ZRP-2: Brave New World

"Its been nearly 2 years since the outbreak. I have to say I am surprised you are already tired. But then again you look to be in your teens."

As I walk down the road I feel uneasy since its night time. Hopefully we run into a town of survivors soon. Maybe we can get this girl some proper medical attention once we get there.

"So how did you meet this girl anyways?"

"I've been walking all day..."

I grumble to myself.

"Oh um. Her? I met her just a little bit ago. Right before the Bandits showed up. I think they were chasing her, but I don't know for sure."

I look behind us just incase they followed.

"I heard that there's a lockdown town some where around here. Thanks to a Caravan. Maybe we head there?"

Noticing him look behind his back when he mentioned the bandits. "I would imagine if those bandits are smart enough to run from a guy with a gun, then they wouldnt try and track or follow us in the dark. So dont worry about them."

I readjust the girl on my shoulder.

"Well I hope she is grateful when she wakes up, because you saved her life. Do you know how far till the lockdown town?"

(James)
"I'll be sure to take your years of experience into account."
=That was the last thing I said, before walking into the store. I don't know how but they still had lights on inside, and a little bell jingled when I walked through the door. There was man standing at a desk, far side of the room, maybe in his thirties. The rest of the place looked like your typical general store: aisles made up of those metal rack things I never knew the name of, freezer units at the far side, and a desk with the more expensive stuff behind it. Now though, all the aisles were empty, and the freezer unit was turned off. Nearly everything in the store was piled behind the counter=

"Evening. You guys stay open late?"

*Store Owner*
"Well, the sun only went down an hour ago. What do you need?"

(James)
=Slowly walking forward=
"I'm part of a caravan that came into possession of some weapons, and we were wondering if we could trade some of them."

*Store Owner*
"Sure. I'll have to see what you've got though, and I won't leave the store unmanned."
=He turned towards what I guessed was the back room=

"Jimmy! Get out here, I need you to man the store for a moment"

"Well. Maybe perhaps ten minutes. That last caravan said it would be about an hour's walk. I've been walking for about three quarters of one."

I look behind me again.

"And it's not the bandits I'm worried about. They drove off this way. It's those damn zombies."

=A 15 year old boy walked out of the backroom, wearing clothes that were as wrinkled and dirty as you'd expect in this day and age. He never said a word, just walked to behind the counter while the owner switched with him, and walked over to me, a note pad and pencil in hand=

*Store Owner*
"Alright, let's see what you've got."

(Jason)
"Okay, just follow me sir."
=I turned, and opened the door for us both, and we walked out towards the RV=

Hibiki watched as the store owner came closer, frowning. She wordlessly moved the kids to the side, already tense.
"I left them in the left cabinent." Hibiki told James.

(James)
"Okay, thanks Hibiki."
=Unlocking the door, I led the store owner up the steps and brought him inside. I opened the cabinet Hibiki mentioned, and pulled out the weapons she and I agreed on trading, along with some ammo. The store owner immediately went to work jotting down notes=

*Store Owner*
"So, the two of you are on a first name basis. How long have you been together?"

(James)
=I felt my cheeks flush a little=
"It's not like that, I only met her and her daughter today."

*Store Owner*
"And yet still, you know each other's names...."

(James)
"I didn't mind sharing mine, and I guess she didn't either. So far we're just two people with the same goal: survive and protect those close to us. Nothing more."

*Store Owner*
"Alright then......anyway, from what you're willing to trade, I can probably give you some food and water, and some medicine as well. Maybe enough to last a few days."

(James)
"Is there anyway some of this can be turned into a voucher or something for some rooms at that Inn?"

*Store Owner*
"Of course."

"Well, okay. Figure we will just head towards that lock down town."

I said as I stepped over a fallen tree, making sure nothing was hidden behind it.

"And you shouldnt worry about zombies behind us. More to our sides or front. But I understand the danger. The herd is slow, but they dont get tired."

(James)
=We both walked out of the RV, and headed back to his store. I had the guns stored in a duffel, along with the ammo. Jimmy, his assistant I guess, I was still behind the counter when we got back, and I laid the duffel on the counter and removed the guns, while the owner walked into the back room, coming back out a minute later with some canned food and some large bottles of water. He whispered something to Jimmy, and the boy went into the back room and came back out with some medicine: cold pills, cough syrup, and some stuff for the flu. The owner wrote something down on a piece of paper, and handed it to me=

*Store Owner*
"This will vouch for you. Just show it to Marge, and she'll give you some rooms."

