Realistic or Modern The Dead Hills - IC

[Peacemaker .45]

As the battle raged on outside the Mountaintop’s bunker, it seemed all was doomed, and they needed to leave as soon as they possibly could. But the issue they found themselves in was how they could get out. They were surrounded, and there didn’t seem like it was a clear way out. This was, however, until Dutch showed up with a tank. Jennifer was surprised, to say the least. She didn’t expect Dutch in a tank to be their saving grace. But nonetheless, it was. Jennifer knee that she had to assume the gunner seat of the tank. Archie seemed to agree, asking for the keys to her truck.

“Here,” she said, throwing them to him.

Immediately after, Jennifer climbed on the tank, and through the door. “Dutch,” she yelled, “it’s me. I’ll be working the gun. Just drive us the hell out of here. This place is done.”

Jennifer pulled a .50 cal ammo can from inside the tank and attached it to the Browning M2 .50 BMG machine gun. Opening the cover, she took the .50 and loaded in into the gun, closing the cover and racking the bolt. The gun was ready to fire.

During Jennifer’s short tenure as the leader of the Mountaintop, she specifically asked how to use the tanks at the Mountaintop. Jennifer took time to learn how they worked in the case that she needed to be in one. They normally had a crew of four; there was a driver, a gunner, a commander, and a loader. Since it was just Jennifer and Dutch, Jennifer had to assume the position of gunner, commander, and loader. She tried to avoid using the main gun, as it was a more involved process to use. Manning the .50 on top was the best thing she could do now.

As the tank began to move, Jennifer looked around at the destruction at the Mountaintop. Buildings were either on fire, or so badly damaged that they were close to collapsing. Bodies lined the streets and paths, tinted read from blood. But people were still fighting at the Mountaintop. Though, it wasn’t seemingly for defending the Mountaintop, but for survival. They knew the Mountaintop was doomed.

Helios men were both outside the crippled walls and breaking through. The ones that were alive inside were fighting whoever was left defending. The ones outside were working more on crippling the walls to get everyone inside. Jennifer moves the gun towards an enemy she saw as Dutch drive the tank towards the gate. When there were Helios men, she fired the gun at them, killing them. Behind the tank was Archie in her truck. Jennifer continued to fire upon any enemies.

Once reaching the gate, Jennifer told Dutch to just go through it. The gate was weakened severely, and plowing the tank through it would force it to open, breaking any locks present. But doing this would ensure the Helios men getting into the Mountaintop easily, meaning anyone left inside would be left to their mercy, which most likely meant death. But at this point, it was about survival, and the Mountaintop was doomed. It was only a matter of time before Helios broke through. They had to survive, and so did whoever was left. They were leaving many people behind, but they had to.

They needed to survive.

The tank pushed the gate open, allowing her and Dutch in the tank, and the rest in her truck behind them, to escape. Flooring it, they went fast as they could, and they escaped the Mountaintop, getting away fast enough that Helios was unable to catch up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The frost on the ground made a crunch with every step she took. A small herd of wild elk were a small distance ahead of her. She had been stalking them in the early morning light.
When the herd settled in a small area to graze on any food they can, Jennifer crouched down, and aimed her rifle at the herd. She was determined to get as many as she could for everyone.

Ever since the Mountaintop fell about a week ago, supplies had been scarce. They were pampered with food everyday, so much so that they never went hungry, a luxury forgotten in this world. Basic things like food and clean water were scarce. They had to readjust to the lifestyle they had moved away from for awhile. It was now back to hunting and scavenging for any food they could so they could eat at least once a day. And, lucky for them, elk is one of the better meats out there to hunt. Elk had been reintroduced into the state a little while before the End. With little interference from humans like there was before, the small population blew up. No longer were the Rockies the place were elk lived in North America. Places east in the Appalachians, like West Virginia, now we’re home to them.

As the herd settled to graze, Jennifer observed every one of them. She tried to find the largest one that would yield the most meat for everyone. There were six mouths to feed, and the more meat the better. When she finally decided on the largest one in the herd, she lined her sights up on where the heart would be. As she began to hold her breath, her mind started to replay her confrontation with her father. She remembered the anger she felt when she finally was on top of her father, on control of the situation.

“No,” she said to herself quietly. She’d Lost concentration on the herd, her anger still churning deep inside.

But it played again. The silence and concentration only made her mind amplify it. She felt her anger growing more and more, mixed with many more emotions. She was having trouble keeping still, trouble focusing. She tried once again to alleviate the memories by focusing on the herd.

It did not work.

She felt the anger flow through her veins slowly, spreading throughout her body. Anger, mixed with bloodlust, was consuming her. The herd didn’t become food to her, but instead targets.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A calf was feeding next to their mother. It was early in the morning, and the calf stayed close to the mother. Members of the herd were around them. The calf’s mother began to walk away from the calf. At first, it didn’t notice. It was busy eating vegetation to notice. But when the calf looked to the side their mother was on, it began to panic. Frantically, the calf looked left and right through the herd for the mother. It saw every member but their mother. The young animal’s heart began to beat fast, a primitive sense of worry spreading through the neurons in the animal. It began to run around the herd, looking far and wide for the mother. It became desperate. The animal called out to its mother, the familiar sound of an elk piercing the air. Suddenly, from behind the calf, the mother appeared, nudging it as if to tell it that it was there, to worry no more. The calf was relieved when it saw its mother. It nudged her back, the comfort of the animal being next to its mother. It stuck to the mother, almost as if vowing to never lose sight of her again. The two began to happily graze on the vegetation nearby.

Then, the mother dropped down, its head bleeding profusely from a small hole.

The calf became frantic. It didn’t understand what happened to its mother. She was unresponsive, lying on the ground with blood shooting like a geyser. It began to run around to other members of the herd, seeking some sort of help. But one by one, the members started to flee as more dropped. Members ran for their lives, some falling from injury. The calf tried to run, but it didn’t want to leave its mother. It ran to its mother, remembering the vow to never leave her again, and began to nudge the animal with its snout. More members ran around the calf, some falling from some sort of injury.

Then the calf felt a sharp pain in its rear. It jumped, in excruciating pain. The young creature fell, the pain too much. It dragged its body over to the mother, laying against it, trying to get her to move. It nudged and nudged and nudged her, but she did not move. The calf didn’t understand why she didn’t move, why the herd ran, and why it was in so much pain.

The sound of some creature yelling from behind the calf caught its ear. It became fearful. A bipedal creature had walked from the brush, approaching it. It yelled and screamed, dropping to its knees, putting its head in their hands. It too fell to the ground. It pounded the ground, eventually yelling to the sky. The calf didn’t know what was said. It didn’t make sense to the animal. It was in pain and scared, and the only thing that made feel safe was not responding to it. The calf watched as the creature got up, grabbed and object, and surveyed the landscape. Several members of the heard laid motionless or struggling to move, fear evident in their faces. One by one, the creature walked up to the ones struggling to moved, and pointed the object at it. It made a cracking sound, a loud one. Each time it did, the member of the herd stopped moving. It walked closer and closer o the calf, the calf being fearful as it came near. It tried to get up and run, but it couldn’t. It’s hind legs didn’t work. There was much pain. As it tried to move, the creature moved to it.

The calf observed this creature. It looked like a tree, the things it wore matching the surroundings. It seemed to turn away when it saw the calf, making noises that it didn’t understand. It crouched down next to the calf, extending its hand out to it. It tried to move, but it couldn’t. It was in too much pain, and the world was starting to faze away, then come back, only to faze again and repeat the process. The creature began to make more odd noises, taking its hand and wiping its eyes. It then leaned in, petting its head. When it did this, it had a small weird object in its other hand. It came closer to the calf’s head, before it felt a cold, metallic thing pressed up against it. It wanted to move, it tried to, but it couldn’t. The pain was too much. The creature made sniffling noises between more inaudible noises it never heard. It looked it in the eyes, making one last noise, before everything went black, and it felt pain no more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jennifer returned to the house they stayed at with meat in her backpack. She continued to wipe tears from her face the entire way to the house. Her anger, her rage, her emotions made her fire indiscriminately into the herd. She hadn’t realized what she had done until she saw the gruesome scene when her emotions settled. She tried to erase the details, the memories from her mind. But the calf, up against its mother, a rear leg missing, scared beyond understanding-that one she couldn’t erase. She was a monster to it. She killed its mother, injured it. It was all because she became consumed by rage. She wanted to kill everything she could. Her mind was complete and utter turmoil. She had been finding herself losing control of her emotions. She was feeling a darkness she had just been able to not long ago free herself from. She had fought it off, but it was coming back. She began to slowly convince herself that this was who she was supposed to be, that she was supposed to embrace it. But another part of herself fought it. She was lost, hurt, with a new traumatic experience being added to her ever growing list of them. Jennifer was losing herself slowly. Being alone only made it worse. If she falls like she did before, this time will be even worse.

Once she was inside, she began to prepare food. The sun was creeping into the house, indicating it might have just turned 7 in the morning. Jennifer was hoping to fully prepare all food soon, making it from everyone to eat. But she didn’t want to interact with anyone. She just wanted to be alone, although it was the worst thing she could do for herself. But for now, she didn’t focus on that. Instead, she focused on preparing the meat to be cooked. Simultaneously, she tried to erase imagines from her mind. But at this moment, all she could think about was that calf’s eyes and her father. Her mind was a complete and utter hell.

Rui Rumble Fish idalie

 

[Rumble Fish]

Milly McDonald
Milly could feel the back of her neck burning from the sun as she struggled to keep upright, the weight of the corn dragging her down. Her knees shook with every added weight and she felt like she was about to pass out. The two others who were helping in the field did not seem to have any problems, but they were strong men. She could see the woman she was working with, a lady called Jessie pick another corn stalk from the ground. Milly was already carrying at least twice her bodyweight in stalks and she simply could not carry any more.

“N-N-No, please!” she squeaked, her words being instantly ignored as she felt more weight be added. Jessie just growled and shook her head.

“You stop moaning or Butch will have both of our heads.” She grumbled. Milly did not answer and just looked around. She just wanted to be back indoors. It was not safe out here. There were monsters and bad people everywhere. These people were bad. Milly had asked, almost begged her mother for them to leave this place. But they hadn’t. At least, she would ask her mother on the rarity she saw her. They had been inseparable for so long but now, they were kept apart. Butch said something about toughening her up… but all it did was make it worse. Eleanor had other work, but whenever they did meet again she was… dismissive and mean. It worried Milly, had she done something wrong? She would not tell her what.

“Come on, cripple we haven’t got all year!” Jessie snarled, jumping Milly back into the present. The group was beginning to move back towards camp without her. Milly gulped and started walking. Her back hurt and she could not straighten her legs. But she had to keep up…

It was getting dark as they got closer to camp. Milly was never sure why the fields were as far away as they were but when she questioned Butch about it, he gave her the scar that was on her forehead. She could not tell if it was actually as dark as she thought it was or it was just her sight, or lack of it. Butch had taken her glasses from her. Again; toughening her up.

As she took a step forward, Milly suddenly felt her feet give up underneath her, causing her to land hard on her front. Milly let out a squeal as she felt pain rush through all of her joints. She could not stop herself from crying as she tried to get up.
“Mum…” she squeaked, just managing to sit up. Hearing her, Jessie turned around.

“I won’t tell you again, kid hurry-!” She turned to see Milly struggling to get up under the weight. The hard woman’s face softened a little, “It… it’s okay…” she took some of the stalks, adding it to her load.

“I want my mum.” Milly whimpered. Jessie looked down at her with a gentler expression.

“I know… come on, I’ll sneak you an extra portion.” She helped Milly up. She was unsure how to feel about that. She had barely eaten in the last fortnight. Butch had this mentality of “You want to eat, then you work” something that was becoming more and more difficult for Milly. They had to leave behind all of her medication at the initial days of the End and the hard labour with little food was rapidly weakening her. With the weight taken off, Milly was able to stand up fully. She looked at the taller woman, giving her a small, timid smile.

Suddenly, Jessie’s expression turned from one of compassion to one of fear, “Milly! RUN!” she screamed as she raised her hunting shotgun, firing two shots past her. Milly yelped and turned around, to see a group of monsters, all snarling as they rushed towards the pair of them. Milly screamed as she tried to run away, causing one of the monsters to look at herm Jessie turned and fired at her, but just as she shot, the woman let out a howl of agony as one of them had lunged behind her, sinking its rotting teeth into her neck, blood gushing like a hose. Milly froze in place, Jessie tried to fight it off, but was brought to her knees. Blood foamed from her mouth as she looked at Milly again.

“Ru…RUN!” she gurgled out before she was overwhelmed. Milly wanted to obey, but she was stuck… they tore her open, pulling out her intestines like string. The only comfort was that Jessie was already dead. It had been quick. Before she could run, she heard more gunshots. Milly jumped onto the ground as she heard heavy footsteps running towards her. There was an awful ringing in her ears from the gunfire and she covered her eyes.

When it finally subsided, she looked up. Among the group was Eleanor, brandishing a shotgun. The woman looked down with a harsh glare. But upon seeing her daughter on the ground, she dropped the weapon and stooped down.

“Milly!” she squeaked, her voice wavering in fear as she pulled the crying teen close to her, letting her wrap her arms around her, “It’s okay, its okay, they’re dead… they’re dead.”

“WHAT HAPPENED?!” A roar caused Milly to jump out of her skin as she turned to see Butch standing above her. He was a tall and muscular man. Made of steel. His stormy black hair fell to his shoulders and his face was obscured by his beard. He was staring down at the younger girl.

“Th-the monsters they… she tried to help me-!”

