"You're five points down, and there's less than a minute before Burger Shack opens. Just let us end your suffering."
"Nah, their veggie burger's pretty average, I can wait."
"Suite yourselves, but just to let you know, Emily gave us a rundown of your profiles, no offense, but Matt's your only big gun, and as you can see, he's nicely wrapped in our defense. At least let us give you some time to ready your wallets ya know."
Sam rolled her eyes at his taunts, but Chris saw no reason not to. Sure basketball wasn't his thing, but just like any other sport he made sure there was a game-plan for everything. Emily was spot on with her information (though it was a little unsettling how well she could read people), Ashely provided the creative flairs, Beth commanding the game thoroughly, and Mike bringing in the muscle into the court (Not that Chris wasn't capable of it).
Ashley and Emily charge up the field on both flanks as they ready their counter-attack should Sam lose possession. Everything was going according to plan.
Sam briefly glanced at the running redhead, a gleeful smirk forming on her lips, drawing a suspicious glare from Chris.
"You know we're beating you guys right?"
"Of course, how could you not with your cu-u-u-u-ute little one-twos with Ashley."
"Wha-"
"Psyche! Matt, go long!"
Sam let fly a whizzing throw that seemed to be aimed at no one, until out of no where, the bulky figure of Matt stormed through the left flank, catching the ball with relative ease. Mike and Beth quickly slid in to intercept their direct attack, when suddenly Matt twist his body to the right and launched the ball away from the hoop. Leaving a dumbfounded Mike sliding in the opposite direction.
"I don't remember bribing Matt."
Josh grabbed the ball outside the 3-point line and immediately took a shot before Chris could even register what was happening.
There was no way Josh could score that, great he was at climbing class, but basketball was never his thing.
Much to his horror, Josh plugged in a 3-pointer as cheers and high-fives erupted around him, whilst leaving the others slack jawed.
Chris shot him a quizzical look as Josh shrugged innocently.
"I practiced a little at the arcade."
Emily huffed at the remark, muttering something about boys and arcades between her curses.
The game resets as Chris prepares for a check with a grinning blonde.
"Dick move, Sammy."
"But I gave you a compliment."
"Hilarious."
Passing the ball back to him, Sam pouted her lips in mock concern.
"No gloating? Shocked things didn't go to plan?"
"Less than twenty seconds on the clock, we'll see who get's the last laugh."
"Bring it."
Chris made a pass to Ashley, signaling a wide offensive play as the others spread out across the half line. All he needed to do was spread out their defense and drag out time.
The ball fell back into his hands as he tried to pick out a pass. On his left he saw Mike making dizzying runs near the hoop, trying to shake off a determined Matt, and to his right he spots Beth flanking at the edge of the court along with a worn out Sam loosely marking her. After a quick consideration of his options, Chris opted for the safer option and passed to an unmarked Beth, ready to end the game.
From out of no where, Josh barged in and stole the pass, quickly making a string of passes with Jessica and Hannah before passing it over the halfway line to their main man Matt.
Too predictable, Chris already has a plan to contain a Matt-centered counter-attack, Mike and Ashley closed down his sides as he himself tailed closely behind Matt, blocking off his movements.
Matt faked left before banking hard onto the right, sprinting towards the hoop. Mike got onto position to make the block when suddenly Matt came into a complete halt.
"I can't score without the ball."
Realizing their mistake a second too late, Hannah picked up the dropped ball on the left flank and passed it back to a well positioned Sam (Chris swore she was still at the edge of her own half a second ago) who shocked everyone with another 3-pointer shot, scoring it just as the phone timer went off.
Cheers exploded from her teammates, hugging and screaming on her audacious effort. Even though they felt robbed by their ridiculous tactics, Chris and his team can't help but to applaud their last second comeback.
The group slowly scattered as they head back to their dormitories to clean up.
Josh was grinning from ear to ear as he bent and thrust his arms upwards, replaying the motion of his 3-pointer shot.
