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Dead Men Walking
Topic Started: Nov 28 2014, 02:20 AM (70,879 Views)
DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Annie stayed in the truck – and made sure Connor did too – even after the sudden burst of fighting was over.

“I could have helped,” Connor complained.

“I know,” Annie said.

She might have let him, too, if it all hadn’t happened so fast. Or maybe not – maybe he was getting too eager, and she needed to curb that impulse. After what Brandon told her about him almost joining the fight against Hank’s crew, she didn’t know to think. For now, she watched the scene at the house play out.

* * *

“Gregory – Greg,” the man – Greg, if he could be believed – answered Brandon’s question. “And honesty. I understand. It’s really just me.”

“Yo, Jimmy,” Eli turned to him. “You in the mood to confirm that for us?”

Jimmy looked down at his two pistols and shrugged. “I guess I’ve got nothing better to do.”

At that, he waved towards the RV, at Emily – his sidekick from his last mission.

“Hey, Emily, care to lend a hand?” he asked.

Eli, meanwhile, looked back to this guy – this Gregory.

“My friend wasn’t lying about you dying first,” he said. “Last chance, ’mano.

Greg’s hands were still raised. “I swear. My only company is a truck battery.”

Eli gave Jimmy a nod, and the redhead moved for the door. Eli looked to Brandon next, giving him a nod. A kind of okay, continue nod.
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
"Cool." Emily ascented to the request as she hopped down from the RV.

She kept her rifle up and pointed at the house while she scanned the surrounding area for trouble.

...

Brandon limped his way behind Greg and slung his carbine again. He began patting the man down and was quickly satisfied that he was telling the truth about being unarmed. Unarmed and alone, in a house srrounded by rotters. That was a fucked up way to go.

"So, how'd you end up like this?" he asked as he gestured that greg could lower his hands.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Greg did, then let out a low whistle of relief.

“I was asking myself the same question,” he said. “Until you guys came by, that is. Thank you for that. You’re all life savers, for real. God must be smiling upon me to send you my way.”

Eli cocked his head at that last part, but didn’t say anything.

“To answer your question, I was sent to this town in search of a battery. Sure enough, I found one. I guess I got distracted, and before I knew it these fallen souls were on me. I managed to find shelter in this house, but the fallen surrounded me and I’ve been stuck here since yesterday. As you could see, they had all the doors blockaded. I was beginning to think about jumping out a window before you arrived.”

He paused, looking around at the people gathered outside. His excitement faltered a bit when he noticed Eli’s frown, but he turned back to Brandon and tried to rally anyway.

“Thank you again, friend, truly,” he said. “May I ask you the same question?”
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
"Same thing as everyone else. Looking for somewhere safe. There are signs for hundreds of miles about Salt Lake City. We're headed there to check it out." Brandon divulged only the most pertinent information.

There was something very familiar about Greg's idiosyncrasies. Fallen caused him toraise an eyebrow, or at least it would have if he were capable of raising it at the time. The left side of his face was still fairly compromised.

"Or did you mean the ah...?" he asked gesturing to his bruised and battered face.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
“Oh,” Greg replied. “I admit, I am curious about, um, that – but no, my question is answered. And it’s what you’d call – well, I think the word is fortuitous. I know all about the signs. I helped put some of them up.”
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Willow scrunched her eyebrows together in a brief show on confusion. This man helped put up some of the signs leading people to Salt Lake City? Why was he outside of the city then? On his own, no less. His statement only seemed to bring up more questions than it did answers and Willow wasn't entirely sure she was going to like what she was about to hear.

Though that sort of pessimism could be ingrained into me at this point.

"Then what were you doing out here, friend?" Antonio asked the most obvious question.

He had slipped outside during Brandon's questionnaire and made his way towards this Greg character. By the time he spoke, he was just about standing next to the unsteady Brandon. Unlike most of the others, Antonio was completely unarmed -- a decision Willow would never agree with these days, though he was nothing if not trusting.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Eli regarded this newcomer through narrowed eyes as the others continued to engage him. He seemed to be relaxing a little with every sentence.

“I know it must seem strange,” he admitted. “I was with some of my brothers in Evanston just the other day, it’s a town nearby, not far. We were working on repairing the rail line there, so we could spread our message to Cheyenne. It was damaged in the fall, I suppose. The battery on our truck died, however, so a few of us were dispatched to look for a replacement. I was sent here. Of course, the car that brought me here died as well. I have the worst luck with vehicles, it seems.”

“Your brothers?” Eli spoke up.

“Yes,” Gregory nodded. “Though, I should say, that term is more – um, what’s the word? Emblematic, maybe? They’re not my brothers by blood, but by choice, is what I mean.”

