Fandom A Grave New World

[Rambi]

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In a world much like ours, yet so far apart.

Where it still rains, it still snows; it even still lives. . .





Though, the life of humans as we know has changed. They have come to the point of which every day, has


become a struggle for survival. Whether it is from starvation, spores or other humans; danger may just have


become a daily element to look out for yet again. The contrast between good and evil, has never been weaker.


Since everyone has their ways to survive. Either in the quarantine zones, or outside the protective concrete


walls surrounding the timeworn cities and it's inhabitants, outside where ferocious creatures roam with their rigid


legs and worn body parts, those of which one moment in the past, belonged to a human.


The year is 2030





Fifteen years has passed since the infection and fungus came to this world, and honestly, no one seems to know


where it originated from. Scientists call it L0U5, a near neighbor specie to "Ophiocordyceps unilateralis" which


has been observed to infect ants by the fungu's spores. The spores are generally inhaled, later to contaminate its


victims blood. After this process, the fungi begins to grow inside the ant head. It begins to control the basic


motoric functions, such as walking; the ants visual and auditory senses are also corrupt a little later.


After the fungi has taken control over the ant, it places it where it is most capable of spreading new spores; usually


where other ants takes their path to gather food. The ant dies soon after its possessor has demanded a death grip


at a plausible location for spreading the fungi through spores. When L0U5 first was discovered, it had already


taken some hosts. Scientists began studying it, but failed to review the data before themselves were attacked.


It is however worth to state, that the information gathered from this fungi could be seen as almost identical to


that of "Ophiocordyceps unilateralis" with only one deviation, that of the host becoming much more aggressive

towards its own specie, humans. No vaccine or cure has been discovered as far as the 'public' knows.




The streets were rendered empty a week after the initial epidemic, and the surge of infected people spread across


countries in a rapid pace since everyone demanded a flight away from the loosing battle. As stated above,


nobody really knows if the fungi developed under normal circumstances, or was a biological weapon crafted by


an organisation. Whatever the cause was, natural or crafted, it has spread worldwide and plagues people all over.

Now, in all the chaos that have been; some cities


still retain their trademark, the skyscrapers.




However, these are now decorated by vines and moss. Down below, the asphalt has cracked as much as the


pavement's concrete has; letting trees aswell as bushes grow strongly through the dense material of the streets.


Even inside,overgrowth has become a fact near open windows which let the sunshine in through the regularly


broken window panels. What seem not to have gotten desperate, is the animal life as it thrives in the new


locations it now can inhabit; having now risk of catching the fungi, they must be rather happy for their new deal


on the earth.




Although this above is true for most cities, there are presently a few safe places for humans. These are called by

the military "Alpha zones" but more commonly around citizens, they are called quarantine zones. This is

basically what they are. A location that is has a main goal to keep individuals healthy. Under recent years, this


devotion to keeping sick people out and healthy people in, has as many states it "corrupted" the military forces.


They have become harsher as to shoot the living $@&% out of people who are or in the process of becoming


hosts. The cruelty is often described as oppressive, and citizens are to be obedient or measures may be taken.


Military personal within the inhabited cities are armed with standard rifles, and those on the large concrete walls


are usually armed with sniper rifles. The weapons are regularly stolen, but because of this, they are also


regularly checked in armories and reported missing, often through public megaphones. These megaphones are


used to give out propaganda aswell, like how good it is to join the military. Now don't take that wrong,

high-ranked officers and leaders are treated with respect and honored when lost. They live by themselves and

usually has servants to whatever they did need.

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[Rambi]

High up on the side of a brick building, looking along its wall would reveal a marvellous view with the green tree crowns extending far into the distance, past a gigantic wall of concrete dividing the outside world from the quarantine zone below; the sun could also be seen balancing just above the horizon colouring the sky, a glorious gradient blue to yellow. A proof, that things had the potential to still be beautiful, even after the apocalypse and its accompanying horrors came down upon the world.


