ZRP-2 Chapter 6: Scattered

Eve sighed.
"I wish it was that easy. But it never can be." She turned to face Sam. "How can I sit there and let them discuss torture? it's not right. Do I have to show Marcus my back? Do I have to explain in excrutiatingly painful detail how they tortured me physically and mentally until I was broken? Until I did whatever I was told without hesitation? When does the pain stop?" She stomped her foot. "When do people realize torture is wrong and not even in a hell such as this should even be considered by anyone decent."

(Sam)
"I don't know Eve. Honestly, I just don't have an answer for that one."
=Walking past her to the tree, I sat down, back against the trunk=

"But we can't fool ourselves into thinking that by just walking in and asking, that they'll tell us."

*Marcus*
"I'm not asking you to do it James. Believe me, I don't want that kind of thing for you. But those are the facts. We need any information they have."

(James)
"Then bargain with them. Give them something in exchange for the information. But just don't brutalize them over it."

Hibiki stood back silently, listening.

Eve slid in front of Sam and looked at the ground. "No one ever has the answer I need..."

(Sam)
"And I doubt anyone ever will. No one ever thinks about this, at least no one I've ever met."
=I sighed and looked to the sky, partially blocked by the leaves of the tree=

"I guess all we can hope for is that those prisoners give us what we need before it comes down to torture."

*Marcus*
"You want to bargain with them? After all the times they never bargain with us?"

(James)
"First time for everything Marcus. But I won't.....I can't condone torturing them."
=I kept from saying 'Not without knowing if they had any information.' If I said that, I'd go down a dangerous path of agreeing with torture if they knew something=

Eve scooted beside Sam and rested her head against her girlfriend's shoulder.
"I guess."

Hibiki stepped forward. "There is enough pain in this town. There is no need to bring more."

*Clara*
"Well.....we don't have to torture them in the town."

(James)
"Here or somewhere else, it doesn't matter. Torture is torture."
=I could feel myself getting angrier=

"I can't believe we're ever having this discussion. Are we really going to do to them what they've already done to our own?"

*Marcus*
=His own voice took on a hard edge=
"Dammit James, this is war. It's them or us, that's the way it's been since it all went to shit in this world. We have lost too much because of them, to not make them pay with a pound of flesh."

"So. Two wrongs make a right now Marcus? Funny. I thought two wrongs made sin." She stepped forward, arms crossed. "The moment you found out my baby was a Shepherd spy, tell me this: Would you have tortured her for information? Would you have tortured Sarah?" Her voice took a diamond hard edge. "You gave them a chance. Why don't we instead offer them freedom. Because you attract more flies with honey then a pile of shit."

*Marcus*
"I let Eve have her chance after she saved you from her father. I gave Sarah the benefit of the doubt when she showed she was sincere, and willing to help. But these guys? Men who have shot at our people, killed them, and tortured them. Raped them. No, not for these men."

(James)
"Dammit Marcus, we don't know what these men in particular have done. They may have been for--"

*Marcus*
"If they were forced, why aren't they saying anything now? When they have a chance to be free and safe?"

"They could be crying that out right now." Hibiki argued. "But fine. Go. Become a monster, Marcus. Become the abomination that the Shepherds have pretty much patented."

Hibiki turned around and stormed upstairs.

*Marcus*
=He sighed as she marched off, looking to James=
"Look, I don't relish this James. Becoming a monster......it's not what I want. But I'm willing to do that to myself if it means benefiting our own people."

(James)
"And would they want this of their leader?"

*Marcus*
"Maybe not. But leaders always change hands James."

(James)
"What are you saying?"

*Marcus*
"Nothing. Right now, all I'm saying is that I'm the leader with a tough choice."

(James)
"Only because you're making it a tough choice."
=I shrugged my shoulders=

"Marcus....I can't make you do anything here. All I can ask you is this: if you're really going to go through with this madness, make sure it's worth it in the end."
=And with that, I made a gesture for them to leave. Which they did. When they left, I followed Hibiki=

"So Hibiki......talk about irony, huh?"
=Granted, this wasn't really the time for jokes but I figured it would help lighten the mood. I leaned against the wall, rubbing my head in thought=

"If some of them were forced, hopefully we can strike a deal. But what do we do with the devout zealots? I mean, not like they like us enough to actually share info. Thoughts?"

"We scare them. Maybe tell them we'll set them out for the walkers. Let them watch each other get ripped apart and scream as we all party."
She stopped walking. "Make them shit their pants so bad they sell out their own mothers."

(James)
"You know some of them don't fear even that Hibiki. Hell, I think for them it's a great honor."

(Sam)
"Wonder if we should head back yet."

"If you want to..." Eve said.

Hibiki sighed. "Then tell them when the Pariah takes over the town, we're saying you spilled your guts to us to save your miserable lives."

(James)
"That might work, but then again it might not."

(Sam)
"I'd like to go back when I'm certain you won't run away."

Eve smiled softly. "Hold me close and I won't run. Tie me down and you'll know I won't." She teased. But she leaned closer to nuzzle Sam's cheek. "I won't run away."

Hibiki frowned. "Then cut off one guy's dick and tell the other he gets the same treatment if he doesn't spill his guts."

(James)
"Heh, sounds a bit like torture there."

(Sam)
"Nah, I don't have it in me to tie you down."

Eve pouted. "Buuut!"

"No, torture is prolonged and stuff. What I said was making sure the point was sent across." Hibiki rebutted.

(James)
"I think they'll see it a different way..."
=To be frank, I wasn't sure I had it in me to cut off another mans......frank. Especially since that would mean I'd have to grab it, tug a little and pull it out so I cut it and only it off=

(Sam)
"No buts Eve. Or I'll spank yours later."