(James)
"Thanks."
=I packed the stuff in the duffel, leaving the weapons for them to handle, and walked out of the store, piece of paper in my pocket=

Hibiki came over once James emerged from the store, Eve still out cold, the other children barely awake.
"We got enough for the rooms?" She asked.

(James)
=I'll admit, my previous conversation with the store owner made me feel a little awkward talking to Hibiki, but I shoved that though aside. Children's needs first, apocalyptic romance later. Way, way later=
"We've got a voucher for some rooms. Come on."

=I led them all towards the Inn, guiding them through the door. The old lady, Marge, was still there, and when I waived the voucher she smiled=

*Marge*
"Right the way please, and I'll show you to your rooms."

(James)
"Just two please. One for the girls and one for the boys."

Hibiki led the children in behind James, already tiring from holding Eve for such a long time. But she didn't say she was tired.
Just her eyes said it.

(James)
=We got two ground floor rooms, both side by side and very close to the lobby. I guided Harry and Tom into their room, and was greeted by an interesting site. The room was sparse, save for a bed with some fairly clean and ruffled sheets, a few pillows, and a chair. It was still going to feel like royalty to these two though=

"I'll be outside. You two holler if you need anything, okay?"

*Harry*
"Okay..."
=I couldn't tell if his voice was tired....or hollow. After all, he lost his father today=

Hibiki carried Eve into the room. Jaime following behind. She removed Eve's jacket snd shoes, then tucked her into the bed. After kissing her forehead, Hibiki turned to Jaime.
"I'll be right outside if you need me." She said with a smile.

Outside, Hibiki caught up with James.
"Eve's tucked in. Jaime is probably climbing into bed now. I'll watch the rooms; go check on the others, make sure everyone is ok."

(James)
"Got it. Keep your eyes peeled, but I don't think we need to worry. These people seem okay."
=With that, I left her and the kids in the building and walked back over to the caravan. Everyone was standing around, not really walking too far from the group. When Julia saw me, she half ran over=

*Julia*
"James, Harry is safe?"

(James)
"He's fine. He and Tom are sleeping in a room back at the inn."
=I gestured behind me=

"Hibiki is watching over them, along with her daughter and Jaime."

*Julia*
=She frowned a little=
"James, are you sure she should be watching them? I understand wanting to watch her own child, but those are our kids in there."

(James)
"I trust her, Julia. She's more than earned that today."

*Julia*
"How do you know she isn't a spy?"

(James)
"Okay that's enough. I can't begin to understand what you're feeling Julia, but don't let what happened to Malcolm turn you hostile to one of the few friendly people we've met today."

*Julia*
=She bristled at the remark=
"Is it because she's friendly, or because she's pretty, that she's earned your trust so much?"

(James)
=Now it was my turn to bristle at her remark=
"That's stupid and you know it. Whatever I may or may not feel, has nothing to do with why I trust her. I'm not asking the two of you to be best friends, but you will at least show her the same courtesy you do everyone else in this group. Do I make myself clear?"

*Julia*
=Maybe it was just the look I gave her, but she shrank just a little=
"Fine."

Hibiki sat with her back against the wall, one leg out straight, another bent into an upsidedown V with her foot flat on the ground. On arm rested on her knee, and another rested on her thigh.
She was awake and alert...not just for Eve.

(James)
=There was no hiding the venom in her voice. She used to be friendly to me and now....she didn't hate me, but I think she had a dislike for me now, and by mear association that would carry over to Hibiki. Great=
"Look, in the meantime Julia, I need you to do something."

=I handed her the duffel=
"We've got some more food, and medicine. I want you to sort this stuff out, okay?"

*Julia*
=She glared a little, but she took the bag. I knew she'd do what was asked though, she was committed to the group=

(James)
"If anyone needs me, I'll be watching the kids in the Inn."
=I made sure everyone in the group heard that, and before anyone could say anything, I headed back for the Inn=

Hibiki was still sitting there, now reading The Hunger Games. She hsd borrowed ir from Eve's pack. She yawned.
She'd go sleep when James returned.

(James)
=I walked into the inn, nodding at Marge. I found Hibiki sitting on the floor in the hall, reading a book. She looked tired=
"Hey, if you want feel free to get some sleep. I'll take over for a bit."