Eli’s eyes stayed narrowed. Something rubbed him the wrong way about this guy, and it wasn’t just his looks, it was his affectation. Maybe he was just nervous, or maybe he was trying to impress them, but Eli didn’t like it.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Antonio liked to pride himself on his ability to read people. Not only was it part of his job and his career, it was part of his background. He had dealt with more than a few unsavory types before. While he couldn't say anything for sure after less than a minute of talking to him, something here didn't feel right. It was his manner of speaking. And more than that, it was what he was saying. Antonio wasn't sure if the others had picked up on it, but he had a pretty good idea of what they were dealing with here now.

"You and your brothers; why did you decide to put up the signs?" He inquired casually. "Leading lost sheep back to the flock is an admirable purpose, but you can attract a lot of bad attention doing that too. Surely there was more to it than that?"
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Gregory turned to Antonio and smiled wide. Again, despite everything else about him, Eli had to concede his smile seemed genuine and sweet.

“Then you’re a follower of His, as well,” he said. “I’m glad it was you all that rescued me, then, because you’re right. Bad people – people who have strayed – are out there, and our signs have acted as a beacon, I guess you could say. But we don’t believe we can allow that to poison our good will. There is enough good in this world that it’s worth enduring the bad.”

That last line sounded recited. He kept going.

“And I think you’ve proven that today,” he said. “Of course, we also have a system. A way of welcoming the sheep and repelling the wolves.”
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Antonio nodded his head while keeping his pleasant demeanor. He wasn't going to rebut being a member of his 'community' at this point, nor was he going to agree with it. Right now, it was probably best that this man did not know where he truly stood. If it became an issue later, he could clarify. But not now.

The priest glanced over his shoulder toward Eli and shot him a disapproving glance; for once it was not aimed at Eli, but aimed toward the man he was speaking to. Hopefully Eli got the idea.

"So what now?" He asked Greg as he turned back around.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Antonio’s discrete look made Eli arch an eyebrow. Was the priest really with him on this? It seemed hard to believe, considering how often he’d been against him.

“Another good question,” Greg smiled back. “Myself, I would like to leave the area. Your gunfire, while appreciated, will surely attract more of the fallen. You’re going to Salt Lake City, right?”

“That was the plan,” Hank was the one to answer. “We were hoping it was safe there.”

“It is,” Greg nodded back. “As safe as can be in these times, at least. Is that your motor home?”

He pointed to the Winnebago. Hank nodded.

“Not that I have any right to ask anything else of you, but maybe we can help each other. Do you think you could you could take me and my battery back to my brothers in Evanston?”

“We could,” Hank said.

Greg smiled, Eli flinched. He didn’t like the idea of riding with this guy. Didn’t like it at all.

“Thank you, friend,” Greg nodded. “I promise you, from there it’s only a short drive to the city. I’ll happily go with you and put it in a good word.”

“What do you mean, a good word?” Eli asked.

“Well, like I said, we have a system,” Greg answered. He didn’t elaborate.

“It’s clear!” Jimmy’s voice boomed out as he emerged from the house. “All we found was this charming tchotchke.”

Both Jimmy and Emily were carrying out the truck battery Greg had mentioned multiple times. It was black and bulky, with handles on each side. Greg seemed to be telling the truth about what he came here for, at least.

“Do you think you can find room for it in your truck?” Hank asked. “We’re taking it to Evanston. Greg says it’s close.”

Jimmy looked to Eli. Eli’s expression was blank. As much as it angered him, Hank had made it clear that he didn’t have a say in what happened with the RV, and he guessed if the battery didn’t go with Jimmy it would just have to go with them. So he spared his objection.

Jimmy just shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”

“I’ll help,” Noah said, and moved forward to help them with the battery’s weight.

Greg thanked them with a smile as they carried it through the field of dead rotters.

Eli’s expression, meanwhile, went from nothing to a frown. I guess we’re going to Evanston, he thought unhappily.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
Willow sighed as the situation seemed to diffuse itself and everyone started working together to get the battery moved. This Greg guy was pretty freaking weird, but she wasn't sensing any hostile vibes from him or anything. If nothing else, he seemed pretty genuine despite his appearance. Of course, anything that wasn't actively trying to kill them was a nice change from the usual. She finally felt like she could lower her rifle and relax for a moment or two.

After quickly popping another few pain pills to help with the inevitable pain she was going to be feeling from firing a high powered, bolt action sniper rifle in repetition, she made her way outside, past the guys carrying the battery and to Brandon.

"You really shouldn't be exerting yourself, babe." She sighed worriedly as she approached before insisting further. "Come on, let me help you back to the RV."

She acknowledged that she might be doting on him a bit hard, but she had every right to be concerned for his well being. Unfortunately, that concern blinded her to the look of concern that Antonio wore on his face as she passed by him.
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
"We've been stuck in there for hours, I needed to stretch." Brandon said as he planted a couple small kisses on her lips, his eyes flicking briefly to get another look at the new guy.

