Alone in the woods pt2

"Jessica! You have to run!"

Chase ran a few yards before making a lifting motion over his shoulders and beginning a sprint in the opposite direction. His face pointed to the sky. He ran as fast as he could.

"Stop fighting. We have to get to safety!"

He ran as fast as he could until he came to a clearing. He found himself in the center, quickly looking for a place to hide.

"There's nowhere to go." Chase weakly stated. "If this is the end, I want you to know that I love you."

Chase made the decision to run to the right. There were trees there he thought could give some semblance of cover. Once inside the tree line, he stopped again. He listened for movement. There was none. He made a downward motion, eyes glazed over with an afraid yet determined look in them.

"James is still out there somewhere. Stay here. I'll get him!"

And then he hit his knees. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He fell forward, slamming his head into the damp soil repeatedly.

"Why me? Why can't I get over this? If you this is to be my life, strike me down now! I'm not afraid." He screamed as loud as he could.

After the tenth head slam, Chase Blackley stopped. He laid there in the dirt, whimpering loudly. He didn't bother moving for fear that he'd see another attack. He'd lay there till morning, shivering in the cold that was not there.

Morning came slowly for Chase. Each time he'd thought his vision were gone, another came. He watched his best friend die again. He watched a small child explode from a bomb strapped to his chest.

As the sun peaks over the horizon, Chase climbed to his feet. Dark circles ringed his eyes. His face drooped and his head bled profusely from a gash that went from his right eye to below his left jaw.

"This is war, Sky." Chase said as he lit a cigarette. "Spending every waking moment thinking you're still at war. It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemies."

He began to walk back to his camp. Luckily he knew the direction. Most would be lost. But not a decorated Marine who knew the land.

"I actually find myself jealous. Atleast you can tell when things are real. Sure you have a hard time remembering when the Predator takes over and kills. I would give anything to not remember what I've done and seen. I watched a small boy who I used to give candy to at the same time every day explode because some coward decided that it was the boys turn to carry a bomb. He was only five. I remember like it was yesterday. I always met him outside of camp. He was so cheerful, even with the language barrier. He loved cherry lollypops. So I would give him one every morning. Until one day. I'd bought him a bag so that he could share. Just something to brighten up a child's day in that hell hole."

Chase stopped to stretch. Tears welled in his eyes. He sighed and took a deep breath.

"I saw the bomb strapped on his chest. He looked terrified. He didn't want to do it. He didn't even fully know what was happening. Just as I yelled his name, he exploded, killing two of my brothers and himself. I scrubbed my body for a week trying to get the sight of his blood off of me." Chase said in a pain filled voice.

"Id rather not remember that, but I see it every day. It's not something I can shake. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to fondly remember that boy...the joy the candy brought him. His face would light up every morning at ten a.m. But instead I see him exploding. I see his blood splatter in the sir. I see brain matter on my clothes, face and hands. And I can't get it out of my mind." Chase said before sighing again.

He started walking east toward his cabin. He stopped a few times to admire the squirrels who were collecting nuts. It brought a smile to his ragged, dirty and bloody face.

"I wish we could be more like them. All they have to worry about is keeping themselves fed. No one hunts here, do those little guys live a happy life. Instead." Chase paused.

"Instead I wish for death every day. I wish someone or something could just kill me so that I wouldn't have to see what I see...live what I live. Ahh. But breeds like mine aren't so easy to stop. We're tough. We can get through damn near any physical problem and come out still breathing. It's like our bodies adapt to the situation and act on instinct alone. You won't stop me. My body simply won't allow it. The Predator won't stop me either. I'm accustomed to dealing with such entities. Defeating them and moving on to the next challenge. It's an endless cycle of challenges and victory. But theres a price to be paid for each one. I want you to understand that. You have no chance...no hope. No matter how highly you think of yourself. You can't win. He can't either. I've dealt with his ilk before. I've stabbed men through the chest as they cried for Baphamet to save them. But like a coward, he left them to die alone. Oh he gave them great strength at the beginning, but when things turned against him, he left them there to die. That's the position you're in, Sky. It's lose lose for you. Deep down I'm sure you know that. Somewhere inside, you know I'm right. Rebel, Sky. Be rid of that demon. Fight him. Fight them. Do it before he leaves you like all of the others. Atleast then you'd be able to win something. Cause you sure won't be beating me."

Fade.