Hello everyone!
I know, it's been a long wait, but here's the latest chapter done.
Again, I apologize for this unexpected hiatus. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 29
Filling Up the Tank (Pt. 3)
Finishing up their own expedition, Butters quietly kept watch while Kyle stuffed the insulin they managed to find into their bag of supplies. "Alright, shall we head back?" asked Kyle.
Butters contently smiles and nods his head in response. It was a bit heavier than Kyle intended, but he manages to swing the filled bag over his shoulder and commences to walk towards the front of the store. Butters had insisted he'd be the one to carry the bag of canned food anyway; which could be slightly heavier. 'Honestly . . . he's making me feel like the dainty one,' Kyle chuckled inwardly. Halfway through the pharmacy section of the store, Butters suddenly stops and turns around.
"Oh, hold up Kyle! I think if we're lucky, this place still has its generator intact. We could actually use that," piped the blonde.
"Generator? What makes you think-"
Yet before Kyle could complete his question, Butters points a finger towards the ceiling's flickering lights, and then to the couple of monitors hiding behind the pharmacy's front desk. "See that? They're still running . . . which means this place has to have a backup generator somewhere. Let's just have a quick look. It could come in handy," Butters assured. With that, the cheerful, one-eyed blonde began making his way down a passage leading further into the store's storage unit.
Rolling his eyes, but realizing Butters did have a good point, Kyle slumps his shoulder and allows the bag of medical supplies to slide down. Placing the bag near one of the counters, he follows after the blonde. After just taking a few steps down the hall, Kyle couldn't help but begin to feel slightly . . . nervous. He just couldn't put his finger on it, but as they both continued to amble through, the air around him just didn't feel right. Despite the lighting in the pharmacy, this passageway was fairly dark, giving it an eerie feel; not to mention it seemed a bit expanded even.
'Did something come crashing through here?' Kyle mentally questioned.
As both boys slowly continued on, Kyle's gut wrenching feeling must have finally hit Butters. Almost instantly, Butters stopped in his tracks and froze; almost causing Kyle to bump into him. "Butters?" Kyle whispered. Something inside him was definitely screaming that they should go back. Swallowing, Kyle spoke, "I . . . I think we should just leave."
The Stotch boy's lips parted to reply, but something made both of them flinch. A deep, ragged sound of someone, or something, breathing heavily emitted from ahead of them. Both boys knew for a fact that was nowhere near normal breathing . . . least not humanly normal. It was deep, laboured, and they could swear rough growls mixed in with each supposed breath. Whatever they were listening to, it sounded big . . . very big.
Gulping, Butters finally nodded his head, "y-yeah, I think you're right, Kyle."
The boy's voice was slightly cracked as he began to already take a few steps back. Keeping their backs towards the entrance, both teens eased their way out; little by little, but carefully picking up pace. From their haste, Kyle's foot hit the side of a tin waste basket, causing the redhead to fall back with a yelp. With silence all around them, his voice was louder than anticipated, and both boys found themselves frozen on the spot with dread. As if on cue, a deep growl echoed from further down the hall, before contorting in a very loud beast-like roar. Booming vocals echoed, and before the pair knew it, the entire foundation began to quake.
"Run!" Kyle screamed, already leaping to his feet, "Fucking run, Butters! Run! Run!"
A bent door suddenly flings from it hinges and slams into the opposing wall. Colossal, tumor infested arms soon crash through the frame of the door, expanding it into rubble before a massive hulk-like infected forces its way through. Rubble and plaster practically rained down on the boys as they dashed down the passageway. Monstrous arms fling violently as another inhuman roar came for the massive infected; its thick arms slamming down onto the ground. Daring to look over his shoulder, Kyle felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach as the creature pried part of the flooring and lifted it over its head.
"Look out!" The Jew screamed, shoving Butters to the side while he went the opposite. Crouching down and covering his head, Kyle could only hear the massive portion of flooring colliding with the counters ahead of them. No sooner did that happen, Butters was already by his side, pulling him to his feet.
