Episode 15

                                    

                                          
Without any hesitation, Aiden pulled the trigger and released a mist of disinfectant particles. The creature squirmed, reaching up to its face and clawing at itself. Carlos gasped as it leaned its head up in agony and Aiden took a step back, watching it curiously.
He laughs silently, "Why isn't it screaming? Mute?"
Carlos noticed that Ashlyn was probably silently crying about the loud noise since she was hunched over while covering her ears, Ben thought she got hurt.
"Aiden, come on, time to go!" Carlos shouted, ignoring the pain in his arm and collarbone.
When Aiden turned back around to face the creature, Ben's hands dropped from Carlos's sides, now worried for his cousin. Aiden chuckled, the adrenaline getting to him.
"I think pew can take 'em! There are more bottles-" Before Aiden could even finish, Carlos pulled him before he actually did try and play with his life.
"NO!"
They all make a run for it, Ben and Aiden lingering behind to let the other two get a head start. Carlos spotted Tyler and Logan peeping under the doorway of the boys' room. The brunette's eyes widen at the sight of Carlos, taking a step out to reach a hand to him. The latter, on the verge of passing out, stumbled and Tyler pulled him in.
He pulled him aside to let the others through and Ashlyn quickly shut and locked the door behind them, bending down to catch her breath. Carlos panted in short and shaky breaths, running his hand through his hair. Tyler spun him around, his hands on his forearm.
"Holy shit, Carlos." He breathes out shakily. Carlos didn't give him any sort of reaction and instead pushed his hands off. He wasn't in the mood for any of it right now, especially the criticizing and complaining.
"Don't wanna hear it." He walked over to the other side of the room next to Aiden. Tyler's face fell as Carlos put distance between them before returning to his nonchalant expression. The maroon-eyed boy coughed uncontrollably from the pain he'd endured the past few minutes.
"We should... put the couch up against the door." Ashlyn suggested breathlessly. Carlos nodded and pulled Aiden by the sleeve of his shirt. Both stood at each other at each end of the couch and lifted it together, bringing it over to the door. They shoved it up as close as possible and they gave a quick fist bump.
Carlos walked to the bathroom to wash his face. He turned on the lights and stared at himself in the mirror, embarrassed. He looked like shit, so, he quickly splashed cold water on his face and walked out.
He left the bathroom and took a seat on the floor, just like everyone else had done. He contemplated joining Taylor and Tyler but was afraid him being near him would stir up another outburst. He plopped down beside Logan, who gave him a half-assed smile before bringing his knees up to his chest.
They all fell silent; the only sounds being heard were their heavy breathing. Carlos placed his hand on his head, tired, cold, and starving.
"Hehe..." Carlos heard Aiden chuckle from across the room. He doesn't bother with him, already used to his inability to read a room.
"Why are you laughing at this time?" Tyler asked the blonde.
"It's like we're in a zombie movie." Aiden laughs at his own comparison. Carlos mumbled a bit scratched the bridge of his nose, if this was a zombie movie, it better have a happy ending.
"And that's supposed to be funny?" Tyler's voice frows tense.
Carlos lifts his head while chuckling, "Yeah." Aiden saying the same thing as him.
Tyler glares at Carlos in disbelief, "I understand when it comes out of that maniac's mouth... but you, Carlos? Seriously?"
Carlos looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes, hand covering his face, eye bags visible. "Yeah, seriously. I think it's a little funny, don't you?"
Tyler leans forward, his eyes never leaving his, "What the hell is wrong with you! Of all people, you should be the most reasonable."
Carlos scoffed and ran his hand through his hair, "This is as reasonable as you're gonna get me, understand? I'm being realistic here."
"Realistic?! For fuck's sake, Carlos- Laughing at a life-or-death situation is not realistic, it's plain psychotic! You and that brain-dead balloon are both insane!"
"Ty!" Taylor scolded, but by the way she glanced at him, she wasn't entirely opposed by the things her brother was saying, and that hurt Carlos more than the physical injuries.
He rolled his eyes, looking to stare at the ceiling instead of them, "I am."
The room fell silent, everyone too awkward to comment on their little fight. Aiden then hummed, eyeing Carlos curiously, "About that arm of yours, I thought it only got your collarbone, not your arm."
He was referring to the incident with the cleaning supply cart out in the hall. Carlos hummed and came with a response, "Y-Yeah, it might've happened in the Sorrel Weed House..."
"You mean you knew it was real and didn't think to mention it to any of us?!" Tyler yelled at him, he slightly flinched by the sudden raise on tone.
"I-I didn't think it would be real, alright? I didn't think something like this was going to happen-" Carlos tried to defend himself.
"Oh really?! Did you really not know or are you a part of this? Heck I'm not even surprised if that was all your fault!" Tyler yelled louder, Carlos looked down at the floor, he did not have to energy to argue with him anymore. He lost and arm and almost lost his vocal cord trying to save them, and he's getting blamed for it all...
Ashlyn patience had snapped right there and then. Tyler can blame her if he wants to, she won't give a shit about it, but when he started to blame Carlos for what happened despite him trying his best to save everyone else, to the point where he'd lose a limb and risk losing his voice just to protect them? There' no way she'd let him downgrade him like that.
"Alright, I get where you're coming from. Maybe someone should have said something, and if blaming us helps you deal with the situation better, so be it." Ashlyn grabbed his shirt, "But I'm also the one to blame for this, it's not just him who notices, so don't just piss on him when I'm right here."
"Look at his state right now. He's bleeding, hurt, and confused, why? Because he tried his best to fix and handle the situation, so that he can protect each one of us. Even if it meant hurting himself." Her eyes turned into a death glare, "If you aren't going to make yourself useful, make yourself scare."
"Playing the blame game and figuring out what's going on can come after we are safe enough to talk it out. The facts are those creatures can kill us at any moment. Instead of arguing, our time is better spent coming up with a plan." She continues, "So unless you are going to help me and him do that, keep your trap shut and don't cause trouble."
Tyler was left dumfounded, he looked at Carlos who was breathing heavily, trying to keep himself from passing out due to his injuries, he instantly felt guilty for blaming him.
Aiden lets out a whistle, astonish at the scene that has unfolded in the middle of the room, "Well that was unexpected, go off queen!" he cheered.
Ashlyn spun around and stared at the boy on the floor, "And you need to stop taking this so lightly!" she scolded him.
He raises his hands in defense, not meaning to push any of her buttons, "Aye, aye!"
 She let out a deep breath before turning to the others, who were still in awe of her confrontation, "Alright... everyone look around the room for tools, materials, potential weapons, most importantly some medical equipment. Carlos badly needs it right now," Ashlyn ordered them.
Carlos flinched a little, "No need, I'm fin-"
"Stop acting like you're made of steel, you're hurt and injured. You need to get patched up before your wounds get infected." Ashlyn scolded.
He sighed and accepted his fate. Ben helped him lean against the wall, everyone else searched the rooms for anything of use.