HAUNTED...part 25

After his little spiritual adventure, John felt like he had gone ten rounds with a Wraith and lost. He was so tired that not even threats from Halling could keep him awake enough to eat. So he slept, and he dreamed. Dreams that felt as real as his little adventure with the wolf.

By the time John woke up, he got the message. He was being stupid giving everyone such a hard time about trying to help him. Stupid and making it harder on himself and everyone. Basically he had some apologizing to do when they got back.

"How are you feeling, Colonel?"

John turned his head to see Halling squatting beside him, holding out a water bottle. He took it gratefully, downing a few swigs before feeling up to replying. "Tired but good," he replied.

Halling nodded. "You slept for a long time, but I believe it was a healing sleep."

"I need to...um..." John refused to blush and he knew it was stupid to be embarrassed about nature calling, but he couldn't help it.

Thankfully, Halling did nothing more than help him to his feet and over to a section of bushes where he'd have some privacy. His task completed, John made his wobbly way back to the wagon. Halling held out a flat, pancake like object, and John accepted it. He was hungry enough to eat a hockey puck, but he knew that the geda was actually quite tasty and he enjoyed every bite of it.

Halling watched John eat, smiling with satisfaction. "Do you wish more?" he offered.

"No..thanks. Maybe later." John patted his flat stomach. "Not as much room in there as there used to be."

"You will remedy that as time goes by," Halling countered. He had gathered up their things while John ate and they were ready to travel again.

John looked at the wagon. He felt better over all, but still worn out. To the point where he wasn't sure he could stay awake if he rode in the front. Despite the bumps. "Maybe I should ride in the back for a while," he offered.

Which, apparently, met with Halling's approval. The Athosian didn't comment, but he did support John over to the wagon and helped him settle in and get comfortable. "We will take our time going back," he stated. "Rest, Colonel. And if you wish to talk later, I will be happy to listen."

"Maybe I'll take you up on your offer," John replied, and he kinda meant it. He did have some questions about what happened. But for now he wanted nothing more than to sleep again. To that end he let his eyes drift closed. He didn't hear Halling climb aboard and cluck to the Vith to start moving.

The dreams came again, different this time. No longer warped images of his past. This time he dreamed about Atlantis and the people there who had become his friends. His family. He dreamed about the missions that had ended positively, and of the good he had been able to do. The lives he had saved.

But he was abruptly pulled out of those dreams when the wagon jolted and a couple of the boxes fell on him. One corner hit him rather hard in the ribs and he cried out in pain. He heard Halling shouting as the cart continued to jolt, tossing him around under he managed to grip onto something for purchase. It was then that John realized they were racing along. He didn't know a vith could move that fast and he heard Halling shouting for it to slow down. He hoped it would soon because the rutty road wasn't made for speed and the wagon actually went airborne for a minute.

John felt the wheels land hard and then the cart was tilting and he was sliding, then falling. Then there was darkness.

OoO

He came to awareness slowly, painfully. Everything felt like it hurt. Breathing hurt. But John forced his eyes open, wincing as sunlight pierced them. Carefully he lifted a hand, arm aching, to shade them. It took a moment for him to remember where he was. Taking a moment to assess his pain, John shifted his body. Thankfully nothing seemed broken, but his left side felt sore and he was pretty sure he had bruises everywhere. But he wasn't broken. Which was a good thing.

Sitting up? Not so good. Once he was upright, John had to clothes his eyes and dig his fingers into the ground until a bad bout of vertigo passed. He was left with a lingering sense of nausea as he rolled over onto his hands and knees then slowly staggered to his feet. Bad idea.

Without warning his knees buckled and John found himself on the ground, once again on hands and knees. He stayed there for the moment, lifting his head to assess his surroundings. To his left he found what he was looking for. The cart and the vith. But no Halling. John's stomach clenched with fear and the adrenaline rush that washed over him was enough to get him on his feet and moving.

"Halling!" It hurt to shout, but John did it anyway. He reached the cart which was overturned, falling carefully to his knees, feeling rocks poking into him painfully, but not caring. Underneath the cart was Halling. "Hey...you with me?" John asked, reaching out and hoping to find warm skin. Thankfully he could reach Hallings left arm and there was a pulse.

"I am with you, Colonel," Halling replied, his voice hushed and hoarse.

John could tell the man was in pain. "You stuck?" Looking at the way back corner of the cart looked like it was wedged between a rockfall and a tree, John was pretty sure that was the case. Otherwise Halling would have been up and about already.

A moment's hesitation then Halling said, "My leg is trapped. I think it may be broken."

"Okay...let's find out." Shuffling back, John prepared to rise again but long fingers gripped his wrist.

"You must be careful, Colonel," Halling cautioned. "Do not wear yourself out."

John freed his wrist then patted Halling's arm. "I'll be careful," he promised. He smiled then backed up till he could stand. Which gave him another headrush. Once it passed, he glanced at his watch and realized he must have been out of it for a couple of hours. And he must have hit his head. Not so much a realization because of the way it ached and there was a sore spot on his temple when he rubbed at it, but because he had forgotten all about his radio. All he had to do was contact Rodney and his team could come get them with the puddle jumper.

The radio had been in the front part of the cart, with Halling. Carson had insisted on that, so that Halling could check in if needed. So John went back down on his knees next to his fallen companion. "Halling...have you seen the radio?"

"No. I tried to find it by feel," Halling replied. "I can't find it."

"I'll get a flashlight and see if I can locate it." John moved, slowly, to the back of the cart and searched for the flashlight. Only to discover the bulb had smashed. Which meant it was useless. John muttered a curse, then swallowed a yelp of surprise when a loud bleep from his right startled him.

It was the Vith. The animal was still hooked to the cart. John went to it, his fingers feeling clumsy as he undid the harness. He left the halter and reins attached, tying off the end to the back of the cart. He didn't want the animal running off. Patting the soft head, John then went back under to Halling. "No light," he said. "Um...what happened anyway? Last thing I remember is a bumpy ride then nothing." As he spoke, John rubbed at his head again. He was feeling lightheaded and he realized it was probably from hunger as much as the bump on his head.

Halling sighed softly. "My fault, Colonel. I was singing to myself and something startled the Vith. He ran and I lost control. I didn't even have time to warn you."

"Shit happens," John replied, reaching out to pat Halling on the shoulder. "We'll figure something out." He felt himself lurching sideways and gripped the side of the cart to stop himself from falling over.

"You must rest," Halling said, unable to keep the concern from his voice.

John wished he could curl up right there and go to sleep. But Halling needed him. "Carson sent a medkit and it'll have something for pain," he stated, pushing back up to his feet. He went out around the cart and searched for the kit. Nothing. So he made a wider sweep and found it about three yards away, caught in a bush. A quick check inside and, thankfully, nothing looked damaged. Returning to Halling, John pulled out a syringe of morphine. "This will help with the pain," John said, as he gave Halling the injection. He watched as the Athosian's eyes fluttered closed then he leaned back and let his own close for a moment.

He would rest, just for a moment, then he would figure out a way to get them back home.

THE END...of part 25