Achievement Hunter: The Broken

Search and Rescue

They're arguing again. Alfredo nervously glances at Trevor, who is shouting back at Gavin. Lindsay is watching with wide, sad eyes while Jack looks nervous from person to person and Geoff clenches and unclenches his fists.
Alfredo closes his eyes, burying his head behind his knees, hugging his legs close to his chest. If only Steffie was here, maybe the arguing would stop. They'd see she's okay.
Alfredo looks up at everyone once again. The arguing isn't helping anyone! While they're yelling, Steffie could be out there getting hurt, or worse! Why couldn't Alfredo just follow her into the cave. He promised Jack they'd stick together. This was his fault. If they won't find Steffie, Alfredo would.
He tiptoes past everyone, opening the door, and silently closing it behind him. No one notices.

While walking in the dark field, he comes across the stick Lindsay had used next to a beheaded spider. It smelled rancid, but Alfredo needed a weapon.
"It's okay, Alfredo...you got this...you're just alone in darkness...with a stinky stick..." He mumbles, trying to convince himself.
The night air was cold, he jumped at every slight noise.
"Steffie..." Alfredo calls out softly.
A low groan sounds off nearby. Alfredo freezes.
"Steffie? Is that you?!" He calls, jogging over to the noise.
As he rounds a tree, he smells rot, and the heavy scent of blood. Alfredo nearly gags, until the source of the smell emerges from the darkness. A zombie glares hungrily at Alfredo with it's glassy, yellowed eyes.
Alfredo can't move. The zombie is staring him down, making his heart pound. His legs felt like stone, immobilizing him.
He wasn't able to move until the zombie lunged itself at Alfredo. The zombie swipes at his arm, as he stumbles to the side in a mix of shock and fear.
He quickly steadies himself, running as fast as he can. He's not sure when he dropped the stick, but at this point all he cares about is getting away from this zombie.
That is, until he hears the rattling sound of bone against bone in the direction he is heading.
***

The frantic knock on the door startled everyone, forgetting Michael's speech almost instantly.

Lindsay turns to it, rushing over all in a single motion.
"Lindsay—" Michael calls, but before he can say any more, Lindsay yanks the door open.
"Guys!" Steffie collapses into the room, trying to catch her breath.
"What the hell?! Where have you been, you moron!" Geoff screams, running over to Steffie.
"I lost track of time, there was a spider in that cave so I left—"
"You left Alfredo!" Jack snaps. "All I ask is you take him with you! Is that honestly so much to handle—"
Steffie looks up. "I—"
"Guys!" Trevor screams, immediately getting everyone's attention. "Where...where's Alfredo?!"
Everyone begins to look around, eventually growing more and more frantic. There's no sign of him.
"He...he was just here..." Michael's eyes go wide.
"Oh God...oh God!" Trevor freaked out, his breath quickens and he begins checking places he already checked.
"Trev...it's okay." Lindsay rushes over to him. "We'll find him, I promise."
"I'll find him." Steffie nods. "This is my fault, let me go get him..."

Jack pauses for a moment, seeming to consider Steffie's offer. "Take Michael and Jeremy."
Steffie looks up at Jack. She nods. "Okay."
"Hey, he's gonna be okay." Jack puts a hand on Trevor's back, attempting to calm his friend.
Steffie and the two lads head out of the house, bringing their swords as a means of defense, and Steffie quickly snatches a flashlight from one of the chests.

***

"Alfredo?" Jeremy hisses.
Jeremy, Michael and Steffie were scanning their surroundings, searching for any sign of their friend. It was pitch black out.
"Hey, genius. You gonna use your flashlight?" Michael asks.
"I can't waste the battery, this is all we got. Besides, I don't want to let any monsters know where we are." Steffie explains.
"Which cave did you last see him at?" Jeremy questions.
"I think...this one..." Steffie points to a nearby cave.
"You think?!" Jeremy snaps.
"Look! It was light out when I was last here...I can barely see." Steffie retorts.
"Then use the flashlight." Jeremy clenches his fists.
"We have one flashlight! I'm only using it if Alfredo is close. We can't waste it." Steffie shouts.
"It's okay, Steff...we'll find him. We're not getting Alfredo back by arguing with each other." Michael speaks softly.
Jeremy sighs in response. "You're right..." He nods.