Fiction fer yer eyes

Was it nobility, or was it murder? I thought to myself for the twentieth time. The crowbar in my hands felt even heavier as I couldn’t help but stare at the silenced body that lay in front of me. My breathing shook as I heard his yell run through my mind again, looking to the operating table. His poor friend was there, the crude sound of the flatline still filling the room, echoing in my head. Jenn would have gotten really hurt if I hadn’t intervened, but I also took his life. Was I just as bad?

“My god, Caira. What the hell did you do to your leg?”

I was snapped back and looked at Jenn, who was now inspecting my calf. The rag I used as a bandage had fallen off again, showing off my still red arrow wound. She got closer and almost yelled in disbelief, “Did you duct tape your wound shut? Please tell me you at least cleaned it out.”

I grabbed some bandage from one of the nearby trays and got down, quickly wrapping it around my calf tightly. “Jenn, as much as I’d love a medical lecture from you, we’re not exactly in a good classroom.” I went to the door and peered out cautiously, scanning the empty hallway.

“Well, I also don’t have a way of defending myself, Caira,” Jenn stated with a snippy tone, looking at me. I thought and paused, hesitating for a moment before reaching into my jacket’s holster, pulling out the small .22 that heavily always sat at my side. It only was for the zeds, that's why I carried it on me. As much as I hated others being shot, Jenn needed protection. I handed it to her as well as an extra clip of the bullets, just in case.

“Use this as sparingly as possible. There are 10 shots in each cli-”

“Thanks, but I will use it as much as I need to.” She put away the clip and held the pistol up like it was another natural stance, looking ready to shoot at anyone in our way. She was angry.

I looked out one more time before meeting her eyes. “Jennifer, be smart about this. They are far stronger and better armed than either of us. We are not toppling an empire. We are either escaping or we are dying.” And with that stern finish, I motioned us out of the room and into the dimly lit hallway.

. . .

The old worn fluorescent lights buzzed over us, seeming like they were running on low power. The dark felt better to be in, considering we needed to hide. Whispering to my friend, I asked, “Do you know where you were brought in from?”

“No, they had a bag over my head when I was brought in here. Sorry.”

With an understanding sigh, I looked along the row of doors, spotting a broken open door that said “Reception Desk”. Telling Jenn to stay, I quickly went over to it and peered in, fully entering when I saw it was clear. Scanning all the leftover health pamphlets and now useless hospital records, I finally spotted what I was looking for: A map of the hospital, still with the happy picture of the old couple on the front as I remembered when I was young. Those days were so peaceful.

My little nostalgia trip was cut short by Jenn rushing into the room as quietly as she could, someone else’s footsteps being heard. After a second the footsteps stopped, and then there was a yell. The steps suddenly hurriedly ran back, and I made sure we didn’t waste this chance. We quickly ran out of the room and we started running down the opposite end of the hall. Without a chance to look at the map yet, I had no idea where we were going. We started rushing through unlocked doors, at first sight, making sure we were as far as possible from the operating room as we could get. My lungs burned as I lead us until suddenly we were forced to stop. In front of us stood only the doorway main lobby, full of people now looking around for us. My heart sank, realizing that we were trapped, Others no doubt followed our path down the halls.

I finally looked back at Jenn, who was almost in tears with fear. I had gotten her in more danger than she was already, guilt already starting to creep up my back as I tried thinking of what to do. I watched my friend wipe her eyes with her stained white jacket and suddenly got an idea.

“Jennifer!”, I urgently whispered. “How many people know what you look like here?”

Her trembling didn’t stop with her sudden confused look. “What? What are you-”

I cut her off. “How many people have seen you? Would they be able to tell you and me apart if I put on your jacket?”

I watched as her fear twisted to urgent worry and disbelief. She understood immediately and held her arms over her jacket. “N-No! There’s no way I am gonna let you do that!”

“We’ll both die if I get caught trying to break you out, and I am not going to let you die. I came here with the sole purpose of getting you out of here, and If I die, I die getting you back home.”

Tears began to stream down her face. She looked around, trying to find something to say or help us avoid this. “I can’t Caira! You’re just as entitled to life as I am. We can fight!” She held up the pistol I gave her.

“They have more guns and people on their side, we don’t stand a chance. If you die, Your daughter will have no mother anymore, Jennifer. I came here for you, your daughter, and everyone else in your home! You are leaving, no matter what!”

She finally got my point and nodded, seeming like she was trying to not start crying right then and there. I threw off my black denim jacket and handed it to her, waiting as she hesitantly took off hers and gave it over. I put it on, messing with my hair so it resembled hers better, and handed my friend the map. “My best bets of escape are through one of the first-floor windows or the parking garage. Now hide!” Without giving her a chance to say goodbye, I pushed her towards a supply closet, thankful she slipped in as fast as she could. My crowbar in hands, I stood up straight, walking toward the approaching footsteps of the likely armed people out for me.

Watching as their gaze meant mine, and I tossed my heavy crowbar onto the floor.

. . .

I was dragged away, taken into the lobby and dropped in front of who I assumed to be the leader. He loomed over me even as I stood, my arms held still behind me. I looked him in the eye as he lit a cigar, my glare unwavering. “Not just anyone takes down my nephew, as disappointingly weak he was,” He spoke, his coarse laugh after made me feel glad to be taking this instead of Jenn. “Put her in holding, boys. She might be more useful than a piece of bait.”

His sick smile haunted me as a bag was thrown over my head, and a dull thud exploded through my skull. I was out before I knew it, my last thoughts praying Jenn would leave.