The day was long and hot in Newnan, sun striking down upon the blacktop. James had opted two measures to beat the heat; his gargantuan smoker/grill was pulled under the shade of nearby trees, and he had stripped to the waist, letting the shoulder straps of his overalls hang around his knees. He was cooking, obviously. If he wasn't out growing food, killing food, or planning either, he was cooking. Birds called overhead, high in the trees under which the amicable blackneck took shelter from the sun. James turned, shaking his big spatula at them. No way they were going to drop their birdie bombs on his picnic fixin's.
Many people had began to gather around him, anticipating the smoky, meaty pieces of well-seared (but not well done, he was not a Philistine) animal flesh. Lots of people, keeping a little distance, each politely waiting as they approached one by one, plate in hand. They said nothing to him, content to pass by and collect their food from him with big, warm smiles. It felt good, providing for people. And these were his friends, every one of them.
Dexter and Lorna walked arm in arm, sharing a pulled pork sandwich. It was difficult to manage; the sandwich was messy but good, and one paper plate between them. He never really imagined the two of them getting together, but it wasn't just about survival anymore. Peace makes for as strange bedfellows as war. Even stranger if it comes after an especially prolonged conflict. Jonas and Victoria were together before all of this, and here they were still. Maria reached out, beaming at James and holding out her plate with both hands for him to load up. And load up he did. Even Leann gave him a little smirk, as tough as ever. She was a great leader. Strict, but worthy of respect.
A very familiar, very tall blonde lady sauntered up to him, holding out her plate. She put an arm around him as he slapped a slab of good, smoked pork down, the cooler metal of her mail armor providing welcome relief from the heat of the day. Then she took a step back, simultaneously stuck out her tongue and extended her middle finger in a vulgar but playful gesture, and stepped back into the crowd around them, joining her sister.
Everyone came up to him, one by one. Everyone took meat, enjoyed themselves, and in their own way let him know that they were his friends. And then as sure as the setting sun, everyone walked away. There seemed to be someone James was missing. He scanned the people around him through the now hazy air, as if his vision were blurring or the world was whiting out. He did find who he missed from before, one of the last people to become obscure by the pale haze. His favorite troublemaker, in tank top and ponytail, hands on hips in the way she would when about to give someone a good yelling at. Then she smiled, gave James a hearty (though strangely muted) laugh, and walked into the whiteness with the others.
James started to walk after her, his arm outstretched as if to take her hand and pull her back to him. He didn't get more than a step or two when he felt a hard hand slap down upon his shoulder and hold him in place. He froze in place, slowly turning his head back to see what apparition had latched onto him. While technically, he had been described as "One Of The Scariest Men Imaginable", James was not afraid of him. Maybe a little before, but not now. No, the venerable Mexican badass looked at him with understanding and sorrow. Suddenly, and in startling contrast to the others, he spoke to James in warm, honest tones.
"Not yet, Hermano. You're not done yet. We're good, James - we're all good. None of us can get hurt anymore. We don't starve, we don't need protection. But the others are still in danger. You're a good man, James, and they still need you. The hardest part hasn't happened yet." James nodded to the older man, taking in everything he was saying as the world turned to blank, pale nothingness behind them.
"You're not really going to remember any of this, and that's okay. Just a dream, right? But it will stick with you, deep in here." he prodded James's forehead with a steely index finger. "I want you to do me a favor, okay, hermano? I need you to wake up."
"God damnit, James!" screamed Ash, his service pistol inches away from the other man's skull. Thana stood there just behind Ash watching the scene unfold, this wasn't right. Ash seemed to have lost it, a crazed look in his eye mixed with sorrow.
"Captain," she said in a calm voice but one of authority: not that she had any in this place but she was hoping just to get through to him. To have him hear something beyond his grief.
His voice got quieter, but not by much. "You're my best friend. I fucking love you, man." Ash's gun did not waver, though, aimed solidly and point blank at James's cranium as he knelt in the icy slush. Determination held in the Captain's face as his hand tensed to pull the trigger.
Reaching out Thana placed her hand on Ash's shoulder from behind as she stepped closer. Speaking in a soft caring voice. "Ash... Don't." The shot fired just after dawn in the small town in the morning of the fifteenth: the shot heard through Newnan.
Three Hours Earlier....
James roused himself as he slipped over sideways from his sitting position on the couch. Of course he would have slept on the couch. Made perfect sense. It's not like he had a perfectly serviceable bed just upstairs. But in fairness, it had been a long and somewhat trying day just a few hours ago, and it hadn't been the first time that a late nap turned into a long night's sleep.
The vintage image of Mickey Mouse, held captive behind the clear plastic faceplate of a wind-up timekeeping device, informed him in its own mute, contortionist's manner that the time was swiftly approaching 4:30 a.m. It was near enough to time for him to get up anyway, that trying to go back to sleep was pointless. Not too long from now his duties with pigs and farmland would require his attention; the people of Newnan needed to eat. The fact that he was mostly dressed just made getting ready a little easier. So, after pulling on his coat, boots, and hat, he grabbed his personal tools and stepped lightly out of his front door. The plan was simple - grab a little breakfast at the Mess Hall first, then book it to grab some equipment at Agriculture. Maybe they were in there right now making a huge bucket of Sweet Cream & Swine Ass. That would hit the spot. Only one way to find out.
James walked down Spring Street toward LaGrange, a slight bounce in his step. Today was indeed a new day with new possibilities. The first possibility was food. Always a good choice, in his opinion. As he rounded the corner to head toward Mess, he noticed a single piece of paper flapping in the cold, damp wind, held to the door of the "Reject's Housing" with a single piece of scotch tape. It was only a matter of time before the note pulled free of its adhesive anchor, and so quite the coincidence that it happened to do just that as James was passing by.
Ever the good neighbor (even to the people who lived here), James jogged up to the fleeing sheet of paper, even as it threatened to completely blow away. He snatched it up, unfolded the now useless tape as best he could, and returned to the home of Chloe, Richard, and Ryan. He could maybe slip the note under the door and be on his way. Or maybe there was a mail slot. However it went down, he was going to get the damn thing where it needed to go. James unfolded it to try to push it under the door, unintentionally skimming its contents in the process.
Richard, I just can't do this anymore. I thought I could but I can't. I thought if I gave you enough time things would even out but I saw the way you looked at her. It was the same way you look at me from time to time, all the time. You don't see me, you see her. They say time heals everything but I'm still waiting. I'm through with doubt. There's nothing left for me to figure out. I paid a price to be close to you and I can't keep paying it. I can't keep being battered inside and out every time you look at me and see her. I know you've said you'd get over it. It's turned my world around and I can't take it anymore. I lost everything I cared about but I hoped we could move on together. Leaving isn't an option. I will forever have what if in the back of my mind. What if I had waited just one more day. It's the same what if I have used as a crutch to stay near you all these months. I'll never be able to move on as long as there is a tomorrow. It's best if there is none.
Love, Sana
Then he began to run.
A very short time later found him at the home of Sana and Bryn, just outside of the Inner Wall. The previous occupants, Bridgette and Astrid, had constructed a crude log wall around their house a while ago, but unless there was an emergency the present occupants rarely kept the gate barred. This time, it was left fully open. James dashed around it and made his way to the back of the house; the girls almost never locked the back door. It swung open easily, like it always did, admitting the terror-stricken blackneck into a dark and quiet house. There was a sense of stillness that was undeniably offputting. Carefully but quickly, James made his way through the shadowy corridor to Sana's room, poised to knock respectfully on her door; only to find that the door was, like the gate outside, wide open. Respectful be damned, James reached his arm inside and flicked on the light. He immediately wished he hadn't.
Blood covered Sana's bed. It covered the dresser beside her bed, the floor; a knife lay in a pool of the sticky, drying fluid, obviously the offending tool that facilitated the explosion of crimson. The most troubling part of this was, despite the massive amount of blood everywhere, her body was nowhere in sight. James looked down. The blood was not just in a puddle, nor series of puddles. There was a trail of the awful stuff (that James actually had to walk through to get into the room) leading back out and down the hallway. In the direction of the other bedroom.
James drew his woodaxe from the tool loop on the side of his overalls. "No. Not Bryn." he said aloud, sprinting down to her room. The door was already open. There was almost as much blood in here as in Sana's room. But this one was occupied. The bled-white corpse of Sana knelt, hunched over the still not yet cold body of Agnes Brynja Johannsson. Her eyes were widened in pain and horror, half of the flesh from her neck and some from her face missing. The thing that used to be Sana Rouen had just chewed off another piece of skin, ripping back until it gave away to spring from Bryn's body and snap into her quite undead face, only to be taken into her mouth one mandible contraction at a time. James stood in mute horror, watching the scene unfold. Then the creature noticed him.
"I'm sorry, baby." he whispered, gathering his courage and driving the head of his axe deep into Sana's skull before she could fully regain her feet. Her corpse slumped to the floor, bereft of both life and the hideous unlife that plagued them. James walked to the other side of Bryn's bed and took a knee beside it, gazing into her eyes one last time. She was his friend. They both were, but she was slowly revealing herself to have an actual sense of humor. Bryn had opened up to him, made real social progress. And now she would make no more. He drew his hand over her face, closing bloodshot eyes. Hand still in place, James drew his knife and brought the blade into the base of her cranium. He gave it an extra shove and twist, just to make sure the job was done, and stood.
Lightheaded and emotionally compromised, James faltered two steps backward before tripping over his own feet and falling to the floor. He didn't bother to get up. So he just sat there, alone in the dim light, with the slain corpses of two of his friends. Numbness overtook him, insulating him from the horror he had just witnessed and taken part in. But it didn't last. He stayed right there for an indeterminate amount of time, staring at the floor in silence. Then he wept. Long and immersive; it felt like hours. Tears that had been kept from the light for a long time sprang up now, purging themselves from the man who was, up until recently, The Eternal Optimist.
Slowly, a realization dawned on him. Sana may have taken her own life, but there was someone who drove her to it with sadistic indifference. This directly led to his friend getting eaten by her risen corpse. It was he same moody, coward-child that only got to live because the person James cared most about in the world died protecting him. Alicia died for nothing. Less than nothing. She died so that a cancer could fester in Newnan, left untreated out of some stupid expectation that her sacrifice somehow made him worth it, that somehow that walking sack of monkey shit would screw himself together into someone useful, maybe with a grand destiny above spreading more pain and difficulty in an already painfully difficult time. But he wasn't worth the skin it took to keep his organs on the inside. And if he was allowed to remain, more people would die. Someone had to do something.
In the dark of the morning's small hours, the shadowy silhouette of an axe-wielding man wearing a stetson might be witnessed emerging from an otherwise uninhabited house on Spring St. He strode with undiverted purpose, a single word repeating over and over in his mind. As he entered the Inner Wall, the word growled quietly from him. It was only once, and he ceased making any sound following it.
"Richard..."
One Hour Earlier....
The sun had not yet risen but the first rays of the new day had arrived. The sky was clear that morning and the temperature was rising. It was a balmy forty degrees already and if the trend continued it would be well into the sixties by two that afternoon. The above freezing temperature had started the inevitable melt. A few drops at first but before long the gentle cascade of water from the roof's of the buildings created the soft sound of droplets along the windowsills and ground. The cool blue and gray light of predawn broke through the windows of Ash's home. The house lay silent, a vast change from the night before. The fire that had burned had turned to embers and there was a morning chill in the air. Beneath the covers of the Captains bed there was only one body sleeping. The other long vacated from the warmth of the sheets and shared body heat.
The room was still and other than Ash himself, empty. Clothing that had been tossed to the ground missing and there were no signs that anyone else had been there; save one item. A set of dog tags resting on the night stand besides two empty bottles of water. Through out the house, the rest of the signs of his guest were nearly gone as well. The dress she had worn to the wedding was hung up in its garment bag hanging on a mirror. The pack she had come with and the one she was given was gone as well. There were a few signs she had been though but was no longer there. In the kitchen the pot of coffee from the day before was minus one cup and was cold as the rest of the house. In the sink was a cleaned plate, her dinner from the night before finished and cleaned up. Other than that, it seemed she had departed sometime before sunrise, the cat with her: who was currently prowling around the repair shop.
