[IC] Closed

[Wick]

Ari smiled and scooted in with him and pulled the photo holder out of her pocket. "My parents died five years ago but there were four of us. Two boys and two girls. She beamed with pride and showed him pics of them all together and each individually. We were all so close in age that we were the closest of siblings. I was never alone, never. I was lucky...but I miss them so much." She caught herself before the tears could form. "I was a tattoo artist."
She pulled her sweater off over her head and it left her in her bra and a tank top that was pretty tight. She showed him the full sleeve on one arm and the 3/4 sleeve on the other. She pulled up the side of her tank and showed him where she had had her and her siblings names inked onto her. "I hope you like ink, otherwise you might think it's uncool. You would be surprised how many men think badly of a girl with tattoos even before meeting her."

"What did you do?" She got colder and cuddled up to him more. "Let's lay down so we can get closer to the fire." Ari suggested. She moved her pillow and dove onto it pulling the blanket with her, making him scramble not to be left without the covers. She chuckled at him.

@king tai

[King Tai]

@Wick

Looking at the photos and keeping his warm arms wrapped around her, Malik listened intently to Ari as she explained what happened to her family. It was sad and unforgiving as losing your entire family. She looked like she lived a happy life and that was something Malik was trying to build once before. When she said she was a tattoo artist, he smirked.

You have a beautiful family....I would have liked to meet them. he said while watching her show her tattoos. To be honest, I think tattoos are cool depending on what it is and where it's at. he said looking at where the names were. Ari had soft looking skin and a nicely toned body to be honest. Malik couldn't help but stare at her shape, kinda wanting her to keep the short off. I don't think badly of you at all. You have nice tattoos and you're still pretty with them. and to answer your other question...I was a butcher and a part time amateur mixed martial artist.

He went to lay down but tried to get some of the blanket to keep warm with Ari. He went to spoon her while they were laying down. Trying to keep me cold huh? he said smirking Is Ari short for something? he asked not noticing his hand resting on her side.

[Wick]

Ari blushed. "No I just want to be closer to the fire. You are more than welcome to come with me." She liked the feel of him against her. And he was warm. "A butcher? I would not have guessed that. Now the martial arts sounds about right." Ari hesitated on telling him her name. "My parents had a fondness for old names. My siblings were Anastasia, Adam, Alexander and I am Arabella. Don't laugh!" She grinned at the look on his face.

"So what about your family?" Ari turned and looked at him, sliding onto her back so she could see his face better. "Who did you lose?"

@king tai

[King Tai]

@Wick

To get closer, of coarse I'm gonna come with you he said smiling. Now his profession, it was a bit odd to be a butcher and a martial artist but hey, he had to make a living. he slightly chuckled I know that sounds weird but....I've always wanted to be a fighter but....I needed a job between fights to bring home stable money. My father was a cook and we used to have livestock back home so...I got into butchering when I got older. Seems cruel but people have to get their meat.

When she explained about her family and the names chosen, he thought it was quite interesting. He smiled and sort of chuckled. He thought it was kinda cute but he noticed she still didn't tell him her full name. Interesting indeed....but at least they kept the theme up. And...looks like someone is not too fond with sharing their full name. If you don't want to share it, you don't have to.

The smiles and laughs sort of diminished when asking about his family and who he lost. He thought for a moment and then looked down at Ari before speaking when she turned to look at him Well....my family and I are from Trinidad...a small Caribbean island. I have...well...had both my parents and a younger brother....Conroy.....that was before he was shot in the head in front of me and my parents....I don't think they ever made it out their burning home. he hesitated about talking about his wife as he didn't want to think about that nightmarish scene when he found her dead while pregnant.

[Wick]

Ari smiled. "King. Arabella Evangelina King. Go ahead and laugh, I know how bad it is." She felt bad for him about his parents and brother.

"Were you married or have any kids?" She saw the pain in his eyes. "Nevermind, you don't have to talk about it."

She pulled him down and hugged him tightly to her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Ari apologized.

When he raised his head she reached up and kissed him on the lips. "I didn't mean to bring up such a painful memory."

She wondered but she wasn't going to ask him again. She couldn't help but notice that his body was mostly on top of hers. Softly she asked him "Malik? What if we only have a few days left til we are gone too?"

