739. Escape, 2
(Temee)
My only pursuer gave up the run rather quickly after. When I couldn’t see him anymore, I was finally able to rest somewhat, and resume walking at a lighter peace. I kept an eye on the great road nearby.
The scream of the man with wounded hands still echoes in my eardrums. To cause so much pain is hard on me. I feel helpless and pushed into a corner by the circumstances.
I would never have thought... I didn’t want to believe, that I was training for that...
I stay aside the road by cautiousness, but I still follow it toward the next county, until the night.
In light woods with light foliage, I make my camp between other boulders and set us there.
I clench on my hands to prevent them from trembling too much, and manage to fall asleep a while later since all is peaceful.
~
On the morrow, all is still calm, although I’m feeling very cold. I regret not having found a new mantle while I had the chance.
A sip of water for Glasgow and three for me.
In the distance I spot three silhouettes of travellers on the road we follow. I pack our affairs and bring us ready to go again.
I don’t dare getting closer to them in the distance. They must have met the wounded from yesterday.
I fear the other cities have exchanged information about me and Glasgow...
It’s been a handful days since I left house already. And I’ve done maybe only 4% of my road to the ocean...
If the cities are preparing themselves to capture me in advance, I will soon have nowhere left to go to resupply.
So I already fear what will be waiting for me in Yülpel...
The day of travel remains peaceful and well. My legs carry me well and my back holds. I remain careful and at good distance from any human figure on the road. Even if I would really like to accompany them...
The day ends, as quiet as before. The screams feel more distant now. I’m trying to forget them.
Ukhtukht squirms a little. I make camp and feed her. Her bruise on her face has changed colour but I think it’s fading.
T - You felt the cold coming down?
The weather is changing. This night will be icy. I make a blanket out of anything I can find and I snuggle up with her until dawn returns.
~
It froze during the night. The awakening of the body is slower, and almost aching. My tummy isn’t awake enough to eat something this cold. I don’t swallow anything. We get dressed slowly and go again.
The frost on the grass disappears rapidly under the sun, but the shades of the surrounding mountains still cast immense shadows along the ground.
The road further below is deserted. I only notice a wild goat crossing it.
The walk is slow, slower, but paced.
Soon, the city appears beyond the last hills.
The closer I get, the more worried I become. It’s so welcoming that it scares me. Shy or cautious, I don’t know, but I don’t dare getting in there.
I tire myself going around the gate of the city, and crossing through the abandoned outskirts without road in.
Very carefully, I go through the blocs off-centre. Some places still are inhabited. I make myself discreet and step in.
Night is already falling. I have barely eaten anything today.
I find an abandoned building that gives over dry channels going well in and outside town. I’ll sleep there...
I keep my bag pack with me when I get closer to the centre, including Ukhtukht. I can’t allow myself to abandon her at camp, even if I would be more at ease to move around quickly.
I come in the streets avoiding the gaze of people I pass by, and reach the mercantile neighbourhood. My heart is beating fast. I grab by doors left slightly open what I need. Fruits, a long mantle in good condition, and a bag of rice. Even some small bricks of coal.
I don’t risk my curiosity going toward the telecommunications building, on the other side of a well-lit avenue.
I escape to my hovel. I was already too gluttonous.
I burn one of the small coal bricks to warm my hands and a bowl of water, half filled with rice. It warms me well.
I give her spoon to Glasgow and swallow the remainder. I didn’t really feel the hunger nor satiety today. The cold and anxiety kept my tummy out of service I guess...
The mantle that was just at my reach suits me well enough. I sleep with it.
~
The next morning, I resume packing while all is quiet.
The city still sleeps although the sun has already risen? It’s odd. It worries me.
I’m going to investigate a little, looking around through the cracks of the walls and windows.
The city is entrenched. Barriers are barring the streets and roads. People are organising something in good silence.
Even down the dry channels below this building. They’re barring every path.
I’m sweating, very cold, seeing people closing all the roads I had envisioned last night.
I’m being surrounded...
I hurry gathering our affairs. I attach Ukhtukht on my back, her face better protected. I check the three swords at my belt, the others remain in my packet. I breathe as slowly as I can.
Then I start running. I jump from the balcony toward the next roof below, where I land rather well.
I’m sure I’ve been spotted already, but I avoid so the first blocked streets.
I run. From the edge of the next roof, I see more barricades below, but with a hole in the line, through a roofed alley a little further. I run down the stairs, cross the street between two persons who didn’t expect that and I don’t slow down.
They’re running after me. I’m arming myself. I use my momentum along a pole on the way to crush theirs. My sword doesn’t cut through, but the shock to their tummies makes them fall.
They have radios. I shiver.
They’re not in ability to speak right now, trying to catch their breath back on the ground. They won’t tell the others. I don’t try sending the others on a false track with my own voice either, even if my voice is deep.
I finish rushing through the covered walkway and run through the next streets that are exciting the town.
No one is behind me yet. But ahead two other people are guarding the last barrier. They call me and speak into their radio... I don’t have time to plea...
They only have clubs, I show them my unsheathed sword, looking as threatening as I can. And I’m walking toward them, hiding my fear.
They’re hesitant.
Their voices painfully friendly try to reason me...
I go through with force. Both of them are hurt in the same swoop. They fall and bleed. The first one lost consciousness, the other one holds his face I’ve hit.
It makes me cry in pain, because of how sorry I am and how much I empathise.
But I can’t stay... I can’t try it.
I pick up a radio. I put the tool in a pocket and step away, jogging at slow pace, leaving the roads beside as soon as possible.
~
I think no one is pursuing me this time.
It’s a solace for this day. But it’s a horrible worry that confirms itself for tomorrow.
The radio I kept confirms it to me. The message propagates before my path.
They want to capture us.
And their mercy toward me continues to diminish.
~
