StoreBex - Catacombs - Emma
Bex stopped in his tracks at the sound of his voice being called out. He wobbled on his feet and turned toward Emma and the boy carrying her. The shock of the previous events had managed to sober him up slightly. "Emma?" he said, a bit confusedly. "How'd you..." It took him a moment to connect the dots and he realized the full extent of what was happening. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised that someone had eventually worked up the nerve to attack them.
"Emma, you gotta get out of here. There shouldn't be any-" Suddenly, an explosion rocked the catacombs and nearly sent Bex falling to his feet. Wherever it was, it had managed to send the whole hideout rumbling. Bex briefly wondered if the catacombs would hold. "The path behind me is safe. Run as fast as you can!" He spoke urgently, one hand on the corridor wall. He pointed down the way he came, waiting for the boy to carry Emma off.
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Bex - Catacombs
It all happened so quickly. Bex had seen the soldiers turning into the hallway before anyone else. His mouth fell agape and he boggled at the sight for the few precious seconds it took to take it all in. These guys were armed and organized, while Bex and the others were drunk; It didn't take a genius to figure out how this would go.
Too buzzed to do much else, Bex managed to grab Al and pull him away as the shots rang out. Gregory and the other two raiders died before they had even realized what was happening. Bottles fell to the ground, smashing and sending glass skidding across the floor. Bex pulled Al into a new corridor, the other man still not registering what was happening.
Then Bex ran.
Tyler - Cells - Floyd (Before Daniel has freed Emma and before Brad talks to Lynn)
He was about to lay into Floyd some more when Brad suddenly appeared, breathing heavily. "There's a fucking group of men storming our gates!" he yelled. Tyler forgot all about Floyd and turned toward Brad.
"The hell are you on about?"
Brad turned and pointed behind him. "There's a stand-off at the entrance. Not sure who it is."
For a few seconds, Tyler was quiet. "... Of course." He stepped forward and grabbed Brad by the collar. "Find my daughter, Brad." Brad nodded incessantly, licking his lips. Tyler glanced toward Floyd. "You, secure the armory. Other men should be there."
Tyler let go of Brad. "Go now!" he yelled and Brad ran away, stumbling over himself in the process. Tyler waited patiently for Floyd to follow after him.
Lauren - Catacombs - Katie
Battle cries erupted up and down the corridor. The men were funnelling toward the entrance of the catacombs in order to meet the enemy head on. Lauren had no idea what who was attacking, but a part of her felt like this was the break she had been waiting for. No matter the outcome of today, Lauren knew she wouldn't get another opportunity like this.
She just had to find Katie.
"Katie! Katie, something's happened! I need you to come out right now!" Lauren walked up and down the corridor, yelling toward the air vent. "Please, Katie!"
Brad - Lynn's Cell - Lynn (Before Daniel has freed Emma in the deeper part of the cells)
After Floyd and Tyler had vacated the cells, Brad sneaked back in. He walked up to Lynn's cell, a smile on his face. "You brought your friends, huh? This is your fault, isn't it?" The short mousey man caressed the bars with his hands. "You're bad news, I knew it. All you women are. I told the boss this, but he didn't listen. We could have been the strongest damn fucks in this whole goddamn city! But you're all poison!"
Despite his words, Brad was starting to giggle now. He was afraid. The man had been afraid all his life, always worrying about what others thought of him. Countless dark nights spent in his room, staring up at the ceiling and alone in his empty world. Brad had sometimes felt like the loneliest guy in the world, but he could never let people in. For if they knew the real him, they would most certainly have hated him.
He had found Tyler soon after everything started. Tyler had been a man so incredibly sure of himself that it almost frightened Brad. He was powerful and intimidating, two things Brad had never felt about himself. Tyler was everything Brad wished he could be; It was no wonder why he grew to admire the man with every fibre of his being.
"Everything was going good, Lynn, until you came along. You gave him the idea that he could change it all. The world has rules and won't fucking change for one man, Lynn! But the boss will never accept that. That's why he... he-" Brad gripped the bars of the cell tightly. He brought his face close to the bars. "And now you hate him. But it's you who did it, girl. All on you. You're so fucking toxic, you can't even stand it."
Brad reached down now and unlocked the cell door. He took off the machete strapped to his back. "It's better this way, girl. Better for you, too."
Aleck Wyrde - Catacombs (After Daniel has freed Emma in the deeper part of the cells)
This bombing event finally happened for real, though not on the hideout's entrance gate. The gates on the walker cages in the arena were blown open, setting free the small collection of undead to wreak further havoc on the raiders. Aleck Wyrde had been responsible for the explosion, though he hadn't known his attack would coincide with Haywood's. He had left his sister Gwen safely outside. With the raiders scattered and their attention elsewhere, it had been easy for the man to sneak inside and set up the explosives. Now with his plan complete, Aleck searched for Emma, his gun out and ready to take down any enemies in his path.
It all happened so quickly. Bex had seen the soldiers turning into the hallway before anyone else. His mouth fell agape and he boggled at the sight for the few precious seconds it took to take it all in. These guys were armed and organized, while Bex and the others were drunk; It didn't take a genius to figure out how this would go.
Too buzzed to do much else, Bex managed to grab Al and pull him away as the shots rang out. Gregory and the other two raiders died before they had even realized what was happening. Bottles fell to the ground, smashing and sending glass skidding across the floor. Bex pulled Al into a new corridor, the other man still not registering what was happening.
Then Bex ran.
