Author's Notes: Hi again. 'tis me. *Trumpets sound, confetti falls from the ski, angels sing, crowd cheers, ect.*
First, let me explain a little about when this story takes place. I think I've already said that it's after Zero's reading lessons start, but a little before Zigzag's birthday (the whole 'lemme dig your hole' business and Zero's running away.) What this story basically represents is the friendship built between Stanley and the rest of D-Tent, especially Zero. You need to have to be really close with someone to run into the desert after them with no food or water.
I'm not saying this is slash, it's not meant to be but you are free to take it that way if you want. I know some of you probably already have. I have nothing against slash, I just can't write it. But what I'm trying to get across between Stanley and Zero is a brotherly relationship. Some of the other boys too, like Zigzag or Squid. (I think Squid looked genuinely happy when he hugged Stanley and Zero when they got back-I think they had a good friendship that the book and movie just didn't show.)
Ahem. Now that I've explained my reasoning behind the D-Tent bonding…….
Meet my new muse! His name is………(ready for it?)………Zero! Actually, he's known as lil' Zero, because he's only six years old. Feel free to goggle at complete adorableness.
Zero: Hi! *waves, clutching Jaffy in arm*
Oh yeah, he comes complete with lil' stuffed Giraffe. Ain't he the cutest? Ahem.
Keep diggin' those holes, Posse.
~*~Reviews~*~
Queen-Setaa/Remmy the Insane~ Dunno if he'll live………………lol. Don't want to wreck the suspense! You go free those cows. ^_^
Celestra~ Aw! You're not………..THAT……….lame. *Silence* Heheh, just kidding. Power of Celestra commands me? Well, alright then! Lol.
Sixstars~ Ooh, you don't want to be late for camp! That'd be no fun, would it? Thanks for the review!
Eldalie Lavina~ It IS about time. There'll be more Pendanski in future chapters. Don't expect –too- much help though……… Eep, twenty five pages. Hope your parents don't mind you using their paper! Heheh about you falling asleep on the kitchen floor, although you DO sound like you have a good excuse. ^_^
Shae Elven Heart~ I want to know what happens to Stanleh, too! Hell, Mr. Sir CAN eat booty for all I care, lol. Thanks for the review!
Holeymoley~ Dig dig dig! I do like your spelling! ^_^ *hugs* You're the cutest mole ever!
Burnin'~ Rip down all them ol' veils, Burnin'! They were no good anywhay. My fang shui man told me they were disrupting my 'chalkra'. …………..^_~ Erm……sorry Torture Trio. Wait, I'm not responsible for Harry, yay! ^_^
Squid's Fan~ I THINK faze is a word. Dun really know, though. Hey, it's possible to like both Squid and Caveman! Somehow! I do! Lol. Thanks for the review.
Obsessed Elijah Fan~ Yeah, a real big hug probably wouldn't help his condition any, sorry. I'll tell him you send your pity though! ^_^
Ziggy~ I'm glad you're liking it! n.n I'm sorry I almost made you cry! Thanks!
Vi~ Thank you so much! You don't know how much your support means to me! Heh, I've been taking French for………*counts* four years. Heh, well, at least you'll be able to talk to your dead ancestors! (I don't know………) Monkey-pox infected prairie dogs. Interesting. Can't say people do that and watch corn grow here. Lol, good luck with that. No, I guess it's not good when worlds come crashing down, generally. O_o I thought that book was dark and depressing, too. -_- Snazzy-ful………that is so true! Lol. Here's an update! Thanks for the review!
True-Slytherin-Gurl~ Thank you!
Incubus4lotr11~ I reviewed! I'm sure I did. Really. Wait………I think I did. Dammit, I review too many stories, it's getting hard to keep track! Yes, I think Caveman grows on you. Lol. Thanks!
Chessy Cat~ Thanks for the review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Holes.
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Stanley lay shaking on his cot.
He closed his eyes and clenched his trembling hands into tight fists, but he was so weak that he couldn't keep them closed for long. Hot red fire radiated from his abdomen, and spread waves of pain throughout his whole body. Cold sweat ran down the side of his face, but he could feel his cheeks burning with fever. His thoughts became more and more hazy; his mind that had once raced with thoughts and fears and feelings when he first got to Camp Greenlake now slowly comprehended like a computer that had a virus.
