Realistic or Modern (Closed) When it all falls down...

[ZombieBaee]

Slade

"Come on man that's not right." Slade shot a look over to Drake and rolled his eyes, shit like this bothered him. Not that it was Callie, but just anything like this in general. "Callie you really don't have to, I can take your shot for you." But before he knew it her hand was on his cheek and her lips pressed to the other. It caused his face to warm more than the alcohol had. "R-Right." Slade took a long drink of his beer before clearing his throat and doing his best to appear unbothered by the interaction but truth be told he was embarrassed, PDA wasn't his thing from anyone or anything. Hell it was so bad his siblings would fuck with him in public often by hugging him and poking at his face.

Gill asked his question and Slade raised a brow, pulled from his embarrassment. "Hah me? God no. I travel too much for any of that type of thing. I honestly think the last relationship I've ever been in was in middle school with my neighbor and that lasted two days before she dumped my sorry ass." Slade shrugged and set down his drink. He was a lone wolf, he just lived a better life that way.

They took a few more turns full of laughs and drinks. Finally they were on their last round. Thank god.

 

[EclipseRosee]

Ava

"Oh goddess Marco!" As soon as the man pulled off his shirt Ava turned and hid her eyes behind her hands and stumbled back to the table, taking a seat and keeping her back to him splashing in the fountain. Drake dared Callie to kiss Slade and Ava nearly gasped, Gils commentary only made her eyes go wider. "Well it is juvenile but we're all just having fun right?" Ava finally shook away her shocked expression and turned to smile at Gil as best she could. Her face was flushed from the alcohol and her dark hair fell over her shoulders as she tilted her head slightly. "I don't think a little kiss is too much to worry about and look!" Ava giggled as she pointed over to Callie kissing Slade on the cheek. "She found a loophole." The last part came out as a whisper as she sat back up fully in her chair and took a swig of her glass of wine. Honestly Ava felt bad that everyone else seemed to be having fun besides Gil...

They all took more and more turns, finally Ava just started drinking straight from the bottle and she was having a hard time sitting in her chair. She found herself getting more and more comfortable talking thanks to liquid courage as well as Lo's terrible concert. Ava now found herself in her tanktop rather than her sweater due partially to the heat and partially due to a truth about all her tattoos. Ava was covered, chest piece of a magic mirror, raven half sleeve, a bunch of flowers and herbs on her other arm. She loved her tattoos so much and never really showed them off.

"Shoot." Ava pouted slightly as she lost and took a drink from the small amount of liquid left in the wine bottle. "Slade give me a dare!" She demanded drunkenly as she poked him in the chest. "And make it a fun one pleaseeee.”

 

[KAYDEN]

Drake

"Oh what a cop out." Drake rolled his eyes as Callie kissed Slade on the cheek despite her brothers comments about grade school. "You're right, it's not grade school. So like whys it matter?" He went to the table and grabbed another bottle of Jack Daniels, opening it and starting to drink it straight. They played a few more rounds and Drake found himself getting worse and worse, he probably should have realized he was well past his limit but oh fucking well. Eventually he found himself laying on the floor of the casino and watching the room spin.

The bottle was nearly empty, though most of that was due to him spilling the fucking this all over the place. "I lost? Fuck."

For a moment he thought about taking the shot but decided that another drop of alcohol would put him in a coma. "Fuck fine. Someone ask me something I dont care who." Drake let his eyes fall shut as he tossed the bottle gently to the floor next to him. "Ill be here whenever."

 

[Sir Damien]

Gillian

It was hard to relax when he knew what was looming, it was hard to relax when his sisters 22 years of training was being broken down by a few nights with a group of people. The more he drank the more stressed he felt. He tried to put on a good show, a smile here and there and a chuckle at one or two of their childish and crass jokes.

"Ah, fine I lost. I supposed my lucky streak would wear off sometime." He glanced at the options of people. "Slade, do me the honor and choose a dare for me." He was far too drunk to slyly hide their past in any sort of truth scenario.

 

[Colt Voltage]

Marco

A whole pint of whiskey later and here they were, last round of roulette. They all were trashed and they had another long day ahead of them tomorrow. Mostly everyone was having a good time, Marco didn't want it to end but he knew good things had to come to an end. They'd get to the safe house tomorrow and continue to make light of their situation. Would they go their separate ways? Would they all go to Canada and stay? Or would they leave to travel to other parts of the US? Marco had every intention on getting back to Italy, Canada would be the best option. He was sure Canada wasn't taken over by these radicalists.

"Ah, David. What is your real name?" He hiccuped slightly as he sat up. Marco was trashed, but he knew when someone was hiding something. David had an air to him that reeked of mystery, he wasn't at all who he led on to be. He was sure David was just an alias. If they were going to die together they should at least know his real name.

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Callie

Slade's answer to Gill's question made Callie sad. Slade was such a nice and thoughtful guy, and he was clearly fit for survival. He would make a great husband someday to someone. "Well the girls are missing out, you're a great guy." Callie tried to give Slade some reassurance that there was a good lady out there for him. She'd come around eventually.