Tyler - Cells - Floyd (Before Daniel has freed Emma and before Brad talks to Lynn)
He was about to lay into Floyd some more when Brad suddenly appeared, breathing heavily. "There's a fucking group of men storming our gates!" he yelled. Tyler forgot all about Floyd and turned toward Brad.
"The hell are you on about?"
Brad turned and pointed behind him. "There's a stand-off at the entrance. Not sure who it is."
For a few seconds, Tyler was quiet. "... Of course." He stepped forward and grabbed Brad by the collar. "Find my daughter, Brad." Brad nodded incessantly, licking his lips. Tyler glanced toward Floyd. "You, secure the armory. Other men should be there."
Tyler let go of Brad. "Go now!" he yelled and Brad ran away, stumbling over himself in the process. Tyler waited patiently for Floyd to follow after him.
Lauren - Catacombs - Katie
Battle cries erupted up and down the corridor. The men were funnelling toward the entrance of the catacombs in order to meet the enemy head on. Lauren had no idea what who was attacking, but a part of her felt like this was the break she had been waiting for. No matter the outcome of today, Lauren knew she wouldn't get another opportunity like this.
She just had to find Katie.
"Katie! Katie, something's happened! I need you to come out right now!" Lauren walked up and down the corridor, yelling toward the air vent. "Please, Katie!"
Brad - Lynn's Cell - Lynn (Before Daniel has freed Emma in the deeper part of the cells)
After Floyd and Tyler had vacated the cells, Brad sneaked back in. He walked up to Lynn's cell, a smile on his face. "You brought your friends, huh? This is your fault, isn't it?" The short mousey man caressed the bars with his hands. "You're bad news, I knew it. All you women are. I told the boss this, but he didn't listen. We could have been the strongest damn fucks in this whole goddamn city! But you're all poison!"
Despite his words, Brad was starting to giggle now. He was afraid. The man had been afraid all his life, always worrying about what others thought of him. Countless dark nights spent in his room, staring up at the ceiling and alone in his empty world. Brad had sometimes felt like the loneliest guy in the world, but he could never let people in. For if they knew the real him, they would most certainly have hated him.
He had found Tyler soon after everything started. Tyler had been a man so incredibly sure of himself that it almost frightened Brad. He was powerful and intimidating, two things Brad had never felt about himself. Tyler was everything Brad wished he could be; It was no wonder why he grew to admire the man with every fibre of his being.
"Everything was going good, Lynn, until you came along. You gave him the idea that he could change it all. The world has rules and won't fucking change for one man, Lynn! But the boss will never accept that. That's why he... he-" Brad gripped the bars of the cell tightly. He brought his face close to the bars. "And now you hate him. But it's you who did it, girl. All on you. You're so fucking toxic, you can't even stand it."
Brad reached down now and unlocked the cell door. He took off the machete strapped to his back. "It's better this way, girl. Better for you, too."
Aleck Wyrde - Catacombs (After Daniel has freed Emma in the deeper part of the cells)
This bombing event finally happened for real, though not on the hideout's entrance gate. The gates on the walker cages in the arena were blown open, setting free the small collection of undead to wreak further havoc on the raiders. Aleck Wyrde had been responsible for the explosion, though he hadn't known his attack would coincide with Haywood's. He had left his sister Gwen safely outside. With the raiders scattered and their attention elsewhere, it had been easy for the man to sneak inside and set up the explosives. Now with his plan complete, Aleck searched for Emma, his gun out and ready to take down any enemies in his path.
Tyler - Cells - Lynn, Floyd & Emma
"Katelyn! KATELYN!"
Tyler yelled Katie's name to no avail; The girl was gone. He fixed a glare on Lynn before hurrying deeper into the cells. He would deal with these men, then figure what to do about his daughter. He couldn't leave their cancerous behaviour to infect the other men. He turned a corner and ran into Lauren and Floyd, the woman taking a step back at the monstrous look on his face. He knew they weren't supposed to be here, especially the new guy, but Tyler's anger got the best of him. It took everything in him not to grab Lauren by the shoulders. "You need to find Katie and lock her in her room," he said, his voice managing some level of calm. It was the eye of the storm. "Then you will get your boyfriend and as many men as you can and seal up whatever holes she has been using to sneak out of her room. I will not have this insubordination go on any longer." When Lauren didn't immediately leave, Tyler raised a fist. "That's an ORDER, Lauren." She gave Floyd a small look before quickly leaving.
The boss turned on Floyd. "The fuck are you doing here, anyway? Get out of my sight." Tyler looked in at Emma and shook his head. "If you were thinking of getting a taste yourself, you should know that Hex is going to die for what he did. That is how it is around here. You cross me, and its death."
Lauren - Catacombs - Katie
She hurried quickly out of the cells and into the hallway. She looked left and right, unsure where Katie would be. She had to find the girl and calm her down, for her own sake. "Katie, I'm sorry," she said, walking down the hallway. She spotted a part of the air vents that Katie so often used. Lauren realized she would never fit herself.
With a great sigh, Lauren managed to lift her head as close to the vents as possible. "Katie? Katie, it's me, Lauren. I want to help you, okay?"
Bex - Catacombs - The Raid Party
Bex had been in the Dining Hall for most of the evening, wallowing in his guilt. He'd managed to tell Brad about what Hex had did, but that's all he could manage to do. What happened now was out of his hands, no matter how awful it made him feel.
A few of the men had convinced him to hang out in drink. Al had been keeping a stash of alcohol for some time. It wasn't against the rules, but most of the men tended to drink their rations immediately. Not Al, it seemed. They were in a deeper part of the catacombs, laughing and shooting the shit. It was easy for Bex to fall in with these men. Beckett may have hated these men, but for Bex, these men were now his companions and he needed them to survive. Besides, a couple of drinks helped dull the guilt.
