Parental Madness

It was Leigh who looked up first of the Sherwoods and noticed the arrival of the others. Her face tensed with apprehension at first, and she shifted closer to Max, grabbing his arm with a sticky hand. As the newcomers drew closer, though, and she recognized at least one, her face lit up, and she gave Max's arm a little shake of excitement.


"Look, Grey's here! He's okay!"


She ran forward and gave him an enthusiastic hug, despite the fact that they had never exactly been friends, given their age difference. Leigh continued to cling to him as she continued to speak, filling him in on what had been going on for hours now in approximately thirty seconds.


"Grey, is your mom psycho too? She killed Lydia....we had to hide and Jared got us and drove us here. Even the police were going nuts. Is it still bad out there? Because a guy came in and tried to kill us not long ago..."


As Grey looked up at Jared fast, one hand awkwardly on Leigh's back, as though to get a confirmation from him that she was correct, Jared sighed, coming forward. He had smiled at the sight of his old friend, but now his sister's runaway mouth had quickly dampened the brief joy that had risen in him to see him okay.


"Yeah...that...all happened," he said to Grey, coming forward and gently prying Leigh away before giving Grey a brief but strong hug. "I guess we have a lot to talk about...later."


Looking to the two boys and one girl behind him, he said to them politely, "Hi....I'm Jared, that's my sister Leigh, and the young one by the dog is my sister Angelina. This is Rai, Kurt, and Max," he said, gesturing to the others in turn. Then to Grey alone, he said in a low tone, "Man, Grey...I'm so glad you're here."


By Hunter, Angelina, her arms still around him, looked up at the others warily, even Grey. Though she knew Grey, she was trusting no one who at all looked near adulthood in her eyes.
 
Jillian was surprised to see that they knew this guy, but also relieved. He frowned when Jared forgot to introduce him. It kind of stung, but Jillian knew it was his own damn fault. If you didn't active participate, he guessed people just forgot you. In the growing number of people here, he wasn't surprised by it actually. Still he would make an effort.


"I am Jillian," he said with a small wave at Grey. He looked at the rest of the others. How large would this group continue to grow? Could they all survive this way? Sure strength in numbers, but it could also be a weakness as well. He wasn't sure what to make of it all.


----


Summer saw that they were drawing closer to the school building. She shook Mels away. The young girl blinked and looked around, confused for a moment. Then a expression of sorrow settled on her face. Summer bit back a comment. She wondered what Mels dreamed about, but she didn't ask. It had to be better than this and Summer almost regretted waking her. But Summer couldn't carry Mels and the stuff with them by herself.


Silently they drove to the building. Summer watched her younger cousin carefully, but she seemed to have settled into a state of almost daydreaming. Summer wished so badly for Mels to make it out of this okay. It must be hard for the young girl.


They arrived and Summer got out first, looking around. They wanted no surprises. She could see Mels worry through the windshield, but Summer wouldn't let her out until she knew it was safe. She motioned for Mels to follow and together they got their things and made their way inside the building.


The inside was better than Summer had thought it would be. Mels looked around as if she expected someone to suddenly jump out at them. She thought she heard voices as well as they moved more in and she looked up at her cousin. It appeared that Summer had heard something too. She put a finger to her lips, straining to try and make out the voices. She thought they came from the cafeteria. But she couldn't tell much. Who was here? Adults? Survivors? She couldn't tell and it irked her. If it was other people, then she thought it might be good to find them and maybe not join them, but learn what they knew.


If it was adults, Summer wanted to avoid any kind of contact with them at all. She motioned for Mels to stay behind her. Then she moved to the doors. As she listened, she moved the door open to try and get a better view. After looking in, she nodded at Mels and opened the door.


"Is this a party," she said, not sure why that was her first words to the group. She made sure Mels was still behind her encase these people were not friendly.
 
The last thing that Anthony had been expecting when he opened the door was for Gray to immediately receive a hug.


He stood, surprised, his hand still on the knob, as the young girl began to talk- very fast. An older boy, about Anthony's age, came up to greet Gray; behind him was a group of no less than five people. Will was staying back behind with Anthros, not feeling especially safe standing outside like he was. What if they decided to attack right now?


Anthony had the same concern, and made his way fully inside past Gray and the two who had greeted them. A quick examination showed a relatively clean cafeteria (Was that blood?) and a meal set up on one of the tables; he also noticed a dog that had escaped his attention earlier. The other two filed in as well, and the existing group was introduced; Jared, Leigh, Angelina, Rai, Kurt, and Max. The last person piped up, introducing her- wait... himself. Anthony's eyes lasted on Jillian and his strange choice of clothing longer than the others.


Will had never been good at remembering names, so he didn't dwell on them. Instead, he gave a grin. It was true! There really was a group of refugees. He had trusted Gray, but throughout the ride some sinking part of him had continued to worry that this was a trap.


He and Anthros shut the door behind them, and the boy- elated at this discovery- introduced himself. "I'm Will," he said. And man, I'm glad we found you! Just being amongst others made him feel safe. He looked at his companions; "This is Anthros."


Hearing Will talk, Anthony gave a start and said, "Oh, my name's Anthony." He had been busy examining the area. Was that icecream on the table?


The boy thought to go back and retrieve their supplies, but was interrupted by a voice from across the room. "Is this a party?"
 
Everyone seemed to take the distraction pretty well, or at least that's what Kurt thought. He watched as everyone help themselves, without really having to do much himself. He wanted to lighten the mood, so far the mood was a little bit better, but felt the same as prior the event. So far it was still a little awkward, mostly from the continuous conversation on gender, the strange flirting between Max and Leigh, and Jillian's distance during her--his return. Kurt still had trouble thinking of Jillian as a guy, so he just continues seeing Jillian as female to make it easier.


He realizes Jillian probably still hasn't really touched his food. He isn't really offended, but it's been a pretty long day for everyone, and it might be the last nice meal they'll get for a while. It's scary to think about, but no one knows how long they're going to stay in the school. It's nice to enjoy things while they still can, but he isn't too sure if that's the right thing for the moment. Kurt pauses, glad that he can have complex thoughts again, but feels more tired because of them. He just looks at the ice cream in front of him and focuses on that.


He starts making his ice cream sandwich. It's an awkward process only with one hand and a wrapped club like thing attached to his other wrist. So far only to get strange half scoop onto his cookie, using a little bit of jiggling to flick the ice cream off. As he's finishing up his ice cream sandwich, people being bursting through the outside doors leading into the cafeteria. This makes Kurt jump a bit, but he's quick to realize it was probably the expected company. It was less of a shock than when Rai arrived, but still pretty scary and sudden.


Kurt stared at the kids, mostly at this older person, who was apparently the infamous Grey that the siblings happened to know. Suddenly introductions were being passed around, and Kurt really didn't have to say a word. Kurt only responded to the the boys with "Nice to meet you. You guys hungry?" Again the thought of not having nice things like a proper meal crossed Kurt's mind, again. It was one of the few things he could give right now, since the food was already prepped. He also looked to Jillian so she could join in, since her plate had been ready, though probably a bit cold. He nodded his head to the trays of spaghetti and meatballs lined up, and saying with a smile "Help yourselves."
 
At Jared’s suggestion Maxwell nods, putting his hand on Leigh’s sides before rubbing them briefly, hoping that she realized he wished to help. Although the older brother and parental figure clearly didn’t like him, maybe if he helped him out a bit he could grow to.


Jillian was busy trying to explain his apologies and him being one of the ones that hear him, reaches out and pats his back rather roughly. “It’s alright…this is a lot to go through dude” Max noted, actually proud of himself for using the term correctly, albeit awkwardly. The boy continues to briefly pat his shoulder, and then forces a smile, trying to be somewhat of a comfort.


As the new people enter, Leigh moves alright, but for another reason; the infamous Grey was with the new group of people. After shaking his arm she runs over and gives the man a hug.


Max swallowed. Sure he had heard Leigh talk briefly of her brother’s friend but he always imagined him stalky and well, less good-looking. Not to mention the fact that two other guys were in this group and Leigh was openly hugging Grey and talking to him like she talked to Max. Getting up as well, he slowly heads over to his girlfriend’s side, straightening out at his introduction and trying to size up this new guy.


