Two and a half months have passed since the hospital had become their home. The original hospital supplies had run out as expected, but the runs kept them ahead. However the surrounding had been picked clean for the most part causing them to go further and further out for supplies. The colds settled in and the snow would come and go, South Carolina's temperature seemed to fluctuate. Originally they'd spread their sleeping quarters throughout the first floor of the hospital but once the temperature started dropping they'd come together condensed in a single hallway, rooms were shared and blankets were hung at either end of the hallway in an attempt to keep the warmth inside.
In the time of being in the hospital everyone had become closer to one another more comfortable and trusting. Most everyone atleast, spending so much time with someone in the same building for a prolonged period of time either brought you closer or caused friction. The two months were mostly uneventful other than Wayne, Liam, and Klaire coming across another small group of three young female survivors on a run who reluctantly but inevitably joined them at the hospital. Klaire having known one of them, Bailey pre-apocalypse had made things much smoother in helping bridge trust between the groups. Bailey, the youngest melded into the group almost instantly. Alicia the oldest had a hard time trusting them, kept her weapon on her for the ride back and the first week of living at the hospital before finally allowing it to be taken, by then the group had felt a little trusting with her and let her keep it on her as most carried a sidearm around the hospital already. Cynthia was quiet, according to Alicia and Bailey they'd found her recently. She hadn't spoken much and kept to herself for the most part. Most everyone tried to speak and connect with her from time to time to break her out of whatever shell she'd wrapped herself in.
Falisha rounded a corner on the first floor of the hospital before suddenly getting grabbed and pulled to the side, she fought and almost screamed until she realized who it was. Ben held a finger to his lips with a grin. "What was that for you scared the hell out of me!?" She said in a hushed whisper, slapping his chest. He simply smiled before leaning in and kissing her, she let him momentarily before pulling back and looking around. "What if someone sees us?" Falisha said causing Ben to chuckle. "Are you serious? I'm sure almost everyone knows about us already. Shannon saw us kissing already and I'm sure she told everyone within ten minutes." Falisha sighed he was right. They'd been together for a while now but had simply stuck to the kissing and cuddling, it was more romantic than anything. She hadn't wanted to do either in front of the others and Ben had respected that but the constant sneaking off probably brought up plenty of red flags with the others anyhow. She leaned back in to continue the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wrapped his own strong arms around her around her waist before pulling her up and closer causing her to giggle almost like a schoolgirl.
Her eyes drifted beyond Ben for a moment down the dark hallway she could see someone at the other end peering down the hallway at them she couldn't make out who it was. It caused her to jump slightly, "Ben, someone's watching!" she said in a hushed tone. Ben wasn't too bothered by it but slowly moved himself and Falisha around the corner of the hallway and onto the next out of the line of sight without breaking free of each other.
--
Annie was walking down a hallway in a hurry. Klaire had sent her to find Ben so they could do some firearm training. Ben and Klaire had taught many members of the group how to use the weaponry they'd stocked up on. And over time they felt it was necessary to teach some of the younger members. Being both fourteen year olds Annie and Bailey, who was one of the newest members to the group. Klaire had known Bailey's older brother in police academy and had become a family friend. It was beyond shocking when Wayne, Shannon, and Ben had brought back three newcomers to find that Bailey was one of them. The two had practically been joined at the hip ever since.
"Sarge!" Annie called down the hallway becoming frustrated at this point. She couldn't fathom why he'd run off in the first place. Her voice echoed and Ben growled in annoyance as he ended his kiss with Falisha and instead put their foreheads together. "Why does she have to call me that?" he said with a sigh he didn't want to leave. Falisha smiled, "Oh I dunno I think it's kind of cute, Sarge." "Please don't." Ben pleaded. Falisha took a step back giving Ben room to round the corner. "You'd better go she'll be here any minute. You don't think it was her watching do you?" Ben stood for a second collecting himself before leaving he had to keep up his tough guy reputation to some extent after all. "Right here. Let's go." he called out waving to Annie. Falisha stood waiting for them to leave before walking down the hallway herself.
Shannon, Tony, and Shiloh arrived at a large neighborhood on a run for supplies. The group had been slowly moving through the neighborhood emptying out what they could find over the last few days. Runs we're always three people or more, just in case. They were about halfway through the second house when Shiloh walked into the room Tony was sifting through. "Hey, Shannon and I are going to start on the houses across the street. We'll meet back up at the end of the street alright?" Tony turned to look at Shiloh. "We aren't supposed to split up. We should just do one side at a time." Shiloh rolled his neck some. "C'mon man." He whined. Tony cocked an eyebrow, it was obvious what Shannon and Shiloh's intentions we're and Tony was laughing internally. He sighed before continuing through the cabinets. "Fine. I'll meet you at the end of the street. Just..." Shiloh booked it back out of the room while Tony was mid-sentence. "..be safe." He finished, contemplating why he had decided to come with these two on a run of all people.
--
Around twenty minutes later Tony had moved through another house. He entered the third he held his gun in one hand and a knife in the other. He stepped into the house quietly looking for any signs of a walker, he started walking towards what he could only assume was the kitchen. Why was he doing this alone again? Oh that's right because dumb and dumber couldn't keep it in their pants for more than an hour, even on runs apparently. He was surprised as someone stepped out of the kitchen area the two almost walking smack into each other. The man Tony locked eyes with was only a little taller than himself one of his hands holding the strap to a bag over his shoulder, the mans eyes looked at Tony's gun that only happened to be pointing at him as he'd stepped in front of Tony. Before Tony could get a word out the other man threw himself forward against Tony.
Tony felt a dull ache in his abdomen, the pain causing him to clench, the gun went off as the two hit the ground. Tony kicked away from the other man but stopped when he realized the guy wasn't moving. Tony looked closer, the man had a bullet wound in his chest near his heart. Tony could feel his eyes watering, "I didn't mean to..." the words we're pouring out without him even knowing as he tried to stand, his back against the wall. He was suddenly aware of the dull pain again before looking down to see blood soaking into his shirt. He lifted the shirt with a wince, he'd been stabbed he realized before clutching against the wound. It wasn't bleeding terribly bad, he looked down to see a bloodied pocketknife on the ground. Voices called out from outside the house. Tony almost called out hoping it was Shannon and Shiloh. "Robbie!" Someone yelled as a door was kicked in. Tony panicked, even if it was an accident they'd surely kill him for killing their friend. He rushed for the nearest room, slamming the door and locking it.
He started moving anything he could find against the door, clutching his wound as he did. He heard a scream followed by more yelling on the other side, they'd found Robbie. Something fell from the shelf he was moving causing a crashing noise, the door handle jiggled. "He's in here!" called a muffled voice, Tony could hear them trying to push the door open. Tony looked around the room, there was no escape except the window. Furious shots flew through the door, Tony ducked to one side of the room out of the way before making a run at the window. He didn't have time to open it, he had no choice. He shielded his face with one arm as he threw himself sideways through the window, it shattering everywhere, he landed in the snow of the front yard slightly dazed.
---
"We should really get back to helping Tony." Shiloh said zipping up his pants, still shirtless. "I guess." She smiled playfully pulling her own shirt on. Shiloh smiled back, then a shot rang out from across the street. Shiloh rushed to the window of the second story house they we're in, Shannon following. "Which house did it come from?" Shiloh asked knowing Shannon didn't have the answer, his eyes moving from one house to the next looking for some sign. They watched as Tony came crashing through a window. Shiloh opened his mouth to yell something as he watched Tony crawl, then stand, and stumble trying to maneuver through the snow towards the street. He could make out the faintest red trail on the glossy white ground in Tony's wake. "He's hurt!" Shannon gasped before Shiloh grabbed his gun and ran past her down the stairs.
Shannon started to follow but noticed three people crawling through the already shattered window looking down at the trail of blood. Tony hadn't gone far he just made it to the street and settled down in the snow hiding behind a car, the same car one of the group was now pointing at. Shannon grabbed a lamp and bashed out the pane of glass in front of her before sticking her pistol through and firing a few shots at them. She had to buy Shiloh time.
---
Shiloh sped down the stairs almost losing his footing twice, when he reached the bottom he heard Shannon's shots, she wouldn't fire unless she needed to and this only fueled him to go faster. He hadn't had time to grab his jacket, he stepped outside just in time to hear the return fire from across the street, he raised his assault rifle as he waved for Tony to make a run for it then crouched down in the doorway. Tony nodded before swallowing hard, he stood up counted to three and started sprinting for the house they were in. He trusted Shiloh and didn't second guess that Shiloh would keep him covered.
The instant Tony started running Shiloh squeezed the trigger letting loose a small burst of bullets fly, it was meant more of a warning than anything as the people were keeping their heads down for now. The moment a head popped up and took aim at Tony, Shiloh already had him lined up and dropped him before he could even aim. He heard Shannon coming down the stairs behind him just as Tony made it to the door. "Out the back before they box us in!" she called. Shiloh looked at Tony "How bad is it?" he asked nodding towards the wound still clutched in Tony's hand. "It's nothing." With the confirmation the three ran out the back door making a run for the car.
Anthony sat on a chair in front of a large glass pane of the third floor on watch. Normally someone would take watch on the rooftop but with the cold the 'viper nest' as it had been named, had been moved inside. He'd been at it for a few hours now, the though occurred causing him to yawn, even though it was the middle of the day. "Hey, no yawning on watch duty!" came Kate's voice from behind him. Anthony smiled, "Ah, my replacement arrives!" he stood up with a stretch. He moved out of the way to allow Kate the seat. "Your throne madam." Kate rolled her eyes before sitting. "Quiet as usual?" she asked looking up at him. "Quiet as usual." He said back before glancing out the window once more and shoving his cold hands in his pockets. "Stay warm!" he called before walking away. "Hah!" she called out. There was no such thing as warm up there.
Kate spotted the vehicle pulling in. "They're back." She called out over her shoulder, she watched them exit in a hurry and could tell that Tony was injured by the way he walked and by the fact that the other two crowded him. "Anthony, get Izzie and Luke I think someone's hurt!" she yelled down the hallway hoping he could still hear her as he made his way down the stairs.
Austin came rushing down the hallway that held everyone's rooms out of breath and in a slight panic. He spotted Shiloh sitting down against the wall outside of the room that he shared with both Tony and Shiloh. "Is he alright!?" Austin said as he peeked into the room through the doors window. Tony sat resting on his bed, his feet hanging over the side. Izzie was inside cleaning up the medical supplies she'd used and Luke and Patrick we're standing nearby. Shiloh stayed quiet and Austin turned his head to look at him. "Shiloh, what the hell happened out there?" he stood in front of the sitting Shiloh before crouching down to Shiloh's eye level. This only seemed to annoy Shiloh and he moved to stand up and step away from Austin. "I fucked up." he said before explaining everything that had happened.
