Just a Hired Gun

I woke up with violent coughing. I could taste iron in my mouth as warm fluid sprayed from my throat with each cough. Eventually, the coughing subsided and I spat whatever was in my mouth onto the ground. I took a rapid succession of breaths, as it felt like I had just held my breath for five minutes.

I opened my eyes and tried to get a layout of my surroundings. However, I only found that it was far too dark in here to see. The only thing I could tell at them moment was that I was leaning against something rough, and I was sitting on a pile of snow.

I tried to get up but found my legs to be paralyzed. All I could actually move were my arms, and even they were very weak.

I picked my mind, trying to remember what exactly happened. I remembered the package, I had it with me. I remember the city I was in. Belfast, Maine USA. I remember where I was going. Mill street. However, I don't remember what happened in transit. The last thing I remember was the bridge...

Wait! That's right! The bridge! Was I still here?

I moved my arms around, trying to feel around me.  Burying my hand into the snow, I tried to feel for the concrete that should be below me. However, I instead pull up a handful of something wet and smooth... It felt like leaves. Letting go of the leaves, I felt around the support I was leaning against. I came to find that was also not concrete, but rather tree.

Okay, so I was in a forest. How the fuck did I end up from a bridge and in a forest? Come one Keith, think! You have to remember something!

Alas, I couldn't remember anything of what happened. All I know is that I woke up here, in the forest, coughing up what I think is blood, with no clue how I got here.

Brilliant.

Of course, that left one question left to be answered.

Where the hell was my bag?

My hands scouted around my own body, trying to feel if it was still on me; it wasn't. I then checked the area around me; still nothing. Well, that is just fucking dandy. Either I lost my bag or someone stole it...

Fuck...

Fuck!

FUCK!!! FUCK!!! FUCK!!!

NO!!! GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!!! Keith, you had one job! One fucking Job! Deliver the package and move on with your life! This fucking bag was your ticket! How could you fuck up this badly!!!??? How the fuck can we move on now!?!? HUH!? FUCKING HOW!!!??? Might as well just kill ourselves and get this over wi-

Suddenly, I began to hear something from afar. Voices...

"Fluttershy, are you sure your stupid little rodent went this way. Seriously, we've been out here tracking him down for hours!"

"Yes, I'm sure, Rainbow. We just saw him run this way a moment ago. I'm sorry you had to come along... He seemed rather insistent that we follow him."

"It's fine, I just hope that he isn't bringing us on a wild goose chase."

Voices... Someone is out here. I couldn't exactly hear what they were saying, but I could make out that they were looking for something... a dog maybe?

It sounded like a couple of young girls, so it was the most likely of stories. There obviously were not here for me. No need to get trigger happy...

Not that I could, it was pitch fucking black out. I wonder how those girls were seeing in this shit...

Hey, maybe I can call for help. See if they know anything about a navy blue dufflebag.

...

Then again, what's the point. If they had it, they obviously wouldn't be here looking for a fucking dog. They'd be running to Vegas.

...

You know what? Why bother at all? I tried, that counts for something right? I don't think I'm moving anytime soon... Given the fact that I couldn't feel anything from my waist down, something is wrong with me. Hell, can't feel much of anything other than my arms, hands and head.

I think this place is a good enough place... Yeah, why not?

I reached for my holster, trying to find my weapon. Thankfully for me, my 9mm was still here. I'm sure it was still loaded.

Without so much of hesitation, I put the barrel of the gun in my mouth and pointed up. Finger was on the trigger.

Soon, it was all about to be over. I was finally going to be free.

...

That was when something poked me.

I removed the barrel from my mouth, wondering what the fuck that was. Seriously, what the actual fuck was that? Was something fucking with me here?

I felt it again, except now it was a constant nudging in my side. I tried to get a look at it, but found that I still couldn't see. Instead, I investigated with my free hand, attempting to feel whatever the fuck was touching me.

I felt something soft and furry before it jumped out of reach. Giving a rather defined squeak as it backed off.

...

Well, it certainly wasn't a dog. It is small and furry though. Why the hell was this thing fucking with me at the moment. I'm not dead yet, asshole, eat my corpse later.

It was at that point I heard the voices again. However, this time they were a lot closer.

"That sounded like angel! It came from over here!"

"Woah! Wait, Fluttershy! Slow down! You don't know what's over there!

Okay, so apparently this rodent was that pet the pet they were looking for. This rodent happens to be right next to me at the moment, so these two girls are about to find me.

Well then, I guess I will have to kill myself later. When I am not about to traumatize a couple of kids. I'd be the most good I've done for the world.

I put my gun away, and listened to the noise of them approaching.  Strangely enough there was actually six to eight pairs of footsteps approaching; least from what I counted. Maybe they're in a bigger group than I thought? That, or they have a bear chasing them.

