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Post by Winters on Dec 17, 2010 2:23:55 GMT -5
A large, log cabin built in the sixties. Home to Joseph and Richard Doucette, father and son. Being built way out in the heart of the Arklay Mountains, its a very, very private location, so unless you know where it is, the only way you'll find it is by accident. It used to have a main driveway leading down the mountain, but over the years, it became overgrown. The only maintenance done is by the old man, who is more then willing to allow survivors to stay in the guest room, if needed. This is a place of refuge in Arklay, a safe haven from the rest of the world.
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Post by Lunapocalypse on Dec 17, 2010 2:30:52 GMT -5
[Joey and Alex have entered from the Uptown Street System]
It took a while to find a decent clearing to land the chopper at; the thing was far too large for conventional means of simple use. With a little deliberation, and bashed chopper underside, Alex manage to land it into the snow near where Joey had told her to land for him.
The engines churned down to a quiet whine, the PI met her ex-target outside in the snow marveling at the sight of the white coated mountains, "I take that back," she spoke, noting back when Joey had said he just wanted to live along in his mountain cabin with Raine, "This would be a nice place to settle down in a zombie apocalypse," breathing in a deep lung full of fresh, cold air.
With a flick of her wrist she procured a card from her right glove, holding out to Joey, "My name's Alex by the way," she twiddled the piece of plastic in her fingers until her took it, "That's my card. If you're ever looking for a Private Investigator, just give me a ring. The line's linked to all major military outposts around the country," her arms hung a little in remorse, "I'm sorry I couldn't help Raine... but if anything had tipped of the dark coated loony I wouldn't have been able to do any of this," she tried to explain it to him, hoping he would understand.
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Post by Winters on Dec 17, 2010 3:02:48 GMT -5
Grabbing the card from the PI's hand, Joey slipped it into his pocket, and then crossed his arms. Wearing just a sleeveless wasnt the best in the cold winter enviornment. The sunshine had risen over the mountains now, and rays shown down, glisten through the crystals of white. A lots happened in the last night, more then Joey could even take in. He lost somebody. Theres no way Raine was alive, not after that. He didnt want to just leave her there, but he knew it was too late. Some things you just had to accept, ya know?
"Im sure I could say the same for you..." But Joey felt himself feeling light headed. He was gradually losing blood, the small gauze wipes werent enough to stop the bleeding now since he started moving. His arm was fine, it wasnt that bad, but his side was giving him trouble. The combat high up in the chopper put his mind away from the pain, but now out in the elements, he could start to feel it all. Raising up his hand, Joey seen it soaked with blood, and as he tried to moved forward, he was forced onto his knees from the muscle damage. "Sh*t... I thought I was invincible again... Dont suppose you could find anything in that chopper, could you? Im all out in the house..."
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Post by Lunapocalypse on Dec 17, 2010 3:57:13 GMT -5
In the mix of all of the commotion Alex hadn't noticed Joey's wounds, completely uncertain of when he had picked them up, "Yeah sure, just give me a tick," the PI replied while hopping back up into the chopper. She returned to the cockpit looking in any of the high up compartments for a medical kit, pulling out a bag with the universal symbol for aid and relief on the side of it and rushing it back out to Joey, grabbing a black Tricell coat on the way out.
"Here, lift up your arm," she said while holding the gauze out, she applied a suture to the wound to hold back the bleeding before wrapping the bandage around tight, "Keep a hold on that," looking back down into the bag for a pin and clipping the bandage tail down, "Got a whole mess of medical stuff in here, pretty sure Matrix Man won't be missing it," she helped Joey to his feet and handed him the jacket, "I never got to ask him what the deal was with his red eyes. There's something about him which didn't ring human all together," she shrugged, "Guess I don't really care enough."
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Post by Winters on Dec 17, 2010 4:29:31 GMT -5
With the cooperation of Alex, Joey had been able to get the medical attention he needed. The gauze was really needed, and so were the bag of medical supplies. He would make them last, hopefully not get himself into another mess for a good long time. Putting on the black Tricell coat, he was a little unfond of wearing it at first, but knew it would work for the time being. Keeping his right arm rolled up, and bent down to grab a handful of snow, and then pressed it against the mild wound on his arm. All it needed was to be kept clean, and the ice would most importantly smooth the blood flow around the area to it has time to heal.
