Michael had a huge bleeding cut from his shoulder to his elbow about half an inch at its widest. Another from his hip to his ankle it’s widest was around an inch. Many bruises dotted his skin. The pain was too much.
Beside him, Novala’s eyes were dull, and blood shot, her breathing shallow. Dark circles under her eyes, and her limp limbs indicated how exhausted she was. “We need to get out of here.” She croaked. “You're going to bleed out.”
Novala dragged herself to Michael, and even that seemed like a huge effort. Michael didn’t answer beside a small groan. It hurt so much to make that one small sound. He couldn’t move. The pain was almost overwhelming.
Novala tore the bottom of her pants, and used the cloth to cover the larger wound. The cloth was thicker than Michael expected, and blood soaked in slowly. She weakly tore up her pant legs, using them to bind his other wounds. Michael didn’t move. He felt sick and weak.
“I’m sorry.” Novala said, it was obviously hard for her not to pass out. Michael was having the same problem. His head was light. He tried to answer Novala, but all that came out was another soft moan. He tried harder. “Ok it o-“ He couldn’t finish. Spots were appearing in front of his eyes.
Michael struggled to keep his eyes open. His body felt like it had taken hundreds of punches. He looked at Novala focusing on what she was doing to try to keep his eyes open. Novala looked at Michael. “I can’t keep my eyes open.” She groaned. “Had no idea.” Michael muttered instantly regretting his decision.
“We shouldn't have merged. My power might have worked just me. I’m so stupid” Novala said weakly, she seemed to be getting tired from just the talking. “N-no” Michael said, eyes shutting. “Still awake.” He said so she would know he hadn’t passed out… yet.
Novala leaned against him as she fought to stay awake. “That was my first time merging.” Novala said, Michael could hear the happiness in her voice. “Usually both retain wounds, and use up energy. I wish it hadn't been like this.” Novala was obviously just trying to keep them both awake.
“I'm okay though.” Michael said with a small smile knowing he was far from ok. Novala laughed weakly. “How are we going to get out of here?” Novala asked. Michael shrugged slightly then grimaced. “Hoping you would know.” He said. Novala looked at the ceiling.
“If we try together we could get it open, but we would have to jump. I don’t think we would even make it to the door before we were caught.” Novala said. “We can’t stay in here. We might as well try Novala.” Michael said, opening his eyes. “You’re right.” Novala said. She leaned heavily against the wall as she tried to stand.
She was panting by the time she was up, and still leaning against the wall. Michael moved and moaned. He got up to his feet shakily. His face was getting paler by the minute. “We need to get back.” Novala said weakly.
She helped Michael to his feet. Both leaning heavily on each other. Novala’s face became pale, and she was sweating as she pushed the panel away. “You go first.” She said. Michael climbed out struggling immensely.
He got out and collapsed on the floor trying immediately to get to his feet. He stood up and stumbled over to the wall so he could lean against it. Novala struggled out, and didn’t bother to replace the panel. She stumbled over to Michael. “We just… keep going this way…” Novala said through panting breath. Michael walked after her dragging his feet. He was starting to turn a pale green. The pain was insane.
Within a few minutes, they had reached the door. They had their arms around each other, and were supporting each other. The door opened, and they saw that the ship was moving along at high speed. The ground flashed inches below. Just then, soldiers appeared down both corridors.
“I think we should jump.” Novala said. “K.” Michael panted, holding the side of the door tightly. The soldiers rushed at them. “Now!” Novala yelled with what little strength she had left. Together they jumped.
They fell together, opening wounds as they tumbled away. When they finally stopped, both had many bleeding scratches. The ship soared away at hundreds of miles an hour. Novala and Michael lay in the dirt, heads spinning.
Michael had never been in more pain. He laid there in a heap and stared straight ahead. “We need to move somewhere safe.” Novala grunted. Black spots clouded her vision as she stood. She stumbled and fell over.
Michael didn’t move at all, he stayed in the same position. “Michael?” Novala asked, worry and exhaustion in her voice. Michael moaned but he still remained in the same position. Novala stumbled over to him, and put his arm around her shoulders. She began dragging him off the road, and among the pine trees.
The leaves were blue and the trunks were black. The roof high above them glowed with soft light that the trees blocked out. Michael stared up at the trees overhead marveling their glow.
After a few minutes, They reached a shallow cave. Novala set Michael down, and collapsed, painting next to him. Michael remained in the same position Novala had put him in and passed out. Novala leaned against Michael, and followed his example.
