Dead USA (DrTrollinski and Elwin)

[DrTrollinski]

Greg stopped and turned around. "State prison? That's down in Atlanta, I think... You're miles off." He sighed and scratched his head. "What do you need to go down there for?" He asked.


--


The young boy held onto him while he was drying him off. He looked a lot more comfortable now, and he didn't have all of the dirt and grime all over his body and hair.

 

[Elwin]

"I just have something I need to clear up.." She replied simply and lowered her guns. "Is it really far? How long would it take to walk?" Keeva sighed with frustration. She had only just traveled back to Georgia, which was a series of months which including switching vehicles, walking and hitchhiking occasionally.


Luna watched the woman carefully. She seemed distressed and could understand her attitude towards Greg. Luna knew how difficult it was for her when she couldn't accept that her independence wouldn't help her survive.


~~~


Coden smiled at the little boy. "Are you ready to tell me your name yet?" He asked him, softly. Next step was to get the kid bandaged up and ready for his new clothes. Coden hoped that everyone would be back soon.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"You ain't gonna survive on foot in the cold." Greg said. "We don't have much, but we've got room, food, water, running water and power. We don't have any cars to offer you, but... You're welcome to stay until the cold goes by... You're looking at a week or two of walking, otherwise." He said, turning off and into the back storage room where he gathered up some warm clothes, pjs, and a warm jacket for Keeva if she wanted it.


--


He opened his mouth and pointed into it, shaking his head. He'd lost his voice from crying and calling for help for so long.

 

[Elwin]

Keeva didn't reply to him. The offer was good, but she didn't know if they had alternative motives. "...Just till the cold goes?" She said after a while. She looked at Phil then Luna. They seemed alright and she could use their resources till she was done. She didn't have to get close to anyone.


~~


Coden sighed. "Of course, you're sore. It is fine. Can you spell your name yet?" He waited for him to shake or nod. Coden wasn't sure whether four/five year old children learned to spell at that age as he didn't know much about kids.

 

[DrTrollinski]

Greg came back and smiled at her. "If you don't mind being around kids, you should be fine." He said as he dropped the warmer jacket into her arms. "You can stick around as long as you need..." He sighed and looked away. "I'm not gonna let another woman die." He said. Truthfully, he'd gotten over his wife's death, but he hasn't forgiven himself for it.


--


The boy smiled and nodded. He could write his name just fine. He wanted to get bandages and wrapped up before he did that, though. He wanted some food, too. His stomach was grumbling every now and again.

 

[Elwin]

Keeva raised her eyebrow a little. She wasn't going to die, she had survived long enough. "I think I've done fine till now.." She commented, lightly and took the jacket. She pulled it over her shoulders, secretly loving the new warmth. It was a relief. "Where are you guys situated?" She asked, not really aiming the question at anyone in particular.


~~


Coden wrapped his arms around the little boy and gently picked him up, being careful with his little body. He thought it'd be easier than the boy walking on his feet a lot. "Let's get you bandaged up, little man." He grinned at him and carried him back to the lobby area.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"We've all done fine, I didn't imply that you hadn't... But the cold? It doesn't matter how strong you are - you go out in the cold, and you die. Hypothermia essentially makes you kill yourself, if you submit to it." He sighed. "We're based out at the police department. Let's get back before the snow picks up, eh?" He asked.


---


He smiled and instantly sat down on the chair with the blankets and wrapped them around himself, his little legs being the only thing sticking out. Blood was dripping from


one of the shallow wounds, but that was nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[Elwin]

"Just because I'm alone doesn't mean I would leave myself to freeze in the cold?" She said, questioning him. It was like having a lecture. She sighed heavily, trying to keep herself from being rude. She wanted to be welcome back to their base but she felt slightly patronized by this man.


~~


Coden started preparing the bandages for his wounds, trying to remember everything Greg had said. "You need to make a signal if this hurts, okay?" He said as he started to clean the wound. Once he was finished he carefully wrapped the wound, not too tightly.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"I don't understand why you're being so defensive. I didn't say you'd let that happen, did I?" He replied, sighing as he handed the clothes off to Phil. "Now you're just putting words in my mouth. I'm trying to be logical - even if you did shelter yourself, you'd have to leave eventually, and out here, you can go on for miles without finding any decent shelter or dry wood for a fire." He said as he stepped up to the door and peeked outside for any danger.


--


The boy didn't move. The most he could feel was a tingling; once the bandaging was done he smiled at Coden and wrapped himself up again. He didn't know how he could say thanks, so he leaned forward and hugged him for a moment before pulling back.

 

[Elwin]

"Tell me something I don't know?" She mumbled with a sigh. She had been traveling alone her whole life, she knew he didn't know this but assuming she was clueless really angered her. "Listen, are you sure about me heading back with you?" Keeva said this as she started to have second thoughts. If she had to put up with lecturing till the Winter passed, was it even worth it?


