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The night had passed without anything eventful happening. No walkers tried to get into the McDonalds, and no other survivors showed up. The worst part for Tala had been keeping watch and listening to the men snore. She would have paid anything for a pair of ear plugs half way through her shift, when Mark started sawing logs. She now sat in the truck, staring at the camping supply store. She held Clem on her lap, and gave her a squeeze before shifting her off her lap. She turned around and faced the guys in the back, "Alright...so..how do we wanna work this?" The sun up, it was not as cold, but even Texas grew chilly in the winter. She wore her thermal shirt and jeans, hair pulled back and tied. Grey eyes traveled from one face to another, "Marko...Cas...you wanna come in with me and we let Mark and the girls stand watch?" She wanted the girls safe, and she knew if Mark had to bolt he would to keep them that way.
"I should for all intents and purposes be dead. But I'm not." Ash sat in the survival store. His dirt covered clothes were strewn over the counter he'd made himself at home in the managers office. Looking over at his new companion he couldn't help but smile. The husky whose collar said "Shadow" looked up at him his ears perked up. A bandage tied around Ash's head had a cowboy hat covering it. Ash reached down and patted Shadows head. The dog let out a sigh and wagged its tail at Ash.
Ash stopped petting the dog and stood up. His head still hurt along with his chest. Shadow stood up and followed Ash to the door. Grabbing a crossbow he'd "bought" from the survival store he opened the door and walked into the store. He stuffed some rations and jerky into a back pack. Getting ready to zip it up he looked at the dog. "How about we get you a new collar huh?" Ash pulled out a jerky strip and fed it to the dog. It ate the jerky greedily and liked Ash's cheek. Ash laughed and rubbed the dogs head.
"Hows that feel buddy?" Ash said adjusting the blue bandana around the dogs neck. It barked at him and wagged his tail. Ash took it as a good thing. Putting his pack over his shoulder he got ready to leave until he heard talking. Shadow started to growl the fur on Shadows back standing up as Ash unslung his crossbow. He moved quickly and quietly behind the counter as he loaded a bolt. Making a click with his tongue he was joined by Shadow he took his place by his masters side.
Marko hadn't slept well last night, not that it came as any surprise. In fact, he hadn't intended to sleep at all but sleep had taken him anyway: a man could only stay awake for so long. As he drifted off, head resting against the wall, the nightmares came again.
Marko had woken up in cold sweat, hyperventilating and muttering to himself incoherently "Not your fault. Not. Your. Fault." He had kept to himself for most of the morning, too tensed to make any conversation. But he needed, they needed him to focus now.
Rifle slung on hus back and pistol in hand, taking a deep breath to calm himself, he spoke "The door's locked, so that could mean a number of things. One, we got lucky and the place's abandoned. Or two, there's a guy who locked himself inside. Worst case it three, some bastard locked a bunch of rotters inside, and now they're really hungry." Marko realized what he was doing: briefing them, the same way he did with his squad. Already too late to stop, he continued. "Whatever it is, I'll be right next to you. Stay frosty, stick together and watch each other's backs. You know the drill"
Old habits die hard. Marko was thinking like a Sergeant again. "Ready?" He asked, taking his place beside the door
Tala stood very still and stared at Marko. She knew he hadn't slept well and was a bit concerned about him,to be honest. Still,she needed him and Cas right now.Mark and the girls were great,but she would never be comfortable placing those girls in direct danger.
As he ran over the options of what might be reasons for the door to be locked,she nodded,though if walkers were inside why hadn't they been trying to get to them. Should of at least caught a glimpse of them through the boarded window,right?
She had glanced at Cas and smiled,letting him know she was alright and ready. She gripped the pipe that was the handle for her home made spear. That was when Marko kept talking. Tala felt her heart plummet to her stomach. Her eyes went wide as she looked at Marko. Gripping so hard her knuckles went white,forcing herself to focus,to conctrate. <stay frosty> military jargon. No way he just picked it up and for him to use it now,after she had told him about the soldiers from her past.No,this was ingrained in him. He was a soldier,had to be. Nick was a soldier too and you liked him,her mind threw at her. Tala focused, shoving down her feelings,her fear. Not now,there would be time later. She nodded to Cas," shoot the lock and Cas...please have my back." She took a step forward ,to go in once the door was open.
