Annie could hear something but it was faint, the noises sounded like she was underwater or a million miles away, she was groggy, the noises slowly seemed to get closer as her head cleared, she attempted to sit up but something was preventing it, tried to wipe her eyes but she couldn't, panic once again setting in she opened her mouth to scream but she couldn't. Something was covering it, breathing heavily through her nose she twitched her lips around trying to figure out what it was. Tape, she only realized this when she turned to look beside her, seeing Falisha strapped to a hospital bed next to her with tape covering her mouth, the grunting noises had been her trying to wake Annie. She was in the same situation, and that was why she couldn't move. The room was dark as she searched her surroundings before once again making eye contact with Falisha.
--
Ben and Chris grappled with each other against the hard tile floor for almost a minute before breaking apart. "Those guys yours then?" Ben asked wiping his forearm against his bloody lip, speaking of the people in the parking lot. Chris shook his head, "No, not a clue who they are. They made the perfect distraction though, I mean I did end up getting you alone. Didn't have to use Falisha afterall." he smirked. Ben growled, "Why do this? You and me, we're both still alive. It doesn't have to go down like this, my friends are down there fighting to protect this place, I should be beside them but instead I'm here dealing with you. We should BOTH be fighting beside them." Ben gestured a hand behind him towards the front of the hospital. "You don't get it do you? I don't WANT to. I came back for the sole purpose to make you pay...to kill you, why is that so hard to understand?" Chris exhaled impatiently. "Because even though you hate me I still care about you, I never meant for any of them to die, I was trying to send you all back to Fort Bragg so you'd be safe...as long as you haven't hurt Falisha or Annie this can still work." Ben's face was torn, he was angry at Chris, angry at himself now knowing what had happened to those he'd sworn to protect, just that they we're dead. He was worried about Falisha and Annie, worried about the others fighting below them. And it was all hitting him at once.
Chris smirked in amusement, "It can't even if I wanted it to. Like I said Ben, I came here for you and you alone. I didn't want to hurt a little girl, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, knocked her out with chloroform." It was the information Ben was looking for, she was alive. He'd spotted his gun between them and dove for it, when he grabbed it and started to aim at Chris the other man was upon him with a large knife headed straight for him. Chris knew he couldn't kill Ben before the man could pull the trigger and backed off, raising his hands. "Where!?" Ben yelled in frustration, much to Chris' annoyance. Ben stood and stepped closer to Chris, "Where are they!?"
--
Patrick held his flashlight up as he ran through the halls, where was Ben? What had he heard exactly? When he spotted the body on the ground he felt the hair raise on the back of his neck. He slowly crept forward nudging it with his foot before turning it over. He covered his mouth and looked away at the realization that it was Anthony, the man had clearly turned before he'd been shot in the head because his flesh had already started to decay. "Fuck." Patrick muttered moving on, in the next hallway he noticed an opened door. He stopped in his tracks shining his light at it from down the hall, the noises returned almost like muffled grunts this time more aggressive. Entering the room he shined his light at two beds where he saw Annie and Falisha strapped to them.
--
Austin hit the ground hard unable to catch himself, he heard the distinct noise of a bullet hitting flesh, one he knew all to well, he half expecting to be riddled with bullets he was suddenly aware of someone helping him up. He didn't look to see who it was at first, using his own force with the other person the two launched themselves forwards landing behind the desk next to Alicia and Izzie. Austin huffed pulling the gun straps over his head, realizing the person who'd helped him was Luke. "Thanks, I'd probably be dead if you weren't so quick on your feet." The younger man just shook his head, "And we'd all be dead if you didn't bring the big guns. Let's call it even." Austin handed the three of them their weapons before tossing the assault rifles to Shiloh and Liam as well. A groan came from the other side of the room as those behind the desk realized Wayne had been hit, "Cover me." Izzie said rushing out from behind the desk before they could even react. All laying down cover fire, giving her time to reach Wayne without problems.
Izzie slid to the ground as Wayne sat up gripping his side, "I'm fine." he said through gritted teeth. "Just let me look dammit." Izzie said keeping a hold on his shoulder preventing the man from moving. Blood seeping onto his shirt by his ribs had her worried, she let go of his shoulder once he gave in, allowing her to look. Raising the shirt she inspected it. "Your in luck." Izzie said with an angry sarcastic tone. "No exit wound which means you get a quick free surgery." Wayne attempted to stand once again, this time Izzie got in his face. "You may not be bleeding too much right now but if we don't get that bullet out and patch you up you'll bleed out before these guys can put a bullet in your brain." Wayne rolled his eyes wanting to stay and fight. "We don't have the people here to have two of us be distracted." Izzie shook her head, "We'll just have to make do."
