[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.John hefted the ax as he ran, unsure what good it would do.He had his 357 on his hip, but he had only five shots with it, the fifth chamber was empty to preserve the hammer mechanism and to keep the gun from going off accidentally.He saw the giant insects rearing around a tree.The bush partially obscured his view, but he got enough of a glance to know what was going on.He paused long enough to rip the shirt tail off his shirt, then snap a dried branch and wind it around that.The sound of the dried branch snapping got the animal's attention.Two turned to look in his direction, mandibles and antenna moving about.They dropped down low, and he saw the bushes rustle in his direction as they got closer.He figured Loni had climbed the tree.He could hear her yelling still.He pulled out a polyp and squished it, dribbling the juices onto the improvised torch.He pulled a precious zippo lighter out of his thigh pocket and lit the cloth, then blew on it to make sure it took.He snapped the lighter closed and pocketed it just as the first animal came out of the brush.It rose up like a cobra, hissing at him but focused on the torch.He pointed the torch at arm's length moving it to get the thing's attention.But before he could do anything more the second came out of the bush.John swore, now outnumbered.“Do something!” Loni wailed.“Anything!”“I'm sort of fresh out of ideas here lady!” He called back.That got the rest of the swarm's attention.They turned away from attempting to climb the tree to him.Soon the bushes were all moving in his direction.“The good news is they aren't paying attention to you anymore,” he said, backing slowly away from the two who were bobbing and weaving.He dodged a lunge, diving behind a tree.He swung the ax as he heard a sound coming from the other side.It missed, but the torch accidentally ground into the creature before it could bite him.It shook and jerked away, then dived into the bush.He turned back in time to catch a centipede as it went for his arm.It bit, but the ax handle was in the way.He felt mandibles dig into the ax and his flesh, making him bellow in pain.He ground the torch into the thing making it shudder and jerk away.A second smaller one bit him on the thigh.He smashed it with the butt of the ax making it let go.He swung the ax with a surge of adrenaline chopping into the underside.Fluids sprayed out as the thing thrashed in the bush hitting two of the other animals.The smell or splatter of ichor made them pause, then turn and leave the area.He panted, standing there waiting for the next attack.When none were forthcoming immediately.He looked at his arm and leg.His arm was a mess, most likely broken from the pain he was feeling.Still, he didn't let go of the ax, though he did lower the suddenly heavy head.The leg wound was more serious though; he was bleeding.He immediately took off his belt and used it as a tourniquet.From the look of the bite, the only thing that had kept the thing from snipping right through his leg was the barrel of the 357.He laughed, knowing he probably sounded hysterical.He should have used the damn thing, he thought, cinching the belt savagely tight.“What's so funny?” Loni demanded.“Are they gone?”“Yeah, you can come down,” he said.“I don't know if I can.I twisted my ankle pretty bad on the way up,” she said.She sniffled, then climbed down as he limped over to her.When she got down she was looking down, rubbing her ankle.“Damn it, yeah, I did,” she muttered.Then she looked up to see the blood on his arm and leg.“Shit, you're hurt?”“Yeah,” he said.“Some hero, right?” he laughed.“Come on,” he said, motioning with the torch.“You better let me take that,” she said, eying him and the brand.She took the torch, then one hand touched his wounded arm.He was cradling it and the ax against his chest, the head of the ax was almost in his hand.He winced.“I should.” He winced as she ripped her own shirt tail, then used it to wrap his arm.“Stupid fool, getting hurt,” she muttered as she tightened it, then tied it off.“You're welcome,” he gasped.“I didn't say.you know what, never mind,” she said.She felt sobs tear at her throat as her hind brain caught up to the fact that she was relatively safe.But she still needed to get out of there.They needed to get out of there she reminded herself.“Come on, lean on me,” she said, limping to his side.They made their way carefully away from the animals and to safety.Unfortunately, they had to take a roundabout course; the animals had fled towards the base.John felt his attention waver with each step.He was getting dizzy and very tired.He fought it; he knew it was death to pass out.But finally his traitorous body gave in.He slumped against a tree.“Come on,” she urged, voice rising in fear.“Just a little farther,” she said.“Can't,” he said.“Dizzy.Blood loss or poison.You need to get out of here,” he said.He gingerly set the ax down and then handed her his revolver.“Go [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]