Hi friends! Sorry for long wait but I'm back with a new chapter! Thank sooooo much for reading this story. Sorry for mistakes.
Enjoy :-)))
Sam and Chris held hands and walked infront of Mac and Jack. The only logical thing to do was to find a way out of this forest and avoid an encounter with the bad guys on their way. Every now and then the older agent could hear Mac hiss in pain or let out a soft whimper. He wanted to give the painkillers but Jack also knew consuming meds without food was only going to make Mac nauseous
Jack was worried about the two boys. They were adults and trained to survive without food but these were literally kids. Young children who needed food and water. He cursed himself again and again for not caling Matty at night and asking for a chopper in the morning. Mac was hurt so it was his responsibility to make wise decisions yet he screwed up
"I'm fine Jack" Mac didn't even have to look at his side to know Jack's mind was going haywire right now. Jack scoffed beside him "Kid we don't even know if we're heading the right way. All I think is we might be going deeper in these woods"
Mac stumbled but kept his balance "Or we're on the right track and soon might find our way out" he made a mark on a tree "We haven't crossed any of my marks" Jack looked at the mark "When did you start making marks?" he got a small laugh in answer
"I'm worried about the boys Mac. How long do you think before Sam starts crying?" Before Mac could answer Sam turned around halting his brother along with him "I don't cry. Babies cry and I'm a big boy"
Jack raised his eyebrows but Mac nodded and walked near Sam "Yes you're a big boy Sam. Infact you both are very strong boys. Very brave"
"Really? You're not mad at me?" Sam asked with a small voice. Mac cupped his little face "No one is mad at you bud. Right Jack?"
When Jack didn't answer Mac rolled his eyes "Right Jack?" he said a little louder. Jack sighed "Yeah. No one is mad. You both are brave boys"
"You think so?" Sam asked eyes beaming with happiness "See Chris? I'm brave" his brother ruffled his hair affectionately "You're little brother"
"Why don't we take rest for a while" said Mac knowing the kids ought to be tired by now. He pointed at his shoulder "I could use a break" Sam grabbed Mac's hand "Well okay. If you need to stop we'll wait for you"
Mac bit back his laugh "Thanks Sam. Why not we rest over that tree. That looks like a good shade" Sam held Mac's hand and guided him to the tree. The boy eyed Mac and made sure he was comfortable "Rest as much as you like Mac. Sleep if you want. I'll look out for you"
Jack shook his head and thought, he's taking away my responsibility. I'm the one who should be taking care of Mac, not a eight year old boy "Let me check your shoulder" Mac grimaced at the thought. It had stopped bleeding but even the slightest movement was sending waves of pain through his arm "It's fine Jack"
"I still got few clean bandages. Atleast we should keep it clean untill we get out of here. C'mon it won't take much time" Jack coaxed his friend but Mac still refused so the other had no choice but to look with pleading eyes at Sam "A little help here?"
"I think the old man is right" said Sam
"Old man?!"
Sam ignored Jack and continued talking "Mom always says owie's are to be kept clean. Right Chris?" his older brother nodded "My brother is right Mac"
"Fine. You all don't need to gang up on me. I'll change the bandages" Mac glared at Jack who grinned back at him "Ah...Chris why not you take Sam and go sit over there. Not far okay" Jack requested as he didn't want the kids to see the blood and wound and get scared. Chris and Sam sat couple of feet away and Jack worked on Mac who grunted when Jack applied fresh patch of clean cloth on the shoulder. The skin had become red and blotchy and Jack cursed when a thin line of blood flew from the hole "Sorry"
Mac nodded and took a painful breath "You cheated with a help of eight year old"
"It worked right" Jack winked and finished wrapping Mac's shoulder. He got worrried when Mac was breathless by the time he was done. His eyes were closed as if trying hard to ride out pain "Hang on buddy. We're gonna make it out of here"
"I'm fine"
"And I'm Nicholas Cage" Jack sighed at his stubborn friend "Okay. I'm gonna search for some food. You three stay here" Mac was about to protest when Chris walked up to stand beside Jack "Can I come with you"
"No kid. I got this"
"I can climb trees easily. I've some experience when I went for camping from my school" said Chris and Sam jumped excitedly "Yes yes take Chris with you. I'll watch Mac. I'll make sure he rests"
Jack thought for a while "Okay Chris can come but are you sure Sam? Mac can be such a baby when it comes to taking care of himself" Jack had a fake worried expression on his face to which Sam replied "I'll sit on him if I have to but I promise you, he'll not get up from here"
Mac's went wide in disbelief "Do I get to say in this or you three adults have made the decision?" Jack hummed and then cleared his throat "Sam I put you incharge of Mac. Don't hesitate to sit on him if he tries to get up"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Jack" muttered Mac and saw Jack leaving with Chris stifling a laugh. He turned to face Sam who was looking at him keenly with his arms crossed "What?"
"Nothing. Just making sure you're not moving. I'm incharge remember?" Sam tapped his foot and Mac rolled his eyes "I thought you liked me" he pouted and Sam giggled and sat down beside the agent
OTHER SIDE
"Do you think we're going to make it out of here?" Chris asked avoiding the sharp branches. Jack made a mark on a tree so they would find their way back to Mac and Sam "Ofcourse we'll make of out of here. I got it all under control" Jack hoped Chris woudn't see his doubtful expression. He walked eyeing each tree for any kind of fruit "So tell me Chris. How was your camping trip. Any bright ideas on how fast we can find food?"
Chris thought for a moment "I remember my teacher once said that if we ever get lost in jungle and are out of food or water then we must try follow a animal...like a squirrel or mouse..they know the route to the place so we might find food or water easily"
Jack was impressed by the boy "Wow. Cool idea Chris. So we gotta find a squirrel or mouse...ah...where can we find.." he started looking around
"No need Jack"
"Why?"
"Coz I think I found food" Chris pointed at his far right side where Jack saw a huge grape tree. His eyes widened and mouth watered "Oh good Lord! Thank you! Chris my boy you've the greatest eyes" he hugged the boy and they ran towards the tree
On reaching Jack panted. He was so glad finally they found something to eat. He could give grapes to Mac and then some painkillers. Atleast it will delay the risk of infection. He saw the grapes were high and he wasn't able to reach it "Ready to test your skills?" Jack asked Chris who nodded enthusiastically
"Hop on" Jack held his hand and interwined his fingers. Chris placed his hands on his Jack's shoulder and jumped on his hand. With one leap the boy was able to climb on a large branch. He started plucking grapes and threw them on the ground for Jack to pick up
Chris went two branches higher and that's when the young boy saw two men come running towards Jack. He easily recognised them as his kidnappers. Before he could warn the older agent, the man raised his gun and yelled "Don't move!"
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