It was then that Kate showed back up in the hallway keeping low. Izzie glanced at her, and at the others, the gunfire was getting more aggressive, not letting them return much anymore having everyone pinned. She glanced at Wayne, the two finding some sort of understanding in the moment. "We can't hold it, we have to fall back deeper into the hospital..." She mumbled and Wayne nodded. "It's our only chance right now, let them in and they'll be on our turf, an even playing field, no more rain and darkness to conceal them. Take away that advantage."
"Retreat into the hospital!" Izzie called out as she helped Wayne to his feet. "We hold our ground deeper inside!" The others stared at her and Wayne baffled at the plan. "Are you crazy!? We can't let them inside, it'll be the end of us!" Liam spouted from below a window. Alicia shook her head, "No he's right, we'll get picked off if we just stay here or run out of ammo shooting randomly." And with that they took turns laying down cover fire to let each other retreat one by one. With the locations across the lobby it was a forced split. Izzie, Liam, and Wayne had taken hall closest to them with Kate in it. Luke, Alicia, Austin, and Shiloh had taken the one on the opposite side.
--
Chris closed his eyes allowing the cold tip of Ben's gun to be pressed against his forehead. "You should have TRUSTED ME." Chris yelled in Ben's face as he lurched forwards into the gun and closer to Ben with his body, Ben however replied by stepping backwards keeping him at arms length. It caught Ben off guard as Chris was defenseless and shouldn't resist unless...unless he wanted this to end. "If you had told us about the orders and that you we're going to defy them I would have defected with you. Did you really think we would blindly follow the orders to kill them? No, we would have blindly followed you, it's what we did and it's what got them all killed!!" Chris shouted. Ben stared angrily at the man he'd known for many years, a man he considered family. He watched Chris' eyes dart to look behind him, and for a brief moment saw a strange orange glow being cast from behind him. Instincts kicked in as he saw Chris backing up and Ben threw himself as hard as he could to the side, just as he did he could hear the glass window shattering, and he felt heat. Ben turned to look where he once stood to see a fire that was now engulfing the hallway, someone had thrown a Molotov cocktail.
Strong arms encircled Ben's neck from behind and tightened into a choke hold attempting to cut off Ben's breathing, Chris had caught him off guard. Ben grabbed at the arms desperately as he tried to move his body to shake Chris off of him.
--
Patrick couldn't even ask the girls what had happened because immediately after getting them untied the loud crashing noise echoed throughout the second floor, and smoke started flooding the halls. Annie was still shaken, Patrick knelt down in front of her, "I can't imagine what you've been through. You can talk about it after we're safe but for now I need you to focus alright?" Annie nodded half-heatedly. Patrick exhaled, "Look, just focus on Ellis. We're all in trouble right now including him, and I need you to be brave for him alright?" Annie seemed to understand as her stance changed to a more stable form. Patrick stood back up, Falisha was eyeing him curiously "It's bad." He muttered before handing her his pistol. And it was, the hostiles we're firing on their people downstairs, and now it seemed there was a fire. "We should go." Falisha said, the three moving out into the halls.
--
Ellis sat in the emergency room lobby, glancing at Bailey who was sat beside him. He was uncomfortable with the situation but oddly calm. Bailey had her eyes and ears open listening to every shot that echoed through the halls. Cynthia stood against a nearby wall with the pistol still in her hand, trying hard to focus but not feeling very confident. She glanced at the two younger kids, the fact that she'd been trusted to protect them was terrifying in a way but Kate had trusted her and she wasn't about to forget that. As she watched them for a moment she glanced past them at the ambulance bay doors which had been chained shut, something sat on the ground in front of the door. Curiously she moved to take a look, her eyes went wide with the realization that the chance that once kept them safe now laid on the ground. As if on cue the double doors slowly crept open, Cynthia froze. With the doors now opened the groans could be heard, "No..." she muttered backing up.
Bailey stood up behind her, watching her curiously. Then all at once walkers started moving through the doors like a crashing wave, too many to count for how close they we're as Cynthia turned to Bailey and Ellis. "Go!" She screamed. Bailey grabbed Ellis pulling him to stand and the two rushed down the nearby hallway with Cynthia on their heels.
--
"Kate, here!" Izzie called out tossing Kate her gun, they moved into a random room located in one of the halls, she and Liam helped Wayne onto a hospital bed. Kate closed the door behind them. "I've gotta get this bullet out, now." Izzie said staring at Wayne who nodded through gritted teeth, this was going to hurt. "Get something for him to bite down on." She told Liam who took off his belt before moving beside her holding the small flashlight so she could see what she was doing. "How are we supposed to fight back from in here?" He said.. Izzie shook her head, "This takes priority, besides they'll come to us." Izzie now blocked them out working the forceps into Wayne's wound.
