[quote=Nallore, Rivaan, The Real Slayer][hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=8dc73f]Amelia[/color], [color=lightblue]Raymond[/color], & [color=coral]Samira [/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://image.ibb.co/hrK54G/Amelia_Ray_Sam.jpg[/img][hr][b]Location:[/b] Church southeast of Newnan [b]Skills:[/b] Stealth (X3), Athletics (X3) [/center][hr][hr] Raymond wasn't going to say no to any help, he was getting tired a bit from all of the running that they have been doing since Newnan had fallen. He looked towards Sam when she asked if they had a plan, he wasn't sure about the plans at the moment. [color=lightblue]"When we get somewhere safe and able to rest we can discuss that then."[/color] Ray said, right now all he really cared about was getting to a safe location as soon as they could. Raymond then gently patted the pack that he had. [color=lightblue]"Hopefully there is a bugout plan in here and we can work off of that."[/color] As he continued to remain alert Ray looked around for the walkers that were nearby, he was hoping that they would still be able to keep their distance. Ray was also nervous that he could end up slowing down both Amelia and the newcomer. But he kept those thoughts to himself, he just remained focused on what was ahead of him and what else was around them as well. Helping Ray was starting to get harder on Amelia. She just barely avoided tripping and pulling him with her. She kept him up alright, but her own mobility right now was suffering. The energy and vigor from earlier was suddenly sapped as if by a force divine as just moving was harder. The grace to avoid making sounds was also gone as every step she made turned into a noise be it from snapping branches under her every step. The attention of the walkers was pulled. [color=8dc73f]“Dammit...”[/color] She mumbled, still struggling as they moved. This is now how she wanted to go.[color=8dc73f][i]'NO!'[/i][/color] She screamed in her mind. This is not where they'd die dammit. They had to make it out and fast. She tried to calculate how much time they had till the walkers reached them, but it was impossible. She found herself overwhelmed by the variables. This is what she got for neglecting math the apocalypse happened.[color=8dc73f]" If we are lucky we might be able to juke them around those houses in front of us... maybe. If they don't reach us by then that is."[/color] [color=coral]"Sure thing Chief,"[/color] Sam replied with a small smile. [i]They look exhausted, hell, I'm getting exhausted. Probably isn't the best time for idle chatter.[/i] Sam looked around and an idea sprang in her mind, she turned to Ray and Amelia [color=Coral]"Hold on, I'll be right back."[/color] Sam left Ray's side for the moment being as she moved ahead and searched the ground for something useful for Ray. She grinned as she spotted a large piece of wood half leaning up against one of the trees. She approached it and picked it up, the mud and melting rain colored her hands black, but the piece seemed sturdy enough. She'll only know just how sturdy it is when Ray will add his weight to it, but Sam was hopeful as usual. Sam turned toward the pair when she heard a crack that startled her, [i]shit![/i] Sam was an optimist but there's no way they could ever outrun that horde and Sam only has about two dozen shotgun shells left - She didn't know how equipped her new friends were. Not to mention the sounds of weapons firing would attract more to their location, they needed to find a way to sneak past them and fast. Sam made her way back to the pair and offered Ray the makeshift walking stick: [color=coral]"Here, this will help. And it'll give Red a bit of rest. I can scout ahead to clear the path." [/color] Sam paused and looked back over her shoulder, her heartbeat increased as adrenaline started to make its way through her system. She spotted the houses Amelia was talking about and nodded when she turned back to her. With a lowered voice she asked them: [color=coral]"Great, sounds like a plan."[/color] Sam could clear a path for them, move some logs around and go around hills. If they do this slowly and quietly, they could make it without alerting those walkers. Raymond looked as he watched Sam running off to grab something, he wasnt sure if he could trust her just yet or not, she just happened to appear near Newnan when shit went down. But he decided for now to keep his thoughts to himself, right now wasn't really the time to think about it. There was a herd of walkers nearby and they would certainly be on them if they remained still, Ray gave Amelia a nod losing them if they attempted to go past the buildings would probably be good. A few seconds later Sam came back with a stick, he was grateful for her help, but still wasn't that convinced just yet if she was from Eden or not. [color=lightblue]"Thank you."[/color] Raymond said and accepted the stick, he had lost the crutch somewhere in the chaos Ray then shifted his weight somewhat more on the stick while still clinging onto Amelia. [color=lightblue]"Lets keep moving."[/color] Ray said taking a deep breath as he followed Amelia's lead. It wasn't working well. Amelia's strength was more or less spend at this point. Moving was hard, helping Ray was even harder. Not to mention the mental fatigue and stress that accumulated by everything that transpired. It was hard to focus. She was making mistakes left and right as she did so. Making noise, attracting attention to them.