Life After Champion

Day

   Anden and I both stare on in disbelief at the sight we're witnessing. I fall to the ground with a gasp as Anden stumbles backwards into the wall.

   June looks dead. Her head dangles to the side, her hair matted with blood and sprawled everywhere. Her pale skin, once unscathed and beautiful, is now covered in lacerations. I now know where the pungent smell was coming from. Her own vomit surrounds her bound feet and her whole body is coated in sweat. Her gag, along with locks of hair, one of them streaked a deep scarlet, now hangs loosely in her mouth. Her eyes are sunken in and large dark bruises cover the majority of her skin. Dried blood is smeared along her arms and stains all her clothes. Her arm appears...crooked and bent. There's a deep gash along her brow.

   She looks so tortured. I can hardly stand to look at her. This image of her will definitely haunt me for the rest of my life.

   Shaking, I slowly crawl over to where she lies. With every agonizing step that I get closer, I only see the extent of her pain and injuries more clearly.

   Four steps between us. I can see indentations in her wrists where the ropes dig into her skin.

   Three steps between us. I notice the remnants of tears streaking her blotchy face.

   Two steps. I observe that her once soft and delicate lips are now cracked and caked in dry blood.

   One step. I shudder as I see the wound from which her head is bleeding.

   A sob racks my body as I close the distance between us carefully cup her face in my hands. I fall to my knees yet again and cry in her lap.

   This is all my fault.

   “I-I'm so sorry June. I'm so sorry. This is...this is all my fault. June..."

   As I peer up at her beaten complection through the tears in my eyes, I realize with a start that I don't see the rising and falling of her chest.

   “Day?" Anden croaks. “What's wrong? You just turned as white as a goddy snowstorm."

   “J-June?"

   “Day. What is it?"

   “June?!" I nearly scream.

   “Day!" He hisses. “Be quiet!"

   “I don't think she's breathing Anden! I don't care if anyone hears me!"

   He shuts up, realization spreading across his face.

   “Anden, give me the knife. Now."

   He hands it to me and as fast I possibly can with tears pouring down my face, I cut through the ropes the best I can without hurting her more.

   “Oh June." I whisper. As I cut free her wrists, her arms fall limply to her sides.

   I finally slice through the ropes at her feet and I hastily set her flat on the ground. I frantically put my ear to her chest and listen for a heartbeat.

   “Day?" Anden sounds scared. “Is...is she-"

   “Shut up so I can hear!" He does.

    I listen intently. I don't hear one. Desperate, I focus and continue to wait for the sound of her heart beating.

   I nearly start crying again when I hear the faintest bum bum. It's barely there, but present nonetheless. We can still save her.

   Anden notices my change in expression and releases a breath. He too is crying at this point. He bends down next to me and slowly drags his fingers through her knotted hair, grateful for the fact that she'll be ok.

   When his hand makes it to the back of her head though, he abruptly stops, fear lighting up his eyes. He slowly moves June's head to the side, then gasps.

   “Day..."

   I look over and am horrified by what I see. The back of her head is fiercely swollen, blood oozing out of it, drenching her hair. Anden looks up at me. “We need that ambulance. Now. She may be alive right now, but she won't be for long without medical attention. This is bad."

   I nod and we carefully start to pick her up.

   That's when we hear voices shouting angrily and footsteps pounding loudly in the halls.