That wasn't too long now was it? Won't bother with another long authors intro so without too much fuss, here's the next part.
The ground was hard, each step was met with agonising groans from the flagging delivery boy which in turn was met with moans of annoyance from his metallic friend. The ever increasing gloom surrounding the pair didn't help morale. The only thing that spurred Fry on was the thought that with each step he took he was getting ever closer to Leela and his other friends. He just wanted this whole ordeal to end. The unrelenting misery of being separated from the people he cared about was getting too much to bear. Not to mention that the dry and unforgiving terrain was taking it's toll on his legs. The planet surface of Nomian wasn't too disimilar to the countryside back home only that the ground was seemingly deprived of any moisture making each step batter his aching limbs.
They had been walking for what seemed like and age without any sign of a building where their friends might be held although the almost mountainous landscape helped to conceal possible buildings out of sight. The two heroes hadn't exchanged many words throughout the trek, Bender realised what would have been going through Fry's mind and decided that his friend wouldn't have been in the most receptive mood to enjoy one of his anecdotes. Instead Bender just kept his eyes on the compass to make sure they were still heading in the right direction. Although, Fry's groans were getting tedious...
Bender (after another Fry groan): Are you going to keep doing that or am I going to have to shove Henry Kissinger down your mouth to get some peace?
Bender opened his chest door to reveal Mr Kissinger's head.
Henry: He's sincere young man, never before have I seen four such majestic hearts at once...
With that Bender shut the door with the pair still walking.
Fry (tired): Jeez Bender, we've been walking since like...forever. How long have we got to go anyway? Actually...what are we even looking for?
Bender: How the hell should I know chicken leg? But it shouldn't be too hard to find, haven't seen a place so deserted since Zoidy's last birthday 'bash'...
Bender was right, they hadn't seen a building during the whole walk. The whole planet just seemed to be a plethora of dirt covered mountains, hills and valleys.
Fry (small laugh): Heh, yeah, it was so bad even he didn't go...(sighs)...
Bender (slightly irritated): Again with the groaning! What's wrong now?
Fry (sarcastic): Nothing much...just that Leela's missing, my other friends are missing and we're currently walking around some crappy, empty planet miles away from anywhere. Aside from that life is great...
Bender wasn't exactly paying much attention to Fry but something to the right of them managed to catch his eye...
Bender: As uplifting as it is listening to you failing to mask your obvious misery might you listen to ol' Bender for a moment?
Fry: Why?
Bender pointed to the right.
Bender: Yonder...
Fry looked in the direction Bender was pointing to see a large, foreboding building down in the valley. Despite it's grim nature, it was a welcome sight for Fry to say the least.
Fry (overjoyed): That's it! That must be where they are!
Bender: ...oh yeah? What makes you so sure meatbag?
Fry: Well think about it...
Bender (interrupting): Why? You won't have...
Fry ignored Bender's remark and continued.
Fry: ...we haven't seen anything else and this is probably seven miles from the ship so it has to be where they are!
Bender (uncertain): Well...I don't know...I don't like the look of that crapshack. Looks like that sewage works you got lost in whilst shopping for Leela's birthday last year.
Fry: So? Let's look anyway unless you've got a better idea?
Bender: Yeah I've got one, let's give up and go get drunk.
Normally Fry would accept this invitation with no questions asked but no this time. He instead strode purposefully towards the building.
Fry: Come on...
Bender just sighed and followed whilst grumbling under his breath.
The pair arrived outside the mystery building. Fry was trying to peer through the windows for sign of Leela and his friends but unfortunately the glass on each was as black with dirt as the rest of the building work was. Eventually he figured that his attempts at being a non perverted peeping Tom weren't really getting him anywhere.
Fry: Guess we'll have to go inside...
Bender remained silent as he watched his friend walk towards the door and feebly attempt to open the locked door by yanking at the handle. After about a minutes of fruitless struggle he released the handle from his grip and slumped against the door frame with a miserable expression of defeat on his face.
Fry (pathetically): It's no use...the door won't open...
Bender just shook his head, gestured for Fry to get up out of his way and moved towards the door. He then just pulled his leg back and kicked the old door right off it's hinges making a huge crashing noise which echoed down the halls of the dark and seemingly deserted building.
Fry: Shhhh! Keep it down Bender! They'll hear us!
Bender: So what? I got us in didn't I?
Fry: Yeah but I want to try out a strategy I saw on TV...think it was called: 'the element of surprise'...
Bender: Strategy? You can't even plan what you're going to do whilst you're asleep. Plus your crappy tatic didn't do you much good with your lameass attempt at burglary.
Fry: Ok! Point taken. Let's do this...
The pair entered the now open building and peered round the murky corridors.
Bender: Aw man! It even smells like that sewage works! Anyway, which way 'sir'?
Fry stood there as if in deep thought, in reality he just carrying out the 'ip dip do' process in his head to decide which way to go.
Fry: ...erm...left.
Bender: You sure Captain Cretin?
Fry: No but might as well start somewhere I guess.
With that Fry and Bender set off down the corridor to their left. It wasn't exactly the most pleasant of interiors with the walls containing many scratches and dirty marks. Despite being inside the also seemed very gritty and dirty.
The pair carried on regardless in the murky passageways. Although the fact that the place seemed totally abandoned gave them a sense of uneasiness.
Bender: Any chance of turning back meatloaf? Nobody's home.
Fry (glumly): Just lets finish the rest of the rooms first...
Bender: She ain't here Fry, noone is. Now can we please make our exit?
Fry (defiant): Just a minute...there's still a few more rooms left! I'd never forgive myself if we missed her by quitting early.
Bender: Aw come on Fry! This place is giving me the creeps. Reminds me of...
Bender was cut short when he noticed Fry standing motionless in a state of near disbelief. He followed Fry's eyeline through the next doorway where, to his surprise he saw a folorn looking figure slumped in a chair with both their hands and legs bound. Fry recognized the figure straight away though it took him some time to actually comprehend what he was seeing. Eventually it all clicked into place.
Fry (overjoyed): Leela!
Fry, half running, half stumbling made his way towards his long lost friend. So many emotions battled for sole recognition inside him as he ran. Eventually he reached her.
Fry: Leela! God I was so worried!
Leela just looked towards Fry with a blank expression as though she could see right through him. Fry felt an uneasy feeling gathering inside him.
Fry (concerned): Leela...wha...what's wrong?
Leela just kept on staring through Fry and continued to do so as Bender caught up to Fry.
Bender: Well, you found her, can we go home now? ...Fry?
Fry: Something's wrong...
To the pair's astonishment, Leela suddenly disappeared instantaneously giving off a similar effect to a TV screen being switched off as if someone had suddenly pulled the plug. Before either of them could react the door slammed behind them leaving the pair in total darkness.
Fry (scared): What's happening?
That was a question to which they'd have to wait a while to find out the answer as Fry felt himself being grabbed and cracked on the head with a heavy implement.
Fry felt himself being dragged away as he slipped out of consciousness...
That's another quick part there for your probable non amusement. Thanks for reading regardless, please review too if you can.
Next part coming soon hopefully so watch this space.