"Come on!" yelled the blonde. The ground beneath their feet shook as both boys finally reached the destroyed counters. Without much hesitation, the pair miraculously leap over the counters; thank god for adrenaline rush. To their misfortune however, the massive infected merely uses its huge arms to smash through, sending large bits of debris and rubble all over.
"What the hell is that thing?!" Butters panicked.
"Hulk on steroids?! I don't fucking know, just keep running!"
The boys were now in the main part of the store. A huge fist slams into the ground, while the other slams into a random isle, knocking the entire shelf over effortlessly. With the building crumbling all around them, the boys were getting desperate and more scared. Stilling running and without thinking, Butters finally whirls around and begins to let loose a barrage of bullets from his AK-47. Unfortunately, this only appeared to be making the massive infected angrier.
Kyle quickly makes a dive into a random isle, unaware that Butters continued forward, still firing, and with the monstrous infected close behind him. By this point, Butters had already abandoned his AK-47 so he could run faster, and was now shooting with a pistol. Stumbling from the debris, a fist soon swings and slams into the blonde's side. A pained cry escapes Butters as he's sent crashing into a shelf. Emerald eyes widen as the same shelf topples over with the blonde.
"Oh my god, Butters!"
Gritting his teen together, Butters reaches for his sore side; pretty certain that's going to leave a massive bruise. Without warning, another weight falls upon him, once more making the Stotch boy cry out. Fluttering his eye open, Butters gasps for air when he realizes the opposing shelf had fallen on him after he was thrown into the first; his lower half was now pinned. As Butters frantically struggles to get the fallen shelf off, a large shadow suddenly casts over him. Tilting his head up, Butters feels close to fainting when he sees the monstrous infected towering over him. Closed fist slowly rise above the creature's mass, preparing to crush the pinned down blonde. Butter's could only open his mouth in silent scream and wait for the inevitable.
Bullets suddenly rang out from behind the infected mass; earning a series of frustrated bellows from the creature as it turned around. "Hey! Over here, asshole!" Another barrage of bullets are sent towards the massive infected as it raised a large arm to shield its face. Butters whimpers as he squirms to try and peek around the infected. He could only emit a sigh of relief when seeing none other than Kyle; wielding his AK-47 no less. Little by little, the lithe redhead carefully stepped around the rubble as he continued to fire. After he was certain he had the infected's attention, Kyle quickly dashes down another isle; the massive infected not too far behind and roaring with anger.
Meanwhile
The sound of bullets did not go unheard. The hummer's engine roared as the rest of the group arrived at where they assumed the sound of bullets was originating from. After the hummer came to a screeching stop, one by one, they all piled out in front of the Walgreen's entrance.
Holding up his rifle, Kenny stepped forward. "Think they're in there?" asked the shaggy haired blonde. As if on cue, a register suddenly crashes through a window and lands a few feet in front of them; followed by a heinous roar, and more bullets. A familiar scream soon follows.
"Butters!" Just as Kenny was about to charge into the store, he feels his arm being grabbed from behind; holding him back.
"Non! If you go in, it will only make things worse!" said the French accented teen.
"Then what the hell do you suggest we do?!" argued Cartman.
Christophe ponders until he sees a familiar redhead dashing across the store's front entrance; Tank running right behind him. 'That it is!' Gripping onto the launcher's handle, Christophe darts forward and yells out, "Kyle!"
Said fiery redhead nearly stopped when he heard his name; thankfully, he didn't stop. But he did take the risk of looking towards the source of his name being called. His heart leapt with joy when he saw the group right outside. Much as he wanted to shout back, keeping his breathing intact and his feet in motion were his top priorities right now. Seeing how bad the situation was, Christophe was quick to come up with a plan.
"All of you, get ready, we may only 'ave one shot at zis! Aim a'ead and wait for my command," he informed.
Cartman was about ready to retort until he felt a sharp jab to his side. Looking over, he was surprised to see Kenny actually glaring up at him. 'Now is not the time,' those eyes read; he could sense Kenny's seething thoughts. He gruffly snorts in response.
