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Dead Men Walking
Topic Started: Nov 28 2014, 02:20 AM (70,897 Views)
Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Nolan nodded wearily. He was pretty tired. Both physically and mentally exhausted, to be exact.

"Yeah. I'll try." He told Jimmy and sat back down in his chair. "I'm sorry if my sister keeps you up though."
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Jimmy gave Nolan a parting smile. It occurred to him there was probably more he could have said – about Jen, or even about Eli. But delving any further into those topics would have violated his happy-go-lucky philosophy. Jen was a cool chick, he hoped she made it through, but he couldn’t stake his sanity or his happiness on that. That way madness lied.

As for Eli – Jimmy wasn’t sure what to think there. From the moment they first met in Flint, Jimmy knew he was dangerous. From their excursion the day after, he knew there was a fervency about him. He knew he burnt hot. Dangerous and intense. Jimmy was the former himself, and while he couldn’t claim to be the latter he always found himself attracted to people who were.

And truth be told, Jimmy didn’t care that he wasted that Darren guy – nobody forced the dude to kidnap Brandon and work with a sadist like Cory. There was no excuse. If Jimmy was in his shoes, he would have just left, like that Pablo character did. He wouldn’t have started terrorizing strangers to appease a madman.

So yeah, that guy sucks, whatever, Jimmy figured.

But it wasn’t just that Eli killed him – it was how he did it, and how he had been acting ever since. Jimmy liked intense, but there was such a thing as too intense and Eli seemed like he had gotten there. It might be that he had passed the point of fun. If so, Jimmy had some thinking to do about his own next move.

He didn’t bring any of this up to Nolan, though. He was never one for heart-to-hearts.

“’Night,” he said instead, and left him to it.

* * *

Annie thought her feet were killing her last night, but she had no idea. The cruelty of delayed onset muscle soreness – DOMA, the medical explanation for why you feel more sore the second day after a workout than the day before – made the effort of just standing-up unpleasant.

I slept well, at least, she consoled herself. I must remember to thank Emily.

That sleep was definitely a plus – Emily’s marijuana had helped make it deep and restful, the best Annie had gotten in over a week. She felt restored when she woke up, and that was no small comfort.

Still, the soreness was real – and still she pushed through it, dutifully reporting to the living room of the main house. The night before, most of them had agreed to gather here in the morning and assess the situation anew.

Before arriving, Annie had also gone to see each of her patients. Jen still hadn’t woken up, which was worrisome – if she had, Nolan would have reported it. Apparently, he spent most of the night by her side. Brandon and Emmett, though, were doing alright considering. Emmett, for example, had lost a lot of blood and had bruised his ribs further in the crash, but was still fit to attend the meeting. As was Brandon.

She waited for the room to fill up, so they could get down to business.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Willow was already in the living room when Annie arrived. She waved at the doctor and gave her an awkward smile; she got the feeling that Annie was still a little upset at her behavior the other night. And understandably so.

Willow had woken up early for one simple reason; because she was in pain. She woke up at the crack of dawn to a burning in her chest and back and a stabbing pain every time she breathed. For a moment or two, it was terrifying, but she pushed herself out of bed and went straight for the only thing that could help her; the prescription medication that Willow had stolen from the Walmart pharmacy under Annie's nose. The whole scene had awoken Kelsey, who Willow was looking after while everyone else was recovering, and given the girl quite a scare. It took a while to convince Kelsey that nothing was wrong, and by then the meeting was supposed to be starting.

"Morning, Annie." Willow greeted her.

"Morning!" Kelsey repeated cheerfully.

"How are the patients doing?"

She hadn't had time to go see how Jen, Emmett, and her beau were doing this morning.
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
Brandon pulled the blanket a little tighter around him as he stood outside overlooking the hills and pastures around them. The morning air was chilly and it made his body ache but the first rays of light were quickly warming him. He leaned on a cane somebody had left in his room for him. This place was perfect. Could they just stop there? They were so far from danger, maybe they could just all stay there forever. There was a meeting starting shortly where they would be discussing what to do next. He wished that was a possibility.

