This one is a little shorter, but a lot more actionful!
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2
As if someone had punched me in the chest, I gasp and lean over. I am on my knees for a few seconds, and my mind is going hazy again. I put my hand over my face. After a few moments, I seem to come back to my senses. I’m clueless to what just happened. I guess it must be because I’m not fully recovered or something, but I’m no healer.
I get myself back up, and continue to tread through the remains of the town. The smoke and ashes is irritating my eye, making it even harder to see than it already was. I blink, trying to get rid of the dryness.
I’m thinking of Alex, and what she thinks I’m doing. I hope she’s okay. Suddenly I’m worried - what if the island is invaded again? While I’m not with her? My conscience quickly chases away those thoughts.
Slowly, I make my way towards the center of the town. Surely, if there was anyone left here, they would be near the center? But my hopes run low by the time I get there. Low before I hear screaming.
I quicken my pace into a fast walk ( or stumble ) because I cannot run, but I get closer to the sound. And then, I see the source.
A man, probably in his teens from what I can see, is fighting against several other humans. He seems badly mutilated but still keeps fighting. He’s covered in ash and seems to be struggling to see through the ash. He seems human, and I can’t understand why he’s killing others until I see the look in his eyes. They seemed normally emerald green, but they had a glazed look. It scared me.
He swung his sword around, slicing anything in his path without mercy. I noticed the bodies that were strewn around him. Some were already there from the invasion, but many had the horribly fresh gashes from the man’s sword. The air smelled horrible from the already-rotting bodies and smoke. He opened his mouth to speak, and I was shocked by the voice that came out of it. It was deep and unnatural sounding. “What’s your rush now? Everyone will have their day to die!”
I know I was in no condition to fight. My arms still ached. But I reached down to my belt to find my throwing knives still in-tact. They are always carefully hidden in my vest, so Alex must have not found them. I then remember that I had forgotten to retrieve my jewelry from her.
I throw one in the man’s direction, hoping to get his attention. But when I see his face, I realize I should have just thrown the knife straight at him.
It’s badly damaged, and his hair is mangled. His arms and face are covered in blood, but I can’t tell if it’s his own or not. He’s wearing dark black clothing that’s torn around the shoulders. He has tan skin, and sort of a narrow face, but other than that, he looks a little like I do. He had broad shoulders, from what must have been years of sword practice.
He’s glaring at me. And before I can even pull out a second knife, he’s coming at me. He strikes me with full-body force, and I’m bowled over onto my stomach. He’s leaning over me, but I notice he hesitates a little. He has his sword pointed at me. With this moment’s hesitation, I aim a kick at him, but he quickly dodges it. What scares me is that he is now smiling.
“Aren’t you a piece of work?” He sneers. I must be. Half of my face is mutilated, and I have a horribly cloudy eye. His sword begins to fade, and I’m slightly confused by that until a dagger comes into his hand. “You need to smile a little.”
Now I’m mad. He puts his boot over my leg, effectively making me incapable of getting away. I turn my head and look over at one of the houses. Maybe, just maybe if I can get someone….
“Have someone waiting for you? Why don’t you call for them? One last time?”
Furious, I spit directly in his face. He shook his head angrily and then jammed his fist into my windpipe, effectively cutting off my voice. He held his dagger over my face. Then I notice his eyes are becoming clear, and losing their glazed look. He’s hesitating again. But he returns to his “normal” look after that. He shakes his head slightly, and then tries to remove my throwing knives from my belt.
Apparently, he had underestimated how much sharp fingernails can do to one’s face.