"Holy fucking SHIT, Hex is one thick motherfucker!" exclaimed Gregory. His face was red and he was laughing hysterically. "Everybody wants a taste but you don't actually go THROUGH with it!"
"The forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden," Bex murmured.
That made Gregory laugh. "Yeah, like that! Stupid idiot."
The raucous group of five men were completely unaware of the danger approaching on them.
"Katelyn! KATELYN!"
Tyler yelled Katie's name to no avail; The girl was gone. He fixed a glare on Lynn before hurrying deeper into the cells. He would deal with these men, then figure what to do about his daughter. He couldn't leave their cancerous behaviour to infect the other men. He turned a corner and ran into Lauren and Floyd, the woman taking a step back at the monstrous look on his face. He knew they weren't supposed to be here, especially the new guy, but Tyler's anger got the best of him. It took everything in him not to grab Lauren by the shoulders. "You need to find Katie and lock her in her room," he said, his voice managing some level of calm. It was the eye of the storm. "Then you will get your boyfriend and as many men as you can and seal up whatever holes she has been using to sneak out of her room. I will not have this insubordination go on any longer." When Lauren didn't immediately leave, Tyler raised a fist. "That's an ORDER, Lauren." She gave Floyd a small look before quickly leaving.
The boss turned on Floyd. "The fuck are you doing here, anyway? Get out of my sight." Tyler looked in at Emma and shook his head. "If you were thinking of getting a taste yourself, you should know that Hex is going to die for what he did. That is how it is around here. You cross me, and its death."
Lauren - Catacombs - Katie
She hurried quickly out of the cells and into the hallway. She looked left and right, unsure where Katie would be. She had to find the girl and calm her down, for her own sake. "Katie, I'm sorry," she said, walking down the hallway. She spotted a part of the air vents that Katie so often used. Lauren realized she would never fit herself.
With a great sigh, Lauren managed to lift her head as close to the vents as possible. "Katie? Katie, it's me, Lauren. I want to help you, okay?"
Bex - Catacombs - The Raid Party
Bex had been in the Dining Hall for most of the evening, wallowing in his guilt. He'd managed to tell Brad about what Hex had did, but that's all he could manage to do. What happened now was out of his hands, no matter how awful it made him feel.
A few of the men had convinced him to hang out in drink. Al had been keeping a stash of alcohol for some time. It wasn't against the rules, but most of the men tended to drink their rations immediately. Not Al, it seemed. They were in a deeper part of the catacombs, laughing and shooting the shit. It was easy for Bex to fall in with these men. Beckett may have hated these men, but for Bex, these men were now his companions and he needed them to survive. Besides, a couple of drinks helped dull the guilt.
"Holy fucking SHIT, Hex is one thick motherfucker!" exclaimed Gregory. His face was red and he was laughing hysterically. "Everybody wants a taste but you don't actually go THROUGH with it!"
"The forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden," Bex murmured.
That made Gregory laugh. "Yeah, like that! Stupid idiot."
The raucous group of five men were completely unaware of the danger approaching on them.
Lauren - Cells - Lynn, Katie, Floyd & Emma
Lauren didn't move. "I've been waiting a long time already. It's been unravelling little by little, and one day its going to collapse." Even as she said it, she knew Floyd would probably want none of it. She sighed. "... Seeing the girl now would be really risky. You need to understand that." She then turned toward Katie and laid a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Sweetie, your dad will see you soon. But you have to go back to your room, alright? Bull will be waiting for you. I trust you and know you can do it." The redhead then gave Lynn an apologetic look before following Floyd deeper into the cells.
She walked in a hurried stride, glancing briefly into each cell before moving on to the next one. When they came across Emma, Lauren's breath caught in her throat. She looked simply awful. "Oh, the poor girl."
Then, they heard the yelling.
Tyler - Cells - Katie & Lynn
He entered the cells, a scowl on his face. "You've certainly done a number on your friend, Lynn-"
Then he saw Katie. Tyler's face fell and he marched toward his daughter. "What... What are you doing in here?!" he screamed. "Who was watching you?!" Tyler was far too furious to curb his anger around his daughter. He screamed at her with little disregard. "Did you sneak out again?! Katelyn! Talk to me!"
Lauren didn't move. "I've been waiting a long time already. It's been unravelling little by little, and one day its going to collapse." Even as she said it, she knew Floyd would probably want none of it. She sighed. "... Seeing the girl now would be really risky. You need to understand that." She then turned toward Katie and laid a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Sweetie, your dad will see you soon. But you have to go back to your room, alright? Bull will be waiting for you. I trust you and know you can do it." The redhead then gave Lynn an apologetic look before following Floyd deeper into the cells.
She walked in a hurried stride, glancing briefly into each cell before moving on to the next one. When they came across Emma, Lauren's breath caught in her throat. She looked simply awful. "Oh, the poor girl."
Then, they heard the yelling.
Tyler - Cells - Katie & Lynn
He entered the cells, a scowl on his face. "You've certainly done a number on your friend, Lynn-"
Then he saw Katie. Tyler's face fell and he marched toward his daughter. "What... What are you doing in here?!" he screamed. "Who was watching you?!" Tyler was far too furious to curb his anger around his daughter. He screamed at her with little disregard. "Did you sneak out again?! Katelyn! Talk to me!"
