[IC] The Walking Dead - Among the Ruined - Season 3

[wolverbells]

Samantha - Baton Rouge - Abram/Leah/Turisa Sam had driven the best she could under their circumstances, leaving as little evidence of their escape as possible. Now knowing where she was going, the drive back to the house where the others were at wasn't as long as the one to the mall was. When the two had arrived, immediately something seemed off, but Samantha shrugged it off as one of the feelings from having just gotten away from a murderous group of thugs. It was clear that they wouldn't be able to stay in the house. If the thugs set out to look for them, they'd easily be able to find them by just looking for the truck. As the two got out of the vehicle, Leah came out of the house shouting that Jess was gone. "What?!" Samantha wasn't able to get much more out before running inside and looking in probably the same places the others had already looked. "Her stuff is still here...." Sam whispered to herself as she stood in the room where all the baby stuff was still in. She couldn't have just gone up and left. Without much thinking, Samantha began to move, running to the closet and grabbing a diaper bag from within it. She began to pack diapers, clothes, and bottles, along with some formula that Jess had left behind. She wasn't about to let a defenseless teenage mother walk aimlessly with an infant. After she had gotten not only Jess' things, but hers as well, she made her way downstairs and set down the backpack and diaper bag. Abram was with Turisa near the back door, probably looking for some sort of clues as to what had happened. Samantha walked up to both of them quietly and looked from Turisa to Abram, anxious to hear if they had found anything. "Guys we can't stay here." Her voice was quiet and soft as she interrupted the two. "I've got a few bags full of supplies ready to go. We have to find Jess and we have to find somewhere new..... What if those men followed us and they're just waiting?" She looked up at Abram with worried eyes, crossing her arms as she turned to Turisa, "We didn't have time to get your truck gas. I'm sorry."

[Atomyk]

Tremblay - Baton Rouge/Plaza - Jessalyn As they left he vicinity of the van, Tremblay noted that Kerry decided to storm off, not looking particularly happy about these proceedings. Really, what had he expected to happen? Jon, who had been speaking to Kerry, moved to intercept Tremblay before he and Jess entered the store. "Want me to watch him?" he asked. With a slight roll of his eyes, Tremblay said, "No. I think Magnus will get the message once he returns. What I need you to do is meet Richard's drop-off." That he was saying all of this in front of Jess didn't seem to be an issue. Jon nodded and moved to go, but Tremblay stopped him before he could go, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "He's holding two back that I'll have to pay double for. We don't have enough for that, so when they arrive, you'll need to work it out. Do you understand?" Confirming that he understood, Jon quickly headed off. Tremblay watched as he passed by the van, the men milling around it finally moving it out of the way. He then turned back to Jess, silently gesturing for her to enter the store. It was a book store, though not a particularly luxurious one. There was a section at the back that was once used for relaxation and quiet reading. There was a rocking chair here that Jess moved toward, while Tremblay took the small sofa across from her. A bright pastel carpet sat between them. "One of the more unassuming stores in the plaza," Tremblay said. "It's a nice place for some quiet discussion-- relaxation." Indeed, the sounds of the workers and soldiers outside felt like only a whisper in here. Tremblay then listened as Jess explained her willingness to protect her child. He smiled at this and folded his hands in his lap. "And I don't doubt you would try. You shouldn't have anything to worry about that--" But then, Jess' mood took a turn for the worse. Tremblay watched as tears began to roll down her face. He stared at her, evenly, not saying a word. He waited a moment, letting the silence between them stretch on. "... Normally." he finally said, slowly, his accent becoming more pronounced. "Normally, I would threaten you and tell you to leave Baton Rouge with your tail between your legs. However, I can't possibly do that to a mother and her child. You should understand that Ben is safer here than he would be out there. I already lifted you off Magnus' hands, and leaving you to him would have been an awful thing to do, you see." He turned now, idly running his hand along a shelf of books. "I'd let you go, if I could. I would do a great many things differently, if I could. Baton Rouge has too many people, you see, two many groups vying for the meager supplies left in the city. I have too many deals with groups as it is-- Letting them stick around in exchange for something in return. As a result, new groups that come in have to be uprooted. They either assimilate, or they leave. I can't have you leave, not in good conscience, so you'll have to stay. It's for that reason that I'd like to get to know you, and you can get to know me." After stating this, he looked her in the eyes, clearly examining her intensely. "What's brought you to the city, Jessalyn? Does Ben have a father? I understand that those can be difficult to answer, so I offer you to ask me any question you'd like in exchange." --- Tyler - Motel - Katie/Scarlett/Liam He opened the blinds, letting the morning sun stream through the windows. He stared down at his daughter as the light stirred her awake. "Time to get up," he said, sternly, though with that soft fatherly vibe. He wasn't mad at her by any means, but things needed to change around here. "I brought a bucket up with some water. Wash your face in the bathroom, then meet me on the balcony." He tapped at the bucket, thankful that the tarp hanging in the pool managed to collect enough water to last them a few days. He stepped outside, turning quickly to knock on Scarlett's door. When she answered, he looked past her, looking for Liam. "Liam's going to join Katie for the practice I have planned. I think it'd be best if you keep out of it for now. I can get George to assist me." --- Jon - The drop-off He waited silently with two others, his hands gripping tightly at the rifle in his hands. A wind had picked up on his way here, and in the shade of the plaza building, Jon felt uncomfortably cool. The feeling wasn't right-- it was entirely off, frankly. His insides were practically burning up at the thought of meeting with Richard's men. They weren't fun people to deal with, usually, especially not when the deal had to be switched around. Tremblay considered the non-white prisoners a priority, which Richard Tries certainly took advantage of. He probably thought it soft, weak, and considering the situation, Jon figured it probably was both of those things. It was monumental that Tremblay had managed to earn any amount of trust with these guys, considering his apparent desire to 'save' some of their prisoners. But that was the deal. That was the relationship. Jon thought it was fucked up, but it was the only way they could both coexist. The problem was, especially now, Tremblay simply didn't have the resources to take everybody off Richard's hands. With two non-white people to account for, Tremblay would have to turn some of the white prisoners away. That's what Jon dreaded-- having to see the look on their faces. They were usually always groups who'd been together before being captured. Friends. It didn't help that Richard's men didn't like it when they were forced to compromise. Jesus, if only they could just put a giant dome around Baton Rouge, it would solve so many problems. Sighing, he exchanged knowing looks with the others while he silently waited for the inevitable.

