Nimbus Part 13 Take 1

The old man was stricken with pain, from both ends of his being. The tormentor of his agony was the beast that lay dead near him. This beast inflicted pain physically and emotionally. His body ached from the charge, his heart retched from the bear killing his son.

Niata laid on the ground, he gazed upon the mass of animal which buried his son. Took Took’s hand outstretched towards his father, almost as if a gesture of farewell. Took Took died bravely. Niata should be proud of the man he raised. A man who didn’t hesitate in danger. Yet, pride is not what filled his heart, instead it was sorrow.

“Hey buddy, that bear did a number on you. I’ll get you fixed up, but they are bleeding!” Stuckey instructed.

Stuckey hobbled over to Gelben’s crossed arms held tightly. He held them that way to ebb the flow of blood. It was of no use, as droplets rushed passed his grip.

“Let go. I can’t bandage it if I can’t see it!” Stuckey commanded.

Gelben released, and as he did the torrent of crimson flowed forth.

“Jesus!” Stuckey trembled.

“Hurry up, I feel like I should lay down for this.” Gelben’s voice began to sway.

The liquid bandage spray worked it’s aerosol magic coating the lacerations. It was a combination of antiseptic and dressing, so it stung for a brief moment then left a pleasant mint sensation.

“Alright, that should do it. See if you can get to the ship.” Stuckey ordered.

“Fableton you’re next. Let’s see it.”

Fableton reached down to his foot, or what was left of it. The remains were a crunched, mangled mess from the ankle down.

“Looks like you are not walking anytime soon, but surprisingly there isn’t that much bleeding.”

Stuckey sprayed the dressing on the spots that were leaking. The bear crushed Fableton’s foot in it’s jaws. All the bones cracked.

“We’ve got to splint it.” Stuckey suggested.

He reached into the kit and grabbed an insta splint.

“Ok, this is going to hurt like the Dickens, but if we don’t do it now, it will never heal properly. Here bite down on this.” Stuckey found a twig and placed it between Fableton’s teeth.

“On the count of 3. 1…..2……” Stuckey broke the seal and cupped the ankle in the most natural position possible.

Fableton yelled out in agony, and lost consciousness.

“Shit I can’t carry him by myself! Help!” Stuckey pleaded.

Anastasia emerged from the Nimbus. Nuck Nuck, stopped his ceremony over the bear and looked over. He saw Anastasia running towards Stuckey and Fableton. He followed suit.

Anastasia grabbed Fableton’s shoulders and started to drag him.

“Easy, Easy. The cast isn’t set yet.” Stuckey chided.

At that moment Nuck Nuck picked Fableton’s lifeless body and slung it over his shoulders in one motion.

Finally, Stuckey could tend to the old man.

“Are you hurting anywhere?” Stuckey questioned.

The elder was confused.

Stuckey ran his traced the man’s body trying to find any injuries. When Stuckey’s fingers ran wet, he knew he had missed something. He looked and pushed the man’s animal pelt tunic to the side and saw what he neglected. A gash stretched from Niata’s armpit towards his hip.

“God damn it! I am no doctor!” Stuckey said as he shook the aerosol can vigorously.

Niata bewildered at everything going on, but he trusted Stuckey and turned to his side. The spray coated the wound. Over the hissing of the bottle, footsteps crunched.

“Not this shit again!” Stuckey said feeling helpless.

He looked up and saw it was Nuck Nuck.

“E’a Stuckey! Menoha. Niata Ninuit.” Nuck Nuck said.

Nuck Nuck helped the man to his feet and walked him back to the ship.

Stuckey got up and found his footing the best he could. They were more injured than abled bodied men now. In this harsh world, the fittest survive. There is no place for weakness. Stuckey’s mind was awash with defeat, but resolution. His feet quivered. Since the crash it has been trial after trial, and his body began to wither. A loose piece of timber upon the ground gave way and he fell. Before he could hit the ground, Anastasia braced him up.

“Thanks. All we have is each other.” Stuckey.

“Well there is them too.” Anastasia replied gesturing towards Nuck Nuck.

“It’s hard to do anything with someone you can’t understand.” Stuckey responded.

“Here we are, back before history. I’ve come to realize, nothing is impossible.” Anastasia spoke more to reassure herself than anyone else.