Flame ➸ John Murphy

13

A ringing sounded in West's ears. Her body was sore.  She didn't know if she could move. Trying to peel open her eyes proved to be unsuccessful.

"West." A voice called in the distance. "West please wake up."

Now the voice was closer. She recognized it as Ravens. Finally, she was able to peel her eyes open. Raven laid next to her. When she saw West's eyes were open she gave a sad smile.

"Where is everyone?" West asked.

Raven shrugged, not having any answers. Hearing footsteps walk up the drop ship, West's eyes shot towards the curtains.

"Play dead." Raven whispered.

West did just that as she closed her eyes. The footsteps got closer and she knew the person was now in the ship. Peering through her eyes she could see them touching Ravens shoulder. In an instant, Raven flipped over and shot the grounder in the head. West finliched as the body hit the ground.

More footsteps came forward and Raven quickly tried to reload the gun. Seeing a shilloette against the curtain made West shiver. The fear of death fell deep in her bones. Raven pointed the gun as the curtains flung open.

"Whoa, it's okay!" Murphy said when he walked into the ship.

West was surprised he would show his face in the camp again after what he had done.

"It's ok Raven. Don't shoot." He said while holding up his ties hands

"Why not?" Raven spat. "You shot us." She said before glancing over to West.

Murphy, not having noticed the other girl, looked over to her as well. Her sickly state surprised him. While he was distracted Raven raised the gun. Murphy looked back just as she pulled the trigger. He winced, but no bullets were shot. She had run out.

Murphy began limping towards West. She sat up the best she could to get away from him. Her body barely allowed her to move. John ended up sitting near her, leaning against a box.

"Yeah I would've shot me too." He admitted to Raven.

West glared at the boy as he began cutting the ropes that bound him against a sharp piece of metal. Even though the gun wasn't loaded, Raven still had it pointed at him.

"What are you doing here John?" West asked out of breath.

"Dying." He sighed. "Same as both of you."

Raven lowered her gun as she sat up more.

"Speak for yourself." She spat.

Suddenly West began coughing. Her hands flew up to her throat as she tried to breath. She began hunching over as she threw up blood. The infection had gotten worse, allowing the illness from the virus to resurface. Murphy limped over to her urgently. He gripped her shoulder as he tried to push her to lay down. As he touched her she pushed herself away from him. His fingertips where like fire on her skin.

"Lie on your side." He instructed as he tried to push her down. "Come on just get down on your side."

Finally West fell to the ground. Murphy moved her into her side as she spat out all of the blood that had been stuck in her throat. Murphy grabbed a spare towel from the ground to wipe the blood from her chin. She reached to grab the towel from his hand, but he pushed her hand back down.

"Just let me help you." He said quietly. "It's ok. Breath."

Raven began coughing as well making Murphy go over to her. He got her into her side and let her get out the blood. After she was done coughing, she let her eyes close.