Hey guys, sorry for slow update, just had a short break from my F $ -# +^£%€¥&$ exams...
Where were we again? Story, right.
The cold was harsh, every bit of exposed flesh was mercilessly stabbed by wave after wave of icy chills, fighting against the rising dawn that was radiating the landscape with an orange hue and warm comfort. Contending with each other to define a single atmosphere.
If anything, it only seemed to agitate Chris. After the outburst that firmly severed ties and shattered egos, Chris was starting to feel the fallout. Punching Mike square in the face, betraying his trust between Ashley, screaming profanities at his friends and becoming all Gung-Ho about being a hero to save Josh. Just what the hell was he thinking? But it was the right thing to do.
Right?
Who is he trying to kid? He's terrified, antsy, and anxious. Every adjective for feeling scared and uneasy, Chris was experiencing it. Nevertheless he needed to be strong for Sam, it was ultimately her initiative to go back down into the mines, she needed the affirmation for her decision. Though deep down Chris knew that Sam could perfectly handle herself, but could he?
If Sam was telepathic, she would've scoffed and even gagged at the idea that she fully prepared for what was to come. The mad roller coaster of emotional and physical ordeal was taking a huge toll on her. Sam was tired, and borderline delusional. What makes her think that she could save Josh and go toe-to-talons with a 10 feet tall demonic spirit.
Was she suicidal? After what has happened, it was the only valid reason she could come up with for doing this. Worst of all, in her bid to commit suicide, she influenced Chris to join her in her death wish. Adding an unnecessary body count.
How could she? Along with Hannah, Chris was one of her best friends. Exchanging insults with each other, having heated discussions over comic books, lightening up her mood with his cringeworthy jokes. And now he's walking into his grave all because of her suicidal thoughts. Sam has never hated herself more.
To make their emotional struggle worst, not a single word was uttered between them ever since they left what was once the Washington's lodge. Sam was unsure whether Chris needed time to himself, and Chris was uncertain whether Sam appreciated his company after his outburst.
If anything, Chris hated silent atmospheres, which he felt was his duty to fill it with something, anything, but unfortunately like his "shitty vision" as he'd describe, his jokes were just about at that level too.
Occasionally they're hands would collide as they trudged the unforgiving mountain side by side, which further fueled their discomfort.
Come on dick head, you can spout stupid jokes and defuse serious discussions, but you can't even talk to your best friend?
Chris mentally slapped himself for feeling this way. Why was he feeling so agitated, especially walking next to someone like Sam?
Sam, Sammy, Samantha, Chris still hasn't had the slightest idea what made this girl tick. Always making the right choices, saving the world one less steak at a time, always the voice of calm and reason, holding the group together and sane when all Chris could do was make everyone cringe and groan with his best efforts at humor. Somehow, it just felt overwhelming.
His ankle throbbed occasionally when his foot sink onto softer snow, the cold was biting at his bruised cheek. Thoughts of Chris absolutely embarrassing himself in front everyone, and being a jerk towards Sam played back in his head over and over.
The air was silent, his throat was dry, and his hands brushed against hers. Again.
Chris couldn't take it anymore.
"Uh Sam, Um- wah. I mean um- aah?"
"Sorry?"
And at that moment, Chris found out his true spirit animal. An ostrich. Now all that's left is turn into one, and bash his head into ground. He even figured out who he was during his past life, which was probably a Japanese comedian that committed Harakiri after his first show.
Yes, awesome effort Chris. Great job. Flawless speech, best speaker of 2k15.
Chris was getting tired of slapping himself. He fumbled for a topic to bring up now that the floodgates were open.
So as per usual, Chris settled for high quality banter.
"Um- Uh…. Why are you such a Girl Scout? You know, being all good and brave! Haha ha ha…"
Chris plastered a lopsided grin and awkwardly punched Sam in the shoulder.
