42nd Country Road

Up the Hatch

"Okay, I trust you," He said, shyly.

"Now, Mark, set Jack down and go..." I stumbled on words, the dark was trying to push its way into me words, "Go get the dagger in our room," Mark nodded and ran off down the bunker hallway.

"J-Jack," I choked out. His head bobbed in response, "I need you to listen to me,"

"Y-ya, I'm...listening," He weakly said.

"We are leaving, and I need you to help Mark out," I choked out. My breath was slowly creeping back into my lungs.

"Y-ya, I... will," Jack said almost silently.

"Ev!" Mark called down the hallway, "I have it, I have the knife," I turned my head, to see Mark kneeling down to my side. The dark reached out, but I held back with all off my strength.

"Go... Unlock the hatch," I said. Mark nodded and headed up the ladder. I heard the latch unlock and footsteps down the ladder. I rolled over onto my stomach and started to push up.

"You stay put," This dark said, weakening my elbows. I forehead fell to the concrete. I felt Mark's hands around my waist. He pulled me up to my feet.

"Thank you," I said weakly. Mark carried me up the ladder and set me on the worn couch outside the latch. He crawled back inside to grab Jack.

"So, you made it outside," The dark said, tauntingly, "Farther than I want you,"

Pain shot down my spine. I arched my back trying to get away from it. I screamed, my eyes wide in fear. Mark came back up, setting Jack on the floor. He rushed to my side.

"Ev," He said in a shocked tone, "Are you okay?"

"I'm ...Fine," I said through pain.

"What...What do I do?" Mark said, panicked.

"Stay with me..." I choked out. Mark just nodded. Suddenly the pain was gone. I relaxed against the worn couch. I closed my eyes and embraced the kind, forgiving air around my limp body. Mark's hand went to my hair. He held it tight in his hand.

"Ev?" He choked out.

"I'm...okay," I said, smiling weakly. I opened my eyes and sat up, slouching and looking at Mark's concerned face. He smiled back. He wrapped his arms around me. His hands reached my back and brushed against me spine. I winced a bit, letting out a small groan. Mark let go immediately.

"Are you okay?" He said, fear in his voice.

"My back, it's just tender," I said in a reassuring voice, "But I'm okay, I promise," He nodded and stood up, pulling Jack's limp legs out of the bunker. I tried to stand up, but my legs felt weak beneath me. I fell back onto the couch. Mark noticed me trying to stand up and rushed over to me.

"Take your time," He said, kindness in his eyes. I looked at him straight faced as I shakily tried to stand up again. I faltered and gripped Mark's shoulder, barely holding myself up. His hands rested gently on my waist as he peered down at my feet, making sure I wasn't stepping on anything.

Once I caught my balance I let go, and Mark's hands hovered close by me, while I hovered my hands above his forearms.. I looked up at him. I smiled weakly. I stumbled a bit grabbing Mark again. His hands went to my waist again. I weakly set my head on Mark's chest. He wrapped his arms around me.

"This is far enough for now," I whispered, Mark shifted so he was laying on the couch and I was laying on his chest.

"I agree," He said. I fell asleep on his chest.