He stretched and then quickly grabbed at his chest as his rib sent a shot of pain through him. Hiishead still throbbed from the beating he took. The more than twelve hours he spent in bed were necessary but brought their own aches. He was glad to out of bed and walking around despite the pain though, he took full advantage of it as he strolled around the stead taking in all the sights. He only wished he could smell the place but with his nose swollen and his sinuses packed that wasn't happening. He hoped with every inch of him that Jen would wake up to see this place too.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
“Brandon and Emmett are ambulatory,” Annie reported the good news first, giving Willow an uneasy smile.

She was too happy Willow was alive and okay to be mad at her. But she was worried. Both Jen and Brandon had come to her with concerns about Willow’s pill intake, and last night proved it was a problem. At some point, they’d need to have a serious talk.

Some point was later, however.

“I’m sorry to say Jen’s still touch and go,” she added. “But she’s a fighter. She’s tough. I have faith.”

Emmett arrived next, proving at least a third of her report true. She had set both him and Brandon up with canes Jimmy had found – she didn’t know where he found them, but she asked and he delivered as usual – and he leaned on his as she shuffled inside, kind of like a rotter might have. He was clearly in some serious pain, and he very much didn’t have a substance abuse problem. He barely accepted the pain pills she had given him last night while looking him over. He clearly hadn’t touched the ones she left on his night stand to take this morning.

Annie looked out the window at the main house’s scenic surroundings. She decided to change the topic while they waited – she’d been thinking about people’s health enough recently.

“So what do you think about this place?” she asked.

She looked to Willow but the question was open to anyone in the room.
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Is that so?
"Beautiful." Willow answered swiftly. "In a weird way, it makes me wish we didn't have the cure. We could each have our own little cabin and just... live."

It would have been a lot of work. But the whole place was fenced off already; it could keep the rotters out easily. There were enough cabins to support everyone in their group too. They was land, there was trees and, perhaps most importantly, there was still complete isolation. They could hunt, they could grow food, they could get water from the nearby river. Out here, they might never see people or rotters in any real number. And it would have been beautiful before the outbreak as well. Out here, they could not only survive, but they could thrive away from the constant threats of more populated areas. Maybe this was even a safe place for kids and families.

"It'll be better once Jen wakes up." Nolan introduced himself groggily.

Willow turned his eyes to him as he entered; he certainly looked like someone who had slept on the ground all night. She gave him the best empathetic smile that she could. Thinking of Jen hurt right now; she was Willow's friend too. Maybe her best one in the world right now. The thought that she might not make it was terrifying. All she could do was push the doubts aside though. Jen would wake up.
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
Maybe he was just punishing himself some more but Brandon set off to see how Jen was. The sight he was greeted with made him pause in the doorway. Even if she woke up she'd never be whole again. That big gun blew her foot clear off and Annie had to remove even more to clean it up. Would she even want him there if she were awake? Would she blame him if she did wake up? He could understand that. She had every right to. He limped into the room anyway and gingerly lowered himself into the chair by her bed.

"Hey, Jen." he began.

I'm sorry. he wanted to say.

The words were so insignificant in comparison to what he felt. His actions put her there. His mouth moved as he tried finding something, anything, he could say . He found his voice eventually.

"You need to see where we are right now. I can promise you it's better than whatever you're dreaming of." he assured her.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Annie nodded with understanding, first at Willow, then at Nolan.

“Very tempting,” she said to the former.

What Willow said about just living did have a certain appeal. Annie had been a city person most of her life, didn’t have any particular affinity for the country, but she could probably grow to appreciate the quiet. Security would be a constant concern, though. There were fences, but they were made to keep cows from wandering off, not to keep the walking dead from getting in. A dozen rotters, maybe less, could take them down. If they stayed, they would need to reinforce them or build brand new walls of their own.

