Dead USA (DrTrollinski and Elwin)

[DrTrollinski]

"You should eat something." Phillip said to her. "It's better to keep your strength up - you ain't putting on much weight with ration packs, I promise you." He said while eating his own food.


"Date her?" Greg said, turning to him. "Coden... I understand that you want your mother to be happy, but... I've just lost my wife. I've known her since high school, so... Yeah. Not only ain't I ready to move on, but a guy like me? Your mom would want someone better than me, I promise you that... I'll gladly be friends with her, but in terms of relationships... I don't know when I'll be comfortable with dating again." He said while picking up his own stuff that he was going to take back. "You want to head back, then?" He asked.

 

[Elwin]

Beth nodded. "You're right.." she snatched a pack from Luna's hand and started shoveling the food. Luna raised her eyebrow and turned to Phillip. She felt a bit more confident to speak. "So, um. Where are you from, Phillip?" she asked gently.


Coden shrugged and sighed, dropping candy wrapper on the floor. "Sorry, Greg." he mumbled, scratching his head. Coden stuffed some supplies into his bag and walked out of the door to head back to the garage. He tried his best to make his Mom happy, but she saw his Father in him.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Kansas, Arkansas, Nevada." Phillip muttered as he ate some more of his food. "What about you?" He asked.


Greg also put all his stuff in his bag and then caught up, putting a hand on Coden's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, pal... Look, I know I've just met you and all, but I respect how you're trying to keep your mother happy. It takes courage to try and do something like that for instant family, so don't ever give that trait up." He smiled weakly and squeezed his shoulder. "If you ever wanted to talk about something that's bothering you, I'd be happy to help out; hell, even if you want some time away from everything to yourself for a while, let me know and I'll try and buy you the time." He patted his shoulder and then reached down to begin lifting the shutter door up.

 

[Elwin]

"Brooklyn." Luna said bluntly. She felt like conversation with this man was quite pointless and hoped Greg would be back soon. Luna looked over at the boys, then Jacob who was near the dog. She then glanced up at the door as it lifted and Greg came through with Coden. She was relieved. Luna walked over to him, taking the side next to him. "Are we ready to go?" she said with a smile. She still felt horrible, but would rather keep moving.


Coden nodded as they walked in. "Thanks, Greg." he said, nodding at him before walking over to Beth. "Mom, come on stop pestering people." He said, taking her shoulder. Beth brushed him off and carried on applying her lipstick.

 

[DrTrollinski]

(Sorry, I fell asleep )


".. Yeah, we are." He smiled at her. "We've got some food for Beth and Coden - We can't let everyone's supplies diminish too quickly, and all that." He said as he walked over to the trunk and popped it open, thinking for a moment before leaning inside and popping the trunk cover out of place. This way, they had access to the trunk from the backseat, and there was plenty of room to sit in the trunk as well.


"Beth, Coden, I'm really sorry, but we're tight on room right now, and the most comfy place you're going to get is the trunk, so..." He grunted as he lifted the ammo and medical bag out of it and carried it around to the back, placing it in the footing area on each side. ".. Consider the arrangements temporary until we can find another vehicle, but I think you'd rather be in the trunk than be left behind. You've got head room now, at least." He added as he pulled the trunk cover from the trunk and dropped it onto the floor.


In the meantime, Jackson had gone over to Jacob and had started talking to him - He was talking to him about near enough everything, and Jacob was asking him questions about home, about school, and about any hobbies he had. He actually looked quite happy to be talking to this man now.

 

[Elwin]

"Brilliant." Luna said in a tune and bounced over to Clayton. She took his hand without a word and squeezed it, smiling at him. She hoped she didn't embarrass him but she wasn't very good with pre-teens or any teens for that matter. She had noticed Jackson's attachment to Jacob. It was inevitable really, they seemed like they would get along.


Beth rolled her head back, puffing up her curls. "The trunk? Seriously?!" You would think by her tone that they were asking her to cut off a limb. She walked over to the trunk, her hips swaying. "If I have to.." She grumbled, with a puppy dog expression. Coden shrugged it off and headed over to the trunk, scratching his head again. He always had an unusual confused expression.

 

[DrTrollinski]

Clayton didn't mind at all. He went along willingly with her. Greg sighed and watched Beth and Coden climb into the trunk.


".. Sorry, but right now we have to go on first-come, first-served. The kids are automatically granted a seat in the back, and seeing as Jacob and Phil got here first, we have to be fair. There's room in there, as well as blankets, and--.." The dog scurried around and hopped up into the back with them, sitting into the open area between them both - he sniffed Coden's leg for a moment and then almost seemed to grin as he set his head down on the bottom of the trunk. "And yeah, the dog's going to be with you. He's perfectly friendly, and there's enough room for you all in here - We ain't figured out a name for him yet, but..." He shrugged and smiled faintly. ".. That's on our to-do list." He said, followed by slowly closing the trunk and slamming it down. He went around to the driver's side and then looked into the back. ".. Okay... Phil, Jacob, you guys on either side - One of you will have to have Jackson on your lap, though." He said.