"Of all the senseless stupid things...you almost got Tony killed because you couldn't keep it in your pants!?" Austin's fists tightened in anger. Shiloh couldn't even face him, he felt ashamed as it was. Austin could see that Shiloh was torn up about it, Austin felt Shiloh should be beating himself up. "I was just across the street I thought...I thought he'd be fine. We hadn't had any trouble in the neighborhood so far." Shiloh said finally facing Austin. "We never split up on runs and you thought it'd be a good idea to leave Tony of all people alone!? I can't believe you right now." Austin paced back and forth. "You know I would never let anything happen to him on purpose or anyone for that matter!" Austin growled, "The pact we made long ago Shiloh, that the three of us would always watch out for each other, always have each others backs no matter what, remember! What happened to that? You just decide to put it on the back-burner for a few minutes? You we're being selfish. I thought you'd changed." Shiloh took a breath, he'd fully expected this verbal abuse from Austin but the words we're cutting deeper than he thought, he noticed Austin's fist too late.
Shiloh stumbled backwards almost tipping over but regained his balance, he balled his fist for retaliation but when he saw Austin's face, he could see the hurt and he stopped himself. The door opened and Izzie and Patrick stepped out. Patrick stepped between them seeing the hostility and Izzie shut the door. "You guys need to stop being morons!" She said in a hushed tone. "He can hear you two out here, how do you think that makes him feel?" Austin took a step towards the door before Izzie intervened. "No, not until you take a moment." Austin opened his mouth argue but Izzie gave him a stern look, Austin decided to step back momentarily.
"He only needed a few stitches, the knife didn't do much other than cause bleeding. But he's not himself, probably still in shock." Izzie said glancing back into the room at Luke trying to talk to Tony. "He killed someone." Shiloh said leaning his shoulder against the wall. "He said it was an accident." Austin glanced at him with a snort. "Of course it was. He hasn't had to yet, and the one time he needed to he couldn't."
The door opened once again, Tony stepped out. He looked at Shiloh then Austin before turning to walk down the hallway. Austin started to walk after him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Tony--" Was all he could say before Tony shrugged away from Austin's hand and turning to face him. "Don't! Just stop talking about me and treating me like a fucking child, both of you!" he glanced past Austin at Shiloh. " 'You shouldn't have left Tony alone. Tony killed someone is he okay? He tried to off himself once we wouldn't want him to try again. Poor Tony can't do anything on his own.'" Tony said mockingly.
"Tony you know that we don't split up on runs, it's not just about that it was you who--" Tony chuckled cutting Austin off. "You can fool yourself Austin but not me. To you it is because it was me whether you realize it or not. I know that the two of you have been protecting me for a long time and at first I liked it, I couldn't deal with what was happening in this world and I let you it was the easy thing to do, you kept me safe and through that time and I'm grateful. But I'm sick of it, I'm not Dylan. I want you to see me as an equal, I want you to see me as--" He stopped himself before turning around and continuing quickly down the hallway his emotions running high.
Hearing Tony mention his brother and how Tony had felt had hit Austin hard, he didn't even react as Tony left. Just standing still watching him walk away. Luke and Izzie stood in the doorway, Patrick off to the side of the hallway. The three looking uncomfortable. Izzie sighed, "Well whatever the case its effecting him. You two are closest to him so straighten up and put that shit away for now, for him. He needs you." She turned walking in the opposite direction. Luke didn't know how to help the situation he decided to follow suit and leave as well.
Austin had never seen Tony like this, sure they'd only known each other since the dead started walking but he thought he knew him well enough. He couldn't decide if this was Tony lashing out after what he'd been through, or if this was how Tony truly felt, or could it be that this new world was changing Tony.
Shiloh stood staring at Austin's back, sure Tony's words had hurt Shiloh in some way but he was used to it. He'd always been known as the asshole, douche bag, stuck up jerk to people who never got close to him and with that came some sort of hardness to words to an extent, he'd been fine with it his whole life. But he knew Tony's words we're hurting Austin much more. Not only because Austin and Tony we're closer than he was to either of them but because Austin was a nice guy, a man who hadn't needed to be hardened.
Shiloh would have said something to Austin but he wasn't stupid, he knew it would do more harm than good right now because Austin was pissed at him, and he'd likely blame Shiloh for how Tony was acting now. Shiloh was prepared for this. He was suddenly aware of movement, somehow he'd completely forgotten Patrick was still there. He'd been so quiet and still while Shiloh had been so concentrated.
Patrick stepped up beside Austin with his arms crossed, looking down the hallway, "He'll be fine you know. He said what he needed to, now he just needs to calm down and come to terms with everything that happened." He placed a reassuring hand on Austin's shoulder. He also glanced over his shoulder at Shiloh with a nod. Shiloh nodded back, he knew Austin was in good hands, he turned on his heel before heading down the hallway. "You okay?" Patrick asked. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I'm just worried about him."
--
Shiloh was angry, he was mad that his carelessness caused this happen to Tony who was both physically and emotionally hurting. He was mad that he'd broken the trust of the two people he cared about most in this world now. He sat down in some chairs in what was once a waiting room. He'd thought he was alone as he sat staring at the floor. Light footsteps we're headed towards him, when he finally looked up he found Ellis in a chair across from him. The boy was on his knees in the chair, his elbows on the back neck rest area and his face cradled into the hands. "There was alot of shouting and talking, I still don't really know what happened. But nobody died right?"
Shiloh smirked, he was almost jealous of how oblivious the boy was. "No, everybody is fine. Things just got...out of control." Shiloh said leaning back into the chair sinking down some. As he spoke his mind went straight to Shannon and thoughts of the times they'd sneak away. "..Out of control." he mumbled over again. It dawned on him that what they we're doing almost cost him his friends life, and that the other times something could have happened as well. It was then that he decided to put a stop to it, he couldn't do it anymore not if it jeopardized the group. "Well that's all that matters. We're all still here, we're still together." Shiloh nodded, "Your right. It's all that matters." Ellis grinned sheepishly, Klaire came walking from the same direction as Ellis had. "Ellis your sister's looking for you." Ellis craned his head to look at her before hopping down from the chair and leaving past her. She glanced at Shiloh who was looking at her, it was clear to him that she was angry at him as well. She turned and left without saying a word, thought it wasn't needed as Shiloh got the message.
Loud pops echoed through the halls of the hospital as Shiloh realized the shots came from the front of the hospital followed by shots from above, likely from the vipers nest.
Ben came racing into the lobby carrying several assault rifles. Anthony was standing by the door peeking out at the car barricade, Kate had said she'd spotted three people out by the car from the recent run from the Viper Nest. Ben tossed a gun to Shannon who stood by a window, another to Wayne and Alicia who were behind the front desk. Before taking his spot against the other side of the door to Anthony.
"I can't believe you drove straight here! You we're easy to track with this snow!" he snapped at Shannon behind him. "We didn't know how bad Tony was injured, how was I supposed to know they'd come after us!?" Ben growled, "You use your brain that's how. You killed one of them why wouldn't they follow you?" Ben peeked out before ducking back as a few shots flew by. Ben and Anthony both drew up and fired back before ducking back inside. They'd never expected their own barricade to be used against them like this. "Fuuuuck!" came a scream from outside.
Ben and Anthony looked at each other for a moment before continuing their assault, this time the others joined in. Car doors slammed as the car peeled out. They stayed in positions for a few minutes just in case before Kate came rushing down the stairs out of breath. "They're gone, they headed east until they were out of sight." They walked to join each other in a small circle. "Think they'll be back?" She said looking from one face to the next. Wayne shouldered his weapon, "Depends. They we're probably out on a run like our group was which means they were just a small part of the group. They could come back in numbers." Ben paced around as more members of the group showed up from various directions in the hospital. "They'll either leave us alone now or they'll be back. Either way we've got to be prepared. They know where we are."
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Coming Up: "Bullshit, you and I both know it was you!"
Tension runs high as the survivors brace for the possibility of an attack. A dangerous game is being played inside the hospital, accusations are thrown, will the culprit be caught or will mayhem reign.
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It's funny, whenever I'm writing I listen to a specific playlist/station on Pandora. It helps me get into the zone and drown out any distractions haha.
Remember when I said I wasn't going to post this episode til I finished the whole season? I lied, I felt bad for making you guys wait so here ya go. :v
Leave a comment! I enjoy them.
Thanks for reading, and being apart of this journey.
To continue on my terrible random vids/intro here ya go. Only a few additions and subtractions really. I'm no good with movie editors, I had an idea of how I wanted to change it to something much different but I couldn't get it to work so this is the 'fuck it' version. lol
Fill out as much or as little you want, I can fill in anything you don't myself. Two characters at most per person please. Also the unclaimed characters already cast are still up for being claimed if you don't want to make your own. :p
I'd like to get more characters otherwise I might have to create them myself.
App:
Name: (First and last)
Age:
Sexuality: (Do tell me if you'd rather your character not get involved in a relationship.)
Face/Description: (This is not mandatory it just helps me personally when writing and if/when I do little vids/intros. If nothings put here I can make up my own image. It can be a picture or description, up to you. If it's someone more famous a name works, I can google. :p)
Occupation:
Bio/Anything else:
Current Cast:
Ryan Anders [21] (Unclaimed) - Mechanic
Wayne Caly [31] ( Clementine117) - Hunter
Falisha Cane [29] (Unclaimed) - Teacher
Liam Flaten [27] ( flatl99) - Lawyer
Kate Foreman [17] (Unclaimed) - HS Student
Klaire Jaxxon [22] ( _ivyyy_445) - Police Trainee
Shiloh Jones [23] ( sikspin) - Bouncer/ College Student
Anthony Quari [26] ( rawr121) - CSI Agent
Austin Riley [24] ( DragonJason) - College Student
Luke Robertson [19] ( GrrrImABear) - Nursing Student
Annie Rumson [14] ( MariahAnn)
Ellis Rumson [10] ( MariahAnn)
Izzie Stevens [35] ( Kaseyhope101) - Surgeon
Shannon Stevens [24] ( Kaseyhope101) - Model
Ben Telford [30] (Unclaimed) - Army Sergeant
Tony Tack [24] ( Bandnerd) - College Student
Patrick Walsh [21] ( Mantyke) - Film School Student
They drove for over an hour before stopping. Making sure they were clear of the herd of walkers. There were the quiet introductions, inside the crowded van it was mainly silence. Those who didn't know about the deaths would look about the van for those lost, upon not seeing them they'd look to the closest person Annie or Patrick. The looks on their faces said it all. When they finally pulled off to the side of the road, Anthony stepped out of the passenger door to face the car that was nearing, he was now holding the rifle that had been handed over by Patrick, much to Shiloh's protesting.
The car that had been following them pulled off as well. The passenger door flew open and Ellis popped out, Ryan followed from the drivers side. "I'll be damned." Anthony said in surprise. Others stepped out of the van, curiously. Kate almost dropped to her knees at the sight of Ryan. Ryan grinned half jogging to her with a limp, they embraced in a hug. "I knew you'd make it!" Kate said checking him over, almost to see if he was real. "You can't get rid of me that easy Kate." He smiled kissing her on the forehead before looking to the others, he had mixed emotions by what he didn't see. He looked into Kate's eyes, "Greg?" he asked. Kate shook her head, "We never saw him." Ryan again hugged her tight, this time he needed the hug.