It was all very pretty; however the sound of bird twitter far away was canceled out by a repetitive metallic 'Clank.. clank.. clank..' sound alongside with a vibrating draining pipe going up towards the roof of the brick building. Soon, two female hands would appear wearing fingerless gloves, which seemed to belong to a girl below who with a focused gaze up at the edge of the roof, climbed the pipe to its top. The hands gripped the pipe firmly, and each feet of the female's we can now call Alice, put themselves in the cracks between the bricks of the wall as she continued. Giving a grunt as she pulled herself higher, and breathed out as she took a foot up.


Alice is currently wearing, as of the wind blowing harshly up where she is; a nice and warm, but torn dark brown unbuttoned jacket. Underneath this would be her favourite red t-shirt, dirty as it was; below being a rather worn pair of jeans pants, and even lower would showcase her sneakers. Despite the coming cold night, she was determined to get up to have a look across the green ocean of trees which she has done so many times before. This time was to be different than the others though.


As she got to the end of the draining pipe, it would curve into the wall and go through the bricks. Just above was the edge leading up to the roof, which she was generally happy to see. Reaching up, Alice would grab the edge and hook her right hand up above it, feeling the cold stone surface. Her next move was to pull herself up and get the other arm's elbow over the ledge of the building with a palm flat down. A moment to catch her breath passed, after which she then heaved herself up and swung her legs to the side to get them over the ledge. As she came up to look over the edge, she saw the pipe underneath her head. It's function seemed to be to drain the roof from rain water.


The roof wouldn't be too large. In the shape of a square, it was about 20 feet (6 metres) across, not bigger than a bedroom. However if one would pan out, it did be six stories tall and atleast one story taller than all other around; the draining pipe was on the side of this building that went down into a narrow alley. Alice would now slide of the knee high parapet and get to her feets on the flat surfaced concrete ground of which was also the roof. Turning around, she saw that her things was still there. In one corner, there would be a metal hatch, a trapdoor of sorts down into the below floor. It was shut with a padlock on it, the key would be laid neatly in the centre on top of the hatch. In the corner next to the other, a makeshift bed made out of cloth stuffed plastic bags laid under a tent-like structure. The third corner held a few planks, some wide, some long; some were even rotten. The fourth and final corner housed a little fireplace that put those planks into use. In front of the outcold fire, there was a cushion, probably removed from a chair.


The girl looked around, checking so that her backpack was still by her bedside before turning towards the sunset. Upon doing so, she squinted when the warm yellow light lit up her face, she couldn't really ruin the feeling by bringing a hand up to cover her eyes. So she let them adjust to the brightness before she stepped forth to the parapet of the roof to seat herself on her knees. Bringing up the elbows, she leaned over the low protective wall and let her hands go over one another before her chin settled itself upon them both. Her fairly short hair swung back and forth by the chilling breezes running by, whilst she herself looked towards the yet again, marvellous sunset, dreaming of what could be behind the walls beneath a few blocks away, dreaming of the adventure that could be made outside the zone where she remains a prisoner to this very day.

 

[Dovahkiin]

For whatever reason, tonight's sunset was the most beautiful Alex had seen in a while. The sun, lowering to rest behind the horizon, bathed the city of ruins in orange, warm light, the sky a combination of blues and yellows. The breeze brushed along her cheek, tender and cool. The scene was relaxing enough to take her mind off everything for a while; her nerves eased and the normal knot of anxiousness in her stomach began to undo itself. You'd hardly know that the world was turning to shit hadn't you seen the quarantine zone ahead. At least the officers had taken a break from shooting - it was uneasy knowing there were undead nearby. Alex's tranquility was short-lived.


"Alex, get the hell away from the window before someone sees you," Ben warned, and she hadn't even needed to look at him to know he was glaring.


Puffing out a breath, she meandered back over to her brother to plop down beside him, cross-legged. "Well," she murmured, "Nice while it lasted, I guess."


