A/N)So - anyone else having a difficult time with the site? I barely logged in today - it's been doing this weird "cannot find server" thing all week - it's driving me crazy.
Anyway– I'm thinking to start updating on Thursday's weekly. How's that sound?
I know how much I like it when people update frequently and on a schedule. So – I'm going to try my best.
So Thursdays will be Update day – unless I tell you otherwise.
Motivation is your superpower!
Brick hates this feeling of powerlessness – it haunts him every day. But lately – with so many people no involved in their lives - it's been getting worse. He can't sleep anymore –not really, his brain doesn't shut off and he has no plan.
No idea how to deal with anything, or help, no solution – no anything. An endless circle of thoughts and what if's and worst case scenarios twisting in his brain until he wants to scream.
But he can't - he can't break. Not outside, not now- his brothers were depending on him, his control, even if they didn't realize it – he can't let them know he doesn't know what to do – I'll make them panic.
Brick does not want to deal with a twitchy wild card Butch and an anxious moody Boomer. He doesn't have time for that. Just keep going, keep your emotions inside where they belong, don't let them know what this is doing to –
He flinches subtly when Mitch lets out another shuddering screech.
"Make him stop!" The blond pigtailed girl gasps from across him, dropping whatever was in her hands, tears streaming down her face as she covers her ears and squeezes her blue eyes shut.
Boomer wasn't here at least – they'd taken his brothers to another tent to get blood sample while he and a few others milled around the tent trying to make sure Mitch didn't escape until professor came back with something.
Brick was uneasy about this whole – blood thing – he doesn't know what would happen if his brothers were infected.
His survival had been a miracle - Brick's pretty sure it's a onetime deal though. But – just in case - Professor had said.
The man sounded anxious – Brick could smell it on him, whenever the guy starts mumbling to himself under his breath Brick could sense his desperation. It - concerned him a little bit.
But nothing bad had happened to them so far – He'll just keep a carful ear and eye open. Just in case.
"Breathe Bubbles – go – just get out of the tent." Blossom's voice was low and soothing to her sister as she pats the sobbing blond on her shoulder and basically pushes her out with a wince when Mitch starts biting at the metal poles.
Brick looks at her when her back is turned. She was a stunning girl – that much he knew, as far as looks went he hadn't seen anyone else like her – it had caught him off guard, that's for sure, the first time.
But looking at her now – after a few weeks . . . she was still striking – probably the most attractive thing he'd ever seen in his short life, even with the dark circles under her pink eyes and the messy state of her hair - but then she turned out – intelligent too.
It had surprised him doubly – she was a masterpiece in the making and he hated himself when his brain became distracted with something so - unnecessary. He remembers reading something about human production and how babies were made and it had freaked him out – But it also told him whatever attraction he had to the girl was probably just natural instincts to –
Brick shakes his head, never mind this – no time for any of this.
"God – this is such a mess." Blossom mutters under her breath and presses fingers to her forehead.
Brick feels that. His own head was killing him. Too much thinking probably.
Mitch starts slathering spit all over the bars between growls, hisses, and screeching fits. Brick doesn't want to look at him anymore.
"What's the Professor looking for in our blood anyway?" He tries for a conversation and steps towards the exit, opening the tarp so some dim rays of the sun come through. Mitch hisses like he's been burned. The light probably hurt his eyes after sitting in this semi dark space for hours.
"Whatever it was that's saved you." She answers, previous anger at him seemingly forgotten as she takes his invitation and steps outside into the brighter space.
Brick tries to ignore Mitch's screeches.
"He doesn't even know what it was that saved me – how's he going to identify it in my brother's blood?" That's a thought – how was he going to know? They still haven't isolated whatever it was that he had.
Blossom shrugs tiredly. "I haven't - I mean – Professor hasn't shared that with me yet."
Shared that with her – yet? Why not? "You mean he knows already?" He couldn't know – already. Not yet. Could he?
The girl's coral pink eyes flicker to him. "I – because he might still need to do some testing, I usually help with production – you know? Once he finds the medicine formula, I help replicate it as many times as we need. I'm sort of like an apprentice." She smiles, face worn.
Brick chews on the inside of his cheek and looks away. "You think he hasn't figured anything out yet?" Or did he and it's all pointless?
"We won't know until – Bubbles?" Blossoms eyes widen as she looks at her sister's pale face, she's leading a green faced Boomer, who's leaning heavily against her towards them.
Boomer? Brick panics momentarily when he sees his brother's pale face What happened in there?
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" He grabs Boomer's arm and grips his head to look into his eyes. They look clear so – not drugged then.
"He didn't like seeing his blood." Bubbles says, swallowing weakly.
Guess she didn't like it either.