[color=8dc73f]” I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...”[/color] She mumbled to Ray, trying to keep calm, but failing.[color=8dc73f]” I'm... attracting them now...”[/color] In her mind though, she knew she was tired, despite the fact she was trying to continue.[color=8dc73f][i]' So tired... just a little more. Till we get away... please.'[/i][/color] Sam had moved ahead of the pair, the path they were currently on wasn't going to cause them any problem - well, any more problems than they already faced. She thought that it would be safer if they stuck together, and as she moved back towards them Sam could clearly see the exhaustion on Amelia's face. [color=coral]"Path's clear,"[/color] she paused and then added: [color=coral]"for now."[/color] Sam watched Amelia struggle with the task, with good reason. She didn't know how long she had been carrying Ray, but it was clear it had taken its toll on the woman. [color=coral]"Hey, why don't you take a break? I'll take him for a bit."[/color] [color=coral]"How you holding up Chief?"[/color] Sam supported Ray as they covered a lot of ground; she didn't know where this renewed vigor came from but she was happy her body was finally cooperating with her. Sam checked on Amelia and noticed she was trailing behind them. [i]Damn, I hope this place is not much farther. She needs to rest and eat. Well, we all do,[/i] Sam thought as her stomach grumbled and her lungs burned but she could see the road ahead and it fueled her fire even more. [color=coral]"Nothin' like a good hike to get that heart pumping, am I right?"[/color] Sam joked, though it was sarcastic through and through. For the first time in a while, she could only dream of the moment she could rest her legs. The muscles in her legs burned, but she didn't let that slow her down and were able to reach the road quickly. Sam had no idea where they were, all she knew was that they were north of Miami. She would have to rely on her companions to guide them where they wanted to go. Raymond looked over at Amelia he was getting worried about her, she was tired and worn out more because of him he thought about just letting them go on ahead of him. [color=lightblue]"Tired I guess."[/color] Raymond said hearing Amelia's groans they were drawing the attention of the walkers towards her. Looking over at Sam. His leg felt like it was on fire still he wanted to press forward the walkers were slowly getting closer towards them. [color=lightblue]"It's more like hopping on one leg constantly then a hike."[/color] Raymond said jokingly. He could see the road now they just needed to continue forward, looking over at Amelia with a concerned look on his face. [color=lightblue]"If they get to close, just save her i'm slowing you guys down."[/color] Raymond said softly, he thought about Tiffany and hoped she was still alright, he wanted to live but he didn't want these two to die because of him. Amelia was currently behind Sam and Ray. She just couldn't keep up with them right now. Her fatigue was showing, but now that Ray was no longer weighting her down, she appeared to be at least faring better than earlier. Her movement was steady and she wasn't making as much noise anymore. In fact she was almost willing to say she was making just the ordinary amount now by walking, but that didn't mean the zombies she attracted earlier were no longer after her, to have her for a juicy snack.[color=8dc73f][i]' I want to see Riley!'[/i][/color] She thought, focusing on that singular desire to keep her going. Sam chuckled at Ray, she wondered how it happened but she knew better than to ask. Besides, it wasn't important. Sam thought he was lucky to have survived the injury, especially if it happened post-outbreak. She didn't know how many surgeons there were these days, but Sam figured it was probably close to how many firefighters there were. She frowned at his last statement, [color=coral]"the only thing that needs saving is your optimism, friend."[/color] [i]We'll get through this[/i], Sam thought decisively. As she continued to exert herself, her stomach started to grumble embarrassingly loud. Sam hadn't eaten in a while but she knew the last thing she had wasn't exactly fresh.[color=coral][i] Dammit, I know I should have had my power bar instead of that burrito[/i][/color]. Her stomach started to hurt more and more as she started to sweat a little more than she already was. The jolts of pain came in waves and valiantly fought her own bowel movements, but it became harder and harder with each step she took. She was even reciting the Lord's Prayer, but nothing worked. It had to get out, she feared she may explode if it didn't and God only knows what farting inside of yourself does. Sam tried the slow release technique, but it came out as a full force blast that was almost as loud as her shotgun. Some of the walkers diverted their broken bodies towards them. [color=coral][i]Okay, I'm ready to die. It can't get any worse than this.[/i][/color] At least she didn't shit herself. That's a plus, right? Right. The smell hit her quick and swift, even she knew it would be too much for someone else's poor nostrils to inhale. Raymond looked towards Sam at her comment and smiled slightly shaking his head, it was hard to be optimistic when you watched your home for the last several months get destroyed in front of you. And having to worry if someone you loved going missing in all of the chaos that happened shortly after. [color=lightblue]"Kind of hard to be when you watch everything around you fall into a massive sinkhole."