Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Mystic Grey ❯ Volume Six: Chap. Sixteen: Alone ( Chapter 16 )

Alone

-Rieko-

I hate being alone. Too many thoughts in my head. I am started to remember everything. I think I'm a little girl. I shut my eyes for a second. I think the sun's getting to me. When was the last time I slept? I don't even know where I'm going.

How long have I been out here? Days? Weeks? I'm so thirsty. I sank to my knees. Am I going to die? I fell to the sand. This is it. This is the end. I'm going to die out here. It's almost funny when I think about it. Maybe that's why I'm laughing. So here I am. Laying face down in the sand dying and laughing. I must have looked like a sight. It didn't take long for everything to fade to black.

“Hey. Hey. You okay, miss? Hey! Hey!” A hand slapped my cheek. I slowly woke up.

“Hm…?” I asked. My vision started to clear. An old man was staring at me.

“Are you okay?” he asked. I blinked as I lifted my head. I tried to get up.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Take it easy!” he said. He pushed me back down. I lay there, blinking.

“You're not hurt or anything?” the old man asked. I shook my head.

“Oh good,” he said as he sighed in relief. “Thought you were dead there.” I blinked at first.

“I'm alive?” I asked.

“Yeah,” the old man said. “Here.” He held out his hand. I slowly took it. The old man started to pull me up.

“Can you stand up?” he asked.

“I don't know,” I said. I nearly toppled over. He caught me in time.

“Take it easy,” he said. “Let's sit you down here.” He walked me over to his wagon. I can't stay here too long. I have to get going. I might get them killed. The old man handed me a cup of water.

“Here,” he said. I quickly took a drink.

“Easy, easy,” he said. I put down the cup.

“Thank you,” I said. I started to feel better. I took in a breath.

“What's your name miss?” the old man asked. I looked up at him.

“Rieko,” I said without thinking. I paused. Why did I do that? The old man smiled.

“Nice to meet you, Rieko,” he said. “I'm Clark.” He held out his hand. I reluctantly shook his hand. No. This was bad. I needed to get away from him. I don't want him to die.

“Say, where are you heading?” Clark asked. I sat up straight.

“Into the next town,” I said. (Why did I say that?) The old man grinned.

“What a conscience! I'm heading that way too!” he said. “Want a ride?” No. I could've said no. Stop it before it went further. He doesn't need to die. I could just let him go. I handed back his cup.

“Sure,” I said. Clark broke into a huge grin.

“Great! Let's go,” he said. He climbed onto the wagon. Clark whipped the horses and rode off. I forced myself to keep calm. Maybe this won't be so bad. I can just jump and run once I get the chance. I can hold out until then.

And then, I will be alone again.

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