[Damo021]

Turisa - Baton Rouge - Abram/Leah/Samantha. They had come back, but the world was in a whirlwind right now in her head, What could see say or do? Hell what would they do? She failed to do one simple thing, well nothing is simple any more but alas all she had to do was keep an eye of Leah, Jess and her baby. Turisa failed the later as both she and the baby were gone leaving herself and Leah alone until Abram and Sam had returned. despite her suspicion of the situation, getting Leah to pack some stuff in the bag ready to leave if needed and even keeping watch through the window amounted to nothing but failure. When they returned Turisa was sat in the kitchen with bottle of water in hand, nothing much was left in it mind you but she didn't care about that, She was worried and shaky to say the least if her hand anything to go by. She felt horrible and bad for her failure. Abram and Sam looked everywhere in the house from top to bottom from the very second Leah told them Jess was missing. Turi simply didn't move, she knew Jess was not here and thus didn't need to look but was not sure what to say, she let them search for like 20 minutes or something before Abram came to her first, asking for her help, that she was a cop. But of course no one would find anything and her old job skills were not needed to know how and Jess was no longer among them. Turi stood up to face Abram, trying to keep defiant look on her but it was no good as her eyes watered up and tears began to form down her face. At this point Sam had also come up and added her worth, thugs? other men following them possibly? all this was welling up in her mind, Baton Rouge was beginning to sound like the worst decision she made. but she concentrated on the issue at hand and that was Jess and her baby. Turi took a deep breath, The tears slowly going down her face. " You won't find them here." She started as she looked down feeling ashamed of her failure. " Jess... They were taken, Not long after you left I came downstairs and Leah told me they were outside on the doorstep." She paused. "I decided to check through the window to see if everything was okay, I saw her across the street trying to help a stranger lying on the ground, It didn't feel right to me so I got Leah to start packing things while I was getting ready should we need to go out here." She teared up some more. " I took my eye of them for just a few seconds, Just a few..... And they took them both, I saw a group of men from out of nowhere taking them into a van.. I ran out the door I tried to get them. Dam it I tried, I chase that van down the street, I could of took a shot at the van but I was afraid to, I was afraid I might of hit them and I couldn't leave Leah, I had to bloody let them go!" She snapped a little as she threw the bottled water and turned away from them wiping a tear away. " I failed them and let you down." She finished holding her hands on her head grabbing a hold of her hair in her mixture of emotions.

[Myst]

Jessalyn - Baton Rouge/Plaza - Tremblay Jess watched the man warily. He seemed almost... decent. But she had been taken in by that front before. It was going to take more then some kind words to make her believe he truly meant her and her baby no harm. Sniffling, trying to dry her tears, she looked down at Ben, kissing his forehead before speaking. "I came here with my group. We were trying to find shelter and a safe place to stay for a little while. We found a house that had baby supplies, everything he could need. Everything... and because I wanted to help someone I have lost it all for him..." She teared up again but shook her head, forcing the tears back once again. She would cry in earnest later. "Ben's father is dead," she said, her voice quiet as her mind went back to that day. "Killed before he was born. His name was Bruce. He was the leader of a place a lot like this, a place called Haywood. He was trading women like cattle to a man who used them as breeding stock. But since I was already pregnant, I was more valuable. But I was pregnant by him, taken advantage off months before by him with the promise that he would take care of me, keep me safe. But as soon as he was done with me, he abandoned me. His cruel leadership crumbled and his people turned on him. When I told him that he was the father of my baby, he tried to kill us both. He was killed while trying to strangle me." Jess swallowed hard but forced herself to continue. "A man named Floyd rescued me after I was traded away. He took care of me in the last months of my pregnancy, but we were seperated before Ben was born. I left Haywood with a friend to find him... and that is how we came here," she paused and looked at the man before her. "We never meant to stay here," she insisted. "We were going to continue on, to find Floyd. I know he's not dead. He can't be. He is too much of a survivor to die out there." He offered her to ask him any question she wanted, so she chose the one that was upmost in her mind. "How did you become the leader of this place?" The answer would tell her about what kind of man he was. It he took it by force, then his show of kindness was just an act. If the men appointed him, then maybe there was something in him that she could come to trust eventually.

[wolverbells]

