“So, look like we are fucked, thanks so much Marla, really, thanks for choosing such a fucked-up place.” Connor sneered.
Marla didn’t take the bait and everyone stared at each other.
“So, what are we going to do now?” Matt asked, looking around.
“Go back and try to survive the best we can. What else?” Aiden said, his voice bland.
“That’s not good enough asshole.” Connor said angrily, his posture hostile and aggressive. Out of the corner of his eye, Aiden saw Leo’s hand go to his knife and his own grip tightened on his machete.
“Well that’s all you get asshole, you got greedy and acted like a shit-heel, so you’re not welcome in our group and I’m sure Aiden doesn’t want you near him.” Leo growled back.
“No Abby, don’t!” Dan cried, breaking their attention and everyone looked in time to see Abby step off the edge of the gorge. They ran to the edge and watched her body disappear into the mist below. Sarah cried out and Aiden grabbed her and held her tightly to him, his eyes keeping Connor and Matt in sight. He didn’t trust them not to shove one of them over the side.
“Oh my god, that poor girl.” Marla breathed, then choking out a sob, her hand up to her mouth, shaking badly.
“One less mouth to feed.” Connor said flatly and Leo swung around and punched him in the mouth, causing Connor to fall to his knees, his hand to his bloody mouth and nose.
Matt went to step forward and Aiden brought up his machete threateningly, and Matt backed up, his hands up in the air. Dan looked at them all, tears in his eyes. His mouth was moving but nothing came out and then he stepped off the cliff’s edge and Sarah screamed and tried to jerk away but Aiden held her firm.
He pulled her into him and held her with his one arm, his machete still threatening. He could feel her vibrating with silent sobbing. His grip tightened around her small waist and pulled her tighter to him, trying to comfort her while guarding her.
“Let’s go Leo, there is nothing we can do here.” Aiden said in a low voice and all four backed away from Connor’s now diminished group. Joey was just standing there with a blank look on his face, as though he was totally confused by it all. Aiden shook his head, he didn’t understand any of it, but Abby and Dan’s worries were over. The rest of them had to live. Standing around with Connor wasn’t getting anything accomplished. All four were walking rapidly, constantly looking behind them.
When they were out of sight of Connor’s group, who were still standing there looking out over the gorge, Aiden started to run, he held on to Sarah’s hand and pulled her along with him.
“Why are we running.” Sarah asked, trying to catch her breath.
“I want as much distance between us and them. I don’t trust them as far as I can spit.” Aiden said, looking back every now and then.
“Hell no, I’m surprised he didn’t try to shove us all off that cliff.” Marla said, huffing.
“He probably would have if he’d had a few moments to think about it. That is why we need to put distance between us. He’s in a more weakened condition, so I don’t think he will catch up to us if we can just sprint a little, then rest, and then sprint some more.” Aiden suggested.
“Okay, but I can’t promise I can go far, its been a few weeks since I’ve been on my trainer. But by Christ, I’ll give it my best.” Marla said, anger and sorrow clear in her voice.
They kept up their pace for nearly twenty minutes and then slowed down, everyone winded. They paused and everyone drank some water. They were quiet, no one wanting to talk and draw attention. Aiden listened, but could hear nothing, but the pounding of his heart in his ears. He took a deep breath to get his breathing under control. No running, no talking, nothing but the sounds of the forest around them.
He could hear a woodpecker in the far distance, it’s rhythmic tapping made the hair raise on his arms. It was primeval here, if ever there was a beginning to time itself, it could have been here. He looked at all the large conifers and broadleaf trees around them. Large leafed vegetation all around. It was a deadly paradise and if you didn’t know how to survive, it would eat you up.
The air around them was filled with promise of either life or death. There were things unseen out there, things that would kill them if they weren’t careful. The very air was primitive, and Aiden almost felt as though he himself had changed into something primitive as well.
They continued to walk at a rapid pace as everyone caught their breath. Then Aiden took off once more, though this time it was a slower jog, but faster than their walking. Marla kept up better this time and didn’t lag, Leo kept pace with her. Sarah kept pace with Aiden, and she turned her head to look back from time to time. He was proud of her, she was becoming used to situational awareness. Once they got back to the main camp, he’d grab the bottles and he and Sarah would go back home. He wouldn’t go back to the main camp for
