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Dead Men Walking
Topic Started: Nov 28 2014, 02:20 AM (70,946 Views)
DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Eli looked back at Emily with surprise. He didn’t know that’s how she was leaning. She hadn’t said anything about it on the entire ride back. Though, he supposed he hadn’t asked. That was probably thoughtless of him.

He was actually relieved by the decision. What she said was true. They probably wouldn’t need her, and Nolan and Kelsey could use some capable protection on the journey to their new home.

So he gave her a respectful nod, then looked to Nolan and Kelsey.

“So you guys just about ready to go?” he asked.

He didn’t see the point in prolonging it. Both parties needed to be on their way, and the goodbye wasn’t going to get less emotionally awkward with time.
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
"They're leaving already?" Brandon asked with undisguised alarm.

A second later he regained his composure. Of course they were leaving now. They had already lost a lot of daylight and putting it off until the next day would be spending more time then they could afford. He just wanted more time. There was so much more he had to teach Kelsey, and Nolan could use s little work too. Mostly he just wanted more time because he enjoyed having Kelsey around.

To make it even more dismaying, Emily was leaving too. That was something he didn't see coming. As he thought about about it though, it made sense. He thought that perhaps Emily needed to protect people. There was a whole community of people in need of protection in Flint. He could understand how she might need to be needed like that. What she said also made sense to him. Even so, he just got her back and already they were losing each other to theif mutually uncertain fates.

"I'm sorry. I hadn't even made my mind up about this until a few moments ago. I couldn't discuss it with you before either for obvious reasons. I have to go with my head on this one." Emily apologized to him.

Brandon sat down where he stood, looking every bit as gutted by the whole situation as he felt.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Eli was right. There was really no point in delaying their leave any further. His group had places to be and a cure to deliver. Every day, every hour, that they wasted here meant more lives lost and more time spent in this hell. He was sure they were ready to get going. And Nolan wanted to reach Flint before nightfall. He wanted a shower and home cooked meal tonight.

"Yeah, I think we are." Nolan admitted.

He didn't have any possessions or things to take with him besides his sister and the Mateba Model 6 Unica he 'borrowed' from Jon's family. And he only knew the name of the gun because it had an instruction manual with it when he found it in the back of the closet. A manual that he still had in his pocket because he knew jack squat about guns and this thing looked complicated. Everything else he had was lost.

"Are you ready, Ke-"

He looked down at his side and noticed Kelsey wasn't there anymore. It didn't take long to find her. Kelsey had headed over to Brandon and Willow, both of whom were sitting side by side on the ground not far away, Willow with a comforting arm around the more stunned Brandon. His little sister went up up the two of them and wrapped her little arms around them both as they sat. They were the ones that dad had told her to stay with. If anyone here had a close attachment to Kelsey, it would have been them. He pursed his lips and stood awkwardly. They did deserve a chance to say goodbye.
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Strompy
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Brandon put his arms around the two most important people in the world. If he could he would have stayed like that hours. He never could have imagined he would come to care about anyone so deeply so soon after losing his family, but in avery short time he'd made a new one and now it was getting even smaller.

"You're the coolest person I've ever met. We're going to miss you until we come back." he said softly.

Those simple words acted almost like a permission to be completely honest. It might be the last chance to do so after all.

"We love you, Kelsey." he said, holding them both a little tighter knowing he spoke for more than just himseld and Willow.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
It didn't feel right to Willow. Having this little girl that she had grown to care for hanging onto her neck in a final farewell. She had grown used to having Kelsey around. Willow knew as well as anyone that it was kind of screwed up to be bringing a kid through all of this. But despite that, she didn't want Kelsey to leave. Flint was safer, yes. But nothing was certain anymore. There was a chance Flint fell to something else during these past couple of days. Maybe a few rotters got through when nobody had noticed. Maybe they wouldn't even make it to Flint. Maybe someone else would attack Flint after Nolan and Kelsey got there. All these possibilities swam through her head. She wanted to believe that Kelsey was safest here with them.

"I'm sorry for being mean to you guys." Kelsey whispered them. "Please... be careful. And come back."

"Yeah, we will." Willow assured her with more confidence than she thought she had. "I promise we'll come see you after this is all done. You're an awesome kid."

After another few seconds, Kelsey finally broke away from the hug. Next she ran over to visit Jen and give her a hug and a few words. Willow turned her head and saw the shaggy Nolan look in their direction. Then start walking towards them.