Ellis had gone rushing by Anthony and Wayne to the side door of the van which was now open. Falisha was coaxing Annie out slowly."Annie!" Hearing Ellis seemed to break her out of whatever trance she was in. He practically knocked her over when he came running in, clutching to her. The two crumbling to the ground in a mess of tears. The reunions brought smiles to some, uplifting their spirits from the despair of that night.
Patrick stayed in the van, numb to his surroundings and what was going on. Tony stayed inside as well, staying with Austin, his head in Tony's lap. Austin wasn't getting better, he'd occasionally open his eyes or mumble, but it was incomprehensible and didn't last long.
"That guy's not doing so well." Klaire said as they all formed into a circle outside of the van to discuss what to do now. "That guy's got a name you know. It's Austin." Shiloh snorted, leaning against the van. Klaire's hands were on her hips as she looked over Wayne's shoulder to see Shiloh. "Fine, Austin's not doing so well." she said. Shiloh cocked a smile, this one was touchy he thought.
Shiloh looked over his shoulder, peering through the van's side window, glancing at Tony and Austin, he kicked off the van before walking closer, entering himself into the conversation. "Look, not to sound ungrateful but Austin needs help, he needs medicine. If you all don't plan on helping get that then we'll part ways here." Anthony raised his hands, "Woah woah woah. No one said we weren't going to help your friend. You say he needs medicine do you even know what kind he needs hotshot?" Anthony said questioningly. Shiloh would have loved to throw it in his face that he knew but the fact was he didn't. His hand instinctively went to the bruised injury on the back of his head, he still had a killer headache. "No, I don't." He crossed his arms motioning to van with a nod. "Austin would know, he was studying for medical school or something. But obviously we can't ask him." Klaire shot him the 'no shit genius' look to which he rolled his eyes.
Kate still hadn't let go of Ryan, still half hugging. "We should help them. We could use the supplies, Ryan's hurt too." Ryan brought his hand up. "No really I'm fine." She looked at him angrily before bumping her own leg into his, one hand instinctively going to grab it as he squeezed his eyes shut and grit his teeth. "Not fine, ass." She said before turning back to the others. "Patrick is still out of it too."
"We're at half strength, we need time to regroup." Anthony said agreeing with Kate to a degree.
"I'm alright. But I'm helping them." Came a voice as Patrick stepped out of the van. "It's what Audri would have wanted so it's what I'm doing, with or without you guys help."
"You heard the man." Wayne said slapping the van. "Let's go." No one argued, everyone piled into the van and car before setting out. As luck would have it there was a hospital that wasn't embedded deep in the middle of a town. The downside was it wasn't a short drive.
Hours later they'd arrived, the front parking lot of the hospital looked like most did, a giant mess. Except there was an added touch they noticed, instead of cars scattered everywhere there was a half circle barricade made out of parked cars, blocking the front entrance, as well as the lack of any bodies. Military medical tents were beside the building, even a few military vehicles we're scattered about. The group parked far enough away when they noticed this not wanting to go stumbling into something they'd regret. "So do you think whoever made that barricade's still alive in there?" Shiloh said from inside the van, they'd sat watching for any kind of movement or hint that the place was occupied by the dead or otherwise. Tony was growing restless, worried about Austin. "There's only one way to find out, we walk in." Many in the vehicle wanted to protest this but the fact was it was probably the best if not only option at this point. "Anything could happen so only a few should go. Let's not risk the whole group at once." Klaire pointed out.
Klaire, Anthony, and Shiloh walked towards the three story hospital. Tony had persisted on going but Shiloh told him to stay with Austin. Anthony had the rifle, Shiloh had his pistol, and Klaire had a metal baseball bat they'd found in the back of the van. Tony held onto his own pistol, no sense in risking all three guns at once, they were all low on ammo as it was. A few walkers wandered on the outside of the barricade, Shiloh and Anthony distracted them one by one while Klaire took care of them with the bat. They were surprised and confused at the lack of walkers.
The three climbed over the barricade of cars, walking towards the entrance. The doors opened and five people stepped out, all holding assault rifles, aimed at them. The older man in the center was wearing a military uniform, he stepped forward from the other four, two women and two men. He held his head up, waiting for one of the three to speak first his own weapon hanging by it's strap, his hand still holding it but it was aimed at the ground in a non-threatening manner.
Shiloh spoke up, "I don't suppose you've got any medical supplies you'd just give us?" The soldier chuckled. "Straight to the point then, fair enough. No, I can't say we do. We can't hand out our supplies or we'd be in your situation one day." Klaire watched the four behind him before looking back to him. "Surely you can spare something. We don't want much, just enough to help save someone." She said, he cocked his head in consideration for a moment before turning and talking to one of the blonde women. He turned back to look at them, "Fine. What do you need? We'll see."
"We're not exactly sure." Anthony intervened awkwardly. Shiloh again spoke up, "He was shot, lost alot of blood and he's been in and out of consciousness for hours." The man sighed before turning once again to speak to the rest of his group. "Look, if he's in that bad of shape you should bring him in and let us have a look. We've got a doctor." One of the other men seemed to object at first before the others snapped at him. He raised his hand up and one by one they lowered their weapons.
Anthony and Klaire both looked to Shiloh, "Austin's your friend." Klaire said. "So this is your call, do we leave or take the chance?" Shiloh hadn't expected to be making this call, he gave it a few seconds of thought before nodding. "It's his best chance I have to try, if you guys want to leave us here no hard feelings." Anthony and Klaire looked at each other then back to him. Anthony crossed his arms. "Your one of us now, all three of you are. We wouldn't leave you. We just gotta be careful." Klaire nodded in agreement. "We aren't gonna have a group hug now or anything like that are we?" Shiloh said raising his eyebrows.
--
Tony, Shiloh, and Wayne carried Austin over the barricade and into him into a wheelchair. The rest of the group followed. "You've got kids huh? Maybe you guys aren't assholes afterall." The soldier said as they all walked down a hallway. Turning into a room they got Austin into a bed, one of the blonde women, Izzie went to checking him over. Some of them filing into the room, some staying in the hallway so it wasn't crowded. "Let's get the soft restraints on him just in case." Izzie said to the youngest of the five, a man Liam helped fasten Austin's arms to the bed. The group growing confused as Shiloh spoke first, "What the hell are they for?"
"Just precaution to make sure he doesn't 'come back'." Everyone gave him a confused look. "He got shot not bit!" Tony said. The man looked around at their faces. "You don't know yet do you?" he said seeing their confused faces. "If you die then you come back as one of those things. Simple as that, doesn't matter how you go. You've gotta destroy the brain or the person will come back." Several people tried to talk at once, the news shocking to them all. Patrick spoke up after the soldier shushed everyone. "He's not lying...Audri came back..." He went quiet, staring at the floor, the memory flashing in his mind seemingly prodding at the fresh wounds of her death.
"It all makes sense now." Annie said a tear falling down her cheek from the doorway. "That's why my mom turned into one of those things. She killed herself in that bathroom. There we're pills on the bathroom floor." The others turned to her, "Honey you don't know that for sure." Falisha said trying to put an arm around Annie who shoved it away. "Yes I do, she did the same thing before." Ellis looked at his sister in shock. "Your lying!" he yelled. Annie had yet to explain the circumstances around Jemma's death to Ellis, he'd only known she was gone. "Mom's not coming back." Annie said putting her hands on Ellis' shoulders. "It's fine Ellis, we're still together just like we've always been. We'll be okay." She pulled him into a hug just as he started to sob away, his face buried into her. Ellis' was old enough to understand his mother was 'complicated' but he was still young enough and scared enough that he yearned for her even though Annie had always been the one to take care of him.
[][]2 Years Ago[][]
School was out for the day and Annie had just been dropped off by the bus. She walked inside putting her bag and coat away, the house was oddly quiet. Ellis' bus wouldn't drop him off for another 20 or so minutes but her mother should still be here. "Mom?" She called out walking through the home. When she reached her moms room she rounded the corner to the bathroom spotting Jemma on the floor pills scattered about. Screaming she ran to her trying to wake her before calling 911.
[][]End Flashback[][]
Izzie turned to look at the room full of people. "Alright, there's too many people. Let's make some room people." She said before continuing. The soldier coaxed everyone out. They moved down the hall to what was a waiting room, it was the only place with enough seats for everyone. There was awkward tension as they sat to which he decided to break. "Sergeant Benjamin Telford, just Ben if you don't mind. Luke, Liam, Shannon, and her sister Izzie would be the one working on your man." He said nodding towards each of them as he called their names.
"Sounds like you've all had it rough. We don't know you and you don't know us, fair enough. But given the chance we'd like to invite you to stay with us if everything works out. We've got food, guns, ammo, and medical supplies. The fact is we don't have people. It's not easy keeping a place this size safe and secure."
"And to be honest it looks like you guys need us as much as we need you." Izzie said strolling up taking her gloves off. Tony and Shiloh stood before she put her hands up. "He's fine, for now. Resting comfortably but he'll need a week or so of rest, I'll monitor him in the meantime. It's a good thing you found us when you did, he wouldn't have lasted another 12 hours." Shiloh stayed standing while Tony just collapsed back into his seat in relief.
Shannon, Izzie's sister shifted in her seat some. "Are you two seriously considering this? Inviting in a bunch of people that we don't even know?" Liam sat forwards in his chair, "Shannon's right we don't know a thing about them. Are you willing to risk everything we've worked for here?" Ben seemed more irritated than anything. "I've kept us safe this far haven't I? You've all followed my lead this long on most matters. What changed?" Izzie could see where this was leading and decided to intervene herself. "Fine, leave it to a vote. It's 2-2." She turned to look at Luke who'd been sitting quietly. "Can't be in the middle this time Luke I'm sorry, you've gotta be the tie breaker." Luke seemed uncomfortable being in this position. "I say we give them a shot. They seem like good people you guys. It can't stay just the five of us forever. What's the point of keeping this place safe if we ignore everything that's happening out there." He said peering over at Liam and Shannon.
"Votes over then, the invitation still stands." Ben said turning back to the group. Liam accepted it and Shannon rolled her eyes.
"The offer sounds amazing to be honest." Anthony said speaking up. "But before anything's done we need to talk and decide as a group." There we're nods all around.
They talked amongst themselves for nearly a half hour before coming to the decision to stay.
Two weeks have passed since they'd come to the hospital, the groups are meshing as well as could be hoped for complete strangers inside the hospital. With the many able bodied it was easier to keep the place secure, easier to burn the bodies of the dead they killed when wandering nearby the building. But it was a drain on supplies, they had plenty but eventually it would run out, so preemptive runs to nearby locations for anything were necessary. Austin was up and around but was under orders to use a single crutch under his good arm while his body recovered.
