Lights, Camera, Action!

Chapter 35: Aftermath

"Branch! BRANCH!" A loud, shrill, feminine voice broke through the rather comforting darkness that had enveloped the shouted name for quite some time. Every bit of him was on fire and a damp wet liquid could be felt across his body. Branch had a very strong suspicion that it was the colour of cherries, fire and roses. "Sweet Mother, Branch... Can you hear me? Can you open your eyes? Wriggle your fingers if you can hear me?" Branch wanted to grab their head and yell in their ear 'YES, I CAN HEAR YOU!' but his brain wasn't allowing it. Trying to do as she wanted, he tried desperately to wriggle his fingers but he brain wasn't having that either.

Branch tried to take a deep breath in to prove he was still alive but the slightest movements made his head spin and body burn. Nausea raced through his veins and his brain realised what was coming. Sitting up at lighting speed, Branch just turned rapidly to his left and threw up. "Oh, okay. Get it all out. God, what did she do to you?" A warm, comforting hand rubbed his back as Branch was sure he vomited his organs up. After a few more goes, his stomach had never been more empty. There was absolutely nothing more in there to produce. A wet cloth made its way to his mouth and cleaned him up. "I can't see what I'm doing so you're going to have to take it." He tried to laugh but that only made him more queasy so Branch just took the cloth.

He patted the ground that was dry but we'll in his vision so he could see who it was. He had a strong suspicion as only a handful of people would know where Honey would go in a mood. The fact that they weren't freaking out about really intense medical worries like damaged organs or internal bleeding also contributed to their identity. The person moved into his line of vision but a lot closer than expected and suddenly their lips were on his. Branch's eyes snapped open at the sudden contact and warm fingers softly stroked his hair. "Athena..." He croaked gently, pushing her away ever so slightly. The girl suddenly realised what she'd done and retreated even further. The action made him grin. "Was it that bad?" The joke made her relax but she still looked dreadful.

The former prostitute came closer and checked his temperature. "You've got a slight fever abs probably a lot more internal damage. We need to get you to a hospital." Only a handful of her words were registering as Branch took in her usually radiant appearance. Her normally glossy, cherry red hair was greasy, tangled and pulled loosely into a ponytail. Her eyes were too wide, too green. They were a beautiful emerald green but a sheen of water coated them, making everything in her eyes look bigger and distorted. There were also dark, dark circles under her eyes. Athena looked like she hadn't slept in months.

Time brought a sudden thought to his attention. "How long have I been here?" Was it only a couple of hours? Had Honey been stopped? Did they know she was coming? Or was it a little later than that? Had the damage been done? Was there no-one to save? We're funerals being planned? Was Honey alive or dead? If he was being honest, Branch would rather a lot of people die and Honey be broken but alive then a lot of people alive and his other best friend dead due to unresolved grief.

Athena tried to look him in the eye but her own started to overflow. She bowed her head and started to shake. Tears dripped from her eyes onto his legs, splashing away some of the blood. "Two days." She whispered so quietly Branch had to strain his weakened body to hear her. "Branch, Honey-"

"DON'T! Just don't." He sighed, looking down at himself. "I don't want to know. I don't want to have to relive losing who I love. Just get me to a hospital, or will that spoil the ending?" Athena shook her head as she wiped her eyes, smearing dirt and blood into her skin. She helped him to his feet and limped Branch through the trees. Together, the pair passed where Storm was buried and he tapped her to stop. Athena dud as he requested.

Branch hobbled over to lean on the tree above the grave. He looked at it for a moment before sighing. Around them, a breeze picked up and caused a few stray leaves to fly up and spin in the air. "She's not dead, is she?" Athena wasn't sure if he was asking her or not so stayed silent. That seemed to be the right choice because he then continued talking. "I'm sorry I didn't try and help her. I should've seen this coming. The last thing we needed was another massacre. I failed you Storm and for that, I'm sorry." Branch stopped for a moment, considering his words.