thirty-five

 I'm both shocked and happy to see Ralph's body on the floor with him unable to raise a finger. But his wide-open eyes creeps me out. Someone pulls me in their arms and pats my hair, the body is wet but a familiar aura. I hug her back, excited to have her back. We stand there for a while before pulling back.

"Are you okay?" She asks while her cold, wet palm fits in my face. They are trembling.

"Yes–I'm okay, I'm okay," I say.

I take her up-down with my eyes, examining her to check for a scar the bullet left on her. She isn't stained anymore, it's like the water wash her thoroughly, only that the dirt stains are irremovable. Her skin shines like that of a fish under the water.

"You ain't hurt." It's meant to be a question but it comes out in a statement tone.

"Guess, I beat death." she laughs and I join her, giving a short snicker.

She looks down at the dead bodies lying some distance away from us, yet close to each.

Our enemies.