Klaire stood in front of a table with a lantern for light staring at a map spread out in one of the main rooms on the first floor. Scribbles and X's were drawn here and there. This was the map of the area and they'd been using it to search for supplies. She was deep in thought while leaned in staring at a neighborhood with no scribbles, so deep in thought she didn't notice the figure creeping up on her. There was a sudden loud clattering noise as a metal tray dropped to the floor, causing Klaire to jump, she turned to see Shiloh behind her. "You ass!" she yelled composing herself and turning her attention back to the map.
"How's the view?" Shiloh said with a grin on his face. "Cuz mine couldn't get much better." He was leaned against the wall with his arms crossed his eyes taking in her leaned figure as much as possible. She rolled her eyes, she didn't need to look to know exactly what he was looking at. "Enjoy it while it lasts, one day you'll only be seeing nothing but the silver of my bat before it knocks you flat out."
Ben turned a corner, "What's all the racket?" He asked walking over to the opposite side of the table from Klaire. "Ask jackass over there." She said not turning her attention from the map. Ben glanced over at Shiloh who just shrugged innocently. "We haven't touched this neighborhood, I'm thinking tomorrow if the rain clears up we make a run and check it out." She had her finger pressed to map. Ben gave it a glance and Shiloh walked over to investigate himself.
Patrick leaned forwards against the railing, staring out the second story window of the hospital. It was the middle of the day but rain clouds made it look late evening. The rain pattered against the window. He could hear Austin coming his way for a while, the crutch giving him away, it's squeaks weren't exactly subtle. Austin stepped up beside Patrick looking out the window with him. "How are you feeling? I'm sure those stairs weren't fun." Patrick said not turning his gaze from the window. "Not bad for someone who almost died two weeks ago I suppose." Austin replied with a half smile that didn't last long, he'd come here for a reason. "Patrick, you've been distant. From what I've heard you weren't like this before...and maybe I shouldn't be the one to talk to you about this but I feel partially responsible. I mean I didn't even know your name until I woke up in this hospital. I didn't even have the chance to speak to you or Audri before I passed out back in that house. The two of you risked your lives by helping us."
Patrick glanced at Austin angrily. "If we'd known you were being chased by a gun wielding lunatic we wouldn't have!" He almost immediately regretted those words, because it wasn't true. Audri was shy but she was also adamant about helping people. Patrick might have swayed towards leaving them had he been alone but all it would have taken was one look from Audri to change his mind. She could be very convincing with little effort, it was a gift.
"You blame us don't you? Tony, Shiloh, and me. If you hadn't met us Audri would still be alive. I can't help but feel like we're to blame. We caught the two of you up in that mess. And I couldn't do a damn thing about it. I don't remember anything but it sounds like if I'd woken up a minute before I could have stopped him before he..." Austin stopped as Patrick looked down at the railing his hands were leaning against. Patrick turned and started to walk in the opposite direction from Austin. "P--" Austin started to call his name before Patrick cut him off while continuing his pace. "I don't blame any of you and neither should you." Austin kept quiet as he watched Patrick turn a corner down the hallway. It was only then did he realize how foolish and wrong he was. He understood now, why Patrick was being so distant from everyone.
As soon as Patrick turned the corner he entered the first room he saw, the room was almost pitch black, only dim light streamed in from outside throught the shades, immediately punching the wall inside the room through angry tears and resting his forehead against the wall. Patrick didn't blame Shiloh, Tony, or Austin for Audri's death, maybe he should, it was their fault he and Audri had been placed in that situation but he and Audri had chosen to stay, they'd chosen to help. But he couldn't and wouldn't blame them even if Tony had seemingly frozen on the rooftop. Helping them is what Audri wanted. No instead, he blamed the mad man that had shot her, he blamed this cursed world, but mainly he blamed himself.
The rain clouds seemed morph in the sky as Austin watched through the window from the spot Patrick had left him in the hallway, it was turning into a thunderstorm.
Lightning flashed outside the window in the room Patrick stood in. The flash illuminated the room for a brief instant, casting a shadowed silhouette on the wall opposite to him. Patrick still had his forehead against the wall distracted by his thoughts and emotions and was unable to see that he wasn't alone.
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Coming Up on Season One's Second half:
Months have passed since they've settled down in the hospital, the cold winter is upon them and and with it, snow and ice. Something is amiss in the halls of what the survivors call home. Tragedy will strike when they least expect it and the solid ground will shift beneath their feet as the group fractures, lines are drawn, and their worlds could shatter.
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Characters are still welcomed. They may appear soon or in season 2, if a season 2 occurs. :p
There might be a slightly short break now as I'd like to acquire a few more characters for the future before continuing. Dunno we'll see. I'm terrible at planning I know. lol
Leave a comment! I enjoy them.
Thanks for reading, and being apart of this journey.
Klaire was yelling something and pointing, suddenly Kate went rushing by the doorway. Falisha stood in the doorway, the scene was unfolding in slow motion to Annie who was staring out, still seated on the bed.
A walker was making it's way through a window in the living room. Kate had grabbed a wooden chair and was using it as a buffer, while Klaire moved in to deliver the final blow with a screwdriver to the brain, the body now lying halfway through the window, helping to block anymore from getting inside. Another window smashed somewhere in the house. Kate looked at Klaire, "We have to get out of here!" Klaire nodded in agreement. "Falisha get Annie and Jemma we're leaving!" Klaire said, and together Kate and Klaire ran for the door leading to the garage it offered the best chance to escape. Kate stayed at the door as lookout and to wait for the others. Klaire ran inside with a flashlight they'd found in a kitchen drawer. "Who was supposed to check the garage? Why did no one notice this?" she mumbled to herself before rushing back inside. "Gotta find the keys." she said to Kate when she zoomed by. "Keys?!" Kate called out in confusion, she looked in the garage herself spotting the green mini-van.
Falisha turned around to Annie, "Quickly get your mother." She said grabbing what little supplies they had bagged in the room. Annie looked around for a moment wondering where her mother actually was, she hadn't seen Jemma since before she'd fallen asleep. The last time she saw her she was heading to the bathroom. Annie ran to the door and beat on it a few times. "Mom are you in there we've gotta go!" she called. No response, angrily she jerked the door open. Stepping inside she found the bathroom empty, she stepped on something that crunched causing her to look down, a few pills were scattered along the floor. Suddenly a hand came from the tub grabbing at her arm. Annie jumped in surprise, "Didn't you hear me, let's go!" The hand finally grabbed hold and pulled hard almost knocking Annie off her feet and into the tub when she pulled back Jemma crawled out of the tub.
Rather what had been Jemma once but now was a flesh craving creature. Annie screamed as she fell backwards onto the bathroom floor, she crawled backwards kicking at her mothers living corpse as it crawled towards her in a hungry rage. Luckily Falisha was nearby and managed to slam the bathroom door closed once Annie crawled out of the way.
Annie looked up at Falisha with mixed emotions. She'd lost Ellis her brother the most important person in her life and now her mother. Falisha wanted nothing more than to coddle Annie to help her through these emotions, that instinct of having been a teacher wanting nothing more than to do so. But she couldn't, not now. She had to get the girl on her feet and out of here. Kate rushed into the room. "We've got a ride let's get out of here." she said not knowing what had just happened, trying to read their faces. Falisha helped Annie to stand. "Get her to the car, quickly." Kate put an arm around Annie not fully understanding the situation and walked her to the garage.
Klaire found the keys with a squeal of joy from the entryway to the home. She and Falisha met at the doorway to the garage just as Kate was coming back out. "Annie and Jemma?" Klaire said looking around. Falisha took a breath, "Annies in the van. Jemma is dead, she's one of them now." Klaire looked at her in shock. "How in the hell did that happen? Was she bit?" Kate and Falisha both shrugged. "She was in the bathroom, had been for hours I think." Falisha said. Kate looked over her shoulder towards the van with Annie inside. "Poor girl. She's lost everything." Annie sat in the back of the van in a trance-like state.
"What about the others? They haven't come back yet." said Falisha. Klaire sighed, "We know they were heading to the nearby houses but they can't get to us here now. And from the look of how many of those things are out there they might be in as much trouble as we are. Who knows we just can't stay here, we'll have to look for them on our way out."
Klaire jumped in the drivers seat with Kate in the passenger. Falisha sat in the back seats with Annie. Klaire hit reverse and the mini-van burst through the garage door splintering it into pieces and into the street, not before hitting the mailbox and a few of the dead on the way out. The loud thuds sounded off as they drove down the street from the dead that wandered into vehicle's path. Klaire had the headlights on full blast. Kate pointed towards a house, "There's one! It's the only house we've seen they have to be there."
Shiloh's body slumped to the floor. "I'm so glad I found you." Dan said grinning, standing behind where Shiloh once stood. In one hand was a baseball bat propped on his shoulder, which he'd just used on Shiloh, the other held a gun aimed at Audri, Tony, and Patrick. "Here I thought you guys would be difficult to find. Turns out, not so much." He shrugged before waving the gun. "I'd suggest not making any sudden moves or I might have to shoot you before I've had my fun. You guys left so quickly after you KILLED my brother." His slightly amused face faded into anger. Another man stepped passed Dan retrieving the rifle Shiloh had dropped. Dan stepped into the room, stepping by Shiloh's unconscious body heading towards the table while the other man stayed with his rifle trained on them.
"Looks like we got one of you afterall." He said nudging Austin's arm with his pistol. Austin was still very pale lying on the table. "Well then." He turned to look at the three of them." It seems you've caught some poor innocent people up in your mess boys." He motioned towards Patrick and Audri. "Too bad for them, wrong place wrong time and all that."
Tony looked at Austin then at Shiloh. They we're both out cold, what was he supposed to do? He gritted his teeth gathering his courage. "No." he said. Dan's attention was caught. "No what?" he said stepping up to Tony, raising the tip of his gun to Tony's chin. Tony closed his eyes for a moment in fear before opening them again. "Leave them out of it. T-they weren't apart of it, we only just met them." Dan seemed amused, "So in other words you don't know them? So if say..." Dan took a step back from Tony, moving over he pressed his gun to Patricks forehead. "...blew this one's brains out you wouldn't be bothered?" Patrick stood still staring the man down, but Dan didn't care about Patricks response he was watching Tony's face. "Fuck off." Patrick said not enjoying this mans games, which earned a pistol whip to the face that sent him reeling backwards. A little blood dripped from his forehead just above his left eyebrow, "Pat!" Audri called crouching down to him.
"Please," Tony said pleading. "They aren't apart of this just let them go. I'm the one who killed your brother, the dick deserved what he got so I shot him!" This got a rise out of Dan which Tony had not fully planned, he was suddenly pushed against the shelves behind him with Dans gun pressed against his cheek. Tony cringed, Dan just smirked. "Sorry kid but it wasn't you. You don't have the balls, anyone can see that. Which means your protecting one of your two boyfriends here." Dan motioned towards his unconscious friends. Tony was suddenly aware of Dan's plan, he wanted to know which of the three of them killed his brother. Dan planned to find out who had pulled the trigger, he'd kill the other two but once he had the one who'd pulled the trigger he'd make sure that person suffered before he killed him.
