Rules of Survival(32)

Numb from the cold, I hesitated only a moment before I steered him to the left and crossed the stream, icy water seeping through my sneakers and socks, and bolted into the dense forest. Under the added cover of trees, the midday sun was blotted out, and for a few moments it was like we’d stepped into a refrigerator.

After another quick look over my shoulder, I slowed to a walk and turned to Shaun. He was so damn pale. I’d practically been dragging him for the last few minutes. He was much bigger—therefore heavier—and my wrist felt like it was about to fall off. “How ya doing?”

He slumped against the nearest tree, rested his head, and took a deep breath. “Bleeding isn’t stopping. We need to find someplace to hide.” Shivering, he pushed off the tree and took several small steps to the right as he stuffed a hand into his back pocket. There was a building in the distance, but I didn’t think we’d make it in time. “We need to get these—”

He wobbled, and because I was sure he was about to go down, I took a step closer. Just one. A single step. And then we were falling.

Everything was gone. Shaun. The trees. The ground beneath my feet… There were several moments of nothingness. No air, no sound, no sky. Then, the total absence of light and a heavy weight pressed down on me, as well as a dull ache all over. The plaguing cold that had previously gnawed away at my insides and sent persistent chills up and down my arms didn’t matter anymore.

I tried to sit up, but couldn’t. I couldn’t move anything, actually. We’d fallen. That much I knew. But into what? And why couldn’t I move? Had I broken a bone? Several, maybe? The thought stole my breath away. Being physically hindered in any way made me numb. And what about Shaun? I sucked in as much air as I could manage. “Shaun?”

There was no answer.

The only thing I heard was the pounding of my own heart and the blood rushing furiously between my ears. I couldn’t see anything, either. It was pitch black and I had no idea where I was. Maybe Shaun wasn’t even with me. Maybe the shackles had broken and we’d been separated. That actually scared me worse than him being hurt. If he hadn’t fallen, then he was still out there. Hurt and helpless.

No.

I’d spent a significant amount of time with him now. Even wounded, he wasn’t helpless.

“Shaun?” I tried again, voice weaker. Weaker, but more panicked. Still, there was no answer.

For a long time I simply stayed there. Silent and still and terrified by the scenarios rampaging through my mind. I didn’t know exactly how I felt about Shaun, but I knew I didn’t want to see him hurt. More than that, though, I didn’t want to be alone again. If we had, in fact, been separated, would he leave me?

I’d been watching my own back ever since Mom died. I was lonely and I was scared, and I just didn’t want to do it anymore. Tired. I was tired. What I’d told Shaun was the truth. I was done running. When I’d gone back to that cabin, I was looking for more than whatever Mom left for me. I was looking for a path to normal. Being chained to Shaun and running for our lives might not be exactly what I had in mind, but it was closer than I’d ever come. I didn’t want to lose it. Not yet.

So I lay there, frozen by my fears. It was a direct disregard for one of Mom’s rules. Several of them, actually. And in the end, that’s what finally motivated me. Knowing she’d be disappointed helped me gain focus. It gave me the incentive to work my free hand out from whatever had me pinned, and feel around to get my bearings, even though I was terrified of what I might find.

The ground was loose dirt—dry—and the thing preventing me from moving—from almost breathing—was covered in rough material. My hand roamed along its surface, from side to side and then down the length of it until I came upon a warm, soft surface. Skin.

My heart fluttered. “Jesus… Shaun?”

There was no response.

Taking care, I pushed up with my free hand and at the same time, lifted my knees. After several tries, I managed to ease him to the side. The relief was instant. Oxygen came rushing back and the smothered sensation vanished as I greedily refilled my lungs with musty air.

“Shaun?” I tried again. Panic set in. With my arm now free, I tugged lightly on the chain to test the restraints. The shackles were still securely in place. Pressing down with the palm of my left hand, I ran it along his body, searching for his neck. An involuntary giggle slipped past my lips. If he were awake, he’d accuse me of trying to grope him.

Cold, wet material gave way to smooth warmth. I found his neck and fumbled until I felt a pulse. It was there—and it was strong. The relief that washed over me was intense. It left me shaking—but not from the cold.

…

There was no real sense of passing time, but it felt like a while. Forever, in fact. I recited the alphabet twice—once normally and then once backward—and sang the national anthem four times. None of it helped. The silence threatened to drive away the last of my sanity.

“I wish you’d wake up.” I said out loud. My throat hurt and my voice was getting raspy. I would have given just about anything for a cherry soda. “I sort of have a thing about silence…”

No answer.

“Why?” I responded to myself in a deep, Shaun-like voice.

“Well, you’re the enemy, right?” I answered myself. “All annoying and cocky and hot in that ‘I’m the man’ kinda way… Why should I tell you?”