Many hours later, when the sky was nearly black, Michael woke up feeling much better. He felt something against his shoulder. He looked down to see Novala’s head against him. He looked around the cave with clear vision.
It was dark and he realized he had stopped bleeding. He was still light headed and slightly nauseous. Novala groaned, and woke up. “Michael?” She asked, obviously still not at her best. “Don’t worry I am still alive.” Michael said with a small laugh. “My head hurts a little though.” He added.
“We need to find a river. And food. Your wounds will get infected if you don’t clean them.“ Novala said. Her voice was hoarse. “Fine. I will do that, but honestly I do not feel like walking very far.” Michael said. “Me neither. I’m still exhausted, but we're not safe till we’re back at the Shrine.” Novala said.
“Let’s find water then we can talk about what happens after.” Michael said, getting to his feet slowly. Novala stood shakily beside him. “I passed a river while I was bringing you here. I think I remember how to get there.” She said through panting breath. Michael took Novala’s hand to steady her. “Thanks.” She said leaning against him.
“I had no idea it would be like this.” She said. “It’s not your fault.” Michael said helping Novala get out of the cave. “It was my idea though.” She said, leaning on him. “You need to stop blaming yourself! I agreed to do it. People get to you because you blame yourself for everything.” Michael said. “I know. I just can’t be confident like you.” Novala said.
“See you don’t stick up for yourself. If you are going to fight then you have to learn to stand up for yourself or you will lose every battle you ever fight.” Michael said walking a little faster so he was ahead of Novala.
“At least I don’t insult everyone I don’t like.” Novala said, crossing her arms. Michael blushed a deep red. “I don’t insult everyone I don’t like because I like you… as a friend.” Michael added hastily. “So you're trying to insult me now?” Novala asked, getting slightly mad.
“No-well-uh-no-I dunno. I was just uh telling you that uh well uh you should stand up for yourself.” Michael ended weakly, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. He resembled a tomato.
“Could have phrased it better.” Novala muttered, looking away. “Well I’m sorry that it wasn’t nice enough for your delicate ears. Apparently you would rather be insulted and hurt than to stand up for yourself and be strong.” Michael said, getting angry.
“Well I didn’t get the chance to learn to do that! I’ve grown up with this and nobody has ever explained to me that I can stand up for myself!” Novala said, her voice growing louder. “No one taught me either! I was smart enough to teach myself apparently you have no common sense! I can’t believe you Novala! I thought you would be strong and courageous but you are just a coward.” Michael said whipping around to face her.
Novala met his eyes, anger in her own. “I can’t be like you! I’m not strong enough to do this alone!” Novala yelled. Her eyes turned black, and the cave around them shook. A large rock above Michael exploded, and one of the shards struck him in the head. Michael looked at Novala with shock and hurt before he collapsed on the ground.
His head was bleeding so after a few moments the side of his head was soaked with blood. Novala’s eyes returned to normal. She gasped, and ran over to him, tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry!” She yelled. “I didn’t mean to!” She tore up more of her outfit.
She tried to stop the bleeding, and tears ran down her cheeks, and dropped onto Michael’s face. Michael remained motionless for several hours. Novala stayed with him, trying her best to stop the bleeding. It stopped eventually.
All of the sudden Michael’s eyes shot open. He looked up and saw Novala. “Get away from me!!!” Michael screamed sitting up quickly. He moaned and fell back down. She caught him before he could hit the stone.
“Don’t touch me! You almost killed me! You are a monster!” Michael screamed, shoving her hands away. Novala recoiled. “I couldn’t control it.” She said tears coming into to her eyes.
“The one thing I thought you did right! Stay away from me! I don’t want to die because of you!” Michael yelled leaning against the cave wall in a sitting position. “I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry I-“ Novala broke off, her voice breaking.
“Well that fixes everything now doesn’t it? You’re sorry. Man my head feels so much better.” Michael said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I wish I had never met you!!” Michael screamed at her.
His face was getting paler as he yelled. He was too weak to use this much energy. Novala’s eyes shone with hurt. “At least let me help you. I can’t lose you… even if you hate me.” Novala said quietly, looking away as she did.
“I will take care of myself. Leave me alone.” Michael said faintly. Novala turned away, and went over to where the fire had been the night before. She kneeled down beside it. She reached out for one of the charred sticks, but instead stood up and walked out.
Michael watched her go. He was ashamed about how he had talked to her, but those feelings of remorse were quickly extinguished because he could have died. Michael laid down and stared at the ceiling. He quickly passed out from dizziness and pain. Physical and emotional.313Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9s3fXMdQw