With that, the tanned mercenary readied his launcher. Gregory and Thomas were quick to ready their own weapons as well; followed by Craig, and then a hesitant Kenny and Cartman. "Remember, don't fire until I say," Christophe instructed without looking away from the scene. "Kyle!" he calls out again, "run towards the front of the store! Lure it out, cher!"
Kyle didn't really have to think twice before pulling a 180 and running back towards the store's entrance. His heart was pounding, his legs burned, his breathing labored, but still the redhead ran for his life. His breathing even hitched in his throat when he felt large fingertips brush against his backside; he was certain that damn infected nearly grabbed him after his 180 maneuver. To make things worse, it was now closer than before; he could feel it's foul heated breath burning the back of his neck. When reaching the store's front, it was as if everything fell into slow motion.
"Kyle, get down!" Kyle heard someone yell. Upon command, the Jewish teen leapt forward and dove towards the dirt floor. It was not until he made contact with solid ground, that Kyle heard a 'hissing pop', and then a loud 'boom'; a series of bullets soon following after. Hands instinctively covered over fiery locks as painful bellows emitted from behind the redhead. Kyle was too afraid to look and see the Tank now teetering after being hit with the grenade launcher; leaving a large gape in its right shoulder.
After what felt like forever, pained groans came from the Tank as it began to stagger forward. When the barrage of bullets finally stopped, Kyle slowly eased his head up and curiously looked over his shoulder. He instantly regretted it; the sight itself made him want to faint. From head to toe, the monstrous infected was littered with fresh bullet wounds, which were now oozing with gallons of blood. Bemused by the infected's appearance, Kyle failed to realize said monstrosity was slowly tilting over his still laid out form.
"Move, dumb Jew!"
Before Kyle could register what was happening, another's large mass appears over and swiftly rolls him out from under the line of collapse. A heavy 'thud' soon sounds from where the Tank has fallen.
"Ow! The hell are you doing?!" Kyle protests, but bites his tongue when realizing who is now towering over him.
"The hell am I doing?!" Cartman blurted out. "You almost got crushed and you're asking me 'the hell am I doing', Kahl?!"
"Well, now you're the one crushing me, fatass, so get off!" The Jewish teen retorts back. That was perhaps a little harsher than Kyle had intended for it to come out. He could hear the large brunette click his tongue before lifting himself up.
"Fucking ungrateful Jew. Next time, I'll just let the damn thing land on you! How 'bout that?" Cartman huffed, already dusting himself off.
Despite Kyle rolling his eyes at that, he did feel a wave of guilt come over him. Averting his gaze from the other teen, Kyle merely sat up. 'Great..' But his thoughts were soon interrupted when another's arms wrapped around his lithe frame and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Mon cher, are you alright?" As awkward as it was to have the French mercenary hugging him, Kyle could feel some heat on his cheeks; not to mention the sense of someone staring daggers. Surely enough, he glances over to where Cartman was standing with his arms crossed over his chest. Yep, that pouting Nazi was glaring right at them. Clearing his throat, Kyle pulls out from Christophe's embrace; but those rugged hands still gripped onto his shoulders.
"I'm fine, Christophe, really. Better off than Butters at least," he assured. Emerald eyes widen with realization. "Butters!"
"Way ahead of you, Red." The group turn their heads towards the store's now ruined entrance. Carefully staggering out from the rubble was none other than Kenny, carrying a wounded Butters, bridal style.
"My hero..," the cheerful blonde murmured sheepishly as he was carried.
"Only for you, princess," Kenny comically puffs out his chest with pride. This of course earned a giggle from Butters; who rolled his eyes afterwards. "I meant Kyle, Ken. Had it not been for him picking up my gun and getting that . . . thing's attention, I'd probably be a broken mess right now," he explained.
"You still are a broken mess, Butter-cup," added Kenny with a scoff.
"Oh, you know what I mean," replied the one-eyed blonde. Butters then playfully poked his significant other on the cheek before leaning in to plant a kiss.