@king tai

[King Tai]

@Wick

The name did sound funny but cute at the same time. He did indeed chuckle No no...you've mistake. The name is a mouthful but it's cute...and it fits you fine....I like it. You sound like royalty. he said not really thinking it's a name to make fun of.

When asking him about marriage and kids and then kissing his lips and apologizing for asking him the question which was hard for him to answer, he was half on top of her and thought for a moment I lost my girlfriend....my fiancee....and my unborn child....her name was Dominique.... he said

he looked her in the eyes when she asked the last question Sometimes I rather not think about it....but then again, I fight to survive to the very end if I could. But...if we were to die....I'd rather die with some happiness. Ari....there's something I want you to promise me.....never give up.....and I promise that I will keep you alive.... he said Live...okay....live to the very end. he said gently kissing her lips.

[Wick]

Ari responded to his kisses and wrapped her arms around him pulling him closer to her. "I will." She mumbled into his ear as their passions rose. Her hands were insistent and exploring. She pushed his hips off only long enough to remove her jeans. He took the opportunity to do the same thing. As soon as their skin touched it was like a fire that exploded into their veins. She reached behind her and undid her bra and took it and the tank top off in once move. Now completely naked to his eyes she watched him devour her visually and she did the same.

As she watched his body's response her excitement became more obvious and she pulled him down to her and kissed him. Their passions took over and quite some time later they were cuddled up under the covers talking quietly.

@king tai

[King Tai]

@Wick

Damn.....what has come over me? That was what Malik thought when he started to passionately kiss Ari. With the fondling and his tongue massaging hers, his heart was pounding in his chest. This rush...it was more overwhelming than fighting for his life it seemed. Being overtaken with passion towards a woman he barely knew but...internally enjoying every moment of it, Malik watched as she removed her clothing.

Removing his jeans, he stared at those creamy, which Malik called it, colored legs of hers as she removed her under garment as well along with her top garments and his shirt coming off showing off his fine conditioned body and member. He could tell how excited she was when she tackled him down and almost took control as the hours passed from their "bonding"

Malik was on his back after their activity, looking up at the ceiling with Ari's head on his chest and he had his arm around her. Have you ever thought about what you'd like to do after all of this was over? When the war and the hell is over? Ever since I met you, I've felt that if me and you could get together and survive together, what about others who are going through what we are going through? Will they like to join up with us? Was wondering....would have have no choice but to separate to save ourselves?

What Malik was asking were just a series of questions regarding their situation and if they could find others to join them and what they would do once things hopefully got peaceful again. Malik looked over Have you ever wanted children? He asked since he lost his child. He couldn't sleep because of that same reoccurring nightmare but wondered if Ari have been in any intimate relationships with anyone like he was with his fiancee.

[Wick]

Ari smiled. "I would hope that the world could live in peace without turning us all into slaves. I would also like to get married and have kids. I want a big family like I had growing up. With a safe place to live with the basics. I don't need a ton of stuff I'd rather have the family." She said playing with his chest hair gently. "How many kids do you want?"

"Oh, and I was thinking. We are going to have to move south in a couple of months at the latest. I don't want to be up here with little to no electricity for the entire winter. The south will be hotter but we can go somewhere in the middle with little to no snow."

@king tai

[King Tai]

@Wick

Malik agreed with what she was saying regarding the security of the future. Of coarse that would be the biggest issue making sure they would not become slaves or live in a world nearly deserted and dangerous. Otherwise, you'd think twice about bringing children into this. With his hand resting on her bare ass, Malik thought for a moment about children. Never really thought about how many but I would say maybe...at least 3? he said knowing that even though he didn't have a very large family, he wouldn't mind having a large one of his own.

The south sounded wonderful. He had family in southern states, mostly in Florida and Texas. He didn't know how much further south Ari was thinking but he could suggest where they could head to but that journey within itself would be difficult with enemies all around them. Alright....to be honest, I'm not sure how much longer we should stay in this house....if these goons can find us, it won't be long before the soldiers find us as well. he said giving a little spank to Ari.

[Wick]

Ari nodded. "I was already thinking about that. With the window patched it is still getting colder in here and the back door needs to be replaced. It offers no protection. First we need to get the car fully loaded and then we need another run for food and supplies. I think we should do that tomorrow as soon as the sun comes up." She let her lips trail down his jaw line teasing him a little.

