5 Fubar

"Leo??"

"Come on stay with me!"

"Help…! Help…! He-…!"

"Get away from him you bastard…!"

"We're gonna make it…"

"… maybe not for another week…"

"Breathe~

Keep breathing~

I can't do this~

Alone~"

Leo's eyes slowly open as he gains consciousness. He feels a cool rag on his forehead. Leo takes it off as he sits upright.

A sharp pain blasts throughout his shoulder. Leo grunts in pain, gripping it tightly. He notices he has no shirt on, and several banadages enveloping his arm and stomach.

He gets up from bed and approaches a nearby window on his left. Leo yanks the curtains apart, laying eyes on a town along a harbored coastline. He opens the window and the faint sweet scent of ocean air enters his nostrils.

Another shock of pain shoots through his abdomen, forcing Leo to his knees. He pulls on the foot of the bed frame to hoist himself up; with valiant effort, he sets his foot down, one after the other. Steps approach the door, but Leo's too weak to react.

A young girl walks in, holding a medkit.

"Oh! You're awake… earlier than we expected," she says nervously.

"Where am I? Where's my friend?" Leo demands.

"You're in Havenna; Amanda is with Mr. Petrov," the girl explains.

"Amanda? Havana?" Leo wonders, "Like Havana, Cuba?"

"No, Havenna, like Haven with a flat 'a' and an 'n-a' after," she explains, " and your friend, Amanda." She approaches Leo but he gets defensive. At least until more pain jets through his body at the speed and power of a bullet train.

"Lie down and let me do my job," she commands. Leo glares at her.

"… please," she asks. With a sigh, Leo sits down. She gently peels off the bandages on his shoulder.

"What's your name?" Leo asks.

"I'm Sarah, pleasure to finally speak with you," she smiles.

"Thanks for taking care of me Sarah; I'm Virgil," Leo replies.

"I was a bit confused on that," Sarah giggles, "Amanda calls you Leo but your ID said Virgil; I didn't know which was correct."

That's, right. Virgil did tell Amanda his name was Leo; he did that for everyone actually. Virgil never had the heart to tell Amanda he lies about his name once he trusted her; come to think of it, just now he found out her name was, in fact, Amanda.

It was dumb to use his actual ID when he started smuggling. With enough saving up of ration cards he would be allowed to forge another. But until then, he'd have to use his real one and pray he never gets caught.

Sarah finishes rebandaging Virgil's wounds and puts her supplies away.

"Sarah are you-?" Amanda calls out, poking her head inside the room. She spots Virgil in an instant, dashing to hug him before he has time to react.

"Well Virgil, I'll let you two catch up," Sarah smiles, closing the door when she exits.

"Still using the fake name Virgil, huh?" Amanda whispers.

"Amanda… it… it's my real name," Virgil confesses.

"You hit your head while I wasn't looking?" Amanda jokes.

"Amanda I'm serious. My real name is Virgil Caesar. I'm sorry I lied to you," Virgil continues. A tear comes to Amanda's eye at this revelation. Her lip quivers and her eyes get red.

"Here I was thinking we trusted each other. I guess it's just a one way thing," she notes.

"Look I'm sorry but I lied to everyone in case things went south. I wanted to tell you but I didn't want to ruin our friendship," Virgil apologizes.

"Because my little brain wouldn't handle it," Amanda paraphrases. She storms out, leaving Virgil alone once again. Sarah checks back in.

"Everything alright?" She gently asks. Virgil leans out the window.

"I'm fine. I just need time," he replies.

"We all need time. It's a vanity we all hope to have. What matters is what we do when we've got little left," Sarah responds. She turns Virgil to face her.

"What are you going to do, now that time runs short?"

Virgil ponders this question, turning back to the window. He exhales heavily once he has made his choice.

"I'll stay here. My days of travel are over," Virgil declares, "Besides, I'm in no shape to be up and about."

"Not yet at least," Sarah smiles. The sun rises over the horizon, bringing a cool orange sky with it. Clouds dot the sky above, gently making their way.