“…I’ve had it!” and with that, he threw one of her bear-paw like hands down, grabbing Milly by her hair, pulling her towards the camp. Milly could only whimper in agony, too weak to fight back…
-
Milly shook terribly as she looked around. It was dark now, Butch stood a few feet from her, surrounded by the rest of the camp’s people. She was on the ground, tethered by her ankle to the ground. She could not get up. Butch was pacing back and forth, holding a pipe in one hand. At the side, she could see Eleanor. She just… stood there. Why wasn’t she doing anything? Milly reached out towards her mother, only for it to be harshly hit by the pipe. Milly yowled and clutched her wrist.

“I take you in.” Butch snarled, spit landing on his beard, “I ask you to work for me. You could not do that. I ask you to get food and you killed one of my women!”

“I-I-I did-didn’t!”

“You caused this! You’re a weakling and I should just kill you myself!”

“I didn’t do anything-!”

“Exactly! You’re pathetic!”

“She tried to help me-!”

“If Jessica had any fucking brains she would have let you get eaten! It would not have been a loss.”

The man glared at the younger girl, “…You have ten minutes to get your things and get the fuck out of my camp.”

“What-no-!”

“Or I’ll blow your fucking head off.” He spoke softly, but his eyes blazed with fury. Everyone surrounding started muttering to each other. As they did, Milly suddenly saw her mother step into the ring, in front of Butch.

“No! You cannot do that!” she stood in front of the man, “Please… I’ll do anything!” she added, her voice wavering a little. Dutch simply stared at her with a hard look. Without a word, he frowned and put the pipe in the woman’s hand.

“You both want to stay?” he hissed, “…teach her a lesson.”

Milly felt her stomach drop as Eleanor looked at her, then back at Butch. Milly shrank back with a whimper, tears falling.

“No… mummy please!” she begged, Eleanor kept silent. Her grip on the pole tightened. She seemed to be having an internal struggle within herself. She was actually considering it. The thought of being beaten by her own mother was too much for Milly to comprehend, dropping her head, she couldn’t stop herself from crying. After a moment, Eleanor growled and threw the pipe down. Milly looked up at her. She was hoping the woman would come over and hug her but… she didn’t. She looked angry.

“…Weaklings. Both of you. Fucking typical of women.” With that, Butch grabbed the weapon himself, marching towards Milly. Milly squeaked and tried to back away but was held by the tether around her ankle. She glanced upward, seeing that there was a full moon, surrounded by stars. Grabbing her chin, Butch forced her to look him in the face.

“The next time somebody you love dies… or leaves you… just remember,” He snarled, so close she could smell his breath, “It is YOUR fault!” And he raised the pole high, bringing it down hard on Milly’s back. With a scream, Milly fell onto the ground, pain rushing through her body. Before she could get up, a second blow came. And another. And another. And another. It kept coming. It was the worst pain Milly had ever been through. She howled for him to stop but he wouldn’t. Looking to the side, she saw her mother standing there. Why was she letting this happen?

“Mama-!” she squeaked, only to get kicked in the stomach and the beating continued. Milly did not know how long it lasted, but it felt like a lifetime. It was awful. She had never experienced pain like this before. The crowd simply watched, alongside her mother. Milly could only lie there and wait for it to be over…

A long time later, Milly squealed as she was harshly thrown on the ground, her bag following her. Eleanor was standing next to her, but did not help her up. Shaking, she looked at Butch, as he aimed his shotgun at her face.
“Like I said… ten minutes…” he growled as he loaded his gun, “And if I ever see you again…” he suddenly fired a shot into the air, making Milly shrink in fright. Eleanor grabbed their bags and simply began to walk away. Milly tried to get up, but everything hurt. She was cut, bruised, bloody and all of her joints hurt. Any attempt to get up caused her to fall back down.

“Mum!” she whimpered, “Help me!” The woman turned around with a glazed and deadpan look.

“You’re seventeen, Milly. You can walk.” She retorted bluntly, before continuing to walk. Fearing separation from her mother, Milly tried to get up again but couldn’t. Several attempts ended in failure. Eleanor was getting further and further away. Why was she not helping here? She promised she’d always be there! As she tried to get up, she noticed that clouds were forming and snowflakes started to drift from the sky.

“FUCKING GO!” Butch roared like a madman. Milly turned to see him pointing the gun right at her.

“No! Please!”

*BANG!*

Milly squeaked as she woke up, her heart racing and sweating profusely. It took her several seconds to realise where she was. She was still in the house they had found, lying on the ground under a blanket and clinging to her teddy. Norris was resting close to her, her beak tucked into her chest. Milly sniffed and sat up. Her joints and knees hurt making her whimper. She was very cold, despite the blanket and hungry. It had been a week since she woke up in that tank, frightened and believing she had been separated from her friends. She still could not speak… she did not know why.

She saw Jennifer as she arrived back from her hunt, dragging an elk with her. Milly turned away worryingly. Jennifer had been… scary. She was quiet, did not talk to them and seemed… angry. Milly was scared to approach her. In fact, she was scared to leave the house. She had not left this corner all week. She did not want to be outside. There might have been monsters, or Helios men or more dangerous things that could hurt them. She wanted to stay inside, despite the cold. It scared too much. She could not stop thinking about the memories she had just had. It took a long time for her bruises and cuts to heal, causing her to have scars all over her body. She hadn't let anyone see them, even Archie. She was just relieved that they were all okay. As okay as they could be.

Watching Jennifer with the elk, Milly shuddered a little and looked away. She hated meat. She had been a vegetarian her whole life. Her sensitive stomach could not handle it. She had been grazing on this one tube of smarties for the week, desperately trying to ignore her hunger. She did not want meat. It would just make her sick… but what choice would she have?

With a worried squeak, she stood up. She wanted to approach Jennifer, but without her ability to speak, she did not know what to do. She just sat in the corner, silent and clinging to her teddy bear. It was all she had left of her old life. An old life she wanted back. She just wanted to go home…

Zelda Williams
Zelda had not slept the night before. She spent that whole night pacing. Cursed insomnia. She had her flask in hand, taking occasional sips from it. She simply could not wrap her head around what had happened at the Mountaintop. Mack was dead, she knew that. She had been around enough people like Jennifer to see the signs. She never approached the woman about it. It was not the time. Besides, she had her own problems.

She just could not get over losing those patients. And what saving Mack's life had done. What would have happened if she hadnt? Would the Mountaintop still be there? Would they still have been attacked? God knows. She sighed and took another long sip. She had to think of something to take her mind off of what happened.

Looking through her bag, she saw Jennifer's medication. The woman had to take them. Measuring them out, she went to Jennifer in the old house's kitchen, where she was busy cooking an elk. Not wanting to disturb the woman, she simply left her medication on the table for her to take before grabbing her jacket and going outside.

God she'd kill for a cigarette... The cold air nipped her cheeks as she simply looked out across the land. Forests. Trees. Mountains. If they weren't cold and starving she might have appreciated it. At least this elk should help them and it seemed that snow was on its way. That would take care of water. Zelda sighed heavily as she simply watched out. What now...? She had already made an attempt to leave, but of course, Archie did not allow it. That man was relentless. Why couldn't he just let her leave? It was better for them if she did. What good was she to them anyway? She was going to cause the death of them... with a sigh she sat down in the frost, sipping from her flask. Zelda had hidden that bag that she had hidden the booze she stole from the Mountaintop. When that ran out, God knows what she was going to do...

Dutch Malloy
Dutch breathed as he saw his breath in the air. It was quiet... very quiet. He had gotten up before daylight for a walk around the area, holding his AK74 of course. He wanted to get outside and to clear his head but also, he just wanted to check the area; make sure they were safe. This high up, they were but he had to be sure. Knowing it was clear, he was on his way back. He was wearing his trench coat and cowboy-ish hat. It was that or go cold in his usual wear.

As he walked to the house, he noticed Domino grazing outside. The clever mare had found her way here after they had been seperated. Unlike them, she would have no trouble with the cold or food. Her winter coat was coming through and the grass was everywhere. Horses were very resiliant to this kind of thing. Watching her graze, Dutch looked inside the house, seeing Jennifer inside with a kill. He was worried about the woman badly. She was clearly disturbed and stressed out. She needed some kind of relief.

Walking inside, he walked to Jennifer. Sitting down, he gave her a quiet look.

"Y'know... Ya'll have been busy this week. Workin' hard. Helpin' us." he sighed as he looked outside to see Domino, "Hey... my offer still stands. Here's an idea. I'll deal with this big ol' elk. If ya want, ye can take Domino for a trek. It's a clear day. Let you clear your mind, huh?" he spoke in a quiet and sympathetic tone. He did not want to offend or upset the woman, but she needed some kind of relief. It was not good for her to be isolating herself. At least with a horse, she could tell Dom anything and the mare would not judge. He looked to Domino's saddle and bridle that had been set to the side under a towel to protect it from dust.

"Just give the word and I'll call her over and tack her up. I'll keep yer food warm." he gave her a soft look. He wished he could have done more...
idalie Peacemaker .45 Rui ​

 

[idalie]

ARCHIE "THE SCOTSMAN" MCKEEGAN​

It'd been a week. A week since the mountaintop fell. McKeegan had all but lost concept of this, between fighting to keep Zelda on the team, warily watching out for Jennifer and having his eye on Milly's whereabouts. Dutch could handle himself, Rin, on the other hand, he didn't know how was faring. He'd offered as much friendliness as he could considering the rather tense nature of the survivors. For the first few days, he remained at Milly's side but the changing weather pushed him to leave the house for a few hours and progressed into a form of therapy to breathe fresh air and simply -- think. Of the good, the bad, and the nightmares that would haunt him. Even more so now. Nobody seemed to get a wink of rest in the creaking, decomposing shell of a former home.

He began gathering firewood as a self-imposed chore, setting the kindling and tinder in the fireplace at the heart of the house to burn come evening. He'd use the dead trees, branches fallen, cut them into smaller pieces or use the already dried, culled trunks of the previous year. Home to hibernating newts and frogs he'd have to jostle out. Returning home after one of these firewood runs, Archie's arms were full with piled fuel, walking up to the porch where Zed sat. The doctor looking thoroughly down on her luck, causing the Scotsman to put the mass of wood down and brush his palms on his jeans. He sat beside her, groaning a little from being on his feet since dawn. After losing his last coat and having nothing but a flannel shirt, as warm as it was, he'd adopted yet another item of clothing. A sleeveless, dark green puffer jacket (motheaten and torn in places) and a black beanie that covered the tips of his ears.

With a ruddy nose, Archie sniffed. "How're you holding up?" He cocked his brow, rubbing his fingers together before pulling out a half crumpled carton of cigarettes. It was his bad habit. Everyone had one. Something he tried his best to hide from Milly, not wanting to influence her and never letting himself fall victim to it in her presence. Less she ever copy him. However, the girl wasn't stupid. He knew might as well suspect it, when coming home from his walks and smelling of fresh tobacco. Lighting up, he cupped his hands around the precious lighter flame, taking a long drag. He offered it haphazardly, "Milly ain't spoken since we got here. Been tryin' to get her to eat, but I know she isn't. Has this -- little box of Smarties, you know 'em?" He wiped his upper lip and dragged the palm over his chin. "I dunno if she'll handle meat too well. Never liked it."

It was the only conversation he had. A voice for concerns, and the ability to receive that of others.

Rumble Fish Peacemaker .45 Rui

 

[Rui]

RIN:
He was sitting beside her, watching her in the dark. She knew he was there by his raspy, heaving breathing, and the smell of bourbon that overpowered her sense of smell, and every prayer candle she could light.

He came every night when he was in town. He always asked to stay with her and mother. Mother never questioned it, and was all too happy to allow it. Rin was quiet.

She knew mother wanted grandfather’s love.
She wanted to vomit upon seeing his car in the drive.

So there he sat, in the rocking chair in the corner of her tiny bedroom, as he had since she was eight. She felt hot tears slide down her cheeks, knowing after all this time there was no point in sobbing; it only egged him on.
The rocking chair creaked as it’s occuptant stood, and the carpet made a soft kind of ‘whoosh’ as his feet shuffled over it, towards her, to her bed.

Whoosh.

Whoosh.

Whoosh.

Rin awoke in a thin sheen of sweat, looking around the room frantically in case of any lingering letcherous grandfathers. None were to be found, and she sagged back against the headboard in relief.
It was a nightmare...only a nightmare.
Rin curled her legs into her chest, her chin resting atop her tiny knees.
She felt so small, so useless...it had been seven days or so since the fall of the camp, and she still hadn’t made any headway on her mother’s whereabouts. Honestly, she was too scared to ask. These strangers were violent, disorganized, wild. The doctor..medic...surgeon? Whatever she was, she was drunk, the girl was mute, and the lumberjack was huge, albeit very kind. The country boy seemed to be hot for the soldier girl, who wasn’t exactly sociable. She and lumberjack seemed not to be on the best of terms. She prayed they’d resolve their issues.
Rin prayed a lot, now. Honestly about as much as she did in school, where prayer was a class, but now it wasn’t over trivial matters like boy troubles, bullies, being short on money, needing homework help, getting that job; it was life or death, needing courage, needing the strength to keep going, keep among the living.

Rin didn’t know yet if she had that strength.

So, she knelt at the end of the bed and began her prayers again.

