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Dead Men Walking
Topic Started: Nov 28 2014, 02:20 AM (70,991 Views)
Make-7-Up-Yours
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Is that so?
"If that is how you feel, then who am I to deny it?"

Randall exhaled slowly. It was a hefty request, but it was one he was willing to accept. Even though he had warned her and she accepted the danger, he was still worried. But he tried to force that to the back of his mind.

"I will leave you to your packing then. I need to get my own things ready. But we'll meet at the west gate in about fifty minutes." Randall told her. "Sorry for the short notice, but it's difficult for us all here now."
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
“It’s not a problem,” Annie assured. She nodded to her luggage. “We’ll be ready.”

* * *

As Eli strolled back through the community, his thoughts of Julie were interrupted by the honking of a horn. He recognized the sound right away. He approached the source, winding a corner and arching an eyebrow.

“Jimmy,” he greeted him with a nod.

The redhead was behind the wheel of his custom truck, which was idling not far from the gate. The window was rolled all the way down and Jimmy’s arm was hanging out the side. He was smiling, like always. Eli couldn’t bring himself to be annoyed, though. He had known Jimmy just long enough to accept that was the way he was.

’Mano,” Jimmy greeted him back with a nod of his own.

“What’s up with the truck?” Eli asked as he approached. “You’re not going on another supply run so soon?”

Jimmy shook his head. “Not exactly.”

Eli kept his eyebrow arched for a moment, then lowered it when realization dawned. “You’re leaving.”

“I’m getting the feeling that it’s not gonna be a lot of fun around here for a while,” Jimmy said. “I’m not big on the whole ‘rallying together in the face of tragedy’ concept. All the hugging and the tears and so on. It’s not really my scene.”

“So you’re just going to go?” Eli didn’t know why he was at all surprised, but he was. “Where?”

“Not sure yet,” Jimmy admitted. “The next thing. Maybe I’ll come back when things have settled down.”

Maybe, huh?” Eli repeated, shaking his head.

He took a moment to peer around the truck – there was a black lid over the back. Eli couldn’t see through it to tell how much Jimmy was taking with him. A lot could fit in there, at least. When he looked back to Jimmy, the redhead had a curious expression behind his smile.

“Come with me,” he said suddenly, like the thought just popped into his head.

“What?”

“Come with me,” he said again. “Get in the truck, we’ll get out of here together.”

“Go away with you?” Eli asked, disbelieving.

“I’m not asking you to marry me,” Jimmy said. “Just survive for a while. I have enough here for us to do that. When it’s no longer fun, we can go our separate ways.”

Eli almost laughed. One week ago, an offer like that was all he thought he wanted. He would have jumped at the chance. No responsibility? No pressure? Nobody depending on him? Only a short time ago, that was his dream. So much had changed since then.

“Can’t do it,” he said, shaking his head again – one of those patented shakes that was directed as much at himself as Jimmy.

Jimmy sighed, and couldn’t hide the disappointment in his eyes. “Shame,” he said. “Could have been a good time.”

“You could always come with us,” Eli made the offer without really thinking about it.

Jimmy’s smile widened a little. “To save the world? Now that’s really not my bag. Besides, I think things are going to be heavy on your end for a while too.”

He was probably right about that. Eli set aside his compunction. “Then I guess this is it.”

“Guess so,” Jimmy made a small motion with his hand, putting his truck in drive. He smiled his farewell. “Bye, Eli.”

“Later, Jimmy.”

With that, the truck started rolling to the gates. Eli stepped aside and watched it go.
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Is that so?
Willow's 'first time' was everything she had always imagined it would be.

That is to say it was awkward, embarrassing, and painful. But it was also fun, exciting, and perhaps most importantly, distracting. Just like she wanted, she forgot about Glenda and got wrapped up in the experience of it all. The feel of his warm skin rubbing against her own, the caress of his arms around her, and his lips seducing her with every gentle touch. And she found herself returning the favor at every opportunity. This type of intimacy was new to her and she found herself relishing in it. Her lungs burned with every heavy breath, her wounds stung with every movement, but she didn't care. She was close to someone she had developed strong feelings for and she was enjoying every moment of it. Pain and all. And if what everyone else always told her was true, it only got better from here.