--
Ben balled his fists and flung them as hard as he could at Chris' face behind him, he felt himself weakening at the lack of oxygen, his fists hit true but Chris wasn't faltering. "Chris..." He gasped. "Not these time Sergeant No tapping out of this I'm afraid." Chris said through his teeth as his body stayed tense and he squeezed tighter.
And with a sudden jerk it was over. Ben inhaled sharply coughing from his sore throat, and the smoke he'd just inhaled, his hand went to his neck angrily searching for Chris with his eyes as they refocused, confused at what had happened and where the other man went. He could hear grunts and scuffling then he spotted Chris and another man vying for control of the other down the hall, flipping on-top of each other with fists flying in a frenzy. It was Patrick he realized as he brought himself to stand, he knew the younger man would most likely lose this fight. Chris was larger and that was a fact, but he also had the military training to back that up.
--
"We have to rendezvous with the others!" Alicia said running alongside Austin, Shiloh, and Luke. They agreed on this, turning a corner into the next hallway they all came to a screeching halt almost falling over as they we're faced by a wave of walkers heading their way. "The fuck's going on!?" Shiloh yelled, instincts had them firing into the crowd as they retreated backwards slowly, bodies dropped left and right but the wall of decay kept closing. "It's no use, run for it!" Shiloh shouted as he turned around, at the T intersection hallway he ran left along with Austin and Luke. Looking over his shoulder Luke spotted Alicia heading the other way. "What are you doing!?" He yelled coming to a stop. Alicia waved for them to keep going, "I've got a plan, I'll lead these guys to those fucks shooting at us, you three find the others!" Luke and Austin moved to try and stop her, being instantly cut off by the walkers flooding the intersection.
Shots we're heard from the other side of the walkers as Alicia started shooting and screaming to get the full attention of dead, and it worked for the most part only a few followed after the guys. "She shouldn't have gone alone." Austin growled. "She's a hardass she'll be fine." Shiloh replied, the three continuing deeper into the hospital.
--
"Just keep running! We'll find the others!" Cynthia yelled at Bailey and Ellis who we're running ahead of her, walkers still trailing behind them. "But we'll be running into gunfire, it can't be much more safe than this!" Bailey yelled back over her shoulder. Cynthia caught up to them taking Ellis' hand in hers. Bailey grabbed Cynthia's hand tugging her into a nearby room, Ellis was pulled as well. Cynthia quickly shut the door behind them, "The hell are we going to do in here?" She said as the walkers started beating on the door causing her to back-away from it. Bailey shook her head, "We wait it out. The others will come back for us..." She muttered, others by default was Klaire to her. Ellis moved to the window of the room that was boarded up trying to tug at the boards. "We're trapped." He pouted. Cynthia shook her head distraught, being trapped in a small room with a hoard of those things outside trying to get in, her fears we're being realized. "And if everyone is dead then we'll die in this room." She mumbled as she sank to the ground.
--
Alicia was walking backwards at a quick pace with the walkers following her, glancing over her shoulder to make sure she didn't run into any surprises, the plan was working and the dead we're following her straight towards the lobby. It was a great plan she told herself, but the realization hit that it was going to be difficult to escape once she'd actually arrived at the lobby, being trapped between walkers and trigger happy assholes that wanted everyone dead, what a night.
When she stepped into the opening of the lobby with the walkers hot on her trail she could see that a small group of people had entered the lobby. She raised her weapon without stopping and fired shots before they even spotted her, taking down the two closest. The return fire from the others was quick and she barely had enough time to duck into another hallway. Some of the walkers had been drawn by the fire but some had still stayed focused on her, forcing her out once again. Alicia quickly sprinted for the next hallway in the hopes that everything trying to kill her would be distracted for just a moment. That wishful thinking ended abruptly when a spray of bullets buzzed by her, she cried out at the sudden burning sensation in her leg then she threw herself forwards into the hallway.
Alicia stared down at her bloody wounded leg, frustrated she gritted her teeth trying to stand. She was safe for the next few seconds until something came around the corner, walkers or people either way she was dead if she didn't move. She heaved herself to stand on one leg, grabbing her gun she opened the closest door to her, moving inside and slamming the door behind her. It was dark and she'd stumbled over something causing her to fall against one of the hospital beds. She cursed herself silently for not being more careful, for not standing her ground, what the hell was she doing here? Why had she so easily volunteered to lead those walkers towards their enemies.
--
The flames of the fire had spread in all directions of the building, it had a mind of it's own as it cut Ben off from Chris and Patrick. Ben grabbed the gun from the ground, shielding his face from the heat of the fire he aimed it through the flames towards the two, Chris currently having the advantage as he was on-top of Patrick. Ben took a breath as he aimed then fired a shot, the shot glanced off the wall inches from Chris and Patrick catching Chris' attention he looked up at the flames, seeing Ben setting up for a second shot, that moment was all Patrick needed as he threw Chris off of him. Chris and Ben locked eyes in a glare once more before Chris sprinted around the corner going deeper into the hospital.
