Kill Me Now (Book 1)(Editing)

Chapter 17: Dependent On You

                                            <<<[Chapter 17]>>>

(Recap)

“What is that,” I look at the leaf warily and narrow my eyes.

“Here,” Mitch hands the leaf to me, “I want you to count the ridges on it.”

“I can’t see them this far away,” I comment.

“Well hold it to your face then,” Mitch answers. I wrinkle my nose as I put the weird thing close to my face and squint at it, counting the ridges.

“It smells funny,” I say as I cover my nose. I glance at Mitch in confusion and widen my eyes when I see two of him. The images start moving back and forth and I woozily try to determine which one is real. All the effort makes me feel sleepy and I feel my eyelids slowly shutting.

“Don’t smell the leaf Mitch,” I hiss before I fall asleep, “It does something to you.”

“I know Kate,” a voice says in the distance before I’m completely knocked out.

§§§§§§§§§§

            My eyes pop open and I take in my surroundings. I glance up at the sky and note that it’s night. A low roar next to me alerts me that I’m lying near a fire. I try to sit up but a slight pain attacks my leg and I look down confused. One of my legs is encased between three sticks that hold it straight with twine to hold it tightly in place. Oh that’s right, I broke my leg and ankle. How could I forget?

            I narrow my eyes at my knee joint noting that it is now straight. Ah so Mitch was busy while I was knocked out. I told him not to fix my joint! Well at least I didn’t have to feel the pain, and suffer with a mangled leg for the rest of my life. I look around for him and discover that I’m at his camp. How long have I been sleeping?

            I scuffle to get my feet while not bending my right leg due to the splint. Five minutes later I still sit on the ground frustrated.

            “Ugh why did I have to break my leg,” I complain angrily as I pick up sand and throw it, “I feel like a cripple, I can’t even walk!” I huff in place as I furiously cross my arms and curl my lip back.

            I look down at my ankle and note that it’s swelling slightly. Maybe that’s why I felt a throbbing ache this whole time. This also shows the realization that I can no longer make it on my own. I’m completely dependent on Mitch for everything now, I can’t even stand up by myself, much less walk.

            “No,” I hiss to myself, “I refuse to be a burden.” With that resolve in mind I decide to make a desperate move. I can’t walk, but who said I couldn’t crawl. I grit my teeth in determination as I drag my body across the sand. I pause a couple of times to catch my breath but I manage to keep moving. Racing feet across the sand alerts me that someone has caught me trying to make my escape. Curse you Mitch.

            “Kate what the heck are you doing,” Mitch bellows angrily as he reaches me.

            “Going to my camp,” I snap in reply as I turn around to face him.

            “No you are not,” Mitch commands as he reaches down to pick me up.

            “Mitch don’t touch me,” I slap his hands away, “I’m going back to my camp and you can’t stop me.”