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“Women and men used to live together even if they were not family or married…. It’s not that strange… but I do get why they try to keep us separated to keep ratios able to be handed out without being too stretched. A lot of the kids in the city are orphans of people who come in form the outside…” Ian said, the couple on the main floor who housed many children where one of the few souple that actually could have kids… though the women was entering her waning years for childbearing they still opened their home to any children…. The military had put a cap on the amount they could have in their apartment… but Ian guessed that would change.
And he was right. Later that night when Ian had already gone into the tunnels Tristan grabbed his ratty blanket, the book Aren had given him and his apartment key, he left the apartment and made his way to Arens place… the number sticking out in his head, he knocked on the door… normally he wouldn't do this… but Tristan didn’t want to be alone again so soon….He may put on a good smile and bright personality… but the young blond was scared of being alone… losing both his father… and then his mother at young ages had taken its toll on the young boy with Ian going out so often. He’d never told Ian this though… as he knew his brother did what he did to provide for Tristan as best he could without relying on the military. A irritated girl answered the door. “Ah… Is… Aren home?” Tristan asked, the girl was taller than him by a bit but then again Tristan was underdeveloped for a 11 year old boy. -------------- Ian had ran into some trouble in the toy store… a runner, someone who had clearly fled the city last year had caught him off guard and now he was holding himself up on one of the still standing power line poles, those thick wooden things, he was lucky that runners were not smart… and the thing couldn't figure out how to get up to him…. It eventually lost interest but I stayed where he was, gripping tightly to the wooden pole, the toys safe in his bag and his pistol in his hand incase the thing came back…there was a bleeding cut on his leg now… the thing had scratched his leg in his climb up before he go too far for the things to jump. The ginger man shivered as a breeze blew by him, he was layered up sure… but it would be a long night in deed. |
The conversation between Aren and Takahata was strained at best when it didn't fall into utter silence. Aren knew from experience that sometimes it was easier for the past to die if it wasn't spoken of, and he wasn't in a position to ask her to confide in him. Not yet. She barely knew him; the chances of her opening up to him were slim to none, and he'd seen her type before. Hell, he'd been her type before – if he wasn't still. So, he opted to open his book again and prayed that she'd say something to start a conversation.
She proved to be as quiet as he was, and the imagined tension in the air was thick until there was a knock at the door. Aren almost jumped to his feet, wondering who it could be. Officers coming to tell them of the mistake? Maybe? But, he didn't get to his feet fast enough and Takahata answered the door. Takahata, used to looking up to most she came across, had her head tilted slightly up as she opened the door and she quickly adjusted her gaze so her brown eyes met Tristan's blue ones. She looked at him for a moment before stepping aside and gesturing into the apartment, “Yeah. He's here. Come on in.†By the point, the book was closed again, hardly a paragraph read (and the paragraph read not really taken in) and moved to the side. He got to his feet again, pleasantly surprised with their visitor, “Tristan? Hey, what's up little man?†He didn't ask where his brother was. If Tristan was here to hang out with Aren, it was likely Aren went out again. “Oh! Uhm, Tristan, this is Taka...Takahata?†he stopped here to confirm the pronunciation and proceeded when she nodded her confirmation, “My uhm, my new roommate. Takahata, this is Tristan, my friend and student. I give him reading lessons.†“You can call me Taka, if you want,†the small woman said, “It's what they used to call me. I'd answer to it and it's easier.†She shrugged and Aren nodded. “Deal. That's...ah, a bit easier,†Aren said nodding. “So Tristan, were you coming for lessons or to hang out? I'm fine with either.†|
Tristan worried his lip, holding his ratty blanket closer to him… should he even be here….taking a breath he decided to speak. “I uh… didn’t want to spend another night alone in the apartment… Ian had a job that got called in last minute….” Tristan spoke carefully, the words he used make it seemed like he might have a job in the city that needed attending too.
“W-W-With the fire and all that happened today… I just… didn't want to be alone….”The young boy said pulling him blanket tighter around him… it would tug at anyone's heart strings. Tristan was at a odd age… there where not many 11-12 year old any more… there were really young kids under 10 and the teenagers….so it was safe to say that Tristan didn’t have a lot of friends his own age. Just his brother… and now Aren in a way. “I can leave if I’m being a bother… I got the key still.” He added quickly as if he expected to be turned away. ------------------- Ian was bone tired by the time he felt safe enough to find shelter for the night, his leg had long since gone cold and the bleeding had stoped, Ian looked paler than he normally did and the ginger scavenger knew that he would have to refuse a few jobs in the future… that would reflect badly on his reliability… now a days most people didn't care if you were hurt… if you couldn't help them then they would find someone else. Limping with every step Ian managed to get into the underground where he’d be safe, hidden under layers of dust and rot. He pressed his back against the cold wall as he slid down it. He’d sleep for now…. Get back to Tristan in the morning… and then sleep for a week….and like that Ian was out cold, gun still grasped in his hand as he slept. |
Aren's brow creased with worry. The night before, he'd been the reason Tristan was left behind in his apartment alone. “No, no, no. You're fine. Don't go back,†Aren said, his voice low with comfort, and placing a hand on his shoulder. “I know what it's like to have an empty apartment to return to and it sucks.†He looked back at the twin bed and knew that the other was going to be filled this evening, but it would work. They'd figure something out
Taka stood back, watching the conversation transpire. She didn't know the story as to how Aren managed to score a two-person rooming arrangement, but she assumed it had to do with a death so she asked no questtions. “He can sleep in my bed if he wants,†she offered, “I'm used to sleeping on the floor; I can go another night. No biggie.†Aren looked at his new roommate with a raised eyebrow, “You'd do that for someone you just barely met?†“Outs-- in ah, District 3, I lived with a large group of people. I got the floor usually. Besides, I'll be sleeping pretty well tonight, even if our sofa is a piece of shit,†Taka said with a shrug, “You're not a bother...Tristan...right?†Aren clapped his hands together and rubbed them, “Sounds to me like we've got ourselves a good old fashioned sleep over. Did you leave a note, Tris? Ian will be worried sick if he gets back from his job tomorrow and you're not there.†|
Tristan caught the slip up from the women, Taka… but said nothing as he knew that many people used to be outside the walls…. “I sleep like the dead….only food or direct sun tends to wake me…” Tristan said once he was in the apartment. “I left him what i could write… doodled a few pictures to get the point across….” Tristan said with a mumble, he knew Ian couldn't read very well… heck Tristan could read better then his older brother at the moment… Ian always said he knew enough to recognize street names and things like that…
“Wha’s a sleepover?” Tristan asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes, still holding his blanket over his shoulders and around himself. “The last apartment they had ‘e and Ian in was shite…. It was basically one whole floor with no walls and packed with people… that was… two years ago before they ‘cleaned’ out this end of the district…. Yeah right more like Ian and his friends did that….” The tired blonde muttered the last few words to himself, it was clear he had forced himself to stay up longer then he was used to too come here. ------------- It was another night of vivid dreams and nightmares for Ian, when he woke up his watch was beeping softly, alerting him that it would soon be sunrise…. And his forehead felt feverish. “Did i breathe in spores? Must have…. Fuck….” Ian didn't think that the cut on his leg would be infected… but he was wrong… already it was looking raw and sore as he groaned, forcing himself to stand up… he wrapped it quickly with a spare cloth he had before heading down the rest of the tunnels. He passed a few other scavengers from his district like himself who just nodded in solidarity and he nodded back. None asked about his leg and Ian was thankful for that. He’d already breathed in a shit tons of spores before… doing jobs for Mavrik in his youth….it had gotten him in some interesting places at night… with light spores that had them all running fevers till their bodies fought off the spores… only one in that group had turned into a runner from the spores… and he had been ended quickly. |
If either of them caught Taka's slip up, they didn't say anything and Taka looked down, “I envy you. Sometimes it doesn't take anything to wake me up. But then, sleeping light has its benefits. Higher chance of survival, for instance.†With access to a bed, however, she didn't know if she'd keep that good habit. Then, the nightmares were a constant, so maybe she wouldn't lose it after all.
