The Seven Days of Halloween : Stranded, Part 6

[avirra.livejournal.com]

Author's note : Today the first person has weighed in who recognized Mildred - I'll be putting the details about her in a note after the story's conclusion tomorrow. Meanwhile - on with Part 6.




It was late when Mildred returned, but she was in a good mood.

"Looking over the skies, I believe the rains will be slacking tomorrow. It might be your best chance to find a place to call for help in getting your car out."

"You're probably right. Would you mind giving us general directions to the nearest town?"

"Of course. Let me get some paper."

April watched as Mildred made them a map with a set of directions. She was a bit taken aback at the amount of detail, both in the drawing and the directions. After she finished, she chuckled at April's expression and passed the paper over to her.

"It would probably be best if your friend, Illya, remained here. I don't think he'll be strong enough for such a long walk, plus the damp would be bad for him. It will be easy enough for you to come back for him once you reach the town."

April nodded agreement - Napoleon hadn't spoken to either April or Mark about what Illya had said and decided to remain non-committal.

"We'll see how he's feeling in the morning, but you might be right."

They watched as Mildred left the room, humming.

"I think she's looking forward to us leaving."

Mark shook his head.

"Actually, luv, I think what she's looking forward to is being left alone with Illya."

Napoleon spoke firmly then.

"That's not happening. When we leave, whatever the weather, whatever his condition, Illya goes with us."

Exchanging concerned looks, April and Mark didn't seem convinced. Napoleon lowered his voice.

"Illya grabbed hold of me earlier and made me swear not to leave him behind. He said if I wouldn't swear our partnership was through."

Mark let out an almost soundless whistle.

"Sounds like he was serious."

"As serious as I've ever seen him. I gave him my word - I'm not going back on it."

None of them slept well that night. The woods seemed full of howlings, but when the sky started to lighten, the heavy rains had reduced to light drizzle.

Going in to check on Illya, Napoleon started to seriously doubt himself. Mildred took one quick look in herself.

"I'll be right back - I've almost got his last dose finished for him."

Illya reached out and gripped Napoleon's arm harder than he would have thought his partner would have been capable of. The blue eyes were clear again.

"If you offer me the drink, Napoleon - I cannot refuse it."

Both Illya's expression and tone told Napoleon that was a bad thing. He didn't have time to question though as Mildred came in with April and Mark close behind.

All smiles, Mildred carried the mug over to Napoleon and, for the first time, he saw what April had meant when she'd mentioned that Mildred treated it almost like a ritual. Napoleon took the mug, looked down at his wasted looking partner, then turned suddenly and flung the entire contents of the mug into the fire. It smelled even worse as it burned.

MIldred shrieked - not a horrified shriek, but one of rage and now? Now none of them doubted Napoleon as her eyes were most decidedly red.

"Get out! All of you! How dare you ruin everything? But if you aren't out of my woods by dark, see if I don't have him yet!"

She grabbed for a butcher knife and April was glad that they didn't have anything with them but what they were already wearing. Napoleon grabbed Illya and headed straight for the door. Mark opened it and they all ran out with the still enraged woman close behind. April felt Mark stumble beside her and grabbed him, pulling him along. She felt something warm run across her hand and knew then that Mark was bleeding, but didn't dare slow to see how bad it was yet. When they finally heard the house's door slam, they finally stopped to catch their breath.

As the last out of the door, Mark had been caught by the slash of Mildred's blade. It was a nasty long slice, but fortunately not very deep. Still, it was in an awkward place to bandage.

After April had done the best she could, she looked back toward the house.

"You boys keep an eye on Illya. I'm going back for those THRUSH backpacks. We need those supplies and I'm the one that knows where they're hidden."

"Be careful, luv - that ruddy knife of hers is a sharp one."

It wasn't a problem to tell where Mildred was - it sounded as if she was tearing the inside of the home apart in her fury. April wasted no time in grabbing two of the backpacks - all three would have been too much to manage. Mark breathed a sigh of relief when he caught sight of her returning and Napoleon flatly forbid her from going back for the third pack.

Mark passed a lightweight poncho over to Napoleon, who put it on Illya to help keep his body heat in - what little there was of it. Mark then looked over the other waterproof material. There wasn't a lot, but enough that he could get enough to wrap around Napoleon and April's feet before cutting some strips to tie them in place.

"Not much, but it will be a bit better than being barefoot out here. Now let's get going. I don't want to be out here to see what she meant about when it gets darks. Still have the directions, April?"

"I do, but should we follow them? The last thing she wanted for us to do was to get somewhere and come back for Illya."

"She has a point, Mark. Is there a compass in the survival gear?"

"There is - I remember seeing it. Look in that side pouch, Mark."

"Got it. Let's see - we were driving roughly due west. The landslide was to our right - that would have been north and we headed away from it - due south."

"So, to reach the road again, we head north. April, you take the lighter backpack and the compass - keep us on course. Mark and I will swap off between the other backpack and Illya."

With the muddy ground, makeshift shoes and carrying the deadweight that was Illya, progress was slow except for where the sun was concerned. It made it's way steadily across the sky almost as if impatient for night.

Comments

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

I actually did make a rather oblique reference in my first comment about her history with other blonds... I guess it was really more oblique than I intended ;)
Everyone will now need a link to that episode.

[avirra.livejournal.com]

You're dealing with a writer on cold meds *l*. If it wasn't straightforward, I missed it *l*. And yes - details tomorrow *nod*

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

This chapter definitely makes me want to jump into the next.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, what a desperate picture you're painting. I can't wait for tomorrow and the conclusion? I can't say it enough, so glad you've posted this for the 7 Days of Halloween!

[avirra.livejournal.com]

Jumpy *g* That's good.

[avirra.livejournal.com]

Yes - it will conclude with part 7 *g*. Glad it's been . . . enjoyable might not be the right word *l*. Entertaining?