Unintentional Subject - Book 1 In The Jessie Series

Chapter 41: Hurt and Anger

My back arched and I crumpled to my knees. The pain was sharp and it stung. I dropped forwards onto my stomach, rolling onto my back I grabbed the last of my knives. Laying on my back I had to cross my knives above me so I could block the tail. It looked like it was just the last of the wires sparking, giving it life, because the rest of the body wasn't moving. It lay crumpled on the stone floor.

I blocked the tail and pushed it away. Rolling away, I managed to get up onto my feet and scrambled out of reach of the tail. Turning to see what it was doing the tail twitched a second time and it lay still.

Breathing hard I leaned my hands on my knees for a second. Trying to catch my breath. I could feel the sting of the cut on my back. I had stopped taking my full backpack with me, instead using the smaller lighter Runners vest packs the guys had. I growled at myself. If I had still used my backpack I would have shredded up back.

I slowly straightened up. Minho was still standing flattened against the wall. Staring at the Griever with wide dilated eyes. I frowned as I looked at him. There was something else going on. Grievers are very yes, most people are afraid of something that hunts you down and kills you. But this was.. different. Like his body could remember the fear response to something, even if the memory was gone. There must be a Griever encounter before the maze...or something similar.

I shook my head. We needed to get back. I slowly walked up to him.

"Minho? We gotta go."

His eyes snapped to mine. I saw a mix of emotions all battling for dominance. The one he settled on was anger. I could see his eyes hardening and his jaw muscle clenched and unclenched.

"That was the stupidest thing you have ever done!" He yelled.

I raised my eyebrows and folded my arms across my chest.

"Try that again."

"I turned around and you were gone! What the hell Jessie!? Why the fuck would take on that thing on your own?" His face was cold stone, and he was shaking with anger.

"In case you didn't see. It was gaining on us. I could have let it get both of us. And unlike you I'm not scared of them. It was I distract it, take it on, slow it down and give you time. It's only ever after me. So your fucken welcome!"

"No! I'm not thankful! It was stupid and reckless!" He screamed, he took a step closer.

"It was the only option!"

"No it wasn't!"

"Then enlighten me! Oh wise one!" I rolled my eyes.

He was silent, everything was tense and he was grinding his teeth, his eyes narrowed, glaring at me.

"I thought so. When you noticed I was gone, great you came back. You noticed I was fighting it, ya? And what did you do?" I asked dangerously calm and quiet.

Again he said nothing.

"I asked you a fucken question Minho. What did you do? You said there was another option? One of not just me taking it on..
You were too scared to move."

"I.." he started. But when I raised an eyebrow he faltered and looked away.

"Exactly. Nothing. Like everyone else, you get paralyzed with fear. I have now given us a chance to get back alive."

"Do you think of anyone one but yourself?" He yelled.

That was like a slap in my face. Sure I could take the other stuff. That didn't bother me. Yeah, I am reckless, yeah it was stupid... And I know he hides his fear behind anger, but that...that hurt.