Dear Lord,
I pray you make the bad dreams go away.
Please let me forget...
Rumble Fish Peacemaker .45 idalie
​

 

[Peacemaker .45]

With each cut she made, Jennifer made sure to look for parasites or any sort of indication that the meat wasn’t good for human consumption. It was common in game meat to find parasites in the meat. Normally, thorough cooking of said meat would kill whatever parasites were in the meat. In the Rocky Mountains, elk were frequently hunted. Their meat often was found with small white balls. When Jennifer heard about this long ago, she was disgusted to find out that they were tapeworm larva cysts. The thought of eating meat with that in it, even if throughly cooked, was a repulsive idea. She didn’t like to waste the meat she harvested, but she couldn’t imagine eating meat that contained parasites like tapeworms in them, even if they were dead. Yet, years later, Jennifer found herself in a situation where she had to eat meat with it. She’d starve otherwise, and so would the members of her group. Though she would cook the meat thoroughly, she still tried to get out as much of the larva cysts as she could. They came out easily enough with a knife. Jennifer, however, decided to conceal this information from the group. If any were finicky about eating the meat, as Milly seemed to be since she never ate meat, the less gross things they know about it, the better.

As the brunette carefully cut the meat, she heard footsteps walk towards her, followed by the creaking of a wooden chair. Jennifer pretended as if no one were there. Ignoring people had been a skill she learned the first time she danced with darkness. Judging by the footsteps, it had to have been Archie or Dutch. The sound of each step was too heavy to be be a female. This was confirmed by the voice, that of Dutch. She listened to him, and his proposition. But she were no mood for such a thing, at least not now.

“I’d love to, Dutch,” she responded, eyes still glued to the meat, “but I’ll have to take you up on that at another time. I’m best if I’m right here, doing what I am right now.”

The girl didn’t want to talk. She wanted to do her job, and be left alone. But this was, and she knew this, the worst thing for her. She’d let the darkness surround her before, ands he knows what it had done to her. She remembers killing those two people for nothing more than bloodlust, the high of taking lives, when she were on a scavenging mission with Austin. This resulted in her accidentally shooting him when he lunged at her when she tried to take her life. It was an awful feeling to be consumed
by this dark entity. Jennifer knew this. But as awful as it were, it was twice as seductive. It pulls one in and surrounds them, promising power like none before.

“You might be better getting Milly around Domino. The girl’s been silent for a week now. She needs it more than I do. I’m fine. I’m 24 years old, I can handle myself. Milly? Not so much. She need it, not me.”

Jennifer was really just trying to get him away from her. She didn’t want to talk. She just wanted to be alone. She didn’t know how persistent he might be. She just wanted to be left alone, in a room or outside. This was the darkness talking, as it seducing her yet again. But only God knew how much worse it would be.

Rumble Fish idalie Rui

 

[Rumble Fish]

Dutch Malloy
Dutch's brows furrowed at the woman's rejection. It was so blunt. With a deep sigh, he put his hand over his eyes, shaking his head a little. He hoped she wouldn't have rejected his offer but what else did he expect? He opened his mouth again but before he could speak, she talked about how Milly would be a better candidate for taking Domino out. This made the man frown more.

"With all do respect, I tried. Milly won't go outside. You need it more than she does. She has not gone through what you have. Think I don't know what you're doing, Jennifer?" he said in a tone that remained stern yet had the air of compassion, "I've seen this before. Believe me. Isolating yourself will make it worse, and you know it. I can't force you to do anything. But just... Be careful, kay?" he shook his head with a frustrated sigh as he picked up Domino's saddle and bridle, "I'll take her myself."

As he got to the door, he turned to look at the woman again, "Don't leave me any. I'll find my own." he shut the door, trying his hardest to not slam it. He had to leave before he got angry. Tacking Domino up, he grumbled to himself in frustration before swinging into the saddle, armed with his AK47. As he rode Domino around the front, he spotted both Zelda and Archie sitting on the porch.

"I'm off huntin'." He grumbled to them before clicking Domino into a lope, down the hill and away from the house into the woods. He could not even enjoy the motion of the lope or the wind in his face. His frustration ran too deep.

"Fucking stubborn woman..." he growled, to which Dom flickered her ears as if listening to his gripes, "When are people going to fucking learn to accept fucking help when they fucking know they fucking need it?!" he kicked Dom hard in the ribs with every profanity, causing the mare to surge into a gallop.

Dutch tried to suppress the thoughts that were rising back up in his mind. What he said to the woman was true. He had lost friends, people close to him because of their demons. One of which still haunted him today. His name was Charlie and he had fought alongside Dutch. The fighting had messed him up so badly. But just like Jennifer, rather than seek help, he shut himself up. Snapped at anyone who tried to help, and his final encounter with Charlie resulted in having a glock pointed at him, his former friend screaming how he would blow Dutch's head off if he saw him again. Two days later... he turned on the TV to find the news that there had been an attempted shooting in a mall. The police had shot and killed the shooter before he killed anyone.

Charlie.

Dutch sighed and put his hand to his face. Slowing Domino to a halt, he jumped off and sat on the ground, his breathing shallow and rushed. No... No he couldnt let that happen again! If he had just been stubborn and forced him to get help, or fight against him... He didn't want to cry. But he had to. Keeping his head low, the tears ran into his beard and onto the frost. If anyone should have died that way, it should have been him. And thinking back, maybe if he hadn't been seperated from the group, and had gone with Jennifer to help her rather than go on his own... he could have done something to spare her the pain of whatever happened.

Feeling something velvety and hot push itself under his arm, Dutch looked up to see the big and brown eyes of his mare looking down at him. Her body was still, her ears were to the side and she was breathing slowly and heavily. With a shaky sigh, he put his forehead against hers, his hands over the sides of her face, letting the fur run through his fingers as he felt the mare breath into his chest. She let out a quiet chuff, as if to say "There there." This was after he had kicked her in the ribs.

"It's okay, Dom... I'm sorry." he sighed, his eyes still shut, "Dad's just... worried." With that, the mare huffed as she raised her head up, looking at him, "I dunno what happened but... I can't let what happened to Charlie happen to her. But... I dunno how..." Domino simply blinked, her breath being visible in the air. Her ears flickered, as if encouraging him to continue.

"I just... Just don't know what to do. She'll hurt herself or someone else if nothing happens..." he huffed as he stood up. Domino smacked her lips and swished her tail as if encouraging him to mount so they could continue their hunt.

"I'll think of something, Domino. Come hell or high water, I will do something," he growled, getting back onto the horse. This was less of a growl of frustration as it had been, but one of determination. He clicked the mare into a jog, "C'mon. Saw some rabbits 'ere yesterday. Least we can catch our own food. Ease the burden." he sighed. He was glad to have taken Domino out himself. He needed the therapy.

Zelda Williams
Zelda did not react to Archie sitting next to her until he had spoken. She just drank from her flask. As he asked her how she was holding up, the woman sighed and looked at the ground as she pulled her cap lower over her eyes.

"Hm...Can't really say anything. Not with..." she moved her head to gesture to the house, where she had seen Jennifer, "...Not my place."

She did not feel right, talking about her own feelings while Jen was obviously suffering. It just felt wrong. But Zelda was still reeling from the shock of what had happened. There had not been any closure with Archie, on what they had been talking about before things went belly up at the Mountaintop. And then losing those patients... it just hurt her too badly. She wanted to talk to him, but couldnt.

Drinking more, she looked at Archie as he lit a cigarette. She had not seen him smoke in a long time. As he offered her a drag, she took it from him and inhaled deeply. Now that was two things he could hold against her. She listened to him as he lamented about Milly, how she was still not speaking.

"It's shock." she responded bluntly, "You said she saw a man with no jaw who lunged at her. That and all the fighting... that did it." she explained. She was not an expert in psychology but it was a plausible theory, "as for the meat... well. She hasn't got a choice." she said with a huff. She knew Milly was not going to react well to eating meat but it was that or starve. The younger girl was skin and bones.

"...She wont survive the winter if she doesn't eat. We'll need to think of something." she added, taking another sip from her flask. This was going to be a grim winter.

"Just wish there was something I could do..." she mumbled, still watching the landscape, "...Other than be worthless."

Milly McDonald
Milly stayed still as she listened to Dutch and Jennifer talk. When Dutch left, Milly stood up, still holding her bear and wrapped in her blanket. She wished she could have said something to comfort Jennifer but... she was scared to. Milly walked past her gently and looked outside as Dutch rode away, Archie and Zelda sitting outside, talking. She sat at the edge of the door but no further. She did not want to go outside. She was frightened to. But... she wanted to be with Archie. She shuffled a little bit further but that was it. Norris on the other hand, seemed eager to go out as the hen hopped eagerly outside to play in the frost. She fell forward into the frost, sneezing as it got in her nostrils.

Milly giggled a little at the hen's antics but stopped as she felt and heard her stomach rumble. Putting an arm around it, she got her box of smarties out... only to find none left. Upset, she sniffed and threw the box onto the frost. She did not want to eat elk! But... she did not have a choice. It was going to make her sick but it was that or nothing. Tearing up a little, she looked out towards Archie and let out a couple of squeaks, hoping he would come over and give her a hug. She did not want to go outside.
Rui idalie Peacemaker .45 ​

 

[idalie]

ARCHIE "THE SCOTSMAN" MCKEEGAN​

He gave a feeble smile to Zelda, reaching out to squeeze her knee in his supportive fashion. "I'll get 'round to talkin' to Jen, see if I can't help put it to rest. I know what happened back at ... well, I know it hurt everyone in all kinds of ways, aye?" McKeegan accepted his ciggie back, inhaling the nicotine in a sharp, sudden glow of hot amber. "It's gonna be alright, Lilypad. We'll be alright." He murmured it towards the end, perhaps more in aim at himself than anyone else. This wasn't what the world was supposed to come to, after all. Not in their dreams of happy marriages, playful children, long and successful futures they'd planned since childhood. Whilst some had already started to go awry in the beginning, it had fallen apart beyond return.

His gaze followed her, speaking of Milly's lack of speech. Shock. He knew it had to do with something which went down but to hear it so bluntly reaffirmed his suspicions. At least she wasn't ill, no, she'd been spared from anything too serious. "I know she hasn't got a choice," Archie sighed, resting his forehead on a palm. "But I'm scared she'll stop eatin', get sick, somethin' worse." The Scotsman divulged. "She's my little 'un, without her ... I'd be lost. I know I would be Zed. She's a daughter to me. Sometimes I wish she knew how much I love her. I don't know if words can show how much I do." He gave a slightly wider smile, "'Cause I know if I can make her smile then this bullshit existence is worth it. If I can make her comfortable, safe ... I got somethin' to live for."

McKeegan looked down at the smouldering cigarette butt between his fingers. "You know I'd put down my life for this group? Any of ye. Even Jenny." A silence punctuated the gravity of his statement, if not interrupted by the audible squeaks from behind him. Arch craned to look over his shoulder and suddenly the morose expression of thought and emotional vulnerability vanished into a smile, causing his crows feet to bunch at the corners of his eyes. "Aye, look at what the cat dragged in," He surreptitiously chucked the cig, or what was left of it, and reached out to give Milly a gentle pinch on the cheek. Drawing his feet up to move back and lift her up from the threshold of the door into his lap. One palm on her head in a securing fashion. "There we are, get some fresh air into those lungs, hm? A flush on the cheeks?" The woodsman drew the blanket further around his smaller counterpart.

Curling around Milly, he hunched down and put his chin over her head. "You know, if ye check in my pocket, I might've found somethin' for you. Now, I didn't find any smarties, love, but its better than nothin'. You can't live on chocolate, silly little bird."

Peacemaker .45 Rumble Fish Rui

 

[Rui]

RIN:
When her prayer was through, Rin rose and dressed properly. She wore a knee length brown skirt, tights, a thick sweater, and a cream colored blouse. She wore a pair of basic brown boots, and wrestled her dirty blonde waves into two pigtails using some twine she’d found in a dresser drawer. She tenderly held the silver crucifix she had affixed to a chain upon her neck, feeling it gently in her palm.

Time to go outside.

She grabbed a small basket by the door, and some small shears to go along with it. Milly, the small girl, hadn’t spoken since then fallout at the camp. Rin recalled when her mother took her out to a wildflower field by Venice Beach after a rough day at school, and the two picked flowers for bouquets to go in the main hall at church. It had lifted her spirits exponentially, and she supposed Milly might enjoy it as well.

Rin stepped onto the porch, and nodded to Archie and Zelda.

“Milly,” she said softly, “I was going to pick holly and maybe flowers nearby...I thought you may like to come?” She smiled, the genuiness of her affection showing through her big brown eyes, “Maybe we’ll see some bunnies if we’re quick enough. They don’t come out once the sun gets low.”

She offered her hand to the little girl, and looked to Archie for approval. She knew that the small girl meant more to him than anything; it was apparent in his gaze. They could be related, but their appearances suggested otherwise. She guessed he had found her, maybe raised her, however due to her small stature, her age was hard to guess. Nonetheless, she knew Milly would go nowhere without the scotsman’s consent.

“I promise I’ll take good care of her...and we’ll only be out for a bit.”

Rin felt like a child again, asking her mother’s permission to go out and play. In her neighborhood, it was all too often a no. The irony was not lost on her that in the world as it was, she was somewhat safer than she had been in her own home, on her own porch.

Funny how things changed.

Rumble Fish idalie Peacemaker .45

 

[Rumble Fish]

Zelda Williams
Zelda kept staring out as she drank from her flask. She listened to Archie speak about his worries about Milly; and the rest of them. She let out a gentle sigh. "Well... lets hope so. Just feel like everything is going to go wrong... because it has been." she admitted. Nothing was going to change. It would only get worse. But she could not tell Archie this. He would not believe her and would tell her to think differently. She simply couldn't.