Ash himself roused slowly to his otherwise empty bed and otherwise empty house. He sighed, giving a melancholy smile to the growing grey outside of his windows. From the look of things, Thana was gone. Whether it was just to look around or to leave Newnan entirely, he could not say. Still, his heart weighed heavily with the thought that she had left without at least giving a goodbye. For the first time in a great while, he had connected with someone. And immediately after, he was alone. He looked around his house, but the only trace of her seemed to be her dog tags, left in his bedroom. He picked them up and stared at them for a while, his tiny, sad smile returning as he thought of her.
He pocketed the tags and returned downstairs. Ash had a trying day ahead of him, having to deal with the aftermath of the drama from last night, rearranging the Leads of Newnan, and the managerial duties of keeping the community safe and fed. It was still too early to officially "clock in", as it were; generally he took this time to get a run in. The length of the Wall would suffice for today. Clear his head. He opened his front door and stepped outside into Newnan. "Wondered when you would finally wake up," Thana said from the front step as she turned around and glanced over her shoulder. Standing up she palmed an empty cup of coffee in one hand and the other rubbed her arm a bit to try to warm up. "Been stuck out here nearly an hour, damn door."
"Thana!" he said with some surprise. He had been so concerned with guarding his own emotions that he hadn't quite prepared for the possibility that she would be right outside of his door. His voice was half concern, half relief as he continued, "Come inside, come inside. Get warmed up." Yeah, he could definitely skip his run for the day. "I've got a little while before I'm expected. Oh!" he reached into his pocket and pulled out her dog tags, "I was hoping I'd run into you. I think you forgot these." He held out his hand to her, one foot in the doorway to prevent its closing.
Reaching out Thana chuckled and took the dog tags, letting her hand linger in his for a moment before pulling it away and slipping them back around her neck. Tucking them beneath her shirt she shook her head a bit as she stepped back inside. "Nah, didn't forget them. Just had... Other things on my mind," she said in a coy voice as she set the coffee cup down on a table. Glancing over to him out of the corner of her eyes she gave a soft smile. "Like you either need to A, assign me my own bunk or B." Her voice stopped as she turned to face him, her arms wrapping around herself as she rubbed them vigorously trying to warm herself up. "Give me a key to that damn door so this doesn't happen again." Seemed she had decided to stay. Her mind hadn't changed the night before, it wasn't until she woke up curled up next to him that it had.
A smile, broad and genuine, formed on Ash's face. He seemed to be making a habit out of it recently. She was staying. It seemed very strange, getting emotionally involved with someone after so short of a time, but he found he could not help himself. Nor did he even want to suppress what he was feeling. Thana had snuck past his defenses and left one hell of an impression. He stepped close to Thana, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her gently. "Thank you." he spoke with soft syllables.
Thana's arms slipped around his waist, pulling herself closer. The warmth he gave her was welcome; both physical and emotional. Her lips pulsing against his and a content sigh escaping them as she returned his gentle kiss. Though as he thanked her she looked a tad puzzled, even if only for a moment. Why was he thanking her? Figuring it was either for last night she pushed the quizzical expression away and simply nodded. Maybe she should have said your welcome? Or perhaps thank you as well? Either way, too late now.
But there was business that needed attending, as she had just pointed out. He pulled a key off of his personal keyring and lay it on the table next to her coffee cup. "It works for both the front and back door. We have a key grinder in Shop, across from the Courthouse. Beni should be by to open things up in about a half hour. Now..." he looked at Thana with a serious expression, "I'm not the easiest man to live with. Say the word at any time and I will make sure you have a townhome or an apartment to yourself. But my home is yours."
Watching him place the key on the table and then hearing his words she smirked. "Well, I figure as long as the bedroom comes along with this little arrangement, we should be just fine," she said in a sly voice as she leaned against him. Resting her head on his chest for a moment as she took comfort in his embrace and soaked up the warmth of the moment. The night before had been surreal on several levels, especially considering the connection she felt to him. It could all backfire and fall apart, sure that was a possibility but for now she needed him as much as he had told her that he needed her. That was enough.
Just Before Sunrise....
It was a little early. The machine Shop/Garage wasn't quite open yet, but a handful of minutes one way or another wouldn't matter too much. It wasn't like Ash would get in trouble for loitering. He pulled on the former Commanding Officer's flight jacket (as it was still fairly cold outside), and strode out into the slowly but steadily warming day. The ice was beginning to melt from the side and roof of his house, providing an irregular drumbeat of melting ice striking short banks of snow below. Peering down the street at their intended destination, he could have sworn he just saw that cat milling about down that way. Curious. Now was the time that he'd normally be around the Mess Hall, meowing for scraps or hunting mice.
Thana picked up the key from the table before slipping her coat back on, adjusting her collar as she stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind her. "Well won't get locked out this time," she said in passing as she flicked the key around in her fingers before pocketing it. Glancing around it looked like it would turn out to be a nice day but right then it was still around forty-degrees. She was glad she had her jacket this time. Stepping over to Ash her head followed his line of sight to see what she figured was the same furball that had been in the house the night before and had followed her out that morning. "Friend of yers?"
"Schrodinger." he responded simply. After a second, he followed up with, "Cat came in with a Russian guy, survivor that used to be with a circus. We didn't talk much, he actually died shortly after he was admitted in Newnan. Damnedest thing. Slipped and got an eyesocket full of tree limb. The cat... He just decided to stick around. People seem to like him. He's okay." Ash turned and began walking down LaGrange Street, motioning for Thana to join him. "Just down this way, about a block."
Thana perked a brow at Ash's little run down of what had happened to the previous owner of said cat. "Sounds like a bad acme cartoon," she mused as she glanced over to him. Slipping her hands into her jacket pockets she started to walk next to Ash as they headed towards the repair shop. "A'right."
They were passing the Courthouse, Newnan's main building, and had clear view of the shop. It was across a parking lot, the dominant feature of it being the massive piece of road beast known as The Hordebuster. A refitted, sleeper cab dump truck with a locomotive cow-catcher style plow on the front; Ash's best known contribution to the continued safety of his people that came with him from Virginia. He was about to point his mechanical juggernaut out to Thana when something even more interesting caught his eye. One of the garage doors to the Shop slid open, and a figure began shambling out. A figure wearing overalls and a cowboy hat.
Looking over at the vehicle Thana wondered just what in the hell kind of Redneck rig it was but the sound of the garage door opening for her attention. Slowing her walk, her eyes widened a bit at the sight before her. "Captain..." she said in a in a whisper. This was not what she had expected to see right then.
He had an axe buried into the back of someone's head, dragging the corpse behind him. It left a trail of fresh blood. "What the hell? James!" he called, before taking off at a run. Thana blinked as Ash darted off towards James, drawing her side arm from the pocket of her coat and chasing after him as she held the gun low. Flicking the safety off as she ran.
Ash bounded across the street and into the parking lot in front of them. Packed snow be damned, he was running full out. There came a close call or two as he very nearly lost his balance on the slippery terrain, but he crossed the distance in very short order. As James saw him approaching, he dropped the haft of his axe, letting the body hit the ground. He took a knee in front of the corpse, just waiting the last couple of seconds for the Captain to arrive. As soon as Ash stood before him, James reached into a pocket and held out a piece of paper; the same paper that he took from the "Reject's House" earlier.
Thana slowed her run as James dropped to a knee and reached into his pocket. Her hands coming up as she took low aim just in case. She didn't know what the hell was going on but it didn't matter. Her training and years in the service were kicking in, along with a hefty amount of aww hell naw in the back of her mind. She had just connected with someone, she'd be damn if he got dropped by some back woods hogger gone Deliverance. Taking a steadying breath she was ready to pull the trigger. That was until she spotted it was a sheet of paper. The mid squeeze of the trigger stopped and she lowered the weapon slowly but she stayed ready, just in case.
Taking the paper in one hand, Ash leaned his head to look at the body behind James. Confusion spread across his face as he skimmed the paper, bloody fingerprints and all. Maybe Sana had killed herself and Richard got bitten by her after? "Did he turn?"
"No, sir." His voice was respectful and sad.
Raising her brow, Thana kept her eye on James. If he hadn't turned why did he have an ax to his head? This didn't bode well. Had James murdered him? The thought alone made her finger rest back onto the trigger.
"Was he dead before you found him?"
"Naw, he wasn't dead sir."
Each question and answer was causing Thana to raise her gun just a little bit more. Slowly taking a step forward she kept to the side of Ash, making her way into his peripheral vision so he could see her without having to turn his head. If she had to fire she didn't want to be fired on, she wanted him to know where the shot came from.
Ash turned his head very slightly, taking note of Thana's movement. He wasn't completely comfortable with her having a gun on James, but it was slowly looking like that was exactly what was needed. He continued his game of twenty questions with James, becoming more irritated and fearful about what he would find. "Bit?"
Maybe James was anxious to end the prolonged questioning, too. Instead of responding to the direct question, he said in a weary voice, "When Sana changed, she got Bryn. They both dead, Boss. I had to put 'em down after, both'em."
Thana's lips thinned a bit at the last statement. She wasn't sure who these women were he was speaking about but it didn't matter. If they had lost people they had lost people. That was never an easy thing. "What about this one? Why does he have an axe in his cranium?" Thana asked, finally speaking up as she kept the gun trained low. She wasn't intent on killing him but if he moved to do the same to the Captain that he had Richard, well... God was a bit vague when it came to the subject of knee caps.
James's face became a vision of true sorrow. He looked like he wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat. "I need to know, James." prodded Ash.
"I come to find you, Cap'n. Turn myself in. I know what it means, Ash. Do what you gotta." It was widely known in Newnan, killing one of your own meant execution. James had come to die, plain and simple. He even brought the evidence with him.
"James... You didn't..." Thana's voice cracked a bit as she spoke. Sure, James was a little back woods. Alright very back woods but she never figured he would murder someone in cold blood.
A gun was already in Ash's hand, drawn reflexively. By his own words, he had to kill James. There wasn't a lot of wiggle room on this. He had the body with him. He confessed. Blood, some fresh and some not, stained parts of his clothing. Ash had a witness with him, to confirm that this was an execution and not a murder. The stage was set... but this felt awful. James used the hesitation to speak. "He might as well've held the knife hisself, Boss. He hurt so many. People died 'cause of him. Died. An' he wasn't done yet. I don't want nobody else hurt 'cause of him. Now, only one more's got to die."
James removed his hat and bowed his head. There was no fear on his face as he accepted his coming death, but a profound sense of grief. Normally jovial, he did not wear sadness well. Slowly, he looked up at his friend standing over him and the gun pointed above one of his eyes. There were tears spilling down the Captain's face, his eyes red with sorrow.
Thana sighed deeply as she lowered her gun. So that was why he had done it. Granted she didn't know the details in all that they were but she knew enough. The look in Ash's eyes told her everything she needed to know. Placing the safety back on her side arm she shook her head slowly. She didn't know what to say so she kept quiet for the meantime. Part of her wanted to just comfort Ash if she could but now was not the time.
"You could have come to me, James. We could have worked this out." Tears colored Ash's voice. He chambered a round in his sidearm. James raised his eyes again, like a detached, traumatized child. "She died... for him. Baby girl died for him, Ash. We cared about her, and she's dead 'cause of him." There was utter, prideless honesty in his voice. In that second, Ash knew who James was talking about. Alicia gave her life to get Richard to Newnan. It was, in his opinion, the most profound waste in the history of human existence. "You'd do anything to protect these people, wouldn't you?" he asked James, his voice shaky and growing with frustration.
Holstering her side arm, Thana knew where this was going and it wasn't right. Yes the man had killed someone but she of all people knew that some times you had to take a life to save many more. Anyone in the military knew that sad fact. It seemed enough had died because of the man who rushed up on her when she first arrived. "Captain Holloway. Think you should lower yer weapon," she said in a calm quiet voice, trying not to trigger anything else.
Ash's mind was focused on James right then, to the exclusion of everything around him. This couldn't be hidden. Anger built up inside of him, at himself for not fixing this before more blood was shed, anger at James for taking drastic action without even talking to him about it. He was torn; James was willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the community. He was willing to murder, and personally face the consequences of that act as an example for everyone else. He was a good man. And Ash had to kill him, or this experiment called Newnan might begin to unravel.