He shook his head and scoffed, only half-serious. "Did you get the pans from outside?" She nodded, throwing a hand to the canteens she'd filled minutes ago. Whenever it rained, they set out pans to catch rainwater. Sure was a hell of a lot better than going without.


A beat of silence between them passed as Alex listened to the distant calls of a bird, a gentle reminder that life still existed. "I'm surprised there aren't many undead here."


"They go where the food are." His reply was so instant it took her off guard, and she couldn't stifle the smile that spread across her face.


"That's a nice way to put it." Another beat of quiet. "Good thing we're fast food then, huh." Despite how much he'd hated it, Ben chuckled, rolling his eyes, muttering something like "that was so dumb" beneath his breath.


The conversation took a serious turn, wiping the smiles off both of their faces. "We should probably leave soon," Ben said. "God knows what the officers will do to us if they find us out here." Ben scoffed. "Can't take any risks," he mocked, then pulled a face like the words themselves tasted bitter.


"Let's make sure they don't find us, then."


He frowned. This wasn't the first time she'd said this. "Why are you so adamant on staying?"


Alex met his eyes, brows furrowed. Staying here gave her a sense of comfort; maybe it was because she knew other people, real breathing people, were close. "Well, where else would we go?" she snapped.


"Anywhere but here." His gaze remained on hers for a moment before falling back onto his feet. A sigh escaped from his lips. "Look, I just... I want what's safest."


Although she didn't agree with what he thought to be safest, she didn't say more.

 

[PKCV2]

A golden hue enveloped the once-blue sky signifying the end to another anxiety-filled day for the civilians corralled into their designated quarantine zones. As men, women, and children were expected to bundle up in their dilapidated homes to drift into deep sleep, their protectors, the remannts of America's army, tirelessly carried on their assigned duties all with the intentions of keeping the infected out and away.


Rolando McCourty, the dutiful watchman, quietly stalked the perimeter of the massive walls separating the chaos from the quarantine, and the dark-skinned soldier stood between the two, his rifle held firmly in gloved hands at the ready, safety switched off long before he began his patrol. Originally beginning in trios, each patrolling group would then split apart leaving each soldier to cover about 20 foot swaths, just enough distance for the men to come running for the rescue if trouble reared it's ugly head.


Pushing his thick-rimmed glasses further up the bridge of his nose, Rolando readjusted his grip on the M4 rifle as his head swiveled from side to side, scanning the land for the telltale sign of an infected or bandit, staring hard at the tall grass swaying in the breeze, squinting into the trees in the distance, and yet he still found nothing, the absence of danger almost brought the longing of conflict back into the soldier's mind. He sighed to himself...it'd been too long since he had been sent out on a raid into a neighboring town for supplies.


"Whatsa matter McCourty? Feeling those petty feelings crop up again? We don't need no drive-bys in that fine quarantine of ours yeah?" A suave voice had teased cruely through the mic looped around Rolando's ear, causing the dark-skinned man to turn his head left to see a Hispanic man with slicked hair smirking right at him about 20 feet away.


The only hint of acknowledgement Rolando granted the man was a huff and the sight of his back towards him. His past was common knowledge to his fellow soldiers, some embraced it knowing they were getting a fighter on their side, others met it with disapproval questioning his work ethic when he wanted to take up a responsibility that helped keep the lives of hundreds alive. All the former gang member could do was work...and work. He had only managed to make friendly connections with only a few soldiers thus far.


"Heads up boys. Got a shambler about 35 meters towards the treeline. Just one in sight." A different voice called out, the aged tone belonging to a lieutenant going on 50, the commander of Rolando's trio.


