╳carpe noctem.

   Sitting down beside him, she rested her elbows on her knees, unsure of where to start really. She didn’t know him--these people, but she’d worked with Liza, and they’d been kind enough to let her come with. Now that Liza was...gone, she needed to do what she could to help. 

    “So, uh. Last night was a lot to handle. How are you holding up? Do you need anything?”

“I know, lady. But it was that or stay in a fuckin’ death trap and get attacked by w–” He catches himself mid-sentence. “Uh.. Bears.” He winces as she removes the makeshift dirty bandage off the fingers.

Some of them have fused to his skin already, and he bites down on his free fist.

  “W-uh.. Bears? I’ve never heard of them. Tell me--are the common up on Blackwood?” 

      She paused for a moment, looking at him before continuing to unwrap his hand. It was salvagable. It sure as hell wasn't in good shape, but she could fix it. What was left of it. 

He just nods at her and lets her do her thing, mute. Mike’s too tired to protest, blinking softly. “Shouldn’t you be more focused on, you know. My cut off fingers.”

  “I’m going to say it’s safe to assume that you self amputated? Unless you had the time disinfect whatever you used--not to mention the other factors, you could very well have an infection in your bloodstream. Which will kill you faster than you think.”

   “Joshua.. It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? I, uh--I heard about your sisters. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.. Are you doing alright?”

“I am not afraid of death..

               I just do not want to be

                            there                                        

                                      when it happens.”                                                          

   “I promise you have nothing to worry about. I just need to draw some blood, and ask a few questions, okay? Nothing crazy, alright?”

    “Look-- You might not think this is my place to say anything, I’m not your doctor, but I really think you should see a shrink. It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“I am not afraid of death.. 

                I just do not want to be 

                             there                                        

                                       when it happens.”