When Archie started talking about how he felt about Milly, Zelda listened to him silently. She smiled slightly when he called her his 'daughter' but her smile then faltered as it made her think about Jason. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, "Jason would have loved this... without those undead fuckers of course. Woods, hills, snow coming... a horse. He wanted to learn how to hunt. I remember teaching him how to fish.... he would have jumped at the chance of hunting with Dutch..." she faltered as she felt her voice go shaky. Dammit... She turned away, trying to hide her face from Archie. No, she could not act like this. Not now. She had to keep it to herself.

Milly McDonald
Milly squeaked slightly as she felt Archie pick her up, though when he took her further outside, she did squirm a little. She really did not want to go outside, but being wrapped in Archie's protective grip did soothe her a little. She sighed and put her head against his chest. It was still cold and she was shivering but being held by Archie helped. But as she snuggled into him, her stomach rumbled again which made her sigh deeply and sadly. She slumped a bit in Archie's grip. She was hungry, and she knew that but she was still seriously dreading having to eat elk meat. Whimpering a little, she rubbed her stomach in an attempt to soothe its discomfort. When Archie mentioned that something might be in his pocket, she looked at him for a second. He mentioned how she could not live on chocolate. She wished she could...

As she went to reach into his pocket, she heard Rin suddenly speak up on her blind side which made her jump and grip onto Archie tighter as she turned herself around to see her. Approaching the younger girl on her blind side always scared her. The young woman asked her if she wanted to join her in picking flowers. She looked towards the woods, her brow furrowing a little. She really did not know if she wanted to. It would be rather frightening. She looked at Rin as she then spoke to Archie, assuring they would be okay. She looked towards the man, who she pretty much considered her father, wanting to know what he thought first. While she was extremely anxious, the thought of seeing rabbits was enticing. Being a general animal lover; how could she resist? With a quiet squeak, she blinked a few times, waiting for his response. Zelda watched this all happening and just sighed before drinking from her flask. She could only think about Jason. Nothing could change that. A few tears made their way down her cheeks but she did not show any other expression. She was the oldest out of the group, why the hell was she the one crying? She hadn't even been as badly hurt as them. Selfish as always...
Rui idalie Peacemaker .45 ​

 

[idalie]

ARCHIE "THE SCOTSMAN" MCKEEGAN​

Archie paused as Rin interrupted, gazing at the girl with uncertainty and then again at Milly, "I don't --" He began, hearing the small squeak given from his younger counterpart stopping him in his tracks. "Well ..." McKeegan knew she'd been cooped up and even back at the Mountaintop, Milly hadn't bonded with any other girls around her own age. She'd helped him occasionally with the younger group but the psychological regression she exhibited had only gotten worse. She wouldn't speak now. If anything, Rin could prove herself someone for Milly to bond with, talk to in confidence, he knew some topics were better discussed amongst women. Not that Zelda was in any place to be doing that. "Alright, but don't go too far, wrap up warm and come straight back at the first sign of danger." The lumberjack lectured, digging into his pocket for a penknife and the small packet of crackers.

McKeegan put the knife in Milly's hand, food in the other. "If any of the shufflers get too close, go for the eyes. Don't hesitate. And as I said, don't spend too long. If it hits sunset and you're not back, I'll come lookin'." Archie kissed her forehead hard, unzipping his puffer jacket and wrapping the overly large coat about her tiny frame. The blanket still underneath, tugged up around her to act as padding. "We'll get you a winter coat when we can, mittens too. The whole shebang, aye?" He even removed his beanie, dragging it over her hair to keep her ears warm. A little too big for her head. "Now, as I said, ye better come back without a scratch or there'll be hell to pay." That comment, on the other hand, was directed further toward Rin than it was Milly. The Labourer's eyes bore into her standing frame, "I'll stay warm. Been out workin'. So you have fun, but just ... stay alert."

He reluctantly released her into the care of Katherine, glancing now toward Zelda and her flask. The tears, fresh fallen. McKeegan gave a gentle shoo, putting his hand on the Doctor's knee before offering her a silent, albeit understanding look. Sincere in it's feeling, but it kept a certain peace as his numb fingers reached for the second to last cigarette. It'd be a long winter. He could feel it in his bones like his grandfather would say, puffing on ciggies to spin a tale about his time in the war or what would happen to wee little boys who didn't behave. Soon that'd be him, in the rocking chair, or perhaps six feet deep before he could reach it.

PRZEMYSŁAW "TESLA" WAWRZASZEK​

He was breathless. Branches whipping him as he blundered through the forest, pushing the clawing twigs from his face. Wood snapped under his boots, toolbox rattled, half stooping to pick up his exhausted hound. He couldn't remember when they'd started running but it must've been after he'd seen the smoke. The noise from the Mountaintop had distracted the undead long enough for him to escape, but the escape itself wasn't without difficulty as he scaled down the side of the radio station, a dog under his arm. After that, he'd narrowly escaped a small horde -- vanishing into the folds of the woodland where he'd wandered for days it felt like; the further he was from people the less likely he'd die. Until the food in his rucksack ran out, left with merely a canteen of stale water and a curse on all things holy.

Back at the radio tower, he'd tried it all. Survivors, military remnants, but there was silence. Nothing more than the eerie buzz of feedback and a faint tune he threw on in the meanwhile. Yet at that current moment, the reason Tesla was running for his life was for something far simpler. A bear. Whilst he'd only seen it a ways off, Przemek was rightly terrified of being eaten alive by the furry tank of claws and teeth. It wasn't a way he'd like to end it all, after lasting so long with the passing of judgement day and a mass extinction event. His Catholic mother had raised him with the stories at least, although she found herself too busy to attend church with her work and would oft drag him after dinner on the occasion to a confessional session.

God was a lie and the 'American Dream' was nothing more than an apple which had rotted from the inside out. Tempting enough to bite before you got a mouth full of mould. The country should've fallen far before then, in his mind at least. Wawrzaszek was covered in a layer of mud and motor oil, his pup no better looking. But as they slowed to a halt, stumbling through the fallen leaves and breath hitching on freezing air in clouds of condensation, they reached a small brook. Yanking off his jumper, then the shirt beneath he fell to his knees in the stream and vigorously washed his face, sipping water through his bitter tasting fingers. The exhausted hound joined him in the enthusiastic lapping of something fresh, and what would undoubtedly lead nearer civilisation again.

Rui Rumble Fish Peacemaker .45

 

[Rui]

RIN:
Rin smiled and nodded towards Archie.
“Mhm, back in no time.”
She took Milly’s hand, and carried the basket containing shears in the other.
“Come on, little one. Let’s go see those rabbits.”

Rin’s boots crunched in the snow as she walked. They’d made it to the field where Rin had seen burrows on a previous venture outdoors. Sure enough, there were several rodent-sized holes perforating the snow.
Rin knelt, and instructed Milly to follow her lead.

“Shhh...look! There’s one!” She whispered, pointing out a snow-white hare poking out of its burrow. The fluffy little creature’s ears popped up, ticking to the side, listening. Cautiously, it crawled out, sniffing around in the snow before nuzzling its nose down to find roots. With a little nibbling and tugging, it succeeded in uprooting a sprout to eat. Rin watched in fascination, then turned her attention to Milly.

“Cute, isn’t he?”

When Rin looked back into the field, however, it was gone.

“Where’d he go?” She murmured, more to herself than Milly. She stood slowly from where they’d crouched.

As she searched, movement among the white landscape of snow caught her attention. The rabbit was hopping off into the tree line. She knew Archie had said not to wander too far, but her curious side was getting the best of her. She wanted to know where the little guy was off too.
“C’mon Milly, let’s see where he’s going.”
She hoisted the younger girl onto her back, and quietly followed the small creature.
She tiptoed behind him for a ways, before coming to a small stream in the middle of the quiet woods.
The rabbit began lapping up the cold stream water as the two girls looked on.
The sound of splashing drew her away from the rabbit, and instead to a figure crouched upstream from them.

It’s face was black and splotchy...perhaps one of the dead? Either way, it frightened Rin, who promptly grabbed the shears from the basket.
“Who are you?”
She called, brandishing the garden shears.
“I’m armed!”
idalie Peacemaker .45 Rumble Fish


​

 

[Rumble Fish]

Milly McDonald
Milly gave Archie a smile when he agreed to let her go with Rin, but not before giving her his coat, beanie hat and… his knife? As he explained how to use it, she bit her lip anxiously. She really did not want to kill anything, even if it was a monster. But, she felt warm under these new layers, which made her feel somewhat safer. At his mention of trying to find her own jacket, and possibly mittens, her smile grew wider. She liked that idea. Picking up her bear, she reached over and gave Archie a little peck on the cheek before going with Rin, not before giving Zelda a little wave. The older woman did not seem to notice her, she seemed trapped in her thoughts.

Walking through the woods, the eighteen-year-old felt the cold nip her nose. She looked around, taking in the autumn-turning-winter landscape. It was strangely peaceful and untouched, almost as though the End never happened. On her prompting, Milly stopped as Rin pointed out a rabbit that had appeared. Milly watched as the little creature foraged for roots. She smiled a little, though it did hold an air of sadness. She had a rabbit when she was younger, a grey rabbit named Plum. She let him free roam around the house and he lived until he was ten, a good life. But losing that rabbit meant losing the only real friend she had at the time. She still missed Plum terribly. When Eleanor was out, he would sleep on the bed with her, sometimes growing jealous of her teddy and pushing away from under her arm to take its place. Why couldn’t she still have him…?

Rin commenting on the rabbit’s cuteness brought Milly out of her thoughts, she gave the girl a smile and a nod in agreement. But upon seeing the rabbit hop away, she let out a small squeak of disappointment. She wished she could watch it forever. Rin seemed to have a similar thought as she decided to pursue the furry creature. She allowed Rin to lift her onto her back, she was already feeling tired from their walk. She still wanted to see the rabbit.

They eventually found him drinking from the stream. She wished she could give the furry creature a hug, like she used to with Plum but being a wild rabbit there was no way it would let her. It still hurt though… again, she was broken out of her thoughts when she saw a figure across the river. Rin had already spotted it and was talking to it. Milly whimpered and shook her head, trying to pull Rin by the arm. She didn’t like this, she wanted to go back. She just wanted to see rabbits, she didn’t want this! She whimpered worryingly as she tried to stop herself from shaking in fear.

Where was Archie?

Dutch Malloy
Dutch trotted Domino for another half an hour, reaching a small lake. He could see a few shapes bobbing on the top of the water. Ducks; they would be easier to kill than rabbits, they were fast little buggers. Dismounting Domino, his feet crunching the frost below, he silently pulled his rifle from the saddle bag and knelt down on one knee. He did not want to shoot them while they were on the lake. He looked at Domino and made a distinctive motion with his head with a harsh click of his tongue. Domino knew what this meant and moved away accordingly.

Once Domino was at a safe distance, he looked to the ducks. “…HO!” he yelled suddenly, the ducks squawked and took to the skies in fright. Biting his lower lip, Dutch started firing into the sky. With four ka-clunk-BOOMs, three bodies fell from the sky into a nearby meadow. Dutch grinned to himself as he motioned for Domino to follow him to get them. This would hopefully settle Jennifer’s nerves, make things easier. Besides, who didn’t like a good roast duck?

Walking into the frosty meadow, Dutch kept his head up and looking around, but there did not seem to be any walkers. Good. His breath was visible in the air; at least it was a good indicator he was still living. He made a mental note to watch for that. Before approaching anyone, watch for their breath. He bent down to grab the duck carcasses.

“heeeeelp…” a voice was carried by the wind. The man froze. His eyes darted. There was nobody here… standing up slowly, he felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. Slowly, he went to Domino and hooked the dead ducks onto her saddle with the intention to swing into the saddle and take off the first chance he got.

“heeeelp…” the voice came again. It sounded… close yet far at the same time. Like a ghost. It sounded like the voice of a young man, not even in his twenties. Dutch stood stoic. Was this a trap? He looked to Domino, the mare was staring intensely from where the sound had come from and was holding her breath, not moving. She was alarmed, ready to flee. But she couldn’t.

“Easy, my girl…” he patted her neck in an attempt to soothe the equine, “Easy…” he squinted his eyes, looking into the trees. The closer he looked… he could have sworn he saw a head of a man. Or at least… it looked like one. It’s mouth was open, still letting out that haunting cry for help. He had to see it closer, what if it was someone who was trapped?

“C’mon Dom…” he tugged her rein softly, encouraging her to walk on. The mare’s nostrils were flared and she snorted with every exhale. Keeping his rifle ready, he slowly walked through the brush, careful to avoid stepping on sticks. He kept his eyes squarely on the person, who continued their mournful howl for help. He wanted to say something but his throat felt completely shut.

As he grew closer, something sent a shiver down his spine. The closer he drew, the less the head calling resembled a human. It was almost as though… it was two! Two skulls merged together… but it was not a walker… walkers could not speak…

“Heeelll-rrrughghhh….” The voice faded, replaced with a frightening concoction of a snarl and gurgle, unlike anything Dutch had ever heard. The man froze, his rifle cocked. Domino snorted and moved on the spot. Dutch could not reassure the horse, he could not move. He could not take chances…

Then it emerged. A grotesque beast, its skin rotting and dripping from its bones, the neck and head stripped of flesh, exposing the mucus sodden and bloody bones beneath. He could not tell what it had been in its previous life, a wolf? A coyote? Some kind of canine. As it slowly walked, its bones crunched, its flesh rubbed against the cartilage, creating an unholy symphony of clicking joints, sliding flesh and the squashing of what little pad it had left onto the frost, leaving bloody prints in its wake. But what horrified the man the most, was the creature’s head. It opened its maw, releasing a godawful hiss, revealing the interior of its mouth. Aligning its canine teeth, a set of human teeth. A human like nose, and eye sockets too large for a coyote.

