ZRP-2: Brave New World

=As was my custom, I just found a corner and just slept=

As long as one Shepherd is alive, I will not sleep in a bed...I promised her that...

=I take out a picture of my late girlfriend and cry, not worried about another's opinion=

As long as I live, every one of the Shepherds shall not...

Hibiki woke up to find Eve already up, clothes put in place and sitting, reading The Hunger Games again.
Sming, Hibiki got up and kissed the girl's forehead, yanking on the jeans she had left on the table. Lacing her boots, she stretched
To war.

(James)
=I slipped into my jacket, letting the hood fall so it hung between my shoulders. My gun hung at my hip, secured by a holster I had taken off of a dead cop. Well, he wasn't exactly dead, if you know what I mean. My quiver hung from a strap going over my left shoulder, and I had to adjust the hood twice so that it didn't get caught beneath both the quiver, and my bow when I hung it there. I took a minute, to look at myself in the mirror, and I was shocked at the change. It was still me, but I looked....like there was an air of confidence around me that wasn't there before, and a fire in my eyes that before now had not burned with such intensity=

I guess finding someone....really changes you.

=Walking from the mirror, I left the room and waited in the lobby=

Once again the bike becomes quiet as the engine stops running.
It stopped on top of a small hill in the road though, so Abel glided down to the bottom before getting off.
"Wee..."
He kicked the bike over then proceeded on foot. Abel had found himself off of the main interstate. There was another hill, but he had to walk up this one, Nothing he couldn't do though.
"No zombies yet..."
The pain in his stomach was back. Though it had been there for most of the day, he was just able to ignore it... Until now.
"Hungry again... Gotta eat some fucking food."
He looked inside any of the cars he was walking by, but cars didn't usually have anything left to scavenge anymore. Abel made it to the top of the hill, not liking what he saw next, It seemed to be a very large town, or city. He was pretty close to this place, which made him uneasy.
"I need food... So, there isn't... another option..."
Abel didn't like the idea, but saying is he didn't have any hunting experience, scavenging was his only option. He made his way down the road toward, well probably his death. It was about a mile walk before he made it to the outskirts of the city. Abel kept his sword in his right hand, and held his shotgun in his left, not ready to shoot, just so he didn't have to unsling it. He was hoping he'd find something with food outside of the city, so he wouldn't have to delve deeper than he needed to.

"You're dead dumbass... You are fucking dead..."
Abel was startled from a sound to his right, it was a zombie crawling on its arms, there were no legs to speak of, looked as if something had chopped, or chewed them off. He just backed away and went into a bit of a jog. He saw a grocery store just down the road a little. He hoped that it wasn't all looted yet.

Another zombie pooped up from the side coming at Abel. He took his sword and swung it into the creature's head, dropping it. He withdrew the weapon from the zombie. He then saw another two, then three, more and more started approaching him.
"Not good, not good one fucking bit!"
He started in a full out dead sprint to the store, not worrying about any of the undead around him. Abel made it to the entrance, and rushed though the broken doors. Once inside he saw a few more of them lumbering about.
"Bullocks."
He took the small window of time he had to sheath his sword, and sling his shotgun on his back. He started running down one of the isles that didn't have a walker in them, then quickly looked for anything edible. First row: Nothing. He ran to the next free isle and checked that one.
"YES!"
He saw a single bag of chips, potato. He snatched it and ran for the closest exit, being one of the fire exits. He froze when he got the door, then looked behind him. There were over a dozen of them making their way through the store.
"Goddammit!"
He kicked the door open, and a loud ringing sounded throughout the store. He rushed outside looking left then right.
"Ladder!"
He rushed to the ladder he saw, it had a grate over it and a lock, so that people couldn't climb on it, but they were never that effective, being as they were only about seven feet tall, and didn't cover the entire ladder. Abel jumped and grabbed unto the top of the grate then hoisted himself up, and grabbed the ladder itself. He climbed to the roof of the now surrounded grocery store, with a bag of potato chips, and a bottle of water, until morning.