"Alrighty then." Dan turned on his heel, moving to stand in front of Patrick and Audri once more. "I'll ask a question. If I don't get the answer I like one of them dies. Then I'll ask again, and the other dies, simple." He aimed his gun at Patrick, he stood towering over both Patrick and Audri who were still crouched. Audri stood up and stepped in front of Patrick. "Sweetheart if you wanted to go first all you had to do was ask." Dan said smiling then adjusted his aim to her head. Patrick stood and looked as though he was about to intervene when a shot went off, the bullet flying by Patrick into the wall. "Down boy. You'll have your turn." Dan then turned his head to look at Tony. "Now which one of your friends killed my bro--" He was cut off by some banging at the door.
"For fucks sake! It's just rude to interrupt." A devilish grin crossed his face as he walked towards the door. "Sounds like we've got some guests for the party. We should let them in, to mingle ya know?" He looked to the man with the rifle and motioned for him to move out of the way. He was going to open the door and let in the walkers, let them walk through the backdoor and into the dining room. Let his prisoners panic and deal with them, and enjoy the show. When he opened the door he expected three or so walkers to come in. He didn't however expect an entire squad of them to start streaming in, they shoved against the door so hard he didn't have the time to hide behind it, the door flung open and Dan was forced back. He had to shoot the first one inside because it was so close and coming for him. The way the walkers were coming inside ended up herding Dan to the opposite side of the house from the others. Shots rang out which attracted the walkers into that side of the home rather than towards Tony and the others. His friend was momentarily distracted which allowed Patrick to sneak up and grab the rifle in the mans hands, aiming it upwards. The rifle shot off as the man pulled the trigger in a panic, the bullet hitting the ceiling, there was a minor struggle before a walker grabbed the guy from behind. In a scream of terror his grip loosened and the gun was Patrick's.
"Now's our chance!" Patrick said as he crouched down and grabbed the unconscious Shiloh, who was in the most danger, being the closest to the backdoor. Tony and Audri moved and between the two of them they managed to lift Austin, his arms around their necks. Patrick was dragging Shiloh by his shoulders. "He's heavier than he looks. Go out the front door fast." Patrick said. He was slower than the two of them even with Austin's weight. When they got near the door more banging could be heard coming from the other side followed by a few windows being smashed throughout the house. The shots had gone silent which caused Audri to look about hoping not to see Dan. Tony peeked through the small hole in the door. "There's so many of them we can't go out this way!" he said in a panic. "Up the stairs!" Audri called out. They moved going up the stairs, the walkers started closing in now following them up. Tony turned around noticing they were closing in faster than the living could climb. He put a foot to the closest walkers chest and kicked forwards, the walker careened backwards into the others creating a mess of flailing bodies at the bottom of the stairs. "It won't hold long." Patrick called down. The dead started crawling over each other trying to climb the stairs.
They ran into a bedroom. "This door won't hold either." Tony said shutting and locking it with one arm, the other was being used to balance Austin between him and Audri. Patrick turned to the nearby window. "Out on the roof, it's our best shot." With effort they managed to get both Shiloh and Austin onto the roof, they moved above where the window was located so anything following wouldn't immediately find them. "Pat we're stuck up here now." Audri said peering over the edge, seeing the horde of walkers trying to get inside the house. Some were coming towards the house while others were still wandering south. A few dead wandered out onto the roof through window they'd just come through, Patrick walked down the awkward slopped angle and using the rifle he tipped them off balance and they tumbled off the roof, he then shut the window.
Wayne had taken it upon himself to take a nap while sitting on the couch. He and Anthony had decided to wait this out, it was the only logical choice at this point. The dead we're everywhere outside afterall. Anthony however couldn't have slept if he wanted to. Between worrying about the others and trying to figure a way out of this situation if it went bad, he was pacing throughout the house, peeking out of windows here and there looking for a change in the amount of dead. They were bound to thin out eventually with the direction they were heading.
At one point he walked into the living room and looked at Wayne. "I'll never understand how you can sleep at a time and place like this big guy." Anthony whispered shaking his head in amusement. A glare of light shown through the shades that covered the window above the couch Wayne was sleeping on. Anthony rushed to the window brushing Wayne on the way practically stepping over him. "Wayne wake up!" he called as he split the blinds. He could see headlights. A car! Was it their people? Anthony had no way of knowing but the fact was it could be a way out. "What's happening?" Wayne said drowsily standing, trying to get his bearings. Anthony pulled his flashlight and flashed it out towards the vehicle trying to get it's attention.
Upon realizing the vehicle was heading towards the house Anthony smiled. "Our way out that's what." Wayne gave Anthony a confused look still not fully grasping the situation. "Let's move!" Anthony called motioning for Wayne to follow as he ran for the front door. Anthony listened as the motor got closer. "We're making a run for the car, so I hope your ready." Wayne nodded behind him.
Anthony threw the door open only to be blinded by the headlights as the van turned. A few walkers between them and the van. It came to a stop and Anthony and Wayne sprinted forwards shoving the dead that we're distracted by the vehicle, knocking them over. The ones that came at them were dispatched with ease and when they neared the vehicle they could see the large stream of dead that was following the vehicle. "Fuuuuck" Anthony said. The mini-vans side door opened and Kate was waving for them to get in. They managed to jump in and Klaire stepped on it before they could even close the door.
"Audri and Patrick are in the opposite direction right?" Klaire was asking for confirmation already turning the van around. Luckily the commotion the vehicle had made caused the dead to bunch up in certain places trying to get to it, leaving some areas thinned out enough they wouldn't get stuck on bodies. Anthony put a hand on each headrest sticking himself between the driver and passenger seat. "Yeah, haven't heard from them?" Kate shook her head. "No one came back."
"The house was getting swarmed, but we did find this." Klaire said keeping focused on the driving. "Thank god for that." Wayne said from behind them.
Audri sat beside the two unconscious men lying side by side on the rooftop. "We're not making it out of this are we? This rooftop is a deathtrap." She glanced at Tony. He was worried but he hadn't given up yet, he couldn't, not with the state Shiloh and Austin were in, "Sure we are. We're safe from the dead up here." Audri smiled at Tony's skepticism. She watched Patrick move about the roof below her, looking over the edge, trying to figure a way off she guessed. "Now's as good a time as any I suppose." she mumbled as she stood up walking the downward angle towards Patrick. If they we're doomed to die up here together, No even if they survived this she wanted him to know how she felt, especially before it was too late.
"Pat, can we talk? I need to tell you something." she called out as she made her way down to him still working up to it. He turned around to face her, suddenly she was in his arms but she wasn't supporting herself. The sound of a gunshot only just registering in his mind. His hand felt wet, when he raised it, he could see it was covered in fresh warm blood. His eyes went wide, "A-a-aud-dri?" he managed to choke out, he brought her down to the roof gently turning her so he could see her face. She was alive, her hand moved to her chest where her shirt was already soaked in blood in confusion of what was wrong. Her eyes were moving as if trying to figure out what happened.
Tony was startled by the shot from across the roof, he spotted Dan aiming his gun at Patrick, Audri now lying on the roof. His own gun had been hidden under his shirt the entire time, he reached for it. He brought it up with both hands aiming at Dan. Dan had somehow managed to get up the stairs in the house and had made his way out a different window than they had used.
"You guy's left so soon. The party was only just getting started, and I still didn't get my answer." He glanced at Tony with the gun in his hands. "I've told you once, you don't have the balls boy. Look at you, your hands are shaking, it's pitiful." Dan was laughing, his gun was still trained on Patrick. He didn't want Patrick to grab the rifle, he was confident Tony wasn't a threat. Tony's hands were indeed shaking, he had the gun trained on this man, this man who had just shot Audri, someone who he'd only just met but already considered a friend, this man who was threatening the only people left in this world that he cared about and for some reason he wasn't pulling the trigger.
Patrick sat holding Aduri's upper torso in his lap, he was staring angrily at Dan, one hand was pushing against her wound, hoping against all hope that she could still be saved, the other arm wrapped in front of her as if to protectively. "Slide the gun this way." Dan said motioning to the rifle Patrick had, he grabbed it sliding it across the roof with one hand. "Choke on it you son of a bitch." Dan simply bowed thanking him.
"Your a mess." Dan called out to Tony. "I shot this chick you were so eager to put your neck out for earlier, and I'm here with a gun pointed at your friends and still you hesitate." Dan was getting a real kick out of this. "Maybe if I switch targets then?" Dan turned aiming the gun at Shiloh and Austin still lying on the roof. He raised an eyebrow to Tony. "No? Nothing?" Dan shrugged, before turning his weapon back towards Patrick. "Alright then."
Why couldn't he pull the damn trigger? Tony was angry at himself. Do it! He yelled at himself internally, do it!
"Your so pathetic, I'm going to enjoy killing every single---" Dan's head snapped backwards, a gunshot ringing through the night air. Tony's face was distorted in confusion as he watched Dan's body fall from the roof, in a similar fashion as his brother Dave, the dead found his body quickly.
"Go meet your brother in hell....you piece of shit." Tony turned at the sound of the familiar voice to see Austin sitting up, pistol in hand, panting before allowing himself to fall back onto his back. He'd woken at some point and managed to get the gun off of Shiloh's unconscious body beside him.
Tony rushed over crouching beside Austin. Austin was still slightly disoriented as he looked up at Tony, he could see the tortured look on Tony's face. "I'm sorry," Tony said his gaze shifting to Patrick across the roof still holding Audri. "I couldn't do it." He turned back to Austin who simply nodded. "You don't have to. It's what I'm here for Dylan, to keep you safe." Austin smiled weakly before closing his eyes, resting half conscious. Tony knew Dylan was Austin's younger brother, Austin had spoken of him before.
Ryan sat still, hushing Ellis occasionally. Whispering things like everything would be fine, that the walkers didn't know they were here. Headlights were brightening up the road ahead of them. Ryan sat forwards trying to see exactly what the lights were, the vehicle zoomed past them on the other side of the road. "It's them!" Ellis called out, not really knowing. He immediately covered his mouth realizing that he'd been loud. Ryan sighed as the nearby walkers now turned their attention to the car, scratching and biting at the windows. "Looks like we're following then now that we don't have a choice." Ryan cocked his head towards Ellis who looked like he'd just done the most unforgivable thing in the world, Ryan turned the key put the car in reverse and turned around taking out some of the dead as he did, turning on his brights he sped after the van. Ellis secretly cheered at this outcome.
With Dan now dead, Patrick turned his full attention to the woman in his arms. Tears streaming down his face, no coughing or choking just simple tears. He moved the hair from her face with a bloodied hand.
Audri weakly smiled up at Patrick. "What did you want to tell me?" he said trying to smile through his tears, he wanted her comfortable in her final moments, he wanted to distract her from what was inevitably coming. Audri looked up into his eyes before gently touching his cheek with her hand, it was her chance to tell him, but again she found herself unable to. The stars shone bright, past his face. This time her reason wasn't selfish, she couldn't pour her heart out to Patrick if she was going to die. She couldn't open up to him and then break his heart by leaving. No, she wouldn't do it, not to her Pat. "Oh, Noth...ing." she said through raspy breathing. She drew in one more breath as if to say something else but it would be her last, the breath slowly escaped from her body, her hand fell to her side, and Patrick watched as the light faded from her eyes.
