Chapter 3! Finally!
Sorry it took so long for this one to finally make it to the scene--you guys wouldn't believe how much I hurt my brain trying to write this one. I will admit that the last half or so is...well, rather dull. I started to lose my writing streak when I suddenly was losing my ability to write properly. But, the show must go on!
As to my previous reviewers, I say thank you.
PJ--I do agree that Chapter 2 seemed off. It wasn't just you, I noticed it too. You were right about missing details concerning David's health and I hoped I explained it better here.
Cannibal Jello--I hope you review again! I can understand that maybe Chapter 2 wasn't worth your while and I doubt Chapter 3 will be any better.
Note to everyone; this is the last chapter. I didn't plan on taking it very far.
Forgive me, once again, if this chapter doesn't live up to anyone's expectations. I had a very hard time writing the ending. If it sucks...hey, I tried.
To conclude this piece...
The ground seemed wet.
Well, was wet. As the group exited the sub car to check on their surroundings, guns held ready, they noticed that the emergency sprinkler system did its job; distinguishing the fire caused by another train's crash and left the ground slightly slippery. Kevin exited the train in such a rush that he almost slid off the platform.
"Where should we start?" asked a concerned Yoko.
"Well, definitely not back upstairs," replied a weakened Alyssa. "Which means he might still be down here."
Jim looked around. "But which way?"
"We could try going that way," Cindy pointed towards the dark end of the tunnel, which seemed to stretch into oblivion. "Seems reasonable, right?"
"Yeah," Jim agreed. "If I were a vicious man-eating bug, I'd want to crawl away down a dark tunnel, too. Let's go!"
"Hold it!" Mark intervened when the group, except Kevin, started to move forward. "I suggest we check our weapons first, you know, to make sure we are well covered? We don't know what's down there and how many bugs there are."
George nodded. "He's got a point. If we charge in now unprepared, it could mean trouble. Kevin?"
Kevin didn't turn to regard him. Instead he continued to stare down the dark tunnel. Something seemed to be nagging at him. His gut was giving him a warning…
"Kevin?"
"What?"
"I think we should check our artillery before proceeding to search for David. I for one want to be prepared. Any thoughts?"
Kevin closed his eyes. He wanted to rush down that tunnel and dodge any danger that came his way. He didn't care if it meant going in with his guard down. He just wanted to get to David; it all came down to saving David. But deep down George was right; if they did go in without first checking their current stock he knew there'd be problems. Better go along with it.
He opened his eyes. "Yeah. Let's do that."
George approached him, sensing his hesitation. He placed a hand on Kevin's shoulder and leaned in close, speaking in a low tone so the others wouldn't hear. "I understand how much David means to you. I can see it every time something happens to him. But I want you to understand is that not every one here knows the truth about you two as I do. The best thing we can do for him right now is to make sure we're well prepared before marching off into battle. We'll be useless to him if we're all not stocked properly."
Kevin looked at him out of the corner of his eye.
George's firm grip on his shoulder didn't loosen; instead it tightened as his expression turned deadly serious. "Let's kill the son-of-a-bitch responsible for ruining our escape."
Kevin smiled. He felt better. "Then let's make sure it doesn't live."
They were more then ready, they were packing. Jim found an emergency supply box hidden away in the damaged car. Inside contained most of the accessories needed to aid their rescue; flares, a flare gun, a few flashlights, night-vision goggles, and even a pistol. "It could come in handy," Jim said when everyone looked at him rather weird. "You might never know!"
"Alright, are we ready?" Cindy asked.
Mark, George and Kevin took the lead, turning on their flashlights as they began the march down the long tunnel. None of them said a word as they entered the darkness in search of David. Yoko fumbled through her backpack and took a sip of water from the near-empty canteen, handing it to Cindy next. She finished it with much enthusiasm and nodded her thanks. Kevin stayed in the middle of the two men, flashlight pointed to the ground in one hand with his wrist resting atop the other with his gun ready. George followed his lead, staying as close to Kevin as possible. If anything came near the determined cop George wanted to be able to cover his back. Mark seemed to be the only one walking casually; he held his gun at his side and searched the walls with his flashlight for traces of anything unusual.
