Left 4 Dead: Gemini Strain.

Chapter XXVII: This one's Bloody, and this one's Dagger – Adam

We all were at a loss for words once Robert had said what we all were avoiding. Though I could remember our initial plan to find some kind of telecommunication, we all seemed to balk at the idea of searching for one. Soon I myself decided that making sure that everyone had something to eat took precedence over leaving in safety. I scrounged around in my bag for the meager rations I had accumulated.
The only things I managed to provide for us immediately were a few energy bars and one bottle of water. Russ soon headed off with a gun in hand to return with more water and some food that looked as if it came from a vending machine. Soon we were trying our best to eat the food that we had procured with little negative emotion.
After a while I noticed that most of the people who survived the bell incident had left in some form or fashion that left our group alone. For some reason that unsettled me. To each their own I suppose.
It was Theo who suggested we find a less open area to stay idle in. When he looked at the watch strapped to his wrist, he informed us that daylight was not too far off. It was a consensus to find some room or area secure enough for some of us to get some rest. With Latvia's assistance we helped keep Robert steady when we all found our haven for the day.
Some fell asleep with ease like Theo and Lucy. It took Robert and Latvia awhile to close their eyes and dream in a fitful slumber. Russ and I just could not at the moment as we sat with our guns poised at the door. I could feel how tired I was but for some reason rest evaded my body.
"You should try to get some sleep." I told Russ lightly and without any tone. His eyes shifted to me for a moment as if to register me, then he focused yet again on the door out of the break room we had taken refuge in.
"Nah," he replied with thin but noticeable good humor in his voice, "After all that I might not be able to sleep just yet."
I was not going to force him to sleep if he did not choose to. I did have to point out something though. "Russ about your pants..."
"I know, I know Adam." he replied with a nervous chuckle at his now soiled pants. If this were not an apocalyptic situation I most likely would have made fun of his situation. Funny how chaos such as this cuts down on your desire to be an ass.
"Russ, what I was going to say was that I have some shorts in her." I told him with a sigh as I unstrapped my backpack and began a search soon halted.
"Oh no, Adam, stop looking. I know how short your clothes can be! I would rather walk in my piss." his voice came with embarrassment. I could not help but feel my face flush as I stopped my search.
"I guess it would not be logical with Infected roaming around for flesh, huh?" I joked to him hoping it would disguise my own embarrassment.
I got up from my position on the floor as softly as I could. Even if the bright light in this room could wake one of them up I would not take chances with my own movements. I began to peruse the room, looking in cabinets and containers that were in the room.
"I'm not sure why there happens to be a police uniform in here..." I whispered to him in confusion as I tossed it to him suddenly. "At least there is a gun holster, a flashlight, and a tazer on that thing. Odd thing to just leave around...it's going to be even odder seeing you all mismatched like that."
"Adam, thank you and all but no more comments." He whispered back to me as he gently put his M16 down and pulled of his pants and underwear in front of me, unabashed. I of course did not look away but kept my jokes to myself like he asked. He slipped on the bottoms and tightened them around his waist.
"God you don't match."
"Adam, what did I say?"
"I thought you meant the whole you getting naked in front of me..."
"Now is not the time anyway to worry about matching."
"Hai hai, sensei" I finally replied playfully to him.
He looked at my own pants and gave me an odd look. "Have you thought about changing yours?" I was perplexed by that statement and noticed to the umpteenth time again that my pants were stained immensely by blood. Most likely there would be a large amount dried to my legs.
"Meh, it's no big deal really." I answered with another sigh. It was odd how the blood that we were looking at made our eyes drift to Robert. He was sleeping, but each breath he made sounded painful to us.
"Dammit, Chino..." Russ muttered to himself as his face took that of an anger hidden by a look of pity.
"I'm not sure how much more he can take. If he is not careful I won't be able to keep him functional anymore..."
"Is it that bad?"
"Yeah...it might come to the point where his body may shut down from his entire trauma. If you don't keep an eye on him enough to allow him to recover than who knows his fate."

"I know that if it comes down to it I will leave him behind without any guilt."
My words were rather harsh I suppose but I did not expect Russ to grab me by the collar of my hoody and slam me up against the wall. I'm surprised that no one woke to that.
"I will NOT you hear me, NOT allow Chino to be left behind so coldly like that!"
"Russ, let me go..."
"I will not have you dismiss any of our lives here, as long as they are living and breathing they are going to escape with the rest of us!"
"Russ, I said let me go."
"I know that you can be an asshole, Adam, I'm used to that. But I will not get used to you putting yourself as priority among any of us here. We are all going to work together."
I looked him in the eyes. Yeah, I made him quite angry with what I said but that made no difference to me. I only returned his glare and brought intensity to my voice. "Are you finished, Russ?"
He let me go and I dropped to the floor. The pressure of my backpack as I was held up there made my back ache. I stood up slowly and painfully yet again for the day and made sure that I had his attention.
"Russ, I'm not saying that no one here means anything to me. I will do my best, you have my word, but I'm only human and can do so much. If anything I wanted to let you know that once all my options are gone I can do nothing more."
He crossed his arms and gave me a look that made me feel uncomfortable. His tone seemed sarcastic now. "Why does that not sound reassuring?"
"Only because you believe it not to be." I replied honestly. He seemed to stare me down for a few moments and then his body language shifted and a weak grin played out on his face.
"I hate you!" he said in a squeaky voice that made me laugh lightly.
"My mom says beauty is on the inside." I replied as I sat back down and waited dawn.
The first seed had been sown. Now that I brought that up I now know that he will ensure as much as possible our safety. If anything this might compel him further than he was before. As I closed my eyes I wondered how I would plant seeds in the others.