[network|log] @Quark; you better work; Night 150 [open network | closed log]

[averytinyparticle]

[Quark had done his best to get the entirety of his panic attack out before addressing the network. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t be doing this at all—but he doesn’t. When he was dying, he could pick and choose who he told before his name showed up on the obituary. Now, he needs all the help he can get, from anyone who he can get it from. He let himself cry and scream and panic when he woke up in a body bag, when he fell out of it onto the stone cold floor, and most of all when he discovered what he’d lost. It took him until pretty late into the night before he thought he had a reign on his emotions.

But then he opens his mouth, and all the fear bubbles up again unbidden, choking his words and making them tearful. Every breath of air he takes makes him feel like he’s dragging.]

It’s Quark. I’m back but I—I really need help. I’m at the chapel, can somebody please come get me? I can’t—can’t—

[He takes a deep, shuddering breath.]

I can’t walk.

Comments

Day 151

[averytinyparticle]

Characters:Quark, Fiona, Alfie, and Watson
LocationThe Graveyard (Building 94) and then post lockdown in Building 83
Date: Evening and Night 151
Summary: Three lovely people rescue a child from dying two days in a row.
Warnings: nothing but will add as necessary.

[The day has been grueling. Quark knew he had to leave the building as fast as he could if he wanted to cover any sort of distance. He took the whole night to steel himself. But dragging himself through the snow with all his things, supporting the dead weight of the lower half of his body…it was even harder in practice than he expected it to be.

It’s already getting late by the time he reaches the graveyard. He props himself up against one of the weathered gravestones and tries not to cry. He knows he can’t get any farther, and now it’s not just the bottom half of him that’s numb. His arms hurt, his face is frozen, and he can barely breathe. Please, is all he can think. Please save me. What if he died again? He doesn’t want to die again.]

[plundering]

[Fiona spots Quark first, leaning up against one of the headstones, looking cold and miserable and very, very small. She picks up the pace, moving through the snow and weaving between the headstones as quickly as she can.]

Quark!

[It's amazing that he got this far at all, dragging all that stuff with him. He's a tough, smart kid, but she knows he must be terrified and exhausted and so, without thinking about it, she drops down to her knees beside him and hugs him tightly. He reminds her just a little bit of Sasha at that age, and she can't help but feel protective.]

Good job. You got pretty far. You okay?

[jumpthegun]

[John's heart just about breaks when he sees the state Quark's in. They need to get him inside. Now. He keeps up on Fiona's heels.]

You got really far. If you give Mr. Solomons your pack, I'll go ahead and carry you.

[It's going to be a slog either way, but dividing the weight will help. With Alfie's back, Fiona being the smallest out of everyone here except Quark, it leaves John as the most able-bodied person. Bloody hell. He puts on a comforting smile for Quark, though.]

Fiona, d'you want to get that pack off of him and hand him up to me? Quickly.

[As soon as it looks like she's doing that, John's going to unzip his jacket halfway so that that Quark can actually rest inside that like a sling and John can use his body heat to warm the kid up.]

[devoutish]

[Alfie rearranges things a little - shifting his backpack onto one shoulder to free up the other, and tying his messenger bag around his waist. He's not going to be able to walk for too long like this, but with Quark's condition, it'll be best for them to stop at the nearest house anyway.]

Right. Either of you have any extra cloth to put over his face? I might have something, if we can dig it out.