Ben lowered his weapon and was forced to take a step back as the flames flickered towards him. "Patrick you've gotta go, the fire's spreading too fast!!" Ben yelled over the roar of the fire.
Patrick could hear Ben yelling as he stood slowly, his eye already feeling swollen even if it didn't show it, he watched the fire spreading and understood. He turned running the opposite direction of where Chris had gone.
Ben slowly made his way back to the stairwell, with a light limp on his right leg. "Falisha!?" He cried out spotting the woman standing near the stairwell looking distraught. A brief smile crossed her lips as she kissed him on the cheek, Patrick came jogging up. "I owe you my life." Ben said turning to Patrick, who opened his mouth reply but Falisha cut him off. "Annie took off down the stairs after the gunshot, we have to go after her." Falisha said not waiting and opening the door. "Wait!" Ben called out following after her.
--
Alicia sat between the hospital beds on the floor, her leg still bleeding. She'd wrapped it as best as possible but the blood was seeping through, it had formed a small puddle on the tile floor. Her face was concentrated on the door, gun pointed and ready. "Come and get me." She mumbled, then a smell caught her attention. Smoke? Alicia couldn't stifle the chuckle she let out as she wiped the sweat from her brow, the hospital was on fire now? Seriously? "I will not die here!" She yelled at the door, "Do you here me!?"
The door jerked open suddenly but Alicia was ready, even with the bright beams of a flashlight shining in through the dark. She took only one second of hesitation, the thought that maybe these we're her people coming to her aid. Bailey, Klaire, Ben, Wayne...any of them. After that single second it was clear this wasn't the case and her finger held the trigger down letting loose a volley of bullets. It was slow motion for her, the flashlight slowly dropping, the sound of yelling and cries.
A moment later it was over, quiet. A man from outside the room stepped over two bodies to enter the room followed by a woman. "Stupid bitch." The man muttered staring down at the lifeless Alicia, a bullet-wound in her head. The woman spat, then they glanced around the room before leaving.
--
Ryan, Shannon, and Klaire ducked behind a vehicle across the street from the hospital, the gunfire had lessened but some still echoed, the storm had all but stopped at this point. "Lookout!" Shannon hissed quietly, the three ducking down as a walker strolled by. "These things are everywhere, this gunfire is attracting them from everywhere!" Klaire growled gripping her rifle tightly. Ryan stayed quiet as he stared at the entrance of the hospital over the hood of the truck. The night kept most things hidden but Ryan was able to spot a few figures near the disfigured barricade of cars. "The whole damn place is on fire!" Klaire said staring at the flames leaping up the front of the hospital.
--
Kate stifled a cough as she stood by the door her eyes watering, the smoke had reached them a while ago. Izzie had a rag wrapped around her mouth so she could focus on Wayne, "Done!" she called out. Wayne un-tensed, allowing the belt to slip out of his mouth. "Thank fuck!" He sat up a bit too quickly getting dizzy, Izzie quickly grabbing him by the shoulder. "Not so fast big guy, you lost blood. Take things slow."
Liam rolled his eyes from his position across the room, "We don't have that luxury right now. We've got to get out of this damn deathtrap." Kate glared at him, "And what just leave the others? Leave our home?" Kate cried out. Liam shook his head, "If they we're smart they'd have already gotten themselves out." Izzie helped Wayne to the door where Liam placed himself under one of the big mans arms. "Liam's right. We leave now, they can take care of themselves. This isn't about protecting the hospital anymore, it's about surviving." The four of them we're quiet for a moment as they accepted it before Kate opened the door and they moved out into the hall. For that moment they'd forgotten to look before leaping and a group of walkers we're right around the corner already making their way over for a meal.
Liam and Izzie scurried along helping Wayne while Kate stayed nearby trying to keep an eye in front of them and behind them. "Shit!" Liam called out as they rounded a corner, more walkers blocking their path. "This way!" Kate called out leading them the only other way. "Swap with me Kate!" Izzie said. The girl hesitating before moving under Waynes arm in Izzie's place. "They are going to catch us, go as fast as you can while I distract them." Kate attempted to turn so she could see Izzie, "No, we'll make it together!" Izzie shook her head with a smile, "No we won't. Don't worry I'll find a way out and meet up with you." Wayne grunted, "If anyone should be a distraction it should be the dead weight." Izzie sighed, "And what let you die? I don't think so, atleast I stand a chance. Besides what kind of doctor would I be if I let my patient die?" Izzie's eyes moved to Liam half expecting him to say something like the other two, he simply nodded. He accepted what she was doing and why she was doing it and for that she thanked him internally. "Now go!" She yelled before turning around to face the approaching groups of walkers that had now combined. Raising her weapon she took aim.
