Slipping through the Cracks

[skeets]

*I stumble indoors with an object of considerable weight dragging me down. With every step I take, I feel my legs ready to buckle and my back prepared to snap like a twig. I through the weight onto the floor of the basement and kick it as I struggle to pull the scarf from my face* COME ON GET UP, YOU LAZY LUMP! *There is a slight movement so I kick again* THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU NOW GET OFF YOUR ASS AND HELP ME! *I walk off in a huff and mumble to myself* weeks stuck in a stupid little room, in stupid battery city with not even a stupid window. just YOU AND YOUR WHINING! *I walk back into the room, the figure is still on the ground* BOOTS GET UP! We have work to do

Whats the point skeets? We've lost already. Even SHE ranaway.

SHE DID NOT! She's the reason we got out of there alive. *I turn on th lights to the house above us* Just hope she got out too... *I start to walk up the stairs but stop dead half way up and return for Boots. I help him to his feet and push him out the door despite his protests*

AH! OWW! OUCH! AHHH! What are you doing?! Just leave me here to rest *I hobble to the door, my leg severely laser grazed from the fight trying to reach Fire Angel all those weeks ago. Skeets continues his relentless shoving* HEY! OW! That hurts man, cut it out

Do you really think I'm dumb enough to leave you in a room full of weapons? I don't think so. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and lets get back to work! *I help him to the top of the stairs and look around for signs of life. Boots takes out a gun, while I look around hoping she'll have come back here* ALL CLEAR! We're on our own it seams.

[skeets]

*I get the all clear and return my gun to the remainder of my holster. It snaps and the gun falls to the floor with a loud bang. A shot rings out and blasts a clean hole in a board that blocks the main window*

*I jump* WHAT THE- *My gun focuses on the point of the noise. I see Boots huddled on the floor with his hands on his head. I lower my gun* Come on you useless lump *I help him back to his feet and see his leg wound has opened back up. I get him over to the chair* we'll rest here for the night but then we have to go. I'm gonna go get a radio and wash up. That was a fierce sandstorm and I wanna see if there's any trouble around. Keep an eye out for flycams *I jump back down the stairs taking 2 at a time and fish out a working radio* Attention. This is Skeets here in Zone 1. I have an injured friend who just reopened a wound. Any medics around? We have transport but it may not be wise to move him tonight... *I sit in the basement and hope someone hears it. I hear groaning from upstairs. I sigh and climb back up to the front room. I look outside through the cracks in the wood to make sure there are no dracs hanging around*

[skeets]

GODDAMMIT!!!!

*I run back into the room* What? What is it?

I fling the remote across the room* FACTNEWS! Can you believe it? All she has on this thing is Fact News *sigh* I'm not spending the night watching Fact News!

*I'm in such shock, all I can do is laugh* Seriously, Out of everything that's happened, you're only bothered by not having good TV? *I double over with the giggling*

That's the first time in months I've seen you crack a smile. But don't underestimate the power of shit tele.... It can drive a man MAD *my eyes widen at the thought of a night watching Fact News and I simply nod as my mind drifts away to that very thought*

*I stop laughing* Too late for you. I always did think you were THAT way inclined *I glance over at the presenter and start laughing again to myself*

Wait. What? *I watch closely as Skeets leaves the room, realising I can't get up to even turn it off* HEY HEY HEY BEFORE YA GO! *His head pops back into view* Turn off the TV *He laughs and walks back out. I reach over to the coffee table and reach for my gun. I grasp it firmly in my hand and raise it to the height of the presenter's head* HOW MANY POINTS FOR SHOOTING HIS HEAD OFF?

Alright, Alright *I stomp back into the room and turn off the tv* But if dracs come in the middle of the night cos I was too busy doing things for you to secure the place just remember, right now I can run faster than you...

[skeets]

*I frown at his last comment* Dude, Don't joke about stuff like that. Besides, you wouldn't leave me here

*I get to bottles from the small fridge in the corner of the room and sit with my legs folded on the floor* Oh? you think so? *I can't help but grin at his certainty* Why ever not?

Because its simple * I take one of the bottles from Skeets and open it* You love me to much *we both descend into laughter after he takes a moment to process my comment*

Get some sleep you weirdo. Tomorrow I sell ya back to the dracs haha *I finish my drink and walk back down to the basement with the radio. I walk past the room we had entered and on to one of the several rooms with bunks. I lie awake for a while as I have done many times before and eventually drift into an uncomfortable sleep*

[skeets]

*I jump out of my sleep, convinced of hearing someone's voice. I dont even know how long I had been asleep for. I lay there for a moment wondering if I was completely loosing my sanity*

*Radios* I REPEAT. I AM *static* -DIC AND *static* BORD- OF ZONE 2. ANYONE *static* -ERE?

*I fiddle around with the radio* YES! YES, I'M HERE! A lot of static but I'm here. Can you repeat that?