Hibiki and Eve exited the room, all ready to fight.

Hibiki walked up to James and gave him a quick kiss. "Let's go get 'em."

(James)
Ah, so it wasn't a dream.
=That kiss sent tingles of pleasure, from the top of my head down to my toes. I was tempted to return it but I was afraid we'd take up too much time=

"We're just waiting on Marcus' messenger. He should be here soon if we stick to the plan."
=Maybe that messenger had good hearing, because no sooner had the words left my mouth then a man wearing dark fatigues and a hunting rifle slung over his shoulder walked into the Inn=

*Hunter*
"Ah, you're ready, good. Come with me, I'll take you to the trucks."
=He turned around and walked back out, and we followed. Outside, there was a line of vehicles, not as many as there were in the caravan but still enough to carry the people going. One of the vehicles, a mini-van with the side door open, was ours, and the four of us, Andrew, Hibiki, Eve and I, piled in=

I wake up to the sound of vehicles. I reach for my pistol... but stop after realizing I'm in a town.
Even then I feel the need to check it. Vehicles in the middle of the night are a little strange.
So I stand up very slowly then walk over to the door. Opening and going through it. Then down the hall and through the front doors.

A couple cars all lined up and running too. Well. This is something.

(James)
=As the door closed, I saw through the window that someone was standing outside, just exiting the Inn. I wondered who they were or why they were watching for a brief moment, before the engine started up and the small group of vehicles began moving. My attention went to the other occupants of the van=
"Must have been a miracle finding enough gas for all these cars."

*Driver*
"Yeah, we've had to be careful with our fuel supplies. We send out parties every now and then to grab gas from stations or abandoned cars, but even then there's not much. This trip might set us back a while."
=We soon passed through the gates, the large school bus already backed up for us. It was late at this point, the sun having set earlier than usual, one of the things I always enjoyed about Fall seasons. Headlights cut through the darkness, though they were at a dim setting to avoid giving us away=

(James)
"How long before we get there?"

*Driver*
"Should take us maybe 20 minutes or so, if the roads clear. We'll stop just before the turn into their road, and you and the infiltrators go through the woods."

It's got to be important or something to need cars. Too bad I'll never know.

I lean against the building's wall for the third time tonight. Just watching the cars drive away.

(James)
"How many infiltrators?"

*Driver*
"It's the four of you, and two others. We'll get as close as we can to the camp entrance without being seen, and wait for your signal."

(James)
"Right, we'll open the gates and you come charging in."
=The rest of the drive was quiet, since everyone knew the plan. feeling nervous again, I reached next to me and gently squeezed Hibiki's hand=

Hibiki squeezed back, scooting closer and resting her head on James' shoulder.
"When we get back, we should talk. Alright?" She smiled. "Nothing bad, I promise."

Eve quietly looked at her lap, deep in thought.

Soon.

(James)
"Looking forward to it."
=I lightly rested my head on hers, as she leaned on my shoulder, my worries about what we were about to do slightly diminished. It was silent in the van, the only sound being the engine. Along the road, we passed a lot of trees, the woods getting thicker, until we came to a stop=

*Driver*
"Okay, this is your stop. Good luck."

(James)
"Thanks. We'll get the job done."
=Someone opened the door, and we got out. Two people got out of the van in front of us, wearing dark clothes, and wielding hunting rifles=

"Alright...let's move, nice and quiet. They'll be on the other side of this forest, and probably have scouts. Take them out silently, arrows only and make sure it's a clean kill."

Hibiki drew her blade as Eve knocked an arrow.

Silently, the group moved forward.

=I shoulder my crossbow and knock in a bolt=

Silent, but deadly...

