John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 13, 2010 4:02:35 GMT -5
As Serenity was waiting for the man to help her, there was a loud commotion; banging at the door of the house. The man appeared distracted by it, but Serenity continued to wait patiently for help with the box. Quickly the man came forward and grabbed the box from the shelf. Serenity began to outstretch a hand for him to give it to her, but he put the box in his bag instead. Serenity scowled at the man. He was taking her food. She had found it first, shouldn't it have been hers?
Stepping off the chair, Serenity continued to scowl at the man, and outstretched her hand again for the box. In response, he grabbed her by the wrist and tried to pull her with him. Serenity pushed him off indignantly. He looked at her, frustrated, and said something.
Serenity's eyes shot open wide. Most of the man's words had gone ignored, but one of them reverberated loudly through Serenity's consciousness. It struck a powerful chord, resonating with the deepest parts of her mind.
"Follow."
As the man began a brisk walk, Serenity slowly followed, obeying that single word, that repeated itself over and over. The man, noticing Serenity's slow gait appeared exasperated. He walked back to her, reached out his hand and hesitated, apparently weary of trying to take hold of her again. In response, Serenity outstretched her delicate fingers and took hold of the man. He seemed confused, but was brought back to his senses by a loud moan and began leading Serenity quickly onward.
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Post by Winters on Oct 13, 2010 4:25:55 GMT -5
John didnt wanted to try and lead the girl by physical force again, so made the best of the situation and just kept a slower pace through the house to the backdoor. But as they made their way outside, John looked back to see if the girl was gonna follow, and she had grabbed on to his free hand. It was obvious that she was prepared and comfourtable with coming along with him, and willing to stick close to get out of this situation unharmed. He turned around to face the ally behind the house, and then John grinned to himself away from the girl, moving more quickly down the street.
His mind was straying along the houses, trying to find one that would be more secure then the last, but also on the small groups of infected that prowled around as well. It seemed the girl had her hand tightly grasping his, and showed no signs of letting go whether he wanted her to or not. The feeling alone, the squeeze, made John realize that the girl was probably either very scared, or very strong and confident. Either way, the two of them marched along the streets in search of another house to lay low, as their position had been discovered.
With ease, John and the little girl manuvered there way through another suburb ally, still moving along Starlight Road. It was there in the darkness they saw dim lights further down the street. Instantly, John had moved in their direction, knowing it had to have been somebody inside the home. As they got closer, there seemed to have been zombies gathering around a steel fence, with a locked gate. They werent getting inside, and neither were they so long as the group still persisted. An unsturdy conclusion, but John figured that maybe this was where the girl was trying to find. "Is this your home? Are your parents inside?" John wasnt sure if the girl would even answer him, but if there was somebody inside the house, they would need to lead the zombies away from that gate somehow.
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John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 13, 2010 5:48:00 GMT -5
Follow. Follow. Follow. Follow. The word repeated itself in Serenity's mind, blocking out all other thoughts. At the moment, her senses were dull to the world. She did not see where the man was taking her. She didn't hear the undead they were running from. She simply knew what she had to do. Follow.
Serenity felt a slight change around her. The air was fresher, not as stagnant. She subconsciously noted that they were outside. As the man led her quickly down the alley, Serenity kept pace. If she didn't keep pace, it would mean she was disobedient. If she was disobedient, she would be punished. Serenity didn't want to be punished. She had to do as she was told.
Before long, the man had come to a stop. Serenity continued to cling to his hand. She looked up at him. The man turned to her and said something. Serenity's entire body ticked. Her vision went black, and in her mind, all she could see, was that red and white symbol.
Home. My home is with the Umbrella Corporation. Where they go, I go. To them I must always return. Her body ticked again. The Umbrella Corporation was destroyed. It is no longer my home. I am free.
Parents. My parents are the executives of the Umbrella Corporation. They gave me life. It is because of them that I exist. I must obey my parents. Another tick. Umbrella Corporation was destroyed. I have no parents. My parents are whomever provide and care for me. I must obey my parents.
Serenity's vision returned. She noticed that she was breathing heavily. Serenity lowered her head. In her mind, she could still hear the echoes of a voice, telling her things. The voice contradicted everything that she had previously known, but she had to believe it, she had no choice. If she didn't listen to the voice, she would be disobedient. Serenity did not want to be disobedient, but she wondered. She wondered why the voice was telling her these things. It spoke one more time before fading completely. What did it say?