Joey wanted to thank Alex for everything she did, but somehow though that it wouldnt make much of a difference. Instead, he listened to her speak about those red eyes, and came to the final conclusion that she was unaware of his special condition. "Red eyes, yeah, you seem them, didnt you. As one man to a PI, maybe you should care. Why dont ya come in the house, relax for a bit before you take off for wherever it is your going. Ill tell you about Jonathan, theres something you really need to know..." Joey wouldve sounded friendly, but after mentioning Jonathans name, he was deadly serious. People like Alex needed to know the truth. The man, death itself, would be back. He knew it. "Please, it would mean a lot."
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Post by Lunapocalypse on Dec 17, 2010 4:44:09 GMT -5
The brown eyed girl shook her head, "I learned as much I want to about him. I don't plan on a confrontation any time soon. I can bite the bark next time we cross paths," as much as she was grateful for the invitation, it wasn't her style, "The helicopter might have a blackbox or tracker on it somewhere, it probably isn't safe to keep it around here much longer let alone hold onto it for as long as I will be," Alex hopped up into the chopper once more, "I'll ditch it somewhere. Should leave the trail cold; the Doc can contact Johnny Matrix when she wakes up so he can have the chopper back. That should peel away some layers of anger he'll most likely have,"
Looking down at Joey in the snow, sighing through her nose, "I still don't know whether I did the right thing," she admitted, "It's been nice knowing you, Joey," with a press of the button the side door hatch slowly lowered to a close and Alex returned to the helm. The chopper powered back to life fluffing the snow and generating a small twister around it as the blackbird ascended to the sky, peeling North towards a break in the mountains.
[Alex Dougherty has left the area]
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Post by Winters on Dec 17, 2010 5:12:39 GMT -5
Staring up at the chopper leaving the area, Joey raised his hand to his head, and gave out a salute, not sure if Alex was watching or not. As the aircraft flew out of sight, he turned around to face the front of the house. He hasn't seen this place in nearly a week, it felt great to be back home. Joey was a little bummed about losing his gun, but it was actually the last thing on his mind right now. Walking through the foot high snow, Joey trudged toward the house slowly, keeping his hand close to his knife. This place may have been far away from civilization, but the infected still seldom roam these parts for food. He wasn't sure if there would be anybody home at the moment, and wasn't going to take the change should it be occupied by the wrong people. Climbing the front steps, he stopped coming to the top, staring at the front door. Joey wasn't even sure if he should be coming home right now, something didn't feel right, like he left something behind. Responding to what Alex said before leaving, Joey spoke out to himself as he opened up the door and walked inside. "Neither do I..."
[Two Days Later]
Winter was the hardest time of year, especially up in the mountains. It was always so cold, and the backup generator was the only thing that could be used to power electricity in the house. What made it harder was clearing the snow off of the solar panels on the roof, as it meant climbing up on there and manually doing it everyday. Joey had a good feeling about it that night though, as the snow hadn't fell for a few days, but the night before he returned, they were already cleared off. That meant somebody was here, looking after the house. Whether or not they were coming back for awhile was beyond him. The only person willing to go that far for a shelter would be somebody who knew they were still active, and used this house quite a bit Two days had passed since then, and not a sign of anybody. That night, Joey had all the lights on in the house, making use of the power saved up. He wasn't worried much about the place being lit up like fourth of July. After the outbreak of 1998, he and his father had the windows replaced with one ways, making the house seem vacant to the undead, but that faint glow still remained for any survivors who happened upon the house. It was a clever idea, and one that didn't even come from him. It was Richards idea, him of all people. The lighting wasn't the best in the house, but it took his mind away from the outbreak, and let him focus on his own physical and mental wounds. Finishing up the stitching on his side from the medical bag, Joey decided to leave it unbandaged, let the air get at it for a bit. As for his arm, he used an iron from the stove to cauterize it. Painful, but he liked to save needed medical supplies whenever he could. Joey lay on the guest bed upstairs, resting his eyes for the night, feeling he deserved it for the most part. The night he was brought here, he didn't sleep, didn't do much of anything, he just sat and thought about everything. It felt good to just lay down on a bed and sleep, and for the first time in a long time, not have to wake up. ~~~ Coming back from the edge of the woods, it was pitch black, even out in the open. Richard hauled a good sized spruce tree behind him, and the .308 sniper rifle perched on his back. Upon reach the doorstep, he left it at the bottom, and then moved to the front door to get everything out of the way first. But as he got inside, Richard noticed the lights were on inside, even