This surprisingly earned a few laughs from the other boys. Despite everything that had just happened, it was good to see that their spirits haven't been broken. Even after coming face to face with their very first Tank, they felt more alive than ever before. As Kyle tried to use Christophe's shoulder as leverage to stand up, he suddenly feels a sharp pain come from his leg. Next thing he knew, he was once again in the mercenary's arms.
"Kyle, cher, what is zee matter?" actually seeming concerned, Christophe carefully lowers him to the ground.
"I think . . . now that the adrenaline is gone, my body's registering the pain it's actually in," he tried to laugh it off, but winces when he runs a hand over his right ankle. Carefully, Kyle lifts up his pant leg; some of the boys unintentionally hiss at the sight, even Cartman. Looking down himself, Kyle also cringes at the sight. He knew his ankle wasn't broken, thankfully, but it was now three different shades of purple; and it hurt like hell.
"That looks really sprained, Kyle." Thomas pointed out matter-of-factly; he even winces when Kyle is aided back to his feet by Christophe.
"Come on then, cher. Let's get you to the RV," offered the tanned mercenary; who was actually already leading Kyle towards the massive vehicle.
Yet before Kyle could react, bulkier arms suddenly swoop him up, causing the young Jew to 'yelp' with surprise. Automatically, his arms wrap around someone's thick neck as he's carried bridal style from the mercenary's reach. Course, Kyle only had to take one guess as to whom is his sudden 'captor'. "Cartman..?" he breathes out.
"We have plenty of first-aid in the hummer, so we'll take care of it there," grumbled the larger teen. "Besides, Butters could use the proper care," he sneers towards the glowering mercenary.
Visibly gritting his teeth, Christophe opens his mouth to protest, but is quickly silenced by the firm grip on his shoulder. Pivoting his head, he wasn't exactly surprised to see Gregory scowling at him. "He's right, Christophe. Worry about your infatuations later, because all this ruckus may have attracted lots of unwanted attention . . . infected or not. So I suggest we move out now, before we get swamped." Before anyone could move, Gregory is quick to send Christophe a firm expression; which, much as the tanned mercenary hated to admit it, Gregory meant business. Reluctantly, he averts his gaze and nods his head in response. Content with that, the blonde mercenary orders Kenny to wait here with Butters and Christophe, while he went to go retrieve the Rv.
Meanwhile, Cartman was already carrying Kyle back to the hummer. Whether the other two teens noticed it or not, the tanned mercenary was begrudgingly clenching his teeth as he watched Cartman carefully load Kyle into the back seat. At the same time, Craig and Thomas climbed into the driver and passenger seat.
"You won zis round, fat pig," he snarled under his breath. Course, said threat didn't fall on deaf ears. With Kenny and Butters standing near him, the blonde couple looked at each other worryingly, but said nothing.
After a few short minutes, the boys finished packing into each other's vehicles and were now heading out. In the hummer, Kyle comfortably sat in the back seat, trying very hard not to laugh at Cartman's poor attempt at bandaging his injured ankle. Meanwhile, Thomas and Craig sat up front, Craig behind the wheel.
In the Rv, Kenny and Gregory were busy carefully tending to Butters' injuries. He had a large bruise along his side where the Tank had struck him; it pained Kenny to see that once flawless skin now three different shades of purple. Not to mention the scrapes and bruising in other places. To all their reliefs, no bones were broken at least. As they all basked in their temporary victory against one of the most dangerous infected, according to Gregory, Butters couldn't help thinking that they've forgotten something. His thoughts were quickly erased however when Kenny ruffled his already messed up hair.
Unknowingly to the group however, there was indeed something they've forgotten. Deep within the ruined building of Walgreens, buried within the fallen rubble and debris, no one noticed the bags filled with extra medical supplies and food, still sitting where Kyle and Butters had left them. Completely forgotten.
Whoo! Pretty satisfied with this chapter.
Just hope you all enjoyed it as much as I wrote it, lol.
Until the next chapter!
