Chapter 11
John lay on his side after Rodney has pushed him out of harms way. Rodney now lay beside him facing him, his eyes so frightened like a child. His face was a ghostly white and he coughed, splattering blood onto John's face. John put a shaky hand out to touch Rodney's shoulder in comfort as he lay there wheezing, the large spear protruding from deep within his chest.
John could hear the deep breaths of the giant behind him. Recoiling his hand, he turned slowly. He had never felt so full of anger and hate. He had lost everything and had no one left to protect.
He stood tall and faced the giant. The giant looked at him, tilting his head to the side curiously.
John had never moved so fast in his life. In an instant he had pounced onto the back of his enemy and without a moments hesitation snapped his neck.
John heard Rodney's quiet whimperings as the giants body slumped to the floor and rushed over to his side. He wanted to pull the spear from him, but when his hand neared it, Rodney moaned. "No, don't, please…" he pleaded, coughing up more blood.
John pulled his hand away swiftly. He looked at Rodney and his face crumpled into sadness. "I'm so….sorry. I'm sorry I let you down, I let you all down. God dammit! It should have been me Twitch. It should have been me……." John hung his head in shame.
Rodney spoke as he lifted his head with an obvious struggle. His eyes spoke for him with a great intensity. "You….would have done….the same for…me. For…..any of us…..Don't you….feel…guilty…..for me…."
John stared solemnly at his bloody chest heaving for air and gently took Rodney's hand in his.
"Why? Why did you do it?"
Rodney laughed softly, choking. "I…remembered….you……We're…friends…..John….." And he laid his head in the sand and closed his eyes, gasping one final breath.