For our Futures

The Aftermath

Chapter 11

The Aftermath

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Everything was silent throughout the park. Not even the noise of wind howling or birds chirping rented the sky. After what seemed like hours since the park had been decimated Gohan was the first to regain consciousness, albeit barely. He had been very fortunate to survive that final attack, though at a dire price: his left arm had been dismembered while protecting Trunks. The left side of his face now had a fresh, long gash that would no doubt leave a scar.

As alertness of his surroundings registered, so did the razor-sharp pain over his body. Gohan looked around and eventually spotted Trunks lying unconscious on the shattered concrete. Despite being in a critical state, the black-haired Saiyan struggled against the pain to prop himself on his only elbow then gathered the remains of his strength to slowly drag himself over toward Trunks.

After moving only a few feet, he found himself needing to stop momentarily to catch his breath. During this time, Gohan noticed his vision beginning to blur. He shook his head to regain his focus and quickly reached for the small pouch tied to the side of his sash. Next, he held it in front of him and began to untie the knot with his teeth until it came undone.

However, to his misfortune, only one Senzu bean rolled out. Even when shaking the end of the pouch to double check, the scenario hadn't changed. Gohan reached for the bean and held it between his thumb and forefinger.

"Kind of like my arm; only one left..." he said grimly. "What would Father have done?"

Since Gohan's consciousness was already depleting and because there was no chance of making it to-much less finding-you, time was crucial. Gohan gritted his teeth and tightly clutched the last chartreuse bean in his hand. He knew that due to the circumstance, and his current condition, the decision had already been made.

Gohan continued to drag himself over the loose pieces of concrete scattered in his path. The immense pain from the injuries accompanied him along the way as pieces of sharp rubble and glass entered his flesh. Before completely reaching the teen, Gohan fell over on his side after losing his balance and hissed from the searing pain of the impact. No longer possessing the necessary strength needed to drag himself any further, he reached out and slowly forced the last of the bitter-tasting (1) legumes into the boy's mouth with his thumb.

"H-here... This is for you, Trunks..."

After successfully completing the task, and no longer able to fight darkness from claiming him, Gohan slipped out of consciousness.

= = = = = = = =

You lay still, buried and alone under the layers of cold rubble. However, it was thanks to this encasement that you were protected against the attack upon the remains of the park.

After nothing but solitude and darkness, a faint echo of what seemed to be footsteps seeped through the small crevices of rubble before reaching your ears. Although still somewhat in a haze of unconsciousness, you began to drift into alertness from the sound of broken glass crunching as the footsteps grew louder until suddenly, they stopped.

Before you could wonder what would happen next the weight from the rubble gradually lessened, making it easier to breathe. You curled into yourself and coughed, due to all the dust hanging aloft as the chunks of rubble were thrown off. You didn't know who found you or how, though none of that mattered at the moment-you were too busy inhaling breaths of precious air.