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Svetlana hesitated when she heard the familiar Russian tongue but frowned towards the man that had spoke it. Her gun remained trained on Ed's head but she turned her head to look at the man who came from Kazan. Seemed they were all giving their answers to the question without herself, Ed or Amelia prompting them to do so. She far from trusted them but she could give them an answer to this since it wasn't something they could use against her in reality. They knew she was Russian now so there was no harm in confirming it. "YA iz Sankt-Peterburga." She listened to the leader, Beni, and kept a confused and untrusting look on her face as she watched his mouth move as if she were trying to decipher his words. Svetlana smirked as Amelia knocked Ed's previously trapped leg with her bat but quickly dropped the expression from her face as quickly as it had appeared.

At the mention of Eden she tilted her head and scowled a little harder. She may have known everything he was saying but she wanted to keep up the pretense that she could only understand Russian. "Edem?" She glanced down at the spike strip and then back to the men that were a potential threat. Beni, if that was actually his name, seemed to be somewhat less intimidating than he had been moments before but there was no way she was blindly following them wherever they wished to lead them. The truck and the motorcycles gave Svetlana pause and she really did consider trying to steal one of the bikes but new that she wouldn't get very far before one of them tried to put a bullet in her.

She looked to the man from Kazan and raised her left brow. She definitely would keep this going until she knew she could or could not trust them. "I skazal on...?" She placed her non-gun toting hand on the hilt of her knife that was sitting in her belt and thinned her lips a little. She shoved the barrel of her gun against Ed's head just because she felt like it but kept her eyes trained on Kazan Man as she waited for her answer.

This Eden, whatever the hell it was or meant, was something that made Svetlana's hairs stand on end. She had been through hell within hell already and didn't much fancy the idea that something even remotely similar could happen to her again after she had escaped her last moment of purgatory. She hated this world more than she would ever be able to verbalise. Shit just kept getting worse and worse...

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Oh my oh my oh my, how LLA wants to play.... Look out Newnan, shit is going down...

@Morose @Charnobylisk @Caits @Sigil @Nallore - Everyone is doing their thing. We have a new person arriving, people loving the smell of dinner, Miss Lilly is in the ground for the most part. Thing is though, ever get that feeling that shit is just too quiet? Yeah, well apparently LLA doesn't like that. Not one bit. So yeah, there is a shot fired out that rings through Newnan. There is a moments pause before three more are fired off and then everything goes quiet... For now. Outside 3 random Newnanites Drop - 1 teen(in the street by the medical garden), 1 child(by building F playing soccer with others), and 1 younger bloke(on the outer wall near the front gate). - One more drops but the details are below.

@Nallore @FantasyChic - Well fuck me.... Okay, Drago and Char witnessed this roll in chat. Ray needed a 98+ roll on 100 sided dice to live through this round.... LLA rolled a 99 O.o So yeah, Ray is still alive, he is still awake, he just is down a limb. The bleeding is slowly despite everything and while the pain is nearly unbearable it is not making him pass back out and he is able to aid somewhat but how long I don't know. Might want to grab something else to help him lean on, or drag, or something. There is the church but that is back towards the town and where the majority of that hoard was.

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"I ain't tryin' ta tell ya ta do shit, jus' recommendin' it is all. I know better than anyone, with the exception o' Froggy, that there ain't no use tryin' ta make ya do what ya don't wanna do." He swung his legs over the windowsill and contemplated dropping out into the garden and just walking away but he didn't. He owed her this, to sit and listen and let her lecture and scold him, he deserved it. He scoffed at her comments about his fangs not being needed and rolled his eyes. "When I stop bein' treated like a vicious animal by everyone then I might consider puttin' the fangs away."

"Ever thanks ifs ya stopped showin' ya fangs they'd stop treatin' ya likes yous a rabid coon?" she countered quickly as she tapped her foot on the ground. "Ain'ts doin' ya's no good actin's likes ya ares." Looking down at her radio she didn't bother answering Ash at this point, she had the okay to take her time so she would. She figured bossman had things under control.

He swung his legs back onto the sill and then blinked as she got in his face, unsure how to react to her as yet. As she finished he scowled and shrugged. "Never expected ya to stop me, Daisy. Ain't yer problem anymore. I know that." He watched as she stood up and checked her pistol. He listened to her words but didn't much care to let them sink in right now. He wasn't going to be convinced that this wasn't all going to fall apart sooner rather than later.

"Ain't bein' my problem no, but yous always me concern."

"Yer life, yer choice. Dumb one, but I ain't gon' try tell ya t'think otherwise."

Cocking a brow she glanced over to him and shook her head a bit. "Whys you gots to be like that Honky Tonk? I ain't treatin' ya likes you be a wilds animal, yets you still barin' yas fangs at me. Tellin's me that because yous be me concern it be a dumb choice. Yous tryin' to gets me to treats ya likes ya dirt?"

He didn't respond and was near enough slipping back into his thoughts of packing up and leaving but her words about having a wolf in sheep's clothing in lock up caught his attention and he frowned hard.

"What ya mean ya got a wolf in the pen?" He stood up inside the house and chased after her as she turned and left the house. He hadn't planned on following her but she had piqued his curious and protective nature.

"Means exactlys whats I be sayin. I gots a wolf in the pen. Wolf be from Eden," she added as she walked towards the main building.

Richard growled audibly and jogged to catch up with Zoie as they moved onwards. "I hope ye neutered and or casmastrated the fuckin' cunt 'fore ya brought 'em inside the walls." He didn't like this, that someone from Eden was within the walls again, knowing all too well that it was and would be Zoie that would be dealing with them and their shit. His hands balled up into fists as he followed her, now not out of curiousity but out of sheer rage and protective instincts that were now coursing through him.

"I ain't be doin' no such thang," she said as they stepped through the main building of Newnan and made their way back to the holding cell. Nodding towards the guard she opened the door and walked inside. Looking over at Ryan he was fiddling with the blonde hair he kept wrapped around his finger as he grinned at her.

"This be Ryan, the reason I gots out of Eden. Only reasons I ain't be neuterin' him... Yet," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'll neuter him then."

Richard squared his jaw off and stepped forward, glancing down at the fiddling hands of this piece of shit before his eyes darted up and stared the fucker down. "Ye got Zoie out o' that shit hole?" He didn't like the look of this bastard, not one bit.

Standing up and looking at Richard from between the bars that departed them he nodded, still wearing that grin on his lips. "Yeah, I did," he said before glancing over at Zoie and then back towards Richard. "Aww Zoie, you bring your boyfriend to meet me? And here I thought we had something special," he chuckled as he sat back down on the bed and leaned against the wall.

Richard's lip curled up in disgust and he shook his head. "Gonna take a hella lot more than that t'get me ta bite, dickshit." He folded his arms across his chest and took a step back from the bars. If he hadn't just exhausted all of his energy from breakind down over Froggy and then pouring all his shit out to Zoie he'd probably have grabbed the fucker through the bars and smashed his face in until one of his eyes popped out. He had no fucking patience for anyone from Eden, even if they did get Zoie out of there.

"Oh but you just told me plenty," Ryan said as he rested his hands on his knees and his grin grew. Zoie turned her back to Ryan, looking over at Dick as she did. "Careful," she mouthed. Zoie knew Ryan, he was reader. He could read people like an exposed poker hand.

Richard raised a brow at Zoie but gave a slight nod and stepped back, moving as far as he could from the cell whilst still being able to hear. He leaned against the wall and kept his arms crossed over his chest and just glared at this Ryan. He didn't like the look, sound or smell of this guy and he'd be fucking damned if he let this asshole near his Daisy. Richard wasn't exactly unable to read people either but he figured that if Daisy was warning him then this guy was better than he was. Thing was, that just made Richard want to beat the guy even more - physically and psychologically.

"He wants you Zoie," Ryan said as he looked down at the hair around his finger. The hell was this guy doing? Was that... that was hair. Richard bristled as he saw the colour of it. Zoie turned around slowly, she wasn't sure if he was talking about Richard or someone else by his inflection but the visible shudder that ran down her spine made it clear that she was scared. Zoie didn't get scared.