But after the experience ended and the pillow talk faded, and they were back to being just two naked people cuddling on top of a bed, her mind eventually began drifting back to Glenda. No matter how much her first time had hurt, the emotional wound of Glenda's death was far stronger and far more potent. Like a shot straight to her heart, it crippled her in one blow. It was like her own mother had died. The attachments she had formed in so short a time; to Glenda, to Brandon, to Kelsey, to Julie, to Jeff, to everyone... it felt like she had known them all for a lot longer than just a week or a month. And now with Glenda's death, it felt like an insult to her memory to at least not talk about it.

She hated to dour the mood by bringing it up after sex, but she knew Brandon was thinking about it too. So she brought it up and she told him about Glenda. From the beginning. How Willow picked a fight with her parents and convinced them to leave for safety without her; how she left her home shortly afterwards through an evacuation order and how she found her way to Mount Kisco. How everyone mistook her for a depressed emo girl that wouldn't be good for anything and how Glenda had taken her under her wing despite that. Taught her how to shoot and how to cook. She gave her advice and encouragement when she was feeling down. How Glenda helped her understand her parents better and understand her own shortcomings. How she looked out for her, stood up for her, and trusted her, even when by Willow's own accounts, she had done nothing worthy of that. She told Brandon how Glenda had helped encourage her to talk to him and get close to him, given her advice on what to do. How Glenda had helped her realize her own strength, even when nobody else saw it. Glenda was a quiet woman and difficult to understand and Willow talked her head off about her. She hoped that if she could make Brandon better understand Glenda, then she could be remembered properly. It was like a private eulogy to honor the woman that had helped her survive in this world more than any other. Willow didn't know if she would get another chance to say all of this and she at least wanted to tell someone.

To her relief, Brandon was supportive the whole way through.

By the time she finished and looked at the clock, an hour had almost passed. It was time to put their clothes back on and go to the east gate. The sex and talk had made her feel a little better; far from great, but it was a step in the right direction. She thanked him for listening with a kiss. Several kisses, actually.

* * * * *

Randall had spent most of his last hour in Flint preparing. While others disposed of bodies and cleaned the town, Randall found a new bag and started packing. He packed a couple of changes of clothes, a couple of toothbrushes and some toothpaste (commodities he felt silly packing, but didn't want to give up while he had access to them), among a few other things that he just wanted to bring, including a couple of books. He didn't ask anyone permission before doing it, he didn't even know who he would ask. The leadership of Flint was undergoing a transformation right now. With Jeff's help, he had already moved the Explorer and Emmett's van into the street and directed them towards the gate. He had also taken the liberty of placing their excess weapons, including the weapons Glenda and Max had on them, in the back and placing his personal belongings along with them.

"I'm sorry to see ya go, man." Marcus had come out to personally see him off.

The man looked exhausted, physically and emotionally. Randall sympathized with him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"How are you holding up?" Randall was afraid to ask, but he felt like he had to.

Marcus did not muster an immediate response. He turned his head and glanced to Jeff, who was still loitering nearby, and frowned; "I dunno man... it's... hard. Geraldine and Candice both, I... I lost everything. But I don't think it's all really hit me yet. I think it'll hit me tonight. Till then, I just gotta give my all to the community. I gotta honor their memories, you know man? Keep on livin'..."

"Just give yourself time to mourn. Don't bottle it up and try to push it aside. You gotta give yourself that."

"I know, man. I know. I'll... I'll try." Marcus nodded his head somberly; he closed his eyes and focused for a few moments before changing the subject abruptly.

"Also, Ajay is overworked at the clinic now, he has a lot of injured in there he's dealin' with. But he wanted me to tell you guys thanks. For everythin'. He says that this place woulda been a lot worse off without you around. And I gotta agree. You guys pulled our asses outta the fire there. Literally."

It's our fault all this happened in the first place. Randall thought to himself sourly.

Down the street, he saw Willow and Brandon approaching with their own bags and Kelsey in tow. Willow had gotten her cane back and was using it to help support her injured leg now. If they were on the way, then everyone else would be here shortly too. Their hour was almost up.

"You sure you okay, Kels?" Willow frowned visibly at the young girl. "You can talk to me. It's okay."

"N-no... not right now." Kelsey added in, her tone and facial expression somewhere between sad and embarrassed. "Maybe later."

