Anima

The Walking Dead: What Lies Ahead

Two Days Ago

“All civilians are to form up in a single filed line,” said a voice over a megaphone. Soldiers stood erect like statues as they moved to and fro. “When called, proceed to the checkpoint. Any individuals who move outside the line or attempt to climb the fence will be met with deadly force. I repeat …”

Katherine listened to the soldier as she removed her gloves and disinfected her hands. The quarantine zone was becoming more packed by the minute, and there was barely any spaces left to process people cleared of infection. There were some who tried to leave through the highway beyond the checkpoints, but they were either turned around by the military or simply shot. The government was dead set on keeping things contained. Katherine hoped her family made it out in time. Sammy knew the back roads though; they should be fine.

“Doing alright?” Katherine looked up and saw Jason as he gave her a weary smile. “Nine hours so far. Makes first and second year feel like a joke. I’m surprised you showed up, Kat.”

She rolled her eyes as she moved towards the next tent over. To prevent bodily fluids from transferring tents, protocol was to replace gloves at each station. The precaution was understandable. “I was going to skip town. Away from all this shit, but I couldn’t. Not when Dr. Kneeton sent out that message. Can you believe this? All of this? The deceased literally coming back to life? Not to mention that, but they’re eating people!”

Jason laughed as he put on a fresh pair of gloves. “At least residency will be easier after this.”

Stepping into the tent, Katherine stepped past an armed guard as she began her check on the patients. Stepping towards a middle aged, blonde woman, Katherine stopped in front of her. She took a look at the information clipped to the bed. Glancing at the patient, Katherine gawked at the woman’s physical condition. Thank god she had a mask on. “Ms. Sanders? I’m Katherine, a medical student at Emory. Some preliminary questions first. Have you been bitten or come into contact with any of the infected?”

“I-I don’t like it here. I don’t like it here!”

Katherine nodded as she tore open the wrapping around a thermometer. “I’m going to take your temperature and check you out. We’ll try to get you out of here. How does that sound, Ms. Sanders?”

“T-they tore into him. I-I don’t like it here. Not here…”

“This has to go under your tongue. Can you open your mouth?” Carefully, Katherine inserted the silver-colored rod as she waited for the readout to stabilize. Bethany Sanders. Mother of two and married. From what Katherine could tell, the woman was in shock. Not the typically psychologic trauma that came with car crash patients or GSW, but a different kind. Her voice and demeanor hinted to the woman experiencing something terrible.

The reader beeped. Katherine paled slightly. “Ms. Sanders, I’m going to get some medication. I need you t—“

“I DON’T LIKE IT HERE! I DON’T,” Katherine stepped back as the woman coughed up blood. It was surreal. Jerking to and fro, the whole scene looked like a twisted version of ballet. Ms. Sander’s body convulsed as it slammed back into the bed and remained dead still.

Katherine was very aware of a soldier ordering her to step back, but she didn’t listen. She continued to stare at the woman — married and whom had two kids — laying there as limp as a carcass.

“Step back!” Katherine stumbled and fought to regain her balance as the soldier shoved her off.

She felt a pair of hands from behind her as Jason caught her. Jason looked at her then to the soldier. “Hey asshole? What the hell?”

The soldier trained his rifle on the Ms. Sanders as he spoke into the radio. “Tent F has an infected,” said the gruff voice from behind the mask. “Copy, Command.” The soldier turned to the medical personnel. “Medical personnel, clear out! Civilians remain in your beds. This tent is under lockdown. Any attempt to le—“

Gunshots cut the soldier off as rounds echoed from outside. Katherine jumped at the noise. She hated guns. The damn things. Though they were helpful in times like this, she couldn’t stand them. The time to complain wasn’t now though. Crossing to the flap with the other medical personnel, her heart stopped as she saw what laid outside.