The corners of Aren's lips curled upwards ever so slightly and he shook his head, “I'm sure he'll understand, but Tristan, you know all of your letters. You proved that to me earlier when you were reading out loud. You read so fast you could barely keep up with yourself. That's not a sign of someone who can't read; it's a sign that you already know! Unless...Unless Ian can't read? You know I can teach him too...†He sat down on the sofa as Taka moved to sit down on one of the beds. “A sleepover is something that kids used to do before this world turned to shit,†Taka responded, not bothering the sugar coat the truth. The kid had to be what, ten? Eleven? He was old enough as far as she was concerned. It was likely he'd seen his own fair share of corpses; she knew she certainly had by his age, and what's a little swearing compared to that? “Basically, it's when you'd ask your parents to go to a friend's house and you'd stay up late telling stories, doing each other's hair, and makeovers and stuff like that. I don't know what boys do, but that's what my sister told me she used to do back in the day. Buuuut, you already look sleepy, mister. We should get some sleep.†> > > Taka slept fitfully, as the young woman had already come to expect. Expected also was the waking in a cold sweat gasping for air, which she did at some point before the sun's rays leaked between the tattered curtains. Then, a second wave of panic washed over her, unfamiliar silhouettes of unfamiliar furniture, unfamiliar beds with unfamiliar occupants filled her vision and she breathed, the day's past events surfacing in her memory once more and she relaxed, staring at the ceiling until sleep once again closed her eyes. |
“Ian’s thrown me over his shoulder to bolt from a place many times…” Tristan yawned out rubbing his eyes again. He pouted a bit when Taka said they should sleep… but he knew the woman was right… they usually where… according to his brother… who had known more women then Tristan ever had… since not to long after they had gotten to this city the military had started to separate the genders to hopefully cut down on the amount of kids born… there were still lots needing to grow up so no new ones needed to be born.
“He doesn't like people to know he can’t really read… he know basic things… enough to not get lost in street names… Mama didn’t really have time to teach either of us before she died.” The young boy yawned again and blinked his sleepy blue eyes. Tristan was used to swearing… Ian had sworn up a storm after a really bad job once...Tristan found himself being lead to a bed and the small boy curled up in a small ball covered by his blanket, hugging the book to his chest in place of a stuffed friend. --------------------- Ian was bone tired as he approached his apartment, his leg throbbed and he had barely been able to pull himself up in the storage room. “Tris I’m ho-....Tris?” Tiered green eyes looked around the silent apartment, the paper on the counter where he normally put his bag stuck out so he went over to it, his heart calming once he saw it was Tristan’s squiggly letters… and a few pictures… of Aren and Tris with Z’s over their heads… had he gone over to Arens?... it made sense. “Sorry Pup….” Ian said, he knew his brother didn’t like to be left alone to man times in a row… if it was once a month for under a week it was fine...As always made sure to come back before the Check In’s…. But still.. Carefully taking off his backpack and placing it on the counter he rummaged around for some pain pills… he didn't want to go limping to get Tristan… he wanted to seam strong for his little brother. Little did Ian know that he wouldn't be going anywhere for a few good days… the cut on his leg was indeed infected…. Not with the fungus...but seeing as the cut had been from a very rusty and jagged piece of metal as he had been running… Swallowing the pill dry he moved to lock the apartment door behind him and lumber his way down to Aren’s apartment, the number still clearly in his head. Once in front of the door he knocked, it was firm but not forceful like most military knocks. ----------- Stray sunlight tickled Tristan’s face, in the back of his mind he heard someone knocking… it sounded familiar but he was too tired and comfy to wake up now. The small blond rolled over and hsi arm hugn off the bed, he was still tucked under his ratty blanket, the book still held close to his chest as the knocking continued at regular intervals. |
Aren, in direct contrast to Taka, slept well for a change. Sure, the nightmares never really left, but his body was rested when he woke the next morning and stretched. He was the first awake and he used the few moments of solitude as a chance to change into his normal clothes. Tristan lay asleep where he was, the sun not yet telling him it was time to wake, and Taka lay sprawled on the couch, the look on her face showing that she was as haunted as her new friends. Maybe more, but who knew? Her story was one that had yet to be told, and he wasn't sure he'd ever hear it.
The knock at the door was almost expected, and Aren got up to answer it as sunlight began to spill into the one room apartment. His face brightened seeing Ian, but his joy soon disappeared behind a worried brow crease and he leaned forward and whispered, “You're hurt, aren't you?†Aren nodded back into the apartment and stepped from the doorway to let his guide through, “If you came looking for Tris, he's here and safe. No worries. But...he mentioned that you can't really read either. Do you want lessons too?†His voice was low, trying to not wake the others, but comforting. He wasn't trying to call Ian out; he just wanted to give Ian the same opportunities he was giving his younger brother. “We don't have to if you don't wanna, but the offer stands.†The sound of voices woke Taka and she sat up slowly, seeing a ginger in the doorway and rubbed her eyes. This must be the infamous brother that she'd heard so much about. Instead of getting up to greet him right away though, she gave her eyes an extra rub if only to wake up a little more before meeting someone new. |
Ian winced as he walked into Aren’s apartment, his face a little flushed from the fever he was definitely running now. “Leg got cut… I’m fine…” it was clear he would be stubborn about admitting his was hurt or sick. “I can read…. Just not well…” He muttered...while he could recognize street names now and thing like that… reading a book would be a nightmare for him.
“So is your new room mate the one on the couch?” Ian asked leaning against Aren’s counter, taking some weight off his injured leg, that was still wrapped with spare cloth around his pant leg where it had torn into his skin. It wasn't long till the sun hit Tristan’s face and like a switch had been flipped his blue eyes blinked open… the sounds of his brothers voice tickled hsi mind… wait.. His brother!” Shooting up Tritan scrambled to get off the bed, letting his blanket fall off his shoulders and the book form Aren flopped onto the soft material as Tristan bolted out of the bedroom and all but tackled Ian against the counter. The ginger man letting out a ‘oof’ sound as he wrapped his arms around his brother. Tristan didn’t notice the wince of pain on his brothers face when weight was put on Ian’t injured leg and the ginger man pressed himself more against the counter he had been leaning again. “H-Hey t-there Pup….ah...good sleep?” Only if someone was listening closely they would hear the pain in Ian’s voice. The ginger man was rarely injured or sick… other then the fevers from a few spores… but by now everyone's had at least one fever from the spores. Tristan didn’t answer, just hugged Ian tighter, a freckled hand stroked blonde curls to try and sooth his baby brother. While Tristan rarely talked about them, sometimes he had nightmares about being abandoned by Ian...being left alone in the outside world with no food, cloths or shelter…. Or being dropped off at a military ‘school’.... Separated from his only living family. Careful of his leg, Ian wrapped his arm fully around his little brother and hugged the boy tightly. “It’s ok Tris… I’m here… I won’t leave you….I’m still alive.” the words where familiar and warm, words he had repeated to Tristan many a times to sooth the young boy when he had to go out daily. |
Aren looked down and saw immediately which leg it was. White cloth wrapped around the wounded area, Aren thought he could see blood seeping through, but it could have been the morning's rays playing tricks on his eyes. “Well, if you want lessons, I'm happy to teach you. It's the least I could do after...well, risking your life for me. But, you want me to be honest? I don't think you should go out for a bit, not until that shit's healed.â€
Aren looked back at the sofa where Taka was trying to wake up, “Yeah, that's her. Her name's Taka. I don't know very much about her, but apparently life in District 3 was fuckin' rough.†The last part was no longer a whisper and Taka got to her feet walking to the redhead and held out her hand. “As Aren said. Name's Taka.†Her grip was firm, strong. One that shouldn't belong to a girl her size. She had to look up to maintain eye contact, but once she had it, she kept her gaze firm as well. She was one that would have made Serj proud had he known her. He always appreciated strength – the strength that Aren always lacked. The reunion was beautiful, and one would have thought that their separation was much longer than just one night. The love was real, and that was the important part. If the pain in his voice went unnoticed by everyone else, it didn't go over Aren's head and he resolved in his mind that he should have a look at it later. In his earlier studies, he'd read some A&P books, and he knew that cuts often got infected. It needed to be looked at immediately. Taka stood there, taking in the moment when her gaze fell on the white cloth. The man was wounded. If he had a job in the city that kind of wound wouldn't have happened. He'd gone outside. She swallowed, looking from the rag to his freckled face. Would he be willing to take her along next time he went? If not, she'd simply follow. She had to have ways to get out. Besides, there was nothing left for her in this city. The city was a hellhole and her gang had betrayed her. Almost got her killed, and if they knew she was still alive, she certainly would be. Once she found a way out, she could start preparing to leave again. |
Ian tensed at the mention of District 3. “Ian.” He shook her hand and while he had to glance down to make eye contact it was clear he wasn’t ‘looking down’ on her. Ian was pretty tall… so he was used to having to look down yet to never put others beneath him.