Luna groaned a little at the bickering, and clapped her hands together. "Are we leaving?? Or arguing??" She chirped up, frustration in her voice.


~~


Coden felt tears come to his eyes, but he blinked them away quickly. "Are you hungry? I bet you are.." He said, kindly. Who knows how long the little boy had gone without food.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Hey, how about a 'thanks for your offer'? Would it be that much trouble just to say thank you to us for not shooting you on sight and inviting you to stay with us and our friends?"


Phil snarled at her. "Jesus fucking Christ, we've got a kid that's freezing to death back at the station, and you're both sitting here arguing about whether or not you can survive in the cold. Personally, I don't give two shits how good either of you think you are. I've been out in the middle of nowhere as a hunter for half my fuckin' life, and I promise you, in North Georgia, NONE of us have a fuckin' chance out there, so both of you shut the fuck up, and let's get a move on - you're behaving like fucking children and playing the 'I'm smarter game'." He ranted, followed by quickly turning and storming out of the building.


Greg said nothing. The saddest part was that everything he said was true.


--


He nodded frantically and smiled. Some warm food would be so great right now. He had his parents to think about, but he'd ask about them later on. Maybe they'd already found their way here and were having a sleep, or something?

 

[Elwin]

Keeva rolled her eyes. It was rich coming from the man who referred to himself whilst telling them off for arguing about the same thing. Pretty ironic. She turned to Greg, her face expressionless. "Thanks." She said flatly and followed Phil's lead, pushing her guns into their holsters.


Luna sighed and slowed down to walk with Greg. "I know you only meant well.." She mumbled, giving him a sympathetic smile.


~~


Coden smiled at him and picked him back up. "To the kitchen we go!" He said, with a little melody. In the kitchen, Beth was sat smoking a cigarette. "Oh jeez, Mom can you not.." Coden hissed, covering the little boy's mouth. Beth sighed and put her cigarette out in an ashtray.


"Sorry Code, I really needed one and it is freezing outside.."


"We talked about weak excuses, Mom." Coden sat the little boy down at the other side of the table and started rummaging through the cupboards.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Yeah, whatever." Greg shrugged, seeming a little offended. He didn't bother replying to Keeva and just walked out.


"Nice to see you've stopped scrabbling over your perfume, ladies." Phil said as they caught up. "Let's hope that kid hasn't died while we've been gone, eh?" He said, his rifle at the ready as he walked onward.


--


The boy looked at Beth and gave a soft smile while he waited for Coden to make him something.

 

[Elwin]

Keeva scoffed a little. She had no idea what they were talking about so if there was a dying kid then she didn't understand why they would waste their time lecturing, shouting and insulting each other including her. She kept quiet however, as arguing with arrogant men was the last thing on her to do list.


Luna sighed, a little hurt that he was taking it out on her with his mood. "Greg, rise above it.." She said, rolling her eyes at him. "There is more important things to take care of."


~~


Beth smiled at the little boy, taking a sip of water. "Code, do you need any help?" She called to her son. Coden shook his head as pulled a tray onto the side. He opened a selection of things, tuna fish, carrots and beans. He poured some cereal into a bowl and prepared some powdered milk to go with it. He wasn't very good at putting meals together but he wanted the little boy to feel as welcome as possible.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"I'm just sick of all the bullshit." He said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I just feel like I'm around to be argued with, or to be ignored. Hell, you're one of the only people that still seem to give a damn." He sighed and looked down at the ground.


---


He looked excited when he looked over at what Coden was up to. He was completely starving.

 

[Elwin]

Luna sighed and looked at him. "That isn't true, Greg. Everybody respects you.." She hushed her voice a little. "We don't know this girl, we don't know what she has been through..we all have different backgrounds, y'know? Don't take things so personally.." She said this as kindly as she could, she just didn't want him to feel offended.


Keeva felt frustrated. She was grateful to this group of strangers, but anger still reigned in her. It was a mixed emotion of what had happened earlier, which was probably the most traumatizing thing she had ever seen and her being immediately pinned down as useless. She looked up at the sky. It was dull and miserable.


~~


Coden rushed over with the tray, putting it in front of the little boy. "If you struggle to chew anything, just don't eat it and I'll get the message.." He said, desperately trying to help the boy. Beth glanced up at her son and smiled.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"We all have backgrounds, yeah... Doesn't mean she has to be such an asshole about it." He muttered. "If we all acted like that, we wouldn't even be together right now..." He sighed a little. "And tell Beth to stop smoking inside, please... I don't think she's gonna listen to me." He said, he spoke calmly, and there was no spite to his words.


--


He instantly started on the cereal; his hand shook too much, and by the time he'd got the spoon to his mouth, it had all fallen back in the bowl.

 

[Elwin]