Too soon, he shrinks down, there was no way in hell he could take him…he was too big and had a few years on the young Maxwell. Luckily her brother had also separated Leigh and Grey but the difference was it was only to give the boy his own hug. Great. Liked by his girlfriend, liked by her brother, how much worse can this get?


As Jillian jumps on the chance to introduce himself Max looks over to him with a slight frown. Not him too…


The two others with Grey introduce themselves as well, and much like he did with Grey, he looks them over. Maybe the one with the injured arm…maybe. Max, however, has the courtesy not to look over Anthros; in fact he avoids looking in her general direction at all. Rai had come barrelling in and he barely noticed the fact that she was a girl, and he knew from the little he seen of her that she wasn’t anything like the other girls. This stranger, he had no idea… would she be whispering with Leigh when he wasn’t around?


The boy frowned, barely hearing Kurt’s invitation for the new comers to join them at the table as well as Jillian, who had yet to eat. Leave it to him to back track, weren’t they supposed to be barricading…or something? When a voice sounds from another door, the boy practically jumps out of his skin, turning around somewhat defensively.


It was yet another girl, and when his eyes meet this fact, he pales considerably. She had just asked a question right, something about a party. Words. He had to answer, his mouth opened and then closed and then Max bit his lip, continuing to stare at the girl.


“Uh, uhm-b gah?” was what he formed and then he seemed to snap from the mild confusion and nervousness that took over. “I-I mean-” he coughs, ridding his voice of its high pitch “Not really, more like…a hideout?” he notes, making sure to avoid her eyes this time.
 
And the people just didn't stop coming. Grey and the three that were with him had just been nearly immediately followed by two more people- a girl maybe around Rai's age, and another girl closer to Leigh's. There were now thirteen people and one dog standing in the cafeteria, and that, to Jared, was beginning to be slightly alarming. Sure, it was great that they were all alive, and seemingly uninjured, and it was great that this probably meant that a good number of people had managed to outrun or overcome the adults.


But there were some factors to worry about too. For one, the fact that all these kids had decided to enter the school meant that anyone and everyone could, which was definitely not safe. What if an adult decided to head back to get stuff they'd left behind, or just to make sure everyone inside was dead? What if someone had seen one of the new arrivals going inside and would soon be following? How many had come by car? Had they hidden the cars? If there were several cars outside, wouldn't they be discovered?


Angelina was continuing to stare at the new arrivals, arms hugging Hunter tightly, and Leigh too seemed less than enthralled as they continued to stream through the door. Jared was unsure if this was because she was beginning to share some of his concerns, or, which was equally likely in Leigh's case, she just worried that one of the new girls would attract Max's attention. Regardless, their sudden population explosion had to be addressed, and fast.


"Everyone, go ahead and get food if you want or need it," he said. "But then, we need to get to work. First off, if any of you drove here, you need to make sure that your car is as out of sight as possible, and that needs to be done right now. Second, I think we better start making this place safer. So anyone who isn't hungry or already ate, I need you to come help me block off all doorways and lock all windows, try to block the windows too. This place has a lot of them, so it's a lot of work. We need to be looking for things to use as weapons too...just in case. We need to set up areas for sleeping, keep moving the bodies...there's a lot of work to be done, and we need to get started."
 
Rai smiles at Angelina, her thoughts of Jared and his smile pushed aside for the moment as she gets up from her spot and goes over to her dog and the girl, sitting beside them she also strokes Hunter lightly, making sure to leave space still for Angie to stroke him so it doesn't seem like she's stealing her dog from the child. "Yeah he does." She smiles at her gently, "That must mean you're a good person, 'cause Hunter only likes good people and he likes you." She then looked up as Jared spoke. Danggit, every time he spoke her attention was drawn to him, whether she wanted it to be or not.


She stood up, and nodded, "Yeah I'll hel---" Before she could finish her sentence, the door opened and she spun around to face it, hand already on gun before she realized it was three boys and a girl, teenagers, not adults. She heard Jillian's question and shrugged, hand letting go off gun, "Maybe." She muttered in response. Then, watching still as Leigh ran over and hugged the one named Grey, spilling out words. She ignored the sting of hearing Lydia's death spoken so quickly, and noted in her mind that the police were psycho aswell. Turning to Jared, she spoke in a normal tone, "You went to the police? Did they try and kill you?"


Guess it was all adults then. Rai just wondered if it was only America or if the grown-ups of the world were going psycho. She sure hoped not.


Rai did notice how Jared failed to introduce Jillian, and was actually about to herself - she wasn't one for being shy - when the boy spoke up for himself. She offered him a small smile and glanced back to Jared and Grey, she stepped forward to speak when the door opened once again and two girls entered this time. Seriously? What's next? Sure it was nice to see other survivors, other kids that were still alive, but if they were gonna keep on waltzing in all day how long would it be before the school was full? Or before the adults figured out this was where they were all camping out and decided to bomb the place?


She kept quiet - unusual for Rai - as the people talked back and forth, stuttering and stumbling, talking about a party and weak attempts at offering food since no-one seemed to be paying attention. Then Jared spoke, giving out instructions and telling everyone what needed to be done and when it needed to be done. Rai found herself smile at his sudden taking charge, liking that he effectively dealt with the new comers and addressed the issues such as barricading ways into the school, cars being spotted by the adults, weaponary and sleeping areas.


He would definitely be an expert survivor on Left 4 Dead 1 and 2.


Rai nodded, stepping forward as her confident voice filled the room, "I'll come with you." She then turned her attention to Kurt, Jillian and Max simultaneously, seeing them as the three she was most comfortable with when it came to asking about helping, "You three coming too?" She was careful to ask them in a way that didn't sound like a demand, more like she was trying to include them. She took a moment to look at Hunter, speaking as though he understood her, "Hunter." The dog lifted his head to look at his mistress, "Stay with Angie. Okay?" Hunter looked at Angie then back at Rai, Rai nodded and it seemed as if Hunter got the message because he lay himself down slightly infront of Angie, still allowing her to pet him and for him to lay on her lap, but also in a protective way.


Rai looked back to Jared, "What are we going to barricade the doors with? I don't see any spare wood laying around here." She frowned then smiled suddenly, a spark lighting in her eyes, "We could check the D.T room, Mr. Keener always had spare wood laying around everywhere."
 
Jillian saw that one of the newer people, Burt or Ken or something almost those lines, was offering him food. Jillian thought about it and then shook his head. He was not in the mood for food right now. He just really wanted to go and take a nap, if he was being honest. He also wasn't sure what his stomach might do if he tried to eat anything.


"Thanks but no thanks," he said to the boy, nodding at him with a small smile. At least everyone so far wasn't a complete ass. That was a plus to the situation. But he was getting uncomfortable with the growing size of the group. How could they all manage to survive with so many? Sure it was nice to know that people had survived the adult assault earlier and all their tries up til now. Jillian was happy to know that kids and teens managed to not get killed, though he wondered how. Was any of them now a killer like himself? Pulling a trigger or using a knife or something just to survive? Jillian was glad he didn't eat. If he did he might feel it come back up as the memories flashed again. It was going to be a long time before he could become comfortable with what he had done, and to his own parent.


Then two more arrived. Jillian thought he might know the older one but he wasn't sure. She had a younger one with her, seeming to keep her behind her. Jillian couldn't blame the girl. They had no idea what was going on.


Summer smiled a little, though she didn't feel particularly happy. It seemed that these people had already formed a group somewhat. She looked them all over. She passed over Jillian, pausing for a moment. She thought she knew that one. Mels seemed to want to go and meet everyone.


"I was just asking because there are so many of you. I didn't think anyone would actually be partying," Summer said. She heard what one of the older ones said and looked down at Mels.


"Mels go and meet our new friends. I am going to go and move the car." She handed her supplies to the younger girl, who looked sad to see her go. She turned back to the group when Summer left to go and move the car, then waved shyly at them all.


"Hi I'm Melanie but everyone calls me Mels. That was my cousin Summer." Mels walked into the room, not sure what to do while she waited. She was worried about Summer going back out there alone. She walked over to the table where she saw food.


