ZRP-2 Chapter 8: Survivors One and All

"I don't live there anymore." She squeezed back. "But it keeps coming back to haunt me."

Hibiki grunted a bit, and a loud click was heard.
"There." She slid out. "All ready." She got clear of the car, standing beside James. "Lower it and I'll see if it starts."

"Well, a lot of things come back to haunt us," Estel said. "We just need to get over it, face it down, and stop reliving it."

Doing what she said, James lowered the car then hopped into the drivers seat, twisting the keys. The sound of the engine starting, was music to his ears and he grinned. "Looks like we'll be driving out of here real soon," he said.

"I try. But the nightmares sneak up sometimes." She sighed. "Will you lie with me? Just hold my hand?" She looked at Estel. "I don't want to fight my own demons alone."

Hibiki gathered her things.
"Get back to the compound. James, with Cooper gone we need a leader, and its you and Marcus who do everything. So go. I'll find our kid, Estel, and get us home."

James gripped Hibiki's arm, and said "No. You're not going back out there in this storm Hibiki."

Instead of lying down, Estel just sat next to Eve, not once letting go. "I'll sit next to you kid."

Eve pressed a bit closer, but respected the distance. Sbe smiled softly.
"Thanks."

Hibiki glared.
"I'll be fine. James, it's my daughter. And I was planning on going after the rain let up. I'm a mama bear. Not a stupid bear."

James let go, and said "No need for the glare Hibiki. You think I don't want to go out there and find her to? I'm her father.....or at least I'm still trying to be. But so far, we've lost half a dozen people on this damned supply run, along with Cooper...." He trailed off, stalking away before kicking over a box of worthless parts. They clattered on the floor. "Cooper's dead. Half a dozen people are dead. And Eve and Estel are missing. None of this would have happened if I just shut up and said nothing about raiding a Shepherd camp God dammit!"

Hibiki glared even worse.
"And we wouldnt have ammo and the few supplies we managed! We solidified ourselves at the town. Instead of losing the home we made, we kept it. Those men died knowing they were fighting for the entire convoy. Where the hell else would we have gotten all that ammo? Dammit James, it was my idea in the first place to look for a Shepherd camp. So pull yourself together, get to the town, and ensure they have a leader. I'm bringing my daughter back. I'm bringing Estelnback. So stop falling apart."

All James could do was glare at her then, and said "You know something Hibiki? Sometimes you can be a real bitch, no matter how right you are. I can't even afford to let my guard down around you when we're in fucking private, in a shelter, because I just know I'm going to get myself a new asshole torn open. I'm not falling apart, but I damn well am not going to constantly play this unfeeling, unresponsive jackwad you seem intent on me becoming."

Hibiki looked like she'd been slapped.
"Then stop second guessing yourself at every single fucking turn."

She turned her back to him and climbed grabbed Nomad's reigns. "See you at home." She began tonlead him towards the door.

"What happened to waiting out the storm?" James asked, turning to look after her.

"It's clear a bitch isn't welcome. I'll go find the cure to my bitchyness sooner." She helped Nomad through the door. "Since Eve isn't an idiot, she can catch colds. If she and Estel got caught outside they are both freezing and could be sick. I'm not waiting anymore." She patted Nomad's side. "Go home and grieve in safety James. I'll be there soon."

Instead of arguing, or trying to stop her......James let her go. He was honestly too tired to argue, or try and stop her. Hell, he went over to the chains that helped open the door, and opened her way out. "Just.....be safe."

She paused...then went over and kissed James. "Hey...I love you still. Keep the fire warm; our baby probably will be freezing cold, alright?"

Surprisingly, he was a bit hesitant to return the kiss......but gave in and returned it. "Which one, Eve or the little guy still taking up space inside you?" he asked, trying to diffuse most of the tension. More rain poured down from outside, but the worst of the storm was passing and now it was back to a light shower.

"Both." She promised. Hugging him, she quickly mounted Nomad. "Love you. Even if I am a bit harsh."

"Yeah well, guess I give you too much reason to be....." James said. It wasn't a total admission of fault. Hell, this was who he was, and even with two years to live in this hell......he hadn't become hard enough to handle loss, failure, and death, easily enough to not lose it now and then.

She nodded, and was soon enough riding hard into the light shower. Riding down the road, she hoped she soon would find some formnof shelter to check.

When she left, James closed the large door and returned to the store. Marcus was there, over by the counter while Cristina it seemed continued to keep an eye out for any walkers. "Okay, car's good to go, so we should leave soon."

The rain now falling lighter, Hibiki kept a sharp eye out...and there, in the distance, she saw it.
A tower rising over the trees. It had to be a ranger station.

Aiming her horse, she egged Nomad on and rode even harder. And silently, she begged God that the twonwould be there.

"So, what now?" Estel said. "Think the radio works?"

Eve shook her head. "I dont know...but do we even know if any radio we have back there works?" She said.

The tower came closer and closer. She slowed down a bit. Hibiki unslung her rifle, ready for anything.

"Think it's worth a shot?" Estel asked.

