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| Dead Men Walking | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 28 2014, 02:20 AM (70,951 Views) | |
| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jun 20 2015, 09:03 PM Post #1876 |
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Is that so?
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Antonio visibly winced at the display of aggression. No matter how inhuman they were now, they were human at one point. Even if they were monsters seeking to kill, Antonio still saw children above all else. As brutal as it had been, he was thankful that Eli had taken it upon himself to do the deed that needed to be done. The very idea of Kelsey and Connor being sent to kill them sent a cold shiver down his spine. That was not the way it was supposed to be. The idea of sending children to fight like that disgusted him at a primal level. It was the job of adults to protect children from the world until they are ready to take part in it, now more than ever. "Thank you, Eli." Antonio was quick to throw his support to Eli. "That is a job no child should ever have to perform." The very fact that Brandon would even recommend it was... disturbing. Misguided, perhaps, but disturbing nonetheless. He let out a tired sigh and made his way to the cabinet that was blocking off the hallway. Between it and the coffee table positioned behind it, it would be impossible to get through without moving. But the cabinet was positioned in such a way that there was a crack between it and the door jam that could be peered through. Against his better judgement, he did just that. It was a short hallway with three doors in it. There was just enough light coming in from the other rooms that he could see a single figure, crouched near the ground at the end of the hallway. He had a gun pointed directly at him. BANG! Antonio moved his head instantly. He felt the bullet tear through his left ear before impacting the ceiling behind him. Antonio backed away as he grit his teeth and clutched his half-blown off ear with a suddenly blood-soaked hand. |
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| Strompy | Jun 21 2015, 12:01 AM Post #1877 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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Brandon sighed and shook his head as Eli stabbed a rare opportunity in the head. He shot him a very unimpressed look when he mentioned Julie. Of course he remembered Julie. He also remembered when Randall got bitten. They were both practiced and they still slipped up. If Kelsey or Connor were in a situation where there wasn't somebody to save them then what chance would they stand? What were the odds of finding another rotter they could handle in relative safety? He'd only encountered one little rotter that wasn't part of a herd. Connor was already thirteen, he was larger than both those rotters. Kelsey was easily a match for one of them as well. Two child sized rotters, alone, while Connor and Kelsey were surrounded by hypervigilant armed adults. That seemed like the most controled exposure they could hope for. Knocking their teeth out would defeat the purpose Brandon had in mind entirely. They had to pose at least some threat, and it wasn't exactly the deep end. Brandon was terrified of those things before he killed one. He still treated them as a threat, but at least he knew they could be dealt with. To Brandon it felt like just resolving to protect them was potentially the biggest danger. If everyone were to give their lives protecting them, a real possibility, then they'd end up alone and completely unprepared. Give a man a fish... Honey, please stop babying him. his father's words came to mind. The first time he shot a deer. It wasn't a clean kill. It had collapsed with a broken back. It was alive and in a lot of pain. He was nine at the time and he'd never had to kill an animal up close. His father put a knife in his hand and told him that the deer was now his responsibility, and that he should put an end to it's pain. His mom gave an objection and asked his dad to do it instead, but he insisted it was something Brandon had to do himself. His dad never held anything back from him, he'd always taught him how to look out for himself, which had made adapting to this new world a lot easier. He'd turned out just fine. Hadn't he? The sound of gunfire violently shook him out of that train of thought. Antonio was covered in blood and Brandon leapt across the room to check on him. His ear was practically torn off but he'd live. He readied his carbine and gave Eli a very unsure look.. If this was where Nolan had headed after the school got shot up... "Nolan? Nolan Phillips?" he called out from cover. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jun 21 2015, 12:39 AM Post #1878 |
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Is that so?