Mark nodded than looked at the girls. "Grab your weapons kiddies." Mark said as he grabbed his pistol. Moving to the side of the door he leaned against the wall silently wishing he had a cigarette. He wanted one worse than anything else. After his last pack he'd quit cold turkey.
Castle stood there resting his sword on his shoulder looking at the building that could be there salvation for free stuff. As the others were going over the options Castle tilted his head. "Has anyone tried knocking? It might sound stupid but if there's dead heads we'll hear them and if there's people.... Well let's hope we find cover before their bullets find us." Castle was more then ready to go in but favoured the sensible choice over the blind He brought his sword down to his side and moved over to the wall by the door using the hilt of the blade he was ready to knock. He looked towards Tala and smiled. "The last thing we need is someone hurt we need to be smart and I know you're not just a pretty face dear." He winked, Castle quite liked the role he had come into while with this group he pictured himself the Loveable rouge it amused him to think of him self as such after all everyone had there roles to play.
Last Edit: Jan 15, 2015 21:14:04 GMT -5 by Deleted
Dakota smiled up from her drawing at Castle as he returned. Confusion soon replaced the smile though."Wait... what?" His smile really throwing her off. In hy end, Dakota decided he was kidding after all, and played along, With a playful giggle and mirthful sparkle in her eyes, she grinned, "Okkay, Grandpa Cassie, I'll be glad to help get your stuff into the truck, or whatever extra vehicle we get. In the morning."
She smiled softer, "Really though, if there any extra stuff you want help carrying to truck. I'd be happy to. I mean we do have some boxes of fries... That's about it besides a couple bags of buns and some packets of ketchup and other stuff. And I can help watch too. I'm not really tired."
Stretching out her arms, she settled to resume drawing. Dakota looked over at Clem already fast asleep, and then up to Tala when she seconded the idea of 'Koda getting some shut eye. Dakota relented and got up to accept the coat from Tala, "Well, alright. I'll try, but like I said I'm not really tired. I got some sleep in the truck before we got here, and unless I'm really, really tired it's hard to sleep in strange places. Always much easier to sleep in my room. Uh... my corner of the truck."
She smiled to Tala and sat back in her chair. She finished off her drawing, complete with rewriting her message to Ant-nerd and V-nerd on the back. Once and only once that was all safely in her pack did she curl up beside Mark and Clementine. While at her pack, she retrieved her stuffed animal unicorn, and kissed the her pet black widow's glass jar. "G'night Charlotte."
Dakota also snagged herself a handful fries before laying down, making sure to close the box. With her unicorn, Flowers, tucked under one arm, she snacked on the fries one or two at a time. They were kind of bland without the salt or second time cooking for beef flavoring. Didn't stop her from snacking on them.
On her side trip to get the fries before laying down Dakota made rounds with a pair of stickers. Two flower stickers. She went to Castle and placed one on the back of his hand, if he let her. She smiled warmly to him, "It really is good to find lost friends."
Her path took her next to Marko, offering to place the other flower sticker on the back of one his hands too if he allowed it. She tipped Ash's cowboy hat forward to bring the brim lower over her eyes. For that more serious look, "Tala and Cassie seem to think you're alright. And so far you don't seem crazy...." She tipped her hat back from her eyes and smiled, "So welcome to the family." with that she finally went to get her fries and go lay down near Mark and Clem.
She laid there, staring at the ceiling and not coming close to sleep. She considered getting up for more fries, but that seemed like too much effort. Maybe sleep wasn't so far off after all. Turning onto her side, she wound up the old music box inside of Flowers. The metallic tinkling of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' sounded softly around her. She had to wind the toy up again, but before it unwound completely for the second time the familiar notes had worked their magic. Dakota was finally snoring lightly in sleep.
When Dakota woke, sh took her pack and staggered into one of the restrooms. She came back out a few minutes later, her hair combed out and wearing her white turtleneck under her summer dress. Flowers had been stowed back into her pack too.
A couple packets of ketchup and salt made her breakfast of fries taste way better than her bedtime snack. Throwing her blue tye-dyed hoodie jacket back on, Dakota put her hair back up into its usual messy pinned up ponytail with her alligator clip, and plopped on her hat. She gave it her 'serious' tip forward over her yes, and got up to help load her things, and the boxes of fries and shopping basket of hamburger buns and condiments into the truck.
She stickered her copy of the drawing she left Vivian and Anthony, made the night before, up on the ceiling of the camper shell in between her corner and Clementine's. She wanted Clem to be able to see it as easy as herself.