There wasn’t a line anymore. Into the quarantine zone that was. She saw multiple persons tearing into guards and people alike, as great vehicles mowed down the living and the dead. Her eyes locked onto that of a child as she started moving forward. She felt a strong grip hold her back as she fought to move forward. “You bastards! The child is still alive! The chi—!”

The brunette looked away as gunfire roared in that direction. The shots rang in her ears, but she swore she could hear someone screaming. Her legs wobbled and grew weak.

“Kat!” She shook her head as Jason began to lead her away. “Fuck this quarantine zone. We’re leaving!”

“They shot the …”

“I saw that bullshit,” Jason said as he pushed past the throng of fleeing people. “Come on. We’re heading back into the city.”

Katherine shook her head. “We’re going to borrow a car, and we’re going into the co—“

“We’ll get torn to shreds by the military! No one is leaving that way, Kat! Now shut up and keep moving. The infected are slow. We can slip past them.”

“My sisters are waiting for me!”

Jason turned into an alleyway and forced her to look into his passionate, sea green eyes. “Calm down, Kat. Survive, then we’ll find them. Have faith. Everything will be alright. You’ll see.”

Present Day

Katherine leaned against the cool touch of a brick wall. The contents of her backpack pressed into her as she fingered the crowbar in her hands. Her clothes — now three days old — felt slimly as dry blood caked the outside. She was all alone, and the feeling wasn’t shy of letting her know. She could still see Jason’s face contorted in pain as the infected got him. She tried to save him but there were far too many. Why the hell didn’t she leave when she had the chance? She could’ve been with her family. Her sisters and brother anyway.

The streets were empty except for the infected as the shambled with the dexterity of a drunkard. The morning runs and yoga really paid off, for Katherine had little trouble avoiding them. What killed her was the moans. She hated the very sound. It was so sad yet so ominous at the same time. It was making her crazy.

Sighing, she collected herself. Before the radio cut off, she heard something about Emory University containing an evacuation/aid station in the cafeteria. Though it was probably a hoax or overrun, she had to make it there. If there was any hope of finding ‘normal’ people, she knew she had to do it.

In the past few days, she had killed for the first time. Not just the infected, but the living as well. It sickened her to the core, and she still hated herself for doing it. It was for survival though. The man was going to … If she hadn’t killed him …

Forcing her legs to move forward, she wasn’t far from the campus now. She knew this area like the back of her hand. She did spend her undergraduate and medical school career here after all. Rounding a corner, she crouched as the infected milled about ahead. Fighting to calm her pulsating heart, she moved as quietly as she could as far away from them as she could. She was too tired from past events to deal with them.

Making it into an alley, she breathed out as she continued on her way through the shadows. After a few more blocks, she final saw the entrance to the university. Checking her corners and the street, she moved into the campus and towards the cafeteria.

When the building came into focus, she saw several figures standing by a door. Her skin crawled. Would they be friendly or like the man she killed? Whatever the case, she needed to get in and see if anything was left. Caution she thought to herself. As she moved up, Katherine jumped as she heard a voice to her right.

“Lemon Balm!”

She heard the bushes rustle as she turned and brought her weapon to bear. Her heart thundered in her ears. She was about to strike out with it until she saw pretty looking black haired woman. Katherine stood there for a moment before lowering her crowbar. “Are you completely crazy?” Katherine asked as she frowned. “I was about to ... Forget it. Are you here about the aid center?"

The Walking Dead: What Lies Ahead

I thought your post was fine maestro! If you don't mind, while I amend my post before posting, my character is going to interact with yours. Hope that's okay?

The Walking Dead: What Lies Ahead

Everyone's posts are soooooo good! Gosh, I'm going to start writing up mine now. I may have my charrie run into one of those who're outside. Not sure who yet, but we'll see!