“It’s Mavrik’s territory so of course it was a shit life unless you where part of his crew… and even then…. Never trust that man.” Ian said, his voice spoke volumes of experience with the hated man as he stroked his brothers hair. Tristan didn't’ question his brothers words about his previous partner. “Oh I don’t plan on going out for a while...need to plan.” was all Ian said, he didn't get that shifty feeling from Taka so he felt ok talking about his real job a bit even if it wasnt with full confirmation. Give it a week and the other tenets of the building will have told her all about Ian and his ability to get things from the outside. ‘Breakfast’ was had in Aren’s apartment that day, Tristan going to get food for himself and Ian after he noticed the makeshift bandage on his brothers leg, the already pale boy going whiter as he pushed his brother towards the touch. “Let one of them play doctor… lord known you don’t play it on yourself enough.” Tristan said… he had no clue who this lord was… but he’d heard the saying a few times… so he used it. Ian sighed and carefully sat himself down and winced, it was now clear that the wound had opened again and blood was seeping through the makeshift bandage he had used. “Might as well get this over with.” Ian said with a pained grin as he carefully pried the cloth away form his leg. “Tris is right when he said i don’t doctor myself enough…” The red head was at least smart enough to admit his shortcomings in things. The wound was weeping blood, and looked puffy and raw, some signs if early infection were clear to anyone who had read any medical books or things like that. Ian’s freckled face was pale and flush at the same time, sweat gathering quickly against his brow even though he wore a sleeveless and loose shirt. |
Taka decided right then that she didn't hate Ian. Whether she liked him or not was still to be determined, but just by looking at him she could tell that he was one who had seen much and said little; he was a man of action, and one not likely to look down on those different from him. She could see that based on his friends that he chose to keep.
“I learned that the hard way,†she uttered, shifting her weight once more. Introductions were never her forte, and it seemed that this man had some sort of negative relationship with her now arch enemy. In that, it seemed, they already agreed. “I take it you've seen what it was like, then? It's different now. A lot of is gone now; burnt to the ground.†Aren put his hands in his pockets, squinting up at Ian as if he wasn't totally satisfied that Ian was telling the truth. Ian seemed to want to get out of the city as much as possible, and Aren knew this from experience. He was willing to take a near total stranger out, and while he was grateful, this was the second time in as many days that he'd gone out. When he came to the conclusion that he was telling the truth, he added a simple, “And heal. Plan and heal.†Breakfast, as the troupe was already accustomed to, was modest. They were lucky that the city on formation started with agriculture – even if it was only minor. Chickens were raised for their eggs, and there were even cows and pigs that were reserved generally for the best of citizens. As it was, eggs were involved in their rations for the day and Aren cooked those with some of the allotted power that had been given them, serving them up scrambled. It was enough to get them through lunch at least. Taka swallowed some spit that had gathered at the back of her throat and looked down at Ian's leg, “I don't know shit about first aid...†Aren raised his hand, “Well, I know a bit. Read a bit about it before I found my niche. I can help, but uh, do you have shorts or anything that would make it easier for me to get to it?†|
“It was the first District me and Tristan where in years ago...a… crew I used to run with where strong there...thought they’d care about more than the bottom line… got out fast when that wasn’t the case… I stick to my District and they to theirs…. So far that’s worked but I don’t hold my breath if i see then at… work.” Ian was clearly good at telling the truth while also leaving out details that could get him killed, like going outside the walls without a permit.
“Yeah… heal…” Ian winced as a shot of pain flared up his leg. The scrambled eggs brought back a fuzzy memory… their mum had made them scrambled eggs before… when they’d managed to find a chicken and her eggs…. Ian shook his head. “No shorts….don’t like having exposed skin out there.” HIs face was flushed strongly now, sweat clearly dripping down his temples. Ian just carefully used his hunting knife to cut off the jeans above the cut after managing to get the makeshift bandage off, the gash looked worse than he remembered. Not that he’d had good light to see it. “This is gonna hurt isn't it?” he asked, freckled hands gripping the arm of the couch. The signs of the fever where similar to the ones that most people experience when their bodies fought off small amounts of spores. This wasn’t that simple, Ian needed some form of treatment or the leg could go septic in a few days… whatever had been on the metal he had gotten cut with was nasty, more than rust definitely. While the red head was always wanting out of the city he always made sure to never do two jobs so close together… at least until last night when the little boy had come to his door… everyone else would need to find another scavenger to get things for them for a while… and that turned Ian’s stomach a bit...if his presence wasn’t strong, then another could move in and take his place as unofficial scavenger for the District… or worse, Mavrik could send goons in to take over as scavengers and charge people…. Cool hands brushed his ginger strands away and Ian was looking into Tristan’s worried blue eyes. If Taka asked him Ian would tell her how to get out... heck he would probably even teach her the signs he'd learnt for the area around the District's exit... and about the smuggler and scavenger cache's that where sprinkled around. |
“Yeah well, I know about that crew. Talking about Mavrick? Tried to get out, and he tried to kill me. Got the rest of my family instead,†Taka said, shaking her head. Her fists, unbeknownst to her, had clenched and she was trembling with anger and sadness just thinking about it. Her family that Mavrick's goonies killed weren't technically her family, at least, by blood. They'd been divided into groups, and she lived with them. They had it good there for a while. Constant access to the outside, extra rations, actual blankets without holes in them. But then they saw too much and had to be eliminated. Taka survived, barely saved by District 1 officials who believed the fire to be an accident. “Now I'm here, and I don't know if the fuck is gonna hunt me down or not. So, if you see me being a dick to any of you guys, it's because I want onlookers to think I don't like you. Capiche?â€
Aren nodded, “Capiche. I've heard the tales. Shit, man, that's gotta be hard.†The tales he'd heard were only recently relayed by Ian when they were out, but he internalized them, and now there was a second confirmation. “Yeah. Work,†Taka said with obvious doubt in her voice, “Look man, you don't gotta hide. I'm not gonna say shit. I know you got that outside the walls. I've been there. Many times. I don't know how to get out here, but back in District 3, I knew all the routes, both official and off the books. I get it. Really. But you're safe with me.†Aren breathed a sigh of relief. His new roommate was quick, he had to hand that to her, but she was on their side and therefore good. “I wasn't talking about out there, I was more asking for here, but cutting your jeans off is probably the best way anyway.†When the leg of Ian's pants was removed, Aren crinkled his nose. The stench was atrocious – a telltale sign that the wound was infected. “Hey, Tris? Would you do me a solid and wet a rag with cool water and bring it here?†Aren asked, not looking away from the wound. He set up his first aid kit and set to work cleaning up around the wound. “Ian, what did you cut yourself on? This isn't from a Runner. Cut's too clean. Erm, well, it would have been clean if it wasn't this infected...We might need to get you a tetanus shot....meaning a couple of us would have to go out by ourselves – unless we can come up with a reason you might have wound up with a cut like this...†|
“Guess I was lucky to get out before he started to do that… or not…we were once close… the bastard…” Ian was babbling a bit as he felt over headed. “I’m used to people being dicks to me… thanks for the heads up though Taka.” Ian smiled blurry at the Asian girl before wincing a bit.
