[IC] The Dead and the Dying

[CloseEnough]

James

they were getting close, he could see one of the old jumping rings that Reena made for english horses, branches and logs that were being reclaimed by nature as they fell from the wind alone. "Almost there, and shes taken me in, so long as your not a free loader. But your right, no one around here really knows how bad this is."

His blood running cold at the shrieks he looked up, clutching his pool cue, the only weapon he had on him as the stuff of nightmares began to fly over head. "Oh shit!"
He had no idea what that thing was, all he knew was that it needed to be dead. Now he was really wishing Reena gave him a crossbow sooner like she promised, that thing could do some serious damage! If only this shit happened after the holidays or something!

[alexfangtalon]

(Since I am so far behind I will do a quick 'recap' of what happens with Alex and Kiley and then I will do my actual post.)

Alex, at the University preparing for his role in the production at the Black Box Theater, was waiting with all the other cast members for the director to show up. She was unusually late, but then burst through the back stage doors. The assistant director went to ask her why she had been so late when she lashed out and chomped on the neck of the man. That's when everyone saw her face. It had been torn partially off. Chaos started and everyone ran in different directions. Alex checked on the audience and saw similar disaster happening among them. He quickly sneaked further into the depths of the backstage corridors. He called Kiley to see where she was. She told him she was sorry for being late and said that she was still at the large university apartment building that they along with others had rented. He told her to stay and not open the door for anyone. He told her that something was wrong at that he would come to her. He eventually got outside and grabbed an umbrella by the door.

He ran to where his truck was suppose to be but it was surrounded by whatever the things were. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw two guys fighting near a motorcycle. Neither of them were one of those things so he came up behind one of them and hit him in the back of the head with his 'weapon'. Before the other one could finish his sentence of thanking Alex he used the umbrella to smack the guy in the gut and quickly hopped on the cycle and drove off towards where Kiley was.

When he got there Kiley was fighting off one of their roommates who had turned. Alex quickly grabbed his grandfathers katana off the wall mount and got the attention of their 'friend'. When it started stumbling towards Alex he swung the sword at the thing nicking its ear off catching it in the arm. Having not slowed it down Alex quickly kicked it in the gut knocking it to the ground. Alex stomped on its neck hopping to choke it out but to no avail. In a last ditch effort Kiley grabbed the replica machete and stabbed at its head taking a few tries to break the skull. They realized quickly that they needed to get out of there and away from the city. They gathered any supplies they could find in the apartment.

When they left the building Kiley was skeptical of how Alex got the motorcycle, but he didn't tell her anything. Before leaving the city Alex said they should stop by a gun shop and try to get some guns. Kiley was against the idea but didn't say no to it. When they got to the gun store they ran into three people. Surprisingly though the three men where actually handing out guns according to who came in so that no one hogged all the weapons.They walked out with a M14 rifle with Iron Sights.

Alex and Kiley tried to leave via the highway but noticed a military blockade up ahead gunning down most who come to close. They did a quick u-turn and Alex saw the creatures coming in their direction and he drove into the only opening he saw, the entrance to a subway station.
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(Actual Post)

"Alex, are you sure this is a good idea."

"Well, we have no other options. Just hold on." They slowly went down the stairs so as to not topple over. Relieved when he realized the things weren't following them Alex gestured to Kiley to be quiet for a while. They got off the ZX-1OR and slowly rolled it down the steps. When they got to where the subways were suppose to be Alex said, "I think we're in the clear for now."

"You positive. Those people are starting to freak me out."

"I don't think they're people anymore. Hey did you ever get a reply from the other roomies?"

"No. What are we gonna do now? I'm getting really scared here."

"Don't worry. Let's just try and get out of the city." With that they hop back on the ZX-1OR and head in the direction they think would get them out the fastest. After a while of driving they come across a subway train and here some commotion from inside. Kiley hands Alex the M14 that was strapped to her back and he aims it at the train, "Anyone in there? We're friendly. Are you?"

[Sol Grim]

Johnny, Ethan and Raven

The sound the creature made stopped the stoner dead in his tracks. He put a hand on James' shoulder and knelt down, looking at Frank to do the same. Whatever it was, they already knew it could climb and that it was really fast. Maybe it hadn't seen them yet, which is why Frank noticed it first, or maybe it was playing with them. Regardless, Johnny knew they were in deep shit.

"We can't all out run it, whatever it is," Johnny told them with a whisper. "And we can't assume it won't find us here. I'll distract it, lead it away. You two break for the farm, get help if you can. I'll try to lead it to the road, out in the open. Hell, I just hope it dies like the rest of 'em."

Johnny grabbed the whiskey bottle for what he felt would be one last time and swallowed the liquid whole. He wiped his mouth and nodded at Frank. They didn't look like they believed this to be a good plan, but there was no time to think. Besides, he was the fastest one here.

"Not up for discussion," Johnny quickly added as he stood.

