The War Girl (Mad Max: Fury Road fanfiction)

14: Blood

The aching tiredness seemed to be sucked from my bones. We were winning. As I fought I felt more alive than ever before. Sure, my clay smeared body was splattered with grit and blood, and my clothes were torn and battered. I had a bullet wound on my shoulder, my nose was bleeding, had cuts sprinkled across my legs and sides, and every inch of my skin was bruised, but my emerald eyes were bright with ferocity. We may get through this, we just needed to get to the pass. If we can last until then, we would make it out of here.

Immortan's war boys were fighting better and better, desperately trying to get the upper hand. They knew their way of lives hung in the balance, and this may be their last chance to be sent to Valhalla, so they were keen on making it worth their time. They no longer moved to attack Bloodbag, Nux, and I, just Furiosa and the wives. They knew if they killed Furiosa, the war rig would crash, unless someone else took the wheel. It was becoming increasingly hard to keep them away, but it was all part of the challenge.

I was hanging right where I started, guarding Furiosa's window. My hands and knife were slick with blood, making my fingers feel sticky and warm. I tried not to look at them, because it only reminded me of all of the lives I had taken.

Without warning, two war boys appeared at either side of me. Before I could use my blade, one of them landed an uppercut to my chin, making my teeth crash together painfully hard. My skull jolted under the skin, and my eyes struggled to focus for only a moment.

That was all they needed.

I heard the sound of a blade entering skin, and a cry of a female voice. A voice that sounded gravely and melodic all at once.

"Furiosa!" I shrieked, putting my hands on either side of the war boy's head and smashing his face against my knee. He fell unconscious instantly, and slipped limply from my grip. I whipped around to see the other war boy fleeing from the window of the rig. With an animal-like scream, I jumped forward and buried my knife into his ribs. Profanities spilled from his mouth, and he moved to elbow me in the face. I ducked out of the way, pure rage fueling my muscles. I lifted my knife and stabbed him again, this time in the back. He twisted and thrashed, pain tightening his limbs. I didn't budge until he stopped struggling and his chest stopped heaving. With a grunt, I yanked my knife from his flesh, and shoved him off the rig.

I turned to Furiosa, leaning my head into the window, "Are you okay?" I asked, even though I knew the answer. Furiosa never made any indication when she was hurt, never flinched or screamed.

She had her flesh arm clutching her side, and her features were scrunched up in agony. She lifted her hand to show me the wound, a bloody hole blooming between her ribs.

My throat tightened with dread, that could be fatal, "Can you still drive?" I asked her, my mouth pinched with worry.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, then she nodded. The same bravery I remembered filled her eyes as she removed her hand away from her injury and put it back on the wheel.

There wasn't a whole lot I could do right now, because the battle was still swirling around us. I prayed that Furiosa's lungs weren't punctured, because she would not be able to last much longer if that was the case. Would I be able to take the wheel of the war rig if she dies before we make it there? My heart contracted in my chest as I imagined the light dying from Furiosa's sea green eyes. Another sister taken from me, another life stolen by Immortan Joe. My grip tightened on the handle of my knife. I will not let that happen

All of these thoughts flashed through my mind in a few short seconds. When I snapped back into reality, my eyes went wide with horror.

A huge wave of soldiers were boarding the war rig, their weapons raised. That can't be. We have killed so many. Where are they all coming from? I decided not to dwell on it, just hurled myself into the front line. I passed Bloodbag fist fighting with two Gastown boys, but at a glance I could guess he didn't need help. I also came upon the dark haired woman and one of the older women having an intense fight with a war boy. Before I could even think about helping them, I was knocked to the ground. My head crashed against the trailer's roof so hard lights danced across my vision. Suddenly the unknown person's weight plopped down onto my back, pinning me. I could hear the sound of a blade being pulled from its holster, and panic rushed through my veins. I thrashed from side to side wildly, making the soldier miss his mark. The incredibly sharp dagger sunk into my upper arm. Then white hot agony ignited my blood, and a choked scream gurgled up my throat. This guy was big, and his mass was forcing every gulp of oxygen from my struggling lungs. My head pounded, like someone was hitting a wrench against my skull. I was acutely aware of how my pulse was racing, and how my chest ached from lack of air. I guess this was it for me. I called for help and struggled as hard as my weakening body would allow, but silently awaited the stab to my heart. Curse this stupid sick body.