=I then look down the sights and take aim=

(James)
=The group stretched itself out a bit, while behind us the line of vehicles started up again and moved down the road. We all entered the woods, and it was a little creepy walking through there in the dark of night. The moon wasn't out yet, so we had very little light to see with as we slowly made our way through. Everyone crouched low as we hear two voices coming from ahead, the sound of boots crunching twigs and dry leaves=

*Shepherd scout 1*
"We ever hear back from that scouting party?"

*Shepherd scout 2*
"Not a peep. Jonah thinks they might have been killed."

*Shepherd scout 1*
"Damn.....hope we find the bastards that killed them. I'll carve their names into their skin."

*Shepherd scout 2*
"Heh, and if some of them are of more....pleasurable company?"

*Shepherd scout 1*
"What do you think?"

Eve drew the bow, then let loose, skewering the second guy, the one who offered the suggestion of rape. He dropped like a sack of potatoes, leaving his friend standing there, slightly shocked.

(James)
=I already had an arrow notched, and loosed it right at the other Shepherd, skewering him through the throat=

Hibiki moved forward and made sure they were dead before gathering the arrows and any other supplies and passing them out.
"Alright. Where to next?" She asked quietly.

(James)
"Well, looked like they were coming from that direction, so let's keep moving for there. Stay low, and quiet."
=To emphasize that, i crouched and made my way forward=

Hibiki and Eve followeded quietly, sword and bow at the ready.

Ten more yards...

=I then bring down my crossbow, annoyed=

And they call themselves men of God...pffft

=I then continue forward=

(James)
=It wasn't long before we saw some light through the trees in front of us. I slowed down a little, moving until I was behind a tree, and took a peek. We had reached the road where the Shepherds had set up camp, their vehicles parked along the side, several tents set up on a flat patch of grass further away. There was where the most activity was, with a central fire set up, the source of the light, and a group of people, all wearing fatigues and hoods, gathered around it. It was then that I noticed there was no gate, just two cars at either end of the camp serving as a blockade=

=I go prone and slow crawl a bit closer to the blockade=

Take it easy...just wait...

=I then put a bolt in my crossbow and take aim=

Hibiki crouched by James, pulling her rifle out.

But Eve didn't follow.

Instead, the girl shot an arrow into a trunk at eye level. Before Hibiki could ask why, arrows potruded from the chests of the two men from the lockdown town. They went down, and before Hibiki could do a thing, a bow whacked the back of her head, sending her down to the ground. James followed soon after, then Andrew was whacked.
"Eve!" Hibik called fearfully.
"Sorry, Seargant Ikezawa. But Eve isn't your daughter."
Hibiki rolled onto her side to see a man standing, hand on Eve's shoulder. He smirked.
"A caring mother you turned out to be. It's too bad Eve was never your daughter. She belongs to us."
Eve stood there, bow at the ready, her eyes glassed over. The man laughed. "Welcome to my camp, Seargant. I'm sure my men will give you a...hospitable welcome." He walked over to kick James. "Welcome back, James. Nice to see you again. And Andrew, nice of you to drop by."

The man turned away. "Take them to the camp. Lock them away. Inform the officers they have new blood for their quarters."
The three were dragged up snd stripped of their weapons. Eve stood by silently.

"I love you, James." Was all Hibiki said, giving him one last smile.

=I then feel a whack to side of my head as my vision goes black=

Son of a bitch...

=I then feel myself being carried, but don't know where I'm going=

(James)
=I lost consciousness after I was hit behind my head, so I was unaware of what had happened. I only knew that when I came to, I was gagged, my hands bound behind my back, and kneeling on a patch of dirt inside a very large tent, two people on either side of me. I twisted my neck to the right a little, and saw Hibiki. My heart raced, thankful she was still alive. To my left was Andrew, also still alive. But where was Eve? My thoughts were put on hold, when the entrance to the tent opened, and a group of men entered, a fifth following them. A very familiar fifth=

*Fifth Man*
"My my my...isn't this a treat? Welcome back to the flock, James."
=The man known as Jonah, knelt down until he was at eye level with me. Hate burned within me, as i came face to face yet again with the man that tortured me=

Hibiki was crying. She was crying hard.

