Days Since...Xavier [Day 853] by Robert Wilson

Author:Robert Wilson [Wilson, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopian
Publisher: Power Shift Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-04-08T04:00:00+00:00

Grant skittered across the ground on his hands and feet—away from Simon’s lifeless body resting in the charred wood and ashes. Splotches of redness replaced the compression from Simon's chokehold. The arms were gone from Grant’s neck, but the sensation was not. Grant stood and massaged his collarbone, then brushed the filth that belonged to the overpass from his body.

Grant approached Simon cautiously, taking the body and rolling it onto its side. Two fingers to Simon’s neck, and it was confirmed. He went to Xavier, picking the small pistol from the ground on his way.

The persistent ringing in Xavier's ears began to give way to other sounds. “Xavier! Xavier!” Grant embraced him, squeezed him tightly into his chest. “Here, take it.” Grant slid the pistol into Xavier’s pocket.

“Jesus, boy! Hey!” Grant took him by the shoulder, narrowing his eyes into Xavier’s. “Hey, you did right.” Grant took the glasses from Xavier’s nose and waved his hand in front of Xavier’s face. “Hey!” He shook him lightly, then harder, “Snap out of it!” He replaced the glasses, helped him to the ground, and then joined him. “We can’t just sit here.” But Xavier did just that. “You’re not dead.” Pointing to the corpse, he continued, “He is. Just him.”

Simon still appeared to be very much alive. He stared back with unblinking eyes. The side of his face lay firmly against the street—his body never to move again. Only the brief memory of their journey would live on. No funeral. No real acknowledgment. He would rot under that overpass alone.

Xavier’s lips began, but the words faded before they made it any further than the tip of his nose. Grant leaned in to hear the muted words. It was repetitive. Over and over, it ran from his mouth, but continued to expire before it reached Grant. He couldn’t get any closer. Gradually it grew, and the words were audible, but unrecognizable. Over and over. Pieces started to come together, “I can’t … then … all of it is…” The repetition wavered in and out and then stopped. Xavier's throat trembled. An abrupt spasm, then vomit. He groaned and pressed firmly on his stomach.

“Damn, boy!” Grant said, rising to his feet, ensuring he kept his shoes from the bile.

“What have I done?” He looked down at his hands, the vomit between his legs. What have I done? I had to, right? I had to do it. His breathing elevated. Calm down. Calm down. Get a hold of yourself. You're not going anywhere. Stay right here. No fainting again. He stood, unsteadily, but Grant took hold of his shoulder.

“You saved me,” Grant said, every last one of his teeth showing. “Didn’t know ya had it in ya, boy.”

“I don't want to do it again. Never again.”

“You ain't done nothin' wrong. I can't have ya second guessin' what ya did.” Grant rustled Xavier's hair. “You did what was right. He would've killed me. I owe ya.”

He nodded to Grant with a feeble smile.

“I'd like to lay some more praise on ya, but we're gonna have to get goin'.

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