The clacking of metal sounding to his left brought Rolando's head turning to see the Hispanic soldier, the completing piece of the trio, had raised his rifle to fire off a shot to end the infected. Almost immediately Rolando turned, bringing the butt of his weapon to his shoulder, and steadied the sights of the weapon onto the idle infected. Without another thought the sound of gunfire erupted from Rolando's rifle and a sizable hole opened in the infected' torso, jerking the monster backwards and causing it to stumble. Three more shots sounded off and holes appeared in it's leg, torso, and finally the head, dropping the monster to the ground, body vanishing as tall grass engulfed it. Lowering his rifle, Rolando threw a dirty glare at the Hispanic man and resumed his patrol with machine-like purpose, ignoring the scolding lieutenant's voice pouring relentlessly from his earpiece. Eventually the old man would stop.

 

[Rambi]

Sleepily, the girl begun to droop her eyelids whilst still on the secluded rooftop in front of the low parapet. Her head laid


on its side, leaned to the right, upon the upper arm. No longer sitting on her knees, she laid slightly on her side with the


waist down on the concrete ground and legs brought together. Being between two corners at the west side wall,


the fireplace which only held cold burned out charcoal on the left side, whilst the right side held the planks of wood.


Alice seemed to be comfy up there, where it was naturally bright, different than the apartment she previously reside.


She hated that dark hole, the lack of windows to light up the rooms, the walls being rotten and floor planks missing,


oh and that awful smell; surely it was not where she wanted to live. Thus, the teenager moved up here; despite its harsh


wind. The building wouldn't be very centred in the city at all, in fact, it would be as north as one could get in the zone.


She could've gone to sleep there and then, if it wasn't for a loud bang coming from the wall Alice was facing. Startled


by what she assumed rather quickly to be a shot, she let her head bounce up as to look where it came from. She came


to see three soldiers at the wall distanced roughly 20 feet from each other, one of which had already shot and seemingly


lowering his weapon for another shot. Soon, the other two would shoot with similar echoing as the first shot had made.


But she wasn't looking at the soldiers anymore, she watched a figure hard to see from the distance at where she was.


The first thought that came to her mind was that the figure was a human, or atleast an infected seen upon its upright stance.


Only the silhouette could be seen of the figure, which made it even the more mysterious to the girl. It had recoiled back from


the first shot, stunned and startled; its upper body could be seen to turn left and right, trying to locate the source of the first


gunshot amongst the echoing before two more hit its body.


A bullet to the head would end the creature of the dawn, splattering red powder glittering in the sunshine before vanishing


in the wind behind it. Soon, the limp body fell down and into the blood soaked grass. By now, Alice had pushed up herself


with straight arms and palms on the red bricks making out the parapet. Leaning forth in curiosity and gazing towards the


downfall of the intruder, she didn't seem to notice the loose bricks bellow.


The two bricks she steadied herself on moved ever so slightly, and as they came to the point of falling over the edge.


Leading Alice to fall forth herself, uttering a quick "Holy shit!" before she was stopped by the remaining bricks under


her belly. Slightly shocked, she watched down along the wall she now hung over, seeing the two bricks plunging towards


the ground. She shut her eyes squinted hoping the sound wouldn't be to loud, however, the first brick smashed flat against


the concrete with a powerful 'Clack', breaking into two pieces at impact. Luckily, the other made a less noisy sound, falling


onto its corner and spreading red dust a meter radius around the brick on the floor, in which it laid itself on, half a second later.


Alice opened her eyes and with the gloved hands on the wall, hurried herself back up and rolled over to the side. Putting the upper


back against the low 'protective' half wall. She breathed quietly for the moment with hands by her hips and palms down on the ground,


keeping in mind that someone might've heard. Laying by the planks she had gathered for firewood, even though the concrete she laid on


was dry, the wood was not. She remembered now that it had in fact rained, just the other day.

 

[Dovahkiin]

At the sound of a gunshot, Alex jumped and Ben didn't flinch. "God dammit," she breathed, shaking her head and running a slender hand through her dark, tangled hair. Infected were likely near. On the other hand, the gunshot may have called the other infected to the quarantine zone -- making this a great opportunity to sneak out and scavenge for supplies around the city. Ben stood and extended a hand toward his sister. She took it.


