Zuflucht

14

I couldn't help but notice as the man who was driving looked like he was fighting sleep. His face had paled even more since when I first saw him and under his eyes were dark bags.

"I can take over if need be." I stated as I looked out of the windshield to see the sun setting behind the tree line. It was almost dark and sleep did sound nice, but my mind wouldn't let me from lack of familiarity.

"I'm good." He declined while blinking his eyes harshly a few times to try and wake himself up more. I couldn't help but chew my lip in nervousness; him falling asleep and us crashing should be the least of my problems right now with the world turned around but I couldn't help it with it being the current problem. I have to keep my daughter protected at all times no matter the situation.

"Do you have a name." I asked while glancing at his face through the rearview mirror. He waited a few seconds before answering.

"Curtis... everyone calls me Curt." I was genuinely shocked at how much he wanted to cooperate and answer the question.

"Well Curt, you don't look too hot right now. Maybe you should rest." He stayed silent but I noticed him clench his jaw and his hands on the steering wheel. It wasn't even hot with the air conditioning, yet he was sweating heavily. Although he was fighting hard to resist, you could see him looking worse and worse by the minute.

"At least let me drive so you can patch yourself up." I motioned towards his swollen wound that was starting to look infected. I grabbed the aid kit and placed it on the console, enough for him to be aware of it.

He sighed heavily through his nose before pulling over and shifting the truck into park. I took my opportunity and got out of the back and made my way to the driver's side while he walked (more like stumbled) to the passenger side.

"In the back Milly." He stated tiredly which was all the dog needed to obey and sit in the seat I was in previously. I couldn't help but glance at my daughter's sleeping figure, worried that a mistake would happen and the dog would somehow put her in danger.

"Don't worry." He stated blantly once he noticed my stressed face.

"She won't do anything unless I tell her to." He winced as he got comfortable before he carelessly ripped his shirt furthur down so her could see the wound easier. He then grabbed the kit and opened it, making sure to take out the tweezers and the needle and thread.

"You sure that's a good idea while we're on the road? I mean you could slip or something... " My words trailed off and I cleared my throat once I noticed the look of hatred he had on his face while holding the items and looking at me.

"My idea... right." I mumbled while looking ahead at the abandoned cars that filled the road.
For the next thirty minutes all that was heard was Ashanti's snores, his dog panting, and his sharp intakes of breath any time he would hurt his wound. I glanced over to see him digging into the wound with the tweezers, determined to get out whatever was bothering him although I had an idea what it was.

"Bullet wound, huh." He didn't answer and instead kept his focus on his swollen shoulder. After a few minutes it became obvious that frustration was beginning to set in from him harshly slamming the tweezers down back into the kit. A heavy sigh escaped his nose as he leaned his head back into the seat with his eyes closed.

"Y'know, if need be I can help you...with your wound and all." I motioned my head over towards his shoulder. He opened his dark, piercing eyes and looked directly into my dark brown ones.

"You never did tell me your name." His husky voice sounded exhausted from whatever he's been through previously.

"It's Fiona, but I like to go by Fi."

"Well Fi, I don't need your help." 

Touche

His wound must have been too extreme to fix in the vehicle by himself so instead he placed the items back and leaned his head back like before. He made sure to put a patch on the now bleeding wound that he now aggravated. I couldn't help but notice the dog in the back whining as she looked at Curt anxiously.

"Does your rottweiler have a name?" He kept his eyes closed but answered anyways.

"It's Milly." She whined once again as she heard her name from her owner. I barely nodded as I kept my eyes on the road, glancing at the passing exits once in a while.

"I know we didn't get off to the right start, but I appreciate the ride. My daughter and I both do." He looked over at me before shrugging his shoulders and muttering a small "it's no problem". I'm not great at apologizing, but I really did appreciate what he was doing. These days it's hard to find someone to help without bad intentions.

"There's a motel over there. Let's stop there for the night." He stated while pointing at it. I replied a small "sure" as I made my way towards the empty and dark building.
"Y'all can use whatever room you want, just be ready to go by sunrise or you'll be left." He said coldly while letting Milly out and grabbing his stuff. I myself shut the vehicle off and began to wake Ashanti up and grab the few things we brought.
The seven year old whined in protest before she grabbed her stuffed animal and hopped out of the tall truck.

As we walked down the motel hallway, I noticed Curt stumbling and swaying as he walked.

"Are you alright?" I asked cautiously.

"I'm fine." He demanded coldly although his current state said otherwise.
He took a few more steps before he came to a complete halt while looking down at the ground.

"Shit." He muttered breathlessly as he suddenly collapsed to the ground without any warning.