"Please tie me up?" Eve asked again.

Hibiki sighed. "They see everything in a different way."

(James)
"Just saying Hibiki. Torture is torture."

(Sam)
"Eww....I'm not tying you up Eve, Jesus."

She giggled. "You're the one who said it earlier." She pointed out.

"And murder is murder." Hibiki answered.

(James)
"Then I suppose the lot of us are murderers then. The whole world's become nothing but killers."

(Sam)
"I most certainly did not."
=Wait, did I?=

"You threatened to tie me up and make me submissive." Eve reminderld her.

"Welcome to Hell. Take a number." Hibiki quipped.

(Sam)
"Ha, guess I did. Well......I'm going back on what I said Eve. Not going to tie you up."

(James)
=Again I sighed. Hell. That was what we were in, wasn't it? So with that in mind, did that make it okay to torture men who were monsters? I didn't have an answer to that. All that was clear to me was that they may have information. And that beating it out of them might have been the only way to get it=
"I know I got into a fight with you before, about torturing the Shepherds. About killing them in every cruel, painful, intimate way imaginable. That I'm having this conversation with you, where I'm considering doing just that to them for information, is a remarkable example of irony, the pot calling the kettle black."

=I looked up from the floor to her eyes=
"I don't know which should be more important. My own principles, or the safety and possible benefit of my family."

Eve pouted. "Meanie." She sighed. "At least...promise you'll make sure I never forget my first time...ok?"

Hibiki looked up at the ceiling. 'Family before principles."

(James)
"If only life were simple now. But even when all the world has gone to hell, there is no black and white. Only gray."
=Growling in frustration, I banged my fist against the wall, very nearly denting it and causing my hand to ache in pain=

(Sam)
"Oh trust me Eve, you won't."

"I'll break your hand myself if you do that again." Hibiki warned.

Eve smiled. "I'll ever let you forget what I sound like~"

(James)
"Ha, why? Afraid I'll bring the house down?"

(Sam)
"Yeah.....maybe we should do it somewhere more private then. I mean, just in case we attracted unwanted attention."

Eve blushed. "Ok."

Hibiki yawned. "Afraid you'll break your knuckles."

(James)
"They're my knuckles. I'll break them if I want to."
=Not that I was going to=

(Sam)
"Pity we lost the boat..."

"Why?" Sh grinned. "Planning to make my day on the bridge?" Eve teased.

"And you're mine. So you break a knuckle, I break your hand. Or I just slap you silly and let you tend your own wounds." Hibiki tilted her head slightly. "Decisions decisions."

(James)
"Well we could always turn your attempt into our first training session."
=I smirked at her a little, wondering how long it would be before I regretted it=

(Sam)
"No, just longing for a secluded spot."

"Which ends with you in pain and me waiting for your voice to lower in pitch." Hibiki retorted.

Eve paused. "Well...there is the basement of the house..."

(James)
"Oh ho ho, that confident are we? Who's to say it won't end with you on the floor and me standing over you?"

(Sam)
"True."

"James. I know many martial arts. I know how to counter bull rush, street fights, and boxers of all sorts. You have no chance." Hibiki assured him.

Eve shrugged. "Or we can find an empty house."

(James)
"Hey I've gotten in some practice over the years I'm not entirely hopeless."

(Sam)
"Nah. Too much work finding an empty house."

"There was some trees in the backyard at our place." Eve offered.

Hibiki sighed. "Still no chance."

(James)
"Ow, my masculinity."
=Still, I smiled a little=

(Sam)
"Behind the tress? Seriously?"

"Joking." Eve rolled her eyes. "Can't we just use the bed?"

"You're not man enough to admit your wife can kick your ass?" Hibiki smiled back.

(James)
"Maybe. Though I'm more than confident I'll be able to kick your own ass one day. After all, I'm already spanking it more times than you to me."
=I smirked again at her=

(Sam)
"Yeah, a bed works. Maybe there's one down in the basement."

"Or we could borrow one in Sarah's house.." eve suggested.

Hibiki blushed. "If you want to keep doing that, I'd be careful about what you say."

(Sam)
"I hope you meant drag a bed from their house. Because I don't think they'd want us.....you know, doing it in their own home."

(James)
"I'll try."
=I got a serious look on my face=

"But in all seriousness.....I still wouldn't mind the lessons. Don't get me wrong, I'm decent but there's always room for improvement."

"...let's just use the bunkbeds." Eve stated. "I doubt there is a bed in the basement."

Hibiki nodded. "We can start tomorrow. We need to make loads of progress before this pregnancy really sets n."

(James)
"Yeah, then I can really have a fair chance."

(Sam)
"What? You don't think there's a pull out couch down there?"

"Maybe. Let's chexk." Eve said.

Hibiki nodded. "Then you can go all Chuck Norris on The Pariah."

(James)
"Eh....think I'll just go James Martin on him instead."

(Sam)
"Okay."
=I got up, and started walking=

Eve followed happily.

Hibiki giggled. "Fine. Dont be the amazing Walker, Texas Ranger."

(James)
"What? I'm not a fan of Chuck Norris. Blame the jokes."

(Sam)
=When we got back to the house, I wondered if Marcus and Clara were gone. Instead of knocking though, I walked in=
"Please for the love of God tell me the conversation is over."

(James)
"It's over."

(Sam)
"Good then I can come in."

Eve peeked around.
"Yay?"

(Sam)
"Yay....I think."
=I started walking for the door leading to the basement."

(James)
=I just stood there and watched them=