After strapping on their backpacks, they crept out of the building and across the streets, eyes wary and scanning their surroundings for even the tiniest movements. One slip up, and everything could be over, whether the killing hand be an infected's or officer's. Concrete crunching beneath their feet, they made it into the first building. They broke out into their routine, splitting apart but keeping each other within seeing range, only to come up empty handed. The duo did the same with the other four buildings. At this point, Alex and Ben had managed to find a few rounds of ammo, a med kit, and supplies for a few shivs. Not half bad.


Everything flowed smoothly until Ben froze and held a finger to his lips, dropping into a crouch and using a hand on his sister's shoulder to guide her into doing the same. Ahead was a runner - the least dangerous of the four types of infected, but still should be treated with caution. Ben shifted his bag around to grab for his knife until Alex shook her head, moving her hand to her own blade. With a reluctant glance, he sheathed his knife.


Alex fell into focus. The runner groaned, still human-like, with its shoulders sagged to one side like an invisible weight was balanced on its right shoulder, but much to her luck, it had its back towards her. Even from behind, Alex could see the edges of the fungus that protruded from the eyes to crawl back toward the temples. She vowed to never let this happen to her brother. Her feet took careful, silent steps to close the distance, inch by inch, between her and the once-human. Ben watched on, knife drawn again in case she'd get herself in trouble. She got close enough to smell the remnants of soap on its flesh. Must've been infected only days ago, she thought, and in a single fluid motion, she grabbed the runner by its remaining hair, tilted its head back, and repeatedly drove her knife into its neck. The runner gave only a few squirms of protest before falling limp into her arms. She set the corpse gingerly onto the ground.


Seeing the creature's face made her heart drop, only furthering the reality they lived in. Here one moment, gone the next.


"Wasted," she murmured. Feeling blood drip off her chin, she used the back of her arm to wipe off the remaining scarlet splatters. She hadn't even realized Ben made it to her side until he held out a piece of cloth for her to wipe her face with, and she did just so, lips pursed.


"Let me do it next time. I know runners are the worst for you." Ben gave her a look that was a mix between concerned and scornful. Alex only shook her head, faking a smile.


They continued on after that, to the point where they'd almost made it to the quarantine zone. The brother and sister realized too late how close they were.


"Hey! Show yourselves! Now!" screamed a voice.


"Shit," the duo said together, then darted off as fast as their legs could carry them.

 

[PKCV2]

At this point in the soldier's patrol, the sky was not only golden now, orange and purple began to dot the sky, the sunset casting long shadows that emanated from the armored men pacing back and forth. After the quick dispatch of the lone infected silence quickly reclaimed it's rightful place in asserting a crushing quietness over the world. Looking back, Rolando scanned the one, of many, entrances of the quarantine zone, the one his squad had been assigned to defend.


Between gaps of giant concrete walls, a slightly smaller chain link fence spanned the gap complete with two wheels attached to the bottom of the metal. From there a booth and an operator was stationed against the concrete wall opposite of the outside world where the operator would have to either press a button, pull a lever...something...Rolando only knew the operator was in charge of opening or closing the gate. On the other side of the chain link fence multiple soldiers stood at the ready in case the outside perimeter were forced inside. Further increasing the firepower of the gate guards the men with sniper rifles lined atop the concrete walls ready to take the head off any hostile body within 100 miles...or at least that was the hope that the men were master marksmen.


Not a moment later once Rolando took his eyes off the entrance, a loud crack reverberated through the silence air doing well to spook the already anxious soldiers. The dark-skinned man whirled around towards the quarantine, his rifle still idle in his hands as surely the sound wasn't an infected within the confines of the zone...right? Following the sound still clear in his ears, his gaze eventually landed on a tall brick building that he had guessed was the source of the sound. Craning his neck and squinting through the lens of his glasses, Rolando became entranced in staring at the looming building and as a result did not notice the crunching of dirt gradually loud ending until the sound stopped at his side. His Hispanic partner was standing at his side, neck craned just the same.