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Did I get him? Shit, did I actually get him? Oh fuck! Oh Jesus! They're gonna fucking kill me! Every fiber of the young man's being told him to get up and run. But he sat there instead, the gun in his hands, shaking wildly. There were windows in the other rooms, escaping would be easy. But his legs didn't want to move. He was terrified. This was it. He was going to die. They had finally found him. Why were they doing this? Why couldn't they have just let him live? But was this even living in the first place? Maybe dying really was the best answer. He had nobody left. Everyone he knew was dead. And everyone was infected. He was infected too. He had seen it himself at the High School. That revelation resulted in an all out panic. People killing people in wholesale slaughter. He barely managed to escape with his life; the bloodied makeshift bandaging around his right forearm served as a painful reminder of what it was like to get shot by a man that was trying to kill you. The world was fucked up. Everything was fucked up. It was all so fucked up. The young man lowered the shaking gun. He hadn't heard the man he shot at scream. Maybe he had killed him instantly? He heard a variety of voices, there would be more. They were going to kill him. He wanted to be at peace with this fate. But he couldn't be. He wanted to live. He wanted to make it back to New York and see his family again. He didn't even know if they were still alive or not. They couldn't be, right? Of course not -- they had to be dead. What kind of idiot would make a trip across a country to find someone who was probably dead? He couldn't even make it out of Iowa. Fucking IOWA. If he couldn't get out of Iowa, then how the fuck was he supposed to make it all the way to New York? And even if he did... what would be left of New York? Would there be anything left? He glanced down at the gun in his hands. Maybe this was his chance. Kill himself before they got to him. A single shot the the head, that would do it. He had thought about it, but didn't have the proper motivation until now. He might have just killed one of theirs. A swift death would be the absolute best thing he'd be able to wish for. There were any number of terrible things people could do when the law didn't restrain them. Killing himself seemed like a good option. Before they found a way through the barricade he had set up. "Nolan? Nolan Phillips?" That was his name. Someone was calling his name from the other side? Nolan was still panicked, but... a little less so than he had been. These weren't just random brigands looking for loot and some easy prey. They weren't the terrified National Guardsmen. They were... people that were looking for him? Were they survivors from Highland who only finally made it here? He had sent out a few letters, but he assumed them all dead. He didn't recognize the voice, but... it gave him hope. And, perhaps more importantly, it brought a level of focus back to his mind. It helped clear his head a little -- maybe he wasn't looking at enemies intent on his death but at old friends. "Th-that's me!" He finally mustered the nerve to call out. "You... aren't from Highland, are you?" |
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| Strompy | Jun 21 2015, 01:18 AM Post #1879 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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All at once a weight disappeared from Brandon's shoulders. They found him. Alive and kicking. Kicking a little too hard maybe. They won. Out of all this chaos and misery and despair they took something back. It made delivering the cure seem all the more plausible. Two miraculous reunions in as many days. Brandon let out a truly joyous laugh. "No. I'm from New York. My name's Brandon and I'm here with your sister." he explained quickly. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jun 21 2015, 01:19 AM Post #1880 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Annie frowned when she first entered the room. The sight of those little kids churned her stomach. Especially the little boy. She looked at his dead body, and all she could see was Connor. It made her want to vomit as much as anything had in her life. She had to force her throat shut and look away. She was glad that Eli had intervened so quickly and so decisively. She had barely been able to weigh Brandon’s suggestion in her mind before he took it out of her hands, and she was thankful for that. She saw Brandon’s point – if pressed, she might even have to concede that it was a good idea, and that an equally compelling opportunity would be hard to come by again. Still, a fundamental part of her didn’t want Connor to have to face that challenge. Putting down a child at close range was not an easy prospect. It would have torn him up, like it was tearing her up just thinking about it. Isn’t that why you’re here? she had to remind herself. Doesn’t he need... Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden violence. When she saw blood, she snapped into focus. Brandon got to Antonio first, but as soon as he looked away Annie shoved her way in. “Hey, hey, hey,” she said, quickly but calmingly. “It's okay, let me see.” * * * Eli’s Supergrade was drawn and pointed down the opening. Nearby, Emmett had drawn his own weapon and was equally ready. If Brandon’s call had gone unanswered for even a couple seconds longer, Eli would have opened fire, and he figured the others would follow suit. But there was an answer. One that made Eli blink, stunned. They had been on his trail for more than a day now. Finding him had been their number one priority. Eli wasn’t willing to think about what they would do if they failed, but he also hadn’t thought too much about what happened if they succeeded. He was so focused on the road directly in front of them, he hadn’t even considered the end. But there they were. Seemingly, he reminded himself. Eli started to lower his weapon, but then steadied his arm. He promised himself he would relax – slightly – in just one second. First, they had to be sure whoever was down there wasn’t just saying what he thought they wanted to hear. “What’s your sister’s name?” he shouted back. |
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| Strompy | Jun 21 2015, 01:27 AM Post #1881 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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Brandon was glad Eli was present mentally. It hadn't even occured to him to question whether this actually was Nolan. The smile faded a little from his face. He'd been so eager and hopeful. It could have gotten him killed if he showed his face. He bit his lip in anticipation of the answer. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jun 21 2015, 01:50 AM Post #1882 |
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Is that so?