Patrick clutched her to his chest tight, he was fighting hard not to breakdown completely, he stared out over the landscape sobbing, he'd just lost his best friend.
--
Minutes passed before he moved, setting Audri gently onto the roof, crossing her arms and closing her eyelids. Patrick stood with wobbly legs he looked at Tony who was watching, giving them their space and time but watching. The house was surrounded and full of the dead, the constant noise they were making as they searched for flesh coming from all directions. Tony opened his mouth to speak but Patrick held up a hand. "Not yet. I-I just need a minute." Patrick walked to the edge of the roof looking outwards at the open landscape he needed to recuperate, he knew he could grieve later and that for now he needed to stay strong, even if he didn't want to.
Sunrise had started and the pinkish orange glow lit the area up. "There's so many." Klaire gasped the sight of dead beating on the house and those wandering the area coming into view thanks to the light. They'd heard a shot as they drove this direction. "Do you think it's them?" Klaire said, the decision to try and find out or keep going had to be made soon at the speed they were going. Anthony thought for a second, "I doubt either of them had a gun concealed that we didn't know about. It's a risk." Klaire groaned, "It's the only house we've seen so far, they have to be here." As if to confirm this Kate pointed at the rooftop as they neared. "Look I think those are people on the roof!" Anthony looked up, he pushed a button and the sunroof opened. "What the hell are you doing?" Klaire called out in surprise. "They've gotta get in somehow." Anthony said before standing up, his upper half now sticking out of the vans roof.
Looking behind them he couldn't help but notice the car following them. "We've got company." He called down to Klaire. "I noticed a while back. Lett'em why not?" she called up to him he shrugged.
Patrick spotted the vehicles driving towards the home as Tony ran over beside him, Anthony sticking out of one. "It's our people." Patrick said to Tony before pointed towards the back end of the house trying to get them to drive to that side because he'd seen it the dead weren't as numerous, it could buy them time. As the van drove alongside the house Anthony motioned for them to hop on. "We've got wounded!" Patrick called out.
"Who are you calling wounded?" Shiloh said standing, rubbing the back of his head where his hair was patched with dried blood and gaining his balance on the rooftop. Last thing he remembered was getting ready to leave, now it was morning, they were on the roof, and the dead were everywhere. Needless to say he had to adjust quickly. Tony rushed over to Austin, "I'll explain later, Shiloh help me get him up." Shiloh nodded helping lift Austin, together they moved towards the edge of the house.
--
Patrick turned around to glance at Audri one last time, the sun had risen and blinded him momentarily. A figure stood inside of the glaring light. Patrick was momentarily confused before realizing it was Audri. He was overcome with emotions he'd just managed to lock away. She stepped towards him, tripping on the awkward angle. His instinct was to catch her, when they neared he could see the light in her eyes wasn't there, he'd watched it leave and before he could fully realize that she was one of the undead she'd already forced him backwards tripping over himself.
He held her at bay with his arms, her jaw chomping, craving his flesh. "I'm sorry Audri. I'm so sorry. I love you." He said, even if it wasn't her he needed to say these words. He rolled over giving her corpse a shove with his leg, he then grabbed his knife and plunged it into Audri's skull, he couldn't let her be one of those things, she wouldn't have wanted that. He heard yelling and could see Tony and Shiloh attempting to lower Austin down to the van. Again he stood leaving Audri's corpse behind.
--
"Who in the hell are you?" Anthony said questioningly looking up at Shiloh and Tony from the sunroof of the van. "I could ask the same thing pal." Shiloh barked back. "Friends!" Tony called out. "We met up with Patrick and Audri just help Austin inside!" Tony said as he and Shiloh lowered Austin gently down. Shiloh followed and before Tony went down himself he turned to look for Patrick. Patrick was there waiting for Tony to jump once he did Patrick followed.
The feels were real when writing that death scene. ;-;
This episode came out much longer than anticipated. It was actually longer but in the end I decided to split it into the next episode because it seemed ridiculously long compared to previous episodes, haha.
Characters are still welcome, if you create one don't worry it'll get in. Might be Season 2 though.
Leave a comment! I enjoy reading them no matter how short.
Thanks for reading, and being apart of this journey.
As the footsteps rushed by the pantry, Patrick tried to look through the slits in the door but was unable to see anything. He hoped Audri was hidden and safe. He gripped the metal baseball bat in his hands tighter, hoping he didn't have to use it. On the opposite side of the house the voices continued again followed by things being knocked over, he couldn't make anything out. It went quiet and he could hear someone running upstairs, it was now or never. He crept out of the pantry, he could see Audri peering around the kitchen counter at him. He held his finger to his lips for her to be quiet before he quietly stepped towards the back of the house, planning to use the same route these people had used to get to the room, or simply make sure the way to the backdoor was clear so he and Audri could leave. But he needed to be sure it wasn't anyone from the group.
He peeked around the corner, the noises had come from the dining room. The room was a mess already but he knew the noises he'd heard were chairs being moved or knocked over. There was a man sitting in one of the dining room chairs, clutching his shoulder, the sleeve of his shirt was stained bright red and Patrick could see the wound was clearly still bleeding. He took a step forward before a gun was shoved in his face. "Drop it." Patrick dropped the bat and held his arms up. "I'm not looking for any trouble. You guys just startled me is all." Patrick swallowed hard.
Footsteps could be heard on the stairs again as and someone flew into the dining room, with a plastic bag full of things and towels. He slowed his pace from running to a slow walk when he saw what was happening. "Who is that Shiloh? Is he one of them?" the man adjusted his glasses before continuing his path towards the injured one, who seemed to be close to passing out, his head lobbing. "You know any brothers by Dan and Dave?" Shiloh said pressing the gun against Patrick's forehead. "No I swear!"
"Stop!" said a voice as Audri turned the corner. "Please, don't shoot him." Shiloh looked from Patrick to Audri and back to Patrick. "Should I expect anymore people to pop up? I'd rather not be surprised anymore with a gun in my hand." He ushered Patrick over to where Audri was with a wave of the gun. "Shiloh...stop. Just let them go." Austin managed to gasp out with a grunt, he was breathing hard. "Seriously? We were just attacked and your shot. For all we know they are from the same group and you want me to trust them?" Shiloh growled. He stared at Austin who was pressing his hand against his shoulder, Tony grabbed towels to help apply pressure, Tony's hand taking over for Austins. His teeth clenched from the pain, Tony turned to Shiloh. "They haven't done anything yet just keep an eye on them just stop waving the gun around." he knew that was about what Austin would say if Austin could form a prolonged coherent sentence. "The two of you are going to get us killed one day." Shiloh huffed and tucked the gun in his pants behind his shirt.
Patrick angrily glanced at Audri, "Why didn't you stay hidden? What if these guys had killed me? They would have killed you the second you showed yourself. You should have stayed hidden and waited for me or ran." Audri looked at him in disbelief, "I was trying to make sure they DIDN'T kill you but thanks. Pat your my best friend, and the only person I have left from before and I wasn't going to let them kill you. And I sure as hell wasn't going to abandon you." She crossed her arms adamantly. Patrick sighed, he understood she'd done it for him and that's why he couldn't really stay angry with her. Deciding this wasn't the place nor the time he turned his attention back to the three men. When Patrick turned away Audri's body language changed to normal. She smiled while looking at the back of his head, if only he knew she couldn't stay hidden, not if he was in trouble. It was true he was her only friend from before but she always wanted it to be more. She couldn't decide if this damned apocalypse was trying to push her into telling him or trying to stop her.
Shiloh reached out and grabbed Austins damp bloodied sleeve, tearing it upwards til the wound was completely uncovered. "Dammit Austin.." He and Tony were mopping up the blood and applying pressure with the towels. "Check if the bullet went through." Tony said. Shiloh leaned Austin forwards gently in the chair and checked the back of his shoulder, applying pressure with another towel. "Yeah looks like it." he glanced towards Audri and Patrick, they hadn't moved, simply watched. "Good." Ausin said, a smile half forming. "Just stitch me up." he groaned and with that he was out, head rolled to the side. "He's lost allot of blood we need to stop the bleeding now." Tony said as Shiloh reached for the bag Tony brought from upstairs. "You found everything we need right?" he said pulling things out.
Tony nodded holding a flashlight towards the wound and Shiloh crouched preparing to stitch Austin's front wound. He held the needle above the wound, his hands already covered in dry and wet blood, he tried to focus and relax but his hands were shaking too much. From everything that happened to the exertion of running and helping carry Austin he couldn't make it stop. Suddenly a hand gently rested on his. "Let us." he turned to see that Audri and Patrick were beside him, Audri's hand taking the needle from his. He didn't know how to react at first, but just nodded then moved out of the way, his mind telling him to either say thankyou or not trust them. He placed a hand to his forehead smearing some of the blood on it without thinking, he was tired, he was worried, and he was pissed. Shiloh walked over grabbed the rifle from the table and started to storm off towards the backdoor.
"Shiloh don't!" Tony walked up to him after handing Patrick the flashlight. "I know you, I know what your thinking. Don't be stupid! We don't know how many of them there are, we don't know where they are, and we don't split up!" Shiloh stood firm with his back to Tony. He hated that Tony was right. He turned around and placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. "Your right." There were many reasons not to try to go after them and Shiloh knew this, he also knew Tony would use every single one of them against him. He stepped by Tony, looked over at Audri and Patrick with Austin. Breathing a heavy sigh he sat down in a chair and rested the back of his head on the wall behind him with his eyes on the three of them.
This was an exceedingly stressful situation he realized. The whole time he'd been together with Austin and Tony he'd always shared the burden of keeping them safe and alive with Austin. He'd occasionally slack, and Austin would take up the slack without a word. Tony was..well Tony, he trusted Tony but there were still things he felt Tony needed to come to terms with. Shiloh understood this even if he wasn't as subtle as Austin was with coaxing Tony forwards. This weight he felt, all of Austins being transferred to him, he looked at his friend, more vulnerable than he'd ever seen him. He cursed himself for not preforming better on the gas stations rooftop, for not doing SOMETHING to prevent Austin from getting hurt.
"It's not your fault you know." Shiloh was suddenly aware Tony was standing beside him. He looked up at Tony, his thoughts must have been written all over his face he realized because Tony, even through moist eyes was giving him a comforting smile. "Yeah yeah." He couldn't believe Tony of all people was keeping it together more than he was right now. He rested his head against the wall once more, feeling just a little more at ease.
[][]Sometime near the start of the Apocalypse[][]
Patrick and Audri we're roommates along with two others in an apartment that was located near the Film School they attended. Audri had been helping Patrick with his work all day. They'd been friends for over two years now and Audri had been working up to asking Patrick out all day long. Honestly she was dropping hints left and right trying to get the conversation started. But Patrick was focused and completely oblivious to it. Audri was patient but even she was getting a little flustered over it. She was normally a very shy person, but being around Patrick seemed to change that, she felt confident when he was nearby.
