Python

Part 22; Flow

Terry J's POV:

My head hurts. Not funny.

Eric and I have just spotted another person and are now running towards him. It takes a while before I recognise him, but then I see it's Michael. A big smile forms on my face.

"Mike!" I yell and wave. He looks up, a bit confused at first it seems, and then stands up. He opens his arms for a 'group' hug.

"Thank god you're alive."

"Same about you. Are you alright?" Michael asks. Eric nods. "Some scratches here and there, but nothing big."

"Are.... have you seen anyone else?" I ask hopefully. Michael's expression drops and he shakes his head. "No." He says softly.

John's POV:

Great. I have officially given up all hope for my life. I am unable to move, which includes opening my eyes. I can't hear very well, and my ability to shout seems to have disappeared. I haven't even bothered to try speaking.

I sigh deeply and clear my mind. Well, I try to, but the other's faces keep popping up. I feel my eyes become watery. Yes, watery, not teary. Before I can stop myself I begin to sob. How amazing, that's the only thing I can still do apart from breathing.

People often only see the outer side of me, the bastard-screaming giant, and forget about my sensitive inner self. But enough of that.

I go on sobbing quietly.

Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder that gently shakes me. "John? Can you hear me?" A voice asks. I mumble something, unable to form proper words.

"We need to move him." I hear another voice say. I feel two hands taking my feet, and two my shoulders. A sharp pain flashes through my body as I'm lifted up and I moan softly.

"Keep it up, John. You're almost there." A third voice says. Then they lay me down on a softer surface and I remember the name of it: sand.

My throat feels like a desert, so that's probably why I remember it. My eyes do too.

Someone removes the sand from my face, which already helps, and I force my eyes to open a little bit.

My heart jumps a little when I see Eric, Terry and Michael bent over me.

"Can you move?" Michael asks. I look at my fingers and command them to move. They don't obey.

"Here, let me help you." Eric says. He lifts up my hand a shakes it carefully. "The blood needs to start flowing again. A trick I learned from Graham."

My eyes widen at that last word and I look at him uncertainly. He looks down.

"We don't know where he is." He speaks the words I'd been fearing for.