She glanced on up at her drawing of Ash and other lost loved ones. She frowned and stared up at their crayon incarnations, ”I miss you all so much.”
At the outdoor outfitter store, she grabbed her youth rifle when she got on out of the truck. Her inherited crossbow may be quiet, but she decided it was better not to test her skill with it in a potentially dangerous situation. She tok up a spot alongside Mark near the door, her hazel eyes scanning up and down the street for signs of trouble. The others could worry about what lay inside.
Last Edit: Jan 16, 2015 2:27:39 GMT -5 by Dakota Snow
Clementine had gone off to the restroom just before Dakota woke up. She used the mirror and a small pair of scissors from her pack to trim back her hair, before putting her pigtails back in. Clem leaned over the sink, and studied the young girl in the mirror who stared back. She sighed sadly to the girl in the mirror, “I miss them too.”
Against the chilly Texas winter morning, she slipped her puffy blue jacket with rainbow across the front on, She shared a few fries with Dakota, using a couple packets of salt and ketchup just for herself. Along with her own things, she helped get the boxes of fries out to the truck, climbing in and onto Tala's lap when all were ready to pull out. It did make room for Dakota to sit up front too.
During the trip, she held the small toy flower, Vivian had entrusted to her and 'Koda to look after. She held in it closer to the windshield, so she could watch it's smiling face dance in the morning sun.
Clem put the flower away and pulled her handgun out at Mark's words. Following Mark, she took up place right beside Dakota and the wall, young dark eyes alert and watchful.
Last Edit: Jan 17, 2015 21:57:28 GMT -5 by Clementine
Someone else might have missed it, but part of Marko's job was knowing how tojudge the mental state of the people whose lives he was about to put into danger, and he had spotted the slight change in Tala's voice. Was it anxiety? No, she looked experienced enough to not be unnerved by a simple prospect of looting a store. Not wanting to think of the alternate possibility, Marko simply shrugged it off. Focus on the job
"I'll take point. Three... Two..." Marko's adrenaline-fueled senses stopped him from counting any further just as he drew his knife. Barking. There was barking inside. "Wait." Waving his hand and signaling the others to be quiet, he asked and leaned closer to the door "Listen. Do you hear that?" Uncertain of whether he was hallucinating or not, Marko looked to Tala and Castle for confirmation.
"So, there is actually someone inside. They may not be friendly, so be ready for anything"
Ash could hear voices but they were muffled. Looking at his companion who just wagged his tail Ash thought better of surprising the people outside. "Don't shoot. It's just me and my dog. I'm coming out." Ash called as he stood up from behind the counter. Patting his leg the husky followed close behind.
Ash unloaded the bolt from his crossbow and held them apart to show he wasn't to shoot. Unlocking the door he walked out into the cold Texas air. Pushing his hat up the cowboy stared at the group in front of him. "Tala? Mark? Logan?" Ash said looking around at the faces around him. He looked down at the two little girls by Mark. "Dakota! Clementine!"
Tala glanced at Castle and shook her head. Leave it to the Brit to think of the polite thing to do. Knock? was he serious? She stopped and listened as Marko asked about barking.
She glanced over and saw Mark bring the girls forward to seek cover , and she nodded at him. She swallowed and eased forward a bit, but then raised up as she heard a male voice call out to them, "someone is in there, "she spoke in a hushed whisper. She backed off the door and then stared as a large man started out. Her gun drawn and in hand, but not aimed. She blinked as he seemed to know Logan and Mark, then the girls...who was he? She glanced at Marko, then the others.
Tala stepped further back, giving room for the ones who knew him. She glanced at Marko, then nodded to the inside. She still wanted the place cleared before they brought the girls in.
Castle was beyond shocked when the mysterious voice gave up so willingly and with out knowing of the groups intentions. "Well that was anticlimactic if this was a book I'd expect a bloody good plot twist." He said as he put his sword back in it's sheath and crossed his arms leaning up against the wall. The thought went thought his head of why a man would give up just like that maybe he had nothing left and thought bugger it or maybe....before he could finish his thought the man opened the door and said there names. A rather confusing look postured across his face he turned to see Ash. "Okay that...that's a pretty good plot twist. Oh god's don't tell me I'm in a Gorge R.R. Martin book I'm to loveable to die. It would be even worse if it was fanfiction what kind of sicko would dream up a world like this." Castle joked as he pushed off the wall and turned to face Ash. At this point Castle could not see the dog and hoped it wasn't just Ash gone crazy like most the yanks he knew.