SheriffLlama said So... uh... Hi. I'm Sheriff/Llama/SheriffLlama.... now that thats been covered I shall reveal certain facts that some of you may find interesting. I'm Panda's brother and I love Walking Dead. (If you don't care, just ignore that)
Hey, if you want to peruse, here's a character list and summary of events up to where the rp is at.
Lauren - Cells - Lynn, Katie & Floyd
She leaned back against the cell door and breathed heavily. She stared at Floyd, unsure if he was not going to go on the offense again, even as he sat against the wall, looking defeated. Lauren saw the tears in his eyes and she slowly shook her head. All Tyler did was cause pain and suffering; The proof was right here, in the eyes of the individuals before her.
Lauren dropped to her knees before Katie and put her hands on the little girl's shoulders. "Katie, no one's going to hurt anyone. We just need to get a few things straightened out. Make everyone happy, you know?" She looked up toward Lynn. "We can't let Lynn out right now, but it's just a misunderstanding. We'll get her out as soon as possible." Her words were for Katie, but Lauren was giving Lynn a silent promise. She stood now and walked toward the woman's cell. "Where did Tyler take the teenager?" She asked, pointing toward Emma's old cell.
Tyler - Arena - Jessalyn
He stared at Jessalyn impassively. Lynn had clearly brainwashed her; It would take more than an afternoon to get her on his side. "And Lynn is a strong fighter. I wouldn't worry about her dying to a walker." He crossed his arms, a glare settling on his face. "I doubt you've ever been in a position of power in your life. You don't know the first thing about being a leader. You would shrivel and die almost immediately."
He paused his monologue when Brad approached them. The man looked grim, one hand rubbing at his neck."Boss, there's been a few problems while we were out," he said, pointedly ignoring Jessalyn.
Tyler let his glare linger on the woman before turning to Brad. "As per usual."
"Harley was caught stealing supplies. Bull's locked him up and your kid's the one who caught him." A raucous cheer from the arena interrupted him. Berk had won. Brad patiently continued when they died down. "And Hex was trying to rape the new girl. He wasn't able to go through with it, though."
Tyler's hands balled into fists. There was incompetency at every corner. Every day, his careful society crumbled, like a slap in the face. "As you can see, Jess, despite all of my efforts, these men continue to act out of bounds. Do you call this my fault? It is simply a symptom of this new barbaric world we live in." He turned on Jess now. "I will have to kill these men. Hang them. That is the only solution now. I guess you might enjoy that, the death of monsters." He let that sink in for a few moments. "Brad, take Jess to her quarters. I'll deal with these men."
He walked away, barely able to contain his anger.
She leaned back against the cell door and breathed heavily. She stared at Floyd, unsure if he was not going to go on the offense again, even as he sat against the wall, looking defeated. Lauren saw the tears in his eyes and she slowly shook her head. All Tyler did was cause pain and suffering; The proof was right here, in the eyes of the individuals before her.
Lauren dropped to her knees before Katie and put her hands on the little girl's shoulders. "Katie, no one's going to hurt anyone. We just need to get a few things straightened out. Make everyone happy, you know?" She looked up toward Lynn. "We can't let Lynn out right now, but it's just a misunderstanding. We'll get her out as soon as possible." Her words were for Katie, but Lauren was giving Lynn a silent promise. She stood now and walked toward the woman's cell. "Where did Tyler take the teenager?" She asked, pointing toward Emma's old cell.
Tyler - Arena - Jessalyn
He stared at Jessalyn impassively. Lynn had clearly brainwashed her; It would take more than an afternoon to get her on his side. "And Lynn is a strong fighter. I wouldn't worry about her dying to a walker." He crossed his arms, a glare settling on his face. "I doubt you've ever been in a position of power in your life. You don't know the first thing about being a leader. You would shrivel and die almost immediately."
He paused his monologue when Brad approached them. The man looked grim, one hand rubbing at his neck."Boss, there's been a few problems while we were out," he said, pointedly ignoring Jessalyn.
Tyler let his glare linger on the woman before turning to Brad. "As per usual."
"Harley was caught stealing supplies. Bull's locked him up and your kid's the one who caught him." A raucous cheer from the arena interrupted him. Berk had won. Brad patiently continued when they died down. "And Hex was trying to rape the new girl. He wasn't able to go through with it, though."
Tyler's hands balled into fists. There was incompetency at every corner. Every day, his careful society crumbled, like a slap in the face. "As you can see, Jess, despite all of my efforts, these men continue to act out of bounds. Do you call this my fault? It is simply a symptom of this new barbaric world we live in." He turned on Jess now. "I will have to kill these men. Hang them. That is the only solution now. I guess you might enjoy that, the death of monsters." He let that sink in for a few moments. "Brad, take Jess to her quarters. I'll deal with these men."
He walked away, barely able to contain his anger.
Lauren - Cells - Floyd, Lynn & Katie
Lauren grunted in pain as Floyd shoved her against the wall. He grabbed her by the arms to prevent her from retaliating. She squirmed in his grasp, a glare settling on her face. She hadn't expected the sudden violent outburst; She didn't think the man would be so bold. "Are you crazy?" she seethed through gritted teeth. "Your hurt me, you try to save those women, you won't be living very much longer." She pushed roughly against him, but it was like trying to move a boulder. He wasn't about to let her go, probably too angry to even consider it. Lauren looked past Floyd, toward Katie. "Bull's probably looking for her right now. If you lock me in here or try to hurt me, no one could stop him from attacking you."