The plan was this; fire a flare gun, which would illuminate the wide tunnel, charge in with weapons blazing and grab David. Once done they would make their way back down the long tunnel and into the awaiting escape vehicle. Simple, right?
Kevin absentmindedly shook his head. Plans never went the right direction, no matter how simple it sounded and how easy they could make it look. Even with the right tools to pull it off, they had to expect the unexpected.
Almost out-of-sight of our escape train. The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever. They walked for several minutes which seemed like hours to Kevin. The long walk was quiet and without incident. Not a single sound was heard except for the gentle hum of a working subway and the soft soles of everyone's footsteps. Come on, David! Give us a sign! He was about to turn to George in regards of heading in the right direction, when they all heard it.
A woman's scream coming down the far end of the tunnel.
Kevin froze. His heart caught in his chest and his breathing quickened with each intake. It's not him, it's another survivor! They stood there, entranced by the sound of something so horrific it was like they never heard it before. For many heartbeats the scream lifted in pitch---and was suddenly silenced. None of them looked at each other for confirmation. Instead, they remained frozen.
Nothing but the hum of the subway filled their alert ears.
George looked at Kevin then back down the hall.
"Hurry!" He broke into a sprint and disappeared into the darkness.
"George!" Mark chased after the doctor, also disappearing into the everlasting darkness. Soon everyone else gave chase to the two fleeing men.
"Shit shit shit!" Jim repeated hysterically, his flashlight waving around the place as he tried to catch up. "This is no way to drop in unannounced, yo!"
"Shut up and keep running!" Alyssa yelled at him over her shoulder.
The adrenaline was intoxicating. The anxiety of the moment powering them all. Flashlights darted to and fro, the only lights now seen within the tunnel, as the group ran with hidden strength needed to make it to the opposite end. Kevin nearly collided with George when his foot almost slipped from the still-wet tracks. He didn't check to make sure the doctor was okay, instead he kept on running, keeping his gun ready and his head held high.
"We're almost there!" yelled Cindy, who was having a bit of trouble running in her work shoes.
Kevin began to see a faint light in the middle of the tunnel. He could only hope that whoever the scream came from that David wasn't with the person whose life was ended suddenly and without question.
His fears were answered when the next yell startled them all, and sent a frightened jolt through Kevin.
"Keviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!"
His heart collapsed in his chest. "David!" he shouted into the tunnel. A fresh wave of adrenaline pumped into the young cop and suddenly he was sprinting, passing George and ignoring the doctor's plea to slow down. He couldn't make out anything from this distance, but he did notice some movement. A lot of it. His heart pounded at the thought of David being the target of all the commotion.
"David!"
He could hear everyone's echo of shouting David's name when Kevin saw something that made him sprint faster.
David had no where else to go.
He laid there frozen in fear, staring up into the features of death itself. He couldn't move and he couldn't run. There wasn't much for him to do.
He had no where else to go.
Already the giant flea towered above him, flexing its skinny arms and reaching out with its long ones to grab him. He tried using the white goo as cover when the thing came close enough and attacked; at first it was strong enough to stop if not slow down its legs as it tried to impale him through the white substance. A few times in came within inches of his arms and face. Finally it became smart and slammed one leg down on the white strand that held his lower legs together, stopping him completely. Still, the white substance refused to be severed and now David expected the inevitable.
His body continued to sweat and lose blood. The constant motion of his limbs kept his body from doing the appropriate healing needed before he was able to require the proper medical treatment from George. If our next stop is Raccoon Hospital… His skin started to feel cold and clammy…he definitely felt sick. It wasn't long before he would black out from loss of blood. Already he was seeing spots in front of his eyes from the working poison. Stay alive…stay alive long enough so they can find you…
He thought he heard his name being called above his heavy breathing and fast pounding heart. But the only thing he really heard was the things angry cry from the workout David made it do in order to finally trap him. He held still as its legs grabbed onto him and lifted him from the ground above its head. This was it. This was his moment of terror. He closed his eyes tight as he was raised practically to the ceiling---almost able to touch its cold exterior---and braced himself as the creature opened its mouth and began to lower him towards its gaping jaw.