--
The lobby of the hospital was eerie and dark as a man moved inside, bodies strewn throughout the floor. Most walkers with the occasional man or woman, a few walkers crouched eating flesh of the newly killed. He looked away in disgust before moving down the closest hallway. He kept his mouth covered and ducked low as the smoke was floating about. He moved quietly by a small group of walkers, a door suddenly jerked open and his head snapped in the direction pointing his flashlight to see a girl come running into the hallway, ignoring the light in her eyes she ran straight. Reaching out quickly grabbed the girl giving her a gentle shake, "Annie!?" The girls face went from being blank to confused as she looked around in dismay, spotting the bodies. "Falisha? Patrick?" Clearly she'd been through something, he gave her another gentle shake. "Annie, I'm right here. It's Ryan, your safe." She stared at him briefly before nodding her head. "Yeah, I'm fine." The small group of walkers had heard them and now roamed their direction, Ryan spotting them. "We can't stay here, let's go." The two moved down the nearby hallway, Ryan glanced over his shoulder halfway through it wondering if Klaire and Shannon would follow, he knew they we're pissed by now, but he couldn't wait for them, especially not now with the walkers and the quickly spreading fire.
--
Falsiha, Patrick, and Ben ran into the corpse ridden smokey lobby just in time to see Shannon and Klaire enter from outside. A brief moment of joy written on all of their faces seeing each other alive before nearby gunfire caught their attention followed by yelling and a scream. "Go!" Ben said knowing he'd lag behind a little. The others wasted no time rushing towards the direction of the noise, Falisha lagging behind slightly with Ben.
"Fuck you!" Came a female voice ahead. Klaire had the lead on the others, and at the familiarity of the voice her nostril's flared and she charged faster, seeing a heap of dead walkers ahead with a door open in front of them it was clear that was her destination.
--
Gunfire erupted from outside the door causing Cynthia screamed abruptly trying to scramble backwards to a corner, Bailey stood frozen, Ellis ducking behind an overturned hospital bed. "Bailey!" Cynthia called out trying to get the girl to move as she herself raised the pistol pointing it at the door, her hands shaking. When the door burst open Bailey fell backwards, it was quiet for a second except for Ellis' whimpers from behind the bed. A man and woman stepped into the room, weapons pointed at Bailey and Cynthia. "Looky what we have here." The woman said smiling. "Fuck you!" Bailey yelled at them, her face telling them she wasn't afraid. Her body however told another story as she was trembling. "Don't worry dear, this'll only hurt a little." She said kneeling down, her body hit the ground before she neared Bailey. Bailey stared at the woman's blood covered face, eyes wide open. Looking up she saw Klaire in the doorway staring at her, both looking shocked. Suddenly the man charged tackling Klaire back out into the hallway against the wall, weapons pushed aside.
She called out in pain as she was slammed hard against the wall, the two struggling briefly, she brought the butt of her pistol up and slammed against his head. He staggered only for a second and before she could take advantage of it he hit her with the rifle sending her reeling against the wall. She looked up, blood dripping from the cut on her forehead into her left eye, expecting the gun to be shoved in her face before he pulled the trigger, instead she watched the man fall. Two gunshots came from down the hall, glancing that direction she spotted Shannon. The man groaned in pain as Klaire quickly kicked the rifle away from his reach. Wiping at the blood in her eye with her sleeve she suddenly felt arms encircle her, "Your alive!" Klaire smiled at Bailey. "Sorry I worried you kid." Bailey shook her head, "I never doubted it." the girl replied. Falisha and Patrick moved into the room to check on Ellis and Cynthia, Ben moved to stand over the injured man aiming his pistol at the mans head. "You don't have to." Klaire said moving Bailey aside to walk next to Ben. Ben glanced at her, the two eyed each other momentarily, both with injured faces, though Ben's much worse with Klaire's only being a cut and bruise. "I do." He said before turning back and pulling the trigger, the shot causing Klaire to flinch.
--
Liam and Kate spotted two figures ahead of them through the smoke as they moved on still helping Wayne along. "Kate!?" The voice called out and Kate felt her knees go wobbly and almost give way, she almost let Wayne go and rush off but she didn't. Ryan and Annie rushed to meet them, Kate and Ryan awkwardly embracing while Kate still held her spot against Wayne. Almost brought to tears she glanced behind them, they'd moved around a few hallways since leaving Izzie, the gunfire had ceased. "Izzie was holding them off you have t--" Kate's voice was cut off by a blood curdling scream from that direction. Kate slipped out of Wayne's weight feeling faint, causing Ryan to move forwards and take over for her. "We have to go." He whispered to her as she balanced herself. He glanced at Liam, "We won't make it to the lobby, and walkers are wandering in, we need a quick exit." Wayne grunted from between them, "Window, break the boards off and go right through right?"