Jillian watched the girl while she walked, feeling that kids like this didn't deserve what was happening. He was drawn out of his thoughts by Rai and nodded, standing to go and help out.
 
Angelina smiles faintly as Rai tells her that Hunter does like her, that it must be because she's a good person. She buries her face in the dog's back, nuzzling her nose against him, and tightens her arms around him when Rai tells him to stay with her. Even if Jared had wanted her to come with him, she wouldn't have wanted to. She whispers into the dog's fur.


"I'll take care of him."


Jared nodded in response to Rai's suggestion, giving her a brief smile. "Good idea, we'll start there." He looked to the other two girls as they introduced themselves- Summer and Mels- and smiled at them as well. Leigh was looking at Mels with curiosity as she stepped closer to her.


"Do you go to Martin Middle School? I'm in sixth grade...how old are you?"


Looking up to Max, she adds, "Are you gonna help them, Max? I'll stay here with you if you want but I'll help if you want."


Jared opens his mouth, about to just tell her that Max can help and she has to stay with Angie, but then closes it. The truth is that he would like to have her help, but if she comes along when she doesn't want to, she'll probably complain and distract them more than help.


Looking back to the rest of the group, he says instead, "Well whoever's coming, come on." He began to walk to the door, looking behind him to see that Rai is following. Catching her eye, he smiles at her again, grateful for her help.


There was a lot to do, more than two people could reasonably get finished...but part of him sort of wouldn't mind, if it was just the two of them.
 
Rai smiles lightly as Angie declares she'll look after Hunter, and Rai cleverly doesn't comment on how it would most likely be Hunter taking care of Angie if anything was to happen, such as an adult bursting in. She just nods all the same, and offers the little girl a smile, "Thanks Angie." She then looks up once more as Jared compliments her idea and even smiles at her, she starts to feel a slight warmth, happy that he smiled at her since it showed he didn't dislike her or anything.


But then she noticed him smile at the two new girls - one being about her age. She looked down at the ground and frowned lightly, why the heck did she feel jealous? Was she turning into one of Jennifer's clones? Her eyes almost widened at the thought and she shook away the feeling, looking back up when Jared speaks, she checks her gun is on her - just in case she has to shoot down any adults that may be around the school or at the other exits, then follows after him. Glancing up to see he is smiling at her again, she smiles back this time, ignoring how childish she feels when her mind reminds her that Jared didn't smile at the new girl Summer twice.


Before she leaves, she looks back to Jillian and Kurt, "You guys can wait here if you want while we grab the wood, we'll bring it back here so we can block up that entrance there." She nods in the direction of the cafeteria entrance. She then glances around the room quickly, as if to check no adults snuck in while they were talking, then follows after Jared.


She looks back at Jared as they head off, catching up to walk beside him, "You're doing really well by the way." She comments lightly, glancing up at him before she looks back ahead again, "Leigh and Angie are lucky to have a big brother to look out for them." Rai wondered what it would be like if she had a big brother, maybe her Mum wouldn't have gone back to drugs, maybe even if she did, her brother could have helped Rai look after her Mum. But she couldn't imagine herself with a big brother, with him being here with Jared instead of her, making her stay back with Leigh and Angie while he and Jared did all the heavy lifting and work. Rai was way too adventurous and too much of an action-lover to sit back and do nothing while the boys did all the fun stuff like barricading and shelter building.


--------------------


Hunter's tail is wagging at light speed as Angie hugs him, nuzzling against him as he had done to her earlier, he pushes himself back against her, nuzzling his head against her chest as he positioned himself so that he was practically laying on her lap. Even though he was being hugged by the tiny human being, his ears were still alert for any violent sounds and his nose was ready to sniff out any adults that decided to interrupt his and Angie's hugging time.


He did however, watch Rai as she left with Jared, if had been human his eyes would have narrowed suspiciously, and they almost did even as a dog. If that alpha male gave Rai a bunch of puppies Hunter would not be happy with him. The last thing they needed right now - what with all the evil grown-up humans around - was a bunch of little beings running around causing trouble. Not to mention Hunter would NOT be happy if they pulled his tail.


He decided then that he would keep an eye on that alpha male human, especially when he was near his Rai.
 
Jared took the reins of the situation rather easily, something Maxwell should’ve probably expected from the older boy by now. The message was clear, eat or help out, but there were a select few that got to stay where they were. It was the younger girls, Angelina, Leigh and now this Mels, whose cousin went to move her car out of sight. This ‘Summer’ was the girl that Max had first stared at; shy over his actions as well as nervous, what a time to dwell over if he looked okay.


He needed to get out of here, so he nodded quickly when Rai asked if he was coming to help them as well as the other two other males. She sorted out that Hunter would indeed stay with Angie and where they might get the wood to board up windows. Leigh sounds from behind him and he glances at the girl, surprised she asked him.


“Uh- Yes?” he notes to the first part, then answers rather quickly “It’s up to you…” tentative and glancing to see if that was the right answer. Jared is urging them to continue though, so he smiles slightly awkwardly, trying to follow after them. Rai seems to cut the boys off the hook for now, offering to simply go with Jared. At least this would give Leigh a chance to respond…
 
Rai catches up to Jared, as he had known she would, before any of the others do. For a few moments it is just the two of them, walking side by side, and Jared is grateful for her help, her willingness to do anything they would have to do without shrinking back in fear, disgust, or uncertainty. There weren't many girls who would be able to take all of this like Rai could. He wondered, looking down at her, what it was about her life that had so prepared her for this, more than he himself felt prepared.


His feeling that way makes her compliment all the more surprising. He actually stops walking, turns to her, and blinks, giving a slight incredulous laugh.


"Doing GOOD with them? My sisters? Are you kidding? Rai, I don't know what to do for them, I'm just blindly dealing with each crisis as it crops up. Leigh and Angie were never really under my responsibility, before. My job was to make money and bring it home, make sure that Vicky didn't forget to put food on the table or clothes on people's back. Taking care of Leigh and Angie, trying to be something like a parent to them, that was...that was Lydia's job."


He went quiet then, shaking his head again, and then looked away, swearing very softly under his breath. He had an urge then to grab Rai's hand and squeeze, but he did not.


Back in the cafeteria, Angelina continues to smile faintly at the dog, hunched over him and whispering into his fur. She is murmuring about her siblings, about her mother and the other adults, about her fear, so quietly that none of the other people would be able to hear, but she is certain that not only does Hunter hear, he understands her.


Max begins to walk away uncertainly, following her brother and Rai, and Leigh too starts after them, hurrying to catch up and hook her arm through his. Hearing their less than stealthy approach, Jared looks up, partly grateful to them for breaking his moment of emotion, partly irritated because he has a feeling they will be talking and screwing around more than helping. Still, he nods, waiting a few moments for others to join them, before continuing on to the room with the wood with the amount of people they have helping. He gives last minute instructions to Leigh as they walk inside.


"There should be tools and weapons here, we need to take them back with us to have...just in case. Leigh,don't touch any saws, you get something that's easier to handle, and don't let Angelina have anything at all."
 
Will seemed to have noticed the ice cream too, even as the others began speaking to the girls who had just arrived. Suddenly, ice cream sounded extremely good. Ice cream, after a day like this, would be perfect. He was definitely hungry.


Anthony was paying attention to Jared, having moved forward into the cafeteria. He seemed as if he was a leader of some sort; issuing orders and setting priorities. Cars... Barricades... Anthony nodded in agreement, and he saw Gray's approval as well from the corner of his eye. The boy was a little hungry, yes, but he'd eaten some of their supplies during the drive here; work came first. Would he be helpful with only one arm?


He'd have to visit the nurse's office soon, and get some proper care for his arm. And the computer labs. Anthony had been wondering about how the Internet was faring for a little while; what would the adults have been doing with it? Taking down sites? Setting traps? Tracking children?


For now, though, Will's car needed taking care of. The boy had heard Jared, and looked up at Anthony.


"Come on," said Anthony, turning to the door. "I'll help with the supplies."


They left the commotion behind them and hurried towards the Subaru, wary eyes looking about for adults. Will raised the alarm about a figure in the distance- but it was just Summer. Their feet pounded along the asphalt (Anthony's arm hurting every time he took a step) until they reached their destination.


