Surviving the S.T.R.I.P. (ON HOLD)

Chapter Four

Drew 

I ran out onto the Strip, not knowing quite yet what to expect. I looked around for any hot chicks, but the girls were either dead or ugly. I kept out of the way of fighting and ran through the hilly forest area.

I slowed near a group of people. I counted ten guys slowly surrounding one girl. She had no weapons to defend herself. Her face showed pure terror as the leader of the group began to talk. I quickly searched the area for anything that I could use to fight. A small branch sat on the ground only a few feet away, so I grabbed it and began to swing it at the group. After that, everything was a blur. But they were all gone when I ran over to that girl again. I rolled my eyes and walked away when I realized she was dead.

Then another scream rang out. I tried to block it out from my mind, and I kept walking. After a while of walking, I started staring at the ground. There was something shiny just a few feet away.

When I picked it up, I realized that it was a small dagger, but it was covered in blood. My eyes widened and I dropped it, right next to a body. I stepped back slowly, but became annoyed when I saw how hot the girl was.

"“Oh, come on! This one’s dead already? She’s even hot too…” At the sound of my voice, the girl's eyes slowly opened. She smiled slightly up at me. I had a gut feeling to save her. I didn't really know or care why; I just knew I had to help. Maybe she'd be the only way of surviving in the Strip.

I threw off my expensive leather jacket and pulled off the white t-shirt that I had on under it. Yeah, I'd be shirtless for a while, but I just kept telling myself that my gut was right. Giving up a lot for a gut feeling here... Suddenly, the girl spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Look up," she said. "There is a tree house. Live there. And thank you." With that, her eyes shut and she fell asleep.

I stared at the girl in front of me. She was alive, but unconscious. She was breathing, but only slightly. I knew she didn't have much time left without help.

I looked up for that tree house she had mentioned. Sure enough, there was a box built from wood up in the tree. I considered my options.

I could leave this girl here to die, and go live by myself-a better chance for college with her out of the way. But then again, if I could keep her alive, I'd have a loyal partner by my side.

I climbed up to the tree house and looked around. The space was only one room with two sets of bunk beds, a table with chairs, and a small kitchen area with counter space and a few cabinets. Searching through cupboards and drawers, I finally found bandages and some sort of white material that looked medical. I rushed down the tree, falling on the way, probably giving me a bruise on my back.

I didn't care, though. I knew this would ultimately help my rep with the collages, saving a dying girl. And hey, she was hot!

I got to her body and stared again. Her body was covered in cuts; I didn't know where to start! Then I realized that I probably needed to wash off the cuts before I bandaged them so they wouldn't get infected.

I groaned in frustration and climbed up the tree a second time, this time looking for some water. I knew I only had a limited time, and with me climbing the tree a second time, this girl was dying. I found a bottle and, this time not caring, jumped out of the tree and on the ground.

I must've jumped the wrong way, because I landed on my arm and I heard a snap. Great, now I broke my arm for this girl. She better be worth it.

I looked at her body again and saw that most of the blood oozed from a huge gash on her cheek. I poured water over it and pressed on some of the white stuff, hoping that would stop the bleeding.