The smile Shawn wore disappeared as the seriousness in Olivia's voice set the tone. He listened intently to the tale of her travels and the hardship's she had endured. He was glad to hear others like Mr. Byrd had been kind to her. She had to defend herself and the fact that she was sitting across from him meant that the others had not been as fortunate. Shawn could fill in the blanks her tale left out. It posted a sad story of a dangerous trip. Traveling on land was just as dangerous as he had thought it would be. Shawn believed people still had a choice to hold onto the their decency or to become less then human. Apparently more chose to be less. Her hands were comforting him just as he imagined it comforted her. Olivia's hands were soft and the contact made Shawn focus more on her lips. Shawn was glad to hear he was being nice to Olivia. A smile grew on his face to the sound of her words and the tone she used to describe Shawn. His face flush with color to the comment of "Sweet as all get out."
Hearing Olivia's plight made it come back to Shawn as well. The danger and the pillaging. He remembers a group set on one girl with a single intent. He had to shoot a few to make his intent known. Shawn's face grew dark. Turned out it was a trap and more were lying in wait. He lost most of his stuff minus the bag and the clothes on his back. After a few minutes Shawn cleared his throat. "Well I recon my tale is similar to yours. After the Katrina I went down to see what I could do to help out. I joined a volunteer group and learned some carpentry. Did what I could for a few months, then I had to get back supporting my life. It wasn't long after that the infection hit." Shawn began to rub his hands together. "The media calling it a small viral outbreak. Telling us that it was contained and not to worry. Then when it got out of hand it was too late." His voice becoming choked with sadness and his eyes welled up. Taking a deep breath through his nose he put a hand to his face and rubbed the tears out. "The city hospital got it the worst and those spread it to others I'd barricaded my house best I could. The other neighbors, most of them left. I hunkered down there for a spell until the food ran out. Then I started salvaging from abandoned homes and that kept me going for a while longer. Finally I had no choice but to move. I was a pretty good salt water fisher before and now I'm even better. There is always food in the sea and walkers cant swim. So I took a boat and as munch gas as I could siphon form the others."
Shawn took a sip of the tea and looked into the cup for a moment. "Made my way to Florida and hung out there. Evading raiders and learning how to navigate. I traded up to the boat I have now. I learned how to do night scavenging and gather as munch fuel as I could. The fishing was really good. I stayed a bit longer, the weather was nice and warm too. Key Largo was empty the walkers were heavy but manageable. I would shoot at a luxury car to make the alarm go off then when the walkers were distracted I would make my move inland to gather what ever I could and refill on fresh water." A smile broke though. "That water sure was pretty. The raiders were just such a pain they were horrible. I decided it was time to move on before they eventually got the drop on me. I moved north since I don't speak any other languages. A lot of the coast was abandoned and a few places had those in need. It feels selfish even now but then I just couldn't risk it. I tried to get close a few times. Only to get shot at. The traps always wanted me to get closer to shore. I learned to just stay out of sight of the beach. I would run up the coast at night and then anchor out of sigh from the land during the day."
"When I first heard you I thought there was no way you were so strong. I thought you were a person who had given up. I could never imagine I would be so wrong. You are very strong." Shawn gazes into your eyes as he speaks. His tone is firm but not harsh. "I'm glad we met and that you still have what makes a person, human. The kindness is what kept me from leaving this dock. I feel so close to you the more I get to know you. Olivia... You restore my faith in surviving this nightmare. Please let me keep surviving with you. I couldn't imagine anyone kinder, stronger, or as pretty to survive with then you." Shawn extends out his hands palms up on the table, asking to hold yours once more. "The fact that two southerners wind up in New York on boats has gotta be the strongest case of coincidence anyone's ever heard of. Whatever the case, I am grateful to have things lead me to you, Olivia." A warm smile shows through his bearded face.
Hearing Olivia's plight made it come back to Shawn as well. The danger and the pillaging. He remembers a group set on one girl with a single intent. He had to shoot a few to make his intent known. Shawn's face grew dark. Turned out it was a trap and more were lying in wait. He lost most of his stuff minus the bag and the clothes on his back. After a few minutes Shawn cleared his throat. "Well I recon my tale is similar to yours. After the Katrina I went down to see what I could do to help out. I joined a volunteer group and learned some carpentry. Did what I could for a few months, then I had to get back supporting my life. It wasn't long after that the infection hit." Shawn began to rub his hands together. "The media calling it a small viral outbreak. Telling us that it was contained and not to worry. Then when it got out of hand it was too late." His voice becoming choked with sadness and his eyes welled up. Taking a deep breath through his nose he put a hand to his face and rubbed the tears out. "The city hospital got it the worst and those spread it to others I'd barricaded my house best I could. The other neighbors, most of them left. I hunkered down there for a spell until the food ran out. Then I started salvaging from abandoned homes and that kept me going for a while longer. Finally I had no choice but to move. I was a pretty good salt water fisher before and now I'm even better. There is always food in the sea and walkers cant swim. So I took a boat and as munch gas as I could siphon form the others."
Shawn took a sip of the tea and looked into the cup for a moment. "Made my way to Florida and hung out there. Evading raiders and learning how to navigate. I traded up to the boat I have now. I learned how to do night scavenging and gather as munch fuel as I could. The fishing was really good. I stayed a bit longer, the weather was nice and warm too. Key Largo was empty the walkers were heavy but manageable. I would shoot at a luxury car to make the alarm go off then when the walkers were distracted I would make my move inland to gather what ever I could and refill on fresh water." A smile broke though. "That water sure was pretty. The raiders were just such a pain they were horrible. I decided it was time to move on before they eventually got the drop on me. I moved north since I don't speak any other languages. A lot of the coast was abandoned and a few places had those in need. It feels selfish even now but then I just couldn't risk it. I tried to get close a few times. Only to get shot at. The traps always wanted me to get closer to shore. I learned to just stay out of sight of the beach. I would run up the coast at night and then anchor out of sigh from the land during the day."
"When I first heard you I thought there was no way you were so strong. I thought you were a person who had given up. I could never imagine I would be so wrong. You are very strong." Shawn gazes into your eyes as he speaks. His tone is firm but not harsh. "I'm glad we met and that you still have what makes a person, human. The kindness is what kept me from leaving this dock. I feel so close to you the more I get to know you. Olivia... You restore my faith in surviving this nightmare. Please let me keep surviving with you. I couldn't imagine anyone kinder, stronger, or as pretty to survive with then you." Shawn extends out his hands palms up on the table, asking to hold yours once more. "The fact that two southerners wind up in New York on boats has gotta be the strongest case of coincidence anyone's ever heard of. Whatever the case, I am grateful to have things lead me to you, Olivia." A warm smile shows through his bearded face.