"If you say so." Willow sighed and looked over to Brandon helplessly.

Randall let out a heavy sigh as well. He didn't know how Kelsey was handling all of this either. She liked Glenda, they had played games together just the other night. The news must have hit her hard. Randall suspected she was trying to put up that front again, trying not to let people see how scared and hurt she was. But it was obvious to everyone that she wasn't her cheerful self right now. She had taken the blow as hard as anyone. As the trio approached, Randall knelt down and gave his daughter a hug. He didn't know what else he could do.
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Strompy
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More posts, more Busey.
Julie approached the gate with trepidation. She hadn't told anyone other than Eli about her pregnancy or her plan to stay. There was a lot she wanted to say to them. Probably stuff they already knew. That they were her friends. That she loved them and wanted to go with them. That they made her feel welcome and safe for the first time since this all started.

They did make her feel safe. Safer even than Flint's walls, which last night proved less than perfect. The problem hadn't been the walls though. It was the people. From that point on they would be tougher. More vigilant. But they didn't make her feel safe like her friends did. Her head wouldn't admit it though. Of course she was safer in Flint, and she had to remember she wasn't just deciding for herself anymore.

Like Randall.

She didn't believe in the cure, but after all they'd gone through for it she couldn't ignore the possibility. Randall was doing all this for that same possibility and he'd brought his daughter with him. Because no matter what, she was safest with the person who would do anything to protect her. Julie trusted Randall. She trusted her friends. She came to a stop halfway there.

"Shit." she cursed.

Her heart started to race. Her head was screaming at her, railing against this folley, but her gut was firm and insistent.

Go with your friends.

She turned and raced back to the house to get her bag. They wouldn't leave yet. They wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to her would they? They'd wait, but she had to be fast.

...

Willow's first time was for Brandon a lot of firsts too. His first with a virgin. His first time with someone he loved. His first time with Willow. It was awkward, tentative, intense and beautiful. He didn't know it could be like that. It was in many ways the best sex he'd ever had. Afterward he'd listened with rapt attention as Willow shared with him everything Glenda was to her.

Kelsey was not so open. Brandon could only imagine what was happening to her. She'd just lost her mom, her brother Nolan... well he was probably dead, and Randall almost died. Now Glenda was gone too. Kelsey did her tough girl thing though. He didn't like it but that was her way, just like Randall. The irony was Brandon thought they were doing it for each other, when they might be better off opening up to each other.

He returned Willow's helpless look.
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Jeff scrunched his face as he stood at the gate, watching his best friends in the world preparing to leave, maybe forever. After Willow and Brandon arrived with Kelsey in tow, Eli approached a few minutes later. And he was surprised to learn Emmett had already been there for a while now.

It occurred to Jeff how weird this was gonna be. He was gonna be wondering about them all the time. It would probably keep him up at nights. Probably. On the nights he wasn’t too tired – which, hey, maybe there would actually be a few more of those now that he was sleeping in a bed and not the backseat of an SUV.

Like Kenny Rogers said, though – you gotta know when to fold ‘em. Though Jeff wasn’t exactly folding, really. He’d still be in the game. He would have a lot to do in Flint. A lot of responsibility, too, since the town’s population had taken such a hit and their former leadership had been wiped out. Marcus would probably be keeping him busy for a long while.

Except now he’d be busy behind a wall –and he’d have power, and water, and that aforementioned warm bed. It was definitely a step up.

He felt a little guilty about that as he regarded his friend gearing up to go back into the wild. Not too guilty, though. Like he told Randall, he had never really adapted like they did. He could do more good staying behind and they’d be better off without another mouth to feed and another body to drag along.

And anyway, without Glenda there… He had to immediately suppress a frown at the thought.

“Well look, guys,” he said, stroking his now-smooth chin anxiously. “I don’t think good luck even begins to cover it. But, seriously, you know. Good luck.”
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Is that so?
Randall broke the hug with Kelsey, but ruffled up her hair before returning to a standing position. Kelsey managed a slight smile at the show of affection, but it was lacking in its normal enthusiasm. Randall figured his smile didn't look much better.