if it was just a few of them. He turned them all of before he left, he was sure of it. After noticing the bloody Tricell coat laying on the floor, Richard pulled out his rifle, and aimed it forward throughout the house. "Louis? Amanda? Who's in here!" What got him going the most is that nobody answered the door when it was opened, it gave him a bad, bad feeling about it. Joey quickly jumped up from the bed once he heard the voice downstairs. Walking quietly to the stairwell, he made his way down, and leaned against the wall, speaking out to his father. "The only place I can sleep for 25 miles and I have to listen to your yelling? Gimme a break, old man..." Richard lowered his gun, laying it against the wall beside the couch. He didn't even respond, just move the coffee table out of the way and the living room chair, with Joeys help. Joey helped out because he thought maybe something was wrong, like they were clearing space to get ready for a barricade. But upon looking outside, he saw the tree laying at the foot of the stairs, and smiled. "Didn't think you cared enough..."[Six Days Later] Joey sat in the living room, staring up at the tree. The lights on it weren't plenty, but it was enough to brighten the room with a colorful glow. For once in a long time, he felt like everything was the way it should be. Like there was no outbreak, no danger further down the mountain, nothing to worry about. That night, things felt normal, in every sense of the word. The fire place was going, another first since the outbreak started. The smoke would hopefully draw the attention of other survivors, that was their plan, anyways. Aside from that, a nice ray of heat was more then he could ask for up in the mountains. Richard already took initiative to hunting deer over the last few days, doing them up and packing the meat in the freezer down in the basement. Food was plenty now, for an easy month. "Ya know Joe, Christmas is bout a week away, and all..." Richard spoke out, but was cut of by Joey, who knew that he didn't want to write anything in stone. "Cant say for sure ill be around. Its already been almost a week here, almost feels like I'm just wasting time." Richard listened, and understood completely. Going from one extreme to the other was something that ran in the blood, but it wasn't anything you got used to. Just earlier that month, he was almost killed, but that didn't bother him because he fought that much harder to make it this far. Life's rewards haven't changed, spending as much time as you can with family is still one of the priorities, for the few people that have family left living. "I know, I know. That's why I was thinking of giving you your present early. Remember when wed open them early, because you knew I was going away for Christmas."Joey was handed a box, with a fair size and weight to it. At first, he didn't know what to say. He was a little old to be doing the whole present thing, especially with his old man. But somehow, it just felt right. It was around this time before Christmas Richard would leave for sea, and be gone almost a hear. This time, hes not leaving, for the first time in twenty some years. There was no arguing. Opening up the box, Joey found inside a .44 Magnum, great condition, with three boxes of ammunition. Taking it out of the box, Joey inspected it. Everything had been carefully cleaned and polished up nicely, giving the impression that Richard spent a large amount of time working on it. "Hey, its something that useful, and something you'd enjoy, right?" The old man spoke out, trying his hardest to bring out a smile, but it never was his thing. Joey knew he was happy just to be sharing this moment with him, and that's all that mattered. "Thanks, Richard... Thanks Dad... I uh. I'm sorry I don't have anything to give you..." Richard finally pulled off a grin, and took a sip from his brandy on the coffee table. He didn't care about present or anything like that, not from his son, no matter how old you were or under any circumstance. "...I'm just glad you showed up at the front door alive, Joe. That's all I care about." The two of them spent the rest of the night drinking, and eating panned deer steak, just as they did twenty years ago. [Fifteen Days Later] The longest period of time Richard had ever been with his son since the beginning and before the outbreak. Normally, hes the kind of person to go off and get himself hurt somewheres, which was expected the kinda of lifestyle weve all been living. But this month was different. It marked the first new year, a new decade, one that we couldnt say was infection free. Sadly, this decade would be just as the one before it was, filled with madness and cruel times. Richard sat on the couch, polishing up the remaining guns in the house, working, spending hours on them to make sure they all retained perfectness. This was also the longest period of time before they had gotten any visitors.
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Post by darkrising025 on Jan 17, 2011 3:52:15 GMT -5
[Preston Hicks enters]
Preston shifted gears as the engine of the car commanded. Preston was on his way to Raccoon City, he had to pass through the Arklay Mountains to get there. Preston had heard old wars stories saying the Mansion out here was were the 1998 outbreak occured. The year that Preston's life ended and became a living hell. Preston put that thought in the back of his head, he had something more pressing to think about. Finding his Parents, if they were even alive. Preston saw a log cabin house with very dim lights.