"Thanks..." she said, getting up. Smiling gratefully, she turned to enter the room. "Wake me in a few hours, ok? You need sleep too."
Smiling again, she entered the room, kicked off her shoes, left her jacket on the chair, then slid in behind Eve and curled up around the girl.protectively. the same thing she had done every night since the third night they ever spent together.

(James)
"Sure thing..."
=I walked over to the lobby, the doors to both rooms still well in sight, and sat down on an open chair. Just for something to do, I pulled out my knife and a whetstone I always kept handy, and went about sharpening the blade. I grimaced though, as I saw Marge's nervous face across the room=

"Sorry, if this is upsetting or anything."

*Marge*
=In response, she simply pulled out a revolver, laying it on the counter=
"Just so long as we understand each other young man."

(James)
=I couldn't help but chuckle a little. She certainly had a pair on her. My sharpening of the blade was cut short though, when Dan walked in, and came straight to me=

*Dan*
"James, can we talk?"
=He cast a look at Marge=

"Alone?"

(James)
"Sure Dan."
=I got up from my chair, and walked down the hallway, towards the end. I wasn't willing to let those doors out of my sight=

Abel jerked awake in the back of the gas station, in the run down cooler, where he had fallen asleep. He didn't see anything, it was just his nightmares keeping him up, along with his empty stomach. He would have eaten the SlimJim he found but decided to wait until morning, because he would just wake up hungry again. Abel laid his head on his coat that acted as a pillow for his head, and tried to sleep more.

Back, left, right. I hate the night.

I continue moving through the darkness silently. Taking note that the air is colder then before.

*Dan*
"I heard from Jenny about you're little argument with Julia. Her mom's not happy you know."

(James)
"She'll get over it. There's nothing to worry about with Hibiki."

*Dan*
"Dude, I know that. I trust you and her, but the others are hesitant. I mean, she shows up out of nowhere right before we get attacked by Shepherds? That's going to look bad."

(James)
"And yet they still forget about the stranger that got the jump on you. He vanished before the Shepherds arrived."

*Dan*
"I....I know."

(James)
"So using that information, it seems reasonable to assume that maybe he tipped them off."
=I rubbed my forehead, there was a headache starting up=

"Look, I get why Julia's upset and not quick to trust Hibiki. But she's fought with us, and for us. She defended our group, our children. In what way has she not earned our trust?"

*Dan*
=He was silent for a moment, thinking on my words=

Eve was having the nightmare again.

She woke up, hearing screams. She clutched her copy of the Hunger Games, having fallen asleep reading it.
She heard shuffling.
She heard moaning.

Her door...someone was pounding on it.
She got up, her gown falling down around her ankles. She carefully opened the door... and screamed.


And kept screaming as she woke up. She felt arms around her...warm. safe. Someone stroked her hsir.
Eve panted, looking over her shoulder.
Hibiki was awake. She was calming her down.
"Mommy..."
Eve twisted and pressed against Hibiki, her panting slowing down until she was asleep.

(James)
=My argument was cut short when I heard a girl scream, and it was coming from the room=
"Dammit!"

=I ran towards the door, and not even bothering to knock, I opened it=
"Is everything okay?"

=I come into the Inn, just as security=

Well...let's see what's going on...

=I then take a peek inside, the innkeeper not paying me any mind=

Hibiki looked up.
"It's ok...Eve had a nightmare again. Her parents tried to...tried to turn her. It traumatized her pretty badly. She gets these once in awhile. We're fine"
Hibiki smiled, then kissed Eve's forehead. "She'll be fine..."

(James)
"Okay...was just worried for a moment."
=I closed the door, feeling a little bit like an idiot for getting worked up over a scream. Dan on the other hand looked like he was trying to hide a grin=

"What are you grinning at?"

*Dan*
"Nothing, just a knight in shining armor wannabe."

(James)
"What's that supposed to mean?"

*Dan*
"Ohhh, I think you know what I mean."
=He walked back down the hall, where we were having our conversation=

(James)
"Why does everyone assume I have a thing for her?"

*Dan*
"Because so far, you're the only one she's really talked to, and the two of you also seem to have gotten close in only a day."

