Transcendence ✹ Septicgab

Thirteen

     It had only been a few days, but it felt like months being without Evelien in my arms. Mark and I stuck together as we ventured further into the world, but we didn't know who or what we were going to run into. He said he didn't know if Robin or Felix were still around, but he knew we wouldn't have to worry about Marzia. I told him how I had seen Mika and Kay, or at least thought it was them, and he said he saw Christine in the distance the previous day. She was whirling through beasts as if it was her job.

    "I've been meaning to ask.." I asked. "How did you make it out alive... when Ethan and Amy both.."

"I don't know," he sighed. "The last thing I remember... I woke up from what felt like a nightmare, and I.." Mark choked back tears. "I was covered in blood.. and there.. there was a bloody handprint.." He paused. "A hand smaller than mine..."

"Wow," I said, resting my hand on my friend's shoulder. "Well.. just.." I sighed, thinking about everything we lost... everyone we had by our sides. "Let's end this," Mark looked at me, longing for my confidence. "Let's end this... for Evelien... and for Amy.."

"And Ethan... and everyone else we couldn't save," he smiled through his pain. "Where do we go from here?"

~

     Another day in the concrete hell I was forced into, and I could feel movement in my lower abdomen. The doctors all said I was pregnant, but I knew exactly how I felt. I decided to just lay down for a while, resting my aching joints on the cushiony mattress, but my peace and quiet was ruined in seconds. It was as if someone had shoved a knife into my stomach and continued to turn it until I collapsed onto the floor.

    "Help!" I screamed as loud as I possibly could. Since Amy tried to come talk to me and was caught, my room was shut off entirely to other patients. The nurses and doctors hardly ever checked on me. I was treated like a criminal, and all I did was get murdered by my best friend in an alternative reality. "Help!" I slowly felt myself losing consciousness as I lost more and more blood. "He-hel-help.."

~

     It was a new day and another visit to physical therapy with my new prosthetic leg. I was able to walk on it with a lot more ease, and balance was better than ever. Amy and Marzia were at their respective spaces with their trainers, and we all shared a knowing look and a friendly smile. Those smiles did not last long as we heard someone yelling from assistance. A nurse had found blood. The three of us witnessed a horde of nurses and doctors rushing down the hall and in the direction of the wing Evelien's room was in.

"You don't think-" I asked the other two, and Amy looked deeply concerned. Marzia tried to hold it together, but nevertheless, started tearing up. "Have either one of you been able to contact her?" Both shook their heads. "Me neither."

"It's... It's been at least a week.. maybe longer.. since I was busted," Amy said. "Let's just... Let's just hope and pray that she's fine." The horde of medical professionals zipped past the room again, but this time, they had a hospital bed.... and the bed was stained with blood and dripping down the halls. We weren't able to see who was laying in the bed, but the three of us got sick feeling just thinking about it.

"I don't care what anyone says," I said. "If that's her, we have to go." We were all in agreement, following the trail.

~

I woke up, once again handcuffed, and groaned loudly so the nurses outside could hear me.

"Sleep well?" Dr. Reynolds smiled, showing her condescending intentions in this conversation. I refused to answer, knowing that anything I had told her previously was brought up in court. "Very well.. If you are not willing to speak, I will just say my worth and be on my way." I stayed silent. "Miss, you're being arrested for the kidnapping, attempted murder of Evelien Smolders, first degree murder of Robin Torkar, Mark Fischbach, and so many not yet determined charges on all the other victims whose bodies have not yet been found.... But you beware.... Cause I may have tried to be all nice and innocent to you." She grinned as she got closer to my face. "But I will destroy you."

    "I have nothing to say to you," I stood my ground. "And if you would say that last part louder.. I believe some folks outside the room will like to know the resident psychologist is being verbally abusive and threatening." Dr. Reynolds backed up. "Criminal or not.... your job is to treat." I smiled, knowing I had won.

~

"Seán?" Mark woke me from my cat nap. "We've got company." I sat up in a jolt, clenching onto my pistol. "Wait.... Do you see.."

"What? Who?" I asked, but less than a second later, I saw what Mark was referring to that was scurrying past. "Oh my god.."

"Should we follow?" I was frozen in shock. "Seán?"

"I... I don't know.." I said, trying to keep from hyperventilating. A loud explosion came from nearby.

"Shit.. We need to go.. Now." I followed Mark through the ruins of the town. Once we finally got far enough away to feel safe, we stopped to catch our breath. "Seán... I have no idea what the hell that was..."

"That..." I said. "That couldn't be.. she.. died.."

"Maybe she didn't," Mark said, then held his hand to his forehead. "God, I feel sick.."

"Mark... Breathe.." I got him to calm down. "If it's true... and that was who we thought it was.... we need to figure this out... Best case.."

"She's alive.." Mark said.

"But worst case... She's not here.." I sighed. "This shit... is so fucking harsh.." I clenched onto my hair and tugged in frustration.

"Well.... If that's not here.." Mark said, resting his hand on my shoulder. "I don't think we're the ones who have the problem..." We exchanged a knowing look. "If what Ethan said was true... then everyone we lost.. is on earth.."

"Oh shit.." I said. "We gotta get through all this. I am not losing my girlfriend.."

"At least you know where she's at.." he sighed. "Or if she's alive somewhere.." He let his head hang low. "I miss her so much, Seán... I... I need her.."

"Then come on," I said, handing him the handle of his sword. "Let's finish this.... For our girls.."

"For our girls.." Mark smiled softly. "Alright... Let's go."