"So..." Nolan cautiously approached Willow and Brandon. "Willow and Brandon, right? From what everyone is telling me -- and how Kelsey acts -- you guys really stepped up to look after her. We weren't that close growing up because of the age gap, but I've never really seen her open up to someone like that before. You guys are something special to her. It kinda makes me have second thoughts about taking her back to Flint."

He shifted uncomfortably at that last comment.

"I guess what I am trying to say here is... thank you. You guys didn't really have any obligation to, but you did anyway. That..." He pursed his lips and nodded his head quickly. "It means a lot to me. It really does."
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Strompy
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Reluctantly Brandon let Kelsey go and got to his feet. He didn't even meet Nolan's eyes as he responded.

"Yeah." he mumbled his acknowledgement dispiritedly.

In only a moment he regained his composure. Brandon straightened himself up, took a breath and extended his hand towards Nolan.

"It's been a privilege." he said, giving Nolan the response his words deserved.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
"Yeah..." Nolan awkwardly grabbed Brandon's hand.

Normally, Nolan was a lot more socially confident. But this was different. It felt like he was taking Brandon's child away from him. Which was ridiculous, Kelsey was his sister. His last surviving family member. But the feeling persisted. Earlier, Eli had called them all a family. Said Nolan was part of that family. These people were like family.

"A privilege."

* * * * *

Kelsey slowly approached Eli next. This was the goodbye she was most worried about. She liked Eli. He kept everyone safe. But he was also... intense at times. Too intense. It scared her. Like it had last night. Still, after everything they had been through, he was like family to her too. Her dad had considered him a good friend and they had talked a lot. She should try to remember that he was under a lot of stress too. Just like her.

"You aren't alone out here." She told him simply as she came in for a hug. "Everyone else is on your side. I forgot about that too."
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Eli blinked at Kelsey’s words. He did not see that coming up. It took him a moment to recover, and then another to respond after she broke the hug.

“Thanks… Kels,” he said. He never had occasion to use the nickname before. It sounded a little unnatural, but it seemed right. “I’ll try to remember.”

He gulped down a breath, and found the courage to kneel to Kelsey’s eye level. There was a lot he thought he should say. He settled on just the one thing.

“Just… keep being yourself,” he said. “That’s what your parents would have wanted.”
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Strompy
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Emily said her goodbyes to the others. She hadn't had much time to get to know them individually. She completely forgot about the big guy, now that she thought about it she didn't know if she'd ever even heard him say a word. She took the time to shake Annie's hand, as well as Eli's and Antonio's, giving them all her thanks and her best wishes. At last though she came to Willow and Brandon. She steeled herself for that.

"Willow. It's been real. Take care of this one, huh? He's the only one they'll ever make." she said, giving her a respectfully brief hug.

Brandon's face spoke volumes of his distress. He was saying goodbye to two friends. They always had each other's backs as kids, she wished you could keep the tradition alive. She didn't say anything, but answered his expression with her own. Finding each other was a miracle, saying goodbye so soon was crushing and her heart protested vehemently against the decision. Her head was just more compelling. She kissed him on the cheek and he hugged hug with more warmth than she'd been shown in years.

"Keep her safe. Stay alive." he said simply.

"I will. I'll see you real soon, okay?" she assured him in return.

They let go of each other and she calmly turned away and made her way to the car. She climbed into the driver's seat and looked back at the group through the rear view mirror. She pressed her hands to her lips as her eyes began to well up, and shook her head as she maintained her self-control.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
"Okay." Kelsey nodded. "I'll try. Come see us after you deliver the cure."

After Kelsey and Nolan finished their brief goodbyes, the two of them escaped to the Sonata where Emily had already retreated to. Kelsey jumped in the passenger seat while Nolan squeezed himself into the back. Nolan still was uncertain. He felt like he was doing the right thing. Perhaps more than that, he hoped he was doing the right thing.

"Are you really okay with this, Kels?" Nolan asked one last time before the car started to move.

She didn't answer. Nolan sighed heavily. This was difficult for her too, but she also didn't say no. She wasn't stopping them. And they would both be safer at Flint. Mom and dad would have wanted him to keep her safe, and that was what he intended to do.

"Alright, Emmy." Nolan finally said. "Let's go. Can I call you Emmy?"

