"Are you alright?" Laura asked as she saw Airon, who was motionless, staring at the palm of his left hand that was bleeding profusely.
"I'm screwed, I'm screwed, I'm screwed..."
Airon held the knife in his trembling hand, feeling the urgency to make an immediate decision. He carefully examined the blade of the weapon, examining the blood that covered it. It was a mixture of dried and fresh stains, clearly indicating that the knife had come into contact with a different type of blood that wasn't his own.
Laura walked towards Airon and observed the knife he was holding. Immediately, she thought of something and saw the corpse of the child who until recently Elena had said had led them into a trap.
"I'm possibly infected..."
The child's words echoed in his mind, reminding him of the seriousness of the situation. Should he cut his own hand to prevent the infection from spreading? It was a heartbreaking decision, but he knew he had to act quickly if he wanted to avoid deadly consequences.
Airon struggled internally, fighting against fear and uncertainty. He knew the dangers of being infected by the walkers' virus; he had witnessed the havoc it wreaked on people. However, he had also accumulated experience and knowledge in his numerous battles, which had allowed him to avoid infection up until that moment.
Carefully observing the blood on the knife, Airon noticed that some drops were still fresh, indicating the presence of infection. He couldn't ignore that fact. He knew that time was against him and that every second that passed increased the risk of the virus spreading through his body.
Determined, Airon took a deep breath and tightly gripped the knife in his hand. The pain was intense, but he needed to act quickly.
"I will need your help..." Airon quickly took off his combat suit, revealing the t-shirt underneath, rolled up the sleeve of his right arm, and looked at Laura. "In this small backpack, I have alcohol. Find a clean cloth and quickly clean this machete to remove the blood."
"Yes, yes..." Laura was still in shock, having witnessed how Airon killed that child without any hesitation.
Airon sat on the ground, preparing everything necessary to carry out the amputation procedure. Beside him, Laura assisted at all times, offering her support and following each instruction meticulously.
The atmosphere was filled with tension and silence, interrupted only by Airon's words as he explained the possible complications that could arise. He spoke candidly, mentioning the possibility of losing consciousness, being unable to move on his own, or even facing unbearable pain. Despite it all, he knew he had no other choice and had to take this risk to save his life.
Airon trusted Laura and Elena, handing over his weapons to them. He knew he couldn't afford the additional weight of his gear while undergoing amputation. He gave them a radio, assuring them that his people were nearby and would respond if any emergency arose. It was a show of mutual trust amidst adversity.
Once everything was ready, Airon mentally prepared himself for what was to come. He knew the procedure would be painful and wrenching, but he also understood it was a matter of survival. He looked at Laura and Elena, grateful for their support and strength.
"Laura, Elena, I'm relying on you. I trust that you will help me through this," Airon said with determination in his voice. "Stay alert and respond on the radio if you need help. My people are close, and they will do everything possible to ensure your safety."
Laura nodded solemnly, her gaze reflecting shared determination. Elena, though scared, displayed impressive bravery in her eyes. Airon knew he had made the right decision by trusting them.
Without further delay, Airon assumed his position, preparing for the pain that was to come. Laura held him firmly, providing emotional support at every moment. As the procedure began, the pain intensified, but Airon clung to the certainty that he was taking control of his destiny.
"Alright, here I go..." Airon moved the machete forcefully towards his hand, his survival instincts overpowering his fear of losing a hand.
"Ahhhhh!"
With each precise movement, Airon released his hand from his body, facing the pain with courage and determination. Laura stood by his side, assisting at every step of the process, demonstrating admirable bravery and strength.
Finally, the amputation was completed. Airon took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision and the change in his being. He knew his life would never be the same, but he also knew he had done what was necessary to ensure his survival in this ruthless world. He severed his own hand, feeling the warmth of the spilling blood and the piercing pain coursing through his body.
The wound was bleeding profusely, but Airon didn't have time to stop. He knew he had to disinfect it and find a way to protect himself against any possible infection. Although the sacrifice was painful, he was determined to stay alive and keep fighting.
Laura took on the role of caregiver and supported Airon in every step of the dressing and disinfection process of his freshly amputated wound. With skilled hands and determination, she ensured the bleeding stopped and applied the dressings securely and firmly.
As she worked, Laura maintained a calm and reassuring attitude, comforting Airon with words of encouragement and showing him that she was there to support him in his recovery. As she wrapped the bandage, making sure it was tight enough to stop the bleeding, Airon felt grateful to have Laura by his side. Help often comes from unknown people.
Once the bandage was in place, Laura helped Airon to stand, providing him with the necessary support to maintain balance. Both of them knew they had to quickly leave the building and find a safe place where he could assess the situation and continue his fight for survival.
Together with Elena, they exited through a back door of the building, venturing into the desolate and dangerous outdoors. Airon walked cautiously, leaning on Laura as he adjusted to his new condition and adapted his balance. The determination and courage in his eyes were evident, fueled by the trust he had placed in Laura and his own ability to overcome the obstacles they faced.
As they moved forward, Laura kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, ensuring they were safe from any imminent threats. She knew that each step was crucial and they had to remain alert at all times.
Feeling a cold sweat, Airon sensed his vision becoming blurry, the pain in his hand increasing, and each step feeling heavier than the last. Today he had been a complete idiot, but he couldn't blame himself. How could he have known that a child could attack him? That was a child...