Somewhere near Florence a young man with short red hair climbs a ladder leading to the roof of a gas station carrying a large full sack that is weighing him down as he climbs. "A little help here?" he said as he started reaching the top, sweat dropping from his forehead into his eyes. This day was paticularly hot which gave his already dirty shirt plenty of sweat stains.
"Sorry Austin!", chirped a voice as another young man, Tony kneeled down above the ladder, reaching down. Tony was smaller than average and wore glasses. Austin grunted as he thrust his arm upwards giving the Tony the bag then finally hauling himself onto the roof.
The roof had 3 tents on it, it was all they could potentially fit, and they needed the protection from the sun in the daytime as well as somewhere to sleep. Austin looked around, "The hell was that? You were supposed to wait for me at the top of the ladder while Tony was on lookout!" he barked at Shiloh who was busy with a magazine inside his tent. Shiloh was wearing sunglasses and let them slide down a little so his eyes could be seen.
"Didn't realize." he said simply before pushing the glasses back up and shrugging but not before rolling his eyes. "Like hell you didn't I know for a goddamn fact you heard me before I went down!" Austin had to check himself for a moment not wanting to be too loud, not wanting to draw any dead to them. He looked at Tony who had sat back down in a lawn chair where he had been keeping watch with the only rifle they had. Austin gave him a nod, thanking him for help at the ladder and simultaneously apologizing for getting angry even if it was warranted.
They'd been staying on this gas station for a few days now, making runs down into the gas station slowly emptying it and stocking up whenever it was safe. The three of them were in a larger group that was ripped apart by a herd. They knew of no other survivors and it had been a miracle that they escaped. They hadn't known each other before this all happened other than the fact that Austin met Tony briefly before they were thrown into this apocalypse. Tony and Shiloh didn't even live in South Carolina. They had both been here visitng with their respective college groups.
Austin sighed before seating himself in his own tent breathing in deeply as the slightly cooler air of the tent hit his skin, he had both side flaps unzipped on either side out the small window like holes. He glanced to his right , he could see Tony through the hole and his face softened. Tony had almost lost his mind during a breakdown before they lost everyone to the herd. He was kind, soft and emotional and Austin couldn't help but feel protective over Tony. Tony reminded Austin of his younger brother even though Austin and Tony were the same age. The memory suddenly pierced Austins heart, he wasn't sure if his brother was dead or not. It caused him to turn away from Tony and look down his eyes moist.
Austin pondered if Tony had simply toughened up or if he was pushing all of those emotions deep down. "So when are we moving on from this dump anyways?", the words were sudden and drew Austin out of his thoughts. He looked up, Shiloh was crouched in front of his tent looking intently. Austin simply gave him a dumbfounded look in return. "Fine, I'm sorry about not helping at the damn ladder alright?" said Shiloh as he took off his sunglasses, thinking Austin was ignoring him.
Austin chuckled in return, he had learned how to push Shiloh's buttons a certain way. "I'm not sure. Whenever we decide to leave but we've gotta have a plan." Shiloh motioned for Austin to move over, Austin gave him a confused look but did so. Shiloh sat down in the tent beside Austin and glanced out at Tony before turning back to Austin. "You know we're not going to see any of them right? They're dead or gone, they aren't going to just stroll by." he said in a hushed voice so Tony couldn't hear. Austin glanced out at Tony, part of the reason they'd stayed on this gas station this long was for a small hope they'd catch sight some of their original group, that and stocking up, but the gas station was almost bone dry at this point. "I know." he said quietly before gazing back at Shiloh. And the main reason Tony was on watch was because he was waiting in hope that someone they knew would pass by. He'd take watch as often as Austin would let him. Austin had to talk him into resting in his tent sometimes, no need for sunstroke.
"That kids got a big heart, but we can't stay here any longer waiting for people who aren't going to show up. To survive in this world we have to keep moving." Shiloh said quietly, his hand motioning towards Tony. Austin nodded, and Shiloh nodded back. They both emerged from the tent and Tony looked over at them with a half smile. "Look uh..." Austin started, not making eye contact at first, he rubbed the back of his own neck with his hand. Finally he made eye contact with Tony "..the gas stations picked clean so we should head out soon. We've already been here for a few days." Tony's half smile faded, "But shouldn't we wait a little lo--". Tony was cut off by Shiloh. "No one is coming and we're leaving so just deal with it."
Tony's face seemed to get even more pale and he looked down at the ground but nodded, his grip on the rifle tigthened. Austin gave Shiloh an angry look. "You just can't help yourself can you?" Austin crouched by the chair Tony was in. "We need to move on Tony, it's for the best. You'll see." he said, then stood back up "Let's leave in the morning, we can rest up tonight and pack up." . Austin looked over his shoulder making sure Shiloh heard him. Shiloh's outburst caught the attention of a nearby walker who wandered over beating on the wall of the gas station below. Shiloh grunted, "I've got it." Rounding around the back of Austin's tent grabbing a long metal pole they had been using to pick off any walkers that decided to mess with the gas station, one end of the pole was stained dark red from the skulls it had already impaled.
Walking over to the edge he looked down at the walker and smiled. "Like fish in a barrel." As if actually spear fishing he speared downwards and the pole entered its skull with a crunch. The walker went limp and quiet before sliding off the pole when shiloh pulled it out. "Austin..." Tony said with a pause as if still deciding on what he was going to say. "I understand. It's not safe to stay here for very long. That's what you said the first night we slept up here. The gas stations running dry of supplies and we haven't spotted anyone. So I agree, it's best if we move on."
Austin studied his friends face, he was caught off guard. Tony gave a nod with a smile. Austin wanted nothing more for that smile to be an honest happy smile. But he could tell it was a false front, behind that smile Tony was hurting. And so Austin had to do the same, make a false smile while he hurt. He hurt for those they'd lost, and he hurt for Tony.
Back on the edge of the interstate the majority of the group presumed the worst for Ellis and they were trying to leave. "No!" Annie said trying to escape Audri and Falisha's grasp, trying to run to the interstate. "I'm sorry honey but we can't. It's not safe, he's gone." Falisha sad, her eyes watered. "No he's not we have to go back for him!" she was getting louder and attracting too much attention. "He's dead, and we are leaving!" Jemma said stepping in front of Annie. "Shutup you don't care, you never cared!" she screamed at her mother, who proceeded to slap her. Annie put her hand on where she was slapped, her mouth open slightly in a daze. The walkers were nearing and with heavy hearts the group left into a small grove of trees rather than the road.
That night Austin, Shiloh, and Tony decided that they should all sleep instead of having someone on watch, so that the three of them were rested and ready to move the next morning. Across the street within some trees, "They didn't leave anyone on watch. This is the opening we've been waiting for." a hushed voice said. An hour later four figures scooted low, slowly across the street towards the gas station. Their shadows being cast on the road by the moonlight.
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Next Time: A knife glistens crimson and choices are made.
(I'm lazy that is all.)
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I was hoping to do some sort of mid-season finale before the holidays started distracting me that way there was an excuse for not having episodes out very quick. However that didn't happen. No idea when Episode 4 will be out. Hopefully before Christmas though, just be patient.
Characters can still be created and I do need some more, just hit up the apps blog with a comment. They'll get in, eventually. NPC's could stay around and more are likely to show up so if you like an NPC you can claim it as your character if you'd like. :3
Would you like to follow these episodes? I can tag or message anyone with the episodes when they are released just let me know.
No questions, but leave a comment if you enjoyed. Doesn't matter how short.
And don't worry about Christmas. Take your time, enjoy the holidays!!! :-)