The next while everyone drank the night away. Callie sat in her chair sipping her gingerale or bottled water happily playing the games. The outside world weighed heavily upon her shoulders the longer she sat there. If they got caught everything they had here would crumble, she didn't want that. Callie silently prayed for them to make it out of this. She prayed they all found their families and lived a life time of happiness and freedom.

They were on the last round and Haru, Ava, David, and Gill were up. Callie sipped on her gingerale, nearly spitting it out when Marco asked his question. "David's not your real name?"

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Haruka

You know those people that are either sober or completely trashed? Haru was that person, and Haru was trashed. Her cheeks were heated, she couldn't walk without stumbling, and she had reached the point where if she drank a single drop of alcohol she would more than likely vomit. Did she get hangovers? Not to her knowledge, she had never been this drunk. Hopefully not or tomorrow would suck.

"Aww, I lost. Dammit." She chucked a nacho chip at her poker chips and knocked down the stack. "Alright, Lo! I dared you earlier. However! If I stand, I will likely fall to the ground and not get up until the morning. If I drink another drop I will spend the night cradling the toilet. So! Give me a truth. I am an open book, ask away. Pick my brain of its vast range of knowledge, get to know my once boring life." She raised her bottle of water before she took a small sip.

 

[KAYDEN]

Drake

“David? Who the fuck is David?” Drake slurred his words as he laid half asleep against the carpet that smelled like a bar. Then it dawned on him.... “Oh whoops that’s me right.” The man was so far gone it wasn’t even funny. He rolled over onto his side and used his coat as a pillow. “My name is Drake, nice to meet y’all.” His words nearly had no breaks between then as he spoke.

“Thank god that’s our because it’s confusing.” Drake yawned and let out a long sigh. “Are we sleeping here? I’m ready to sleep....” The idiot never even considered that he should explain why he lied about his name or that these people might now be cautious of him for lying. He didn’t give a rats ass right now he only cared about the inside of his eyelids.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Lo

"Wait you FAKED your NAME?" Lo let out a curt laugh as she tumbled over in her seat and dropped to her ass on the floor. "Dude why?" Was he that cautious of this rag tag group of ruffians? God not a one of them looked THAT scary, I mean Gil and Slade kind of she supposed but seriously? If she hadn't been drunk she probably would have asked more questions, especially since this person had been living under her roof for a month but for now she decided to drop the subject.

"Finally!" Lo pointed at Haru as she sat back up from her spot on the floor and gave a wicked grin, "I want to know the GROSSEST thing you have ever seen as a Dr." Lo LOVED horror movies, gore and medical documentaries so she had been wanting to ask this since Haru said she was in the medical field. "And for the love of god do not hold back."

 

[ZombieBaee]

Slade

Slade looked over at Marco as he asked David about his real name with a raised brow, "Bro you are wasted. Why would you think he lied?" He turned his attention to the drunken idiot on the floor and rolled his eyes, no way this dumbass was capable of anything super intricate. Boy imagine Slade's surprise when David, no Drake, admitted it. Lo questioned a little but she was taking it as a joke... Slade took it with worry. Why would someone lie about that in this situation unless they had something to hide that was connected? He decided to bite his tongue, pressuring the guy in this state wouldn't amount to much information if any, plus Drake was already passed out once more.

Ava's finger jabbed into his chest made him wince, "Ow. Jesus okay woman." A dare? For this mouse of a human? God. "Let me think." Lo asked Haru her gross question and as he was thinking Gil also asked for a dare. What the fuck? Why him?

"Okay easy I dare the two of you to go venture out and track down some blanket's for everyone since it seems like we're crashing here." Slade was bad at this game. He looked around at the group, two were already on the ground and he didn't feel like carrying them. "We can make beds here so we get rest before the big day tomorrow." With that Slade stood and started pushing away furniture to make space for them all to sleep.

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Callie

The night ended once everyone had enough pillows and blankets. They curled up sprawled out on the ground like a sleepover with a bunch of friends. It was a strange experience to Callie. She was showered with praise and rewards and a life of luxury and deprived of a social life. Her social life included her brother following her everywhere. People thought she was weird, that they were in some weird relationship. It prevented her from making any decent friendships. So to be treated like any other person? To spend time with normal people? She felt envious of the lives they lived. It was the first time she had any doubts about her religion.

Callie fell fast asleep on the floor. It wasn't her king sized comfortable bed at home but their day had been long. She woke up to toss and turn a few times. Her last time she woke up she got up to go across the casino to the bathroom. Should she have brought someone? In retrospect probably. But she was barely conscious. She splashed some water on her face in the bathroom before patting it dry with a towel. She walked out of the bathroom with every intention on making it back to her sleeping spot.

So when a man came at her pointing a gun at her she was startled to say the least. Callie blinked widely and felt her heart begin to race. She couldn't move, she couldn't scream, she couldn't do anything. She was alone and defenseless. "Ah!" The man forced Callie's hands behind her back and roughly tightened the handcuffs around her. Once again she was frozen in fear as the man forced her to walk back to the group, the gun pressed against the back of her skull. They wouldn't hurt her. Would they?