Eve shook her head. "We could pick up the Shepherds. I'd...I'd rather not risk it, with me sick."

Hibiki slowed to a trot. She was a couple hundred yards away and closing. She was close.

So close.

"Please. Let them be there.

"Yeah......still, it'd be nice to be able to contact someone. Hell, imagine what it would be like if we started having outposts for a change."

Hibiki ran up the stairs, gun drawn.
"Eve? Estel? You kids up here?" She called out. "If you are, it's Hibiki. Don't start shooting."

Unfortunately for Hibiki, there was a crack of thunder that drowned out her words, and Estel certainly didn't hear her. There was little chance that Eve would either.

Cristina remained silent vigilant in her watch. "So are we leaving?" She inquired. "Or are we following after her?" Through her eyes there was just as much risk in returning to their home as their was if they stayed to search for their missing comrades.

"I don't like it.......but we leave. She can take care of herself though," James said. "Besides, I don't know about you but I could do with some soup."

"I honestly would prefer a shower" Cristina admitted though her stomach let out a little growl. "But if we are going we should go now then... In case of walkers"

Hibiki shouted her warning again. Slinging her rifle, she grabbed the door and opened it, and stepped insise.
"It's ok! Just Hibiki!" She quickly said, and nearly fainted. There they were. Near nude but huddled together. Hibiki actually started to cry.
"Finally found you two." She said.

Estel immediately covered herself up, grabbing her clothes and bunching them up over her chest. "Jesus H. Christ!" she shouted as Hibiki came through the door. "Where the hell did you come from?"

"Outside." Hibiki said. Then she saw Eve on the floor. "Eve!"

She immediately was at her side, hand on her forehead. "Burning up..." she looked ro Estel. "Thank you fornlooking after my baby." She kissed Eve's forehead, then bunched her clothes into Eve's bag. "I got a horse. So it will be tight, but we can fit. C'mon, let's get you guys home."

Nodding, Estel stood and got her clothes back on, then helped Eve to her feet. "You sure the horse will be able to carry us all?"

"Nomad is a strong horse." She picked Eve up. "If we hurry, we might be able to catch James." She headed for the door. "Can you hold onto me and Eve? I need both hands."

"You found James?" Estel asked.

"Yeah. They have a car." She hurried downstairs, and sropped at Nomad. "Estel? Climb on first please. I'llmpass Eve up to you."

Climbing up into the saddle, Estel helped Hibiki load Eve up with her, then said "Drop me off with James, I'll ride back with him.....provided he didn't leave already."

"Both of you get dropped of with James." She said. Climbing up, she egged Nomad on.
"Hang on."

She began riding Nomad hard, aiming back to the town.

"Why not just me?" Estel asked, though it came out a bit mumbled since she was kinda shaken around as Nomad galloped.

"Eve needs warmth. Not a horse in anlight rain." Nomad was swift, as if newfound urgency hurried him along. "Is she doing better?/

Checking Eve's forehead, Estel said "She feels the same."

The horse went on, and soon the garage was in the distance.
"Longshot...but lets hope they are there."

"Alright, the storm's let up a bit. So we should be safe to drive," Marcus said. James nodded in agreement, and guided them back to the car. He lowered it, and headed for the chain. "I'll open the door, Marcus you drive and get it out. Cristina, shotgun or back seat?"

"Shotgun even though I have a rifle" Cristina said with a smile.

Hibiki didn't slow. She hoped James and the others hadn't left; Eve needed dry, warm. Not a bucking horse.
Within minutes the garage was in view. She hoped they hadn't left."

Smirking slightly, James opened the door to let the car out. Marcus drove out into the rain, and James waited for Cristina to get in before he let go of the chain and walked to the car.....and then saw, as he looked around for walkers, Hibiki riding through the rain towards them.

She waved, and as the horse slowed, she shouted.
"JAMES! I GOT THEM! WAIT UP, I FOUND THEM!"

She appeoached fast, and soon was at the car. "Eve's sick, she needs to get into the car." Hibiki said as she slipped off the horse. "Help me get her down guys, she's burning up."

Cristina opened the side door of the car and stood out rifle raised, ready to cover them if any walkers showed up. It was highly possible that they would, even with the cover of the rain their noise would still present a problem. Best if she was able to fire her rifle, should the need require it.

"Shit..." James muttered, as he helped Hibiki get Eve into the backseat. Estel hopped down, moving to get into the back with Eve, when she saw Cristina and said "Whoa, Cristina Jaskulski?" James rolled his eyes and said "Yup; Estel, Cristina. Cristina, Estel. We can save the hellos for when we get back to the town--for now just get in, and get set to move." Estel nodded, climbing into the car. James gave Hibiki a brief glance, and said "Wanna trade? I'll ride the horse, you stick with Eve?"

Hibiki kissed James. "Thank you. You're the best husband ever." She climbed in with Eve, laying her across herself and Estel's laps.
"Sorry Estel. Please just try and keep her warm." She said apologetically. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Eve groaned. She was just not happy. Hibiki stroked her daughter's hair. "Estel? Thank you for keeping my daughter safe."