Lauren started to relax in his grip. She needed to calm herself and appeal to this man. "I'm on your side, okay? We need to be stopped, but this isn't going to work. It isn't." She looked directly into Floyd's eyes now, her red hair obscuring the right side of her face. "Don't just get yourself killed."
Tyler - Catacombs - Jess
The man nodded, a warm smile on his face. He agreed with the woman completely; If it was within his power, he would protect them all. They were more than just means to an end, they carried his hopes and dreams. The ones that had been there the longest understood that. "I know you're still scared, Jess, but everyone here takes care of each other. I provide them all with whatever they ask for." A few of the scared looking girls shook their heads; Tyler would not provide them their desire to leave. "You are safer down here than you would ever be up there. I even provide you your own chef."
A woman walked into the room, a giant with a hairnet and apron. "And I need some of you back in the kitchen. Quit gawking now!" Despite her tone, the woman was smiling.
Tyler waved off a few of the women before putting a hand on Jess' shoulder. "But you'll have time to experience this later. There's one more thing for me to show you." He led Jess away, bringing her now to the arena, where a few of the men were hooting and yelling over the current match. In the arena stood a dishevelled man who looked like he hadn't bathed or cut his hair in weeks. He held a knife in one hand as he danced around a pair of walkers. He was a man named Berk, a longtime prisoner who had refused to join the raiders, no matter how many times they offered. His days were spent in and out of the arena.
After a few moments of watching, Tyler said. "It's barbaric." He gestured to the other gated doors, where the raiders stood cheering. "These are the monsters. Not me. I just happen to need them. In this world, only the monsters get what they want now." His hand balled into a fist. "I wouldn't wish what I do on anyone. I do what I have to, Jess, for the good of all. I want a world where my daughter can go outside and run free." He turned on her now, his face touched with sadness. "I have to keep them in control. I have to give them some leeway. Intimidation and execution alone will not win over monsters. I do give them the women occasionally, but there is no other choice. For Katie's sake and your baby's sake, and for the sake of every child yet to be born in this world, I do what I have to do."
Lauren grunted in pain as Floyd shoved her against the wall. He grabbed her by the arms to prevent her from retaliating. She squirmed in his grasp, a glare settling on her face. She hadn't expected the sudden violent outburst; She didn't think the man would be so bold. "Are you crazy?" she seethed through gritted teeth. "Your hurt me, you try to save those women, you won't be living very much longer." She pushed roughly against him, but it was like trying to move a boulder. He wasn't about to let her go, probably too angry to even consider it. Lauren looked past Floyd, toward Katie. "Bull's probably looking for her right now. If you lock me in here or try to hurt me, no one could stop him from attacking you."
Lauren started to relax in his grip. She needed to calm herself and appeal to this man. "I'm on your side, okay? We need to be stopped, but this isn't going to work. It isn't." She looked directly into Floyd's eyes now, her red hair obscuring the right side of her face. "Don't just get yourself killed."
Tyler - Catacombs - Jess
The man nodded, a warm smile on his face. He agreed with the woman completely; If it was within his power, he would protect them all. They were more than just means to an end, they carried his hopes and dreams. The ones that had been there the longest understood that. "I know you're still scared, Jess, but everyone here takes care of each other. I provide them all with whatever they ask for." A few of the scared looking girls shook their heads; Tyler would not provide them their desire to leave. "You are safer down here than you would ever be up there. I even provide you your own chef."
A woman walked into the room, a giant with a hairnet and apron. "And I need some of you back in the kitchen. Quit gawking now!" Despite her tone, the woman was smiling.
Tyler waved off a few of the women before putting a hand on Jess' shoulder. "But you'll have time to experience this later. There's one more thing for me to show you." He led Jess away, bringing her now to the arena, where a few of the men were hooting and yelling over the current match. In the arena stood a dishevelled man who looked like he hadn't bathed or cut his hair in weeks. He held a knife in one hand as he danced around a pair of walkers. He was a man named Berk, a longtime prisoner who had refused to join the raiders, no matter how many times they offered. His days were spent in and out of the arena.
After a few moments of watching, Tyler said. "It's barbaric." He gestured to the other gated doors, where the raiders stood cheering. "These are the monsters. Not me. I just happen to need them. In this world, only the monsters get what they want now." His hand balled into a fist. "I wouldn't wish what I do on anyone. I do what I have to, Jess, for the good of all. I want a world where my daughter can go outside and run free." He turned on her now, his face touched with sadness. "I have to keep them in control. I have to give them some leeway. Intimidation and execution alone will not win over monsters. I do give them the women occasionally, but there is no other choice. For Katie's sake and your baby's sake, and for the sake of every child yet to be born in this world, I do what I have to do."
Tyler - Catacombs - Jess
Tyler waited patiently for Lynn to finish. He even waited patiently while Jessalyn futilely pounded on his chest. He eventually grabbed her wrists and gently laid them at her sides. "Those women serve a greater purpose," he said, turning to Lynn. His grin was gone now, his face now a mask of utter seriousness. "You're naive, Lynn. You do good in the arena, otherwise I wouldn't send you in. My boys need entertainment."
Brad returned now and stood off to the side. He looked about ready to lunge at Jessalyn for attacking Tyler. The boss waved him off. "Check on Bull, will you? He had some things I wanted him to do." After a moment's hesitation, Brad nodded and left.
Tyler put a hand on Jessalyn's shoulder now in an attempt to calm her down. "You're going to live to see my dream come alive, Lynn. Then you'll understand that I was right and you were wrong." Tyler started leading Jessalyn away, pulling her away if he had to. "Come, I have to show you something." They left Lynn alone.