The tent flap opened...and out stepped Eve, dresses in fresh clothes, with her bow and Hibiki's sword on her back. She walked up beside Jonah.
"This is the man who had the map, father." She said.

(James)
=I struggled against my bonds, violently jerking, trying to get as close as I could to Jonah. My hands my have been bound, but I still wanted to use my own head to beat him with. Two men grabbed me, and kept me secure, and then I saw Eve......she called him, father=
Father? What?

*Jonah*
"Oh where are my manners? James, allow me to introduce you to Eve, my daughter and a devout believer of our religion. She helped make all this possible."
=He reached out, and stroked her hair affectionately=

=I wake up, and shoot the man near Eve a glare=

You...you're the sick bastard who raped my girlfriend

=I then strain against my restraints, my eyes full of nothing but hate=

Eve moved closer, her face impassive.
"Who would suspect a child traveling with an Ex SWAT officer would be a sly for the Shepherds? It was the perfect cover." She walked over to Hibiki. "I wanted to keep you. Father won't let me." She touched Hibiki's cheek. "You won't die, at the very least."

*Jonah*
"Oh no, she won't die."
=He moved to Hibiki, and grabbed her chest with a firm hand, and squeezed=

"There's still plenty of.....use, for her."

(James)
"Gerr ahwahy frm her!"
=I tried to say "Get away from her!" but the gag garbled my words. Jonah moved back to me, and took out the gag=

*Jonah*
"What was that, boy?"

(James)
"If you touch her again....I'll kill you."

*Jonah*
"Aww look, he's sweet on her. Makes him feel brave."

=I give Jonah a glare=

DON'T YOU EVEN DARE SAY THAT...

=I growl a curse through my gag=

Hibiki whimpered into the gag, trying to get away.
Something flashed in Eve's eyes. She turned back to Jonah.
"Father. I wish to have her. She would be an exellent addition to my personal attendants." She said monotonous. "Miranda is just one. I wish for two."

=I hear the name and my face turns into one of rage and disbelief=

LET ME SEE HER, YOU LITTLE TRAITOR!

=I go into a fury, bucking against my restraints=

*Jonah*
=He looked irritated=
"Eve my sweet, she'll be yours after I'm done with her. It's been so long since I've had someone new."

(James)
"Touch her and I--"
=He backhanded me, silencing me=

*Jonah*
"I don't believe I gave you permission to speak James."
=He took out a knife, one that was all too familiar=

"Or do we need to educate you again?"

=The guards still had Andrew restrained, despite all the trouble he was giving. They settled for hitting him behind the head, not enough to knock him out but enough to hurt=

=I yell in pain, slightly gasping=

You bastard...I'm going to skin you alive...

=I bring my head up, thinking of murder=

Eve ran her down Hibiki's cheek.
"Then allow Miranda to prep her, at the very least." She said.
She then leaned forward, pressing her cheek against Hibiki's. She pulled away, pulling the gag out.
"Thank you, father."

Hibiki merely cried.
"I loved you...you were my daughter."
Eve observed Hibiki...sadly?

She said nothing.

=I again turn to Jonah=

WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY GIRLFRIEND, YOU RAPIST BASTARD?!?!

=I stare daggers at Jonah=

*Jonah*
"And she played her part perfectly. But now that role is over.....oh very well, send for Miranda. I'll keep them in line for now."
=One of the guards holding me left the tent, going somewhere=

(James)
=When I saw that knife, I flashed back to when I last felt it carve into my skin, the pain it elicited=
"Always were a coward, weren't you Jonah? Sent a little girl to do your job, beat me when I'm tied."

*Jonah*
"I don't need a direct approach to get what I want."

