Part 97: The Bad News

McKay huffed while he was on all fours. He slowly stood up, feeling of the blood streaming down his right shoulder. The wound was slightly deep but not deep enough to be life threatening. He turned around and looked at the unconscious girl. She laid against the tree and above her was the indention that McKay made when he slammed her head into the tree. He gently felt of his wound and looked down at the savage girl. “Let’s hope you ain’t rabid, luv,” he sighed.

“McKay!” Tony called.

“Tony?” McKay turned.

He saw Tony and John walking up the hill toward him. The Australian laughed as he ran toward the archer and embraced him like a brother. They both chuckled, glad to see each other again. “McKay, you all right?” Tony asked.

“I’ll live,” he laughed, “How did you find, John?”

“After I took care of Cedric, I heard him screaming through the walled in rocks. I managed to crawl up and smash the rocks down enough for John to get through.”

“Damn, boy,” McKay laugh, then grunted, “You are a damn human Tuning Fork!”

“McKay, you’re bleeding!” John pointed out.

“I’m fine. I just need a bandage. We should head back, and make sure the others are okay.”

“What others?” asked John.

“We didn’t come after you alone, John.” Tony mentioned.

The two friends then began to walk into the darkness, trying to find their comrades. McKay didn’t want to mention just yet that he had heard gunfire. It may have come from Seth or it may have come from a Black Faction person. John had just gotten out of being buried alive. He didn’t want to shatter his spirit by suggesting Mia may be hurt.


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After fifteen minutes, the three friends made their way out of several bushes. John was happy to be breathing clean air. Tony followed along hearing the sound of their foots steps. McKay grunted, as he had torn off his shirt and used it to bandage his shoulder. He hoped he’d make it back to the beach soon. He was worried about even another infection.

John moved some bushes aside and then stepped forward. In the distance, he saw movement out of the left corner of his eye. He looked an saw a familiar grouping of jet black hair and a jean jacket. “MIA!!” John called.

The Lakota girl turned and saw John, gasping. She then ran through all the bushes toward him. John ran toward her, meeting her half way. They quickly embraced, making a small THUD sound. She held onto him, kissing his cheek, making sure he was real. Shanna walked out of the shadows, smiling at her friends. She was so glad to see John saved and reunited with Mia. McKay patted Tony on the shoulder, telling him they were okay. “I thought I’d never see you again,” she said, crying into his chest.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you?” He chuckled, kissing her on the forehead, “I got you now and I can’t let you go.”

The two lovers kissed again. But this time instead of passion, it was a kiss of longing. They had each other and then they were taken away. At that moment, thanks to their friends, they were reunited. As they parted, they held onto each other, not wanting to be let go. “As much as I hate to break this up, “McKay smirked, “We really should head back to the beach, and make sure everybody else is okay.”

“Yes,” John agreed.

“Tony, me and Shanna looked for the others but we couldn’t find them.” Mia pointed out.

“Don’t worry.” The blind doctor whispered, “If they did what I told them to do, they should be back at the beach now.”


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Another twenty minutes had past and the small group had finally arrived at the beach. McKay grunted, as his stinging wound got worse. Tony promised him, since they had the new Medical kit given to them by the Red Faction, he’d be able to probably sew it up, should it require stitches. John and Mia walked together, holding hands as they transverse the sand. Shanna didn’t say anything; she wanted to make sure Brendon and Seth were okay.

As they walked past the Bathroom Rock, they saw their encampment at the end. The fires were lit up. Then when the others spotted them coming, Yolanda was the first to run toward them. She was waving her arms frantically. John blinked at the sight of the black woman running for them. “Tony, Yolanda is running toward us,” he whispered, “I think something is wrong.”

“Yolanda?” Tony called to her.

“TONY!! TONY!!!” Yolanda said, arriving at their position, “You got to come quick! Brendon has been shot!!”

“WHAT?” Tony exclaimed.

He immediately held out his hand and allowed Yolanda to guide him back to the camp. The others quickly followed, kicking up sand in their heels. When they arrived at the camp, the others were gathered at the Medical Tent. Eddie was crying on the outside with Bernard comforting him. Jenny and Kristy stood with Martin, who was sitting in the sand, holding a wet rag to his bruised face. Seth was alone, holding Brendon’s sword and rocking back and forth. Mia collapsed on her knees, next to her friend. “SETH!” she said, grabbing his arms, “What happened??”

“They . ..they shot him,” he wept, “He . . .he took the bullets meant for me . . .he threw himself . .Oh, God . . .Oh, Mia . . .he saved my life.”

Mia embraced her friends, who started to cry into her arms. Shanna stood near them, staring at the medical tent and hearing Brendon moan in pain. Tears began to roll down her cheeks at the thought of losing a good man she had come to know as a friend. Yolanda guided Tony into the tent and John followed. The blind doctor was led to the wounded young man, in the hope of doing everything he possibly could to save his life.