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Post by Winters on Nov 29, 2011 22:11:59 GMT -5
The older man, Ben was the one to move away from the camp. He knew the small island at least, there were two common possible routes the survivor couldve came from. Both of them would have to be by boat, as nobody swimming in the water this late in the season would make it ten minutes without hypothermia. The northern shore was his best bet, as if she came from the upper eastern part, he wouldve seen or even heard the boat. Holding the handgun low, Ben moved through the treeline, but as he went closer to the shore, his movement slowed down. It was impossible to tell where the voice came from at this point, there had been too many large rocks around that could shape an echo, so it all came down to being careful and watching his surroundings.
Before leaving the tree line, Ben seen the woman, and thought about how he was going to make himself aware. Too quick and she couldnt shoot him, but the longer he waited the more it felt like he was stalking her. Going with his instinct, Ben held the gun up with one hand, stepped out of the treeline, and almost making sure to knock over a few rocks from the path. When Ben seen the boat still sitting in the water not far away, he spoke out in a stern voice. "Whered you come from? The mainland?" Realizing it was a little silly to have the gun pointed at her, Ben lowered it completely, being a little less adamant now.
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Charet
Alive
Sproink? Bolth of you?
Posts: 23
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Post by Charet on Nov 29, 2011 23:12:57 GMT -5
The can of corn half gone she spins at the voice, taking in the view of this intruder of her meal. Oi ya prick and now my corn is cold." She says with sarcasm dripping from her lips. "Wait a sec. You alive right? Bloody Christ you know there are a bunch of dead guys out there?" She points with the point of her knife across the water.
The entire conversation is just her way of buying time. Her mind is swirling with different options. He's armed does that mean they are here? What are the odds of getting shot? Why is she even considering these items. This is why she came to a place like this, to meet people and get away from the hordes out there.
She raises the can slightly in almost a salute. "Hungry?" The whole time she keeps her both her hands in sight. She is in no hurry to catch any flying metal objects cause some wanker didn't know she wasn't trying to hurt anyone.
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Post by Winters on Nov 29, 2011 23:38:56 GMT -5
The woman seemed friendly enough not to even consider drawing her gun, which put her into two categories. The people who were a little too trusting of strangers, and the people who knew how to handle themselves perfectly well enough to know that shooting a gun off wasnt going to be a good solution for either of them. Tucking away his .45 pistol, Ben moved forward a little, running his fingers though his hair, and then fixing his glasses. He didnt know there was another human being alive. Its not like the showed up during his time on the island, nobody knew they were out here. If they did, they wouldve seen the fire, which was probably how this woman found them. "Our camp is... Just this way. Come on, ill show you to it, the others were a little worried that you mightve been a looter. I know how to handle them on land, but out here on the island? Its a safe haven, were not looking for trouble, and were not looking to share."
Turning away, Ben began to walk back toward the camp. He did come off a little ignorant, what with saying how he wasnt going to be sharing anything with her, it would seem pretty unkind. There wasnt many decent people left alive, the apocalypse filtered out the good from the bad, and the bad from the ugly. The woman seemed like she was bad news, but she hasnt put a bullet in his back yet, so there wasnt much cause for alarm. "Sorry if I came off a little blunt, not quiet sure how to deal with other survivors. Im really only a guest on this island myself. The group leader is out, missing, went to the city, never came back. Were all just a little anxious to have him return, I guess..."
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Charet
Alive
Sproink? Bolth of you?
Posts: 23
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Post by Charet on Nov 29, 2011 23:58:22 GMT -5
The woman's eyebrow appears from beneath her eyepatch as its raised in a surprised fashion. "Just like that eh? Whisking me off to this camp. Not saying a word about the bulge in my jacket pocket that hardly conceals a .38?" She stretches as she stands, careful with her food and the knife clasped in her right hand. Moll falls in behind the walking oddity.
"So what. The leader guy walked into the city and got himself pasted on a wall is your worry?" Not the most diplomatic way to start a conversation admittedly but that is exactly what she wants. 'If these twits are killing and robbing people better to know now.' she thinks to herself and anger is easier to read then most other emotions.