“Ladies, gentleman,” Jimmy interrupted her thinking. He sounded frustratingly – and maybe even inappropriately – upbeat. Just like usual. “Good morning to all.”

Nearby, Emmett grunted a sort-of non-verbal hello back. For a day or so there, Annie thought the big guy might have been loosening up. Annie worried his injury might have him backsliding socially. She also worried what Eli did on the bridge might have something to do with it. He’d been particularly quiet since.

“Good morning Jimmy,” Annie mustered just a bit more enthusiasm in her greeting.

They were still waiting on a few latecomers – Antonio, Brandon and Emily for example. Eli too. Annie hadn’t seen him at all since last night, when he disregarded her advice and trekked off in the direction of the granary for reasons unknown. Annie didn’t other worrying about him, however. He left his bag behind, so he clearly didn’t intend to be gone long. And maybe some time alone would help him clear his head.

And God knows it could use some clearing, Annie thought.

She didn’t want to think about Darren’s sudden death any more, however, so she redirected her thoughts back to a life on the ranch. Its upsides and downsides. She remembered that it wasn’t just rotters they’d have to look out for. There would also be people. Even if they managed to get a good thing set up, Annie knew she would always worry about others finding out and wanting it for themselves.

She sighed as she leaned back in her chair. She reminded herself that it was all academic, anyway – they weren’t going to stay here because they couldn’t. They still had a job to do.

Just like Robert Frost, she figured – and finally, a more pleasant thought. We can’t yet enjoy the woods – no matter how lovely, dark or deep.

We still have promises to keep.
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Is that so?
Nolan took a seat on the rustic couch next to Willow and Kelsey. Kelsey gave her big brother a warm 'good morning' and a hug; it was a gesture that managed to lighten his expression somewhat. Willow took it to mean that there were no new developments on the Jen front. She shifted uncomfortably at the idea.

If Jen were here now, she would probably nudge him and tell him to chin up because it would all be okay. I wish I had that kind of conviction right now.

"Morning." Antonio came in looking relatively well-rested.

The broad-shouldered man had gotten a good night rest apparently. He probably had his fair share of strategies for dealing with stress. He may have been a preacher, but it was clear to Willow that he had a mental strength even greater than his physical strength. He was a man of the cloth, but he was by no means a burden; when push came to shove, he had proven that he could wrestle with the big boys. Willow was glad he had decided to come along. Though even she noticed the occasional spark of doubt in his eyes -- despite his mental stability, he was as human as the rest of them.

"Emmett." The father took a seat near the big man. "It is good to see you back on your feet this morning."
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
Emily poked her head into the meeting room briefly and did a scan of the people gathered. Eli and Brandon were absent. She excused herself with a wave of her hand. Eli she had no idea where to look for and even if she did she wouldn't. Frankly it wouldn't exactly be a bad thing if he just stayed away for a while. With Brandon she had a pretty good idea where to look. She knocked on the door frame snapping Brandon out of his trance as he sat there staring at Jen.

"Bunch of people sitting in a room looking very patient." she informed him.

"Sorry. Um, we really shouldn't leave Jen alone though, she could wake any moment." he said rising uneasily to his feet.

"I'll watch her. You can fill me in on the particulars after. Of there's some kind of vote just tell them I agree with you, it's probably true. There are people who would also be happy to see you up and around." she explained.

"I'm..." he started.

"Sorry, I know. Everyone knows, you can stop saying it." she cut him off.

He put his arms around her she very carefully reciprocated, avoiding his busted rib. She was still mad at him, but she was even happier that he was alive. Maybe it was just that they were the last thing each other had from before all of this but sometimes it felt like the last fourteen years never happened and they were kids again. Thick as thieves. She had needed that growing up.

"Where were you during high school? It was really shit." she complained.

