DeadZone

Chapter Fourteen: Stroke of Luck

It was now well into the night. And Kent's body remained on the ground, with Levi still positioned next to him.

As of this moment, Levi was barking. He seemed to be attempting to get the attention of nearby people. But when you're stranded inland and within a desolate, rough hillside, you might have trouble doing so. Levi then turned to Kent, and nudged his body. But there was no response.

As the hour passed, Levi continued to bark. But in the distance, Levi could hear chattering. He could also see flashlights pointed in multiple directions.

As the lights got closer and the chattering became louder, Levi continued to bark.

"Over here!" Exclaimed a voice.

A group of people moved over to Levi, and pointed their flashlights at him. Only to see Kent lying on the ground.

These people weren't just random people. They were Kent's friends.

Arthur, Kathleen, and Kyle. They had banded together to create a search party for him.

"Kent!" Yelled Kathleen.

"Holy shit." Said Arthur.

Kathleen got down on her knees and pressed against his neck to check his pulse.

"Oh thank god, he still has a pulse." Said Kathleen as she sighed of relief.

"Yeah well, it's not over yet." Said Kyle.

Levi was barking at the trio, but not in an aggressive manner.

"I think he found this Dog along the way." Said Arthur.

Kathleen carefully lifted Kent onto her shoulders. The blood from the shot on his chest began to stain her clothes.

"Let's go. We need to get back to The Reserve, and fast." Said Kathleen.

As they started to journey back to The Reserve, Levi followed behind.

"Yeah, this Dog is definitely with him now." Said Kyle.

"I guess so. It would be nice to have a Dog with you in a place like this." Said Arthur.

"Y'know, Kathleen. Your friend here is one lucky bastard." Said Kyle.

"Yeah, and a tough one too." Replied Kathleen.

"What do you think even happened anyway?" Asked Arthur.

"No clue. But when he wakes up, we will." Replied Kathleen.

"That is, if, he wakes up." Said Kyle.

"No, he will wake up." Replied Kathleen.

"Maybe he got attacked by a random group? I mean, his mission was to find people and ask for help..."
Suggested Arthur.

"That's a good guess." Replied Kyle.

"Or maybe it was The Marauders?" Suggested Kathleen.

"I mean, considering that Jaden is allied with them
now, Kent could be someone they said to shoot immediately, it's entirely possible." Replied Arthur.

"Well, all we can do for now is speculate. So let's pick up the pace and make it back as soon as possible." Said Kathleen.

And as an hour passed during their trek home, Kent began to cough spontaneously. Levi then began to bark at him.

"Kathleen, put him down." Said Arthur.

Kathleen stopped and slowly laid him down on the grass. She then moved behind him and rested his head in her hands. Kent's eyes slowly opened up, and he then started to cough again.