"Yeah, good luck to you too, Jeff." Randall ran a hand through his short hair. "And you, Marcus. You guys got a lot on your plates now, but the place looks better than I thought it would. I don't have any idea what we will find in Chicago, but if we have a chance, we'll try to make out way back here. See how you guys are holding up."

"I'm puttin' the expansion projects on hold to make our existin' walls stronger, so don't expect some fancy real estate when you get back."

Randall was impressed that Marcus was already putting together future plans for the place. Apparently it ran in the family, he just needed a kick to make him realize it.

"That bein' said, we'll make sure to keep a house open for ya." Marcus continued. "But you got some of our people with you now too, so make sure to keep 'em safe as well as yourselves."

"Wait, what does he mean by that?" Willow furled her brow.

Randall smirked a little; he had kept most of them in the dark about the new recruits; "A couple of people that heard about the cure said they wanted to help. They should be here shortly."

* * * * *

"Man, what's taking her so long? They're gonna leave without us."

Jennifer West let out a sigh as she looked at Annie's house. Still wearing her black jacket and pants; still armed with her Uzi and baseball bat; the only thing that set her apart from earlier that day was the black dufflebag she had requisitioned from the armory. That and Ajay had fixed her leg back up and given her a few painkillers. She had caught Randall as he was leaving Annie's house and given him a proposal. One that he accepted. But she didn't want to show up alone. She owed them her life and she knew they were good people, but she didn't really know any of them. But she did know Annie.

Finally, Annie's door opened.

"A little birdie told me you were leaving. Couldn't let the good doctor go off on her own." Jen picked her own bag up off the ground and gave Annie a somber smile. "Doesn't really feel the same anymore here does it?"
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
Jeff gave Randall a nod, then extended his hand to shake. “Well, I hope it’s soon, boss,” he said. “I’ll be thinking about you. And again – thank you.

He had already told Randall for what last night, when he revealed he was going to stick around. He meant it just as much this time.

“And Eli,” he said, turning to him. The next stop on his goodbye tour. “Thank you too. I know you had to pull me through some fires there, and I know I wasn’t always charming about it.”

Eli shrugged. “You were getting better. An’ no problem, ’mano. I’m just glad you made it here. Stay safe, okay?”

He sounded sincere about that last part. Jeff gave him another nod and smile before turning to Brandon.

“So blondie, looks like we’re gonna have to find new smoking buddies,” he said. “Or quit, I guess. Though you know – hah. Anyways, thanks for the shooting lessons dude. Take care of Willow. And Willow…”

He turned to her. She and Randall were now his longest living acquaintances. It was getting kind of tough to keep up his goodbyes, but he struggled through with a brave face.

“…take care of Brandon. I’ll save a bottle of tequila for when I see ya next.”

Emmett now. He was standing near the truck, a little farther away than anybody else. Jeff wondered if he was being symbolic on purpose.

“Emmett – it’s been weird,” he admitted. “But thanks for takin’ it easy on me when we met.”

One more farewell to go. He looked to Kelsey, who seemed more withdrawn than usual. Which was to be expected. Jeff smiled and kneeled to her eye level.

“You, scarecrow, I’m gonna miss most of all,” he said.

He wondered if she’d get that reference. Would Randall and Elaine have shown her Wizard of Oz? Also, was it gay to give himself Dorothy’s line? Wasn’t Wizard of Oz reclaimed as a gay thing? Didn’t matter. The sentiment was basically true. He’d never really liked kids, but Kelsey was cool. Tough, too. If anyone was gonna get through this, he bet it was her.

“Take care of your dad, alright?"
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More posts, more Busey.
Brandon shook Jeff's hand as he made his way to the SUV to stow his bag.

"Hold onto one of those cigarillos for me. We're going to have something to celebrate when we come back." he said.

All this saying goodbye felt so final. Brandon had every conviction that they would make it back there alive, all of them.

...

Julie ran awkwardly down the street with her bag over her shoulder. Everyone was gathering to leave.

"Hey!" she called out as she approached.

She practically tossed her bag in the back of the car as she came to stop amongst them. She trotted over to Jeff nearby threw her arm around him, planting a kiss on his shaven cheek.

"You look so much better without the beard. If you're going to grow it back keep it under control, like a ten day growth look at most. That girl with the eyes, I want to hear you've got her number, so to speak, when I get back." she told him.

