ZRP-2: Brave New World

"Don't kill me!"

I smile to show I'm only joking and let go of the rifle and hand it to him.

Abel tried to find an answer, something of why life is worth living and fighting for, but it was most certainly a difficult sentence to counter.

"Is it though? Even in a fucked up world like this, we still find some joy... And what's death? Nothing? If that's all that awaits us when we die, than I don't see how death is better than life."

"I can't kill you. The safety's on. And besides. Even if it did fire it- Wait. You were joking... oh."

I laugh a little, kinda embarrassed that I didn't catch it. I stand back up with the rifle in hand. I flip it over, making sure not to hit her.

Hibiki nodded. "I expect diamonds."


Eve murmered a bit, blinking awake.
"Nnnn...woke up ready?"
The cat walked up Eve and licked her cheek before settling on her chest, tail flicking back and forth, purring.

Mira grinned. "You're doomed without me."

(James)
"Well, we are heading to one of the most uptight areas in the area. Chances are we'll find something that fits."
=This time I kissed her cheek, then rested my forehead against hers=

(Sam)
"Finally awake now? That cat didn't seem to like me that much."

"You're so sweet..."
Hibiki smiled, relaxing against James.

Eve laughed. "I like you Sam, don't worry."

=I grin sheepishly=

Yeah...I guess we're doomed together.

=I keep my grin=

I begin laughing.

"Is it all good now?"

(Sam)
=I couldn't help but blush a little at the comment=
"Thanks Eve. Nice to know you like me more than a cat."

(James)
"Heh, if I wasn't would you have fallen for me"
Doubt it.

Janitor wrote:

Abel tried to find an answer, something of why life is worth living and fighting for, but it was most certainly a difficult sentence to counter.

"Is it though? Even in a fucked up world like this, we still find some joy... And what's death? Nothing? If that's all that awaits us when we die, than I don't see how death is better than life."

"It's better because we don't sit there, waiting to die. We are dead, and we might not even know it. Our souls just.. gone." She shrugged. "Sometimes a life like this might not even be worth living for when we don't know when to control our hatred to work for a better cause."

I pull up on a small lever and the clip falls out, hitting the floor.

"Yeah I got it. All safe now. Here you go."

I give her the rifle back and pick up the clip. Then stick it into my coat. Surprising I was hot in it for the first time. Ever.

"If you weren't, then you would have told me and Eve to keep walking." Hibiki answered. "But I would have."

Eve giggled. "Of course I do." She said. "Try and pet her."

Mira laughed. "Yep."

(Jason)
"Yeah, that would be me if I wasn't a sweet, caring guy."

(Sam)
=Calmly, Sam shuffled over to Eve and the cat, reaching a hand out to pet its fur=

=I genuinely laughed for the first time in two years, and felt great=

Well...it's just like old times...

I wonder what those blue bloods will have in St. Louie?

=I grin=

But I guess we'll just have to find out together, won't we?

"Thanks Tyler."

I smile shyly and grab his hand again.

"Now how about that food?"

Hibiki kissed James. "But you are a sweet, caring guy."

Sammy looked up, then moved closer to nuzzle Sam's fingers.

Mira sighed. "Hopefully a hot bath."

(Sam)
"Guess she likes me."
=I reached behind her ears, scratching Sammy lightly=

(James)
"You know, we should really be working on going to sleep. After all we need to wake up early."
=That still didn't stop me from kissing her again=

=I take a whiff and nearly gag=

Lord knows I need it.

=I grimace a bit=

Goodness, they could probably smell me in Chicago.

"Right. I uh... managed to get a can of soup yesterday. If only I could get a bowl or something. Maybe even a spoon."

I laugh a little. It's sad I don't keep those with me. !

"No, wait. I keep a spoon with me. I've used it before though..."

Hibiki laughed, kissing back. "Night then."

Eve smiled. She kinda wished she was the cat now. "She's nice and soft."