".. I don't mind doing that." Jacob smiled simply and shrugged. Jackson instantly climbed into the car and sat down on his lap, leaning back and resting his head against the front of Jacob's shoulder.


".. Are you still comfy, Jacob?" Jackson asked.


"Heh, of course I am. You're as light as a feather." He patted his head - Jackson laughed a little and Greg smiled. It was nice to see him have a bit more joy. Phil got in on the other side of the car and Clayton squeezed into the middle of the seats, sitting back and pulling the center seatbelt over his waist.


"Luna, up front with me. We're good to go." Greg said.

 

[Elwin]

Luna climbed into the front of the car. She fasten her belt and pulled her bag up onto her lap. The car felt much hotter with a hoard of people in it, as expected. She felt cheerier though and it had almost made the pain in her head go away. "Are we far from Georgia, Greg?" She asked simply. Luna wasn't great with geography. She looked behind her to checked the boys were okay then took a sip of water to clear her head.


Beth grumbled and moaned at the circumstance, frustrated that nobody had offered to take her place. She felt very stupid cooped up with a dog and a spotty teenager, she would be rather be tight close with Phillip or Greg, if he wasn't driving. Coden didn't really mind, the dog was good company and kept licking his face every few minutes which made him laugh.

 

[DrTrollinski]

He slowly pulled out of the garage and then out onto the road where he put the car into gear and started driving. ".. Well. We can go straight out of Maryland and head south-west to Georgia. If we drove now, nonstop, we'd be there for about five... six o'clock. So, around the ten hour mark." He said as he sped up a little. ".. You guys back there let me know if you need to stop, or anything. We'll need to stop for fuel at some point, anyway." He shrugged gently and lied back in his chair in the slightest. Jackson and Jacob were talking in the back about numerous things, but primarily they were talking about arrows for their bows; Jacob had one of Jackson's arrows in front of Jackson - this meant him putting his arms around him to reach his front, but Jackson didn't mind - he was quite intrigued, overall.


".. Well, Jackson... You've got an eye for this stuff, it seems. You've got a Recurve bow, which is one of the strong and simple models, and the arrows you've picked up are aluminium, which is good."


"Why?" Jackson asked.


"Well, you could have carbon fiber, which are lighter, but break easier if you don't shoot 'em right." He said as he rotated the aluminium arrow in front of Jackson - he was mesmerized. "That means they'll damage your bow, and maybe even you. We wouldn't want that, would we?"


"Nuh-uh." He laughed a little while shaking his head.


"The arrows you've picked up are good. Strong, somewhat light, durable, and they can be shaped easy if you're making your own." He smiled and patted him on the head. "We'll make a bowman out of you yet." He grinned and tucked the arrow back into Jackson's quiver. It was funny, after that, Jackson's face was struck by a smile of awe, and he was glowing after the compliments.

 

[Elwin]

The group gathered in the car, cramped together for the next ten hours, making one stop for gas and food. The time went quickly for some, especially Jackson who eventually fell asleep on Jacob after endless chatter about bows. Beth managed to fall asleep in the most unusual position, whilst Coden cuddled up with the unnamed dog.


When they finally arrived, most of the car was in silence, fast asleep. It was about five thirty when they arrived in Dawsonville, Georgia. The air had grown misty to accompany the grey skies. The atmosphere wasn't a good one if anything and for the group's sake, it didn't project the events to come.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Hey, everyone." Greg called out gently. ".. Wake up, we're here at long last." He groaned, sighing a little. The town seemed dead - no lights, no cars, no smoke, no bodies. It was all clear, but this town was so small and... quiet. The eerie kind of Silent Hill quiet, and the fog didn't help one bit. Greg slowly looked around the streets as they drove in, pulling the car down to snail speed. He had to go through town to get to the west side of it where his family lived, but that was a few minutes drive, for sure. He glanced around, ever so slowly.


".. Where are we...?" Jackson yawned as he woke up. He felt sick after falling asleep in a somewhat cramped position, but he'd get over it, without a doubt.


"Dawsonville. Aunt Emma, remember?"


".. We haven't seen her for years..."


"Yeah, I know." Greg replied, sighing. He knew that she was most likely dead, just like - seemingly - the rest of this once lively town.

 

[Elwin]

Luna yawned and stretched, rubbing her eyes. She peered out the window. "Wow, you can't see much. It's like a horror movie." She said quietly to anyone who was listening. She pressed her cheek against the window. It was cold and left a mark.