"Should call that in yeah?" The Hispanic's voice had lost it's cruel edge replaced by a worried, almost soft tone and this happened often. The safety of the quarantine was at the top of the man's priorities and Rolando often wondered how many other soldiers shared that sentiment


As Rolando lifted a finger to his earpiece to call in a report a sudden storm of yelling brought his attention away from the building, earpiece forgotten and saw two figures quickly dart away, a soldier yelling at their retreating backs. Now there were two problems.


"Well shit. Foster! You go check out that building there. I'll catch up later!" With that Rolando took off towards the fleeing pair, rifle slung over his shoulder and arms pumping.


Seeing as the gunshots and yelling had already been executed, he saw no need to keep quiet to lessen the risk of drawing infected. With that thought in mind the soldier began to yell as he ran.


"Now c'mon over here guys! Just stop running! I can help sort out whatever trouble is headin' your way you y'know!"


"Now w-" Rolando had already taken off before Foster could finish his statement. Seeing no way to reign the dark man back in, the Hispanic called for the gate operator to let him inside. Hefting his rifle, Foster let out a deep sigh.


"Probably some troublemaker..."

 

[Rambi]

Alice laid low for a little while, keeping in mind that there was actually some soldiers patrolling a few blocks away on the wall. Faced opposite to the changing sky, she could easily spot the rather large, full moon hanging above at an angle of 30 degrees. It would remind her that the curfew had.. Probably already started. She was known to be the last one in, if at all, and for very good reasons. Fear, is possibly a trait all humans share; whether it's loosing another family member, die, or darkness.


Anyhow, Alice would soon sigh a deep held breath; rotate once again, to get on her belly. Bringing up the knees in under herself, she lead the hands up the half-wall and hooked them over the edge. Slowly, she was to put up her head and peak over the top bricks. She, didn't spot too many soldiers on the wall anymore. The below part of the barrier was covered by other rooftops to the south, so that didn't really give much of a telltale either.


Alice took it as an all clear, and pushed up to a kneeled position. Getting her red t-shirt and brown jacket dusted off with two hands patting down. A moment later stood, and turned to the backpack by the 'bed'. Reached out with the right hand and swung it up, letting one loop follow that arm before the other arm retracted and looped into the opposite strap. The pack was small to its size, and lightweight enough to not slow one down.


The next thing she did, was to glance down at the rather poorly built tent over the makeshift bed. Consisting of eight iron bars, four placed as legs and four above in a square, tied with cables to hold it in place; a tarpaulin laid over the miserable construction. She grabbed two of its legs, and with a single smooth fling, threw the contraption over the edge to spin down right onto a dumpster. The dumpster wouldn't be open, thus, it did impale the plastic cover with the same sound one could make, by drawing a sword out of its sheath.


The girl grin amused and threw off the plastic bags underneath to meet the same faith, then headed to the hatch in which she attended to in the means of unlocking the padlock. Getting the key in one hand, and let the other grab the lock; she was soon to lift the cap up and seat herself down with the legs in the hole. Pushing away with the palms on the concrete and let the feets get hold of the ladder bars bellow.


The ladder creaked as she put some weight on it, however held when she began climbing down. Leaving the hatch open, she continued below and looked around. All was fine and dandy, dusty as always; cheers for her handheld flashlight, being in the same spot she left it. Skipping the last few steps on the ladder, she jumped off and down taking the impact with her legs. The room wouldn't be much to comment on, just a place to store things in; a window lightening up the particle filled air in a shimmering way, however it wouldn't last much longer.


