The Strange Tale Of Ayla Jae

Chapter Two - The Point And Purpose, Missy

Not surprisingly, I'm finding it ridiculously hard to keep my pace and focus while we're hobbling down the street. At this point, I think I'm beginning to realize just how severe a few of my wounds are. I'll survive, but Dave's is starting to seem so far away. I never remembered it taking this long to get there.

"Ayla, how you doing there?" Chloe's tone is decidedly light hearted, even though I know internally she has got to be completely freaking out this time.

"I'm," I pause for a second, "fine. I think." It's hard, but I keep trying to think of something to change the subject, even for just a little bit. I know I've been downplaying it, but I actually feel ridiculously stupid for how this whole thing has gone done, and I think Chloe can sense that.

"I don't blame you, you know?"

Her words sit heavy between us for a bit until she continues.

"This whole thing wasn't just your idea. I had my part in it. More than even you realize, girl."

"Oh, pray tell, Chloe. Explain to me your imaginary guilt. Flattered, though I may be, I just don't see that. Everything has the earmark of a deluded weirdo getting to big for her knockoff skin tight britches and getting her ass kicked by someone with an IQ of 12. Trust me. You're a lot smarter than that."

I feel like it comes off just a bit snobby, but I keep my sarcastic face beaming.

"Come on, Ayla. I told you to try some new things. I said that maybe it was time. I remember saying that. If I hadn't encouraged prematurely, we'd have been sitting back at my house, watching some dumb Disney sitcom, eating stale chips, and ragging on each other's crappy taste in reality shows."

"Oh, man...this is really starting to hurt Chloe." I can feel a deep searing pain tearing down through my chest before sitting still in my lower abdomen.

Hearing my sudden groan of deeper pain, Chloe falls silent again and leaps to to cradle me. I feel my body go limp and refuse to stay up, falling into a black sleep.

#

"Ayla!"

I feel a sudden pain across my face. Wait, I can feel my face. What's happening?

"Oh crap. I don't like this, Ayla." I can barely see, but Chloe is now stooped down, desperately trying to magically heal my wounds. I feel her hand pressed up to the gash along the right side of my chest, and she grabs my chin with her other one. The pain is hard to even perceive, mostly numb with hot spots of deeper pain. The only fresh spot is on my right cheek. If I could think clearly at the moment, I'd assume she just slapped me.

"You're awake. That's good. That's...good." She continues to dab some sweat with the shred of cloth that I now notice is tucked in the palm of her hand. Her mumble is quiet and fairly calm, but I know she's starting to freak out.

"Am I gonna be alright?"

"Of course, Ayla. We just gotta get you to the shop."

I think I can stand, but I definitely don't think I can walk yet. I muster up as much energy as I can, but I can only get my feet under me, still crouched down.

"There she is. Can you stand?"

"Maybe. Not mobile yet. Agh, it hurts Chloe. Way more than earlier. I mean, it's not getting worse, but I'm," I stop to try and keep myself from admitting the truth,"I'm afraid."

"Hey, Ayla. All you gotta do is stand and take one step. I'm here, and I'm not going to let you fall. Your wounds are stable, just probably hurt like a son of a dump. But I can't fix everything this time. Sam probably can."