ZRP-2: Chapter 3, The Coming Storm

(James)
"A girl? That's why you left us? First of all, why didn't you bother bringing her along if she meant so much to you that you left us for her?"

I sigh, rubbing my jaw and neck, before chuckling a little.
"They're really get all giddy about someone ditching them? How long have these guys been out here? They mustn't be too used to the whole Zombie Apocalypse, Survival of the Fittest kinda thing yet."

I looked at the girl, grinning happily.
"Nice names. But which do you prefer?"

=I feel my body twitch in anger slightly=

You may have helped us out, but that still doesn't excuse the fact that you ditched us for her.

=I calm down a bit=

James has a good point.

"What? Bring her with me when she's wounded? She wouldn't survive for long. And, before you ask. I came along with you with a slim chance to get medical supplies."
I take in a breath. It was kinda hard to breathe with his hand my neck.

(Allie)

I laugh.

"I've only been with them a day. And I don't care, whatever comes easier to you. I respond to both."

"Because he thought it was safe here, too."
Eve was awake now. She slowly sat up, but remained on Sam's lap. "But he felt something was wrong. He missed her. Does it matter? If you care about them...you move heaven and Earth for them. So, if you think you deserve to be my father...go prove it."
Eve twisted and buried her face back into Sam's chest.

(James)
=Eve's sudden remark was a mystery to me really. I knew she was talking about doing what you could for the people you love, but this guy ditched us. It may not have screwed us over or anything but it was desertion after he came to us=
"I'm not going to beat you to a bloody pulp Tyler, though after today i think it's safe to assume I'll need an outlet for my anger. So here's what you're going to do: stay out of my way for a while, and I won't look for you. I'll cool off, be fine, and we'll start from scratch."


(Sam)
=Her outburst like that caught me off guard, though when she buried her head against my chest I assumed that was all she had to say=

I looked around at the people, some still arguing, but it was dying down, that was good.

"Allie it is. Wanna sit down somewhere?" I say, smiling pleasantly. She seemed nice.

(Allie)

I continue to look at the guys until I was satisfied that everything was good. I turn to the woman and sigh.

"That sounds nice.. along with a beer or something."

I give a laugh, It actually felt good to be called Allie again. It made me feel more like a woman than a soldier.

I nod. It was all I could do. Well, besides point out he's taking some of my breath everytime I breathe.

(James)
=I walked away from him, placing a hand on Andrew's shoulder=
"Look, it's been a rough day for all of us. Check on Miranda, get some rest. Be ready in an hour though.....I'll be burying Harry with his family, so I'd like you to be there. That goes for you too Sam."

(Sam)
"Wouldn't miss it."
=Even though I really wanted to escape the reality behind it=

(James)
=I walked off for the room I used before, looking to sit down for once today=

(Book)
=I watched silently, though I was making myself ready to intervene should James have gotten out of hand. I walked for an open chair, sitting down=

=I lean in close to Tyler=

Same goes for me. Stay out of my sights, because James and I are a bit pissed, James even more so.

=I turn a bit, calming down=

Right...thanks.

=I head out and find Mira on the bus=

Come on, Mira, it's okay to get off the bus.

"Beer? Come on, I know you can handle more than that." I sit down, and look over at one of the bartenders, holding up two fingers.

Same order as always.
"So tell me, were you with that group that came in and 'saved the day' as it were?"

Mira climbed from the gun then hugged Andy. "Is it over now?"

=I nod and smile, my mood improving=

Yeah, it's over now.

=I can't help but smile=

Come on, let's head back to the Inn. It's been a long day.

(James)
=I walked into my room, the place as empty as we left it. Not a soul was inside, and I wasn't sure if I was fine with that or not. All I knew was that I just wanted to lay down, so I walked to the bed, and crawled in=

(Sam)
=I still held Eve, though I shifted a little so that she was laying more on the chair than me. What, I needed to breathe=

(Allie)

I nod.

"Yeah"
The Bartender comes over stressed out a bit.

B:"Water?"

I pull out nice pistol I found and give it too him.

"Whiskey please.. I need something strong.."

I turn back to ...

"Er, sorry I didn't even catch your name?

"Ok."
Mira just held Andy's hands...oblivious to Harry's fate.

I smirk as the old man asks if she wanted water. Poor bastard, it must've been a hell of a day for him.

"Hmm? Oh, call me Sammy." I say, smiling happily.
I nod at the bartender, and he jots down a second whiskey.

(Allie)

I reach out my hand to shake hers.

"Nice to meet you Sammy."

The bartender brings over two cups and a bottle of Whiskey. I pour me a cup and start drinking.

"I just got here, but by the looks of things people aren't going to be staying here longer."

=I walk over to the Inn with Mira, the mood being tense=

Let's hope nothing more happens...