"Everyone stand with your hands in the air!" A group of the soldiers in black gathered around the sleeping group. "There's no place to run!" Callie whimpered quietly and she shut her eyes. She prayed this was all a dream but her heart hurt so bad that she knew it was too real. "What's your name, girl? Tell me or I'll put a bullet in your head." Callie bit her lip and whimpered quietly. "Callie Montgomery..." She whispered her last name quietly. That was it, there went any chance at any friends.

 

[Sir Damien]

Gillian

Before they all went to bed Ava and Gillian adventured to the hotel end of the casino. It was eerily quiet, thankfully Ava was easy to hold a conversation with. She was different, he had never met a wiccan. His father had painted a portrait of these people as devils but she was just a regular sweet girl, like Callie. They had put the pillows and blankets on a few carts and wheeled the bedding back to the others. There they all laid down to call it a night.

Normally when Callie and Gillian were at their brownstone she was allowed to move about freely without Gillian, she wasn't a prisoner and she had more freedoms than one would think. It was normal for her to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. So when she got up Gillian didn't pay it much mind, he went right back to sleep usually. He drifted back to sleep unaware of the nightmare that was to come.

When he heard men yelling his eyes shot open. He immediately went into defense mode. Where was his sister, who were these people? Thankfully Gillian had the AR15 under the blanket with him. As soon as they demanded Callie to state her name he jumped up with the gun and, without aiming or skipping a beat, precisely shot through the arms holding the gun to his sister. "Now my church attendance has been sloppy lately but I've never forgotten the commandments. Thou shalt not touch the prophet's kin. If harm is done the offender is subject to punishment seen to by the kin."

Well, shit. There went their rapport with the others. "Commander Gillian Montgomery. I am the combat specialist of your militia, boys. I'm not a forgiving person. Surely you know that, in my position, I can do anything to you and get away with it." The soldier's guns stayed pointed at the others and it forced him to roll his eyes. The soldiers were sweating and looking from Gillian to the others nervously and frightened. Who hired these kids? "This never happened. You take these people to our boat in the marina and you send them on their way. We'll lump this up to a misunderstanding." He walked through the crowd and gently pulled Callie away from the man bleeding and screaming on the ground.

Gillian shot an apologetic look at the others as he unlocked Callie's handcuffs. "We thank you for all you've done for us. I hope your new life goes well in Canada." With that said Gillian motioned with a few men to come with him so he could use his military vehicle to get to D.C.

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Haru

Waking up was already a chore, but waking up to a gun in your face? Kind of a pain in the ass. The floor was already so uncomfortable! "Whoa!" Haru's eyes widened as they ordered her to get up. They had already searched this place, why would they be back? Unless this place was a trap for people on the run. Food, drinks, fun, a safe place to sleep. It was downright evil, she hadn't even thought of that before now.

Slowly Haru stood to her feet with her hands halfway raised. "Easy soldier." Her brown eyes looked around for something but unfortunately there wasn't anything but pillows and blankets. Once the shots fired she couldn't help but flinching slightly and clench her eyes shut. Gillian's voice echoed through the casino and had an eerie tone to it. His words were...chilling, to say the least. Her eyes opened to see his gun smoking and him standing there preaching and ordering people around. "Gillian? You're that psycho's son?" Her eyes shot over to the terrified blonde. "You're the daughter?" Everything made so much sense now. Their behavior was that of religious cult nuts.

As much as Haru wanted to hate them she couldn't. They must have been brought up in this crazy life, they didn't know anything but this. The fact that Gillian ordered the soldier's to help them escape made her heart break slightly. Those two could have been great people if not for the cult. "Come with us." Haru groaned when the soldier cuffed her and pulled her towards the elevator. At least they were getting a one way ticket out, right?

Unfortunately if these men practiced what they preached then they wouldn't be taken to the boat. They believed women needed to be reprogrammed, and if they were devout cultists they'd do everything in their power to see to that.

 

[EclipseRosee]

Ava

They got caught.... they had been so close! Ava couldn't believe everything that had happened so quickly. It turned her silent once more, the girl who was finally laughing and comfortable having conversation was gone once more. Callie and Gill had lied about their lives and honestly Ava couldn't blame them, even if she was quite hurt. The way the two acted made so much more sense now but why would they be okay with this? No, they probably weren't but... family was hard no matter how crazy they were. Ava grew up with a mother who thought she was the devil so she was no stranger to problematic families.

They were all handcuffed and carted to a vehicle apart from Callie and Gill, they were all told to remain silent and just wait. It was so hard not to freak out but Ava sat with her head against the metal of the van and just shut her eyes and tried her best to not cry.

After a long while they finally stopped and Ava could already hear the loud noises of boats and yelling. This wasn't a nice place, she could feel it in her bones. The back of the van opened and they were roughly pulled out one by one and instantly she realized something was wrong. These guys weren't going to listen to Gil's orders to make sure they got out of this somehow. They were going to force them all to take place in this terrible new world. One of the men grabbed her roughly and yanked her towards a line of people who seemed to be getting sorted out. "What the hell is all this?" She couldnt help the words that come from her mouth as she watched in horror. Men were being taken into one large group but the women were being examined and questioned. Ava was already nearing the front when she was handed off to another guy in uniform.

