ARK: The Island

Chapter 12: Rebel Scum

Flame an I dodge between the trees, trying to put as much distance between our pursuers and the base. I can still feel the sticky spot on my back where my injury is, and I can feel as the pain starts to numb over. My vision starts to go hazy. I blink, trying to get rid of the fog. A thick branch appears ahead, and then disappears. I shake my head, and the fog gets more intense.

Crack.

Im suddenly thrown from Flame's back and onto the ground. I must have hit that branch. But why can't I feel the pain? My head swirls, and the world tilts dangerously. Black spots fill my vision, and behind them the world goes red. Flame leans over me, cocking his head in concern. He growls something, but I can't hear it. Suddenly his lips pull back in a snarl, and Flame bares his teeth defensively. Something sparks overhead and he retreats. I numbly feel my body move, and then roll over. My head spins, and the world finally goes black.

********************************

OUCH!

My eyes snap open. I find that I'm laying on my stomach with pressure being applied to my injured back. I squirm and bring my left heel into what I assume is the other's face. There's a yelp of surprise, and then suddenly a strong pair of hands shoves me back onto the bed, face-first into the mattress. I struggle for a moment, my air supply momentarily being cut off.

"Stop, or I won't help you anymore."

I stop struggling, and the stranger takes his hands off me. I sit up, gasping for breath, and slowly roll over onto my back, coming face to face with a man dressed in a white overall sort of attire. He's pretty tall, sports blue eyes, dirty blond hair, and a large red mark forming under his chin. He rubs it, glaring at me. "Thanks, by the way," he says rolling his eyes. "I'm Joseph, or as everyone calls me, Uncle Joe, the medic of this band of dodo brains."

I look him over one more time with a cautious eye, then stick my hand out for him to shake. "Josi, Josi Vihaan."

He accepts it. "Well, nice to meet you Josi Vihaan, I would be glad to show you around, after all, there is someone who would like to see you." I raise an eyebrow. "Who?" Joe smirks. "You'll see." I sit up and slide off the bed, only now noticing that my back and head are wrapped thickly in bandages. "I thought I'd patch you up while you were here. You weren't looking so good after your battle with that tree," Joe snorts. I roll my eyes. "That's about the only thing."

We walk out of what I assume is the medical building, and into a village bustling with activity. I look around in wonder at the many people cooking food, practicing fighting, and grooming dinosaurs. The "base" is the kind of set up that you can pack up and move in a couple of hours, in case of an emergency, or an attack. And then it clicks. These must be those rebels! Who are fighting against the hierarchy! But why? I sigh. I'll have to get more information later.

"Grrrrraaaaaaahhhh!"

I snap my head around at the noise. "Flame?" There, tied to a post, is my raptor. Despite my injuries, I rush over to my dinosaur, who is going absolutely insane with excitement. "Hey buddy!! I missed you!" Flame churrumps in agreement and gives me a playful headbutt. I laugh. Joe walks up behind me. "I must say, I'm impressed. You two have a very strong bond. And you're a new survivor, correct?" I pause, Joe's words catching my attention. "Survivor?" He shrugs. "Yeah, that's what we've assumed ourselves as. We're not citizens, not really explorers, so why not survivors? Either way, it sounds cooler than just, people." I consider his words, then shrug. "I guess that's what you could call these last couple of days." Joe laughs and slaps my shoulder. "Rough time, eh?" I shrug again. "You could say that."

Joe jesters back to Flame. "We hosed him off for you and cleaned his tack. He had a couple of scratches here and there, nothing serious though. Gave him a feed as well." I turn back to Joe, surprised. "Thank you," I say, really meaning it. Since my first encounter with Beckett, I hadn't really been to sure that there were many, well, nice people around besides Indra. I guess I was wrong.

"Come on, let's get back to the compound, it's getting late anyway. You were asleep for almost the whole day," Joe says, turning to walk away. I give Flame one more scratch and then follow. Joe turns back around. "Oh, and just so you know, I'm not letting you off for free. Once you get better, you're going to be doing a thing or two around here to help. We're not a charity, you know. Understand?" I roll my eyes and smirk.

"Loud and clear."