If they made it out alive, Chris was going erase his social media accounts, lock himself in a room, and bury himself in a burrito blanket.
Sam was dumbfounded by his reaction, it was a complete 180 from the previous conversation they had. But nonetheless, it seemed like Chris was somewhat nearing his usual self, so she'd happily obliged to it.
"I'm not really catching your drift, but I guess it's because it's the right thing to do?"
As she chuckled in a gawky manner, returning the shoulder punch with an equal, if not more, awkward one of her own. Mentally face palming herself in the process.
I am so becoming a cat lady.
And with that, the discomforting silence drifted back into the air.
Chris slumped his shoulders and sighed in defeat.
Things are never gonna be the same, are they…?
He thought to himself.
This time the agitating silence didn't last long as Sam tried to reignite the fire. With the obvious choice of further guilt tripping herself.
"Chris, I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess. This was just downright stupid, I should've known better. Mike was right, I'm starting to lose it, and in the process we're going to lose you too, and Josh. This is suicidal and a cowardly move, we should head back an-"
As much as Chris was grateful of her reciprocation, he couldn't let her walk down this road alone. He held her by the shoulder and interrupted her ramble.
"Sammy, snap out of it. We're all in this together, and yes I still think the trilogy was crap, it was just all Gabriella-centered. What's wrong with you jeez?"
"Excuse my enjoyment of good musicals."
Sam retorted as she tried to hold her serious demeanor. Unaware of the small smile that escaped her lips.
"Anyway, you're the most bravest, charitable and smartass person I know. Besides me of cours-, Ow!"
Chris rubbed his shoulder as a knuckle grind onto his arm.
"But seriously Sam, don't beat up yourself like that, this was my decision too, we're gonna get through this and we'll be able to catch Civil War when it comes out. Spoiler, cap's gonna get his ass whooped."
"Oh please, iron man will be begging for mercy. Besides, it's about what they're fighting for not just who has bigger guns, fanboy."
Sam stuck her tongue out just for good measure.
"Okay, okay, you got me. I'm just sayin' Tony Stark's cool with his gadgets and all, and he has a great sense of humor. Like me. Whereas cap's just all goody."
Sam raised an eyebrow and scoffed.
"Are you mocking me? In case you didn't notice, I have an awesome sense of humor. Like how I complimented your shooting skills back then."
Sam eyed Chris and grinned triumphantly, making a mic dropping gesture towards him.
"Wow, wow, wow Sammy, you hurt my feelings. You leave me no choice but to do things the old fashion way."
Sam stopped dead in her tracks, Christopher did not just say that.
"Don't you dare, you have no idea how many times you and Josh's pranks ruined my life!"
"You're exaggerating."
"Like that time you filled my hairdryer with flour!"
"Baking class had leftovers"
Chris shrugged his shoulders innocently, holding in his laughter.
"And then replacing my shampoo with whipped cream!"
"We were baking dessert pies."
"When you stuffed my hiking bag-pack with rocks!"
"Those were hand-picked, souvenir-grade stones, you're welcome."
Chris bit his lower lip, straining himself from going into a laughing fit
"Not funny, you guys are assholes you know, can't believe I still got you guys Christmas presents after that."
By that point Chris was laughing hysterically, as Sam punched his sides, even so, she couldn't deny the smile that found it's way into her lips.
When their laughs subsided, they settled into an overwhelmingly more comforting silence, and suddenly, for a moment, things were back to normal again. Their suicidal journey seemed non-existent, the scars and bruises didn't sting. It just felt like the good old days, laughing along, hanging out with each other, reminiscing better days, and just overall enjoying the company of a good friend.
"Thanks Chris."
"Thank you Samantha."
Nudging her playfully just for old time's sake.
As tracked further, the landscape undoubtedly became increasingly familiar, but before they reached there, Chris still wanted to know something about her that he brought up not too long ago, but wasn't properly answered.
"With all these messed up things we've been through, how do you, you know, stay so brave?"
