinating"
Lara Remembered "I've seen this Before They must be ritualistic"
Whitman eagerly continued "the female image is particularly interesting"
Lara touched the paint "Looks like it was made recently"
Whitman answered "by those islanders no doubt, judging by those wrecks they were like us no doubt … survivors, Remarkable!"
Lara replied cautiously "well let's hope we don't become Murders to"
Whitman asked pulling the handle for the gate "see if you can work the other one"
Lara pointed out "the handles missing" she used the pry axe as a make shift one Whitman said "together!" as they both forced the winches for the gate The wood started to make a splitting sound and Lara said "shit it won't take the force I'll have to find something sturdier to turn the handle with" Whitman said "there must be something around we can use" James went over to the Camp next to the Gate and found some old Scrap "hay I think I have an idea!" Lara came over "what is it?" he replied "I can reinforce it for you" Lara smiled "thanks James your always good with things like that" He smiled and laughed "haha thanks but you're the clever one" Lara seemed sad "hay don't put yourself down you went to University with me!"
He remembered that place so long ago now … so far away with her in the summer sitting in the park with their friends in the summer eating lunch …
"Hay Lara How's your studies going?"
"o good thanks James , the Japanese is hard though"
Sam laughed "hay! Try learning English it's the hardest Language!"
They all laughed then Lara asked "so how's yours going ?"
"erm … not to well … it doesn't matter" He looked away embarrassed everyone there was at University for a good reason to learn he was doing terribly he hated it, it was so hard and he was so bad at it
Lara spoke to him "James? James?"
He looked at her "o yer? Sorry what did you say?"
Lara laughed "why did you go to university then? Your obviously keen to learn and understand things right?"
He we faced with 2 things as always the truth and a lie the truth was the ONLY reason he went to university and endured it 4 years of hell and studies and essays and bullshit and the ONLY reason he was on this god forsaken island is for HER because he loves her but he can't tell her the truth not yet the only option was the lie "because I … I don't know I suppose I just didn't know what I was doing"
Lara sounded surprised "o … ok , I guess any way let's move on"
They used the new strengthened axe to open the gate and Whitman Talked to Lara about Hemiko and the Legend of Ancient History James didn't care about it he didn't care about anything in this world when he thought about it no job no future he was heading into nothing after this expedition there was nothing waiting for him … and when Lara tells him he doesn't love her … it will be over for him.
When they made it up the steps they were talking more James didn't care at all He needed to tell her right now that was it there was no time left he was about to speak when a man came out the forest "come, quickly ,your friends are hurt"
Lara said distrusting "yes! Probably by them"
James was ready for a fight there was only one and they had a gun it would be easy Whitman nervously yelled "get back!"
Lara told him "they can't be trusted"
Whitman was looking nervous Lara assured him "you still have a gun"
Whitman told them "I don't want any trouble" he held up his hand surrendering
Lara said dispaingly "no!" James was unarmed but he had his fists and he wasn't going to let Lara be captured or killed by this rabble as long as he was alive.
"but I insist afterwards , you take us to whoevers in charge" Whitman Continued
Lara became very nervous "Noooo! What are you doing?"
Whitman snapped "be quiet! I'm Handling this"
James flew into a rage "YOU PRICK DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE TALK TO HER LIKE THAT!" he whent to get the gun from the floor but then suddenly a man jumped down an knocked Lara over as she drew her bow an arrow James ran over to save her "HAY GET OFF HER!" James ran up and was about to attack the man when one came out of the woods and tackled him punching him he fought back getting him off but then another smacked him on the back of the head the blow disorientated him and the other one began pounding on him he brought his arms up he couldn't fight back but they where still attacking him beating him into submission Lara screamed "JAMES! NO! GET OFF HIM please I'll do anything you say"
Whitman nervously said to Lara "Just go with them Lara Do whatever they say"
Lara was tied following her captors but James was being dragged behind her he didn't have much fight left in him but he couldn't waste it hear not pointlessly they took them to a camp where other captives were Lara head tears in here eyes seeing James not look up and having to be dragged and not seeing his face she asked them "who are you people? What do you want with us?"
The Russian man barked "SILENCE!"
One of the crew ran to Lara "LARA!" but was kicked by one of the men "if they give you any trouble, kill them!"
Lara begged "Don't hurt them …please"
The man shouted "I said SILENCE GIRL!"
James looked up and saw the Russian began to get close to her "James ran at him hand tied behind his back he hear butted him but soon he was on the floor being beaten by the man with his Pistol the metal cracking against his ribs and arms but not braking anything but lots of cuts and bruises "please stop! JAMES" James was almost broken when the man stopped and grabbed his hair showing his face to Lara bruises and cuts covered it and some blood came from his hair from a cut on top of his head He looked like he was in so much pain Lara began to cry
"LISTEN BITCH! If you don't do what I say I kill your boyfriend hear, GOT IT!?"
Lara nodded with streams of tears in her eyes "yes …"
James managed to say "don't do anything that piece of shit tells you Lara!"
He turned around and slammed his boot into James face making him curl up in a ball his nose bleeding he was crying
The man moved back to Lara rubbing his hands all over her one of the crew shouted "Let go of her! Let go of her! … Run Lara" then they all began running it was Chaos the Russian shot one and there was panic The Russian smacked Lara with the gun knocking her down to the ground next to James "don't you fucking move!" the threatened Lara She looked at James she had so much pity and sadness and fear right now she just wanted to hide but she couldn't leave him she brought her legs up and brought her ties from under them then dragged James with her to cover hiding from the enemy's
Lara wisped to him "can you move?"
James nodded
"ok then follow me"
They silently moved through the camp until they found a safe place to hide James felt well enough again now he whispered to her "stay hear ill look ahead" she nodded he went up ahead and saw were the enemy's where he went back to see Lara was gone and there was talking coming from the other side of the wreckage he quickly found some glass and broke his bonds then circled around to find Lara with the Russian in front of her He was kissing her and touching her she was trying hard to fight her off but he was bigger and she had her hands tied behind her back "JAMES! HELP!" she screamed for him the Russian Laughed "haha silly Girl your boyfriend isn't going to save you now hahaha" James reached into his holster and drew the pistol pointing it at his head "GET OF HER!" He immediately froze and walked away James pointed the gun at him them slammed it into his head knocking him down "haha your little bitch is nice! I like her to bad I'm going to have to kill you in front of her haha" James was getting more angry he was going to kill him a RAPE Lara "you don't have the GUTS to kill my you fucking sissy!" Lara was about to tell James something but just then
*click*
*BANG!*
Lara screamed and his brains splatter all over the floor his mutilated face was pretty horrific "o god James … you killed him" she said in shock
James turned to her "are you ok?"
Lara saw him now she didn't see pity and compassion for him … she saw a cold blooded murder "Just … get me out of here James" He united her restraints and she walked off he followed "Lara … wait I" She didn't face him "just don't say anything James … you're a murder" He was confused and scared and unsure now "but I … saved you? Please Lara …" James Began to cry as he flowed her trough the wrecked village James fell lone and afraid now he was supposed to be her Guardian her Defender but now she looked at him as a Murderer … he was alone now.