Julie had every intention of coming back too. If this cure was for real than places like Flint would be the start of the rebuilding effort. If it was a bust than it was their best chance at survival. For now though, she had to go with her friends and see it through.
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Is that so?
"He's a handful, but I'll make sure he gets back here in one piece." Willow nudged Brandon as she assured Jeff of his safety. "In exchange, I'll hold you to that tequila. And it better be something good; I probably won't be able to taste the difference but I don't wanna get drunk off cheap tequila, you know?"

Willow tried her best to look positive, but it was hard. She was glad that she could at least say goodbye to Jeff. It was a luxury that she hadn't gotten with Glenda. So while it was sad, she made sure to make the best of it. She watched Jeff go down the line of goodbyes, eventually reaching Kelsey.

"Dad will be fine." Kelsey smiled weakly at Jeff and nodded. "But I will take care of him. I promised mom that I would. You just worry about getting better at video games so I can have a challenge next time."

Willow lurched forward and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Damn, I think you just got burned by a ten-year old!"

Try as she might, Willow couldn't stifle the chuckle. The more she tried to hide the laugh, the more it hurt her chest. Thankfully, she didn't need to laugh too long, Julie's appearance surprised the laughs out of her. Before Willow could even process what was happening, Julie was hugging Jeff and saying goodbye to him too.

"Never mind that, guys." Randall mused out loud. "Looks like we got ourselves one more for the trip to Chicago."
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DoctorYerishi
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
As Jeff returned Julie’s hug, Eli eyed her with confusion. He hadn’t told anyone she was staying, and if she told anyone else they were doing a good job stifling their surprise.

Guess she changed her mind, Eli figured. He was happy to see her – but the happiness was in contest with other feelings. Worry was one of them. From now on, he knew it wasn’t just her she was putting at risk.

He focused on the happiness for now. He didn’t get enough of it these days to let it pass by.

When Randall mused out loud, he looked up to find Annie, a kid a little older than Kelsey, and that wounded guard Jen.

“Looks like three more,” Eli said as they made their way over.

“Hello,” Annie greeted when she was close the assembled group. “This is my son, Connor. We’re looking forward to working with you.”

Connor glanced up at all of them. Eli could read his uncertainty and fear like it was written in bold letters on his face. If Eli was concerned about Julie coming along, he was terrified of this kid’s involvement. The road was no place for children. Kelsey was an exception. He was struck by the instant feeling this kid wasn’t.

He wasn’t in charge, though. Randall was. If Randall had given it the okay, he wasn’t going to object.

“So,” Eli said, taking another glance at Jeff before looking back to the rest of the group. “It looks like the gang’s all here.”
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Is that so?
"Yeah, me too." Jen uncertainly introduced herself too. "Looking forward to working with you guys, I mean. My name is Jen. Or Jennifer."

Randall had seen Jennifer work; she seemed less certain around people than rotters. He was certain she would relax and fit in just fine. Annie too. But Connor looked uncertain. He looked afraid. Randall sympathized and, for a brief moment, he doubted his decision. Annie was a lot more certain than her son was. Even if she was willing to go out into the world, he was worried that she might be pushing her son too hard. He could need to talk with her about it later, but for now he hoped that Connor could live up to Annie's expectations.

"Looks like the crew is all here." Randall nodded. "I hope nobody forgot anything important."

"Be safe out there, guys." Marcus gripped Randall's left hand firmly. "I hope to God what guys got is the real thing. But no matter what, I'll keep this place runnin'. I swear."
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More posts, more Busey.
"Connor. I'm Brandon, good to meet you." Brandon said respectfully, extending his hand toward Connor.

Being treated like a man always put him at ease around adults as a kid, unless they were being condescending about that is. Another kid in their ranks. He'd have to show him how to shoot too. Kelsey would probably enjoy showing off what she could do. Brandon had secretly availed himself of some of Flint's .22 cartridges for Kelsey to practice with. Now there were two students. And the doctor made three.

Rverybody had to learn to shoot in his opinion. Just like everyone should have a hun. If everyone in Flint were armed and trained last night would have gone down differently. Faced with 80 guns they would have never even dreamed of touching them... buf then they would have hit group on the road as Max would have surely gotten word to them when they were going to leave. Brandon was doubly glad that fuck was dead now.
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Is that so?
"And I'm Willow. It's nice to meet you."

