Quick Author's Note:
Again, I AM SO SORRY! I was totally swamped with work! And then me being reluctant to do anything productive when I did have time and then my computer being ridiculously counterproductive and blah blah…I have butt loads of excuses and I'm sorry! . …grrr…I hate guilt…and procrastination :( Any who, I'm back! And to make up for the lack of updates, I shall conjure up some extra writing ability and make this chapter extra-long! And my updates should be consistent now and I hope you faithful readers out there stick with my story! XD Btw as you can see, I changed my pen name. My old one was based off an old inside joke between my friends probably about two or three years ago O_o
Chapter Ten: When Waves Come Crashing Down
Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time
Marshall Lee's POV:
As I kept pushing through the swarm of tightly packed people, my gaze kept flickering in all sorts of directions in search of a certain silhouetted.
AAAAAAAHHH! My body reacts instantaneously while my eyes widen to the size of saucers; a horrible cry that chills my entire being to the bone. "FI!"
I frantically run towards the direction in which the cry had come from. My heart rate speeds to a rather unhealthy rate, my adrenaline pumps, I can hear my own blood rushing each gaining step, and I try to blink away the worst possible images of why Fionna would cause a resonating cry like that. "FIONNA!" I call out in desperation.
"MARSHALL!" I faintly hear the pained call. I swallow a huge lump in my throat and pick up speed. This can't be happening! Each time I gain a stride further to whatever destination awaits, the rougher pushes and tugs I gets from the rush of soldier trying to go in the opposite direction. After what feels like eternity, my frantic search ends. I see her. My stomach drops and my eyes burn with oncoming grief.
"F-fionna?!" One of her legs seems to be stuck in a man hole while the rest of her body is slumped forward. No! Her body suddenly jolts up.
"H-help me" She's still alive! I instantly come by her side, as soon as I settle myself next to her to inspect the situation, my mouth dries once the echoing sounds below reach my hearing.
"M-my leg's s-stuck and b-broken. I-I haven't been bitten y-yet" I peer down into the man hole. I spot a dead zombie at the bottom nearest to Fionna, she must have managed to kill it (even in this position). But by the sound of echoing groans and scurrying rats, there must be more of them coming. I spring into action and inspect her leg; I can see where the brake is and cringe. Her leg somehow got stuck in between the rungs; I quickly grab her leg and carefully help her by pulling and holding around the break so not to cause as much pain. Her arms quickly rap around my neck for support. I can tell every time her pain grows, her grip tightens so not to cause the zombies more attention by noise. In the midst of this, I notice one of them, they must be close now and not too far in the tunnels. That's it! I quickly tug Fionna up with as much strength as I can conjure up. I got her out.
"Awwhhhh!" She cries out and trembles in pain-her leg is probably feeling a lot worse, but I couldn't just leave her. She'll understand later. Maybe after she's beaten me to a bloody pulp! I manage to pick her up bridal style.
"Shh! Fi, you have to stay as quiet as possible!" She responds with a death glare, I give her an uneasy grin.
"PPFFFFFF!" I subconsciously turn my attention in the distance, where a bomb was set off no doubt. Now I hear a sound that once again causes my stomach drop. I gulp and look every which way. All the buildings, alley ways, and seemingly abandoned cars are sources from where swarms of zombies are rushing out of. We're surrounded.
"Marshall" She exasperates breathlessly in panic, "Leave me, you've done enough, I'll be a distractant then you'll ha-"
"NO!" I can't believe her! "I am NOT leaving you as bait Fi! We're BOTH getting out of this TOGETHER!" The only direction that seems somewhat unoccupied is north straight ahead, I guess it's our only option. I run, avoiding the walking dead as I do so, my hands are too busy carrying Fi to use any of my weapons!
Fionna's POV:
Damn it! This is my entire fault! If only I hadn't gotten stuck or if only I'd been left behind! But no, now Marsh is going to pay the price too if we don't make it out! On top of that, we're on Main Street! There aren't any woods or open areas to escape to! I have to do something. I start to squirm around to find my pistol, Marshall doesn't seem to notice, and my fingers graze the cold object got it!
