Immediately I found a big bump in the back of my left ear, along with a swollen eye; thanks God no part of my body hurt enough to show me I had any broken bones. Relieved I sat on the grass and looked around, where was I?
Stood up and noticed small cuts and bruises all around. Saw smoke afar and forcing my eyes noticed a car! From its color concluded it was my car, and realized Kikuri and James were still there! I ran as fast as I could, considering my leg hurt.
Arriving there noticed the car in complete state of destruction, all twisted, having its tires as the only remembrance of its former glory days, looked around and saw lots of blood running from the roof of the car (as it was upside down), from the driver s side.
On a more detailed search noticed that James was still inside the car, stuck in the wreck; I quickly called and touched him, but received no answer, tried shaking him but then noticed his brains oozing from the skull, his head had cracked open like a walnut; the blood came from his wound.
I made disgust and sadness face, James worked (not as a slave but as salary man) for over 30 years, it was so sad but where would Kikuri be? I had to find her or else Saori wouldn t forgive me! Moments later I heard whimpering on the other end of the car.
I ran to that side and found her on the floor, with tears on her eyes, had her leg stuck on the wreck, seemed to be in deep pain and as soon as she saw me she began shouting:
-Richard! Help meeeee.. my leg hurts a loooot! and began crying.
-Hold on Kikuri! I will take you out of there in an instant said trying to pull her leg out.
A loud groan of pain was heard, checking out the motive; found out that an iron bar had pierced through her leg, 3 inches under de knee. It was stuck inside the car, saying I was sorry, I twisted the little metal bar and pulled her leg out, along with the cries of pain coming from poor Kikuri.
As soon as her leg was out of the car, I heard the sound of something snapping followed by the noise of liquids leaking, and judging from the smell, it was fuel! The gas tank broke and fuel was running! It was a matter of time before this all turned into a giant ball of flame! I needed to take Kikuri out of here as soon as possible!
-Kikuri this is going to blow! Can you walk?
-I ouch don t know! replied while trying to stand up, but only managing to use the other leg.
Kikuri could only hop using the good leg, and rapidly the fuel spread! We didn t have enough time for sure! I noticed that and said:
-Richard, leave me behind and save yourself! I am not worth the trouble! I am a slave! Save yourself!
-No way Kikuri, I would never be able to face Saori if I did that!
-I beg you Richard, I would never forgive myself if something happened to you!!! Save yourself and leave me behind!
-Never! I am going to help you even at the cost of my life!
Tears began rolling her face again. And for a moment I forgot what was going on, stopped and looked deep into your eyes, finding sadness in there. What was making her feel like that? Decided to finally find out, I asked:
-Kikuri, what is the problem? Why you so sad? What bothe - and a fire started at the car.
-Richard, run! Leave me and goooooo!
-Not going to happen! At the very least you are going to be saved! I owe it Saori!
-But what good would it be only me surviving?!?! said trying to run again if you are not on this world with me!
-Eh? said without understanding what she meant.
A small sound preannounced that the car would soon turn into flames, bad sign I though. We had just some more moments before, if my mechanics knowledge served me right, we would have an explosion of Hollywood level. Trying to save Kikuri, I embraced her and shouted:
-It is going to blow! hugged her tightly and threw us to the ground, in a way my body was covering her survive Kikuri, I beg you.
-No Richard! Don t do that! said while wiggling to try to free herself from my weight I don t want to lose you! Stop! I don t want to die now that I live by your side!
-You are not going to die Kikuri I replied, already sensing the upcoming explosion.
-BUT RICHARD said, letting her true feeling flow, fearing not having another chance I DON T WANT YOU TO DIE!!! YOU ARE MY LIFE!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!
I thought I hadn t hear it well and was going to ask when a big fireball rose to the sky, followed by a big boom. Hugged Kikuri as strongly as possible, as to protect her from the heat that was burning my back; Kikuri held me tight and I lost my senses afterwards, when something heavy and burning hit my back.
I was hearing muffled sounds from affair, also felt something touch me, even though I couldn t see a thing; everything hurt as if I was ran over by a truck! Tried to remember what happened and though: Was I dead? as I couldn t feel more pain any further, I felt at peace, as I longed for a good time now.
The sounds turned into voices, and I noticed they approached me quite hastily Where they going to save me? thought to myself Was I too hurt? managed to hear a female voice from afar shouting: Richard! Richard! Richard! while feeling light slaps on my hand, and a lacerating pain on my back.