Will unlocked the doors and Anthony pulled open the trunk; the other boy pulled supplies out of the front seats. Anthony slung his guitar case onto his back- he wondered what the others would make of the instrument- and took several bags in his good hand. Would they really need these? The school would be well-stocked in everything.


The two boys made the trip back, Anthony's mind blank but for the task at hand. There were people to see and things to ponder, but right now he was just doing his job.


The supplies (and the guitar) were dropped off in the school. Anthony slipped back out to tend to their vehicle, while Will approached the spaghetti on the table. He looked over at the boy with the bandaged hand- he'd been the one to offer the food- and asked, "Did you make this? Because it looks delicious. And I'm really hungry." The boy looked down at the meal with a grin.


He could think about Dad later.


Anthony had wanted to deal with the car himself- well, it wasn't that he didn't trust Will, but more like he trusted himself the most out of their group. Gray was definitely worth trusting, but Anthony hadn't wanted to bother him when it wasn't his car.


Then again, it wasn't Anthony's either. But... Still.


Gray had parked in the guests' lot, which was the closest to the side where the cafeteria door was. Deciding there would likely be good hiding spaces in the back, Anthony eased the car through the low metal gate and along a gravel road; he continued to watch his surroundings for any movement.


Will, watching several people head out with Jared to help barricade the entrances, chewed on a meatball.
 
Rai listens to Jared as he describes his home life in a paragraph, gathering from it that he and Lydia were the parents of their house. Just like she herself was. Maybe she wasn't such an oddball then. Maybe there were others like her.


Then again, they were in the middle of a catastrophe. Maybe no-one was an oddball anymore, maybe now, in this situation, Rai was the superior, not Jennifer or her clones. Though, Jennifer was dead, so she guessed that had to be the case.


She didn't have time to respond though to Jared, because Leigh and Max and the others had caught up by this point, and then they were in the D.T room. She nodded at his words, and as she walked past him to grab some tools to use as weapons, she bumped into him very lightly - not enough to be annoying or even painful, just enough for him to notice her - as she muttered to him and him only, "I think you're a pretty good brother Jared, even if it is just blind." She smiles at him briefly before moving past him to grab some saws and even a chisel or two.


She glanced behind her at the others, picking Jillian out from the others, (I'm assuming he went with them?) and smiling at him, "Hey Jillian." She walked over to him, tools/weapons in her hands as she glanced to the pile of wood then him, "You wanna take the tools or wood?" She thought it best to include him, thinking about how he had just disapeared earlier, yet no-one besides Hunter had gone to find him, and also his earlier apology. She didn't know Jillian's story, thinking of Kurt, she reminded herself that some of the others here had parents they loved, so it was hard for them to lose their parents. Maybe Jillian was the same as Kurt and he just needed someone to talk to him, to smile at him and remind him they were here. Rai hoped by including him she was doing this.


Hunter whined lightly, almost with sympathy, as the little being told him of her story, nuzzling against her softly and even licking her face lightly - which of course dogs don't see as 'gross' or 'yucky' but simply as helping the human to feel better.
 
Mels looked at the person who had spoke to her, glancing quickly back towards where Summer went. It was their first time separated since it had all begun and Mels found she was feeling rather nervous without the older girl around. She was a reassurance for her. A reminder of her old life and someone she could look up to now that all the adults had gone bad.


Mels nodded. "I'm...11. I'm in fifth grade still though. I'd be in sixth next year," Mels said. She took a seat, thinking she'd rather sit and wait for Summer, than stand. She saw the food and looking around still nervously began to help herself to a little. She motioned to the bags beside her.


"We brought things. We were at a store and we took some of the things like soda and water and chips and candies. Summer said we should take things that might last a while in case we find ourselves in a place without food or anything to drink." Mels knew she was rambling, but she felt a little bit better. At least these people were nice to them. Mels also liked that they weren't alone. She loved her cousin, but Mels needed to be around people.


"Me and Summer...she saved me, but her brother... Why is this happening?"


----


Jillian was making a plan in his head. He knew he had to contribute something to the group. His gun would run out of bullets very soon, but he found he was a pretty good aim.Maybe he could use another gun later? The thought made him sick to think about. Just thinking of pulling the trigger against another human being made him want to puke again and throw his gun far, far away. But he had to protect himself right? And those kids. Leigh, the new girl, Angie. They had to be protected.


Jillian was also happy to help out right now. Sure he wasn't the strongest member of the group, but he was willing to do what he had to.


He nodded at Rai. "I can take the tools," he offered. He looked at the others who had come. Jillian wondered if it would matter what he did. He was one of the weakest links wasn't he? He looked over at where Max was and shook his head. No time to think of what happened earlier.


----


Summer was careful went she exited the building. It was no longer just her and Mels she had to protect. If she drew attention to the school, more people would be at risk, It made her shiver to know that she could put people's lives in danger. She watched a guy exit as well, probably moving a car as well. She shrugged and followed him with the stolen car.
 
Angelina’s body gradually relaxed against Hunter, her arms loosening around him, and she lay down on the cafeteria floor, her head still resting against the spot where his head joined his neck. She smiles when he licks her face, not minding, and wipes it off with one hand before nestling in against him, her breathing slowing and evening out. She is not asleep, but she is definitely calm.


Still facing Mels, Leigh nods as she tells her age and grade, liking the fact that the girl is actually younger than her. Somehow this gives her a feeling of faint superiority, as though the virtue of one extra year on her part means that she’s more knowledgeable and mature than her, though of course, she has little evidence of whether or not that is actually true.


“Sixth grade is better than fifth grade,” she informs Mels with the air of someone much more experienced than a mere fifth grader. “You don’t have recess anymore, you just have lunch, and you have more responsibilities. And lockers and it’s three stories, and they don’t treat you like babies anymore. And everyone has boyfriends and girlfriends. I’ve got a boyfriend…this is Max. He’s a tenth grader.”


She’s obviously aiming to impress with this as she slides her arm through Max’s again, almost as if she’s presenting him to Mels, before she hears the rest of the girl’s words. She nods in approval of her description of her food.


“Good, we’ve got food here too though….I wonder if we’re going to stay here a while? I have to ask Jared…”


The girl’s last words make her frown though, and Leigh bites her lip, pressing a little closer in to Max. She loses her “grown-up” put on air now as she answers in a much smaller tone. “I don’t know. I want it to…it’s got to, right? It’s just got to…”


Looking up at Max, she tugs at his arm. “I’m gonna go help Jared. Come with me.”


She pulls his arm, starting to tug him down the hall.


When Rai lightly bumped Jared with her hip, then smiled at him, telling him that she thought he was a pretty good big brother, Jared actually stumbled, then almost stopped moving entirely. The brief physical contact with Rai had sent warmth surging through his chest and staining his cheeks as well, and it was hard for him not to smile with some startled self-consciousness as well as pleasure. She really thought that? And the hip bump…what was that? Playful, impulsiveness, but meaningless? Or did Rai…


He wasn’t going down that road of thought. How stupid was it to even think of romance of any level in this kind of environment?


“Wait up!” he hears his sister call, and Jared turns then, partly grateful for and partly annoyed by the distraction as Leigh catches up to them, dragging Max after her. Jared restrains himself from gritting his teeth or rolling his eyes as he and Rai lead them into the DT room.


“No saws, Leigh, nothing you could accidentally shoot or stab yourself with, and keep it away from Angie and Mels too. And the dog. You get the wood, and watch you don’t get splinters in your hands.”


**


It was long past dark, nearly midnight by the time they had gotten somewhat settled. Jared, Rai, Max, Leigh, Jillian, and some of the others had gotten the place as secure as they could manage, locking all doors and windows, piling tables, desks, and chairs in front of the doorways which appeared easiest to break through, and pulling the metal grated gates across all but three hallways to block them- the ones that Jared had decided they would likely be using for now to inhabit. He thought it was a good thing that those large, ceiling-high gates existed, having been originally used to block off halls that visitors were not allowed to go down during home basketball games. It saved them a lot of work, because if someone did manage to break into those sections of the school, then they would definitely hear them trying to break through the gates and have a better chance of escaping before they could.