Scarlett - Motel - Tyler/Katie/Liam Although she had gone to bed slightly frustrated by the talk she had had with Tyler, Scarlett still managed to get enough sleep; Although she did toss and turn due to her dreams. It was early in the morning when she had woken up. The sun had barely began to rise when she had already given herself a quick 'shower' downstairs with some water she had managed to find in a store right next door in a forgotten corner store. The water was cold, but it would have to do. At least now she was clean and wide awake. By the time she went upstairs, she could hear shuffling in George's room and Tyler's, but no sound of the kids. She walked quietly into the room and smiled as she crept past the sleeping Liam. Quietly, Scarlett sat on the edge of the bed and began to tie her boots up, her mind wandering off to the scolding Tyler had pretty much given her. She sighed as she sat up and ran a hand through her damp hair. Of course he would be mad. From what he had shared so far with her, he had been having a rough time finding somewhere for him and Katie to stay, and keeping her safe. Scarlett should have been more accepting last night than having left with the last word. She hadn't noticed how much time had gone by until there was a quiet knock on the door. Blinking her eyes a few time to have herself come back to reality, Scarlett noticed the sun was out now and the birds were chirping here and there. Still eerily quiet, but there was some noise now. She got up and made her way over to the door, opening it slightly to see who it was. Once she saw Tyler, she gave him a small smile and opened it a little more. She heard him speak and nodded, turning to face Liam then back to him. "Sure. Um, if you guys need stuff, there's a little store right next door. It's been cleared." She shrugged and begun to close the door before she remembered, "Oh! I'm also headed out... I'll be back though so I can teach the kids some stuff too." Her tone was completely different from the one she used with him the night before. It was a bit more cheerful, yet still respectful. "Also.... I'm sorry about last night." She bit her lip not wanting to say much more and closed the door slowly, as to not seem rude. As she turned and began to walk towards where Liam slept, Tyler's face lingered on her mind.... And his overgrown beard. Scarlett wanted to giggle at the thought but she made a mental note to ask him if he would be against getting it shaved, or at least trimmed. "Hey Liam.... Liiiiaaaam." Scarlett walked over to where the sleeping Liam laid and bent down to poke him a few times. "Liam... Tyler wants you and Katie to get ready and go practice with him." She stood up straight and crossed her arms as she waited for him to wake up.

[Atomyk]

Tremblay - Book Store - Jessalyn Tremblay listened intently to Jessalyn's story, hands clasped in his lap. At the mention of Haywood, he leaned back slightly, his thoughtful smile turning slightly more toward a grim expression. He played it off as concern for her well being, letting out a deep breath once Jess was finished. "I've not heard of anyone named Floyd coming through these parts," Tremblay said. "So, perhaps you just got here ahead of him. I'll keep the name in mind, anyway." Jess chose to ask how he'd come into power, and he supposed it was as good a question as any. Readjusting himself on the couch, he took a more relaxed position as he started to explain. "I said the right words," he said, pausing for effect afterward. He smiled at this. "Considering the state of Baton Rouge before I arrived, it's surprising it didn't involve much in the way of bloodshed. I've already mentioned Magnus, and outside I'm sure you heard me mention the name Richard. They both had their own groups here before I arrived, and the relationship I share with them has become a bit complicated as of late. They both wanted people for their various goals-- were willing to capture men and women to see these through. The only issue was that they were at each other's throats, the two groups threatening to tear the other to pieces." He looked about the room, his eyes eventually settling on the store's front entrance, looking out at the plaza beyond. "But then my group arrived. Magnus would have liked to see us on one of his operating tables, but we put up a good fight. A bit too good. I started rallying the stragglers and loners to my cause-- after all, I was the lesser of the three evils. The pair of them didn't much like the idea of a third group messing with their plans, so they both sought to strike a deal with me in order to put away the other. As Richard was the more aggressive of the two, I knew I had to give them a little more leeway. I ended up occupying what Magnus owned, our groups largely combining. Magnus has his own men and his own quarters, of course, but I'm afraid he has to answer to me now. Richard, finally having Magnus out of his hair, was happy with trading me the poor unfortunate souls he stills tends to capture." Seeing that Ben had calmed down immensely during the story, Tremblay gestured to him. "He's very beautiful. I haven't seen a baby in quite some time. You may be worried that I seek to harm him, but what would that get me? I am a pragmatic person, Jessalyn, not a ruthless one. I've been around and seen the kinds of leaders this new society has to offer. I've seen monstrous leaders who achieve their goals through power and intimidation. These ones gain quite the number of enemies-- and usually end up dead because of it. I've seen leaders with hearts too big to lead, their morals disallowing them from turning any away. They try to make everyone happy, only to find that it's impossible. Someone will see their weakness and eventually destroy them from the inside. I think I strike a balance between these, and my people think so too. That's not to say things are perfect around here... I'm sure you can already see the cracks in my leadership." "But if things go badly, and I'm sure they will eventually, there's always new places to explore. New community's to build. That's how I've lived since this all began, Jessalyn."

[Rithas]

Liam-Sleep That night Liam kept his eyes wide open, He could feel something went down. Perhaps only minor but still the feeling of unrest was disrupting sleep. He'd hadn't gotten time to completely stop and think about it. But he had a group, and he felt somewhere deep inside that he could trust them. He could sleep safely....He just need to think of sheep, that's what people thought of wasn't it? Sheep....soft and warm and were basically a living pillow.....Soft and...... A figure stood ahead of him, the fog blinded him. He wanted to reach and touch, but he couldn't move his hands. He wanted to say something but the fog faded his thoughts. "Run" The fog was getting heavier, the figure was disappearing...He wanted to reach and touch....to feel and scream...... "Run" * Liam really didn't want to open his eyes, he just wanted to pretend he wasn't woken up and drift back to sleep. Hopefully for a whole week. But eventually his eyes opened...slowly. He dragged himself to face Scarlett. Practice? That sounded a awful lot like getting up. "Practice....what....type of practice?" Kerry-Baton Rogue They rode in silence, he hadn't much to say to the women. He listened to what she said, but not a word was spoken from him. When they swung and stopped, almost causing Kerry to fall forward into Jess. He felt relief that it was over. He took the lead as soon as they halted and jumped out. He turned to corner only to be practically shoved against the van. The face of Jon met him and Kerry swore under his breath. "What are you doing?" Was the summary of what Jon asked him...Kerry stared at Jon...the two almost having a staring contest for a few moments before answering. "I'm delivering to Magnus...Take your eyes off business that isn't yours Jon." Kerry pushed Jon off him and try to walk back to the van. But Jon stopped him again. They bickered for a few minutes...Kerry wished he would just piss off, Tremblay's people always pried into their buisness...they were supposed to follow orders when they weren't even allowed to do anything to help their own interests..."She's with us...We're going to keep her safe she has a baby! Now if you would just let me-" Kerry wanted to scream as loud as he could when he saw Tremblay...This was the opposite of "quietly" He didn't even get to say anything, just like that and the woman and child was out of their hands and into Tremblay's...Kerry tried to say something but he wasn't given a chance, he had no choice but to admit defeat and retreat. Magnus "Oh how very troublesome" Magnus sighed as he turned to the two wounded men..."Get them up and let's go...I do request that you guys stand prepared for when the person with a gun actually shots back at you...you acted like children...tch" He cracked his hands as he got into the vehicle. "Hopefully Kerry hasn't disappointed me" * "And your saying he was there when you got out" Magnus eyes stared into Kerry's. He was fidgeting and Kerry honestly thought that Magnus was going to do something to him. He tapped his finger against the wooden table and his eyes flicked down to the map, large red circle told where groups were holding out...There was a brief silence before a smile flickered across his face......"Kerry...I want you take the men and capture that group....but this time....do it fucking quietly" Kerry silently walked out. "I have some things to check out..." He muttered to himself quietly.