Eve paced around Hibiki, waiting for Miranda to be brought.
Once Miranda arrived, Eve spoke up.
"I will take them to my tent, Father. Where shall these two be kept?" She inquired

=I look at Jonah, glaring at him=

Don't you dare do what I think you're going to do...

=I get one look at Miranda, and my heart falls, leaving me silent=

*Jonah*
"Take this one..."
=He pointed to Andrew=

"to the field, and keep him tied up. We might get some information out of him later."
=He noticed how Andrew reacted upon seeing Miranda, and he had a realization=

"Looks like it may be easy to get information out of him, more so than James here. But still...."

=He knelt in front of me again=

"James and I....have unfinished business."
=The men dragged Andrew out of the tent, while Jonah knelt down before James again=

"Now, this time you will tell me where your caravan went. I would so love to add an RV, and some more children, to our family."

=I feel myself being tugged, and don't put up a fight=

After two years...I thought she was dead...

=I keep silent and await my punishment=

Eve and Miranda took Hibiki away to her tent.

Once there, two guards took up positions by the tent as the trio entered. Eve places the weapons snd left, leaving Miranda to prep Hibiki.
"Miranda."
"Hibiki."
"What is your relationship with that girl?"
"She...she was...my daughter."
Miranda helped Hibiki out of her clothes, and started washing Hibiki. "Oh...God...I'm sorry."

Hibiki was dressed in a simple black dress, ready to be ripped off. She stood there, crushed.

Suddenly, a bunch of stuff was shoved under the back of the tent. Then Eve entered from the entrance.

Her eyes were not glasses over. She dropped her duffel, backing away.
"Get dressed mommy..." she said quietly.

*Jonah*
"Oh this brings back memories, doesn't it?"
=He idly dragged the blade across my cheek, so very close to my eye=

"Me with the blade, and you tied up.....good times. Oh the lord has been generous today, yes he has. He delivers a fresh woman into my midst, and returns you to me. We never did finish our little talk."

(James)
"Nothing left to talk about, Jo."

=I then get dumped in the middle of the field and one of the guards whispers in my ear=

Guard: Boss is gonna have a good time with you, yet.

=I give the guard a vicious glare=

Guard 2: Enjoy your break...

=They then leave, and I sit there, and break down sobbing=

Hibiki glared at Eve, who recoiled. Openning the duffel, Hibiki found her missing stuff. Further inspection showed the other package was the other weapons.

Eve knocked an arrow, called in one guard.
Twang.
The other came in to investigate the thump.
Twang.

Eve turned to Hibiki, holding out her weapons. Hibiki took them and stuffed them in the duffel. Eve thenheld out handcuffs.
"Get Andrew. Now." She growled, sending Miranda, now armed with a handgun, after Andrew.

Hibiki slipped out the back of the tent and heads for the motor pool.

*Jonah*
"On the contrary, we have much to discuss."
=Unbuttoning my shirt, he bared my scared chest, and rested the tip of the knife over my collarbone=

"Where is your caravan going, James? Eve told me they were headed North, but we both know better than that. Where are they headed?"

(James)
=I couldn't help but laugh in his face=
"You..you really are crazy. Even when you hear the truth you deny it and crawl in your beliefs. Well, not surprising you sent the world to Hell, by doing the same thing."

*Jonah*
"We will save this world, boy. Every sheep that joins our flock shall be protected from the Lord's soldiers, while they continue their work of purifying this world."

=I sit on the ground, half-sobbing=

Why here, why now...

=I close my eyes, and wait for oblivion=

"Don't give up Andrew."
Miranda stood over him as Eve scared the guards badly. They ran off, probably to change their pants.
Miranda untied Andrew, but held his arm. "Don't hurt her. I know you're angry, but she...she gave Hibiki her stuff. Your stuff too. Ok? Just...let's get to the motor pool."

Eve stood to the side, staring at her shoes.