"You know what I haven't seen?" She turned to him. "I haven't seen any other women that weren't sick and no kids either." Ari was concerned about this the more she thought about it. "Am I sick and I don't know it?" She held onto Malik tighter as he pulled her tighter to him. Ari rested her head on his shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

@king tai

[King Tai]

Nodding Alright...we could maybe grab all the weapons we can too from the guys that attacked us so we can defend ourselves. If we find another who is healthy like us and they're not a soldier or with a gang, should we bring them with us? he asked not knowing how comfortable she is with that.

I've only seen another woman who was not sick but she was raped and beaten to death by a gang of thugs. They killed the man she was with but children, I have not seen any who were not sick yet. he explained while his finger trailed her ass crack.

He could see the worry on her face about maybe being sick herself and he hugged on her and guided her face so her eyes were locked in on his You're not sick....you know why? I don't see the symptoms. Most people that get exposed to the radiation, start going through the cellular changes in hours after exposure. Seeing that you've survived this long and your eyes are not blood shot, your not constantly coughing up blood, and that your skin is still normal with no blotches, I think you're fine. Some that are infected, from what I've seen have gone made....not die but some just went into frenzies when they see another person. All in all....I think you're just fine...but I seriously think some of us have immunity. he said to comfort her. He caressed her back when she fell asleep.

Malik went to sleep shortly after as he started having nightmares and talking in his sleep. It couldn't have been no more than 2-3 hours since falling asleep but he woke up in a panic, seeing the face of his dead child and looked around to notice some beady eyes in the shadows down the hall in the house. Malik, slowly moved from Ari and got out of the covers as he was still naked but grabbed his cleaver just in case he had a fight coming.

Looking closer, he wondered what animal it could be to have snuck into the house. Coming out, it was a wolf. Looking for food as it could smell the meat that was cook with the fire of the fire place and it looked on giving a growl at first but Malik stood his ground ready to attack it if it tried fighting him but it whimpered as it was starving. Lowering his cleaver and giving a sigh, Malik walked over to grabbed a large chunk of the cooked meat and tossed it to the wolf as it ate and looked back up to get more. Giving it another piece, the wolf at that and looked back once more.

That's enough...I don't have more...you're going to have to go somewhere else. he said to the wolf as it stood there still hungry and thirsty.

[Wick]

Ari woke up to find Malik cuddled against her from behind and a wolf cuddled up next to her with it's face leaned up against the blankets at about her chest level. The beautiful animal was staring at her. At first it scared her. She smiled and pulled her arm out of the blanket and let the animal smell her hand and then started petting it. The wolf snuck a little closer to her and she chuckled softly. "You're a good boy aren't you? You are confused about what's going on too huh? Stay with us and I'll take good care of you."

She turned her head to see Malik smirking at her. "What? He was snuggled up to me. I think if he were going to hurt us he would have done it before we woke up don't you?" Ari reached over and gave Malik a hungry kiss and she looked at the dog who seemed curious. "You stay over there." She looked at Malik again and said."You come here."

@king tai

[King Tai]

Malik earlier tried to get the wolf to leave as he went to lay down and watched making sure the wolf didn't bother them. It was but a few minutes until Malik saw the wolf already laying and cuddling with them as if they were it's family. Malik looked at the beast and shook his head as Ari woke up.

Malik was not particularly fond of the wolf cuddling her but seeing how harmless it was to them and Ari petting it along with adopting it into their group, Malik looked at Ari saying it would have attacked Yeah it probably would have but....I think it's just getting fresh with you because it's hungry...I fed it earlier but it wouldn't leave. taking the kiss and massaging his tongue with her's he scooted closer to Ari and looked at the wolf who was just watching them Yes ma'am. he said.

As he got on top of her, the wolf stayed in it's spot but Malik didn't really like it staring You....go..." he said. The wolf tilted his head wondering why he needed it to go but it stayed put until standing and getting closer to sniff them and Malik was getting ready to continue the passionate activity. The wolf was very curious as it was circling around, seemingly going to sniff around their nether regions trying to get int eh covers that was covering up what they were doing on the inside.