“Only three exits in this District… the military one and the one that people like us use…. I guess I could show you my main one after I stop feeling like shit.” Ian said his nose scrunching up at the scent that followed the removal of his bandage. Tristan nodded and went to get the rag in question, letting it before bring it over to Aren, the young boy winced seeing the cut...He moved to sit beside his brother and take the older mans hand in his own to comfort his brother. Ian’s face was still scrunched up when eh answered. “I think… it was a sheet of metal from something that fell… it was a narrow space i had to run it… I was just focused on getting the hell away from the runner…..spent half the night up one of those old power line poles….If it had been from a runner I’d have kept myself outside the walls till the time passed to shoot myself or it not taking….scratches from runners don’t turn people often… not enough spores under their nails yet…. And this guy was a fresh turn… looked like a crazy ass man….” Ian was panting and rambling, gently squeezing Tristan’s hand. He never bothered to hid what he knew about the outside form Tristan...even if he wanted the blond boy to grow up relatively safe from the infected outside the walls. He wanted Tristan to be prepared and strong… for the day that Ian might pass...or if they got separated outside the city walls. The ginger man planned to do all in his power to make sure that didn’t happen. When the cloth was applied to clean the wound Ian let out a hiss, biting into his lip to keep quiet… wouldn't do to have a snoop investigate the noise he was making. |
Taka looked down, her eyes betraying the bitterness she felt towards the man. “Things started out okay under Mavrick. He was supposed to be a man for the people, but he's only the man for himself. Anyone that gets in his way is disposable, and anyone that doesn't is also disposable. I can only imagine being close to him back in the day.†She shook her head, clenching her fists, “Important thing is is that we're both out now. But...I worry that he might try to extend past District 3. I think he's aiming to take control of the whole city.â€
Aren took the rag and nodded thanks to Tristan, turning back to Ian. Ian was hot to the touch and Aren folded the rag neatly, pressing it gently on his forehead, “Leave that there for a little bit. I'll change it out once it warms up. Shit, man, you got hit hard.†Aren then turned attention back to Ian's leg, cleaning up the excess spillage. For sure, we're going to need a tetanus shot. That, or your leg is going to have to go, and there are some major arteries there that I'd rather not sever.†Taka could see the concerned look on her roommate's face. His brow was furrowed in concentration, lips pressed into a thin line. She was silent for a moment, watching Aren work, seeing Tristan sitting by, an equally worried expression on his own face. Something had to be done. After some uncomfortable silence, she finally spoke up, “I can get it for you. I know where the old hospital is, and the shots don't have any street value. There's bound to be some left.†Aren blinked. Was this girl for real? Then, she'd worked for Mavrick before. She knew the outside world well. If anyone stood a chance, it was her. She was like another Ian. But then, she didn't know the way out. “Ian, would you be alright if I showed Taka the path you took us on? Taka, are you sure this is something you can handle?†Taka nodded, “I can handle it. I've been out by myself more times than I've been with others. I know the parts of the city that weren't repurposed, and I even know the hotspots for infected populations and Mav's goonies to avoid. I can get it. I just...I just need a path out.†|
“It always starts out ok… sweet words and sweet nothings whispered in the dead of night...he makes you feel important when you’re really just another pawn…” Ian panted out, not fully releasing he’d let slip that there was more going on between him and the bastard then partnership. Tristan’s blue eyes where a bit wide as his brother spoke, but the young boy stayed quiet, he knew that Ian and Mavrik had been close… he’d seen the hickies on his brothers neck a few times… he may be only 11 but he knew about sex… how babies were made.
Ian chuckled mirthlessly when Taka said that Mavrik might be wanting to expand past District 3. “I wouldn’t put it past him… we had this gran idea that we’d run the city one day… better and safer than the military twats cos we’d been outside the walls… spent months outside fighting off infected things….”Ian shivered when the cool cloth was pressed to his forehead and the ginger haired man tiled his head back to better balance the cloth. Both brothers tensed when the option to cut the leg off came up… it was clear that was a no go. “The path we….ugh.” the freckled man clenched his eyes tight when pain shot up his leg as Aren cleaned it, the toes on the injured leg curling in pain, causing the leg to tense up and bleed more, a bad circle. “Polly is supposed to me escorting a family out tomorrow… if you leave early tomorrow…. Or even tonight….there is a safe house above a old coffee store a few blocks from the exit… ah… ok… Aren…. You can show her… shit this hurts….” Ian panted more gritting his teeth as he raised a hand to keep the cool cloth pressed to his sweaty forehead. His freckled cheeks were flushed with color and it would be a rough night for the older McLocke brother, that was for sure. While the adults were talking Tristan rummaged through his brothers bag to pull out the map that Ian used to get his bearings, landmarks and little symbols littled the map, Ian had remade the map in a way he could understand it. There was a quirky little coffee cup drawn where the coffee shop was. The young blond unrolled the map to show Taka, even though he didn’t speak, Tristan’s blue eyes were a well of emotion, pleading with the asian girl to help save his brother, his family. ----------- As the say went on Tristan had to be the one to stealthily let the residents of the apartment know that his brother would be out of commission for a while. It wasn’t a good idea to move Ian with his leg like it was, so Tristan had run back to their own apartment and grabbed his brothers grubby pillow and a change of clothes for himself and his brother. “Sorry for just barging in like this….but walking up those stairs would be bad…. I’m surprised he didn’t fall on his way down…” The young blond said rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke to Aren, Ian was currently passed out on the couch, a new cool cloth pressed to his flushed face. It was jarring for Tristan to see his normally strong brother to be this torn down. --------------- Down in the tunnels leaning out of the the District was the bloodstained area that Ian had fallen asleep in, it was a wonder how he hadn't bleed out during the night. The ginger man was one stubborn son of a gun. |
“Told me I was like a little sister to him,†Taka muttered, excluding the fact that he was well aware of her blood family that had died at the hands of some infected. “We were all pawns to him. Shit, some still are.†Taka stood where she was, unsure of what she should do. The wounded she'd come across, well, it was already too late for them. She'd never had a chance to actually try mending one who had a chance. “Well, that idea's not dead to him, and he'll do anything to do it. Anything. Except now? His motives aren't pure.â€
Aren pressed his hand against Ian's heated cheek and shook his head, “The fever isn't breaking. We need...we need to fix this.†The man had never had a chance to actually put what he read to use, and it had been years since he tore through the medical text books. He retained little of it, but he knew a fever as high as the one Ian was sporting could potentially be deadly. “We can't wait until tonight. I need to get there and back as soon as possible. I know the outer routes the guards take around the entirety of the populated city, and I know the schedule. I'll avoid those areas. I know the ropes. If we get caught looking at the door, Aren, you were just showing your new roommate around the complex or the district. Technically, I'm new here,†Taka protested. Aren's lips pressed into a thin line and he glanced back at his roommate, then back to Ian, “Well, he's not in a spot to stop you, and what you do after I show you the route out is up to you.†He sighed. They were in the worst of situations, but Taka was right. Ian was going to die if he didn't get the medical supplies he needed, and fast. Her face was resolute, like one who couldn't be stopped and Aren nodded slowly. “Under my bed are canned supplies. I've been skipping meals so I have food when I go out for my studies. Take what you need for a day's journey. Do you have a gun?†“Of course I have a gun,†Taka responded, lifting up her hoodie to reveal that she did indeed have one on her person. “You don't survive in District 3, or outside the walls, without one.†She disappeared into Aren's bed room and came back with her backpack noticeably heavier. Aren stood up, brow creasing in worry, “Tristan, don't worry about staying here. I'd rather have the company anyway. I won't be gone long, but while I am, change the rags as necessary. Don't let them get warm. Keep them cool. We need to combat the fever as best we can.†With that, Aren lead the way to the storage closet Ian showed him not that long ago. |
“I don’t think they ever were pure….” Ian trailed off closing his eyes, he felt to hot, like he wanted to pull his skin off to to feel a small piece of relief from the burning heat. He didn’t pass out till the duo of Taka and Aren were preparing to leave, just after Tristan had changed the cloth out for a fresh cold one. Ian had let out a soft choked off laugh at Taka’s exclamation about not surviving without a gun in District 3.
