[center]Casey Guidry - Road - Molly [@Weeping Raven] - Before - Chaired in the visitation room, Casey examined his facial bruises and lacerations on the bulletproof glass. His face and body physically damaged after being attacked by numerous inmates three days prior. He was found by a guards over a puddle of his own blood with broken ribs and difficulty breathing. It was the fourth or fifth time he'd been attacked while inside, but the first time he felt completely defenseless. The attack was retaliation for his refusal to join a boisterous group - trying to remain independent. The beatdown a way to show him that he [i]did[/i] need protection - but if attackers were defenders, then an altercation like this proved them untrustworthy. Next time he'd kill them. On the other side of the glass the twin doors flew open into the visitors room. Through them walked a figure posthaste and stopped before Casey's window, eyeing him with despair. Casey titled his chin, eyes connecting with the one person he never thought he would see again - Elizabeth. She placed a hand on the glass as worry clouded her facial features, body dropping to the seat across him as she reached for the phone. Casey brought his own phone to his ear, looking down at the counter as he took a deep breath of realization. "Are you okay?" he heard through the phone, Elizabeth's voice as soft as he remembered. It had been years since his sentence, since he last saw her on that courtroom stand. Never did he blame her for speaking her truth and never did he stop loving her. When his father told him he'd never see her again, he believed it but kept her at heart. "How's John?" he mustered, holding back the desire to show emotions by closing his eyes and turning away from her. "He's fine...are you?" Elizabeth asked, holding back the tears she would years ago be unable to control. It was clear how much his imprisonment affected her, but she was showing how much she'd grown in their time apart. Nevertheless she still had every intention of reconciling with Casey and forgive him for what he'd done. "I miss you," she whispered, head tilting slightly as she gulped away her fears of rejection. "I love you so much..." Casey whispered back, his eyes watering with guilt. "I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you. All I've ever wanted was to keep you safe. I failed." - Now - As to say it was ready to go, the Taurus rumbled as Casey helped Molly to her seat. He noticed the dirt on some of her clothes and her overall condition. It was clear she had been stripped of a normal teenage life - one of newly-found adult freedoms like getting her drivers license, going to college and finding a new meaning in life. However, being deprived of such liberties made her tougher, more understanding of this new reality. Just by the way he eyed him, Casey was able to tell there was more to her than met the eye. In hopes of getting on his way, Casey moved around the vehicle - gathering his pistol before mounting the driver's seat. "Nice to meet you, Molly," he replied while shutting the door and rolling the window down. "At least we don't smell as bad those things" he joked, looking at the walker reflecting off his rear view mirror. He was trying to lighten the mood after hearing about her family. Her story hit close to home as Casey himself was trying to find his parents. He decided not to comment on the matter however and moved on mentally. Switching gears and hitting the gas the survivors started down the road, the walker disappearing from view. There was no music, there was no air conditioning, only the silence filling the space between them and the wind that traveled through the open windows. Casey would glance over at Molly from time to time to ensure her comfort and his own security. He didn't necessarily see her as a threat or feel any ill-intent from the kid, but one could never be too careful - [i]too careful[/i] wasn't a thing in the apocalypse. Clearing his throat he decided to initiate some conversation. "Ahem...so, Molly, where exactly were you headed? Where does this road lead for you?" he asked her, side-eyeing her when he could. Casey wondered if she was also looking for her family. but earlier revelation sounded like she had already gave up on that quest. He didn't want to probe into her private life for two reasons; one, it wasn't his business to begin with and two, bringing history to light could put him at odds with her. As trivial as it sounded, Casey didn't want to hurt her feelings. He didn't necessarily care for her personally, but had reached a state of mind that pushed him to do better for himself. Maybe it was a brewing belief that there [i]was[/i] something after. Maybe it was simply a way to pay for his wrongdoings in the life before. Either way, he was here now with Molly and would do what he could to do right by her. He's the one that extended his hand after all, he didn't have to stop. - Roughly twenty minutes later the two of them had entered central Florida - Taurus rolling through the broken city that once housed the most spring-breakers in the world. They were in the suburbs where houses of similar build and color surrounded them in every direction. All of them however torn to shreds, ransacked by whatever had washed over the neighborhood. Every door appeared kicked-in and every window shattered - difficult to tell if the damage was manmade or [i]manmade[/i]. Casey let off the accelerator as he maneuvered around the stalled vehicles - all empty. "Roll up your window, keep your eyes open," he instructed Molly, his own eyes focused on their surroundings. He was becoming anxious, worried at what he would find when they turned the corner. His parent's house lay walking distance at this point and by the looks of it, will be found in the same condition as the rest of the homes. Removing the pistol from his belt, he turned the corner cautiously, stopping as soon as he entered the cul-de-sac. Pulling the emergency brake, shifting to park and turning the vehicle off, Casey twisted and pulled Molly's rifle from the back. "Here..." he started, handing her her rifle. "Stay here, I have to check the house over there. If anything happens here's the key..." he said, giving up his only mode of transportation. "Try not to leave without me." With that Casey rolled up his window and exited the car, motioning her to lock the doors before heading towards the house. He hoped his parents were still there...alive. [/center]