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"Kelsey." The voice answered. "My sister's name is Kelsey." Kelsey recognized the voice coming from the other side of the cabinet. It sounded pained and stressed, but it was still his. It was undoubtedly Nolan. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest. Her hands shook. It couldn't be possible. Kelsey had been telling herself that the whole time. She was convinced her brother had been dead this whole time. She wanted to believe he was alive like everyone else, but she had nothing but doubts about it. Yet for the first time since dad had died, she felt rejuvenated. "Nolan!" Kelsey called out. "Are... are you okay?" "K-Kels...?" The voice called back warily. There was a silence. It was followed by the sound of someone getting up off the ground and slowly walking down the hallway towards them. Then the sliding of furniture before a familiar figure pushed himself out through the blockade. The man stood about six feet tall, wearing blue jeans and an open red zip-up sweater over a black shirt. His right sleeve was pulled up and a blood-caked white cloth wrapped around his right forearm. His face was pale and haggard with dark bags under his eyes and a thin, but scraggly, layer of facial hair at least two weeks old. His filthy brown hair almost covered the blue eyes that reminded people of his father. Kelsey didn't need anything else at that moment. She rushed to her brother and jumped on him with enough force to knock the malnourished Nolan backwards into the wall with a loud thump. He then slid to the ground, but Kelsey kept her arms locked around his waist as she cried into his chest. When Nolan had recovered, he placed a hand on the back of her head and shook his own head in disbelief. He looked up to everyone else and opened his mouth, but no words came out. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jun 21 2015, 02:00 AM Post #1883 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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When Kelsey called back, Eli was finally ready to lower his weapon. He let out a long sigh of relief. They had done it. They had found him. They had actually found him. Eli stepped aside when Kelsey ran forward. Then he just stood there and watched for a minute. He didn’t know how else to react besides stunned at their good fortune. “You’re going to be okay,” Eli was only dimly aware of Annie talking behind him. “You lost a piece of your auricle, but it doesn’t look serious. Connor, sweetie, could you pass me a cloth from my backpack? And a bandage?” |
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| Strompy | Jun 21 2015, 02:36 AM Post #1884 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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Brandon felt limp with relief. He gestured for everyone who wasn't dealing with injuries to give Nolan and Kelsey a moment alone. She had a lot to tell him. He made his way outside to Jen, Emily and Willow and gave them a simple nod to let them know it was good news. With a contented smile and a carefree gait he made his way to Willow and wrapped his arms around her. "I feel good." he said happily. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jun 21 2015, 03:20 AM Post #1885 |
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Is that so?
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Willow smiled and hugged Brandon back. She had been worried when the gunshot rang out, but it looks out it had turned out fine. He didn't need to say anything to her to get that message across, and she didn't need to say anything to acknowledge it. "Heh, I told you guys we'd find him." Jen beamed proudly. "Don't ruin the moment." Willow sighed. * * * * * "If you're here, Kels, then mom and dad must be..." Nolan finally spoke, but trailed off rather quickly. He didn't need it answered. He had a feeling all along. Everybody lost people. It was more uncommon not to lose people. He had come here looking for Jon's folks, to see if they were still here. They were, but they weren't alive. At least, not alive alive. His parents and his siblings had already turned. After barricading himself back there, Nolan had given himself plenty of time to consider the possibilities while surviving on the meager food supply he had. In a way, he was already at peace with the fact his parents were dead. To find that Kelsey was alive was enough of a boost itself. She was still on top of him, hugging tightly but not saying a word. He turned his eyes to the muscular Hispanic man instead. "I... I don't really have words right now, man. Thank you. I... wait, Father Mendez!?" "Good to see you are still alive, Nolan." Antonio greeted him from nearby with a smile. A woman was seeing to his bleeding ear with a cloth and some bandage. Fresh wound. "Oh shit, I am so sorry! I wasn't thinking clearly, I thought you guys were brigands or those National Guardsmen! I wouldn't have shot if I knew it was you!" Nolan quickly defended himself. "But... really, who the hell are you guys?" |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jun 21 2015, 03:45 AM Post #1886 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Eli pulled out a chair from the nearby kitchen table. He sat down and stretched out, still staring back at Nolan with astonishment. It really was him. The guy from the picture, only a lot more worn out and wary. But who wasn’t that, these days? “That – that’s a long story, ’mano,” Eli said, as soon as he found some words. “And there ain’t exactly one answer. Let’s just start with the fact that we were friends with your dad.” Eli took another deep breath, shaking off more of his disbelief. The longer he looked at Nolan, the more he recognised Randall in his eyes. “I’m Eli, and shit, I know we don’t know each other – but it’s damn good to see you. You have no idea." |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jun 21 2015, 04:14 AM Post #1887 |
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Is that so?
