Oorah - Salim x M!Reader [House of Ashes]

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nick's whole body is aching. He opens his eyes, trying to see where he was. He can see flames all around him. Bright, blinding. He has to squint his eyes as he adjusts to the sudden brightness. He rolls onto his back, coughing as he does so. He can hear the creatures scream in agony. He struggles to breathe. Both the explosion and the smoke was weighing him down. He grabs his radio. "Does anyone copy...?" Nick tries to sound loud and clear, but he can barely manage to speak. His throat feels dry, scratchy.

There's silence for a moment. Too long. Nick is worried that no one hears him. He worries that he will die alone. But then a response comes through from Eric. "Nick! Confirm your position?" Nick doesn't expect to hear Eric's voice. The two had been bickering the whole time.

Nick sits up, trying to see where he is. "I'm 200 meters from the door... bearing three twenty..." Nick grunts in pain as he tries to stand but fails. "But I'm injured. I need help."

Another voice talks to Nick. It's Salim. "What about (Y/N)? Is he with you?" Again with the worry about (Y/N). If Nick's mind wasn't so hazy, he'd wonder why Salim was once again worried.

Nick looks around, trying to see him. But he can't. All he can see is smoke, flames, and burning cocoons. "No. I think... I think he..." Nick groans in pain, unable to finish his sentence. He thinks (Y/N) is dead. He calls out for his friend but there is no response. Nick assumes the worst.

Nick can hear footsteps. Running. Faster and faster. He looks towards the noise and sees a human. His eyes are foggy and he thinks its Jason. But it's not. As it gets closer, he recognizes it. The human from earlier. The monster.

The monster kicks Nick right in the chest, forcing him on his back. Nick goes to grab his gun, but the monster grabs it, tossing it aside. The creature has a spear. It holds it tightly, aiming the tip right at Nick's neck. Nick can feel a slight pain as the creature pokes his skin, drawing a slight amount of blood. Nick can see the beginning of a smile on the creature's face.

The next thing Nick sees is the creature being knocked down. Nick gasps in shock, sitting back up. He tries to focus his eyes, tries to see what has saved him. He does not expect to see (Y/N).

(Y/N) was in pain. But he saw Nick in danger and he ran to save him. His feet were aching and he felt like shit, but he knew if he didn't act Nick would die. (Y/N) threw himself at the beast, tackling him. The two fell to the floor, causing (Y/N) to cry out in pain. The monster was quick to retaliate, freeing itself from (Y/N)'s grasp. It grabbed (Y/N)'s neck, lifting him into the air. The monster stared at the man for a moment before it began to squeeze (Y/N)'s neck.

Nick's vision is spotty. He tries to save his friend but he can't. It's like his body has given up. His legs feel like they're burning. His eyes can't adjust. The explosion caused a ringing in his ears and he can barely hear anything. Nick sees his gun and he struggles to get closer to it, having to crawl.

(Y/N) tries to get out of the monster's grip, but it won't work. (Y/N) tries to pry it's hands away, tries scratching at its hand, drawing blood. But it doesn't react. (Y/N) tries to kick it, landing a few solid blows, but nothing works. The beast tightens it's grip on (Y/N)'s neck, strangling him.

"Hang tight, Sergeant. We're on our way," Jason voices comes over the radio.

"Hurry..." Nick whines in response. He is so close to his gun yet so far. He looks back, noticing that (Y/N) seems to be struggling less and less. "Hurry..." Nick says again.

(Y/N) feels his vision going in and out. One second he sees the monster. It's shrieking at him, tilting it's head, challenging him. The next he's back in the middle of a fight from years ago. His hands are still shaky while he holds the gun. He's just taken his first life. The vision fades and now he's talking to Salim. Salim has the most caring expression on his face. He's worried about (Y/N).

He begins to hear things. Sounds, noises. The sound of waves crashing against rocks. The sound of gunfire right in his ear. He can hear his parents scolding him. His father conveying his disappointment, his anger. His mother sobbing. He can hear his C.O. yell at him. He can hear the whimpers and cries of past soldiers. But nothing clearly. No words. Slowly, sentences begin to form. Words begin to stick together.

We make it out together.

I'm ready. Let's do this.

(Y/N)! I knew you'd make it. 

Stay close.

'Preciate it, (L/N). We got this.

You won't lose me.

(Y/N) just stops moving. The voices are loud, overpowering. He thinks of his life. He thinks of everywhere he's gone wrong. He thinks of what a messed up kid he was. Hell, a messed up adult too. But despite all that, life led him to Salim. (Y/N) enjoyed the time he had with the man. What little time he had. The beast stares into his eyes, ready for him to die. (Y/N) was ready to die.

But not today.

Salim stabs the creature right through the gut with the metal stake. The creature lets go of (Y/N), dropping him right on the floor. (Y/N) grunts in pain, barely audible. He begins to choke for air, trying to breathe clearly. Salim takes the stake out, watching as the creature rolls over.

"(Y/N)!" Salim calls out, flipping (Y/N) onto his back. The others help Nick try to recover. Salim puts a hand on (Y/N)'s face, trying to see if he was okay.

(Y/N) blinks a few times, trying to see clearly again. He takes deep breathes, finally able to breathe again. He sits up, eyes widening when he sees Salim. "Salim...?" He chokes out, barely able to talk. There's ringing in his ears, deafening and overpowering, but Salim's presence seems to dull the noise.

"I'm here, (Y/N)," Salim whispers. "I'm here." Salim wants to hug him and never let go. But the others were right there. Salim helps (Y/N) stand up. He's shaky, legs adjusting to standing again. His whole body is in pain, but he's alive. 

"Move out!" Jason yells, glad to see that both of his friends were alive. He wasn't exactly pleased to have almost been stuck with Eric and Rachel. He's happy (Y/N) and Nick are in one piece. The creatures began to screech again, louder. Jason can hear the creatures getting closer. 

"Can you move?" Salim asks, seeing how out of it (Y/N) looked. His eyes weren't focused and he was wobbling.

"I'm... I'm okay," (Y/N) lies. He didn't want Salim to worry. He didn't want to lag behind. He didn't want Salim to lag behind, either.

The group begins to run. The creatures following closely behind, trying to separate everyone. (Y/N) can barely see. He follows the person in front of him, which he thinks is Jason. He's not sure, though. It's more of a blob.

The group comes upon a ledge. They all climb on top of it, helping each person to get up. Jason helps (Y/N), commenting on how awful he looked. "We need to get out of here," Rachel says after everyone is up, starting to walk. The place was falling down. They needed to find a way out now.

The group begins to follow her, but (Y/N) pauses. He looks around, eyes adjusting once again. He can see people clearly now. His mind was catching up to his body. He could see his group. Eric. Jason. Nick. Rachel. But where was...? "Where's Salim?"