Disclaimer: Don't own Automan—wish I did. Please don't sue. Besides ya' wouldn't get anything outta me right now, anyway. All of the disclaimer see Chapter 1.
Ch. 10--Getting Worse
Automan's gaze had constantly shifted between watching the sniper's movements and Walter's movements. 'Walter barely avoided that last shot,' thought he. 'He won't be able to avoid the next shot.' As soon as he had seen the sniper setup for the fourth shot, Auto had disappeared from his position and reappeared next to Walter. He had quickly grabbed Walter's right arm and dragged him to the floor. Automan had landed such that he landed on the floor first with Walter landing on his uninjured right shoulder on top of Auto to reduce the shock to Walter's already injured left shoulder. The bullet had whizzed over Wally's head missing him by a mere inch.
"Whew, that was close," said Wally. "Thanks, Auto." Automan silently nodded before carefully helping Walter sit up trying not to put any undue strain on his injured shoulder. Wally's face suddenly paled and he sat perfectly still as an unexpected wave of dizziness swept over him. 'Must have sat up too quickly,' thought Wally.
Automan sat up as well. He let Walter stay sitting on the floor as he peered to the building the sniper was holed up in. He saw Lt. Curtis and Capt. Boyd had reached the sniper's position without the sniper's knowledge and were almost on top of him. Auto watched as they quickly subdued and arrested the hit man before turning his attention back to Walter. "Lt. Curtis and Captain Boyd have arrested the sniper," he informed Walter. Wally nodded acknowledging the information.
Auto noticed how pale and sweaty Walter's face had become just within the last few minutes. He instantly performed a cursory examination of Walter's condition. The left shoulder of Walter's dark gray business suit jacket appeared wet from the blood, and he remembered how low Walter's blood pressure felt when he touched him just before pulling Walter to the floor. His hair was also starting to become matted with sweat. "Walter, are you feeling okay?" asked Automan, starting to suspect Walter was showing initial signs of shock.
Wally slowly nodded and answered, "Yeah, I think I'll be all right. I'm just a little cold and lightheaded." He paused trying to work up some audacity before continuing, "Come on. Let's try to find a way out of here."
Auto nodded as he slowly rose to his feet keeping a concerned gaze on Walter. He reached down and holding Walter's right elbow, slowly helped Walter to his feet. He let go. Wally suddenly started to sway feeling extremely dizzy. Auto quickly reached out and steadied Walter asking, "Walter, are you sure you're okay?"
Wally took a couple seconds to respond. He found himself having to concentrate on what Automan had just asked him. He realized just how woozy he really did feel. "Auto, I..." His voice quickly faded to nothing as his eyes rolled up into his head and he suddenly passed out collapsing towards Auto. With lightning quick reflexes, Automan instantly caught Walter and gently lowered him to the floor laying Walter on his back. He swiftly loosened Walter's tie and opened up the collar on Walter's shirt.
"Cursor, an empty crate box and a blanket," commanded Auto suddenly. A ball of light appeared and Cursor quickly rezzed up an empty crate box and a gray blanket. Automan quickly and carefully placed the crate box under Walter's legs to elevate them. He, then, spread the blanket over Walter's body up to Walter's chest in an attempt to keep Walter warm. He hastily took off his own business jacket, knelt next to Walter's left shoulder, and firmly pressed his business suit jacket to Walter's shoulder in an effort to curtail the bleeding. Auto saw Walter flinch away from the pain.
Wally's eyes fluttered open and focused on Auto's face. He managed to softly say in a weak voice, "Hurts."
"I know," soothed Automan regretfully. "but I have to."
Wally weakly nodded in understanding squeezing his eyes shut against the pain for a few seconds. When he did open them again, Auto saw the agony reflected in Walter's eyes. Wally's attention quickly focused on Automan and he said in a barely audible whisper, "Cold...Thirsty." Auto saw Walter's head loll to the side as he lost consciousness again.
Cursor appeared and beeped and twittered in cursor talk to Automan informing him that paramedics were outside of the building they were in and Lt. Curtis was in the building and on his way up.
"Good. He must hurry. Walter requires immediate medical attention," replied Auto, still keeping pressure on Walter's shoulder. He was running out of time. Walter's condition was steadily deteriorating. He looked worriedly at Walter before quietly saying, "Hang on, Walter."
A/N: Another harrowing cliffhanger, oh my... malicious grin