The Ending:
Chapter 2 (In the Woods)
Mort collapsed on the ground, now fully aware of how much of a toll his little across-the-woods sprint had taken on his headache. Firstly, it was more physical activity than he'd been involved in since the separation with his wife. And the fact that he had a concussion probably didn't help, either. His forehead felt as though it was in danger of splitting in half. As Mort took inventory of his surroundings, he heard a rustling of leaves coming from behind him. His breath caught in his throat for a moment. Shooter was his first thought. The fact that he should probably be silent flew right over his head and he yelled out the dreaded name. There was no answer...but there was more rustling. Panic coursed through his body as he stood-ignoring the painful head rush it caused-and shuffled over to the bushes to investigate the source of the sound.
- - Yeah, that's right buddy! Just walk over to the rustling bush that probably contains a man you've been running from for half a month, let alone the past two hours! You are just too dumb! - -
- Mind your own business and shut up for once! -
Cautiously, Mort approached the area that the noise had been coming from, and pulled apart the scrubby trees to reveal...a woman. Quite an attractive one at that.
- - Well, I guess you have your occasional lucky breaks, don't you, you dolt? - -
- Don't insult me! You're supposed to be on my side, remember? -
Mort was stunned into silence for a moment, until the lady's alarmed expression turned into an amused one. She opened her mouth and began to speak, in a lilting, musical voice. "Excuse me, sir. Can I...um...help you?"
- - She's offering to help you. Isn't this what you wanted? Tell her you need a doctor already! - -
"I need a doctor." The lady's expression showed shock again. She looked at the side of his head, from which blood was still gushing. "Why, yes you do! Come with me." Mort was stupefied. He allowed himself to be lead into the young woman's tent. The rest of the afternoon was a blur. He was driven to a clinic, and a tiny bald patch and four stitches was his reminder of the day's events. The lady, whose name, he later learned, was Teresa, brought him home, and he became quite intrigued by her. Although she wished him well and left, he was determined to find out more. There was something about her..... Although it was just a suspicion, Mort thought that she knew things that he would do well to learn.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first story, hopefully you like it. I know it needs some work, but I try! Thanks to FrodoFever for your input.
Chapter 2 (In the Woods)
Mort collapsed on the ground, now fully aware of how much of a toll his little across-the-woods sprint had taken on his headache. Firstly, it was more physical activity than he'd been involved in since the separation with his wife. And the fact that he had a concussion probably didn't help, either. His forehead felt as though it was in danger of splitting in half. As Mort took inventory of his surroundings, he heard a rustling of leaves coming from behind him. His breath caught in his throat for a moment. Shooter was his first thought. The fact that he should probably be silent flew right over his head and he yelled out the dreaded name. There was no answer...but there was more rustling. Panic coursed through his body as he stood-ignoring the painful head rush it caused-and shuffled over to the bushes to investigate the source of the sound.
- - Yeah, that's right buddy! Just walk over to the rustling bush that probably contains a man you've been running from for half a month, let alone the past two hours! You are just too dumb! - -
- Mind your own business and shut up for once! -
Cautiously, Mort approached the area that the noise had been coming from, and pulled apart the scrubby trees to reveal...a woman. Quite an attractive one at that.
- - Well, I guess you have your occasional lucky breaks, don't you, you dolt? - -
- Don't insult me! You're supposed to be on my side, remember? -
Mort was stunned into silence for a moment, until the lady's alarmed expression turned into an amused one. She opened her mouth and began to speak, in a lilting, musical voice. "Excuse me, sir. Can I...um...help you?"
- - She's offering to help you. Isn't this what you wanted? Tell her you need a doctor already! - -
"I need a doctor." The lady's expression showed shock again. She looked at the side of his head, from which blood was still gushing. "Why, yes you do! Come with me." Mort was stupefied. He allowed himself to be lead into the young woman's tent. The rest of the afternoon was a blur. He was driven to a clinic, and a tiny bald patch and four stitches was his reminder of the day's events. The lady, whose name, he later learned, was Teresa, brought him home, and he became quite intrigued by her. Although she wished him well and left, he was determined to find out more. There was something about her..... Although it was just a suspicion, Mort thought that she knew things that he would do well to learn.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first story, hopefully you like it. I know it needs some work, but I try! Thanks to FrodoFever for your input.