Luana Bavozi

Old McDonald #19

%% Riley's pov %%

I still can't believe it. Not only have we been assholes towards her, she also went against ICO. I can't help but feel partly guilty, and I know that I'm not the only one. Liam is quiet and that's very unusual.

I look at Luke, he still sits next to her, holding her hand. She is alive but weak. "How long has it been since she ate something?" I ask, looking at Liam. He doesn't answer but opens a can of food to share it with me and Luke. Luke still refuses to eat and he's getting weaker too. Trust me, I'm not enjoying the food. But if we all end up dying, that wouldn't help Luana. Liam is slightly less careful about feelings and he forces Luke to take the now half-empty can. How? By telling Luke: "did she take the bullet just so that you can die?!". Luke takes two bites of the food before trying to feed Luana. Liam knows that he was wrong and he helps Luke. Why am I doing nothing? There has to be something that I can do.

Unable to think of anything, I decide to gather more wood. The nights aren't too cold but we shouldn't take any risks.

%% Liam's pov %%

Feeding her seems useless, keeping her warm seems useless. Everything seems useless.. I look at Luke, feeling a spark of jealousy. I could have confessed my love but I was too afraid that I would lose her after confessing. But now I regret never confessing. There's so much that I kept hidden from her, I would be glad with even one more chance of talking to her. "She told me that you're like a brother to her" Luke says and I realize that he was staring at me. I give a weak smile, "she did, hm?". Luke nods and I put my hand on his shoulder, "I'll do anything to keep her alive". Luke smiles weakly at me, "too bad that it ain't possible to know what would help". But there is a way.. No. I promised Luana that I would never do it. But she can't stop me and it would help her.

"Is your phone working?" I ask Luke and he seems confused, "Yah, why cha ask? An ambulance ain't a great idea". Instead of answering I hold my hand in front of Luke and he gives me his phone. I get up and I walk away to make sure that Luke can't hear me.

"California Bear" I whisper as the woman answers my call and laughter follows. "This is serious. Bandit Lynx is down. I need your help. Now" I say, how my voice sounds making the person stop laughing right away. I hear her move around before she answers, "continue Vicious Lizard. Gimme details". I take a deep breathe, well aware of the risk that I'm taking. I look up at the sky before whispering the word needed to make the gears move, "ICO". The woman doesn't respond but I do hear her running, yelling at others. "Vicious Lizard, do not end the call. Do I have permission to use the location of your phone?" the woman finally says and immediately respond, "No zones. Spot only. ICO is close. The more they know, the higher the danger". I hear the woman yell again but this time she responds faster, "can you get to a spot with less trees?". I look around and that's when I see Riley, "I'll check" I quickly say to the woman.

"Riley! Is there a clearing nearby? A place without many trees?" I yell at Riley and he looks at me as if I'm insane, "those things mean pretty much the same. But yes, there is, not too far away". I turn my back towards Riley before talking to the woman, "did you get that?". "Yes, I've spotted the location too. Hurry up, I'm sending Otter and Beaver now" the woman says before ending the call.

I look at Riley, "take the bag with you. We have to get to the clearing". Riley nods and I turn towards Luke, "I'll help you carry her. We must be careful, do you think that you can do it?". Luke slowly shakes his head, "I don't think that I can". I sigh, trying to stay calm and pushing the timer counting down inside my head aside. "Fine, I'll carry her. Just help me whenever I need you to, alright?" I say and Luke nods, seeming less doubtful. I carefully pick Luana up, carrying her bridal style, how I wish that it was for a happier event.. "Let's go" I say, following Riley with Luke walking next to me.

When we reach the clearing, the heli is about to land. I yell at Riley and Luke, "get in as soon as you can! And do not use my real name!". They both look doubtful but still don't hesitate to get in the heli. I carefully hand Luana over to Otter before getting in myself. Beaver doesn't waste time on getting out of the forest and I'm glad that Bear gave me one of the experienced agents.

"Who are these guys?" Riley whispers to me and I whisper back, "Otter and Beaver". Riley looks at me with confusion on his face, "not their real names?". I shake my head, "no, real names don't exist in their world". I look at Riley and Luke, trying to think of names for them. I whisper to Riley, "your new name is Raven and we should change Luke's name to Leopard". Without waiting for Riley to reply, I move towards Luke and I tell him what I told Riley. Luke whispers to me, "alright. What's the other name?". I look at Luana, "Lynx. Call her Lynx".

I walk away from Luke and I head towards Beaver, "what's the plan?". Beaver looks at me for a moment, "bet that you don't want to go to the base?". I sigh, good to know that I'm still unwanted by some. "Take us to the old McDonald" I say, smiling as I remember how the place earned it's name. Beaver laughs, "those were the good days, Lizard". I put my hand on Beaver's shoulder, "and may many more good days come".

"Ha, I would love to drink to that" Beaver says and I reply, "you would drink to almost everything". Beaver laughs again before pointing at the building we're getting close to, "last chance, Lizard". I look at Luana before replying, "it's our best chance". Beaver nods and lowers the heli.

After landing the heli, Otter helps me with getting Luana into the barn. Riley hands the bag to me before walking out and talking to Luke. I open the bag and hand Otter the medical supplies that I can find. "Send the one without the gun in" Otter says and I head out to get Luke. "Leopard, come with me" I say and Luke follows. "Otter, meet Leopard. Leopard, meet Otter" I say and Otter doesn't waste time on greetings, instead he stabs Luke in the arm with a needle. "I need your blood, mind staying for a bit?" Otter says as he attaches a bag to the end of the needle to collect the blood. I look at Luke and shrug before walking out, he should be fine. Should be..