Resistance
Slowly releasing a shattered sigh…”Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.” Like a chant I repeat this soundlessly, reminding myself that socks and string cannot save me now. This is real. Denatured proteins run rampant in their craniums. Such an evil alliance they have formed. Our bodies have no defense against them. I am crouching in a patch of fronds in the quiet, in the stillness, waiting for my next cue to move. The atmosphere is devoid of light tonight. A breeze rifles the pale leaves covering me in the overgrown underbrush. I will my heart to be quiet, but it won’t listen. HA! The Sinoatrial node is not controlled by the hypothalamus. I stare at the scarred door for any sign of movement. He crept in nearly ten minutes ago! “Where are you Ted?” I whisper with a hiss of frustration. Please brother, don’t make this another forlorn night. I cannot take loosing you too. Katana – I need you.
My mind jumps to memories of that night’s mission. It was one to remember. Her long black rod of steel was strewn on the ground next to her body. All shrieks and fears faded into silence as I looked upon her. Thumping heartbeats resonated in my cochlea. I knew what this meant. The task is lost! Kneeling to squeeze her hand as an act of goodbye, I did not spare a second longer. I took up the sword and ran. I must make it back to safety. To the tunnel. To those who remain waiting for a glimmer of hope. Branches slap my face as I took off through the woods. Twigs scratched my glasses and caused lesions on my arms. “Its just simple squamous. It shall heal.” I pushed on. Burrs and thistles clung to my muddied clothes, screaming at me to slow down. Finally, short of breath, my mitochondria needed a rest. I slowed for a while and ducked behind a wood pile. A minutes passed. Then four more. I shielded my eyes from the glare of Luna from above. “Curse you! Why must you be so white tonight? Alright, its time to go.” I crept around the cambium layers, making sure I was not seen. Alas, it was not to be. POUNCE! Out of the navy blue air came a decaying creature! It lands on my shield and yanks me to my feet. “Get back you green minded monster!” I screamed, “You have enough cronies!” Slashing to the right and left with my newly acquired blade I endeavored to hold it off. Pain tore through my side that was left exposed without the safeguard the dead creature now held. I swore quietly under my breath as erythrocytes oozed from the lesion. Quickly the decaying hand was lopped off by the black weapon.
“You saved my life Katana. Your soul did not perish in vain.”
I jerk back to the present at the sound of a creaking hinge. Shaking my head urgently blink away the tears that had covered my sclera. I must focus. From that dreadful night on I was no longer A’onette. I am now SpurSharpener. Fearless leader? Not a chance. I am more afraid of them than ever, knowing what we are up against after seeing it firsthand. I have a responsibility now to lead and to lead well. My comrades and I have only one life to live! Our precious energy shall not be given away to a prion filled being. Ted joins me in the ferns with the parcel. The duty is now mine. Our eyes meet full of questions, but stories shall have to wait. I signal to him with a brisk nod, “Lets depart.” He blinks in agreement and we tiptoe into the night, watching our every move. Waiting for the next blindside.
Its not our blood they want, its our brains. Our knowledge. Our minds. I feel faint, dizzy thinking about those who have fallen to the mobs. Do not turn your back for a moment or the horde shall overtake you. Persevere and resist! The end is drawing near.