The car started up and slowly rolled out of the parking lot. Kelsey took the opportunity to wave her hand one last time at everyone through the window as the car turned onto the street and quickly disappeared.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Eli stood and watched the Sonata as long as he could. When it disappeared from view, he let out a sigh – mostly from relief, but there was a little bit of regret in there too. He had a strong feeling that would be the last he’d see of the Phillips family.

After inhaling, he turned to address the remainder of the group, all assembled in the church courtyard.

“Okay,” he said. “It’s about that time for us, too. Everyone get your things. We’re leaving in just a couple.”

As the group scattered to get ready, Eli moved to Antonio in particular. He held out his two-way radio for him to accept.

“I won’t be riding with you this time,” he explained right away. “But since you know the area, I just need you to lead me back onto the highway. Then hang back, I'll take it from there."
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Strompy
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"Hell no." Emily informed Nolan as she started the car.

...

Brandon stood stony-faced as he waved back at Kelsey, his other arm around Willow. Once the car was out of sight and the reality of the situation hit in full force he had to bite his lip to stop it trembling as his eyes began to redden and threaten tears. To him the world just got a lot smaller.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Antonio accepted the radio from Eli with a solemn look on his face. He could tell how difficult Kelsey's departure was for everyone. Even if he could not share the sentiment, he wanted to appear respectful.

"No problem at all." He acknowledged Eli's request.

What little belongings Antonio had were already packed away and ready to go from earlier. All that he could do now was bow his head and silently recite a prayer for everyone's continued protection. Their mission was ordained by God. He knew they would be protected. But that was no excuse for Antonio to neglect the favor God had shown him.

* * * * *

Willow draw Brandon in for a close hug. He was taking it hard. Harder than her even. If anyone had been closer to Kelsey than Brandon, it was Randall. Brandon had given a lot to her. And on top of that, Emily had left too. It was a double whammy for her boy.

"It's for the best, babe." She whispered in his ear. "It's for the best."

* * * * *

"What a wasted opportunity." Jen sighed.

She was sad to see Kelsey go, but she was glad that she had someone looking out for her. As far as Jen was concerned, they had made the best choice in deciding to go back. Kelsey shouldn't have even been out here in the first place. Neither should Connor, but she wasn't about to bring that up with Annie. She was just upset about Nolan. Handsome guy, nearly the same age as her, seemed like a decent man who cared about his family, wasn't trying to kill anyone... really, in the apocalypse, it was all anyone could have asked for. Hell, even before all this he woulda been a catch. But it didn't mean much now. Cest la vie, as the French would say.

"We still got a cure to deliver." She said to herself as much as to everyone else. "Would be cool to get as far as we can before it gets dark again, eh?"
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Strompy
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"I know." Brandon said with a long sigh.

Mac, Glenda, Julie, Randall. They were losing their people. Now Nolan, Kelsey and Emily were gone from them. But they at least, like Jeff, would be safe in Flint. More importantly to him, he still had Willow and she was everything he wanted and more.

He ran his fingers through her now shortened hair and kissed her forehead for as long as he could. At that moment he couldn't imagine a future where he didn't love her. They pulled away from each other as everyone began moving to get ready. When they had a moment resolved to speak with her about something very serious.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Annie and Connor rode with Antonio in his truck. Everyone else stuck with Eli in the minivan. Once again, they were officially a two-car convoy. The one car experiment had been a noble one – it meant less chance of them splitting up, and gave them less gas to worry about – but there was also something to be said for not putting all of your eggs in one basket. Besides, it didn’t even occur to Eli until after they left that they could have squeezed everyone into the van.

Like Eli requested, Antonio led the way in his truck until they were back on the interstate. Then, as soon as there was a lane, Eli drove past him and took the number one spot. Navigating from here would be pretty simple for a while. All he needed to do was keep driving forward. The 80 would take him all the way through Nebraska.

“Watch out, crash up ahead,” he spoke into the radio after an hour and a half of driving. “It’s gonna be a tight squeeze, but you should make it.”

His words had interrupted a prolonged silence that might have seemed mournful, but Eli thought was relieved. Contented, even. He knew everyone would miss Kelsey – if they didn’t already – but he also knew they had made the right decision letting her go. In a way, they had won. For once.

About half an hour after his previous message, a sign caught Eli’s eye, and he lifted the radio in one hand once again. As he spoke, he eyed Antonio’s truck in his rear view.

“We’re about to go through Des Moines,” he warned after pressing the button. “Shouldn’t be a problem. Just keep your head up. Now’s not the time to drift off, get complacent, anything like that.”
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