[/color] Raymond said, then he noticed as Sam started to slow down somewhat looking over at Amelia a few feet behind them worried that she was lagging behind. Ray then froze for a moment as he heard the loud sound coming from Sam, and then shortly after that the nasty ass smell that came from the fart. Raymond felt his stomach starting to feel twisted and knotted at the scent, as he leaned forward and turning his head slightly towards Sam. Releasing all of what he had eaten earlier in the day, hitting Sam on the shirt, pants and shoes. Groaning slightly as he whipped his nose and mouth away of snot and drool from it feeling completely embarrassed about what he had just done. Amelia found herself catching up to Sam and Ray to her joy. She was sadly thinking of just going out with a bang if she couldn't escape. Maybe draw the walkers attention so they don't chase down the other two, but luckily such grim thoughts weren't a thing she was ready to do just yet. It had to be a situation where death was certain anyways. Still the fact she was catching up fast was good, she made some noise, but nothing overly big. What was not as good was the wall of stench of decay that hit her face as she got closer to their previous spot. It made her stomach want to turn inside out right away, but miraculously she held it in! [i][color=8dc73f]'Dear god...'[/color][/i] She thought, pressing her sleeve to her mouth and nose.[/quote] [quote= Sigil, Nallore, Caits][hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=steelblue]Ashton[/color], [color=cyan]Riley[/color], [color=yellow]Niesha[/color][/b][/i][/h1] [img]https://image.ibb.co/bFbD8b/NAR.gif[/img][hr][b][color=darkgray]Location:[/color][/b] The Hordebuster [b][color=darkgray]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [/center][hr][hr] Objectively, the concept of putting space between them and the crater that was Newnan was a good idea. He even had a destination in mind; one of the established bugout points north of them. The death throes of the once populated city were already drawing in the Dead, and it was only a matter of time before the living came to pick over the bones of their deceased home. Ash also considered it a matter of time, and likely a very short time, until the terrorists from Eden decided to start hunting down anyone who managed to get out alive. For this, Ash was thankful that Thana and the others were on their way to give them some hell. Even if all they did was harass them, it would buy the survivors needed time. Thana's safety was still heavily on Ash's mind. Perhaps that is why he did what he did. The Hordebuster blew through another walking corpse, this one exploding so spectacularly that part of it painted the windshield and safety bars atop. Without warning, Ash stomped on the brakes, bringing them to a shuddering, skidding halt just before the intersection with the highway. Ash was wide-eyed and close to hyperventilating as he managed to finally get out, [color=steelblue]"Jesus [i]Fucking[/i] Christ, that was Thana!"[/color]. Clumsily, he fumbled for the lock and door handle, apparently uncaring of the danger outside the vehicle. Niesha flinched as the a walker exploded on the windshield, raising her hands up slightly, even though she knew that it could not hit her. She let out a soft sight, but was soon throwing her arms out to stop herself from hitting something as Ash slammed on the breaks. Looking about for whatever had caused Ash to stop- and now freak out she sure- Niesha frowned. They'd just hit a walker, hadn't they? As Ash fumbled with the lock, Niesha reached out to yank him back, his shout causing her to believe he wasn't as stable as he seemed. [color=yellow]"ASH!"[/color] Niesha shouted, her shout louder then she intended especially inside the enclosed space, [color=yellow]"It wasn't Thana! It was too dead for a fresh corpse! Thana is fine! ASH!"[/color] she thought about hitting him over the head, but was a little hesitant to do so. [color=yellow]"RILEY! HELP"[/color] Riley jumped slightly when she heard a thud on the hordebuster she saw the bits and remains of a walker that was there, then she suddenly gripped the sides of the seat. Ashton was stopping in the middle of the road, and saw him trying to reach for the door Riley nodded towards Niesha and then tried to help pull Ashton back. [color=B0C4DE]"Ashton calm the fuck down, it was just a regular damn Walker it wasn't Thana!"[/color] Riley said. Riley looked towards Niesha, and then started to wonder if she should actually start to drive herself, and let Ashton cool down, and if he freaked out again she would smack him if she had to. Ash's mind, meanwhile, was struggling for a sense of what was accurate and grounded in reality. He knew that something wasn't right, but he was fairly damned certain that he just partially liquefied his Thana. His eyes were still wide, face splattered with a look of uncertainty, and breathing at a rate that threatened unconsciousness if he persisted. His left hand still moved awkwardly at the door, blindly trying to locate and disengage the lock. His eyes were directed at Niesha in the passenger's seat even as hands attempted to keep him from exiting his truck. Ash knew what he saw, thought he was certain of it, but the barest thread of confusion prevented him from acting upon it with absolute clarity. [color=steelblue]"...i saw her. I killed her. She's dead..."