The clock stuck 7:23 A.M. - Sunrise. Hardly anyone was out of bed yet, the majority of people would not be scheduled to head to work or change shifts until after breakfast at 8:00 A.M. The streets were clear. Patrols limited to the wall itself at this hour, and the tower but they were now down one sniper and another looked to have a bullet put through his skull any moment.
"God damnit, James!" screamed Ash, his service pistol inches away from the other man's skull. Thana stood there just behind Ash watching the scene unfold, this wasn't right. Ash seemed to have lost it, a crazed look in his eye mixed with sorrow.
"Captain," she said in a calm voice but one of authority: not that she had any in this place but she was hoping just to get through to him. To have him hear something beyond his grief.
His voice got quieter, but not by much. "You're my best friend. I fucking love you, man." Ash's gun did not waver, though, aimed solidly and point blank at James's cranium as he knelt in the icy slush. Determination held in the Captain's face as his hand tensed to pull the trigger.
Reaching out Thana placed her hand on Ash's shoulder from behind as she stepped closer. Speaking in a soft caring voice. "Ash... Don't." The shot fired just after dawn in the small town in the morning of the fifteenth: the shot heard through Newnan.
...
James flinched just a little. No matter how ready to accept death one might be, facing down your own mortality by way of the bark of a heavy caliber pistol was a startling thing. It took him a few seconds to realize that, despite evidence building to the contrary, he was still alive. James looked up at Ash, the warm barrel of his sidearm pointed just to the side. Looking up at the Captain, his face was a blur of disappointment and gratitude. He opened his mouth to say something, but was immediately cut off by Ash, whose voice had become grim.
"You have one hour, James. One hour from when Security gets here. Take what you need from Newnan, and go."
Thana let out the breath she had been holding unknowingly. The bullet embedding into one side of Richard's skull, as if to drive the nail further in the coffin. Squeezing Ash's shoulder firmly, not to hurt but to let him actually feel that she was there for him. There was plenty to say but not here, not now. It could wait until they were behind closed doors. For now she gave Ash a simple nod as she watched him. Things would definitely be different come this evening than they had the night before, and not for the better.
Piedmont Hospital Newnan
The night at the hospital had been thankfully uneventful. The knocking continued behind a closed door in the ER but eventually died down as the night drug on. Other than that there were no noises until the sun started to rise in the east. Once it did and the temperature started to rise then the noise began. There was a steady trickle of water in on the upper floors to start. Melting snow leaking in from the aged and unkempt areas of the roof. It splattering on the floors below and echoing through the so thought empty building.
It didn't stop there, for as the water gathered in pools, it began leaking down to the floor below. The ground floor becoming wet as well here and there as the water trickled in. It wasn't as bad as on the second floor but it was obvious that the hospital had not been tended to or kept up over the years since the out break happened. Such things as roof patching were not of the concern of people that passed through only to raid its contents until it was bare and then move on.
It was just after the sun had risen that the echo of a gun shot rang out and into the hallways of Piedmont Hospital in Newnan. The sound was faint and because of the echo in the place one could not tell which direction it had come from but it was obvious that someone was out there, somewhere, within a few miles of the hospital. Just where? And did the two that were in there want to find out? Or would they find each other first? Only time would tell. One thing was for certain, now that there was light coming in through the windows one could actually look around a bit more than they could the night before. It was a start.
Tatiana Korvo
Location: Building F (The Newnan's Home) Interacting With: Jack
The light wasn't coming in the windows just yet for the Newnan's home but Tatiana found herself waking up slowly anyways. Yawning deeply as she curled closer to her husband before her eyes fluttered open. She glanced around at the dim room, only lit by a small night light in the corner. She couldn't help but smile as she thought back to the day before. It felt like a dream but feeling the wedding band on her finger she knew it wasn't. Everything had gone so perfectly that day and after they left, things had gone even better. Lifting her head from Jack's chest Tatiana sighed happily, content to watch her husband sleep. Her husband, she liked that.
But she knew if she stayed there she would just end up waking him up. Tatiana was never one that liked holding still. Figuring it was best to get up and let him get some much needed rest she slipped out of bed; careful not to wake him. They both would normally need to get ready for the day, having duties and job in Newnan but the Captain had granted them what he called a three day pass; their honeymoon. No work, no job to report, no duties. Just three whole days starting today to be Newly Weds. Tatiana's smile grew as she got dressed. Three whole days of just her and Jack. People in the town had been kind enough to stock their refrigerator with plenty of food. They wouldn't even have to leave the house if they didn't want to. Tatiana was very thankful for that, she doubted they would if they didn't have to. You know, marital stuff to do.
Slipping on some jeans and a shirt Tatiana ran a brush through her hair and headed into the kitchen. Agriculture had given what Tatiana thought was the best gift of all. A dozen eggs and half a pound of bacon. Miss Sally had gifted them some tea and a fresh loaf of bread; along with sneaking them a few table spoons of actual honest to god butter. Pulling everything out, Tatiana got to work. Placing a frilly little 1950's housewife apron around her waist for good measure. She knew that one of the things Jack enjoyed most was normalcy. Just having a home, a family, the daily grind. It made him happy.
This morning she wanted to give him the full hubby treatment. Breakfast in bed. Eggs, bacon, tea, and toast? What could be more normal than that? It was what all those images in old magazines showed for American life. Norman Rockwell at it's finest. So she got to work making breakfast. Though she had to admit it would probably be the last time she was allowed to lift a finger for the next months. Carrying their baby, Tatiana half expected Jack to be very over protective and not even let her tie her own shoe. The thought of him trying to put a crib together made her chuckle to herself as the bacon started to sizzle in the pan.
It didn't take long and the sun was fully up. Tatiana had finished making breakfast, the smell of it wafting through the house. Plates were set out on a tray for each of them. The only thing she had left was to get a couple of coffee cups from the cabinet and pour the tea. Pulling two out she turned to head back over to the counter when the shot rang out through Newnan. The sound made Tatiana jump, the coffee mugs falling from her hands and crashing to the floor in pieces.
“Ty che, blyad!” she yelled in Russian as ducked down instinctively. She was used to hearing shots from the wall but this was closer, much closer. She was frightened, where they under attack? "Jack!" she screamed as she rushed from the kitchen, hunched over to stay down; leaving a trail of blood on the kitchen floor. She hadn't even noticed she stepped on the broken glass and cut her foot as she made her way into the living room.
Ty che, blyad? - What the fuck!
Ryan O'Reliy
Location: Building B (Rejects House) Interacting With: Chloe
Ryan rolled over in bed and groaned a bit as hit alarm clock went off. Unlike Jack and Tatiana, he was on duty today. He had to check the medical garden after breakfast and then head off to run his hand to hand training course. He might not have liked the way Newnan was run but he had to give props to Ash for making sure everyone was trained to protect themselves. Sure the walls were great and kept them as safe as one could hope these days but you never knew when things would change and if everything went to hell in a hand basket you couldn't have people soft.
That didn't mean he was happy about having to get up and yesterdays thoughts had tormented his dreams. The sight of his brother Cyril plagued him. Rubbing his face he sat up slowly and yawned. Checking the time he grumbled before throwing the blankets off him and stumbling out of his room. Richards door was wide open and he peeked in. Seemed the man was already out for the day. Fine by him, he really didn't want to deal with Dick this morning. Just wanted breakfast, get his shit done, and hopefully grab a nap come the afternoon.
All bets were off though as the shot was fired. "Shit," Ryan exclaimed as he ducked down. That shot was damn close. Rushing through the house he burst into Chloe's room and rushed over to her bedside. "Chloe, you okay?" he asked concerned as he knelt down by her bed, ready to grab her and pull her down to the floor if need be. He looked worried as all get out as the suns rays lit up the room. He was already starting to check her for gunshot wounds even though in the back of his mind he knew the shot wasn't close enough to hit her but still, the sound was too damn close for his liking.
Gavin Comfort
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall) Interacting With: His guard
Gavin had woken up early, long before the sun had risen. He smirked to himself as he noticed his boots were off. "He gonna make a great hubby one day to some man," he said quietly to himself before grabbing a shower and changing clothing. Grabbing his things he snuck out of the room and closed the door silently behind him. The two guards had changed out in the night and eyed him.
"Mornin' y'all," he said with a broad smile.
"Where are you going?" one of them asked.
"I's be leavin'. Problem?" he asked, wondering why it would matter. Miss Sally said they could leave whenever they wanted. Gavin had plans and he wanted to get out before Ravi could try to talk him out of it.
"Oh, okay. Want breakfast first?" the other one asked. Gavin cocked a brow and then nodded.
"Hells yeah, I be takin' some food," he said brightly.
"Okay, follow me. Mess hall is open, most won't be ready yet but Mike should have something," he said before motioning for Gavin to follow him. The other guard staying in place.
"Right, tell my hubby I'll see him one day," he said with a chuckle before following the guard out of the building and towards the Mess Hall. Once they were inside Gavin looked around, the smell of starch heavy in the air as Mike looked up from his work and spotted Gavin with his escort.
"Oh hey man, mornin. Your up early," he said, greeting the man he had met last night. It was obvious that Mike hadn't gotten much sleep, or maybe he hadn't even been to sleep yet. He had stayed to clean up everything from the reception and then had to be in early to start breakfast for the town. Chances were he said fuck it, got done with one and started the other without sleep. Knowing Mike he would crash once breakfast was served and Miss Sally came in to take over for lunch.
"Yeah, heading out buts couldn't leave without fillin me belly! Damn fine foods you gots here," Gavin said as he rubbed his hands together.
"Yeah, well last night was a rare thing. Today it's powdered eggs and grits."
"Aww hell! Grits?!?! Give me some!" Gavin said excitedly. Mike looked at him oddly but shrugged and filled a bowl for him, topping it with some of the scrambled powdered eggs. Gavin took it happily and plopped himself down at a table before starting to shovel it in. He really wasn't that hungry, still rather full from the night before but hell food was food. This would probably be the last warm meal he got for a long time.
Mike sat next to him, finally grabbing himself something to eat. The two talked and Mike took over guard duty while the actual guard grabbed some breakfast. The three of them just sat there, eating and trading stories. The place was empty besides them. No one was expected to show up until Breakfast time at eight.
The conversation came to a halt as the shot rang out and Gavin cocked a brow as he slowly pulled his spoon from his mouth. "What in tarnation? y'all doing target practice inside the walls?" he asked, seeming a lot more unphased than the guard or Mike were; both who jumped at the sound. "Take that as a no," he said as he stood up and headed towards the door nonchalantly.
"Where the hell are you going?" the guys asked in unison.
"See what the fuck that was."
"You aren't armed! Get back here!" Mike yelled.
"Shoot bro, I ain't worried about a little lead," Gavin chuckled as he pushed the door open and started walking towards the direction of the sound of the shot. His guard looking over towards Mike.
"If he gets me killed, tell Captain I quit!" he barked before rushing out after Gavin.
Sleeping with Tatiana in his arms always did wonder for Jack's mood. With her there and his eyes closed, the universe never felt more beautiful. All of the horrors of the world would vanish from his mind, with his thoughts entirely consumed by her. It had been a miracle when he ran into her in Georgia. And as his eyes fluttered open that morning, noticing that Tatiana had already left the bed, his thoughts flickered back towards her news from the night before.
"Bazhooli Newnan..." Jack whispered to himself, before shaking his head. "James Newnan...Uh...Davina Newnan...Sally Newnan..." He tilted his head slightly and nodded a bit, still impressed and stunned by the news. And perhaps, if he was honest, a little terrified by it.
Did Newnan even have parenting classes? He didn't know the slightest thing about infant care. He'd need to make a list of questions and take them to either Sally or Froggy, or maybe to be extra prepared, both of them. Would they need to get a birth certificate issued? He shook his head slightly, only to throw himself off of the bed and onto the ground as he heard the gunshot.
"God damnit," Jack swore. It was their honeymoon and the wedding had gone so well. Maybe it was the universe trying to get them back to reality and away from cloud nine, but his blood ran cold as he heard Tatiana scream his name. He didn't even bother getting changed, dressed in just a t-shirt and boxers, as he dashed in a crouch towards the sound of Tatiana's voice.
"Tati?!" Jack called out, as he skidded into the living room, having heard Tatiana's voice come from the living room-kitchen area. His heart sped up as he spotted the trail of blood she had left, instantly assuming the worst--that his wife had been shot while he was asleep.
