I tried not to vomit as I peeled the fetid sock away from my foot. It came off in tattered patches, stuck to the putrid flesh underneath. The pain was excruciating. I had to look. It wasn’t my foot any longer. I didn’t recognise it. It was just a lump of red-purple meat. There were no toenails anymore and nothing that resembled skin. There was blood and tendons and muscles and nerve endings and bone and oozing pus and rotting epidermis. I cursed that careless moment when I had slipped on the boulder and fallen.
I cleaned away what I could. The cold fresh water bringing fresh agony with every dab and wipe. I ripped another section of my vest off and rebandaged the stump. I cried out as I slipped the remains of my foot back inside the crumbling boot.
How much longer could I survive? How far had I come? They were still behind me, searching for me, hunting for me. I needed help. There was no hope of making it through this on my own.
The threatening rumble came from the valley below. They were here. Their sentinels would scour the hillside and latch on to any movement or sound. I had to get away. I stood and winced and bit my tongue as I put weight on my foot.
If there were any other humans left out here, now would be a good time for them to come to my aid.
Written for #FOWC, hosted by Fandango on his blog This, That and the Other. Today’s prompt word was: Putrid. Click on the link to read contributions from other writers.
All I can say is I’m glad I finished my porridge before I looked at WP 🤣
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I suspect with a word of the day like putrid, there may some posts that make us a little queasy!
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Oh my! That’s too scary!
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Then my work is done! 😉 Thank you
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This is so disgusting! Nice job 😉
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I felt the pain, I visualized what was left of his foot. My brain could almost conjure up the putrid smell. Well written, Iain.
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Thanks so much. Good word today!
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Excellent imagery! I hope he makes it out alive!
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He may be our last hope! 🙂
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Thats beautifully vivid and very well described, Iain. What poor fellow suffering like that!
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Thanks Mason, always appreciated.
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You’re welcome.
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Very graphic Iain. Glad I don’t want any dinner.
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Nice rare steak? 😉
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Ha! if you were closer, I’d thump you!! Besides, I like my steak well done. Have a good day Iain.
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Well, that was excruciatingly vivid. But I’ll look on the bright side: At least I’m not the guy in the story!
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Thank you! 🙂
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What a visual story. Unsettling, but intriguing.
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Thanks so much.
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