The scene played out before Kevin as he neared was enough to make his heart drop to his knees and the blood drain from his face. The bug had David within its grasp and was about to devour him whole.
He wasted no time; he gathered up the last ounce of strength he had left within his sprint and charged the monster head-on. The bug was taken by surprise when Kevin slammed into its lower body, giving it a powerful shove like a football player would do to his opponent. The action made the bug tilt and eventually start to fall on its side. With a wide swing it let go of David and sent him flying further down the tunnel, the white substance jerking him slightly as it finally snapped when he fell to the ground, rolling before finally stopping.
He lay still.
The giant bug quickly regained its footing and retreated down the tunnel.
"Get back here you son-of-a-bitch!" Kevin hollered as he chased after it, sending bullet after bullet into the things legs. His mind was reeling as he gritted his teeth in absolute rage. No matter what he was prepared to chase it into oblivion.
"Kevin," George caught up to the fleeing renegade and fired a flare gun, illuminating the wide tunnel before raising his own gun to shoot at the huge monstrosity.
The bug retreated down the hall on injured legs. Kevin shot off one of its smaller tentacles and prepared to aim for another when the bug suddenly turned mid-stride and swiped its long legs, barely missing him and George. The rest of the group caught up to the two men as the bug began its ferocious swinging; guns blazing with occasional head ducking and side-stepping. The bug, however injured, put up a stubborn fight and advanced upon the group, leading everyone back down the dimly lit tunnel.
Kevin wouldn't back down. He wanted this monster dead and wasn't about to stop until it was literally fed a barrage of bullets.
David's back hurt.
That's completely obvious, he thought. That and your side still hurts, not to mention the growing headache… The sound of gunfire and a screaming beast brought David back into reality. He gently sat himself up—neck and back cracking—and was glad to feel his legs separate, although now his pants were slimy with ooze. He frowned in disgust and turned to look down the tunnel. The giant bug had nearly everyone cornered; every time they managed to push it back it always found a way to advance forward. From where David sat he could see blood on the things body from exit wounds, possibly from Kevin's weapon. It has them. Once they ran out of bullets, that's it. There will be no stopping it.
David had to do something.
He checked around the place, knowing that his tools once again would be of no use. Sacks above, ooze below in a puddle or two, damaged pipes that were hissing steam from bullet contact, severed electrical wires… The wires. If the bug is standing in the middle…
He had an idea.
It was a bit of a long shot, but he had an idea.
"Dammit!" Kevin yelled for the twentieth time as he ducked and rolled to avoid being slammed into the pipes. He was down to his last clip which told him they were running out of options. "Shit...!" He leaped away and rolled again, avoiding the things bloody leg. George helped him up and handed him another clip. They were very steadily being pushed back into the tunnel where soon the darkness would consume them. Once they reached the train, it was either hide back inside the battered vehicle or head back up aboveground and survive on the street. Neither sounded good.
They were definitely running out of options.
"Didn't work again?" George asked, covering Kevin so he could reload his clip.
"Obviously not," Kevin replied.
"This isn't working!" Jim shouted from somewhere beside them.
"We're getting farther away from David!" Yoko yelled above the noise. "We'll never be able to get to him now!"
"Dammit!" Kevin started to empty his new clip. Yoko was right; the more they allowed the bug to push them the farther away they were from David. He shot a successful round into the bug's lower gut, which came out the other end. In response, the bug suddenly lurched forward and swung its bloody legs, barely missing George and Kevin. It swung again the opposite way and managed to make contact with Alyssa, slamming her into the pipes.
"Alyssa!" Yoko made a quick dash to the fallen reporter and fired off a few rounds at the looming monstrosity before attempting to help her up. George and Mark doubled up to help aid in Yoko's rescue. The effort seemed inevitable when the bug suddenly grabbed onto a helpless Yoko and was ready to devour her, hitting the other two men out of the way. Jim was also thrown against a series of pipes on the opposite side when he got too close. Kevin and Cindy were forced to retreat back several steps.
Kevin took careful aim…then let his arm fall. "Dammit! Dammit dammit, double dammit!" He let out an exasperated sigh and watched as Yoko was about to be eaten alive by the huge monster—alright, Ryman! Try shooting it in the legs again!