He wondered if he was dying.
Was this what it felt like? This feeling of having all his strength and energy sucked out of him and leaving him only as a shell of a body consumed in pain? What about his parents? Would they get evicted from their apartment, only to receive a letter in the mail telling them that their only son had died?
His breathing was slow and shallow, he tried to breathe in enough air, but he was left feeling light-headed and dizzy. He became nervous, and then all out scared. His chest clenched in fright, his shaking increasing. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to breathe normally, but failed miserable leaving him trying desperately to breath. His breaths came faster and faster, with no extra air being inhaled. His body screamed for air, but he couldn't do it. He cried out in panic and terror. Stanley felt his mind shutting down as smothering darkness rushed towards him. He was horrified, he didn't want to die, he couldn't. The image of his mother and father crying with a crumpled up letter in their hands was imprinted on his brain.
~~~~~~
Zero walked through the empty camp, his canteen bumping against his chest and his shovel over his shoulder. The camp was mostly empty, with all the boys still digging and the councillors either supervising them, or in the mess hall 'preparing' dinner. Also know as opening tin cans and emptying the resulting goo into large serving basins.
Putting his shovel back in the 'library', Zero's head suddenly snapped up. Zero dropped his shovel and ran to D-tent as fast as he could. For some reason, he had suddenly had a feeling that Stanley needed help- fast. Forcing the tent flap out of the way, Zero entered the tent, and immediately knew for certain that something was wrong. His unexplainable intuition had been right.
Stanley lay on his cot; the fabric turning scarlet around him, with his eyes squeezed shut and hyperventilating. Zero fell to his knees beside Stanley's cot and shook him slightly.
"Stanley?"
Stanley's eyes opened, but they were filled with an almost hysterical panic.
"Stanley, relax man." Zero said anxiously, he didn't know what to do. He frantically glanced over his shoulder.
"Help! Somebody help!" He yelled, hoping against hope that somebody would hear him. Again he remembered the appearance of a deserted camp.
He grasped Stanley's hand and tried to figure out what to do. He didn't know, how could he? He'd grown up on the streets. He watched in horror as Stanley took in breath after breath but seemed to not be able to actually inhale it. He looked so scared.
Suddenly, Zero remembered that once, when he had been ten, he had stood outside and electronics store and watched one of the TVs through the glass. He had been so fascinated, having never had seen a television before. The show that was playing was some kind of dramatic program that that was referred to during the commercials as a 'shampoo' or something like that. In the episode that Zero saw, a girl with brown hair had started to breath really quickly because she was scared of moving. First, the mother had tried to calm her down by having her control her breathing, and then made her breath through a paper bag.
Well, they had no paper bags. Back to the other method then.
"Come on, Stanley, you've got to calm down, okay? You're going to be okay. Breath slower, like this." Zero demonstrated by breathing in and out slowly, like the girl on TV had done.
Stanley tried for two breaths, then gave a shuddering sort of breath and started to breathe even faster. "Can't………breathe!" He cried, his pale face growing even paler.
Zero desperately tried to demonstrate the breathing again. In and out, in and out. Out of ideas, he put Stanley's hand on his chest to better show him how he thought that he was supposed to breath.
Stanley stared up at him, but tried again to do the steady breathing. Closing his eyes in concentration, he fought the way his brain was screaming 'more air!' at him. He attempted to make his chest go in and out like Zero's was doing. In and out, in and out.
Slowly, Stanley's breathing slowed down. Gradually, he could breath in again, and the rushed, panicky feeling left his lungs and mind.
"Thanks." Stanley said finally, wincing against the pain the simple word caused his ravaged body.
"Don't mention it." Zero said with his wide smile. But his smile soon faltered as his friend's expression as the pain beat against his body.
They were both silent for awhile, then Stanley suddenly spoke up.
"Zero, am I going to die?"
This question caught Zero unprepared and first he just stared at Stanley in shock. Then his look of surprise softened as he realized that it was a very real possibility.
"I won't let you die, neither will the other guys." Zero said seriously, it was true; the boys had made an unspoken agreement not to let their newest member die. D-Tent stuck together.