[/color] Niesha shook her head, swallowing back emotions that wanted to spew out. Right then, it wouldn't do any of them any good. [color=yellow]"No, Ash... you didn't. It's what ever has fucked with our minds, you didn't kill her. She's alive."[/color] She hoped that was true, but right then, she had to break through that confusion, [color=yellow]"Ash. I promise you, that wasn't her. On my own life, it wasn't her! You can't go out there, you'll die and then you won't be able to see her again!"[/color] A strange thought entered Niesha's mind. What if that was what the... visions were about? Chloe had had a gun to her head... Ravi had thought he had a razor going to his neck... And if Niesha had followed Sophia, would she have found her death? Guilt over not following her still twisted Niesha's heart, but it had been the right decision at the time. And now this... But what could do that to them? [color=yellow]"Please Ash... "[/color] Riley groaned slightly and stared Ashton down as he awkwardly kept trying to fumble with the lock on the door to the Hordebuster. [color=B0C4DE]"Get a fucking hold of yourself Captain Tight Ass, that was not fucking Thana out there!"[/color] As far as Riley knew she was still alive wherever she was. [color=B0C4DE]"There is a damn horde right behind us, if you get out we fucking die, and if we don't continue moving soon we fucking die!"[/color] She saw her sister kill herself right in front of her, and then Ravi getting killed she didn't want to see Niesha, or Ashton get torn up by a herd of walkers, or herself. Riley wasn't sure if she was even getting through to him at this point. Ash's clumsy attempts to unlock the door slowed. This was progress, though possibly not fast enough progress considering that the Dead trailing the Hordebuster had begun to catch up. The first few were already laying decomposing hands upon the body of the vehicle; their groans could be heard through the protection of steel and tempered glass as they shambled up to the sides and attempted in vain to pry inside to get the juicy nuggets of peoplemeat within. The look of loss and confusion stayed on his face, but his words of protest slowed considerably. [color=steelblue]"No. I don't... just no."[/color] Ash saw what he saw. Then why wasn't he acting on it? At that moment, his desire to leave the safety of the 'Buster was just about even with his responsibility to what remained of his people. He stood upon a knife's edge of decision, unsure as to which would win out. Niesha weighed the different options. It was unlikely that Riley and herself would be able to hold Ash back for long, especially not when he was in such a crazed state. She hurried went through the options. Knock him out? But what if they were overwhelmed, had to make a break for it? Neither she nor Riley could carry him, and they couldn’t do it together for long. Especially if they were surrounded by walkers. It was clear that they needed to do something however. Hopefully, whatever "something" was, whether it was a break of realization by Ash or outside intervention, it would have to happen soon. Ash's mental and emotional condition was getting worse. He could clearly see a neatly decapitated head on the hood of the Hordebuster; it belonged to a woman with dark hair and fair skin. Piercing blue eyes bored into him as it spoke directly to Ash with a familiar voice that only he could hear: [color=f6989d]"Ash whys you go be doin' this shit to me? I mean, I wasn't all that bad was I? Sure I did me some shit but I be keeping Dick in tow, I did good fer yous peeps. Just because you be gettin' it on with me sister and she gots a corncobs up her ass doesn't mean yous gotta takes me out like this..."[/color] Ash's eyes focused on Zoie's head. His own tilted to the side, mimicking a confused German Shepherd in appearance. His mouth opened slightly as if to respond to the severed head on the hood, only to be cut off by another voice originating from the same source. [color=0072bc]"Ash... you got us confused.... It wasn't her, it was me you got..."[/color] Niesha decided that getting in trouble was a shit ton better than Ash getting eaten by walkers, and opening that door. Shifting so she could do the move justice, Niesha raised her hand and brought it down in a slap, the sound on impact somewhat satisfying, at least to her. [color=yellow]”Pull yourself together, Ash! You damn well know that a fresh corpse wouldn’t go splat like that!”[/color] She decided the time for subtle was over. His face didn't flinch in the least as the slap landed. Ash just remained sitting and staring like a piece of meat, either unaware of the pain or welcoming it. Inside, he knew logically what had happened. Something began to come together in his mind. He just couldn't physically react to Niesha's attempt to help. Without warning, tears stung her eyes and she cursed. [color=yellow]”It wasn’t Thana, Ash. It’s all in your head… Just… Just like it wasn’t real that I saw Sophia… please Ash… snap out of it. I know how hard it is.”[/color] Her voice shook slightly with the emotion it held, and fell into a soft whisper. [color=yellow]”I don’t want to die today.”[/color] The words slipped out, and she suddenly realized the truth to them. She didn’t want to die. [color=yellow]”So I damn well will slap you silly if I have to, and tie you up to keep us all alive.”