In the area not blocked off by the gates, where they would be spending their time, they boarded up windows and cleared all bodies they found from the rooms, stacking them with the others in the designated freezer. They cleaned the blood and bodily fluids left behind as best as they could, then gathered all the weapons and hid them all in various areas of the cafeteria, one of the bathrooms, and in the largest classroom, where they had designated would be the best place to sleep. Jared gathered all the clothing from the lost and found before blocking off the front office area with one of the gates, bringing them back for people to be able to pick and choose which clothes they would like to keep for themselves or use to sleep in. Then they had stored leftover food and the food that Summer and Mels had brought, and taken all blankets they could find from storage closets, as well as the jackets, sweatshirts, and t-shirts usually for sale, emblazoned with the school’s logo, from supply closets to be used for bedding of some kind.


When they returned at last to the cafeteria to show the others where their sleeping area would be and to distribute clothing and “bedding,” Jared was exhausted, and knew Leigh was too. His sister was so tired she was not asking questions, whining, or doing much of anything anymore, simply silently and slowly going wherever and doing whatever he asked of her. Definitely not Leigh. At times she simply leaned against Max or gripped his shirt between her hands, resting her head against his arm.


Angelina had fallen asleep on the cafeteria floor curled up to Hunter, one hand still twined in his fur, and Jared had gone to her and lifted her up, carrying her carefully to the spot he had already made for her in the sleeping area out of jackets and shirts. She didn’t stir as he set her down, then motioned for Leigh to come to him. She was reluctant to disentangle from Max, but went eventually.


“Look,” he told her softly, trying to draw her aside where no one would be paying attention, but sure that Max was probably watching him. “You’re not sleeping with Max tonight. That’s final.”


Leigh opened her mouth to protest, but Jared covered it with his hand, giving her a warning look towards Angelina before continuing. “I’ve been way, way loose with letting you be around him today considering how it would normally be, because you know that if it wasn’t a complete catastrophe today, there’s no way you’d be allowed to do anything you’ve done with him. Don’t tell me that you already were before today because I didn’t know you were, and honestly I don’t want to hear about it, I’d rather not know at this point. But it’s like this, Leigh. You’re sleeping with Angie and that’s final. It’s almost midnight, you’re not arguing, you’re going to bed with Angie and not Max and I don’t want to hear you say one word about it. That’s it.”


Leigh tried to summon a glare, but even that was pretty half-hearted. She did, however, make a point of going to Max and kissing him before laying down with Angie. Jared clinched his jaw, wanting to grab her by the hair and jerk her away, REALLY wanting to drive Max’s face into the tile floor, but managing to hold his peace. At first she just lay beside her, a distance between her and Angie, but eventually she shifted closer to Angie, looking quickly towards Jared as though fearing losing her pride, and then put her arms around Angelina and snuggled close to her, closing her eyes. Jared found it amazing that she hadn’t even bothered to point out that she would be mad if Angelina wet the bed.


With this settled, Jared looked around for a place to set up to sleep for himself, glancing at Grey. Grey had been a big help in everything they’d done today, and he gave him a weary smile.


“You want to take first guard?”


Glancing at Rai, he found himself drifting near her as he settled onto a pile of jackets. Just a coincidence, of course. Of course.
 
Rai had been actively involved all day, going back and forth with the others to block and barricade areas - also glad for the metal grated gates since it saved them time and work - and to set up rooms. She had no problem moving the bodies and took as much of an role in the heavy lifting as the boys did. She felt some sort of pride in that really, that she could keep up with - even surpass - some of the boys' strength and speed. Yet she still looked like a dainty beautitican type of girl, the type of girl you'd look at and maybe peg her with the hobbies of make-up, painting pretty pictures and making daisy chains. But really she liked BB guns, karate and shooting zombies through the head.


She hadn't failed to notice how throughout the whole day she had been mostly with Jared, shutting the same gates as him, boarding up the same windows, hiding weapons together and even going with him to grab the lost and found stuff. Not that any of that mattered of course. It was good to have him helping her since he seemed the most in charge out of everyone with them.


She honestly felt like she was in a video game, barricading all this doors and windows, getting weapons and setting them up, making sleeping areas. A very realistic game.


Once they got back to the cafeteria, Rai was also exhausted, but trying not to show it as she watched the others gather their bearings and settle down in the sleeping area. Following half-heartedly. She decided on a pile of clothes and blankets to sleep on once the younger kids had taken their spots first, and lay down, pulling the blanket over herself to keep warm as she noticed Jared pick the empty spot beside her. She smiled lightly to herself as she looked around for Hunter, ignoring the tingle that ran through her.


She spotted the cuddly border collie sitting up sleepily where Angie had been curled up with him. Rai let out a low whistle - not loud enough to wake up any of the kids - and Hunter's ears pricked up before he bounded over to Rai after a nod of her head. He moved down by her feet, keeping them warm as he turned in a circle then plopped himself down ontop of them. Letting his head flop onto his front legs, he let his eyes close, ears pricked up for any sudden sounds of danger.


Rai, once Hunter had gotten comfortable, couldn't help but look over to Jared, feeling the effort and strain of today as her body practically sunk into the bedding, yeah, she was tired. But still, she found herself saying to Jared, "I'll take first guard if no-one else wants to."


Maybe some butt-kicking would wake her up a bit.
 
Mels thought about her conversation wit Leigh, her's boasts about how being one grade ahead was somehow better. It didn't matter as if seemed she'd never get a chance to experience it anyways. Though she laughed when Leigh mentioned boyfriends and girlfriends. She found it weird that she was dating someone so much older than her and she wondered if that was allowed. If Mels even thought of anyone like that she was sure Summer wouldn't allow it. Besides she didn't think she'd wanted a boyfriend right not.


But she also recalled her answer to her question. She looked for her cousin, seeing her moving about away from where they had chosen to sleep for the night. She wondered what was going to happen to them all now. She hoped that everything would be okay. Leigh had to be right. It had to end sometime, right? Mels could feel herself fall asleep as she thought about today's events.


Summer was glad that everyone was so organized. It was clear that not everyone worked well together. She could see little groups forming already, though she could tell that everyone seemed to be getting along okay as well. She certainly hope she was right. They couldn't really afford in-fighting, could they? Summer licked her lips and thought about the supplies that had been tucked away. She was thirsty, but she knew better. She wandered for a bit until she could locate a nearby water fountain. At least it still worked just fine and it wasn't a waste. She took long gulps of water, trying to keep her mind off of what happened. Now that they were relatively safe, Summer's mind turned to her younger brother. Jon.. was he going to be okay? Was he dead too or had he managed to escape and was now out there alone or with some strangers?


Summer shivered although she was not cold and wiped her mouth. She glanced over to see that Mels had fallen asleep. Most of the younger ones were and she couldn't blame them. She was ready to sleep as well. As she headed over to Mels, she glanced around, hearing Jared's words.


"I'll take first or second. The least I can do for showing up late." Summer wanted to help them all out. If she and Mels were going to be with them, she wanted to contribute as well.


Jillian was actually helpful which made him happy. At least he wasn't a complete failure after all. His whole body was exhausted from today and his eyes kept shutting. He heard something about guarding, but he was too tired to really focus on it. Jillian choose a place not that far from Max actually and he blushed a little when he realize this. What was he doing? Max was first, taken, second not gay and third, well did he really have time for anything of the sort? It's not like he'd managed to date anyone anyways even if they weren't being hunted by murderous adults.


He looked at everyone else as well. Hopefully things would be better tomorrow.
 
Jared looked over at Rai as she spoke, giving her a warm, if exhausted smile as she offered to help Grey with guarding. She had been significant help to him as they worked together to make the building safer for everyone. The others had been helpful too, of course, particularly Grey, as the other oldest and strongest of the males, but Rai had worked as hard as a guy much larger than her could be expected to. She continually impressed him, with her focus, drive, and both physical and emotional strength, and Jared was more than just grateful for her focus…he was intrigued by it.


What kind of life must Rai have had, for her to turn out as she was now? As they worked together he had heard bits and pieces from her occasional comments that helped him piece together that she too had not had it easy, that she too had not really been allowed a “normal” childhood. He had not known her for very long now, and had not known her hardly at all before today, but what he saw of her and knew of her was impressive.