Their walk was a silent one. Tyler was leading Jessalyn away from the cells to what most considered a different kind of prison. Tyler nodded toward the one raider on guard and entered the woman's quarters. Inside was a large room that could have been called impressive, considering the rest of the hideout. It was almost on par to Katie's room, sporting well-maintained furniture from the surface. The pair was greeted with the smell of apple-scented candles and a pair of women sitting at the large table in the middle of the room. They were eating, but turned toward Tyler as soon as he entered. The look on their faces was genuine relief.
"You're back," said the one woman, a tall brunette named Sarah. She got out of her seat and walked over to Tyler, smiling. Sarah was about a month pregnant, indicated by her belly bump. "What's her name?" she asked, referring to Jessalyn.
"Jessalyn. But she goes by Jess, I believe." Tyler put a hand to Jessalyn's back.
The other woman, a slightly chubby brunette named Amber, got out of her seat as well. "Can I feel your stomach?" she asked in wonder. Other women started to pour into the room now, their bedrooms connected by a single corridor. The younger ones were the ones largely from Haywood. Unlike the other women, they didn't look Tyler directly in the eyes. They shuffled into the room, their eyes on their feet. The less shy ones began to crowd around Tyler and Jessalyn, some asking into Tyler's well-being, but most asking Jessalyn questions about herself. "What's your name?" "Where did you come from?" "I guess you don't know the baby's gender, do you?"
Lauren - Catacombs - Floyd & Lynn
She stared at Floyd, hesitant to respond. She watched Bull's goofy grin fade as he fixed a stare at Floyd's back. "You ain't allowed to see them," Bull said adamantly. "You're new, and the boss won't like it one bit." The air now was suddenly tense. Lauren didn't want her boyfriend to give into his baser instincts in front of Katie.
"Bull, stay out of it. I got this."
His face fell, looking almost like Katie when she was disappointed, albeit hairier. "Okay, whatever you say."
Lauren turned back to Floyd. He probably expected her to argue, but she had desired this outcome. There was a shift occurring amongst the raiders. They all could see it, even the dumb ones. They were acting up more and more. Lauren knew Harley was stealing supplies, and she knew a few of the others were undermining Tyler every chance they could get. It was all going to come crashing down soon enough, and a large part of Lauren wanted it to happen.
"I'll let you see the cells," she said. She looked toward Bull, her face telling him to not follow. The big man frowned and looked down at Katie, realizing he was going to have to watch her now.
"Where you were kept, that's mostly for men," Lauren explained along the way. "The women are kept closer to the entrance, at least until Tyler moves them." As they entered the cells, Lauren stared at Emma's empty cell. She didn't think the girl would be moved so soon. "... There's only one girl here at the moment." Lauren gestured toward the only occupied cell: Lynn's.
Bex - Deeper Cells - Emma
Bex looked away to give Emma some dignity. His hands gripped at his knees, realizing he was in over his head. Once, when he was a man named Beckett, he had believed his little girl would one day grow up into a teenager like Emma. Then, he would watch as she grew into an adult, full of life and love. No matter who that little girl would have become, Beckett knew he would have been proud.
But Beckett and Beckett's life was gone now. Here Bex sat, beside a terrified girl who he could do nothing for.
Bex shook his head. "I can't do that," he said, his hand rubbing at his eyes. "Tyler will catch you, and then he will kill me. So, I can't do that." He looked at her now, his eyes on hers. "I can have those men punished, but that's all I can do."
Tyler waited patiently for Lynn to finish. He even waited patiently while Jessalyn futilely pounded on his chest. He eventually grabbed her wrists and gently laid them at her sides. "Those women serve a greater purpose," he said, turning to Lynn. His grin was gone now, his face now a mask of utter seriousness. "You're naive, Lynn. You do good in the arena, otherwise I wouldn't send you in. My boys need entertainment."
Brad returned now and stood off to the side. He looked about ready to lunge at Jessalyn for attacking Tyler. The boss waved him off. "Check on Bull, will you? He had some things I wanted him to do." After a moment's hesitation, Brad nodded and left.
Tyler put a hand on Jessalyn's shoulder now in an attempt to calm her down. "You're going to live to see my dream come alive, Lynn. Then you'll understand that I was right and you were wrong." Tyler started leading Jessalyn away, pulling her away if he had to. "Come, I have to show you something." They left Lynn alone.
Their walk was a silent one. Tyler was leading Jessalyn away from the cells to what most considered a different kind of prison. Tyler nodded toward the one raider on guard and entered the woman's quarters. Inside was a large room that could have been called impressive, considering the rest of the hideout. It was almost on par to Katie's room, sporting well-maintained furniture from the surface. The pair was greeted with the smell of apple-scented candles and a pair of women sitting at the large table in the middle of the room. They were eating, but turned toward Tyler as soon as he entered. The look on their faces was genuine relief.
"You're back," said the one woman, a tall brunette named Sarah. She got out of her seat and walked over to Tyler, smiling. Sarah was about a month pregnant, indicated by her belly bump. "What's her name?" she asked, referring to Jessalyn.
"Jessalyn. But she goes by Jess, I believe." Tyler put a hand to Jessalyn's back.
The other woman, a slightly chubby brunette named Amber, got out of her seat as well. "Can I feel your stomach?" she asked in wonder. Other women started to pour into the room now, their bedrooms connected by a single corridor. The younger ones were the ones largely from Haywood. Unlike the other women, they didn't look Tyler directly in the eyes. They shuffled into the room, their eyes on their feet. The less shy ones began to crowd around Tyler and Jessalyn, some asking into Tyler's well-being, but most asking Jessalyn questions about herself. "What's your name?" "Where did you come from?" "I guess you don't know the baby's gender, do you?"