New people were always a concern. He'd been unsure about Salt Lake City ever since they saw the signs, if this guy was one of theirs it still didn't mean they could trust him yet. At the same time Brandon didn't see any reason to suspect him of anything either, the guy spoke strangely and looked like a gang member. Antonio spoke similarly and Eli didn't exactly look like an angel. Apparently the guy had found Christ, which wasn't a bad thing, and it explained a lot about his manner. Lots of church going types in Salt Lake City too so it wasn't anything that rang alarm bells for him.

"Come on." he said with a smile as he made his way with Willow to the RV, giving her a little prompting pat on the butt.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Hank tried to keep his excitement at a simmer. Nothing was certain yet. Salt Lake City was close, but it wasn’t yet a reality, and the weight of Greg’s promises was still unclear. He could have been lying or delusional. For now, Hank just had to hope he was on the level.

Fortunately, despite from his appearance, Greg didn’t seem like a dangerous guy – he seemed awkward, more than anything else. Hank didn’t feel unsafe with him in the RV, standing behind him and directing him to Evanston. He didn’t think Riley felt unsafe, either. She seemed sceptical, and had returned to the bedroom with the kids, but Hank got the sense she shared some of his hope.

“Greg, this is my sister Riley,” Hank introduced them when they first boarded the RV. “Riley, Greg.”

At the time, Greg extended his hand. Riley, with a hint of hesitation, accepted it and gave it a gentle shake.

“Greg’s from Salt Lake City,” Hank explained.

Her eyes lit up a little at that.

“He says it’s safe,” Hank said, and her eyes lit up even more.

That was what it was all about – safety. Since Julianne died, that’s all Hank and Riley had wanted, for Ruby and CJ’s sake more than anything else. Life on the road was not sustainable for any of them, and the sooner it was over, the better.

“About the tats,” Eli said.

Hank looked over to see him gesturing towards Greg’s sleeve. Hank had to admit, the imagery concerned him a little as well, though he didn’t like to judge a book by its cover. Eli’s group was off putting at first glance as well.

“Ah, yes,” Greg said, looking down at his arm himself, and adopting a contemplative expression. “From my old life.”

“You don’t look all that old,” Eli said.

From his tone – and from the sour expression on his face – Eli didn’t seem to share Hank’s hope at all. Not that Hank expected him to. Eli was turning out to be more combative and dissentient than Hank would have guessed. Not only had he been heavily opposed to stopping and helping Greg at all, but he had also disregarded the plan they had all agreed on. Hank would have been angrier about that part, except that it did seem to work out. And it wasn't Hank's ammo Eli had elected to spend.

“Well, thank you, I guess,” Greg said. “But it’s been many years.”

“Since you, what, found God?” Eli asked.

“You seem sceptical,” Greg said.

“Do I?” Eli shot back, frowning.

Greg smiled. “It’s okay,” he said. “You’re not the first. I like to think He found me, but yes.”

* * *

Back behind the wheel of his truck, Jimmy followed in the trail of Hank’s RV. They were on their way to Evanston, he supposed. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that. He hadn’t gotten a great read on this Gregory guy, couldn’t pin him down exactly. At the very least, he hoped whatever he guiding them towards would be interesting.

“What do you think about this guy?” Annie asked him.

She had remained in the truck with Connor throughout the exchange, but had apparently overheard most of it.

“I don’t know yet,” Jimmy shrugged.

“Do you think he’s dangerous? Do you think he could be leading us into a trap?”

Jimmy smirked. “I think we’re dangerous,” he said. “So if he is, then I kind of feel sorry for him.”

Unprompted, Connor turned around to look at Nolan.

“Is it the sky?” he asked.
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Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
"Nope." Nolan told Connor with a smirk.

And that is six questions.

He was kind of enjoying this little game with Connor, as inconsistent as it was being. And judging by how much Connor was still guessing, he figured the kid was having some fun with it too. Though calling him a kid was probably a bit much; Nolan only had about 7 years on him. He was probably the youngest person here above Connor and Kelsey.

He didn't say anything about that new guy, Greg. He didn't know what to think. He didn't have much of a right to have an opinion since he had stayed in the car with Kelsey and Connor while everyone else got out to check it out. He didn't really overhear any of the conversation and only heard everything about him second hand. Apparently he was a little weird, but that was nothing too out of the ordinary. Though he agreed with Annie's concerns about an ambush, that might not have been fair on Greg since an ambush was always a concern no matter who or what it was.

* * * * *

"Ahem."

Antonio cleared his throat a little loudly. Willow had been kissing Brandon pretty passionately for a couple of minutes now. If things progressed any more than that in a crowded RV, it would not be family friendly. And even if the two of them didn't care, Antonio did. Willow broke off her make out session, glanced at Antonio and frowned. She took a seat next to her boyfriend and started straightening out her disheveled hair. Antonio exhaled deeply. He couldn't exactly blame them; they were doing a lot of driving and people were finding whatever ways they could to pass the time. That was just one way of passing time that Antonio did not need to see right now, and he suspected no one else did either.

They still had some driving ahead of them though.

"So, Greg." Antonio turned his attention to the newcomer. "How long have you guys been operating out of Salt Lake City?"
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