The Walking Dead: What Lies Ahead

When I was a first year, the college class registration process was a total pain in the butt. The orientation was hardly any help, and I had to go see an advisor. Totally made me miss the good ole' days of high school where I could just check mark stuff. Anyway, I feel your pain - kind of - Strawberry. Like McHaggis suggested, drink a nice warm cup of tea. That always helps me when I'm stressed and stuff. You could also try going out for a walk/run too! Love, love, love my runs <3!

I'm good with starting tonight. Finished my midterm yesterday, so I'll be 'free'.

The Walking Dead: What Lies Ahead

Here's my CS. I do hope it's okay.

---

APPEARANCE:

NAME: Katherine Rivers

AGE: 25

PERSONALITY: Born and raised in a cultured household, Katherine is very direct with her thoughts and enjoys making her speech elegantly like the movies of old victorian English films she often watched when she was a kid. Because of this, she has an air of rudeness in the eyes of others. She is stubborn on her views and equally as tenacious in things that interest her. She has a goal oriented mind and keeps it in front focus.

OCCUPATION: 3rd Year Medical Student

ETHNICITY: Caucasian

EQUIPMENT: Due to her daily schedule of always being stuck in school or a hospital practicum, Katherine carries several energy bars and a large water bottle with her. She also has a bottle of tylenol and a small first aid kit with her.

WEAPONS: Large Pocket Knife, Crowbar

FAMILY:

Leon Rivers - Father - Deceased
Meredith Rivers - Mother - Deceased
Kyle Rivers - Brother - Unknown
Colleen Rivers - Older Sister - Unknown
Samantha Rivers - Twin Sister - Living
Angela Rivers - Younger Sister - Living

PAST: Calling Alabama her home, Katherine was raised in the city where her family ran a successful trade business that went international. Her father and mother had placed her siblings and her into a prestigious preparatory school in hopes of their generation establishing connections with other affluent families. Her father wanted a legacy, and his children was the way he decided to achieve just that.

It was during her high school years when Katherine decided that she wanted to go into medicine. After a severe car crash where she was hospitalized for several months from the severity of it all, she realized how much society depended on the medical professionals. When she was in ICU, she filled her periods of doing nothing with talking to the nursing staff and her doctor her visited her frequently.

Pushing through her undergraduate at Emory University and then getting admitted into the school’s medical school, she continued to attack her studies. It was within her third year that the news of the super virus spreading across America took the hot seat of the evening news. At first, her professor and her class assumed the virus was nothing but a mutated strain of rabies. It explained the aggressive behavior; however, many holes littered the explanation, which didn’t make any sense. The debate continued amongst her colleagues. It wasn’t long before she would see one of these ‘infected’ up close and in person. During her rotations, the hospital was in a state of panic as the newly dubbed ‘walkers’ moved and ate the flesh of others. Patients, doctors, nurses. It didn’t matter to them. Though she felt obligated to stay, Katherine fled as the rest of Atlanta fell into the clutches of the virus.

What she had thought fantastical had come to fruition.

OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION:

-Considers herself Pansexual
-Hates the very notion of guns contrary to her families love of them
-Loves mountain climbing and anything outdoors
-Fascinated with classical music

WRITING SAMPLE:

Katherine threw open her apartment door. She was still wearing her hospital gowns. Her heart continued to hammer against her chest as she reached for the remote and switched on the television. Left on the news when she departed for the morning, she didn’t even glance at the flatscreen as she already moved towards her bedroom. Quickly changing into a pair of jeans and a grey long sleeves, she reached for her empty backpack and tossed the contents on the floor. Moving towards the kitchen, she reached for her bars and various other ‘on-the-go’ necessities.

What she saw tonight at the hospital defied all medical explanations that she heard learned thus far. The deceased patient bit Dr. Cherev. Katherine still couldn’t believe it. Those eyes were vacant of intelligible thought except the desire to eat — she could tell. It was probably the same look she had when the six hour plus shift fast hit her.

Katherine felt a buzz in her pocket as she fumbled for her phone. It was Sammy. “Sammy! Oh thank god. Are you with mom and dad?”