*I finally hear back* I repeat. I am a medic. I live on the border of zone 2. I'm looking for the person who put out the call a while ago.

*RB* Yeah that was me. My name is Skeets. My friend is injured. We've been hiding in the city for several weeks. Nearly lost him twice. We really need help. Who is this?

Red Cotton here. Been running the zones for several years now. Very good at not getting caught. You said you had transport? Best not leave it to daybrake. co-er of -ark-ess is much -afer. ca- y- move -im?

DAMN RADIO! *I slap the back of it, hoping to improve it* I'LL GET HIM TO YOU ASAP. Where exactly are you?

I'm -n -ttle *I walk out of the house for better signal* village called Atwater Village up on route Bravo. I'll keep a eye out for ya in the hope you don't get dusted along the way

*RB* THANK YOU! REALLY! *I realise I have no Carbons* Wait before you go... Do you need any supplies.. uh... food or anything? *I get up and head back to Boots. There's no response. Signal must be out* LOOK ALIVE SUNSHINE, TIME TO GO!

*I hear words but my brain is still asleep* mornin already? 5 more minutes *I refuse to open my eyes and try go back to sleep*

Come ON! TIME TO GO! *I gather up as much stuff as I think we'll need to get through the zone* I found a medic

I don't need a-

DONT ARGUE! Jus- *I bend down beside his chair* just lets go ok? ok! *I help him to his feet and lead him back to the stairs and out to the garage* Stay here, I'm gonna find one with keys. * I leave Boots outside the garage and look at the 4 cars and the van, parked for who knows how long. I go along the line. The white speeder is the only one with keys. I jump in* Oh I should not be doing this... *I carefully back out of the garage and park. I automatically jump out and run around to open the door for boots. He is still unable to walk. I help him into the car and take to the road*

[skeets]

*A wave of exhaustion hits me. The impact of the last few weeks and months start to sink in. I rub my eyes and try to concentrate on driving*

Aren't you supposed to have your lights on? It is dark, what if we crash?

*I scowl at him* Out of everything that could possibly be dangerous about this situation, your worried about lights? Do you wanna be handed over to the Dracs? Cos you know they WILL stop us if they see lights on the road this time of night.

Was just saying... Could be hazardous. Do you even know where you're going?

Yes. I do. Do yourself a favor and get some sleep. Its gonna be a long few days *He lies his seat back and stays quiet. Meanwhile difficult questions fill my brain until it hurts. I turn onto route Bravo* Wont take long mate. We'll have you back running around again in no time

[skeets]

*The night sky outside gets darker by the minute and the temperature suddenly plummets. I see a turn off ahead but can't read it, I'm so tired. I decide its not our turn off and speed up a little*

*Sleepily* You drive like an old granny... *yawns* And you just missed our turn...

*I slam my foot on the break and turn sharply. I look and boots and see him trying to battle the force of gravity that's smushing his whole body against the passenger side door. I can't stop myself from laughing* Like a granny you say? *The car comes to a halt as we face back the way we came*

*I sit back properly in my seat, messaging the side of my face* I take it back. A granny is better...

*I sulk and start the car up again* Make yourself useful and try contact that medic. Red cotton is her name.... I think

You think? *I grab the radio from the dashboard*

[skeets]

*radios* Red Cotton? Calling Red Cotton. We've just come off route bravo. How far is i- *The car swerves again and I get thrown across the car again* Nevermind *I rub my head* We're coming up to yours now*

*RB* Very well. just be quick. There is a patrol due in the area soon so you need to slip in before you get caught. And hey, good to know you're not dead yet

What does she mean yet?

I dunno man, I think we should have stayed in zone 1 *I throw the radio back on the dashboard and it comes to life again*

*radios* Oh and boys don't forget to look out for the builing we're in. 42nd street. There's no sign but you'll know it by the cracked streets and half standing houses. We're in the warehouse called 'power pup manufacturing'

At least we know she's not on her own

*I drive through town. The place is decimated* How the hell are we supposed to find it? The whole place is in ruins!

That must be it *I point* Over there... Its a warehouse anyway....

*We drive in around the back so that the car is hidden. Almost immediately after I switch off the engine, I hear the sound of another* That must be the patrol *A tiny door opens and a silhouette is noticeable in the doorway* Lets go *I jump out and run to help get boots inside*

[skeets]

*I pull the small body out from the car and once again practically drag him out of harm's way. We reach the shadow in the doorway. Its getting harder to breath* Cotton? Are you cotton? *She beckons us in without a word. I have no choice but to follow. I glance around before guiding Boots inside*

Bring him through here... quickly before the dracs see *I walk fast through the factory. The first light of dawn is starting to appear. We get to the steps leading down. I hear a groan behind me. I sigh* Just be thankful you're not going up the steps, that would be worse *I stop and wait for them. I lift the injured boy's arm around my neck to help both of them down the stairs. We reach the bottom where several occupied and unoccupied bunks are laid out*. Not the battery city hospital wing but it will do for the time being

No this is fine, its great. Really. Thank you! *We lay boots on the nearest empty bed* How are ya doing mate? Alright?