"We love you."
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Post by Winters on Oct 13, 2010 20:28:49 GMT -5
"Get the f*ck away from the gate, we dont want anymore survivors in here! Theres barely enough food for me and my family, just go away!" John felt furious as the man on the other side of the gate burst from the door and yelled out loudly at him over the moaning from the zombies. It wasnt horrible the way people treated other people before the outbreak, and since the zombies came and started eating the population, it seemed all of the a**holes were filtered out. He wanted to yell back, try to reason with the man, but found that he was on the wrong side of the fence to be reasoning with anybody. The door slammed shut, and John slammed his fist into the concrete wall.
Looking down at the girl, John shook his head, not really knowing what to do now. It not like he could just jump the gate and barge in there to find refuge, it was a lot more complicated than that. Besides, that wasnt what he did. Maybe what he would have done in his past life, but right now, it would only put more time between them and the problem.
Seeing the infected now coming onto their location, John put his other hand on the little girls shoulder, and then spoke out calmly. "Im gonna need both hands to get us out of here. I just need you to stay close, and follow me." John raised up his rifle with both hands now, and then marched forward toward and ally beside the gate. Every now and then, he would fire off a round to bring down another infected at close range, making certain to only kill the ones that got in their way, save ammunition, and move along. H wasnt too familiar with the street, so whatever was at the top of Starlight Road would be where they were headed.
Finally, John saw a house that looked pretty boarded up, and there was light coming from the cracks of the woods. Not infected had been around, so getting close wasnt an issue. But whoever was inside probably had the place on lockdown, getting in wasnt going to be easy unless they cooperated with him. Putting his shoulder up to the door, John leaned against it, making sure the little girl was still close to him in case any of the infected showed up. Looking around both ways to be sure it was clear, he then banged on the door, and spoke out in a fairly loud, stern tone. "Hello? Is anybody inside? I have a child, need some place to rest." John wasnt ready to use the word 'please' to reason, he would go at it by force before steeping low as a beggar.
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John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 14, 2010 5:41:56 GMT -5
Serenity raised her head as a man came out of the house they were standing near. He yelled something to them. Serenity picked out the words 'go away.' When the man had gone back inside, the man she was with slammed his fist into the wall. Serenity looked at him inquisitively, wondering why he was upset.
The man spoke directly to her. The word 'follow' latched onto Serenity's consciousness again. Serenity nodded slowly, her mind distant. The man began moving forward, eliminating any of the ghouls who strayed to close. Serenity wondered at this. This man killed the ghouls too, she just didn't understand it. They seemed friendly enough.
Eventually Serenity and the man reached a boarded up house. The man pressed up against the door. Serenity simply stood nearby and watched. Banging on the door, the man yelled something. After a few seconds, the door was violently flung open, causing the man to loose his balance, and fall through the doorway. Serenity peered inside. The man she was with, had been caught by another man, wearing only his boxers, and brandishing a double barreled shotgun.
"Well hot damn! It must be mah lucky day!" the man exclaimed with a strong southern accent. "I got mahself a couple a live ones. You two best git yourselves inside. Don't wanna tract to much itention." The southerner grinned at Serenity and beckoned for her to come inside. In response, she cocked her head to one side and turned to the man who was currently leading her, looking to him for what to do, the word follow still reverberating in her mind.
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Post by Winters on Oct 14, 2010 6:05:50 GMT -5
With a very, very puzzled yet grateful look, John lowered his rifle as he looked in at the man. Seeing as there had been a few lingering zombies around, he quickly got inside the house, along with the little girl, and closed the door behind him. By the time he was inside, the half naked man had been pushing a fridge in front of the door, no zombie was getting in now. Shelving had been placed in front of the windows, nailed tightly. This place was setup well, and from the looked of things on the inside, the man was in here since the outbreak began. In a normal situation, the shotgun would put him under ease, but this time round he was glad to have it backing him up.
