Okay, this chapter is a bit shorter than the others, but that's cuz it's not part of one of the levels, so there was less for me to write. But it's still over 3,000 words long so that should be long enough for your liking. Please review and tell me what you think.

Also, I will be gone Monday-Wednesday, so no updates till Thursday. The next chapter of this story should be out Friday, but I'm not sure yet.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or Left4Dead

Dark Sanctuary

Chapter 10: Early Landing

"Is there anywhere in particular that you're heading?" Takuya asked the pilot.

It had been almost twenty minutes since they had escaped from Mercy Hospital, and none of them had a clue where they were going. Tommy had dozed off due to his exhaustion, as did Zoe, who was now leaning up against Takuya in her sleep.

"I go wherever the chopper takes me," he replied. "And my name is Frank in case ya'll are wonderin'."

Kouji, who had been silent for the past few minutes, spoke up. "Yeah, but you're operating the helicoptor, so you should know where you're headed."

"Don't sass me, boy," Frank snapped. "We go wherever the chopper takes us."

Kouji rolled his eyes. "If you say so...."

"So that's yer brother?" The pilot asked him, glancing back at Kouichi. "And he's one of 'em, right?"

"Yeah," the long-haired twin said somberly. "But I don't think we have to worry about him."

"Boy, I hope yer right," Frank muttered. "I ain't need no infected in this here aircraft. Blow off the son of a bitch's head if need be."

Kouji glared at him. "I know what I'm doing...."

"So, I take is as you're immune, seeing how you're not infected," Takuya said to the pilot, wanting to change the subject. "Good thing you picked us up."

"That's right. Are ya'll infected?" Frank inquired, steering the chopper.

"I hope not," the soldier replied. "I don't think we are, but we won't know for sure unless we start showing symptoms. The virus is usually spread from biting, but it could become airborne for all we know."

"Good to hear," the pilot commented. "Now let's get somewhere safe 'fore we turn into one of 'em. I ain't gonna be turned into no zombie."

Kouji hesitated, then gently knudged his brother. "Kouichi?"

Kouichi merely glanced at him before averting his gaze back to floor. He was twitching slightly, causing Takuya to watch him with a wary eye. His gun was still firmly grasped in his hands.

"You alright?" Takuya asked him.

The older twin let out a low growl, though it did not sound threatening. He pulled his hood up over his head, concealing his onyx-colored eyes.

Takuya looked at Kouji, then sighed. "Kouji, I don't want you to think that I'm asshole for being on guard like this. I really don't want to hurt your brother, but you know that I'll do it if it comes to it."

"I understand," Kouji said in a rather annoyed voice. "I mean, how would you feel if this was your brother?"

"I would act the same way you are," the brunette told him. "I'm grateful that my family got away in time."

"I can't really blame you for being this way, though." Kouji fixed his bandana. "Especially since none of us have encountered an infected person who was still.....humane...."

Takuya hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Actually....I have...."

Kouji's eyes widened. "What? When?"

"Three days ago," Takuya responded. "Right after my two commrades were killed by the Witch. I was going from building to building, trying to find ammuntion and a way out of the city. I encountered a man who was turning into a Smoker. His face was puffed up and bloated from the infection. I almost shot him...but then he spoke."

"Are you fucking serious?" Kouji asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kouichi glanced over to them, slightly interested in what Takuya had to say.

"Yeah. His speech was a bit distorted, but I could understand him well enough. He said that he wouldn't attack me...and I believed him," Takuya began. "He showed me this one place that was filled with ammo and first-aid supplies. Along the way, he told me a bit about what had happened to him. He said that he had been infected two days before, but unlike the others, he didn't completely change. He still held onto his humane side...and he fought to keep it. I was with him for about twenty-four hours, the two of us working together."

"What happened to him?" Kouji inquired, dreading what Takuya might say. "Did he....go berserk?"

"Actually, no," Takuya said, shaking his head. "He twitched a lot, kind of like Kouichi is doing. But he didn't snap like I had thought he would. We were attacked by a Tank, and he showed me a quick way to get away from the bastard. But before he could go up after me, the Tank grabbed him and....."

"Killed him?" Kouji finished for him.

Takuya nodded. "Yeah, he ripped his head right off.... So based on the way that Smoker acted, I think your brother may have a decent chance of living with it."

