ZRP-2 Chapter 6: Scattered

Eve looked back at Sarah, then slipped out of James' hand.
"Be right back." She said.

Jogging back (carefully) she stopped Sarah and gave her a big hug.
"Hugs make all the bad things go away." She said. "So when you feel bad, just find a hug."

(Sarah)

=I couldn't help but return the hug=

How could she ever end up this normal?

It's not that easy for me.

=I give her a half smile=

I did some pretty bad things.

“pedes sanctorum suorum servabit et impii in tenebris conticescent quia non in fortitudine roborabitur vir” Samuel, chapter 2, verse 9.

- “He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails”

Night terrors are a wonderful thing. They give you all that you fear, and in doing so, disrupt your brainwaves, so your brain does not rest as your body does. When you take the life of another, you see the face of that person when you sleep. If the face continues to haunt you, it is a sign that you regret, or have doubts about your reason for killing them. If your resolve is weak, then that face will stay with you for the remainder of your life.

That first night, I had night terrors. The next morning, when I awoke groggily, and feeling un-rested, Sapphira sat at the edge of the bed, head hung low. Her hair was a mess, uncombed, and matted to her head. She must have sweat a lot in her sleep, their was a soft glean of wetness along the bare of her back. She must not have gotten up that long ago. I brought myself up to a sitting position, and slid out of bed, moving to sit beside her.

“Rough night?” her head turned a bit, but she didn’t look me. “Yeah.” Her voice was soft, meek, even. I frowned, “Alright,” I got up and moved toward the door, “I’m going to search the house, see if anything decided to come in.” Her head moved back to looking down, “Ok.” I could barely hear her.

I walked out of the room, and began looking around the building. Nothing had been broken, no zombies had found their way in. Looking out the window, I did not see any zombies outside either, that was good. All was safe in the house of the rising sun. Or, rather, this gas station. This is not a brothel, geez Nick, looks like your mood is getting more positive. Must be that new morning smell. Or I just woke up on the right side of the bed. Or maybe I am lying to myself, since you know, all I dreamt about was that mans face, that I killed.

“Who are you talking to?” Sapphira’s voice surprised me, I turned to look at her. “Wha- oh, uh, no one.” Well, this is awkward. Caught talking myself. She won’t think I am crazy or anything. No, not at all. I must’ve made a face, she had a cute half smile going, she shook her head, “You.”

“You wanna eat and then pack, or pack an’ eat?” I asked, we needed to head out, get some hunting done. “Pack first, then we can add any left over food to the packs, if we have space.” She said. She still looked a mess, but she was talking at least.

(James)
=While Eve talked with Sarah, I wandered over to Hibiki and Sam=

(Sam)
"Hey, got something to say?"

(James)
"What? Oh, no. Just didn't want to stand alone is all."

(Sam)
"Big baby...."

Hibiki laughed. "Nah. He's just a softy.

Eve shook her head. "I did too. We both did. But now...just let go. The nightmare is over Sarah...let it be over. You're not alone anymore."

(James)
"I am not a baby."
=Folding my arms, I scowled at the two. This only made Sam chuckle=

(Sarah)

=I close my eyes briefly, the screams resounding in my head for a few seconds, almost making me want to cover my ears. It was almost too much for one moment=

You're right...I need to let it go, cause I'm not alone in all of this.

=My thoughts turn a bit dark=

But if I told James that I killed the family that lived in that home he's in...what would he call me? Or would he just put a bullet through my head?

=I almost shudder at that prospect=

(Sam)
"Okay you two, lets move now before the food gets locked for the night. We can hug and talk later, kapeesh?"

(James)
"Yeah girls, lets not forget why we're here."

Eve broke away and again took James' hand.
"Lets go eat, Sarah."

(Sarah)

=I nod and follow, my eyes narrowing briefly=

I swear... he can be like Andrew some times...

Yeah...I can hear my stomach growling

=I almost throw a glare in Sam's direction=

(Sam)
=I didn't miss the glare, but I didn't give her the satisfaction of letting her know I cared=
"Come on, should be by the vehicles."

(James)
"Or at least the bus. Probably the bus, or the tank."

Hibiki rubbed her forehead.
What was she going to do with these kids?

(James)
=So we all walked for where the caravan was parked. Well, okay not all of the caravan. Most of the vehicles, like simple cars, vans, and pickups, were actually parked outside the houses everyone was sleeping in. The bus and tank though......different story. They were currently parked in a patch of grass, with four of Marcus and Cooper's men guarding them=
"Evening gentlemen. Are the supplies still aboard? Preferably the food?"

=One of them nodded, and pointed to the bus. Nodding my thanks, I and the rest of us walked over. The doors were closed though there was still someone inside, who opened the doors for us=

*Bus driver*
"What do you need?"

(James)
"Dinner for five?"

Eve's stomach growled.
"Maybe six..." she added somewhat jokingly.

(James)
=I did my best to suppress my grin, as the driver nodded and moved to the back. Heard the sound of boxes being moved around, plastic wrap being torn open, and soon he came back with a few cans=

*Bus Driver*
"Lets see here, we've got......baked beans with bacon, a can of anchovies, two cans of mixed vegetables, can of corns, and a can of tuna."

(James)
"I'll take the tuna."

(Sam)
"Dibs on the corn"

"Veggies." Hibiki said.

"Beans and bacon." Eve said.

(Sam)
"And that is why we are sleeping in separate bunks."

(James)
=I nearly laughed, but held back. We grabbed a can, and I reached for my multi-tool, pulling out the can opener=
"Okay just hand me your cans, and I'll open them up."

