Against Her Programming [SHELLVISION]

Wait, Please [7]

 She had to get back there, now. 

 While she was careful not to attract attention, she still almost sprinted towards the hallway with the counter top. Rounding the corner, she felt her dread absolutely take over - if anything happened to Shelly, it's all her fault. Glancing to the little nest that she made for Shelly, she froze in place. 

 She was okay. 

 Vee could have melted right then and there, but she forced herself to remain calm. Kneeling down, she observed Shelly's body. She hadn't moved an inch, and her crack definitely leaked way more than it should've - prompt to Vee's inadequate efforts to get the paper towels. She reached out, tracing the small fracture on her shell, at least it could be patched up. Trailing her fingers down to Shelly's hand, she applied her thumb to the little divot in her wrist, gauging her pulse. 

 To her relief, there was a pulse, and Shelly's breathing signaled she was doing alright. Wrapping her pinky her around Shelly's, she watched the gentle rise and fall of her breathing, how she seemed almost at peace if it wasn't for the context of her condition. It stirred that same feeling from earlier, but this time Vee could actually put her finger on it; a protective feeling. 

 Vee was so caught up watching over Shelly, she hadn't noticed that Tisha already came back, "Hey Vee, couldn't get my hands on a medkit," Vee looked at Tisha, her expression concerned. "I found this package of bandages though," she muttered, opening the box to reveal a couple of bandages. Those wouldn't help as much, but it was something. "Oh, and I think you dropped this," Tisha held the paper towels in her other hand, handing it to Vee. 

 Relieved, Vee took the paper towels from Tisha and ripped off a portion of it, "Oh! Thank you Tisha." She immediately cleaned up the split in Shelly's head, while Tisha put bandages around it. Not their best medical performance, but none of them had any medical experience or supplies to be fair. 

 "Are they almost done with the machines?" Vee asked curiously, her hand subconsciously meeting back with Shelly's. Tisha surveyed the area, "Hmmm, yeah, it shouldn't be long." Taking a moment to calculate possible outcomes, Vee found herself worried; the floors weren't safe, there wasn't a way to control where the elevator went, not only that but it was hazardous, and they didn't know anything about what was going on. "Do you think that the elevator will even open again?" Vee pondered, and Tisha paused, "Maybe not, but what other choices do we have?" 

 Thinking about her words, she ultimately decided Tisha was right. Although, she wasn't satisfied with that answer, contemplating other outcomes. However, she wouldn't think long, as the elevator opened and revealed the elevator.. almost in crisp condition. Looking at Tisha, she had the same skeptical look on her face. Still, Tisha gestured to enter the elevator, seeing as there were no other alternatives - at least to their knowledge. 

 Vee, gazing at Shelly, found that she was stirring in her rest. Leaning closer, she wrapped the jacket around her, "C'mon, wake up, Shelly." Vee shifted her hand behind Shelly's back, bringing her closer, "Please." Shelly groaned, barely moving. Troubled, Vee put her other hand underneath Shelly's knees and hoisted her back up, bringing her to the elevator. Once inside, Vee set Shelly off to the side, leaning her against the wall. 

 Looking back at the toons, they diminished in numbers. Sixteen toons left? If Vee had teeth, she'd clench them just about now. After scanning everyone, the one missing was.. Boxten. A small crowd gathered at the front of the elevator, anxiously waiting for him to come; No way he'd survive with that thing, MONSTER, on this floor. With the timer counting down, everyone silently knew they lost another one to their group.

 As Vee edged closer to the elevator, watching carefully. To her surprise, Boxten would make it, "GUYS! WAIT!" he screamed. 

 Bad choice. 

 His feet got slower, breaths heavy. His speed was diminishing - which wouldn't have been a problem, if it wasn't for the heavy thudding behind him. With the music box growing louder, an atmosphere of horror followed. Almost out of the darkness, like he was lurking, waiting for this moment, came Dandy. That beast knew, he knew. 

 It was too quick to register, Dandy's enormous claws pierced through the small toon, freezing him in place as he was impaled. His screams were cut short as Dandy's hand immediately crushed him underneath. Just as the elevator started to close, the squashed toon's blood splattered at the bystander's feet. 

 Collectively, they all took a step back. There wasn't anything to say.

 He was dead. 

 And on that note, the elevator continued its descent further into the facility.