I Monstrum

Chapter 9 -Delirium

      Sam laughed.

      "David, stop it!"

      "Um, Sam, who's David?"

      "Don't be silly, you're David." More giggles.

      "Oh, your brother, his name was David."

      "Why are you talking like that? You sound different. Are you playing another prank on me? Cause if you are, I'm going to kick your..."

      "No Sam. No pranks. Honest. Your hurt and I'm carrying you home."

      "I'm hurt? Where?'

      "Yes, it's your leg. That's why I'm carrying you."

      She chuckled, "you still sound funny."

      "Well, thanks a lot Sammy Whammy. You would sound funny too if you had to carry me all the way home."

      "Where are we? I can't see."

      "We're on the beach. You know the rocky part of the beach. Down by the um..."

      "Oh... by the little peninsula that becomes an island at high tide."

      "Yeah, that's it."

      "I like that little Island. Remember when we used to wade through the little pool of water left by high tide and look for minnows?... You still have a long way to go. Will you be able to make it?"

      "Yes, I will. As long as I've got Sammy Whammy with me, I can do anything."

      "Ha. You mean I give you superpowers?"

      "That's right. I'm your superhero. Now rest. Enough talking Sammy Whammy."

      "You're not my boss David."

      "That's true big sis, but do you want me to drop you right here? You can't walk. So, if you want me to carry you the rest of the way, you need to be quiet and just relax."

      "Okay, I'm sorry." She put her arms around him and hugged him. "I love you David."

      "I... love you too, Sammy Whammy. Now rest."

      Steve knew that it was now urgent that he get Samantha back to the shuttle. She was likely delirious, due to a lack of blood volume. Not a good sign. He checked the distance remaining. Only 2.3 kilometers left. It seemed like an eternity away. Alex was still singing, but he made sure Samantha was out of that loop. In fact their strange conversation was only between the two of them.

      "Is she okay? I noticed you left our conversation for awhile."

      "Yes, Rachel. She's a bit delirious, but I think she'll be okay, once she gets to the medbay."

      "Yeah, those guys will fix her up just like new. What about you? You've been carrying her for a long time."

      "Thankfully, there is a lock joint function for my elbows in this armored suit. I think I'll manage though. Thanks for asking. What's going on with our critter situation?"

      "So far no sign of it."

      "I hope I didn't kill it. The thing still needs to look after it's young."

      "You did what you had to. No one can blame you for that. We need to survive this, so we can warn others about this place."

      "You're right."

***

      The pain! The darkness. Will my eyes see again? It is... difficult. Something is wrong. My mandibles, I can't move them. Those two, with the hard shells are different. They were not afraid. They didn't run. I know I hurt one, but I couldn't stop it. The other one defended it. They are smarter than I thought... I'll remember this. They are probably angry that I killed their companions, but it was them that captured me, so long ago. They look a little different than my old enemies, but they act the same. They need to be stopped! What if more of them come here and invade my home on this large rock. I wish I could bring my hatchlings to my real home. They would have a good life there. These monsters did this. It is their fault. They deserve to die. If it is by my appendages, then I will feel no guilt.

***

      "Uh! David. David?"

      "Yes Sam, what is it?.

      "My leg, it hurts... really bad."

      "I know Sam. Just hang in there, okay?"

      "Why is it taking so long?"

      "Don't worry, we'll be there soon."

      "Why is it so dark?"

      "Um, the sun went down, but we brought flashlights... Hey, stop moving! Be careful, or I might drop you."

      "I feel... cold."

      "That's because the sun went down. You know how it is here. We'll be there soon. I'll make you something warm when we get there, okay?"

      "I want a hot chocolate, with marshmallows."

      "Sammy Whammy the princess wants marshmallows on her hot chocolate."

      "I'm not a princess."

      "I know."

      She chuckled, "I'm a queen. So, you need to put marshmallows in my hot chocolate."

      "Whatever you say, your highness."

      After more giggles she became quiet again. Steve was really starting to worry about her. The delirium was one thing, but the fact that she felt cold, was not a good sign. He glanced at his display. Only 1.1 klicks left. He just wanted to get her to safety. Then, he could get the rest he so desperately needed. His power armor suit was getting low on power. He had turned off the power supplied to his legs to conserve energy. Now, he was really beginning to feel it. It's only a kilometer. Piece of cake... Right.

      It was a difficult kilometer, but he managed to make it. The mouth of the tunnel was only a few steps away. As he stepped out onto the surface of the asteroid, he was moved by the beauty of the sight before him. The asteroid field gleamed against the purple backdrop of a nearby nebula and a welcome sight was the shuttle only about 100 meters away.

      "David, the stars are extra clear tonight. I can see so many of them. They look... different. How..."

      "Uh... Sam. Please keep quiet. I need to concentrate. My legs are very tired, okay?"

      "Okay, don't worry David. You can do it. Don't give up."

      "I won't."

      The walk up the shuttle ramp was really challenging. His legs were wobbling like crazy. The shuttle crew took Samantha out of his hands immediately. They told Alex to lie down on the floor next to the med station. There was a small bed that pulled out from the wall for Sam.

      "See David, you did it."

      "Yeah, thanks for the encouragement, it worked."

      "Oh, and David?"

      "Yes?"

      "Thank you for bringing me home."

      "You're welcome Sammy Whammy."

      "I love you David."

      "I love you too. Now, try to get some rest."

      Everyone was looking at him with questioning eyes.

      "Yeah, she's delirious, so give her something for the pain right away."

      He stood there while they removed her armored suit. They had some trouble removing the damaged part off her leg. It had to be cut off. He was right she had lost a lot of blood. As soon as her arm was free, they gave her something for the pain. He stood there holding her hand until whatever they gave took effect. A tear dribbled down her cheek as she drifted into unconscious oblivion.

      "Okay, guys. Get this shuttle back to the ship. We need to get these two to the med bay there, so let's go, right away.

      "Yes sir."