Highway Part 41

Highway Chapter 21(continued)

He came up to me, putting a foot on my ribs and pressing down with enough force to crush them. My world spun for a moment as I forced myself to focus. The pain was absolutely excruciating. Each snap that came from them created an agonizing wave that followed, drowning me in a sea of pain. Veronica, I thought, Think of Veronica. Her hair, her eyes, her beautiful smile.

Snap!

The nausea was coming. Her puns at night, her silly country voice acting.

Snap!

He had moved to my arm now. Just a little bit closer, I thought, just a little bit more pain. Her cuddling Ozzie, her head resting against my shoulder. Her sopping wet hair as she pulled me into the river, laughing maniacally.

Crunch!

Her tears for me the night I spoke of my past, her fascination in nature, stars, and stories. Her look before she said goodbye, the bone crushing hug.

Only a few ribs were broken as far as I could tell, but I mostly had fractures. I cried out, a mix of pain and exaggeration. He laughed again, leaning in. He had forgotten I had the pocket knife, absorbed in his anger.

When he came close enough, I grabbed his head, burying my fingers in his hair. Bringing down the knife with as much strength as possible, I slashed across his face, almost identically to the previous slash that had caused the scar. He wrenched away, howling in pain. He clawed at his face, tearing away pieces of skin. It was grotesque, and I had to look away before I vomited. His screeching rose though the air, and he dropped to the ground.

Why was he doing that to his skin? He would kill himself! I tried to gesture to the girl, to get her out safe and sound while he was distracted. She leaped over him, but slipped on the slick rooftop. I bent down to help her, only taking my eyes off of Veronica’s still screaming father for a second. Unfortunately, that second had been too long.

I heard the knife puncture my side before I felt it. The pain was delayed, almost as if I was in shock. But sure enough, I looked down at it, the knife sticking out. Veronica’s father was staggering along the roof, and he smiled when the knife clattered to the ground as it slipped from his weak grasp. It was bleeding profusely, seeping through my shirt like a sieve. I was still standing, although I couldn’t comprehend why. Perhaps I had just been grazed? It was strange I could only feel an ache there.

Veronica’ father attempted to reach me, but couldn’t keep from swaying. I couldn’t feel the knife in my hand anymore, and I didn’t know if I could fight. The girl was shivering in a corner now, burying her face in her hands. Before any of us could react, he lunged forward unsteadily. He tripped on the girl as he moved, knocking him off balance. He was now leaning dangerously over the rail.

I tried to grab him, to stop him from falling. He didn’t deserve to live exactly, but I wouldn’t let anybody die if I could help it. He was supposed to be in jail for the rest of his life, not falling off of buildings. He looked as if he were steady for a moment, but then leaned over even more. Without warning, he fell off of the edge.

Had he slipped? I moved as quickly as I could to the rail, hoping I could still see him. I could, but there was no way he was alive. He hadn’t landed in a survivable position. I felt my legs buckle out from under me, and I fell to the ground.

“Matt!” I heard a voice call.

I looked around, only to spot Veronica.

“Hi,” I said, not quite registering what had happened.

She looked confused and frantic.

“Why?” I asked, looking at her curiously, “Why are you here?”

She rushed over to my side, kneeling next to me.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t leave you behind with other guys. I sent one of the girls ahead to the town, because she spoke a little English. What happened? I thought the knife missed?”

She was so concerned, and I felt happy she cared about me. I was bleeding out, and so I began to feel dizzy. She pulled my arm around her shoulder, attempting to get me down the stairs she had just come up. I tried to walk, but I was losing my balance, and I almost fell. Fortunately, there was only one flight of stairs, and she dragged me down it. When we reached the ground floor, she pulled me out a now open door. I fell from her grasp outside.

The edges of my vision were starting to cloud up, but I forced them away. Was I dying? I knew that I was. The knife wound had been too serious. I couldn’t feel my tongue, and so my words began to slur.

She told me that I was going to be just fine. I smiled at her, knowing she understood I was dying. I reached up to her face, placing my hand on it. I frowned when her cheek was smeared with blood.

“Sorry,” I said, worried I had upset her.

She kept telling me I was fine.

“No, baby girl. No.” I told her firmly.

I told her to listen, but I was interrupted by the pain finally coming to me. I arched my back in agony, writhing around. As the initial wave passed, I panted.

I told her I loved her, because I hadn’t said it before at the hotel. She needed to know just how much I cared before I went away. She told me she loved me too, and my heart glowed with joy. I reached around her head, touching her hair clip. I told her she was beautiful, but that she should have her hair down, for she liked it that way. I took it out for her, her hair coming down in waves.

She really was beautiful in her dress, and I was glad I was going to see her as my last vision before I faded away. Her hair was now clinging to her face, and so I brushed a strand away. She was my baby girl, my beloved friend, and my favorite person in the entire world. She was my angel.

I told her how she had changed my life, and how thankful I was. She was crying.

“Don’t cry,” I said, frowning at her, “You’re okay. Everything will be fine.”

She shook her head. She was saying something about not leaving her, but I was fading, and fast. But I had to say one last thing before I left.

“Please don’t let this bother you,” I said, more relaxed this time.

The pain was draining away like the blood, and I could feel myself grow limper. It was cold, but she was holding my hand in hers, so I didn’t mind.

“You will be the most beautiful drifter there is. I can already tell you’ll help so many people. You are the sweetest, most loving girl I have ever met, and I want you to spread that love to others. You’ll awaken soon, and it will all be better. Remember how much I love you right now, and keep that love in your heart. If you ever feel lonely or sad, just remember me in your heart.”

She was weeping now, hunched over as she held my hand against her face. The rain was clearing up rapidly now, as if Veronica’s presence had brought down sunshine again.

“It’s never really goodbye,” I said weakly, fighting to keep my eyes open, “I’ll become a part of nature now, and you’ll always have me with you. Stay strong, okay? Never change who you are. Remember every single ounce of love you have received and give some to others. It’s time for me to go now.”

She was shaking her head frantically again.

“Veronica, my beautiful baby girl, I am the luckiest man in the world. Thank you for loving me as I love you. Be a good girl and don’t get into trouble. Take care. You are always going to be the most special person in my heart. It’s time for me to leave you, but I’ll meet you again someday. I love you.”

She was screaming something, but I couldn’t hear.

When my vision faded and I went completely limp, the darkness closed in. I wasn’t afraid of it, because my life had truly meant something now. Instead, I welcomed it like an old friend.