(Sarah)

=I sigh pointedly=

Guess I get stuck with the other veggie can...great.

=I raise an eyebrow at Hibiki=

That is, if you don't mind sharing?

Hibiki offered the anchovies to Sarah.
"I don't like anchovies."

(James)
"Wait you don't like anchovies? What did you put on your pizza then?"

(Sam)
"Wait a second you like anchovies?"

(James)
"Yeah. Why, you didn't?"

(Sam)
"Blech no, too salty."

"Sausage and pepperoni. Ew. You put fish on pizza? Seriously? Why the hell do you ruin an amazing dish like that?"

Eve wrinkled her nose. "Ew. Fish."

(Sarah)

=I snickered=

Why the hell not?

=I take the anchovies and take a bite, used to the salty taste. I was amused at the reactions that might follow=

(James)
"Of course I put fish on my pizza. Not all the time, but yeah I liked them."
=I looked from Hibiki, to Sam, to Eve=

"I'm feeling badly outnumbered here."

(Sam)
"Yeah no shit."

(Sarah)

=I take another bite=

Glad I'm not the only one here who likes fish on pizza.

=I giggle a bit=

I used to put fish on his as a prank. The expressions he had seeing it were HILARIOUS.

(James)
"Andrew doesn't like anchovies on his pizza?"

(Sarah)

=I chuckle=

God no. He HATES fish on his. Can't stand the taste, let alone the smell.

=I take another bite=

I guess some people just don't like it.

Eve giggled. "Meanie."

Hibiki blinked. "Ew. Just ew."

(Sarah)

=I take another bite and giggle=

He teased me all the time when we were kids, Eve.

=I gave her a slight grin=

Only fair I got some bit of payback.

(James)
"Geesh, its not that bad a fish people."
=We were walking away from the bus, some of us using our fingers to scoop food into our mouths, other times just holding it over our mouths and letting it fall into the gaping maw=

Eve downed her food pretty quickly, burping quietly. "Okay...uh...excuse me."

Hibiki ate her veggies quickly. "I hate cold veggies..."

(James)
"We could always try and light a fire next time."

(Sam)
"That may be best. I mean, eating stuff out of the can like this can't be healthy for the baby, can it?"

"Probably not...I never got Pregnancy For Dummies for my birthday like my sister did. Instead...I got a gun." Hibiki grinned.

(Sarah)

=I quipped back=

Just be happy that you got anything at all.

=I take another bite of the fish=

At least you weren't locked in a closet for a week and starved into submission as a punishment. I'll take what food I can get, thank you.

=I felt my tone go slightly bitter as I said that=

(James)
"Uh....wow, Sarah. Didn't know it got that bad."
=Then again, it probably got worse=

(Sam)
"And that's an appetizing thought really. Imagine being starved for a week and then wolf down whatever food you have."

(Sarah)

=I nod=

That was the lightest punishment I got as a Shepherd.

=I take another bite of fish=

It only got worse after that.

=I shudder at the memory, wanting desperately to forget what was done to me to get my compliance=

(James)
=Feeling the need to change topics, I swiveled my head to look at Hibiki=
"So, next time I'll just light a fire and we'll warm up the cans? Maybe grab a pot?"

Dropping her can, Eve hugged Sarah.
"You're safe..." she said softly.

Hibimi was just silent.

(James)
"Anything? Yes, no? Maybe?"

(Sam)
"Hibiki,if yes blink once, if no blink twice."

Finishing her can, she threw it up, Gibbs slapped both James and Sam, and caught the can.
"Yes " she said simply.

Eve patted Sarah's back and went back to holding James' hand.

(James)
"Geez, so physical tonight."
=I rubbed the back of my head in mock pain=

(Sam)
"Damn girl, all I asked was for a yes or no."

"That was my answer." Hibiki stated.

(James)
"So say it, don't.....slap it?"

(Sam)
"Hit it?"


(James)
"One of the two."
=I rubbed my head again=

"Gotta say though, your pimp hand is strong."

"Gibbs hand. If I was a pimp I'd have beautiful girls hanging off me." She smirked.

(Sarah)

=I want to say something...but my voice catches in my throat=

If you only knew...what I did. Then you'd understand...

=I feel a slight pang of nausea hit me, but I don't show it.

(James)
"Yeah and there's an image...."
=I tried not to drool that much=

(Sarah)

=I shoot James a look=

Have you no dignity?

=I give him a slap on the face, my expression indignant=

Hibiki intercepts the slap, holding Sarah fast.
"Try it again. See what happens."

(Sarah)

=I hold her gaze, and my eyes narrow, hardly phased by the threat=

I've gotten worse threats from the Shepherds. Trust me.

=I hold her stare for another heartbeat=

Now if you'll kindly let go of my wrist...

(James)
"Whoa whoa whoa, lets all calm down here."
=I stepped up to both Hibiki and Sarah, laying a hand on Hibiki's wrist=

"Hibiki, let her go."

(Sam)
=Personally.....I was itching to watch a cat fight. Or tiger fight maybe=

"I almost was raped by the man who gave birth to Eve and tortured my husband. I had to suffer the thoughts Eve was going to betray us again. I handcuffed my daughter. I had to suffer with the fear my daughter was going to be raped by raidera. So here is my promise. My threats make the Shepherds look like Care Bears. Do I make myself clear?"

Her grip tightened, and Hibiki looked...pretty frightening.

When James touched her, she released Sarah.

Eve hid behind James.
Mommy was mad