[/color] What she’d use to do so, Niesha didn’t know. But she didn’t think Ash was in a sound mind to realize that. Riley turned her head as she could hear the groans of the walkers getting louder, and then she could hear their undead hands hitting against the doors and glass of the Buster. Her heart started to race as panic started to set in, and Ashton was still dead set on trying to unlock the doors and get to his non existent girlfriend who wasn't there. Then Riley heard a slap looking at Niesha surprised that she actually hit him. [color=B0C4DE]"Ash don't you fucking dare open that door I will punch you the fuck out if I have to!"[/color] Riley yelled towards him, as she contemplated on if she should even attempt to knock the man out if he continued to attempt with the door again. Riley looked towards Niesha for a moment. [color=B0C4DE]"If Ashton doesn't snap out of it, and he opens the door get back here as quickly as you can."[/color] Riley didn't want to die today either, she wanted to live for as long as she could. Riley went back to thinking as she thought about just knocking him out again and taking the wheel herself and drive as far away as she could. The voices in the cab of the Hordebuster rattled around in Ash's head, snippets and snatches of the vocalizations of the two women with him. [i]"...it's all in your head... ...wasn't real... ...don't you fucking dare open..."[/i] Finally, [i][b]"I don't want to die today."[/b][/i] He began to truly hear the sounds of the Dead outside of his truck, keying into his base instincts for survival. The head on the hood was still there, still looking at him, but a modicum of clarity hit. Single tears came from each of his eyes, subtle as the moisture necessary to remove a film of dust from them. Quietly at first, [color=steelblue]"...i'm seeing things."[/color] then with a little more strength, [color=steelblue]"I'm seeing things."[/color] He looked to Niesha, whose handprint he wore in swelling rouge across his face, beaming grateful tenderness. [color=steelblue]"Thank you."[/color] Ash was still a little disconnected, but he knew where his responsibility lay. He had to get them out of there. Now. Niesha let out a relieved breath. She hadn't thought much beyond the basic "Someone freaking out, slap them". If she had, she might have thought she'd get in trouble. [color=yellow]"How often does one get to slap a superior without repercussions?"[/color] She said, trying to make light of the situation. [color=yellow]"What say we bust through this hoard? I promise, I'll let you know if what you see is real or not."[/color] Which might not be the best idea, but she hadn't been seeing or hearing things in a while, so she figured she was out of that danger. [color=yellow]"We all good?"[/color] Riley leaned forward resting her head against the back of Niesha's seat for a moment and looked towards Ashton when he finally started to get some sense into him now. The slap seemed to get Ashton back on track for now at least looking at the walker that was still on the hood for a moment then turned to look at Niesha. [color=B0C4DE]"Probably not that often."[/color] Riley said lightly joking she was still on edge, she was still worried about Ashton's mental state more then her own at the moment. [color=B0C4DE]"we just need to keep moving forward"[/color] Nodding at Riley's assessment of the situation, Ash brought the Hordebuster into gear and put his mind into a determined place. Deep within himself, he felt clarity wash over his beaten psyche, strengthening it, reinforcing his sense of self and his awareness of the world around him. [color=steelblue][i]You're back, Captain. Good. Tend to your people. This is your duty.[/i][/color] Excellent. In a baffling twist of irony, Ash could tell his mind was back because he could clearly hear the voice in his head tell him so. Such was the dilemma of being Captain Ashton J. Holloway. The good news was that [i]this[/i] voice in his head looked out for him, more or less. Kept him on task. Was recognizably part of him. Ash leaned onto the gas pedal of the great, modified dump truck known as the Hordebuster. In just a moment, they would be across the highway and leaving this group of dead people behind them, en route to the bugout point to regroup before the push to Zebulon. Unfortunately, the truck had other ideas. Instead of roaring forward and blowing past the dangers around them, it shuddered once and rolled backward, nailing the curb and halting. [color=steelblue]"...damnit."[/color] growled Ash. The gear had slipped into reverse, pitching them into the embankment. Not ideal, but fixable. He shifted gears and gently pushed the gas, only to hear a responding sound of tires spinning in mud. The Dead could also be heard shambling toward the Buster, making their position even less ideal. [color=steelblue]"Shit."[/color] It seemed a fitting thing to say. [color=yellow]"I concur."[/color] Niesha replied wearily, leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes. Why did everything seem to be against them today? She tried to think what they could do, with the dead crowding them. They could stay, but how long until the horde grew strong enough to break through the buster? She didn't want to try and find out. [color=yellow]"I suppose we should clear the horde, then try to push the buster out?"