Our World Of Stars And Fireflies

Chapter 7- Gunshots

Thomas and Sadie sprinted through the trees, that slashed and grabbed at their clothing and hair. They panted as they ran, leaping over tree roots, falling deep into pools of water, swimming desperately through the swamps. Bullets whistled past them as they made their desperate attempt to put ground between them and they're pursuers. The soldiers had the advantage of speed, but their truck made it near impossible to use that speed in the thick of the swamp, whilst Thomas and Sadie were able to jump and weave through trees and water. 

The truck's bright lights illuminated their path but also their backs as they sprinted through the trees. As she ran, the light bounced around the surrounding trees, revealing a muddy darkness infront of Sadie. Unable to avoid it, Sadie jumped into a thick pool of sludge, made up of mud and water. As it swelled around her neck, she began to swim through it. Thomas, much more agile than Sadie, had swung on an overhanging branch, barely making it to the bank on the other side. Gripping another branch, Thomas leaned towards the murky blackness, outstretching his hand to Sadie. As he offered his hand he noticed something moving behind Sadie. In the pitch black of the water it moved swiftly. Sadie was so near to him, if only he could reach further. The movement seemed to dissipate. Thomas's stomach sank. Erupting into the light it brought its ugly head to the surface, showing scales and two beady eyes on the side of its long head.

"SADIE! LOOK OUT! BEHIND YOU!" Sadie thrashed to turn around as Thomas snatched towards her. Sadie blinked helplessly against the light and water to see a set of massive teeth open wide in front of her eyes. Fear coursed through her as she tried to scream.

"THOMAS-"

She threw her hand up to catch the alligator's mouth, however this only succeeded in pushing her under the water. She was blind. The water swirled around her, she felt the massive creature move away from her. Her heart beat loudly in her ears. She knew that she was sat still, almost waiting for it to come back. Prey doesn't always know its being hunted, but when it does, it runs.

Wasting no time, she thrashed and kicked, blind to any kind of predator that was near her, the sludge slowing her movement. Her mind played tricks on her as she felt a rough surface drag along her arm, sending chills up her spine. Her mouth screamed under the water as she swore she could see teeth grinning at her in the damp darkness of the depths. She thought she had hold of the bank, but it seemed to disintegrate in her hands. The world felt like it was being ripped away from her and all she could do was sink.

All of the sudden she felt something grab her arm. She was hauled up to the surface where she coughed and gasped in lung-fulls of air. Looking up, she saw Thomas who shook her, his eyes wide with panic. She felt light headed, trying to count the amount of Thomas's around her. She only remembered there being one. 

Sadie's eyes came into focus as Thomas shook her, yelling. Her head spun uncontrollably nausea hitting her with increasing effect. The adrenaline  dump she had just experienced had left her weak for a moment. She tried to regain focus on Thomas, grabbing onto the grass beneath her, willing it to stable her. Finally, she came into focus and control and looked up.

 Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. As both of them got up, there was a spray of red. Thomas fell heavily on the ground. Pain arched across the top of his right shoulder, blurring his vision. He couldn't move, try as he might. The pain had been so sudden. In his peripherals he had seen the soldiers abandon their truck and start on foot, armed with guns and torches. Thomas hadn't bet they would catch up so quickly. 

Thomas felt two hands grab his clothes and thought he was done for. Even if he hadn't seen anyone cross the water he didn't know how much time had passed since he had fallen.

"Get up Thomas!" Sadie was dragging him forward, pulling him out of defeat. He tried. He tried so hard, but it hurt to breathe let alone move. He twitched as she hauled his body over a tree root. Everything hurt so much he didn't want to do anything. He felt inclined to lie there and wait for them to come.