"NO!" I woke abruptly and struck my forehead against the wood. I was nauseated, feverish, on the verge of delirium. Darkness fell over me. I had waited so long for it. I strained my eyes but couldn't see anything, not even my hands. The frigid wind caressed my face. I inhaled its freshness, filling my lungs, and felt some comfort. When I tried to move my legs, a violent stab of pain caught my calves.
Shit. Pushed too hard. I sighed. No. I had done the right thing. I brought a hand to the back of my head and felt the fresh blood seeping from the open wound. I was lucid. The dressings should prevent significant blood loss. I touched my neck, feeling the other dressing beneath my fingers.
Takashi, please be alright. I fought back tears. I could barely move, but I needed to stand. Needed to run.
"She must be around here." Kai's soft voice echoed in the darkness.
My eyes widened. My pulse raced. I covered my mouth and held my breath. Shit.
"Bro, how'd you let this happen?" Kai asked indignantly.
"Man, told you already. She tricked me. You think I expected her to do anything in that state?" Luiz retorted.
"By the way…"
I heard rubble collapse. They must be searching everything. It was only a matter of time before they found me.
"Think she knew Maia…"
"Maia?"
Silence.
I held my breath even tighter. Damn it. How would I get out? I searched for a gap among the wreckage I could move through.
"She asked about Maia," Luiz explained.
"Better forget that, bro," Kai answered.
There was unmistakable concern beneath his attempt to disguise it. Then they returned to shifting the rubble.
I slowly released my breath and inhaled again. I grabbed a metal structure and slid beneath it. Pain accompanied every movement. My legs were stiff after being pushed beyond every limit. I dragged myself through the wreckage, taking advantage of the night's veil. I made no sound.
"I'll turn on the headlights," Luiz suggested.
"Good idea, bro."
Their shadows appeared, cast by the light.
"Think she's here?"
"Bro, we searched east, west, and north. Nothing for kilometers. She must be close."
I dragged myself a little farther, pressing my palms into the arid earth, until I began moving away from the ruined village. As their shadows approached, I managed to gain distance. If only I could move my legs…
"Hey, something moved over there!" Kai shouted.
No, no. Don't come. Desperation made my head throb.
"I'll check."
No. Not again. Fuck the pain. Adrenaline returned at full force. I braced my arms against the ground and forced my legs to lift me. In one surge, survival instinct seemed to energize my entire body. One more attempt. One more chance to run for my life.
"It's her. IT'S HER!" Kai bellowed. The footsteps behind me grew heavier, faster.
But I needed to be faster still. Not even stumbling could stop me. I no longer knew which direction I was running. I kept going forward, my mind empty. I pushed pain from my thoughts and concentrated every bit of strength in my legs, ignoring lungs screaming for air, my twisting stomach, and the heart that seemed about to leap from my chest.
My parched throat. Thirst. Hunger. I was going to die. But I would die trying.
"You won't make it." Kai's voice was far too close.
I would make it. I had to… He collided with my body. We rolled across the ground. His hands pinned my arms. "N-NO! YOU'RE NOT TAKING ME!" I tried to headbutt him. Hit his hard forehead but hurt my own. They wouldn't…
"Stay still!" Kai squeezed my arm violently.
I used every bit of strength I had left to fight, trying to break free. Heightened instinct drove me beyond my own limits. I swung my legs, trying to strike his back. Strained my arms and thrust my torso upward in an attempt to rise.
But Kai used his strength to press me against the ground.
"I'M NOT GOING!" I bit his hand hard.
"OW! STAY STILL!" His saliva sprayed my face.
"NO!" I spat at him, trying to bite him again. "I'LL SCREAM!" My throat burned, and tears streamed without my being able to stop them.
"Luiz, shock her."
"NO!" Suddenly, an electric discharge coursed through my body. My strength was insufficient to resist.
I passed out.