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Post by Winters on Nov 30, 2011 0:44:40 GMT -5
"Jericho did good things for me and my friend Madison. Most people would just leave others to die to make sure they save themselves, but him? He found us in the city, and got us out of it alive. He made a run into town to get more supplies for all of us, we almost have enough to last the entire winter her on the island. Some folks dont get to live their lives in safety, not worrying about the infected. Madison, shes still shaken up by those walkers, she cant even look at them without feeling scared. Not everybody out their is after your things, and not everybody is willing to help. Dont have to follow me if you dont want to, but I figured you boat all the way out here, might as well get a good nights rest without worrying worry."
Ben spoke like an old man, but his words had all truth to them. There wasnt anything stopping the woman from not following him, but she wouldnt have anything to gain by getting back on her boat and going back to land. "...And what is there to say about your gun? If your not packing one, odds are your not going to be surviving out there for too long. Think we have some ammunition for you we dont need, .38 bullets are useless to us."
~~
"Do you see anything?" Madison called out to Freddy, who was still scanned the shoreline from any signs of life. Chances are they were on the other side, the noise all just echos around, there was a nearby culvern. "If there was any trouble, Ben wouldve fired off a round by now, you know him. Just stay close to the cabin until im sure things are safe." It was at that moment when they heart rustling coming from the treeline, and Freddy switched his aim to the sound, making sure he kept his finger on the trigger. Hed rather not take any chances.
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Charet
Alive
Sproink? Bolth of you?
Posts: 23
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Post by Charet on Nov 30, 2011 17:17:33 GMT -5
While not the happiest with the read she got the words do ring as true as a church bell on Sunday. Millions wipes the combat blade on her pants and tucks it safely into a sheath underneath her jacket. Before any other real conscious thought takes control, Molly finds herself digging into her pack for her own stocks of ammunition. As her mind catches up with her bodies movement, "Sure. You got the rounds I got some things ya'll could find more useful." She extracts a water-stained box of Tony's Arms 9mm rounds. "I've been looking to offload these and the Browning I got for something more fitting.
Perhaps its humanity that kicks in toward the end of the sentence or she just felt the urge for contact with another person. She sped up her pace to catch up, placing her right hand on Ben's shoulder the container of bullets still clasp inside whilst having her left hand held out to shake. "Names Millions. Molly Millions."
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Post by Winters on Dec 1, 2011 4:30:48 GMT -5
At this point, it was obvious that the newcomer wasnt messing around, she knew what she was doing and had been doing it long enough. Being this forward was great, much better then some smartass comment from somebody younger than himself. There was even a humble introduction, which was something that he never had the desire to do. But for the sake of the friendliness of Molly, the older man stopped and shook her hand. "Benjamin, but just call me Ben. Its actually good to know there are still some decent people alive out there in the world, I wouldve expected them all to either be dead or living in a hole in the ground. This island is what keeps most of us alive, we go out every now and then to search for survivors, but none ever seem to show up."
As the pair entered the camp, Ben waved his hand, making sure that Freddy knew things were good. It was then that Madison came running down from the cabin to see who he brought back. Not too often she seen another female, but she seemed a lot more tough then her. The eyepatch was a little shocking to her, and Madison knew there mustve been a story behind it. But that would be for another time, right now they were all just glad she wasnt some kind of looter. Same couldnt be thought by Freddy though, even though he lowered his rifle. He wouldnt let the newcomer out of his sight, especially since she was more than likely expected to stay at the camp at least until morning. The odds that she could possibly grab a boat load of supplies and take off during the middle of the night was his first thought, but that was something he would keep to himself.
"Im Madison. Ben and I are from the city, came to this island about a month ago. Things are safe here, im sure of it. We actually have a free room in the cabin if your going to be staying here with us..." But before Molly could say anything, Ben interrupted her sentence. "Jericho is coming back, stop being so negative, woman! Hes smart enough not to move at night, hes probably at the courthouse, or the police station, or even somewhere up the mountain more. Pardon me, but were just having a little difficulty here. Runs have always been there and back, no complications, everything always went according to plan. Whatever it is thats keeping Jericho from coming back must be important, he wouldnt just stay out there unless he had a good reason."