[wolverbells]

Scarlett - Baton Rouge Scarlett smiled as Liam began to wake up. He reminded her so much of what she missed back at home. She shrugged slightly at his question and turned to walk over to her make shift bed. "I don't exactly know what the practice with consist of, but I do know you'll be dealing with guns." She shrugged on her hoodie and turned back around to face the door, grabbing her blade and her gun before placing them in their usual spots; the gun on her back, held by her belt and the blade sheathed and hanging by her hip. "I'll see you later though. I'll be back before you know it." She smiled at the young boy and waved at him before exiting the room. She didn't really look around or take notice of anyone in the hallway; not really being in the mood to talk more than what was necessary. She was on a mission to go find certain supplies and usually what she put her mind to, she always accomplished it. She had chosen the most discrete way of exiting the hotel, through the back, and went about her way down the alley. In a way, the eerie feeling of the empty streets were comforting. She didn't want to deal with the walkers stench, nor putrid liquids that came out of them when she drove her blade through their skulls. Yet it was still weird, seeing a city so dead. As she crossed a few streets, she noticed that the city wasn't too quiet. Echoing through the nearly empty streets were the sounds of moving vehicles. Trucks meant to go off road by the sound of them. No cars would really make the same noise. If any were to get too close, Scarlett would dive in the nearest alley and hide behind a dumpster, or even run in a store and hide behind a rack or a shelf. She hardly bothered to keep an eye out for walkers, knowing that if they did appear, it would be on a very miniscule level. The moment she did come on a street with a few of them there, she'd simply walk the opposite direction. Baton Rouge was seeming to be a dead end of supplies, or at least the area they were in. Scarlett could find little in the stores she walked past as she peeked through their windows. It wasn't until she found a small convenience store that looked like a shoppe, with the sign half faded. Unsheathing her blade, Scarlett went for the door, expecting it to be locked, but it was cracked open. The young woman bit her lip as she opened the door, cringing as a loud creak emitted from the rusty hinges. "Oh my god..." She would have groaned if it weren't for the fact that something in the store was already groaning. The source of the sound came from behind a long shelf, and as Scarlett neared it, the horrid smell that only came from rotting flesh became overpowering. Scarlett covered her mouth and nose with a hand as she tried to contain her gagging but kept going, rounding the corner and seeing the source of the sound and the smell. A body lay in the middle of the aisle with a walker practically digging its head into the stomach of the dead man. With all the strength she had, Scarlett abstained from throwing up and walked closer towards the two. The man being devoured had committed suicide. Choosing to shoot himself in the head rather than to deal with the world going to complete shit. Having enough of the gruesome sight, Scarlett lifted her blade and angled it to where it went straight through the undead corpse' head. Practically convulsing in disgust, she pulled out the machete pro and backed up a few feet, gagging and dry heaving. The store was too good to pass up, unfortunately, so she'd have to deal with the smell and search the store for anything valuable and food for the others.

[Atomyk]

