Zac grinned as Loren deposited a few guitars beside him. She knew him all too well- two electric, both with built in amps and headphone sockets, two acoustics and the bass he was trying to teach himself to play. He slung the straps across his body in such a way that they were supported, but wouldn't be in his way. He took Loren's hands without hesitation, using his surroundings to pull himself to his feet- or rather, foot.
If he put as much as the heel of his damaged foot on the ground, pain shot up his leg. His knee instinctively bent, keeping the foot from touching the ground. He was glad of Loren's hands, steadying him and helping him remain upright. "Houston, we may have a slight problem," He remarked quietly. Tentatively, he touched his foot back to the ground. Pain arced up his calf and didn't ease as he left it there. He dropped Loren's hands and tried to take a step. The pain on touching his foot to the ground, it appeared, was only a warning of what was yet to come. As he attempted to take a step, the pain of putting his weight on the broken bone almost knocked the leg from underneath him. He lurched forward, grabbing Loren to steady himself.
He gritted his teeth and tried again. He was prepared for the pain, but almost lost his balance and stumbled into a pile of rubble. It appeared his bed was underneath it, as he was able to steady himself. He swung the sturdier of his acoustics from his back and tried again, leaning on the neck of the guitar when his balance failed. It wasn't ideal. If he leaned too heavily on the neck of his guitar, it could break and leave him on the ground and a guitar short. In this unsteady manner, he crossed back over to Loren. "Let's go."
He was trying to hold up for her. They had to be strong for each other. If Loren showed any sign of pain, that would distract Zac and he would be willing to put himself in danger to help her. He knew that she would probably do the same for him, and he wasn't going to let that happen. While he knew he couldn't entirely mask the pain, if he carried on, it might just be enough to keep her going.
He noticed something silver on the ground and picked it up. His iPod. It had a crack on the top right corner, but it wasn't even on the screen. His headphones were still attached. The screen was still working. He shoved it into his pocket, avoiding Loren's eyes.
Why? He felt guilty. The photo on his lock screen was one he had taken when they had been messing around. Zac was wearing eyeliner, holding his bass. He had made some joke about him being like Pete Wentz, and they had decided to complete the comparison with eyeliner. Guilt suddenly plagued him for putting her in this situation. She had done so much for him, listened when he had needed to talk, made him laugh when he had felt down, and now she was stuck with him. He couldn't freaking walk by himself. How was he supposed to repay her like this?
His face fell, as all in one second all of the pain from the rest of his body, not just his leg, assaulted him. Nothing as severe, but it was enough. "Loren... I'm sorry. Go, don't let me keep you back. If anything happens, you have to make it out. You have to promise me. I'm not going to let you let me hold you back. Go." He leaned against the wall, shock beginning to set in. He looked up at her. "Go!" A strange ferocity appeared in his voice, verging on anger. He didn't know why, but he had to get through this himself.