Save Me from Darkness

Saved in Time

As Atlas and I walked through the dense forest, it felt like we were here for hours. I still felt like I had adrenaline pumping through my body. My heart was beating at the pace of a running stampede. Ringing flowed through my head from the gun going off. I only had five bullets left in the clip. If I had to use them I needed to use them wisely.

When we got farther into the forest, we stopped at a running stream to regain ourselves. Atlas went and drank a quite a bit of water. My parents, especially my father, didn't take great care of him. He was skinny, but still healthy enough. I usually fed him some of my dinner to keep him plump.

After catching his breath and cooling off with a drink of water, Atlas walked back to me as we sat down to contemplate our plan.

I didn't have a phone to call anyone, but I really didn't want to go back. I shot my mother for goodness sake. Even though it was out of self-defense, I couldn't face to show my weakness around Amanda. Her family helps me a lot and I am grateful, but I would be nothing but a burden. The forest is a big place and I certainly have no idea where we are.

After contemplating to myself, I stand and take the strap off my duffle bag. I attach it to Atlas. As much as I trust him, he has never run from me before, but I can't risk anything while we are in this dense forest. Unclipping the Velcro hand strap, I sling it onto my back like a book bag and hold onto the man-made leash as we follow the water up stream.

While we walk, Atlas picks up a stick and carries it with us while I kick rocks. "Atlas, I don't really know where we are going, but hopefully we find a place soon". Atlas looks up at me while we walk and giving my leg a nudge. I am at least glad that he was with me. Who knows what all lurks in this forest, especially at night.

While we continued to follow the stream, the sun was now setting. Since the sun was barely visible through the dense trees, it meant it had to be at least five in the evening. Granted it could be later, but for now we needed to find a place to camp out soon. Atlas pulled at his leash as he leads us off the path we were taking. He went to a tree and began sniffing it before releasing his bladder out onto it. I took this moment to set my bag down and see if I had some form of light inside.

This duffle bag was old, but I used to use it as a sleep over bag when I went to Amanda's, but that all stopped once mom started taking drugs.

Digging through the many pockets my bag had, I found a tiny crank flashlight. It was old, but hopefully it would work for now. Cranking it up, the light sprung to life after it flashed a few times. Since I must crank it so often, I latched Atlas's leash to my belt loop.

As night fell upon us, my hand was cramping from all the cranking. The light went out every forty-five seconds, as far as I have counted, and I was already on crank twenty-eight. While we walked, Atlas's ears perked up and he took off toward something. When he darted ahead he pulled me along with him, causing me to fall on my face and bite my tongue when I screamed. His strength broke the loop on my pants and he took off like a Greyhound. Grabbing my flashlight, I crank it and head in the direction he took.

Using all the energy I had left, I ran as far as I could until the sounds of a gunshot. I stop in my tracks and listen again for another shot. My right ear rings as another shot goes off. Turning on my heel I turn and run to the East, not even worrying about turning on my light.

As I feel I'm getting closer, I trip over something in my way. I slide across the ground and turn on my light to see Atlas, whimpering and bleeding, laying on his side and breathing hard.

"Oh Atlas, what did you get yourself into?" I said as I stroked his head. He licked my hand as I looked to find his bullet wound. Finally finding the bullet wound. I tear off part of my shirt and tie it around his abdomen. He doesn't have long if I'm going to try and save him, but as I go to lean down a bullet pierces my side.

Gathering up all the strength I had left, I picked Atlas up and started running. Hoping I would make it to someone in time, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. "Just hold on a little longer Atlas. I will get us help". Tears formed in the corner of my eyes while I adjust him in my arms. I didn't want to lose the only friend that grew up with me since I was ten.

After what seemed like an hour, a road appeared ahead of me. Time was ticking and choosing to go left, or right was hard. Without another thought I ran to the left, hoping that a house was nearby. Atlas's breathing was slowing down, and the tears started to waterfall down my, possibly now, cherry red cheeks.

As I got to a clearing in the trees, I saw a huge house up the road. It had to be at least five more miles by foot. Atlas and I didn't have a whole lot left in us, but I kept going for us.

Finally reaching the house, in front stood two large steal gates. Large gold A and R letters shone against the moon light. I push Atlas under the gate and I climb a broken section of the cement wall. Lifting him up onto my shoulder, grunting in pain, I run towards the door.

Breathing hard with exhaustion I bang on the door. "Someone please help us! My dog and I have been shot!" I collapse beside Atlas. Seeming lifeless, I put my hand around him. Right before I pass out, the door opens revealing a man. He yells for someone to come, but as he does, everything goes black.