He bolted away from them as the night's dawn had begun. Within seconds, he heard the thing leaping through the trees toward him. "Fuuck!"

He kept his gun holstered as he ran as fast as he could, fatigue already set within him. He needed a perfect shot if this was going to work. The large infected creature landed on the ground behind him and started chasing him. A quick glance back and he saw the monster, a feral beast that now moved on all fours.

Johnny jumped over a ditch and then felt asphalt against the soles of his shoes, he had made it to the road. He pulled out his glock and turned to aim, but nothing came. He held his position, sweating frantically but staying still. The bushes he had just come from remained silent.

"Come on mother fucker," he said, nervous as all hell.

It was quicker than he had thought, as the feral jumped from the highest trees over and behind him, landing next to him. As he turned to re-aim, the feral smacked him with its gorilla sized arm and he went flying across the street. His handgun flopped somewhere next to him. Johnny looked up as the creature leapt at him again, but he quickly rolled to the side as a swerving Landrover came around the bend and smashed into the feral directly. The large animal like creature toppled over the vehicle and landed on its back behind it, clearly hurt but not completely dead. It attempted to push itself up again with its arm as another vehicle came around the bend. The suv rammed directly into it, cutting it in two pieces, as that vehicle also lost control and started rolling into some brush.

Johnny mustered his strength and got up, reclaiming the firearm. He first looked at the monster, who was thankfully deader than dead, then looked at the people inside the suv. A young short haired blonde woman was in the driving seat, knocked out but alive. The passenger had flown out the window and snapped his neck in half against a tree. The people in the back were also dead. Johnny pulled the driver out onto the street, then went over to the Landrover.

Ethan kicked the window out and crawled out of the wreckage, wounded badly but alive. He didn't know the fate of Thomas or the others, as they had just seconds before began dealing with a dead girl trying to attack them.

"You okay?" Johnny asked.

"I'm fine, I think," Ethan replied. "Thomas? Thomas, you okay?"

[Sol Grim]

Dallen

"Anyone in there? We're friendly. Are you?"

Dallen finished his last smoke and flicked the butte at the undead spitter, lying in a pool of its own acid. He took a peek outside the train and saw a blinding light aimed at him, which appeared to be a motorcycle by the sound of it.

"Not particularly, but as long as you don't try to eat me...I think I can play nice," he told whoever it was out there.

The lawyer walked outside, holding his steel pipe at ease next to him. His black and white suit now covered in blood. His free hand was being held up to block the light coming from the cycle.

"Wanna do me a favor and turn that shit off?" he asked. "We don't want to attract any more of those things down here."

After a moment he noticed two young people, one with a M14 aimed in his general direction.

"Know how to use that thing, kid?" he asked.

A few walkers suddenly came from around the front of the train, heading directly for them.

[CloseEnough]

James

"are you fucking insane? We're almost there, those jumps are her's!" Jhonny's words gaining a harsh whisper from the blond, James was left to see the other male run through the trees, taking the beast with it. Rumiging through the tricks he learned out here he began counting, "1, 6,10,20" at the numbers passed one by one he grabbed Frank telling him to run.

"If we get there fast enough we can get her weapons and ride back to save his ass. Come on" the kid began running faster than he had in some time. The foliage whipping at his legs and face, the old barn that gave way to fire being passed without so much as a thought as he began to climb a wooden fence. At a running pace it felt like hours till he began to see the first pasture, the blanketed body of one of the horses grazing through only to lift it's head at the sight of them yet he went passed to the main house, a two story that's door was still unlocked. Slamming open the door he looked at the wall only to find the cross bow was gone, "shit shes out"

Franticly he went down the halls, rounding a corner to open a door for a room that looked to have been some shut in nerds dreams, large computers, figurines from comics and video games still in the box, wall scrolls and mock weapons decorating the place. Yet he ignored it all as he went for the closet, going through the ridiculous costumes and larp outfits to find a safe he quickly punched in the buttons to pull out a set of 10mms.
"She has to have more somewhere, but this should work, lets just hope he decided to hide." He was shaking as he handed the weapon to Frank, looking out the window to see the animals outside his eyes laid on a cherry coloured mustang. "Azazel...Beauty here to" running a hand through his hair he sighed. "Do you know how to ride? Cause we can cut out time by more than half if we do."

[Always]

@CloseEnough ((Darnit she didn't get the joke!))

Alyssa Chase

She nodded a bit. 'Maybe she was crazy.' She thought to herself though she knew that wasn't an option. She knew what she saw. If she actually was crazy would her memory be that distinct and together. It all made sence in a crazy way to her. " Okay... I'll go with you to there house I guess." She told the girl. She didn't exactly know whether or not that it was the greatest idea in the world but she didn't think about it much. She slowly stood up from sitting down. She eyed the horse and drifted her eyes back at the girl.
"Are you sure?" She asked retiring to the horse. The made didn't look like it could ever save any live, except maybe its own, if that. She shook her head, it didn't really matter she thought to herself. She said raised an eyebrow as she stated that it wasn't safe at night. " What's not safe about it at night?"
She realised the question was stupid as she said it. The dangers were probly the same as it was in the city or similar. There was no chance she would want to stay out here at night anyways. At least not after that.

