It was the end or so it seemed. Anchor was shot in the chest while exiting the giant cave. She lay face in the dust unmoving. The sun baked down on her lifelessness.
Arrow and Eye heard a transport circling off as they searched for attackers.
“Looks like the bad guy’s changed their plans for Anchor,” said Arrow as she dropped to her knees beside her.
“First one to the potion is a rotten toadstool,” said Eye as he rolled Anchor over and rummaged her apron pockets.
“I don’t know what the stuff even looks like,” said Arrow frustrated, “I’ve never been conscious when it was used.”
“Yeah, but you know what it smells like,” he responded, “use your nose.”
“After some juggling, I’ve got it narrowed down to two bottles; one’s green, the other’s pink.”
“Stuff seemed pretty dark to me. You choose.”
“She’d probably save the good stuff for when the regular didn’t work. Let’s go for the lighter pink.”
They both worked quickly to apply the pink goo. Anchor’s eyelids fluttered.
“Pink. Good choice,” mumbled Anchor and she passed out again.
Arrow and Eye smiled while grasping each other’s hand. They were glad Anchor approved of their choice. It was reassuring they hadn’t just applied some deadly poison or inert cosmetic cream.
While Anchor was fast recovering, they constructed a makeshift shelter of branches, rock, and debris.
“Looks like Anchor’s tissue regeneration is progressing fast,” said Arrow, “I guess we really did use the good stuff.”
“Why do you suppose they just killed her and left us alive? Why did they leave and not take her body as evidence?”
“Good questions. I imagine they’re framing us for her murder even as we speak,” replied Arrow.
“I hadn’t thought of that. Do you think we should move her? I carried you many distances the night you were wounded,” said Eye. He didn’t use the word killed or murdered. It made him too uneasy now to think of Arrow dead or dying.
“She’s gaining strength by the minute. Let’s wait a little longer.”
Minutes crawled by. Eye felt very apprehensive about such an unprotected location.
“I’m going to the top of that rock ledge to scout. It’s what I’m trained for you know.”
Arrow gave a quick smile resembling a grimace.
“Don’t do anything crazy,” she said. She too had become afraid of emotional loss.
Eye didn’t mean to do anything crazy. But the rock just gave way when he stepped on it. It rolled over him in the fall.
Arrow screamed in terror. She screamed as if she could never stop screaming. She grabbed the green vial and ran.
She heard a murmur behind her.
“Not so much on a man,” wheezed Anchor, “They’re chemically different.”
The message was muffled as she bolted and slid down the incline.
How many times must they save each other from death? she thought.
She dug him out with her bare hands. Dragging him clear of the rubble and sat waiting. Nothing. She felt a craziness wash over her. He couldn’t be dead yet.
Suddenly a groan came from Eye’s mouth. He rejoined the living with obvious remorse. The steroids he handled during the last days were boosting his normal healing powers.
“Eye, can you hear me?” questioned Arrow. He was still incoherent. Arrow felt angry. He had almost gotten … then it seemed ridiculous of course, he was nearly killed. She let the anger dissolve.
“Woman! Do you think you claim ownership for this rough male baggage?” said Arrow in disgust to herself, “Oh, Arrow. You are so endearingly hard-hearted sometimes.”
Arrow returned to Anchor’s spot. She was gone. Plainly, someone kidnapped her. There had been an obvious bloody struggle. Arrow stunned returned to Eye saying the battle seemed lost. Anchor had vanished.