ZRP-2 Chapter 8: Survivors One and All

"She's got a point," James said. "We try swimming again, we'll freeze to death before we reach the shore. Plus the walkers are out and about at night, and we can't see that well in the dark. Come morning, we leave."

"Let's hope we have a calm night then" Cristina said in agreement shuffling slightly before resting her head against the boulder.

"Yeah.....here's hoping for a good night's rest," James said. Marcus could only nod in agreement.

Eve took out a candy bar. "I'd rather say bribery." She grinned.

"Same" Cristina answered hoping that her jeans, boots and jacket will have dried off by the time the sun rose.

"Where the hell were you stashing that?" Estel asked, wary of taking the chocolate just to confirm it was real; Eve was naked after all, so the list of hiding spots was narrowed down to places reserved for drug mules.

"It was in my pack. You threw the blanket over me, so hiding it wasnt that hard. Seriously." She grinned. "Why? You reallythink I'd stick candy somewhere I shouldnt then offer it? Im not disgusting now."

"Could have fooled me.....and no thanks," Estel said.

Neither Marcus or James could really sleep, the cold keeping them awake despite the comfort of the fire.

Eve broke half off and ate it, stowing the rest away in her bag. She came back and sat right beside Estel.
"So. When we get back to the compound...drinks on me?" She joked.

The convoy had been driving for awhile now. As Abel was driving one of the cars behind the tank, he noticed the fuel gauge's peg was approaching the last few notches on the board. "We had better get there soon." Abel mumbled to himself, though there were a few others in the vehicle. If we run out of fuel, that's gonna be alot of gear we'd have to leave in the trunk.

"That's assuming we make it back at all," Estel said.

"We will." Eve promised. She held a hand out to Estel. "You'll make it back Estel. Even if I have to give you all my body heat. Ok?"

"Seriously? You don't need to do that," Estel said, her tone mildly creeped out.

"...I know. But someone has to be committed to getting the other to safety. You need to learn to swim before you risk your life again."

"Yeah well, that's my call to make not yours," Estel said.

"I guess." Eve stood. "Its getting dark. We need to douss the fire, lock and cover the windows, and barricade into a room and get some rest."

"Right," Estel said as she stood up. She did what she could to cover the windows and barricade the door, but it wasn't much. And reluctantly....she doused the flames, and predictably found herself shivering in the new cold.

Cristina found sleep equally as difficult to come by. She was cold and despite her tiredness the fact that she where sleeping near two other human beings made it difficult. She had only just met them and had already been forced to trust them with her life. Admittedly they had already saved her hide yet her mind demanded that she feel cautious about falling asleep before them.

"If it helps," James said. "We can always sleep on different halves of the island."

"No we have to stick together in case of trouble" Cristina argued, shuffling before sitting up and putting on her warm but damp jeans, buckling them back on. "Perhaps one of us should keep watch?"

She ve helped as best she could. And as she shivered, their clothes still damp, Eve checked the bedroomnonce more for signs of life or uh, unlife?
"Okay...uhm..." she looked at the bed. "So...Estel? I want to guess no facing each other in bed?" She asked, hugging the blanket closer.

"You can take the bed," Estel said as she shuffled over to a chair. "I'll take the chair."

"Yeah, let's work in shifts," Marcus said. "I'm up for first watch, if you don't want it?"

"Okay" Cristina said in agreement, reaching out to grab her rifle before spreading herself out on the ground. Stretching out her form to make the most of the heat possible, Cristina took her rifle with her so that if they ran into trouble it would be within easy reach. She put the safety on however...

James nodded at Marcus, and also lay down by the fire. He doubted he'd get much sleep, but it was worth a shot as he closed his eyes.

Cristina closed her eyes and tried to drift off.

The convoy had managed to make it back to the town, but barely. As they passed through the gates, some people seemed to welcome them back with open arms, or at least they welcomed the new guns and ammo. Others however viewed the convoy with a certain degree of contempt, wishing they had stayed away.

But no one in the convoy cared for the thoughts of the town at this point, for while they had won a victory it had come at a great price. Cooper, Aiden, and several others died and James, Marcus, Eve and Estel were missing.

