Author's Note: I got this chapter out extremely fast. I'm pleased with myself~
I enjoyed writing this scene again, comparing it to my old work and seeing how far I've come is turly amazing.
Hope you guys enjoy, hope it doesn't feel too rushed.
Andy was hungry.
That was the reason for this sudden meeting. Everyone was arguing about what should be done about the sharpshooter across the way, more or less. More accurately, they were debating how they were going to get some type of food over to the poor guy. Kyle now felt a bit sorry for his rival marksman. If it were possible, he'd hand deliver the food himself.
"There's absolutely no way we can get any food to him. What're we gonna do, go out there all commando against that big-ass crowd?" As much of an asshole as Steve was, he had a point. When he got only grunts and glares as responses, he nodded. "Exactly. See? Totally out of the question. If you all work as well you did earlier, then we can get this whole thing done-."
"For Christ's sake Steve, the poor guy's starving to death over there!" Monica said suddenly. "If you were in that position, you'd want food as soon as possible too."
Steve grunted, shaking his head.
"It's not just about him starving Steve." Ana said, losing patience. "If we go to pick him up and he doesn't have his strength, then we're going to be carrying him."
"She's right." Tucker chimed in. "He's a helluva shot too. We're gonna need him as much as we need anybody."
"Tucker, I'm not saying we don't need him-"
"Look, there's no point in arguing about this." Michael cut Steve off. "We need a solution, we need to get some food over there."
"Okay." Steve held up a hand. "I have an idea. We draw straws and the loser runs across the lot with a ham sandwich."
This got a chuckle out of a few people, including Kyle surprisingly enough. Michael and Ana on the other hand were not so easily amused.
"Could you be a bigger prick?" Ana asked. If Kyle didn't know any better, he'd almost say it was a genuine question.
"I think so." Steve answered in the same tone. "But, you know what? That's irrelevant. My question to you is what's your plan?"
Kyle sighed, glancing at others in the group. As much as he hated to admit it, Steve was right; nobody had any good plans as to how to get sustenance to Andy and this debate was veering off course into an argument.
"We're not going to leave him on his own to die, alright?" Michael said firmly. "We got to get over there any 'cause we need more ammunition, alri-"
"Shut up!" Kenneth's voice was like thunder and it was suddenly very quiet with everyone glancing over at the Police Sergeant. "I have an idea."
Kyle hung back as they attached Chip to the crane. His arms were crossed over his chest and he watched Nicole pleading for them to stop, Terry doing his best to comfort her. Ken's idea was a bit... odd, to say the least.
He'd explained everything quite clearly; when they were down in the parking garage, they had found the small black and white dog despite the fact it was littered with Infected. This had to mean that the Infected hadn't attacked Chip, or else he'd be just like the slowly growing crowd outside the mall. Going on this idea, Kenneth suggested that the dog be used to deliver the food and other supplies.
Nicole had instantly protested, but thanks to much persuasion, she finally caved, not that she had had much choice in the first place honestly. It took about twenty minutes to load Chip up and now they were beginning to lower him down.
Nicole was still fearful, watching with wide eyes as her lovable, furry friend descended into the group that would surely tear any other of the survivors to pieces. The Lieutenant only hoped Chip wouldn't suffer the same fate, for the dog's, as well as Andy and Nicole's sake.
As the dog went lower and lower, the ones closest began to raise their hands, eying the dog hungrily, wondering what was being lowered to them. Just as Ken theorized, the Infected ignored Chip as soon as they realized he wasn't food. Or at least, not their type of food.
As soon as Andy blew his metal whistle, Chip began to waddle over toward the gun shop.
"See? Look." Terry said cheerfully. "He's walking right by them! They're not even paying attention to him." This seemed to sooth Nicole.
For now.
Soon enough though, Nicole darted over to Kenneth and snagged the binoculars so she could watch her dog's progress. Kyle was satisfied, however. The dog was bringing needed supplies to Andy and soon he'd be able to shake the sniper's hand, and possibly challenge him to a rematch.
"You look so serious." Melissa said, catching the Marine off-guard.
"Oh..." Kyle blinked, glancing over at her. "Kind of a tense time, don't you think?"
"Not really." Melissa shrugged.
Suddenly there was a loud pop, followed by another, then another. More and more followed.