He stepped forward and moved to put a hand on Zoie's shoulder as Richard realised that fuckwit wasn't talking about him. "Well he ain't gettin' her. She's got friends that'll keep 'er safe." He gave Zoie a light squeeze on her shoulder before letting her go and stepping back again. He pulled out his knife and began to pick his nails with it, his eyes watching Ryan as he sat there in the cell. He didn't much like the reaction that his words had caused Zoie but she'd told him to be careful, so careful he would be. For now.

"Yeah, that McCormick chick thought the same didn't she? Then pop, right between the eyes," he said holding up his fingers and acting like he was pulling a trigger as he looked at Richard. Glancing over at Zoie he lowered his hand. "But you and I both know that isn't what he has planned for you. That would a blessing compared to what he has in store for you."

Zoie looked away from Ryan, she knew what he was speaking about and as her eyes went to Richards it looked as if she had just walked through the gates of hell the way the fear glassed over her vision. "And Zoie here, well she isn't one to let anyone take a bullet for her now is she?"

Richard's face softened completely and he wrapped Zoie up in his arms, his right hand caressing the back of her head as he buried her face into his chest and his fingers stroked her hair down. Zoie just stood there, shaking like a leaf as Richard held her. He glared at Ryan as he held her close and he bared his teeth and growled as he spoke. "She won't need t'let anyone do that. Now if ye don't fuckin' mind, quit scarin' the shit outta her and jus' get to the fuckin' point." He loosened his grip on Zoie but wouldn't let her go unless she wanted him to. He really fucking hated this guy.

"Point is this, he ain't gonna stop until his clubbed sausage fingers have her in his grasp again," Ryan said. Zoie pushed away from Richard and bolted out the door. Taking a few steps out into the hallway she fell back against it as her fingers curled up and she gasped for breath. Ryan just leaned back in his cell and looked at Richard. "Better watch her, knowing Zoie she's gonna run."

"You better be fuckin' glad those bars are stoppin' me from gettin' at ya, dickweed. I'll be seein' ya." He turned on his heel and walked out of the room and into the hallway to find Zoie. He spotted her struggling to breathe and he dropped down to his knees beside her. He rested a hand on her upper back and tried to get his face down level to hers. Zoies eyes darted around around before she finally looked over towards Richard. "Hey, hey, hey, c'mon now. That guy is jus' tryin' t'get a rise outta ya. Surely ya know that better than anyone?" He moved his hands to cup her face and held her gaze with this. The sincerity in his next words were something that not often left his lips.

"I ain't lettin' 'em get ya, Daisy. No fuckin' chance. I will keep ya safe."

She was a bit shocked by the tone of his voice and a look of confusion broke through the fear as she shook there and found herself nearly hyperventilating at that point. "I's don't getcha. One minutes yous acts likes you hates me and wants me to's hates ya. Nexts you be actin' likes you feels the same ways about me I feels abouts you. Whichs is it?"

He knew he deserved it but it didn't make it sting any less. He dropped his hands from her face and placed his left hand on his knee and scratched under his chin, his fingers sliding through his beard, with his right. "I ain't ever been good for anyone, Daisy. I hurt those I'm close to and I ain't ever let anyone get right close for a long, long time. I ain't been through the same shit you has, you've been through a metric shit tonne more than me, but I got my flaws and they're plentiful Daisy. These fangs ain't all jus' for show." He fell back, his rear hitting the floor as he sat in front of her, his arms now resting across his raised knees that were spread apart.

He chewed on his tongue some as he considered his next words. "If I admit how I feel out loud then I can't take it back. I ain't ready for that yet. If this ain't what yer willin' to deal with then I understand. Ya jus' need to know I'm always gonna protect ya Daisy. Always. No matter fuckin' what."

"Yeah, well this world don't lets us have second chances a lot of the times. Ones day yous gonna holds yers tongue too longs and then it be too late. If yas can live with that, sos be it but don'ts bes mad at me ifs I be pushy up daisy's befer yous do," she said as she looked away from him. Now that she knew Eden was after her, she doubted she had much time left on this earth. For all she knew as soon as she stepped out the front door she would end up like Leann that day. Just suddenly slumping lifeless to the group as Richard had to carry her body back inside.

Standing up she shook off the fear and take a deep breath. "Well I be's more afraid of not sayin' what needs to be said than I am ofs what's gonna happen if I do's. So you knows what. Fuck it. Gonnas says its again 'cause ifs I gots hells awaitin' me I'm gonnas go there withs no regrets," she said before looking down at him. "Goods ors bads, I don't be carin none. Fangs ors no fangs, don't make no matters to me. I loves ya Richard. Simple as that," she said staring him straight in the eye. "If yous do or don'ts, that be you. Ifs I ain't worth telling either ways, fine. But don't be givin' me none of that bullhonk about nots being able to takes it back. Hows you gonnas protect me ifs ya ain't even have the brass ones to open yers mouth?"

Richard flinched as she let all out on him, even if she wasn't intending to give him an earful she definitely managed to. "Don't ya be givin' me your shit Daisy. We might well be alike but we ain't the same person and tryin' t'force me t'say summat I ain't damn well ready to say ain't gonna make be fuckin' helpful. Now quit talkin' like yer gonna get killed any minute now and calm yer jets. I swear ta fuck, Daisy, ya gotta stop buildin' me up and then knockin' me right back fuckin' down again. My not sayin' shit ain't fuck all to do with my brass ones, it's t'do with me makin' sure of how I actually fuckin' feel. I ain't wantin' to tell ya I love ya when I don't fuckin' know what love even fuckin' is." He stood up then, brushing himself off and staring down at her. "Jus' 'cause the world ended don't mean that everythin' is as cut and dry as ya make it out to be." He wanted to storm off then, not look back and leave her to think about the guilt trip that she'd just laid on him but he didn't.

"Look, if ya think I can't protect ya 'cause I ain't wantin' t'risk hurtin' yer feelin's then fine. I ain't the only one that wants t'keep ya safe, Daisy. Ya damn well know that." He ran his hands through his hair and then turned away for a second as he calmed himself, his hands rubbing his face before he turned back and held his hands out to her if she wanted to take them.

Zoie's eyes narrowed. "You ain't be nothin's buts a chicken shit little punk assed red necked fuck bred you two timing blame it on the booze oh poor me everyone hates me boo hoo crys baby! Yous act like shit, yous treats peoples like shit, and yous expects them to nots be treatin' ya like yous some coon? KISS MY GRITS! Worlds never been complicated! Peoples onlys makes it so. Id be saying the same shit's to yous if it weres today ors it be fives years ago. You always blowin's up likes this whens you knows yous ain't in the right. That ain't bein' a mans. Thats bein's a boy! You drink, you blame its on me being's out. Yous fucks anothers, you blames it on the drinks. Peoples be treatin's yas exactlys hows yous should becauses ofs the ways you act but it be them faults. Yeah, yous gota fangs alrights. The fangs of a pup! Little gnawy fangs thats only's be cuttin's skins deep to anyones thats been livin's mores thans twos seconds in this hells. You's knows exactlys whats loves is, you just afraids of it. Well go piss on someone elses legs and tells them its rain!" she spat at him, loud enough for the whole building to hear her with the walls echoing.

He said nothing. He stood there letting her get it out and taking it. She'd basically hammered the last nail in the coffin. He wasn't sticking around anymore, there was no need to. She was right and he sure didn't like it. He didn't need to stay around for this shit but before he could walk away she continued on and he scowled at her as she started saying he was guilting her. No. Fucking. Way.

"Yous ain'ts wants to says it fine but don't be tryin's to be givin's me no's guilts trips," she said as she turned on her heels and stormed off through the building. Her hands flinging open the front door. He was ready to mouth off again but she was off already. He fucking hated not getting the first foot out the door. Zoie took a look around before her body slammed back into the court house and the sound of a gun being fired echoed over Newnan. "Fucking Christ!" she screamed as she grabbed her shoulder, blood spilling out of it.