"Tattoos? Piercings? Oh my that will not do." The man took one look at her and looked over to another before chuckling, "This one is damaged goods. Put her on boat three." Damaged goods? Being put on a boat? Ava had been timid and mild her whole life but finally something in her finally decided it was time for fight or flight and she chose fight.

"Oh fuck you." Ava spoke the words like venom before she drew up some spit in her throat and aimed for the assholes face. The moment it hit was the same moment two guards came and pushed her to the ground and ripped her arms behind her back. "And you! What such big men so scared of a tiny little WOMAN." She growled and the pushed her harder into the concrete before ripping her up more than likely breaking her wrist. She let out a small yelp before someone placed a large hand over her mouth and pulled her away kicking and screaming towards the boats.

 

[KAYDEN]

Drake

"Oh I lie about my name and I get weird looks and questions THESE TWO are this dude's SON and we're still just trusting them? Oh fucking kay then." Drake let out a yell as he was placed in handcuffs and pushed towards the doors. It wasn't the first time he had been put in handcuffs but man these damn things were super uncomfortable. As they walked Drake glared daggers at the back of Gill and Callie, he had known something felt strange about the boy but Callie was so gentle! Though the more he thought about it the more it makes sense. For the past year Drake had been following this cult and learning about them and their views on women were... unsettling to say the least.

"Wait why are we being split up from them? Didn't your owner just tell you dogs to follow an order?" Drake growled at the officer as he was shoved into the van with the others and tried to move back towards the door but when a gun was pulled on him he went still. That was when he knew these guys didn't give a rats ass what Gill had just said. They were so brainwashed that they only knew these irrational and radical thoughts.

They sat in silence as the van moved for what felt like hours. When the doors finally reopened Drake knew what he had to do to get out of this situation and possibly be of more help but... god he didn't want it to get to this point. The first to be removed from the van was Ava and he couldn't watch anymore as she disappeared further and further into the business of the pier. When the next officer came up Drake finally spoke up as well, "You just sending people off without asking names or for credentials? Oh yikes what a terrible operation this is." The man grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him out of the van before Drake laughed and spoke again. "My family has donated a LOT to your cause boy and I do not think they'll take too kindly to you hurting their son. Potter. My dad is Gregory and my mother is Laverne?" As soon as he name dropped he was let go and shoved in the direction of an area behind gates. Drake stopped for a minute to look back at the others in pity, he wasn't strong but he wasn't going to just go home and forget them, he would try and figure something out.

Finally he was forced to move it along and he stormed off pushing past Callie and Gill, shouldering the blonde male as he did. "I hope you can fucking sleep at night."

 

[ZombieBaee]

Lo

When Lo woke in the morning it took her a long time to realize what was going on, there was a lot of noise and someone was yelling at her to get up. At first a part of her forgot all of this for a cruel moment and thought she was late for work or something. Only that was ruined when she was faced with the barrel of a gun. "Oh my god!" She screamed a little and geared up to run but the moment she took a step backwards she was met with the chest of another uniformed male. Oh no. Oh no. How were they going to get out of this? Lo looked around in terror at everyone making sure they were all still alive. Thank god that they were. She almost started to fight against the guy who held her wrists when Gil spoke out and her jaw nearly dropped tot he floor. "What in the fuck!?" It was all she could do to remember their situation and not go for his throat.

They were all taken out of the casino and Lo glared at the floor the entire time. This wasn't the treatment of a person who was going to be allowed to avoid the so called "reconditioning". No fucking way.

The guards told them to stay quiet but the moment the doors closed she finally whispered, "They're not going to let us go are they?" Her eyes drifted over the others in the dark and she lingered on Marco for a moment. Poor guy wasn't even from here and he was stuck in this shit. "Maybe they'll let you go? Since you're not from here? Maybe?" She knew how unlikely it was but man the guy had already been through enough. After a few moments she finally sat back and started to think about how she would finish this. She wasn't going to any fucking camp for sure.

When the doors reopened they were very quickly being separated and Lo couldn't think fast enough about what to do. Then her eyes fell on the men attacking Ava and it sent a chill down her spine that made her legs go weak. Lo had always thought she was strong and determined but when suddenly faced with this reality she just... fell apart. When the armed man pulled her from the van and screamed at her to walk she couldn't and he just kept screaming. "I-I can't." He screamed something else she couldn't understand but just pushed her in a direction she wasn't sure of. It wasn't the same place the man had taken Ava. The boat was full of women of all ages who were simply looking at their feet and shivering from fear. It wasn't until she reached this point that Lo finally decided to take a page from these fanatics book and pray that everyone got out of this in their own way.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Slade

Montgomery huh? Slade laughed as the scene before him unfolded. He almost couldn't believe this was real life. How could it be? Just last night this entire group was drinking and playing games like they were friends but very clearly they were not. He was stupid to have thought otherwise. Everyone here were strangers, not some rag tag team pulled together by fate. "Yeah right. You're welcome." Slade spat the words at Gillian and went to say something to Callie as well but the words got stuck in his throat.... she was one of the most genuine people he had ever met. At least he had thought so. Something still told him his impression was right but... why? It just didn't make sense.

