Operator (A Hat Films Fanfic)

- Three -

America stood in the middle of the street, her eyes in a constant sweep up and down the road. She would sometimes squint suspiciously at a window or towards an alley way, but apparently she never saw anything that would cause alarm. A bulge on her hip gave away the pistol she was hiding under her shirt, and our neighbors seemed uneasy with her carrying it, but didn't voice their opinions.

There were seven of us out here, including America, Ross, and I; Katie had insisted on Trott staying with her at the apartment, so we had his list of things to grab from our office. Under the guise that there were a lot of shops around, America managed to convince our scouting party to come this close to town, and our three neighbors, George, Andy, and Adam, were busy trying to buy provisions and equipment across the street at the few shops still open, so me and Ross were able to enter our office building without questioning. I was confident that no one would come in and surprise us from behind with America on guard, but after what happened at those shops downtown I wasn't completely sure that no one would be squatting or looting in here. 

Ross and I were forced to take the stairs down into the basement, using a small LED flashlight that America had allowed us to use only sparingly. The stairwell was pitch black and the heavy clang of the door opening seemed to ring throughout the entire building. We both paused to listen for any kind of movement but, hearing none, quickly made out way to the locked double doors that served as the Yogscast HQ. The door didn't seem tampered with and the lock was intact, so Ross produced one of the keys we were issued and I took the lead into the group of offices. 

The first things we both noticed was the distinct hushing of plastic bags and the faint halo of light coming under the door to the kitchenette. I immediately covered the flashlight and looked towards Ross, his eyes barely visible through the reflected light coming from the door. He pointed at himself, then at the doorknob, then motioned towards me in some kind of running, grappling motion. It wasn't a well thought out plan and I wasn't sure we should just attack whomever might be in here, but he was already stalking over to the other side of the door so I had no choice but to go along with it. 

With a slight nod, he only waited a moment before throwing open the door and standing back for me to rush in. I plowed into whoever was stooped over the mini-fridge and both of us went tumbling into the counter awkwardly. The yell that came from the short, skinny man was familiar, and I realized too late that I had just attacked my boss. 

"Lewis?!" I yelled, trying to regain my balance and back off of him. 

"Smith? Ross?" he asked, his breath ragged as he rubbed his back from where it hit the counter, "What the hell at you doing?!" 

"We... well we thought you were an intruder..." Ross mumbled, looking chastised. It almost felt as if it wasn't the end of the world and we were being scolded by him for pulling a prank on one of our coworkers or making a mess of the kitchenette during one of our vlogs. But there were no lights and Lewis was wearing a leather jacket a size too big for him and he was stuffing a backpack full of Mini-Cheddars and Pringles. 

Lewis looked like he was going to give some kind of retort, but realized it wasn't worth the energy. Sighing like he did when he had too much work to do, he looked between the both of us. "You're welcome to take anything I left behind in the offices, so far you and Tom Clark are the only one's who have come in," he told us, zipping up his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. 

"How is he? What's his plan?" Ross asked. 

"He said he has family out in the country," Lewis shrugged, "I didn't really ask him for more details than that." 

"He was traveling?" I asked incredulously, "He can't do that, it's too dangerous!" 

"It's every man for himself now Smith," Lewis snapped harshly. I actually flinched, since Lewis wasn't one to actually get angry, and his face and stance softened. "Sorry, I'm just... stressed," he sighed again, adjusting the bag on his back.