Dead USA (DrTrollinski and Elwin)

[Elwin]

The wound was a lot redder than it was before, which obviously wasn't a good sign. Luna's sweat appeared to be getting warmer and seeping from her skin quickly. "I think that I will be fine.." She said quietly, her eyelids fluttering. She just wanted to sleep to wear off the pain. Luna didn't realize that it wasn't something that she could just sleep off, but the fuss it was causing made her feel slightly embarrassed. "Please can we set off?" She pleaded to Greg, holding his wrist from messing with her wound.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Luna, this wound's infected." He sighed.


"Will she be okay, dad?" Jackson asked as he shuffled over beside him, Greg nodded.


".. She'll be fine. We just need to treat it, that's all. Clay, run to the back of the car and grab the bag of medicine stuff, will you?" He asked, Clay ran off and grabbed the bag like he asked, slinging it over his shoulder and carrying it back to Greg before putting it at his side. Greg looked at it, and then looked at Luna. "Luna. You know we can't just leave it, you'll end up getting septicemia if the infection spreads, and we don't want that to happen." He muttered to her as he took some of the tools from the medicine bag.

 

[Elwin]

"Fine..." She grumbled, hating the fuss. Though, if it could be treated quickly, she would be happy. Luna had felt much more of a burden on the group than a help and it really did bother her. She wanted to get tougher and more able and stop getting into situations where this could be affected. "Will I be okay quickly?" She asked, sighing a little. Luna looked over at Jacob, then Phillip who was sleeping. Her pain had put her in a bad mood and she really hoped he wasn't unkind when he woke up.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Yep. I'll have to open up the wound, clean it, and then restitch it, then we'll put you on antibiotics. You should be fine after that." He said as he took the scissors and gently cut the stitches down the middle; he slipped on some gloves and then began to pull the stitches from her skin as carefully as he could. This part didn't hurt, but the next part did. He pulled out the bottle of antiseptic fluid and doused some gauze in it - he then gently applied it to her wound that was now oozing and bleeding. It was a nasty sight, but he was certain she'd get over it. She was fine last night, so the infection must have developed during the night.


"Speak to me, Luna... Tell me about--.." He thought for a moment. ".. Tell me about where we're going, and what we're going to do when we get there." He said, he was trying to keep her from passing out, but was also making sure that she wasn't too drowsy from the infection.

 

[Elwin]

Luna groaned with the ache, it was a bitch to be frank about it. "We are, uhm..oh. We are gonna' go to Georgia and find somewhere to stay without being-I don't know." Luna frowned, with deep creases in her forehead. Her eyes felt heavy again, but she tried to keep them open. "There won't be undead I hope." She spoke again. "But maybe nice people..." Her eyes were struggling to stay open. "I hope so.." Her voice was a mumble. Luna wanted to hurry up so they could get on with important things.


A high pitched scream came from outside. It repeated itself and then a soiree of curse-words. "What the hell is that?" Luna mumbled, feeling distracted.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. I and Phillip will check that." Jacob said as he quickly hopped up. He ran over and quickly kicked Phillip in the leg. "Phil, get up, we heard screaming outside." He said, Phillip grunted, grabbed his shotgun, and then quickly rose up and ran over to the shutter door and lifted it up. He waited for Jacob to pass under it, and then he followed and ran out in front of the gas station to look at what was going on. Jacob had been practicing with a bow for most of his life, so that's what he was using now.


".. Don't you worry, Luna. Just stay calm, okay?" He said as he drew up some anesthetic into a syringe, followed by slowly injecting it into the area of the wound. "Jacob and Phillip are checking that... You're right about Georgia, too. Tell me about what makes you happy." He said to her, once the area had gone numb he began gently pushing on the infected area to try and draw out any of the infection; he had some clean gauze at the ready to mop up anything that came out - it was no good him stitching it up again if it was just going to get infected once more.

 

[Elwin]

Luna squealed, tears seeping for her eyes. "Um..I don't know I guess company makes me happy. People not being dirt-bags..um, my Mom. The fact that you guys aren't dead yet." She rolled her eyes in pain, biting her lip. "Is it nearly over?"


A bouncy blonde woman in her mid-years screamed, bouncing up and down on the spot. "Oh, Coden, DO something!" She hissed at a slightly spotty teenage boy who repeatedly hit a dismembered undead body on the floor with a baseball bat. The body was pulling itself forehead with just its hands but it wasn't making much progress. The pair were not far from the gas station and they resided by a broken down car that they had been traveling in. "CODEN! Kill it!" She screeched once more. The woman had a heavily made up face and full volume blonde curls that were slightly yellow in tinge. She was wearing a fairly unpractical dress and apron. Her son, Coden was a too tall teen with a red face and long skinny legs. He was liked his Mother but much larger. "Mom! I am trying, will you shut up!" He whined at the lady whilst smacking the pretty harmless infected man across the head.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Nearly, nearly... Don't worry." He said as he cleaned up the wound with the gauze and then began suturing it once again - hopefully that was the primary part of the infection dealt with, so once this was done they could set her up on some antibiotics and they'd be on their way.