"I don't want to die." Stanley whispered, staring at the ceiling. For the first time since Stanley had come to Camp Greenlake, Zero saw tears running down his cheeks. "My mom and dad………it would kill them. I couldn't stand causing them pain, I've done enough already by getting myself in trouble and sent to a detention camp." More tears ran down his face.
Guilt burned in the pit of Zero's stomach. He had caused this, really, this was all his fault. If only he hadn't stolen those shoes, none of this would have ever happened.
Unable to think of anything else to do, Zero wrapped his arms around Stanley gently, careful not to cause him any more pain.
"You're the best friend I've ever had, Stanley." Zero said. 'The only one, too.' A voice in his head said. Zero got up from the floor and sat on the cot next to Stanley's. They were silent again for awhile.
"Hey, Caveman! How ya doin', man?" Squid asked as he entered the tent. Stanley gave a forced smile and shrugged one shoulder.
Squid gave him a thumbs up and went and laid down on his cot. Soon Magnet came, followed by Zigzag, then X-Ray, then Armpit. Each asked if he was alright, and each time Stanley raised and lowered one shoulder.
"Hey, you wanna come to the Wreck Room, Caveman?" Magnet asked, after they had each collapsed onto their respective cots.
"Sure, why not." Stanley murmured. If he was going to be sitting somewhere in pain, it might as well be a room full of people. He had had enough time to sit alone with his rather dark and depressing thoughts.
"Glad to see you so excited!" Zigzag said brightly. Everyone turned and stared at him. "What?" He asked.
Several lumpy pillows were thrown at him.
"Oh god." Armpit groaned.
"You sounded like Mom, man!" Magnet laughed.
"I'll remember to be depressed next time." Zigzag said rolling his eyes. "Then I'll be doing JUST want the lizards want………" He added under his breath.
"Oh shut up Zig." Squid muttered. He pushed himself off his cot and over to Stanley.
"Sorry." Squid said in advance, then put Stanley's arm around his own neck and pulled him up. Stanley bit his lip against the pain so hard that it split and blood rushed into his mouth. Great, just what he needed. More blood. Wahoo.
Slowly, D-Tent made it's way to the Wreck Room. As they passed through the tents and cabins, boys and councillors stopped and stare at the little group. X-Ray walked in front, as if to challenge any that stood in their way. Following him was Zigzag and Zero, who were standing a protectively in front of Squid and Stanley. Squid was supporting Stanley with an arm around his waist, and Stanley's head slightly drooped from weakness. Bringing up the rear was Armpit and Magnet, completing the 'formation' that D-Tent had automatically and unconsciously taken. D-Tent stuck together.
X-Ray opened the door, and about twenty-five pairs of eyes turned and stared at them. Squid leaned over a bit, and whispered "Do you think you can walk to that chair from here?" in Stanley's ear.
Squid knew that Stanley hated looking like he needed help, and Squid knew he himself wouldn't either. Stanley took a deep shuddering breath and nodded. All the eyes stared as Stanley forced his head up and walked steadily across the floor, the six boys following him. Seeing everything was as usual, the boys all turned back to what they had been doing.
Stanley was focused on the chair; it was his goal. Just a bit farther, a few more aching steps causing waves of agony. A few more steps on legs that were on the verge of buckling, and a body that was weak from blood loss. Almost there. Just a few more steps. Stanley allowed himself to close his eyes and take a shaking breath, when something-someONE slammed into him.
The shove would have been hard on anyone, full force put into deliberate contact. But for Stanley, bleeding to death and with a gash in his stomach, it was like running full speed into a brick wall.
He fell backwards onto the ground, hard. The wooden floor hit his head and he saw nothing but blackness for a second, but then he was looking up at his attacker. Thlump.
"What, not so tough now, eh Caveman?" He leered. And punched Stanley in the stomach.
~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note: Muahahahhhahahahahahaha. Please don't hurt me. *huggles Zero for protection*
Say it now, Zero.
Zero: Pwease Review.
Thank you! ^__^ You heard the dude, review! Please? The chapter will come out faster, I swear! You have no idea how much a good review makes you want to write. Or, if you are an author too, maybe you do! ^_~
Your writingful authoress,
~Eh, Man