Uncovered

Chapter Ten - Loky

Loky crawled up onto the bank of the other side of the river coughing and gasping for air. It felt like the wind pierced mini ice daggers though his skin as his soaking wet body shivered. He was certain that his body was shaking uncontrollably because of adrenaline as well as the cold.

He rolled over onto his back, taking in deep breaths, staring up into the sky savouring the sun's warmth, catching his breath whilst the others continued through the river.

He was the first one to make it, but he felt no satisfaction at all as he recalled the events just had just occurred earlier. The bodies he saw bobbing down the stream, being washed away with the currant, never to be seen again.

He wondered if someone would even bother gathering their bodies when they floated ashore somewhere or if they'd be left to feed the wild animals that roamed the area. He mostly managed to stay with his head above the water, the height never too great, his feet just managed to touch the rocks and boulders stationed under the flowing water.

There were two instances where his footing slipped, and the currant took him under where he would re-surface again a bit further down the river each time.

Satisfied he was able to breathe easier again, Loky sat up and looked back over the river to find Finn staring at him smiling. What kind of sick fuck, Loky thought to himself, would get enjoyment from this?

"Look at him,"

Loky said to the next contestant that had just managed to drag themselves out of the water,

"Two more men just died and he's standing there smiling."

A heavy spluttering cough was all he got in response which made Loky look away from Finn to see that there was red blood sprayed over the pebbles. The coughing started again, over and over and it was a repeat of what happened earlier in the day with the first man to choke on his own blood.

"Shit."

Loky said, crawling backwards to avoid the bubbling red foam now coming out of the man's convulsing body. The sight he was beholding was just as bad as the one where he watched two men floating away, scrapping for any kind of air, desperate for any help while Loky was completely unable to offer any assistance.

What the hell is happening with them? The only thought he was able to process through the gagging and bubbling sound of the man dying at his feet. Loky just shook his head in disbelief and watched in silence as he died.

Others began coming out of the water but avoided Loky and the dead body now at his feet. He shot them all a terrifying look and grumbled in their direction.

"Cowards."

There's only one thing Loky thought he could do to at least offer himself some peace with the situation, he couldn't just leave him there for animals to eat, and he certainly wasn't digging a grave, so he rolled him onto his side and pushed him into the flowing river.

His body bobbed along and was out of sight in minutes.

Everyone had made the crossing by now, all splayed out along the shore catching their breaths.

Loky looked over the other side and couldn't find Finn anywhere. Was this another test? Were they supposed to find their own way back?

He truly hoped not but his prayers were answered as he saw Finn walk back out into the clearing with a bow and arrow with a rope tied to the end. He fired it into a large tree not far from where Loky stood, tied the loose end to another tree then began his own way across to join them using the rope for assistance.