“…you’re one ugly son…” he growled inwardly, slowly raising his weapon. He could not tell if it was sizing him up, if it was simply curious… or it was mocking him. It had lured him. It could think… His finger slowly began to close around the trigger, keeping eye contact with the beast, staring into the vacant holes of emotionless darkness.

Suddenly, the beast opened both maws, releasing the most satanic shriek Dutch had heard, he could see the rattling of its bones, its lack of tongue and its many, many teeth as it roared, it launched, leaping an impossible distance towards Domino. The mare let out a shriek of fright and turned her heels, desperate to escape the maddened beast. Seeing his closest friend targeted, Dutch raised his weapon, firing. Hitting it in the shoulder, he heard an unholy crunch as the bullet made contact. The creature howled “heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!” coupled with the snarls and gurgles of something only something out the pits of hell could achieve.

“Hey ugly! Pick on something your own size!” he snarled, firing again, but the creature was too fast. It dodged the bullet and lunged. Dutch cursed and jumped to the side. He could not afford to miss these shots, he knew he had to kill it the only way he could. A bullet to the head. Aiming, he shot it on the top of its skull but was not enough. Dodging another attack, Dutch felt his back hit a tree. He looked around rapidly, he was surrounded by brush and rocks, he could not escape! All he could do was aim his gun ahead of him and pray it would work. He mentally did a sign of the cross.

“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you…” he started muttering under his breath, shaking like a leaf. As he finished that third line, with a deafening roar, he saw a black maw, lined with more teeth than a lamprey leap from the brush. Shutting his eyes, he released his final shots he had in his rifle. Something hit him, something heavy. Dutch howled as he was thrown to the ground. He anticipated the agony of the creature’s teeth raking his face… but it never came. Opening his eyes, he was alarmed at the realisation that the creature’s rotten corpse was draped over him, dripping its mucus and blood onto him. With a grunt, he pushed it off, the body clattering as it rolled down the hill. Shaking and unable to grip his gun, Dutch felt himself all over.

No pain, no bites… no scratches… just stinking of rotten flesh. With shaky breaths, he walked backward, discarding the rifle. He looked to Domino, who appeared unharmed. Without a word, he swung into the mare’s saddle. He was NOT staying here. And he would never come back.

“Dom, come on!” he shakily commanded, “GO!” he urged her into the fastest gallop the horse could manage. As she ran, Dutch obsessively studied his surroundings, praying he would not encounter another one. After a short time, he saw the cabin, he wasted no time…

Zelda Williams
Zelda barely paid attention to what was happening with Milly and Rin, drinking out of her flask. She was feeling pretty numb and not with it. She could not stop thinking about Jason. As she thought, she felt a large hand touch her knee and she turned to look at Archie. He said nothing, but his look said it all. With a heavy sigh, she gave him a weak smile before turning away again. She understood what he wanted to say. She went to drink out of her flask, but only got a few drops before she realised it was empty. With a growl, she threw it away as far as she could.

"Bastard thing..." she growled, putting her head in her hand in an attempt to stop it from spinning. Her eyelids felt heavy and she could hardly keep herself straight. She looked at Archie with a defeated look.

"...I just... just..." she shut her eyes, "Couldn't save him... couldn't save those patients... couldn't save Mack... what's next? You? Rin? Jennifer? I... I can't do it again..." she slurred finally. Zelda just felt completely defeated. What was the point in trying anymore? She'd failed everyone important to her. The thought of it happening to one of them was too much to bear. She wanted to go back inside to get one of the wines she had managed to steal from the Mountaintop but she couldn't. Not with Archie here. She didn't want him to see. Despite barely thinking straight at this point, she did not want to think at all.

A period of silence went by before the distinct sound of galloping hooves approached, indicating that Dutch had returned. She turned to see the man. She noticed the ducks hanging from the saddle, but noticed the man as he practically collapsed out of the saddle as if drunk himself. He scrambled to his feet, breathing shallowly.

"The fuck you freaked out about?" she growled, "Looks like you saw a ghost." She really wasn't in the mood to talk but... well... manners.

"Ghost?" Dutch wheezed, "I saw worse than a bleedin' ghost! The fuckin'... Devil Himself!" Met with confused looks, Dutch ran his hands through his hair and took some deep breaths to calm down.

"Okay... okay..." he put his hands together and inhaled deeply several times and kept his voice as low and calm as he could as to not alarm them, "...Okay. I dunno what it was. A coyote or what but... it was like-mutated! I-I'll get into details later but I need to talk to Jennifer. I killed it but it almost killed me! There could be more! It's too dangerous for people to go out alone with them lurking. We need to... stick... togeth..." he slowed to a halt as he took a moment to look around. Something was missing. And it caused his heart to drop. He looked to Archie, his eyes wide. Keeping his voice as calm as possible, he asked:

"...Where're the girls?"
idalie Peacemaker .45 Rui​

 

[idalie]

PRZEMYSŁAW "TESLA" WAWRZASZEK​

He was disturbed from the action of scrubbing himself raw from blood, mud, and grease. Two burning blue irises staring from beneath a knotted brow. A mixture of anger and confusion as he readied a flight or fight response, yet the two girls he saw instead somewhat caused his shoulders to slacken. "Well, hello Armed, I'm Dad." Tesla snarked, lip twisting into a half comedic smirk, slowly rising to his feet. Legs freezing, chest and face reddened from the cold breeze. Tesla grasped for his shirt, as dirty as he'd been, pulling it over his head to stick to his wet skin before the jumper concealed it. Then, the leather overcoat and fingerless gloves. "Ain't nice to be peeped on, they don't quite appreciate that in what's left of society." His accent was a drawl of Southern and still irreversibly European with its twang that made sure to cast him out as a native.

Dragging a gloved hand over his bristled face, prominent with a heavier tache over his lip which accentuated his Slavic appearance, Tesla wagged his finger. "Not that this place is anywhere for a pair of nice girls to be, not with what I've seen out in the woods. Not a lot of ... how do you say, sunshine and roses?" He hitched on his rucksack and hoisted his furry companion up, the exhausted pup collapsing in his arms; something of a terrier with a whispy matching moustache of its own.

Przemek then grabbed his toolbox, a red, heavy thing that made a chime with the jolt of standing up. Motioning toward the shears with a nod of his head, Wawrzaszek jerked his chin in the direction they'd come from. "Shoo then, I'm not here to start meeting your fathers when they come looking and neither am I here to start trouble. Alright? You two can go back to your bird watching -- or whatever it is you've decided to amuse yourselves with. For all I know you're part of an ambush and I'm about to be served up on the barbeque -- If you want to hear it from me, you're cute but not cute enough for risking getting mauled for. We got places to be, people to meet, and shufflers to run from."

ARCHIE "THE SCOTSMAN" MCKEEGAN​

The flask tumbled with a flourish, McKeegan sighing. "Fer one thing, ain't nobody could save Mack." He kept his palm there, a rest and source of warmth as Zelda spoke. "Aye, they're gone now. But it was by no fault of yer own. You ain't some superhuman, Zed, you ain't-a God and you ain't-a fuckin' fairy godmother." Arch focused those two, hardened brown eyes on the older woman's fallen face. "People died, Zed. People'll keep dyin' and life'll keep slippin' until the stars die an' the universe throws itself back to a spark." McKeegan inhaled readily and reared his head back to look into the woodland from where he sat on the porch. "Lass, you did your best. But mopin' around ain't no way to honour the dead. Their time came, I think there's a plan for all of us, sweetheart. I don't know why, but I got this feelin' lately, like my grandpappy used to say, our bones know more than the gut an' our heads know less than the heart." The lumberjack bowed his head forward. "You an' Jen need to buck it up if we're gonna pull ourselves through winter. But the rest of us are gonnae be here to prop youse both up when the ice is coldest and the snow gets heavy."

Arch glanced toward the interruption of Dutch, his breathless retelling of a dramatic tale and a stark realisation that whatever had scared the military man into looking whiter than a sheet -- was out there and so was Milly. With Rin at her side, she might as well of been sent out naked into a battlefield. Neither of them had a lick of violence, the Catholic was as bad as the girl she'd volunteered to look after. Common sense and caution could only take you so far. The Scotsman got up to his feet, "Both of 'em are out there and we're goin' after them." He remarked, gripping his fist hard enough it caused his knuckles to pop simultaneously as he turned on heel and stiffly marched into the house.

Barging through the front door with a crash, Arch made a beeline for the small armoury and pulled a rifle from the duffle bag. Checking it over, loading it, and shoving a handful of ammo into his pocket he hitched his axe on the other hip and moved into the next room with Jennifer. Her eyes glued to the task at hand, until McKeegan grabbed her shoulder, roughly at that and gave a shake. "We need to find the girls, gear up. This can wait. Dutch saw somethin' out in the woods and I let Rin take Milly off. You understand? We ain't losin' anyone else, so you get up and get out there with a gun or you'll never hear the fuckin' end of it. I know you still got that fire in you, time to use it Sparky."

Peacemaker .45 Rui Rumble Fish

 

[Rui]

RIN:
Rin had been ready to bolt at any moment with Milly in a fire-man carry over her shoulder, if need be, but the sight of the Slavic man rooted her to the spot. She found her mouth suddenly extremely dry, and at meeting his shockingly blue gaze, unconsciously licked her lips.

His chiding caused her cheeks to redden slightly with frustration, but when his shirt was removed, her cheeks, neck, and ears lit up for an entirely different reason; one Katherine Beckett could say she hadn’t known her entire life.

He was, ehem, attractive.

She shook her head, trying to re-focus herself on the task at hand; getting the F out of H.

She found her eyes lingering on his form, but as his toolbox jingled, her eyes fixed on something else red.
“You’re bleeding,” she started, lowering the shears in a moment of pure concern. She gave Milly a look of reassurance, then slowly closed the space between herself and the stranger, although doing so like she was treading on a mine field.

She drew close enough to touch him, however hesitantly. Her soft fingertips grazed his side as she looked at the laceration caked under grease and grime. It looked like a branch, maybe some kind of thorn bush, had snagged him. It wasn’t deep, but she’d seen this kind of cut go bad.

“Can...can I clean this up? It’s going to get infected if it isn’t tended to.”

Rin was speaking in a soft, diminuative tone, her big doe eyes cast downward, looking anywhere but at the inhumanly beautiful man in front of her. Her cheeks reddened again, and she knew it was too obvious to be blamed on the cold.

“It’ll just take a second...then we’ll be off to go find more...’sunshine and roses’.”

Rumble Fish Peacemaker .45 idalie

 

[Peacemaker .45]

As she were cutting the meat, Jennifer heard the sounds of hooves running on the ground. Dutch was back from his hunting trip, or at least that much Jennifer surmised. She continued to ignore the voices outside, still cutting the meat. Her peace and quiet were interrupted when she heard the door bust open, followed by Archie hurrying to another room.

“You know the door’s unlocked, right,” Jennifer said as she heard Archie walking back towards the door.

When she saw a rifle in his hands, Jennifer knew something was up. Before she could ask, Archie already started to tell her the situation. Despite her behavior now, she wouldn’t let anyone in her group be endangered. They were the only family she had left. Archie seemed to know this, but he laminated the fact that she would “never hear the end of it” if she didn’t come. Her rifle was right next to her. She picked it up and checked the chamber.

“I might not be in the best state right now, but I sure as hell ain’t letting those two, or anyone in the group, get endangered,” she responded. Putting the food down for now, she threw in a heavier shirt to keep warm in the colder temperatures, zipping it up as she walked out the door.

“Does anyone know where they went,” she asked as she got outside. “We should search a general area, just in case whatever Dutch saw drove them away from wherever they were heading. Let’s go in groups of two. Archie and Zelda go in one group, Dutch and I in another. Sound good?”

Jennifer then turned to Dutch. “Could use a hand getting on your horse. And while you’re at it, tell me what you saw out there that spooked everyone.”

“Alright, lets go, lets be quick. C’mon, there isn’t no time to waste,” she said turning to the group before starting to Domino, waiting for Dutch to mount Dom and help her up.

idalie Rumble Fish Rui

 

[Rumble Fish]

Dutch Malloy
Dutch watched Archie as he reacted to his news. The man was anxious about how he was going to react, he knew how much the younger girl meant to the man. When he responded with determination, it settled Dutch’s nerves. With a nod, he punched his palm.

“Right-o.” he said bluntly as he went to Domino, pulling off the dead ducks from the saddle, as well as removing the saddle itself from the mare. It would be easier for her if she was not wearing it. Despite her gallop all the way to the cabin, Domino seemed settled enough. As he got ready to jump back onto the mare, he heard Jennifer speak up, instructing Archie and Zelda to split off and take the truck. Upon her request to be helped up onto the horse, Dutch nodded and did as she asked, pulling her onto Domino’s smooth back behind him.

“I saw ‘em go that way, into the trees.” Zelda answered the woman’s question as to where they had gone. Dutch gave the woman a nod before clicking Domino into a brisk trot down the hill and towards the woods.

Once they were there, he began speaking to Jennifer.

“I don’t know what it was- looked like some kind of coyote. It was undead but… I can’t describe it, it was almost as though it had two skulls, a human one within its own and it had this… eerie call. It sounded like somebody going ‘heeeeeelp meeee!’” he mimicked the disembodied howl from the creature, “It has some kind of intelligence… human intelligence! It can think, it managed to lure me!” he tried to explain, uncharacteristically stumbling over his words.