And incredibly attractive. Rai might not be conventionally beautiful, as some might see it, but to Jared she was more than pretty enough for him. She had a great smile that lit up her older-than-she-should-look eyes, and she was strong and capable and smart…that was what Jared was drawn to in girls, more than any certain physical features or attributes.


He knew it was silly, even stupid, to be thinking about her like that at all, even if it did seem that she liked him pretty well too. He had noticed the way she deferred to him more than anyone, though it was clear she was one to often take charge, of how she had asked his approval of certain maneuverings, the way she always ended up working close to him. He noticed that she occasionally touched or brushed him in passing, and there had been that hip bump, some time back…he was fairly sure she could be attracted to him too, or at least enjoyed being around him. Jared had always considered himself to be fairly decent at reading female intentions, having had three sisters…but with Rai, he was hesitant to give her any sort of label.


As Summer spoke up, he glanced over at her, then back at Grey, before turning back to Rai, shaking his head.


“Summer, why don’t you watch with Grey, then Rai and I can take the second watch,” he said after a moment, feeling somewhat manipulative for having created a way where he and Rai could watch together. “Do either of you have a watch? Maybe…two, three hours, you wake us up. That sound good? If you guys want to talk, to keep yourselves up, that’s probably fine, but be quiet…not just to let everyone sleep, but because if someone DOES manage to get in, we don’t want them to overhear and know right away that we’re here so they can sneak up on us.”


He glanced up at the classroom window as he spoke. It was nailed and boarded shut, and he supposed they were as secure as they were going to get in one night. Still, it had been so calm around here for so long. Did that mean that things outside had settled, that the adults had gone to sleep for the night too? Did they need sleep now? Were they still people…or were they something more?


Jared was not sure, but these were not helpful thoughts to be having at this hour, he knew, and he pushed them aside for the moment as he settled back down beside Rai, looking around the room, mentally counting each person to be sure they were accounted for. Him, Rai, Summer, Mels, Grey, Anthros, Will, Anthony, Leigh, Angelina, Hunter, Kurt, Max…yep, that was it.


His eyes lingered over his sisters, spooning together on their stack of shirts. Angelina in her oversized t-shirt, her thin legs sticking out like matches from its billowing hem, looked tiny and very young in Leigh’s arms, and to him, Leigh looked hardly any older. He was glad for Hunter’s presence, his ability to soothe Angelina as he had failed to do, and looking at Leigh, he found himself to feel surprisingly protective towards her in her sleeping, vulnerable state, even proud of her. She had not had a total breakdown today, with everything that had happened, she had not curled up in a corner screaming and just waited to die, as he might have predicted a day or two ago. She had got Angelina out of their house and done what she had to, to make sure that their youngest sister would be safe. She had listened to what he told her to do when it really mattered, and even tonight she had helped them get the school ready, lifting boards and holding them and cleaning. Leigh, who had always waged wars about cleaning the tub or toilet in their home, who had initially cried and almost gagged at the sight of bodies, had cleaned people’s blood off the floors.


Yeah, when he thought about it, she’d done better today than he could have expected…and tomorrow could only be better, right?


He hoped that neither of his sisters would have nightmares, that at least for tonight, they would be able to rest in relative peace.


As Jared lay down near Rai, glancing back to his sisters one more time before closing his eyes, he reached out on impulse and gave Rai’s shoulder a squeeze, then withdrew his hand, whispering to her, “Good night.” It took him very little time to fall asleep.


**


Vicky Sherwood had never been a morning person. Morning was her time for sleep, morning was her time to try to obliterate from her consciousness the fact that the sun was high and unpleasantly beaming in the sky. It was sundown that was her time of the day, evening’s dusky shade that brought out her interest and energy. She worked most nights from 5-12 at the Johnny Angel’s bar, and she generally didn’t come home til the first strains of day were beginning to break across the sky. Night was her time to work AND play, and tonight was no exception.


There were a lot of businesses closed now, such as the schools and the daycare centers, and any sort of store which sold toys or clothing primarily designed for children or teens. Vicky sympathized with them in a vague way, for those poor suckers were going to have to find a new job or career, now that all children would soon be extinguished from the planet. She might have a job that most people would not term as glamorous or desirable, but it was a job that was still hers, with a steady stream of customers, and that was more than a lot of people could say in this economy.


Vicky could not really enjoy her time at work today though. She had difficulty finding the motivation to laugh and flirt with customers, to work herself to get the most and best tips possible. Business was slower than usual today, and she was very much distracted. This was not the most pressing job she had to perform anymore…there were her children to think about, occupying her thoughts.


Three of them. The boy, and the two youngest girls…they still remained. Unless someone else had finished her job for her. She hoped not. Vicky was one to procrastinate, but procrastination didn’t mean she wasn’t committed to getting the job done.


In the end they consumed her thoughts so much that thirty minutes before quitting time, she tracked down her boss, and running a distracted hand through her hair, decided to ask to leave early.


“Look, Joe, I got some business I need to get done tonight. Three kids, you know? It’s time I get around to taking care of them.”


“Damn, Vick, you put it off much?” he laughed, then waved his hand, dismissively. “Yeah, sure, whatever… do what you gotta do.” Then he paused, interest alit in his eyes. “Hey, you need help?”


Vicky began to smile, giving a slow, almost coy nod, as she took his arm. “Yeah, Joe. I could use some help…just let me do the job. You can be my support man, yeah?”


Joe grinned, perfectly content with this role, and let Vicky take his arm. As they began to walk out the bar, a few customers called out to her, and Vicky stopped for each of them, asking them if they, too, would like to accompany her, help her out with her task at hand. Not a single one of them turned her down.


By the time she reached her car, she had five men following her. Vicky’s only question then as she started up the car, then began to circle the block, with a line of cars just behind her, was where it was that her kids might have hidden or fled to. It was just too bad she couldn’t remember more about them, it could have been helpful in guessing their patterns.


But even if she was a procrastinator, she was also determined. If they were here to be found, she would find them. And all these men were here to cheer her on.
 
Grey thought back to his own father, no it wasn’t his father anymore, just a lifeless corpse. Before he had known that all the adults were out for blood, Grey had sat before the lifeless body, torn between calling the cops, and just trying to bury his father himself. The decision was made for him when he had to fend off another attack and flee. And now driving, glancing back to the one who watched his father go cold, he thought back to the body of the man who had been more than a father, yet he was left shamelessly on the ground, no burial or grave.


Perhaps the adults would take care of all the bodies themselves, if that happened he would probibly never know of his fathers remains. But if they didn’t, and one day things went back to some sort of normal then Grey would return home and give his father a proper burial. But such thoughts had to be pushed back, right now he had to focus on surviving, and keeping these kids alive.


Wary when they got to the school Grey kept an eye out sticking a few steps behind the boys as they made their way inside through a side door. He was quickly greeted by Leigh with a hug and some anticipation he didn’t know had been building left his body. They were okay. Giving his friend a quick smile he attempted to keep up with Leigh’s quick summary of their days events but the girl was going twenty miles a minute so he didn’t get everything she was throwing at him.


Finally the youth slowed down, only to speak once more of Lydia… wait, Jared’s mom got her? Grey wasn’t one to let his emotions get the best of him, but this was Lydia here, on top of losing Sara and his own old man, it hit Grey harder than he cared to admit. Grey must have looked up to Jared for validation to this, as if clinging to one last moot hope, for he saw it in his friends eyes as he stepped forward.


Jared did what Grey was unwilling to do, and managed to pry Leigh from Grey, only to give a hug of his own instead. It was a brief comfort and Grey offered a small smile when Jared spoke of them needing to talk later, only for introductions to go around, letting Grey realize now just how many youths he would feel responsible for. Glancing around the room, making sure to commit names to the faces Grey only hoped that he wouldn’t have to write any of those names on any form of granite.


Anthros was staying towards the back while everyone hugged and greeted one another. Glancing around she didn’t recognize anyone enough to be sure of a name, even if she might have seen one or two by glance in the hallway before hand. Closing the door she turned to Will as he introduced her as well. She wondered if perhaps shock was finally kicking in, her mind moving somewhat slowly and she barely took everything in. Further proof was noticing a dog for the first time after she already took a look around.


