Sunshine by Natalie Wenner Page B

I planned to go straight for its heart. It came charging towards me and I sliced it across the chest. It grabbed on to my arm and it felt as if it would snap into two. I plunged the blade into its thigh, yet it didn’t react. I threw up my knee in pure desperation; I hoped this would hurt as much as it did normal people. I met my target, right between the legs. It let go of me slightly, it was just enough to get my knife up and I planted it right in its heart.
                  That was it. It fell to the ground. There could still be more. I grabbed my gun and headed out the broken window. Outside I found nothing. That was a close one.
                  I opened the confessional and I could tell Marcus was surprised I was still alive. It was now his turn to play doctor as he cleaned my cuts and stitched up my finger. I didn’t want any pain medicine, because as soon as he finished I headed up towards the bell tower. I had been stupid to think I could sleep.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 24
     
    Bathing, My New Favorite Activity
     
                  In the morning I came down to find the body gone. I didn’t want to know where it was or how Marcus had moved it. There was a large amount of blood stain on the floor. I loaded everyone into the car and we set off towards the ocean. I am tired of only dreaming of living on the sea. I was going to make it happen. It’s what’s best for my family.
    Marcus hasn’t said a word since he woke up except for groans and moans. He is very sore and I every time I look at him I see a new bruise. I drive the entire day only stopping to take care of Sunny. As night falls we pull into an auto garage. I figured it’s the best we can do. We don’t make it out of the car.  We take turns at watch and in the morning we are off again.
    The roads are becoming more and more congested as we get closer to the ocean. We probably could have made it to the ocean in a couple of hours back in the day. The air smells of salt and fish, which only lightens my spirit. I see water on the horizon, but I soon realize it must be a bay. However, a few short minutes later I see it, the ocean, we finally made it.
    Sunny is babbling away in the back seat. He now says Mamam, but I’m not sure if he’s talking about me or Marcus. I beat he will think my name is Sugar, Pumpkin, or Honey.
    There is a slight chill to the air and I know we made it right in time. I park as close to the beach as I can. It must be a residential area as I only see houses. Spectacular houses that must have cost a fortune. Marcus doesn’t want to get out, but I force him to come. I take a quick look for danger and see nothing.
    I set Marcu s down on a blanket in the sand; he’s cradling his gun, and I then carry Sunny over to the waves. He is elated. I can’t help, but shed a tear at the perfection of the moment. Of course, it doesn’t last long because Marcus is begging to get under shelter. There seems to be a storm brewing.
    We pick the smallest house on the strip. I do a once through and see no sign of Jacks or other people. I give Sunny a well needed bath and a bottle. He cuddles up with a teddy bear. Marcus is my next victim.
    “You know you really smell. I need to change your dressings.”
    “I can take care of myself.”
    “Ha, very funny.”
                  His shirt is filthy so I simply cut it off, instead of torturing him getting it off. I don’t know why he put it on this morning. His pants, however, are the opposite. They are stuck to him from the dried on blood so instead I have to slowly peel them off. This couldn’t be more awkward.             
                  I’ve been with one guy and he was my high school sweet heart. This was different. Marcus was my friend, well kind of. I didn’t know what we were. I didn’t like seeing him in pain, but seeing him nearly naked was exciting. I knew I was blushing and I