(James)
=I'll admit, when you look at facts like that it wasn't all that hard to think of that idea. But in all honesty.....I viewed Hibiki as a possible friend, that was it. And while I'd never try and say I knew what someone else was thinking, especially a woman, I had to hope she didn't think that way about me. Hell, I was planning on a suicide run against the Shepherds. Not much of a future in that=

We walked at a brisk pace for a few hours before the firls weight started to get on my nerves. I noticed what looked like a gas station which was mostly intact and decided to use it as shelter. I turned to tyler.

"I need to take a break carring this girl and I need a rest myself. Lets use that gas station as shelter. Do you want to check if its clear or have me? This girl is too much of a burden to fight with and I dont want to leave her out her."

Shifting the girls weight on my shoulder. "and whoever clears it out is going to be using a silent weapon. So no guns."

(Jason)
"Dan, there's nothing going on between us, no matter how it might look. We're just...becoming friends, that's all."

*Dan*
=He raised his hands in a yielding gesture=
"Alright. Just remember: you knew us for much longer than you know her. When it comes to it, I hope you'll remember who you're family is."

=With that, he walked away, and out of the building=

"I'll do it. Just uh... stay right here. Once I get done, if I get done, I'll come back and get you."

I reach inside my coat and put my gun in one of the many pockets. Then grabbing one of my knives. A Butcher's.
Jus' 'cause... it was uh... closest to my gun holster. Right above my right hip.

"Okay, just dont get bit. Would be a shame if I had to put you down."

I set the girl down against a car and stretch my shoulder. Keeping and eye open for any walkers.

(James)
=That last remark cut me deep. I considered the group to be the closest thing to family I had in two years. To have that kind of loyalty questioned after all I've done.....it hurt. I would have slammed my fist into a wall, but I didn't want to wake anyone=

Hibiki woke up off and on. Each time she woke up, she'd just stroke Eve's hair softly. The girl usually managed to have good dreams...but The Nightmare always showed up, sometime.
Hibiki sighed softly, then nuzzled her sleeping daughter's cheek.
"I will always protect you."

(James)
=I walked back over to the lobby, back to my chair, though that little sit down was short lived. Some armed people walked inside the Inn, and Marge seemed to know who they were. They took one look at me, and walked over=

*Armed Guard*
"Excuse me sir, are you the leader of the caravan outside?"

(James)
"Yes, why?"

*Armed Guard*
"We were told your group came under attack by Shepherds, and that it happened close by. Town leader wants to speak with you."

(James)
"Then I'm sorry, but you'll have to ask him if I can talk to him tomorrow. I don't mean to be rude, but I'm watching over our kids right now and I'm not going to leave them."

=I sit down on the floor, getting a bit of sleep that I haven't gotten in a while=

Let's hope I ain't intruding...

=I then let out a yawn, setting my crossbow beside me in the hallway of the Inn=

Hibiki was unable to go back so sleep, so she slipped out of bed and put on her shoes and jacket before heading outside. She saw James approached by the men, and came up behind them.
"James, I can watch the kids, ok? Best not keeping our hosts waiting." She said. "Couldn't sleep after Eve's nightmare." she then offered to James in explanation.

I make my way towards the gas station. The lights are out and the doors are smashed in. I can't see anything inside from here.
Too dark, pitch black even. Looks like I'm going in blind. I sigh once I realize that conclusion. And take a step inside.

I don't like the dark. Bad shit happens in the dark.

(James)
"So much for taking shifts then. Alright boys, looks like I have no choice."
=Sheathing my knife, I got up and they led me out of the building=

"So uh...what's going on?"

*Armed Guard*
"Don't know. All we know is that the head of the town wants to see you."
=They led me past the general store, and a few more buildings. We reached what looked like the local sheriff's office, and they opened the door for me=

"I'd rather be sleepless then piss off the host." Hibiki said, taking a seat with her book.
She sighed.
Why does it always have to be a struggle these days?

(James)
=Taking a brief look around the interior, I found it looked a lot like what you'd expect of a sheriff's office. A few desks, an office at the far end, and a jail cell. With a light nudge, the armed escort guided me to the office, where I met the head of the town=

*Town Leader*
"Good evening young man. My name is Marcus, and I'm in charge of this little community."

(James)
"Thank you for letting me and my people take refuge here, Marcus. If you don't mind me asking, why am I here?"

*Marcus*
"I heard you had some trouble with the Shepherds earlier. Is that correct?"

(James)
Should have known.
"Yes. We were in a preserve maybe 20 miles South West of here. They ambushed us and killed some of our people before we managed to kill them."

*Marcus*
"I see, I'm sorry to hear that. How many?"

