Evolution

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The dull moonlight hid behind the clouds and the stars lost their luster. The breeze rustled the leaves of the large Oak and the fireflies flickered randomly into the night. I was alone with my thoughts. We walked for many hours not knowing where we were headed or how to even get there. The pitch black void of the night made us feel alone in a very large and disturbing universe.

We could hear the clap of our shoes on the blacktop and see the reflection of the moonlight but nothing else. Alex was shaking and gripping my hand tight. Her strength was failing her drastically. Not only her physical strength but her will to go on. Our senses were heightened and our nerves were skimming along a razors edge. It had to end.

As we sat below the old Oak tree exhausted and terrified. I gripped my golf club tight, not willing to succumb to sleep just yet. Alex decided we should keep watch just in case. Keep watch? I grumbled to myself at the mere thought. How does one actually keep watch when they know they are in danger and can’t actually see a thing?

I let my mind slip into a world not yet discovered by man, a world where every little sound was ominous, every little creek and every small snap was a monster waiting to devour us. I tried to calm myself but found my chest pounding harder at every thought.

Night crept slowly like a snake in high grass waiting to strike. Twice I swung my weapon into the night, sure It would make contact with some creature. I felt my eyes grow heavy and my mind draw a blank.

I found myself back in the car taunting Alex with the keys, wiggling them smiling at her. I could see her sweet face and hear her voice. I remembered showing her the sign just beyond the hill and watching her shirt gently slide up her slender stomach revealing her navel as she stretched.

I felt something on my leg and jerked awake. Not sure how long I was out I feel around in the dark searching for my weapon. The cool metal touches my palm and I wrap my fingers around it, squeezing tightly. In a moment of confusion and frustration I swing the club at the unknown assailant attacking my leg. Pain. Instant pain registered through the nerve endings and traveled to my brain. I could actually hear the hollow sound the club made as it smashed against my shin bone.

“SON OF A BITCH!” I screamed.

I heard Alex and Boomer both scramble awake searching blindly for their own weapons.

“TREVOR! WHERE ARE YOU WHAT’S GOING ON?” she yelled into the night

Boomer started clapping his big beefy hands trying to scare whatever creatures threatened to invade his invisible bubble.

I rubbed my shin and tried to regain any bit of control over my senses as I could.

“Everything’s fine. I guess I fell asleep”

I could hear the fury in her voice. I knew it was coming, but had to endure her wrath.

“You fell asleep? We could have been killed! God your such a...such a...JERK!”

I sighed and let my hands caress the grass, feeling the ground beneath my body I gently laid down and placed my weapon beside me. Mentally distraught.

“I’m sorry Alex I really am. I guess my body just kind of shut down.”

“Your sorry? You sure are some piece of work mister. You would have been sorry, cause if something would have happened to Boomer I would have killed you myself!”

Her voice raised to the highest decibel I ever heard come from her. It stung me. It was bitter, it was cold, and it was unforgiving. The image of her sweet smile twisted into a horrible image of anger and pain.

“Go to sleep jerk! I’ll keep watch”

“I-I” I started to protest but was cut short

“Shut up Trevor okay? Just stop. Go to sleep”

I pulled my legs closer to my chest and rolled over to the side, too tired to argue, I allowed myself to fall into a deep relieving sleep.

I awoke to the sounds of screaming and loud thumps upon the ground. My vision still blurry I went for my weapon. The sun just barely visible over the horizon I could make out shadows alone. Boomers name was called repeatedly and loud shrieks of terror filled the early morning. We were under attack.

Dozens of green squirrels latched onto his arms and chewed on his back. Blood spilled onto the ground and nasty chirping sounds rattled in my ears. I swung hard, making contact with the nasty rodent, propelling him several yards away. Alex kicked and punched, hammered away at the foul creatures with a large rock trying to free her brother. I could hear the pain escaping Boomer’s throat as he rolled around wrestling against them. The fight continued for a solid half hour before we were finally able to free him. Cuts and bruises covered the large man. His shirt was torn and his pants was Swiss cheese.

Taking off my shirt I handed it to Alex. I watched as she ripped it to pieces, using the bits of fabric to stop the blood flow. I could see the color drain from Boomers face as his sister worked hard with what little we had in an attempt to give him proper medical attention.

I watched in horror as Boomer blacked out and bounced his head off the ground. His body started convulsing and his teeth clattered. Alex screamed in terror and called his name over and over.

I froze. I stood there like a dumb founded idiot waiting for one of the only friends I have in the entire world to stop breathing. After what seemed like an eternity of screaming Boomer slowly awoke. His color came crawling back and his lips were pink once more.

Alex hugged her brother tightly and let tears stream down her face, wearing her emotion proudly like a badge of honor.

“I thought I lost you”

Boomer gave a half smile and grabbed at his leg watching the blood ooze gently down his calf he inhaled sharply. In our moment of panic we seemed to completely forget something very very important. I fought with myself hard, still hating to be the one to give bad news.

Alex  was still clinging to Boomer for dear life. I bit my lip and gently spoke.

“They will come back guys”

Alex shot me daggers with her icy stare. I knew she didn’t want to hear it but it had to be voiced. What was worse was the distant sounds coming from the highway. Our attack brought bigger and more terrifying predators our direction. I stood and grabbed Boomers other hand. We tugged and brought the giant man to his feet. He wobbled and limped for a brief moment and then collapsed on the ground. I could see regret radiate from his eyes. We had a problem.