The young boy had pressed Ian’s walkie talkie into Aren’s hands. “Let me know when you get to this hospital...so I ah… so i have a idea of when you’ll get back… or of something happens…” Tristan had a embarrassed flush on his face before the pair left. Tristan grabbing his books and comics and curling up in front of the couch his brother had passed out on, ignoring the smell that was coming from the re-bandaged wound… he’d smelt worse… way worse…. Yet it did nothing to calm the young blonds nerves when he changed the cold cloth, many times to keep them cool, Ian still looked flushed and feverish… he'd woken briefly in terror that was only calmed by seeing Tristan in the small kitchen area heating up some soup. “You need to eat something… even if it’s a few mouths full big brother.” Tristan pleaded and even when his stomach recoiled at the thought of eating anything the older male did eat some of the soup, and water, getting fluids into his body was important…. Soon enough Ian was back to being passed out on the couch as Tristan changed the cold cloth out again. He hadn’t seen his brothers skin this flushed since Ian got a sunburn by giving the last of their sunscreen to Tristan when they’d been traveling between cities… but this wasn’t a burn...it was worse than a burn… Part of Tristan was terrified of being alone… of his brother dying or leaving him… either way if it was known that a young boy was on his own the military would swoop in to ‘save’ him and put him in their school….where Tristan was sure he’d feel more alone surrounded by people who he didn’t know. Being forced to accept the views of the soldiers…. To hate… with no real reason to hate. “Please be ok Ian….don’t leave me…. Please….” The young boy’s voice was trembling as he brushed his brothers sweaty ginger locks out of the older males face, Ian’s face was pinched in a fevered pain. Tristan hoped that the others radioed him soon... |
Ian was looking worse for the wear, Taka was packed and ready to go and Aren was close behind after making sure he was leaving Ian in the best possible condition for his brother. As she waited, she mulled over the map, recognizing a lot of the markers that they'd marked. She'd been there as well. It was comforting to know that at least when Ian went out, he had an idea of what he was doing.
Aren took the walky talky in his hands and nodded, “I will let you know the moment we reach a spot I can message you at.†He glanced back at his microscope thinking that he could just leave it there on their way, but time was of the essence and he didn't want to carry it around until they made it back to the safe house. He needed to be limber. “Alright. Alright. We're ready. Time to go show my new roommate around, yeah?†The pair left, Aren leading the way to the door. They made sure to be talking so as not to draw suspicion. They ran into one person, Aren's neighbor, on their way out. He explained the made up story, leaving out the pieces that said that she was essentially of their own ilk. She was one to go out of the city, one to hate Mavrick, and one to become a friend. The person looked at Taka with an air of distrust – outsiders always received those looks, even if she was only from a different section of the city. Looking down the hallway both ways and seeing the coast as clear, Aren lead the way into the storage closet. “It's right through here,†he whispered, “The night guard won't be in this area for another few hours. Thankfully, Ian got to us early. We have almost a day to make it back to the safe house, but if we can help it, I want to be back in as soon as possible. You said you know the schedules of the patrols, right?†“Yeah, and Mav's men too,†Taka said, nodding, and changing to the front position. She glanced down at the map again, looking around at the buildings that were no longer kept as part of the city. Nature already began her advances, and the buildings looked almost green, covered in plant life. The place was alive, not as dreary despite the steady drizzle of rain that was coming down just then. “We're in luck,†Aren said softly, “If they send dogs after us, their scent will be messed up.†“Well, there's that at least,†Taka said with a dry laugh. “C'mon. Let's go.†|
As it began to rain it continued, heavy rain set in and Tristan was curled up with his ratty blanket against the couch as a flash of lighting lit up the sky above the city. It made the young boy flinch...he’d never been fond of the bright and sharp strikes of light from the sky… the booming sounds that followed had never bothered him… Ian had once explained to him that it was the light that was dangerous… the booming wasn’t dangerous… but more of a warning, even though it came after the scary lighting.
The young blonde did his best to change his brother’s cold cloths, and he kept a eye on the bandage. So far it wasn’t leaking red after Aren had changed it, before he’d gone with Taka. Tristan pushed himself closer to the couch and pulled his blanket closer around him as another flash shone across the darkening sky, and then the thunderous boom that followed. It was so loud that Tristan could swear that the sound itself shook the apartment. The pinched expression on Ian’s face was still there… and the young blond knew that his brother was having a nightmare… he’d seen that look on his brother’s face before… many nights with little sleep after they’d booked it out of District 3 all those years ago...Ian had continually woken up bolt right from the bed sweating and a look of terror on his face… Tristan had asked him what he dreamed about… Ian had just brushed it off and hugged the small blond boy to him on those nights, and over time the nightmares vanished. Now Tristan was sure that his brother was having those things again… all because of a cut on his leg? Tris was smart but he didn’t understand what a infection really was...other then what the fungus did to people...where there other things that could turn his brother a mindless husk and take him away? That thought made Tristan pull in on himself tighter and stifle a sound of denial… Ian would BE ok… he had to be. Tristan was tempted to use the talkie to try and contact the duo outside the walls… but knew that it was best if they contacted him first… even if he was starting to feel like he’d lose his only family… even if they got back in time with the medicine… Little did any of them know that it wasn’t just Ian’s own immune system fighting against the infection in his leg… over the years Ian and many others had breathed in many spores… and had the fevers that every human got from even breathing in a small amount…. Yet they never succumbed to the spored and turned into Runners…. |
The explosion of senses that greeted Aren the last time he was out of the city – the smell of plants growing unfettered by human hands, the varying shades of green as they took over man-made structures to systematically break them down, the buzzing of insects – were all dulled by thundering rain and flashing lighting. Scarcely out of the city, the medical retrieval pair looked up unable to even see the tops of the trees. It was still midafternoon, but the sun was carefully hidden behind all-consuming clouds.
“Well. This is...something,†Taka muttered, shifting the pack on her shoulders. “It'll be harder for city officials or Mav's men to find us,†Aren responded, desperate to find the sun behind the clouds. “It'll be harder for us to detect runners,†Taka added, ever the logical voice in his ear. “And for them to smell us. C'mon, let's get going. We don't have long before they begin their evening patrol. Using the map is going to be hard, do you remember what it said?†“Yep, and I know the area fairly well anyway, the map was just a refresher. We're gonna head down this way. If we can skirt the alleys, avoid buildings, and avoid the routes, we'll make it and could theoretically be back by maybe midnight? We can't afford to stay the night out here if we don't want to come home to a corpse and a grieving brother,†again, Taka with her painful realism. Aren sighed, then nodded, “Aight. Lead the way. You're better at this sort of thing than I am. I only been out of the city one other time since I was a kid.†Taka did exactly what was asked of her and with the game plan drawn, the pair left the shelter of the city's walls. No time needed to pass before they both were completely soaked down to their bones and they knew that the day was going to be arduous, cold, and dangerous. Regardless, the pair pressed on and began their journey. [[Okay, so from here, I'm trying to decide if they should run into any troubles or not. Should we include Mav troubles? If so, who should play him? Me or you?]] |
With all the chaos that the fire in District 3 had caused it was easy for people who were not supposed to be in the ‘nicer’ districts to slip in with no problems form the soldiers. It also helped that the soldiers were starting their nightly sweep of the wall perimeter to look for stragglers who had gotten outside.