[alexfangtalon]

After a moment he noticed two young people, one with a M14 aimed in his general direction.

"Know how to use that thing, kid?" he asked.

@Sol Grim

"I know how to shoot guns. Ain't used this particular one yet."

A few walkers suddenly came from around the front of the train, heading directly for them.

@Sol Grim

Alex popped a few quick shots at the walkers. He hit the first two in the head, the third one in the chest, but completely missed the fourth one. "Crap. Kiley, get the one on the right. I'll get the one on the left."

"On it." They both quickly moved towards the walkers. Alex used the butt of the gun to hit his walker in the mouth knocking it to the ground. After which he proceeded to shoot it in the face. Kiley pulled out her machete and swung at the walker's head catching it but not going through completely. Alex pulled out his katana and stabbed the other walker through the side and yanked backwards causing it to fall down but pulling the katana with it. "Shoot. Hey, Hitman. A little help over here."

[CloseEnough]

@Always

Giving the girl a leg up Reena mounted after her, taking the leather reins in hand she gave the animal a click as she seemed to come to life from the command. Head rising, ears going forward she began to move. "Well, animals for one thing, more daring when you can't see em, than there are all these people trying to get across becoming desperate, whatever is keeping her from moving forward sometimes is another things."
Moving the horse forward it was a quiet ride, passing of trees and the occasional gun fire yet nether seemed to bother the mare or her rider. Yet as she turned her to a trail the mare would freeze, unwavering by a kick or command as she braced herself for anything. "Aright girl, aright, come on lets go this way."
Turning the mare they went another way, off the trail yet she seemed far easier by it. "First rule about trail riding, if your horse won;t go that direction than don't go, there is something down there."

A cream coloured house slowly coming to view Reena reached out to open a gate and let them through only to bend back and close it once more, the place looked like a doll's play ground, little gardens and red barns, chickens moving about, a pony becoming more dareing it began to follow them, head outstretched with curious eyes. "Miss Peterson?"
The words spoken ad Reena dismounted she knocked on the door to be met with a kind face of an other woman. "Oh hello Reena, good to see you dear anything wrong?"

Thats what she was worried about, the two were elderly enough that they don't pay attention to anything but what is going on at their own farm unless someone tells them. "I just came in to tell you that the city is..Miss Peterson can you have a seat? I brought a friend if thats okay."
A smile on the woman at the idea for company she waved them inside, the smell of candle wax engulfing her with a hint of cinnamon, furniture of horrid floral patterns with covers of burlap yet it was still comforting as she sat down. The old woman leaving for a moment she came back with a tray of sweats and ice tea that she sat on the table for the girls. "You must be starving after that ride, go one take what you want."

Yet the red head declined, "Miss Peterson, the city is under attack, I don;t know what is going on exactly but things are getting worse. I just came her to make sure everything is aright and that you understood that you two really do have to lock up tonight."

The woman who seemed to not have a care in the world began to freeze, slowly looking up at the rider with disbelief dancing in her eyes like a ballet. "What are you talking about? Is it a terrorist attack?"
"I don't know, all I know is that the city is starting to go under lock down and people are trying to get out."

"Oh no" her voice growing quiet the woman's hands began to shake. "I'll have to tell gorge, he's taking a walk to the fort we made the grandkids."
Eyes going wide at the words Reena stood, instinct kicking in she stayed quiet for a moment as the woman was asking her what was wrong. "I need you to stay here, I'll go get him." She didn't feel right, not at all, with parting word she gave the woman a pat before heading out the back door on the hunt for her husband.

[Sol Grim]

Dallen

Dallen leaned against the train car as he watched the two go to work on the walkers. He was slightly impressed, and when the kid asked for his assistance, he took a step forward and brought his steel pipe down onto the thing's skull. Its' brain smashed into muck as he lifted the pipe back up and rested it over his shoulder.

"Not bad, " he told them, already under the impression that they were siblings, either that or a young couple. At least they already knew to destroy the brain, which was something Dallen had just recently realized. "I'm heading out of the city, you can tag along if you want."

He began to walk down the dark tunnel, which looked relatively clear at this point. The sounds of gunfire and screams could continuously be heard from up above. Suddenly, a large crashing sound occurred, shaking the entire tunnel and bringing bits of the ceiling down with it.

"Its begun," he said, as another crashing hit near by. The bombs were dropping. "Keep moving, they're bombing the city. These tunnels go deeper and deeper, we should be alright."

Raven and Johnny

Her eyes opened and the first thing she saw was the stars above. It was somewhat peaceful. She turned her head and was met with immediate panic, as she saw some kind of large creature staring back at her. Its face was smashed and its body was split in two. She jumped up to a sitting position, backing away until she realized it was road kill.

