Immense pain and darkness. It hurts, everything hurts. My side, god my side. It burns so much. My chest, why does my chest burn. It feels like hot lead is flowing through my veins. Someone deliver me from this hell hole. Why have I been forsaken. Charlie? Dave? Are you there? Please help me. God the pain. And the darkness. The darkness everywhere. The darkness it claws at me. The darkness it calls to me. I hear it. It promises me salvation. A relief from my endless suffering. It calls. It claws. I can feel it at the edge of my mind. Digging into my brain.

I open my eyes and gasp. I take in large amounts of air but the more I take in the more my chest and side hurt. ‘The pain, god the pain.’ I try to take in my surroundings through quick short gasps of air. Rough floors and ceilings of stone covered in stalactites and stalagmites. Shadows draped the walls from a small fire that was burning to the side of me. Charlie and Jack sat with their backs to me. I slowly started to sit up, leaning my body against the wall.

“How long was I out?” I asked startling Charlie and Jack, they both jumped a bit before turning around to face me.

“You’re awake. Thank god.” Jack said with a relieved look on his face. I smiled at Jack but looked at Charlie.

“You were out for a day.” Charlie said before turning around and looking out of the cave. “I’m glad you made it out this time.” He said with his back turned to me. I nodded, even if he couldn’t see me.

“Thanks Jack, thanks Charlie.” I said before focusing. “What’s our situation Charlie?” I ask.

“Not good, we’ve been fleeing for the past day after you passed out from your fight.” He said in a solemn tone. “We haven’t been attacked by another Predator but I don’t think that’ll last for much longer. We need to flee this cave as soon as you are able to move.”

I sigh and nod. “Alright.” I lay back down on the floor and look at the ceiling. “We’re really fucked this time, huh Charlie.”

“Yep.” He answered curtly.

“Next kill goes to you Charlie.” I said.

He chuckled. “Seeing how you turned out after your kill I think I’ll have to pass.”

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

I chuckled as well. “I guess you have a point.” Jack watched on in awkward silence trying not to interrupt the conversation being had. “I think I’ll rest for a bit more before we go.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” Charlie agreed.

I smile then close my eyes letting unconsciousness wash away my pain and exhaustion.

I dream of nothing but a warm darkness and for that I am grateful as it provides me with a respite from the pain and suffering of my waking moments. Unfortunately nothing good can last and in what feels like a minute I am woken up by Charlie.

“..sh.osh. Josh. Wake up Josh.” Charlie said as he lightly shakes me.

“I’m up. I’m up.” I said as I tried to rub my eyes but I stopped as immense pain flared from my chest and shoulder. “God I forgot about that.”

Charlie chuckled. “This seems to happen to you a lot.”

“Yeah.” I agree then I slowly rise up to a sitting position. “Cause I keep having to save your ass.”

Charlie grinned. “Who asked you to save me, I don’t remember doing that.”

I grinned. “Shut up.” I slowly dragged my body to my feet using the wall for support. “Let’s get moving.” I said then I stepped away from the wall and stumbled. Jack quickly stepped up to support me, putting one of my arms around his shoulders I leaned my weight onto him. I smiled weakly at him. “Thanks.”

He gave a strained smile back. “No problem.” We then started to move out of the cave. Within a couple of minutes we had left the Cave and entered the Jungle. We made slow progress due to my weakness.

Hours passed by in silence. The sounds of the Jungle like hypnotic background music for our slow march. The Jungle was very disorientating, everything looked the same and it seemed like we made no progress.

“I think we’re being watched.” Charlie said, continuing to walk forward as if nothing was wrong. I start to look around but Charlie stops me. “Don’t look around, act normal.” I stopped moving my head and faced forward.

“So what are we going to do.” Jack asked in a nervous voice.

“We can’t do anything right now.” He said. “The Predators are invisible so it’s impossible for us to know where they are.”

I sigh. “I guess we can’t do anything then.”

“It would seem so.” Charlie replied. We continued to walk in a tense silence. I could feel the sweat running down Jack’s neck onto my arm but that might have been from walking through the Jungle for a couple hours. Eventually we came to a stop. A river had crossed our path and it was too wide and swift to swim across.

“Looks like nature is with the enemy, huh.” I said to Charlie.

“It would seem so.” He replied. “Looks like this is where we make our last stand.” He then dropped his pack and I followed suit, with the help of Jack of course.

“Jack hand me my rifle.” I held my hand out to Jack. “Looks like it’s your turn to take a beating Charlie.” I chuckled then looked down at my chest. “Be careful Charlie.”

“I will.” He replied then a blue glow emanated from his legs and he quickly jumped away.

“So Jack, are you ready to die?” I asked him.

He looked at me shocked. “Are we really going to die?”

I shrugged. “Probably.” Despite my calm tone I was scared. It never got any easier facing death but it’s something I have to do. Instead of letting my fear rule me in this time of need I choose to stay calm and in control. ‘Deep breathe.’ I breathe in then I breathe out. ‘Calm.’ I breathe in. ‘Calm.’