While the others had been getting caught up, Freddy had moved back onto his boat not too far down the shoreline, knowing that he had some work to do. As much as hed like to stay and help, he had other deliveries to make, and he was already behind on his agenda. There wasnt much point worrying about it now, but if Jericho didnt get back, this would put him in a bit of bad scene. They needed supplies, otherwise they werent going to last the winter. He couldnt share anymore than he already did, either. Come morning, Freddy would be off into town along the coast, and hed send a signal to Jericho. But if hes not back by tomorrow night, then he wouldnt have a choice but to move onto the next province to give his support. Sitting high atop the boat, Freddy looked at the others, watching them, as if he had nothing better to do.
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Charet
Alive
Sproink? Bolth of you?
Posts: 23
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Post by Charet on Dec 3, 2011 14:52:01 GMT -5
The woman whom calls herself Madison seems a bit scattered by Millions' estimate. She surveys the ground through what can't be mistaken as anything but a disappointed view. "Millions is the name. Molly Millions." She repeats for the benefit of the new feminine face. Molly survey's the area she seems to have fallen in on with care, it doesn't appear to be a good place to kill people which is a plus. 'But the lake is a good place to drop the corpses' her own little voice in her head interrupts.
Her attention falls on Freddy. His gaze hasn't seemed to waiver since she had arrived at this camp. "Whats up with that nutter?" She hooks her thumb in his direction as he moves away... toward some boat Molly notes silently. "I suspect you lot ain't the happiest to see me round here. Sorry to barge in but I 'eard the causeway was busted, figured ya know might be less bitey people 'round these parts. Turns out I might have been a bit wrong.".
Her visual search is quite to note the cabin has a fireplace sticking out from its roof. She flicks her wrist in a toss toward Madison. The box of 9mm ammunition flying through the air on a crash course for her chest. "Hold that lassy." Moll says with little warning. Not even watching the result she withdraws several aluminum cans from her pack. Only one has a label. 'Potatos' the other three are a mystery. "Look I'm freezing and you seem to got a place to warm this up. What do ya say? Trade ya fire and a chance to dry out for them rounds and a split of the food?"
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Post by Winters on Dec 3, 2011 16:58:40 GMT -5
The group had been a little crazy since they got on the island. Sure things were safe, but without proper adjustment and collection of supplies, other factors would be the death of them, other than the zombies. Ben listened to Molly, who seemed pretty straight forward. But also peering back over at Freddy, it was obvious that somebody here in the came was being paranoid. He had everybody right to be, it was good to have somebody think about all the things nobody else would.
It was when Molly tossed the box of ammunition toward Madison that the air felt a little more clear now. Clear, cold, and they didnt even have winter jackets yet. Quickly moving over to grab the ammunition, Ben held onto them, and then started walking toward the cabin. "Of course, lets get inside. Theres no sense waiting around out here all night, freezing." As the three of them walked up to the cabin and went inside, Freddy went down to the lower deck and inside the small boat. He hated being the only one without a level head, but it wasnt even his nature. He was just a worried about Jericho. He was the one who got this camp running, got those two city folk out here, and kept things going for as long as they are now. Most people in the outbreak would be grateful for living a couple of days, but them? They had years so long as they stuck together and kept to the plan.
Inside the cabin, Ben closed the door after Molly got inside. He was about to lock it up, maybe even push something in front of it, but then realized that he didnt need to. Those kind of impulses were what kept him alive this long, but the island really made things a lot easier, less stressful. Madison had went to the fireplace, and got it going. It was rigged up to be run on wood, gas, or waste oil if they needed, but she only knew how to light the gas. They couldnt extract what remained inside of it, so they had the whole night to use it up without worrying. They had lots of wood, and waste oil was still waste oil. Ben felt like he needed to explain himself, most people who pretended like the infected werent even out there had been sheltered. It wasnt that he was sheltered from what was going on, he was just glad to get the chance to be on this island.