--


There wasn't even a breeze, it was dead-calm out here, and Jacob already had one arrow pulled back. He saw the scrawny teenager trying to kill the crawler, but that was no match for his steel compound arrows. He took aim for a few seconds, and then fired. The arrow traveled gracefully through the air and pierced the crawler's skull, silencing him immediately.


".. Nice shot. Damn... I take back what I said..." Phillip said as he rubbed the back of his head. Jacob merely chuckled and they both began walking towards the two of them. (Taking a quick shower, back in a few.)

 

[Elwin]

Luna laid down still, finally beginning to relax. She could sense the ordeal was nearly over and she really wanted to know what the screams were. Luna looked at the boys from the corner of her eye. Clayton looked slightly worried, but Jackson was blissful as he usually was.


--


Beth put both hands across her red lips and squealed. "Oh my!" She turned round and saw two men stood beside each-other, one holding up a bow. "Oh, heroes! My heroes!" The woman had a strong southern accent, her words sounded almost staged. Beth ran over to the men and plunged her arms around Phillip, kissing him awkwardly on the cheek. She seemed to have gone for the most attractive man, despite Jacob being the one who actually hit the infected man. The teenage boy rolled his eyes and whined, walking over with a slump. "Mom..stop!" His voice was croaked, like it not long ago deepened. Beth left lipstick marks allover Phillip's cheeks as crocodile tears streamed down her eyes. "We were going to die, thank you so much!" The boy whined again. "Mom, we weren't going to die, I had it." Beth turned over, scowling. "Coden, be quiet you stupid boy. You're lucky these men came to the rescue!"

 

[DrTrollinski]

(Right as I got back, lol.)


Phillip didn't like that. He held his hands up in front of him to keep her from getting too close. The kiss barely touched his cheek, and he slowly backed away. ".. Right. Okay. I'm going to be perfectly honest here - I don't like people touching me." He huffed, sighing as he looked over to Jacob. "Christ, kiss my friend here. He's the one who stopped your boy from losing a foot." He muttered before hustling away. Jacob watched him and sighed.


".. Yeah. Try not to get to close to Phillip... He's--.. I don't know. He's different. Almost shot me when I first met him." He scratched the back of his head and sighed. "You both okay? Ain't hurt or nothin' like that? We've got a... A doctor, I think he is, if you need any help." Jacob said as he put the bow over his back.


--


A couple of minutes later, and the suturing was all done. He got a box of antibiotics from the bag and fed her one of them with some water after he'd covered up her wound with another adhesive patch. ".. There, you should be good." He smiled at her, but then Phillip came slamming in after pretty much launching the shutter door up into the air.


".. Shit, you alright, Phillip?" Greg asked, a little startled by the sudden entrance.


"Hell no, I ain't alright. Got some creepy bitch runnin' up and huggin' and kissin' me, and all that mushy shit." He grimaced and slung his backpack over his shoulder. ".. Fuck... We'll sort out room in the car after, right? Take the trunk cover away and make the dog and those new people sit in the trunk if they come along, there's enough room there." He said before wandering off and hopping into the back of the car, slamming the door shut thereafter.

 

[Elwin]

Luna raised an eyebrow at the commotion and looked at Greg. "He is getting a bit comfortable.." She murmured. The back was for the boys, he could get in the trunk if he was going to be demanding. She rubbed her forehead, it still ached but a lot less so.


Beth grabbed Jacob's hand quickly and flashed him a dashing smile. Well it would have been dashing if she didn't have red lipstick on her front tooth. "May we stay with you fine gentlemen? Me and my boy have no where to go and our car is a wreck." She suddenly started to cry, but it seemed all a big show. Coden gripped his face in his hands and shook his head. "Mom, stop being so dramatic, you're embarrassing me." Coden bounded after Phillip towards the garage, walking in confidently. He scowled at Luna, Greg and then at the boys. "Who are you lot?" He said, rudely.

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Oh, look at what the cat dragged in..." Greg muttered quietly as he slowly rose up. He was going to say something to him, but it seemed that Phillip had already heard him and stepped out of the car immediately, a burning rage showing in his eyes.


