Are We Out Of The Woods? - (a tayvis story)

2

The pair hobbled across the clearing slowly, having to stop now and again so they can readjust. After a couple of minutes of this they reach the end of the clearing, where the thickness of trees starts up again.

"Trav" Taylor pants, resting her other hand against a tree. "Can we stop for a rest?"
"We're almost at the plane baby, then we can stop there, okay?" Travis could see that Taylor was tired, but they had to get to their friends as fast as possible, in case they were injured. Taylor nodded, shifting her weight back onto Travis, her face twisted in pain.
"Well done Tay, almost there" Travis eased her on, practically carrying her at this point.

Taylor was staring at the floor as they ambled on, so she was not prepared for the sight that met her eyes as she looked up. She gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth.
"Holy shit" Travis hummed, taking in the sight before him.

The plane was snapped in two, the back half laying about twenty metres behind the rest of the plane. They could see straight inside, see the mess, everything lying everywhere. Their suitcases, clothes, and other stuff that was stored in the plane were strewn across the floor and bushes, some hooked onto trees. The pair couldn't see into the cockpit, but there was a trail of blood leading somewhere, and the door had obviously been broken open.

"Okay, okay" Travis thought quickly, assessing the damage. "You wait here, and call me if you need anything, okay?" He carefully helped her sit down so she was sitting propped up against a tree, much like how he had found her twenty minutes earlier.
"And Taylor?" Travis turned around, another thought coming to him. "Don't fall asleep"
Taylor nodded, rubbing her eyes.

Travis set off, running towards the plane. He peered into the cockpit, and, seeing no one, he set off to follow the trail of blood. And there he was, the pilot. Lying next to the plane, practically cut in half through the stomach. His eyes were wide open, cold, staring into... Nothing. Travis bent down next to him, trying not to look. He got two fingers and placed it under the man's jaw, waiting for movement, but there was none. He was dead. Travis ran his hand over the man's face, closing his eyes. Giving him some peace.

Travis set off again, trying to erase the image from his mind.

Taylor leant her head back against the tree, closing her eyes. She was just resting, she told herself. She was very tired. Just then she heard a rustle, and a muffled cry for help. Her eyes shot open, glancing around her. She craned her neck, surveying the area behind her. Abigail? Her heart dropped to her stomach.

There her best friend was, lying under a fallen tree. She was slowly losing consciousness, as Taylor could see her eyelids start to droop.
"Abigail!" She called frantically. "Abi!" Abigail looked up, her face breaking into a weak smile.
"Tay" the whispered. Taylor could see her mouth move, but couldn't hear a word she was saying.
"I'm coming Abi, don't worry" she said, trying to twist her body. Pain shot up her leg, causing her to cry out. Blood was still leaking from the gash, and the jumper around her calf was stained red. That didn't matter. That could wait for later.
"Travis!" She yelled, realising she couldn't do this herself without causing damage.
"Trav!" She tried again, but no response.

"Fuck it" she whispered to herself, hoisting herself up. She cried out in pain as her leg knocked against the tree, almost losing her footing and falling.
"I'm coming Abi" she panted, grabbing a good length stick and leaning on it, giving herself a breather.
"Taylor" Abigail called, breathless.
"I'm coming" Taylor said, leaning on her stick and setting off.

It took Taylor a while to get to Abigail because, although she was only a couple of metres away, Taylor was hopping and the ground was uneven. She almost fell multiple times, before she finally reached her best friend.

Abigail didn't look good. The tree had fallen on her chest, so it would be crushing her heart and lungs, making it hard to breathe. There was a lot of blood, everywhere, and she had a nasty head wound.

"Abi" Taylor whispered as she leant against the tree, unsure of what to do.
"I think I'm dying" Abigail murmered, looking up at the blonde.
"No you-" she paused her sentence as she somehow managed to lower herself to the ground, so she was leaning against the tree. "You are fine"
"I'm not Tay, I'm dying" Abigails voice was quiet, hoarse, almost not there.
"No" Taylor shook her head as tears fell down her cheeks. She knew it was the truth but she wouldn't accept it. She couldn't accept it. Abigail took Taylor's hand into her own, breathing shallowly.
"You are my best friend, you will always be my best friend. I love you Taylor" Abigail whispered, her breathing becoming more laboured.
"I love you" Taylor whispered, making eye contact with the ginger. It said everything.

Abigail could feel herself dying, could feel herself getting weaker.
"Tay, I need you to promise me something" she murmered, gazing into the tearful blue eyes.
"What is it?" Taylor asked, her voice cracking.
"You need to get out of here, you need to live. You need to survive. And Travis- Travis is the one. He loves you, you love him. Live your life after I'm gone, but don't forget me. I love you Taylor" She said, her voice weak. Taylor closed her eyes as tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Taylor, promise me you will try and survive. For me" Abigails eyes were closing as she got weaker.
"I promise" Taylor's voice caught at the end as Abigail took her last breath.

Taylor just sat there, her hand holding the cold, still, lifeless one of her best friend. Her eyes were shut as tears poured down her dirty cheeks.