Monster 7
I'm scared. Truly, deeply, down to my soul scared. The only thing I can think of is to make it to that tunnel, but where is Xena. The ugly behemoth is bearing down on me again, the earth shaking with his anger. He apparently doesn't like to play with his food too much. He bellows as his fist comes sailing down towards me one again. I see it as if in slow motion and dodge at the last second. A spray of dirt and rocks hits my back as I roll back to my feet. Tartarus!
Then I see her, climbing up the rutted back of the demon that stands before me. God's knows where she found the strength, but it's obviously an agonizing expedition as her face contorts in pain with each and every movement. Not the mention she keeps nearly getting throw off his body as he thrashes around. I have no idea what she has planned, but I know I better keep him distracted.
I start to dance around, waving my arms and yelling. Not that I really need to get his attention, his anger is focused soley on me, he doesn't seem to feel Xena's presence. He throws his head back, bellowing with rage. His pray is not meant to taunt him, he is a God. Both his fist come screaming down towards the earth, one just grazing me, shearing at my skin and clothes. I'm becoming bloody and tattered, but if Xena is holding out, then I know I have to as well.
I try to gauge her progress but find it difficult to spot her while also trying to stay alive. I'm tripping over bones, sinking into blood soaked earth, and stumbling with every tremble he causes. Whatever Xena's plan is, I hope it works. Dodge, roll, stand, repeat.
Finally I spot Xena up near the beasts head, but I stumble back and I don't think I can get up this time. I watch in horror as his hand reaches down for me, my life briefly playing out before my eyes. There's a roar of pain and rage from the beast, his hand swatting me across the earth. I manage to look up to see Xena repeatedly stabbing his eye with a broken piece of bone. She somehow scrambles over to his chest, his hands and arms flailing about in a desperate attempt to stop whatever it is attacking him. She takes aim and with a war cry, plunges the bone as deep as she can get it. Somehow she manages to step on the protruding bone, flipping off the monster backward and pushing the deadly shard all the way in to his chest.
The beast starts to stumble, clawing at his chest as blood gurgles from his mouth. Xena has collapsed to the ground, any energy she had was now spent. I rush over to her as the monster stumbles into the fog, crying out in pain but with no one to help. My hands sweep across Xena's face, life barely flickers in her eyes.
'Hurry, before he dies.' She says weakly. With everything I have, I wrap her arm around my shoulder and heave her up into a standing position. I make an attempt at a run but it's more like a tortured shuffle. I don't know why, but we need to make it to that tunnel before the monster dies.
Xena's feet are barely moving beneath her, but I know she's using every bit of will just to stay awake. It feels likes years before we reach the entrance. The ground shakes, the monster bellows in the distance. I waste no time and rush headlong into the darkness. There is no light, only total and complete silence and blackness before my eyes. I keep pushing forward, surprised I never seem to trip over anything or stumble into a wall or something. I know we can't stop here, I'd rather die out in the sunlight then in obscure darkness.
The time flows by slowly, each minute feels like an hour, each hour like a year. There's a small pinprick point of light in front of us. I use that as my compass and head straight for it. It grows as we draw nearer; it's evident the light is from the sun, not a flame. This gives me enough hope to spur us on, just enough to reach the end of the tunnel. Bursting out into fresh air, we collapse on the ground. I roll to my back, looking up at the clouds in the light blue sky. I have no idea where we are, nor do I care. We at least made it out of the nightmare, we at least have that. I lace my fingers with Xena's and let my eyes fall closed. I might not wake up ever again but at least she's still by my side.
My eyes fly open, body shooting up causing me to yell in pain. It takes a moment for me to gather my senses, get my brain to focus on the here and now. I remember the tunnel, but where am I now? I begin a frantic search around me, but find Xena just to my side on a bed mere inches from mine. We're in a tent of some sort, both of us bandaged and sutured. My stomach is growling in hunger, my lips dying of thirst. I'm about to try and crawl my way to some nourishment when the tent flap is throw to one side and a old woman walks in.
'Oh goodness, you're awake.' She steps back out for a moment then returns, shuffling over to me with a cup of water. 'Sip slowly young one.' I try to drink the water greedily but she pulls the cup from my lips. 'You'll only make yourself sick.' The old woman offers me a smile, then slowly lifts the cup up once more. Beads adorn her hair, bangles, bracelets and bits of string cover each wrist. Her clothes are colorful, and flow about her with each movement.
'Where am I?
'We are a simple nomadic people. We came upon you and your friend,' She nods towards Xena. 'and you were barely alive. We had a hard time moving you because we couldn't get you two to let go of your hands.' I blush slightly as she smiles warmly at me. 'She will be fine, don't worry my child. But she will need much more rest.' I finally allow myself to lay back, exhaustion hitting me like an arrow, hard and fast. 'Rest.' The woman coos. 'We are grateful for what you have done. You and your friend shal not go un-rewarded.' What does she mean by that? I can't keep my eyes open, no matter how hard I fight the sensation. Once again a dark silence swallows me whole.