That'd be nice... The bear would eat me instead and the the girls would be saved.

The footsteps came to a stop as I assumed they had found me. Strangely enough though, I still couldn't see anything myself. I'd imagine they would have a flashlight this time of night.

"Fluttershy! Come on! What was that about!? You know that you shouldn't just run off like that. Fluttershy? What are you- HOLY CELESTIA WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT!?!?!?"

Okay... What the fuck just came out of that girl's mouth? Buck? Holy Celestia? What the actual fuck? Are these some sort of curse supplement they teach kids these days? Fuck, I don't know...

Alright, weird choice of curse words aside. Apparently, I am not looking too good. I guess I look like a corpse. Least that is what I got out of that question.

Best make introductions before they really think I'm dead.

"H-hello to you too. Is this h-how you greet people where you come from?" I managed to reply in a weak voice.

It took a bit more effort that I imagined... I guess I was really fucked up. I couldn't feel anything though. I wasn't in any pain. Was I dying?

Huh, perhaps I don't need that bullet after all. What the fuck happened to me?

"Okay, now it talks. This is getting too weird for me. Fluttershy, grab the rabbit and let's go." Rainbow responded.

Okay, that's a bit rude. What the fuck is this bitch's problem? Never see a guy before?

...

A guy who possibly is looking like a goddamned zombie right about now... Okay, maybe she has a point. That was still kind of rude though.

"Wait! It... it looks really hurt. Um... Hello!? Are you hurt?" The one named Fluttershy asked.

I felt like sarcastically responding with 'What does it look like?' But then again, I don't even know what I look like. Plus, she seemed nicer than the other girl. I'll be a bit more polite.

"I... don't know. It's too damn dark to tell... Where are you?" I asked.

"Dark? It's practically in the middle of the afternoon! You blind or something?" Rainbow asked

"Dash! Don't be rude!" Fluttershy responded.

It's afternoon? Then why... Oh shit. I'm fucking blind.

How badly was I fucked up? What the fuck happened to me?!

"Okay... so... how bad to I look?" I asked.

"You look terrible! You're all covered in blood and stuff! You look like you've been dead for a week!" Rainbow spouted unremarkably

"Dash!" Fluttershy snapped at Rainbow.

"What!? It asked!" Rainbow responded defensively.

I'm really getting tired of being called an it...

Either way, I guess I looked like I was dying. I probably really don't need that bullet after all... hmm, I wonder... Perhaps it's possible.

"A-alright then. Tell me this... Do you see a blue bag somewhere?" I asked.

"A... Blue bag? You mean this thing over here?" Fluttershy asked.

Thank god, it was still here... Maybe... maybe there is still a chance...

"Yes, yes it is. I... I was meant to deliver that bag somewhere, and now I feel that I can't anymore..."

"Um, what are you-" Fluttershy was about to say, but I cut her off.

"I know I can't trust either of you to keep your word, but I need one of you to deliver that bag. You need to go to Belfast and find Mill Street, the exact address is on a piece of paper inside. I need you to give the bag directly to the homeowner there, don't just leave it by the door. Once you give it to him, tell him... Tell him that Keith says he's sorry." I instructed.

With that, I close my eyes and began to allow myself to fall asleep. This was likely going to me a sleep that I wasn't going to wake up from.

"Woah! Woah, hey! Y-you're not about to die on us, are you?" Rainbow asked with slight panic.

"Oh, nononono, please, don't do that! We're going to get some help! Stay with us!" Fluttershy pleaded.

"Don't bother... You'd be doing everyone a favor... No sense saving... a... monster..." I muttered as consciousness slipped further from me.

"Oh... Oh sweet Celestia... Um... Fluttershy! Stay with it and keep it conscious, I'm going to get some help!" Rainbow exclaimed as she apparently took off from the area. I didn't exactly hear her leave, but I feel that dying was to blame for that.

I was nudged again, this time by a marginally stronger force. I assumed it was Futtershy trying to shake me awake.

Um... Please, Stay with us a little longer, Rainbow has gone for help. They'll be here soon if you would-"

I couldn't hear much more after that. By then I think I completely lost my sense of hearing. All I could feel was the sensation of my body being lightly shoved, and even that feeling was dissolving quickly. With my vision gone, my hearing gone, and nearly my nerves, I wasn't sure of whether or not I already died. I'm not really sure how I feel about that... Is this all death really is? A black void that I shall float in forever, given nothing but time to think and reflect upon my short miserable life? Was there really no heaven or hell? No place for a soul such as mine to flee?

Heh... What does it matter? I wouldn't belong in either place anyways. This is a fitting fate. I deserve no less for the things I've done.

No less...