A Dash of Scarlet In Paradise

THE LONGEST WALK

IX

The sound of clanking steel was balanced with the thrashing of falling water. They came by a waterfall, a lively curtain. Countless of little clear fireworks exploding at the bottom of the gorge, the sparkles on the silver surface of the water, and the sun ever so faintly seeping through a trail of melting icicles. A utopian abode after the numbers of scuffles.

Marcus grunted, a pain began to stretch his appendix, "Dammit. Vector, please let me out, I need to get off." He flexed his waist, in hopes of easing the sting.

The hatch swung open and Marcus made his way down the Jaunter's arm, then he picked at the grass, feeling the worst down on his knees.

The grass became dyed red, and Marcus couldn't think of what had impaled his left side.

Must've gotten shot...or maybe pierced by some debris...

"Lie down, don't fight against yourself." Vector had already shut down the Jaunter and started to search Marcus' bag for something medical.

Marcus knew how important his friend was, he knew exactly where he would have been if Vector hadn't showed up. Life was a tough game to play, and in times of losing, the rules had to be broken, luck would have to lend a hand.

In that hazy time, Marcus began to rethink his entire purpose.

What am I? What did I come for? What was I aiming for? Maybe I've gone too far this time, I didn't really think this through enough. What can I do if the reaper wants me to follow his road? I can do nothing. Perhaps by wanting to do more, I have lost everything. Just maybe.

He let out a gasp. The wound felt cool and it stung even harder, but then is disappeared. Marcus caught his breath.

"What was that..." he swallowed his words and gasped again.

"Sterilizer...uh I don't rally know the exact name."

"Vec...Vector...know that I wouldn't have made it this far without the likes of you."

"Oh just shut up and rest, save your breath."

Marcus tugged onto Vector's arm.

"Was I wrong? I mean, to try and be a hero, was it a mistake?"

"It was never a mistake, you just have to pull yourself together son. Relax, we're on the right track."

A small smile let up on Vector's face, but seeing that Marcus wasn't fine, he wiped it off.

"I just didn't want those poor people to fall down just like that. I thought that maybe I was still alive after the crash because I was sent to reach out and help them."

Marcus looked up into the rim of the sky. It was so blue and so perfect, but so far away, so impossible to touch.

"If you hadn't found me yesterday, where would I be today?"

Vector bit his lips to search deep in his think tank to find the words to cure Marcus' inner pain.

"You..."

He looked at Marcus and stood up.

"You would not be having to carry such anvils on your shoulder. And maybe I would've been in a nice place, up in the clouds."

"If we can make it out alive with the hostages, then this space can be the nicest place."

"You can't go. You cannot fight."