Lauren - Catacombs - Floyd & Lynn
She stared at Floyd, hesitant to respond. She watched Bull's goofy grin fade as he fixed a stare at Floyd's back. "You ain't allowed to see them," Bull said adamantly. "You're new, and the boss won't like it one bit." The air now was suddenly tense. Lauren didn't want her boyfriend to give into his baser instincts in front of Katie.
"Bull, stay out of it. I got this."
His face fell, looking almost like Katie when she was disappointed, albeit hairier. "Okay, whatever you say."
Lauren turned back to Floyd. He probably expected her to argue, but she had desired this outcome. There was a shift occurring amongst the raiders. They all could see it, even the dumb ones. They were acting up more and more. Lauren knew Harley was stealing supplies, and she knew a few of the others were undermining Tyler every chance they could get. It was all going to come crashing down soon enough, and a large part of Lauren wanted it to happen.
"I'll let you see the cells," she said. She looked toward Bull, her face telling him to not follow. The big man frowned and looked down at Katie, realizing he was going to have to watch her now.
"Where you were kept, that's mostly for men," Lauren explained along the way. "The women are kept closer to the entrance, at least until Tyler moves them." As they entered the cells, Lauren stared at Emma's empty cell. She didn't think the girl would be moved so soon. "... There's only one girl here at the moment." Lauren gestured toward the only occupied cell: Lynn's.
Bex - Deeper Cells - Emma
Bex looked away to give Emma some dignity. His hands gripped at his knees, realizing he was in over his head. Once, when he was a man named Beckett, he had believed his little girl would one day grow up into a teenager like Emma. Then, he would watch as she grew into an adult, full of life and love. No matter who that little girl would have become, Beckett knew he would have been proud.
But Beckett and Beckett's life was gone now. Here Bex sat, beside a terrified girl who he could do nothing for.
Bex shook his head. "I can't do that," he said, his hand rubbing at his eyes. "Tyler will catch you, and then he will kill me. So, I can't do that." He looked at her now, his eyes on hers. "I can have those men punished, but that's all I can do."
Shannon - Building - Daniel
Shannon nodded dumbly at Daniel. Her head still felt light, but she was able to soak up what Daniel was telling her. They had the location of the hideout; As long as they had that, then they could save Emma. "I'm sorry," she managed to say. She grabbed for Daniel's arm. "Danny."
She froze at that. She immediately recognised it as wrong, even in her daze. That was his name, not Daniel's. Shannon gripped Daniel's arm tighter. Why did he have to have his name? "I'm such a screw-up."
Shannon nodded dumbly at Daniel. Her head still felt light, but she was able to soak up what Daniel was telling her. They had the location of the hideout; As long as they had that, then they could save Emma. "I'm sorry," she managed to say. She grabbed for Daniel's arm. "Danny."
She froze at that. She immediately recognised it as wrong, even in her daze. That was his name, not Daniel's. Shannon gripped Daniel's arm tighter. Why did he have to have his name? "I'm such a screw-up."
Tyler - Cells - Lynn & Jess
Tyler licked his lips at the expression on Lynn's face. She was horrorstruck, and that thought alone made his insides warm. "Brad, get that girl to another cell," he said, waving off his second-in-command. "Somewhere deeper, where she can't hear us." He looked toward Brad and waited expectantly. With a sour look, Brad opened Emma's cell and grabbed her roughly. "Fuckin' brat," he mumbled as he practically dragged her away.
Tyler waited patiently for Brad to leave. He then put a hand on Jessalyn's shoulder. "I'm glad I could reunite you two." He stepped forward and laid his other hand on the cell door. "But Lynn, what did you go and tell your friend? She thinks I'm a monster for some reason." He gripped a bar tightly. "You think I'm a monster, Lynn?"
Bex - Cells - Emma (After Tyler's conversation with Lynn)
After Tyler had departed from the cells, Bex had been curious about where he moved Emma. He entered the cells cautiously, not wanting to draw anyone's attention. He needed to see the girl one more time. He needed to tell her again that he was sorry. The guilt had been eating away at him for months, and now it was destroying him. He felt like his insides were ripping out. He didn't want to be a raider anymore, but what was the alternative? Tyler never let anyone leave, and if they did, he hunted them down relentlessly.
Soon, as Bex approached the deepest part of the cells, faint sobbing could be heard. Bex was drawn toward it. He passed by Hex (who had a name far too alike his for Bex's liking), who was sweating profusely and in a hurry to leave. The man gave Bex a glare before pushing past him. Jake followed soon after, his head down and avoiding eye contact. With the sobbing still echoing in his ear, Bex feared the worst. He rushed into the next rows of cells and scanned each one for signs of the young girl.
"Emma."
He found her, locked up in a cell even dirtier than her first one. Bex fell into a crouch beside her. He shakily began untying the girl's hands without a second thought. Now was not the time for protocol. "I'm sorry," he said when Emma was finally untied. "This shouldn't have happened. Tyler wouldn't-" Bex swore to himself. "Hex will hang for this."
Shannon - Building by Train Tracks - Daniel & Amelia
Mercifully, it had been a dreamless sleep. Shannon was finally coming to, having been out for a few hours. The dull feeling in her arm slowly inched closer toward pain and Shannon moaned quietly to herself as she regained consciousness. The world was just a blur of grey, but soon shapes began to right themselves. Shannon attempted to blink away the blurry film over her eyes.
