Blood Mines

Chapter 6: A struggle for life and death

He leant forward and dragged his finger over her cheek, wetness following his path. He was smearing her own blood over her face. Unceremoniously he forced her lips open, pushing the filthy finger in her mouth. Unwillingly her tongue touched the digit, and she tasted her own blood; the taste leaving her afraid for the outcome.

But she could give into that fear or fight to stay alive; there was no room for doubt as she kept her head clear from the overwhelming fear that threatened to overtake her.

She pushed through all the revulsion that was going through her mind as it shot up from somewhere deep inside, touching his digit with the tip of her tongue just enough to soothe him.

“She likes this," he gloated in delighted pleasure.

Smirks filtered the air around her, but she pushed it aside. She watched him with a calmness she didn't feel. As their eyes connected, he grinned like a cat that received a saucer of cream before she bit down hard on his finger.

His anguished screams filled the already loaded air like a pig, but she held on to that finger with all the strength that was left in her jaw. She could taste more blood as her teeth broke through his skin. Douchebag's bloodcurdling screams was deafening to her ears as she held on tighter. His friend slapped her hard against the side of the head, knocking her against the unyielding concrete, but she refused to let go of this bastard who had dared challenge her.

They had underestimated her, she thought as she bit down even harder. She knew if she let go now she would be dead. This had become a struggle for life or death.

With blinding pain, she closed her eyes and bit down as hard as she could. The revolting sting of blood and flesh drenched her mouth as bone broke and flesh tore away. Only then did she release his finger with an abrupt hatred and Douchebag fell back to the floor in shocked horror. He looked at his mutilated hand and screamed in horror.

She spat his blood on the cement floor with victorious glee and immediately it mixed with the flour that was strewn in the doorway.

Everyone's attention was directed at the young boy who held his injured hand aloft, shrieking with pain. The stare he gave her was one of disbelief and fear. She spat out his finger with a sneer; it landed with a thud in front of him, he watched in revulsion as it rolled up against his knee. Then he fainted.

Pandemonium broke out. She received another slap against the side of the head for her effort. Her world spun and she took deep breaths before she looked straight at Douchebag number two, daring him to try again.

Something took hold of her, a new kind of power she had not known before. Tanya watched as children ran around like freshly slaughtered headless chickens, unsure of their next move.

Another guy, one who wore an eye patch, screamed: Kill them!" His bewildered look showed his confusion as he pointed out: “There was nothing left anyway."

She saw him snigger, but Tanya saw the apprehension, too. The leader was down - now what? They were only children; already confused and now left leaderless.

Someone poked her with the barrel of his gun, his eyes icy-cold as he stared at her. For a moment she thought he would shoot, but instead he spat into her face and backed away, dragging the mutilated bastard behind him while he squealed like an injured pig.

Another kick followed and landed in her ribs and she moaned in agony as she doubled over, once again. Too late she saw a foot in her periphery view-drawn back. The kick landed on her nose with a blinding and shattering blow, she felt the bone shatter as it breaks on impact.

Blackness swirled around her, dragging her down until she gave in and fainted, too.