Random_fic prompt: Fight, or flight?

[call_me_snake]

Clipped from the New York Sun

Three officers dead and fourteen others wounded after an anonymous tip had police on the trail of notorious criminal Snake Plissken.

By Margret Allson Earlier today police received a tip that Snake Plissken, wanted for more than 300 federal offenses, was seen in a downtown New York bar. Arriving to investigate police chief Malloy found Plissken with two individuals. One has been identified as Hershe Las Palmas, leader of a local gang calling themselves the Saigon Shadows. The other individual, a Caucasian male described as being in his mid thirties, still remains unknown. Upon attempt of arrest by local officials a shootout started between police and bar patrons. It is uncertain who fired the first shot but police suggest that it was one of Plissken’s rivals present at the establishment. Las Palmas and the unidentified male fled during the shootout that left three officers dead, six officers injured and eight bar patrons wounded. Plissken was shot twice during the encounter before fleeing on foot. Malloy asks that hospital personnel be vigilant and report anyone matching Plissken’s description to the police force immediately. He is listed as armed and extremely dangerous.

Plissken at arrival to New York Maximum Security Penitentiary early last year.

After his rescue of President Harker and subsequent pardon several years ago Plissken had remained quiet and eluded police detection. Malloy informed us that his activity is once more escalating. The Police Chief cited an attack on an Atlanta Disease Control Facility earlier this year as well as several other high priority crimes that are linked to Plissken. The search is still underway on Manhattan Island for information leading to his capture. Plissken currently has a six million dollar bounty for information leading to his successful capture and imprisonment. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact their local United States Police Force Office.

Hershe Las Palmas, ring leader of the Saigon Shadows and suspected to be in league with Plissken.

What Happened to Plissken
Snake sat heavily in the doorway gasping for breath as he looked down both ends of the alley. He was safe for the moment and took a second to assess his wounds. One of the bullets was probably a stray that nicked the outside of this left thigh. The other though had been meant to kill. The bullet had buried deep into shoulder. His left arm was throbbing incessantly but the blood streaming down his hand was the worry. Plissken pulled off his belt cursing at the injured leg for not working properly.

Snake wrapped the shoulder in this belt using his teeth and free hand. He yanked it tight clenching his teeth to ward off the cry of pain. Snake leaned his head back relaxing for a moment. He needed to get out of Manhattan and then work on getting home.

Plissken pushed himself to his feet limping at first but he soon forced himself to a normal stride. He really couldn’t show weakness now or it might mean getting jumped. He sighed not sure what to do. The busy streets and all the blood on his left side wasn’t much of an option. He had two choices wait until nightfall or try and find a ride.

Sirens echoed down the street causing Snake to back up against the wall. He was blocks away from his shop and the bar was probably crawling with police. Snake wracked his mind for an answer but it was clouding. There was no more time. Cold winter rain started to pelt Snake as he stood in the alley. It instantly chilled his exhausted body to the bone. Plissken looked across the street at the subway station and made a run for it. Three stops to his shop and once he was on his bike home wouldn’t be too far. Here was hoping he could evade the cops and not pass out from blood loss.

The ride home was a blur in the frozen rain. Haze kept taking over leaving Snake sure that there were moments that he had blacked out. Between the lost moments and wavering conscious Snake felt as though he was driving drunk on one of those nights that you knew coming morning you wouldn't remember how you got back. Snake pulled into the driveway and rode toward the house. The slow bike on the wet gravel slid and fell to the ground a few feet from the garage. Plissken tried to right it but he didn't have the strength. He was so cold. Struggling Snake stood and took a step toward the porch. His injured leg gave out bringing more blood from his wounded shoulder as he was forced to use it to break his fall. Snake didn't try to walk but managed to crawl to the porch. He was too exhausted to get inside but at least now he was out of the rain.


Crossposted to random_fic
This piece takes place in Snake's current roleplay timeline, being March 7th, 2007. This is one of many newspaper articles I plan on writing. Muns can assume muses have access to this article either by newspaper, TV or net sources should your muse choose to read it. Though what happens to Plissken after the crime is restricted to those who might see him.