“Took six shells to kill it… didn’t see any others, but there could be more!” He sighed deeply as he pulled Domino to a halt as he spotted footprints in the frost, two pairs. It must have been Milly and Rin, “If it can happen to a coyote… Only the Lord knows what it could do to a bear or puma! C’mon, Dommi.” he gave Domino a click as she went into a lope, following the footprints. As she cantered slowly over the terrain, a funny thought crept into the man’s head. He released a strained chuckle.

“Looks like you took my offer, after all.” He said, while encouraging Domino to keep cantering, not losing that sense of urgency. The thought of the two girls coming across one of those demons was too horrid to consider.

Zelda Williams
Zelda had been listening to Archie, unable to think of anything to answer with. Everything seemed to change as Dutch explained what he had seen and everyone seemed to turn their focus on finding the pair. She had told Dutch where they had gone, and he and Jennifer rode off. With a sigh, Zelda got up and went inside the cabin to grab her M18, it hardly had any ammo but it would still be helpful. She grabbed one of the wine bottles she had stored and took a long gulp from it. Coughing slightly, she felt like she had been hit with a truck. Looking over to where Milly slept, she realised that the younger girl had not lifted her bear. Norris was sitting next to it, her beak in her chest as the hen snoozed contently. Zelda grabbed the teddy before meeting Archie back outside. Looking to the truck, the woman sighed. She did not want to go. She would rather stay here and just stare at the mountains. Zelda sighed heavily as she struggled to decide on what to do. The more she thought, the more she thought about what Dutch had said. If anything else was out there that could potentionally harm Rin or Milly, and they got hurt, they would need help. And despite their own sets of skills, these people wouldn't know what to do with a first-degree burn.

"Best you drive." she folded her arms, "I... I had a DUI last time I drove- don't ask." she shook her head, she did not want to remember that. She did not need that memory bringing her down now. Zelda used to love driving, but now? She honestly felt unable to do anything now. She took Archie's cap that she had previously taken off in one of her depressive moods, which were becoming more and more common. The woman looked to where Jennifer and Dutch had gone.

"Suppose we could-" she hiccupped with a cough, "-go around the edge of the trees. See if they're in the open." she suggested, not expecting the man to agree with her suggestion but... it was better than nothing, right?

Milly McDonald
Seeing the stranger come closer, and speaking to them, Milly whimpered and kept tugging at Rin's arm, wanting to go back to the cabin. She did not want to deal with this man! Looking at him, his stature, use of speech and appearance reminded her too much of Butch, a man she would rather forget existed. Not having her bear, she could only hold onto Rin's arm in an attempt to comfort herself.

Rin was acting strange. Why was she talking to this stranger like that? The last time they had met strangers, Mack and Dave being the closest example, they did terrible things! Milly did not want to go through any of this again! This, coupled with being hungry, did not sit well with her at all. Through the whole thing, Milly kept tugging at Rin's arm. When that failed, she just backed away from it, hugging herself in an attempt to reassure herself. Why could they not go back?

As she tried to ignore the situation, Milly heard something behind her that made her turn around. She could not fully see what it was, but it was... a fox? But it smelled terrible, as if it was dead. It was slowly walking towards them. With a frightened whimper, Milly ran back to Rin, tugging on her again with terrified squeaks to get the girl's attention. Where was Archie!? Everything he had told her about using the knife completely escaped her in her panic, she could only hope either Rin or the stranger could do something.
Rui Peacemaker .45 idalie ​

 

[Peacemaker .45]

Domino started to gallop as Dutch had commanded her to, causing Jennifer to readjust herself on top of the horse. It had been a long time since she had been on a horse. She forgot about the feel of them, and how much she did love them once, at a time long forgotten. The sentimental thoughts of Jennifer’s past didn’t distract the girl, however. Given the urgency of situation, and the mysterious creatures that Dutch had seen, Jennifer was searching the grounds around her for anymore of the beasts. Her concentration almost made her miss Dutch’s comment.

“Sure,” she replied with a chuckle. “If you want to think that, go ahead. But, being that I don’t think it would be a good idea for Zelda to drive my truck, and take Archie away from her in a situation we find ourselves in, I think it’s best I be with you.”

The girl continued to look around, and managed to keep her left arm around Dutch while using her right hand to keep her sidearm drawn and at the ready, as she knew things often happened within milliseconds in this world. One second there would be a forest, and the next there would be five undead, or seven Helios, for all she knew.

“Though,” Jennifer added, “it’s nice to get some time away from them. Between her drinking and puking, and Archie’s... well, Archie-ness, I’ve needed a break from those two lovebirds. I haven’t quite had the time of getting to know you beyond small talk. Everything has been so... terrible. I’m becoming an old self again, one I thought I got rid of. I’m not a good person like some of the others with us, yourself included. I’ve done... well, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

There was an awkward silence for a brief moment. “So you said these things looked like coyotes, with human heads on their mouths, that could talk? What’s with this weird shit in this state. Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster, now this? I wonder what else the fuckheads with that organization were experimenting with.”

Rumble Fish Rui idalie

 

[Rumble Fish]

Dutch shrugged with a chuckle at Jennifer’s comment about not letting Zelda drive, “Ha- you wouldn’t want me driving yer truck, ma’am. Had my fair share of driving problems.” He commented as he brought Domino forward to a canter. He continued to look around as they went along. He was not willing to let himself get caught out again.

He listened to Jennifer as she spoke, talking about both Zelda and Archie. He let out a short huff. He had noticed that Zelda’s drinking had gotten considerably worse since they had left the mountaintop, more than he had seen before. He had not known the doctor for nearly as long as the others had, but from what he had seen, it was bad.

“I can talk to her if you want.” He suggested with a quiet sigh afterwards, “I… had the same problem in the past. I mean, not as bad as that, but regardless, I got some help. Been sober for almost ten years now.” He admitted. He had not talked to anyone about it in a long time because… well, there was not much to say. Still, he had been watching Zelda closely. “She won’t like it but… if she keeps this up, it's either gonna put her in an early grave or cause other problems." Though from what Dutch had seen, seems she wanted the former to happen. "Still, worth a shot huh? Talking from a point of experience. I’m sure Archie would appreciate the help.”

However when Jennifer began her self-loathing lament about herself and who she was becoming, Dutch allowed her to talk. When she trailed off, he brought Domino to a trot as they got close to where he had been before.

“Experimenting… Hm. I don’t know. Whatever it is, it can’t be good. If they’ve done it to coyotes, they could have been doing it to mountain lions or bears, or God knows what else. Still, once we get the girls, we… I don’t know. We don’t know how many are out there around the cabin.” He scratched at his beard in thought.

As they continued on, Dutch thought back to what Jennifer had been saying before, with a sigh, he turned his head, to look at the woman with the corner of his eye. “Look. I dunno what happened back there, or what you were like before. But you’re not bad. You might look at the rest of us and think you aren’t good, but let me tell you; we aren’t. I’ve done bad things. And if I had to guess, so has Archie. And Zelda. We’ll never be good people. Because we’re not bad. We’re just… people.”

He did not go any further. This was not important for now. Right now he had to find the girls before something else found them.
Rui idalie Peacemaker .45 ​

 

[idalie]

ARCHIE "THE SCOTSMAN" MCKEEGAN​

"It don't matter about law anymore, but of course I ain't lettin' youse drive. You're fuckin' off your face, again." Archie shot back in return, splitting off from Dutch and Jennifer as they headed toward the truck. Clambering in, he forwent the seatbelt and started up the engine, putting his rifle in the back seat. Aggressively changing gear, the stick clunking in protest, the two of them managed to speed off. "We'll go 'round first o' all, but I know there's old routes the rangers used to take in their buggies." With his foot to the floor, they swerved dangerously around bends and through the country lanes before he spotted the opening up to a slightly overgrown, albeit accessible vehicle pathway.

Revving up the engine, there was little second thought as they tore through the regrown shrubs and bumped along the track into the woods. "These usually lead to conservation areas, most notably for flowers n' animals. They had to keep up observations and tree maintenance makes sense Milly n' Catherine would've found one." McKeegan gripped the steering wheel and adjusted gear according to the terrain which continuously got worse the further in they managed to crawl.

At the end of the track, Archie grabbed his gun and glanced at Zelda. "Stay here, lock the doors, and don't do anything." The Scotsman commanded, voice sharpening with the tone he used. He was concerned, evidently, but the commonplace of his snappy behaviour had increased. Not exponentially but enough that one could note in the more serious of situations, he was losing the calm touch. You needed violence in this world and humans could seem to never grasp the lesson that the world had fallen to a lack of unity in the face of armageddon. Peace was a focus test with an audience of billions, and now men and women had altered its description to enforce it with weapons.

The woodsman trudged through the wildlife, grasping the firearm to his stomach. "MILLY! CATHERINE!" His gaze swept back and forth instinctively to pick out danger from the falling leaves, getting colder by the second. "MILLY! CATHERINE!" Perhaps his voice would carry on the wind? He could only hope. The forest was expansive, even if he wanted to find her quickly, it wouldn't be the case. "MILLY! CATHERINE! GIRLS! MILLY!"

Perhaps he'd merely find their shoes.

PRZEMYSŁAW "TESLA" WAWRZASZEK​

The girl was brazen enough to approach, touching him on the face which Tesla bucked away from instinctively. Almost angrily, like poking a wounded hound. She seemed sweet enough, but being approached in the woodlands whilst he was pulling back on the shirt and coat, last discarded when he'd scrubbed at his face and neck, especially by a girl who seemed to already be acting friendly -- it stank of a set-up. What would this one end up doing? Cannibalism? Supposing she wasn't much of a threat, Wawrzaszek was then instead amazed at how naive a girl like her was. Especially to have survived this long.

"No, you can't clean me up. Or the cut, kid." Tesla snapped. "I don't appreciate bein' touched either. What're you? Stupid? I could've taken that the wrong way and put a bullet between your eyes. Huh? Ain't so nice now is it." Przemek scowled, "If yer a whore, I ain't got no business for you either. I'm tryin' to get outta this place, I ain't stayin' any longer than I have to." He hitched up his rucksack and belongings a second time as if to punctuate the statement. "And you should get out whilst you still can, this place ain't any good--" His eyes were drawn to Milly's frightened stance, and glanced off to the foliage. He paused, catching on eventually to the decomposing animal slinking towards them. "Oh for fucks sake, look whats fuckin' happened. At least it ain't as bad as somethin' bigger than a dog."

Grasping a rather large wrench he'd tucked into his belt, Tesla picked off matted hair and remaining brain matter from the last victim. Besides that, one could note his screwdriver appeared to have suffered the same use, gouging into eyes and taking the quiet approach to escaping the undead. "Fuck me, it's a small target." Tesla hissed and again glared at the pair of girls. "An' this ain't fer either of you, this is fer me and my survival. Bleedin' kids."

Rui Rumble Fish Peacemaker .45

 

[Rui]

RIN:
Rin was a quiet, kind girl. She dotted her i’s, crossed her t’s, and bit her tongue like the faithful little creature she was.
“I’m not a child, and my name is Rin.” She grumbled, moving back from him.

“I hope you enjoy your staph infection,” for a fraction of a moment her eyes widened as if surprised by her own rude comment, “Sorry, that might’ve been a bit harsh, but quit calling us children...I’m 25, and Milly...” she gazed at the younger girl, “Milly hasn’t told me yet.”

The growling drew her attention as the little fox...thing...crawled out of the bushes.

Rin had a keen intuition. Her mother said it was genetic; all women in her family had such a finely tuned sense, but Rin suspected her mother didn’t understand how finely her sense was honed.

The hairs rose up on her neck and arms, and she felt a chill tingling up and down her spine. Rin looked at Milly with terror in her eyes, and grabbed the small girl up in her arms.
“I don’t like this,” she whispered, loud enough for Milly to hear, “When this goes south, we go.”
Because, it inevitably would go south, and Rin wasn’t sure how south quite yet.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,
Right?

whatever this thing was...it felt wrong.

idalie Peacemaker .45 Rumble Fish ​

 

[Peacemaker .45]

As the two galloped along, trying to find the missing pair out in the woods, the frosted ground crunched under ever impact Domino’s hooves made with the ground. It was particularly a bleak conversation, done during an urgent search and rescue run for those in the woods with the creatures out there that could harm them. The conversation shifted towards Zelda’s drinking. It had always been bad. Jennifer herself has seen it firsthand, but things have just got worse. She saw her clinging to a bottle almost every minute of the day. Something needed to be said or done, as Jennifer knew Zelda could get herself killed while drunk one day if she wasn’t careful. At any time or any moment, they could be attacked. If Zelda wasn’t sober, it could end poorly for her. Something needed to be done, and Dutch offered an option to deal with it.

“It may be best,” she replied after a brief moment of consideration. “Someone needs to do something. It took the law’s pressure on my father to stop his abuse when I was younger. Maybe you could be that thing that could help her stop. Since you’ve been there, you get it. I would speak to her. Just let Archie know that you are beforehand. It’s best he knows.”

Arriving in the area where Dutch had seen the beasts, and slowing down to look around for tracks or the creatures themselves, the conversation shifted to what these people could have created. Jennifer did not get to learn all the details from her father about this group he was covertly working for. Given what she already knew, she could only imagine what else they could have done with animals.

“Mountain lions,” Jennifer whispered, a shiver down her spine causing her to shake. “Bears are big and tough to take down. But at least those bastards are loud and obnoxious when they charge you. But a mountain lion? Those goddamn things are practically silent and move in the shadows. You have no idea if you’re getting stalked. We could be now for all we know. I hope to God those things haven’t been mutated.”