[/color] There didn't seem to be any question about leaving the Buster- that was probably going to be the only thing that would keep them alive. Riley felt the buster lunge backwards onto a curb, looking over her shoulder for a moment as she could hear the tires getting stuck in the mud. Really things aren't getting any better as Riley turned her head to look between Ashton and Niesha hearing her suggestion on clearing out the horde that was behind them, then trying to push it out. It was really risky Riley could hear the walkers outside, she wasn't sure what to actually do. [color=B0C4DE]"Is there a way to get out onto the top and clear them out without having to get onto the ground?"[/color] Riley asked, looking towards Ashton, since it was his ride after all.[/quote] [quote=FantasyChic, Morose][hr] [center][h1][color=D9E0F9]Tiffany Lyle[/color] and [color=00ff00]Jack Hudson[/color][/h1] [img]https://image.ibb.co/d1qnKG/TWDTif_Jack.gif[/img] Location: Walking Towards Arnco Mills[/center] [hr] With all the chaos from the destruction of Newnan and losing Tatiana, Jack didn't even think twice as he reached for his gun, a Colt M1911, instead of his knife. Pulling his gun, he barely had time to aim as he fired off a shot towards the walkers in front of him. From his position on the ground, it was a miracle he even got a shot off - and not altogether too surprising when it missed. The bullet didn't hit the walkers - or Tiffany, for that matter. However, it gave him enough of an edge that he managed to shove the two walkers back, scrambling out from underneath them and to his feet. Tiffany looked over to see Jack still on the ground. She then turned her attention back on to the oncoming zombie. It was then she heard the gunshot. Thankfully, it had missed her, but it also missed any of the walkers. Jack was on his feet now though, which was a good thing. But she wished he'd taken the time to aim. Her walker was getting nearer and Tiffany knew she had to end this now if she wanted to help Jack. So as the walker inched closer, she jumped forward, diving her knife into the walker's briain. She could see the small struggle, but she pulled it out quickly, ending whatever hope the creature had at living. She kicked it down as it flopped to the ground. She then turned her attention to the two on Jack. They needed to get moving soon or the rest of the horde would be on them. Jack needed to get back into the habit of counting his ammunition. He fired his pistol twice, attempting to take out the two walkers in front of him. With the first shot, he missed the walker completely. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was an after effect of the hallucinations - he didn't know and he didn't stop to think it through. He hit his second target, however, dead on. The walker dropped down to the ground, leaving just one. [color=00ff00]"I'm down three, gonna use the knife now,"[/color] Jack explained quickly. He didn't want to waste anymore ammunition if he could help it - not with his 33% success rate today. Tiffany was thankful Jack's aim was more or less all right as he managed to take down one of the walkers, but he was no down three bullets. They had precious little to spare, especially considering her gun and bow were now in what was once Newnan. She ran up behind the walker and plunged her knife deep into the back of it's skull. She whipped it out, sending some chunks to the ground before it dropped. [color=D9E0F9]"Why don't I take care of that."[/color] She said as she dropped it. She put her knife away as she scanned the surrounding area. Surely they drew more attention to themselves. [color=D9E0F9]"We should leave before more come on us. We need to get to wherever we are going and soon."[/color] [color=00ff00]"The Mills - it's one of the bug out spots,"[/color] Jack said, grateful that Tiffany had gotten the last of the walkers. He didn't want to risk taking another shortcut and decided the best choice would be to head west - there was a lot of snow over on the road, snow that they could use as cover from any more walkers that turned up. Using all of his survival skills, Jack expertly ninja'ed his way over to the road, ducking for cover as needed and somehow avoiding any additional walkers coming his way. Tiffany never considered herself a sneaky person. In fact, she remembered a time when she tried to be. It was during her rebellious years when she walked into a convenience store and tried to steal make-up. She felt so daring at the time, but she was also incredibly nervous. She remembered picking the lip gloss and putting it in her pocket, turning around, and colliding smack into the sunglass display, knocking it all over. She, sprawled on the floor, trying desperately to get out of there, but all of those around her running up to see if she was ok. She never stole anything again. And much like that time, this didn't go as planned. As she took a trip down memory lane, she forgot where she was. Jack had already walked plenty ahead of her. In that instance, she stepped in a horribly placed hole in the ground made by some animal. As she stumbled forward, her mind went back to that sunglass display, [color=D9E0F9]"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!"[/color] she screamed, almost as if in slow motion, as she fell forward. Wouldn't stop there though, her momentum propelled her forward, falling down a small incline. Now, not only had she embarrassed herself in front of ALL the undead, but they were now very aware of her. As she already had stated: Fuck. Jack stopped in his tracks as he, along with practically every walker in the area, heard Tiffany slip. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of losing someone else. Without Tiffany, he would be completely alone. And with how his psyche was, that didn't bode well. Yet he didn't want to use his entire clip of ammo if he didn't have to, and so, Jack dug deep. He took a deep breath, before mustering all of the mediocre dancing skills he possessed. [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvfVEm6qkG0[/youtube][/center] [color=00ff00]"IT'S THE EYE OF THE TIIIIIIGAAAAAAH!"[/color] Jack screamed, as he proceeded to perform a series of completely unrelated dance moves. In one second, he was twirling like a ballerina. In the next, he was doing the standard White Girl Shuffle TM of every prom. And then a moment later, he was doing the Egyptian before going into jumping jacks. If he had faith in his ability to moonwalk backwards, he would have done that. Hell, he even played his own leg like a guitar. [color=00ff00]"IT'S THE THIRLL OF THE FIGHT! RISIN' UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF OUR RIVAAAAAAL!"[/color] Jack bellowed. And with his truly horrendous display of dancing, all of the walkers began to shuffle towards him, rather than towards Tiffany. [/quote] [quote=@Morse][hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=23D5B7]Beatrice Decker[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6ukqr4XHa1rq8a7p.gif[/img][/center][hr][hr][center][b][color=23D5B7]Location:[/color][/b] in a TANK [b][color=23D5B7]Skills:[/color][/b] None[/center][hr]From what Beatrice could tell, Lola appeared to be enjoying herself. She couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight. She doubted anything had ever phased Lola and she felt a certain kinship with her. Her fearlessness could have easily gotten Lola killed - but it seemed to keep her alive. As an ex-Justice native, she could appreciate that. Certain weaknesses and failings could be seen as strengths - it all depended on the context. A borderline anti-social personality - such as her owns - had allowed her to survive. It had kept her alive this long, but now that she was doing something for a reason other than her own wellbeing, she felt that she was on death's door. There was no telling if she'd be able to hover there safely. [color=23D5B7]"If I were to believe in a higher power, it'd be an absentee father,"[/color] Beatrice said. [color=23D5B7]"In this world, there's no comforting light. Just demons - the ones already here and the ones we made for ourselves."[/color] She was a firm believer that even if the walkers hadn't started the end, even if it had been a natural disaster or something else, the end result would have been the same. People would have killed each other, one way or another. The walkers were just an excuse. Even James, one of the arguably best intentioned people on the planet, had committed murder. The walkers and this world didn't force him to it. He had chosen that darkness. [color=23D5B7]"How far out are we from Eden?"[/color] Beatrice then asked, addressing Lola. [/quote] [quote=@Lady Amalthea][hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=ed1c24]World Narrative[/color][/i][/b][/h1][/center] I do not believe that a single group right now is having an easy time. Well, groups 4 and 5 are. They are in vehicles and while they did just watch a couple die and are on their way to hell to dance with the devil, they are doing pretty good. Groups 1-3, that's another story. Lady Luck has each of you in some interesting predicaments. Now time to keep moving. [b]Groups 1-3:[/b] You are on cases once again. We will stick with the ten day counters. You are to keep moving. Goal? Get to the edge of your provided map! So chop chop and get the lead out! 10 days and counting! Updated maps below - now roll out! [center][b][color=ed1c24]Group 1[/color][/b] [img]https://image.ibb.co/kOmzim/Group1.jpg[/img] [b][color=ed1c24]Group 2[/color][/b] [img]https://image.ibb.co/fUTJb6/Group2.jpg[/img] [b][color=ed1c24]Group 3[/color][/b] [img]https://image.ibb.co/mQGzim/Group3.jpg[/img][/center] [hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=0072bc]Thana Martin[/color][/b][/i][/h1][img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hDCWYvbfcAg/ViACVI6CmyI/AAAAAAABRmc/blzIjqe8pIY/w800-h800/giphy.gif[/img][hr][hr][b][color=0072bc]Location:[/color][/b] Exit 41 to U.S. Hwy 85 [b][color=0072bc]Skills:[/color][/b] Redneck Vehicles[/center][hr] [color=0072bc]"There we go,"[/color] Thana said as she turned in her seat somewhat to listen better to what Alex was saying about where they needed to go and to get a look at the map some. It may have taken him a few minutes to get his bearings but once he did he had come up with a rather decent route. [color=0072bc]"Let's get a move on."