Comments

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Solan woken up early in this morning to check up his horse. He silently approached to a door, having found out their puppies jumping up from impatience there. Because of bad weather they have let them in the house last night. Puppies have started to bark, having seen boy and have started to scratch a door with paws.
Wait a little, you, robbers, - he murmured, having pulled a coat quickly.
Puppies barked all more loudly, threatening to wake all house up.
What happened with you today? - Solan grumbled, flinging open a door. The wave of dogs run outside, but joyful barking was replaced by whining soon.
Solan stepped on a porch to hush them, but stopped on a place, having seen Snake who motionlessly laying at steps.
The boy was struck dumb examining him some time, noticing bloody traces on road and around of him.
Snake? -he told, having lowered near him on knees. - Snake?
He put the hand on his shoulder and screamed, as felt something sticky and wet on his palm. Blood. A lot of blood.
Snake?! - he called him again, but the man was without consciousness.
Puppies stood around, wagging tails in confusion.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake was cold and unconscious though the puppies licking at his face caused him to moan. He couldn't move or wake up no matter how much he tried to.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Snake was such cold and motionless, that Solan was frightened for one instant, thinking he was dead. But when puppies have started to lick his face, Solan heard silent moan and it has led him out from a stupor.
He unbuttoned his belt, intending to try to stop a bleeding and while fuzzed with it, tried to understand, where exactly Snake was injured. His clothes and a sleeve have been smeared with blood and boy could not define a place of wound at once.
But when Solan tried to turn Snake to see his wound better he faced to one more problem. Snake was too heavy that he could move him alone.
Puppies getting under feet, and Solan pushed them away, trying to not shiver.
Snake, hold on, I'll come back soon...
He has told, having moved back to the door.
Only do not die, please!
Solan flown in the house and run upstairs, to mother's room...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

The pain of being moved started bringing him out of the stupor. The puppies continued to harass him, barking and licking his face. Snake groaned and opened his eye but he still didn't know where he was.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Though Snake was absent at night frequently, Xena badly slept at this night, therefore she jumped from bed at once as heard his motorcycle. She understood, that he needs to feel all this risk and adrenaline, she was such herself, but nevertheless, Xena thought of serious conversation on this theme.
She waited, when Snake will enter her room, but some time passed and Snake did not appear.
Concerned, Xena directed to a door, only to collide the son which run in the bedroom, having been out of breath.
Mom... Snake... There... on a threshold... I cannot move him...
She run downstairs, feeling, that her heart is ready to jump out of a breast. But her son was here, and Xena should behave easy to not frighten him more.
Therefore she remained quiet and cool, having seen the husband on a porch in a pool of blood.
Solan, dear, bring the first-aid set, you know, where it lays, yes?
She has told, having bent to Snake.
Oh my... common, Snake...do you hear me?
He has lost a lot of blood, it disturbed her most of all. Xena cautiously touched his shoulder, then pressed some spots to stop a bleeding. Her fingers were instantly smeared in blood...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake was still disoriented but the agony from Xena pressing on his shoulder brought a quiet cry of pain. Snake's eye was open and he was looking around but his gaze was unfocused. Snake was trying to wake up, trying to remember where he was and how he got there.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Xena heard his cry and kissed Snake on a forehead, calming him down.
Easy, Snake, - she whispered, - you knew, that you did, and you know the price. I should bring you in the house. I know it hurt. Easy...
Xena taken a knife which always was at her belt and cut clothes around of a wound to examine it in more detail and frowned. She saw only one aperture from a bullet on one side of shoulder so it was obvious, the bullet remained in his body.
Xena sighed and started to drag him inside cautiously.
Solan come running with the first-aid kit in hands, looking on Snake in anxiety
Take dogs away, please.
she ordered to him
How is he? - the boy asked, holding puppies for collars.
She kept silent, being focused on that it is necessary to do now.
Boil water, please.
Xena put Snake on a carpet, having started to remove the shirt from from his shoulder cautiously.
Solan locked dogs outside and looked at mother.
We should take a bullet out from his shoulder.
Xena told, not distracting from work.
I'll need your help, son.
Solan nodded
Okey...mom... I'll be here! I don't afraid... I think...
Xena smiled weakly.
Good boy.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

By the time Xena started dragging him Snake was trying to help her. He still didn't feel most of the pain and started to talk very quietly.

The..it's...against.. my ...the bone. Snake got frustrated instantly when he couldn't communicate. Snake wanted to get up but he was too weak. Things were coming back slowly but his mind wasn't comprehending how bad things were. He could feel something hot on his thigh, pain or blood he couldn't tell.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Solan run on kitchen to boil water while Xena has taken shirt off from him, continuing to examine the wound. The bleeding began less plentiful, but the wound disturbed her all the same.
Shh, easy, Snake! - she told, having pressed the hand to his breast when he tried to get up.
Xena started to clear a wound of blood, then opened the first-aid kit and began to touch tools and the medicines laying there, choosing these ones what looked the most suitable for a situation.
Having found out antiseptics, she splashed it on a wound, having murmured
It will be hurt, but I know, you will bear it.
Xena looked at syringes with anesthetizing and frowned again. She never did injections herself, and now reflected, what will be better for him, an injection or her old good pinch?

