Memoirs From the End of the World: Entry #18

It's Friday once again, so that means it's time to return to our dystopian world. For those of you who've missed previous installments, you can find the entire story on this PAGE.

I hope you enjoy!

Memoirs From the End of the World

Entry #18

RC looked on in horror.  The knife was pressed so tightly against Alyx’s flesh that little beads of blood trickled away from the blade.

“All you have to do is lead us to any other strays that you know of,” Gas Can said with a lopsided smile.  “Then we can deal with them instead.”

“I won’t help you hurt anyone,” Alyx announced defiantly.

“Those are brave words from someone who has a knife to his throat,” Gas Can growled.  “What can possibly persuade you to reconsider?”

Spiked Club picked up on the cue.  He yanked RC’s head up by the hair and, with a brutal hand, forced layers of clothing aside to reveal her collarbone.  The cold air blasted her bare skin, but a knife was there soon enough.  Running the tip along the ridge of bone, he sliced through the skin.  The blood felt boiling hot in contrast with the cold as it flowed from the wound.

“Leave her out of this!” Alyx demanded.  His voice sounded frantic.  Almost crazed.

With those words, Spiked Club ceased his cutting, though he kept the blade in place.  Awaiting further instructions, most likely.

“Why in the world should we do that?”  Gas Can’s gleeful tone made RC’s anger flare even more.  “We caught you together, so there’s no reason to leave either of you out of the fun.”

“I don’t care what you do to me,” RC insisted.  The frosty air was already numbing the pain of her injury, thus adding to her bravery.  “I’ve seen the kind of treatment you have to offer, and I’d rather die than help anyone like you!”

Gas Can’s eyes never left Alyx’s anguished face.  He definitely enjoyed the pain he caused with his words almost as much as he enjoyed the physical violence he inflicted.  “If you don’t cooperate with us, you’ll be helping us to justify hurting her even more.”

Spiked Club leaned over RC and, without moving the blade, ran his tongue up the side of her neck and across her cheek.  The trail of saliva left her chilled as he proceeded to run his fingers through her blood, spreading it around so it covered her throat.  He laughed in her ear as she whimpered involuntarily.

“If you haven’t already noticed, my associate is perfectly willing to follow through on our threats,” Gas Can noted with a glint in his eye.  “In fact, if there’s anything left of her when he’s done, I wouldn’t mind doing my part too.”

Spiked Club ran his free hand down the side of RC’s body.  “What if we got her pregnant?  Could we turn her over to the breeder for a bonus?”

Hatchet Girl’s thin face was pale, her eyes wide and frightened.  “Is this really necessary?”

Gas Can turned and slapped her hard across the face.  Smack!  The sound melded with the whoosh of the wind as she stumbled backwards.  “Shut up, or we’ll do the same to you!” he warned.

The rest of the group started contributing their own colorful ideas for their captives, and RC had to tune them out.  She looked to Alyx, hoping for some kind of reassurance.  He was the only one she could trust, though he was equally helpless. 

The falling snow dusted his hair, and for the briefest of moments, she remembered how magical the snow seemed when she was a child.  Now, however, as they faced the possibility of death beneath the falling flakes, the element of wonder was gone.  Instead, it was a cold, uncaring death shroud.

Unless the group selected a worse fate for them.

It took a moment for RC to realize that Alyx was silently mouthing something to her.  She watched his lips closely, interpreting his message the best she could.  It’s going to be all right.  I promise, he seemed to be saying.

                                                             

She doubted the truthfulness of his words, but she gave him a smile.  Awkward though things were between them personally, she didn’t want them to end their association on bad terms.

No, she decided.  I can’t think that way about him.  Whether I planned for it or not, he’s my friend.  Even after that damn kiss, he’s my friend.

Alyx’s captor suddenly pulled him to his feet.  Gas Can stalked over and grabbed Alyx’s collar, pulling him close so their faces were mere inches apart.  “Listen here.  You have two choices.  You can either give us what we want, or we’ll use your girlfriend over there any way we like while you watch.  If neither of you break down from that, we’ll torture you until you talk or until you die.  As you already know, we have no problem with killing anyone.  Do you understand me?”

When Alyx stole another glance in her direction, RC saw the tears building, though he hadn’t yet let them fall.

“Don’t make him choose!” RC yelled as rage flooded through her, drowning the last of her good sense.  “Take me and let him go!”

“No!”  The word exploded from Alyx so forcefully that Gas Can jumped back.  He must have been terrified they’d consider her offer.  “I’ll take you to the rest of our people.  I have to warn you, though.  It’s a long way from here.”

RC lingered on the most important part of his promise.  The house wasn’t far at all.  It would take less than twenty minutes to get back from there.  He’s taking them somewhere else.  He has to be.

“We don’t mind a long walk,” Gas Can replied.

Alyx promptly pointed in the opposite direction of home.  They set off, leaving fresh footprints through the snow that was already coating the ground.  Cold winds whipped their clothes.  The knives were pocketed, but Spiked Club still had an iron grip on her arm.

Alyx led the way with a knife at his back.

As they walked, RC fretted over one pressing question.  Does Alyx have a plan, or is he only trying to buy us time?


Go to Entry #19