Richard stood rooted to the spot, torn between wanting to help her and wanting to get the fuck out of Newnan while everyone was distracted. Despite his better judgement he ran forward and grabbed her unhurt side before dragging her further into the building and away from the windows and doors. He grabbed Zoie's walkie with one hand while he put pressure on her wound to try and stop the bleeding. He pressed down on the button and spoke into the walkie. "Cap! Daisy is hit. The fuck is goin' on out there?!" The infirmary wasn't too far off, he could get her there quick enough.

"C'mon Daisy, let's get this bleedin' stopped. Fuck!"

Zoie put her hand over his and pressed down more as she sat up slowly, her body trembling and then shaking. Taking short breaths she looked over to Richard. "Don'ts lets go," she whispered before she felt her head spin and her body started to go limp in his arms.

His eyes widened as she went limp and he threw caution to the wind. He scooped her up in his arms and ran straight for the infirmary. He hoped to fuck that Froggy was awake and not doped up because right now they needed him. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him while trying to stem the bleeding in her arm. He kicked the door open and saw Astrid drawing blood from a now upright Froggy. Normally he'd avoid her but right now he didn't give two flyin' monkeys if she was there.

"Froggy! She's been shot! Tell me you're fit enough to help her?!" He looked between Astrid and Froggy and moved inside and placed Zoie on a free gurney and then held down on her wound as hard as he could to stop the excessive bleeding. His bloodied hands shook as he held onto her. His eyes welled as he watched her unconscious face.

Astrid had nodded to Kris as she left and gotten back to work. That was until she heard the shots and placed down the vials as she heard the gun shot and steeled her nerves. "Everyone stay here," she said as she started to pull her knife from her belt until she saw Richard rush in with Zoie in his arms. Moving quickly she stepped over to the two. "Richard, take a her hand but step back so I can get to her shoulder please," she said in a calm voice as she took his hand and started to move it.

Barely registering Astrid's words, Richard didn't risk moving, his hand fighting against Astrid until Froggy walked over and guided him away instead. He moved Richard to the opposite side of the wound and placed Zoie's hand within Richard's bloodied ones before walking back around to stand with Astrid at the wound. He looked down at his friend and removed all emotion from his face as he turned back into Doctor Bonheur. "Astrid, do what you can to stem the bleeding and move her into the OR. I will prepare what we need." Victor moved away and began to gather what he would need to save Zoie quickly before moving into the OR. He then moved to the sink and began to cleanse his hands from the blood and readied himself for the surgery.

Astrid nodded as she applied pressure to the wound with one hand and got to work with the other as best she could. Wheeling Zoie into the OR as she grabbed her medical file and tossing it onto the unconscious woman's lap. The bleeding was more than she would have expected from just a shoulder wound, that was until she took a closer look at the location and her lips thinned. "It looks to have hit the axillary artery," she called out through the doors of the OR.

Richard's eyes widened and his face paled as he looked down to Zoie's face. He knew that an artery hit was bad enough before the end of the world but this? FUCK. He almost lost his grip on her hand as Astrid wheeled her into the OR but he caught hold and kept her hand tightly between his own.

"Astrid, pay close attention." Victor then began his work on Zoie's wound, directing Astrid as needed and working to stop the bleeding and remove any schrapnel that may have lodged into areas and could cause issues further down the line.

"Yes Doctor," she said in a cool voice as she began assisting Victor while he tried to stop the bleeding and get the situation under control. She was glad he was back on his feet, she knew she was not skilled enough yet to so such a precise and delicate operation that would require the repairing of an artery but her eyes were fixed as he worked, taking in every last detail of the procedure.

Victor appreciated that Richard had to be there for Zoie but he was no doubt going to get in the way. Victor looked up and cleared his throat. Richard blinked and stared up at the elder man and then growled at him. "No fuckin' way, Froggy. I ain't fuckin' leavin'." Victor squared his jaw off and looked down to the wound in Zoie's shoulder before getting back to work. His silence spoke volumes to Richard but it didn't matter, he wasn't leaving her side again.

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Jack nodded, grinning at Tatiana. He didn't have much of a weapon to defend her with, but he'd find a way. Wheeling Sophia along, Jack followed the small group, noting that the same escorts from earlier were present. It was a little funny, how quickly Tatiana and he had been integrated into the group. Truthfully, he had expected the guards at the gates to send the pair of them back to the Mess Hall, rather than allowing them to rush blindly after the Russian newcomer.

He put a hand on Tatiana's shoulder and squeezed it gently, hoping to comfort her. "We'll find Davi, don't you worry," Jack promised. Smiling at her, he hoped to encourage her, but he didn't want to talk for her. If they were going to stay in Newnan, then it'd be crucial for Tatiana to be able to communicate. Flustered or not, he had to let her do it. He smiled awkwardly at Sophia as well, feeling almost like he'd abducted the girl, taking her on a random tour of Newnan. "Sorry 'bout going all ovah," Jack apologized to her, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

At the shots, Jack instantly sprang into action. His eyes darted over to Tatiana, and he grabbed her quickly, diving to the ground. It was muscle memory, instinct, the training of the police academy still in him. He tried his best not to panic, but he couldn't help but feel this entire place had been a trap. Here they were, being shot at, and he didn't have a weapon to defend them with. His mind flickered to the ring he had started working on, in order to propose to Tatiana.

He desperately hoped they'd both be alive at the end of the day, so he could use it.

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Éd's eyes widened a bit, seeing Svetlana aim the gun at his head. Didn't she realize that he could've easily traded her away, rather than Amelia? It was a big risk he was taking, going with her over the girl that understood some French. He frowned, figuring that one of the knocks on Svetlana's head must have knocked a screw loose. He sighed, already weary with the weight placed on his shoulders. He'd have to teach her everything again, essentially skills like...smashing open a can of baby food against a rock. He rolled his eyes at Amelia's comment, having already written her off. She'd be disposed of just as Félix had been: in order to ensure his own welfare.

He turned around, and winced when he saw those ugly as hell bangs. They'd definitely have to go, if he was going to let them take Amelia instead. He could hardly stand the sight of them. Édouard practically gasped as he heard the man speaking French, his heart warming instantly at the wonderful world he found himself in. A tear came to his eyes and he wiped it away with his hand, entirely forgetting about the fact that he had just attempted to sell Amelia as something akin to a sex slave.

"Qui êtes vous?" Édouard asked, his voice filled with awe. He didn't have any idea what the leader of the group was saying, catching only a few words now and then. In his brilliance, Édouard realized that the leader must have been named Eden. With Svetlana and Amelia mentioning the name as well, he felt entirely satisfied. "Ah, zut alors! Je ne parle pas anglais. Je ne vous comprends pas." It was perhaps the nicest Édouard had ever been, and with a bit of a shrug, he headed over towards the group of gentlemen. He couldn't imagine a fellow Frenchman causing him any harm, especially if he learned of Édouard's surname. The Rivieres were feared back home.

"Je m'appelle Édouard," he said, holding out a dirt covered hand to the Frenchman. "Et vous?"

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At the sounds of shots, everything seemed to go away for a moment, and Niesha flinched, pushing in front of Kristina as if she could stop any bullets. And then all sound seemed to come back, and Niesha glanced about. those shots had been too close...what if someone was hurt? Cries, screams, a whole community's fears. Unless the dead had learned how to shoot, they were being shot at by humans, alive. Like that one that tried to kill me...that Sophie saved me from. Panic set in. Sophie. Where the hell was she?

"Please let her be okay..." She wasn't aware she had spoken as she heard cries, quite near, from the gardens. Glancing to Kristina, she said "Find some cover. Sounds like people are hurt and you won't be able to run well for cover if they start shooting again" Her tone indicated she didn't want to have to fight on this, as she started off towards the nearest cries.

Finding the teen was easy. Approaching them was the hardest thing in the world. Yet she did, carefully, looking for where the teen was shot, to determine if they were alive or not. A teen turning here...She wished she had her bow. four shots... that meant there could be four possible walkers running about. She had to make sure. Hand wandering to the knife she wore still, if there was even a slim chance at saving the teens life, it had to be taken, didn't it? Still, four shots...who else was hurt? And was there a chance there would be more?