"Estel. No. You need all your heat and energy for tomorrow. Please stop being stubborn. I wont try anything nor would I try and make you uneasy on purpose. So please just...get in and lets rest."

Estel stared at Eve for a few seconds. Then she folded her arms, sat in the chair and said plainly, "Nope."

Eve crossed her arms.
"Then we both can die and it will be all your fault."

Hibiki stepped out of the tank.
"Hayley. Get Ella home. SOMEONE. Who is in charge when Marcus is gone? Get me Clara, and I want our vehicles under guard." She ordered.

"Please, you'll be better off without me, and you should be warm enough in bed. It's not that cold out here Eve," Estel said, slightly annoyed. "Are you really such a harlot that you'll use any excuse you can to cuddle up next to someone, naked?"

Hibiki didn't need to wait long, Clara already in the crowd that was waiting. She came over and demanded "What the hell happened? Where's Marcus and Cooper? Where's James?"

"Im not a harlot. And it always gets worse at night." She shot back. "Fine, go sleep."

"Missing...except Cooper." She looked away. "He didnt make it."

Clara's face paled......and her gaze went downward to the ground. "Fuck......how many did we lose?" Sam answered, stepping over to the two of them and saying "We lost Cooper, and six others on this raid. James and the others are still alive." Clara shot her a look that had more despair than actual anger in it, and spat out "What makes you so sure they're still alive?"

"Not my first time sleeping out in the cold pumpkin," Estel shot back.

"Not your pumpkin, zucchini." Eve said back.

"Have you known Marcus to die easily?" Hibiki said.

"Well....not really, no. The others that are missing, can't say. Think James will be okay out there?" Clara asked. Sam made a sound akin to a cat hissing, and said "Knowing him, he's doing better than we are."

So very, very......cold James thought as he lay awake on the tiny island.

"Of course, the one vegetable shaped like a dick is the first thing that comes to mind for you," Estel sneered.

"...I never saw a zucchini. I just like how it sounds. Zucchini. Zucchini. Like Luchini, but less Strike Witches and more veggie."

Estel blinked, and said "Strike Witches? Seriously?"

"Yeah. You dont like anime?" She asked.

"No, love it. Just wasn't much of a Strike Witches fan after a few episodes," Estel said.

"Alright. It wasnt for everyone." She rolled over. "Estel...Im just scared, ok? Scared of waking up alone. Does that explain why I'd rather have you right here?"

"It explains why you'd want Sam here with you," Estel said. "Look, you'll survive the night sleeping alone Eve."

Abel stepped outside of the car and with his shotgun resting on his shoulder, he walked over to where Hibiki and a few of the others had crowded together. "Where are we putting all these weapons and ammo? Last time we locked them in one place that didn't go so well."

Clara looked at Abel, then started snapping off orders. "Everyone listen up: We have guns and ammo again so let's make sure we keep them this time. I want what we have divided into quarters, and each quarter under watch round the clock. Let's move people, the dead wait for no one!" Her own people, and some of the convoy's remaining people, worked together to get the supplies unloaded.

"...please Estel. I dont want to sleep alone again. It makes me feel like Im back with my father." She said softly.

Estel, still sitting in the chair, said "Guessing your father wasn't the kind that gave his kid hugs and puppies?"

"Torture and beatings, and a lonely room." She said. "My birthday present was a cupcake and one lash for every year I had been alive."

"Damn skippy," Estel said. "Sure beats having an alcoholic for a father like the guy I had."

"I only wish mine was alcoholic." Eve said.

Abel assisted with moving the equipment from the vehicles. Now there's going be people having to watch this shit all night along with the normal watch looking out for zombies and Sheperds outside the walls. There's gonna be a lot of lost sleep in the foreseeable future.

"Yeah well, we never choose the parents we're born with," Estel said flatly. "Look.....just go to sleep Eve. You'll be okay in the morning."

It didn't take long before the supplies were stored away. But it didn't take a genius to realize that people were going to be taxed to the limit by this. Between manning the wall, and manning the supplies, they barely had enough people.

Eve sighed.
"Yes, ma'am..."

Hibiki was in her house, checking over her things. Nomad whined outside, waiting for her.