"You kidding me? I'm terrified out of my mind, those things did acts that would haunt me for the rest of my life. Having it right it front you. I-, I'm afraid too you know."
Sam paused a moment, allowing herself time to steady down from the scarred images that played vividly in her mind. Sam took a slow breath before continuing.
"But I guess there are things that still need to be done, because to be brave is taking action even if you're afraid."
She turned to face Chris who was intrigued by her reply. For once, Chris looked thoughtful, like he was thinking through what she said. He turned to face her with a rather serious expression. Maybe Chris was more attached to his emotional side than she ever knew.
"You ever thought of becoming the next Dalai Lama, I know a great barber just across my place…"
Of course she was wrong. So Sam replied Chris is the most appropriate way possible, by staring at him with her eyelids lowered in the most annoyed facial expression she could muster.
"Okay, okay, just a thought, won't bring it up again."
Sam sighed as she waved him off. It was only a few steps later before she thought out loud.
"But what's the point of being brave when the outcome is fixed."
"Hey, we're going power through this and save private Josh, but with all of us making it out alive."
Poking a finger gun at Sam
"Chris! This is serious! If the Wendingos are still there, we won't make it, It's far too much for us!
"I'm sorry, but we'll make it through somehow, I've got a shotgun and you've got a flare. We'll all survive.
"CHRIS! That's the problem! Your shotgun will only slow it down, and my flare won't keep it away for long! W-, we need a-, a."
Sam couldn't finish her sentence as her tongue betrayed her, tears swelling at the corner of her eyes as she kept her eyes towards the snowy path.
The thought finally sunk into Chris, the idea was obvious from the start, but neither wanted to bring it up. Chris tried his best to be optimistic, but the closer they got to the mines, the harder reality was kicking in. The cheery mood they shared a while ago drained away from him. Chris shakily opened his lips, finishing her sentence.
"A scapegoat"
Sam glanced up momentarily with her watery eyes to read Chris's expression, but he turned away before her eyes could meet his.
"Hey, it'll be fine, I'll hold it off."
"Sam…"
"No, really, it could work. Josh has been putting on some pounds recently especially with that psycho fat suit, so it would make perfect sense for you to haul him back, cause you have the macho guns am I right? And you guys are inseparable, more reasons for me to be th-"
Chris snapped his head back facing Sam, revealing tear streaks that mirrored hers.
"Sam, I should be doing this. You're not the crippled one here, I came along knowing fully well that I'll be slowing us down when things turn sour. That's why I'm here Sam. I'm no fan of prophecies and those destiny crap, but this is probably the reason why I sprained my ankle, this is my duty."
Sam didn't want to hear those words, she couldn't let this happen as she raised her voice in protest.
"Chris, you can't do this. What about Ashley? You still owe her, and Mike an apology, I am not saying anything on your behalf! How am I suppose to face everyone else knowing that I abandoned you to die!"
Chris clawed his hair in frustration and almost yelled at her.
"Then how am I suppose to face them too?"
Heavy breathing, convulsive inhalation and the minute sounds of tear drops doesn't hold any meaning on it's own, but to Chris and Sam, it said everything.
"Chris please, don't let things between us end this way."
"Then I'm not letting us end this way, I'm not leaving Josh behind, and I will certainly not leave you behind. We're going through this together."
He croaked, lips pinched together, holding in his uncontrollable quivering as he pleaded with Sam.
"Okay, team shake and bake one last time right?"
Holding a watery smile, she made one last joke between them before Chris ran into Sam, squeezing the life out her. They relaxed, burying themselves into each other. Their cries and sniffs echoed in their ears. But unlike the previous, it doesn't serve as a verbal definition, but rather, a wordless comfort.
Regardless, Sam knew what had to be done.
Choo choooo~~~~ Ships make those sounds right?
Anyway hope you guys enjoyed this, as always, reviews are welcome!