It seemed that there were even more people and one girl joked about a party, or at least Anthros hoped she had been joking. Watching, uncharacteristically quiet, Anthros noticed the tongue tied guy try to respond to her. A small chuckle escaped her lips and she quickly turned her attention to the one offering food, hoping no one noticed she had laughed at the other. Somewhat unsure she went towards him and saw the meal of choice. Spaghetti wasn’t her favorite meal by far but food was food, and Anthros was hungry.


Grey notices the one introduced as Max seem to be a bit protective of Leigh. At first he thinks perhaps it’s a good thing, until he watches the kid looking him up and down and the others in turn, then he scratches the protective and changes it to possessive, his gaze looking towards Jared as if in question to what was with the kid and why wasn’t he beat to a pulp yet.


But of course more pressing matters were at hand and before he could begin to speak up his own concerns it seemed that Jared had the same ones and started ordering them around. In truth Grey was proud of his friend. Not only had he kept it together and protected his two little sisters, but he was taking things in stride and able to manage and oversee a group of alarmingly growing size. Block the entrances, move the vehicles, weapons and sleep supplies. Making a mental note of what his friend said Grey would finally speak up when he was finished. “No one should run around by themselves, even to the bathroom.” He wanted to add about making sure the blinds and such were shut so that from a distance the place looked uninhabitted and that adults looking by didn’t see the baracades, but the group had gotten this far, they had to be smart enough to do such things on their own. Plus he already knew he would want to run around checking out what they did or didn’t do to make sure everything was up to par.


Anthros looked up from eating when Jacob? No, Jared, and Grey spoke up about baracades and not being alone. They were older and what they said was smart, so last thing she was gonna do would be disagree. Glancing to Anthony and Will, the only two she felt somewhat comfort since she had been around them the longest, the pair were already off to get the supplies from the Subaru, without her. Trying not to look disheartened she finished up her food, only for Grey to approach her.


Anthros gave a nod at her assignment, it was easy enough. Check the lockers for bags and supplies like they had at the lake. That was easy enough. Biting her lip she looked towards the door where her two companions had gone and back to Grey, wondering if she needed to take someone with her for such a thing, and if so who would she drag along with. Grey solved that one for her without Anthros even voicing her concern as he pointed out the one called Angie, who was hugging a dog and looking wairly around. She was so young, poor girl. Did this mean that Grey thought Anthros could protect her, or just that what she was doing sould be relitivly safe and in close proximity to everyone else working?


Grey had his work cut out for him. He left overseeing the others and baracading from within to Jared, and went outside to set up a few surprizes of his own. Using some of the wire he got from the lake and natural resources, Grey made some snares that his father had shown him since youth. A few were by the entrances he felt would be best utalized and were made for small game. Just in case they remained here, they would need fresh meat after awhile. Though if Grey had his way he would get all these kids and make a setup in the woods. But there were too many inexpierenced youths, they could get themselves killed or discovered just as easy out there if they were loud or unable to listen. So he set aside some time to make long term affects, before moving on to making the bigger and more complex traps, for human variation. The trick was making sure it was strong enough to catch and hold someone, yet not making one that could potentially maim or wound someone, when he wasn’t sure if youths might get trapped in them or not.


When darkness hit Grey returned inside, making sure that Jared knew he was back indoors, even if by only mere glimpse for now.Grey’s attention went first to the assigned area that they would be spending most the duriation within. That area was most vital to protect so he made sure to look over the barricades and make sure that everything was copocetic. Then and only then would he start going out to where some the others were still working and help them finish up.


The midnight oil was burning by the time the place was locked down and somewhat organized. Grey smiled at the collection of bags and supplies, knowing full well that emergency packs could be what saved their lives. Most the youths were asleep or getting there and Grey slid down against the wall to sit against it, letting down his guard just enough to let some of the stress of the day melt away some so that it didn’t pile up and keep him from thinking clearly when needed. He turned to Jared when offered first guard. Grey would simply nod, he had planned as much since he wasn’t fully done with his own preparations.


Watching as two girls offered as well, Rei and Summers he believed, Grey couldn’t help but to take note of how the girl that had offered first was somehow set up to watch with Jared for second shift. A small smile formed on his face. Was this subconscious on Jared's part or was he obvious to his own actions? Either way Grey wished his friend luck on his new endever and went to setting up a good number of emergency packs, deciding on fifteen in case more may come. He didn’t trust any the others with weapons, but he did slip Jared a simple handgun when no one was looking. Sure he may not have much practice with one, but he was the only one that Grey trusted with a loaded weapon in the place aside from himself, though he was sure to show his friend the safety and promised to show him some stuff outside if the next day permitted. As for the rest of them, hunting knifes or blades went to the packs, you couldn’t leave them completely defenseless on the run, and blades were less known for friendly fire. As he worked packing dried food from the lake and other various supplies he looked up over the crowd of sleeping kids and thought once more of having to protect them and not wanting to fail.
 
Rai nodded as Jared spoke about him and her having the second shift, Grey and Summers taking the first. She tried not to let the joy of being paired up with Jared show on her face, but a small smile did surface before she patted Hunter's head lightly, put a hand to the gun she had holstered around her hip as if to double check it's being there, before laying down properly and tugging the blanket up over her as the cold bit lightly at her.


When Jared squeezed her shoulder, she felt a tingle and her blue eyes opened to look at him, seeing he had his eyes closed. She smiled softly and spoke back in a whisper, her brown hair thrown back away from her face, "Night Jared. Don't let the bed bugs bite." She couldn't help but grin sleepily at her own words, and as Hunter shuffled slightly on her feet, Rai found it wasn't long before she herself was drifting away to sleep, glancing to Grey before her eyes finally closed.


He was the oldest of them all, or at least looked it, why hadn't he been affected by the adult virus? Maybe there was an age limitation on it. Maybe you had to be over a certain age to be affected. Of course, if Rai had been awake enough, she would have voiced her concern about this issue, wondering if maybe one of them was to turn into that certain age and suddenly become just like the adults. That would be troublesome. What if it happened to Jared? What if the age was 20 and when he turned 20 he suddenly tried to kill Rai and his sisters?


No, she shouldn't think like that. Although she had known Jared for only half a day, she already love----LIKED him more than she ever had liked her mum, or anyone else for that matter. Plus, he was Lydia's big brother, and Lydia was the only girl who had ever stood up for her properly, the only person, she may not have stopped Jennifer and her clones permanently, but she did give Rai hope that they COULD be stopped, Lydia reminded her that Rai wasn't the things Jennifer claimed she was, and that she shouldn't listen to idiots like her. She helped Rai gain a different perspective, the better one.


Rai would kill the woman who murdered Lydia if she ever ran into her. She just hoped that Jared and his sisters still wouldn't be attached to the killer of a mum.
 
Vicky and the other adults drove for a couple of hours, cruising down the streets, with Vicky occasionally pulling off to check various locations that came to mind as a possibility that her kids might have decided to take shelter in. Since she didn’t know her own children very well, or their personality’s and habitual behaviors, she didn’t have much of an idea of where they might have been hiding. Jared could drive, she knew, so for all she knew, they could have taken a car and driven out of town.


The first place she checked, of course, was her own home. She and the other men accompanying her searched it haphazardly, overturning tables, throwing aside contents of closets, and stripping blankets off beds to peer below. She found no sign of her children, nor had they left any indication of where they might have gone. Some of the men lingered near her, eager to be helpful, as she scoured her mind as to where they might be drawn towards.


“My Emily was hiding in the bathtub when I found her,” Joe offered. “Curled up like a shrimp when I came in. You check there?”


Vicky had and nodded somewhat distracted, her brow furrowed as she thought. “They took the car, they could be anywhere…just figured maybe they had ditched it somewhere and came back, just in case I just saw the car was gone and figured they were definitely gone too. Dammit, who knows where they are?”


She had stepped over Lydia’s body without a thought, only sighing in exasperation at the blood now staining the floor. “That’s gonna be hell to clean, isn’t it?”