Tyler, one of their roommates was squealing about something on the TV behind him just before the power went out. Patrick cried out in rage, no internet meant no more work. Audri grinned, "It's about time for a break anyways. I'm sure it'll be back up in no time, in the meantime how about we go get some coffee." She smiled. "Ahah!" Patrick smiled back, "Brilliant idea, I can use the coffee shops internet!" Audri groaned. The two of them left, once at the coffee shop they found it without power as well. "I've heard the whole city is without power. Think it has anything to do with this contagion that's been all over the news?" They heard the barista saying to a customer. "What do you think happened?" Patrick looked at Audri who shrugged and pulled out her phone trying to dial someone, no service she realized looking questioningly at her cell. There was a scream from outside the coffee shop, they caught a glimpse of what looked like someone being attacked before a car came crashing into the shop. Patrick barely managed to pull Audri from the path of destruction.
[]End Flashback[]
Hours had passed since Ryan and Ellis had taken refuge in the car. Ryan had been waiting and watching for an opening to hopefully get them off this deathtrap of an interstate. But the dead didn't move in any sort of pattern which made it difficult, not to mention there were so damn many. Ryan wasn't sure exactly how mobile he'd be with his leg hurting. He still wasn't really sure what had happened to cause the injury, he just knew it happened after he found Ellis. Shots rang out through the air, in the quiet night it was startling to both Ryan and Ellis. It came from the schools direction Ryan realized. There must have been other survivors. Whatever the reason was, he was thankful, it got the dead moving in the right direction. "Get ready." he whispered to Ellis. Ellis plopped up into the seat beside Ryan. The opening was there and Ryan opened the door slowly crouching low as he got out, wincing at the pain shooting through his leg. Ellis followed and together they moved amongst the gaps between the cars coming up to the barrier Ryan helped Ellis over then went over himself. The forest ahead of them was dark, he knew the group had planned to go through it, it was their best shot at finding everyone again but clouds were moving in, blocking out the stars and moon frequently for long periods of time which made it very dangerous.
"Alright little man, let's find us a car." he said looking down at Ellis beside him. "Another one?" Ellis whined, they'd just spent hours in a car and now the plan was to get into another? Ryan chuckled, the two of them headed to the nearby road. Ryan checked the vehicles one by one while Ellis was on lookout, at least that's what Ryan told him, but Ryan always kept his eyes on the surrounding area as well while trying the cars. Eventually they found one. Ryan almost leapt for joy if it hadn't been for his leg. The two of them drove off. Ryan knew the area, he knew what was on the other side of the small forest and he drove there. It was a very back end road with only a few houses, it was hard to pinpoint exactly where the group should have come out but Ryan was driving slowly down the road, lights off not wanting to attract much attention. Eventually he stopped the car and turned it off.
Ellis was peering out the side window. "Do you think they're somewhere out here?" Ryan nodded, but he wasn't sure how long the group could have walked before stopping. His thoughts went to his brother, Greg. Ryan hoped Greg made it away from the interstate just as he had, he hoped Greg had already beaten him to the group. The clouds had basically blocked every star and the moon out at this point, to continue searching they'd have to either go on foot or use the headlights. Ryan looked at his watch. "So it's going to start getting light soon. Until then we wait in the car, but we'll find them once the sun starts coming up." He smiled at Ellis who crossed his arms in annoyance. Clearly not enjoying another adventure of sitting in a car.
Shiloh suddenly jerked forward in his chair and grunted as he basically gave himself whiplash. As his eyes adjusted he saw Tony, Audri, and Patrick sitting in some of the other chairs talking, it was still dark so he couldn't have been out for too long, the only light was the moonlight filtering in through the open shades of the nearby windows. Austin lay on the dining table, a small pile of towels under his head as a pillow, the wound on his shoulder now bandaged. "Someone's awake." Patrick said with a partial wave. He could see Tony smiling at him from beside Patrick. "Must have dozed off." Shiloh said while rubbing his eyes. "How long was I out?"
"Not long, maybe two hours or so. We finished patching Austin up and let you rest." Tony said nodding towards Austin. Patrick turned in his chair to face Shiloh, "We've been discussing where we go from here. Whether we go our separate ways or you join up with us. And giving names, Shiloh we never really got to introduce ourselves. I'm Patrick and this is Audri." He said pointing his thumb over his shoulder towards her.
"We're going with them." Tony said bluntly. Shiloh eyed Tony "We don't even know these people." Shiloh propped one leg on the other. "You don't. I've learned two hours worth of what they've been through. And honestly Shiloh we need them as much as they need us. Austin's hurt and that means it would just be the two of us for a while." Tony clearly wasn't backing down. It intrigued and amused Shiloh, he sat forwards in the chair with a sigh, giving in. "Fine. I we'll go..." he turned to look at Patrick, "..on a trial basis. We leave if we don't like what we see."
Patrick shrugged "That's fine. It's not a contract you could leave whenever. We don't have much, but we have people." Audri nodded, "They've probably gotten worried that we haven't come back yet. Wayne and Anthony probably finished up long ago." she said quietly.
"Think we've got enough?" Anthony couldn't help but laugh at the amount of stuff they'd scavenged, it was more than they could actually carry. Whoever had lived in this house was well stocked. Wayne just rolled his eyes, the bigger man was carrying more than Anthony. Anthony cracked open the front door, was about to take a step but froze. It was dark but he could see movement, lots of it, and the groans. He quickly stepped back inside before moving to a window to get a better view. "What is it now?" Wayne said clearly annoyed. "Sshh." Anthony said as he peered past a curtain. "Holy shit." Now Wayne was curious, he put the supplies down and went to another nearby window. His mouth dropped. "How many of them are there..." he muttered.
Outside a very large group of dead moving South. Anthony quietly jogged to the back of the house peering out a window that led to the backyard, before returning to Wayne. "They're everywhere, out back as well, this group of them is so spread out." he had his hand on his forehead looking at the ground in a slight panic and in thought. "The good thing is they aren't wandering around. So we just wait them out." Wayne said, still watching out the window. "They're wandering in a general direction. Eventually they'll have moved on." Wayne sat on the nearby couch, there wasn't much they could do for now anyways. "Shit." Anthony said from the window. Wayne cocked an eybrow looking over at him. "What?" Anthony shook his head, "They're heading straight down the street. That's where everyone else is."
Annie woke with a scream. She jolted up from the bed she had been sleeping in. "What's wrong dear?" Falisha had been sleeping in the same room. Kate and Klaire came rushing to the doorway in a panic. "What's going on!?" Klaire said. "Nothing, just a bad dream." Falisha said looking over at them, one of her hands on Annies back. "I saw Ellis die..." Annie said on the verge of tears. There was a sudden banging on the front door which caught everyones attention, followed by glass breaking as windows were shattered.
Ellis found it particularly annoying just how fast Ryan had fallen asleep after they'd parked. Ryan had said it wouldn't be too long until the sun started coming up. Ellis fidgeted in his seat, he was impatient, he wanted to find his sister now. He huffed quietly, the windows were fogging up on the inside a little bit, he found amusement in breathing onto the window and drawing things. He was startled when something seemed to almost draw back from the other side.
--
Ryan opened his eyes from his nap in a confused state, he could hear thuds and they were slowly waking him up faster. He realized quickly Ellis in the seat beside him was as far from the passenger window as he could get, practically on Ryans seat, he could see the boy was shaking. He rubbed his eyes about to speak, his ears must have gotten used to the noise in his sleep because now that he could focus he could hear the moans, the smearing of the dead rubbing against the car, and the thudding of the ones who were bumping into it. The windows were fogged from his and Ellis' bodyheat, and covered in grime from the smearing of the dead as they brushed against them, which made it difficult to see through the windows. But he realized the dead weren't trying to get in, yet. He reached for Ellis shoulder to attempt to calm the boy, who covered his own mouth with his hand.
After his short nap if it could be called that, Shiloh had become somewhat restless. He was hoping Austin would atleast wake up before they left to go with Patrick and Audri to their group but it was hard to tell if he even would wake up at this point, Austin was pale, more so than usual but he was still breathing even if it was shallow. Shiloh stood in the doorway to the dining room leaning against the door frame, using the rifle as partial support. Patrick, Audri, and Tony were ransacking the room one final time, scavenging what they could while they waited. "You could help you know." Tony said looking over at Shiloh. "I could." Shiloh said playfully, smiling at Tony who simply rolled his eyes. Shiloh was busy checking out Aurdri's ass-end when he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head, then everything went black.
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Next Time: A reunion, "I'm so glad I found you." No one is safe as the herd moves through the area, bullets will fly. Will the group be torn and split apart before it ever actually fully forms?
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I feel bad for focusing on Austin, Shiloh, and Tony so much but I find the group dynamic so adorable and just plain fun to write. xD
I told myself I wouldn't have my own character but I've really enjoyed Austin, soooo claimed. haha All the other NPC's are out there for the claiming though.
Are these getting too long yet? I feel like every time I put out an episode its longer than the last, haha. But I'm having fun with them.
Happy New Year everyone. Who's ready for the mid-season finale? Where I kill all of your favorite beloved characters just because. >D
Characters are still welcome, if you create one don't worry it'll get in. Might be Season 2 though.
Leave a comment! I enjoy reading them no matter how short or whether you talk about the story or just complimenting I don't care. ;p
The main group walked through the woods a while, before coming across a road. They were now far enough away and deeper into the countryside that there were few houses they could see up and down the street they found. They'd taken refuge in the nearby house. Wayne and Anthony had gone south to the next house to look for any supplies. Patrick and Audri had done the same but to the Northern house. Everyone else rested while they were out. None of them slept the night before and it caught up to them, scattered throughout the house. Klaire had planned to be on watch but had managed to pass out against the wall by the front door.
All except Kate who sat at the corner of a couch, peering out the window that looked towards the forest they'd come from. Her thoughts lingering on Greg and Ryan. She and Jake had known them for years, they'd been close enough to be considered family. The guys knew which direction the group was planning ahead of time, and that they would follow if possible. She kept the hope that she'd spot them come strolling out of the forest. There was a reason she didn't protest when they'd told her of plan after she'd awoken on the schools rooftop, she trusted them to survive.
[][] 5 Years Ago [][]
A 13 year old Jake and 12 year old Kate were walking home from school, they'd been neighbors for five years and had grown into great friends over time. The bus had dropped them off and they were heading down the street behind their houses. "Can Jake come out to play?" a mocking voice came from behind them. The two of them turned their heads but kept walking. "Ignore them Jake, we're almost home." She gave him a reassuring smile.
"What's wrong? Mommy want you home right after school?" The boy snickered and chuckled with his two friends. Bryan, he always knew what to say to pull Jake into a fight. But he never did it when Ted and Ronnie weren't around, coward. "Oh screw off." Kate said turning around, now walking backwards. Jake's fists had already tightened from Bryan's comment. "Stay out if it bitch." Bryan said and before he realized it he was on the ground. Jake got a few hits before Ted and Ronnie pulled him off, like the usual before the three of them wailed on Jake together.