"Thanks a ton for letting us in. We tried the house a few blocks down from here, but they wouldnt take us..." Looking at the girl, John was about to finish his sentence, but thought of something hat maybe shouldnt have crossed his mind so quickly. Maybe the girl had been infected, after all this time, John hadnt got the chance to look her over for any signs of infection. However, she wasnt in any distress, and hadnt turned even with all of this going on, so he was certain she was fine. "...Not that were infected, or anything. Look, you can see, were fine." John had began to show the man his own limbs to prove that he wasnt bitten or scratched, the body armor protected him anyways. But the man had grinned, and laughed in a serious manner, shaking his head.
"I know yall aint, s'why I let ya in!" The deep southern accent had been almost disturbing, but the man obviously had good intentions. John began to walk around the house, looking at the place. It didnt seem like the inside of a normal house, not a single bit of cleaning had been done. He didnt know much about maintaining a safehouse alone, he was always with his wife during the 1998 outbreak. Since he left, he never stopped to rest, John was always on the move. It was nice to relax inside a barricaded building, take the edge off with some rest. John slung his rifle onto his shoulder, and then sat down on the couch, getting a nod of approval before actually laying back. He took out the box of crackers from his bag, and then set them on the table, looking at the girl but know know exactly what to say. "Uh, here..."
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John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 15, 2010 20:17:26 GMT -5
As the man she was following sat down on the couch, Serenity stood close by, watching him. When he took the box out of his bag, Serenity's mind returned to her. Her eyes got wide and she watched as the man set the box down on the table. Walking up to the table Serenity grabbed the box. Opening it carefully, Serenity reached inside and grabbed a cracker. Inspecting it, it didn't appear to be moldy. She put it to her mouth and took a bite. It was stale, but food is food. Slowly finishing her first cracker, the southern man that had let them in looked at her, and laughed.
"So, you like crackers do ya?" Continuing to smile he rubbed his chin. "Naw, prolly just hungry, am I right? I ain't got much, but le'me go check the kitchen." At this the man disappeared out of the room.
Taking the last bite of her cracker, Serenity looked up at the man who was leading her. She reached into the box and pulled out another cracker. She extended the cracker to the man politely, seeing if he wanted one.
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Post by Winters on Oct 15, 2010 23:17:49 GMT -5
The little girl had seemed so distant, almost like she was off in her own little world inside her head. The only thing that seem to be reflecting was her actions, she never says anything. Its not like a rude kind of mute, nor is it fear inside of her. This was more like a disability. John watched the girl as the man spoke to her, and then left the room to see what food he could gather up. His footsteps went distant, as he mustve went upstairs, obviously to take care of whatever business he was tending to before the arrived. John was very calculative of people, and regardless of the mans hospitality, he didnt trust him. The same would have been said for the little girl, but the fact was she was too young to be untrustworthy. What could she possibly do to put his life at risk besides running off on her own?
At this time, the little girl had her hand reached out, offering John one of the crackers from the box. It was this politeness that made him smirk, but only in his own mind. He wasnt hungry, and even if he was, that was her food, fair and square. "No, thank you, you keep them for yourself." Aside from this, it was good that she had the box all to herself, because that would mean he wouldnt have to worry about finding her anything to eat in the event they had to go back out on the streets before morning. Unless the other man was going to kick them out, he knew they wouldnt stay any longer then the night. He survived on his own for a reason, because its always easier on your own. Nobody else to feel obligated to look out for. Staring at the girl, John wondered if his personal goals would be put aside to help her find a home, or if they would be spending a lot more time with eachother in the future.
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John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 18, 2010 7:58:27 GMT -5
When Serenity offered the man a cracker, he politely refused and told her to keep them for herself. At this, Serenity stared questioningly at the man. She wondered if he didn't need to eat. Looking down at the cracker, she stared at it for a moment. Maybe he just didn't like crackers. Serenity couldn't understand it. They seemed tasty to her. Giving up on wondering, Serenity put the cracker to her mouth, and took a bite.
It wasn't long before the southern man had come back. Now wearing pants, he had three cans in his arm, a can opener, and some forks.
"S'not much, some pork and beans, but it'll fill yall right up, tasty too." Sitting down in a chair by a table, the man produced a kerosene hot plate from somewhere. Lighting it, he put the plate on top of the flame to allow it to heat up. While waiting, the southern man looked up at the man Serenity was with.