Beth jerked up, smacking Coden with her hand. "Sorry, sweetheart!" She shouted, boisterously. "Where are we?? I'm frightened!" The dog jumped up from its slumber and licked her on the cheek. "Get off you dumb dog!" She howled, rubbing at her skin. Coden stroked the dog, smirking. "Mom, stop making a fuss." Luna turned around to face the bag, leaning on the back of the chair. "You alright, Clay?" She asked at the sleepy boy behind her.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. I'm good..." Clayton murmured as he stretched. Phil hadn't slept for the whole journey. He didn't feel tired enough to even come remotely close to a nap. Jackson lied back against Jacob, gently clutching his stomach with a deep breath.


"You alright, Jackson...?" Jacob asked.


".. Just feel kinda' sick, that's all." He shrugged and took yet another deep breath. Greg continued driving onward into the town, taking quiet breaths but not saying much as they progressed. He wouldn't deny that he was freaked out by how this town looked, but hey, that's life. They went by the sheriff's office that was no bigger than a small house, but the Dawson County Law Enforcement Center was a lot bigger and had numerous offices, by the looks of it. Greg kept driving on.


".. So--.. Anyone agree that this might be our permanent place of residence from now on...?" He said awkwardly.

 

[Elwin]

Luna hesitated and looked at Greg. She hoped he didn't mean right in the middle of the place, as it was sure to be crawling with undead. The place was like a ghost town, it didn't even seem fitting for the undead. More like the souls of the undead. She shivered a little and pulled a cotton blanket over her shoulders as they drove through the quiet area.


Beth slumped into her seat, her eyebrows pushed close together. For once, she was silent. She had no idea what was next and hoped that she wouldn't be lonely as her and Coden settled in with the group of strangers. She worried that Coden would play up again once he felt comfortable with the group.

 

[DrTrollinski]

They soon arrived at a house at the end of a road. It was a dead end, and it was right by the highway as well. The highway was always quiet up here, though. It was a big house, at least four or five bedrooms - it was a modest enough place, but there was no sound from the inside. Greg stopped the car's engine and then slowly climbed out, going around and opening the door for Luna. He then went to the back and opened it up for Phillip, Jacob, Clay, and Jackson. Phil got out of the car and stretched, and then Jacob lifted Jackson out and set him down on his feet.


".. I need to use the bathroom, dad..." Jackson muttered. Greg patted him on the head and nodded.


"Once we've cleared the place out I'll show you where one is. Let's see... The rest of you wait outside the house while me and Luna go in and check the place out. Holler if you see anything." He said as he began to lead them all over towards the household. The dog quickly followed at Greg and Luna's side, though, so it looked like he was helping, too.

 

[Elwin]

Luna skipped after Greg, pulling her gun out from her back and turning to safety off. She was ready to shoot anything down if they had to. After all, she had been pretty pumped after taking a head shot in the general store a few towns back. Luna did hope that they could reside in the house. It was slightly spooky but much better than the floor or the seat of a car. Hell, she'd even have a bed if she was lucky.


Beth and Coden climbed over the seat and stumbled out of the back of the car. Beth patted down her dress and ran her fingers through her hair. "Oh my! This place is huge!" She said, perhaps louder than necessary. Coden ran forward, pushing passed Clayton, with a bat in his hand. "I'm gonna' smash all the old ornaments and stuff!"

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Slow down..." Clayton murmured, a little angered. One thing Greg never mentioned was a little problem Clay had with his anger. That had never really been too much of an issue before. Greg sighed and put an arm out to stop Coden from running into the house.


"First thing's first, don't run in without knowing what you're dealing with, and right now, seeing as we'll probably be staying here a few nights, plus the fact that my sister in-law owns - or owned - this place, I think we should wait before we break anything, eh?" He chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. Help us clear the place out - Try and do it quietly if we see anything, don't make too much noise if you have to deal with one of them - the last thing we want to do is lure more of those things in." He said, he then moved his arm away and walked into the house with them both. "Coden, you go to the left and search the dining room and kitchen. Call if you see anything." He said. ".. I'll check the living room, and I'll meet you in the kitchen - Luna, you search upstairs." He instructed before turning off towards the living room.

 

[Elwin]

Luna nodded as they headed in. "Got it." She nodded at Coden, who looked a little flustered. Luna hurried up the stairs, light on her feet. The flor was creaky, but she was naturally stealthy so it was almost as if she simply floated across it. She scan each room quickly, pointing her gun in-front of her. No noise came from anywhere, other than the creaking of wood. Cobwebs swarmed the area and she hoped that none of it gathered on her head as she moved.


Coden walked towards the dining room first. There was none of them disgusting zombies, but there was a good amount of dusty old pottery that looked itching to be smashed. Coden groaned and ran past the table and chairs and into a large wooden door where the kitchen was. The kitchen was quite large, with an island center and a large pantry. Coden felt scared, but he was ready. Unfortunately but fortunately, no undead popped up from the kitchen either.