"Hey Beth, remember that super expensive fancy burgers Hannah and I were eyeing that day? Your treat!
"Yeah, yeah whatever."
Even though it was only the 2nd game of basketball she's ever played, Jessica gleefully jumped out and down like a hyperactive kid, blabbering on about her (average)passes and shots as Emily chipped in occasionally.
Chris exchanged awkward thanks and praises with Ashley before scurrying off to their separate dorms. But Sam caught up with him before he could make his escape, Chris bit his lower lip as he braced himself for another round teasing.
"Hey, good game."
"GG indeed, you're not gonna shove it in my face?"
"Nah, you already embarrassed yourself, in both basketball and you-know-who."
Chris snorted at her remarks, he was eager to leave the latter out of the conversation as blood rose to his cheeks.
"Though I have to say, those are some pretty risky stuff you pulled back there, handing Josh the responsibility of a 3-pointer when Beth clearly told me he couldn't throw a baseball straight to save his life. And how did you know I was gonna pass to Beth?"
"Well let's just say we all became polytheistic the moment he shot the ball."
"I started questioning the meaning of life when he scored that."
Sam punched his arm playfully as the two laughed at their silly banter.
"But honestly, I didn't know you were going to pass to Beth, but I was hoping for it. Saw that little mooney defending I did back there?"
"Seriously, that was intentional? You little schemer! Damn, I should've passed to Mike."
"Knowing your character, I kinda guessed you'd pick the choice with the lowest risk involved. And the best way to beat a methodical person like you is to take a little risk and hope for the best."
"Your final ball?"
"A total shot in the dark."
"There's the face rubbing."
"Aw, someone's sulking, I'll get you some ice-cream later. After you pay for our lunch of course."
Chris knocked her sides in retaliation causing Sam to burst in laughter.
"Just go wash up!"
Dissolving before him, the distant memory of better days flowed away from his fingertips as he flailed his arms desperately in vain attempt to grab hold onto them.
The times when things were all right, the times when all that filled his eyes were the smiles and laughter of his friends. Chris yearned for those days, he desperately wanted to wake up from this god forsaken nightmare.
But he had to accept that those days were long gone, and the fact he played a part in it.
He was disappointed at himself, he had to make everyone else slow down for his sake when Mike clearly needed Sam's help sooner. And embarrassingly, he was the first to scurry off in cowardliness when the others clearly needed help to destroy the Wendingos.
Fortunately, everyone did make it out, but the look of disappointment, the buzzing sound of emptiness and the bitter taste of uselessness. To others, it seemed petty, but Chris hated it, he hated the pitiful looks people gave him and most of all he hated person he saw in the mirror. He essentially failed his friends.
The towering fear of failure deep rooted his subconscious sense to be methodical. To plan things out systematically, to layout and foresee any forms uncertainty that threatened failure.
This whole plan to retrieve Josh was doomed from the start, Chris should've known this better than anyone, especially Mike. The variables just pile up one after another, can his ankle hold up to the path back to mines? Does Sam even know where Josh is? Are there still more Wendingos out there? And if there is, do they even have the strength left to fight it off?
Luck carried them through the first half of his doubts, but it abandoned them quickly after he and Sam crossed the line.
When you don't plan, you plan to fail.
And his failure to plan caused consequences that would scar him forever.
When his logical mind did show up, all he could ever do was run, and he hated when he did that. For the the hundredth time of day, Chris really wanted to do at least something right. But the last time he let his emotions get the better of him, it resulted in a decapitated man and a loss friend.
Planned or not, he failed to protect. And that was it, he failed to bloody to do anything. The words of his father spat onto him.
What's a man if he can't protect the things he love.
Chris was done being methodical, he was tired of failure, and he was sick of looking at his pathetic reflection. He wanted to see the smiles of his friends and he was willing to fight hell for it. All his pent up hate and frustration conjured a raging inferno in the pit of his stomach, causing his body to quake with raw anger.
Whether or not he dies today didn't matter to him, he was already dead inside. He always told himself to never dwell on his failures and just walk away from it.