"What the hell...?" she yelled, catching Johnny's attention.

Johnny came over and helped her to her feet, as she then noticed the vehicle she was driving was wrecked.

"What happened?" she asked, but she could see it as clear as day. She saw all the people she was traveling with were dead in the wreckage. She cupped her mouth and let a few tears roll down her face. "Oh, no..."

"I'm sorry," Johnny said. "You saved my life, from that...thing."

The explosions from the city could be seen just barely over the treeline. The sound of them boomed moments later. They paused to watch it, as Ethan checked on the others in the wreckage.

[Always]

@CloseEnough

[color=f6girl] Alyssa Chase [/color]

The girl helped herself up and sat besides Reena in the carrage. She didn't enjoy the carriage going up and down, as it hit every bump. She didn't like it much but she didn't complain. She would rather deal with that than have to walk. Also she had no clue the directions or where she was.
The girl pushed back her hair as she looked at the trees, and the skyline around her. She nodded as she said the comment about the not making horses go down a path. "Do you take this trail often?" She asked. She was currios about it.
She watched her surroundings, staying quite for the rest of the ride. The girl eyed the small cream colored house. "Nice." She half mumbled to herself. She realised that the girl probly seen pretty houses all of the time.
She waited for the horse to stop before she stepped off. She followed Reena as she went over to the door and the old women opened it. Alyssa waved a bit as she was mentioned in the convestation.
She didn't bother to say anything much in the conversation. She grabbed one of the cookies and bit into it. She had to admit. She was a great cook.
Aly raised her head as terrorist attack was mentioned. "No. It couldn't be a terrorist attack. Something else..." She said as she shook her head.
She eyed Reena. "Do you want me to come with you?" She asked. She could tell by the difference in her voice that she was worried. "He will be fine." She said trying to be reassuring though it drifted out of her voice completely.

[CloseEnough]

Reena

Looking back at Alyssa the red head simply shook. "No, hun you don't understand, Mr Peterson gives his walks around the place but he has no idea that there are pepole running for their lives from the city to get here. If you want you can come, Miss Peterson I'll be right back." The old woman nodding her head offering a smile she leaned back. The moment the door closed though caused her eyes to darken slightly at the thoughts that went through her mind.

It was getting dark, she had to finish this fast. Crossbow slapping her back she jogged through the grass. Heading to a small trail head the woman knelt down, looking at the tracks of a worn in boot she began to follow. An easyness about her vanishing when she heard the yells of an old man.
Like a bolt she took off through the woods. Branches and leaves slapping her face, biting her skin as she ran through. Taking sharp turns based on the sounds alone that she knew had to be the old man she was following. Yet she was not prepared for what she was expecting to see from the noise.
That girl was not lying, people, cloths dyed with their own blood, bullet holes they aimlessly grabbed for a man with greying hair as he kicked and yelled trying to get away. Their jaws moaning and slapping uselessly. She was quick, that was no person. With a breath Reena unslung her crossbow, two bolts flying through the air, aim true as they landed in their skulls one after another. "Mr Peterson!" Already she was at his side, pushing the bodies away. "Are you aright?"

"Yeah I'm, I'll manage. Oh than you Reena, don't know what would come of me if you hadn't shown up. But, but did you have to, to..." She already knew what he was going to say and honestly the woman was not going to think of it. They were off, something was wrong that caused her to not hesitate when she pulled that trigger. That was her proof they were not human. You always hesitated at the idea of ending a person's life. Felt a twisting in your gut if one was too close to your danger zone.
She had nothing of the sort with those things.
"Come on, I'm taking you home, you sure your aright?"

The man nodded, she could feel him shaking like a leaf in the fall as she lead him through the trails. "Come on, your wife is worried about you."
And indeed she was, the woman was looking him over yet the old man simply waved her off, assuring her that he just got scratched up a bit when he was drug to the ground. "Don't worry Mary, I'm fine, I wouldn't be if it wasn't for Reena." Turning to her he gave the woman a hug, Reena returning it with a pat. "Stay safe okay, lock the doors don't answer unless you know them. I'll be back to check on you guys."

Giving her words of reassurance Reena turned back to her companion. "Come on, its getting late, I have a stable farm set up that you can stay in for now. But we should hurry, I'm on an adrenalin rush right now I do not want to be out here with whatever those where walking around."
Already she was mounting up, swinging her leg over Epona's back she offered a hand to the girl. Giving the mare a kick they were already back on the trail. Sticking close to the roads, to other people who were normal as they went yet she found herself with cold blood at the sounds of screams and the smell of oil. "Car crash, hey, you want to come with me or you want me to put Epona here on Auto walk? She knows her way back, won't go anywhere but straight home. Key under the mat just lock yourself in wait. If not than keep your head down out here."