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"You were friends with him, huh?" Nolan took a moment to confirm what he already knew. Kelsey slid off of Nolan and sat down next to him. He noticed her looking him over. She looked like she hardly believed what she was seeing. She looked like she didn't even know what to say. Not that Nolan could blame her. He barely knew what to say. What do you say to someone you thought was dead this whole time? Perhaps more important, where do you even begin? Was it even right to apologize about mom and dad? Shit... I don't know. "I don't want you to take this the wrong way; but I haven't relaxed for months, slept for weeks, and eaten in several days -- all after being shot in the arm." Nolan held up his blood-stained forearm as proof, but managed a weak smile regardless. "So you'll have to take my word on it when I say it's fucking great to see people who aren't trying to kill me." |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jun 21 2015, 04:28 AM Post #1888 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Eli didn’t even know where to begin. There was so much to tell him, and so much he wanted to know. He cringed a little when Nolan showed off his bloodied arm, so he figured he’d start with that. “We have a doctor, might be able to help with that,” he said, and glanced over his shoulder. “Annie, could you…” He trailed off for one second. “This is Annie, by the way, and her son Connor. And Emmett, and you know the padre. That was Brandon that was talking before, and Willow, Jen and Emily are waiting outside. Willow’s the one with the pink hair, Emily’s in the cop get-up, and Jen’s the other one.” He looked back at Nolan, staring him straight in the eye. His voice fell a little as the initial rush started to wear off, and a serious thought struck him. It sounded like Nolan had inferred a lot, but it was worth telling him for sure. “A lot of – most of us – came a long way to find you,” he said. “We got some bad news.” |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jun 21 2015, 01:03 PM Post #1889 |
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Is that so?
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Nolan smirked as Eli gave out a list of names that he was in no way going to remember. Still, he did appreciate the basic introductions regardless, though he would need to talk to everyone else later to get a feel for them all. These were the people that had taken care of his little sister, so he owed each and every one of them big time. Nolan had intended to go to New York himself, but had to cancel said plans when he realized he could barely get out of Iowa. "I didn't think I'd ever see any of my family -- or even a friendly face -- ever again." Nolan was quick to explain in his weary voice. "I kinda had plenty of time to come to terms with the fact they were most likely dead. So, I'm ready. I can take it." On the surface, of course he believed that. But deep down, he was bracing himself. What he was about to hear was going to reopen an old wound. Even Kelsey's hug got tighter at the mere mention of it. It was still a fresh wound for her. She must have experienced it firsthand. The thought of that alone struck him hard. He wasn't just reopening the wounds for himself, but for Kels as well. Maybe it would be best if they had this conversation another time. When she wasn't around. "On second thought... do you mind if we get out of here first? I don't know where you guys were staying, but I'd bet it's better than here." Not only was he thinking of the recently dead children deadheads nearby, but the two adults were still in plain sight on the ground, rotting away even more. That would have been enough of a reason for him to get out of here, never mind the two weeks he had just spent holed up under the same roof. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jun 21 2015, 05:40 PM Post #1890 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Eli looked around and realized they were still sharing a space with two dead children. The reminder was enough to poke a hole in his sails. He nodded grimly. “The padre has a spot,” he said. “It’s safe. Relatively. We can go there.” He wasn’t excited by the idea. It seemed like a waste of gas and time. But he could understand Nolan needing a change of scenery, and he didn’t want to give him a ‘no’ so soon after just meeting him. Eli stood up. Relaxation time was over already, it seemed. “If we’re goin’, we should go,” he said. “We got a lot to talk about.” |
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7:29 PM Jul 10