Sacrifice

OH NO, I FORGOT THE ALIEN ON HIS SHIRT! :cries:

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They stood back to back, breathing heavily as they took a moment to look at their surroundings. They had been attacked by at least twenty trolls, each stronger and meaner than the next.

Spud held is side tightly, he had taken a brutal hit that had been meant for Jake. Each breath he took, sent a jolt throughout his body. He then pulled his hand away and examined his blood covered hand. He was loosing too much too fast.

"We got to go," Jake announced as he began traveling deeper into the dark tunnels before them. A moment later he realized that his footsteps were the only ones he heard. "Spud?" he turned around to find Spud hadn't taken one step. His eyes then widen in horror as he watched Spud nearly collapse as he braced himself along side the wall. "Spud!" Jake was by his side in the span on of a heart beat.

"No, no," Spud whispered as Jake held him up. "You can't stop here."

"We got to go back, you need help," Jake ignored.

Spud shook his head. "If we go back, the other's will be lost. . . They need you, Jake," he told him. "Leave me here. I'll be alright. He tried to smile, but suddenly went into a coughing fit, blood pooled out of his mouth as he did so.

"I'm not leaving you behind," Jake made clear.

"If you don't, you kill your sister, you kill Trixie, and probably the world!" Spud was angry with the thought. "Compared to that, I'm not important, so go. You're wasting time."

"But Spud-"

"Go!" Spud yelled, pushing Jake violently away, who stumbled back by the unexpected gesture. "Now!" he demanded.

He then slowly pushed away from the wall, his hand back as his side as blood continued to drip down his chin. He saw the concern in the other's eyes. Spud then softly smiled. "I'll be alright," he whispered. "I promise." Jake's eyes perked a the familiar words. They didn't make him feel any better then either. "Please, go," Spud practically begged.

Jake then finally nodded his head as he took a few steps backwards. He then turned around and began running, leaving tears in his wake.

As soon as Jake disappeared from his sight, Spud fell to the water covered ground. It had been a lie, his left lung had been punctured and the more he breathed the more it hurt as blood fill it.

Spud then smiled again, because even though he lay dying, cold, and alone, he had done it for the gather good. He had saved his friend's life, who would in turn go to save the world. Jake would make him proud, he knew.

And as Spud closed his eyes for the final time, he sighed contently, because he regretted not one moment in his life. For he knew, if he could do it again, he wouldn't change a single thing.

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American Dragon: Jake Long (c) Jeff Goode