They were all carted to this so called marina but it was quickly discovered that they would not be put on any private boat. No this entire place was a shipping center for people like they were back in the days of slavery. It was disgusting and haunting to even look at. Before he could even think Ava was causing a fight and his lips curved into a bit of a smile. Good for her... Drake was outing himself as a liar once again but the way he turned and looked at them made Slade feel a bit better... he wasn't running for the sake of himself. He was running in the hope of something better. Actually, it gave Slade an idea.

"Listen I am going to cause an issue and I want you guys to try and get away if you can okay?" Slade stood without waiting for a man to tell him to and was instantly met with yells to get on the ground. But he didn't, he kept walking until he was in the line for the men, gaining strange looks from a few of the guards. Then he decided it was time... Slade took out at a full run and tackled into the guard handling whatever paperwork the men were being given before getting on the boat and gave him a headbutt to knock him out. He was met with violence from a few other men and fighting without use of your arms was ... not great. There was yelling and confusion and finally Slade took a few boots to the jaw and went limp.

To anyone not paying close attention... he looked dead. Honestly he felt it too, it was almost preferable to the pain he was feeling. His jaw was broken and he could tell his nose was as well, blood was dripping down his face and he was doing his best to breathe without gagging on it.

"Take him to the pit, even if he's breathing he wont last long."

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Six months later...​

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Callie

They got to D.C. and were immediately welcomed home with open arms. They were given a walkthrough of the new D.C. Every prominent figure, or anyone her father deemed a prominent figure, had either received a large home or got to stay in their large home. Because Callie and Gillian had lived in Cambridge for the last four years they were told they'd be moving back in their childhood home with their parents. They had also learned that her fathers soldier's had taken over the whole eastern seaboard in just a few short days. Callie was supposed to be happy but she couldn't shake the concern she felt for the others safety.

The six months went by and her father couldn't be more happy. They had taken over most of the country. They had the east side of the country up until Chicago. They had the western side of the country from California to Texas--though Texas was slowly coming around to their ideals. Callie had adjusted well to her new life but it wasn't ideal. She couldn't read or write, it was forbidden. Women wore either teal dresses for a wife, red color for handmaidens, blue for the help, and brown for the women who ran the camps. Her and her mother no longer had to clean, they had people to cook and clean and drive them around. Callie's job in life was to look good, be quiet, and pop out babies. Thankfully she wasn't married.

Married no, engaged yes. The Emperor of China had sent their eldest son over to the US to observe their new cultures and ways. They liked what they seen, decided to marry the new countries together. What was a better unity than marrying the daughter of the prophet? She was equipped to have children and she was raised in the cult, she knew how to act and knew what to say. The engagement even brightened her dampened spirit; she had a large ring and every woman around her raved about her ring and engagement.

They only had a couple days to go before they would be wed. Thought she should have been excited she felt nothing but guilt. Three months in they had seen Drake again. While Gillian and Callie tried to avoid the man he eventually found them. They didn't make much conversation, he only wanted to tell them what happened. Was it to bring light to the situation or to torture them? Possibly both. Slade was dead, Ava was in a work camp or dead by now, and who the hell knows where the rest of the pack went.

Every night after that she prayed for forgiveness from Drake and Ava and prayed for safety for the others. When she was awake she felt a heavy guilt hang on her heart. It broke her spirit. So, when her fiance Zhao started to degrade her and verbally abuse her she was numb. When he started to hit her she learned to apologize. She just had to hold out until they got married and have a baby, that was all she had in this life to look forward too.

Everyone who was anyone was gathered in the capitol for Callie and Zhao's upcoming nuptials. "Would you all excuse me?" Callie stepped from the room of chatty ladies and pushed some of platinum hair behind her ear. She made her way passed the room full of high powered men, Drake her father fiance and brother all in there, walked passed the servants quarters, and walked outside onto the patio. It was dark out and it was starting to rain. She gave a small sigh as her hands smoothing out the white sundress she wore. Her long lashes bat as she watched the guard making his rounds pass her by, giving him a small smile and wave.

This was a miserable life. Callie looked down and fiddled with the massive diamond ring on her finger. If only she was a disney princess, then she would have been able to get married for love. "Hello?" Her long lashes bat curiously at the sudden noise in the woods.

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Haru

The soldier's didn't listen to Gillian. They were going to have them shipped off like cattle. Haru was a doctor, she seen what they did to her colleagues. If Haru was going to die she was going to go out fighting. "Ava!" Ava spat in their face and she heard the break of bones as they threw her around. "Let her go!" Haru struggled against the cuffs and elbowed the guard that was holding her in the gut. She went to go help Ava but found herself getting her head bashed in by the butt of the gun. Everything went out and she had fallen to the floor.

