Chapter 6

Gripping the knife tightly, I grabbed the guard's mouth to stifle his yell and cranked his head with all my might while I sliced in the opposite direction with the knife. Bright red blood spurted out of the guard's neck. I couldn't wait around to guarantee the guard's silence, but I was sure he would bleed out quickly.

With the guard incapacitated, I dashed to the Medbay, feverishly prepping it for Kruger's weakened body. As I raced back down the hallway, I realized grudgingly that I would have to drag him. I considered once again leaving Kruger to die, and once again, my moral compass changed directions. When I reached the spot where I left Kruger, I found only found Tweedy's decapitated body. Confused, I glanced around, wondering if an android had taken him away. If the humanoids had been through, they would have taken Tweedy's body as well. Still slightly appalled at how lax the security was in an Elysian jail, I searched the area again. Looking past the mangled body of Tweedy, my eyes found a trail of blood leading toward the prison cell where I awoke.

Cautiously, I crept forward, trying my best to step around the blood flooding the corridor. I heard a light wheezing sound coming from within the cell. A sort of exhilaration struck me when I peered around the corner.

Astoundingly, Kruger sat propped up against the post of the bed, one arm wrapped around his midsection, keeping pressure on his wounds. He didn't look at me as I whispered gently, "Come on, I found a Medbay for you." I gingerly pressed my hand against his shoulder, wary that he might lash out, even in his treacherous state. I only heard a low, pained rumble in response. Without saying anything, I gently grasped Kruger's arm, stooping low in order to sling it over my shoulders. After his stunning show of endurance, I knew he would be able to make it to the Medbay, against all odds. The only thing that would take a long time to heal would be his pride.

With the brunt of Kruger's weight balanced on my shoulders, I lifted upwards with all my might. Kruger's deadweight was heavy, and I had trouble supporting him.

Feeling no fear above the sense of urgency, I snapped, "Stand on your own feet, Kruger. I can't do this myself."

The weak and weary Kruger looked at me through his peripheral vision. I could tell he was angry. Not only was he in a submissive position to me, he could do nothing about it. I hoped that my sacrifice would not result in my head on the end of a katana.

"Fuck you," I grumbled, irritated that he could not show the slightest bit of gratitude. "I'm trying to help you, you fucker… Now stand."

Too exhausted, to fight, Kruger complied. His legs straightened and he was now mostly on his own feet. I started to walk forward slowly, making sure Kruger was still standing firm.

When he stood, the tourniquet I had fashioned had come loose around Kruger's ribs. I pressed hard against the wound, keeping as much pressure on it as I could as we stumbled forward. I ignored Kruger's hiss of pain as I pressed on his wound. He deserved every bit of pain I could inflict upon him, even if it was unintentional.

We continued down the hallway towards the Medbay in silence. I felt the need to say something to Kruger. Perhaps, in his weakened state, I would be able to articulate my thoughts without fear of punishment.

"You know, Kruger," I began, speaking quietly, almost embarrassed. "I wanted to ask you something." I waited for a response as we continued towards the Medbay. When I heard a grunt from Kruger's hanging head, I took it as a response to continue. "Why did you save me? From Tweedy, I mean…"

A long pause ensued. "I couldn't…" Kruger's voice was weak. He didn't have a lot of time left. "I couldn't let… let him hurt you… princess."

The tiniest whisper emanated from Agent Kruger's lips. Had I not been in such a position of holding his life I my hands, I would've spat in Kruger's face for being so full of shit. Though, I knew undoubtedly, that he was being truthful. I could hear the honesty behind the pain in his voice. Minutes form death, Agent Kruger was a human being.

The way he called me "princess" no longer felt like an insult, but a genuine compliment. I didn't want to reveal to Kruger that I was stupefied by his response, so I turned my face away from his, hiding my blush.

We reached the Medbay in silence. Now came the difficult part of getting Kruger onto the flat medical apparatus. I awkwardly shifted my weight beneath his arm. I was able to lower Kruger onto the Medbay while still holding his wound.

"Can you take off your jacket?" I asked stupidly. He only glared at me with dull eyes. I nodded and unzipped his coat. I could see the wound clearly now. It was much worse than I had suspected. The wound would not heal properly without the aid of the Medbay. I only hoped that it would work, and that I was not on the wrong end of Kruger's conscious when he awoke.

Easing off his jacket, I tried to keep pressure on the wound. I pressed my finger against the side of Kruger's neck, checking for a pulse. Deep within him, I felt the faintest beat of a dying heart, trying desperately to stay alive. Why he had lived this long, there was no explanation. I knew he was holding on for a reason. What that reason was, I hadn't a clue.

I laid Kruger down on the bed. I felt the last of his strength in the form of strong fingers grasping onto my sleeve for support. I felt a tugging at my sleeve as I was working at the control panel. I looked to find Kruger staring up at me with dull, green eyes. For the first time since being captured, I saw Kruger as truly human.

"Get outta hea, pr… Protea…"

A remarkable wave of awe flooded through me as I heard Agent Kruger call me by my actual name. I could only look down at him, not knowing what to say at a moment like this. In this astounding moment in time, one where I was about to heal the predator who had kidnapped me, I felt a strange sense of compassion for the mesmerizing cobra. I told myself that not of it was true. Kruger was being a cunning liar, playing a dangerous sympathy card so he would heal and rise again, only to kill me as soon as he did. However strongly I told myself this, I didn't believe it.

I tensed, deciding once and for all.

I hit the button, and commenced Kruger's healing.

As I dreaded, the machine did not start. A notification appeared on the screen saying that no citizen of Elysium was detected. I let out a cry of anger and desperation. Fueled by urgency and adrenaline, I dragged the security guard's body over to the Medbay, where Kruger was now rasping quickly and shallowly. I pulled the guard over to the Medbay with all my remaining strength. With my knife, I sliced the sleeve of his shirt off, revealing the wrist that contained the genetic proof of his Elysian citizenship. I lugged the guard's arm up onto the table, on top of Kruger's. The machine immediately recognized the guard's genetic tags, and began to process his damage report. The machine started, only briefly touching the guard before I pulled him away.

A soft yellow light enveloped Kruger's body, turning the dark scarlet blood into a vibrant crimson. I watched as Kruger's bloodied face and bare chest were cast in a vibrant glow. The sleek looking arm passed above his body. Floating particles of light glittered across Kruger's tattered flesh, slowly stitching his wounds together. In a few minutes, the healing was completed.

I stood holding my breath, wary of Kruger's reaction. Sometimes, when patients awoke, they were extremely violent for a few seconds. Even without his weapons, a frenzied Kruger could easily snap my neck with his bare hands. I gripped the knife in my hand, ready to defend myself against the newly rejuvenated Kruger.

When nothing happened, I cautiously leaned over the sleeping Kruger. It was like watching a sleeping tiger. Every muscle in my body was tense, every nerve on fire, ready to flee.