"James" She called out, desperately, "There could be more shots coming...people, the kids especially, should get into cover...And if the kid is okay, I'm not strong enough to get them to the infirmary" Thought of her own safety was gone, right then she didn't care about herself, and she knew there was no way she could lift the kid. Carefully, she crouched by the shot teen, ready to leap back if she had to, and laying a hand on their wrist, If there was a pulse, Niesha would take her shirt off, and using it to put pressure on the wound, resigning herself to donating her clothes today to the community.

Was there...no...she had to believe that Sophie was okay, or she wouldn't be able to do what had to be done. Watching the teen, Niesha held her breath, waiting desperately for the bump of a pulse. please.... The fastest she had seen the dead turn was roughly five minutes. How long did they have, if the kid was dead?

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@rivaan - "Because out here, being alone means death. Granted that is a lot better than dealing with Eden," he said before glancing down at the spikes and then over at the others of his group. "Get your stuff and get in the back of the truck. You can stay here and deal with them when they come by, and they will. Or you can come with us, choice is yours," he added as he stepped over to his bike and climbed on. A small dog darting out of the wood and jumping onto his lap as he rested down in the seat. "Ain't nothing Peaches, daddy's got you," the man said rubbing his pooch happily.

@Morose - "Je suis Lyon," the man says as he looked Ed up and down. Hearing the man ramble made him shake his head a bit. This one really had a way about him. "Ta gueule! Tu as besoin d'apprendre l'anglais," he said rubbing his face a bit.

@Charnobylisk - "Tebe nuzhno uchit' angliyskiy," he chuckled. Looking down at her hand he shook his head. Leaning forward he eyed her. "Iden , protivnyy gruppa. My dolzhny dvigat'sya," he said before straightening up and waiting on the boss.

@Caits - There was no pulse, the kid just bleeding out as his eyes went blank. There was nothing that could be done, they had gone a clean hit; whoever they were. Further to the north outside of the walls she would be able to hear the screeching of tires but there were no shots being fired off the walls. Whatever and whoever had attacked was pulling out or so it seemed and there was no clear shot to take on them.

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Tatiana reached up and squeezed Jacks hand as he cupped her shoulder, looking over to him shyly as she tried to smile. She didn't like being out in the open like this, especially not around this many people but Jack was there with her so everything would be alright. She glanced towards Sophia and nodded a bit before she looked back in front of her and kept walking with the escort. That was until she heard the gun fire and her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. When she felt her body being flung forward she thought for a moment she had been hit by one of the shots. That was until she felt Jacks breath against her neck and she looked around wild eyed. Rolling over she looked at him worried and frantic.

"You okay?" she asked as she felt around his body to make sure she didn't feel any blood. Once she was sure he was clear and breathing she slipped away from his quickly and darted over to Sophia, grabbing the wheelchair and keeping low as she did so. "Ve got to get her safe," she said quickly before she made a run for it, pushing the wheelchair as fast as she could. She knew it would be a bumpy ride but her instincts had kicked in in a way they hadn't for so long.

Tatiana was normally so skittish and scared, like a little bird but she hadn't survived through war and the last three years wandering the country if that was all she was. "Come!" she yelled towards Jack as she pushed Sophia back behind a barrel out near the gate. Taking a deep breath she looked over towards Sophia. "Stay dovn," she said quickly before peeking out from behind the barrel and reaching out for Jack. This was not how she expected things to start there but walls did mean people wanted what was within those walls. Just what were they after though? The city of something else? Everything was quiet now, there were no more shots. Only thing she could hear over the screaming and noise something off to the north but she couldn't pick it out.

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Kristina looked over her shoulder when she heard Niesha's voice and shifted slightly where she stood, she was actually drawn towards the smell of the food that James was cooking up. "Sorry, I was actually drawn towards the smell, and I wanted to see what Chef Black James was cooking up for dinner for us." Kristina answered as she watched James a bit longer before turning to look over at Niesha again. "Doc Astrid gave me some pain killers, and told me to keep off it for the next two days and come back in the morning to rewrap it. But it hurts a little bit but the pain killers should kick in pretty soon, other then that aside from the pain I'm doing fine." Kristina answered, she looked towards the kids standing around James' smoker her mouth was watering at the scent of the cooked deer.

"I'm not really sure honestly, Meghna or Sally may know if there are any instruments floating around here somewhere." Kristina said with a slight smile. That's when she heard the gunshots going off, she quickly went for her knife when Neisha stepped in front of her to try and protect her from any oncoming bullets. Kristina tried searching around for where the shooter was, then her eyes went down towards the kid that was shot he was laying on the ground and could see the blood starting to stain his shirt. Kristina shook her head for a moment as she watched the other kids that were around the smoker started to scramble to look for cover.

Kristina looked back at Neisha as she told her to go for cover, and nodded as she watched Neisha running over towards the boy that had been shot he looked like he wasn't responding as he laid there motionless. "Right, i'll make my way towards the Mess Hall." Kristina told Neisha as she turned around and started to move as quickly as she could towards the Mess Hall just further up the street. She wasn't sure if there were more coming or if whoever was shooting them was aiming at her right now, then she could hear what sounded like screeching tires but she wasn't sure if there were more coming or not.

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"It's fine, like I said earlier I was pretty much cooped up in the infirmary for the past month." Sophia said with a soft smile, it wasn't his fault and she'd rather have some sort of tour on where everything was. Sophia looked back towards Tatiana and Jack and smiled at the two of them once more. That's when she had heard several shots going off, Sophia quickly bent herself over trying to make herself as small as possible from the shooter or shooters. She certainly wasn't a stranger to being shot at, but with her still recovering from last month she couldn't do much. Sophia watched Jack lay on top of her, and thought at first he had been shot but he wasn't he was simply just trying to protect her.

Then what surprised her the timid Russian girl quickly got up from under Jack she got behind her and felt her wheelchair being pushed quickly down the road. Sophia held down to the armrest with her remaining hand as tightly as she could. The ride was a bit rough as Tatiana pushed her until they were at the main gate to the entrance and took cover behind a barrel near the gate. Sophia met Tatiana's eyes for a moment and nodded slightly still remaining very still and silent using the chair as cover to hide herself as best she could. "Thank you." Sophia said quietly.

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This was bound to happen, Ash. You did nothing to prevent it.

Ashton heard the shots plainly, just like everyone else. Somehow, he knew exactly who was responsible. That didn’t stop his suspicions from flaring at the new arrivals, at least for the first half second of his decision-making process. Then Dick drawled out the news about Zoie, or “Daisy” as he pet named her.

They’re sending a message. It’s to her, but you heard it too, didn’t you?

Captain Holloway gave Dick a one word response, ”Understood.” but continued speaking to everyone with a radio, ”Sound the General Alarm, we’re under attack. Active security, hold our lines and report, engage if you can. Anyone who’s cleared and able, report to the Armory and prepare to defend your home. You know the drill.”

The security detail directly around the group on LaGrange looked to Ash, as if he was going to give some order or speech that may magically fix things. Didn’t really work that way. Never did. Still, they needed to hear something from him. Ash set a determined look to his eye and pulled his .45, chambering a round in a fluid motion. The two on escort (one carrying the bear fur bundle, the other slinging a carbine) looked slightly indecisive, so he gave them something to do. ”Follow after Tatiana and take Zoolie with you. Get them indoors and safe. Go!”

Ash jogged after the now speedier procession, determined to ensure that his people (even the very new ones) got to relative safety before himself. And if he saw anyone who even hinted at Eden… Ashton Holloway was in a killing mood.

Going to do something about it now, Captain?

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All he wanted was a snack. Ok, ok… maybe not all he wanted, I mean, he had high hopes for this place when he stepped inside about two minutes ago. Now, well, they also had problems. Build a place with people, with crops, with animals and children and hope, there was always going to be someone that wanted to control it or destroy it. From the looks of these people, they knew it, too. It wasn’t just sunshine and good intentions here. They were armed. More, they’ve been practicing.