--
The group consisting of Patrick, Falisha, Ellis, Ben, Cynthia, Shannon, and Klaire moved towards the ambulance bay. Cynthia had informed them that the chains had been cut, it was how the walkers had gotten in, and that if the walkers had cleared out they could use it as an exit. Few walkers stood in their way as Patrick and Shannon stayed ahead of the others to keep the path clear and take the dead out. Once outside they all breathed in the fresh air, it was still night and dark but the flames from the hospital lit up the surrounding area. "Holy shit." Came a voice from their left as Austin lowered his weapon, surprise written all over his face. His eyes met with Patrick's as they stepped closer, it was slightly awkward until Austin grabbed either side of Patrick's face pulling him in for a kiss. "Atta boy." Ben said from behind Patrick, as the kiss ended he gave the Sergeant a bright red glare which Ben only replied with a grin, the older man had been pushing Patrick to open up to Austin for a while now and this was the fruition of his work. Austin traced the outline of a bruise that started appearing around Patrick's eye with his thumb, "What happened?" Patrick shook his head reaching up and grabbing Austin's hand gently, "Long story."
"The others?" Klaire asked. Austin shook his head, "Luke and Shiloh are making sure the area up the hill is safe. I was waiting here in case I could catch anyone making it out." He glanced over his shoulder at a body lying in the snow. "She's the only one so far." The others peered around him at the dark haired woman. "Dead?" Shannon asked cautiously. Austin shook his head, "She never saw me coming she's out cold." Ben moved forwards with his slight limp, weapon ready. This time Klaire put her hand on his arm, "You don't have to." The two locked eyes again, this time Klaire showed more conviction, a quick glance at Falisha told him to listen to her and he lowered his arm. "We have to go." Patrick called out staring upwards at the fire that was consuming the hospital. "I'm not leaving without Tony." Austin replied looking into the smoke filled doors. "Or Annie!" Ellis chimed in. "She got separated from us." Falisha said from beside Ben. "Izzie?" Shannon asked, glancing around at the group. No one spoke up, Ben laying a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sur--" Shannon moved from his reach brushing the hand off and he took the hint and shut his mouth.
"We can't stay here, they probably all got out already. They are all together, you have to believe that because right now we have to take care of ourselves." Klaire said. Austin looked down at Ellis and Ellis looked up at Austin, "What do you think?" He asked the boy who glanced at the doors once more. "I think we should trust in them." Austin smiled, it was all he needed to hear it would seem.
Pieces of debris and fire embers started raining down forcing the group to move quickly across the street and up the hill following Shiloh and Luke's tracks in the snow. All taking a look at the building they called home, wondering if those they cared for we're alright, if they we're even alive.
--
"Faster!" Wayne groaned from the door, he was leaning against it weakly with Kate and Annie. Liam and Ryan pulling at the boards covering the window with everything they had. Moans and bangs came from the other side of the door as a group of walkers wanted inside desperately. They'd been searching for a suitably easy window to try and escape through when this group of walkers had forced them into the closest available room. "Alright!" Ryan called out, the final board came off and Ryan used it to mash the window, clearing the glass from all sides to prevent anyone getting sliced open. Liam wasted no time jumping out, "What are you doing!? I'm going to need your help getting Wayne through." Laim rolled his eyes, "Are you crazy? The moment he moves from the door those things will flood the room, I'm not dying with him. Ryan growled before turning to the others, "Annie, go." The girl rushed up climbing over and through. Ryan moved to help hold the door, "Kate, go! We'll be right behind you."
Kate shook her head, "Like hell you will. You need my help to get Wayne out you can't do it alone." Frustrated Ryan glared at her, "Don't argue with me, just do it!" Kate glared right back. "I said no! I'm not losing anyone else today, we make it together or we die together I'm not leaving you two, deal with it." Ryan's frustrated face faded as he stared at Kate and nodded sympathetically, "You win." Wayne grunted from between them. "Now that you two stopped yapping can we do this? On three..." "One..." Ryan started, "Two..." Kate followed, "Three!" Wayne yelled as he launched himself towards the window, Kate and Ryan following and helping him stay balanced. The door flew open behind them, walkers flinging themselves forwards grabbing at the moving targets.