Miranda rolled her eyes. "Nah. Honolulu."

=I chuckle a bit=

That bath's gonna have to wait.

=I smile=

Let's hit the sack...We have a long road ahead of us.

(James)
"Kinda hard to do when we're still sitting next to each other....and kissing."
=Still, I scooted away from her and went to lie down on my own side of the bed=

(Sam)
Yeah, wouldn't mind if I were scratching you behi-- no, no, no. No more of those thoughts Sam, it's not right.

Hibiki scooted up and fitted herself against James' back. "Night then."

Miranda nodded. "Yeah. Lets."

Eve yawned. "I need to go back to sleep..." she stretched. "Get some sleep Sam...please?"
Sammy cocked her head, looking at Sam with her eyes wide.

"I'm ok with sharing... I've never been a germaphope"

=I lay down on the bed on my back, yawning as I settled into a breathing rhythm=

Well...we're having a road trip

=I smile, and start to go into a sound sleep=

(James)
=Slowly, I drifted off to sleep, Hibiki's back against mine a welcome sensation=


(Sam)
=Laying on my side, facing away from the girl, I closed my eyes as I went to sleep=

Miranda settled at Andy's side, slipping into sleep.

Eve scooted over to press against Sam's back, the cat wrapping itself around Eve's head, resting her little chin on Eve's forehead.

--7:30 Am--

(James)
=I had a nightmare. In it, I was tied up and gagged once more, bleeding from dozens of cuts and the smell of smoke strong within my nostrils, as I bore witness to a fire consuming my home, my caravan. Bodies lay here and there, bullets riddling their back, mouths still working=

*Travelers*
"Why weren't you here? Why didn't you save us?"

=I tried to say I was sorry, to let them know how much pain I was in because I failed them. Then my view changed to Harry, nailed to a cross, head hanging in death. My friends were all nailed to their own cross, and all dead. I only struggled harder against the bonds, screaming into the gag. Again the view changed, and there was Hibiki, the Shepherds.....doing things to her. Jonah stood above her, and he looked at me and said=

*Jonah*
"See now how your woman serves us. How she serves the Lord's faithful?"

(James)
"NOO!!!"
=I woke with a start, drenched in a cold sweat=


(Sam)
=Sleep was not peaceful for me. My mind once more replayed the events of the death of my home, of my family. Shepherds poured from the woods, guns blazing and bullets ripping into my friends and family. Neck shots, head shots, gut shots.....everyone died. I had taken the kids to safety but....Dan and Mike? Dead. When I woke I didn't scream, just cried again. As much as I did when they had died=

Hibiki was still asleep, still peaceful. She was snoring softly, her hair in her face.

Eve awoke to find Sam crying. She held Sam tighter.
"It's ok Sam...it's ok...you're...safe." she said softly, holding her friend.

-7:30 A.M.-

=I was having one of my nightmares, a familar dread creeping across my back=

*Sarah*

"ANDY!! HELP ME!!"

"SARAH!!"

*Mother*

(Incoherent scream)

=I then smell...the gag-inducing smell from the Shepherds burning the farm, filling my dreams with smoke, flames and death. I was screaming, my dead father in my arms. I also hear Miranda's piecing scream again, and see Jonah's face=

*Jonah*
She was yours, yet she served followers of God himself.

=I wake up in a cold sweat and belt out a scream=

NO! NO! NO! NOT AGAIN! NOT AGAIN!

=I feel my breathing quicken and my heart race=

(Sam)
=I was still crying, even as Eve held me. God it all hurt so much=

(James)
=I shifted, looking over at Hibiki. She was still sleeping, none the wiser to my outburst. Still, I moved so I faced her back, placing a light kiss on my shoulder as several tears went down my cheek=
God....please don't let that ever happen. If you are real, and you are out there.....please, not her.