Now all The Great Bazhooli wished was that he was armed, too.

What else was there to do, but listen to the grim man with the hand cannon? He wanted to help, in theory anyway. This might be a home. His assertion of ”Give me back stuff! I can help!” was received with a glare from the Captain and a curt nod in the direction they were all moving. Worth a try. Instead of taking up arms alongside these people, Bazhooli had to settle for jogging forward with a very angry man just behind.

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Bridgette didn't have the advantage of a radio at her disposal. All she knew was that shots rang out, and the few people that she could see on the Walls were engaged in a flurry of activity. Her sense of heightened awareness, being out in this part of Newnan, rolled over into a full-blown certainty of combat. Her mount, Cadence, was trained for exactly this kind of situation. Not charging down the barrel of guns, mind you, but reacting minimally to the loud noises that inevitably occur with battle. The horse tensed for a fraction of a second at the first shot, instinct fighting to override training unsuccessfully. Bridgette noted this and leaned down to pat Cadence's neck, whispering, "Good boy. Let's get back, now." Her charger lived up to the title, crossing the distance in quick strides.

The general alarm sounded right about then, just as Bridgette reached the Inner Wall's bottommost eastern gate. Slowing her horse (but not stopping), she called out to the guard stationed, "C'mon c'mon c'mon! Crack that momma open! There's people to fuck up, and I gotta arm better than this bullshit!"

A quick inspection of the area surrounding showed no hostiles within running distance, and the gate slid open just enough to admit one horse and determined rider. Surveying the situation as best she could in the seconds provided, Bridgette took off on her horse, fast and quiet (well, as quiet as one can be on a horse), hugging the buildings on her way to her intended destination: Tomory.

Her Point B was waylaid. Interrupted by a little girl laying in a pool of dark vermillion with a soccer ball moving listlessly nearby. Longish blonde hair done up in pigtails lay at unattractive angles next to her temples, one dipped in blood. She looked a little like Bridgette, even, when she was younger. It took the tall woman a moment to realize that there were other kids there that saw this happen, still present.

Bridgette revised her strategy of keeping close to building and hauling ass, struck by revulsion and sorrow. …some fucker targeting children…” she hissed, dismounting Cadence and moving to the girl. This had just happened. Just. Bridgette took a moment to see if anything could be done for the girl, aside from mercifully destroying her brain. She wanted to weep, just as much as she needed to hold it back. Brash, violent, vulgar, crass… but she wasn’t evil. She had seen and caused a fair amount of violent death, but targeting schoolkids playing soccer? It made her want to cry. That was soulless. ”Goddamnit kids, get in a building now! GET THE FUCK INSIDE! Stay there till you hear the “All Clear”, got it?!”

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My, but he put his foot in it this time. Quiet work, standing about with a deer in his smoker. Promises of a fine gravy. But no, the esteemed Mr. James Mandingo Grady (Black James(!), tout suite.) longed to be included, or at least informed of the obvious goings on in and around sunny Newnan. A little something interesting to break up the monotony of standing alone next to his beloved smoker. In the back of his mind, he indeed made the single, unuttered wish for an event with which he could assist, a bit of company during his meaty labors, or maybe some radio chatter he could listen in on, aside from the regular “checking in” and “all’s well”.

A very unsettling turn of events transpired instead. Lily’s death. Then the knowledge that she came back as a Walker and tried to eat Zoie, his only pre-Outbreak friend left. Now, a kid gets dropped right in front of him, courtesy of very unfriendly fire. James honestly now wished that he was merely barbecuing meat.

The redhead, Niesha, made an appearance about two seconds before all Hell broke loose. She had mentioned something about his smokery, the older man about to respond with a broad smile before the subsonic flying piece of metal aerated a kid that was just starting out in life, right in front of them. His smile evaporated, and his 9mm found its way into his right hand in less than a second.

Furtive glances around told him nothing, but did remind him that there were others, kids and other not-quite-adults milling about. They were startled. They were in danger. And they were afraid. James had to do something.

He ran over to Niesha, where the kid lay with fixed eyes. If he wasn’t dead, he was well on his way. The ebon Hogger reached his free hand down to grab the downed teen’s belt, lifting him from the blacktop with a strength built from adrenaline and a lifetime of hard labor. ”Ahright, listen up! We all movin’ into the Courthouse. NOW!” James kept his eyes high and his gun ready, giving the older children present an authoritative voice to listen to and a goal to achieve.

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Tiffany struggled to hold Raymond's weight as the two continued their journey. She was surprised the man hadn't died yet but was also thankful that she had someone with her. Going out alone wasn't always ideal, but having someone without a leg may be just as bad. She felt twinges of guilt as they continued, with him groaning and trying to hold back his screams. She kept an eye out for more holes, worried that whoever made them did so not only for the Walkers.

The two continued down as she kept an eye out for the horde. She hoped the sound would have driven them all away or at least enough that she could sneak by easily without worry, but she also knew that Raymond didn't have much time. They needed to stop someplace where she could take care of the wound better. He needed medication too. She prayed to God or whoever was watching over them now that the Church would be a safe haven, even for a little bit.

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Amelie was in complete shock and surprise at Ed still. The way he currently acted and treated her though his actions, immediately made her kind of regret attempting to help him earlier! Why didn’t she never learn… every time she would try to help someone, they would stab her back. She sighed and looked around at the group of people who basically invited her to join them. So there were two ways that oculd go… well three really. First they could turn out to be those Eden group folk and actually be really good actors, second they could be another group but equally bad or at least similarly bad and third way they may be actually simple nice people.’ I really doubt that…’ She thought to herself and sighed, pulling the dictionary Ed gave her earlier.

She suddenly threw the book at the back of Ed’s head with as much force as she can.” I don’t need this…” She stated with embarrassed face, for once looking at the source of her frustration.” J'espère que vous cassez la jambe, salaud.” She said to him before walking over to the truck. She was tired, hungry and angry! She didn’t want to get caught out here in the wilderness by some crazy group though admittedly she may just have walked straight into their hands…

She then sighed once more and climbed up in the back of the truck.’ I’m tired… why is the world filled with so many people like Ed now…’ She wondered.

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She waited until James got over, lifted the kid up, but there was no beat. No bump under her fingers. No breath went into the kid, this boy whose life was cut short by another human being and what for?What for, damn it? "He doesn't have a pulse" She said softly, dropping her hand away from the boys wrist as James lifted him. "It was a clean shot...Maybe...maybe if we had all the technology before...He's gone...I...I have my knife" Niesha could still remember the first time she had had to kill one of the dead. She still remembered the first time she had to kill one of her own, driving the knife up and into the brain, to kill them truly before they turned.

She didn't want this teens in her memory, but it had to be done...for the good of the community. "Go. You'll be more use on the front lines and this is something I can do" her voice broke, and she cleared her throat. She knew she had a choice. Find Sophie, or do what she could here. There was nothing she could do, nothing anyone could do, she knew that. It didn't make it any easier. How long, until the kid turned?

They were basically standing in the boys life blood. She hadn't seen what was obvious, just hoping, hoping there was a chance the boy could be saved. But there wasn't. "I'll get the kids inside. I'll do what has to be done" And she'd let herself feel it later. After she knew Sophie was safe. After she got Kristina back home. After dealing with the teen. She wanted to see it through, to the burial. After she offered what help she could be. She might not be educated further then her pharmacy degree, but she had skills. If there were three others shot-and from this boy, it was clear the shooter was skilled, then there could be three others potentially dead. She should do what she could to find them. And do what she could, if they were still alive.

But it was clear that whoever did this, wanted to have their own dead try and cause as much chaos as they could. Maybe there was a newly turned newmanite wandering down the street, or along the wall, right now, waiting to bite someone. that thought had her pulling out her knife. It was the only defence she had. Before James could put the boy back down, before the boy could turn, Niesha tilted the boys head, so she could get access to that sweet spot, that would enable her the best route to the brain, to kill it.

She felt sick doing it.

