Nature's Cure

Escaping

Kalo had Elliot's sleeve in their hand as they ran with the jewels in their other. Disorientated they allowed themselves to get swamped by the people who pushed and shoved as they headed straight for the escalators. They were so congested people were being crushed as they tried to get down them. On all levels of the building people were being tossed over the edge of the barriers. Kalo and Elliot could see people were being pressed against the glass of the barrier so hard that it cracked, then it smashed. Causing the people to cascade down to the bottom with the other bodies. The sound of the surrounding people's screams became muffled as Elliot tried to focus on breathing. The flow of people had come to a stand still as people had no idea how to escape. Kalo took the gun from their belt "You don't even know how to use that!" Elliot said trying not to cry at the realisation they may not be able to get out. "Come on!" Kalo said Fighting through the people, going to their left. They headed in the direction of the entrance where they came in that morning. Keeping to the side of the walkway they avoided getting swept away. Blood had been smeared on the windows, as they brushed past, it transferred onto their clothing and slowed them slightly. When they reached the two large doors labelled exit, they found a body on the floor was keeping them held open. The corpse's head had been smashed in as if someone had repeated opened and closed against it. Elliot gagged and stopped running for a moment as she really felt as if she'd be sick "Don't look at it, we have to go" Kalo walked over the body out the door. Wiping the tears from her face so she could see Elliot carefully followed.
The scene was no better outside. Kalo's hand was shaking extremely making the gun rattle against the ring on their finger. Repeatedly taking short sharp breaths was beginning to make their throat hurt "Okay" they said taking a step forward again. although uncongested like inside, people were still everywhere. The sound of sirens rang all around. In the distance several black smoke clouds could be seen and people were running in all directions. Taking their pick they ran right. Hoping Sam would be in the car waiting nearby. Kalo and Elliot ran past where the agitated man had once stood. In his place was a drawing on the floor, a circle, it had been painted in blood. Kalo had the image of the man scratching his fingers down to the bone appear in their head. How else could he have drawn the circle with his blood? Elliot's strides became larger than Kalo's but she made sure they kept up. She turned every few moments. In the panic she had no idea where she was headed, people wouldn't stop screaming as they ran. Parents were screaming for their families some even asking Kalo and Elliot if they'd seen them. They reached the main road, glancing down looking for their friend's parked car. In those moments they both began to feel the heat of the sun on their backs, Elliot grunted and yelled as she could not see the car. Running her hands through her curled hair she looked back at the shopping centre. A person was running towards them fast, hands out grasping at the air they were almost tripping over their own feet. "Kalo" they turned around deflated and saw the person. As they ran closer they didn't slow down "Kalo!" As Elliot grasped for something to defend herself Kalo slowly walked backwards. Elliot grabbed  the bag of jewels out of their hand and grasped it firmly. As the person reached to grab Elliot she swung the heavy bag, smashing them in the face. The bag split as she done so throwing the valuables everywhere. Without realising Kalo had completely backed up and was now standing in the road, the sound of a car horn suddenly alerted them to this and they hurled themselves out the way. The car swerved and crashed straight into a parked car on the other side of the road. A car coming down the opposite side of the road then crashed into that car, flipping over the top, landing on its roof. Glass from the windows glided across the road and came to a holt at Kalo's feet  looking just as shiny as the jewels which not coated the floor. "Fucking hell" Elliot muttered behind them. The car wheel was still spinning as they turned around to see if Elliot was okay. The person who she'd hit in the face was slowly getting back up again, growling at them. The sound of another fast approaching car was a relief, Kalo went to run into the road and flag them down but there was no need. It was Sam. Elliot backed away from the growling person and joined Kalo, Sam pulled up next to them and unlocked the doors. Elliot jumped in then Sam began shouting, the growling man was up and coming at them. Kalo got in quickly slamming the door. Elliot began screaming at Sam telling her to hurry up as the persons hands slammed against the window leaving a smear of blood. Sam locked the doors and headed in the direction of home.