I ready the pistol, cocking it back for usage and steadying the lethal weapon in the best position given the situation. With my frame turned as far as possible, my head rested on Marshall's shoulder, and both arms behind his neck holding the weapon with precision as I aim at the walkers chasing us. My index finger firmly wraps its way around the trigger and pulls. The gun blares hitting its intended target, one down. Marshall staggers; I guess he didn't notice me take out the gun. Oh well.
~time skip~
"Stay here Fi" I huff. "Not like have anywhere to go"
Marshall and I-more like Marshall found an empty hardware store so that we could rest. Marshall settled me down on the register counter like a sack of potatoes. I hear him scuffling around all over the place, probably to double check that the floors are clear of any walkers.
"Make sure to blockade the entryways!" I yell, trying to be of some use. Stupid broken leg! Maybe I am not much more than a sack of potatoes right now, figuratively speaking. My gaze shifts through the surrounding area. Of course right next to me is a cash register, opened and emptied out-probably had been for a long time now. Directly in front of me are a multitude of metal shelves that were once in neatly filed rows, at least until the far right shelf tipped over and caused the other five to tumble down in domino effect. There are items scattered everywhere, ranging from simple glue sticks to lumbers of wood. I'd imagine that the store had been raided of decent tools long ago. I continue to busy myself until an idea strikes. Hmmm... I twist my body round and search skeptically, let's see...duct tape and…two by fours…it'll have to do!
"Hey Marsh!" Suddenly, I feel warm ragged breathes on my neck.
"Yeah?" I gasp and jump in surprise. How'd he do that?!
"You jerk! Don't sneak up on me like that!" I turn around to see Marshall crack a stupid grin that practically takes up his entire face and I half-heartedly punch him in the gut. He lets out a heavy 'oof' and my face breaks into a satisfying grin.
"Marsh, I have an idea. With that duct tape and those two 2x4's, we can make a make-shift cast! Because my leg needs to be set and this way I can actually walk." With effort he finally gets up and nods his head profusely.
"Yeah Blondie, that's a good idea." He staggers a bit in his step and I giggle knowing full well that he was perfectly capable a few moments ago.
"Oh come on Marshy, that hit was only half-hearted" I roll my eyes.
"Well, I thought we've been over the fact that you punch like a man!" My grin widens.
"Alrighty bunny, Dr. Abadeer at your service." I giggle as Marshall makes a stiff mock bow.
Marshall Lee's POV:
Okay so all I have to do is set the lumber on both sides of her leg and duct tape it together, of course after straightening the bone out, sounds easy enough.
My hands guide her left leg to where the bone is once again in the correct position it is supposed to be. Yeesh, I felt the bone shift. My left hand keeps a firm grasp as I kneel down and grope for the lumber; I lift up a two by four and hand it to Fi.
"Can you hold this" she simply nods and continues stares at my hand. Well this just got awkward real fast…why the hell does she always wear shorts?! I shake off any oncoming non-welcomed thoughts… just forget about the fact that I'm practically feeling up her bare leg. I swallow yet another lump that had swelled up in my throat and grope for the other piece of lumber. I hand the other piece to her and she clasps both pieces on either side holding them in place so that I can duct tape two pieces. I begin to work on firmly binding the temporary make-shift cast. I wind the silver tape round and round tightly, Fionna rests her hands on my shoulder for support since there is enough tape keeping the two lumber pieces in place without her having to hold them. Finally the make-shift cast is firmly held from top to bottom. I look up for reassurance, Fionna simply nods. I pick her up and gently set her down standing on the floor, keeping one arm under her arms for support. Good thing she's so light.
"Definitely better than before." I nod in response and she begins to walk as well as she can.
"Well I wobble just about as good as a toddler, but it'll have to do" I chuckle a bit.
"I'm just glad you're okay Fionna" I tilt my head so to properly make eye contact and my breath hitches out of sheer fact that our face are not but centimeters apart, if I were to slightly lean I could-
"Thank you for that"
"For what?" I respond dumbly, mentally slapping myself. Her sapphire irises meet my darker green ones and the intensity makes my knees practically buckle.
"Thank you for saving me Marshall" My mouth dries, she's leaning forward! Just as I prepare myself to comply, I notice that she tucked her head in the dip of neck and that her arms were firmly wrapped around my neck in a warming hug. I heave a small unnoticeable huff in disappointment- wait, disappointment? Instead of further probing my thoughts, I simply encircle my arms around her small waste and take in her soothing scent.