“Kat … t-they're,” Samantha said between sobs. “These people broke into the house. I-I heard mom scream. Dad too! I shouldn’t have come back. Not this week. I shouldn’t have! The news raved about this ‘virus’. Kat, you weren’t at the hospital were you?”

“Sam, listen. Are you with Angela?”

“Ka—“

“Are you with Angela, Samantha?”

“Yes … she’s a mess. Christ, she’s only sixteen. She saw mom.”

Christ. How the …

“Take the car and go to the cabin. I’ll meet you th— No, don’t you dare argue Sammy. Just listen to me. Find Kyle and Colleen, if you can. If not, just go. Don’t stop for anything or anyone. Please Sam. Now get moving.”

Katherine ended the call as she finished collecting a few other things. She turned towards the TV as pictures of live scenes played behind the blonde reporter. It was terrible. Police were on the streets in riot gear as gun shots echoed from the TV screen, which she swore she could hear through her windows. On the lower part of the screen, she saw something about the national guard being deployed. A pit welled in her stomach. Nothing like this ever happened in Atlanta. Sure, there was the occasional shooting or robbery but not this.

Grabbing her car keys, turning off the TV, and checking her things once again, she moved towards the door. She didn’t know what the hell was happening, but all she knew was that she had to get out of the city. A shiver of guilt riddled her conscious on how she should’ve stayed at the hospital, but the way that ‘thing’ tore into her instructor scared her away. What mattered was getting to the cabin where her sisters and brother would hopefully be waiting for her.

Suddenly, the virus wasn’t the same old bullshit rumors that she had written them off to be. They were real. She had seen the infected, and they had taken away her parents.

She had to get to the cabin.

The Walking Dead: What Lies Ahead

I'm still here, and I'm almost done with my CS. I just wanted to complete it before posting it up.

Ghost Complex: Integration

Arlear said
Soooo, on that. My character, Muse, uses music-based magic for buffs and debuffs on allies or foes, but still uses daggers for physical combat. Is that breaking the rule you mentioned here?

The more I considered it, the less worried I am about character restrictions. My main fear with allowing elements of two distinct classes to be mixed is 'overpowering' a character, which would ruin the fun. However, with the combat mechanism and the use of the NPCs, I think I can allow freedom of creativity when it comes to play styles.

Anyway, to demystify my confusing paragraph, go ahead and keep your characters as is, Arlear and Roman. I'm trusting that both of you are more than capable in installing some 'realism' and balance into how you interact your character with the current state of the world. In any case, I can understand the concept of the bard-assassin and see that it'd definitely be a possible sub-class within the rogue category. The reason why I brought up a concern with Roman was because of the whole Warlock-Warrior duality. I wouldn't consider it 'fair' and allowed in Dust if a character were proficient in either of the two.

With that said, if the magic is kept very basic while he chooses to be proficient in the warrior class - for the lack of a better way to describe it - I'm perfectly content with that.

Here's another clarification example. My character is a warlock who possesses a small dagger/knife. While she's adept at her spell-weaving and magic, the dagger is meant for the most basic swipe. A last resort if you will. If it was hand to hand combat, my warlock would lose ... unless she was fighting a mouse or a small gremlin.

Hopefully this clears things up?

@Roman

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt my dear! Don't make me regret it :p!

The Walking Dead [High Casual]

Oh gosh I'm excited!

By the way Strawberry, I'm toying with the possibility of creating a medical student who absolutely abhors guns. Hates them. Thoughts?

Edit:

@Maestro, I recognize your avatar from somewhere ... Vocaloid maybe? Care to jog my memory?

The Spirits Within

Hey all you pretty people. I'm back from a very long vacation in the hospital. Um, Ex, I shall creep in the outpad waiting for you.

The Walking Dead [High Casual]

If there's still room for the initial interest, I'd like to cast my interest into the pot.