Ryan yelped as he tripped, feeling a bony hand cling to his ankle. Walkers converged on him as he fired shots until his clip was empty. Suddenly another shot sounded through the room, looking behind him he spotted Kate having aimed at the walker with a grip on his ankle. Those he'd killed bought him a few brief seconds, enough to scramble away ahead of the dead. Kate was through the window before he threw himself out. Even with the snow on the ground it still knocked the wind out of him. He watched as the window filled up with Walkers trying to escape to the outside, clogging each other in the small opening. It wasn't until a burning hot ember landed on his arm causing him to flinch did he realize the danger wasn't over. Kate hauled him to his feet before the two ran after Wayne, Liam, and Annie who'd already started moving away from the burning building, moving into the nearby brush of what could be considered a small forest near the back hospital, it was dark inside the trees, light from the fire casting an orange glow on the snow, the trees dark shadows stretching and dancing with the flickering flames on the white powdery surface below.
--
The larger group had moved to the top of the hill on a slight overhang, taking a breath. The burning inferno of what had once been their home in plain view out and below them, they stood watching it. The flames burned bright that even this far away it lit up the area. They'd found Luke and Shiloh along the path, Luke trying to check on Ben's injuries but the older man protested claiming he was fine.
They stood amongst a few trees in the snow, some of them were huddled together for warmth, some for comfort but most stood apart, spread out in the small clearing. They stared at the flames and smoke from the hospital. Some cried, some were simply sad, and some were angry. They'd just lost any sense of safety, they'd just lost their home, and they'd lost friends and family. Austin on his knees near the edge of the hill, unable to keep his emotions hidden any longer. Patrick stood behind him, his hands on Austin's shoulders, his eyes watching the flames like everyone else.
Shiloh stood beside Klaire who had one arm wrapped around Bailey's neck having pulled the girl close against her. He didn't argue or flinch when he felt her hand wrap his tightly. He didn't move or pull away when she leaned her head against his shoulder finally letting some emotion spill out with tears falling from her eyes, never taking her eyes off the great flames.
Shannon stood near the back of the group, her arms crossed. She fought to stay strong to not give in to her emotions, her body stayed tense as the tears rolled down. Her arms crossed over her chest, she refused to wipe them away. She grieved for Izzie, though her sister may not be dead, but she wasn't HERE and that was more than enough to break her in this moment. Her eyes glanced to Klaire and Shiloh, she could only see their outlines against the orange glow. She envied their relationship, they'd become close friends and that was something she could never have with Shiloh because they'd chosen a different path, a path that lead nowhere. Her gaze didn't linger long before flicking back to the burning hospital.
Falisha attempted to get Ben to sit and rest but the man refused, standing tall and watching with the others, she simply kept her arms wrapped around him as she too watched. Cynthia stood off to the side, hugging herself with her arms. Luke and Ellis sat against a tree resting against it.
The night was quiet, only the sounds of the burning building echoing outwards, the occasional crash of something caving in or falling off the building. Walkers wandering towards it from all directions, drawn to the light and the noise, like a moth to a flame.
The group much smaller than it was just hours before watched in horror and grief as their safety, dreams, and home went up in flames. The ones they loved still an unknown, they could all be dead, or worse, still trapped inside.
--
Ryan's group moved off from the hospital, deeper into the woods. Wayne told them of the brown SUV he knew was hidden here. The same one he and Liam had planned to leave in, he obviously left that part out. Liam giving him uncertain glanced occasionally. Ryan and Kate asking how he knew, telling them simply that it was a backup plan, they didn't pester him further. When they arrived Wayne pulled himself into the passenger seat and Liam into the driver seat. "Keys." Liam said, his hand in front of Wayne waiting for them. Wayne gritted his teeth as he leaned back, digging his hand into his pocket, pulling them out and handing them over. "You kept them on you the whole damn time?" Liam whispered as Annie, Ryan, and Kate filed into the backseat. Wayne didn't reply just relaxing back into the seat, Liam mumbling something vulgar under his breath as he tried the switch, it took three tries but the vehicle did start.
--
Ben glanced over at Shannon to his right, "Give me a second." He whispered to Falisha, moving away from her. The snow crunch under his boots and the added limp made the crunching more prominent. The noise surprised Shannon as she saw the red headed man stop beside her. "Shannon we need to talk, I...I saw Izzie on our way out..." Shannon watched as Ben's eyes looked everywhere but couldn't meet hers. "She was gone." The words hit Shannon like a train, her heart skipped a beat and it was as if the breath was knocked out of her, her knees went weak but she recovered herself.