"Where er mah manners. Name's Jim. Been livin in this house mah whole dang life. Ain't left much since them zombies start comin around, but it's aright. After the last one, built mahself a bunker in the basement. Got it stocked up with food, water, fuel, and most important, am-u-nition." At the last word, the southern man said it drawn out with unneeded emphasis on each part. Smiling he looked back down to the cans of food he had brought, and began opening them. Serenity watched him. He was a very curious man indeed.
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Post by Winters on Oct 18, 2010 12:26:05 GMT -5
Ammunition was always something he needed, but John doubted Jim would have any of the kind he was looking for. Besides, the battle rifle was only missing six rounds, and hes been using the same magazine for a few days now. Relying on bullets to keep you alive will only have you dying slower. Living by that judgment, your lifespan would be measured by how much ammunition you carried. One must learn to survive using every and anything they can find, keeping the personal valuables ready for when something bigger comes along.
Seeing the can of Pork and Beans on top of the table was an invitation to eat, but once again, John needed to decline the offer. However, he didnt, he would eat up, and save his own food for himself. "Thank you, much appriciated. So how much ammunition do you have down there?" John asked lightning quick, and in the same emphisetic tone as Jim. Maybe it was just him being paranoid, but he sensed something dangerous about the guy, John certainly didnt want to stay here any longer then he needed to. Bringing him to his next tick on the agenda, the girl wouldnt be able to stay here with him, the guy obviously wasnt fit for taking care of a child.
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John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 18, 2010 12:56:20 GMT -5
The man placed the cans of food on the hot plate. It wasn't long before they started bubbling and a delicious aroma started to fill the room. Serenity looked up from her crackers, enticed by the smell of real food. The southerner looked at her and smiled.
"Smells good don't it? A lil lady like yourselve's gotta keep yer strength up." Taking one of the forks, the southerner began stirring the beans, before looking back up at the man Serenity was with. He smiled and said,
"I reckon I got enough to last m'self awhile. Around the time that company, whatcha call it, Umbrella fell apart, they had a bunch o these supply trucks just scattered about. Spent a few days scavenging what I could." The man stopped for a second to think. "I got plenty fo mahself. I s'pose if you'd like, you can come down to the basement, see if there's anything ya be needin. By the way, I never caught yer name stranger."
The man smiled and glanced at Serenity, who was watching the beans cook, before turning back to the man and waiting for a response.
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Post by Winters on Oct 18, 2010 13:43:05 GMT -5
It wasnt his own supplies he would need to boost, it would be things that the little girl would need further down the road. It didnt seem likely that John would be leaving her anywhere, she would need to tag along. This was unsettling how it put his own goals back, but that didnt matter right now, keeping her safe is what mattered. "Normally go by Caine, and yes, please."
The two of them walked down the small narrow passage into the basement area, there was a very musty smell the lower they got. John noticed the man had left his shotgun upstairs by the table, a little bold on his part. Looking around on the shelves, John saw there was tons of food down here. Most of the boxes has been labled with the Umbrella Company logo, if not that, US Military. A lot of them were ration packs, and judging by the amount of boxes, there was enough to last this guy years. While Jim had been at the back fiddling around with one of the shelves, John grabbed seven of the packs, and stuffed them inside his bag, now full. Jim had turned around, but before he could get off any words about his ignorance, there was a loud shuffle coming from upstairs.
Drawing up his rifle, John quickly bolted up the steps, not really caring what Jim had to say for the situation. He spread the aim around all angels of the rooms, until he entered the living room to see the stove on fire and still sitting on the table. One of the cans had overflown, and fell onto the ground. Moving in front the little girl, John flicked off the stove, and pushed the table away from her. Now shouldering his rifle, he looked at the girl who had been eating one of the cans, and then spoke out as John made sure the gas had been off on the stove as well. "Why didnt you come down and tell us?" But more importantly, how would Jim react?
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John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 18, 2010 14:48:32 GMT -5
Serenity stared up at the man, Caine, since she now had a name to connect with his face. He asked her something. Serenity stared up at him. What was he asking her? Tell them what? Serenity looked around the room, wondering if there was something she was supposed to have noticed. Seeing nothing, she looked back at Caine and ate another mouthful of beans. A moment later, Jim had re-entered the room.
