The Island

(Chapter 24) Revenge (Revised)

My feet drag across the ashed filled floor — small crackles of burning wood echo in my ears. My face dry, lips cracked, and tears faded away, I continue down the forest floor. The smoke around me has no effect anymore. My body feels like a ton of bricks, keeping me down. The pain in my hands overshadowed by the pain in my heart. Breathing feels like a chore, and I still walk to nowhere. It still feels like I am crying, but with no tears left.

I trip over a branch and let myself fall to the ground. I try to lift myself, but only manage to crawl.

I drag myself across the floor, begging, "Let me die."

The boils in my hands have popped, and blood pours out of them. I stare at my hands in pure hate, "You should have saved him."

I wipe the blood from my hands and continue to crawl on the ground, "You could have saved him."

I remember everything, which makes my head ache with regret. Henry was right... I chose the raptors over him. I should have left with Melissa, should have stayed with Henry. 

"Why didn't you save him?"

I can feel my body slowly begin to shut down, all mobility gone, washed away like the sands on the beach. I feel as if my heart is being pulled in two different places. A part of me wants to live, but the other would rather die.

"You need to pay for what you did."

I can no longer keep my head up, and so I let it fall into the dirt. I scream and pound my fist into the ground.

***

I hear footsteps approaching me, I sigh and hope its a predator come to end my suffering.

Then I am lifted off the ground and dragged to a nearby fallen tree. My vision is blurred, and I can only make out faint whispers. The figures walk around me and throw down a bag. Out of it comes a water bottle, and what appears to be a carrot.

I try to rub the dirt from my eyes. It's Buddy, he walks beside me and sits down, "I thought you might be hungry."

I stare down at the bag, "How long have I been out here?"

Buddy grabs the carrot and tosses it onto my lap, "Five days." He then shakes his head, "I would have come sooner, but we had to be sure the fire was gone. When I got to the beach, I followed your scent. You didn't necessarily walk in a straight line."

I bite into the carrot and swallow hard, "I..."

Buddy interrupts me and says, "I know... you don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

My eyes close, trying to keep the memory of Henry pure. Unfortunately, the only thing I see is Henry's hand holding mine. The blood pouring out of his mouth, choking and gasping for air. His body buried in the sand because I couldn't bear to look at him.

Buddy continues to sit by my side, silent.

The trees crack and tumble over in the wind, "Apparently, fire is perfect for vegetation." I don't know why I said that... maybe I need something other than silence.

Buddy nods and looks at me, "I don't know you that well, and by now, you should remember everything..." Buddy chokes a little, "We sent Janette out to scout around... You know, to see what is left... Our territory was the only thing destroyed in the fire..." Buddy apologies, then says, "David, the storm wasn't the thing that caused the fire."

My eyes fly away from a tree in the distance, "What are you talking about?"

Buddy apologies again, "We've had this happen to us before. They burn the forest to flush us out, makes us easier targets."