Chapter 24: Run Until Dawn
Theo's first thought was that he'd died.
Because everything was black…it was hardly, burning black that pressed down on his chest like some weight at the gym.
Then came the cold shivers through his body. Then, he noticed the smell of smoke and probably iron.
"Uhuhuhuhu! There was a sound of someone breathing raggedly near him.
He forced his eyes to open up.
Shapes came slowly…Theo saw trees, broken glass, the crumpled body of the car half-buried in mud. And Danielle.
She was slumped against the seat, her hair looked tangled, and crimson liquid was falling from her forehead. For a split second, he thought she wasn't breathing.
"Danielle," he rasped, his own throat felt really dry.
But his little princess gave no response back.
Theo pushed himself up, and felt how every muscle was ready to break from the pressure he was putting on.
His head felt like fire. His sight wasn't clear still, and the world doubled in and out of focus.
But he didn't care. He crawled to her side, pressed two fingers to her neck, her pulse was light, but there.
Relief hit his nerves like a knife…
He unbuckled her, ignoring the sting in his shoulder. The car's metal frame groaned as he kicked the door open. He scooped her up, she was lighter than she looked and stepped out into the dark forest.
Trying his radio, but the signal was dead, Theo bit his lower lip. His comm device flashed red once before going dark. Whoever had shot their driver had jammed their line.
Theoo wasn't stupid.
They weren't trying to kill them in the crash…they were hunting them.
Theo tightened his hands on Danielle and started running.
The trees felt like real obstacles to him with Danielle in his arms. The snapping branches, crunching leaves all told him to run faster away from the danger. Behind him, there was a sound that was growing, came the echo of barking dogs.
Theo's stomach felt like it was exploding from the inside...
Dogs meant trackers. Trackers meant death…
He didn't care if they'd killed him, but Danielle was another thing.
Theo's lungs felt like fire spreading across his whole body. His legs were tiring out. But he didn't stop. Theo held Danielle closer, her head against his shoulder. "Don't you dare die on me," he ordered, but was already out of breath.
The barking was getting louder, but Theo had no time to think just run.
Mud splashed up his pants, branches scratched his skin, his eyes were barely holding, but still, Theo didn't stop. Not until Danielle moaned against his arm.
"Theo…" her voice was really weak and trembling.
He looked down at her, relief almost made him stumble. "Good. Stay awake," he breathed. "We're almost…"
His knees buckled. The ground rushed up too fast.
He dropped beside a thick tree, clutching her to his chest. His breath came in painful bursts.
Pressing a hand to her cheek, Danielle was too cold. Her lips were pale. Then his eyes caught something under her jaw. There was a small, glowing blue mark, like frost on skin.
"A toxin?"
It was clearly travelling slowly, paralysing Danielle.
Theo swore under his breath. "I'm sorry," he whispered. He reached for his knife, his hands were shaking. "This is going to hurt."
He cut a small line over the mark, ignoring the guilt slicing through his chest. The blood welled instantly, looking darker than normal. Theo placed his mouth to her skin, drawing out the poison, spitting it into the dirt.
Again! Again! And Again!
"Aaah!!!" Danielle gasped suddenly, body jerked back to life. Her eyes opened, and she looked confused and dazed. "What…what are you doing…?"
"Saving your stupid life," Theo said through gritted teeth. His own face looked out of colour, and sweat streaked down his temple. "Don't move."
Danielle managed to look at him, and instantly noticed his shaking hands, and his stained lipa with blood…Danielle realised he was barely standing.
"Theo, you're weak. You need to rest-"
He shook his head, coughing hard. "No time. They're close." He reached for his sidearm and shoved it into her weak hands. "Listen. Take the gun and run north. Don't stop until you see the road."
Danielle stared at him. "No."
"Yes."
"I'm not leaving you!"
Theo tightened his jaw and his headache started pushing his brain. "You don't get to choose. You're the one they want."
"Then they can have me!" Danielle raised her voice, already filling her eyes with water. "I'm not running without you!"
"Danielle…"
"No!" She grabbed his arm, moving her head to both sides violently. "If you die here, I will die too."
He stared at her, that stubborn fire in her eyes breaking through this wild situation. His hand tried to lift, but felt too strange…like a stabbing electricity was going to cause Theo a heart attack.
"Oh, fuck!" Finally, he reached out and pulled her down beside him.
"Then sit," he ordered hoarsely. "Stay quiet. Hide your body behind mine."
"Why are you-"
"Just do it," he whispered.
She obeyed, pressing herself against the tree, her nervous hands clutched the gun he had given her.
Theo's eyes blinked once, then again. His breathing slowed down.
"Theo?" Danielle called his name, touching his arm.
"..."
"Theo!" She shook him harder. "Wake up!"
No response from her bodyguard.
Tears blurred her sight. "Please, Theo, don't do this. Don't close your eyes now."
The barking grew louder, flashes of light cut through the trees. People were moving closer. Danielle pressed her back to the trunk, not being able to stop this shaking.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Then, she heard gunshots.
"Aaaagh!!!" Danielle screamed, and her human instincts took over. She raised the gun. "Stay away!" Closing her eyes forcibly.
Then, Danielle quickly glanced at Theo again, at the man who had thrown himself between her and death so many times.
Danielle felt how her heart was turning into so many trees that were slowly set on fire…
She got closer to him, "Thank you… for being here."
Then, as these strong steps were getting closer, Danielle kissed him desperately, trembling…like it was the last thing she would ever do.
And then she turned toward the lights, ready to fire.
"Goodbye…"