"Come here, you're bleedin'," Jack beckoned, grabbing a pillow from the couch, prepared to prop his wife up, get pressure on the wound, and then run like all get out for Froggy. And take care of whoever hurt his wife. It hadn't occurred to him that Tatiana's injury could have been just an accident. He kept an eye towards the kitchen, ready to jump up and punch whatever son of a bitch, if any, emerged.
Beatrice Decker
Location: Franklin Addition Building C3 (Beatrice's Apartment)
Beatrice had been in the process of getting dressed, pulling on her gloves, as she jumped slightly, startled by the sound of gunfire. Shots coming from the wall itself were fairly common and growing up, she hadn't been a stranger to shootings. Bullets had been normal then as well. She frowned, trying to determine where the noise had originated from. She couldn't be certain, but it didn't sound like it came from the wall.
She glanced around the room for a moment, mulling over what to do. If there was an issue, security would handle it. But Beatrice wasn't the most trusting individual. The day she had arrived to Newnan, there had been a mess, a mess that she figured must have gotten the attention of every walker in the state. She couldn't help but hope that today wouldn't turn out to be a similar mess.
She smirked slightly to herself. It was still a better day, in her book, than the one before. No romance in the air, no weddings about to happen, and no forced social interactions. Finally making up her mind, she crouched on the floor of her room, watching the door from her vantage point. If the shot had indeed come from within the walls, she didn't intend on being a casualty in the next round of fire.
Chloe Ridgeway
Location: Building B (Rejects House)
For the only female resident in the Rejects R' Us House, sleep had not been easy to achieve last night. Her sleep itself was restless, as she tossed and turned, her mind plagued with dreams and nightmares nonstop. In short, her rest was anything but restful. Before the sun had risen, her sleep cycle had calmed down slightly, but she found herself in the throws of a reoccurring nightmare.
In the dream, the shade provided by buildings spared her from the merciless heat of the sun. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket, and somehow, she knew it was from one of her old classmates in Grimm contacting her. And while she tried to reach for the phone, she instead found herself thrown to the ground, hitting the pavement hard. She skinned her shoulder in the process, but she didn't feel the pain.
The sound of tires screeching came next, as Chloe looked up into the face of an addict, a skinny blonde who had knocked her down. While she recognized him, she couldn't recall who he was. "Who are you?" she tried to ask, but her lips wouldn't move. The sound of the tires ceased for a moment, followed with a blossoming bullet hole in the drug addict's head. Chloe couldn't scream and couldn't move, as she heard the sound of continued gunfire, somehow knowing that this bullet wouldn't miss her.
But as she heard the shot in reality, Chloe jolted awake, her hand instinctively reaching for something to defend herself with. It took her a moment to process Ryan kneeling in her bedroom. With the fear on his face and having been awoken by a gunshot, Chloe hesitated for a moment, before confirming to herself that was, indeed, fine.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Chloe reassured him as she moved from the bed to the floor. "What the fuck is going on out there? Are we under attack?" She bit her lip slightly, her eyes widening slightly. It was emotional and irrational, but for a moment, she couldn't help but fear that Riley was out there. She had to mentally reassure herself that Riley wasn't even on duty yet, and that if all went well with Amelia last night, her sister would be getting some much needed sleep at the moment.
"Fucking hate Tuesdays..."
Ravi Chakrabarti
Location: Building 3D (Gavi's General Housing)
While Ravi did quite enjoy sleeping in, he couldn't help but feel dismayed as he opened his eyes to find that his best mate, Gavin, had left already. Rubbing his eyes with his hands, he cursed under his breath. He had hoped that Gavin would change his mind and stick around Newnan, but the man thought with his heart, not with his head. As far as Ravi knew, he was already halfway to Peachtree City by now--or at least, halfway in a direction towards what he hoped was Peachtree City.
When Ravi heard the shot go off, he rubbed his eyes and sighed, figuring that Gavin had been the one responsible for the shot, one way or another. "Bloody hell," Ravi muttered, forcing himself to crawl out from underneath the sheets and start to move about. The best case scenario, he figured, was that Gavin had challenged someone to a duel. It seemed like something Americans would do.
The worst case scenario, of course, was also that Gavin had challenged someone to a duel and had his request accepted.
The Englishman hurried to get himself dressed as best as he could, doing a bit of a hop-dance as he changed into his pants. He nearly stumbled in the process but managed to get dressed, grooming his beard quickly with his hands, in order to look presentable. Letting out a sigh, Ravi just hoped that Gavin hadn't gotten himself into too much trouble just yet.
He didn't really fancy the idea of having to stitch his friend up this early in the morning.
Location: Building A (Franklin Wall Raymond & Tiffany's Home)
Raymond slept peacefully throughout the entire night, he held onto Tiffany's body for warmth and comfort as he slowly opened up his eyes looking over at Tiffany seeing her sleep asleep peacefully. To him Tiffany looked so adorable, Ray slowly started to untangle himself from her, and started to put on his boxers as well as his shirt. Raymond leaned down and gave her a gentle and loving kiss on her forehead to let her sleep peacefully a little bit longer. He looked over at the bedside clock seeing that it was 7:15AM, Raymond decided to go and take a shower to get himself freshened up for work, grabbing a fresh set of clothes for the day. Ray grabbed his crutch and started to make his way towards the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Ray looked at himself in the mirror for a moment before turning over towards the shower turning it on.
Laying his clothes on a rack nearby Raymond started to clean himself running the shower for about five minutes, which was the usual he did most of the time before the outbreak had started. Once the shower was done Ray slowly got out of it, and started putting on the dry set of clothes for the day. Ray started to tie off his one pant leg up to his stump, just to make sure that it would be nice and war for now as Ray got out of the bathroom.
Raymond suddenly heard the gunshot going off, he instinctively made his way over towards Tiffany throwing himself on top of her he would do whatever it takes to make sure that Tiffany was safe and sound. Even if it meant that he would end up dying in the process, his eyes slowly looked down at Tiffany looking around and started to let out a sigh. Ray didn't see any blood on her, turning his attention over towards their bedroom window, he didn't see any form of bullet hole. Though the gunshot sounded very close Raymond was worried that it would be the start of another attack. "Are you okay Tiffany?" Ray finally asked looking down at her with a concerned look.
Riley Ridgeway
Location: Building C(2) (Franklin Wall Riley's Apartment)
Riley slept really well throughout the entire night, with her and Amelia's covers over one another hearing her alarm going off Riley groaned ever so slightly as her arm lazily moved around the bedside table. Her arm lazily moved around until it finally landed on the alarm clock, Riley's hand lazily searched around for the snooze button about a minute later Riley had finally found it and quickly shut it off. Riley's arm slowly snaked its way back under the covers as she went back to spooning Amelia closely, though she was slightly hoping last night would end with some sparks flying. But she knew that Amelia was pretty much getting herself drunk from the little that the girl had before crashing.
Riley was truly happy and relaxed for once having someone sharing her bed with, remembering the first day that Riley had met Amelia back at Franklin High School. Riley's eyes slowly opened as she looked over at Amelia sleeping peacefully, she slowly brushed a few stray strands of Amelia's orangeish redish hair out of her face. Riley leaned forward pressing her lips up against Amelia's, today was going to be another regular day, getting up early coordinating training groups and sessions with the people of Newnan. Though she still wasn't sure why or how she was assigned training lead, she did enjoy helping others and just seeing them go through training each day.
Then Riley heard the gunshot, which sounded very close she instinctively reached for Amelia holding her as close to her as possible as Riley lifted the covers off of her. She started to become very worried that it was a start of another attack as Riley looked over at the window, it was still intact and no bullet holes. Riley started to worry about her sister, she was on the other side of town pretty much looking over at Amelia. "Are you alright Amelia?" Riley asked looking down at her girlfriend worried about her.
Kristina Smith
Location: Building E(2) (Kristina and Niesha's Apartment)
Kristina couldn't really sleep at all, she had done a lot of tossing and turning around before she eventually had fallen asleep with what little she could get. Some days Kris slept throughout the entire night with no problems, while other nights she would have an occasional nightmare or just a restless night, she kept quiet about her sleepless nights. Kristina slowly opened her eyes hearing the alarm going off, she was usually up the earliest and was in the fields with the other agricultural and livestock staff. Kristina started to head over towards the shower turning it on, letting the water get warm she got in and started to take her shower closing her eyes letting out a soft and relaxed sigh. Kristina tried her best to keep her showers short, but sometimes they lasted a bit longer then she would liked and tried to make sure that her roommate had enough hot water as well.
Once Kristina had finished up in the shower she grabbed a towel and started to try her hair, trying to make sure that it was nice and dry she didn't want to have her hair really wet that it would freeze over outside. She made her way back towards her room putting on her boots as well as a set of warm clothes. That's when Kristina jumped suddenly as she heard the gunshot going off, she quickly made her way over towards Niesha's room to make sure that she was alright. Not even knocking on the door Kris barged into Niesha's room her eyes darting around the room.
Closing her eyes and letting out a rather loud sigh, she was truly glad that Niesha was alright she always was worried about her best friend. "Niesha are you okay?" Kristina started making her way over and sat down on the edge of Niesha's bed looking over at her.
Meghna Kumar
Location: Building D (Meghna & Sid's House)
Meghna slept rather soundly, still happy with the wedding that happened the day before she was truly happy to help with and being Tatiana's maid of honor. She curled up in her bed with the covers over her body and curled up into a small ball to keep herself warm, she slowly got out of her bed when she heard the alarm going off, Meg started to make her way over towards the bathroom. When she came to the door groaning rather loudly as she tried the door it was locked. Sid was in the bathroom, as she walked over and leaned up against the wall she could hear her brother Sid taking his early morning piss.
"C'mon Sid I really need to use the shower." Meghna groaned as she stood there for another minute until Sid finally did get out of the bathroom, letting Meg enter she quickly started up her shower. A few minutes later Meg had finished her shower, and started to head out of the bathroom when she heard the gunshot go off and she was tackled to the ground by her brother. She looked around seeing hat everything was alright, then seeing that her towel had accidentally slipped off of her. Meg quickly slapped her brother across the face and quickly made her way back to her room and closed the door locking it, completely embarrassed she knew that he meant well and was trying to protect her. Meg started to worry though if it was another attack from Eden or some other hostile group. Meg made her way over towards her radio to know what was actually going on. "Whats going on, are we getting attacked?" Meghna asked.
Pleasant dreams filled her night. It wasn't often she was able to sleep peacefully. Even joining Newnan didn't put her mind to rest. It was hard not to think about the dangers the world now brought. However, last night put her at ease. She still had a job to do, she still had to face each day with the possibility that it could be her last, but she was also able to unwind and relax a bit.
It also helped that she had Ray.
Morning came. She felt the peck on her forehead as Ray got up. She remembered doing the same to him a bit ago. She didn't want to get up just yet, plus she figured she would give Ray some time to get showered and ready before she did so. The bed was too comfy this morning. She wanted to lay in it all day, but she knew that wouldn't be the case. She opened her eyes finally and sat up in bed, rubbing the tired from her face. A new day approached and she had to get mentally and physically ready.
That's when she heard the gunshot. She gasped audibly. Swiftly, faster than she saw him move before, Ray was on top of her, checking her self. It touched her that he was protective, but she couldn't help but we worried and scared. A gunshot in Newnan usually meant trouble. "I'm fine, really! I wasn't shot." She looked around as well. There were no gunshot holes anywhere, but the sound could be heard. "That was a gunshot. Are we under attack?" It was a possibility, but maybe something else happened. Whatever it was, her gut told her it was trouble.
Niehsa had woken after her dreaming, slowly, and despite how strange it had been, she felt more rested than she had been in months. She took some time to get ready, moving about quietly so that she wouldn’t wake Kristina, showering, she brushed out her hair, braiding it while it was still wet, not particularly worried about what it would look like later. She took a few moments to dress warmly, and plan for her day. Her thoughts went back to the blood work she’d found… and knew that it was going to be a puzzle in the back of her mind until she spoke with Tatiania.
She could deal with a puzzle. Puzzle’s were just using logic… and she was good at that. A part of her was… trepidatious about what she might find out. The most she knew… or thought she knew was that it had to be one of the women who had died, in the last eight months. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Pushing those thoughts away, she tidied up her room a little bit. She very nearly dropped the clothes she was folding away when the shot rang out. She spun about, going to her door just as Kristina barged in.