Not today.
"HANDS. OFF. SAM!"
Chris jammed his finger onto the trigger, each word unleashing a barrage of shells at the Wendingo. His last shot blasted the Wendingo square on it's hideous face, barreling it's skull deep into the snow.
Chris didn't spare his mind even a second to think, allowing instinct to take over as he ran towards the fallen body of Sam.
Chris knelt beside her battered body, the left side of her abdomen evidently soaked with a darker hue of red. Pressing his trembling fingers onto the side of her neck. He choked back his sobs as he braced himself for the worst.
At first he thought his shaking fingers were clouding his judgement, but a weak continuous pulse washed away the blood on his hands. Tears forced it's way to his eyes as he held her in a tight embrace.
A groan escaped from her dazed figure as her eyes fluttered sluggishly.
"Ow."
"Oh shit, I'm sorry. Can you walk?"
"Why must you appear in heaven too…?"
"Okay, we're getting out of here."
Chris slid her good arm over himself as he hauled her disoriented body. The added weight of Sam pushed down onto injured right leg, pressing the cold metallic surface of his phone against his thigh. Chris really should've paid more attention in climbing class.
The Wendingo screeched in anger at his previous antic, causing Sam to shudder involuntary beside him. Shooting the cannibalistic monsters repeatedly in a single day did little to calm him down as the Wendingo recoiled it's raw-boned limbs, preparing it's assault.
Chris warily stepped back, not daring to even blink at the soulless eyes that stalked his movements. Without warning, the Wendingo leaped around him in an erratic pattern as Chris struggled to track it movements. But one thing he did gain from his previous encounters were that Wendingos were brutally sadistic.
Experience served him right when the it lunged for his head, knowing this well, Chris steadily shot it right into it's abhorrent mouth. Satisfying as it was, Chris knew it wasn't enough to keep it down.
The explosive sound rattled Sam from her dazed state. Her eyes shot open and was immediately met with concussive agony in her abdomen. The pain was like nothing she's ever experienced before. A sharp swelling pain that burned her insides, she badly wanted to scream and release the pain. But something stopped her, she couldn't feel all of this pain if she wasn't…
Alive.
Another wave of nausea sheared her pulsating head. If she was still alive then it meant that the Wendingo was going after someone else. No, she couldn't let it happen, why didn't that stupid cursed prick finish her off!
Sam needed to save her friends, Chris and Josh needed more time and she needs to get it for them. Sam gritted her teeth hard and clenched her fist, she needs to force herself into action.
"Uh Sam, escaping would be much easier if you'd stop crushing my arm."
She whipped her head towards the source, and was washed with relief that Chris was still alive, simultaneously, she had to fight her urge to give him a black eye.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Don't worry Sam, I'm gonna get you help."
"You idiot, now we'll all be dead!"
"I was hoping for a thank-you, you-saved-my-life-I-am-entirely-grateful, but I'll take that too."
"Are you crazy, what about Josh?"
"I'll figure something out."
"Let go of me, there's no need to get everyone killed!"
Her words slapped Chris back into reality. Sam and Josh were incapacitated, and the pain of his sprained ankle were gnawing away at him as his adrenaline continued to wither away. Sliding back the loading port of the gun revealed a single shell left at his disposal. The only way he could get everyone out alive is to put the Wendingo down, permanently, and he only has one shot left to do it. Chris muttered a string of curses under his breath. What the hell is he supposed to do with a single shot?
There has to be a way. There has to be something he could do. His mind raced a million miles as the cold barrel of the gun bit onto his skin. Suddenly the edges of his phone felt more apparent on his legs.
He willed his mind produce something, anything he could work with.
Nothing.
The snow shuffled behind him as Chris became increasingly desperate for a way out of this. Chris looked back into bruised and injured figure of Sam, seeking any form of guidance and support. She replied with a brave smile and uttered a pleading whisper.
"Leave me here."