~time skip~
We have to find the medical camp. If we linger, we're not much better than sitting ducks.
"Look Marsh, I appreciate that you're worried and all, but this little handicap isn't too bad. I say we probe the area more and collect what we can, the swarm seems to have let up and we can wander a bit until they send out medical vehicles."
"Why are you so reckless all of a sudden?! No, we have to go get you fixed up. Did you forget that you almost died without that 'little' handicap of yours? What makes you think that you'll be fine while 'wobbling like a toddler'? Absolutely not! And on top of that, swarms don't just 'let up,' the damage is done Fi! We're just lucky we managed to lose them" I start to rub small circles on my temples in attempt to calm my frustrations.
"Marsh! Come on it's not a bad idea, and they do let up. It's not like those mutant's brains function enough to plot, they simply rely on instinct, and that my friend has been proven." Fi crosses her arm atop her chest and smile smugly at me. She's not going stop is she?
"Alright Fi, let's make a deal. I will go and scope around a bit and you will stay put and keep guard. I'll be careful and stay nearby while you keep guard, if anybody passes by me from the medical tent, I'll call them over and we'll take you." Her eyebrows knit in contemplation and I smile in a triumphal matter. I stand up from the stool I was occupying and start to walk toward the back door-
"You better be careful" I look down at the small strong, yet delicate hand grasping my own filling me with a warming sensation.
"What happened to the recklessness" Her glare hardens and I feel myself shrink under the intensity. I clear my throat.
"I made a promise to you in the beginning didn't I?" Her eyes widen in shock and she begins to fluster all the while breaking her gaze. I smile once her hand drops in defeat.
"Once I am about to leave the abandoned store I look back, "Hey Fi!" Her head tilts and she reaches my attention.
"It'll take a lot more to get rid of me" We both smile widely.
"Right back at you Abadeer!"
Fionna's POV:
Sigh. I feel useless just standing around here. I jump off the countertop and land on my good leg. Maybe I should take a stroll around this little hardware store. I use the edge of the counter as support. I should really get used to moving around with my leg being messed up. Hopefully I won't walk with a limp after this small endeavor.
I look around, in search of some form of nostalgia, but alas even after living in this town practically my whole life, I guess I hadn't been to this store before. Perhaps this is better, if I were to be in a building that I had come accustomed to at some point in time, my mood would be tremendously dampened. I slowly shift around as I rack my brain to try and pinpoint exactly where we are. Well, we're definitely in the same county; we must have drifted pretty far. I turn, the soles of my boots scuffling against the tattered floor boards in the process. Or maybe I blocked my memories out for so long that I have simply forgotten. I bite the inside of my cheek in consideration, I doubt that. Otherwise I would most likely relapse, right?
My pacing comes to halt, why are my cheeks wet? I gingerly stroke my right cheek, only to get my finger soaked in brackish tears. I blink. Once, twice…I need to stop. I straighten my stand; I take in a deep breath, and jolt once I notice the outside. I stumble a bit, shifting nervously. There are at least a dozen of them walking idly by. Should I duck behind the register? Will they notice me if I don't? No. They won't so much as look in this direction unless they hear or smell me. All the entry ways are blocked…except maybe. Shit! I never blocked the doorway Marshall came out!
I consciously retrieve my sword. I even out my breathing as quietly as possible. I have to be prepared. At this disadvantage, I can't risk gaining the attention of that many walkers or hoppers-or whatever! I start towards the back door as steady as can be, my eyes widen once I hear a creak and groan. And the door didn't make that eerie groan! My grip tightens and my teeth clench. This rotting carcass has another thing coming! But the only sound that comes next is the clattering of my sword against the floor boards. My lip trembles, the back of my eyes burn…I look up and down over and over unbelievably….
"I-Ignatius!"
Author's Note:
You have no idea how hard that was! I had a bunch of different ideas and I didn't know which one to use at at this point or where to leave off the chapter. So I figured, eh why not leave a cliff hanger? But I fulfilled my promise and the next chapter should come in a jiffy :) Anyways, please review! They are much appreciated and bring me joy and motivation to write more! Until next time!~
-J.M