She nodded, seeing how worried Kristina was, she went over to her, giving her a hug, ”I’m okay, Kris, really” She said, giving her a smile that soon faded, as she glanced about, wondering what could have happened… ”We should see if we can find anything out, if anyone needs help” She said, thinking that if it was an attack, there would have been more gunshots. Or shouts. More than this, that was for sure.
Location: Building C(2) (Franklin Wall Riley's Apartment)
The land of pleasant dreams was one of the most incredible experience one could have in this day and age. Such so that her pleasant dreams were already going to make her day when she was going to awaken. A nice dream was a good start of the day! What was even better was that she stirred from her sleep by Riley's clock, but what truly awoke her was Riley's kiss. She slowly opened her eyes just as the other woman was pulling away and blinked in surprise and confusion. There was much from last night that was hazy and she took a moment to sort it all out in her still sleepy head. Suddenly she blushed and pulled under the blankets, bright red like a tomato.
Just as she was pulling herself together to say something, the gunshot sounded. Amelia's mind was still fresh with the time they came under attack last. She shivered and pressed as close as possible to Riley, wrapping her arms around her.
Took her a moment to register Riley's words, now that the gunshot woke her away completely.” I'm fine.” She said, blushing up and noting that the gunshot was a single one and nothing around seemed to be damaged. What was going on out there?!” You are alright too... right?” She asked with expecting eyes, knowing the answer, but also wanting to hear it. Amelia was still hugging Riley tightly as she realized that she still had to bring the question about what had happened last night. She remembered she confessed! She blinked and blushed once more. Riley had accepted her! This was so... weird! Her first... relationship.
Call it 'getting older', 'feeling it in your bones' or whatever floated you goat, Alexander had grown a healthy - or unhealthy habit, depending on who you asked - of waking up early in the morning as of later years. He would wake up to find himself reasonably awake, and not being able to go back to sleep, and so he preferred to just wake up and go about his business. That morning was different.
The old man woke up from his slumber like usual, the process helped by the notion of something falling onto his head. His eyes remained closer for a moment, as he felt whatever fell on him follow a certain rythm. It was something wet. Opening his eyes at least, he saw through his blurry vision what was going on; the roof was leaking. Alexander gave off an irritated sigh as he shuffled out of the corner he slept in during the night, over to somewhere dry. The sounds of the creaking building was the only audible thing he heard that was of concern to him, but the ol' veteran shut his eyes again, still cluthing to that pistol as he just tried to rest.
Where the dripping had failed to awaken Alexander's senses, the gunshot surely did its job. Before he knew it, Alexander was up on his feet and head held low, his pistol held in front of him ready to take on whoever was shooting at him. For they had to be after him, right? But for all the effort he put into sensing his surroundings, the aftermath of the lone gunshot was as oblivious to Alexander's existence. The shot wasn't meant for him it would seem. But then, who? Alexander looked out of the window, looking for any sign of the gunman outside of the hospital. Nothing. He wasn't really sure what to expect; any sign of human activity was better than the complete isolation he had been forced into as of lately, though he didn't know if it was friend or foe. But he was sure of one thing, and that was that he wasn't alone. Somewhere out there, there were still people. Living people, not like Them. But where?
That question he pondered on as he removed the rubble in front of the door and quietly went out into the hallway. He headed towards the stairs and the second floor. He needed a better view of the outside.
Location: Building F (The Newnan's Home) Interacting With: Jack
"Jack!" Tatiana yelled in relief as she saw him come rushing into the room. Limping over and keeping low she went to him, her arms wrapping around him tightly. She was shaking like a leaf and hadn't even noticed she was bleeding until he said something. Looking down she sat down on the couch and hunched over, looking at the blood. She tried to put her foot down and grunted in pain before snatching it up as quickly as she could. Then she spotted it, a large shard of glass sticking out of the bottom of her foot.
"Chert voz'mi," she cursed under her breath as she reached down and yanked it out with a hiss. "Broke coffee cup..." she said as she looked slowly over to Jack and dropped the shard of glass into an empty candy dish on the coffee table. Shaking her head she motioned over towards the kitchen. The smell of eggs, bacon, and toast wafting into the living room. "Try make you breakfast for bed," she said sheepishly before turning her head back to him and giving him a shy smile.
Reaching out she flung her arms back around Jack, the moment sinking back in. Her arms tightening around him and listening out for more shots. If they were under attack there was sure to be more. She hated this feeling, just as everything was going well there was something to remind them that they were living in hell on earth. Tatiana was thankful that she and Jack were leads though, while the general population of Newnan were allowed to carry around sharp weapons: knives and the like. Leads had guns. Granted there were two armories now where everyone else could get at them if they needed, a guard at both at all times to make sure things went smoothly. Yet Leads were armed at all times, just as all of security was. Knowing there were a couple of guns in the house just within arms reach made things a little less dire in Tatiana's eyes. Granted, she knew it would be a fight if she were to try to leave the house right now. Jack was always protective, now that he knew she was pregnant she was sure that was going to increase ten-fold.
"Que se passe-t-il," came through both Tatiana's and Jack's radios on the coffee table. The thick french accent could only be Froggy. The radio went out to all leads in Newnan. "What was shot? Everyone okay?" he said, finally flipping over to English.
"Jack.. ve under attack?" she asked as she leaned back and glanced towards the radio.
Ryan O'Reliy
Location: Building B (Rejects House) Interacting With: Chloe
Ryan looked over to Chloe and shrugged. "Beats the hell out of me Lass," he said as he moved over to the window now that he knew that she was alright and pushed back the blind a little bit, staying low. Looking out the window he couldn't see anything but the streets looked calm. That was all but for a tall man he didn't know with a mustache and in cowboy boots rushing across through Newnan towards the Main building with a guard carrying a gun running after him.
"Shit, stay here," he said before darting off. Running into his room he shoved his feet into his shoes and grabbed his knife. Still in his boxers and wife beater he ran back to Chloe's room. "Richard ain't here and some cowboy is being chased by security. You stay put damn it," he said before tearing off through the house.
Grabbing his coat and shoving his arms through it before running out the door. It had taken him all of two minutes between making sure she was alright to getting his shoes on and out the door. Ducking down by the snow covered bushes and staying off the road as he tried to get close enough to hit blind side the man he had seen. Like hell some back woods cowboy was going to shoot up Newnan. If anyone was gonna cause trouble in this town it was gonna be one of the damn rejects. At least that was what he kept telling himself. It wasn't like he cared about the people in Newnan, was it?
Gavin Comfort
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall) -> Gilbert Street (Scene of the Crime) Interacting With: His guard, Thana
"Get your ass back here before you get yourself killed!" the guard yelled towards Gavin as he tried to keep up.
Gavin let out a huff and stopped in his tracks before turning around and eying the man. The look on Gavin's face was enough to make the man come to an abrupt halt. "Woulds yous keeps yers voice down? If a someone be shootin' this place up, yous really wants to be yellin' for thems to be knowin's exactly where's to fire next? Likes a damned coon hound with his head caught in a traps yous be with all the noises yous be makin'."
"Shit, sorry but damn it. Stay put. Ain't your job."
"I be a Ranger, it always be my job, stay quiet, stay out of sight if yer scared," Gavin said before grinning and heading back off towards the sound of the shot. The man look offended to be called scared and grumbled under his breath as he trotted off after Gavin.
Gavin rounded the corner and saw what was going down, at least the tail-end of it. A man was definitely dead, laying face down in the snow with an axe to his head and what looked like half his skull blown out. There was another there. One was the guy that had given him that sweet smokey goodness the night before, James, that was his name. If there were more beyond that, he didn't notice. At least not now as he spotted a woman standing there. Gavin froze, his quick pace slowing and drawing out each step. He had to be dreaming...
He knew it was a mistake the moment the door closed. He let let her walk away and did nothing to stop it. He had not right to in his mind. She hadn't left because she had wanted to. He had pushed her away. Broken things off clean, or at least the had thought it was clean to begin but as he head the door close he knew it wasn't. He had been racked with guilt and taken it out on her. He had told her to go, that there was nothing for them together. It had been the dumbest thing he had ever done and he knew it. Kicking himself he plopped down on the edge of his couch and lowered his head. He had thought he was doing the right then but right then he knew it wasn't.
He wanted to run after her, to tell her he had just made a huge mistake but he felt it wouldn't be fair to her. No, he had done the right thing. He kept telling himself that. For years he told himself that. By the time he stopped and owned up fully to the choice he had made it had been too late. The outbreak had occurred and he knew he could never find her. It only made himself kick him that much harder. He just hoped she was okay. Of course she was. She was tough, she was a sailor. She probably took up on some beach somewhere, soaking up the sun. Away from this hell the rest on the mainland were dealing with. She had found some small place and made it her own. That was the picture he had painted in his mind and kept it held close to his heart. That she was living and happy, despite everything. It was the only solace he had found.
Rarely speaking about her he tried to keep her off his mind but she crept into his dreams. From time to time he would talk to Ravi about her. About her blue eyes and the curve of her lips. How she tasted like strawberries and always smelled like honeysuckles. She was intoxicating. In his wallet he had kept pictures of his family. His parents, his wife before she passed away, and her. All the loved ones he had lost. He never called her by name, couldn't bring himself to. Just called her...
"Strawberry Wine..." he choked out as he finally came up to the group that was standing there but he only had eyes for one right then. It didn't matter that there was a man dead in the snow, a blood trail leading back to the repair shop. All he saw was her.
Thana's head turned slightly, her brow arcing deeply as she heard a familiar voice. Her jaw going slack as the cowboy stumbled towards her. He was shaking and there were tears welling up in his eyes, staggering through the snow as it looked like his knees were giving out beneath him. He nearly fell before reaching her but kept his footing. His hands coming out slowly, reaching for her and cupping her cheeks gently in his palms. His fingers stroked over her skin. Thana didn't move, she was stunned. Nearly shell shocked as her head tilted back and she looked up to Gavin. "Sweet Jesus... Comfort?" she finally said, stunned.
Gavin didn't say anything, just smiling slightly as he let out a shaky nod. The curls of his hair falling forward as he did and pulling her closer. Pressing soft trembling kisses to her brow, forehead, and cheeks before wrapping his arms around her and hugging the ever living stuffing out of her. Placing a hand at the back of her head he tucked it beneath his chin and held her tight against his frame. Thana still hadn't moved, she was dumbfounded. "Thank god, never thought I'd be seein's ya again. You be the sweetest sight this side of heaven I ever done see."
Jack dropped the pillow and hugged Tatiana back tightly, hoping to somehow stop her shaking. He tried to guide her down onto the couch, as if she were made of glass, and he let out a sigh of relief when it turned out just to have been a glass shard from a coffee mug. There were worse possibilities in the world. The shot must not have been for Tatiana after all, for which he was thankful.
"Breakfast in bed?" Jack inquired, raising an eyebrow slightly at his wife. Just add in a newspaper and fresh squeezed orange juice, and it'd be about the most white picket fence type of activity he could think of. "You sure that's good an' all? You're eatin' and livin' for two, you know." And bleeding for two, but he didn't mention that. They'd need to wrap up her foot soon enough, probably get Froggy to take a look at it, disinfect it and all.
But as she threw her arms around him, he figured that could wait, as long as Tatiana was safe. He couldn't help but feel secure himself as she tightened her grip, despite the fear and the panic of the shot. The sound may have dispelled the domestic bliss illusion from the day before, but it hadn't taken Tatiana away from him. The prickling sensation of fear was dampened by her. He heard the crackling of the radio, listening as Froggy started in French, before transitioning into English.
He truthfully didn't know the answer to Tatiana's question. All he knew was this his wife was safe and that Froggy was just as in the dark as they were. It felt a bit odd for Newnan's second to not know the reason. But reminding himself that Newnan's security team was one of the best and that he and Tatiana were armed to the teeth, he tried not to worry too much. "Maybe, solovey," Jack admitted.
"If anythin' comes this way, I want you to run and hide," Jack told Tatiana, his protective nature coming out. "Don't let them see you or anythin'. If there is a them..." If they were under attack, he figured that Eden would likely be behind it. And if it was Eden, he doubted they'd have any qualms about murdering a pregnant woman in cold blood.