A stair on the other side had a railing, which held her precious companion, the flashlight. Grabbing it on the go, and leaned over the railing to look down the stairs. A rope would seem to run along the wall up the stair, right below the hand railing. It would be tied across the lower part of the stair, like a trip wire. However very well visible, it was surely not for humans to walk onto. No the trap was fairly obvious, because above, on the very last step; a large wooden cloth cabinet was balanced, with the rope tied high around its length. Alice went behind the cabinet and got her back onto its own, before thrusting her weight into it and sending it tipping. She stood back and looked, as the cabinet smashed against a few edges of the stair before sliding down and giving away quick bang noises as it hit the edges.


The teen gave a single chuckle, smiling in a rather mocking kind of way. Going down the stair now, Alice heaved herself over the laid down cabinet and glide on its back down to the fifth floor. Jumping ahead, the three other floors were easily exited. Bringing her to the second floors staircase, grabbing the hand railing with one extended arm's end, quickly descending to the first floor with audible little steps. The door in gaze, which she had not blocked of. There was no need for it since the outside alley, was mostly abandoned.

 

[Dovahkiin]

Though the pair was sprinting their way through the streets, they tried their best to remain quiet, cautious of the possible infected lurking in the area. Being as silent as possible evolved into a habit - sometimes, it felt their own thoughts were too loud.


Ben's arms and legs worked in a frenzy, and his sister had to grab hold of his hand to match his stride. Their chests heaved with stifled pants, hearts pumping so heard their pulses slammed against their eardrums. Alex's mind went frantic with an escape plan, and as if some long-gone god had bestowed an idea upon her, she yanked her brother by the arm into an alley. He grunted. Afterwards, they ran into another alley. And another. And another, up until the point where they were almost certain they lost him.


The duo slowed to a stop. Immediately, Ben folded over with his hands on his knees, a ringing in his ears, and erratic breathing, trying to refill his lungs with any and all air he could gasp in. Alex clasped her hands behind her skull, paced around, and shut her eyes. Once they'd both regained their breath, the took in their surroundings.


Buildings of chipped brick stretched high into the darkening sky, vegetation clawing its way up from the concrete to curl on the walls. Water puddled around the alley's sides from yesterday's rain. On the puddles, small dabs of faded sunlight freckled the liquid's surface, and a pang of nostalgia hit Alex when it reminded her of the lake at home. Those nights she and her brother spent fishing with their dad at that lake (even though the mosquitoes spared them no mercy) were so achingly out of reach and bittersweet. If she would've known those nights wouldn't last forever, she would've begged to stay out longer, hugged her dad tighter, savored the moment better.


Ben pinched her arm and she recoiled, letting out a hiss of pain and an offended look. "Just to make sure you weren't dreaming," he stated. He gave a shrug. "You looked lost."


She shook her head a bit too fast. "Oh, sorry." She brought her hands together by her torso and shoved away the memories. "So," she began, lifting a brow, "What's the plan now?"


Ben rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a sigh and looking around. "I have no idea," he admitted after a moment, but when his eyes flickered to the opening of the building, he froze.


Not far ahead was a teenage girl.

 

[PKCV2]

Goddamn I swear if I wasn't wearing all this gear I'd be right up on you two's tail close enough you'd be able to feel my breath!





Various throughts born from the frustration and difficulty of giving chase to two, lightly equipped pair skirting through the streets of an abandoned city. A coat of sweat had thoroughly enveloped every inch of skin on the soldier's body from the work as his job normally did not require chasing bodies, just hunkering down in cover and firing from a distance. While his arms kept pumping and chest still heaving, Rolando silently felt grateful he was wearing gloves over his hands. It'd make operating his firearms much easier than with sweat-soaked hands.


Suddenly the two rounded a corner of a building and disappeared from sight. A few moments later Rolando rounded the same corner and shook his head ever so slightly upon seeing the empty city. Now as the sounds of shoes slapping concrete faded, silence retook it's claim over the world and anxiety gripped the lone soldier. Unslinging the M4 rifle, gloved hands found steely purchase around the handle and hand guard, index finger lightly grazing the trigger while the patrolling instinct began to show. Rolando took on a light jog with his head turning to and fro like an automated sentry gun on guard duty, ears alert for the sounds of lurking infected or the pair he was chasing earlier.


