The Fifth Journal

by Sims, Matt

• ISBN13: 9781468546941
• ISBN10: 1468546945
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-05-15
• Publisher: Author Solutions

Excerpts

Every step sent shockwaves through my body; the pain was becoming relentless and the agony of defeat crept upon me with each passing moment. I maintained my speed, running as fast as I could, zigzagging around rock outcroppings in the hillside and pressing forward with every desperate muscle I had left. Phoebe kept with me, matching my steps and gaining ever so slightly as she tried to get ahead of me. Her mouth was held tight in a fixed grimace, attempting to fill her lungs with each painful, deep breath she took. Seeing her, summoned strength within myself that I no longer thought was there. I had to survive, if not for myself, then for her. Slow, unstoppable motion was all that I could comprehend, while bullets struck the ground and rock all around me. They could be heard screaming past us, and soon enough, they were felt ripping into me. My right thigh was hit first, crumbling my stature to the ground. I pushed up with my arms and was able to prop myself onto one knee before another round struck my left shoulder, sending me back to the floor. I cried out in agony as I rolled over onto my back, staring skyward, and gritting my teeth in pain. Explosions could be heard in the distance, and I feared they would soon be much closer. I looked over at Phoebe who had also been hit. She lay several yards away, nursing a wound, while hiding behind a small boulder. The ground was shaking all around us as the concussions from the impacts were nearing themselves to our location. Soon thereafter, one of them hit home, sending both Phoebe and me into the air. We both hit hard as we returned to the ground, and Phoebe was knocked out cold. I rapidly performed a self-check, groping about to make sure I had all my limbs and everything was where it was supposed to be. My right hand reached up and felt the absence of flesh from the right side of my face; the vision in my right eye had worsened, and meanwhile a sizable amount of blood began to pool in the surrounding dirt. Was I really dying? I could see them now, advancing on us, moving swiftly through the field, approaching the outcroppings we had taken refuge in and raising their guns to fire upon us once more. Not like this, I thought, I will not go out like this, laying here like a beaten dog! I rose to a knee for a second time, shouldered my rifle, and pulled ever so delicately on the trigger as I aimed down range towards them. The kickback on my uninjured shoulder felt good, like coming home from a long extended vacation or enjoying the company of a good friend. I smiled as each projectile careened away from me, searching the world for someone to hurt. Some of my little children made contact, while others simply struck fear in the hearts of those that wanted us dead. I looked over at Phoebe who was coming around and conveyed to me through one look that she would rather be anywhere else than here right now. The familiar explosions could be heard again, and I knew this time they would not be so forgiving. I smiled at her thinking that this day had started out too pleasantly to end like this. What a shame it would be to not see the sunrise with her tomorrow morning like we had been doing together lately. I crawled over to where she was and laid down next to her, holding her outstretched hand as she cradled my head upon her chest. While listening to the sound of her heartbeat I thought, Oh well, at least we will have this one last sunset... Then, the ground began to shake...