Beatrice Decker
Location: Franklin Addition Building C3 (Beatrice's Apartment)
Crouched on the floor in her room, Beatrice kept listening for further volleys, but none appeared to have come just yet. The odds that it was an attack felt slimmer to her with each second that passed without another shot. Of course, it simply could have been that there were no more targets to shoot at, that everyone in the area had hidden themselves away.
Shuffling over gracefully to her nightstand, Beatrice pulled the knife off from on top of it. All the non-leads in Newnan got a knife, in order to protect themselves in the event of an attack. She was more skilled with a pistol or a bow, having never learned to use a knife all too much. However, she figured it'd at least look menacing enough to frighten anyone who came knocking on her door, and give her a moment to switch over to hand-to-hand, her favorite method of combat.
Prepared for the worst, Beatrice then drummed her fingers lightly on her leg. If she squinted at the knife enough, she could imagine it as a pair of knitting needles. It was a hobby that she had been attempting to learn and get into, but like her DIY projects, they never tended to pan out all too well. A stray hair fell in front of her eyes and she blew on it, trying to get it out of her way. It went up and then landed down again, directly on her nose. Another attempt and the hair finally fell into line with the others, off to the side.
There was still plenty of time before she'd need to report in to work that day. She kept her ears trained for the slightest sound, tapping one finger against the handle of the knife. It was one way she had learned to stay quiet and patient for long periods of time; a little repetitive action helped her to keep focus. Of course, she was hoping to get some information about the shot soon enough. Hopefully information that said Newnan wasn't under attack, and if that was the case, that it had already been dealt with.
Chloe Ridgeway
Location: Building B (Rejects House)
Chloe glanced over towards Ryan as he peered out the blinds, frowning when he swore and told her to stay put. She may have been incredibly compliant and passive as a little kid, but that was the past. Neither of the Ridgeway twins took well to authority figures. And with Ryan telling her to stay in her room, as he darted off, it made her only want to follow and get a look at the situation for herself. But Irish wasn't long, coming back with his knife in his hand.
She opened her mouth to argue back, but Ryan was gone before she even could. The news that Dick wasn't home didn't surprise her too much. The cowboy chased by security, however, that was new. Had she not worked as a smuggler before the outbreak, she might've doubted that anyone could just sneak into Newnan. But she knew well enough that if there was a will, there was a way. Either the cowboy had managed to sneak into Newnan or he had been let in as a guest.
But what Chloe knew for certain, however, was that like hell would she sit and cower in her room. Grabbing her shoes, she threw them on and then tossed her flannel on as well. She didn't bother getting out of pajamas, figuring that social etiquette was the least of her concerns. Taking her own knife, Chloe then rushed towards the door of the house, opening it slowly to take a peak outside.
Ravi Chakrabarti
Location: Building 3D (Gavi's General Housing)
With himself fully dressed, Ravi felt a bit happier that there weren't further sounds of shots. At least, if there were going to be more, they hadn't happened yet. And Gavin might have been a bit stupid, always running into the thick of things, but the ranger was bloody lucky. Odds were, Gavin was completely fine, but Ravi did have a nagging suspicion that something serious had indeed gone down.
Opening the door, Ravi waved at the guards that had been posted there. "Is gunfire normal around here?" Ravi inquired. "And if it's Gavin's doing, full disclosure, he's a tad bit reckless...Fancies himself to be a hero to every damsel in distress in the world, really." He put his hands in his pockets, feeling a bit awkward. He hadn't been in this sort of situation before. Usually, he knew exactly what Gavin had gotten himself into. But now, all he could do was speculate about what the Texas Ranger was up to.
"So, gents...Mind filling a fellow in on what's going on?"
Location: Building A (Franklin Wall Raymond & Tiffany's Home) -> Going Down Lagrange Stree
Raymond looked into Tiffany's eyes letting out a sigh of relief that she wasn't hurt, he leaned down to give her a gentle loving kiss before pulling away and getting off of her. "I'm fine, didn't get shot. I'm just glad you are alright." Ray answered as he grabbed his crutch once more looking over at her. Ray was truly glad that Tiffany wasn't hurt, despite missing his leg he would do whatever it took to make sure that she was safe and alright "I'm not sure, we should go out and check and see whats going on." He said as he got up and started to put on his jacket then looking over at her.
Ray grabbed his knife that was in the bedside drawer strapping it around his hip once it was firmly attached he turned and started to make it out of the room, then slowly started making his way out of the house once Ray was out he closed his eyes letting out a soft sigh feeling the cool morning breeze. Raymond looked around as he started to see that the snow was slowly starting to melt, hoping that it would be the last snow of the year. Being as careful as he could Raymond walked along the sidewalk making sure that he wouldn't walk over any ice that was still in the sidewalk. Ray would occasionally look around and staying as close to the walls of the buildings as best as he could hoping that he wouldn't end up getting shot himself.
Riley Ridgeway
Location: Building C(2) (Franklin Wall Riley's Apartment) -> Building B (Rejects R Us House)
Riley's eyes met Amelia's seeing her blushing she gave Amelia a gentle smile and nodded. "I'm fine, I didn't get hurt." Riley answered as she felt Amelia clinging to her, she gave Amelia a loving and friendly kiss before slowly pulling herself away and quickly started to get changed out of her pajamas. Looking back at her as Riley reached for her drawer sifting through somethings she eventually pulled out her knife as well as her baretta that she had kept there in case she did need it one of the perks of being one of the leads Riley gave it a quick look checking he ammo in it before loading it up once more.
Riley then heard Froggy's voice over her radio at first in French she didn't really learn much back in school only knowing a few words and sentences she didn't understand some of what he said before he switched to English. "It's Riley not sure, i'm gonna make my way over and try to find out what happened." Riley answered Froggy as she clipped the radio onto her hip, looking over at Amelia. "Go and check on Beatrice and see if she is alright." Riley said as she moved over and gave her a loving hug before pulling away.
Riley made her way out of the general housing for women's within the Franklin section she couldn't help but be worried that Chloe was the one who got hurt. That was going to be the first thing that she was going to check as Riley made it through the Franklin Wall Gate, Riley spotted the Reject House. Part of Riley wished that she did share a room with her sister, but sadly it wasn't her decision to make as Riley saw Ryan leaving the house. Then Chloe sticking her head out of the door, letting out a sigh as she quickly approached her twin giving Chloe a quick hug. "Are you alright?"
Kristina Smith
Location: Building E(2) (Kristina and Niesha's Apartment) -> Gilbert Street (The Scene of the Crime)
Kristina closed her eyes letting out a content sigh when Neisha pulled her into a hug, she pulled away looking over at her friend and nodded. "Sounds good to me i'm just glad your okay." She said as she went to her room where she had her knife was on the dresser and made sure that it was strapped onto her hip. Kris then quickly went to grab her coat looking at Niesha for a moment and then gave her a slight nod to let her know that she was ready. Kristina slipped on her boots by the door closing the door behind her looking around Kristina remained fairly close to the wall as best as she could.
Kristina caught a glimpse of Gavin running down the street with one of the security staff running shortly after him, she wasn't sure if he was the one that had did the shot and was running down the street like some sort of streaker interrupting a sports event. She followed shortly after the member of the security staff. Getting caught up with him, Kris kept her distance however looking over seeing Ashton, Thana, James and the newcomer Gavin. Kristina's eyes then slowly wondered down to see a body there in the slowly melting snow a trail of blood going behind him with a axe embedded into it's skull and he back of the head blown out. "What happened here?" Kristina asked. She then slowly looked over between Gavin and Thana, seeing the woman's reaction to Gavin hugging her Kris started to wonder if they knew one another before the outbreak or not.
Meghna Kumar
Location: Building D (Meghna & Sid's House) -> Gilbert Street
Meghna started to get herself dressed putting on some clean clothes as she heard Froggy on the radio and then Riley shortly after answering his question. "Not sure either i'm going to go and check it out as well." Meghna said as she grabbed her knife and then her radio as well making sure that she had them close to her as possible. Meghna left her room seeing her brother looking slightly confused blushing slightly feeling bad that she ended up slapping her brother. "Sorry for doing that Sid." Meg said as she started to head out of their house. Meg started to walk through the snow and then rounded down the sidewalk as she walked past looking over to see that Riley and Chloe were there. Assuming that Riley was checking up on her sister to make sure that she was alright and wasn't the one that ended up getting shot.
Meg gave them a quick nod as she started to make her way down the sidewalk looking around for any shooters that did try and hide out in some of the buildings that were there. Meg eventually made it to the scene seeing the people there looking around slightly confused seeing two of the newer members were hugging one another. she remained still though looking over seeing a body between Ashton and James, Meg was about to ask what was going on when Kristina asked first.
Location: Northern Parking Lot of Building 4 (Repair Shop)
There was a narrowing of vision from Ash as he looked down at James, still kneeling in the accumulating slush. He was aware of Thana's hand on his shoulder, barely hearing her advising him to lower his weapon. What he could hear was the steady thumping of his pulse in his ears. Even after he took the shot, he was still looking down at him, his face mixing emotions, different ones as each second passed. Even though some time had passed, that gunshot seemed to echo in his ears. It was stupid, firing his gun when he didn't intend to kill with it. It was a stupid, emotional decision. He couldn't even afford to waste the bullet, if it came down to it. He didn't give consideration to the people still asleep, or the sentries who just heard a gun report inside the Inner Wall. Stupid, stupid, stupid. At least it would serve to get Security out this way, so that he could get the messy business of James's banishment over and done with, maybe have himself a nice emotional breakdown later at having to kick the best friend he'd known since the Outbreak out of civilization, into what amounted to something near a death sentence anyway.
He really didn't want to. Really didn't. Hell, he might have agreed with his actions, under different circumstances. Check that; Ash knew full well about despair and the darkness of one's inner mind. Despite this, his friend was still acting in (what he thought was) the best interests of Newnan. But James crossed a line. He flat-out murdered somebody. That stops the train in its tracks.
Snapping him into greater awareness of his surroundings, Ash's and James's radios went off. At first, the speaker used a more native sounding French, but it soon switched to the more locally familiar English. Ash sighed, lowering his gun to his side, and thumbed on his own walkie on general signal to answer. "Everyone stand down. That was me. Froggy, I want a security and a domestic detail assembled, have them meet us in front of the Repair Shop." His voice had grown stoic. It was his go-to standard when he had to attend to official business or when something compromising occurred. This counted as both.
His professional stoicism was tested sorely when a stranger walked right up to them. Tell fellow with a Texan accent that seemed to really know Thana well. Too well. Too well in an "I thought you were dead and still love you" kind of way. Thana's reaction appeared stunned, more than anything else. It didn't show on his face except in the most minute of detail, but after last night and this morning, it was a solid punch to his nethers. But at the moment, all he could do was deal with the emergency at present, and address this new development as he was able. The stranger brought with him a single member of the Security team, leading Ash to believe that this was one of the new people from last night that he delegated to Froggy. He wasn't given an entrance interview, and so he required a security presence. One thing at a time.
Black James(!)
Location: Northern Parking Lot of Building 4 (Repair Shop)
James considered getting back up from his knees a few times, seeing as Ash had already passed sentence on him and it didn't include his brains decorating the landscape. It wasn't until he fully lowered his weapon that the sorrowful James actually risked a motion. Very carefully, he removed his own pistol, a serviceable 9mm Glock, and slowly passed it over to the Captain. "Just until I'm out the walls, ok? This needs to go smooth, Bossman. For everybody." Ash took the weapon and tucked it into his belt, nodding slightly. His gaze drifted back to the new guy and Thana, as did James's.
He had figured out that something was going on with Ash and Thana, or at least he had suspicions. It wasn't until he saw the microexpression on Ash's face - he was probably the only person in the world that could read something so subtle on the man - that it confirmed those suspicions. And then, Gavin happened. James looked to Ash, and his heart broke a little for the man. Even though he was exiling James from Newnan, he was still his friend. A friend he probably wouldn't ever see again in about an hour. "I'm real sorry, man. That's gotta be a sackslap." he said quietly.
