RAIN

Chapter nineteen

The fickle beam from the flashlight didn't help much as he felt his way through the darkness. His head was swimming and his nerves felt shot. The soles of his feet were burning and his heavy breaths echoed in the silence. He leaned against the trunk of a tree and looked up at the sky. The thick clouds swirled like a vortex making his head spin with more intensity.

He doubled over, his stomach felt sick and the air felt heavy. The sound of his vomiting seemed far away as the bitter taste of bile coated his mouth. His heart was pounding, he felt his legs shaking beneath him. He slipped down the smooth trunk of a tree, bringing his knees to his chest. The confounded need for rest had overpowered him.

    A breeze rustled the leaves over his head. There was calmness around him that didn't settle his nerves but rather made him more uneasy. He wished that they would just come to find him and throw him in the bog with Rain. He sat there for what felt like a long time, listening to the churning water of the river nearby as it rushed off toward the sea. His mind was drifting from one thought to the next. A form started emerging in front of him from between the trunks of the trees.

    He pushed himself up. Hidden in the shrubs and underbrush, he could make out the silhouette of the little shed. He smiled loudly, the promise of getting out of this place had lifted his spirits.

He forced one foot in front of the other and like a drunk man, he stumbled toward the shed. Fishing nets were hung out to dry amongst the trees, the stench of the catch still stink in the air. He pushed the ends out of his way. A small fishing boat had been toppled over by the violent wind, covered in litter.

He rested a hand on the rough wooden wall of the shed, trying to rest. A loud shriek sliced the silence. A chill ran through his body as he stumbled backward, his feet tripping on something. An incessant banging echoed from nearby. His nerves began to shudder. Children were screaming. He scrambled to his feet, his fingers and toes digging into the mud. Rounding the corner, he met the shadow of a man dragging a young girl out of the shed. Two young boys were holding onto her for dear life. He didn't need an explanation to understand what was unfolding before him. He pushed himself forward, allowing his adrenaline to take control of his body.

He slammed his body into the man who was trying to snatch the girl. He stumbled back and Jet placed himself in front of the frantic children. The man glared up at Jet, gripping his arm. Behind him two more men were approaching the scene, their teeth bared and their gazes full of fire.

"Run!" he said to the kids. They stared at him, their faces betraying the confusion and panic that they felt. "Go. I'm Rain's friend, you can trust me."

The girl took a few steps back. Her short hair bobbed as she nodded. She grabbed her brothers by the hands and took off.

"Hey...this is none of your business," the man growled.

He rounded Jet's frame, trying to catch the girl by her hair but Jet swung his fist and connected with his chest. A huff of pain flew from his throat and he doubled over. Jet spun around. He knew those other men were closing in. A loud bang echoed from out of the darkness. The children covered their ears, screaming as their fear grew.

"Run. Now!" Jet shoved them to get going. He had no idea how he would escape but luck seemed to be on his side so far. The children started running and he followed them. Another round of gunfire sent another burst of adrenaline racing through his body. The exhaustion dissipated for the moment.

   

    They kept running, the darkness swallowed them. The feeble beam from the flashlight didn't help much and it was difficult to stay upright as they dashed between the trees. The sound of his labored breathing filled his ears as his lungs began to burn once again. Gunfire resounded behind them prompting him to go faster. The children lagged behind him and he had to stop now and again to find them.