Wounded

 

            Derek groaned in pain as another bullet hit his leg and he stumbled and fell. He’d already gotten shot in the arm and the pain was excruciating. How was he supposed to get to safety now?

            Trying to rise to his feet, he realized that was going to be impossible. Instead, he crawled along, using his good leg and good arm. He only made it about a foot before he collapsed. Why had he joined this stupid war? He should have just run away when he saw the Royal Guard coming to enlist him a few weeks ago. Let the King figure out his own mess with the angry rebels. He could have found somewhere to hide. The Black Forest would have been the perfect place. Maybe it wouldn’t have been all that comfortable, but everyone else was too scared to set foot there.

            Breathing heavily, Derek tried to work up his strength for another run to safety. Gunshots still sounded all around him and he wasn’t safe here. Clawing the dirt with his good hand, he made the monumental effort to rise to his knees, but his strength was nearly gone. Against his will, he found himself falling back to the ground, but someone caught him. With sweat rolling into his eyes, he turned to see who his rescuer was. “Billy!” he cried weakly.

            Billy tried to hide the shock at seeing the state his friend was in. “Derek! Come on! It’s not much farther to the tree line. We can make it!”

            Derek pushed him away weakly. “No. I can’t walk. You go and get yourself out of here.” He grimaced as another crippling wave of pain hit him.

            Billy glanced ahead, but stayed with his arm around Derek. “No way. I’m not leaving without you.” Rummaging in his suit jacket, he pulled out a small vial with purple liquid. “Drink this.” He pulled out the stopper and held it up to Derek’s lips.

            Derek tried to protest, but Billy tipped the purple liquid down his throat. Smoke issued out of his mouth as he coughed and spluttered. When he caught his breath again, Billy was heaving him upright.

            “Just lean on me, Derek. I’ll get you out of here.” Billy half-dragged Derek as he made a beeline for the trees.

            Derek was trying hard not to pass out as his bad leg dragged behind him. Thankfully, they were nearly to the trees and as soon as they reached decent cover, they dropped out of sight, breathing heavily. Gunshots were still sounding, but the denseness of the forest blocked out the worst of the noise. Derek lay on the ground, trying to calm his racing heart. “Thank you,” he managed to choke out.

            As they waited for the firing to stop, Derek found himself able to breathe easier. The pain was no longer debilitating and he pulled himself up into a sitting position. It was then that he realized that Billy was no longer there. “Billy?” Derek was alone in a small, protected clearing. Where had he gone? It had also gotten deathly quiet. Was it finally over? Would he be safe to leave and find help?

            Slowly, Derek hoisted himself to his feet and was surprised to find that his bad leg supported him. Looking down, he saw his torn pants coated in blood, but there wasn’t any kind of wound in his leg. Without thinking, he leaned down to feel it with his bad arm and received another shock as that arm was also working properly without any kind of wound.

            With his eyes as wide as saucers, Derek remembered the purple concoction Billy had given him. He slapped his head as realization hit him. He hadn’t seen Billy for over two years, much longer than the war had been going on. Derek had always assumed that Billy had gone to attend the prestigious college in the capital, but now he realized that Billy must have been attending an even more prestigious school—Hawthorn’s Wizarding School. It was the only explanation for Billy appearing out of nowhere with a life-saving magical potion.

            Grinning broadly, Derek enjoyed having full use of his limbs again as he thought of Billy. Wherever Billy had disappeared to, Derek hoped that he would see his friend again. He was glad he had a friend who was willing to come and rescue him from danger.