Body of Scars

Chapter III

It is believed that after death the person remains conscious for a short moment and is able to hear the noise’s around them. Alex would hear only the pained wailing of Jared and his house being torn to insignificant shreds as bullets penetrate almost every wall.

I instinctively drop to the floor and pull Jared with me, both our cheeks plastered to the grimy ground as chunks of plaster fly through the air and bullets slice through the area just above us. I stare into a moss-green abyss and give a startled cry when I realize I am staring into Alex’s eyes, who lies dead on the kitchen floor, his face inches from my own.

I feel the slippery warmth of a tear slide from the corner of my eye as I look into his face, which is disturbingly calm and serene. Blood trickles lightly from his open mouth and his irises are glassy in death. I want to shake him awake, will this happening to be nothing but a dream but I know he is dead. I have seen death so many times. But this time is scarring me.

I tremor violently on the floor, imagining great gaping holes appearing inside me, spawning hurt and pain and the shame of not being able to save Alex. I want to cry and break down but I won’t. Not now. I glance at Jared who is lying beside me, his mouth pulled tightly to bare is teeth which chatter and mouth words I can’t understand.

Great crease lines have appeared on either cheek as he wails, his eyes are watery slits, being squeezed closed as tears seep from the corners and drop from his nose. His body trembles and through the chaos of bullets I can hear the sounds which are being earthed from some deep part of him which should have never been opened. 

 My vision blurs as huge hot tears surge from my eyes. I had never wanted to see Jared like this. A noise snaps me to attention and I recognize the roar of flames as they greedily lick at the kitchen wall. “Jared. GO” I shout, my voice breaking but my command audible.

Jared looks to me, his expression torn and pained, but doesn’t move. “Jared. NOW” I screech, the smoke from the flames hurting my eyes and clogging my nostrils. “I won’t leave him” screams Jared, his eyes glued to Alex’s face. “Jared we-” but my sentence is sliced by the bullet which tears through the air and smacks my calf, causing me to scream is shock and pain.

Jared turns to me suddenly, my scream awakening his every sense, and eyes my shot calf which has begun to seep blood, the skin turning an odd, bruised purple. “Charolette” speaks Jared in a voice which I know is calculating a plan. I am useless at this point and lie with a manic patience, trying to ignore the aching pain Alex’s death has brought to me. I see Jared abruptly turning his head from side to side, regarding the closing fire and smoke, rain of bullets and my bloodied calf.

Finally he turns to Alex, his eyes flickering with such wounded emotion, the only thing he is able to do is rest his huge hand briefly atop his younger brothers cold head and close his eyes. Pulling his hand from Alex’s head, Jared grabs my hand, his face wiped clear of any remaining expression, only a calculative one.

Turning his head once more to eye an area of kitchen which had managed to remain clear of bullet fire, Jared points with a long finger to the unscathed cupboard area and without hesitation we begin to army crawl toward it, Jared leading and me following. I give a lingering look toward Alex’s body and give a sad smile, “I’ll take care of him” I murmur the vow to Alex, knowing only I will hear it. 

 The shower of bullets has subdued and I hear the crunching finality of dozens of boots closing in on the home. The fire in the kitchen has moved toward the hallway area and the black smog is poison to our lungs. We reach the cupboard area and I am panting, my calf on fire. Jared nods toward me and I position myself in the safe corner, leaning my back against the cupboard and laying my injured leg before me.