Cautiously, machine gun held at eye level, he made his way up. After a minute of dizzy climbing he encountered a body spread-eagled over several steps. It was Van, on his back and upside down. His body was riddled with bullet wounds and blood trickled out of his mouth up into his hair. His eyes were open, staring blankly. Zak was wary of a trap. He kept his gun ready, and made to step past.
‘Zaaa…’ groaned Van. Zak was so startled he nearly fell backwards down the stairs.
‘Woah. You’re still alive,’ said Zak.
‘Oh god Zak,’ said Van, barely audible. ‘I’m in terrible pain.’
‘Don’t complain Van,’ said Zak. He grinned, but it made his throat flare up.
Van tried to move, but his body just twitched, and he groaned again.
‘Zak. Shoot me dead,’ he said.
‘What! Get over it, we’ll be finished in a few minutes.’
‘No please. I’m in agony,’ said Van, shuddering as he spoke.
‘So am I,’ said Zak. He stepped past Van, and started climbing the stairs again.
Van summoned up the strength to protest.
‘Don’t leave me here, Zak. What if you end up like this? We’ll be stuck here.’ Van took another deep breath. ‘Kill me now, and if I see you in trouble, I’ll end the mission.’
Zak turned back to face Van. ‘How?’ he asked.
Van’s mouth contorted, but Zak couldn’t tell if it was a smile.
‘I’ll call your mum.’
Zak squirmed. But Van’s condition convinced him that it was worth keeping the option open.
He aimed the gun at Van. But as he was about to pull the trigger he felt his skin crawl. He couldn’t do it. He let the aim drift.
‘Trust me Zak,’ implored Van.
Zak took a deep breath and aimed the gun again. The words of Van’s last jibe ran through his mind, and this gave him the spark to pull the trigger.
As Van’s body went limp, Zak suddenly felt very sick again. He stared at Van, almost in a daze.