Jake curled up taking the kicks and punches, dust flying up. Suddenly he realized they'd ceased. Two older boys came out of nowhere pulling and slinging Bryan, Ted, and Ronnie by their backpacks off of Jake. "Three on one? You toddlers should grow a pair." Said one voice. The boys seeing the numbers now being fair did nothing but laugh and run off. A hand in front of his face Jake grabbed hold as he was hauled to his feet. Kate coming over and helping him knock all the dust off. "I'm Greg, this is my twin brother Ryan."
[][]
--Present--
A tear fell from Kate's face onto her arm below, it caused her to jump a little. Kate hadn't even realized the water in her eyes, she was too focused on the window, the memory of their meeting popping into her head.
Tony woke with a start in his tent ontop of the gas station, it took him a moment to gather his surroundings and remember where he was. He was drenched in sweat, he huffed before reaching over and grabbing his glasses. He had to go, mother nature was calling. It wasn't safe to leave the roof for this kind of bathroom break. They'd been simply standing on the edge of the roof and letting it trickle over. Which is where Tony was headed. He glanced at the other two tents where Shiloh and Austin slept before he stepped to the edge. It was still the middle of the night, the insects were an orchestra in the night. Tony couldn't help but smile, atleast something hadn't changed.
--
Austin was roused from his sleep by something rustling every so slightly against his tent. He rubbed his eyes before sitting up. "Seriously? Why do you guys always brush against my tent when you take a piss?" he yawned and considered getting out of his tent or just going back to sleep. After waiting a moment, and not getting an answer from outside his tent he stood up unzipped it and stepped out for curiosities sake. He looked at the other two tents, noticing Tony's tent flap was open. He smiled, glad it was Tony rather than Shiloh atleast. "Tony your kind of an ass." he said turning to the designated 'pee point' of the roof.
He froze, there was a man he didn't recognize staring at him. His heart felt like it dropped when he realized this man had Tony in a lock, one hand over Tony's mouth, the other held a knife directly under Tony's neck ready to slit, it was being pressed so close that Austin could make out the crimson color of blood dribbling over it. Austin could see the fear in Tony's eyes as he was practically shaking. He was staring at Austin his eyes wet, his glasses drooping, almost falling off of his face.
Austin's eyes left Tony's and met the man's. Austin felt anger bubbling inside him, his fists tightened. Suddenly he was aware of movement on the rooftop. He looked over his shoulder to find another man standing up from behind his tent, letting himself be known to Austin. And a third standing beside Shiloh's tent. He turned his attention back to Tony's attacker, "What do you want?" he managed to muster. His hand going to where he would have normally kept his pistol, only to find it missing. He'd left it in the tent, he'd been stupid and careless and now he was defenseless. The man was large, Austin noted. Even if the knife wasn't on Tony's neck there was no way Austin could take him.
--
Shiloh was brought out of his sleep by voices. He opened one eye, it was still dark he noticed. Angrily he opened his mouth to tell Austin and Tony to shutup. He stopped himself as it occurred to him that one of the voices he didn't recognize. He was fully awake now and he looked around without moving. He could see a silhouette of someone on the left side of his tent, being cast onto it by the moonlight. He could hear Austin, the voice coming from towards Austin's tent. And the voice he didn't know was between them. His mind went to work with different scenarios. He could try to intervene, he could stay still wait and see if they leave him alone, and many others. He didn't want to be rash too quickly.
--
The large man holding the knife to Tony's neck nudged the knife tighter, moving Tony ever so slightly. "We want everything." He said simply. Austin gave a confused look. Suddenly the man behind Austin joined the conversation. "We came across this gas station, planning to raid it. Only to find the three of you bringing everything up here. Oh and thanks for not leaving someone on watch, made it much easier to catch you guys off guard." He shuffled the strap to the bag he had over his shoulder he was holding a few bags, all full of the supplies that Austin, Tony, and Shiloh had been gathering the last few days.There were still a few inside the three tents but Austin wasn't sure if they knew that. "You guys bagged it all for us, and we get the bonus of your weapons and anything you came here with. Don't be stupid, or my brother Dan here will end his life, and we'll take your other friends life as well." The man who had Tony, who Austin hadn't taken his eyes off of grinned, Austin could only tell because the whites of his teeth were bright in the dark.
"Fine." Austin said simply. "Take everything, just leave us alone." He held out his hand towards Tony. Tony's safety was the important thing at this moment. There was more supplies out there. They'd make do, Austin told himself. Tony's captor nodded to the guy behind Austin "Dave, take that haul down." 'Dave' walked to the ladder with his bags and made his way down. "Brothers huh?" Austin said. "Shut it, deals done. Keep quiet and we'll be gone." Austin wasn't sure how much he trusted that they'd be left alone after this. Surely this group would be afraid of some type of retaliation. They wouldn't just let the three of them live. But what could he do? "Your glock, where is it?" Austin nodded to his left towards his tent, "In the tent."
"Get it, very slowly. If it's not pointing at yourself when you bring it out the knife slices this one open." He smiled nuzzling the side of Tony's face. Tony whimpered a little with his eyes squeezed shut. The man beside Shiloh's tent raised the rifle they'd taken from Tony and aimed at Austin. "Alright, just let him go. I won't try anything." Austin pleaded raising his arms up. Dan snickered, "I think I'll hold onto him. Take him with us, we'll drop him off somewhere. A little...insurance policy." He said shrugging with a smile.
Meanwhile Austin had gotten the pistol out of his tent slowly and held it the way he was instructed. "No." Austin said simply. The mans smile vanished, "Your in no position to be making demands." the man growled. "Your not taking him anywhere." Austin was getting frustrated, he wasn't going to let this go down. There was no telling what would happen to Tony. Even if they did as they said and let him go he wasn't sure Tony would be able to make it back on his own.
--
Shiloh had been listening from inside the tent and on the occasions when there was noise or their voices were louder, he'd move ever so slightly so his noise would be muffled by theirs. He'd managed to get himself into a crouched position, his own weapon pointed at the silhouette on his tent, the one with the rifle pointed at Austin. He wasn't sure if this would work but he had to do something. These people were not only threatening to take the supplies they'd worked for, but also threatening to take his friends lives, and he wouldn't stand for it. He gritted his teeth and readied himself.
--
"Screw it," Dan said rolling his eyes. "Just shoot him." he said as he looked over to the other guy with the rifle. A shot rang and for a brief second Austin couldn't move, he thought he was dead but he couldn't feel anything. He was suddenly aware he was fine, and that Dan had dropped Tony to get to his sidearm, he was bringing it up and proceeded to point it towards Shiloh's tent. Austin twirled his own weapon so it was right way around and fired. Dan gasped as his hand went to his chest where he was shot. He took a step backwards raised his gun and fired one shot before barreling over the side of the gas station.
Austin felt a pain in his shoulder as the bullet ripped through like a thousand needles, it brought him to his knees. Tony was on the ground in front of him, holding his hand to his neck where the knife had been. He looked up at Austin. "Austin!" he yelled in panic. Tony's voice sounded very far away and muffled which confused Austin, he could hear little pings as well, next thing he was staring up at the sky his back against the ground. He felt weight on his stomach, he raised his head up a little and looked down, there was an arm. Shiloh had burst out of the tent and tackled Austin to the ground, shots were being fired at them from below. Austin came out of his daze, everything felt normal again, especially his shoulder, that normal brought pain. He looked at Shiloh as he heard the shots zooming over them. "Down the ladder, now!" Shiloh yelled. Crawling, Tony and Shiloh grabbed what they could and quickly dropped down the ladder, Tony and Shiloh having to help the injured Austin down. Before running off into the forest behind the gas station.
"You stupid fucks killed my brother! I will find you and make you pay!" They heard as they were nearing the exit of earshot distance.
Ellis watched as the walker fell down in front of him. Shutting his eyes in fear. Then suddenly he felt himself being scooped up. He opened one eye, to find Ryan crouched down in front of him. "Shh." Ryan said raising a finger to his lips, Ellis nodded but gave him a quick hug. It was too late and they were being converged on. Ryan looked around quickly, there was no way to get across to the others. "We've got to move bud." He grabbed Ellis' hand and the two of them ran. Not going towards the school but simply parallel there was no other way. They were rounding a van when Ryan went to peek around the corner only to bump into a walker.
Ellis screamed in panic as he tripped backwards. Ryan shoved the walker over, helped Ellis back up but they were trapped. Ryan reacted quickly opening a car door and ushering Ellis in then getting in himself. Walkers drawn to Ellis scream scrambled about looking for the source. Ryan was breathing heavily and sweating, Ellis noticed. "Are we safe?" whispered Ellis, who moved slightly to a more comfortable position in the floorboard of the backseat of the car. He bumped Ryan's leg which caused Ryan to jerk away and grit his teeth, holding his breath as not to make any noise. "Sorry." Ellis said unsure of what he'd done. Finally Ryan let out the breath "It's fine, I just bumped my leg." Ryan said as he sank beneath the car window to stay hidden, he looked at his injured leg and then to Ellis. He wasn't sure he could get them out of this predicament safely. Ellis simply curled up as low in the floor as he could get.
Wayne's ears perked as he heard gunshots rang in the distance. He turned to look at Anthony who was looking out of the nearby window. "Is that ours?" Wayne stepped up beside Anthony. "No, too far. Patrick and Audri are pretty far but those shots are much further." Anthony took a breath in relief with that realization. "We should make sure to steer clear of that direction when we decide to move on. Don't want to get caught up in anything." Wayne said, turning his attention back to gathering anything useful. He wondered why he was still with these people. It was true that there is safety in numbers. But honestly, this group? It'll be torn apart. Do I want to be here for that? His thoughts lingered as he made his way through the house.
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Audri and Patrick heard the shots as well. But it just made them gather even more quickly. "Pat" she said looking over at him. He didn't respond and kept searching the cabinet he was looking in. "Do you think we'll make it?" Patrick stopped what he was doing then turned to look at her. "Not with how we're going now. We need guns. Stabbing only gets you so far." He turned his attention back to grabbing what he could from the cabinet. He opened his mouth to say something but before he could a loud crashing noise came from the back of the house, followed by some hushed yelling, and yet another loud noise. Patrick moved towards the pantry and shut himself inside, Audri simply ducked behind the kitchen counter. Someone cried out followed by the footfalls of someone running into the kitchen.
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Next Time: How fatal will Austin's wound prove to be? Audri and Patrick find themselves in a difficult position. What will become of Ryan and Ellis?
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Merry late Christmas everyone.
I'm thinking Season 1 will be 12 episodes so episode 6 will be a mid-season finale type thing. I'm bad at planning these things out. I just roll with it. ^_^
For fun I thought I'd let you guys decide the name of the episode if you'd like. I'll pick one I like and edit it in. Might be a one time thing might not, who knows. (Nevermind I yolo'd. xD)
The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 8 - Pact
The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 7 - Remedy
The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 6 - Pandora's Box