He wanted to give in to her request, save two lives for the price of one. It just seemed like the most logical thing to do. And he was disgusted by it. Chris was done being methodical, he was done being irrational.
He just wanted to do the right thing.
All of the sudden Chris found himself staring at the blood stained flare that protruded out from Sam's pocket. And everything fell into place.
Shotgun, phone, flare.
Pallets, battery, heat.
That was it. That was all Chris needed. The final puzzle piece slotted in perfectly, roaring the gears in his head back to life as confidence surged back into his veins. Chris hastily dug his phone out and instantly dismantled it, leaving the cover and circuits strewn over the ground.
"Chris, we don't time for this, you need get to Josh."
"Flare."
"Sorry?"
"Flare!"
Though confused by his sudden his sudden rise in energy, Sam obliged to his strange request.
"Chris, what are you doing?"
To be honest, he didn't know what he's doing nor was he even sure if this would even work, he saw a couple of videos online, but for all that he knew they could be staged with movie effects. What if that were the case and he's just wasting away the time they had to escape? Would the Wendingo even get near enough to it?
Fear started to creep back into him as nervous energy coursed back into his trembling hands. Distrust towards himself started to rise all over again. Chris looked into the pair of green eyes as his words flew out unhesitatingly.
"Do you trust me?"
"Well, yes of course. Why?"
"Thanks, that's all I need to know."
Chris chucked the battery into the snow upright, leaving half of it exposed. Chris looked backed at the rising Wendingo, as they locked eyes once more, but this time, he didn't shake with fear, nor did he allow it to consume him. Chris glared through it's milky eyes, staring it down.
He wasn't sure if it could actually see him, but another ear shattering screech was enough for a reply. For the sake of the safety of the people he loves, he was determined to end this once and for all.
Chris unscrewed the cap and activated the flare, cementing it in the snow where it's full power was directed at the battery, his movements drawing another retaliating screech from the Wendingo .
Sam had no idea what occurred to Chris to bring about a side she's never seen. Chris has always feared commitments, fearing any engagement that lacked certainty. But now, it was like something in him clicked, overpowering his once-passive character.
Facing the Wendingo, Chris slowly brought Sam and himself away from his setup. Josh was far away from this, Sam was situated further back enough to be shield by his own body, and the Wendigo was tauntingly walking up to them.
Placing themselves a good 20 feet away from the setup, Chris's heart pounded against his chest intensely, the silent tense atmosphere deafening his ears.
One Mississippi.
Two Mississippi.
The battery started to expand as it glowed dangerously red.
"Chris…"
"Not yet."
Three Mississippi.
His rugged fingers clasped onto his shotgun, he only has one shot to make this count.
Four Mississippi.
The Wendingo shrieked in triumph, lunging all talons out.
Five Mississippi.
"STAY IN HELL!"
Chris slammed his finger onto the trigger for the final time, blasting a burst of pallets onto the swelling battery, puncturing it's exterior and allowing the heated gas to explode out violently into a giant fireball.
Chris instinctively wrapped himself over Sam, shielding her from the metal shrapnels. A loud cry bellowed behind him as the Wendingo met the full blast of the explosion.
A series of irregular screeches resonated behind them. Wasn't the explosion enough? It was the last thing he could offer, he had nothing left in his sleeves.
Chris cautiously turned back to inspect the damage, he had no idea how much the Wendingo was affected by the blast. He parted himself infront of Sam, constantly making sure there was at least something between her and the Wendingo.
On the charred ground laid the corroding singed body of the Wendingo. A large chunk of metal was lodge straight into it's throat, it's chest laced with dark patches of combusting chemicals. With all of it eating away it's body, it still thrashed it's arms wildly, attempting to claw it's way towards them.
Sam and Chris looked on as the Wendingo slowly withered away, leaving another ear-piercing screech and a sudden drop in temperature in it's death, it's spirit slithering back onto the mountains to await it's next victim.
The atmosphere relit itself in the spirit's absence as the snow reclaimed it's former glow. The air was quiet, but for once it felt clear and translucent, with only the crackling shower of red smoke painting the fresh canvas.