Jeez...will you go...we're busy here.... Malik was saying a little annoyed. It seemed the only one the wolf would listen to was Ari Can you tell it to leave? he asked anxious to start his work out between Ari's legs.

@Wick

[Wick]

Ari blushed but called the dog. "Hey! No! Go over there and lay down." The wolf looked at her and you could almost see that it didn't want to listen but it went across the room and laid on the couch in a huff. Ari tried not to laugh but when Malik leaned back down she chuckled in his ear a little and said "Come on baby rock my world. I don't think he'll hump you." Malik gave her a look and moved in a way that made her groan happily and he felt like he had re-established dominance somehow.

After they played they grabbed clean clothes and went upstairs to the master bathroom and took a shower with the wolf that Ari had taken to calling Archie, laying on the bed grumbling. Soon afterwards they got ready to go make a supply run. First they emptied the cabinets of all the food and a few dishes.. Clothing and blankets were a must and they were packed in tightly too.

@king tai

[King Tai]

After getting the wolf away and regaining himself, Malik smiled as he managed to give her the best he could during sex that was more than enough to pleasure her.

After doing that and getting cleaned up together and dressed, Malik was nearly done with packing up as he placed the weapons in a wrapped up sheet to hold on to and made room for Archie so he could ride along with them. His nose was going to be of good use since he'll be able to smell danger from a distance and sense something is wrong.

As they were clothed and Malik was outside waiting, he kept watch to make sure there were no one else coming to cause them any trouble before they left. Want me to drive? Malik asked while waiting by the car.

[Wick]

Ari smiled. I know where we are going and how to get out fast if we need to. How about you drive afterwards? She whistled and Archie jumped into the backseat and looked out the window panting like he had been in a car all his life for car rides. Ari smiled. For some reason the dog reminded her a little of her brother Alex with his protectiveness of her.

She took them the back way into the Walmart entrance. She stopped and put the car in reverse and turned back around the corner. Archie's ears had risen straight up and he began to snarl. "Good boy, you saw it too huh?" She petted the wolf's scruff and he wagged his tongue happily. "New plan. Get away from here and find supplies along the way." She looked at Malik, "don't you see it?" He did not appear to see what she was talking about. "If you look on the ground at the end of the truck right there there is a body. There was another shadow that moved." Right about that moment a gangbanger walked out of the door they would have entered. She backed the car up slowly as the guy looked the other way as he took a piss. Before he could turn around they were gone. She got them to the edge of town and let him drive.

@king tai

[King Tai]

@Wick

Malik agreed to let Ari drive since t was her car and she knew where they needed to go. As they made it to the store and the new plan was set because of the dangers that were present at the back entrance, Malik felt they could've handled the guy but then again, avoiding unnecessary fights could be a victory as well.

As they left undetected, they were at the edge of town as he got out and got into the driver seat and headed out. Do you know of the next town that we may have a better chance in finding some supplies safely? he asked.

[Wick]

Ari shook her head. "Head south is all I can tell you. We'll check towns out on our way. We have enough for at least a week or two easily." She said as she lay her head on his shoulder. "Malik? Where would you like to live? Anyplace in particular in mind?" She smiled as Archie put his head on her lap pushing her away from Malik. She laughed as the wolf edged up front and sat between them and lay on her totally blocking her from doing more than barely touching hands with Malik. She looked at the wolf and laughed at him. "Archie! You are terrible." She said laughing at the wolf.

@king tai

[King Tai]

@Wick

Alright...sounds good. Has it been difficult for you to get gas as well? he asked as he noticed Archie totally cockblocking him and Ari to get Ari's attention and ruin their cuddle moment. And you wanted to keep him.... Forgetting the fact that he fed Archie which made him stay with them.

Thinking for a moment I Would like to live near a beach...I like warmer climates...reminds me of Trinidad. What about you? he asked riding down a semi-empty road that had destroyed or broke down vehicles. There were debris and trash on the road and shopping carts along with a few dead bodies on the side. There were some sick people on the side feeding on the dead bodies as Malik didn't look on at the carnage and continued out.

After driving for about 2 hours, Malik saw what looked like a gas station where he could stop to check out. The place looked abandoned and torn up but the car was getting low on gas and he was going to take a chance to check if there was gas available and if this was a safe stop. Archie, when we get to this station, I'm going to need your nose buddy....