"When the outbreak ended, my goal was to get things back to the way they were. Most of the world was already behind, a lot of places in the USA were still infected, but under control. Life went back to the way it used to be, it was the people that changed. Luckily enough there was time to heal the wounds, but it didnt last long enough to get the instincts out of my head. This place is safe, theres nothing that can change that. We could be here for the next ten years, and given all the planning by the owner of this island, Jericho, the whole side of the province will be infection free by the end of winter. The snow make the walking dead slower, and the quick ones will rot out soon, if not freeze motionless."
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Charet
Alive
Sproink? Bolth of you?
Posts: 23
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Post by Charet on Dec 3, 2011 19:31:32 GMT -5
In a warm place with a safe atmosphere Molly seems to relax to an extent and listens half heartedly to his explanation, more engrossed in the shelter provided by the cabin itself. Millions rolls the metal cans across the floor in Madison's direction as Bob goes on about his efforts after the outbreak. Without looking for anywhere to sit she leans against the wall nearest the fire and sinks down to sit on the floor.
"Rather grand the goals you set eh?" She starts off with her eyes screwed shut. "Its funny. I survived off the outbreak. Being from near the focal point gives you some leverage eh? We used to run tours which honestly was just made up but we made a pretty penny off all the idiots that wanted to see where it all happened. Good to see some of you are thinking big. My worry is just staying alive for the time being. But you two are far away from the city. What dragged you out here? That fellow, whatever his name. He saved you and put you on an island ya?"
Moll leans forward to take the pack off her back, she sets it both her Colt and Browning beside her on the wall. A decent day overall today. She thinks to herself. The woman ponders the people and the place she has found herself in. Why these people are so attached to this Jerry fellow or whatever his name was.
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Post by Winters on Dec 4, 2011 1:50:26 GMT -5
After Molly had finished explaining her own situation, Ben finally seemed like she got to know her, who she really was during this outbreak. There werent too many types of people around anymore. Aside from being alive or dead, theres the people who plan on staying alive regardless of their actions, the stubborn people who dont know how to let go of their old lives, and then the people who will do anything just to make sure their decision is the moral thing to do. Molly seemed to be one of the people who will just do whatever they can to survive. But there was something different about her. If she couldnt be trusted, she wouldnt have wasted anymore time and just killed us already.
"Your welcome to stay here for as long as you need to, Molly. We need all the people we can get at this point. It might be another mouth to feed, but its another able body to help around, to help achieve our primary goal. Its not too big to accomplish, but its just time consuming, and a lot more planning then even Madison even thinks. Freddy out there is out on his boat, out on the water, he drifting along the coastline, only returning to shore whenever he needs food as supplies. He found us just by chance, and decided to stick around for a few days. Just like you. But I dont expect him to stay much longer, and after what I just told you, I wouldnt blame you if you went with him." Ben left the room, keeping himself occupied in the next room across from the front room.
Madison had a completely different opinion on the whole outbreak. She was indeed one of those people who will do anything to survive, but shes too scared to, much too emotional to fire that gun of hers. The only reason shes alive is because Ben had been there for her, and the only reason the two of them were alive was because of Jericho. "...Jericho..." Madison said, "When we were in the city, everything was too much for me to handle. Ten years of this mess and im still not over my fear. They scare me to death, those walkers outside. I know what they were, I know where they came from, and I dont judge them the same way I judge people. Theyre dangerous, I know that. But they still scare me. Ben saved me, he got me through the last outbreak. But Jericho was the one that took us to this island, he knew it was safe, him and his friend. He doesnt like to talk about him, but hes the one that started this island, even back during the first outbreak. Hes like some sort of legend..."