Once more, the conversation shifted again. This time, however, it was about herself. Jennifer was convinced of what she felt and said about herself. But unlike him, she knew what she did. And when Dutch twisted his head to look her in the eyes, Jennifer became uncomfortable, shifting her gaze away from him, turning her head slightly away, only darting her eyes towards him every so often. As she listened to him uncomfortably, she noticed to their right were tracks, with small drops of blood between them.

“D-Dutch,” Jennifer said, interrupting him. She pointed towards the tracks. “Look, tracks. Hold on, stay here.”

Jennifer got herself off of the horse, and walked over towards the tracks to observe them. Finding them came at just the right time for the girl. She didn’t want to have to really talk about it at that moment, with Dutch looking at her directly in the eyes. It made her uncomfortable. But this wasn’t because of him or what he said necessarily. Instead, it was at his naivety. She knew what she had done. She knew what kind of monster she truly is. She knew that this was only going to get worse. But people in her group just thought there was moving past it, that they all have done bad things.

The difference between her and her group members was that they did bad things. But Jennifer? The difference was that she did evil acts, ones only those a monster could do. And this is what set Jennifer apart from them. And in time, they’ll see the evil that she truly is as things inevitably go worse.

“These tracks,” Jennifer started, crouched down and examining them, “they look about the right size for a coyote. There’s fresh blood. I just can’t tell if it was from the coyote itself or it’s prey. The tracks continue towards that direction. We should follow it.”

Jennifer walked up to Domino, Dutch still on her, and climbed up. She positioned herself on the horse, and pulled out her sidearm. “Just in case,” she explained. “You never know with these bastards. You may want to pull out your gun too. They might jump out for all we know. Follow the tracks and keep your eyes peeled.”

As they moved a bit more, the words Dutch said about her before were still bouncing around in her head. He just didn’t know. They didn’t know. No one did. They chose to see her as something she was not. She didn’t know why this were the case. At times, she felt like nothing more than an outcast in their little group, like she had no other role than a de-facto leader that she didn’t want to be. She felt that socially, she almost didn’t have a place, as if none were really truly close friends of hers, but rather close allies in pursuit of a mutual goal; survival. The more it started to bounce around in her head, the more it started bothering her, and the more it made those words Dutch spoke earlier seem naive. Jennifer found herself in a slew of emotions inside her head. They all wrestled around to gain control with their own verses, before seeming to join arm and arm in harmony at times, singing the same chorus. She struggled with finding anything to say to Dutch about what he said.

“Dutch,” she finally said uneasily, “I appreciate your kind words. But,” she sighed, “you don’t know the things I’ve done. Me? I ain’t decent. But you, Zelda, Archie, Milly, and even Rin; you folk are. What I’ve done... I just... I ain’t a good person. I may have been once. But I am no more. So people like you shouldn’t compare yourself to me. That’s an injustice to yourself. I thank you for what you said. But I wish it were true. It just isn’t. Maybe one day you’ll see why.” Jennifer paused for a moment, letting her emotions calm down with each exhale before she spoke again. “We got more important stuff to worry about now. Let’s just follow these tracks, shall we?”

Rumble Fish idalie Rui

 

[Rumble Fish]

Zelda Williams​

Zelda could tell that Archie was upset and stressed about the current situation, which therefor would cause him to act sharper. Yet, despite knowing this the way he shot those words at her still struck a nerve within the woman. What he said was mild. He could have said worse. But the tone, and the choice of words, however justified and mild they were, still had an effect. She didn’t respond to anything he said, only giving him a slight nod in response as she got in the truck.

As the truck trundled through the uneven terrain, Zelda felt sick to her stomach, causing her to breath deeper and sigh constantly in an attempt to push back that sickness. Why Archie didn’t just slap her and force her to stay inside she didn’t know. That’s what Mark would have done. He would have spoken to her like that too, the same tone and words. She was shaken from everything. The current situation with Milly and Rin being missing was the priority and she knew this. It was why she still went, despite how she felt. Zelda just gave him a quiet grunt in response when he spoke.

When the truck came to a stop, Archie demanded that she stayed in the truck and did nothing before slamming the door and stalking out with his firearm. Again, it struck a nerve for Zelda. She couldn’t escape these thoughts. The parallels were too close for comfort. All she could do was blankly stare ahead, wringing her hands together anxiously with a thousand-yard-stare. Archie told her to do nothing. So… she would. She’d stay put in the truck. Even if she ended up starving to death. That would work. She wished she could have been more helpful. She could only hope that if Rin and Milly were found, she would not have to do much work on them. Not while she was fuckin’ off her face again.

Maybe she should go out… No, she couldn’t do that. Mar-Archie wouldn’t like it. Stay in the truck. While she kept the gun on her lap, all she could do was watch Archie as he got further and further away. Hopefully, he came back.

Milly McDonald​

The eighteen-year-old was more alarmed by the second by the man’s hostility. The way he spoke so casually about putting a bullet in Rin’s brain and calling her stupid and a whore. She vigorously tried to pull Rin away. She wanted to go back to the cabin. Right now! She did not want to be around this man! Any man that wasn’t Archie or Dutch was dangerous in her mind. First her father, then Butch, then Mack- they were all the same; dangerous.

Even after dealing with the fox, he was still angry. More upset, she turned to Rin as she suddenly picked her up in her arms. What she whispered next, Milly agreed with instantly. They needed to leave, right now! But she could not tell her. All she could do was cling onto Rin anxiously.

“MILLY! CATHERINE! GIRLS! MILLY!”

Milly’s head jumped up at the speed of a grasshopper at the familiar Scottish burr shouting over the meadow. She could not see him but he was getting closer. Scrambling from Rin’s grip, she ran a few feet away from the pair, jumping and waving her arms in the direction of his voice. At this point, all she wanted was to be back with Archie, not out here. He sounded desperate, had something happened? Whatever it was, he clearly needed them.

Dutch Malloy​

Dutch listened to Jennifer speak, stopping Domino at her command as she spotted tracks. Once she climbed back on, Dutch clicked Domino into a careful walk, keeping a close eye on the ground as Dom’s hooves crunched the frost beneath them, leaving green circles in her wake. Domino was stiffer in her movement and her breathing was flared. She was aware of the tense atmosphere, and potentially the uncomfortableness between the pair.

As she spoke again, rejecting his words, Dutch could have stormed off. It seemed nothing he had said was getting through to her. He was so tempted to turn around, tell her to take the reins and he would go on foot. And she could forget about him talking to Zelda. It was starting to feel like his words carried no weight whatsoever, and what use was that? Nothing, that’s what. He was worthless. He could be the most compassionate he could be and it would still mean nothing. Whatever she had done, he didn’t care. She could have killed his brother. At this point, with all this death and destruction, nothing mattered. It was Syria all over again. Compassion and caring for your fellow man; what a load of shite. Everyone he met prior to Jennifer had either wronged him or he seemed to push some button with a psycho who would shoot him as soon as he looked at him. Domino even had scars on her flank and shoulders from bullets. They would even shoot a horse if it meant hurting someone.

Bull. Shit.

Dutch managed to hide his seething thoughts from the woman as Domino’s head raised. He pulled the mare to a halt and kept very still. She had smelled something. Suddenly, he heard the shout of Archie, it seemed they were about to cross paths.

“Hm… let’s get a closer look.” He said quietly, talking to Domino or himself rather than Jennifer. As they emerged from the trees, Dutch saw him, and further away he could see three figures, two small ones but the bigger figure was an enigma.

“Think that’s them… who is that?” he said, before noticing Domino had begun snorting heavily and her body had frozen; a sure sign she was about to bolt.

“Oh… shit…” he raised a finger and pointed, “Look.” He whispered to Jennifer. Through the trees, he could just make out the shape of some kind of creature. But… what was it? Racking his brain, he turned to Jennifer.

“Here.” He very, very slowly dismounted from the horse, grabbing his rifle. “Walk Domino to Archie. Slowly. I’ll go see what this thing is.” He whispered, “I’ll go alongside you in the trees, watching where it goes. When I raise my arm, it’s safe to go. If anything happens…” he patted Dom on the neck, “Get the others and run.” And with that, he slowly began making his way through the trees. He could hear Domino still breathing behind him. She was scared, but Jennifer had said she had experiences with horses. And she could still see him. And if something were to happen. Domino would carry Jennifer to safety, whether she liked it or not.

Rui idalie Peacemaker .45

 

[Peacemaker .45]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The area Jennifer and her small group of survivors was in turned out to be even more hostile than they had hoped. Animals had mutated into creatures that possessed abilities to mimic human speech. Lingering members from both the Mountaintop and Helios had been in the area, having small skirmishes to finally eliminate each other after the Mountaintop’s downfall. After rescuing Milly and Rin, the small group retreated to the small dwelling they had been residing in. Arguments over what the next course of action would be would consume the small group. Some argued going West, others north, or south. Some even considered going to the tropical regions of the world. There was no joint decision on what their next course of action was. And following the devastation that the Mountaintop resulted in, they were truly lost.

A few days later, while out on a scavenging run in town, Jennifer received a transmission through her car’s radio. A prominent political figure in American politics before the fall of civilization had sent out an emergency transmission, detailing all survivors to head Missoula, Montana, where the military had built walls around the city, and civilization was thriving. When the transmission played again at a certain time, as designated by the last transmission she heard, Jennifer showed the group what she heard. Understandably, they were all skeptical, to some degree, especially following the fall of the Mountaintop. But with a sentiment of some, Jennifer herself, feeling they should head West into the Rocky Mountain areas with low population density and ample wildlife prior to the end of the world, they decided to head West, whether this sanctuary was a legitimate safe haven or not. With little options and morale left, the group began to head West, far away from West Virginia and Appalachia, and towards what was once known as the frontier.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Few Weeks Later



The sun was starting to set as Jennifer and her group traveled on Route 35 in Ohio, heading West towards Missoula. It’s had been a difficult few weeks for the whole group. No one knew what to expect anymore. None of them knew if they would even make it alive to this supposed sanctuary in Montana. But there were not many options left. If it was all a farce, then the only other option would be to head out into the Rockies somewhere, and live off of the bountiful land that it was. But even then, after everything they had been through, Jennifer held little hope that it would be what it was supposed to be. She was more than ready to ditch the Missoula sanctuary for a place out in the Mountains. The untamed wilderness of the frontier to her seemed more like a sanctuary than anything anyone had promised them. But, they had no other choice than to head West, and hope that they would find the last sanctuary they would need to live what’s left of their lives in this new world.
Using a map of the US, the group had coordinated themselves around large cities in their way, and would do so when more came. If anything, large cities were trouble, trouble they didn’t need to get themselves in the middle of. And with cities came increased chances of survivors that they could run into. But they were more trouble than the dead. They planned to avoid both, if possible.
As they drove on Route 35, they began to approach another city they would have to traverse around. Dayton, Ohio was not far from them at this point, and they had already drawn plans on where to get off and what roads to get onto to avoid the city. But just they were nearing where to turn off, a debris field and a mess of cars had blocked their path. Upon realizing that their path was ultimately blocked completely, Jennifer slowly brought the truck, and trailer which Domino was in, to a halt.

“Shit,” she muttered to herself before turning to everyone else, in the vehicle. “The road’s blocked, I need to back us up to get out of here. Y’all in the back, let me know how I’m looking while I back up.”
Turning the dial shifter knob, Jennifer put the truck in reverse. Slowly, she eased the vehicle and trailer back. Without the trailer, this maneuver would have been much easier. But with the trailer, holding Domino inside, reversing the truck would be a lot harder. As she backed up, and with help from the input that she was given, she was doing well at getting them out. As they were nearly out, a loud explosive sort of sound disturbed the relatively silent outdoors. The truck then began to sink on one side. Jennifer jumped once she heard the sound, and felt the balance of the truck change. She knew exactly what happened.

“We just blew a tire,” she said as she tried to catch her breath, the sound startling her when it happened. “Fuck, okay. We have to put the spare one on. Archie, Dutch, I’m going to need your strength for this one. Let’s get out and change this as quickly as possible. We’re also going to need to unhitch the trailer. I’ll get the jack, c’mon. Everyone else out. No one can be in when it’s being jacked.”

Grabbing her rifle, Jennifer exited the car, first searching her surroundings. Seeing that it seemed clear, she talked back towards the bed of the truck on the driver side. The jack was kept in a particular spot that was easy for anyone to get to. As she grabbed it, she walked to the right side of the truck, where the rear right tire was blown. Looking at the road, it must have been a sharp piece of debris that had popped it. Jennifer walked over towards the trailer that Domino was is, and Zelda, who decided to ride in there due to the capacity restrictions of the truck.

“Hey Zelda, we blew a tire on the truck. We’re going to try and change it,” she said as she knocked on the side of the trailer. Inside, she could hear Domino was moving about inside as if she were spooked. “Is Domino okay? Hold on, I’ll get Dutch.”

“Okay, Arch, Dutch, the spare’s underneath the truck. We just need to jack it up to get under and get it out,” Jennifer directed the men. As she did so, she could hear Domino moving about in the trailer, seeming to be a bit panicked. “But before you do that, Dutch, go help want Zelda calm Domino down. I think the sound of the tire blowing out spooked her.”

The sun was setting, and light was becoming scarcer by the minute. Not only was there this, but Tesla, a new arrival to the group, one who was not very trusted, would be alone if Jennifer left him alone. She knew that this was a bad idea.

