Originally ch 57 and 56 were together. but it kinda got long, and i changed POV halfway through.
Don' really like to have 2 pov in the same chap. I dunno. Sorry the previous one was short. that's the reason.
Rock was sweating bullets.
Not because he was tired - although carrying Whip was absolutely a liability - but because he heard loud, heavy footsteps pounding down the hallway ahead. As he traveled through the building, he had encountered the bodies of several guards. Some were the ones he had attacked. Others, he assumed Whip had taken care of. Rock knew for sure he had killed that first guy. That he could justify to himself. The man literally tried to shoot him full of holes, and Rock's retaliation was clearly an act of self-defense.
But… what about the others?
Now that Rock thought about it, some of those who he attacked in his eagerness to get to Shermie didn't even see him coming. Some even looked confused at his presence. One had seen him running around, shrugged, and just continued to read his newspaper. Did he deserve to die? Hell, I don't think he expected me at all! Dammit!
("Is anyone here? Is anyone alive? Ah God!")
The running guard was yelling in Chinese. He sounded really stressed out - likely from finding the bodies of his colleagues strewn about. He was getting closer, and Rock quickly turned into one of the side rooms. With Whip at his side, there was no way he could fight. The bullet wound in his shoulder further incapacitated him. If that man caught sight of him, they were both dead.
("Hello! Guys? Please! Dammit! Fuck, Kam! What the fuck did you have us guarding?!")
Rock pressed himself against the wall, hoping to blend into the murky shadows. The open doorway was to his left. The hinges looked old and rusted, and the door was missing. Hopefully the man, in his panic, would only look in from the outside and decide there was no need to further investigate.
The footsteps were coming closer, Rock held his breath and placed a hand over his mouth. Whip, although sightless, seemed to be present enough to know what was going on. She remained still and silent, not moving a muscle. Rock watched the shadow of the man walk past the doorway.
("Anyon-... Huh? Is this blood?")
Rock was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the man had stopped. The man called out again, but Rock couldn't understand what he said. All he knew was the footsteps were getting closer, and the man would soon walk into the room. They'd been discovered! Rock felt a silent tear leak out as he brought Whip tightly against his chest. He turned away from the door, hoping to at least shield her from whatever came next…
*thump, thump, thump...*
("Huh? Who are you!? Hey!")
Rock half turned to look down the muzzle of a rifle. The man behind the rifle looked confused, as if he wasn't expecting to see them here. Was he not in on this plan? Rock stared warily at him. It wasn't as if he could do anything to fend the gunman off at this point.
("You… Kids?... Hey. Why are you here? You can't play here… Are you... an American? Can you understand me?")
The man continued asking questions, even though Rock could answer none of them. He approached slowly, all the time his rifle pointed at Rock's head. After a long moment, Whip's trembling form came to view. The man exclaimed, shocked.
("Oh no! Why...What happened to her?!")
He quickly put his rifle away, kneeled down beside (a very shocked) Rock Howard, and pulled out his phone. He made a call, which from his demeanor - appeared to be for an ambulance. From his tactical vest, he produced a small bottle of alcohol and a roll of bandages. He made a motion, requesting access to Whip, and Rock allowed it - because he saw only concern in the man's eyes. Clearly, this guard had no idea who Whip was, or that they were enemies at all. Perhaps the rest of the guards didn't know who she was either… Was this all Shermie's doing?
Were they just random… guards?
The guard continued talking to himself as he treated Whip's wounds with professional efficiency. Clearly, he was a medic. Possibly a military medic.
("You poor thing… hey, we're going to get you to a hospital soon, hun… Damn… you got burned too? What kind of bastard did this to you? Miss, Can you talk?")
To Rock's shock, Whip opened her mouth and croaked a reply. Clearly, the man was trying to keep her distracted with conversation as he poured disinfectant over her wounds. She realized exactly that, and was entertaining him. Rock was privy to none of what they were talking about, but regardless, breathed a sigh of relief. The crisis was over. He was tired, and he was thankful. Somehow… somehow things are working out.
Rock collapsed into a sitting position against the wall and thanked every higher power he could think of. He had let his guard down entirely, and instead of watching the doorway, he watched the Chinese Medic clean the area around Whip's eyes.
("Hey, USA. Hold this.")
He startled as he was handed a fistful of gauze and a flashlight. The Medic pointed at his patient, and waited expectantly for Rock to fiddle the flashlight on and provide the necessary light. He shone down the light, and tried his best not to look too closely at Whip's wounds as the Medic worked. After a while, the man looked up at him, and spoke.
("Alright, America. Hold up her head for me.")
Rock looked dumbly at him. He offered some gauze.
("No, no… uh I mean, dammit. Ugh… you should learn Chinese.")
The medic gingerly lifted both bloodied hands, and threaded them behind his head - careful not to actually touch himself. He indicated toward Whip with his chin. Rock squinted at him - trying to figure out exactly what he meant. Just as he was about to offer gauze again, something narrow and black flew in from the doorway - so fast, that Rock almost missed it among the gloomy shadows.
("Her head? Lift? Pick u-")
*SHUNK*
...
...
Rock's mind went blank and his mouth fell open. He dropped his gauze and stared at the Chinese medic with wide eyes. He hadn't even realized he'd begun crying again until he felt a droplet hit his leg. Just a moment ago, the man had been kneeling over Whip and talking animatedly with both of them - trying to comfort her, and trying to get him to help. Now, suddenly…
*thud*
Silence.
A woman's emotionless voice spoke from the doorway.
"Eighteen. Last one down. Mission Accomplished."
Thanks for saving us Leo.
We love you.
;(
