Terry Barton
A sledgehammer suddenly slammed the side of my head, or at least it felt like one did. My hand shot up to the affected area and cradled it in an attempt to dull the pain. Things were starting to come back to me. That van, the guns they pointed at us with cruel intent. I remembered that, eschewing all reason and logic, I had charged straight at them to try and lend a distraction for everybody to get away. Then everything blacked out. The bump seethed under my fingers, a bit of dried blood matting up my hair. Maybe I had earned that strike to the head; it was a pretty dumbass idea anyway.
I peered at my surroundings, though it was difficult at first until my eyes adjusted to the darkness. Even then, all that welcomed my vision were four stone walls barring me from the rest of the world. The thought raced through my mind again. Where was I? Then a figure trembling beside me came into focus. It took me a second to realize it was Belle. I reached out and gently wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer. Ignoring the pain that I myself was experiencing, I stroked Belle's hair, striving to comfort her, knowing that her pain was probably far worse.
"It's okay. Everything will be okay." I breathed the words into her ear softly. Of course, this was as much an endeavor to console me as it was for Belle. Did I really know if we were? No. However, those were the words that both of us needed at that very moment, an affirmation that we would come out of this, whatever it was. A quick glance to my side revealed the forms of Maddy and Ren, still unconscious on the dirt floor. I pondered whether I should try and wake them up. Not like there was much to look at around here, so perhaps it was better they stayed in dreamland for just a little while longer.