"Hurry Kev!" Cindy yelled.
He raised his arm again, a single drop of sweat passing the side of his face, took careful aim…breathe, don't hit her…pulled the trigger—
—and was surprised by the rather loud echo when his gun went off and the bullet made contact. Beside him, Cindy gasped and a smile soon spread across her soft features. "David!"
Kevin looked passed the bug, who dropped Yoko after the bullet shot off another injured leg, and looked to see David standing not that far behind it—holding Alyssa's precious gun—and…a wire? It crackled as he held it an arms length away, his expression one of determination and absolute certainty. Kevin had never felt so proud of him.
"Back off!" David commanded as he ran forward. He slid directly under the massive creature and jammed the wire deep within its hole-infested belly, sliding away before stopping almost in front of Kevin. The group watched as the giant bug violently shuddered, its bloody arms pointing outwards as it was being executed.
Nobody moved or breathed a word. David leaned in against Kevin, closing his eyes as he finally gave in to much needed rest, allowing his body to go limp. Finally, the bug gave one last violent jerk…and fell over, twitching, but very much deceased. Cindy sighed a breath of relief and Mark patted Yoko's shoulder.
"Finally," Jim concluded. He took off his hat and wiped his forehead. "What a way to start a barbeque!"
"Disgusting," Alyssa commented. She dusted herself off and reclaimed her gun. "How's David?"
Kevin looked to George, who in turn got up and crouched next to David, checking his pulse and looking at his watch. A few seconds ticked by…
"Well?" asked a nervous Kevin.
"He's fine," George confirmed. He reached around and placed a hand on David's forehead. "His fever is at its highest. He might go into shock due to the lack of blood, which means that we better make a quick trip to Raccoon Hospital."
"The hospital? Are you sure that's a good idea?"
George calmly looked at him. "I won't be able to treat him properly without my equipment. He's also lost a considerable amount of blood; there's a good chance he'll wind up in a coma if we don't get there tonight."
Kevin began to protest again…until that familiar sound filled their ears and shut him up.
…click…click click…
Followed by a wet pop, which soon increased to several pops…
George and Kevin looked up to see several of the medium sized fleas crawl across what resembled large sacs that were filled with…an unknown substance…and were carefully poking random holes in them. Neither one of them said a word as one sack completely opened and a half-naked human fell to the ground a few feet in front of them… Both men gazed down the tunnel to find a swarm of fleas trailing after them.
Kevin immediately turned David over to hoist him up when another, and another, human fell to the ground a few feet away. "Time to go!"
George helped Kevin get David over his shoulders. "What gave you that idea?"
"They're dropping bodies to slow us down. Which means we have to go!" Kevin stood after he got a good grip on David's lifeless body and took off, George following closely on his heels. All around them bodies continued to drop left and right; the bugs refusing to give up as the two men ran back down the dark tunnel towards their escape vehicle. He had to spit a few times as ooze from the sacks splashed onto the ground and went over his face. George didn't have so much luck when he stepped into a large puddle worth of it, passing by a half-eaten leg.
"Let's hope Jim doesn't lose his nerve!" Kevin yelled above the commotion. He was surprised at how light David became. Better get him treated and fast!
"He better not," George stated from somewhere behind him. "Or he'll have to answer to us!"
"I resent that!" Jim yelled, holding onto his workers hat.
Kevin forced a smile, but immediately it vanished as they made it into the darkness of the tunnel. He silently prayed that nothing was lurking within its mysterious grasp. For if there was, he couldn't see it and there was only one flashlight being used.
A flare suddenly came to life and was thrown past Kevin's face, landing into the middle of the darkness---and amongst a huge crowd of awaiting fleas, all gathered in a perfect ambush. They all ran away from the intrusion that broke the darkness as George lit up another and threw it in a different direction. Two flares soon turned into three…which turned into four…finally he lit the fifth and threw it on top of the sub car once they were within throwing distance. It landed and a few squirming bugs jumped away, but not before George had his gun out and shot them all to oblivion.