A 'heavy sleeper' would be the last thing someone would use to describe Samuel, even more so as he settled into life after the outbreak. The slightest noise would often wake him up, something which had proven to be an invaluable trait over the years, avoiding falling prey to looters and walkers alike in his sleep. For today the trickling water from up above pitter-pattering on the ER's floor would serve to wake the young Korean-American man up, he grips the sheathed gladius laid in his arms as he comes to. Glancing around the room he notes damp patches on the ceiling of where droplets of water drips down to the first floor, collecting as small puddles not five feet from him.
He pushes himself off the hospital bed and hastily grabs his gear set up against the wall, the ex-pro boxer would take a minute to check the condition of his Remington before slinging it over his shoulder, his checkup leaving him satisfied. With morning come the sunlight shining through the windows had lit up the room and the hallway outside and after clearing the hospital bed or two and furniture blocking the door Samuel would sneak out to the hallway, closing the door behind him. Still somewhat drowsy from the lack of sleep collected over the past few weeks he has yet to fully come to his senses and was wandering the hospital without much thought at all.
All this would be instantly remedied as a gunshot faintly echoed throughout the halls of Newnan Hospital and at the drop of a hat Samuel was wide awake and alert, drawing Split from its sheathe at the ready to cut into any attacker. After a tense moment, eyes darting across the enclosed space of the hospital hall, he lets up slightly relaxing after he realises the gunshot just wasn't for him. Nevertheless he was still on guard, someone was here and had fired off a shot it had been a whole month since his last encounter with someone alive. He won't waste this opportunity and regardless if the person or persons was friendly or not he will get a conversation out of this and if it comes down to it, even a fight. But first he would need a better vantage point, the windows on the first floor would be ill-suited for such a thing so with due haste Samuel makes his way up to the second floor.
Tiffany and Ray's home -> Going down Lagrange Street
Tiffany was thankful for Ray for being protective of her, though she could take care of herself. It was nice to have that support. However, that wasn't important right now. Right now, they needed to find out what was going on. A gunshot in the morning of a peaceful settlement was never a good thing. Her mind raced with possible scenarios. It could be an attack. It could be a horde. It could be...no she didn't want to think about that possibility.
Ray quickly got dressed, grabbed his knife, and was out. She got up and put on her own clothes and grabbed her knife and followed closely. She caught up to him fairly quickly and kept in step with him. Mildly impressed he was able to walk so well with his crutch, she reminded herself to appreciate him later. She scanned her surroundings. So far, it didn't seem like there was any danger, but she knew better. After a few years of doing this, you learn that even the quiet could be deadly.
In the light of day Newnan Hospital looked more like a set for a horror film about ghosts than it did an actual hospital. Things were torn up, the place had been ransacked more than once over the years, and it was falling apart. Years of misuse and no-use had taken it's toll on the place. It seemed though if one were to look around the place had been systematically dismantled. There was worn spray paint on the walls of various rooms with dates on it; Clear 1-16-2009, clear 5-23-2010 and so forth. Seems the place had been hit several times, over a dozen over the years by the same group. They had taken what they needed each time, clearing out supplies and marking the room clear afterwards. Was a good system by whoever it was.
The two men in the hospital seemed to have the same idea but were not headed in the same direction. The older man seemed to have taken the front stair case and was headed down. The younger man was on the back stair case and headed up.
The stairs on the front were not so bad. They were made of concrete mostly and despite the years, had held together for the most part. There were a few areas that were questionable but nothing horrific and he would be able to navigate the problem without issue. These stairs lead back to the main entryway and what looked to be the lobby of the Hospital back when it was actually functioning. An old piano that looked to have had a tornado tear through it lay in pieces. The door swung let and right slightly that lead back out to the front yard of the hospital and back out to the parking lot. The sun was shining brightly and now near an open door the sounds of snow melting could be more clearly heard.
The back stairs were not in as good a condition, though made out of nearly the same material they were not wide and wound up to the second floor. It looked like the roof had given out fully above and crash in. The sun light was getting brighter but there were still darker areas. There was debris everywhere but nothing one couldn't get over if they tried. Thing was with the sound of the door to the stairs opening it seemed to have "awoken" what was inside. There were several Walkers trapped in the debris. Two were pinned enough that they could only snap their jaws at the younger man. Trying to wiggle their way out from under the hundreds of pounds of roofs that lay on top of them. The third only had a leg trapped and it was pulling towards him, its hands out reached, wanting to have its first meal in who knew how long.
Thana & Gavin
Location: Northern Parking Lot of Building 4 (Repair Shop) Interacting With: Each other, Ash, James
Thana couldn't move for a moment, between the tight hold that Gavin had on her and her own shock it seemed that she was frozen in time. Her eyes staring blankly towards Richards corpse and not even seeing it. She had always figured that Gavin was still alive. He was built for a world like this and he enjoyed living so much. She had pictured him more than once held up at the Alamo, having target practice on Walkers from the roof and wearing a coonskin cap laughing his Texas Ranger ass off. Living the high life while the world fell apart and saving as many as he could in the process. She thought he had made a place like Newnan, a place where people were safe. Never once did it ever cross her wildest dream that he would show up in the same place she was here in Georgia.
It took a moment but slowly her arms wrapped around him and she hugged him tightly. It had been so long since she had seen him. Then she remembered the last time. When he told her it was over. She had left without a word. She wasn't one to fight things that she felt were not worth fighting for. Not that Gavin wasn't worth fighting for, at least back then. He was a good man and had made her happy. Comfort was a good last name for the man, he put people at ease even if he was brash. Just couldn't help but enjoy his smile and his love of life. She had cared for him, so very deeply. Feeling a twinge she wondered just how much of that remained.
Gavin let out a breath and laughed a little through the tickle of tears rolling out of the corner of his eyes. "Damn baby, it's good to hold ya agains it is." His voice, was full of that same life it had always held. Pulling back some Thana released him, her hands dropping to her sides. She had returned his embrace but it was brief and contained. Gavin sighed as he looked down, reaching up and cupping her cheeks in his hands. "God, yous as beautiful as ever. Them eyes, kills me 'vrytime."
In turn, Thana took a long breath as she looked up at him, her face remaining neutral. Not a hint of emotion, just void of emotion. "Ranger, this isn't the time," she said in a firm but calm commanding voice before she stepped back. Gavin looked around and smacked himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand.
"Well shit, I be one hells of a ninny. Yous right, sorry. I just so damn happy to sees ya," he laughed. "Always a Sailor ain't ya? Must be on the clocks. I gets it I gets it. I knows my gal."
Thana cocked a brow slightly, that was humorous. Him referring to her as his gal. He had been the one to dump her. He had ended it. She nearly spoke up, reminding him that she hadn't been his since 2006. That was five long years ago. Before the outbreak. Things changed, people changed. Well most did. She hadn't. She didn't show emotions much in public. Behind closed doors with someone she felt a connection with was a different story. A connection. Her head snapped to the side and she eyed Ash. Oh there would need to be some explaining in that department. A lot of explaining.
"I should have stuck to the plan and left this morning before dawn," she said to herself. This was complicated enough without Gavin around. Now that he was, it added a whole new layer of fuck me to the equation. She was old enough to know when life was coming at you with it's pants down. This was one of those times. Had she been Zoie she would have just mouthed off. Laid it out on the table in front of God and everyone. Zoie had no tact.
Yet, Thana felt a little Zoie wouldn't be a bad idea right then. Especially when she heard James speak up. Lifting her chin she stood at parade rest and tucked her hands behind her back at stood there. Gavin couldn't help but smile, she was ever the military figure. It was something that drew him to her, her level of dedication. Yet when she spoke up his face fell. "Only if you don't know me Mr. James. And, you don't." Her voice was clam and curt as she spoke. Her eyes stayed on James as she continued. "Listen Honkey Tonk, we's gots things to tend to. Button it," she said, her drawl coming out a bit more. For an instant she sounded like Zoie, especially when she called Gavin Honkey Tonk. Nearly sounded like it was Zoie talking to Richard. Not Thana speaking to Gavin.
Gavin got a wash over his face but sucked it up. "I, um, sorrys Stra.... Thana," Gavin said kicking the ground and looking at the snow as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
Thana turned as she relaxed a bit and stepped back over to Ash. "Captain, just let me know what you need me to do," she said in the same voice but there was a certain emphasis on the word need. Other than that she remained stoic and awaiting orders at that point. She hadn't been assigned a job yet. They had only been out to get a key copied. Not to deal with this shit. She still wanted to wrap her arms around Ash and tell him it would be okay but again, now was not the time.
"Oh well slap my ass and call me Sally! Where is me manners. You be the head honcho arounds here? Names Gavin Comfort, Texas Ranger. Sorrys for the interrupt. Just nots ever'day you finds yer... Well never be minding about thats. Anythang I can do to helps?" he said sticking his hand out as an offer to shake Ash's. He had a broad smile on his face, totally oblivious to the fact that anything was going on between Ash and Thana.
Tatiana Korvo
Location: Building F (The Newnan's Home) Interacting With: Jack
Tatiana bit her bottom lip at Jack's words and nodded. She knew he didn't know anymore than she did but hearing that they may be under attack made her worry. At his direction her brows furrowed. "Like hell!" Tatiana snapped. "I not leave you. Ve stick together." She wasn't going to run and hide if they were under attack and leave Jack to take a bullet for her or worse. He was her husband and she would do everything she could to keep him safe. She knew he was just looking out for her but she wasn't going to stand by and let them get attacked. Baby or no baby.
Then their radios chimed in and Tatiana breath a visible sigh of relief. They weren't under attack. Picking up the radio she called in for checks she knew would be coming. "Understood, Jack be there shortly. On vay to infirmary first," she radioed in for both of them. It wasn't two seconds later that Froggy was radioing back.
"Little bird, you okay? What happened?" Froggy asked, worry in his voice.
"Cut foot. Small, just vant checked," she sent back. He seemed to worry as much as Jack did.
"Oh good, yes, yes, come in, quickly."
Then the radio went quiet before Jim chimed in that he was on the way with a detail that would be there in under two minutes. The man keeping an eye on Ravi shook his head. "No it isn't but seems things are under control. No idea what's going on but hey, you need breakfast right? Let's take a detour and find out," he said motioning for Ravi to follow him. He had to stay on his charge but it didn't mean he couldn't find out what the hell just happened. So off he went, making sure Ravi was in tow as he made his way out of the building and over to where Ash had directed security. When he got there was about the time Thana's arms wrapped around Gavin and she hugged him. Granted he didn't see that, he just saw James on his knees, Gavin's security watch behind him, and a dead Richard on the ground.
"You own me ten bucks," he said as he strolled up to his security partner. "Told you that boy would get himself killed by someone here." He kept his voice down but he had seen it coming. Richard was always doing something to piss someone off. He was surprised the man hadn't ended up walker bait just yet.
Ryan O'Reliy
Location: Northern Parking Lot of Building 4 (Repair Shop) Interacting With: No one or anyone that will answer his question lol
Ryan in the mean time, was making his way through the bushes along the side of the Main building, keeping his eye out for the cowboy. When he finally found him, he was holding Thana tight and Richard was dead in the ground. His eyes widened as he saw James on his knees. "What the fuck?" he said under his breath as he stood straight up. Did what go down what he thought went down? That was James axe, he was sure of it. James? Killed Richard? Seriously?
Walking over in his coat, boxers, tank top, and boots he just kept staring. His eyes moving from Dick to James to Thana to the Cowboy, to Ash, and back again. "What in the name of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph happened?" he finally asked once Gavin was done introducing himself. This man was a piece of work. Trying to get all lovely on Thana with a dead body in the road. Granted if he had any notion Ash and Thana had done what Barry White keeps telling people to do, he might have burst out laughing about the scene. Right then he was just flabbergasted. Richard was an ass and it wasn't like he liked the guy but damn, what went down to cause this?
Location: Building C(2) (Franklin Wall Riley's Apartment) → Franklin Addition Building C3
The nice comfort was gone and now replaced by confusion and concern about the well-being of everyone she knew. While Riley left the bed to get changed and prepare for the possible dangers, Amelia gulped slightly and quickly left the warm confines of the bed also, moving out of her pajamas as well. Suddenly she realized she only had the dress she wore last night here. Well it was better than nothing, so she quickly put it on, throwing a concerned look at Riley who more or less gave her an order along with a hug.