She couldn't believe what rotten luck she was getting. Everywhere she turned there were problems but it just wasn't in her to turn her back on people she might know. "If you want her to go just say barn, she'll go. Shes dying to get home anyway so she won't fuss." She already had her crossbow drawn, instincts kicking in to see the carnage with wide eyes.
Death, so much death.
"My god what happened here.." Voice trailing off she saw two people still alive, a thankful save found her boots clicking on the street. "You two injured?"

[Sol Grim]

Johnny wipped out his handgun at the sound of the woman, though he quickly holstered it back once he realized she was amongst the living. He was helping Raven to be held up on her feet, and Ethan had come from behind the wreckage with a hung head.

"I'm fine," Raven spoke. "Just a little woozy from the crash, is all."

Ethan shook his head toward Johnny, indicating that the rest were gone. It only took him seconds to realize they were, however he took some time behind the vehicle to put Ashley down. She still was moving, though he knew she was dead. She was one of his best students, which is why sticking a switchblade into her brain topped the list of all the hard things he had to do recently.

"We can't stay here," Johnny said, not even taking the time to fully acknowledge the newcomer. "There might be more of them." He pointed to the feral beast that was crushed and split in two on the roadside. "I have friends nearby, they said something about a farm. Frank and...John? Jake? Shit what was his name? ...Ah, James. Some kid named James, I think. I don't know if you know what's going on, but..."

There was a rustling in the shrubs nearby. Johnny immediately pulled out his gun and aimed as a squirrel ran out before them.

"Fucking squirrel!" Johnny yelled, then tried to pretend like it didn't alarm him. "Lets move, I think it was this way."

He started off in the wrong direction.

[CloseEnough]

Moving to the truck she sucked in her breath to see the monster that the twisted metal had destroyed. "Man your uglier than my uncle Ted.." The words were meant for her, yet her face soon took a look of sorrow when she realized a young girl, not much younger than herself was dead in the back. Whoever was with her looking to have been close she went over to the body with a lump in her throat. "Should at least do somethen of a rest, burn the body so the the scavengers don't get her."

Pulling at her pouches she produced a few matches, dried grass from the side of the road she offered to help move the girl away from the wreck to lay her to rest.

Hearing the other male caused her to look back though. "James...Bit shorter than most, blond hair, brown eyes. Acts tough, high school age?" Her words quick causing an accent to come through she found her eyes widening. "Is he aright? Where is he?" With a warmth at her back she moved to grab him when he began to leave, speaking about her farm she began to shake her head. "Going the wrong way, come now I'll offer a place of sanctuary as payment for helpen him. You to, might as well I got a girl with my horse back in the woods, more pepole to stand guard at night I'll say."

[alexfangtalon]

Dallen leaned against the train car as he watched the two go to work on the walkers. He was slightly impressed, and when the kid asked for his assistance, he took a step forward and brought his steel pipe down onto the thing's skull. Its' brain smashed into muck as he lifted the pipe back up and rested it over his shoulder.

"I'm heading out of the city, you can tag along if you want."

@Sol Grim

"Thanks. My names Alex. This is my sister Kiley. It's nice to meet you, I guess."

"Alex. That's kinda rude. You should apologize."

"What. I'm sure he's at least a little iffy on the fact that we met because of dead people. I ain't apologizing. No need to." Alex picked up his katana and sheathed it. He grabbed the motorcycle and started rolling it in the direction they were headed. Alex never fully turned away from the guy and Kiley wished he would stop. He had done this at the gun store and was constantly questioning the guys. Alex was about to start his 'interrogation' when they started hearing booms from above.

"Its begun," he said, as another crashing hit near by. The bombs were dropping. "Keep moving, they're bombing the city. These tunnels go deeper and deeper, we should be alright."

[@SolGrim]

"I hope your right about that. By the way what's your name?"

"Alex, stop being pushy. He'll say his name when he wants to."

[Sol Grim]

Raven knelt down and whispered a prayer for the dead people. She didn't know them, but this girl was right. If she were dead amongst strangers, she's want the same thing. A tear rolled down her cheek as she tried to be strong. Even with these people around her, these strangers, she felt so alone. She almost fell backwards from exhaustion, but Ethan caught her and set her upright. "Thanks," she told him.

Johnny raised an eyebrow and nodded to the newcomer. "That's him!" he told her. It wasn't much longer after that, when the girl had pointed them in the right direction, that he realized this was probably the exact person James was aiming to find. A bit of luck after all.

"Thank you," Johnny told her as they began walking through the darkness of the trees. "You must be the girl James was on about."

"Hopefully it's safe there," Ethan said, still helping Raven manage along. "We won't be a burden, maybe we can wait this thing out until its over."

Raven rolled her eyes as she was then able to walk on her own. "The military just bombed the city," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I think whatever this is, it just started. Sorry to rain on your parade, pal. I don't even think we should stay out here long, it's just a matter of time before it comes this way. If it hasn't already."