"I'm sorry" She whispered, as her knife went in. It was never any easier. It could never be easy. If it was...she would know she had no humanity left. Tears blurred her eyes, stinging, wanting to be released, but she didn't succumb to the tears. She couldn't, not here, not know. Not when she had a boys blood on her hands, not when she was giving him that final gift of mercy, so he would never have to be one of the walking dead.

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Raymond was biting down as hard as he could with the stick in his mouth, just trying to focus on something else other then the excruciating pain. He felt bad that Tiffany was pretty much dragging him along she was risking her own life to try and save him, his foot was somewhat helping, half moving half ended up being dragged across the floor. He would occasionally look over his shoulder see the trail of his own blood on the ground. He was still surprised that he hadn't blacked out for a second time. Raymond slowly reached out to pull the stick out of his mouth.

"Raymond." He said between heavy breathes and groans in pain as he tried to introduce himself. "Just thought i'd let you know.." Raymond told her as he put the stick back into his mouth. He looked forward as he hoped that the herd of walkers weren't near where they were, and the church was safe. If he survived the journey to the church and live through this day he would be happy, he wasn't sure how much longer he had left though or if the bleeding didn't stop soon he would end up dying.

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Calamity is an understatement for what is going on within the walls of Newnan. The shots have struck a chord within the cities confines and people are panicking; despite the panic though they are getting the job done. People are going to where they are supposed to. In the Main Building the doors to the infirmary and past that, The OR, are still. It is quiet, very quiet within there as Froggy operates and tries to keep Zoie alive. Astrid is doing what she can to help but at this point she is way out of her league and is just grateful she knows the instruments names at this point so she can hand them over at quickly as possible.

@rivaan @Morose @Charnobylisk - The group waits for the three of you to climb on in. Beni, the boss, pets his pooch, before giving a quick explanation. He tells you that they are headed south for now but will be sweeping around the long way. He tells you that he will explain about Eden when they get to relative safety. This is translated by his the other two men to both Ed and Lana in their native tongues. Once everyone is loaded up, they move out. Not down the road but through the woods. Beni says it is far safer these days than an open stretch.

@FantasyChic @Nallore @rivaan @Morose @Charnobylisk - You two.... Ray is still kicking. Well Ray is kicking about as well as a one legged man in an ass kicking contest but he is still alive. You hear Motorcycles and a truck coming through the woods. Which might give you cause for alarm but with the Walkers starting to come your way again you are in luck. They sweep in and take out the small hoard trying to encircle you before they stop. One of the men jumps out the passenger side of the truck, hands up and points to a patch on his leather jacket - Medic - it reads. He doesn't say anything, just moves over quickly and grabs Ray before getting him over to the back of the truck. Beni pulls a line - "Come with us if you want to live."

@Caits @Sigil @Nallore - The kids are listening and doing what they are told. It seems the drills that Zoie had put them through over the last month has paid off. Even the younger ones have their knives drawn just in case but are moving as directed. Older ones helping the littler ones by scooping them up and darting for the nearest cover and then nearest building. Thing is, everything is quiet. There is no more noise, no more fire but that doesn't stop the people of Newnan. Adults are making their way to the Armory carefully to get armed.

@Sigil @Nallore @Morose - Tatiana has flipped into survival mode and has ahold of Sophia's wheelchair. Again, there seems to be no more shots fired but everyone is on high alert and the people on the wall are looking through their scopes to see if they can spot anything. The inner wall gate is opened just enough to let everyone through and get them inside. Tatiana looks towards Bazooli - "Net nozhey , nikakoy pol'zy ot tseli vy ne mozhete uvidet'. Pomoch' mne poluchit' yeye v bezopasnoye mesto," she says quickly before rushing over to Jack and grabbing a hold of his hand, wanting to get him to the inner wall as quickly as possible. Bazooli is far stronger than Tatiana is, it is evident that he must be, he is far taller than she is and probably out weighs her by a good sixty pounds.

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"I'm always okay," Jack replied, a smile on his face yet his tone was grim. It was within his nature to protect his loved one, a large part of the reason he became a cop in the first place. As Tatiana went over to Sophia, Jack groaned on the inside, wishing that she would've stayed down. The shooter could easily come back, and a person running around taking care of those in a wheelchair would make an excellent target. Was it selfish of him to choose Tatiana to live and Sophia to die?

He didn't come up with an answer. Instead, he stayed low as he dashed over to Tatiana, thankful for the apparent cease in gunfire. As soon as the pair of them got their weapons back, they'd be able to leave the city. He hadn't the faintest idea what Newnan was dealing with, and he didn't want to lose Tatiana as well. Sutton had died because of him--Tatiana's blood couldn't be on his hands.

His fingers laced around hers, and he let Tatiana through the inner gate first, before coming behind her. It must have been an odd sight to see, the ballerina, the performer, the cripple, and the cop, all dashing for shelter. "Any idea who'd come an' do this?" Jack asked, glancing at Sophia. "They're absolute gahbage, whoevah they are."

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Édouard narrowed his eyes slightly, hearing the man's instructions. His tutors had told him the same thing on countless occasions, stressing the importance of learning English in this world. Even now, Édouard still held a distinct distaste for that language. It was for the dogs, the birds, and Hannah Montanna fans! Glancing at the others standing around, Édouard hardly doubted they'd communicate with him. "Seulement les crétins parlent anglais," Édouard sniffed. At the man refusing to shake his hand, Édouard couldn't help but feel more and more offended. No one disrespected him and got away with it!

Well, perhaps Svetlana did, but that was beside the point...

Édouard reluctantly climbed into the truck, seriously considering just leaving. No one had bothered to explain to him what was going on, so he didn't see any danger to it. Still, he couldn't exact revenge upon the man from Lyon without knowing where he lived. And with Amelia's threats, she had made it onto his shit list as well. He sniffed again. Filthy Americans. They wouldn't know real culture if it crashed the car they were riding in. He picked at his nails, attempting to get rid of the dirt, only to groan as they stopped to pick up more people.

"Ce sont deux esclaves?" Édouard asked, his smile brightening a bit at the thought. There wasn't anything quite as romantic as forced labor--it was even more satisfying, however, when he got to watch someone else do it.

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Amelia sat in the back of the truck quietly, keeping to herself near one of the corners with her trusty bat at hand in case something was to happen. That luckily at first didn’t’ seem to be the case as the group was moving rather normally without any hindrances.

Eventually they did start moving into some formation as Amelia peeked over to see that they had located more survivors. Even from here she could see the man was not well! Lucky them that the group passed by here… lucky at least if this group wasn’t even and or trying to sell them/ are those Eden group that was mentioned earlier. Frankly Amelia had no idea what was the truth, but chose to believe and hope these people were good.

She frowned hearing what Ed stated. That man was bad… She shuddered at how much he reminded her of some bandits she had met in the past, but was lucky enough to survive that encounter.

“Si elles sont des esclaves, de sorte que nous sommes là.” She stated to the Frenchman with narrowed eyes, now also showing dislike of him. Ed proved himself unreliable and a selfish, ready to sell people just to get away himself. Amelia and Svetlana saved him from dying, now she had the feeling he would repay the two of them by leaving them to die or worse someday… “Après tout, nous sommes tous dans le même bateau ici.”

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Kristina looked over her shoulder she would occasionally try and find some cover, making sure that she wasn't out in the open for to long she heard James giving orders for everyone of the teens to head for the Main Office and Infirmary. So far there hadn't been any shots that came out from wherever the shooter was, it was really scary since she didn't know where the shooter was. Kristina would watch closely as other kids made their way quickly and carefully across the street, some of them helping the younger kids make their way towards the infirmary. Kris sighed to herself as she adjusted the crutches she quietly stuck her head out of the alleyway she took cover in, eyeing the nearby trees and anything that would hide the shooter.

When Kristina thought it was good enough she started to quickly make her was as best as she could across the street towards the Infirmary, luckily it wasn't that far from where James had his smoker. She was nervous there was to much silence she looked over her shoulder and around as Kris watched the adults making their way towards the Armory. When she finally got towards the door Kristina held the door open from the inside so that she wouldn't get shot at for the others that were making their way into the Infirmary she tried looking around to see where her friend Niesha was as well.

