“Get the fuck down!” Laurence cried out, ducking behind a mass of crates. He held his katana slightly higher, his hands shaking from fear. Why had they got themselves into this mess? If Kier had just listened, just for once, they would have been safe in the cellar. But no, he just had to see what was going on outside. And now, an almost quiet night of rest had turned into a fucking rescue mission.
"Can you see anything, Beveridge?" Drew muttered, shuffling closer to his friend. Cyrus and Luke followed, a little more cautious. All that was separating them and the walkers was a pile of boxes. Not enough shelter.
"No. We need to get closer. I don't know where he's gone." Laurence replied, his brow furrowing. Kier had just left. The others didn't even know if he'd taken a weapon. But knowing Kier, it was almost certain that he hadn't.
Drew darted out from behind the crates, only for a second. But it was enough. For in the distance, crouching behind another, smaller pile of crates, was Kier. Looking terrified. The Walkers surrounded him, although they couldn't see him. But one wrong move, the tiniest sound, would alert them. And then.... Game over.
"He's over there." Drew gulped. "But there's too many."
"Fuck numbers. We have to get him." Laurence spoke through gritted teeth. To think, only hours ago, Kier and him had been cuddled up together, eating their small rations in the cellar. The flame-haired boy wasn't usually one to venture out on his own. But obviously, tonight was different.
Slowly, Laurence got to his feet, keeping his head low. Now he could see what Drew meant. There were Walkers everywhere. And there was no way around them.
"Are you sure about this, Bev?" Cyrus whispered harshly, also getting to his feet. He groaned as Drew reached out for his arm. "Not now." He growled.
"Okay, no need to be Mister Cranky." Drew rolled his eyes.
"Oi, you two! We're in the middle of a rescue misson! Not Jeremy Kyle! So would you both do me a fucking favour and be quiet for just a minute?" Laurence breathed, a look of despair on his face. Drew and Cyrus tutted, whilst Luke looked onwards. Wiping sweat from his brow, he glanced at Laurence. He was obviously just as worried as the other man.
After a few moments of silence, Laurence turned back to the others. If they left it any longer, Kier could get caught out. It was now or never.
"We all have to split up. Kill as many as you can. Luke, go to the left. Drew, Barrone, go through the middle. I'll go towards Kier." The other three nodded, getting into position.
"Go!" Laurence yelled, sprinting out from behind the boxes. Instantly, the sounds of feet attracted Walkers. He had to act.
Everything became a blur. He waved the katana blindly, hoping the blade would come into contact with a decaying body. He didn't bother to look at the others. They were good fighters; they would be fine without his help. All he knew was that he needed to get to Kier - Kier needed him.
Meanwhile, Kier heard the raucous from his shelter. Was it really...? It couldn't be. He had got so far without them realising... Had they followed him all the way here? All he wanted to do was prove himself worthy - yet in the process he had forgotten to bring a weapon. A rookie mistake. They would never trust him again.
"Kier!" The familiar, rough voice called. Laurence. It was really them. Kier glanced around - A pile of walkers lay in Laurence's wake. Dead, if you could call them that. But they had been dead in the first place.
"Laurence!" Kier stood up quickly, the dingy light making it difficult to see anything. But all that mattered now was that Beveridge was here. They moved closer to each other, and Laurence pulled Kier into his slightly muscular arms. Finally, something normal in this place of craziness.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Laurence muttered, his eyes fluttering shut. He stroked some of Kier's bright hair.
"I thought maybe you would trust me if you could see what I could do... You never let me do anything." Kier sighed.
"That's because I don't want you to get hurt." Laurence trailed a hand down to meet one of Kier's. He held it lightly. Stone cold.
"You're fucking freezing." He mumbled.
"I know. But I figured-"
"Kier, Beveridge! Fucking move!" Drew's voice called, although the pair weren't quite sure where from. But that wasn't what mattered.
Laurence saw the Walker coming. Kier didn't.
In seconds, its teeth were sinking into Kier's wrist, a clawed hand grasping for more.
"Kier!" Laurence screamed, unable to move. It was like his feet were glued in place. Cyrus raised his crossbow and shot the creature in the head. Letting out a loud groan, it fell to the floor. Following it, Kier fell too. Laurence skidded forwards and caught him just in time. He pulled the smaller boy into his lap.
"Laurence..." Kier mumbled, his voice barely audible. Tears formed in Laurence's eyes. It wasn't over. It couldn't be over.
"Kier, you're going to be fine. The wound's fresh. If we just-"
"No, Beveridge, this is it." Kier whimpered as he moved his own, wounded arm.
"But you can't... I won't..." Laurence was lost for words. They had worked so hard to get Kier back, and they had lost him again in seconds.
"I don't want to be one of them. Okay?" Kier's voice grew even weaker, tears now falling from his own eyes. "You have to kill me."
Laurence looked up at the other boys. They were all shaking their heads.
"I can't do it." He said bluntly. The lump in his throat grew - He couldn't take this.
"Please, Bev. It has to be you." Kier whispered, shutting his eyes.
"Laurence, the infection is going through him too fast." Luke chewed on his lip. He held out a small pistol to Laurence. Hands shaking, Laurence took it.
"So... This is it?" Laurence muttered.
"Not completely. I'll always be in your thoughts. Right?" Kier mumbled, his face wet with sweat and tears.
"Of course. I'll never forget about you." Laurence wiped a tear from Kier's face. For the last time, he leaned down to the younger boy for a kiss. His lips were freezing. He was turning into one of those things.
"Hurry." Kier whispered. His hands shaking even more than before, Laurence held the pistol to Kier's temple.
"I love you, Kier Kemp." Laurence closed his eyes. There was no answer. Kier could barely hear him. Slowly, he pulled the trigger. A loud shot fired. Then, there was defeaning silence. That could only mean one thing - Kier was gone forever.
