Sweat rolling down their forehead, Caretaker ran as fast as they could with Whumpee’s form held tightly as they could to them. The front of their shirt had long since soaked in the blood, but they didn’t care.
A choked sob of relief was punched out of them as their car finally came into view, a lone sign of civilization among the desolate dirt path in the trees.
“Ah!” Whumpee finally screamed, eyes half open and hazy and face screwed up in pain. Caretaker was going to absolutely spoil them for being able to stay quiet for so long when they needed to.
But for now, Caretaker immediately got onto the road and laid Whumpee down, their blood loss having gone too long not to administer what help they could.
Another stifled shout ripped from Whumpee’s lips even as Caretaker lowered them as gently as they could down to the ground.
“Shh, you did so good keeping quiet. Do you think you’ll need a gag so I can stop the bleeding? I know it hurts and I don’t want them to hear you if they happen to get close.” Caretaker said as they opened their trunk to reveal an abundance of medical equipment for just in case.
After a moment, Whumpee nodded, the movement punctuated with a wince.
Rummaging around in their trunk, Caretaker cursed as they saw a container with a dark spot, opening it to find shard of glass and clear liquid soaking it through.
“Fuck. The morphine vials broke. FUCK!” Caretaker cursed as they got every thing else they needed and shut the trunk as quietly as they could. “I’m so sorry Whumpee. I’m going to have to do this without any way to dull the pain. Here, open your mouth.”
Once again, it took a few moments for Whumpee’s to clear a moment and their mouth open to allow Caretaker to shove a small cloth suitable for a gag but not big enough to completely obstruct their breathing.
“Try to stay awake, okay Whumpee? You can’t lose consciousness now, alright?” Caretaker babbled, not sure whether they were assured themselves, Whumpee, or both of them
Gathering their things, Caretaker straightened up, preparing to start on Whumpee when Whumpee’s iron bar grip latched onto their arm.
Looking down at Whumpee, Whumpee’s wide tear-filled eyes met Caretaker’s as they squeezed Caretaker’s arm before immediately letting go.
“I- I love you too, Whumpee.”
Hand falling back to their side, Whumpee’s eyes fluttered shut for an instant, Caretaker’s heart clenching before they opened again, their gaze steadily more hazy as the moments drug on.
It was only a moment before Whumpee was screaming into the gag, their body screaming out in pain, Caretaker doing what they needed to do to save them.
Whumpee’s cries fell silent far too soon after.