Rise

Chapter Twenty Five: No Stopping

Matt grunted as he hefted Bill into the air, letting Emma slide him into the sling over his back. They had spent the night fashioning it out of seat belts left in the plane, and straps from their knapsacks. Bill was attached to Matt’s back in piggy-back style, his arms hanging over Matt’s shoulders. He was still distant, his stare blank most of the time but sometimes he’d come back to them, and remember what was happening. Then he’d slip back into shock, and be separated from the rest of the world. Matt wondered what he saw when he was staring past them, focused on something ethereal.

They’d agreed that there would be no stopping until they reached Foundation, otherwise Billy would be lost forever. He was already growing colder, and his distant spells were too frequent. Matt couldn’t look at him without feeling a knot in his belly churn, and tears well behind his eyes. 

So they set out at first light, Matt with Billy on his back, and staff in hand, and Emma at his side with her rifle ready. They wouldn’t be taking anymore chances. Exhaustion no longer nagged at Matt’s body, nor did fear or doubt. Now only rage gripped his heart, and he walked so forcefully that Emma had to half jog to keep up. 

The forlorn landscape passed by without incident. The plains were quiet aside from the occasional howl of the wind, or wolf. The pack had been stalking them for some time, it had seemed, putting Flint constantly on edge. In the times before the war, Matt knew animals would never dare hunt men, they knew he bite of a spear, knife or bullet and would only ever attack out of desperation or defence. However, after the war they grew far more wild. The beasts could sense man’s weakness, and they learned that not everyone could still defend themselves. Especially small groups with young or wounded. 

Emma kept her rifle up, though the pack had not come close yet. Sometimes Matt could glimpse them on the horizon, but that was a long way away. If they made a move to gain more ground then he’d allow himself some worry, but for now his only thought was of returning to Foundation. 

On the third day they spotted the great metal wall silhouetted on the horizon, the sun cut in half by its height. Matt could see it was still at least a day’s march away, but just the sight of home was enough to lift his spirits. Safety, not quite home, he reminded himself. There was still a bitter taste left behind by the battle, and the attack at the plane wreck. So much death and pain for one man’s definition of freedom. But how long until the Ascendancy moved on Scrap Metal? Would I be so bitter then? Matt needed to talk to the Old Bear, he’d know what to say. He also needed to know his friends were safe, and that would require Foundation’s gate firmly shut behind them. 

A tugging on Matt’s shoulder made him start, but he let out his breath when he realized it was only Billy. His friend had been quiet for most of the journey, but would occasionally try to carry a conversation. Each day he’d slip further out of shock, which was comforting, however his physical condition was not getting any better. Matt suggested they change his bandages, but Emma was apprehensive. 

“His wounds can’t be healed yet,” she had said, staring at him as if he should have known. 

“Yes, but it can’t be good for him to stew in his own blood,” he replied, shrugging.

“No, it’s not. But he needs a surgeon, not a medic. I don’t want to mess up Matt. I don’t want to be the one who kills him,” 

“He’s not going to die,” Matt said sternly. It was both to convince Emma, as well as himself. Maybe if he said it enough times, it would come true.

And this time, Billy seemed far more alive than usual. He tried to turn his head to see his friend over his shoulder, but he all he could get was a blurry image in his peripherals. It would have to do until they stopped for a rest.