Unleashed - Apocalyptic Friendlypack AU

Chapter 2: It's No Use

"Ah mean there's no use in tryina cut the infected part off. Ah've seen people try, and they're never prepared. What you were about to do was by far the worst of what ah've seen".

"Well what the fuck am I supposed to do then?!" Jimmy snapped.

"Hm, ..well, how long's it been since he was bit?".

Jimmy looked over at Stan, seeing that he was lying on the ground. He was just resting, because his eyes were still open, but he looked awful and incredibly fatigued "about 30 minutes or so".

Tribble sighed and lightly shook his head, moving his hands to his hips "Sorry, kid. Stan's a goner" he suddenly pulled out his gun and cocked it "I can take care of 'em for ya. One quick bullet to the head or heart should do it".

"W-WHAT?! NO!" Jimmy stood in front of Tribble, placing his hand on the trooper's chest and pushing him back "fuck. OFF. We're trying MY method".

Tribble frowned "Yer pretty ballsy there, boy. But are you ballsy enough to watch your friend here bleed out n' die? As much as Ah fuckin' hate Stan, Ah'd say it'd be pretty inhumane t' do that t' him".

Jimmy scowled "Oh fuck off, Tribble! You don't give a damn what happens to him" he crossly turned away, not wanting the officer to see his tears.

Tribble shrugged "Maybe so, but ah know you do".

That tore at Jimmy's heart, and he sighed silently as he watched Stan, who was laying on the ground with his eyes barely open. His breathing was slow, and even through the thick gauze, Jimmy could tell that the bite was getting worse.

"Ultimately, it's your choice, kid. Will you end Stan's suffering now, or allow him t' become a vicious monster? Hell, Ah think you'll come to find that Ah was only tryin' t' help you. Ah'm kindly offerin' you one of mah bullets. Ah suggest you let me shoot Stan, and Ah can take you to a much safer place."

Jimmy stayed silent for a good long moment, longer than Tribble was hoping for. The anxious drug dealer knelt down next to Stan, gently placing a hand on his side "Stan? How're you feeling? Are you in pain?" He asked delicately, his voice calm but laced with fear.

Stan stirred, and his eyes made an effort to open "Really tired. ...I-I feel weak, ..but, not in pain. J-Just... Tired".

Jimmy wiped his eyes, wishing he had his sunglasses to hide behind "S-Stan. ...It, ...it looks like we can't go with my plan" he moved his hand towards Stan's and held it desperately "It looks like we...o-only have two options".

Stan nodded "I know".

"W-Which... Which would you prefer? I-I don't want to make a decision against your will. Whatever you want, I'll make it happen. I promise". Jimmy had killed friends before, but that was different. Those friends had payed the ultimate price of ratting him out to the police, but Stan had never done that. He was someone Jimmy truly cared about. But... if Stan wanted to go with Tribble's suggestion, he wasn't going to tell him no.

Stan was silent for a second, as if he was thinking about it "I....I don't know".

Jimmy exhaled solemnly "I was... Thinking maybe we could wait and s-see if... A cure is developed after this is all over? I could, tie you up or something so you don't hurt anyone?".

Tribble rolled his eyes.

"But, ...if you'd... rather... end all of this, I wont say no".

Stan closed his eyes for a moment, allowing his tears fall to the dirt ground "..w-we can try your idea" he gently squeezed Jimmy's hand "I don't wanna die, Friendly...a-and I don't want to be left alone".

Tribble sighed in annoyance "Alright, well... Don't come cryin' to me when Stan's a flesh eatin' freak" he spoke as he began walking away over to his car, which Jimmy hadn't even noticed until then.

"Wait!" Jimmy stood up and grabbed Tribble's arm, pulling him back "you said you've seen these things. D-Do you know what happens when someone turns? And.. how long it takes?".

Tribble forcefully yanked his arm away "Yeah, Ah do. Ah reckon you want me t' tell you?".

Jimmy nodded "Please. S-So I can be ready".

"Well, tyin' him up is definitely a good idea. Those things get pissed real easily. Ah recommend findin' something strong t' keep him restrained. These bastards are powerful and faster than you could ever imagine" he crossed his arms, his body now fully facing the other "As for how long it takes, Ah think it's around 24 hours. So he'll probably be a Bug Eye as soon as you wake up t'morrow"

"B-..Bug ...eye?" Jimmy repeated, sounding confused.

"That's right. It's what folks have been callin' these creatures".

Jimmy then recalled the horrific stare of a turned person, how their eyes would just pierce into your soul "The name... definitely fits. Thanks by the way".

Tribble shrugged "Mhm. Jus' doin' mah duty as an officer" he walked away and opened the door to his police cruiser "and good luck. You're gonna need it". He then got in and drove off.

A sudden wave of defeat washed over Jimmy, and his chest ached with an awful feeling of sadness. Tears welled up in his eyes and rushed down his cheeks as he fell to his knees and started to sob. The full realization that Stan was really turning into a zombie must've finally hit him all at once.

It was inevitable, and It was all his fault. If Jimmy had just stayed in the apartment, Stan wouldn't have had to save his worthless ass.

Jimmy jolted in surprise when he felt someone pull him into a hug. Stan must've trudged over while he was crying "Hey. ...it's okay, Jimmy. It's okay".

Jimmy sniffed and tightly hugged Stan back, burying his face into his shoulder "N-No. It's not okay! I-It's all my f-fault. I-If I had just... Stayed in the damn apartment...".

"No no no" Stan mumbled "No Jimmy, ...please don't blame yourself. That doesn't matter right now. What matters is that we stick together. W-We can can get through this".

Jimmy pulled away and wiped his face. He nodded, choking out a pathetic "okay".

"Don't worry about lil ol' me".

"Wh-? Stan, what else am I supposed to worry about?! You're literally all I have... and... I'm about to lose you".

"I want you to take care of yourself, Jimothy. I-I mean, you tend to be... pretty self-destructive" Stan spoke wisely, having a fatherly yet loving tone "have you eaten today?".

In response, Jimmy looked down, feeling pathetic "No. I skipped breakfast".

"Okay, ..well, after you tie me up, could you eat something?".

"Ughf, what am I supposed to eat?" Jimmy retorted "everything's back at the apartments".

Stan sighed, fearing that Jimmy would allow his health to spiral downward after tomorrow "Drive to the apartments and come back with everything after tying me up, okay? I wont let you harm yourself...".

Jimmy nodded, knowing that was a good idea, considering he'd be staying at Garrett's car shop anyway "Alright, Stan".