Kouji's eyes turned dark, however. "But he shouldn't have to live this way! I mean, he could turn any second now and end up like the others. I don't even know if he can talk, for cryin' out loud."

"Can you talk?" Takuya asked Kouichi, who was taken back by the question. "Do you think you can speak? Even one word?"

Instead of responding, Kouichi simply looked away, his hands trembling slightly.

Kouji sighed. "It's no use...."

Takuya shifted Zoe, who had began to topple over. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, letting her head rest against the crook of his arm.

"He'll talk when he's ready," he told Kouji nonchalantly.

"Yeah, if he can," Kouji replied miserably, then looked over at the sleeping pair. "Wonder what those two are dreaming about..."

"Beats the fuck outta me," Takuya said. "Probably dreaming about getting away from this hellhole."

Ten days ago

Zoe awoke at the sound of her parents' car pulling into the driveway, the headlights flashing through the window. Curious, the blond glanced at the clock. It read 9:31 p.m.

"What the hell? They were gone for four hours just to go out to dinner?" She mumbled to herself, slowly getting out of her bed.

She heard the front door open and close, then a few hushed mutters.

"Mom? Dad?" Zoe slowly made her way downstairs, then gasped when she saw the state her parents were in. "Wha-what happened to you?!"

Mr. and Mrs. Orimoto's clothes had been torn and dirtied, and their arms and legs were covered in bloody wounds.

"We were attacked," Mrs. Orimoto said in a hysterical voice. "I thought they were going to mug us....but they attacked us instead!"

"Who attacked you?" Zoe asked, drawing closer to them.

"Some fucking teenagers," her father growled angrily. "A couple of little punks who looked like they were on drugs. Hell, they probably were...."

Zoe's emerald eyes were wide with shock. "Are you two okay?"

"Well, your mother is a bit hysterical as you can see," Mr. Orimoto commented.

"Can you blame me?!" Mrs. Orimoto let out a sob and smoothed down her wrinkled dress. "They were like animals!"

Mr. Orimoto wrapped his arms around his wife, trying to calm her. "I know, but it's over. They're gone and we're safe in our house."

"A group of teenagers just randomly attacked you?" Zoe asked. "And they didn't mug you?"

"No, they just ran off when they were done. But the strange thing about those little bastards is that they didn't attack us like normal people would..."

"What do you mean by that?" Zoe asked, frowning.

"Well, they didn't punch or kick us or anything. But they scratched and bit us," he muttered, glancing down at the teeth marks on his arms.

"Oh, god...." Zoe stared at their abrasions in horror. "Stay right here, I'll go get the first-aid kit."

However, Mr. Orimoto held up a hand to stop her. "No, it's fine, Zoe. Your mother and I will just jump in the shower and clean off that way. We have band-aids in our closet, so we can fend for ourselves."

"Are you sure?" She asked, worried.

Mrs. Orimoto wiped her teary eyes, then flashed her daughter a smile. "No, really. We'll be fine. I'm just a little freaked out from the ordeal. We're really not that hurt."

Zoe hesitated, staying where she was for another minute. "You're absolutely positive that you're okay?"

"We're fine. Now go back to bed," her mother said. "You look like you haven't slept in days."

"Yeah, I guess." The blond girl began to shuffle back upstairs, still uneasy about the situation. "I'll check up on you two in the morning, okay?"

Mr. Orimoto shrugged. "If you want to, you can. But I can assure you, we're just fine."

"Okay..." Zoe made her way to the top of the staircase, glancing down at her parents one last time for the night. "Goodnight."

"Night, Zoe," her parents replied.

With a sigh, Zoe went into her bedroom, gently closing the door behind her. She settled onto her bed, her heart pounding. Despite her parents' reassurances, she wasn't completely convinced that they were okay....

"Whoa!" Zoe hitched forward as the helicoptor hit a bit of turbulence, almost falling from her seat.

However, Takuya's strong arms held her firmly in place, causing the blond to blush from the closeness.

"Sorry, missy," Frank apologized. "Jus' a bit of weather can make this chopper go every which way. Good ole' Mother Nature jus' doin' her thang."

"Uh, that's okay," Zoe said. "It just surprised me, that's all."