Ethan knew she was probably right, but he still kept a glimmer of hope inside. He just wanted to find his wife and kids, but wherever they were, it would have to wait until tomorrow. Searching out for them in the dark would just be plain dumb.

"You live out here?" Ethan asked the girl. "I came out near here a few times with my family. We would ride horses on the trails. They told me to meet them out here, God I hope they're okay."

"They might have been trying to get in," Johnny told him. "The locals out here were making everyone leave."

"If that's the case, my wife would of made a camp nearby," Ethan said. "She would, I know it. First light, I have to go look for them."

"I hope you find them," Raven said. "I'm Raven, by the way."

"Ethan."

"Johnny."

----------

"Name's Dallen," he told the two.

After that, there wasn't much talking, at least from Dallen's side. They walked for hours on end, until finally Dallen halted them.

"We're going to need to rest," he said. "It's still a long way, no sense in rushing it."

There was a storage room nearby that the lawyer opened, using his pipe to smash off the handle. It was small and dark inside, but enough to get the job done. He lit his zippo so the two could see for a while. Nothing much, other than a broken sink, some mops and a bucket. A few other items sprawled about the floor.

"I'll take watch, you two should get some rest first," he told them. "We should be safe in here tonight. When we're ready, we go nonstop until we reach the woods outside of the city. From there...hell, we'll have to figure it out as we go."

The man sat down against the door, cracking his neck and wishing he still had cigarettes.

[CloseEnough]

Reena found herself giving out a breath of relief. James was okay? "Where is he now? Do you know?" The guy was rough to get along with but he was always a good kid. Just needed something to get him away from the crap his home life brought him. Pointing her crossbow down she made her way back to the woods, nodding her head at the questions.
"Yeah, I own Misty Meadow. Name's Reena Hanlon, been training humans and equines my entire life." Seeing Epona she gave the horse a pat. Looking up at the girl on her mare's back. "Just gonna lead her back so hang on hun. We're all gonna be there soon, just before dark actually."

Taking the reins of her paint mare she began to move through the foliage with ease. A calmness about her even though the world was turning into shit. "What barn did your family use? I been the messenger for some, helping folk here round up their stock and secure their homes when they don't have the means to. Got a few horses to spare and know the area, can lend you a hand."

Family meant everything to her, and if there was another one trying to find each other in the thick of chaos than it was a need to help out. She could see it in his eyes, he was just a man worried about his family. "Don't worry, its just those cattle farmers who been turning people away. Lots here are good folk they just don't know whats going on cause they got their hands full with their animals."

It took almost an hour to reach her home. A long winding trail keeping the place out of the way for most unless you made an appointment. Trees producing a natural barrier, a small arena and stable dotting the land with pastures at the back. A two floor home at the centre with a small garden.
The door opening Reena found herself engulfing the blond that left her house. "You have no idea how much I was worrying about you. Where your mama?" Yet all James done was shook his head, the poor kid had no idea. "I just ran, mom could be one of those things for all I know."
A lump in her throat she began to nod her head, bringing the kid in a side hug. "We'll find her, she may have left thinking you already came here or that I got you. She'll be somewhere." It was a pathetic attempt to keep his hopes up, her voice convincing yes but the first rain of bombs was a sign that no one was leaving that city.
"Well guys, welcome to my home. It'll mean a lot if you wait a moment though, gotta untack Epona here and let her loose." The last thing she needed was a horse with saddle sores needing medical attention. No, if something happened to her animals now that she couldn't fix herself she would just have to put them down.

Leading her mare inside the barn James was quick to follow. "If you need to head inside go ahead, just don't go touching everything you see I got a collection in there." The barn itself was a warm place, wooden beams and thickly padded stalls with bedded shavings. Lights still on idacating power she put the mare in cross ties, taking the saddles off her sweaty hide James brought a brush to her coat. His eyes slightly clouded as he tried to vanish into his work. "Be careful out here hun, I don't want you to go running off on your own you understand?"
She couldn't bring herself to speak of the horrors that happened at the Petersons. The smacking jaws and grabbing fingers. She couldn't stand the sounds, the smells, non of it. Instead she just kept brushing, her crossbow still on her back.

Reena's house though spoke a different side of the horse woman. A large TV in her living room having all sorts of game systems. From the atari to the PS4, walls lined with shelves of games as well as posters of comics, movies and varies other stories. Her books cases holding books that were as thick as a man's hand from wrist to finger tips, authors such as RA Salvador and Gorge RR Martin, the warder man, the history of Drow.
Sure there were photos of her with her prized horses. Yet she seemed to keep equine pride in the stable or another room. It was a nerds dream in her house, her room even worse.

[Sol Grim]

They all had a bit of relief when they finally got to Reena's farm. Raven almost immediately went straight to sleep on a couch, while Ethan checked out the woman's book collection. He always had a soft spot for fantasy novels, so he picked up one of George RR Martin's books and skimmed through it. The smell of a fresh book always calmed his nerves.