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Sophia continued to keep her head down low as she looked up at Jack asking who were the people who started to open fire on them, she had one guess who they were. "I think it could be Eden, they attacked a month ago killed several people. But I wasn't there and came in moments after the attack, but I was out like a light when we got to the walls with three others." Sophia answered as she felt Tatiana grabbing onto her wheel chair once more and pushed her through the opening gate as the gate keeper opened it for anyone who were in the fields and anyone who was in the outer wall. "They spent the last month fixing up the outerwalls that were damaged before the attack as well."

Sophia watched Tatiana speak in Russian towards the newcomer she didn't even know who he was it was kind of an odd coincidence that he was let into the walls just as the shooter opened up on them. But Sophia wasn't sure if this new Russian man was with the group or not, but she remained quiet and didn't want to judge him just yet. Sophia looked towards Jack and Tatiana, they were also new people and they were probably thinking that they wanted to leave the city now. "Take me to the Infirmary or the Mess Hall that should be the safest place right now." Sophia said looking at the giant Russian man with the orange cat once more.

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Raymond continued to hobble on one leg as best he could trying to help Tiffany as best as he could since his weight was most likely weighing her down. Raymond looked before him as he saw the horde of Walkers approaching them he sighed and knew that it was a really bad idea to even suggest to double back the way that they had come. Ray quickly drew out his 1911 and held it out in front of him when he heard a few motorcycles and a truck coming through the woods. Then several gunshot rang out Raymond continued to have his gun trained on the newcomers sure they may have killed the small herd of walkers but still it didn't mean that they would end up killing the two of them.

That's when the car door opened as Raymond watched a man hopping out of the front passenger side door, still aimed and slightly untrusting when the man held his hands up Raymond started to lower his gun seeing the medic patch stitched into the man's leather jacket. Raymond would let the medic take hold of him, Raymond started to groan loudly as he was slowly escorted towards the truck. He was to weak and in so much pain to even put up a fight. Once Ray was in the truck he laid down breathing heavily and still groaning in pain he wasn't sure if these people were good or bad either yet.

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Hell yes, he meant to do something about it. This had to be Eden's doing; a salvo fired to let Newnan know that they were still around. Apparently, the gift of a couple thousand dead people didn't give them the message the first time around. Ash had no idea why this other settlement intended them harm, none whatsoever. They hadn't done anything to them, directly or otherwise, that could be considered hostile. Not at least until they attacked under cover of that storm a month back.

At this point in time, his thoughts drifted toward gathering every man and woman old enough to hold a rifle together and marching on that pissant settlement, killing anything that moved and burning the place to the ground. Briefly, thoughts of taking up sniping positions outside of their perimeter flashed to mind, with the intent of picking off any survivors limping away from the ruins. Let the Dead have their corpses.

But that would cause an amazing loss of life, to Newnan and Eden both. His violent wants shouldn't lead to unnecessary death. Unnecessary, mind you. But some people had to die. Just not his people, if he could help it.

Upon seeing the approach of the Captain and party, Jim opened the Inner Gate just enough to admit the group. They filed in, again with Ash waiting until last with his gun at the ready, covering their back until everyone was safely inside. Once beyond the portal, he gave a direct command to the two Security personnel on escort detail, "Plan hasn't changed, gentlemen. New arrival to the Mess Hall, bring the other two with you. Keep them safe, maintain order. I'm headed to the Armory to equip and organize."

Ash took off at a jog to meet up with the people migrating to the Armory. His Detonix .45 stayed at the ready in one hand while his radio found its way into its other. It was the latter which he used at the moment, addressing Newnan at large. "This is Ash. Security stations, report."

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The smallish girl suddenly decided to wear her ovaries on the outside. Good on her. Admittedly, she was correct in her assessment that knives would be of no use in their present situation. "Da, malyshka. Yesli oni ne vidyat menya."₁ He was actually giving thought to his rifle, still tucked away in his great bearskin coat. Of course, a rifle is likewise useless if you can't get a line of sight on something that needs a bullet inserted therein. There was logic in the lady's statement.

The Great Bazhooli nodded grimly, taking Sophia's wheelchair handles. "Da. I vill help." he acquiesced. The colorful man was just about to ask where he needed to go, when Sophia and Ash both mentioned The Mess Hall, right on top of each other. It sounded good enough. Point of fact, it sounded like exactly the same spot that he mentioned they were going in the first place. With no weapons, no lay of the land, and no idea where the shots came from, it was probably best to just find that cover and get low. Besides, being in a Mess Hall gave the possibility of grabbing a bite to eat while they waited for the emergency to pass. If he didn't get himself shot in the meantime, that is.

"Ok, vhere is... follow man with gun. Okay."

The Great Bazhooli pushed the wheelchair along at a jog, careful not to spill his human cargo but simultaneously eager to get out of the open. The last kind of impression he wanted to leave on his hosts was one that involved death, including his own.

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At least the kids were listening to Bridgette as she spewed her various obscenities and commanded them to move indoors. She guessed that sometimes all one needed to snap out of a fear-induced muscular shutdown was a caustic, screaming voice scaring one in a different direction. Not surprisingly, that pretty much summed her up. Considering the fact that she was still very new in this town (and wasn't exactly known as "kid friendly"), Bridgette was honestly amazed that these children were complying with her siren-like bellow to move for cover, and immediately at that.

It wasn't just for their protection, either. She had a job that needed to be done, a gruesome one that shouldn't be done in front of them. They could get education enough in the realities of this world later. Right now, they had to run. And she had to do the little girl one last favor.

She traded our her big seax for a smaller knife; still considered large to most people, though Bridgette herself had a different standard as it came to blade size. Still, for this work, smaller is preferable. No sense mangling a corpse. She brought the point of her substitute knife up and into the little girl's cranial cavity, bypassing hard bone with a single upward thrust. Luck was with her in that moment: There was no sudden spasm, no twitch to indicate that she was cutting into anything other than lifeless flesh. She breathed a silent prayer to whoever was listening, and left the body on the ground.

Tears welled up, finally, as she realized that this was the first time she had to put down a child. Not a teenager, not some random Biter with already decomposing flesh and yellowed eyes, no monster. She just had to put a knife through the brain of an otherwise intact, still warm child that, beforehand, she could not have been one hundred percent sure that the girl had actually died. A shudder ran through her body. An odd feeling for her, revulsion. Revulsion in her own action, nevermind that it was the right and merciful thing to do. She tried to swallow the feeling down, but the tears remained. Blinking them away, Bridgette mounted her horse and nudged him into a full gallop.

Seconds later the generally unpleasant Viking lady was leading Cadence into the double doors of Tom's miniature castle inside of Newnan Proper, The Tomory. It was very likely the first time that a horse had ever been given admittance into this particular branch of the Bank of America Financial Center, but Bridgette would be damned if she was going to just leave him out there for target practice by an unknown enemy.

She hastily scrubbed the tears from her face and addressed the building's proprietor, "Sorry about that, Tom. I'll ask him not to shit on the floor, but no promises, huh? Now, where the fuck's my box? I need to slip into something more comfortable."

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James sighed. If the kid wasn't dead before, he certainly was now. Shaking his head, the veteran Blackneck let the boy's body drop to the blacktop below. Honor could be paid to the dead when he was certain of Newnan's safety. Well, relative safety, anyway. Let's face it, if this town were completely secure, those fuckers wouldn't have been able to rain lead down on a group of hungry kids.

He didn't consider himself a soldier. Not by a long stretch. While he was no coward, as had been proven several times in is life, James Grady was simply not trained as a warrior. The distinction in his mind was pretty distinct. He could fight, certainly. For a man in his early forties, he was broad and strong. But the raw talent for martial tactic was not his forte. These days, it could be argued that everyone had to be a soldier. Maybe they were even right. Leann, Ash, Alicia, CAESAR, from what he heard Lorna, now those were soldiers. All but one were dead, and he was starting to worry about that guy. Even Zoie might be grouped in with these people. While she was not a soldier, she was a talented fighter and natural leader. All James knew is that something had to be done about this, and he wasn't the man to ask about what plan they should use. But he knew the man who did.

