Broken

Chapter 31

I stumbled through the trees as I try to reach the river. The pain was continually getting worse. Blood had started to seep through the gauze but I coudn't stop to fix it now. I was so close to the river now.

There is was. I made it.

I collapse onto the ground and drop my backpack next to me. I need to fix the gauze on my wing. Blood was more prominent on the gauze now and I didn't want it to get infected.

I slowly unwrap the tape, wincing every so often. I got a better look at my wound now. The bullet had gone clean through so that was a good. The bad thing was blood was soaking my feathers around it. I had to keep it clean until Xavier got here.

I grab more gauze and make it into a neat pile. Then I soak the entire thing in the river. I wring it out and take a deep breath. This was going to sting.

I brace myself and start to wipe the blood off the wound. I clench my teeth and breath heavily. This hurt like hell. I had to continually stop and allow myself to breath before I could continue again.

I finally finish cleaning all the blood off and luckily it had stopped bleeding. I wrap it in fresh gauze and tape. Now I just have to wait for everyone else to get here.

I wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait.

But they still don't show up. I was starting to get a little worried. Where were they? Xavier's note specifically said meet at the river. Maybe I should look around a little for them.

I try to flex my wing and it sent a wave of pain down my spine. Nope. I'm walking. There's no way I can fly.

I pull my backpack on and head downstream. I wasn't going to leave the riverbed because someone could see me as I walked by.

The river was fairly loud so it was hard to hear if anyone was talking farther ahead. I kick rocks into the water as I walk.

I didn't like being alone like this. Yes, I did like my alone time but I also needed to be around people. I can't lock myself in my room for days at a time with no human interaction. I need to be around people. I don't even necessarily need to talk to them as long as I know who they are and am fairly comfortable around them. Isolation would literally drive me insane.

I see something get thrown across the river and I freeze. It came from about twenty feet in front of me. I hide in the treeline and slowly creep closer.

"Guys, I'm starting to get worried."

That voice.

"I know. Where could she be?"

It was them! Thia and Xavier!

"My note said to come to the river. Do you think she could be downstream more?" I head Xavier say.

I hear people talking a little farther away and assume it was Evan, Ty, and Levi.

"Maybe but we shouldn't split up. She'll come to us eventually." Thia says.

"If she's out there! What if the raiders captured her and we're waiting here for nothing!"

"Don't assume the worse. Kara can take care of herself."

"Then where is she! If she was safe, she would be here with us now!" Xavier yells.

Everyone falls silent. I don't think now would be the best time to jump out of the trees and say "Hey guys! I'm here! Sorry, I was just lurking in the shadows, listening to your conversation." Yeah, no. Maybe I should go back upstream a little bit and act like I just found them. Yeah, I'll do that.