Could someone live there? If so maybe they can help me. Preston was aware of the dangers that could await him but he had to at least see. Preston pulled over to the road and cut the engine off. He stepped out of the car and shut the door. Preston walked to the trunk and popped it. Inside was a stock of weapons and ammo. Preston reached in and pulled out his Smith and Wesson .38 Speical. He slowly walked to the door and knocked. "Is anyone in there?"
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Post by Winters on Jan 17, 2011 4:07:34 GMT -5
The sound of an engine in the background of the house had caught Richards attention, as he lay down the double barrel shotgun on the floor and picked up a standard 9mm pistol. The voice rang out in an instant, but he didnt answer back, just kept walking to the door. Waiting on the other side, Richard listened to the man speaking, asking if there had been anybody home. The lights were on in the place, and darkness had just fallen, so it was obvious that he indeed was home.
Finally just giving it his all, Richard opened up the door, and then stuck the gun inside the back of his pants when he noticed the man standing there. If he was doing to kill him, he wouldve taken advantage of an old man like himself, just bust down the whole door too. "You alone, son? Made sure not to bring any of those walkers here with ya?" Richard was nearly sure he wouldnt get a response right off the bat, probably started the guy just opened the door, letting him see a living person out here in the woods. He just let him in the house, and then took another quick look to make sure the place was clear, least from what he could see. Closing the door behind him, Richard spoke out again, in a friendly tone, and with a hint that he may be under the influence. "Dont expect to see nobody out here, dont know how ya found the place, but might wanna consider yourself lucky you did before those clouds block out the moonlight..."
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Post by darkrising025 on Jan 17, 2011 4:17:25 GMT -5
"I sure am glad that I found this place. I'm on my way to Raccoon City and needed a place to rest. I've been driving since I left New Vegas." Preston said in a polite tone. He was happy that he didn't have to fire his weapon. Preston was to tired for a confrontation. He looking around the room and saw the double barrel shotgun on the floor and the christmas tree in the corner. Not sure of what to do, Preston stayed in the same spot. "I want to thank you for letting me into your home."
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Post by Winters on Jan 17, 2011 4:42:24 GMT -5
Richard looked at the man, eying him, trying to spot where he was coming from. New Vegas? He wondered if it was anything like the old one. The place mustve been last on the list when the infection broke out this time around, had the place on lockdown. "Seems like a better place to be going, rather then leaving... Your very welcome, just make yourself at home. Well, if your home was just as nice as mine, that is. If its littered with blood and bullet holes, then warn me before you go firing that thing off in here, promise?" Richard always did have a sense of humor, and loved to show it off. The empty bottle of Red Rum on the coffee table wouldve been the encore, but whenever he was drinking, especially when there was actually somebody in the house, he loved to cook.
Wandering into the kitchen, Richard opened up the cubbarts and the fridge, sifting through a number of shelves and such to find what he was looking for. In the meanwhile, he spoke out in a friendly manner to his new friend. Almost as tall as that tree, he was. Had that face of a movie star. Not any one in particular, just the kind of face youd see in a movie. "Raccoon City, you say? Why on earth would you wanna be going there? Place was a whole mess last time I was there, dont think anybody found the broom and dustpan to clean it up, neither. Good thing the didnt jump to the nuclear plan, the virus has already broken. Nothing worth saving, and I use that word 'saving' as a very, very polite term, if you catch my drift..."
Talk, and talk, and talk, and talk. Thats all Richard did, not even stop to let the man speak. Maybe it was a good thing, set the guy at ease a bit, maybe he wasnt used to having people around to talk to. Kinda urked him a bit though, but Richard was too busy talking to even ask for the fellows name. Nor did the old man even bother introducing himself, and he was possitive the guy had questions. An introduction never came about, though, mind was now focused on something else, his serious side had just been dropped down from space. "...Got many bullet for that .38 there? Afraid I dont have much to spare, maybe a box, if it was even half full. Have yourself a look at what I got lined up on the back of the couch. Isnt much, but whatever you think you can shoot straight with, take it, and the ammunition."
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Post by darkrising025 on Jan 17, 2011 5:01:35 GMT -5
Man this guy talks alot. He goes on and on, Preston thought to himself. He really didn't mind, it was glad to finally have someone to talk to. "I have to find my Parent's they're in Raccoon City. After my wife died, I promised I'd find them." Preston really didn't know the man, but he seemed okay enough to talk to. Preston walked with the man as he entered the kitchen. The man mentioned something about his .38 speical and told him that there was ammo among other things behind the couch. "Oh, thank you but I'm gunna have to decline. I actually got a Winchester Model 1887 out in the Impala" Preston knew that the man was nearly out of .38 ammo and did want to take his last bit. He walked out of the kitchen and sat on the couch. Preston sat on the couch and placed his revolver on the floor.
