Short Stories

Uh Oh

"That's the last of them," Kaira said.

Jacks walked up to Kaira and I with a big smile, "We won!"

Jacks wrapped his arms around our necks, pulling us into a hug. The fight had been brutal. Jacks almost died but Kaira made it just in time.

I surveyed the small town. Many of the houses where the fight started were burnt down. A group of people were putting out the last of the fires while others were looking through the rubble for people. Even from here I could see people crying over the bodies of their loved ones who didn't make it.

"I say we should go to the tavern for some celebratory beer," Jacks said. He looked towards Kaira who instantly agreed, "Nina? You up?"

"I could definitely use a drink," I nod.

Kaira and Jacks were betting a beer on whoever could make it to the tavern first.

I turn towards Mia behind us. She had been standing next to the tree last I saw her.

When I saw her, she was leaning on the tree. She was really pale and looked like she was sweating severely. She was looking down. I followed her eyes and saw her hands covered in blood. Her other hand was clutching her stomach.

"Mia?" I stumble forward.

Her eyes raise to mine and I see tears in her eyes. She starts shaking and clutches her stomach harder with both hands. I start taking another step when I see her start to cry. And as her tears fall, so does she. She crumples to the ground and I run, yelling to Kaira and Jacks. I reach her and pull her into my lap.

"No, no, no," I push her hair out of her face and check for a pulse. I feel a small beat and pull her in closer. I stroke her head softly, "Please Mia, please. Don't leave us."

Kaira and Jacks reach us and kneel down on the other side.

Kaira holds her hand to her heart, "Come on Mia, you can't leave. Stay awake."

Mia cracks her eyes open a little and looks up, "I don't feel so good," she whispers.

"You're going to be okay. It's going to be okay." I whisper back.

I looked at Jacks who was inspecting the wound. He looked up at Kaira and I and shook his head.

I hugged Mia tighter, "No! God no."

Mia started coughing, more tears running down her face.

"It's okay," Mia whispered, "it's okay."

She gave a shaky breath and went limp. Her chest stopped rising and her hand fell from Kaira's.