"And you never said the same thing about Phil?" She muttered, folding her arms. "He was exactly the same..and okay, it is just hard to say no to her sometimes after everything that had happened.." She bit her lip at looked at her feet as they walked. "I guess she was pretty defensive but.."


~~


Coden shook his head. "Aw, little dude. Maybe you need a bit more time before you can do that kinda' stuff again.." He said and picked up his spoon. He put a little amount of cereal onto it and pressed it near the little boy's lips for him to eat.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Just because of what happened doesn't mean that the kids need to be breathing in smoke." He said. "And I did say the same about Phil, just not openly." He sighed and bowed his head as he hugged himself with his arms as they advanced. He didn't feel good. He looked quite sad, as it happens.


--


He gave a sad smile and leaned forward, taking the food off if the spoon and quickly chewing on it before swallowing it. He smiled at him and looked down at the food, expecting more.

 

[Elwin]

Luna turned her head away shyly. She wasn't condoning Beth's behavior but she felt like she was on a tight rope with her. "Just..focus on the important things.." She mumbled and walked ahead, feeling like she wasn't really getting anywhere with him.


~~


Coden continued to feed him until he had finished the cereal. "What would you like now? Tuna? Carrots? Beans? You show me which one you want." Beth stood up and walked outside, pulling another cigarette out of her purse. She was nearly out, so she planned to ask Luna to go back to the town when she came home.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Luna... It IS an important thing. Lungs of the kids haven't developed - smoke will make them weak and slow development. We need to be strong during this - if anything, we should try and get her to stop." He said, sighing in a sad manner once again.


--


He pointed to the beans and smiled at him. Jacob walked and stood out front, going up against the wall and taking a deep breath. It was a horrible morning once again.

 

[Elwin]

Luna frowned a little. He didn't quite get what she meant. "Greg..I know I'm sorry..but by important I mean that dying little kid we need to get back to? Also Clayton didn't seem in a good state when we left." She paused and looked at him, sympathetically. "Look..I know you're wound up but I'm here for you okay, I'm just trying to be reasonable." She felt bad for annoying him, but she was just trying to see both sides.


The group eventually got within their base distance, which didn't take too long from the town. The weather hadn't calmed down, the air was still ice cold and gave chilly reminders of that morning's events.


~~


Coden nodded, flashing a sweet smile at the now seemingly content little boy. He pushed some beans onto a fresh spoon in small amounts and fed them to the boy, one spoon after another. They were soft, so hopefully easy to digest.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. I'm sorry." He turned and hugged her. ".. I'm just trying to think about everyone, you know that." He said, gently rubbing her back as he set his head down on her shoulder. ".. It's just so hard to keep fighting against everything, you know...? Sometimes it's a lot of work to just try and make sure everyone's okay... It's really... It really hits you, you know?" He said, looking rather upset now as he hid his eyes in her shoulder. ".. Thanks for not getting angry at me, I just--.. I want things to be alright, that's all." He said. They'd started to drift behind a little, but that didn't matter, seeing as Phil had all of the important stuff.


--


The boy eventually stopped eating when he was around three-quarters through the can. He shook his head and held the spoon away, looking up at Coden with a more serious tone now, just to tell him that he was full. He was curious to who this woman was, and even more curious about the boy who was throwing up while he was getting washed, but he'd find out later, he was sure of it. He curled up under the blankets and smiled a little as he looked around - God, he wished he could talk. He put his hand on the table and made a writing motion while pretending to hold a pen. He was going to write his name, from what he remembered.

 

[Elwin]

Luna squeezed him back, tightly. "Hey..everything will be fine..you're over-thinking things, Greg." She sighed and pulled back a little, looking at his face. "Let's get back inside, check on Clayton and try and calm down okay? Maybe Keeva will come round too, she just seemed a little stressed.."


Keeva walked up to the base, not far behind Phil. She examined it carefully. It was well protected and rather large.


~~


Coden paused for a moment, a little confused - then clicked. "Oh of course! Stay here, little dude.." He rushed off quickly to one of the many offices, slipping on the marble floor a bit as he ran. He came back with some paper and a pencil that had been scattered around a desk. He pushed the paper in front of the little boy and placed the pencil on the table. "Whenever you're ready.."

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. I hope so..." He sighed a little and took her hand while walking alongside her to get back to the base. He looked at Phil and examined the Spring in his step, and his pure dedication to get back. He didn't even care that he was leaving everyone else behind. He wasn't stopping, no matter what. ".. Luna--.. I think there's something up with Phil," He said. ".. I mean, I know he cares about the kid, but... I think--.. Don't you think he's being a little strange about it...?" He asked.


--


The boy smiled at him and then shakily picked up the pencil; he carefully applied it to the paper and then started writing, ever so slowly. It was a grueling process for him, but he gave it his best.

D a n i e l

​

He put the pencil down and smiled up at Coden, a simple and proud look on his face as he slid the paper towards him.