Two of Mavrik’s gang looked sideways at each other, then down at the paper with a apartment address and number scribbled on it. “So the Boss wants us to do what exactly with this punk?” A short and chunky man with greasy black hair, plastered more on his chubby face by the rain that had opened up in the sky as it fell on the city. His partner, a tall muscular man with thinning hair hidden under a ragged baseball cap shrugged. “Boss wants us to look around… find out where the Punk has his fingers and toes… cause a little trouble for him if we can… find the blond kid that’s always with him and ‘pick him up’ for the Boss…. Say’s that the ginger rat would do anything to protect the little blond punk.” The man rolled his shoulder as the pair of them moved. In Aren’s apartment Tristan had fallen into a light doze leaning back against the couch when the sound of heavily booted feet sounded in the hall outside of the front door. Since he had not been fully asleep Tristan jumped at the sound, wide blue eyes looked towards the door. It didn’t sound like soldier boots…. To clunkly… was someone lost? Tristan heard gruff voices outside the door. “This isn’t the right floor… the letters don’t match…. Come on… there can’t be that many floors….” A voice that sounded like it was dipped in grease said to another. It made Tristan’s skin crawl. “Well not all of us even know what these damned squiggles mean Henrik.” A deeper, muscular sounding voice growled back to the greasy voice before the booted feet echoed down the hall… a few minutes later Tristan could hear muted footsteps in the apartment above him. Or at least the floor above. His and Ian’s apartment was the ones under the roof, so the top floor, it was odd to heard footsteps above him… With what he had learnt about Mavrik, Tristan suspected that the voices form the hall where working for his brother’s old partner...what where his goons doing in District 1? This couldn't be good. --------------- Outside the city a few men in ragged gear and worm and rare night vision goggles were moving cargo… more dead bodies… of those who betrayed the gang and those who their boss had killed once he was bored with them...poor souls. They’d also been told to keep their eyes peeled for the bitch Taka who had escaped the fire meant to kill her… Mavrik wanted the asian bitch dead. She was no longer useful to them according to their boss… mostly because she wasn't one who agreed with the plan to overtake the other districts…. The rain made it hard to see even with their night vision goggles, most slid them down around their necks, old pros by now about moving around these streets at night. “Heard Clancy got a fake job…. The one that Boss gives to all those not worth the bullets in his gun… sent him to ‘guard’ some fake stash…. Heard he got into it with the ginger rat that used to run with Boss… the rat was escorting someone… no clue who… well as long as the rat stays in his District i personally don’t give a crap.” One of the group said as they all muttered similar things. The bodies were heavy but they were all built to handle it. |
[indent]Taka and Aren were shivering, rain soaking through their jackets and shirts, their skin protesting the clinging materials with a push back of goosebumps. Aren's hair was like a sponge and the knot that once sat on the crown of his head now sagged absorbing the weight of what felt like several bucketfuls of water. They passed the buildings by, regardless of the shelter they promised, knowing that in each of them a runner would have the benefit of hearing them first and they'd be trapped. The path was arduous, despite only being about a mile south of the city gates, and the rain helped them hide but little else.
Both trudged on, their arms crossed tightly across their chests and Taka abandoned the hood that offered shelter from the rain for all of about two seconds. Neither said much, both lost in their own worlds of thought. Taka on her dead family, and Aren on his newfound friend and his current predicament. Finally, Taka stopped under the shelter of an overhang that was somehow (miraculously) intact and unwrapped the map from the plastic she was now glad she thought to bring. She couldn't read, so the illustrations helped immensely and she nodded, now remembering where they were. “Everything good?†Aren asked, peering over her shoulder. He took Taka's silence as a sign that she knew what she was doing and her nod proved him correct. “The safehouse is just this way, and the hospital only a bit further up. We should probably stop soon to update the kid; he's probably fuckin' worried sick. We're not exactly making good time,†Taka said, folding the map up once more and returning it to it's protective plastic casing. “Well, at least we know where we are. And no Runners yet. I s'pose we have that to be grateful for. Shit, man. I just met the guy. I don't want him to die already. It's too soon, even in this world,†Aren murmured, finally giving voice to what he'd been thinking about the entire time. Taka looked down at the rain pelting into one of the larger puddles, not blinking when there a crash of thunder above their heads, “At a certain point though? You start to get used to it. It's the price you pay by liking people. You lose them. Speaking of which, you gonna tell him after save his life or what?†“Tell him?†Aren asked, cocking an eyebrow, “Tell him what?†“Boy, don't try to play me. I saw the way you looked at him when he first stepped through the door. How you jumped up to save his life at the risk of your own with no thought...It's obvious. You're in love with the guy,†Taka said with a shrug. “You jumped to save his life too, you know,†Aren muttered, his cheeks turning crimson. “I jumped to see a way out of the fuckin' city. Saving his life is just a benefit of that. I know it sounds fucked up, but saving Ian was just an extra bonus,†Taka said, “I'm sure I'll be glad that I did once I get to know the guy a little better, but shit, I don't even know --†her voice trailed off and she placed her finger to her lips, creeping closer to one of the buildings, ducking between them. Aren followed suit. Voices that Taka immediately recognized were muffled through the rain but were distinguishable. So that was the story behind the man they met. |
The dark silhouette of the men dragging bodies behind them where imposing as they passed the hiding spot Taka and Aren where in. The men were big and rugged, machetes at their hips in place of guns as their bigger muscles were better suited to use the melee weapon. The heavy rain dampened their ears to the shuffling of living feet in the alley shadows.
“Can’t believe how many boy’s the boss is go’in through….the pile down in the tunnels is getting harder to stomach…. At least most of them don’t grow mold….” one of the men complained as he hauled the body he was dragging a bit more. His companions just grunted in agreement, the bodies were down in the tunnels were the Growth and runner’s went too when they weren't wandering looking for fresh victims… there was a man hole they used to drop the bodies down into the once empty room, it was locked from the inside after they had found it, with a hard lock that would take to long to pick from the outside… if you didn’t want to get eaten that was. The man that was lagging behind a bit was panting, still new to carrying heavy things like a DEAD BODY. he paused in front of a alley to catch his breath, moving to look down the thing out of curiosity he could have sworn he saw a shadow of movement… picking up the body again he moved quicker to meet up with the other men. It seemed they were heading in a similar direction close to the hospital, though it was harder to tell with how dark the rain made everything… this could be bad for the ones trying to find medicine. ------------------ Tristan was still huddled in his ratty blanket against the couch, he wanted to climb up and snuggle his brother… but there was no room and the small blond didn’t want to aggravate the would, he did still come out of his little blanket cocoon to change the cool clothes once they got warm from Ian’s head. He wasn’t able to wake his brother for a meal of warm soup, so with some grunting effort Tristan managed to get his brother in a supported seated position, and did something he had seen his brother do before at the old camp they had lived in before that place had gone to sit. He gently pour a small amount of soup into his brother mouth, head tilted back slightly and rubbed his brothers through, relaxing a bit when he felt the reflexive swallow motion that brought the soup down to his brother stomach. Ian had done this for their mother the last few weeks of her life… before the camp had gone to hell...back then Ian and Tristan's had one picture of their mother before the outbreak… and she had looked so different on her deathbed… skin and bones from a sickness that even before the outbreak there had been little to no cure for it. Before she had been a plump, more round women, and Ian’s dad had been a tall muscular man in army fatigues in the picture. Ian had been a scrawny thing with big hair and freckles across his smiling face. It had been the brightest smile Tristan ever remembered seeing on his brother. Now it was just smiles of sad acceptance… The little blond flinched again when he heard those heavy boots outside in the hall. “Where the fuck is that ginger rat! The place was empty! Like he just chose to spend the day somewhere else…. But where the heck is that!” the more greasy voice was clearly angry. “Shut up, we’re supposed to lay low…. Let’s go… we’ll try again tomorrow.” The other voice said, neither seemed to think that the walls were thin enough for a muffled version of their words to get through… but Tristan heard those words and his hands holding the book Aren had given him was shaking with fear. |
Taka's hand was pressed firmly against Aren's mouth as two pairs of wide-brown eyes stared out from the shadows at the imposing sight of body-shaped bags being dragged. They could hear tarp against overgrown pavement over the din of the rain and neither breathed until they were past and at a safe distance. Taka, of course, recognized the men. They were men that she'd gone out of the city with before, men that she'd laughed with and cracked jokes with, men that dumped her as quickly as Maverick had when she voiced her dissent. Those bodies likely were her friends, her family. She resented them now – but was in no position to do anything about it now. If they were seen, they'd be outmanned and outgunned, and she wasn't entirely confident in Aren's ability to shoot a gun. She never was with anyone else unless she saw them shoot it first hand. No, it was best to stay safely tucked away in the comfort of darkness, watching from a blanket of shadow.