Haru awoke strapped to a table in a dark room. Her head and body hurt. Apparently they subjected her to scans, blood work, a pelvic exam, and ultrasounds to see if Haru could have children while she was unconscious. The only allowed her to live because she was able to have a child. They said her new color was red. Her ear had been tagged with a red ear clip on the top of her ear, once again being treated like cattle.

You think the women expected to have children for people would be treated better. The camps were horrible. They were typically in empty schools with cots in the gymnasium. They ate in the cafeteria, showered in the locker rooms. That is if they were allowed to eat or shower. There was so much inhumane punishments in the camps; the "Aunt's" as they called themselves were women who wore brown. They starved girls, cattle prodded them, and even disfigured a few of them. A few of the girls had fingers or toes cut off, one even had an eye removed. Another one had an ear removed.

The girls were anyone who were considered sinners like Haru. Doctors, lesbians, preachers, or just anyone who didn't believe in the cult's cause. Lo was there too. They had become close...Haru never had a friend before. Even if it was the trauma that brought the two together Haru wouldn't have traded her for anything. They slept in cots next to each other, helped each other stay strong through the rough days, and they just basically gave each other hope day to day.

After four months of the reconditioning camp they were released to their new families in their 1 of 6 red dressed their lives revolved in. Haru was barely holding it together, they had barely survived the camp. She had constant nightmares about Ava. She had nightmares of what happened to Slade, from what Lo said it didn't look good. Haru feared the worst and they never got to properly mourn the loss of their friends. The only thing that comforted the woman slightly was the fact that Lo and Haru were going to the same family. Come to find out it was Drakes family.

Come to find out Lo was being upgraded from a handmaiden to a wife. Drake's wife. The news had devastated Haru. The shred of respect she had for Drake was gone, and more importantly her friend was gone. They would only see each other at gatherings and even then they'd barely be in the same room as each other. Everyone was gone in her world and she was both angry and hurt.

Haru hadn't seen Drake or Lo in a while, she truly wasn't looking forward to the party. This was her second month with Drake's brother, she had been forced to 'lay with the man of the house' twice now. It wasn't pleasant and it was plenty of traumatizing. So, as Haru was brought into the room with the teal dresses she felt uncomfortable. The wife of the family treated Haru nicely enough, she liked to brag about Haru and how she was going to provide the family a baby. It was a feeling Haru hated, like a prized puppy dog. Her chocolate brown eyes scanned around the room to see if Callie or Lo. Not like she could converse much with anyone.

 

[Sir Damien]

Gillian

Every day since Callie was born Gillian was with her, he knew everything about her. He noticed the change in her once they got back. He tried to do everything he could do to cheer her up and make her forget about everyone, to look forward to the future. Things moved so fast once they got settled into their family home. Callie was going to marry and unite China and the new US. She would give birth to the next heir to billions, things were looking up. Yet, no matter what, Callie's smile looked sad. A few months down the road they ran into Drake and he confirmed Callie's fears- Slade died, Ava was sent to death, and the others were sent to the camps.

Gillian was a rock, he was trained to let nothing effect him. Yet the news rattled him. A heavy weight was in his chest. He tried to ask around about the work camps but it wasn't Gillian's sector, he was starting to look suspicious so he had to pull back. He had a few of his connections look into finding Ava though. As for Slade there really wasn't much he could do. The bodies were long gone by now. Gillian felt like a failure. He managed to get Haru and Ava sent to good people and stayed together. The original people were cold and violent.

When Callie's fiance started to come around he seemed like a good guy. He was rich and charming but something was off about him. He couldn't pin it but soon Callie was being scheduled to spend more and more time with him and less with Gillian. He didn't like that. Eventually he started to notice marks on Callie and he really didn't like that. But she always reassured him with a sad smile that she was fine. Seeing her like that was heart breaking.

Gillian stood next to his father and Zhao with a bourbon in his hand. His blue eyes stared down at the glass as the brown liquid swirled around in the cup, slowly pouring it all in his mouth followed by a heavy sigh. Soon his sister would be wed and he'd be forced to choose a wife. A part of him missed their brownstone but this was the life he was raised for. His eyes landed on Drake as he walked in and he straightened up his suit. He poured two glasses of bourbon before making his way to him. "I heard about you and Lo. Congratulations are in order, I'm sure she'll make a fine wife." He handed him the glass before taking a drink. "Thank you for making it tonight. I know Callie and I are the last people you'd like to see."

 

[Colt Voltage]

Marco

It was chaos. Ava was being beaten and dragged away, Haru was being knocked out, and Slade was getting stepped on and kicked. "Leave them alone!" Marco couldn't have left Slade like that. Before he could even move he was being yanked back by his cuffs. "A foreign one? Take care of him." Marco was scared. Was he going to die? More importantly what about the others? He was shoved into a full boat of foreigners and brought to one of the camps.