Shannon - The School - Danny/James/Rob The school was an absolute mess. As soon as they pulled up to the place, their group had been disgusted to find a parking lot filled with an overwhelming amount of trash and corpses. Approaching the entrance, they found heavy barricades that had collapsed in on themselves. An examination of the windows revealed that every single one of them was boarded up. At some point, a large group had been living inside the place, possibly for quite a while. There was also possible people were still there, even if its defenses had been compromised. Shannon wanted James to stay behind with Rob, but the boy had insisted on going in, so everyone went in to explore. They found little more than a graveyard on the inside. More corpses were here and there, with a few walkers up and around as well. Shannon stuck close to James, the boy staring almost longingly at the grisly displays they passed. Down one hallway was a trail of bright red blood, with a corpse strung up from the ceiling by a noose. A walker beside it got up once it sensed them, though it slipped in the blood on the floor. It kept doing so, the group frozen by the unsettling scene. James broke everyone out of their trance by laughing at the display. Chris gave him a hesitant look before taking care of the walker. Right after, Danny decided it would be best for them to split up and cover the whole school. It had a whole two stories, after all. Shannon moved with James and Rob, though she found herself growing concerned with James. Ever since Valentina had disappeared, the boy had acted odd to say the least. Sometimes too calm, sometimes too quiet. He was quite different than the boy she'd met in that store months ago. As Rob checked out a classroom, Shannon grabbed James to check out the one next door. Inside, the desks were arranged in a circle, and a knife was lodged into the top of one of them. Dry blood stains were on the floor, looking as if someone tried to clean them up. On the chalkboard was a mess of words-- incomprehensible to Shannon. Whoever had been writing on it seemed to have been writing words at random. Shannon frowned at the display, before moving to examine the shelves at the side of the classroom. "All children, except one, grow up," James suddenly said, causing Shannon to spin around. At the look on her face, James pointed at the chalkboard. "It's from Peter Pan." It took her a moment, but she indeed spotted the phrase amidst the mess of words. In fact, as she looked more, she found that it was not a random mess of words, but a random mass of quotes. "You've read Peter Pan?" she asked, looking back at the shelves. She wondered if those books could be found in here. This school must have a library. James walked up beside her, idly rubbing his fingers against the dust on the shelves and examining his fingertips. "Mmhm. I used to read a lot... mostly older books. Books my parents said were classics." "You can draw and read well. Can you write?" "Maybe. I never really wrote outside of homework." Shannon sighed when all she could find was folders of blank school assignments. She'd have to try the library before they left. "You should try it when you get the chance. Emma said she liked to write, so..." Shannon paused at that, giving James an apologetic look. "... Did you do good in school?" James didn't seem phased by her mention of Emma. "Duh. Teachers always said how diligent I was. In grade nine, my teacher from grade school set it up so I had some sort of advanced reading material. She expected that I'd be on the honor roll." He turned to look at the desks, his gaze lingering on the upright knife. "But everything bad happened before I could do it. I really wanted to be on the honor roll in high school, at least for one year. But those teachers are probably dead like my mom and dad now. Like Valentina." James moved to the desk, grabbing at the knife and pulling it out. "They're all dead, and I think we'll be dead soon too." Her worry growing, Shannon stepped forward. "James--" "I want to find Emma, but nothing I want ever comes true anymore. We'll die before we find her. We'll die--" "How's it going?" Danny asked from the doorway. Shannon had moved to grab James by the shoulder, but she found herself jumping at Danny's sudden entrance. "Jesus!" "What?" He looked at her as if she was accusing him of something. "Nothing. James, I'll take the knife--" "No." James stared at her, his hand gripping at the black hilt. She could see his hand going white as he strained to hold on to it. "I want to keep it. You never let me hold any weapons. I saved you with a knife, remember?" "You don't know how to properly use it. You don't even like guns." "It's not a gun, it's a knife--" "Shannon," Danny said, his voice weary. "Let the kid hold the knife. Where we're going, he's going to fucking need it." "Yeah, I'm going to fucking need it." "James!" She gave Danny a reproachful look. "Don't pick up his bad habits." Glaring at her, James stepped away, shrugging Shannon off as she attempted to grab his arm. "Stop, okay? You're not my mom, so I can say what I want around you." Before Shannon could make an argument, he was moving past Danny and out of the classroom. "I'm going to hang out with Rob." Shannon stood in the middle of the classroom, flabbergasted by the altercation. She'd always scoffed at the idea of being like a mother to James, but to hear him verbalize it like that... hurt. He'd always treated her like his big sister, or a mother... what was going on with him? "He's stressed," Danny said at the look on her face. "This school's a fucking nightmare, of course he's on edge." He stepped forward now, closing the distance between them. He reached out and took hold of her arms, holding them gently in place. "And I can tell you're on edge too. You need to calm down." Shannon licked her lips, closing her stinging eyes. He was right that she was on edge, but she was always on edge these days. You couldn't afford not to be. "I'm so tired of this, Dan." She opened her eyes to find him pulling her into a hug. "Don't I know it," he said. "But it'll be okay. We'll save Emma and make a new life out here. It's not all bad." She could almost laugh. "Not all bad?" "Yeah, I mean... no school. No job. No politics. No grand fucking society we have to adhere to. No--" She pulled back now, keeping him at arm's length. She looked into his eyes warily. "Are you implying there's something good about all this? That our old lives have been destroyed is a good thing?" Sensing her mood, Danny detached from her. "Well, not entirely, but--" "You have got to be kidding me. Are you enjoying yourself, Danny? I bet you were having the time of your goddamn life in Outpost." "I don't know why you're-- Okay, look, like I said, you're stressed--" "Oh, shove off, Dan. You don't get it, and we don't have time for me to sit here and try to make you get it." She moved past him, roughly, much like James had. She knew she shouldn't be so angry at him about this, but she was still on edge about what James said. This school-- this school was a horror house, and Shannon felt like it was eating away at her. Like some supernatural force, every foul mood and memory she'd sustained in the last six months were taking over her like a tidal wave. She was just sick and tired of this world she'd found herself in. Behind her, Danny said, "That's it. We're done with this place. I'll round up the others so we can get the hell out of here." Shannon couldn't agree more. Fuck the library.

[Kidd]

Lillah & Vivian -- Roselawn Cemetery, Baton Rouge The night had been a long one; Lillah had spent most of her time flipping through an old comic book, the edge of its pages brown and yellow by the light of a candle. The sun was up, but the walls of the mausoleum closed out its light. She was only aware of the morning when there was a stirring beside her: a petite woman lied restricted in the grimy sleeping bag but awoke when she tried to stretch her way out. Lillah's attention turned back on the last couple pages of the comic book after offering a "Good morning" to her companion. As expected, she didn't get a reply. It was a wonder if she was even heard as Vivian concerned herself with struggling to wake up. She pulled a book bag to herself and peered inside. "Fuuuck," Vivian whined despite pulling out a full bottle of water. "We're gonna need food soon." Vivian uncapped the bottle and took a large swig, swishing it about her mouth before swallowing to fight off the dryness. "And I'm not staying in here another day." She gave Lillah a pointed a look, though it was lost in the dark. "Then we'll leave today. And find some supplies." She shrugged and closed the comic book before tossing it to Vivian, who slipped it into her own bag. "You get any sleep?" Vivian asked, standing to stretch. She knew the answer every morning, but asked anyway. Always with a nonchalant and light tone despite the concern in her dark gaze. As she answered, Lillah wiggled out the sleeping bag so she could sit on top it. "Got enough," was always the reply. Vivian rolled her eyes but sat back down to unpack some canned food. For their single-candle-lit breakfast, they would be splitting a can of black olives and washing it down with water. Their conversation was idle small talk, littered with a laugh or two here or there. More often than not, Vivian's lips were moving and Lillah was rolling her eyes--though hiding a smile--in response. With their stomachs at least partly full, Lillah got up to pull the heavy into the mausoleum open. She squinted against the sun as it entered, but didn't dare look away to leave herself unaware. However, the cemetery was empty and she pulled the door all the way open as Vivian extinguished the candle and went on to groom herself. Lillah stood by the door, continuing to keep watch as she waited for her companion to finish packing up their current supplies: two reusable water bottles, the large sleeping bag, a pack of matches, a lighter, the half melted candle, two more cans of fruit, lots of feminine hygiene products, and the essentials of self defense (which would be on their persons). All finished up, Vivian handed the taller girl the heavier bag and an aluminum bat. She had an unloaded singled barreled shot gun on her back and a hunting knife at her makeshift belt. "Alright, let's get out of here, love," she said as she stepped out into the light, leaving behind the empty olive can.