"Having my own awkward, uncomfortable, embarassing experiences." he admitted.

"I like the cane and the eye patch by the way. It's a good look." she said as she took her seat and picked up a magazine about tractors.

"Losing the uniform is an improvement. People can see you have tits now." he said back matching her teasing tone.

She raised an eyebrow at him as he grinned and walked away. She looked down and considered those same things and adjusted her top, it was true the uniform was unflattering. Such a waste though. There was nobody ti appreciate them. Nobody she wanted to appreciate them that is.

"Sooo... tractors. Tractors, tractors, tractors. I'm just gonna read these articles aloud. If you can hear me then I'm talking to you, and if you can't then I'm talking to myself which I got pretty good at while I was by myself. You know I remember reading somewhere that when people are isolated for extended periods of time they sometimes forget how to speak so speaking to yourself or an effigy like Wilson in Cast Away can..." she began rambling.

...

Brandon didn't head straight for the meeting. There was something he had to do first. He went outside again and reached into his pocket. There were a few items there he had made sure to bring with him from Green River. He pulled out three little copper bullets and the ring he picked up back in Vernal. When they took him in they hadn't checked his breast pocket. He pocketed the bullets again.

The ring sat in the palm of his hand as he simply considered it. When he grabbed it bacj at Green River he considered he was the only one who had suffered for it. Maybe he could have given it to Willow later. Now though it was completely worthless. It would only ever be a reminder of the mistake he made, and how it nearly cost them their lives, and maybe still would cost Jen hers. For that reason he threw it away as hard as he allowed himself to. Willow wouldn't want it. It was just shiny metal and a pretty rock. Worthless.

He walked back to the meeting room, now thoroughly worn out and sore from the exercise, wincing a little with every step. He arrived a little out if breath but glad to see everyone.

"Went for a little walk." he explained as he entered and smiled broadest at Willow and Kelsey.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
When she saw Brandon on her feet again, Willow got up from her seat to give Brandon a special greeting; a warm embrace and the most passionate kiss she could afford him with everyone staring at them. She was unable to savor the feeling of their lips dancing together for long; there was a business meeting they had to undertake after all. He looked a lot more coherent than he had yesterday and there was so much she wanted to ask him. There would be time for it later though.

"You actually look pretty sexy with an eye patch, you know?" Willow afforded him a small compliment and a wide smile for the time being.

More than anything, she was just glad Brandon was on his feet again. He had given her a genuine scare. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life and then shot twice in the leg for good measure. And even after that, he had still been trying to push himself. She was terrified that he would push himself until he collapsed. To see him back on his feet after two days was all she could have asked for.

Apart from Jen. I should go visit her again after this meeting.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Green eyes, blond hair. That’s all he can really see through the smoke, for a second, and then all he can see is blood. Then the smoke clears, and he sees cruel eyes, a bald head. He sees a sick, twisted, smile that fragments of teeth spill out from.

Then there’s Darren – his visage is clear, but he’s far away. Eli watches him approach. He looks down to see his hands and feet, and tries to move them but can’t. He looks up again at Darren. He’s cleared the distance in an impossible time. He’s standing right in front of him now, within arm’s reach. He reaches into his belt and draws a gun.

A Supergrade. Eli’s gun.

“Eli,” he says, and then he pulls the trigger.

BLAM!

Eli’s eyes bolted open, and he sat up in bed. The phantom gunshot echoed in his head.

* * *

Brandon had explained that Emily was watching over Jen, which was fair enough. That meant that almost everyone was present and accounted for. Almost everyone.

“Maybe we should just get started,” Annie said. “I mean, who knows where…?”

She didn’t get to finish the hypothetical question. The door opened and there Eli was. He looked terrible. It was getting to the point where he looked worse every day.

“Speak of the Eli, and he shall appear,” Jimmy joked.

“Hey,” Eli grunted back simply, closing the door behind him.