“I’ll go keep an eye on Tesla and the other two while you and Dutch change this tire when he gets back,” Jennifer alerted Archie. “Oh, the flashlights are in the big red duffle bag in the bed if you need them.”

Jennifer walked to where Rin, Tesla, and Milly were. Rin seemed to take some sort of liking to Tesla in the little bit they knew each other. Jennifer didn’t really like it, but she still wasn’t sure what to make of her either. She didn’t know her as well as she knew Milly, Archie, and even Dutch. Walking over to Milly, Jennifer knelt down in front of her.
“Hey Milly, feeling okay?” Jennifer glanced over at Tesla and Rin for a moment, mainly keeping an eye on Tesla. “You hungry? Need anything?” Jennifer periodically glanced at Tesla to see what he was doing. She didn’t trust him.



@Rumble Fish@HumansArentReal@Rui

 

[idalie]

Archie McKeegan​

As above, so below.

Everything was in ruins, all that the Scotsman had laboured for in love and love alone. Archie had bowed his head for the first time in years to pray after the incident, but strikingly; there was no solace to be found. Not up in the heavens, no divinity left to cherish the mortals made of such fragile clay. McKeegan wasn’t the man from the beginning of this venture, but a broken saint stuck with the thorns of a dying God. Those splinters worked themselves up inside, dragged on with the vibrancy of what life remained and struck his eyes with darkness. A great chasm had opened up in his pupils where kindness and fruitful compassion no longer stoked the fires of good will.

He was nothing more than a testament to the old world. His bones were heavy and he was but a passing occupant, soon there was nothing more desirable than the lust to lay down his head and wither. Leave this place for the foxes to sup and dine on his flesh, for the ivy to wrap about his limbs. To waste away like the walking corpses that plagued their ever shortening existence on this small and troubled planet. He’d never been brave enough to stare down the barrel of a gun.

Pain was something that enlightened his choices and made it all the harder to let the group believe he was still as healthy and broad as he’d always been. They’d pushed him on a pedestal of fatherly advice and love and yet he was so filled with a rage, a burning, smouldering ugly thing. It flowered from buds and wove through the cracks of his stubborn will.

Then there was Milly. Just a girl, just some poor sweet girl who hadn’t asked for any of this, like every unfortunate, fated child thrown to the curb straight out the womb. Perhaps she was the last, pure and uncorrupted thing in his universe. A senselessly violent universe that had meddled in his steadfast resolve.

Was he a traveller? For his feet had blistered and his chest ached, parched and unquenched through the few lines of psalms he knew. Digesting the words that promised greater things in a plan beyond his knowledge.

McKeegan's hand had permanently lain across his stomach since the two incidents which had torn him apart and crudely fashioned him back together. Fresh, pink scarring starting to knit underneath the stitches if not for the chronic agony that wracked his frame and hindered healing. Archie’s shirt hung from his shoulders, old leather belt having punched a couple more holes to keep his jeans hitched on his hips. The healthy flush of his complexion had all but become sallow, setting his sockets back and tightening the skin over his proud cheekbones and jaw. His hair was lank, greasier, beard untrimmed and wild, cigarettes masking the stale sweat from the amount that he’d taken to tobacco as a form of relaxant. He couldn’t be bothered to keep Milly from it, not anymore - she was old enough. Even then his voice had become a hoarse, gravelly thing and the cigarettes would run out more often than not. Fingers twitching from the nicotine.

The lumberjack kicked open the back of the truck, getting to his feet stiffly as he shifted himself without bending the sustained injuries. He regarded Dutch with those cold irises, shuffling one foot after the other like he too had decayed. Leaning against the vehicle, the lumberer nodded to the burst tire.

“I’ll grab the flashlights.” He grunted, swivelling about to lean into the truck bed and fetch the torches, pausing as swilling of acid rose in his throat and a sharp, jagged sensation shot through him. Forehead glistening feverishly, although unknown whether it was from filth or sickness was left to debate. His fingernails were cracked and packed with mud, blood drying in the creases of his knuckles which had scabbed over. Occasionally weeping through the thin and improvised bandaging of his own devising. Archie took a second to recover, finding his balance and forcing the bile back down.

As the jack was thrown down, the lumberer shifted it with the side of his feet underneath - slowly dropping to his haunches to check it was in the right position. “Days like these,” He uttered under his breath, fumbling for a cig and a small matchbox. St Christopher glinted from the medallion around his neck, dull in the reflection of the flame. McKeegan was winded by merely standing, disguising the quick breaths that left him light-headed.

“Milly! No more wanderin’. You hear? Not even with --” His lips wouldn’t grace to speak Catherine’s name. The last culprit of getting Milly in trouble. The baritone rasp carried over and so did the distaste. He wasn’t amused at the banding of the group, no, if it was his idea, him and Milly would’ve headed North and met with the few gravitating caravans. Returning his attention, the labourer began to wind the car up, stepping on the jack to elevate the vehicle. It was harder than expected and Archie could feel his patience disintegrating by the second, for if it wasn’t his physical prowess that proved him for these misfits, there was nothing else to give. Jennifer moved off to girls and Dutch toward Zelda.

Not that he could bear to see the sight of the Doctor, not anytime soon. He’d shoulder through it like he had everything so far.

Przemysław “Tesla” Wawrzaszek​

It’s all rosy.

He hadn’t known the group long, barely long enough to have known every tear-jerking tale or seen real anger directed in those bloody bonds. Yet it didn’t take an idiot to see the friction, how that blood they shared in weighty ritual had become diluted. Not all who survive can live. Wawzaszek was something of a lone hitchhiker from place to place, narrowly avoiding getting minced up and spat out by the unsavoury types. That kindness was getting in shorter supply and the free ride he got off the miserable collection of knuckle-draggers was better than wandering a woodland of mutated creatures.

When the wheel blew, Tesla was one of the few first off and out. The wiry-haired mutt following close behind as his owner settled eventually joined and scrutinised but otherwise safe enough. Shame the crew wasn’t the sort who’d take to raiding, too many morals between the lot of them. That was the easy life unless you ran into a bigger fish. And there would always be a bigger fish.

The only thing Tesla had exchanged in what could be considered friendliness was a bible, handing it to a fellow Catholic in Archie who he’d found more than once could only recall the basic prayers of childhood. Something to soothe the angry giant, since his time spent was shaking and occupied by the presence that Milly graced. Wandering about had not aided by Catherine’s interest in the Polish mechanic outside the forest and his reclusive nature became evident from the chosen decision to fix another broken radio. It wasn’t for sentimental or reasons beyond his own enjoyment, although few knew what was coming on over the waves, perhaps further broadcasts were being set up across the country? Either way, Przemek was content. The team needn't know of his skills until say, the radiator started leaking. The lumberer may have been sick but it was something called comfortable preservation.

You started to realise when you were needed and when the slack could be picked up by another demanding issue. Tesla preferred his technology - the remnants of it at least.

Eventually, he leaned his forearm over a knee, staring at his nearest observer - Jen. “Look too long at fine art and you’ll start thinkin’ it’s nothin’ special.” He grinned, the upward flick of his short moustache only adding to a charming, last century look for Magnum P.I. “I’ll be out your hair sometime soon. Just need me a better civilisation than out here in the sticks.”

Peacemaker .45 Rumble Fish Rui

 

[Rumble Fish]

Milly McDonald
Everything about Milly’s fragile existence prior to the end of the world seemed to have completely vanished off of the face of the earth. Nobody was the same, and their constant travelling dulled her sense of longing for what was lost. All that could be done now was to cling onto what she still had. Her bear, the wooden bluebird and duck Archie had carved for her and Norris, the chicken was somehow still alive and kicking after all of this time. But everything before? Her home, her mother, her life? Gone. As far as she knew. Despite this acceptance, she still cried at night, clinging to that fading hope that she would one day see her again. And with the dwindling spirits of the group, it was all she had left.

Milly jolted a little as the vehicle came to a rumbling halt and the others jumped out. The youngster hummed softly and fixed her eyepatch. Small and black, Jennifer had found it during a scavenging trip and given it to her to cover her blind eye. She still wore her glasses making her seem like a nerdy pirate. Jumping from the truck, she grabbed the pocket pistol from her pocket. Dutch had shown her how to shoot it, but she hadn't the need to. Not yet. While the others busied themselves, Milly hopped out of the vehicle, groaning from the impact as it sent a shock through her weak knees. She took a few steps off of the road, looking to the distance.

As she looked, she watched as Jennifer approached her thankfully from her only eye’s side and knelt to her level. Milly was relieved to still have Jennifer. Despite the unrest in the group, she was glad to still have her. At her question, she opened her mouth to answer her but there was a light rumble from her stomach which made her wince a little. She put a hand against her concave abdomen and looked to Jennifer. “Um...yes. Sorry.” She muttered, feeling rather bad for admitting it. Food was scarce and three of them were still recovering from previous injuries so, surely they needed to eat more than she did?

A gruff voice made her jump and turn, relaxing once she realised it was Archie. The man had changed dramatically over the last couple of months, and not for the better. He was thin, bedraggled, his once soft beard now all bristly and prickly. He was smoking a lot more than before, not that Milly minded much. But his worsening mood and anger was what worries her the most. He was angry all the time; but still very tender towards her like he always had been. He was all she had now. At his words to stay close, Milly gulped slightly and nodded.

“Y-yes pa…” she called back before lifting her scarf over her mouth, her thin body shaking. She could only pray that they would not be stuck here for long. While they clearly wanted to avoid telling her, Milly knew about the demonic creatures now roaming. The close call Dutch had with the cougar and what she had seen in passing. Milly squeaked slightly as she thought back to that day, tears dripping from her eyes. All she wanted was to look at rabbits… taking her bear from her rucksack, she clung to it tightly, rocking slightly as she just stared into the open. Teddies could not hug back, but it was better than nothing. She looked up at Jennifer with a squeak and a dart of the eye.

“How far is it now from here?” She asked before quickly averting her gaze, “N-no never mind that’s stupid...”

Zelda Williams
Shower of bastards. All of them! Maybe except for the two younger girls, but the rest of them? They could get torn apart by some demon bear for all she cared. Zelda’s furious thoughts tore through her mind like a hurricane. At this point she didn't know why she was still here. Some sense of duty? Who knows. Or maybe she just did not need any more blood on her hands, even though one of them would really deserve it. Ever since that day they met Tesla (who the fuck named their kid Tesla?) everything had gone downhill. Even after they were brought back safely, Zelda could not bring herself to speak to him, or anybody. Not after what had been said.

Archie was stressed about Milly, she knew that. But even after getting her back, he never apologised. And he still wouldn't. He knew fine well what he said would have hurt, yet he still wouldn't apologise. Even some half baked attempt would have been better than simply nothing. And nobody even attempted to help. That was just great. Since then, the doctor had almost completely isolated herself from the group, staying in different rooms to them, leaving to hunt before any of them woke up and even now, she was in this rancid horsebox rather than in the truck. Again, to maintain that distance. Not a word had left the doctor’s lips since Archie had slammed that door with a snarled order to stay.

Hearing a snort, Zelda looked up to the dark face of Domino who was staring straight into her soul. The doctor snorted back defiantly, she'd be damned if even the fucking horse was going to give her a hard time. But as she did, there was a sudden shift in momentum, causing Zelda to lurch straight into Dom. The horse squealed and her ears pinned as she danced on the spot anxiously. Swearing under her breath, Zelda grabbed the horse’s rope and tried to shush her but to no avail.

“Zelda!” Dutch’s southern drawl called out from outside, “I'm gonna open the door! Just lead her out!” Zelda didn't answer him but he didn't seem to need one as the trailer opened, causing the doctor to wince at the sudden light. Doing as he said, she led the big black horse out of the trailer. Once outside, she was prancing, having been cooped up in there for too long.

“Just let her go, she won't wander.” She heard Dutch instruct as he went around the side to assist Archie. With a grumble, she released the horse’s head collar and Domino contently trotted away to a spot not far from the road where she dropped and rolled, her tail flipping and with playful snorts. Before the end, Zelda would have laughed. But not anymore.

It was as she was standing there that the doctor felt an intense pain within her abdomen and chest. Growling a little, she rolled up her shirt to look. The wounds, where she had been shot by Dave, weren't healing. The skin was red, angry and inflamed, despite her efforts. The little antibiotics they had, she was giving to Archie. Despite her anger for the man, Milly needed him. She was expendable. As long as she gave them some knowhow on what to do, that would be enough.

Wincing from the pain, Zelda fished into her bag, taking out a bottle of red wine. But before doing anything, she raised it to see the scratches she had inflicted on the glass. Measurements. Once checking, she made deductions. She had some last night, then this morning, so surely now she could take another. Just to ease the sting of the wounds, right? Uncapping it, the doctor took out a medium sized mug and poured some of the bottle's contents into it. Once she had done so, she checked it again. Just on the next line. Now she'd have to wait until nightfall to take more. But… that was so long from now. She had been doing this for a few weeks now and it was not working. It only made her irritable and had almost left her dead one night. If Jennifer hadn’t walked in when she did, the doctor doubted she would be standing here right now. In a way, she wished the younger woman had been oblivious. At least that way they wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore.

Before she could tilt the mug further back, Dutch's voice snapped "Sip it!" in her mind, causing her to slow right down. She had learned this the hard way in her first few days of this routine, gulping it at once only made her crave it more and would make it impossible for her to keep going. The doctor sighed and held onto the mug with both hands and simply sat, arms loosely wrapped around her abdomen, the pain still remaining as she watched the horse frolic and play in the grass, as if the apocalypse had never happened. Must have been great being a horse. People liked horses.
idalie Peacemaker .45​