The Long Road Home 21
I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.
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After Matt left the next morning, Kitty stretched contently and lay back on the saddle. Cold, dirty and with a broken leg and hurt arm, but she knew things could be a lot worse. She could've been killed in the wreck, or worse, Matt could've. And if Matt hadn't found her when he did….well she didn't even want to think what Jarvis had in mind for her.
But she and Matt had survived the wreck and Matt had found her. And despite everything, she was happy. Matt made her happy. In his arms she was safe, and no matter how strong the storm, she knew she could weather it as long as he was there by her side.
Suddenly feeling the loss of the previous nights sleep, Kitty closed her eyes and fell back to sleep with a sweet smile.
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Matt finally made it back, cold and tired, but satisfied that, at least for a couple of days, he had well provided for himself and Kitty. Taking note that Kitty was still asleep, he set about preserving the fish and rabbits. That done, he took them back towards the mouth of the cave and encased them in snow till needed.
Chores complete, Matt went back and knelt down beside Kitty. "Kitty, Kitty," he shook her shoulder. "Honey, wake up."
Kitty opened her eyes and looked dully at him. "What's wrong?" she questioned
"Nothing's wrong." Matt answered trying to keep his voice even. Something was wrong. "I just wondered if you'd like something to eat or some water."
Kitty shook her head groggily. "Not hungry," she answered weakly. "I'd like some water though."
Matt was concerned. Kitty didn't look good and her breathing was ragged. Taking up the canteen he pulled her up slightly and held it to her lips. Once she had drank her fill, he gently lay her back down and covered her back up. "Thank you," she told him.
"Sure," he said. "But are you sure you aren't hungry? I caught some more fish and rabbits."
Kitty just shook her head again. "No," she sighed, "just tired and cold. I'm awful chilly, Matt."
Matt could see her shivering despite the fire close by and the blanket covering her. Matt took his coat off and draped it around her. "There you go, Honey," he whispered, "you rest and I'll build the fire up a little more."
Kitty nodded as she drifted back off to sleep.
Matt placed some wood on the fire, then took Kitty's arm and removed the makeshift bandage. The flesh was swollen and red with just a trace of greenish pus at the center. He could feel the heat emanating from her before he ever touched hand to her forehead.
The arm was infected. It was hard to believe the infection had set in as quickly as it did, but then given their primitive living conditions, he wasn't too surprised either.
The bandana was too dirty to put back on her arm, but he couldn't leave it un-bandaged either. Remembering that more than once Kitty had used her petticoats as bandages Matt pulled up her dress and tore off a couple of pieces. Pouring water on one of them he carefully cleaned the arm as best as he could then wrapped it with the other piece. It wasn't sterile, but it was better than the bandana.
Setting back by her side, Matt watched her. She was still trembling, though not as much and a slight moan escaped her lips. Infections, he knew, could be difficult to deal with even with proper medical attention. That was a luxury they didn't have.
Though he hadn't eaten yet, Matt realized, he wasn't that hungry. The thought of anything happening to her was robbing him of any appetite.
Matt lay down beside her and gently pulled her up into his arms, holding her as though a child, and praying fervently for help from a power greater than his.
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Moaning. Kitty was moaning, waking him from the light doze he had managed to drift into. Placing his hand on her forehead, the heat almost jumped out at him. She was burning up. "Kitty," he called her name but she didn't respond. Matt pulled the wrap off of her arm and saw the infection had worsened. As he sat there the first tendrils of fear implanted themselves into his heart. Kitty was hurt and getting worse, and for the first time since this odyssey began he was actually afraid of losing her.
Cleaning her arm as well as he was able, Matt tore another piece of her petticoat and wrapped it again. There was nothing else he could do. He couldn't help her and he couldn't leave her to get help.
Kitty was trembling again and restless, occasionally moaning his name. As Matt sat there trying to figure a plan, he heard footsteps near the mouth of the cave. That feeling came back to him. Slowly he reached for his gun then in a split second, he drew and aimed at the man walking in on them.
TBC