He glanced around at the room after, noting its occupants. He gave particular attention to Emmett and Brandon – he paused a little at Brandon’s appearance. The cane and the eye patch must have caught him off guard.

“Brandon,” he said with a nod of his tired head. “Good to see you on your feet.”
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Strompy
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For a terrifying time the other night he'd been afraid he'd never feel those lips again. Never have those arms around him. He only reluctantly let her go. They'd have time soon enough. He smiled at the compliment, but he doubted it. The swelling had gone down some but the left side of his face still made him look like Joseph Merrick's cousin. Annie told him straight that it was probable he'd never see out of his left eye again, and his eye could develope an infection and require removal if he didn't take care to keep his eyepatch on.

"Good to be on my feet. Still gonna sit down though, this is actually getting kind of painful." he said in response to Eli.

He found himself a seat and pursed his lips against the pain. He sighed heavily as he sat down. Had Willow been in this much pain this whole time? It was almost certainly worse actually. He took some bullets to the leg, fractured a rib and had his head clobbered. She had been shot in the torso three times, once in the leg and then had half her lung removed. He might be sord as hell but at least he had all his vital organs intact. She'd been going on like this the whole time? Even having sex like this for him? He owed her many many days of nothing but rest and relaxation.

Kelsey came over to him and gave him a hug which he accepted gladly. Afterward she made her way back to sit with her brother. He looked at Nolan and recognized the restless haggard look about him. He'd spent a night beside Willow exactly the same way that Nolan had beside Jen. He owed Nolan so much for all of this.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
“So, we should probably get to it,” Annie said.

With that, the meeting commenced in earnest. First, they talked about supplies. Annie gave a quick rundown of what they were able to salvage from the van as far as food and water was concerned. It wasn’t a lot, especially for a group this big. They would have to start rationing it right away, if they wanted it to last more than just a couple days.

As for weapons, they were still pretty well equipped. Ammunition was another story, but Jimmy jumped in on that topic.

“I’ve got plenty, and I’m willing to share,” he offered. “That’s pretty much all I got, really. I left my whole stash of non-perishables and bottled water back at the hotel. My spare clothes, too. Didn’t seem like the kind of things we needed for an assassination.”

“Perhaps you should take your truck and retrieve it,” Annie said. “It wouldn’t be a long drive there and back.”

“You should,” Eli added. “As soon as possible. Though with that horde coming in, I don’t know how soon that is. Last thing we need is you drawing them here.”

It was true – the day before, Jimmy had spotted a mass of rotters on the move, thankfully well before they were anywhere near the group. The rotters were coming from the west, which was how the group ended up moving east and finding this ranch.

“Please, who are you talking to?” Jimmy asked. “That wouldn't happen. If anything, I’d start them on a ride in a different direction. I have a little experience with that from Flint. Me and the gang used to go out, strategically make a bunch of noise, and divert their course. I could probably pull off something like that here too.”

“Maybe,” Eli said. “Before I decide anything, I need a status update. Where have they gotten to since yesterday? Are they still coming this way?”

Annie couldn’t help but notice the ‘I’s in that sentence. In the past, Eli had usually refrained from that kind of language. He presented those kinds of decisions as ‘group’ ones. She didn’t like the change.

“I can get that for you,” Jimmy said. “But when you realize that diversion is the best course of action, I’m going to need a team. A team I’m in charge of.”

“Fine,” Eli said. “Just get me that intel.”

“Okay, horde first, then hotel,” Annie summed up with a nod. “What else?”

She looked around the room – non-verbally asking everyone gathered if there was anything they wanted to bring up.
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
Brandon gave Annie a look as he too noticed the conspicuous use of "I". It was part of something he'd been growing very concerned about. Ever since they lost Randall, Eli had been more... authoritative. Deciding he was going alone to take out Cory was so far the biggest example of this. Maybe he should talk to him about that. For now though he did have something on his mind.

"How long are we staying here?" he asked everyone gathered.
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