Castle looked at Tala unsure if she knew who the man was "Erm I'm not sure if I need to introduce the man or not? He seems to know you so I'm going with no but we better get the girls." Castle smirked he was just so damn happy "Wow it almost feels like Christmas, Finding some of my old friends and meeting a rather attractive new one.." he paused for a moment and looked at Marko "okay two rather attractive new friends." he smiled before turning his attention back to Ash.
Post by Dakota Snow on Jan 17, 2015 21:55:44 GMT -5
The streets seemed to be clear. Dakota was determined not to let her focus drop though. Then she heard a faint, familiar voice. A voice she never thought she'd hear again. Her hazel eyes misted over, and she shook off the surreal feeling. This crapsack world was only in the business of taking , it never gave anything precious back once it was gone. Never. She didn't have time wishes or dreams, no matter how much her heart wanted them to be true. Not when Clem and the others were counting on her to help keep an eye out for any trouble outside, while Tala and crew scouted inside. Her grip on her right-sized rifle tightened, and she forced herself to concentrate on the street. Kissing her butterfly beads, she whispered a little prayer to her fallen family.
The voice came again, more clearly this time from behind her. It even called to her and Clementine. Choking up, tears ran unbidden down her cheeks, and her chest shook. 'Koda feared if she turned around, the world would just smack her right back down again for daring such a foolish hope. Her young voice cracked when she dared to answer the voice out loud, ”P-p-papa B-bear?”
Weary, watery, young hazel eyes widened as she turned slowly. There he was, standing pain as day, and she didn't seem to be the only one seeing him. She exclaimed, ”PAPA BEAR!” in pure, unadulterated joy! In that one ecstatic moment, she even lurched forward one step, as if she was going to be carried straight away by her sudden happiness straight into greeting Ash. Yet she lurched one and only one step toward him.
The horrors of the day she lost him and its aftermath flashed over her eyes. That horrific, disembodied walker head snapping its medium grin at her for hours... and hours. How her kidnapper had been wearing its face, and draped the macabre mask of flesh back onto its original owner's undying head.
The monster who stole her, Jeff, was dead. She had made sure of that herself. There was another monster they had all run into shortly after though.... the cannibalistic reverend. What if they hadn't finished that monster off after all. She hadn't been there to see the reverend's end, and they just left Ash there. What if...
Her tear-stained face scrunched in anger, and her youth rifle suddenly snapped up, aimed at Ash. ”Everyone stay back! This can't be him! Papa Bear is dead. I-I... I helped push the screw driver in so he wouldn't rise into one of those monsters. But we were stupid enough to le- leave Papa Bear right where that f***ing cannibal reverend could have dug him up. A-a-and he was sick enough to use Papa Bear's face as mask. Jeff did.... used some man's face as a mask.”
Post by Clementine on Jan 17, 2015 21:58:39 GMT -5
Clementine heard the voice too, and she snapped around to face Ash before Dakota. Her dark eyes stood big in disbelief. Joyful tears filled her dark eyes, “I thought you were dead.” Had Dakota and the others lied when they told her Ash was dead? No. They all told her the same thing, they had honestly thought the big man was gone. Why would they all lie about the same thing only to her? They wouldn't.
Just as she was about to rush to Ash, Dakota leveled her rifle, and she turned her dark eyes to her friend. 'Koda had told Clem all about her ordeal with Jeff at the autoshop back in Miami. Clem brought her handgun to bear on Ash too, and stared uncertainly back at the man she thought dead. Dead people just didn't get up and start walking around... and not want to take a bite out of your for dinner. Here he was, very much not rotting and not wanting to eat anyone. Maybe there was something to Dakota's fears.
On the other hand, now that she could see his face clearly, it didn't look rotted or wrinkled like you'd think a mask skinned from a walker's face would be. Clem lowered her handgun, and turned to Dakota, using a free hand to lower the end of Dakota's rifle away from Ash. ”'Koda... 'Koda. Look at his face. It's not rotten enough to be a mask from a dead Ash. That... that really is him.” Her own voice began to break in trying to calm her friend, fresh tears blurring her vision . She glanced backup to Ash, ”I can't believe it either, but we got him back.”