Brick lets out a huff. Stupid brother. "You'll live. Deep breaths – Where's Butch?" He's answered when Buttercup comes out of the tent laughing like something was so funny she might die but Brick senses how forced most of it is.
Butch shudders, coming out after her. "It's not funny!" He scowls, rubbing at his arm and wincing.
"Yah it was – you shoulda seen your face, you looked ready to pee your pants when - "
"Shut up Buttercup!" Butch snaps, face coloring.
Brick rolls his eyes. Idiot. But they were fine – that's – that's all.
Professor comes out shortly after and looks at all six of them, his grey eyes skipping over them and landing on Brick before looking away abruptly.
Really - this guy was jittery as hell. What's wrong with him? Brick keeps his question to himself.
"I trust Mitch is still –?" Professor stops.
Bubbles screams like she's been shot when something reaches out of the tarp and grabs her by her hair, yanking her back abruptly, her hands fly to her hair and she screams again – falling and kicking dirt as everyone grabs various parts of her and yank back.
"It's got me!"
Buttercup curses as she repeatedly hits the hand in her sister's hair. Mitch lets out a growl, tosses the screeching blond and her fighting sisters away and jumps out of the tent, baring teeth, eyes glowing yellow and veins bulging in his arms and neck as spittle flies from his mouth.
"How did he get out?!" Butch gasps and dodged Mitch's speed punch. "The hell?"
Boomer's starting to hyperventilating and Blossom's rushing Bubbles inside as Buttercup reaches for the nearest heavy object.
The professor's gone pale, "Code S, code S!" He shouts and instantly men come running, rifles at the ready.
"No Professor no!" Buttercup panics and raises her pipe.
Butch's under the Zombie and Brick's struggling to yank him off, Boomer's not here – where the hell did he – Brick vaguely hears wrenching sounds somewhere. Great.
"Get him off me!" Butch shrieks, eyes wide as he pushes with all his force against Mitch's neck with his forearm. The sick boy's drool leaking out of his mouth as he hisses and struggles for Butch's face.
Brick's starting to feel his anger in his face, He can feel it – heat and panic giving way to rage and strength, no – no keep it in control, Mitch doesn't know what he's doing. "I'm trying, idiot!" He kicks at Mitch's back, don't kill him – don't kill him yet - the half zombie screeches and swipes at him. Brick grabs his arm and twists it behind his back, breathe – calm down – his heart thunders in his ears. Guns are aimed. Brick panics – are they going to shoot with us in the way?
"Sorry Mitch." Buttercup sniffs and suddenly brings down a metal pole, full force swing and hits Michelson across the head so hard Brick winces at the crack.
Mitch gulps mid-screech and goes momentarily still before passing out over Butch who's freaking out like a moron.
You're fine idiot just – stop – Brick rubs at his head, exhaustion tight in his shoulders. He's fine – they're fine. Guns are lowered.
"Get him back inside." Professors voice sound thick and – Brick looks up sharply at the older man.
Does he – look guilty?
The man gives him a small smile as they drag Mitch way, it doesn't reach his eyes, he looks away instantly and follows the body inside the infirmary tent, buttercup at his heels.
"The actual – how did he get out?" Butch rasps, rubbing at his throat, Mitch had gotten a hand around it for a minute. No scratches though- but still – too close for comfort.
"Get up, Butch." Brick shakes his head and grabs his brother by the arm and yanks him up. "It's my fault – I left the tent, I should have-"
"No – it's mine. I'm sorry. It won't happen again." Blossom cuts in, Brick looks at her sharply, her eyes are hard stone pink – she was angry and terrified. She thinks it's her fault and now she's taking it out on herself.
Brick rubs at his hair. "It won't." He agrees. She nods without another word and goes into the tent.
"Brick?" Boomer's voice pipes up, raspy and horrible sounding.
It's the high pinch of fear in it that makes Brick look at him. The red haired boy glares at his MIA brother. Better I guess –at least he didn't get in the attack. "What?"
"Um – Butch's bleeding."
Brick's heart jolts and he turns sharply at their middle brother.
Butch's gone silent, eyes wide as he looks down at his arm where there are deep scratch marks from Mitch's attack.
"Um Brick – I think – I think I've been infected."
Brick curses everything he knows the name of.
Oooops - is that a cliff hanger?
EEk - sorry! Please don't throw things at you screens - it's unnecessary - Like Brick's teeny crush on Bloss - ;)
Let me know what you thought!
Poor Butch - wonder if he's going to make it - honestly, at this point - sorry to those that have anxiety issues and waiting problems - I don't know.
There , I said it. I don't know if he's gonna live yet or not.
Come again soon! 3 3 3