The both of them gave Jericho just that much more respect because hes the owner of the island now, this was his land, his rules. Its kept people alive because it works, and anybody who goes against it would be taking a gamble that had no better outcome than what they had here and now. "Expanding is the only way to go now. If we can clear out the infected on this side of the province, town by town, we can set up camps everywhere. We already have some safehouses started. Jericho was the University in town gated off, he build the barricades out of steel, one way in and thats climbing the ladder to the roof and getting in through the top. Thats right in the middle of town, with a grocery store across the street. We can expand, I know we can. We just need the help."
At this point, Ben had seemed like Madison was getting a little too full of herself, but she was right. When it all came down to it, this was the best plan of action. A slow pace, but expanding was the way to go. Freddy outside wasnt up for it, he was doing fine on his boat the whole time, so thats how hes going to do things. If Molly here was willing to help them out, especially because she seemed like she knew how to handle the walkers if shes alive this long, that goal could be reached that much easier.
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Charet
Alive
Sproink? Bolth of you?
Posts: 23
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Post by Charet on Dec 5, 2011 18:16:02 GMT -5
"Ya'll are thinking to much about it you ask me. Those things out there? Clearing it out for people? Hell to me sounds like wave two. Ya know how it started this time? I don't and once its out of the bag there ain't no ending it." Tossing her shoulders in a dismissive shrug Molly reaches for and snaps up her revolver. "This is life people. The world got used to diease. They got used to guns. It'll adjust to this."
Millions snaps the cylinder open, withdrawing each of the loaded rounds. She peers down each of the chambers one after the other slowly rotating each one into view. "Kill what is in your way. Let the rest go. Ain't no reason to invite more trouble then you can handle chaps. Kept me alive and safe. Should consider it for you. Sure clear out the rest of this island. Gives you supplies to last. But you leave that causeway busted and down. Only sane way to do it far as I can see." She slips the rounds back into the gun, each round slipping in with a 'click'. Molly presses the cylinder back in place and western movies to the contary doesn't spin it or anything flashy.
She looks up at Madison, her face plastered with a wicked grin from ear to ear. "Course I wouldn't be inviting people to stay lassy. I'd be throwing my useless rear out the door as soon as politely possible."
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Post by Winters on Dec 6, 2011 3:58:55 GMT -5
"Of course, the causeway is staying closed to the outside world, im not expecting much progress anytime in the next year, especially now since winter to approaching fast. Im not the person to do that though, im a survivor, much like Madison. Ive fired a gun plenty, I can hit whats in front of me, but only if needed. Jericho is the one who goes looking for those walkers, hes the crazy one. 'Crazy' is the term I use loosely. Its not craziness if youve been accomplishing it for years. Hes been out there, lived out there. Madison and I have always had shelter, as much as id hate to admit it..." Things were safe now, they always were. Safer than a most people had it at least, and he was living proof of it.
Madison had left the room, trying to pull off a bit of a smile, but finding it too hard. She was tired, and hoping to get some sleep. "Hey, im going in to lay down for the night. Im not giving up, dont give me that, Ben. Im useless at it is, little lone overtired." Ben knew that she had been a little upset about everything, even though she tried to stay positive as best she could. It was expected, not everybody can be strong, not everybody can turn off those switches inside their head. "Alright, im probably going to be up for another couple of hours, ill be in whenever I start to get tired. Im be right here if you wake up again, okay?" With the sincere nod, Madison hugged Ben, and then went off down the hallway to one of the bedrooms.
After the door had been closed, Ben finally sat down on the chair in the living room, and laid back comfourtably. He unholstered the fortyfive, and lay it on the table beside him, feeling his eyes fighting to close. He just wanted Madison to go to sleep on her own, and hoped that she could do that without waking up an hour later screaming. Shes been through enough before the outbreak, and even more since the dead came back to life. Ben was more than just a father figure to her, he was the only thing keeping her from just ending it all. "The outbreak changes people. Im sure youve seen it for yourself. Some go crazy, turn almost completely psychopathic. Others dont know how to take it, and they just fall into depression, look for the right time to... Opt out..."