Glad for the cover, Kevin managed to get David's body up on the platform when Mark caught up to him. Together they made it into the sub car and waited for everyone else to get inside. "You get David to the back, and I'll stand guard by the door!"
Mark held his ground as Kevin went to the back—again—with David.
"Oh shit!" Jim squealed. They managed to move a few feet forward until the train stopped. Jim fumbled with random controls. "It seems to be stuck! It won't move!"
"Then get out and push!" Alyssa yelled on the other side, shooting her gun out the window. "We won't be able to hold them off forever, you dork!"
"Then why don't you do it if your so smart!"
Alyssa lowered her gun and sneered. She turned and advanced towards him. "Maybe I will—as long as you help me!"
"Alyssa!" Mark grabbed her arms as she raised them to hit Jim. Jim meanwhile, sat in his seat and stuck his tongue out at her, making faces which aggravated her all the more. She struggled and argued with Mark to let her go so she could give a free one on the cocky young man. Kevin listened from the back with mild amusement as he assisted George in applying yet another set of wrappings to David's bruising wounds.
"It's becoming infected," George announced as he taped up the ends. He placed the tape and last set of gauze jacket pocket. "There's not much more I can do until we get to the hospital. He'll also need a stronger dose of medicine to be completely rid of the poison." George patted Kevin on the back. "He needs to rest when this thing gets moving. Judging the time between here and the right platform, it won't be much but we need to make sure he's comfortable before we get there."
Kevin nodded. "Gotcha, doc."
George smiled before grabbing his weapon to help the others kill off the swarm of bugs that continued to bombard the helpless train. The flares kept most of them at bay and he knew it was a matter of time before they went out and the rest of the "hive" followed suit. He turned to David who had his eyes closed and was resting the whole time he was being cleansed.
"David…" One look at him and Kevin knew something was up. He gently caressed his clammy cheek…he's almost like ice. David's eyes didn't open to look at Kevin. He took the plumber's slightly warm hand into his and squeezed. After a few agonizing seconds…
David's eyes fluttered open, his pupils dilating. He smirked. "Kev."
Kevin felt a huge weight lift from his chest. "Dave."
David stared at him, swallowing. "The bug?"
"Dead."
"Everyone?"
"Still alive."
"Are we moving?"
Kevin shook his head. "The train is stuck and Jim's trying to get it moving again," he leaned in close. "George says we need to get you to the hospital before the poison does any more damage."
"Figures."
"Hey."
"What?"
"You were pretty cool back there. You know, killing that bug and all."
David closed his eyes, breathing in deeply. "Whatever."
"You want to lie on your back?"
"As long as nothing takes me away again."
"Deal."
He placed Yoko's backpack under his head when the sub car finally moved ahead. Jim shouted in excitement as he sped up the battered train, yelling at the many bugs they hit along the tracks. Alyssa joined him, shooting her gun out a broken window. Kevin smiled and sighed; glad to finally be moving along. He knew that it was to be short-lived for their next stop was Raccoon Hospital. Doesn't matter. I have David, and that's all that counts.
"You want to know something?"
David grunted, holding Kevin's hand.
"You had me worried back there. I thought…I thought I lost you." Kevin squeezed David's hand, and this time he got a response.
"Nothing's gonna kill me, Kev."
Kevin was silent.
"…because your with me."
He raised David's hand up to his lips and gave his knuckle a kiss. "Damn right."
The train gave a small shudder, and Kevin looked up to see Alyssa hitting Jim over the head her fists. There she goes. Always hitting poor defenseless Jim. He smiled as Jim did his best in defending himself from the stubborn reporter. The train shuddered a few more times as Alyssa slammed Jim against the controls a few more times before Mark and Cindy stopped her from killing him completely. He looked back at David and stroked the side of his face, careful not to loosen his hair from the ponytail.
David was alive.
The bug was dead.
The only things left to do was this; cure David's poison and escape from Raccoon City. Kevin knew the night wasn't over. They still had many hours before daybreak and that alone said that time was running short. He was glad that David wasn't lost to the working bowels of the horrific beast—instead it became the "main course." The train soon passed its smoking body and broke through the many white columns before treading back on solid tracks.
"Hell above ground," David quietly said. "And hell below."