Post by Dakota Snow on Jan 17, 2015 22:01:12 GMT -5
Listening to Clementine, she let her rifle drop and aim back toward the ground. She stood there staring tearfully up at Ash, it seemed like forever to her. She dropped her rifle, and bulldozed her way into hugging Ash's middle, ”Papa Bear...” She buried her face and sobbed... maybe this cruel world still had some sympathy left for its denizens after all.
Last Edit: Jan 17, 2015 22:07:06 GMT -5 by Dakota Snow
Post by Clementine on Jan 17, 2015 22:09:44 GMT -5
Clem sniffed and could not keep herself from joining Dakota. She rushed just a step or two behind 'Koda, slamming into a full force, tearful hug to Ash's other side.
Ash wrapped his arms around the girls as they ran into him. He couldn't keep himself from crying as he held the two. "I thought I'd never see you two again." Ash gripped them both tight. The Husky walked out of the store and stared at the new faces then his owner. Shadow wagged his tail seeing people alive rather than the walkers. Ash finally let go of the girls and smiled at them.
"Thanks for keeping these two safe. I know they can be a handful at times." Ash said with a joking smile as his dog sniffed the people. Shadow walked up to the girls his tail wagging. He hadn't seen kids since his previous owners after tunneling out of their yard when they died he'd been alone. Digging up Ash and finding him breathing was a god send for the dog. Ash pet the dog. "This is Shadow. He's been my buddy since florida. I was headed out this way to go home and ride out the winter." Looking at the people he didn't recognize he extended his hand towards them. "I'm Ash or papa bear."
Tala stared at Castle for a moment as he spoke and raised a brow. She was still getting used to the colorful Britt. She had backed off a bit and was glad she had when the girls raced up and hugged the man. Ash,so this was Kodas surrogate father. She offered a slight smile as she saw how happy the girls were. Her eyes strayed to his head and made a mental note to talk to him about that later. She glanced at Marko and then the door and nodded. She didn't wanna go in alone. As Ash introduced himself,she glanced at his hand. Yes,he knew the others and the girls seemed to love him,but she still hung back. Her eyes lifted to his face and she lifted her hand in a wave,"nice to meet you,Ash." She gave him a soft smile and felt a lump in her throat. The way he was with the girls reminded her of how precious her dad always made her feel. No matter how grown she tried to act,he always told her that she was his little girl. Tears stung her eyes and she cleared her throat and slipped inside the store to make a hasty retreat.
Marko was ready to fire when the man barged out of the door, but stopped himself when he heard both the girls' names being called out. So, this was Ash, one of those they spoke about yesterday who was missing. Watching the tearful reunion, he was glad things didn't get ugly. "For bunch of ragtag apocalyptic survivors, you guys sure are popular" Marko commented to Castle and Tala. Two in two days, what were the chances?
"I'm Marko" He started, shaking Ash's outstretched hand, "Shadow seems well-trained. Smart, too." The military too made use of canine units, which were lifesavers when there was no real other way of screening the civilians unless you stripped them down for bites. But the dogs? The dogs always knew.
Marko didn't notice Tala's change in mood until she quickly slipped inside the building. "Tala? Wait up" He called upout while going after her, keeping his voice low. It wasn't safe to go alone. No one to watch behind you, no one to pull you away if you get grabbed, no one would even know you were dead. "Hey, don't go running off like that."
Tala stopped just past the register as she heard Marko behind her. She turned and faced him,"look I'm a big girl,we need to get supplies and a vehicle and get outta here, can't afford to be in a place too long and draw a lot of attention." She motioned around the store,"sides ,let them have there few moments , and help me gather stuff we are gonna need,please?" She looked lost as she stared around the place for a few seconds,unsure where to start. " and if the place wasn't somewhat safe,I doubt the cowboy and his dog would have lasted too long in here." She seemed more to be rationalizing for herself than actually conversing with him,"still we should check the place out." Her eyes roamed over to him and as she looked at him(stay frosty) kept echoing in her mind. He was a soldier,had to be and he had lied. Don't trust him,she told herself. Her jaw set in a hard line and she spoke coldly to him."let's clear it and make sure it's safe for the girls." Tala moved off towards the shelves and racks,spear gripped tightly.
Shauna Kelly: That helped, thank you
Oct 4, 2021 14:40:44 GMT -5
Ayita Hunt: dang, January was my last post.. Jeez it's been a hot minute. o7 guys, sorry for the complete disappearance, life got.. a little interesting this year.
Oct 18, 2021 22:34:19 GMT -5