Sand

Chapter 9: Not the Last

I sighed as I roamed the buildings left in ruin. I have been searching for supplies for maybe two hours.
Crack!
I looked down as a hidden rope tightened around my ankle. I was lifted and I looked around.
"Well shit."
I heard another crack and looked over. A large piece of concrete flew at me from a window. I used my sword to cut the rope and I fell.
I cried out in pain, my left arm broken.
"That was meant for the lizard people!"
I must have hit my head because a girl came put of the building that the rock flew from.
I stood and put my sword just below her chin.
"It was your fault. Only an idiot would fall for that." She said calmly.
She was my height, blonde hair just to her shoulders, and blue eyes.
"What was the point in that? To catch a Zephie?" I sheathed my blade and turned away.
"What the Hell is a Zephie?" She frowned.
"The aliens." I said.
"Obviously! I am running low on supplies." She yelled.
I turned, angered by her naivety.
"What were you expecting to happen?! They never are alone. They are far more intelligent than you!" I yelled.
"How do you know?!"
"Because I have killed more than I can count." I said calmly and shouldered my bag. A sharp pain shot through my left arm.
"You need to rest until your arm gets better..." She said faintly.
I growled. "I can't afford to rest."
My sight became blurred, all I could hear was ringing, and then everything went black.

~~~

I woke up in a dark room. I groaned and tried to stand.
"I wouldn't do that." The girl said and put a cold cloth on my forehead.
"Where am I?" I said, my voice raspy.
"The basement of an old shop."
I sighed and closed my eyes.
"Grace..." She whispered.
"What?"
"My name is Grace." She stood and turned to leave. 
"Xatchell." I said.
"Good night Xatchell." She said and shut the door quietly.

~~~

I woke up and tried to stand, feeling lightheaded and weak. An older man walked in, he looked like a doctor. He was tall, thin, and a slight gray beard. He looked maybe in his 40's. 

"So, your name is Xatchell?" He asked, not looking up from his clipboard.

"Where am I?" I said, trying not to sound as weak as I felt.

"Shining Star Movie Theater." 

"What?" I asked.

"It's a part of an old mall. We use the basement as a sick bay. You've been out for a while." He said, putting the board down and he checked my pulse.

"How long?" I breathed in and out.

"Six days." He checked my temperature and blood pressure.

"My dog." I said, suddenly realizing she wasn't here.

"What dog?" He asked.

"My dog." I said, trying to fully get up, but leaning against the wall as my head spun.

"I'm sorry, kid. Grace brought you in alone. You were pretty messed up." He told me as he helped me back to the bed.

"Rest." He said and I was asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.

~~~

I woke up the next day. I heard the door open and the doctor came in.

"Good. You're up." He said.

I sat up and made a fist with my hand.
No pain.
I stood and stretched before the doctor checked my vitals one last time.

"You should be good to go. You'll need to stay here for a few days so we can monitor your recovery. Why don't you take a look around. Our complex has a lot to offer and plenty of space. I'm sure Grace would be happy to show you around. But if you wish to leave, your gear is in the armory. And maybe we can help you find your dog before you go." He smiled and left the room.