Fool's Gold: Michael: Determined

Michael found more cash, watches, and rings as he pilfered through the dregs. He had found a purse and used it to carry his items. He hoped one of the many sets of keys he found was for a vehicle by the fence; he didn’t think he could walk too far, his head was pounding and he felt sick from leaning to check dregs.

Michael gripped the front of his jacket and took a steadying breath. He could do this. He would get anything he needed for travel and he’d do his best to find where the plane had gone. Emily needed him. He had to get to her.

The sun was beginning to rise as Michael slowly walked away from the airstrip. He stopped for a moment to take in the sky. He was sure this was the type of sunrise people would brag about getting to see on their vacation. He looked down at the dregs strewn about the tarmac. Some vacation.

He reached under the zipped jacket and gently brushed his fingers along the gold chain around his neck. His gaze hardened and he pressed his lips into a grim line. He’d find Emily and then nothing would separate them again.

With a new sense of determination Michael continued walking. He picked through the keys he found and pressed their lock buttons. He dropped the keys as he checked, he had no reason to keep them if they didn’t start one of the cars.

Finally, one of the cars chirped its lock. Michael felt his shoulders sag in relief. He started a trot towards the car but his burst of energy was short lived. His vision blurred and he had to stop and lean on a car to catch his breath. TV made this kind of thing look so easy, he grumbled to himself and slowly made his way to the small sedan that had beeped.

His hands were shaking by the time he reached for the door handle. Though he felt nauseous, Michael knew he needed to eat. He pulled open the door and slid into the driver’s seat. He closed the door and pressed the lock button. Michael really wanted to take a nap but he couldn’t stay at the air base for too long. He didn’t know if any animals would show up for the dregs or if other people would show up to scavenge the region.

Michael bit back a sob and blinked his eyes to keep the tears at bay. This was his life now, he might not be able to trust another person again. He laid his forehead against the steering wheel and breathed raggedly. He could do this. He could be strong, be brave, he would survive through this. After a moment Michael breathed deeply and looked around the cab of the car. It surprised him how much was still left in the vehicle. He knew he’d have to check the trunk as well as break into the other vehicles to search for supplies.

He would start with the trunk. Michael unlocked his door, put the keys in his jean’s pocket, and pulled the lever to open the trunk. He gingerly pulled himself out of the front seat and unsteadily made his way to the rear of the vehicle. Michael couldn’t stop the shout that left his mouth, he stumbled back and barely managed to stay standing. Inside the trunk was a man and woman; no, Michael reminded himself, two dregs. They were both stuffed into the trunk with no regardless of how they fit. Whoever had this car last must not have actually owned it. Michael bit the inside of his cheek and took a steadying breath.

“Fuck.”

Michael stopped himself from looking around for an adult to scold him. He was his own person, now, and could say whatever words he wanted. What he wanted was to scream. No, what he wanted was his baby sister back by his side. He would hate that she’d have to see what he was dealing with now, but at least he’d know she was safe with him.

With a deep sigh, Michael stepped forward and pulled on the female dreg’s arm. He couldn’t really tell who was on top of who, but he hoped pulling one would be helpful. It’s body leaned into his pull but otherwise didn’t move. Michael cursed again. He’d have to get into the trunk and push them out one at a time.

He sat on the edge of the open trunk and slowly lifted his legs up. The pounding in his head intensified but he continued pulling himself into the car. A cold sweat had broken out along his forehead. He was already panting and had barely done more than get into the trunk. This would not be a fun task, but it had to be done.

“At least Emily doesn’t have to see this,” Michael whispered to the dregs.

He shifted onto his knees, his shins pressing into the male dreg’s arm. With his new angle he could get a better hold of the female. Michael’s arms shook but he stayed focused on his task. He took a handful of the dreg’s shirt and hair and pulled. The dreg slid forward its dead weight assisting in its roll. Michael pushed and kicked at the male dreg’s arms, they were tangled with the female’s and were keeping the body in the trunk.

He shifted to straddle the trunk opening. One leg outside, barely balancing on the tips of his toes, and one foot braced against the seal around the trunk. He took another handful of hair and squawked in shock as it left the dreg’s head as he pulled. He lost his footing and fell out of the vehicle onto his side. His vision blurred and his head rang as he hit the ground. Michael gasped and rolled onto his knees slowly. He blinked hard and stared at the handful of scalp and hair he held. If he had had anything to eat in the last few hours, Michael knew it would no longer be in his stomach.

He flung the piece of flesh away and scrubbed his bloody hand on his pants leg. He gently sat back on his knees, kneeling by the car and staring at the blonde hair laying in the grass. Michael put his hand on the fender of the car and braced himself to stand.

“Fuck this shit,” Michael muttered,” this is bullshit.”

He squeezed his eyes closed and stood in one motion. He felt his eyes roll behind his lids and slapped his other hand onto the fender as well. He was sick of feeling so dizzy and unsteady, but he knew it would take time for his head to recover.

Michael crawled back into his position and took two handfuls of the female dreg’s shirt. He had his left foot flat on the ground to make sure he wouldn’t lose his footing as he pulled hard on the fabric. After two big pulls the dreg’s head and one arm were limply hanging out from the trunk. Blood still dribbled from the full scalping the head had received. It dripped off the dreg’s hair as it moved with the breeze.

He could now reach the dreg’s pants and he hoped he would only need a few more tugs to get the damn body out of the car. Michael was starting to get angry. More angry than he had been when his parents abandoned them, this was a roiling feeling of rage in his chest. He didn’t have time for this, these stupid dregs were too much of a distraction. Michael grit his teeth and gripped the dreg’s denim waistline. He pulled hard and grunted with effort. Gravity was on Michael’s side and the weight of the female dreg’s upper body helped the rest of it slide out and fall to the ground with a thud.

Incensed by the victory, Michael blindly grabbed the other dreg and began to pull it out as well. Unfortunately this dreg’s arm detached as he tugged on it. Michael was sure this would have been humorous in a movie. Something to make the audience laugh uncomfortably as the main character reacted to the detachment. Michael did not find humor in the situation. His vision blurred, but not from his head injury. No, Michael was at his limit and absolutely furious. With a scream he began to beat the male dreg with its own arm, the dull thumps echoed in the trunk as they struck. He threw the arm and grabbed the male dreg’s jeans; he was getting this body out of the trunk and he was getting it done now.

Michael’s lips pulled back in a snarl as he yanked on the dreg’s clothing and pulled on its remaining extremities. After what felt like hours, Michael finally got the dreg out. It had landed with a crunch that Michael didn’t care to think about. He searched the trunk and found a tire iron. He bounced the heavy tool in his hand and looked out at the five remaining vehicles. He slammed the trunk shut and slung the tire iron over his shoulder. Time to go shopping.