Virgil takes it upon himself to get food. His old man taught him fishing before the virus hit. Thankfully, Sarah had a spare boat and rod.

"I don't know how to fish… can you erm… teach me…?" She nervously asks.

"Be my guest," Virgil agrees, "I'll be down south of the coastline, beyond the harbor."

Virgil packs his bag with a medkit and gutting knife, among bottles of water and spare clothing. As he packs, Amanda comes from the loft.

"Heading our?" She asks, crossing her arms.

"I'm going fishing; Sarah is tagging along," Virgil explains. Amanda scoffs and pushes past him to another room. This will subside… hopefully.

"I've got the rod right here and the canoe is in the garage," Sarah jumps from the stairs. She hands the rod over to Virgil.

"I'll go get the canoe," Virgil announces. He puts the rod on the kitchen counter. Sarah leads him past the loft to the garage.

Tools, boxes, and other miscellaneous items litter the place, the canoe in the center of it all. Virgil opens the garage door, straining with all he can muster. In his condition, he's not enough, but with Sarah's aid they manage.

"Don't strain yourself!" She scolds.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Virgil recites.

"Muscle takes time, so give it time," she replies.

"I understand you replace my bandages but why are you so interested in my health?" Virgil asks.

"You're my first patient since my apprenticeship," Sarah explains, "I'd prefer if my first patient recovered."

"What? To keep a good record?" Virgil mocks.

"To show that I know what I'm doing," she replies. She places the tackle box and rod in the canoe, then strains futilely to lift it.

"Let me help," Virgil offers. The two take and end and lift it briefly before they cave in, letting it to the floor. Sarah examines their situation, coming to a consensus.

"Amanda, can you help us please?" She calls out. Amanda emerges from the loft wearing a two piece swimsuit and sandals.

"Oh, were you headed to the beach too?" Sarah smiles.

"That's the plan, yeah," Amanda answers. She doesn't bat an eye at Virgil.

"Well anyways, Virgil and I need help carrying this canoe; can you please help us?" Amanda reluctantly agrees, taking the middle. With a heave, they lift it up and make their way down the shore.

"So what's your plan Amanda?" Sarah asks.

"Sunbathe, make a sand castle, usual stuff," she replies.

"When we catch something I'll join you," Sarah laughs.

"Speaking of which, we have the tackle box right? And the rod?" Virgil asks.

"They're in the canoe," Sarah confirms. The house at the edge of the town, nor is it far from the coastline. It's roughly a five minute walk; as a matter of fact, they're already there.

The three gently set the canoe down on the warm sand.

"I'm going to change; I'll be back in five," Sarah says, racing back home. Virgil lays in the canoe while the water calmly brushes it.

"What's your plan?" Amanda asks.

"Catch a fish and cook it up," Virgil replies.

"And after?"

"Dunno, I'll think of something when the time comes," Virgil answers. Amanda grows silent. The waves stroke the shore.

"Are you mad?" Virgil asks.

"I'm not answering that," Amanda declares.

"Fair enough," Virgil accepts. They let the soothing sound of the ocean take them to blissful rest.

"Alrighty, let's get this boat on the water!" Sarah exclaims excitedly. Virgil falls off the canoe, startled.

"Well then, must've dozed off," he mutters to himself. He gets up and pulls the canoe while Sarah pushes. Once afloat, they hop in and begin paddling.

"Stay safe!" Amanda yells as they drift away.

"So how far out are we going?" Sarah wonders.

"In a canoe, not too far out; they aren't built for heavy waves," Virgil explains, "Our best bet is probably somewhere between the surf and breaking zone."

"You sound unsure," Sarah says.

"Like I said, canoes aren't meant for the ocean, so I'm going off of experience and logic."

Sarah trusts Virgil and keeps paddling. Soon enough they've made it past the surf zone, the coast a decent distance away.

"Now it's time to fish," Virgil says. He opens the tackle box and pulls out a can of spam. He gestures to Sarah, confused.