When they were out of earshot, the hand that was pressed to Aren's lips curled into a fist and crashed into the wall behind them, “Son of a bitch!†Aren jumped up, looking after them. “They're going the same way we are...†“That's fucking right they fucking are,†Taka growled, “It's gonna take longer now. We have to take a detour, and with Maverick's last move, there's gonna be more on patrol. We have to take the long route. Aren, do you know what the safehouse looks like?†“Sure, I been there once before,†Aren said nodding. “Great, because we're getting close, and I can't read,†Taka murmured, leaving the shelter of the overhang and expecting Aren to follow suit. They didn't get a chance to dry off, but if they had it would have been in vain as the rain didn't stop. It continued all the way until they got to the safehouse and Aren pulled out his walky talky. “Tristan, Tristan, you there?†|
Tristan almost jumped out of his skin when his walkie talkie crackled to life, his small pale hands fumbling with the device before he answered. “Aren? Yeah…. Some scary men were searching the building for Ian….they didn’t knock on any of the apartment doors…….Ian’s fever is making it hard for him to eat….” The little boy’s voice was shaking as he pressed himself back against the bottom of the couch where Ian lay.
Ian had managed a little more soup before passing out, his brother having been able to wake him successful the second time he tried to feed his brother. Green eyes had been glassy and that scared Tristan, even if he was friends with Aren now he knew that if Ian died that he, Tristan, would be hauled off to the military school...a place that the young boy didn't want to end up. “It sounded like they’d be back tomorrow…. I’m scared to go back to the apartment Ian and I live in now…” the young boy’s voice was shaking still. The weather outside not helping his mood at all. --------------------- The safe house was the same as Ian and Aren had left it, just a few things wet in the front end of the space form the broken and open windows, the back room still tidy and more put together then the outside area. It seemed that the safe house trashed appearance on the outside really helped to keep people away from the back room where all the ‘goods’ where, including some canned food that Ian had left here last time. Maverick's goonies haven't even gone into the safe house, passing by it a few streets over to their dumping ground. The heavy rain slowed everything down, the rumbling of thunder didn’t help either. Though some saw it as a reprieve from the hot weather of the summer months. |
[[Okay, okay, I know, fucking finally, right? Those are my thoughts anyway. I've been a mess recently, but I actually have one up! I am so sorry about how long it took, I'm just grateful that I had the foresight to message that it might be a while. I'm hoping to be getting my shit together relatively shortly, as rp will now be the intersecting moments of joy between chapters or pages written for class.]]
The safe room, as expected by the holes he'd noted in the ceiling during the last visit, was damp. The front half of the room would best be described by the word “moist,†complete with all of the unpleasant connotations that the word evoked. Taka and Aren were huddled around the walkie talkie on the dryer side of the room, not bothering to dry themselves off. Their stay in the safe room would ideally be brief – they had little time to waste if their friend was going to make it more than a couple of days. The response came as quickly as anticipated, though the news was less than savory. “Men?†Taka asked over Aren's shoulder, “They Mav's men?†Aren nodded glumly, “Ian told me about their history. After running into one of them on our last trip out, and I wouldn't be surprised if Mav was after him again, though I don't see why he doesn't just let the past just die.†“Maverick is not the type,†Taka huffed, “He'll destroy everything you love first, then go for you. He'd make it hurt if he has any say in it, too. In fact, I'm surprised he's not going after you first, unless he doesn't know about you yet.†Aren's hands were trembling, though he wasn't certain if it was news of the fever and the men or if it was the rainwater soaking his clothes and clinging to his skin that was the culprit. “He wouldn't go after me. Ian and I have known each other all of about two or three days. We ain't been friends for too long. He don't know about me yet. But he might know about you. Do you know if he has access to the records of who is living where?†Taka pursed her lips in thought, letting her eyes drift to one of the leaks on the other end of the room, “Hard to say. But he might leave me alone after killing off all of my loved ones. He's sick like that.†The young man shook his head, breathing in deep through his nostrils before exhaling into a tentative sigh, “Alright, Tristan? Listen to me, okay? Don't leave our apartment. Stay there. Do not open the door for fucking anyone, 'aight? Fucking anyone except Taka or myself. Do Mav's men know what you look like? Also, I know this is a stretch, but if you can move Ian to the closet – used to be a walk in – might be able to make a bed in there in case they manage to break in. If you get a knock do not say anything. Taka and I are gonna try to get this medicine tonight, even if we have to go around them. The rain sucks, but it makes for decent cover. Stay safe. That's an order, got it? We'll keep you updated when we can, okay? With that, he clicked off the walkie talkie, his eyes going to Taka who now bore the thousand yard stare familiar to anyone who knew that they might now be in serious trouble. He prayed that it was nothing to worry about. At least, not yet. |
“They said something about a boss… that’s what Ian used to call his old partner when he was working….and they called my brother a ginger rat….They broke into our apartment and are pissed that they found it empty.” The young blond said hugging his knees to his chest as he spoke. “I don’t know much about Ian’s old partner… he won’t tell me more then the man is a bastard….and not to be trusted no matter how sweet his smile may seam.” Tristan added after a moment as he pushed blond curls out of his face.
“Mavrik knows what i look like… i met him a couple of times when he and Ian were together… I don’t remember what he looks like though.” the young boy said after a moment or two. “I’m not good with orders… but I’ll stay quite…s’what i’m good at any way.” there was a small smile in the boy’s voice at that. Tristan let out a breath that he’d been holding as he had spoken to Taka and Aren, Ian wasn’t doing to good, by the pinched expressions his older brother had Tristan could tell he was having a nightmare… The small blond boy didn’t think he’d be able to wake Ian at this point...and he faintly remember that Ian had told him once that it was better to sleep through a sickness. When Tristan had gotten his first spore fever just before they’d made it to this city Tristan only remembered sleeping a lot and being very hot… so hot that he’d striped himself down once, only to have Ian dress him again and wrap him in a ratty blanket before huddling behind him. -------------------- Deep in the hospital a sleeping giant groaned, a bloater lumberd down the halls in the deepest parts of the hospital, the rain outside not a bother to the beast that was once human. After the first 6 years of infection giant tumors filled with a wet spore filled substance grew from the body, the eyes covered with fungal growth just like the Growth that where more deadly than freshly turned humans. It rumbled with a dead voice, as if knowing it’s space would be intruded on, by more than just one human… it would feast soon. -------------------- Ian was in his worst nightmare… the city had been invaded by the infected… and Mavrik had found him…. And Tristan… the sick man was torturing the young blond boy while dream Ian was bound, unable to do anything as Mavrik than just a infected human attack the small blond boy. Lifeless blue eyes stared up at Ian before the body began to twitch. ‘No!NO!’ Ian was shouting in his nightmare. In the real work he was panting and shaking with fever even as Tristan kept up with the cool clothes on his forehead, using the old ones to mop up the sweat that was pouring off Ian. “Please hold on Ian…. please.” Tristan pleaded to the closed eyelids of his brother. -------------- Back out in the city Marv’s men were finished dumping the bodies and had chosen to take the route back that was closer to the hospital, the boss had said to check the long route back for anything, when one of their usual crew had asked what exactly he’d gotten a bullet to the hand for his trouble. No one questioned the Boss… not even on small things… “Keller said he caught a glimpse of a big one in there… suicide to even think about salvage in there… boss shot him point blank… still trying to find someone to head a team in there…” One of the group said cracking his knuckles. |
Aren shook his head. Tristan was sure and he had no reason to doubt the boy. The situation turned more dire, and he knew that he and Taka had to return that night or Ian would pass away. “Well,†Aren said after a moment, gulping, “They'll find it empty when they check again too. Unless they get permission from the city to raid people's apartments to go looking for you they won't find you. They don't know yet about your connection to me, and breaking into each and every apartment is bound to draw some sort of attention. The clout he has in the first ward hasn't yet reached ours.â€
Taka knew immediately what he meant by that. Ian was gay. That, at least, she could identify in Aren as well. So she wasn't simply imagining things, which was comforting – and it would also explain why she recognized the sick bloke. She'd seen him with Maverick before, long ago. “Well these orders can save your life, Tristan,†she added, voice stern but kind. The orders weren't to constrain him, they were meant to keep not one, but two lives going. “We have to get going now, and hopefully we'll be seeing you later tonight. If we can, we'll radio in. We don't know what kinds of shit we'll run into at the hospital, but we've some of Mav's men patrolling. None yet from the city, but they aren't the ones I'm afraid of. We'll see you soon.†With that, Taka clicked off the walkie talkie ignoring the glare that Aren gave her with the abrupt farewell, waving it off with a simple, “We have to get moving or Ian will die. We don't have time for emotions. You can give Ian a kiss when he's feeling better with the medicine. You could have stayed behind, but I can't read. Your job is equally as important. Now. Let's make like a tree and get the fuck out of here.†Aren bowed his head. She was right; he knew that, but he didn't want to admit it so he simply muttered, “That's not how the adage goes...†under his breath. If Taka heard, she gave no indication of it. >>>> Outside, the rain still hadn't let up. If anything, and if it was possible, it was raining harder now. Taka found herself glad she pushed them out before they had a chance to even dry a little bit because that comfort would have been stripped away from them a second time. Any hint of voices and the pair were forced to take detours. But eventually they found it – a once white towering, massive building. They went inside. |
“They didn’t seem to no much other than Ian and me we're in this building.” Tristan said “I know they can… still doesn't mean i like em usually.” the small blond had a small smile in his words, it was clear that he would stay right where he and his brother were. “Stay safe.” the small blond sent over the walkie talkie before the apartment was silent again, only the horse sounds of his brother’s restless sleep echoed softly in the apartment.