☼ ☼ ☼

Their search for food and supplies took them from street to street in Baton Rogue. Both were quiet and alert, though Vivian was casually twirling her knife about her fingers. She was also the first to hear vehicles a few streets over and redirected Lillah's path away from the noise. Their search for supplies took them from store to store, most of which already emptied by other survivors. "This is hopeless. This city was too big," Lillah muttered. "We..." Her voice trailed off, however, and they came to a stop in front of a shoppe with a half faded sign. The door was open and, just as she was about to peak in, Lillah pulled away at the sounds of coughing and hacking. The two exchanged looks, then nodded. Vivian slipped the knife away, exchanging it for her empty shot gun as she turned to guard the door against outsiders. She made a point to be invisible to anyone inside the shop. Lillah, on the other hand, slipped quietly through the open door with her bat at the shoulder. It became quickly apparent why the other woman was gagging. When the stench hit Lillah as she walked further in, she couldn't help the cough that rose from her throat and alerting the stranger to her present. "Shit," she hissed, wafting the air in front of her. Having surprise on her side would've been nice, but she wasn't terribly afraid despite: the short haired woman standing over two corpses was small and didn't have a firearm in hand. Still, she said, "Sorry," as a greeting, her face wrinkled against the odor.

[wolverbells]

Scarett - Baton Rouge - Lilah/Vivian Although the smell of rotting flesh and internal organs is something that nobody could possibly get used to, Scarlett was beginning to overcome it when an unexpected cough made her jump and turn around quickly. Scarlett stared at the female in front of her with a mixture of surprise and fear as she waited for her to either begin shooting or to act aggressive towards her. Maybe she had been in one too many hostile situations. Her hand gripped her blade tightly as she sized the young woman up and she took a small step backwards, unfortunately being stopped by the two corpses behind her. She didn't want to speak first, not knowing how the stranger would react, but she felt a bit of relief the girl apologized for scaring her. "I..... Uh.." Scarlett was at a loss for words, almost the same way when she had been found by Tyler and his group. "I don't want to hurt anyone.... I just need to get some supplies and I'll be on my way." Her tone of voice was soft yet held a sense of authority and confidence. She didn't want to seem as vulnerable as she felt, nor did she want to seem too bitchy.

[Kidd]

Lillah & Vivian -- Baton Rouge -- Scarlett Lillah regarded the other in silence, tapping the bat to her dark shoulder. Unlike the blonde who was trying to come off as unassuming as possible, she made a point to stand tall and unsmiling. Clearly, she didn't care if she came off as a bitch. "I need supplies too," she said, then paused. Like the stranger, she didn't want anyone hurt, but she also wanted to prioritize her and Vivian when it came to items. It was a good reminder that the woman might have someone else to look out for, too. After looking around, Lillah lowered her bat and offered, "I take some, you take some. I don't need a lot. And I don't wanna hurt anyone either." Outside, Vivian rolled her eyes as she strained to listen. Despite being the least friendly of the two, Lillah always insisted on confronting others. This was a shame because she tended to compromise when Vivian preferred to take. Still, the petite woman remained outside by the door, her gaze flickering up and down the street. The rotten smell carried out into the open and she wrinkled her nose against it, but kept her hands on the empty gun. She only moved away from the door to look down the alley beside the shoppe, on the watch for walkers or other people. Her ears remained open in case her companion needed help, but otherwise her attention was on the surrounding area. However, the city remained still and quiet.

[Horonir]

(( Ignore this! Posted a CS in the wrong tab ))

[wolverbells]

Scarlett - Baton Rouge - Lillah/Vivian Scarlett listened intently but her eyes still darted from one side of the store to the other. She wasn't scared or intimidated by the young woman in front of her, but she was suspicious that there might be others around the building. With the kind of people she had dealt with within the last few days, her ability to trust others was slowly deteriorating. "That sounds just fine." Scarlett now looked at the young woman again and sheathed her blade while shrugging her unassuming back pack off. "I'm only here for a few cans of food and any kid stuff... You may go ahead and take everything else." With that being said, Scarlett glanced over her shoulder to the dead corpses and made a face as she took the biggest step she could possibly take to get over them. "Are there others with you? Or are you alone?" Scarlett looked back at the female and began to glance every few seconds at the products on the shelves. She wanted to find what she came looking for and leave quickly, but she couldn't take her eyes off of the stranger. "I'm not too fond of ambushes or kidnappings... I've already had my few..... And in a city like this one, they tend to happen often."

