ARK: Survival Evolved Part III

Chapter Four

[THE FOLLOWING DAY, AGAIN]

Ryan scooped up some water into his canteen from a river and made his way back and over to Aaron, setting it next to him. He had to be amputated last night, and was currently still passed out. The doctor says he should wake up within the next hour or so but he will be bed ridden for who knows how long. Ryan just stared at him as he lay there unconscious, guilt washing over him completely.
"This isn't your fault." Jennifers voice startled him, as he was so focused on staring into space.
"Yeah but it literally is. If i didn't fire that rocket then maybe he would've been able to climb back up.
"And maybe he wouldn't have, he may have still fallen either way."
"I guess we'll never know."

"I would've." Ryan was once again startled, this time by Aaron. "Stop blaming yourself. The rock was already coming loose. I would have fallen no matter what. If you hadn't have shot the big bitch, then who knows how many more people would have died."
"I'm sorry." Ryan could do nothing but apologise, even though he was profoundly happy to see him awake.
"Stop saying sorry, or I will get annoyed." Aaron ordered, causing him to go silent. "You did a good job."

"I-.. Thank you, Aaron." He handed the canteen to him and watched as he took a sip from it.
"Ah good, you're awake!" The british voice of the doctor startled them all this time as he entered the room. "So good news, you will live. The amputation made it a lot easier to stop any bleeding."
"And the bad news?" He asked, staring at the medic.
"Well, unless we figure out to make prosthetic legs, you will be bed ridden for the rest of your life. Obviously."

This came as no surprise to them, however it was still horrible to hear it confirmed out loud.
"Okay, thank you doc." Aaron breathed, staring at his hands and wondering what their plan of action would be now.
"You are most welcome sir, and I'm sorry I couldn't do more." With that, the Doctor left the room as Thomas, Lucas and James entered.

"Shit dude, are you alright??" Lucas asked.
"We heard that you're missing you- HOLY SHIT YOU'VE GOT NO LEGS!" Thomas exclaimed in shock and horror, making the rest of them shush him.
"What the hell do we do now?" James questioned, causing them all to turn to Aaron as he thought for a second, then looked back up at them.

"Okay, here's whats going to happen. Later today, or tomorrow morning, you are all going to head to the volcano, and leave me here-" This was met with an absolute uproar
"WHAT????"
"EXCUSE ME?"
"Are you NUTS?!"

"Shut up and listen!!!" He yelled, causing them all to quieten down instantly. "I will stay behind with a few others, and maybe the Doctor. You're all going to go to the volcano and get the hell out of here, and when I'm ready to be moved, so will I."
"You are absolutely mental if you think that's happening." Ryan laughed but there was no humour to it.
"I'm the leader of this tribe, whatever I say is happening, it's happening. You are not arguing with me, I won't hear it. You cannot convince me otherwise, I've made my decision. It would be unfair to you all if I along with all the other injured held you back from going home."
"I don't think your understanding that we would willingly stay here, it's not like you'd be forcing us to." Jennifer chimed in.
"Well I'm forcing you to go. We've all been here for beyond long enough. Also, no offence but we are running low on food. The less people, the less food used."

"Then come with us for crying out loud!" Thomas exclaimed.
"No! I'm in no shape to be moved, I'm in an unfathomable amount of pain right now, moving would only make that ten times worse."
"Aaron." Ryan spoke, making him turn to him. "You're a fucking idiot."

He turned around and stormed out of the room, and the others followed as Aaron was left lying in the bed, legless.
"Who does he think he is? Does he seriously think we're going to leave him??" He asked as he turned to the others. He was absolutely furious and it showed.
"He must not be thinking clearly, I mean he has just had his legs chopped off." Thomas pointed out.
"I mean... He is the tribe leader, what he says goes." Jennifer admitted as the others turned to her, shock written on Ryans face. "If he wants us to go then we don't have much choice.
"Are you hearing yourself right now?!" Ryan questioned in a harsh tone. "We're our own people, if we decide to stay that's up to us, not him! Damn the tribe! We are friends, not just tribemates."