***
Every time Warren took any type of deep breath, he could feel a sharp pain emanating through his entire body from a single point on his side. A gurgling sounded deep within his chest and was followed by a violent hacking of spit and blood over his hand and chin as he attempted to cover his mouth.
The hot liquid burned the back of his throat and mouth. He could taste his own death, the warm, metallic flavor of blood. He tried pushing himself to his side, but his collarbone was broken, and any attempt to move at all was stopped short by the pain that now controlled him.
Aside from his own feet and the dead bodies around him, the only other sight in his field of vision was the road leading up to the cul-de-sac. Since Gordon left, there hadn’t been a single person who’d come or gone. The sentries around him circled like buzzards, seeking the carrion buffet at their feet. From what comments Warren could hear, it sounded like Alex was still giving them trouble.
“Hey, how much longer are we going to have to sit here?” a Class One sentry asked.
“For as long as we’re ordered to. Now shut up,” a Class Two sentry replied.
“I’m just saying we could waste the rest of these meat sacks and then go home. Whoever this guy is they’re chasing isn’t coming back here.”
“That’s not what the boss thinks.”
“Why the hell would he come back? For these people? Psh,” Class One said, waving his hand. “I’d let ’em rot.”
The two sentries continued their mumbling but walked too far away for Warren to continue his eavesdropping. Is Alex still counting on using the seeds in exchange for what he’s done? Gordon wasn’t going to let Alex off without his life and perhaps the life of everyone else in the community.
Another violent gurgle and spit of blood erupted from Warren’s mouth. His body jerked and twisted on the ground. It wouldn’t be much longer. The only question that remained unanswered was if he was going to die from his injuries or a bullet to the head.