 

[DrTrollinski]

Greg went and searched the living room and found absolutely nothing as he made his way through to the kitchen. With a sigh, he leaned over the sink and peered off into the foggy back yard. "Nothing on your side?" Greg asked Coden, scanning him up and down a few times.


".. Do you think they're alright in there?" Jackson asked. He was stood between Jacob and Beth, but he was standing much, much closer to Jacob. Jacob sighed and put a hand down atop his head for a moment and nodded.


"I'm sure they're fine, kiddo. Don't worry yourself - there's no gunshots so far, so they must be alright." He smiled. Jackson gave a weak smile back and then leaned against him, his head against his side.

 

[Elwin]

Luna went to the last room, light on her feet. She expected to find nothing but an empty bedroom. She pushed opened the door and right in-front of her face an undead woman stood. Her eyes were blood-shot and her skin grey. Blood dripped down her mouth and head and her hair had almost all fallen off. She lifted her hands to grabbed Luna, who jumped back quickly and shot her gun. It hit the woman in the chest, knocking her back. She shot the gun again and hit her in the head. Blood splattered allover Luna's front as she stood there in awe. Luna didn't move for a long period of time and just stared at the body in shock, holding her gun in-front of her.

 

[DrTrollinski]

Greg looked at Coden and then made a mad dash out of the room and upstairs; he hunted around all of the rooms until he found the one she was in, he gripped her by the shoulder and quickly spun her around to face him, looking her up and down.


"You alright?" He asked in urge.


 
(Sorry for the short post. I was downstairs on my phone.)

 

[Elwin]

Luna was covered in blood, but unharmed. "Yeah, just a bit of a shock.." she managed to say after a few minutes. "Only one creeper up here. Did you find anything?" Luna was holding her gun at Greg, still in a state of shock.


Coden waited downstairs after hearing Luna speak. He mooched around in the dining room, tapping various pots with his bat. He was itching.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Alright..." He took her by the arm and sighed as he walked her away from the room. ".. Nice work." He said, slowly walking her down the stairs. He walked her into the living room and sat her on the couch, and then walked into the dining room and looked at Coden for a moment - he saw him tapping the pots with his bat and sighed. ".. Hey, Coden... We're all clear. Come get your stuff and put it all in the living room for now - we'll sort out rooms in a while." He nodded at him and then disappeared outside. ".. Alright, everyone. Come in." He said.


Phil stormed into the house and walked into the dining room to sit down at the table; he pulled a deck of playing cards from his pocket and got them out, shuffling them around a bit before preparing a solitaire game. It's clear that this guy liked being with himself more than anything - didn't like being touched, and he even played single-player card games.


Jacob went into the living room with Jackson and Clayton - Clayton instantly went and sat beside Luna before pulling a tissue from his pocket and handing it to her with a gentle smile. She could use that to wipe some blood from her skin, hopefully.

 

[Elwin]

Luna squeaked and grinned at Clayton. "Thanks, bud!" she wiped some of the blood off her face. It wasn't really a funny situation but she couldn't help but giggle. "I bet I look like Carrie now, the horror movie." She wanted to give Clay a cuddle after been shaken up, but she was soaked with blood. Luna glanced at Phillip, who had agitated her slightly with his entrance. He hadn't offered to help them in the first place and now he acted like he was owed the privacy. Who was this douche?


Beth hurried over to Coden, fussing dramatically. "Are you hurt my baby?" she wailed, grabbing him. Coden pushed her away. "Dang, pull yourself together woman i'm fifteen now." and with that, Coden pulled his bat down full force on a blue antique jug. "Yeeeee-haww!!!" Beth grasped her cheeks, looking from Phillip to Jacob to Greg - in search for attention.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Oh for fuck sakes." Phil tossed the set of cards down onto the table and went up to him, snatching the bat from his hand, followed by walking into the kitchen and rummaging around inside the pantry; he managed to find a broom in there and then walked back through to the dining room, shoving it down into his hands. ".. I think I recall Greg sayin' somethin' about, you know, not making noise, and not breaking stuff?" He shook his head and slapped a hand over his forehead, sighing again. ".. Clean that shit up, we'll have a dog walkin' through this house, and other people - You don't want either of those two groups gettin' hurt now, do you?" He said, walking back over and setting himself at the table again. ".. You gonna' be walkin' around someone's home and breakin' shit, you're gonna' be the one cleanin' it up." He clicked his fingers a few times. "Don't miss the little parts, they get stuck in your skin and you're fucked." He said, followed by looking back down at the cards on the table. He put the baseball bat in his lap and kept the same old intimidating frown on his face - he could have the bat back once he'd cleaned up.