"Have any good dreams?" Takuya asked her with a half-smile.

Zoe shook her head somberly. "No dreams...just a few nightmares.... Bad memories..."

"Sorry," the brunette replied, flinching. "I hope I didn't upset you."

"Nah, it's okay," Zoe said dismissively. "Doesn't bother me."

Takuya could see that she was lying, as her sparkling eyes had turned slightly dull when she had answered. Instead of asking her the questions he wanted her to answer, he simply remained silent, allowing her to lean her aching against him.

"Thanks," the blond mumbled. "I'm so tired....."

"Go back to sleep if you want," he told her. "I'll wake you when we land."

Zoe shook her head, however, not wanting any more nightmares. "I'll pass. But thanks anyway."

Meanwhile, Tommy had remained asleep throughout the turbulence, undisturbed by the ordeal.

Five days ago

Tommy searched through his papers, an aggravated sigh coming from him. "Where are those files I just printed up? They've gotta be around here somewhere?"

"Looking for these?" Eric stepped forward with the papers clutched tightly in his hands.

"Yeah, where were they?" Tommy asked him.

"While you were goofing off on your cell phone, I took them to look over them," his supervisor sneered. "And I'm not happy with what I read."

"I wasn't goofing off, though," Tommy protested. "It was just a text message from my brother. He sent me an important-"

Eric slammed the papers down in front of the younger man. "I don't care what the fuck he sent you. The rules say that there will be no cell phone usage during work hours. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," Tommy muttered. "And what's wrong with the files I printed up?"

"They were very disorganized for one thing," Eric rudely said.

Tommy's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that? I'm the most organized person here. And seeing how I'm doing all of the work alone again, I think I'm doing the best that I can. It doesn't help that half of the building is out sick."

"Well, if they're sick, then we don't want them spreading their fucking sickness to us, do we?" He shot back.

"No, but-"

"Besides," Eric interrupted. "I showed up to work and I'm sick. And even though I am a bit disoriented, I know low-quality work when I see it. So do these over and have them on my desk by the end of the night. You're working until ten tonight."

Tommy wanted to object, but decided against it. "Yes, sir...."

Eric pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, hacking severely into it. When he pulled it away from his mouth,Tommy could see red spots amongst yellowish-green mucus. Eric made a disgusted face, as if he swallowed something repulsive.

"Fucking flu," he grumbled. "I'll be leaving now. And get those files right this time."

He made his way out of the room, leaving Tommy alone again. The nineteen year-old stared after his boss, his face etched with a frown as he pondered his thoughts. He doubted that Eric had only a flu.

"Don't be crazy," he chided himself. "He's just congested and coughing up crap. He'll be over it soon enough..."

Tommy snorted, then yawned. He stretched his arms, accidentally conking Kouji in the head.

"Hey!" Kouji exclaimed, fixing his bandana.

Tommy smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that. Didn't mean to hit you."

"Whatever. Just don't do it again." Kouji glanced outside, then groaned. "I hate flying. And helicoptors...."

"Why do you hate flying?" Takuya asked him with a smirk.

Kouji shrugged. "I hate flying 'cause I hate being off the ground. Why, got a problem with that?"

"No. Plenty of people have a fear of flying," Takuya replied.

"I'm not afraid of flying," Kouji said as he rolled his eyes. "I would just rather be on the ground."

Frank chuckled. "Everythang looks better from the sky. Ain't nothin' better."

"I'd have to disagree on that one," Kouji muttered. "Planes and helicoptors aren't my idea of fun."

"Suit yerself," the pilot said, wiping his face with a cloth. "Though t'is hot up here..."

"You're hot?" Takuya raised an eyebrow. "It's kind of cold, don't you think?"

Frank continued to wipe his face, his breathing growing more shallow. "Naw, I'm sweatin' bullets. Must be comin' down wit' somethin'."

The others exchanged glances, nervous about the pilot.

"So, Frank," Takuya began. "How exactly are you feeling?"

"Well, I'm a bit clammy and light-headed for one thang," Frank told him. "Kinda feel like I'm gettin' the shakes. It's not right..."

Kouji could feel his heart quicken. "Uh, were you bitten at all?"

"What?" Frank glanced back at him, annoyed. "What's that s'posed to mean? I ain't infected!"