"Listen here, you little shit." He stamped his foot on the ground and pointed one finger at him. ".. We, me and my friend, just saved your ass from getting chewed on, and the fact that I got touched by someone I don't even know is punishing enough, and the last thing I want to hear now is you being rude to these fine people. You understand that, boy?!" He yelled at him. Phillip was intimidating, no doubt. Greg, Clayton, and Jackson all sat in silence - the heat was. On. Phillip took a few more steps towards him and glared straight into his eyes. ".. So let me make one thing perfectly clear... If you ever talk to any of us like that again, I swear, the next time I catch you in a sticky situation, I'll make sure that you don't get out of it so lucky. So. How about you slowly turn around..." He twirled his finger around in front of him. ".. Walk out, walk back in, and try a bit of a nicer introduction, hm?" He mumbled. The last line of speech he gave was quieter, but his tone was still somewhat aggressive and intimidating.


--


".. Right--.. Okay, ma'am... Please, stop crying. There's four more of us, but... You'll have to speak to Greg and Luna first. They'll be the ones that say whether or not you can travel." He said as he lead her over towards the garage.

 

[Elwin]

Coden was in silence. He stood, his skinny arms shaking but his fists were clenched. He opened his mouth in protest but closed it again, feeling intimidated by the spit that had accumulated around his frothing mouth. "I..yes sir" He mumbled and stomped back out. The boy walked in again, scratching his neck and mumbled a pitiful "Sorry". Luna spluttered with amusement, not able to keep her giggles in. She clasped a hand over her mouth, watching the scene carefully.


Beth bounded in after walking ahead of Jacob. "Oh wow, such lovely beautiful people!" She waved at Phillip and turned to Greg. "Oh hello there, mister.." She held out her perfectly manicured hand. Beth then looked at Luna and huffed a little. Luna raised her eyebrows, wondering what was up with the woman. "My name is Beth, I am so glad me and my son have found you lovely men!" Without warning she grabbed Greg's arm, looking up at him with forced doe eyes. "I assume you are Greg? My son and I need protecting." Coden groaned with frustration. "Mom we don't need protecting." He flashed a frown at Clayton and Jackson, who were minding their own business.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. That's better, boy." Phillip walked up and teasingly patted him on the top of his head. ".. Nice to meet you, I'm Phillip." He said, and with that he wandered back to the car and climbed back inside once he noticed Beth come back in. God, she was strange. Before she had the chance to grab him, Greg walked up to Coden and patted him on the shoulder.


".. I recommend keeping those frowns down, as well." He said, but in more of a welcoming tone; he shot him the faintest of smiles. ".. I'm Greg." He whispered before turning towards Beth. He figured that, as rude as the kid had been, he was most likely still going through puberty, so perhaps Phillip may have been the slightest bit too harsh on him, but it got the job done. He figured that he could at least be friendly with him to put down a good first impression.


As soon as she took his arm Greg was a little confused. This was getting kind of weird, but he didn't say anything. ".. Alright--.. We should be able to fit you in the car, but--.." He looked over his shoulder at Coden, and then the rest of the people in the garage. Jacob was just standing there casually, and as soon as Greg looked at him he shook his head and shrugged. ".. Do you have food and water with you? If not, I recommend you go and hit up the little convenience store of the gas station and grab what you can. We're leaving soon." He said; he looked at Coden. ".. Never caught your name, pal." He said.

 

[Elwin]

Coden scratched the back of his head again, nervously. He felt miniscule compared to all of the older men but he wanted to prove himself. He sucked in his chest and stood with posture. "I'm Coden." He said, deepening his voice. He hoped that he looked cooler, especially to Phillip. Beth squeaked again, putting a hand on her forehead. "I don't want to go into the gas station I'm so frightened!" Beth leaned against the car. "Would somebody care to go for me? I need some Tylenol, I feel faint." She fluttered her thick black eyelashes. Coden felt extremely embarrassed by his Mother.


Luna ignored the insane people and went over to sit next to Jackson and Clayton. She still had a sweat and her head hurt but she felt better sat with the boys. Luna rested her head on Clayton's shoulder, gently; making sure she didn't weigh him down as he was only small. "They are gonna' be fun, aren't they boys?" Luna said smiling. She hoped they noted her sarcasm.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Yeah, fun as a tea party in hell, maybe." Clayton muttered quietly, chuckling a little under his breath. Jackson scooted along the ground and shuffled under Luna's opposite arm. He was a bit flustered by the sudden intake of new people, but he'd get over it eventually.


Greg sighed. He looked at Coden - He noticed his effort to look tough, so he had something spring to mind. ".. Alright, I and Coden will go check out the store. We'll bring back whatever we find." Greg nodded at her and then walked off towards the shutter door, lifting it up and waiting for Coden to follow and go under it.

 

[Elwin]

Luna chuckled and squeezed Jackson closer. She could sense he didn't feel brilliant after all the new arrivals whicj was understandable as there had been four additions to their little gang in a matter of a few hours.