---------------- There were dead runner bodies around the entrances , on the inside, so of course masks where needed as the deeper they got into the hospital more spores weakly dotted the air, hammered down by the rain. There were some grooves in the floor, like something had been moved over the same spot many times over the years. On a long unbroken hallways was a massive map of the hospital, some of it overgrown with vines and plant life, but still legible, rooms on the map where sparsely labeled, just big sections where properly labeled, the medicine storage was in the basement, the entrance of which was closer to the heart of the hospital. As they would head towards the door they were looking for, Taka and Aren would hear the smashing of glass as someone broke a window from the outside before more voices, angry and shouting voices echoed down the halls. Mav’s men had chosen to come to the hospital after all to escape the rain. Deeper in the hospital, close to the basement entrance, the giant Bloater lumberd around it’s domain, Growth’s clicked around it, giving it a wide berth, yet still hunting on their own, only around three of them left after the rest had run after the last group to try and take the hospital, they could faintly hear the footsteps of many… A chance to either kill or spread the spore. To grow. Shit was about to hit the fan for both Taka and Aren, as well as the group of Maverick's disposal men |
The pair hardly spoke as they stepped into the shelter of one of the side entrances to the hospital. Had either of them been completely aware of the culture prior to the Reckoning, they would have recognized it as the entrance that ambulances pulled into, patients on flatbeds would have wheeled in through this door, some alive, some already dead. One of the ambulances still sat somewhat close to the entrance rotting from the inside out. Both, before entering, donned their masks. They had no way of knowing what was in there besides themselves and neither had a wish to get infected. Taka removed her jacket and wound it up, squeezing. A torrent of water came from the fabric and Aren repeated the process. The sound of water hitting the floor joined the rest of the rain outside and, for the time being, the pair was safe. |
In the dark once the flashlight had been turned off they would be able to make out vague silhouettes, big men that could do a lot of damage on their own. The slightly muffled voices that echoes gave the impression that the men were also wearing masks.
“Boss wants the last of what’s left, pills, the liquid stuff you need the needles for...the cloth they use for wraps….all of it, fan out…. but don’t go to far…. Josh scouted here…. got bit by a big mother fucker, ever cutting off the rotting leg didn’t help. Bang.” One muffled voice echoed down the halls. A few of the men nodded but one just crossed his arms. “Josh could have been lying about what one of the infected fuckers bit him, always spinning a yarn that one.” This man walked off in a direction, like the others, but he would go deeper into the hospital. He passed the hall that Taka and Aren where in, he stopped, turned his own flashlight on, a crappy shoulder one that was orange, faded with time. The light bounced off the walls, he noticed the groves carved into the floor and hummed to himself, he however did not notice one of the derelict doors shutting just on the other side of those groves. Ducking into empty rooms as one hears approaching footsteps can be risky, this time it paid off for the duo hunting for medicine to save a certain ginger man. ---------------- Tristan didn’t know if what his brother had was infectious...he continued to change the wet cloths for his brothers fever, and between that he was pressing himself up against Ian’s slim chest, gaining comfort from the heated body. For a moment Tristan was reliving a faded memory of clinging to this same chest, it had just been smaller, during a bitter winter. Before they had come to this city, they had been on their own after the small town their mother had died in had fallen, Ian had only told Tristan that the people didn’t get along, had different ideas about how to do things… Now Tristan wonders if the city was headed down the same path. He may be young but he overheard many of the citizens talking about how they didn’t like the military and how they dealt with things...and he remembered how people in their old district had started to follow his brother’s old partner… well the abled body ones any way. Underneath him Ian began to groan and pant in pain, this had Tristan begin to hum a old song, one that their mother had sung to Ian and Tristan to help them sleep, and Ian had continued to do so for Tristan after their mother had died. Mavrik’s men had left the building, thankfully, yet they were still close by, waiting in the next building over that doubled as a motel of sorts for people ‘visiting’ from other districts of the city. They knew that if they returned without something to hand over to Mavrik they’d be shot dead...no questions… though the shorter man still wondered just why their Boss was so obsessed with the ginger twat. Sure the freckled fuck had been one of the best smugglers of the gang, up there is power next to the boss, he’d made sure everyone got a cut, even if it meant giving up his own...he’d been weak, caring about others like that….and then there was his rarely seen little brat brother….no one really knew what he looked like… only Mavrik did and all he ever described the brat as was, ‘pale and clingy’. The pair had heard stories about how the Ginger Twat would leave the boss in the middle of something steamy if his walkie talkie went off and his brother wanted him home for whatever reason. To these men, and Maverik, as well as most of the gang, this was a weakness. -------------------- There were five men in total that had broken into the hospital along side Aren and Taka, they were surprisingly easy to sneak around, it didn’t take long for the pair to find the map of the hospital painted in fading paint on the wall, the medicine that Ian would need would be stored in a lower room, in the den of the beast, one that they’d heard take out one of these men already when he’d barely walked into its territory and tried to fight it. The big infected roar was definating, it made any nearby glass shake with the force of it, as it moved small puffs of spores escaped its mouth, and small growths of fungal pods on its hulking back. This thing would be a deadly fight… if only they could burn it out….with the rain outside, and falling into the hospital from caved in roofs and the like, it would be a hard fight. Thankfully it seemed that the beast of focused on the group of men, stalking them down with it’s lumbering heavy steps. |
Neither of the hospital spelunkers needed to motion to the other to be quiet. Both knew. Both could hear the voices echoing down the empty hallway. Then, the hallway wasn't entirely empty. The spores could be seen in any stray rays of light dancing about in a sick display of potential sickness and death. Just because they weren't visible didn't mean that they weren't there, that they were safe. They stayed still, watching from the shadows, their breaths hot against the masks that neither would dare to take off until they were well away from the hospital – if they could make it that far. The words that carried spelled bad news for the pair. If Maverick's men were planning on taking everything, there would be nothing left for them. Perhaps that was his intent. If they didn't get to the tetanus first, Aren knew, they would have to kill the men. He prayed Taka was a decent shot. Aren had fired a gun exactly once in his life, and he couldn't say that it was a success.
Heavy footsteps drew nearer until Aren could reach out and touch the hem of the man's trench coat. Too afraid to move, his now adjusted eyes slid over in Taka's direction. She was moving slowly, so slowly that at first Aren had a hard time figuring out what exactly what it was she was doing until he saw a brief glint of metal. Her right hand still held her gun, but her left now gripped what appeared to a knife. Her eyes were focused on the man until he was a safe distance away and the two snuck behind, closing the door behind them. Taka breathed, grateful she didn't have to use it just yet, but Aren's eyes were wide, looking at the knife and then back up to her face. The look was meant as a question and Taka answered with a shrug of her shoulder: “It's quieter. We'll be needing to follow him soon, but we've got to wait until he's fully unaware. That's when I'll cut him off.†She nodded to an opposite doorway, “He's taking the long way. We'll be taking the shorter route. There aren't any fucking windows this way, so it's more dangerous. Probably why he didn't come this way. We'll cut him off at his destination.†|
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