A deafening bang erupted close to me. It was so close in fact that I was sure for that that very bullet had entered my brain. But my arm still throbbed, and engines still rumbled from all around me. The boy on top of me slid sideways, and released me from his grip. I hauled myself to all fours, coughing violently. I looked up to see who has saved me, and was met with the kind face of the dark haired woman. My fingers lightly touched my arm, my new wound screaming with pain. I opened my mouth to thank her-

Her body disappeared in a blur of black and brown, flying over the side of the war rig. I caught a glimpse of a Gastown boy shoving her to the moving ground before being plucked into the air by one of his pole-riding companions. Without hesitation, I ran to the edge of the trailer, my eyes darting around frantically. To my dismay, I spotted the dark haired woman sprawled out in the sand right in front of an oncoming car. Right before she was hit by the wheels, I saw her duck down and cover her head, as if to brace herself.

Then she was gone.

"No!" I groaned, falling to my knees. Why didn't I do anything? I could have saved her. I just wasn't thinking fast enough, my mind cramped up and my body froze with terror. That person was once a part of my tribe, they were a dying race. And I let her die. I had failed first Furiosa, now her.

It was overwhelming, but I knew I had no time to grieve my lost mother.

Reality snapped back into focus when I spotted Bloodbag in the Gastown Mayor's car. I had to do a double take when I first saw it, because I was sure I had imagined it. I jumped down between the rig's front and trailer, trying to hide and catch my breath. Making sure I hung back into the shadows, I peered out towards the battle, my eyes narrowed and my weapon ready. I wasn't sure how I expected to help him, but I suppose it wasn't a bad idea to be prepared. They wrestled a little, but nothing major due to the face the Gastown's very own People Eater was so plump. I mean, this guy was huge. I have never seen someone so large in my life. Most every one else in my life was either scrawny or wrapped in muscle. I wouldn't think there would be enough food to support weight like that. It made me sick. How could someone like that be so well fed and yet everyone else was starving? It could be simply what his name implies-The People Eater. That thought made bile rise in my throat as well, and I hoped that Bloodbag gave him a good pop to the nose for me. Anyone who willingly helped Immortan must be evil, there was just no question.

The crackle of bullets whizzed past me and pecked the spots around both Bloodbag and the People Eater. With a sudden rush of movement, Bloodbag dragged the large man in front of him, using him like a meat shield. Almost as once, the Gastown mayor was riddled with bullet holes. His body convulsed for a few moments, then went limp. Before any more shots could be fired, Bloodbag shoved the man down towards the gas petal, causing his car to lurch forward. Then he scrambled out of the car's removed roof and, in a single bound, landed at the side of the war rig. He slipped and raked his fingers down the side a few times before catching a good hold. The People Eater's car wildly sped towards the group of other vehicles, swaying back and forth because of its dead driver.

I didn't wait to see what happened next, just hauled myself onto the top of the trailer and walked over to were Bloodbag was hanging. I got down on my knees and held a hand out to him, "Here," I said gruffly, taking his hand in my own gloved one. It took a lot of effort, but I finally managed to drag his bulky frame up next to me. The sound of metal crashing against metal and a loud boom! indicated the People Eater's car had taken at least one of the others with it. A smile relaxed the corners of my tightened mouth, "That was really smart, Bloodbag." I said with a punch to his arm. It was an automatic thing, a gesture that I hoped conveyed my trust. He gave me a sideways glance, a quick nod, and a grunt. I guessed that meant 'thank you'.

      We both stood and headed back to the front line, our bodies filling with new found energy.