“Alright, just be careful!” She replied, seeing the other woman leave the apartment. With a deep breath, Amelia quickly followed suit, heading towards where Beatrix lived. Well it was the same building so naturally it wasn't far. She quickly moved by the door and knocked.
“Beatrice, are you alright?” She asked, waiting for reply from the woman. She felt a little awkward asking that, but given the circumstances present it was needed. It seemed whatever had happened was really strange. A single gunshot with no explanation given. She wondered if a walker had sneaked inside the walls or something. Then again it could have been worse.
Location: Building F (The Newnans' House) ---> Headed to Building 1 (Infirmary)
Jack wasn't initially sure as to whether or not to argue the point with Tatiana. While he knew logically that she could more than protect herself, he emotionally didn't want her anywhere near harm's way. He wanted to know that no matter what, Tatiana would be safe. Even the thought of losing her was too much. But if Tatiana wanted to come with him, he didn't think he'd be able to stop her. He nodded, agreeing to have her come with him, right when the radios kicked off.
"Thank god," Jack sighed. He wasn't a particularly religious person, especially with all that had happened in the world, but some sayings just stuck. The matter seemed to be under control and in the process of being dealt with. No other shots had been fired off. The world was a little less bleak than he feared, with the settlement (as far as Jack was aware) safe.
"Let's get you ovah to Froggy," Jack said, once Tatiana and Froggy finished off conversing over the radio. He was a good eight inches taller than Tatiana and she hardly weighed a thing, as far as he was concerned. Scooping her up and carrying her to the infirmary seemed like the easiest way to do things. With the cut on her foot, it wouldn't be good for her to walk on it until Froggy checked it out, anyways.
He rushed into the bedroom and grabbed his boots, careful not to step on any broken glass as he went through the kitchen. Shoving his shoes on, he hurried back into the living room and wrapped his arms securely around Tatiana, he picked her up bridal style, grinning goofily as he did so. The world felt a little brighter as he held her. "M'lady," Jack teased slightly, and started to head for the door and off to the infirmary.
Beatrice Decker
Location: Franklin Addition Building C3 (Beatrice's Apartment)
Beatrice heard the knock on her door and tensed slightly, picking up her knife. But when it was Amelia's voice, and not the garbled groan of a walker or some other intruder, she set the knife down and got up. Walking over to the door, she opened it for the ginger woman and quickly glanced her over, noticing that she was wearing the same dress she had on the night before.
"You and Riley. Nice," Beatrice said dryly, her own special greeting. She didn't feel a need to say whether or not she was alright, given that she wasn't bleeding and that she had managed to answer the door. Of course, she found it a bit odd that Riley wasn't standing with Amelia, and given that neither she or Amelia were leads, they didn't have radios on them. She didn't hear Ash's announcement.
"Are you okay, Amelia?" Beatrice asked, her face seemingly neutral, but the slightest bit of concern could be deduced by a slight furrowing of her eyebrows. "It doesn't seem like an attack. Not enough gunfire," Beatrice continued bluntly. Hiding in the room hardly felt warranted with each second that went by.
"Let's head to Newnan proper," Beatrice then suggested. "Get an idea of what happened."
Chloe Ridgeway
Location: Building B (Rejects House)
As Chloe peered outside, she could see a few people walking up and down Lagrange street. Riley, Ray, and Tiffany were all coming down from the Franklin portion of the settlement, and further down the street, she could barely make out Kris. If she squinted, she saw a few other figures moving around, but she couldn't identify them. They were too far out and it was way too early for her brain to be awake in her opinion.
By force of habit, Chloe quickly hid the knife on her person as she saw Riley come up to her, like she was back behind bars, Riley was a guard, and the knife was a shiv. Accepting her twin's hug, Chloe sighed a bit. Her sister may have been the Lead Trainer in Newnan and a morale officer, but she didn't get why Riley was so comfortable to just stroll down the street. But maybe she was just paranoid, she figured, as she gave her sister a hug back.
"Yeah, yeah, Dick's out somewhere and Irish is playing hero," Chloe said quickly. If she hadn't been a good three inches shorter than Riley, she would've tried to get a better look down the street, but she had no such luck. She couldn't see over Riley's head, and instead, she slipped out the door and closed it behind her.
Thankfully, Riley's radio crackled too life before Chloe could ask what was going on. She let out a bit of a sigh, wondering if Dick had been on the receiving end of Ash's shot. Someone must have died, as she didn't take the Commanding Officer of Newnan as one to waste a bullet. Biting her lip a bit, she hoped that Ryan wasn't about to do anything stupid and get himself killed. She didn't really look forward to a future where she was the only reject left in Newnan.
"Think Dick was on the receiving end of that shot?" Chloe asked her sister.
Ravi Chakrabarti
Location: Building 3D (Gavi's General Housing) ---> Northern Parking Lot of Building 4 (Repair Shop)
Ravi nodded, wondering what qualified as breakfast around here. He couldn't help but hope that a strong cup of tea was involved. It was the proper way to start the day, after all. Of course, hearing that Gavin hadn't gotten himself into too much trouble just yet was a bit of a relief. It would've been more than disappointing for them to have found a place near paradise, only to have Gavin get the pair of them kicked out the next morning.
By the time they got to the scene of the crime, Ravi's eyes widened a bit. Gavin was embracing a woman, a corpse was on the ground, and the man with the hideous camouflage tuxedo from the night before was on his knees. He turned his head to make a comment to Liv, as if this was just another case they'd been sent to look into for the Seattle PD, and his mood fell as reality snapped back at him. Images of her death--of him killing his best friend--whizzed through his mind for a moment. He had never been able to come to terms with what happened that day.
Ravi watched the interaction between Gavin and the strange woman, seeing tears come out of the corner of his eyes. The way Gavin interacted around her, it was clear that they had history, the two of them. And he cringed mentally, noticing that the woman didn't seem to be acting the same way towards Gavin. He heard him begin to say Strawberry, and his heard broke for his best mate. This was her, then. Strawberry Wine. And it didn't seem like Strawberry Wine was still as sweet on him as he was on her.
It was like staring at a horrific car accident, as Gavin extended a hand to Ash and continued to speak about Strawberry Wine as if the pair were still together. Ravi couldn't look away from it, no matter how much he wanted to. Ravi's gut told him this wouldn't end well.
Location: Building A (Franklin Wall Raymond & Tiffany's Home) -> Going Down Lagrange Stree
Raymond looked over his shoulder as he saw Tiffany catching up to him, grateful that she was walking in step with him as they walked past he looked over at the Ridgeway Twins over by the Reject House as it was called talking to one another. He had a feeling that Riley went there first to make sure that she was alright. He then heard Ashton's voice over the radio as they walked past the gunshot was caused by the Captain himself, raising an eyebrow slightly it was something that he didn't expect their glorious leader to do. As Raymond looked over at Tiffany. "I wonder who pissed off the captain to make him fire his gun off in town." Raymond asked as he walked past the Reject house and further down the street towards Gilbert Street.
It took a little bit longer, he wasn't as fast as he could have been due to his handicap, Ray eventually made it to the Repair Shop which was where the scene was. Raymond stopped for a moment looking over at Black James on his knees next to the dead body of Richard. The man pretty much got what was coming to him, Raymond didn't like Richard at all the man pretty much pissed everyone off around him. Then his attention went over towards Thana and the new man named Gavin. He got the idea that it was an awkward meeting between Thana and Gavin. The woman seemed to be very stoic now once Gavin had let go, then Gavin introducing himself to Ashton. Ray remained pretty quiet as he looked over towards Ravi and his security detail catching up to them as well, looking over at the three newcomers from the day before he hadn't gotten the chance to meet or get to know them well at least not yet.
Riley Ridgeway
Location: Building B (Rejects R Us House)
Riley noticed Chloe instantly hiding her knife, though it was pretty much a given that everyone had to be armed with a knife at all times but it was most likely a habit to her sister now. She sighed slightly as Riley took a step back as Chloe went to close the door behind her. Some said that Riley was the older one of the two of them, but she was actually younger then Chloe but only by a few minutes apart. Riley heard her radio crackling off. Riley looked down at the radio raising an eyebrow when she heard Ashton's voice on the other end, the shot was caused by him. "I didn't think Captain Tight Ass would be the one to fire a gun in the walls." Riley said as she set her handgun in the strap to her pants on the backside. Her attention went back to Chloe asking if it was Richard to be the one on the receiving end of the shot by Ashton.
"I honestly wouldn't know, could be or could have been for someone else." Riley answered, though she didn't know the man all that well they at least did have a mutual respect for one another, she knew that Richard and Chloe were friends of some kind. The man did piss off quiet a few members of Newnan quiet a lot over the last several months from what Riley knew of him. Ashton gave orders for some security and domestic to come over to the repair shop, though she was really curious what did happen. "Should we go and check it out?" Riley asked looking over at Chloe to see what she wanted to do, Riley wasn't apart of either but she couldn't help but be curious at what the scene was that had happened.
The light shining in through various broken windows, worn down walls and doors made it possible for Alexander to better see how the hospital looked like. The inpending darkness the night before had given the building an impression of simple emptiness and decay. Now it was little more than a ruin in-making, fragments of past civilization torn to pieces and leaving Alexander the familiar feeling of a whole dying. Light was supposed to make one happy, he thought, but now it merely showed the world for it truly was. A rotting corpse, in several ways.
At least the stairs leading down from his previous sleeping spot wasn't about to crack under his weight, so perhaps the world still have a spine? Just a very rotten carcas wrapped roughly around it. Alexander wondered if this had actually been the way he had gone up now that the light showed more and more details gone unseen before. The painted words on several doors caught his attention the most; the dates were from the year before and further back, at least those that he saw for the moment. The questions from before came back, for where were those people now? The questions lingered while he entered the lower floor.
It didn't take long for Alexander to end up in a familiar room, the lobby. It was just as desolute as he had left it, save from the clearer visilibity thanks to the light. Alexander walked to the front doors and peaked through them, trying to get a better look outside. For the first time in the longest, one might recongize a smile on the old man's face; the snow was melting. But still no sight of any survivors, though they could still be in hiding for all he knew, or never been there at all. With the smile melting away with the nagging feeling of continued isolation, he turned away from the door and looked around again. The lobby was stripped of anything useful, unless you thought a trashed piano as something of importance. When he thought about it, the whole hospital was probably empty of anything of use, just like the rooms he'd searched before.
Alexander stood there for a few moments, his gaze shifting from the lobby to the door, then back again to the room surrounding him. The survivors probably weren't out there now, but why should he stay in the hospital any longer? There probably weren't anything more there to see, but then what? The old man's eye finally landed on the doors; regardless if they weren't there, he had to look for them. Alexander took a deep breath before he slowly exited through the front entrance.
Niesha watched Kristina head out the room, before grabbing her things, putting on her jacket and waiting for Kristina in the living room, looking out the window, as if she could see what was happening out there, keeping her ears open, intent on hearing any other signs of fighting. As they headed out, Niesha kept close to Kristina, a feeling of… fear slowly filling her. She shifted her pace, matching it to Kristina’s, keeping close to her, as if she could do anything to protect her against a shot.
As they continued, soon reaching the spot where the shot seemed to have come from, Niesha let her gaze wonder over the scene, not responding to Kristina, at least for the moment as she took it in. What had happened? She listened, straining to gleam any knowledge. Ash had, it seemed, shot the gun… was it a warning? If someone had done something wrong, he wouldn’t have given a warning… That was just the way the world was… but if he had given a warning…
Her gaze fell onto the body with the axe embedded into it. She couldn’t help the feeling of dread that filled her. Just what had driven James to do that? While she couldn’t confirm it, what she saw seemed to tell her he was responsible for the axe. She had never seen James fly of the handle, so what had pushed him to it? Were other’s dead? For years, decades, perhaps centuries, the country had been prosecuting people, giving them the death sentence, for crimes. Even now, they did it.
Humans were, even now, predisposed to kill. It was what they did, dead or alive. Yet what was the difference between one guy judging someone, sentencing them to death now, as opposed to one guy doing it in a courtroom? Yes, there was a different process before, now… now it was live or die… and they did things for the greater good.
Her thoughts twisting in her mind, making her head ache slightly, she turned to Kristina, ”We can’t do anything here, Kris… There’s nothing we can do… “ She said softly