"Great collection," he told her as he continued skimming. "One of my favorites."

Johnny was still a little on edge, and though they had a moment to relax, he couldn't. Who knows what was still just outside, besides the horses of course. He checked his weapon and holstered it again, staying near to one of the windows.

"You should all get some rest," he said. "I'll keep first watch. Before you do, we should talk about those things though. What do we know about them? Kill the brain. There are animal like versions of them that can climb..."

"Don't get bit," Ethan added. "That's how you turn. I've seen it happen fast on the streets back in the city, and I've also seen it happen slower with a student of mine in the car...I'm...I was a teacher by the way. Not that it matters anyway."

"Reena, how stocked is this place?" Johnny asked. "Not to intrude on your place, but we have to start thinking about the long term. We might have to stay for awhile, and if things get messy, we'll need to go out and get supplies. Maybe on horseback. Is there a grocery store or anything like that around here?"

[CloseEnough]

"What kind of ranch do you think I run here. Come here I'll show you what I got." The red head sighed, running a hand through her hair. "James, stay here, your the only one aloud in my room got it." Mentioning for Jonny to follow she began to move back outside. Crossbow still on her back, the pastures dotted with neon orange from the horses yet she crossed the drive way, using her key she opened a shack only to show that it was a storage shed.
"This place is known for flooding and harsh winters, so I keep it well stocked. Got food for the horses, myself, purified water, rations, more ammunition arrows hides. This is all stranded stuff you need when your in this kind of work." Moving to the back she rummaged through a chest, "if we can't get bit.."
She pulled out some leather, slinging them over her arm. "They always say the nerd is the one to survive these things. Learned leather work for cosplaying, can whip something up for you when we go out cause between a full group and my animals this won't last forever. Its meant to last me and James through the winter, not a group."

James on the other hand just turned on the PS4, the familiar music of the witcher greeting him. He needed to get his mind from this, just something normal. And if trying to keep up with his boss in video games than so be it.

[alexfangtalon]

"Name's Dallen," he told the two.

@Sol Grim

"It's a pleasure to meet you." For the next few hours of walking Alex and Kiley discussed what they would probably do next. "We need to find people. Numbers might help. At the very least we'll have multiple fighters to deal with this crap."

"Maybe we could go to a farm or something. It'd be away from the city and some good people might be there."

"That might work. First I'm gonna ask Hitman what he'll probably do. Don't need him just following us or thinking we're following him." Before Alex could ask Dallen his question,

"We're going to need to rest," he said. "It's still a long way, no sense in rushing it."

"I'll take watch, you two should get some rest first," he told them. "We should be safe in here tonight. When we're ready, we go nonstop until we reach the woods outside of the city. From there...hell, we'll have to figure it out as we go."

@Sol Grim

Alex leaned the motorcycle on the wall and they entered the room. After seeing that the room was safe Kiley grabbed a bag of rags to use as a pillow. Alex picked up one of the mops and broke off the end. Kiley looked at him with a questioning look, "What. I ain't tired. Don't worry I'll rest at some point." Kiley shook her head and laid down to try and get some rest. Alex sat in the corner and awkwardly used the katana to make a sharp point on the end of the mop he broke. He looked at Dallen and said, "I'm gonna say this now so that its not weird when we get outside. Kiley and I are gonna look for a group of people. Right now we were planning on checking out the farms. They might not have gotten hit by whatever this is yet. I don't necessarily want someone following us so go ahead and tell me what your thinking of doing. If you say your headed to the farms area then fine we continue walking near each other, but if your not I'd like it if I didn't run into you again."

[Always]

@CloseEnough

Alyssa Chase

Looking back at Alyssa the red head simply shook. "No, hun you don't understand, Mr Peterson gives his walks around the place but he has no idea that there are pepole running for their lives from the city to get here. If you want you can come, Miss Peterson I'll be right back." The old woman nodding her head offering a smile she leaned back.

@CloseEnough

Aly nodded, biting her lip slightly. She didn't know what to say. She could argue about it but what was the point of that? She didn't believe it, and how could she push a point she didn't believe in onto herself. It sounded crazy she would even think of something like that. It would just waist time and the man would have a higher chance of being dead when Reena managed to find him. That would be a terrible and the stupidest thing ever. She would not be able to live with herself if that happened.
"Okay. I'll stay here. "She stated. She was sort of tired and didn't want to end up in the way, or end up being another problem for Reena. She wanted to sleep, but there was no way she could and now way she would be able to sleep even if she could. Plus she assumed Mrs.Peterson could use the company.
She quickly darted her eyes at the old women. 'Manners.' She thought to herself. She was trying her best to have manors though it probly wasn't too obvious. In other words she could do a lot worse. "As long as thats okay with you."
The old women nodded. "Yea, that'll be fine." She stated almost as it had been a surprise that she actually asked.
Alyssa nodded as she looked at Reena. "Okay." She stated. "Then its official."