(James)
"It was a scouting party, maybe ten or eleven people. We stripped them of useful gear and headed here."

*Marcus*
=He pulled out a bottle from beneath his desk; scotch. He must have fought tooth and nail to find an intact bottle in this world, though it was only half full. He poured two glasses, and slid the other one across the desk towards me=
"Do you know if they were headed here or not?"

(James)
=I took the small glass and took a swig of the scotch. It had a nice flavor to it=
"Not exactly....but I managed to get something out of their vehicle. It's a map that shows where their camps are right now, along with where they've holed up."

I look around the dark... I can see a couple things... selves and the front counter. But barely. Trash litters the place. I see that too.
But I still look around for a light switch. If there's still power in this place we could use it. Just for awhile.

Aha!

I find a small switch near the doors and flip it up. The room lights up poorly but enough to see. After my eyes adjust anyway.
Yet nothing shows up. Not a sound from anywhere. A zombie would've reacted instantly. Either by moaning or moving towards it.

I guess this station is clear but I won't take any chances. I walk around the front room. Then go to the restooms. Nothing in them.
I go behind the counter and open the door that goes into the back room. The smell that's all too familiar fills my nose.
But I have to be sure. So I finish opening the door and see the cause of it. Somebody hung themself by the ceiling fan.
Judging by the fact the person is decomposing, I'd say whoever it is has been here awhile. But other then the wooden chair that lies on it's back, the room is empty.

*Marcus*
=His eyes lit up at that nugget of information. He stood up, glass still in hand=
"Are you sure? You're sure it's a map of their camps?"

(James)
"It had a legend on it. Showed other lockdown towns they either took over or are planning to, along with the location of their camps and main HQ's."

*Marcus*
"Amazing....then I suppose it's fate that brought you into our midst."

(James)
"I'm afraid I don't understand."

*Marcus*
"We've beaten off a few raids from them before but each one was bigger than the last. The next might be the death of us. But if we make a preemptive strike against them, then we just might be able to keep this town safe for good."

(James)
"I'm sorry Marcus, but just so we're both clear, are you asking me to hand over the map?"

Hibiki finished the book. She just sighed, laying it on her lap.
She racked her brain, then finally decided to contemplate the unlikely event that the leader of the Shepherds was actually George Clooney.

*Marcus*
"I wouldn't say hand over the map. More like work with us take out these camps."
=He sat back down in his chair=

"Look son, we've both suffered at the hands of the Shepherds. It's time to take them out, or at least make sure our people remain safe."

(James)
"Honestly that thought crossed my mind, but I was planning on using that map to go right to the source."
=I sat in the chair opposite him=

"I plan to cut the head off the snake."

*Marcus*
"Then you plan for suicide son. You can't possibly take them all alone."

(James)
"Never said I'd be alone, or that it would be suicide. Hell, I'll let you copy the map if you want, but I have no plans on staying."

Nah, not Clooney.
It was Heath Ledger. Totally. The Joker faked his death. It would be a perfect coverup!

Or...what if it was actually Ben Stiller? No, not him...It was that one guy who played the devil. That old guy. He's behind it.
Now, where to find Will Smith and take him down with the help of Patrick Jane...


Hibiki was happily lost in her little game, managing to stave off boredom and sleep while James was away.

*Marcus*
"What's your name son?"

(James)
"James, Marcus."

*Marcus*
"James....James, I can tell you're a fighter, and a good one. We need people like you in this. I can't give a civilian a gun and throw him to the wolves, especially when he doesn't know the first thing about taking a mans life."

(James)
"All due respect, Shepherds don't ranks as human beings to me."
=Though I couldn't deny that he had the same good point Hibiki had; strength in numbers. It was starting to make my idea look dumber and dumber by the second=

*Marcus*
"That they don't. But the fact remains, I need soldiers fighting this battle, and we could use you and your people."

(James)
"My people are not negotiable, sir. I'm more than willing to take on Shepherds, but please leave my people out of this, they've been through too much."

*Marcus*
=He didn't seem to enjoy the demand, but his expression softened=
"I understand, and I apologize for suggesting it. They're free to leave anytime they want."

No...it was actually Bill Nye. He bio-engineered the virus and distributed it using his TV show to the kids who came on as guests, and they inadvertently infected the world!

Yeah.

The leader of the Shepherds of Judgement was Bill Nye.

Hibiki was sure of it.