[Kidd]

Lillah & Vivian -- Baton Rouge -- Scarlett "Just need some food is all," Lillah replied, watching the other woman. It was a given--the handful of survivors all needed food. Trust was hard to come by and even harder to give. Though her mind lingered on "kid stuff" and guilt inevitably settled in; anything she took for her and Vivian would be something this lady could have given..what? Her sibling? Her kid? She pursed her lips together and tried to push it out of her mind as she stepped forward to scout the items. She was tense and would occasionally spare the woman a glance, but kept her eyes open for needed food for the most part. The woman then asked if she was alone. Usually, this is where Lillah would lie; however, she needed to take enough for two and the stranger showed no signs of hostility...toward the living at least. "There's one more," she answered truthfully, pulling off her bag to drop a can of peaches into it. "She's standing guard outside." Vivian sauntered back to her place by the door, making an attempt to stay still for more than minute. This consisted of looking around and shifting her weight between one foot and then the other, a pout on her lips. She glanced back at the shoppe, mentally urging her companion to hurry up. She could barely hear words being exchanged, but--not hearing any hostility or shouting--kept her attention on the outside.

[Rithas]

Rob-The School-Danny/Shannon/James "Jesus" Rob searched around the classroom, to be honest this whole place gave him the creeps. He thought at first that the group that lived here before must of died all at once or left quickly. As some things seemed to be just abandoned out of nowhere.. But one could tell the bodies had died or been infected at different times. He gently prodded a body to see if it was going to try to eat him if he stepped over it. Sad thing, even if it was alive....it was stuck under a desk. Rob wondered if the desk was related to the corpse's death...that would be embarrassing. In the end of the world, you die because of a desk. Rob chuckled at the thought before moving towards the board. He looked down to see that chalk was still on the ground..."Huh" Rob smiled as he picked it up. When he stood back up, a mischievous idea entered his head. He pressed the chalk against the board and after a few seconds stood back and smiled. Rob Was Here: Survive well My friends! "Totally worth it" Rob grinned as he placed the chalk down. He turned his head to see James enter the room. He waved to him, even though he was only a few meters away from him. "This place is...unsettling isn't it? I'd say burn it with fire if we could..." Rob jumped over the dead body as he took one final look across the room. Taking to second to look at his writing before turning back to James. "Nothing....There's nothing here useful really...Unless You want chalk for some reason" Rob smirked as he stepped out to exit the room. "How you holding up? We've spent a long time chasing this pack...and...we're getting closer. Who knows exactly how this is going to end up...You never really get time to slow down and check up on everyone" Rob looked across the hallway. "Especially in this creepy place...I swear, I'm surprised there isn't the lavender town theme music playing over this place" ----- Liam-Baton Rogue-Katie/Tyler Liam looked at Scarlett innocently as she mention guns...but she left before he could say much. "Right..." Liam mumbled to himself as he sprang himself up from the bed. "Let's...not...." Liam paused in the room...by himself there wasn't a sound made. "He's going to see if I can help.....or maybe to learn...." Liam sighed as he exited the hotel room...walking over to the next room to where Katie and Tyler was. It seemed that everyday, Tyler got a little bit more ragged as they went on. Liam put on a semi-smile as he looked up to Tyler. "We're doing some....practice or something?" ----- Aiden Aiden clenched his teeth as he stayed silent. One of his great friends had been murdered for the colour of his skin. Two more were probably going to meet the same faith. The men that had captured him weren't men...Savages who killed just to kill. He wanted to fight, he wanted to claw their eyes out. Not caring if he would get shot. It would be better then this. But he was weak...he felt empty. They were livestock, being traded to other people who were presumably just as worse. He wished he would be killed, just to end this feeling of hopelessness.

[wolverbells]

Scarlett - Baton Rouge Scarlett nodded solemnly as the young woman spoke about just having one person with her and she decided to believe her, although every few seconds Scarlett would look over her shoulder. She grabbed as many cans as she thought her group would need, but still made sure the other woman had some for herself and her companion that was waiting for her outside. Luckily, the store was what seemed to be a mixture of a 'stop and go' and a souvenir shop. Half and half. Scarlett made her way over to the farthest wall with shirts handing from fixtures and began to look for some that looked like they could fit Katie and Liam. Of course they wouldn't be the most fashionable, but in times like these no one really care about fashion. Once she found something roughly around Katie's size, Scarlett grabbed one in a long sleeve form and one in a short sleeve form, same with Liam. Both a gender neutral color so that there wouldn't be a big deal. Unfortunately that was all that was offered in the small clothing section of the store; shirts and a few adult hoodies with the name Louisiana written across the chest or pictures of alligators and such. Moving away from the clothes. Scarlett quickly skimmed the last aisle and grabbed a small plastic box of plastic hair ties and normal hair ties. She had wondered if Katie would like a braid or maybe a ponytail for a change, so she made a mental note to get hair ties. If Tyler didn't want Katie to have a type of maternal figure for the young girl, then Scarlett would be the little girl's best friend. Tyler never said anything about being friends with her. Finding the few things she needed, Scarlett started walking towards the front door, her stomach beginning to do flips. What if the female was lying? What if there are others outside? Scarlett took a deep breath to settle her nerves and began walking over to the door, only to stop one she was a few feet from it. Turning, she bit her lip as she tried to form the question in her head, "Um... By any chance... You wouldn't happen to have seen another woman that looks like me?" Scarlett looked at the young woman with a hint of hope in her eyes only to have it disappear as soon as she saw the girl shake her head. Scarlett nodded, disappointed, and returned to her walk to the door. She didn't turn to face the girl inside as she exited, her eyes locked on the new face waiting outside. "Oh." Scarlett's eyes ran up and down, taking in every detail of the petite woman across from her. She held a weapon in her hand but Scarlett made no move to either defend herself or to run. Instead, she walked to the side of the store, ever so slowly, keeping her eyes on the woman. "Your friend is inside, unharmed. She's searching for supplies.... If I may give you a quick tip about this city... Run from it... If you hear trucks, hide from them. Don't let them see you." Scarlett was aware that this was a morbid warning that lacked any sort of specifics but in reality, she didn't really have any specifics to elaborate on. Raising her hands to show that she wasn't going to do anything stupid, Scarlett hooked both of her thumbs on the backpack straps and began to jog backwards. She didn't want to spend anymore time there. Being outnumbered wasn't a pretty feeling and she didn't want to be caught there if and when Tremblay's men showed up. Once she was a good, few feet away from the petite woman, Scarlett quickly turned to face the way she was headed and ran off, unsheathing her blade with one hand and facing it to where it was pointing down before hooking her thumb back on the backpack strap. She'd need to make her way to a barber shop before heading back to the hotel. That's the only place she'd be able to find a good straight razor and shaving cream.