The camp was a rough month. Beatings, late night of worship and studying their new 'faith'. Alcohol withdrawal. They didn't want to kill any of them just in case they were to be used as bargaining chips with their home nations, a part of him wished they would kill him though. Marco had talents under pressure and directions so he was trained to be a driver. Drive and protect, that was his new mission in life. He was sent to serve the Potter family as their driver. It was said to be an honor. It wasn't a bad life, he had a small apartment above the garage where he'd someday raise a family. If he behaved they said they'd issue him a wife. The family was snobby but he frequently dealt with those types of people, they weren't bad. Some of them were thankful. He had even ran into Drake a time or two during functions.

Then the family received familiar looking handmaidens. His family got Haru, and apparently Drake had chose Lo as a wife and rescued her from the handmaiden life. He seen Haru everyday, talked to her, he could see the betrayal she felt. She even isolated herself from him. The only thing he could do was look over her and make sure she didn't kill herself, one of those had already done that in the house. It wasn't pretty.

The family walked into the large house of the prophet and Marco became uneasy. Callie was getting married and that meant her and Gil would be here, Haru would see Lo and Marco would see Drake. Hopefully Marco wasn't even on Drake's radar, he didn't have much to say the man. He saved Lo but he couldn't save Haru? He let her continue to live in this house knowing what was happening to her? It broke his heart. He gave Haru a small nod as she walked off with the teal dressed wife. Marco took his place and followed the head of the house into the study to the prominent men. Marco stood next to the exit against the wall, his eyes looking around the room to see who was all there.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Lo

The only redeeming part of this hell was that at least Lo never did it all alone. The women had been put through terrible things and despite how disgusting it was, Lo couldn't help but thank god that she was able to bear children, not that she wanted to any time soon... but if it saved her from the horror of the poor women who couldn't? She would pretend. She would appear as okay and willing in this new fucked up world. Lo spent days in and out trying to help prove to Haru that just giving in would eventually help them escape... maybe... but her history as a doctor scared people. Hell most doctors were instantly put to death but with her being able to bear children and being of Asian heritage she was somewhat of a ..... "delicacy". The word made her want to barf.

Haru and herself had gone through the ringer together for four of the last six months and when it was said they would be given the same family she was thankful for that. However the next morning, during the travel to the new home they were given the info that Lo had been chosen as a wife. That was scary in and of itself, plus it meant her and Haru wouldn't be able to speak much without looking strange. Especially if they weren't assigned to the same man.... They weren't of course. It actually came out that Drake of all people was who chose Lo, well Lorna, as his new wife. Haru was to be the hand maidens of one of his brothers. They all lived in the same giant home, each brother pretty much had their own floor of a wing. Even now, two months later she was still finding new rooms and areas.

Over the past two months Lo got to learn a lot more about Drake, why she was chosen and not Haru, who he was as a person and why he lied about his name. Honestly the entire thing was kind of insane and gave her more disdain towards Callie and Gill. Sure, Drakes parents weren't the leader of this bullshit but they were prominent! They supported this almost fully! Drake STILL spoke out against it, even now! Hell if it wasn't for him fighting his brothers for Lo she would have ended up with one of those sickos instead! Drake tried for both girls, he tried to take Lo as a wife and Haru as a handmaiden... They had found out that the new "government" refused to allow previous doctors or religious leaders become wives out of fear they would get a "full head" again. To make it worse his brothers all vetoed him and told Drake he was being selfish and refused to allow Haru to stay with them.

Since becoming a fiance Lo learned two things; 1. Look pretty and gentle 2. Shut the fuck up.

Today was a celebration for Callie's upcoming wedding and all those families high in society were forced to attend. That meant Lo. Unfortunately. She really tried to avoid both Callie and Gill, it was hard for her to keep quiet in most situations and she didn't want to speak out in front of the other women. Lo moved around the room, making polite hellos and sipping at her beverage, stealing glances into the room with the men time to time. She was thankful for Drake, he was honestly becoming her best friend along with Haru but she held NO feelings for him beyond that of a friend or brother. They had tried to make the best of it honestly but they ended up laughing and going to sleep. Lo then moved to look around the room and her hazel eyes fell on Haru, she wanted nothing more than to speak to her but in this room full of people she would have been scolded for it...

 

[ZombieBaee]

Slade

Slade woke up in a pit of carnage that despite his broken jaw caused him to vomit for about an hour straight, he had no clue how long he had been passed out but he knew that by the time he woke he was the only living person on the pier anymore. He had no clue what happened while he was asleep but.... he hoped someone else had gotten away. Hell he even prayed.

Once he climbed from the pit, Slade walked north once more until he hit the casino once more... it took him days and days of stealing cars and hiding in buildings to stay away from the officers. Finally he was back to where they had last been all together safely. He took the time to collect all the things they had to leave behind, some coats, Ava's bag with the spell book, his own pocket knife and some food. And a bottle of jack. In Lo's coat he found the key for the Polaris and found the thing still smushed between two trucks in the parking garage. On the radios the fanatics were speaking of opposition from the south west so that was his plan for now... he hoped he could find someone who could set his fucked up jaw because right now the only thing keeping him moving was pure anger.

