If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks (Closed)

[hulk_ling]

Who: Teddy Altman (hulk_ling) and Sam Yao (voiceinthedark)
Where: The Radio compound in Abel Township
When: Sunday Afternoon (Zombie Event)
Rating: V for violence and S for Sobs
Summary: Teddy gets bit. Sam solves the problem.
The Story:



The zombies had cornered him while he was out on his mission. It should have been an easy run but he hadn't counted on the hoarde that appeared at the edge of the road. Teddy had tried to run, using Sam's directions to navigate around. He used every tool at his disposal, holding onto the one can of gasoline he had been able to salvage. He needed to bring it back to the Township - their survival depended on it.

Teddy was vaulting over the top of a car, sliding down the hood when it happened. A zombie grabbed his arm, sinking its teeth into his flesh before he had a chance to pull away. He kicked the creature, stumbling a bit as the can skittered to the ground. He cried out - in pain and in shock - as he took off running, his heart beat pounding in his ears.

He felt hot and numb, his arm aching as he could feel the spread of disease travel through his bloodstream. It wouldn't be long until he was coughing up blood, dying as his body became one of them. He couldn't let that happen - he refused to be a monster.

Oh God, what would he tell Billy?

"Sam," he said over his headset, his voice strangely calm. "Something has happened. I'll be in shortly."

Comments

[voiceinthedark]

"What?" Sam asks when the message comes in. He's trying to work things out, running multiple missions because there's no-one else to take care of things right now. No Lobatse or Amber to take care of the lower risk missions. No Janine to pull everyone together.

No Five.

"Look I- I'm coming to meet you at the gate just... what's happened?"

[hulk_ling]

Teddy slows his run down to a walk. The zombies are far behind him, now. He looks down at his arm, the skin surrounding the bite already an angry, inflamed red. Dark purple trails ran up his arm. The infection was racing it's way to his heart. There was nothing he could do now. It was only a matter of time.

"I've been bitten," he said. There was little emotion in his voice.

[voiceinthedark]

Sam stops dead. No. No that- "That can't be true. Teddy, this isn't funny."

It wasn't a good joke. It was awful.

He still stops to pick up his sidearm before he heads out.

[hulk_ling]

"I wish I was joking," Teddy said, leaning against the side of the gate once he reached the Township. "This isn't how I pictured... fuck."

He was angry at himself for getting too close, for not being careful enough. He had been reckless, he knew that. Going out alone without a checking the area was a dumb, stupid thing to do. But it was too late to think of all the things he should have done differently.

[voiceinthedark]

"Oh god..." No, this wasn't supposed to happen. He should have been there. He's lost runners before. It never gets easier. And now it's Teddy and it's like with Alice. Like the times when he'd thought that Five was...

He headed to the gate, slipped outside and found Teddy. No zoms here right now but you never knew when they would turn up.

"Hey."

[hulk_ling]

"Hey."

Teddy doesn't know if he should smile or cry. At least Billy wasn't there to see him like this. God. Billy. What was he going to tell him?

"Wish things had gone better out there. I couldn't even bring back the gasoline. Utter failure on all ends. So much for being a hero."

[voiceinthedark]

Sam doesn't look amused. "Fuck the petrol. It would have been there next time. Why did- you should have got out as soon as zoms came close. I should have- I should have been on comms for you."

[hulk_ling]

"Sometimes I forget I don't have my powers," Teddy admitted but it was a weak excuse. He shouldn't have gone out alone. But he really thought he could handle it and the Township needed the gas. Besides, he needed to occupy himself. He was feeling all too aware of how alone he was.

"It's not your fault. I didn't turn my com on until it was too late. I was an idiot. It happens sometimes."

[voiceinthedark]

"You shouldn't have gone out alone! You should have-" He makes a choked noise, breaking off. He wrapped his arms around himself, staring down at the ground.

"But I could have helped you. I know I'm not a superhero but... this is my job. I could have- I could have saved you."

[hulk_ling]

Teddy felt a stab of guilt from Sam's words. He never even considered what his rash decision would do to the people that cared about him. He stood up, his legs a bit shakey, and reached for Sam.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I'm so sorry, Sam."

[voiceinthedark]

"Idiot," Sam said, but it didn't stop him from hugging Teddy close. They had time. There had to be time. If only they had a plasmapheresis machine at Abel. It would have bought them time.

"You know I can't let you inside, right?" he says when he pulls away.

[hulk_ling]

For the first time since he had been bit, fear rushed through him. It was one thing to know what had to be done. It was another when the time had finally arrived.

"I know," he said, trying hard not to let his fear overwhelm him. "It isn't safe."

The dull, aching pain in his arm suddenly sharpened. He felt too hot, sweat beading on his forehead. It was too fast. He wasn't ready.

"Don't let me turn into one of those things," Teddy asked Sam.

[voiceinthedark]

There was a lump in his throat, a numb feeling in his limbs. He didn't want to do this. He never wanted to do this, but he knew he would anyway.

"I- I promise," Sam replied, his own voice hoarse. "It'll only take a second.

[hulk_ling]

Teddy nodded his head. If there was anyway he could do this himself... but he couldn't. He didn't know if it was cowardice or self-preservation but he couldn't pull the trigger.

"Don't tell Billy." he blurted out. "I don't want him to beat himself up for not being here. Not when we don't know how long this world will last. I'll tell him... after I wake up."

[voiceinthedark]

Sam looks away, focuses on checking his gun and the ammo. He knows it's loaded, knows that it's well maintained because he's made sure of it, but it buys him time. That's all he wants. More time.

The blurted words get a wide-eyed look from Sam and he hesitates, fingers trembling on the gun. "But..." He swallows thickly and gives a slow now. "Alright. I'll do my best."

[hulk_ling]

"Thank you," Teddy says. He's trying very hard not to cry, to not be afraid. He can't break down in front of Sam. It would only make a horrific situation even worse.

He reaches up to take Sam's hand, his own shaking as he moves the barrel of the gun to his forehead. The metal is cold and he fights the urge to be sick.

"You don't have to look," Teddy told him. "All you have to do is squeeze. I.. I don't want you to watch."

[voiceinthedark]

Please don't cry, please don't cry. Sam isn't sure that he'll be able to do it if Teddy cries. And it feels wrong. Teddy is always so solid, a reassuring presence in his life. And this...

He remembers talking to his mother when she'd been bitten. They'd discussed it and he- he'd...

The barrel presses firmly against Teddy's forehead. "I'm not looking away," Sam says, his voice harsh with hurt. He always looks when he has to do this. It's something he can do as a mark of respect. "I'm sorry."

[hulk_ling]

"Don't be," Teddy said. He doesn't want Sam to see this moment every time he thinks of Teddy but if Sam wants to watch he won't object. He'd do the same if the situation was reversed.

He slid his hand from the gun onto Sam's wrist, looking up at him. His face was pale and the sick, angry red lines were racing up his arm. It felt as though half of his body was on fire and he knew it was only a matter of time. He screwed up his courage and looked Sam in the eye.

"Do it."

[voiceinthedark]

Time. There isn't much time and he knows that. Metabolism plays such a huge part in how quickly the infection spreads. He swallowed thickly when Teddy looked at him, but nodded. Nothing else for it.

He pulled the trigger.