[b]Floyd - House - Jess[/b] Everything was going grey, or so it seemed. The colors around just faded like old wounds. The light dimmed as his eyes grew weary. His hands went numb for a second, but returned to feel the uneasiness of the blood. He couldn't turn his neck to look at his side, only stared up into the ceiling as the motionless fan seemed to turn on its own. He tried to breath but it proved difficult. His chest felt heavy and so did all his other body parts. Suddenly, a voice called to him. [b]"Floyd"[/b] it shouted, the echo growing louder as the voice neared. A shadow covered up the remaining light, taking Floyd's eyes away from the fan above. He turned to the figure as it repeated the word [i]no[/i] over and over, like a short harmony. The voice was sweet at times, but the worried tone worried Floyd. For a second he had no idea what had just occurred, instead was living in his own world. But as the figure embraced him, his eyes truly opened to reality. Jess was on her knees trying to prevent any further blood loss using the bottom of her shirt. Floyd turned his neck so he could see the wound. He noticed that not only was he bleeding from the front of his stomach, but also from the opposite side. This meant that the bullet penetrated him all the way, going straight across the side of his abdomen. During this time Jess continued to worry for him, asking him for directions on what to do. The girl was lost in the moment. She was also not prepared to aid a man with any kind of medical support. Floyd had never been shot before, but he had been stabbed once or twice so knew exactly how to cauterize the wound. He placed his left hand on the hole in his side and pressed hard into it, preventing the blood flow. His right hand held onto Jess' wrist, pulling the girls attention. "Listen to me, listen to me. First I need ya to calm down. Calm down Jess, calm down" he said, his hand reaching up to her cheek. He used his thumb to wipe away some of her tears. "Okay. Now, go get the lighter from my bag and my knife" he started, pressing on his wound as she did those things. Once she returned he continued the process. "Heat up the knife" he ordered, his speech not impaired by the inflicting pain he felt. For some reason, the pain made him speak faster though as if he was running out of time. He then rolled up his shirt and put the edge of it and every piece of it he could fit into his mouth. He nodded to Jess to proceed; he was certain she knew what to do. She would have to do it to both sides of his body due to the bullets complete penetration. ----------------------------- [b]Robert - Haywood Mess Hall - Audrey[/b] As the young woman sat in the stool motionless in fear, Robert did not even acknowledge her presence. He just sat there, ticking his fingers on the counter with ease. But even with that, his facial expression did not hide his feelings. One could see the rage he was holding inside, the monstrous fury that would make any person abandon sanity. But the awkward silence grew too still, Robert turned to face Audrey. "I was just radioed in. I was informed that three possible raider affiliated persons have entered our facility. I was informed that both you and Henry were the ones to bring them in. At first I was relieved that we caught the three monsters, but before you entered, I was also told they were not detained. Instead, one of them is now being given medical care" Robert started, his eyes growing even darker as his words progressed. "Did you know that our medical supplies have decreased drastically in the last three weeks. And as you know, it has become more difficult to find what we need out there during our scavenging runs. Which brings me to my next point. What exactly were you doing outside of the city walls when my men were doing their scheduled runs? You and Henry were originally scheduled for guard duty am I right? Don't answer that" he continued as he took a couple of steps towards her, not standing about three or five feet away. "I know exactly where you were. Both you and Henry. Let me guess, Daniel sent y'all to watch over my men, see what they were up to. Well since you already know, there is no point in denying it now is there?" Bruce asked, not waiting nor wanting a response. "I ordered my men to take that farm so that Haywood may have a stable food supply. Like our medicine, our food has also decreased. I've warned Daniel to tell the people that the rations require lowering, but he is deaf to wise word. The man does not see things the way I see them. He is a fool that requires teaching. I sent my men out there to kill those farmers in order to prevent having three more mouths to feed. That could have been your food given to a mere farmer. You'd of starved to near death before you'd be able to see another ration of bread. But I don't understand. I do not get what you people see in that Daniel. The man is more concerned for a little thief than his own sister, than his own people. The mayor's duty is to serve us, not the enemy. He allows a raider - the same people that have brought us hell - to live? Three weeks ago we went on a mission to end the life of these raiders! You were there Audrey, your friends and brothers were killed by those monsters. But now you stand beside the man who wishes to aid them? Have you no shame?!" he yelled, his voice as invigorating as a demon. Robert stepped up to stand right before Audrey, his hand on the counter next to her right shoulder. "If you've not noticed, you are the only woman left in our barracks. Before Daniel took in all these new people, you were the only woman not traded to Tyler and his men. Do you know why? Do you know why you were excluded in the trades? Let me tell you why" he said, pausing for a second before continuing. "One of my men. A man who I saw as my brother had passionate feeling for you. He never told you because he feared to anger Henry and destroy your relationship with the man. But deep down he told me he desired you. Therefore, I stepped in for him, for my brother. I told Eli to prevent Levi from selling you off to Tyler. He and I were the reason you stayed safe this entire time, not Daniel. He has no idea what any of us have been through, yet he is now our leader? After the death of our leaders, I was the most reliable choice, I was the right choice. But of course, these people desire the hero rather than the person who's saved them from the shadows. You know the truth. You know what happened in those ruins. Daniel chose one person and in the process lost six. He gave up the lives of six of our brothers to save his sister. He is here to fulfill his own selfish desires, not the ones best for Haywood. You've been here long enough to know I am the suitable choice. You know I would dedicate my life for these people, yet you stand by the "hero". Has he not taken enough from me? First my reputation, my rank. Secondly, he's taken my desires, my long lasting want to become your leader. He has taken many of my men, not only their lives, but also their mind. My best man, the one that spoke of you greatly, just left my side to join his. He killed off one of his own men just to prevent his further affiliation with I. But I don't see him as a murder. He is a survivor that man, that Anthony. He makes the right choice at the right time. It is true, I am failing this community. I am falling to my own helpless desire. I have nobody backing me up in this. I have not one. All I am trying to do is protect everyone here in Haywood. Every decision I make is to ensure our survival. Daniel on the other hand has prevent us from doing so. The man has just accepted a thief into our town. He is currently giving a raider medical treatment, wasting it on a murderer rather than saving it for our own people. He feeds these animals! Treats them like tenants! They are the enemy, the must be locked away in the pits of hell for eternity!!" he angered, his fist ramming the tabletop. "What do you see in that man that I am so blind to capture?! Have I not done enough to earn my place as your leader?! He is a fraud, hiding behind the lies I failed to reveal! If I tell these people the truth, they will turn to me for guidance, but if I do so their fear will rise into the heavens. Can't you see Audrey, I kill myself for these people. I suffer for their sake, for their survival. Speak to them and tell them of my grace. Tell them that I am the right person to lead them. I'm asking for you aid at this moment. Help me like I helped you."