They two exchanged worried glances.
"Still don't think so?" Kyle asked. Melissa frowned in response before they joined the others.
"Andy?" He heard Michael ask pleadingly.
A couple of seconds later, Andy's voice came through the small walkie-talkie's speaker. "Can you hear me? Hello? Listen, one got in. I'm dinged up pretty bad, but I think I'm gonna be okay." He sounded tired, older than he looked. "I just have to stop the bleeding, it's really goin'."
"Where are you hurt Andy?" Michael asked worriedly.
"Damn, those bastards bite hard." Andy commented.
"Shit." Kyle's eyes shut and he stepped back, bringing a hand to his forehead.
"Hey, hey. Who is this? Is this Ken, or Kyle?" Andy asked.
"Yeah, it's me brother." Ken said, taking the walkie-talkie.
"Hey man, it's good to hear your voice. Guess we're all gonna meet up soon, huh? What about Kyle. Where's Kyle at?"
Ken held the walkie-talkie out and Kyle took it reluctantly. "Yo, it's me Andy. It's Kyle."
He heard Andy laugh before speaking. "You sound younger than I thought you would. You're a damned good shot man, I can't believe we tied everytime. Just wait until we can work together, it's gonna be pretty sweet."
"Yeah." Kyle felt hollow inside. "Yeah man, I can't wait."
Ken reached over and took the walkie-talkie back when Kyle held it out. The conversation continued, but Kyle wasn't paying much attention. Andy was as good as dead now; even though he hadn't even met the man face-to-face, he felt like he was going to lose another good friend. It was a shitty feeling.
"Hey Melissa, d-"
He heard someone starting an engine.
"What the hell is that?"
"Oh my God! It's Nicole!" Terry said, voice thick with fear.
"Goddammit!" Kyle was behind Michael as the group rushed over to the side of the building. He didn't see Melissa anywhere. That wasn't good.
Surely enough, both women were down below. They'd taken the late Norma's truck and drove it from the mall to the gun store, Melissa running down as many of the Infected as she could.
"That idiot's going after the fucking dog." Steve said.
"Idiots." Kyle corrected. "Melissa's with her."
"Son of a bitch." C.J. grunted. "This isn't a fucking nursery school."
The truck came to a stop, gently ramming Andy's store. Nicole had been in the passengers side and clambered out first. Melissa was next, climbing over the seats. Even from this distance, he could see the Reporter fish a handgun out of her waistband. She raised her arm and fired upwards, through the roof. Suddenly, she dropped the handgun to the floor board, grabbing her hand. Not bothering the retrieve the gun, she hastily crawled toward the passenger's door as Infected swarmed the truck. A knot formed in Kyle stomach, twisting tightly, making him feel sick.
"They made it. They're in." Kenneth announced.
He let out a relieved sigh and the knot vanished.
"We got Chip." Melissa's voice came over the walkie. "He's okay."
Kyle stared at the radio, as if Melissa and Nicole would suddenly crawl through it.
"Hey, hey. How's Andy looking..?" Michael asked, bringing the walkie up to his mouth.
"Uhh... I-I dunno. I lost my gun though. It cut me good too." Melissa sounded strangely calm.
"Holy shit." She said suddenly. "There's alot of blood in here. It's... it's all over the floor and counter. Christ, it's all over the place."
"I see Andy." Kenneth said, looking at the gun store's roof through the binoculars. Kyle could barely make Andy out, hunched over his whiteboard. "He's on the roof, he's writing something."
Far away, Andy held the whiteboard up but Kyle couldn't see what was on it. Too far.
"Tell her to get out." Ken snapped.
"How's the truck?" Michael asked, biting his lower lip.
"I think it's fine, I didn't hit hard." Melissa replied. "We'll be back though. We're gonna grab some guns and some ammo, get Andy and then we'll be right back."
"Melissa. There's no time. You're gonna have to get out of there now."
"It'll only take a few minutes, promise." She paused. "Oh, there's And- Holy shit! Nooo!"
There was the sound of shuffling feet, Nicole screaming frantically in the background, something about a closet. Then nothing.
"Melissa..?" Michael frowned. "Melissa? Nicole?" When he got no response, he lowered the walkie.
"We need to do something. Now." Ana had taken the words right out of Kyle's mouth.