Lockdown (Picture Day book 2; an II fanfic)

Bulletproof

(this chapter was written by horrorluv08!)

"...And that's the plan." Knife concluded, placing his hands on his hips. Cheesy glanced up with hesitation. "Oh. Uh…yeah. Yes. That works."

Knife raised an eyebrow, sighing. It was clear Cheesy's mind was wandering. "You weren't listening." With a brief moment of silence, Cheesy sighed, rolling onto the floor and groaning. "I can't think right now. My brain isn't working." 

Knife slowly dropped to his knees, resting his hands on his thighs. He was aware how hard Trophy's death was–on everyone. Knife understood. Soap and Tissues as well. Their names being dropped into the note somehow brought them grief and guilt, even if it was in a good light. 

"I know. It is hard to think. I get it–" Cheesy shot up, whisper yelling, "No, you don't get it!" He began to rant, "I keep forgetting what I mean to say! I try to be funny–I try to lighten up everyone's spirits but then–BAM! It comes right back at me, and I get all nervous and I try to shake off the feeling but my body just won't let me! Then the feelings get the me and I can't think straight! So my only option is to shut up!" 

"And the worst part?!" He swallowed, breathing heavily from his outburst. "The one singular person who would at least tolerate my jokes, the one thing that could keep my hopes up, is…"

Knife stared at the floor. Cheesy stopped talking. They sat in a sad yet comfortable silence for a moment–perhaps more than that. Perhaps an hour. Days. Years, even. "I'm sorry. I know, I know it's rough and I know how bad it's affecting you but if we want everyone else to stay safe we need to act soon. We need to act now." 

With a slight pause, Cheesy pulled Knife to his feet, nodding. "You're right. Totally right. I'll try to listen." 

Knife nodded as he began pacing, he glanced around at the group as he began, "We need to get out soon, solely for the purpose of getting the injured some medical attention and not allowing anybody else to get hurt. Next time Mr. Moron shows up," Cheesy giggled a bit, "I'm going to restrain him. That'll give the strongest of the group enough time to break the doors and get out. If we all work together, he won't be able to fight against us." 

Cheesy nodded, biting at the tips of his fingers. "Okay, yes. We would need to tell everyone though." 

"We can't risk him overhearing. It's our best bet if I just act on it and you get everyone to follow through. Got it?" Knife stuck out his hand for a handshake. Cheesy firmly grasped it, giving it a nice shake. "Works with me."

Cheesy glanced around at the other sleeping students. Some clearly struggling to stay that way, where others peacefully sat. He saw Lightbulb and Balloon near each other. Poor Lightbulb. She had to have one of her friends close to her to stay asleep. Even then, it was obvious she wasn't sleeping very well. She looked terrible. 

Cheesy heard sniffling. He looked up. Knife was looking away, now sitting on the bleachers, but he was obviously wiping away tears. It didn't take long for Cheesy to realize why. 

"Knife. I'm…sorry about Mic." Knife stayed quiet for a bit, "...Thanks man. I'm sorry about Trophy." Cheesy nodded, staring at the camera that sat around Knife's neck. He hesitantly lifted it up, over his head, and turned it on. "Selfie?" 

Knife chuckled, wiping the last of his tears away and turning towards him. "Sure bud." Cheesy lifted it up. They wrapped their arms around each other, before he finally clicked the button. The light flashed, and then the room went dark again. 

Well–no, it wasn't quite dark. There was a glow, from the middle of the…

A deafening alarm went off, making those who were sleeping snap awake, and Knife and Cheesy flinch. Lightbulb shot up, quickly freezing up at the sound. Ah. Right. Heightened senses. After losing her sight, her other senses became a lot more heightened. The noise was affecting her badly already, and now that she was more sensitive to it–well, it couldn't be good.