final hour • a sequel to assured liar

V

A red thorn peeked out between his fingers, I peeled his hand open and there it was.

The plant we need, but it was stained with his blood from where he gripped on too tightly.

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‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　thats not the deal　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Using the same cloth I used for his head, I wrapped the plant inside it, protecting not only it but us from touching it.

I could only assume Laurence's reaction was from this plant and I could only assume it wasn't safe to keep a hold of. Nonetheless I tucked it into my belt, securely protected from any contact with my skin.

In the beating warmth I could barely formulate any thoughts let alone an escape plan to get back to the group in time. The cooling breeze seemed to dissipate away by the minute, so close but so far from my grasp.

My throat was gruelling and dry, aching for water.

Water.

I had practically no water. In the heat of the moment I used most of it to cool Laurence down, not thinking of the consequence.

Then something caught my eye.

"Oh gods" I mumbled, squinting my eyes as the small figure got closer. When it came into view I knew it was only young, a child perhaps. They were darkly clothed, most of their skin covered up apart from their arm. From what I assumed, they were a local to the area.

They halted in front of Laurence on the floor and their eyes darted from me to him. They clasped onto an old leather bag over their shoulder.

"H- Hello" my breath hitched as I shouted out to them, hoping they would understand my language. They only responded by tilting their head in confusion and stepping forward hesitantly

"Uhm, could you help?" I looked down at Laurence's still, but alive, body, flattened out on the ground, a mini pool of thick blood dripping from his palm from where he held the plant.

The local didn't speak, just watched. My eye caught onto a red gaping gash on their exposed arm. Their deep skin, ripped open by something (I'm not sure if I want to know what). By my instinct I jumped towards their cut and held it in my arm.

They weren't expecting it and jerked away roughly. I clasped my hand at my chest when I realised they were just as scared of me as I was of them.

"No! No, no I won't hurt you," my voice softened, even in the empty, silent area I could barely hear my own breathing. I silently asked to look at the gash on their arm. Sticky, old dried up blood was crusting on the edges.

My hand hovered over the water bottle on my waist, only a few gulps and it would all be gone. I hesitated for a minute, if I use it now and everything goes shit upwards, I'm with no water. I weighed out the odds and let my generosity consume me.