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Do not think of your bike now
She has told, supporting him on a way to a couch. His obstinacy irritated her, but she has not given it out.
Having convinced, that Snake lain on a couch, Xena took bourbon from the son and splashed it in a glass. Then put it in Snake's palm.
While he drunk it, she took the necessary tools and medicines from the first-aid kit and called the son.
Solan, take a lamp and hold it here so that I could see a wound.
He nodded and took a place near a couch.
Are you alright, son?
Xena asked, digging in the first-aid kit. Having found out a bottle with medical spirit, she opened it and smelt its content wrinkling nose. Solan has looked at Snake and his shoulder stained with blood, gulped and replied firmly
I am fine. I am not afraid of blood.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake smiled up at Solan when he was done with his drink.

We need one other thing. Get my leather gloves from by the door.

Snake watched Xena pulling things out. He knew he was going to need something to bite down on.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Gloves, eh?
Solan held a lamp, having looked back on mother.
Xena looked at the husband, wiping his shoulder with an antiseptic liquid.
Solan, kid, find Snake's gloves, please, - she has told, then started to prepare for tools: a scalpel, a forceps and some bandages to stop a bleeding in case of need.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake watched Xena and shook his head. You shouldn't need to cut. High caliber leaves a big hole.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Instead of the answer Xena pushed Snake back gently, forcing to lean against a couch.
I see.Just I do not want to search for this thing when it will be necessary.
Solan brought gloves, and Xena stretched them to Snake.
You may not look at it if you do not want.
She told quietly to Solan, having bent over Snake's shoulder.
Solan shook head, having made a deep breath.
I think, it will be useful for me, to know how to treat such things.
She sighed, having had a look at Snake
Are you ready?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

It'll be the hard thing at the bottom of the wound. Snake chuckled a bit trying to calm himself. He took the gloves and looked up at Xena.

Best bet is to grab the edge and turn it on its side before trying to extract it.

I trust you baby. Snake smiled before biting down on the gloves and nodding to show he was ready.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Close your eyes and relax.I'll be as gentle as I can.
She advised, having watered a forceps with an antiseptic once again.
Then she bent over a wound and cautiously entered a forceps inside, trying to make it carefully.
Xena knew, Snake should not feel a pain, only movement inside a wound, but extraction of a bullet could be very painful.
The forceps come across something firm, but, by a sound, it was the bone, not a bullet.
Xena looked at the son who held a lamp, trying to look unperturbable, but she saw, that boy was nervous.

Well, where have you hidden it, old miser? - she murmured, trying to distract him from the future pain. And cautiously set a forceps aside, trying to grope a slice of metal which caused all troubles - Sorry, dear, but I must find this crap...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake watched her and pulled the gloves out of his mouth.

What you going to make me do it? Snake was teasing her through the pain. Closing his eye he tried to feel what she was touching inside.

Think it's toward the top of the wound.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

I do not think so too, but you got it nevertheless.
She looked at stitches and smiled
I can blow on your wound if it hurts.

Solan opened eyes and looked at them some time, blinking.
What happened? - he asked, and his voice was weak.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

I think going upstairs and curling up with my favorite teddy bear will do just fine. Snake slipped his good arm around her and smiled over at Solan.

The blood got to you but you didn't miss anything really.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Only after you will drink my potion.
Xena looked at him significantly
I do not advise to refuse it, Snake, if you do not want to have a fever.

Solan looked upset, having heard his explanation
What a shame... - he murmured with sigh, - I do not know, why it has turned out so... you see, my uncle took me on hunting, and I saw blood earlier... but now...ouh...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake grinned. I'd rather not have my ass kicked by you. I think you should make it soon though I'm getting pretty damned tired.

Snake motioned for Solan to come over.

Seeing animal blood and human blood are not the same.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Xena squeezed his hand gently.
I am glad to see, you have acquired my lesson. I think, you should have a rest while I prepare for a potion. You can always drink it when you will wake up. Good rest is best medicine.
She looked back on the son who nodded, his expression still was gloomy
Yes, now I see it myself...
He murmured, still feeling confusion because of own behavior.
But true warrior never acts like this, - he added hardly audible.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake smiled holding her hand tightly.

Wake me when you're done.

Snake shook his head hearing Solan.

No. A true warrior should be upset when those they care about are hurting. That's the way to being a hero like your mom.

He smiled as much as he could at Xena.

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Of course, Snake.
She spoke very convincingly, but actually wanted that Snake had a sleep as long as it is possible because he looked very tired.
She started to stack tools and medicines back in the first-aid kit, then looked at the son.
Do not take it to heart, Solan. As I spoke earlier, people are not born heroes, but become them. I would be more disturbed, if you have not reacted to blood at all. It would mean, that my son is not capable to feel compassion. You should not be ashamed of those things which make you the human.
She patted his shoulder, intending to go to a door.
We have made everything, that we could, now Snake should cope with injury himself.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake smiled at Xena but it faded as she started to leave. He knew he should rest but he didn't want to be alone.