The moment the door closed though caused her eyes to darken slightly at the thoughts that went through her mind.

@CloseEnough

Alyssa watched Reena walk out of the house hearing the door shut. She sighed a bit and turned around. She was about to go sit on the couch when she saw Mrs. Peterson's face of distraught.
The old women nearly had tears slowly falling down her eyes. She used her hand to wipe it off slightly.
The blonde girl sighed. " Are you okay?" She asked looking up at her slightly. She twirled her hands around as she didn't know what else to say. She knew the answer was clear.
Mrs. Peterson shook her head. She sat on the couch and placed her face in her hand weeping. She had completely lost it.
Aly sat down next to the women on the couch. She sighed a bit as she eyed her. "Hey..." She said hesitantly. She wanted to tell the girl that everything would be okay, but she couldn't. She couldn't lie to the women, it didn't seem right. 'Since when was anything right?' She thought to herself. It seamed to prove it more and more all of the time. She couldn't tell her something like that.
The old women continued to cry. "T-this is all my fault! I-if I didn't make him go get some milk he would still be here!"
Alyssa shook her head. "This isn't your fault! There was no way for you to know that something like this would happen! " She attempted to reassure her, failing once again. 'How does Reena do this?' She wondered to herself though no answer came to mind. She sighed as she patted her on the back. She wasn't positive if this was the right move but it seamed like the women could use it. "He will be okay."
The woman nodded repeating the words. "He will be okay." She still seemed doubtful about it.
Aly nodded. She honestly hoped he would be okay. The women deserved it. She was so nice and didn't deserve something like that. It was a terrible thought that it did happen at times. But her opinion never mattered to the world. The world was unfair, and didn't give a fuck about anyone. It sucked but at the same time was so true.

Giving her words of reassurance Reena turned back to her companion. "Come on, its getting late, I have a stable farm set up that you can stay in for now. But we should hurry, I'm on an adrenalin rush right now I do not want to be out here with whatever those where walking around."

Already she was mounting up, swinging her leg over Epona's back she offered a hand to the girl. Giving the mare a kick they were already back on the trail. Sticking close to the roads, to other people who were normal as they went yet she found herself with cold blood at the sounds of screams and the smell of oil. "Car crash, hey, you want to come with me or you want me to put Epona here on Auto walk? She knows her way back, won't go anywhere but straight home. Key under the mat just lock yourself in wait. If not than keep your head down out here."

@CloseEnough

After a few moments of silence, the blonde girl stood up as she heard the patting of hooves on the ground. Not a sound she heard often but definitely a sound she recognised. "Hey, I think she's back."
The women quickly rose up wiping of her tears. She went over to the window leading out the window, seeing the carage stop. She waited a moment, till the old man and redhead got off. A smile rose across her face as she closed the curtain.
She walked outside to where the two were and Alyssa followed her. She left the door open for the few minutes due to the fact that it might lock them out if she did close it.
Alyssa watched the old women hug the old man and thank Reena and reena give her advice to the lady. The lady nodded and headed off, going back into the house.
Alyssa nodded as she looked up at the setting sky. "Yea. Good idea." She simply answered. There was no way she wanted to be out there during the night.
She got up onto the horse and sat on it as they rode down the street a bit. She was quite for a bit till they ended up hearing the screams. She raised an eyebrow as she looked in the direction of the screams. She turned back to Reena as she asked,"How do you know?" She shook her head. "Never mind. It doesn't matter. I'll go to the house I guess." She stated. She waited the moment before she began to ride off. She couldn't help the urge to look behind her and around her as she did so.
The ride was soon over and she ended up at the house. She got off the the horse and touched onto the ground. She soon had her feet firm on the ground, which was such a relief to her. She could of sworn she would've been sick if she rode the horse any longer. She petted the horses head a couple time. It definitely wasn't the best animal in the would but she had to admit, Epona, was well trained, to put it into words.
She smiled as she stroked its head once more comfortable door. 'Under the rug.' She thought to herself what Reena said. She picked up the mat, and just as Reena had said, the key was laying in the center. She grabbed it, before she dropped the rug back onto the ground. Standing back up, she placed it in the door and twisted it in. 'Click.' It went. Alyssa turned the unlocked door knob and opened it slightly. She eyed around at what she saw. 'Wow!' She thought to herself. This was not in anyway what she was expecting. She shook her head as she bent back down and slid the key under the matt.
She entered the house and closed the door behind her. She locked the door and sighed a bit. She went over to the couch and sat on the edge of it.
The couch was very confortable. She leaned her head on the cushion besides her. She wasn't trying to fall a sleep. Its just that she couldn't manage to stay awake. Her eyes closed on her and she fell asleep.
She woke up slightly startled as she heard voices around her. She shook her startleness off as she looked at the others. She saw Reena so she knew they were supposed to be here. She looked at them and said, "Hey, um.. I'm Aly, who are you?"She asked.