"Ben!?" She called out staring at him, the fact that he couldn't look her in the eyes angered her. She stepped forwards getting as close as possible but the man didn't respond. Shannon felt the emotions surging forwards, her face tense as she tried desperately to keep herself together. Her lip quivered feverishly, her eyes growing moist and unable to contain the liquid as it started dripping down her cheeks once again. "No! Ben!" She yelled, raising her hands and pushing against his chest with as much force as she could muster. Ben didn't react, the impact knocking him backwards he only kept himself from falling, still unable to meet her gaze. "She can't be!" Shannon moved forwards shoving him once again.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled, and finally her knees gave out lowering slowly into the snow below. A sudden shout snapped the group out of their mourning, "Don't fucking move!" Came a female voice. The woman they'd left unconscious had followed them, and now she had Cynthia in a hold with a gun to her head. How she'd been able to do this so quietly was beyond them. "Anyone points a gun at me and the bitch dies." At first Cynthia had struggled until the woman pressed the gun against her head even harder at which point she stopped struggling as much afraid that if she kept on that it would only end in her death.
"Where's the rest of my group!?" She shouted. "Try checking the hospital, it's where you all came in to kill us afterall right? You might find a few still crispy if you hurry." Austin said staring angrily still on his knees. The woman laughed, shifting and dragging Cynthia along. "Smartass aren't we? Well then." The woman's arm shot forwards pointing the gun at Austin. Austin attempted to slowly stand, his eyes going wide as he watched as a form moved to shield him, the realization that it was Patrick, he reached to pull the man back, panicked cries came from the group and then...then the gun went off.
--
"Tracks." Wayne said, easing himself out of the car, allowing himself to kneel down in the snow. He grabbed at the wound on his side with a wince, and shook his head. "There's no way to tell, the snow mixes things up." The prints we're plenty, but there was so much crisscrossing, they weren't clear some dragging through the snow rather than walking, injured likely, all heading up the hill. Kate stepped forwards staring ahead where the tracks lead her eyes following the clearly imprinted footprints. "So it could be them?"
Liam sat hanging out the driver door, "Yeah, or a group of walkers." Wayne grunted as he attempted to stand, Kate stepping back allowing him to use her for balance. "No, the tracks lead up the hill. The dead are drawn towards the fire, they wouldn't wander away. Unless they we're chasing something." There was a short pause, "It could also be the assholes that shot the place up." Ryan tossed in as he rounded from the other side of the car with his weapon in hand. "Only one way to find out." Kate said glancing back at them. Ryan moved to whisper in her ear, "Only Wayne's in no condition to go trudging through the woods in the snow. And Annie..well..." He turned to look at the car, Annie sat in the backseat quietly. "She was like this after Jemma right?" He cocked his head to the side. Kate shook her head, not certain, "Kind of."
"If it is them we have to know." Wayne said pushing himself to stand. Staring forwards at the long trail of tracks they we're about to follow into the unknown they each held their own fears and their own hopes.
--
The woman's body crumpled to the ground in a heap, her eyes wide open bullet wound between the eyes. Cynthia fell forwards trying to get away from it all. Luke moving forwards to help her and try and keep her calm. Everyone else had turned to the dark shadowy wooded area that the firelight wasn't reaching, that was where the shot came from and it was where the figure of a man emerged, the light from the flames now shining on his face, asian-like features, early thirties with his weapon still raised. "You..." came Ben's shocked voice.
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Season 2 Preview:
Everything went to hell after we lost the hospital...
They are all gone...
We should never have followed him...
Should have never trusted him...
Why didn't we listen?...
I should have kept looking for them...
We're alone now...
Never give up, that's what she always told me...
You can't give up if your dead...
If you think your dead then you've already given up...
--
Two familiar figures sit alone at a campfire in the middle of a dark forest, both with lifeless empty gazes. "I'm going to kill you..." one whispers.
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Optional Questions:
Opinion on Mystery Man?
Is the group split for good?
Tony's whereabouts remain unknown, thoughts?
Favorite Episode?
Which death surprised you the most?
Which death hit you in the feels more?
Any Disappointments?
Any idea what lies in store for them in season two?
Thanks for reading everyone, and being apart of this journey. I honestly had alot of fun writing this season, or rather thinking up the story. Typing it out was the less fun part. xD
You guys reading and commenting kept me going. If I got no comments and had nobody reading I'd never have the inspiration to continue, it helps drive me and makes it more enjoyable. Sorry for the wait though. :p
Season 2 episodes will start to be released once I've finished it. And I have no idea how long that could take. It's 90% happening, there's a chance I could decide not to or not finish it but I already have plenty of ideas in my head and I do want to keep this story going. Just don't expect it too soon.
I'll likely be posting Season 2 apps the same week this goes up, so if your interested go for it. Everyone can make atleast one character, the max character limit is two now. But if you have two alive right now you can have another if you'd like, potentially giving you a third.
Masterpiece.
Izzie omg... That was awful D: And dang, poor Shannon, she has nobody
The Girl-Power was SICK. Klaire and Shannon are tough chicks.
I really love all these characters and I think this is your best episode ever. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish... It was amazing! So Excited for season two!
The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 12 - Lost