"Well ain't that a shame, perfectly good beans, gone ta waste. Well, that aint no problem." Jim smiled. "I'll go get something ta clean this up." Jim left the room again, walking back upstairs. As serenity shoveled another fork full of beans in her mouth, she looked at the beans still on the stove. Looking up at Caine, she pointed to the beans, before eating another mouthful.
*************** *Static* "Hello, this is Lt. Ross, I repeat, Lt. Jim Ross, do you copy? Over."
"Uh, go ahead Lt. We read you loud and clear."
"I am in possession of the Serenity Project, I repeat the Serenity Project. Over"
*Short period of static* "Uh Lt. Ross, if I'm hearing you correctly, are you saying that the Serenity Project is at your location?"
"That's correct. She showed up here with a man not too long ago. He is heavily armed and he isn't seeming to take too kindly to me, I'm not sure how long I can stall them for."
"Copy that Lt. Ross, a retrieval team is on it's way. Over and out."
************
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Post by Winters on Oct 18, 2010 19:37:26 GMT -5
It wasnt some kind of extra sensory perception, nor was it a any part of a sixth sense, it was music to his ears. Shortly after Jim had left the room, Caine heard the short burst of static, and knew exactly what it was. It was radio, probably the survivor calling in some of his buddies to come in and loot whatever was on the on-the-run soldier. It was much, much too obvious, nobody was this nice. The other house they had been at on the street, they wouldnt even let a little girl in, even if they cast John back onto the streets. But this man, he took both of them in without any hesitation.
Looking to the little girl, Caine put on an even more then serious face, and spoke out in a null tone only she would be able to hear. "You didnt see my leave." With that, Caine quietly moved across the hall and to the stairwell, noticing Jim talking on the radio in the kitchen not too much further down. Moving into a room, he saw an unblocked window, and opened it up, tossing his bag onto the ground outside in some nearby bushes. Jumping out with both feet first, he grabbed onto the ledge, and then shimmied to the side. Getting as much momentum as he could, Caine swung himself up onto the rooftop, creeping across with his battle rifle tightly slung over his shoulder. Getting down onto his chest, he slide down to the edge of the roof, and brought his legs down with him.
From hear, he was able to climb down a nearby pipe on the side of the two story house, and then hang onto the ledge while keeping an eye on what was going on inside the living room from a safe location. Luckily, there was no infected around the outside of the house, so along with the darkness surrounding him, Caine was a ghost, watching in silence. Hes always relied on his gut feeling, not letting the paranoia get to him, and right now it was telling him that something was bad. Very bad.
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John
Zombie Hunter
Vi Veri Venerisum Vivus Vici
Posts: 119
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Post by John on Oct 19, 2010 20:17:28 GMT -5
Serenity watched the man curiously. He moved stealthily, apparently not wanting to be seen. Serenity ate another mouthful of beans as the man disappeared into another room down the hallway. It wasn't long after that Jim re-entered the room. Looking around questioningly, he walked slowly up to Serenity. Kneeling down next to her, he spoke in a quiet, friendly tone.
"Where'd yer friend go little missy?" he asked. Serenity cocked her head to the side and stared at him for a moment, before scooping out another fork full of beans. Jim quietly looked around, walked to his shotgun, and picked it up, checking the ammo. Slowly walking around the room, Jim checked behind the couches and chairs. Sticking his head into the hall, Jim looked back and forth, before quickly walking back into the room and looking out the front window. He turned to Serenity.
"Now you be a good girl and wait right here." At this, Jim left the room and began slowly walking through the house. Serenity stood by herself in the room for several minutes, finishing her beans. When she was done, she placed the can down on the table. Soon after she heard a light knock on the door of the house. Serenity saw Jim hurry down the hall and heard him open the door. She heard several voices whispering. Jim reappeared in the room, followed by six men, dressed in black combat gear, all wearing gas masks.
"We have another team at the back of the house, so he can't get out that way." one of the men said to Jim. Jim nodded and turned to Serenity.
"Sweety, we need you to show us where your friend went. Can you do that?" Serenity stared at Jim impassively. She didn't quite understand what he was asking. She looked down the hall past Jim, wondering where Caine had gone. In response, Jim looked down the hall as well, and nodded to one of the men in black. Slowly they raised their weapons and began walking towards the hall.
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