"Canned meat is actually a very effective bait, plus it doesn't perish so it can be used until you run out," Sarah explains.

"Well if it works," he grunts, throwing the baited hook into the water.

"Now we wait," he declares. He leans back and rests his head on the soft cool wood.

"Umm," Sarah protests.

"Hmm?" Virgil opens his eyes and is met by Sarah's confused and embarrassed eyes. Only then does he realize his head lays in her lap. He jerks up and says nothing, staring dead ahead.

"I was just a bit flustered, sorry…!" Sarah spews.

"It's fine if you need rest…"

Having that in mind, Virgil decides he will sit upright for the rest of the trip.

Nope nope nope nope nope

A jolt of pain jabs his stomach, forcing him to almost lean overboard.

"Watch out!" Sarah cautions, grabbing his right shoulder and pulling him back. Virgil gains his balance and breathes heavily.

"Easy now, stress might cause another shock," Sarah warns, "Here, lean back."

Reluctantly, Virgil leans back into Sarah's lap as she gently strokes his hair. She leans over him so the sun doesn't get in his eyes. They try their hardest to not squirm.

Within moments, Virgil feels something jerk the fishing rod, then again and again. He shoots up and grips it tightly as he methodically reels it in. When it attempts to swim away Virgil lets it take only so much with it that it loses distance.

When it's mere meters away Virgil jerks the rod up and back, flinging the poor fish into the air and into Virgil's hand.

"Woohoo! It's a decent size, we'll gut and skin it on the beach, cook it up for lunch!" He says excitedly. Sarah smiles at the catch.

"By the way, it's almost sunset," she corrects, pointing out to the setting sun.

"But we were there for just a few minutes!" Virgil wails.

"A few hours; you fell asleep," Sarah explains. Virgil looks out to the setting sun, giving way to the night.

"But it was dawn when we left!" He continues.

"It was still winter when we left," Sarah giggles.

"Then let's make it to the shore," he sighs. He sets the fish down and holds it with his foot. The two pick up their paddles and make for the beach.

Upon making it to the shore, the sky rages as a storm sets in. Quick wit tells them to use the canoe for cover as they make a mad dash for the cabin. Amanda greets them at the garage, shutting it behind them while Virgil and Sarah take a breather.

"Shit! The tackle box!" Sarah realizes. To their dismay, they left the tackle box and fishing rod behind in their panic.

"There's no time! We'll grab it tomorrow!" Virgil yells over the pounding rain.

"My dad will kill me if I lose his box or rod!" Sarah exclaims at the front door.

"He won't have the chance if you get caught in that hell storm!" Virgil pleads.

"I won't be gone long!" Sarah yells. Before Virgil can protest, she dashes away.

"Fucking hell!" Virgil complains, slinging on a random coat from a rack and pursuing. With every crack of lighting Virgil directs himself to the coast. The crescent moon laughs at him as he runs around like a headless chicken.

Virgil's pleads for Sarah are drowned by the endless rain and thunder. He manages his way to the beach where the tackle box is nowhere to be found. The freezing cold water pounds against him; Virgil feels the cool water drip from his stomach to the sand.

Suddenly he feels exhausted and dizzy. A warm sensation batters his abdomen. He puts his hand to it and a warm liquid flows through his fingers; his bloody hand wipes the rain from his face as he continues his trek along the beach.

"Sarah! Call out to me!" He yells. For once, his voice can be heard, if anyone is nearby to hear it.

"What are you going to do, now that time runs short?"

"What will you do when time runs thin?"

Virgil grunts his pain, pushing himself far beyond his limits. His heart in overdrive, blood flows from his wounds in his boulder and stomach. He is simply too hellbent to die; nothing can stop him, not even his sins.

His legs weaken, arms heavier than brick. Blood starts to flow from his nose. At any moment his adrenaline could run out and his heart stop beating.

It was only a matter of time before Virgil fell to the ground.

"Leo?"

"Leo??"

"Oh my god Leo!"