Where had the two gone? They most certainly weren't magicians of any sort so they were here somewhere. Scaling the buildings weren't an option considering the work and time required along with the fact that the observant patroller would have seen them. Continuing straight down the street was ruled out as Rolando would have seen them. Running the options through his head the many alleyways dotting gaps in the buildings finally computed. Of course! Running through alleys would be the ideal method in losing a pursuer and so Rolando plunged into the nearest one...the unseen shambling figure left behind.


Slowing to a steady trot through the alley, Rolando activated his earpiece.


"Foster. Foster you hear me?" A moment, and then the familiar voice of Foster came through.


"Yeah I'm here. Trying to find the sound of that damn brick."


"Good. Well I think I've almost got those two runners. Will update as soon as I find them." There was no answer from Foster. Unknowlingly the two soldiers' assignments were lead them to the same destination.

 

[Rambi]

From the outside, in the alley; all was quiet. However a moment went by before a creak of a door would sound through the walled in walkway, appearing from the slightly open door was a head. This was Alice's head, having made it down the stairs she previously had in sight; now was looking both ways in the alley with watchful eyes. They wouldn't see much going on, just the wind from the street further away, moving a few torn paper bits across the exit. Noticing at the other end of the alley, trash container stacked sideways across the two walls of the alley, blocking both the view and walk path.


She gave a muted 'hm.' and took the both of her hands up to the doorframe, pushing away as to give the rusty hinges on the door a workout. They did whine in a pale way, audible to the surrounding before she let her back off of the door, same did she do with her hands. Two steps were to be taken down to the alley, with an iron railing on the edge of the two slabs to lead Alice's hand down as she stepped to ground level. Turning abruptly to push away from the handrail, and distanced herself from the decomposing smell the dumpsters provided across grass coated and cracked concrete.


The girl, facing the opening of the alley and the illuminated street outside from an ending day. Alice was eager to get out of the darkness and tight space between the walls, but in the way she soon was to take note of, two characters were walking towards her. A female and male figure silhouetted to the street's golden lit background, the male looking like if he had a pipe sticking up and gently angled outwards over his shoulder whilst on the opposite side, a stock could be seen behind the gestalts hand.


Knowing nothing else about the two infront, she halted and stood dead still in her tracks. Fear spread across Alice's veins in the form of adrenaline as she tried keeping herself calm and think out her next move carefully. The memory of the blocked passage behind her haunted the thought of escaping. Whether these two would be military looking for the sound made by Alice's accident with the brick, two diseased, or outsiders looking for loot. However, to the lack of knowledge on the girl's side, these two would certainly be Alexa and Ben Mills.


Alice bit together her teeth as she finished deciding, suddenly turning knowing that the risk wasn't worth the reward; if there even was one. The teen begun sprinting towards the blocked off passage, closing onto it quickly and sprung herself up with a leg. Landing the other — retracted — leg's foot onto the wide side of the dumpster's edge, two palms close behind to push away from the cap of the trash container. Alice rather quickly got a stance onto the barrier of stench, however to greet her at the other side; a hispanic soldier was walking towards her in the alley, with his voice to be heard but not understood by Alice herself in the heated moment, only the word 'Brick' was comprehended to the female.


Shocked with danger on both fronts, she couldn't help but to panic and letting her hands rise slowly on either side of herself as to surrender, though, she remained upon the dumpster. Idly taking tiny steps backwards, the head of hers turned and looked at the more clearly visible characters behind her, since the silhouette was no more as of her raised view to look down upon them at a distance. She got to see their faces, their clothing; and knew for a fact that they weren't from the city. Further behind, another mystery exposed itself however, she could guess upon its outlining that it was a second soldier. The stare Alice gave was a frightened one, distant in a way.