[Kidd]

Lillah & Vivian -- Baton Rouge Lillah remained quiet as she "shopped." Of course, her primary concern was the food, but she would occasionally drop a dusty book or article of clothing into her bag. The shoppe was a good find, full of diverse goods and she made a note of it on the map in her head. It'd be worth returning to, though there was only so much she and Vivian could carry without being slowed down. She stopped toward the front of the shoppe by the cashier tables and picked up a few lighters, testing them. Fire was always good, so she dropped them into her bag. Before she continued her search, she noticed the stranger was leaving. Lillah paused to watch; while she was always looking out for Vivian, she tended to look out for the people around Vivian as well. Though the woman turned to ask her a question--she must've had a sister or something--and at Lillah's negative response, continued on. When she began exchanging only words with Vivian, she turned back to searching. Vivian greeted the woman with a tilt of her head and a scowl. Had she been 6 inches taller and another 50 pounds heavier, she might've been intimidating--though the shot gun helped. "We're just passing through, girly. Worry about yourself," she answered with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her gaze lingered on the woman's bag--no doubt full of useful goods--but she didn't make a move. Instead, she just watched with narrowed eyes as the blonde woman left the area. When Lillah finally stepped out, Vivian grabbed her own bag to carry some of the weight. After the exchange, she said, "We should stick around for a bit. Think there's more people here." "Sounds like a reason to leave," Lillah disagreed, looking around. "More people means more supplies," Vivian pointed out. The taller of the two rolled her eyes and returned the bag to her shoulder as Vivian slipped away the shot gun. "C'mon," was all she said before turning continue their travelling.

[QT]

Trading Center - Richard Treis "PLEASE STOP!!" Jennifer screamed, begging Treis' soldier to stop with deafening howls. Tears flooded through the banana that blinded her as irksome sobs reformed. "....please..." she repeated with more helpless desperation, hands tied together and resting on her thighs. The woman lay motionless on her knees as her chains rattled with Floyd trying to do something about their situation. He shook and fought the overwhelming oppression, but was met with violence every time he moved. He was also placed on his knees, but was forced to lean to the left as Hank's busted body dragged him sideways. They had not been released from their chains, so remained tied to one another. As stated before, when one fell, the rest followed. "Let em' go" the redneck would say under his own breath from time to time, but had no impact on the mindset of their enemy. They could not even see what was going on, but could only imagine the unfolding events. The sound of Hank's grunts and rugged coughs fabricated an image encompassed by a agonizing theme. The word painful could not describe the actual pain their leader was experiencing. Floyd felt drops of liquid come in contact with his arm from time to time, but didn't know what the substance was. He had the impression it was Hank's blood, but could not tell if he were just imagining it all. Underneath those blindfolds and knowing Floyd, there was obvious intent to hurt. Hank had said it. They were now in a position where it was kill or be killed. If the group made it out of this one with their lives, it was time to reminisce on their past events and morph into something that would keep them from such dangerous affairs. These people came treated them like effigies, objects to be used for the sole purpose of anger management. Just about ten minutes ago, the group had been removed from the truck's bed and onto the concrete. They had stopped as it seemed they arrived at their destination of trade. The community leader, Richard Treis, gratefully briefed them on what would happen from this point forward. "You will be given to Tremblay. Do not ask who he is, for you will soon find out. Just know that we take good care of our kind, so you have no reason to fear. Because you have chosen to not join our cause, you will not be accepted into our home. But because we are good common folk, we give you a second opportunity under the supervision of Tremblay. You will now forever live under his notion and never step foot in our lands. If you do, you die. But now, we wait for the men who will take you to their community. I hope you like it there. You'd of been a great addition to our cause" he had finished right before he allowed the others to beat Hank. He did nothing to stop them, nor was the one who commanded them to do so, the men just attacked him on their own. They said Hank broke the rules and peeked, then pulled him off the truck with the others and immediately started to strike him to the ground. It was completely brutality sugarcoated by the laughter of the tyrants. Sooner or later, the supremacist bunch stopped hammering Hank and left the man alone and silent on the frigid road. "Nigger lover" was their last comment before their steps become distant. They were still chattering in the background, so the group knew their slave drivers were close enough to see. They kept their movements to a minimum and tried to speak to each other as silently as possible. "Hank.....are you okay?" Jennifer asked, a look of concern consuming her facial features. She stopped profusely crying the second they stopped harming him, a sign of relief. But still, she was in complete despair since she could not help him, nor do anything for that matter. Hank wasn't even responding, but his breathing was loud enough to hear. He was having difficulty doing that simple self-regulating action which was a sign that he was honestly on the wrong side of the health spectrum. The group had always gotten out of the worst of scenarios, but this was just so chaotic.

[Roran Hawkins]

Alex Clark - The Gas Station - Cody/Zoe He had been inspecting the backroom as the others cleared the main rooms, and soon they learned nothing was to be found here. Alex found himself a pencil and notepad, and in a whim he decided to keep it. He also decided to keep the first page of scribbles made up of prizes, named and phone numbers for some reason he didn't quite understand himself. He didn't want to try and make himself believe that the world wasn't turning to crap. He came out of the other room to find Cody and Zoe looking at a weird setup of items on the counter. He arrived just in time to catch Cody's latest sentence, and slowly he started nodding. They were onto their prey.