"No, I was just wondering if-"

Frank cut Kouji off, however, angrily flying the aircraft. "I ain't fuckin' infected! So don't go 'round making accusations, boy."

The pilot flew them past a body of water, and they could vaguely make out land below them. Frank continued to wipe his face furiously, the beads of sweat visibly running down his face. His shirt collar clung to his neck in a wet ring, and stains appeared on his shirt below his armpits. His fingers shook slightly and he began to veer off course.

"Hey! Careful!" Takuya cried out as everyone but Kouichi flew from their seats.

If the doors of the chopper hadn't been closed, they surely would've fallen out.

"Don' tell me how to do my job!" Frank snapped at him.

"Do you need to take a break?" Takuya asked, trying to grab onto one of the seats to steady himself.

"I'm fine!" Frank shouted. "Stop tellin' me what to do! I ain't fuckin' sick so quit whinin'."

Zoe looked at Takuya fearfully, uneasy about the man in front of them. Kouichi's eyes were narrowed into black slits, a low growl erupting from him.

Frank glanced back at him. "Don' even think about it! You try anything, and I'll blow yer head off, you freak."

"Hey, don't call my brother a freak!" Kouji exclaimed, furious.

Suddenly, Frank began to convulse, jerking the helicoptor to the side sharply. With a yelp of surprise, the four Survivors banged into the sides of the chopper painfully. Kouichi was crouched on his seat, looking as though he was ready to pounce.

"Is he going to attack us?" Zoe asked Takuya in a low voice.

Takuya noticed the direction Kouichi was looking in and shook his head. "No, not us..."

Kouji and Tommy watched as Frank shuddered and fell from his seat, foam spurting from his mouth. He laid on the floor shaking with what appeared to be a seizure, his eyes wide and bloodshot.

"Oh, god!" Zoe turned her head away from the horrifying sight.

Frank's hands were wildly flailing around, as if he were trying to slash at them. He rolled onto his stomach, scrambling to his feet.

"Shit!" Takuya went to shoot him, only for Kouichi to leap onto the pilot.

Kouichi tackled the man, slashing him violently across the chest. Blood squirted in every direction as his fingers tore into Frank's flesh, mutilating the pilot. A mouthful of blood trickled from the dying man's mouth, a puddle forming around in his head. Frank attempted to lash out at Kouichi in retaliation, who grabbed his head between his hands. The Hunter jerked Frank's head to the side, breaking his neck in the process.

Everyone remained speechless as Kouichi kicked the corpse closer to the helicoptor's door. They cried out, however, when he pulled it open to heave the body out of the aircraft.

"Shit!" Takuya grabbed hold of one of the seats as the wind threatened to yank him out of the chopper.

Zoe was holding onto his hand tightly, one of Tommy's in her other hand. Kouji almost fell out of the helicoptor just as Kouichi shoved Frank's corpse out. Before he could fall, however, Kouichi roughly grabbed his brother and threw him back inside. He slammed the door shut, causing the gust of wind to cease its threat of pulling them out. The Hunter then settled back into his seat, his hands shaking slightly.

"Shit, now what?!" Takuya exclaimed as he realized their situation. "We don't have a pilot now!"

"Fuck!" Kouji groaned. "Kanbara, fly this thing!"

"What?! I don't know how to fly a fucking chopper!"

Kouji sighed. "I thought you were training to be a soldier."

"Soldier, yes. Pilot, no. There's a difference!" Takuya shouted.

Tommy stood there petrified as the helicoptor began to descend. "We're gonna die...."

"Very likely," Zoe said with a bit of indifference.

"Well, someone do something!" Kouji yelled. "Or we'll fucking crash!"

Takuya groaned. "Fine! I'll fucking try to land this piece of shit! So hang on!"

He took the controls and attempted to lower the aircraft to the ground, his hands trembling with anxiety. The brunette managed to slow it slightly as they drew closer to the ground, but not enough for a safe landing.

"Shit! Brace yourselves!" Takuya cried out as the chopper hurtled down.

Everyone grabbed hold of a seat and closed their eyes, waiting to be killed in fiery crash.

Okay, that wraps up this chapter. Hope you liked it so tell me what you think. Next chapter coming by this weekend ^_^