When I wake up, my whole body is sore. As my head clears, I realize what's going on.
Both my day and I are tied, back against a tree. My arms curve behind me, my feet in a similar position. I feel like I'm going to fall, being in such an unnatural and uncomfortable position, but the ropes hold tight.
It's pitch black in the forest, as not even the moon shines. The only light is from a fire about 10 feet away.
Calling to my dad in a load whisper, I try to wake him up. Finally, he does.
"Shawn? What are you doing? What's going on?" he asks.
"Shhh! I don't know. Last thing I remember, you were handing me money, and someone shot you in the back with a dart. Now we're both here." I try to explain.
"Are any of your ropes loose? I already tried mine.' I see him pull.
"No."
"What do we do?" I ask him, a little freaked.
Dad sighs. "I don't know."
We both jump as a voice breaks the quietness. "I DO!" the guy yells, running up and stabbing my dad in the stomach.
As I watch the blood flow from the wound, I yell at the attacker at the top of my lungs, but it doesn't faze him. I never thought I'd ever see my dad in such physical pain. Now I don't think I'll ever forget his face. Defenseless, the guy now becomes interested on a spot on Dad's arm. First acting like he's scratching it, he pushes the knife in slowly, pulling it out in jagged bursts.
My voice goes hoarse as I call the guy every cuss word I'd ever known.
"Kid!" I hear my father gasp out. "Shhh….."
Stopping at my dad's request, the attacker turns to me. I go pale.
He walks slowly to me. "Well, well Shawn. You did what your dad asked this time. What a nice surprise."
How does he know about me? I think
"You know what's also a surprise?" Oh, no. "THIS!" he pulls his arm back and punches me, hard as he can, in the jaw. The force sends it sideways, slamming into the tree. Stars float around me, not just in the night sky, as the pain echoes all around. But I know it's nothing like my father's condition. He's got a mini-pool of blood, and is fighting to stay awake.
"Go to Hell!' I mutter.
Laughing, he goes back to my dad. "You know, my punching bag broke the other day. It's a good thing I found a new one." He releases a rampage of punches and kicks on Dad, as I stand here helpless. I'm pretty sure he's not even conscious anymore.
"Stop! Stop!" I try to say, but not much comes out.
He seems to hear me. "You're right. Why should I have all the fun on Henry here?"
I become his victim again as I'm stabbed three times, pretty quick, in my right shoulder, left hand, and right leg. He does it in a weird zigzag form.
I feel like a vacuum is sucking blood out my blood out, as it oozes down and meets with more.
Joining my dad, the world becomes as black as the sky.