[/color] Throwing the truck into gear Thana eased pressure onto the gas peddle and started up the on ramp. First thing was first, to the other side of the highway. Things looked to be pretty cut and dry on the map. Thana knew however that in this day and age things were never as simple as they appeared on the map. It seemed that Newnan had taken sometime to mark out roads that seemed to be permanently blocked when these maps were put together but thing was, how long ago was that? How often did they update that stuff? She imagined it had probably been a time. Even if it had been the month before with the snow and storms, it could mean a simple 20 mile trek would take hours. She hoped it wouldn't. They hadn't yet heard from Gavin and the women with him, so that told Thana that they had least not arrived at Eden yet. That was both a good and a bad thing. Good because it meant she wasn't falling behind. Bad because it could mean they ran into trouble. It could be looked at as either way but for now she was just going to hold on to no news was good news. She had too because outside of the Eden situation was the Newnan situation. The question remained, did Ash get back to town? If he did, did he find anyone alive? If he had, was he able to get back out? It was all up in the air. Yes, hold onto no news is good news. Glancing over at Thalia she let out a breath. [color=0072bc]"While we have a chance we should eat. Can you go into my bag there and pull out the MRE's? Let's divide one up so we can at least get something on our stomachs. Once this whole Eden thing starts, who knows when they next time we will be able to will be,"[/color] she said as she glanced down at her bag before placing her attention back on the road as they turned onto Hwy 85. [hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=f26522]Gavin[/color] And [color=598527]Lola[/color][/b][/i][/h1][hr][hr][b][color=ffffff]Location:[/color][/b] Heading For Peachtree City [b][color=ffffff]Skills:[/color][/b] Tank Operations (Lola), Land Navigation (Lola), People Reading (Gavin)[/center][hr] [color=f26522]"Rights now miay' onlies goal is to be ables to make some of them demons out'dare choke on their cudes. Ifs I gots time laters Is be willin' to deals with me own demons. Rights nows those, their my bruders in arms"[/color] Gavin said as he let his head rest against the cool wall of the tank. He knew he had his own demons. HE could feel them inside. Sure he was a good ol' country boy with good old suthern' values. He loves his momma and Jesus. (In that order) He had read his bible. Did what he could to make people happy, smile, and take care of them. Yet part of being a good ol' boy meant you pushed all that aside to drag a fucker out behind the woodshed from time to time. Now was that time. He couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Lola as she had turned a simple driving job into a game. He understood how she was. Sure he was in his brooding mode right then he had been known to turn many a bad times into a game. It wasn't but a day ago he was sloshing through the woods outside of Newnan with his best mate at his side, singing away as if they were two prison mates. (Minus the keistering.) So as she yelled out her points he had to sit up a bit more and give her a challenge. [color=f26522]"Fuck I ain'ts got a bat, we should get one after this. Have a real game of mailbox smash! Ain't no postman to piss off."[/color] Lola nodded, she liked that idea. [color=598527]"Aces mate! Okay, we get done with Eden we hit the road, find a bat, and gave some real fun. Oh shit! 500 points! That one left half his head on the gun,"[/color] Lola said laughing her ass off, so much in fact she slipped out of her seat and onto the floor. It took her a second to get back into place. Thankfully with tanks, it wasn't like with cars. She didn't suddenly veer off the road. The tank kept going the direction it had been. She did manage to take out another one while she as on the floor, only to see is platter when she got back into her seat. [color=598527]"Blind hit! 2000 points!"[/color] After a minute she realized that Beatrice had said something to her. [color=598527]Of fuck, map. Yeah, forgot about that."[/color] Laughing she picked up the map, took a look at it, looked back at the road, back at the map, the road, map, road, map, road. [color=598527]"Okay, here we are. Here is where we is going,"[/color] she said pointing to the map before handing it fully over to Beatrice. [color=598527]"No downed bridges out or major road blocks and we should be to the city in twenty, round about."[/color] [/quote] [quote=@ONL][hr][hr][center][h1][color=662d91]Alexander Polawski[/color][/h1] [img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/d3551e96a2b48077e262fa98f2e74ddc/tumblr_inline_nmuwekMscX1sj4qvu_250.gif[/img][/center] [hr][center][b][color=662d91]Location:[/color][/b]Going Up the Country[/center][hr][hr] The sign of approval from the front seats was a relief to Alex sitting in the back. He looked up from the map he had just been given directions from and watched as the scenery started to move again down the windows of the pick-up, pulling it up onto the ramp of Highway 85. If they were lucky, Alexander's plans had not resulted in them getting stuck somewhere down the line without any option but to turn around. All of which would simply mean time wasted doing nothing, and more time for the so-called Eden folks to organize after Hell opened its proverbial gates. Eating? Well it did sound like a good idea. Even more so once Alexander sensed the empty feeling in his stomach. He hadn't eaten in a while, not since...well now that he thought about it, the only thing he'd 'eaten' was the handfull of snow after the night at that hospital. Sure he had gotten a plastic bag of hot cocco, but that gave more warmth than anything else. [color=662d91]"Sounds good. Mystery E's are better than nothing. Not that I'm complaining."[/color] Alex said, looking at the two ladies in the front, waiting for Thalia to find the Bag Nasty before turning his eyes at the road forward as well. [color=662d91]"If we get blocked up ahead, can the truck still get us through?"[/color][/quote]