For The Angry Hourglass: Flash Frenzy Round 19
Picture Prompt of a broken tree.
360 words
I carefully avoid the jagged edges as I navigate around the broken tree. My boots sink into the wet ground around it, footsteps following me as I trail my fingers across the damaged wood where the roots were lifted from the ground when the trunk snapped. There's no coming back from this.
"When do you think it happened?" I ask him.
"Does it matter?"
"Wouldn't you want your death to matter?"
He's silent for a moment, his strong presence so close behind me. "Do we get that option anymore? I just don't want to turn into one of them." I reach back, grabbing onto his hand not clutching his weapon. He allows it for a second before gently pushing me away.
"I'll care if you die."
We share a look. His silence has never been a problem before, but here, beside this fallen creature, I see his struggle to let me know the thoughts flying across his mind. But then he pulls back. When he decides against displaying that supposed weakness.
"Bee…"
"It's okay." I turn away. He doesn't need to see the light mist collecting in my eyes.
A branch snaps nearby and both of us tense. "We should go."
I agree. It's never wise to stay in one place too long out here. Not like that's ever helped us, and it didn't this time. It attacks from the side, and we don't see it. Not until it's too late. It's snapping jaw and curling fingers hunt for its next meal as it knocks me to the ground.
I can hear him. He's yelling at my to hold on. To not give up. But it's so determined as it bears down on me, fighting my tenuous hold as I fight for my life. He comes to my rescue. Like he always does. Sprinting forward and tearing it away, but it gets the better of him and he falls.
"Run, Bee!"
I unholster the gun I rarely ever use. I don't even think I properly know how to shoot it. But it doesn't matter as I aim. Because his life matters to me.