Sam didn't know how to feel about it. There it was right in front of her eyes, a living being faded away in the slowest agonizing way possible. Not that she felt remorse for it after all the sadistical torments they did to her and everyone else, but the fact it was once an alive human being was disturbing to her pacifistic nature. Maybe killing them was the only way to grant them the peace they deserve.
Maybe things were never that black and white to begin with.
Suddenly she felt her legs giving way beneath her as her adrenaline reserves were finally exhausted.
"Woah, woah, easy there."
Chris instinctively held on onto her. Sam wasn't particularly comfortable having to rely on someone for something as simple as staying upright, it felt embarrassing especially in front of Chris, but she appreciated his support nonetheless.
"Sorry, lost a whole night's worth of sleep."
"Yeah, and your injury too."
Sam caught his drop in emotion, how could he still feel that way after all the things he just did?
"Don't you dare blame yourself for that."
"I shouldn't have left you on your ow-"
"No, you never left anyone behind and you just saved our lives."
Chris nodded at her words, but he still evaded her eyes. Refusing to let it slide, she gently cupped his face up to meet hers.
"You came back for me guns blazing, and I could never thank you enough for that."
Chris stared into her warm green eyes, the same eyes that brought life into his smiles, the very same eyes that believed in him when he himself didn't. Despite all the nightmares she went through, the light in her eyes never faded.
Before he could register anything in else, he found his lips pressed against hers.
The warmth of her soft lips sent blood rushing through his ears. Getting a hold of his senses, Chris closed his eyes, relaxing into the kiss as Sam ran her hands through his hair, pulling him closer. Caught in the whole commotion, Chris absentmindedly slid his hands around her hips causing Sam to winced in pain, abruptly breaking their moment.
"Shit, shit. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean t-, I forgot-"
"It's okay, I'm fine, I'm totally um-, fine, yeah I'm fine."
"Your ribs, right. Your injury, we need to get help. And Josh, yes, Josh needs help too."
"The flare's gone off right? We are um, we stay here. Stay here with you. And Josh!"
Chris ruffled his hair nervously, developing a newfound interest to stargaze in a bright sunny day. Sam cleared her spontaneously congested throat and formed a sudden interest in her shoes. Leaning onto Chris for support felt unnervingly uncomfortable as an awkward silence filled their wordless conversation, the realization of their actions beginning to dawn onto them.
The distinct rumble of a helicopter breezed over clear sky, sparing them of their unreasonable emotional torture.
A year from now, Chris wouldn't believe the memories of this ordeal nor could he justify all the ridiculous decision he made today. Glancing back at the sheepish grin of Sam told him that sometimes, not everything has to be justified.
As long as it came from the heart.
So um yea, THIS WHOLE STORY IS JUST AN ELABORATE SCHEME TO SHIP SAM & CHRIS
HUEHUEHUEHUEHUEHUE
*Clears Throat* So yea, that was pretty much how things ended in my head. But if you think this should be continued, I can consider writing about their healing process? I'm extremely open to any ideas, collaborations and any sort of criticism(so you'll deal with less crappy writing!), so don't be afraid to review!
I also hoped you like the cheekier version of Sam in this story, cos I felt like her character in Until Dawn was really 1-dimensional so I decided to pick up her cheer-ier moments in the game and expand upon it. Yay or Nay?
Just felt like sharing that I spent half an hour staring at the computer screen while I contemplated my life's choices that led up to the point where I had to search online ways to describe a kiss. (Pls let me know how it was, I honestly had no idea what I wrote in that part)
I'd like to thank IEatBooksForTea and my sis, LadyElaineOfImagination for really helping me, a noob-fic-writer, to improve my writing throughout this whole story. Also, The Sylph of Heart 413 and guest for giving me reassurance when I doubted my writing most. :)
Okay I have to go, Chris/Ashley and Sam/Josh shippers are tearing down my door as we speak. Stay strong and united my fellow Chris/Sam shippers!