*coughs* Uh yeah I guess so. Actually no, I don't feel so great *I feel an onset wave of pain, rippling though my body. I try to fight it but I cant*

*All the color drains from his face as he speaks* Dont worry, you're safe now *He blacks out* Boots? Eh hey Cotton???

*My head darts round when I'm called. The kid on the bed is unconscious and blood is seeping through his shirt. I run to the bedside and check his pulse* Its weak but stable *I lift up the shirt and am forced to take a step back* PHEW!!! God! That smells worse than a decaying drac corps. Lets see if I can get rid of that infection first of all *The smell of singed and infected flesh is overwhelmingly powerful* How did he get into this state in the first place?

Long story. *My mind flashes back to the fight in the city* Easiest answer... A girl! Is he gonna be alright?

[Toxic Panda]

*I can hear the barking of instructions from around the dark alley where we now hide, we had to ditch the car on the edge of town so the shadow of the building gives us little protection. It seems to be working though, since the patrolling Dracs haven't spotted us yet. I dip around the corner into the street and see nothing but abandoned road.* Alright quickly, across the street now.

Better yet how about there? *Starts jogging in the direction of an old factory just a little down the way.* Better than hiding in the streets trying to dodge patrols all day.

Acid! *I quiet down and watch as Grizzly follows more slowly then catches up to him. Mumbling angrily i take off toward them, checking every once in awhile to see if we are being followed. We get to the building and quickly enter through the back. I spotted a car close to the building and become cautious. We stand in the dark hallway and catch our breath.*

Did you here that? *I perk up at what sounded like voices farther in the buildingand draw my gun.*

Oh it's nothing! You're just hearing things *Starts down the hall* Let's check the place out and see if there's any grub! I'm starving!

[skeets]

*I hear a creak in the floor on the stairs and immediately reach for my gun. I get as fast as I can to the wall and peek out into the hall. I whisper to the others* Do not make... a sound *Cotton looks at me with impatience. Whispers seep into the room* STOP! *I call out* STATE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! *I hear a slight giggle. I turn back to the bed. Boots is turning delusional* Boots shh

Oh Boys and their toys. *I grab hold of the gun* You can put that thing away! *I walk out of the room in the direction of the whispered voices* Who is here. Are you the kids from the radio?

Cotton come back... They could be dangerous

Sorry about the dark, there are dracs around the place. Can't be too careful

Are you kidding me? *I follow her into the hallway* Can't be too careful and yet you want me to put away my gun?

[Shadow Gash]

One would think that someone would know their way around a place they've stayed for the past few months like a blind person would (no pun intended) but no apparently there are people who don't...present company included...it's been a while but granted I have somewhat of a memory...it's all jarred but it's something. "where the hell is the kitchen!?!? I can't find anything in this placed" I yelled forgetting that there are dracs patrolling...I hear cotton talking and...someone else? 'who the fuck is here?' I thought to myself. I raised my hands when cotton and the unknown person came into view. "Relax relax! It's just me, Cotton" I nod to the person behind her. "who's your new friend?"

[skeets]

I TOLD YOU TO PUT THAT THING AWAY! *I turn to the person in front of me* Thank heavens its just you Gash. I though you were still sleeping. This is Skeets, Right? *I look at him, seeing just enough of a nod to be content I'm right* His friend is injured

Don't I know you? I'm sure I've seen you with....*I pause for a moment* I mean in the Alley before. Uh the bowling Alley in Zone 6?

This place is for more than just you kid. You need to learn that if you're gonna stay. Go back to your friend and keep the weaponry out of my sight

Mkay. What did you give him that time? Are they safe?

Just something to help clear up the infection and help him sleep. Together its easy to think he's taken happy pills but he'll rest now for the night *Skeets walks inside to his friend, leaving me with Gash* How are you doing now? You were pretty banged up when you got here. The last little while though, that is to say you seem a lot better than you have been *he glares at me* I'm sure your friends are ok. They could be on the way here. It gets pretty busy...

[Shadow Gash]

I sigh "what friends?" besides the ones that I'm looking for...supposedly those are the ones that know more bout me, I thought to myself. I smiled a little "I feel a lot better, I still feel like a baby trying out its first few steps, I'm still new at this killjoy thing" sighs again and looks around "so what's the deal with his friend? Will they be alright?"

[skeets]

Its touch and go at the moment. I'm afraid the infection in his leg is sending poison through his bloodstream. I hope to know by morning if he's gonna make it. Of course I don't know how stable either of them are. I guess I'll have to start the exam on Skeets *I walk back towards the doorway* Wanna make sure there are no hidden wounds that need attention