It always gave him shivers thinking about Madison, not being able to fully understand whats going on inside her head. Whatever it was damaged her, completely shattered everything inside, left only the painful memories. Ben could always tell that she was trying, but he feared that she was just too far gone at this point. "...She falls somewhere between those people youve seen. I need to do whatever I can to help her realize that not all hope is lost. She wants to believe that theres a chance here, but she second guesses herself. Me? I know theirs a chance. Jericho showed me how much hes accomplished in the last couple of months. He was one step ahead of everybody else, always was and always will be. He gives Madison, he gives myself, hope for a future. Not one where were fighting to stay alive, one where we dont have to be afraid anymore."
Removing his glasses, Ben rubbed his eyes, holding back a yawn to himself. It all put himself in a hole, and just added to the stress. "If Jericho didnt come back... If for some reason or another he messed up, or took off without us, abandoned us on this island, I need to make sure that we can survive. Im not fit to go out there and scavenge for the needed supplies, not leaving Madison alone even for the day. I cant take her with me, because im getting old, I cant move as quick I used to. She wouldnt be safe with me off this island, thats not me being negative, thats a fact. Fredric is leaving, I cant turn to him. Guess what im trying to say is... You seem like somebody who knows what theyre doing. Your the first person who we came across that didnt try to kill us for supplies. Im asking you to stay and help us. We have food, running water, and power. Anything you, just let me know."
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Charet
Alive
Sproink? Bolth of you?
Posts: 23
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Post by Charet on Dec 7, 2011 19:05:16 GMT -5
Ben's would be yawn drags a companion one from the cyclop's own lips. Its rare that she'd been able to build a fire and stay in a nice warm place like this. Her mind wanders during the conversation as she realizes this is likely all just way to good to be true. A warm place to stay, Food, Easy street offered by people she has only meet for a hour at most. His words, Set on how he'd only meet people looking to steal from them. Was that the worry? Was she going to pass out for the evening at not wake up cause of a bad case of .22 in the brain?
Molly's eyes follow the woman as she leaves the room. Alone with Ben Molly pulls back the hammer on her revolver and points it at the older gentlemen. "Whatever gives you the thought I was different? Who says I wasn't waiting for you all to lay down? Plug both of you then catch that Free-der-ick guy when he comes in to see what the shots are about?" Her good eye remains locked on her target hovering over the sights of her weapon. "Ya'll be quiet now. You don't want to catch a cold or anything harder do you?"
Keeping her back to the wall she pushes herself to her feet. The gun on Ben at all times. "You lot live on an island. You always got that smoke off the island real visible. You talking 'bout how people showed up but I don't see no one save you three. Then you get all preachy on me? How I'm the savior if this guy I've never seen doesn't return? Quite the sob story that. The kinda thing that will put people at ease... Want to help like. I ain't that trusting. You don't live this long travelin' 'round here with that kinda attitude. What con you runnin'? Killing folks for there supplies?"
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Post by Winters on Dec 7, 2011 19:37:08 GMT -5
The feeling of having the gun pointed at him was only a little shocking, but Ben didnt make any sudden moves on the off chance she was completely serious. Maybe hed misjudged her, and she was just really just planning all this. They were living in a time where it was impossible to know whos telling the truth because the truth can so easily be buried underneath layers and layers of just trying to do whats best given the situation. The easiest way to survive would be to kill any survivor that comes around here, take their supplies, and the repeat.
"When you kill somebody for supplies, you lose part, if not all of your morality. The first time is the hardest, second time is manageable. But it just gets easier. If your going to kill me, theres nothing stopping you. If I was going to kill you, it wouldve happened already. The fact that you didnt just pull the gun on me when Madison was in the room shows that you have part of our soul still left inside, you dont have anything to gain by kill us. We dont have anything to gain by killing you..." Ben wasnt sure how much of his speech was going to do any good in the situation, but he was trying to keep his voice down so that Madison didnt overhear anything.
"I dont blame you for making sure, I was skeptical of you when you first showed up on the island. If you were coming here to raid us, you wouldve come in guns hot. The only thing we can do is trust eachother, as hard as that may be. Take my gun if you have to, right there on the table in front of you. Ive no use for it anyway."
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