--7:30 ish a.m.---

I heard screams from across the hallway and over my music. I had my MP3 player on and was resting in one of the chairs.
Like most nights, I didn't sleep. even when I was suppose to. I had let Jennifer have her space in the bed.
Wrex was gone though and I was worried. He must've left when Jennifer and I were eating last night. Or before then even.
But now, at seven something people were screaming outside of our room. So I grab my M9 from off the bed and head out.

Eve gently nuzzled Sam's back, being there for her.
"I'm here for you..."

Hibiki murmured slightly, the kiss unnoticed by the heavy-sleeping SWAT Seargant.

Miranda woke up. "Andy? Andy, are you ok?"

=I take in a few breaths, my heart pounding=

I saw the raid on the farm...I heard them scream.

=I try and breathe normally=

And then I saw Jonah's face, and he spoke to me....and...I...I lost it again.

=I let a few tears run down my face, my breath choked with sobs=

(Sam)
=I stopped crying soon, Eve's presence driving back much of the grief. I still hiccuped a little, tears running down my cheeks. But my hand drifted to hers, and I entwined my fingers with her own=

(Jason)
=Steeling myself, I lightly shook Hibiki awake=
"Hibiki, time to wake up. It's time to go."

I roll over confused.

"Huh?"

Eve smiled. "I won't leave you..." she said. "You held me for my nightmare...I'll always return the favor."
Eve's finger tightened against Sam's.

Hibiki woke up slowly, then noticed the perspiration. "Are you ok? You're drenched in sweat."

Mira held Andy. "It's ok..."

"I heard someone yelling, I'm gonna check it out."
After leaving I knock on the room's door closest to me. Where I heard a man scream from. Or yell, whichever. And knock loudly.

"Hey! Is everyone alright in there?!"

(James)
=I was about to answer her, when I heard a voice at the door, asking if we were okay=
"Yeah, we're fine here. Just a nightmare."

(Sam)
=I could feel myself smiling, my grip on her fingers increasing=

Hibiki sighed, kissing James. "It was a nightmare...nothing more."

Eve just lied there, holding Sam. "Are you ok now?"

=I start to breath normally again=

I know...it's just...I don't really want to relive it any more.

=I then notice the shadows on the floor=

Let's get going. We have work to do.

=I smile weakly=

"Oh."

I silently left my spot by the door and went back to my- our room. Then sit back into the chair after closing the door.

(James)
"Hibiki....the Shepherds had you. They were doing things to you."
=I could already hear my voice start to break, though I fought hard not to cry=

"I was so afraid.....afraid of that actually happening Hibiki."

(Sam)
"Yeah, I'm fine now."

I was still half asleep.

"What was it?"

"It was somebody's nightmare. Got them screaming I guess."

"I carry an assault rifle. I have a katana. I know a lot of martial arts. I'm pregnant and soon hormones will make me moody. I have a child. God have mercy on the poor fucker who decides to fuck with pregnant momma bear's daughter when momma bear is trained to fuck your shit up using everything from guns to swords to bear fists."

Eve nodded I to Sam's back. "Does that mean I have to let go?" She asked, laughing softly.

Miranda nodded. "Lets."

(James)
=I almost chuckled a little, resting my forehead against hers=
"I'm sorry. It's just you, the baby, and losing my family....I couldn't protect them Hibiki. But you.....I will die, before I fail you."

(Sam)
"Only if you want to be hanging from me as I get up. We've got to go."

"Oh ok.."

I lay my head back down and start to drift off when I remember.

"Hey Tyler.."

Eve let go reluctantly, smoothing out clothes and tying shoelaces. Once she was done, she would then intertwine her hand with Sam's again, smiling up at her with the cat on her head.

Hibiki nodded. "I know." She then pulled away, getting up and dressed...and ready.

Miranda got up and ready, slinging her rifle.

=I put on my gear and take a couple of deep breaths to steady myself=

Just stay out of my damn head, Jonah...

=I smile=

Come on, let's not keep the others waiting.

=I grab her hand and start to walk out of the inn=