I understood everything that was being said near me, things like: but I have to do it! no! don t kill him! but if I don t do this, he will die for sure! really? and if this doesn t kill him, it will wake him up , hold on a darn second there, what were they going to do with me? isn t there another choice? No Kikuri right? If I don t do this, the toxins burned skin produces will poison and kill him in a matter of days! Allow me do it please? ok, I allow it, go ahead En
Right afterwards, after a little tug on my back, I felt something peeling out the carbonized skin from my back, the pain was so horrid and grand that my belly contracted, my face contorted itself in a rite of pain and all the air on my lungs were forced to leave them with all might, in an primal howl.
- I shouted.
-RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! RICHARD! Kikuri screamed in joy, while her tears washed my right hand.
-What happened Kikuri aaaaaarrgghhhh - I asked- why did you do that -Actually, I was the one responsible for that said an unknown voice to me, although her tenderness and serenity really surprised me.
-Oh, sorry, I cannot look at you right huuunnnf now, are you taking care of my back?
-Yes I am, you have a severe burn on your back, caused by a burning object that flew from the car she said.
-What happened? I asked as I didn t recall much after it.
-I was walking along the top of a nearby hill, then I heard an explosion, something like a tire blowing and as soon as I looked down, saw a car capsizing; right after I began running downhill to check what happened.
-I arrived at the accident local when a big explosion hit, throwing debris all around and one of those hitting a guy s back. Afterwards with the help of a passer-by I carried you to my hut.
-- Oh! remembered something important treat Kikuri first, her wound is much deeper and severe than mine, I can wait.
The lady giggled, not a mocking giggle, but an admiration one. Then grabbing another piece of destroyed skin, she pulled it out skillfully with a quick maneuver. Making all the nerves on my body overload my brain with nervous info of pain.
-ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHH- I groaned, trying to breath right after ohhh forgive me not trying to complain about the hospitality -I already treated her she began replying you have been out of it for nine hours. She was lucky though, as she didn t break a single bone and it pierced where it would bring less problems to her, in a few days she will be as good as new.
-T unnngh Thanks what is your name? I would like to thank the one that is helping me! I inquired.
-Oh forgive me! My name is Misumi Enmie! You are Richard right? That girl didn t stop shouting your name for a second.
-Exactly! replied blushing a bit I am lucky there was a doctor in a place so far away! If you don t mind, how old are you and how long you are graduated? decided to ask as her voice sounded really mature.
-I am not graduated on a physical college Richard. I just use what I learned treating the sick and wounded around the world, about my age, I am sixteen years old.
-Sixteen? Wow forgive me, your voice sounded very mature! said with a hint of worry on my voice, even though she was doing a fantastic work on my back.
-No need to worry, not going to harm you, even though I do not have a diploma here, I know what I am doing; I saw the dedication of yours protecting that girl. You wouldn t let go of her even unconscious, I cannot let such feelings to be over! The girl seem to really like you! we both blushed at the comment, that didn t sounded vicious my I ask something while I end the preliminary treatment here?
-Sure I said go ahead.
-You are a slave right? You have your mark on the hand - Yes Kikuri nodded.
-Then, what happened to you two? Did Richard kidnap you and then you guys fled? Or were someone s workers and suffered an accident Enmie asked.
An awkward silence befell the room, and I didn t know what to respond, especially after what Kikuri told me but her relaxed laughter mixed with joy broke the mood:
-Nothing like that Enmie Kikuri said I am Richard s property.
-You seem to be really Richard said Enmie, visibly disappointed for having such a pretty slave and a car making Kikuri blush.
-I noticed you became disappointed I wondered would you mind sharing with us what is on your mind?
-It only makes me sad she began explaining it is just sad someone becomes a slave, and it makes me even sadder that someone is so heartless to buy them! This is so saddening! From my nursing oath, I shall treat everyone that is in need of my assistance, but I have a really hard time helping people like you Richard said pulling another piece of dead skin.
-ARRRRRRRGH, OH MY FGOD THAT HURTS LIKE HELL! shouted.
-But! Kikuri protested Richard isn t like that!
-- Oh really? said Enmie incredulous well I finished the cleaning, time to start sterilizing; you guys can try to convince me while I am at that, the chat will make him feel less pain.