Reese pounded away at what remained of the killer’s face, by now a mess of bone fragments disguised beneath a mass of blood and hair. There should have been no more damage left to do. Each punch now only drove pieces of what was once cheek bone into the brain. This man should not have remained alive, and yet he remained conscious, struggling weakly against the knees crushing his chest, and the hands mauling his face.
Zach took up the killer’s ax, remaining at ease at the spectacle before him. He wasn’t sure if should feel ecstatic over the killer’s end, or frightened of his friend’s bloodlust. Reese’s buttons had been pushed before, but this beast before him was a new animal. With the killer’s blood on his face and likely in his eyes, could Reese even see what he was attacking?
A gurgling sound emerged from what was left of the killer’s mouth, the blood flowing so freely, it must have filled his throat ready to pour into the lungs. Reese held back his next fist, snarling in delight.
“Are those your last words I hear?”
But no words came out, only a cough and a gush of blood into Reese’s face. It stunned him for the briefest of moments, but that was all the killer needed for an opening. He summoned just enough strength to lift his arm and grab for Reese’s crotch. The killer didn’t have to squeeze hard for it was a sensitive area. While blind rage had blocked out the painful injury to the back, this new injustice wouldn’t be ignore.
The killer had Reese off balance and he took the advantage to shove the big guy off his chest. As quickly as he could, he crawled to where the knife lay and reached for it, wrapping his fingers around the handle.
Zach had other ideas for this monster. With all his might, he swung the ax down onto the killer’s wrist. The blade dug into the flesh and shattered the bones. Had he been stronger, he might have severed the hand clean off. Still it was enough to get something sounding like a scream from this monster.
At that point, Reese had regained himself and moved in for another round with the guy. But the killer summoned more strength and raced for the knife with his good hand. Before Reese could retake the advantage, and before Zach could take another swing with the ax, the killer drove the blade of his Bowie knife into Reese’s foot. Without a pause, he pulled out the knife and dove it up into Reese’s gut, keeping him close so Zach dare not swing.
Zach grabbed for the killer to pry him away his friend. As his hand fell on a shoulder, the killer brought the knife backwards, burying it into Zach’s leg. Zach dropped the ax and collapsed to the ground. The killer’s grip slipped from the knife leaving it in the leg. Zach wanted desperately to pull it out, but was afraid of making the injury worse.
Still the killer didn’t miss an opportunity. The knife was out of his reach, but the ax was again available. He grabbed it and swung for Reese as quickly as he could. His grip wasn’t true so it was the face of the ax that made contact, still cracking the big guy’s skull and drawing blood. He stood almost triumphant, and corrected his grip so the blade face properly downward.
Zach had no choice but to pull the knife from his leg. He tried to stand for another run at the killer. But the pain could not be ignored. He stumbled again, helplessly watching as the ax found its target in his best friend’s neck.
“Reese,” he screamed. The agony burning in his lungs could only have been rivaled by that which Reese must have felt.
The killer could not be satisfied though. He took up the ax and again brought it down on his victim’s neck. Then again. And again. Surely Reese had been extinguished, but this killer was not going to stop until the head had been removed from the body.
Zach finally understood the blood-filled rage Reese had felt. He wanted nothing but his own turn atop this man’s chest finishing the destruction of his face. But he had to be pragmatic. What chance did he have if Reese couldn’t finish this guy with full advantage? He had no choice but to limp off down the path toward camp before the killer finished with Reese and returned his attention to him.
Each step he took, taught Zach how to adjust his gait to minimize the pain. He got used to throwing more and more weight on his healthy leg, and keeping it off the injured one. Almost hopping on the one foot, he made incredible progress through the woods.
The killer’s footsteps once again made themselves known somewhere behind him. They were some distance back, but gaining quickly. Zach tried to get more speed out of his legs, but he was maxed out. With no sign the campsite was ahead, he knew the killer would overtake him. He had no choice but to make his stand here.
Zach stopped and inched quietly off the trail. He tightened his fingers around the handle of the knife. His ambush depended on invisibility. He had to move back, further back, disappearing into the darkness. The killer grew closer and he needed to move back one more step. And then…
Zach screamed in pain, collapsing to the ground one more time. Something had his leg. He felt for it and found a pair of teeth. He had stepped into a bear trap. His ambush was finished.
He still had the knife, but he needed more. Searching his pockets, Zach found the radio. Gunner might not be able to help, but at least he could warn him.
“Gunner,” he pleaded, “the killer is coming! Take Kimberly and Greg and run! Hear me? Run!”
A snapping stick, brought his gaze up to find the killer standing over him. Zach pointed the knife at him, knowing the ax was long enough to keep the killer out of its reach. He remained defiant nonetheless.
“How’s your wrist?”
The killer said nothing, choosing instead to answer with the ax.