Demon Hunterz: Annihilation (Book 3)

Chapter 37: War Hero III

The landing was brutal. The moment I felt my skull hit the hard earth I heard a loud crack. Followed by a violent tumble that left me in a barely moving heap and the world around me a wobbling mess. Just the motion alone is enough to make my stomach grow cold with nausea. 

My feet were now burned to a crisp of misshapen flesh, still sizzling and emitting trails of smoke. Not to mention my jaw had gone numb. And that I shattered a few teeth during the epic slice. I just was too much on a high to really feel it till now.

Groaning, I look up and over at the raging fire. Both George and the demon were thrashing around. Appearing as frenzied shadows in fiery walls of yellow and orange. Their screeches cut short by the hissing flames. That's when a chill shoots down my spine at my fatal mistake.

Oh man! I forgot about Bruce!

I force my body up. Staggering onward in a slumped position. My body a wreck. My mind too. The only sensation that dominates me to my bones is exhaustion, and the kind of numbness that burns and prickles through you like hot needles. But I move on despite all that. Luckily (and unluckily) I had burnt every nerve ending in both my arms and feet. So I should be in worse pain. But now I won't be able to use any fire spells. Not until I meet up with Lucy again.

Within minutes I stand over the shattered potion of the ground. Bruce was just far enough to avoid the worst of the heat. His body squashed and bent into the cracks.

My body goes cold. I reach out with a shivering arm that felt impossibly heavy.

"Bruce? C'mon," I say in a tiny, broken voice. "Get up already. I got the sorry bastard. We...we can move on now. Just one more time. You can do that much...can you?"

No response.

I stoop down and grab his hand.

Thank goodness! A pulse! It's weak but it's there!

Now that I know he's alive, there is just the issue of carrying him back. But my body lacked the strength to do so. Even me standing is taking everything in me. I wouldn't be surprised if I passed out any second now. Not like my fading in and out vision is making things any easier on me.

I tug and tug again. But my fingers barely had enough gripping power to snap a twig. I give up with a heavy sigh, let his hand drop and look around in circles.

I felt my soul lit up once I saw Frankie, running on all fours just yards away. Mitch hitching on his back while bouncing under Frankie's lunging movements. His wooden pole tucked into his left fist. Looking like a real Hunter under his brown cloak and hoodie.

You guys! I couldn't ask for better timing!

I turn to face Bruce. All smiles. "C'mon Bruce! Wake up! We need to get moving you lazy ass!"

A low growl just from over my shoulder. I felt my breath get stuck in my throat.

"For...getting someone?" A raspy voice says.