Everything's Not Lost

Chapter.3 – I See Red

Roy found himself walking along a dirt path. There were many large empty fields surrounding him. Roy looked around. The fields were deserted now that it was winter. Roy shivered, feeling the cold biting into him.

There was a sudden stab of pain in Roy's neck. Roy flinched, immediately touching his wound. The rag he had tied around it felt disgustingly moist. Roy stopped walking, reaching his hands around his neck and untying the bandage. He pulled it away and looked at it, his heart racing as he saw a patch of blood on it. He dropped the rag, immediately touching his wound again. He could feel the bumps of the scab, and a small area where the scab had rubbed off. Roy winced as he touched the small area. Roy turned his gaze down, looking at the floor. His bandage was all bloody and tattered. Roy sighed, reaching up his left arm with his right hand. He grabbed part of his shirt, and tugged as hard as he could. There was a loud tearing sound as Roy ripped the fabric apart. He brought his hand from out his sleeve, looking at the torn cloth. He reached around, trying the cloth around his wound. He made a knot at the front, and continued his walk, making a mental note of where he was on his journey. The hospital was very far south of Central, and Risemboul was to the west of central, making Roy's journey mostly northwest. He had been walking for 2 days, and by his reckoning, he had another 2-3 weeks of walking left before he made it back to Risemboul. Roy sighed; disappointed by the fact he had to walk through unfamiliar territory. 'If I could go through Central, then I could go to the places I recognise… now I have to go to places I hardly know… who knows what kind of people are there!'

Roy looked around, looking for any sign of life. Everywhere he turned, it was deserted. Roy sighed, trudging further along the path. He then heard the sound of footsteps. Roy turned around, instantly taking out his gun. He watched as a group of 5 people, 2 adults and 3 children stopped in their tracks. Roy put his gun away and held up his hands.

'Hey you…' he called. The male adult looked up at him, 'Can you tell me where I am?'

The male looked to his family, and then back at Roy, not answering.

'I asked if you know where I am…' Roy asked. The man looked back at his family again, whispering something to them. As a group, they all walked along, heading into the field.

'Hey wait!' shouted Roy. There was a sudden gunshot, and the family ran. Roy looked around, diving into a ditch. He found himself submersed in muddy ditchwater and reeds. Roy took out his gun, and peered out of the ditch. He watched as 4 soldiers on horses rode around, firing their weapons.

'There they are!' shouted one, pointing to the field. Roy watched as each of the soldiers fired their weapons at the family. Each member fell down, landing in the mud. They had no chance. Roy cocked his weapon, pointing it at one of the riders.

'Come on! We've got to go report…' said one of the soldiers, a young blonde solider, 'how long is the ride till South Headquarters?'

'On these horses… 5 days,' answered another soldier.

'5 days? Why weren't we given cars or something?' asked the blonde one.

'Brigadier General said scouting is easier on horses…' answered another one, a large soldier with brown hair and a beard, 'plus anyway, most of the roads are closed anyway'

'What about trains? Can't we take one of them up?' asked the blonde one.

'Closed too… come on, if we get going now, we can be up at the pub for 6,'

'Way! I'm on for that!' said the blonde one. He reared up on his horse, riding down the path towards Roy. Roy bent down as low as he possibly could, listening as each rider rode past his hiding place. Roy breathed deeply, listening closely as the sound of the riders diminished. He slowly peered out from the ditch, watching as the soldiers disappeared as specks on the horizon. Roy clambered out of his hiding place. Feeling uncomfortably wet. He turned to the field on his right, looking at the family who had been gunned down by the soldiers. Birds were already flying down, ready to feast on the bloody corpses. Roy turned his head away, walking after soldiers.