"Hey..."
She tried to sit up, but in her confusion leaned on her hurt arm. Shannon cried out and her head fell back to the floor. "H-Hey!" She was fully awake now and her eyesight had cleared. She could see she was back in the building where she had shot at Daniel's sister accidentally. A wooden desk loomed over her, just at the edge of her sight.
"I need... Someone...!"
The Bull - Katie & Floyd
"Lauren?" The big man sat next to Floyd. He put a large hairy forearm over Floyd's shoulder, as if they were good friends. "You haven't found her yet?" He looked to Katie, who was sitting across from them. "Your old man would be pretty steamed if he saw you makin' sandwiches." The man grinned and began tapping on the table with his meaty fingers. "I'd rather not have my girl get in trouble, so I'll get you to her lickety split. You should come with, Floyd." Bull released Floyd from his grip and got up from the table. He turned and saluted Katie dramatically. "Follow the captain now, you hear?"
Bull attempted to march the whole way, for Katie's sake. He never held a particular fondness for the girl, or any child in particular really; Lauren liked Katie a lot and it had started to rub off on Bull. Besides, the man enjoyed goofing off and it felt more appropriate being a big goof around children than it did around anyone else.
By the time they reached Lauren pacing outside of Katie's room, The Bull was panting from his marching efforts. His face was red and puffy, the man barely able to form words. "Oh, thank god," Lauren said at the sight of them. "I thought you might have gotten lost, Katie, or..." She looked Floyd in the eyes, her expression giving the vaguest hint of mistrust. "... I'm sorry for not being around to see you earlier."
Tyler licked his lips at the expression on Lynn's face. She was horrorstruck, and that thought alone made his insides warm. "Brad, get that girl to another cell," he said, waving off his second-in-command. "Somewhere deeper, where she can't hear us." He looked toward Brad and waited expectantly. With a sour look, Brad opened Emma's cell and grabbed her roughly. "Fuckin' brat," he mumbled as he practically dragged her away.
Tyler waited patiently for Brad to leave. He then put a hand on Jessalyn's shoulder. "I'm glad I could reunite you two." He stepped forward and laid his other hand on the cell door. "But Lynn, what did you go and tell your friend? She thinks I'm a monster for some reason." He gripped a bar tightly. "You think I'm a monster, Lynn?"
Bex - Cells - Emma (After Tyler's conversation with Lynn)
After Tyler had departed from the cells, Bex had been curious about where he moved Emma. He entered the cells cautiously, not wanting to draw anyone's attention. He needed to see the girl one more time. He needed to tell her again that he was sorry. The guilt had been eating away at him for months, and now it was destroying him. He felt like his insides were ripping out. He didn't want to be a raider anymore, but what was the alternative? Tyler never let anyone leave, and if they did, he hunted them down relentlessly.
Soon, as Bex approached the deepest part of the cells, faint sobbing could be heard. Bex was drawn toward it. He passed by Hex (who had a name far too alike his for Bex's liking), who was sweating profusely and in a hurry to leave. The man gave Bex a glare before pushing past him. Jake followed soon after, his head down and avoiding eye contact. With the sobbing still echoing in his ear, Bex feared the worst. He rushed into the next rows of cells and scanned each one for signs of the young girl.
"Emma."
He found her, locked up in a cell even dirtier than her first one. Bex fell into a crouch beside her. He shakily began untying the girl's hands without a second thought. Now was not the time for protocol. "I'm sorry," he said when Emma was finally untied. "This shouldn't have happened. Tyler wouldn't-" Bex swore to himself. "Hex will hang for this."
Shannon - Building by Train Tracks - Daniel & Amelia
Mercifully, it had been a dreamless sleep. Shannon was finally coming to, having been out for a few hours. The dull feeling in her arm slowly inched closer toward pain and Shannon moaned quietly to herself as she regained consciousness. The world was just a blur of grey, but soon shapes began to right themselves. Shannon attempted to blink away the blurry film over her eyes.
"Hey..."
She tried to sit up, but in her confusion leaned on her hurt arm. Shannon cried out and her head fell back to the floor. "H-Hey!" She was fully awake now and her eyesight had cleared. She could see she was back in the building where she had shot at Daniel's sister accidentally. A wooden desk loomed over her, just at the edge of her sight.
"I need... Someone...!"
The Bull - Katie & Floyd
"Lauren?" The big man sat next to Floyd. He put a large hairy forearm over Floyd's shoulder, as if they were good friends. "You haven't found her yet?" He looked to Katie, who was sitting across from them. "Your old man would be pretty steamed if he saw you makin' sandwiches." The man grinned and began tapping on the table with his meaty fingers. "I'd rather not have my girl get in trouble, so I'll get you to her lickety split. You should come with, Floyd." Bull released Floyd from his grip and got up from the table. He turned and saluted Katie dramatically. "Follow the captain now, you hear?"
Bull attempted to march the whole way, for Katie's sake. He never held a particular fondness for the girl, or any child in particular really; Lauren liked Katie a lot and it had started to rub off on Bull. Besides, the man enjoyed goofing off and it felt more appropriate being a big goof around children than it did around anyone else.
By the time they reached Lauren pacing outside of Katie's room, The Bull was panting from his marching efforts. His face was red and puffy, the man barely able to form words. "Oh, thank god," Lauren said at the sight of them. "I thought you might have gotten lost, Katie, or..." She looked Floyd in the eyes, her expression giving the vaguest hint of mistrust. "... I'm sorry for not being around to see you earlier."
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