It took days for him to reach Louisiana, there was fighting all around but as soon as he reached New Orleans he discovered the city was a strong hold for the rebellion. As he pulled up to the man made barricades to the city he was met with guns and civilians. Despite the fact that he couldn't talk, he was able to clear himself as one of the fanatics and was allowed into the walls of the city. There he discovered a large group of people who were building their own rebellion and society, they told him that there was at least 5 other strong holds across the country but they were one of the last in the south. Most left were in the northern midwest... that made him happy. Maybe his siblings were okay.... For the first two months of his time in New Orleans he was put on bed rest with his jaw held shut. Thankfully the city had people like Haru that were able to escape however they didn't have the supplies they needed for real surgery so he was simply set and held together with a bandanna and told to not move his jaw. It was hard. He had to eat liquid meals through a syringe and he lost a lot of weight. He had to take antibiotics to keep off infection and honestly it was touch and go for a long while. But finally came the check up when he was able to remove the bandanna and start helping. Slade took a month to rebulk and do his part, he taught the others what he knew of surviving in the wild and helped them create a way of conversing with the other strong holds that wouldn't get intercepted from the opposition.

Through that conversation they learned of Callies wedding. He tried to see if anyone knew of Ava, Marco... all of the others. The only name's that got any recognition was Lo and Drake, they were a couple of lofty status in the capital. Slade couldn't believe it but the physical descriptions of the two were spot on....

After four months of planning they finally had their plan perfected. And today was the day to execute. Slade told the others of his personal knowledge of Callie and Gil and was entrusted with the job of convincing Callie to join them... and if she didnt? Well she was coming with them anyways. But Slade really hoped it wouldn't come to that. Callie didn't want this world, he didn't know her well but you could fell her discomfort from the short time they spent together. Today a group of their 5 best men and women, including Slade, traveled to DC via Jeep alongside the railroad tracks. They were a typically ignored area of the country thank god and were home to many homeless and starving people. It was hard to watch but... it was their new reality.

Once in DC they took up shelter in the woods nearest the home of Gill and Callie, the four others hiding in tree branches while Slade snuck up to the edge of the trees. The start of the plan was to break into an upstairs window but it was almost too perfect that Callie was standing alone on the front porch. It was all he could do to not just go kidnap her now. He stepped on a tree branch and hissed at himself. Suddenly she was calling out and he swore under his breath before very slowly peeking out from the shadows. "Callie? It's Slade... can you come talk?"

 

[KAYDEN]

Drake

Upon his arrival home, Drake was met with an angry family and a lot of new rules. Apparently his little stunt with the police and the cult left his family in a shitty position, not that he gave a shit anymore, not after the horrors he had seen. His father had to pay a lot of money for them to allow Drake to come home after his investigation and honestly Drake was thankful he was alive but he was already scared of the future. He explained to his mother everything that had happened and honestly she seemed... sorry... but they had to do what they had to do to stay alive. His mother took solace in the fact that at least one of her six sons wasn't an absolute monster. The others were all running with this like they were new gods. It was terrible to watch. They had never been close but... he never thought they could be this. Power was going to their head so quick.

The first few months of his new life was spent searching for the others with his mothers help, keeping in secret from his father and siblings. The only ones he knew nothing of was Ava and Slade. All the others were actually easy to find... this database on the women was disturbing and finding Marco was as easy as asking around. That was also how Drake found out about Lo and Haru being together and up for choosing. Drake fought for them both, offered to literally never leave his part of the home, pay his brothers, hell he said that he would literally kiss their asses. But his father put an end to the foolishness. Drake could have Lo as a wife or nothing at all. Haru was to be NOTHING but a handmaid. The idea of that made him want to vomit. She was so much more than a fucking incubator. But he would take what he could get, at least Lo would be safe and could help him get a plan together to help Haru. Plus at least she would be under their roof... they were gross, his brothers.... but they werent like some of these other men killing and hunting them for fun.

Drake and Lo spent their time together locked in his room talking about ideas to get out of the city with Haru. He knew a lot about the strongholds through the country and he knew they scared the cult. If someone like Drake with his knowledge of the inside could get to them and help, it might really change some things for their fight. But it wasn't as easy as it sounded. The men had pretty much the ability to do whatever the fuck they wanted anymore, however Drake still wasn't trusted and was basically on house arrest aside from events and parties. It was bullshit. Even his own house was a prison! Both himself and Lo tried to find and speak to Haru but his brother was VERY possessive of her.

Today was the celebration of Callie's new relationship and Drake could gag on the fake in the air. The room full of lofty men smelled of tobacco and too much cologne and to make it worse he had to breath the same air as Gill. "Thank you. But it's Lorna, she's not allowed to use her preferred name. Too boyish." Drake took the glass with a side glance at Gil before taking a long sip. "Callie at least seems to have her worries. You're the one that's scary. She's just scared." Drake spoke without a filter, turning to look at the doorway as Lo walked past and let out a sigh. "I'm just glad I know at least one of them is okay." He turned and looked at Gill for a long time before continuing, "Have you heard anything on Ava?"