It occurred to him that Niesha was speaking to him. Her words were muted somewhat, drowned out by the adrenaline rushing in his blood and his diverted attention, scanning the rooftops and beyond for the telltale glint or movement that would announce the presence of whoever was shooting at them. Giving conscious effort to remember what she had just said, he nodded and began running to the Armory. Just before he rounded the corner, he could be clearly heard yelling back to the younger folk assembled on Gilbert Street,

"Y'all do what I say - Get yo asses inside the Courthouse! I'ms gettin' Vera."

Niesha allowed herself on brief moment to stare down at the teen. Maybe there would have been a chance to save him, to bring him back from death, but she knew CPR would be next to useless. And there were other kids to think about. But she would always wonder. Shaking her head, she wiped the knife on her shirt, and began to usher any lingering kids towards the courthouse, figuring orders be damned. Victor would just have to put up with her presence there, although she could avoid the infirmary.

She called out for any children hiding, and when she couldn't see anyone, she followed the last of the children to the building, constantly glancing about, as if by looking she could summon Sophie. Sighing softly, Niesha gave Kristina a wave when she saw her waiting. She looked back once more, wishing she didn't have to leave the dead teenager behind. Right then though it was for the living.

She looked about at the children. She was surprised they had held up so well, and saddened that despite the relative safety here, they didn't really get to be children. She looked to Kristina, and gave a sigh. "The teen was dead, there...there might have been a chance, maybe, but I couldn't risk it, could I?" Her voice was full of desperation, as if she needed someone to tell her it was okay. She dashed her hands furiously at her eyes, pressing them to her eyes, as if that could stop the tears.

"I...I had to...had kill the brain, didn't I?" She cleared her throat, and managed to get control of herself, wiping furiously at the last few tears. "I don't know if Sophie is okay...and there were four shots. What if theres a newly turned resident stumbling about?" She kept her voice as low as she could, looking over the children again. She gave a heavy sigh, and drew in a deep breath. "Hey kids, do you want to sing a song?" Perhaps it would take their minds off everything, at least it would give them something to do.

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Tiffany smiled at Raymond, having finally learned the man's name, even though every sense inside of her was telling me she was carrying a dead man. However, in a short span of time, the two have bonded in a way most people would never deal with. She knew nothing about the man, except his name now, but she felt closer to him than most other people she knew in her new life, and some even before the Walkers came around.

As the two continued, she heard the sound of motorcycles, only this time the sounds were getting closer. She was about to grab her gun when she remembered her new friend in her arms, instead, she braced for whatever were to happen. She spotted the vehicle as it made it's way around, taking out a few Walkers as it did so. It stopped before them and she saw a man hop out. He pointed to his arm and she read the sign. A medic, who could have guessed? Was luck on their side now? They quickly took Raymond in and she followed, especially since she did, in fact, want to live. However, she knew where her things were in case this group got testy. She would go down swinging, that's for sure, but maybe Raymond would get the help he really needed.

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@FantasyChic @Nallore @rivaan @Morose @Charnobylisk - Lyon looks towards Ed and rolls his eyes and tells him, "Ahh, alors vous êtes un expert en anglais?" (Ahh, then you are an expert in English?) Lyon looks over towards Lana and then Amelia and speaks in plain English. "You are not slaves but that fucking moron might end up being by the end of the day if he keeps running his mouth. How desperate for a meatshield were you two to pick him up?" he asked. Beni chuckles as they rev of the vehicles and take off through the forest. Avoiding the walkers as they can and killing those they can't. The medic looks over to Tiffany and nods slightly. "He will live, the chop is rough but I think it will be okay. We can better fix him up when we get to safety," he says in a reassuring voice. He wasn't sure if the man would live, he was teetering between the line but right then he was stable. The medic was able to better tied off the tourniquet and gave him a dose of morphine for the pain and to calm him. Not much but it was enough for now.

@Caits @Sigil @Nallore @Charnobylisk - The kids make it to the infirmary and are taking direction well. The com can be heard coming through with Ash asking for a report. It crackles as various posts check in - "We can't see anything boss." "We have at least 3 fatalities." "Zoie was hit." "We have the Russians, the couple and Sophia safely within the Mesh Hall." - Astrid hurries out of the Operating Room, covered in blood as she moves quickly and silently towards the refrigerator, retrieving more units of blood and going back in. As the door swing it can be seen that Froggy is attempting to keep Zoie alive, Richard standing there holding her hand and then the sound of a flatline rings out over the monitor before the doors close fully.

@Sigil @Nallore @Morose - Tatiana doesn't like the fact that this is the second attack on the place within the month. She swallowed hard but took Jack's hand as she pushed into the inner wall, ducking down low; still very afraid that more shots will come in. Tom is in the armory and has the planned out gear laid out and ready to go, his pistol drawn as people enter but keeping it low for now. The escorts weave through the buildings, keeping the group as covered as possible until they reach the mess hall and Miss Sally opens the door to let Sophia be wheeled in by Bazhooli, looking at him oddly. Once inside Tatiana began to shake violently and buried her head against Jack's chest. They were out of immediate danger it seemed, her nerves set back in full force.

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Kristina waited until everyone was safely inside of the infirmary, Kris quickly closed the door and made sure that it was locked so that no one else would come in until the all clear was out. She turned around to look over at Niesha as she asked her if she had done the right thing, Kris didn't know how to check if someone was still breathing or not. To her it looked like he was dead Kristina moved over towards Niesha and gently gave her a pat on the shoulder. "You did the right thing, if he turned while James was carrying him he would have taken a chunk out of him." Kristina said to her friend as she looked around and found a spot to sit down. She looked at the kids that were all huddled in the infirmary and then she heard the radio crackle over the com and heard Ash's voice over the radio asking for reports.

Kristina sighed slightly when she heard that Sophia was alright she was a good friend and she was safely inside the Mess Hall, she turned to look up at Niesha. "Sophia is safe, you really need to tell her how you feel you know." Kristina said then she heard there were at least three fatalities and Zoie had been shot. Kristina turned to look over her shoulder as she saw Astrid leaving the OR for a second, she hobbled over towards the door leading to the infirmary and stuck her head inside. Kris watched Astrid grab something from the cooler and grabbed some blood packs and headed inside the OR once more. Kristina shifted uncomfortably Zoie was a friend to her, she hoped that Zoie would pull through.

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Sophia looked up at the big Russian man she still was a bit weary of the man, but she didn't say anything since he was more then willing enough to push her along. Sophia continued to stay as small as possible in case there were any other shots went out, she held onto the arm rest of her wheelchair as tightly as she could. As the team moved them in between the buildings to avoid the shooter, they eventually made it back to the mess hall Sophia looked up seeing that Ms. Sally was there holding the door open for them all. Sophia sighed as she relaxed they were safe at least for now inside of the building.

She looked around the room and then she turned over to look at Tatiana seeing the woman go back to the shy little bird she had met earlier and then looked towards Jack. "We will be safe, if we are still standing from last month we will be fine." Sophia said as she tried to reassure Tatiana as Sophia looked over and slowly got up from her wheelchair and sat down on one of the benches that were in the mess hall. Sophia started to worry about Niesha she hadn't seen her since she had gone out towards the fields to try and help out with the raccoon problem that they had earlier in the day.

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Raymond groaned loudly and gripped the seat of the truck tightly as the medic tied the tourniquet tightly, he laid his head up against the back of the seat and turned his head slightly seeing three others in the truck with them two other women and some other guy who looked like a rich spoiled shit head. Ray started to relax somewhat as the medic gave him some morphine, he was barely listening to anything else as the truck started to move.

Ray turned his head seeing that Tiffany was next to him he was still grateful for what she did even if it almost killed him, though he wasn't sure if he would end up dying on the way to wherever 'safety' was for this group. He kept his eyes open though he was very tired, Ray would then look outside the window occasionally letting out a groan when the truck would make a bump through the woods.