Until the End

Chapter Twenty-Two: From hell.

"Here." Shane said, handing a hand towel to Kirby.

She took it and pressed it against Jacqui's arm. Jacqui yelped.

"Shane, is there anything else I can use? I think her ulnar has been punctured." Kirby said as the hand towel became a deep red from all the blood.

"No, that's the only thing I could find other than duck tape." Shane said, holding it up.

"That will work. Wrap it right above my thumb to create a tourniquet." Kirby ordered.

"Where are the others?" Jacqui asked, trying to distract herself from the fire flowing through her veins.

"Despite what we wanted, we all got separated." Shane stated, placing the duck tape on the counter behind them.

"Jacqui, I'm not going to lie. Your wound is very serious. I'm going to look around to see if I can find anything to use. You're going to want to sit down just in case you start to get woozy." Kirby said, before helping Jacqui sit down on the tiled floor. "Shane, stay with her and keep her conscious."

Kirby went to stand up, but Shane grabbed her hand only to press the handle of his shot gun in it.

"Just in case." Shane said.

Kirby nodded, before running through the aisles. She snatched up a bottle of alcohol and a bag of Maxi pads from the shelves. Running back over to Shane and Jacqui, Kirby unscrewed the bottle of alcohol.

"Jacqui, squeeze Shane's hand as tight as you can. This is going to hurt." Kirby said, lifting Jacqui's arms away from her lap and over the tiled floor.

She then began to pour the clear liquid over Jacqui's wound. Jacqui's screams had tears flowing down Kirby's face as she struggled to hold back her sobs. Kirby cupped Jacqui's wet face in one hand.

"Almost finished. Stay with me, Jacqui." Kirby told her.

Kirby ripped opened the bag of Maxi pads and proceeded to use them as a giant band-aid.

"I didn't realize you could use them that way." Shane stated, slightly uncomfortable at the sight of them.

"What else would you use them for, Shane? As a floatation device?" Kirby said, sarcasm dripping through her words.

"Please you two. Don't fight." Jacqui whispered, her breathing becoming shallower by the second.

"Jacqui, keep your eyes open okay. You can't go to sleep right now, no matter how tired you are." Kirby said, feeling the panic raising up in her throat.

"Just a quick nap. I'm just so tired." Jacqui murmured, closing her eyes.

"No, Jacqui. You have to stay awake." Kirby said, giving Jacqui a rough shake.

Jacqui opened her eyes, her lips drooping heavily.

"Why?" She whispered.

"Because," Kirby cried. "I'm scared that you won't wake up if you do."

Shane gave Jacqui another shake when her eyes threatened to close again.

"You stay awake now. Then we'll all be back on the Sea Beast in the morning." Shane said, forcing a grin.

"I'm..." Jacqui's voice lowered to barley a whisper. "....going home."

Kirby could do nothing but watch as the life left Jacqui's half opened eyes. The once brown eyes grew dim as her body slumped down. A strangled sob left Kirby's lips as she cupped Jacqui's lifeless face in her trembling hands.