Preston began to think about when he was younger, all the good memories. He thought about his father and mother. Then he thought of Grace, there was a large hole in Preston's heart. He lost the two most important things in his life. He lost his Grace and Parents. Preston slowly drifted off to sleep.
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Post by Winters on Jan 18, 2011 1:56:14 GMT -5
"Weapons out in the back of your vehicle? Thats sounds good, you have your own stash, thats good. Most people run out of supplies by this point, and its sometimes good to get something for free, especially from an old feller like me. I have lots though, if you change your mind. Shotguns, handguns, rifles, even some machine guns, but just dont touch the M4, thats mine. Taken it back from Afghanistan with me when the first outbreak spread, had it all this time, maintained it. Yeah, you can have anything but that. Come to think of it, the ammunition is pretty sparce with it anyways, so it wouldnt do either of us much good until we can get more..." The rest of the one-sided conversation had been a dull roar, Richard had been speaking too much. The alochol was really starting to get to him, and he knew it.
Holding onto a plate, Richard walked back into the room, and saw the newcomer fast asleep on the couch. Poor bud mustve been tired as hell, all that driving. Tomorrow, he would be on his way to Raccoon City, put in the right direction. However, getting their through the woods took a little more effort, he would need a tour back to the main highway, with the way the snow had been falling lately. Richard lay the plate down on the coffee table next to the man. A large, boneless, pan fried chicken breast slapped between two slices of home made bread lay on the plate in front of him for when he woke up. The wind outside calmed right down now, and the house had been dead silent.
~~~
Joey trekked through the light snow, carrying the large rifle on his back. It had to be at least one in the morning by now, and he was late. Chuckling to himself, he knew he wouldnt have missed much anyways, probably dad just passed out in his chair, polishing up that shotgun like he was before. However, when Joey came out of the treeline, he saw the vehicle parked beside the house, and instantly drew up his rifle. Aiming the scope into the living room window, he could see through the cracks a little. No sign of any movement, which was a good sign. Waiting for the next five minutes, there hadnt been any gunshots either, so it looked as if he had company.
As he got up onto the patio, he looked in the window, and saw the unknown man sleeping on the couch, and Richard passed out in his chair. He jumped over the railing, and then checked the side of the place. Moving around the house, Joey decided to use the back door, making sure not to wake anybody up inside. Closing the door gently, he wandered into the front room, and then saw the chicken sandwich sitting there. At first, Joey wanted to leave it for the man, would make a decent breakfast. But if it was left out, it would go stale, and that wouldnt be good to let Dads cooking down like that. Grabbing it from the plate, he starting mowing down into it, walking into his room. After a few minutes, it was finished up, and he took off his gear. A quick roll over onto the bed, and he was ready to sleep...
[six hours pass]
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Post by darkrising025 on Jan 18, 2011 14:42:15 GMT -5
Preston woke up, forgetting where he was. He looked around the room and saw the man passed out in the chair. Preston remembered where he was. He sat up, wiped the gunk out of his eyes and yawned. He felt great almost as he was renewed somehow. Preston walked over to the man that was kind enough to let him, a total stranger stay in his house. He placed his hand on the man's shoulder and gave him a light shake. "Thank you for letting me stay here. But I must get on my way." Preston whispered and began to move to the door. He twisted the knob and walked outside. It was surprisingly cold out today, Preston folded his arms and made his way to the car. I might as well let the car warm up. Preston opened the driver side door and leaned into the car. He slipped his key into the ignition and turned the key. The engine roared as Preston woke it up. He closed the door and made his way back to the house.
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Post by Winters on Jan 18, 2011 16:01:32 GMT -5
"Not sure if you noticed, but I filled the tank up this morning. It was going on empty..." Joey spoke out from the corner of the house, just as the man had reached the patio. "Sorry if Richard seemed a little out of it last night when you first arrived. Probably finished off that bottle of rum, but he wouldnt hurt a fly. I seen the vehicle when I came back from my hunting trip, but when I got inside, both of you had been out cold..."
Walking further up the patio, Joey slung the rifle around his shoulder, and then put out his hand to greet the newcomer. "Im Joey. I see youve already met my dad. Where did you plan on going, anyways?" It wasnt like it was any of his business, but anybody willing to pass up a safehouse like this one had to have something important to do elsewhere.
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