By the time they were on the road again, she had tried to think and search any place she could conceive of a six, twelve, and nineteen year old liking enough to try to take shelter there. They had tried a public park, a now abandoned toy store, and the mall, all which had provided a couple of children that had been entertaining enough to do away with, but were not HER children for HER to do away with. Her job wasn’t finished yet, and Vicky was beginning to worry that she would have to make do with letting someone else complete it for her.


She was just driving past the high school, with no real intention of stopping by it to check for children, when it dawned on her that it was a possibility. What reason would any adults have to be there anymore? So wouldn’t that make it a logical place to hide?


She put on her turn signal to pull into the parking lot, and the others followed suit as she circled the building. The parking lot was empty, but yes, there it was…around in the back, by a line of dumpsters, as hidden as they could make it from the road, were cars. THREE cars…oh, there were people here alright. People who didn’t want to be seen.


And one of the cars was her son’s.


Vicky smiled slowly as she put her car in park, then stepped outside, shaking her hair back from her shoulders. The men from the bar were piling out as well, grinning and muttering back and forth excitedly, and she put up a hand, her eyes glued towards the back door entrance as she thought.


“Anyone got anything in their car?”


Her implication, of course, is weaponry, something they can use to kill, to stun, to get done what they have to. And as luck would have it, it seemed everyone except her had actually come prepared. She watched with growing excitement as men pulled out guns and knives, crowbars and baseball bats, and when Joe handed her a bat herself, her smile grew.


“Great, eager beavers, aren’t you?”


She is met with appreciative laughter; some of the men are drunk or tipsy, and most are eager for her attention and approval. All are ready to commit violence.


“Just one thing,” she said, as they started around the windows, each taking a different window or door. “There’s three that are mine. I don’t know if there’s any other kids but you guys can’t have mine, okay? There’s one who’s nineteen, tall, thin, brown hair, blue eyes, a boy, that one’s mine. There’s a twelve year old girl, long brown hair, blue grey eyes, skinny, hardly any boobs yet, that one’s mine too. And the little one, six, curly blondish hair, blue eyes, mine too. Okay?”


It seemed okay to the others. So taking her stance at the window, Vicky swung her bat with all her might.
 
Rai was awoken by a loud smash and sat up straight away, gun out into her hands as she looked around for where the noise had come from. "Sh*t." She muttered, all reminiscences of sleep gone, Hunter had also sat up, his dog ears tuned in to everything and he moved to sit beside Rai, eyes focused on the window that Vicky was behind.


Rai looked to Grey and Summer, both having taken the first shift and being awake - Rai couldn't help being a light sleeper. "Did you hear where that came from?" She whispered, quietly enough for anyone on the outside not to hear as she lightly kicked her blanket off and stood up, gun clasped in her hands. Hunter growled lightly at the window Vicky had swung at, and Rai looked towards it, alert and ready. If an adult were to break through; she would be wasting no time in firing at the a-hole. She had no qualms with killing the adults, and no fear towards them either.


Hunter's ears folded back and he snarled lightly at the window with his teeth bared, being smart enough to not bark incase the evil behind the window was to leave. He could feel it, there was more than one being behind that window, and none of them were good. All evil spirits, like when his mistress's mum had locked him away, she smelt just like the people behind that window. Evil.


Hunter, like Rai, was ready to attack.


(Sorry, she's a light sleeper xD )
 
Edge, man, are you alive?!


Anthony had been pretty sure that checking emails had been the last thing on everybody else's mind, but he'd gone ahead and done it anyways. Will had accompanied him, sticking to the staying-together rule, and they had been within shouting distance of others. The futility of trying to use the internet had struck the boy; it was too open, too visible- and besides, adults ran these sites.


But Anthony had still wanted to check it. He'd be careful. There was no harm in looking. And besides, the few messages he'd received were heartwarming; you'd have thought teens would be too busy surviving to care about a nameless author from the 'net. It was nice.


Some of the messages were from friends. But he couldn't trust those either.


His responses were ambiguous. I'm alive, thanks for asking. Can't say much more. After a pause, Anthony would add dryly; I suppose that The Midway Trials is on indefinite hiatus now.


Some of them had been stupid enough to include their location. Or, if it was an adult laying a trap, smart enough. Communications were run by the enemy; that was a scary thought.


Will had just been closing blinds right then, having already scavenged around and finding nothing. Really, the only objects of interest were the computers and the other technology, and Anthony had had enough trouble getting onto one of them; Will was just glad for the little respite from barricading work. He wasn't the strongest guy ever, but he'd been helping,


and he'd only opted for hauling the gates over moving the bodies. Will was hesitant to call himself squeamish, but if others were willing to take care of bodies, he was fine with them doing it.


He looked over at his past roommate. "Done yet?"


Anthony grimaced at the screen. "I think so. Fictionpress is down."


"Fiction...press?"


"Eh..." Anthony looked up. "Yeah." The hum of the computer wound down as the boy turned it off. There were other things he could check on the internet, but he'd wasted enough time. Will's inquiry was as good of a reason to stop as any.


Will frowned a little at Anthony's response, but didn't respond. He led the way back to the rest of the group, their shoes squeaking quietly on the tile.


l-l-l-l-l-l-l


Much later, Will was resting on his back somewhere near the windows; his head rested on one of the precious pillows a teacher had kept in her room. He was staring balefully at the ceiling, hearing murmers of conversation from where others were deciding on watches. Jared and Gray, who'd taken charge during the day- impromptu leaders. Rai- she'd taken care of a man who'd burst into the cafeteria without a second thought, he'd heard. She was confident. Summer, who was a late arrival... She seemed mild-tempered.


And then there were the others. Max, who was around Leigh way too much. Kurt, with the bandaged arm and optimistic outlook.


Will listed off the rest of them. Julian, the cross-dressing boy. Mels and Angelina, who were young. Anthros, who was quiet. Anthony, even more so.


Reggie, for whom they'd been too late. Gabby, who'd been shot. Loyd, who'd been stabbed by his teacher. Ms. Ritch. Mr. Hamilton. Dad.


Will turned about and buried his face in the pillow.


Anthony, reminded by the emails, had been planning out a chapter he'd never written and probably never would- it was just to distract himself. It was so quiet at night; there was nothing to stop all the dead from haunting him. He'd handled their bodies, after all....


Both were asleep by the time the crash came. Only Anthony stirred at the sound.
 
It took a long time until they were done, but when Max could finally relax after the tedious amounts of cleaning and body dumping they had to do, he felt exhausted. It was a lot of work after all, and it didn’t help that Leigh was in his ear most of the time or dragging him somewhere else, others. They stuck close together, and when Jillian had spared him a glance Max had just sent an apologetic smile back. The boy was kind of hoping for some time away as well…


It wasn’t like he didn’t care for Leigh it was just sometimes he felt more like a toy then her actual boyfriend. In fact, he had even been shown off to a younger girl earlier today, making him blush a beet red in response. Now that they were finally readying themselves for sleep, he was dismayed when he realized they’d probably share the bed.


They hadn’t done that yet. What was he supposed to do? Did she expect something out of him…? As Maxwell seemed to run things through his mind, Jared called over the younger sister currently attached to him. The boy looked at the elder, a mixed look on his face until Jared explained to her that she wouldn’t be sleeping with him. Max let out a sigh, somewhat relieved, he now had the space he wanted and she wouldn’t blame him for asking.


As the brother and sister finished talking, Leigh started walking towards him and his lips tighten slightly until he saw what she was up to. Gladly leaning down to respond to the girl with a short but sweet kiss he let his hand trail down her back as she headed to the spot her brother directed her to. Finally able to get some rest, he chose a spot on the floor and lied down.


Usually he was one to sleep in just his boxers, but he could bet that it’d probably be very inappropriate here.


Jillian chooses a spot pretty close to his own and Max rolls over onto his elbow, scooting over so they were closer. He probably wanted to talk to him all day and Leigh was too busy pulling Max away from his new found friend. With a sigh, the brunette settled in, “Talk to you in the morning, Jillian” he mumbled as he finally fell into a slumber.


**


As the ruckus of the window breaking awoke some occupants of the room, Max stayed asleep despite the noise. The only difference from when he fell asleep was a loose arm draped around the occupant of the bed next to him.
 
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