"Um, okay. I mean yeah." Coden glanced in Phillip's direction, hoping he didn't hate him. He walked out into the sunlight running after Greg. "Hey, the gas station safe right?" He said, biting his nails. "I mean I can take on anything don't get me wrong.." Coden felt envious of Greg. I seemed to be the youngest man beside himself and he looked strong too.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Slow down. I ain't gonna' judge you if you're panicked. It wasn't easy for me at first, either, especially with trying to keep two kids safe at the same time." He gave the best friendly smile he could manage. ".. I assume that it's safe. We got here last night and nothing popped up, so I'm guessing there's nothing wrong with it - just be on guard, though." He said as he walked towards the gas station. ".. So. How old are you, Coden?" He asked.

 

[Elwin]

"Fiften and a half, sir." Coden replied. He wanted to impress Greg but he didn't know how exactly. "Me and my Mom Beth have been on.the road since the breakout, sir. We have been through a lot and my Mom can't take much more. But she can be a pain in the ass."


Beth sat up from leaning and brushed down her blue dress. It was creased and muddy but she had tried to look nice. Beth wandered to where Phillip was, the buttons of her dress undone at the bust area. "Am' Sorry about earlier mister. I didn't mean to be so..forward." Beth pushed her bust out and bit her lip, fluttering her eyes. "I just got emotional, is'all."

 

[DrTrollinski]

He hesitantly rolled down the window and sighed, looking at the seat in front of him. ".. It's fine, just don't pull that on me again. I don't like being touched." He said sternly, leaning back in his seat a little.


".. You can call me Greg, pal. It's fine." He smiled. ".. I'll treat you like an adult, but just ensure you act like one. Try and keep the attitude bottled away as much as you can, alright?" He patted him on the shoulder as they pushed through the door of the gas station convenience store; Greg looked around. It looked empty. ".. I hate to ask, but... I see you're only with your mother here. You lose your dad during all of this, or before this? I lost my wife, so my children ain't having it so easy right now." He said.

 

[Elwin]

"Oh, am' sorry.." Beth said,her voice was sickly sweet. "Say what do you know about that girl over there?' she glanced at Luna. "Are those her boys? She must be quite young for kids..and they don't look so Asian so the daddy must be a white man." Beth seemed dissaproving for some reason.


Coden shrugged. "My Pa was a chump. He used to hit my Mom before he had a heart attack. I don't really miss him." Coden grabbed a few candy bars, unsure of what he was expected to pick up.

 

[DrTrollinski]

".. Nah, she's just travellin' with them and their father. Greg's their dad." Phillip muttered. His brow furrowed after a moment and he slowly turned and looked at her. ".. Why...?" He asked.


--


"Shit, sorry I asked." Greg said softly. ".. Another thing... Don't let Phillip get to you. Listen to what he says, but don't get offended. He's a bit--.. He's a bit loud, I guess." He chuckled a little. ".. And I see you get embarrassed by your mom... Take no notice - She's just worried about you, my wife was exactly the same." He smirked as he picked up a few bottles of water and put them in Coden's arms. "If you ever head out to do anythin' with me, I'll let you kick your fair share of ass, don't worry." He winked at him and patted his shoulder. ".. Grab anything that's canned, dried, or bottled. Stuff'll last longer."

 

[Elwin]

Beth smirked. "Well where is the Mom? I'm sure he is a lonely fella.." she clearly had alternate motives. After all, it did get pretty lonely in a post apocalyptic world. "Or what about y-" Beth was interupted by Luna who was stood, nervously. "I was going to open some food, if anybody wants any."


Coden nodded. "I'll try. I don't get on with people too good though." He picked up some tins and went to look for aspirin. "Greg, if you get the chance, my Mom would love a bit of comfort. She is a lonely lady"

 

[DrTrollinski]

"Yeah, I'll take something." Phillip stepped out the car and eyed Beth for a moment before looking at Luna. "What's for breakfast?" He asked.


"It's not about getting on with people, Coden." Greg said softly. "It's just about being respectable - treat others how you want to be treated, and all that." He stopped at the mention of keeping Beth company. He wasn't going to date an older woman, no chance. "Hopefully we'll all be able to keep each other company once people settle down." He said, rubbing the back of his head.

 

[Elwin]

( I don't know why but Greg's reaction to Beth made me laugh.)


Beth stepped back a little eyeing the ration packs. She was hungry."Oh no..I am watching my figure, girl." She said, smiling at Luna. Luna shrugged, licking some food from her hand after she opened a pack."Whatever." She passed Phillip a pack. "Egg and bacon in that one." she said, chomping on her own pack. She felt hungry that morning. Luna decided Phillip wasn't so bad. He was yet to be rude to her.


Coden sighed. "Yeah, nobody wants to date my Mom." he said unexpectedly. "she is a handful, but she tries way hard to impress folks. Often men just use her for bedroom stuff, y'know. Women can be naive i swear." Coden bit into a caramel candy bar. He hadn't eaten for a day or so and the sugar tasted great.