Part 25

POV – Rader

I re-shift the duffel bag on my shoulder.

The terrain is rough and overgrown. It is a tough area even at the daylight, attempt to navigate here in darkness is beyond nightmare.

The mad dash though the night reminds a plot from a low budget horror movie. Ending up in some Texas Chainsaw massacre cabin would be just our lack.

Stumbling upon unruly roots and undergrowth drains last remains of the energy, especially since the adrenaline is wearing off.

My knee angrily protests the abuse, but there is no other option as to continue, if we want to have at least remote chance of survival. Chilling thought that this could be it – the end, is driving force keeping us on our feet.

Despite my large steps and quick pace, Foster is following without a single complaint. Her raged breathing on occasion is interrupted by an expletive, when her bad arm is jarred against a bush or lower branches of a tree she hadn't been able to avoid. It is hard to imagine the level of pain that would make Foster to curse like a sailor.

I take a quick look over my shoulder, my petite companion is staggering several steps behind, "How are you holding?"

"Running on fumes, but I'm gonna make it…" the words are far more promising than her wavering voice.

"Look, we will put some distance between us and our fan club, and I will get your head fixed, okay?"

There is no reply, but I didn't expect one either. I know Foster is too focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

We have been on foot for one and a half hour, thirty minutes more than I gave the lady credit for. To my amazement, Foster still holds her ground. Her head most of the time is down focused on the path and I can't see her face, but her heaving shoulders are clear sign that she fights to catch the breath. Walking uphill is not making our task any easier. I try to stay close to her, but not so as to invade her personal space. Last thing I need is for her to catch up my concern.

I do my best to break a trail for her, but there is only so much I can do. The zigzags and other precautions I make, not to leave behind billboard saying 'Hey, guys, we are here!' makes the task quite unrealistic, if not impossible.

False sense of security, derived from the fact that she has managed to keep on her feet for so long, has dulled my attention. It happens without a warning. Foster's legs buckle and with silent yelp she falls hard on her knees. I manage to break her fall just before her injured shoulder meets the ground and carefully steady her. She is conscious, which is a good thing.

"Can you stand?" I ask after giving her a couple of minutes to regroup.

She is still on her knees, gently cradling her damaged limb as she tries to catch her breath, "No… I need a minute."

"I just gave you two. Do you really want me to carry you?" I ask with a smirk, trying to stick to our usual banter.

She gives me a look that under any other circumstances might qualify as nasty, but not when she is swaying like a willow in the wind.

"C'mon!" I reach out my hand and for once she accepts the offered support without any questions. Her movements are slow and a bit uncoordinated. Dehydration and concussion mixed with pain and stress could put an elephant down, not to mention fragile girl like Foster.

I carefully, but firmly put my arm around her waist, doing my best to avoid her bad shoulder and guide her towards a small cove I noticed several steps ago and despite protests sit her down. Seeing that there is no point to argue, she leans against the trunk of the tree and closes eyes.

"I will be right back," I promise and head back to cover our trace. Some branches are needed for the hideout as well.

Once satisfied with the job, I squeeze in the small spot besides Foster. Now we are quite shielded from the outside world. The figure beside me is in exact same position.

"I will patch you up in no time," I try to cheer her up.

"Is it a promise or a threat?" she slightly opens her tired, bloodshed eyes.

I smirk as I search the bag for something useful to be used on her forehead.

"How is your knee?" she asks closing her eyes again. It catches my attention. The woman will never cease to amaze me. She was barely holding on her feet, still managed to analyze my gate and detect exact location of the problem.

"I'll live," I reply as I finally find what I was searching for – some cotton and an anesthetics.

"Here, can you hold this for me?" I hand her the flashlight. Our fingers slightly touch, causing unexplainable hot shivers down my spine.

I notice that her palm is cold and trembling. Must be the shock.

I focus on her forehead. To my big dismay the wound is slightly inflamed, yellowish liquid oozing in the center.

"Ouch!" Foster yelps pain, as I apply pressure to clean it. My grip clearly hurting her.

"Don't worry," I'm not sure whether I'm reassuring her or myself, "We are going to make it."

"I know. Just have to buy us some time," her voice trails off.

I don't get her last comment. What the hell is she hoping for – a miracle? Maybe she has developed a fever, but her forehead is not hot to the touch.

I clean the cut and put on fresh bandage, "Here, this should do for a while."

Her 'thanks' is genuine.

I sit back and for a minute contemplate on our options.

"Look, if we stay together, we are like ducks in a barrel…" I start.

Foster nods in agreement, "I know, besides I will only slow you down. Even limping you run like for Olympic Gold."

Her last remark touches a string in my memory, but I can't really put it.

Foster's voice is emotionless, but I know that under that cold bravado, the woman is as worn out and frighten as I am.

"I will try to find help or at least orientate in which direction the road is and come back for you."

"Be careful," her genuine concern makes my gut clench. Unexplainable emotions play at the pitch of my stomach.

Not giving myself time to second guess the decision, I stand up. The knee is sulking in protest. Foster gives me a reassuring nod.

I cast a quick smile at her, "don't go anywhere!" turn on my heel and head off.

Her soft "ok…" catches me from behind.

I know that tactically it is a right thing to do, but some unexplainable uneasiness doesn't leave me. For some reason I feel like complete jerk for leaving her behind.

tbc