Uncharted: A Thief's Legacy

Chapter XII - A Brother Drake

Sam felt Cassie stumble and he pulled her towards himself, doing his best to get her on her feet again without stopping. They were so close to the station where they had entered the underground; so close to where Charlie was waiting and they would be safe.

Through the darkness, he could hear Cassie's labored breathing and his chest burned; he regretted his lifetime of smoking more than ever.

At the station, they hauled themselves onto the platform and sprinted up the stairs. The sunlight hit them as they burst through the outside doors and Sam saw Charlie leap out of the car and run towards them as soon as he saw them emerge.

"Sam, are you all right?" Charlie shouted. "Where's Nate? The paramedics are comin'!" The three of them met in the middle and came to a stop. Charlie looked between them, confusion and concern etched onto his face. He realized that Cassie had tears streaming down her face and she gasped for air. Sam tried to speak but immediately doubled over, coughing violently.

Charlie grabbed his shoulders in an attempt to steady him, but through his fit Sam got out,

"No, no take her..." Charlie let go of him and turned his attention to Cassie. Still unsure of what had happened but knowing that something was wrong, and that Cassie was inconsolable, Charlie gathered her in his arms and let her sob onto him. Sam finally righted himself and stood for a minute, still winded but at least able to breathe. He realized that he was shaking like a leaf from the adrenaline and exertion.

"What the 'ell has 'appened?" Charlie asked again. "Sam, what's goin' on?"

"We had to leave him." The words didn't feel like his own. "Nathan- we had to leave him. He's gone."

"Gone? Wha' do you mean gone? The ambulance is almost 'ere, they can go back for him, 'elp him," Charlie said. At that they both paused; they could hear sirens in the distance.

"No, Charlie." Sam's voice caught. "They- they shot him. There was nothing I could do."

"No, no, mate, I know I made you rush outta there, they can go down, get em 'help," Charlie tried to tell him.

"Goddammit, Charlie, you're not hearing me!" Sam snapped. "I couldn't find a pulse. He wasn't breathing. I would never have left him if I thought he had a fighting chance." The two men stared each other down for a long moment as the sirens grew considerably louder and an ambulance pulled up behind them.

"Mate, I..." Charlie's voice trailed off. There were no words that could change anything or bring comfort in that moment and they were both aware of it. The last thing Sam wanted to hear was how sorry someone else was. His eyes fell on Cassie, still burying her face into Charlie's shirt. He could see her back heaving with every breath, though she didn't make a sound.

How was he going to tell Elena? Sam was suddenly hit with the thought, but his attention was quickly diverted because of the paramedics jogging towards them, asking what was wrong and who needed help. Sam pulled himself together instantly.