She didn't extend a hand since Brandon had that already, but she still wanted to introduce herself. Brandon was always good with kids, so if Brandon was going to get to know Connor, she inevitably was as well. Might as well start it off right.
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
“Hi,” was Connor’s nervous response to both introductions.

Eli hoped the kid was a fast learner.

* * *

Eli kept his eyes on the rear view mirror as long as he could. He watched as Jeff waved goodbye from the gate until it closed in front of him, and then he watched as the walls of the community slowly but surely faded from view.

When they were finally out of sight, Eli was able to start looking forward. To Chicago. He knew they were close now. If they didn’t run into any more trouble, they’d easily make it well before dark.

He scoffed at his own thinking. If we don’t run into any more trouble? All this world’s got left is trouble. That’s why we’re doing this thing in the first place.

Annie, a Michigan native, had taken the passenger’s seat in order to provide navigational help. Behind them, new girl Jen and pregnant girl Julie had the middle seats, and Randall shared the back with the two kids.

Over in the trailer, Eli wondered how Brandon and Willow were doing with Emmett. He bet there was a lot of quiet happening.

“I-69 will take you around Lansing entirely,” Annie instructed, looking ahead. “Which is a good thing. From what I’ve heard, the situation was pretty dire there.”

Whenever Eli glanced over to her, her eyes seemed to be taking in new details of the post-apocalyptic emptiness. What had already become old hat and familiar to him was new and heartbreaking to her, even if she remained professional the whole time.

“What happens after that?” Eli prompted her.

“I-94 goes west to Chicago, I’m almost certain,” Annie said. “You’ll be able to get right on it from here in about half an hour. There will be signs, I imagine, but I’ll let you know when it’s coming up.”

“Obliged,” Eli said with a nod.

He kept driving wordlessly. When he looked forward long enough to confirm the road would be empty for a while, he spared an extended glance in the mirror at Jennifer West, their new addition. Aside from catching glimpses of her around town, he had only really seen her when she opened the gate to let them in the night they arrived, and then only briefly once more, in battle the night before they left.

She was an unknown. Randall seemed to be a bit better acquainted – had saved her life, apparently, while Eli, Brandon and Glenda were looking for the missing runners – but even so, not by a lot. Annie, the other new addition, had spent a lot of time with the group, however. Not to mention she saved Willow’s life. Eli trusted her, at least, and she vouched for Jen so he was willing to get to know her.

“So Jen,” Eli said. “What was it that made you want to come along, anyway?”

He looked back to the road, then again to the rear view mirror. He wanted to gauge her reaction and her sincerity.
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Is that so?
Jen contemplated the question quietly for a few moments. Her brown eyes fell to her feet and lingered there briefly before rising back up to look forward.

"Well, I wish I could say it was because Randall saved my life out by the gate. I would have been deadhead food for sure. But really, it was more than that. The reason I almost died was 'cause my fellow guards ran away when I went down and left me to die. It's hard to feel safe when nobody has your back. Doubly so when those people aren't even prepared for threats from outside."

Jen's voice held a very subtle, but distinct, southern twang.

"I guess the short answer is that I don't really know. I was becoming disillusioned with the community and the past few days only helped me make up my mind. When I heard Annie was going with you, I saw it as my opportunity. I know I don't really know you guys, so it seems kind of weird. Hell, it's even weirder for me. You don't have to worry about me, I am a big girl and I can handle myself. But I feel like I can trust you guys. You're tight. Like a family. I like that. Not to say I was trying to intrude on that, but..."

She visibly hesitated in her next words. She awkwardly met Eli's gaze in the mirror. He had a strong gaze. It felt like he was sizing her up and it made her uncomfortable. Being under such direct scrutiny was a little intimidating. She diffused it with a laugh.

"I'm not making much sense, am I?"

* * * * *

"So..."

Willow decided to break the awkward silence in Emmett's van. The silence was bad. It made her dwell on everything that had happened today. She had tried thinking back to her sex with Brandon, which had been the only good thing to come of this day so far, but Glenda's face kept replacing Brandon's. It was terrifying and depressing at the same time.

"What did you do before all of this, Emmett?"
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