14.3 Assistance

Groaning softly, you shift around slowly, acutely aware of pain in your side and head. Reaching a hand up gingerly, you press it against the side of your temple and find it wet and sticky. Your eyelids feel heavy and as if they don't want to open. You **** them to after a moment and struggle to focus on the blinking lights before you. The smell of smoke is thick in the air, making it hard for you to breathe. Coughing, you reach down and try to unfasten the harness wrapped around your torso. Panic quickly sets in when you find the catch stuck. More pain shoots up your side as you quickly sit up and look out the large window. Adrenaline quickly rushes through your body when you see a small fire slowly eating away at the exterior of the cockpit.

Looking around wildly, you try to locate a sharp object. You can see the flames licking at the glass in your peripherals, urging you to move quickly. Coughing again, you find it hard to stay focused as your oxygen slowly runs out. Realizing there are no objects of use, you begin tugging desperately at the straps around you. There's a loud metallic groan behind you, quickly drawing your attention away. Blinking back tears, you're barely able to make out a large figure in the smoke as the cabin of the craft is suddenly illuminated by light. Tensing, you slowly shirk back into the seat as the unknown person approaches.

"Easy there," You hear a deep, soothing voice speak.

You're unable to heed his words as you become aware of a large blade in his hand. Struggling, you're unable to move as the harness remains secure against you. You quickly close your eyes when the blade nears you and you feel its cold steel press against your skin. A moment later a loud ripping sound meets your ears and you feel the harness fall aside. When you open your eyes you see the interior has filled with even more smoke. A firm hand wraps around your arm, helping pull you out of your seat. The harsh smoke burns your eyes as you stumble to follow the man out of the craft. The first breath of fresh air quickly surges into your tender lungs.

You find yourself temporarily immobilized by a large coughing fit. Swaying slightly, you find yourself leaning against the unseen figure for support as you struggle to regain your composure. You stiffen when a large hand gently runs up and down your back. Breathing out slowly, you finally begin feeling less disoriented. Straightening up swiftly, you pull away from the person before turning to face them. You find yourself at a loss for words as you slowly take in the large figure. Piercing blue eyes are staring back at you inquisitively, partially covered by thick locks of raven black hair. His lean face is covered by light stubble and a long scar running across his jaw line. Still wary, you take a step back only to feel yourself losing balance. The man quickly reaches out to steady you, his eyes never leaving your face.

Wincing lightly, you finally glance down and take a better look at your own form. You're dismayed to see one of your sides covered in blood. Too concerned to be modest, you reach up and peel back the blood soaked flannel. It appears your stitches have been partially ripped open.

"That doesn't look good," You hear the man speak, drawing your attention back to him. "We should get you out of here."

Your throat feels raw and dry from the smoke and coughing. Unable to answer, you watch cautiously as he motions for you to follow him. You quickly stop short when you see him leading you towards a large animal.

"You have a horse." You state in surprise, your voice ragged and barely audible.

The man doesn't reply but instead offers you a hand up. Though you're still skeptical you eventually accept. After all, if he has access to a domesticated animal it may mean there's a chance he's leading you to civilization. After you're seated, the man pulls himself up behind you, tentatively wrapping an arm around your waist. You inhale sharply at the unexpected contact but remain silent. Suddenly completely exhausted, you find yourself leaning back against the man's broad frame. As you continue forward you feel yourself growing increasingly drowsy. Given the amount of blood you've likely lost, you know this cannot be a good sign.

Siting up slightly, you **** yourself to remain awake. After what seems like hours, the man finally pulls the horse to a stop. You're unable to stop yourself from slumping forward when he releases his grip around you. You feel him slip off the horse before you're cautiously pulled into his arms. Groaning lightly, you lean against his chest as you feel yourself being carried somewhere. Struggling to stay cognizant, you eventually feel yourself slipping back into unconsciousness. When you wake back up, you feel completely disoriented. Sitting up groggily, you begin taking in your surroundings. Pale light illuminates the otherwise dim area, coming in through a slit in the material surrounding you. After a moment you recognize it to be some sort of tent.

You appear to be alone, laid out on several animal hides. When you glance down you quickly blush upon discovering your shirt is now missing. Gauze and bandages have been wrapped around your arm, stretching across your chest providing some modicum of decency. There is a bowl of water set out beside you, which you quickly down upon discovery. The cool water stings your throat but you're far too thirsty to care. You only stop your indulgence when the sudden sound of voices reaches your ears. To your dismay you quickly realize there are several people outside talking in hushed tones. Unable to stand the suspense, you hesitantly set the bowl down before quickly pulling one of the tent's flaps open.