=I walk into the Inn, the atmosphere still slightly tense=

It's been a rough day...and man would I kill for a drink...

I smile happily as I shake her hand. I hadn't felt happy in a while, actually.
I handed the man a few bullets, thankfully not compatible with my gun. But I was running low on stuff to trade... soon I was gonna be broke. Again.

"Well after what happened I don't know what's gonna happen. Defences breached, so the only safe haven is no longer safe, and... and the Shepards..."

(Allie)

I nod and set down my cup.

"I'm sticking with them for now, you should tag along."

I hold up a hand and call over Andrew.

=I looked to Ace and waved, coming over=

This should certainly make for an interesting meeting...

=I find a seat, feeling my pain in my arm at times=

(Allie)

I look at Andrew, then the new woman.

This must be the Mira he mentioned..

"Hey Andrew, sorry about earlier.. I just didn't want anyone pulling a gun or something.."

(Sam)
=I was so distracted by Eve, that I barely noticed Hibiki sitting near us in the same room. Staring at her with an inquisitive look, I had to ask=
"Why aren't you with James? He needs you right now."

(James)
=Despite my efforts, I couldn't rest. Harry's face, crying was still very fresh. Images of his mother screaming at me, enraged at my failure to protect him, flooded my mind=

=I smile thinly=

Don't worry about it...it's understandable given what happened today.

=I sigh=

It's been a long day for all of us.

(Allie)

I nod, then wave my hand to Sammy.

"Oh, this is Sammy. A friend I just made. Sammy this is Andrew and...?"

I look at Mira and take a sip of whiskey.

Boy am I ever so happy to not have to shoot somebody. Even more so not getting the shit beat out of me.
But. Getting a second chance. That's rare. And I couldn't be happier to get one. I have that little girl to thank.
Though I'm also angry. I hate being handled like that and without choice to do something about it.

Hibiki looked up at Sam.
"I'm afraid. I held my arms out to him...I don't know if I...if I'll be welcome..."

Mira tightened her grip on Andy's hand. "Hi."

(Sam)
"That's a risk you need to take Hibiki. He's hurting, you can't leave him alone like that even if he turned you down before. If he holds it all in like that, it will only get worse."
=My eyes went hard, like steel=

"And if you don't because you're uncertain how he'll respond, then I will lose all respect I have for you. I'll take back my blessing for the both of you. Because right now, you're sounding nothing like the women I saw him fall in love with."

=I wince a bit as Mira gripped my hand like a vice=

Oww...I forgot how strong that grip is...well, not really...

Don't worry Mira, they won't bite.

=I can't laugh, knowing how bad that sounded to my ears right now=

(Allie)

I give her a smile and nod before turning back to Sammy.

"So what do you plan on doing?"

Hibiki stood up and started walking, and stepped into James' room.
She saw him on the bed, then sat beside him, just laying a hand on his shoulder

(James)
=I heard the door open, the sound the bed made as someone sat on it coupled with the feeling of it being pushed down. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder, warm, gentle=
"Hibiki......"

=It came out in a low whisper=

"I should have come sooner..." she sighed softly. "I shouldn't have left you alone. I'm sorry."

(James)
=I wanted to roll over and look at her.....but I couldn't, so I kept my back to her=
"It's not your fault Hibiki. I turned down the hug, that was all."

=Silent for a few seconds, I took in a deep breath=
"I shouldn't have left him here Hibiki. Any of them. If I had just brought them with us....."

I turn to head into the room and get some rest. But I bump into Jennifer. I thought she was in the room!
I back up a little bit instead of just falling down.
"Shit, sorry."

Hmm. A group of travelling survivors... that could be fun.

"Would they accept another person? I mean, you look pretty filled as it is."

(J)

I shake my head.

"I stayed with you..."

I take his hand.

(Allie)

I shrug.

"If it was up to me I would say yes, but It's not.."

I turn to Andrew.

"Can Sammy come with us?"

=I smile a bit=

You'd have to ask James.

=I sigh=

But I'd advise to keep your distance right now, he's not exactly in a good mood right now. But I'm okay with it.

"You... what? I... you saw everything?"
I hold her hand in mine. It's softness against my skin.

I look at the guy named Andrew, looking him over. Hmm, a leader.
So these guys were more of like a... mercenary company then? Whatever they were, they seemed like they could handle themselves.

Guess I may just have a ticket out of here.

(Allie)

I nod and finish off another cup of whiskey. My cheeks turn a bit red from the liquor.

"Agreed , and thanks Andrew."

I grin and fill up another cup.

(J)

I nod.

"You shouldn't let them push you around like that..."

I look at Allie, watching her redden from the drink. She couldn't hold her liquor, it seemed.

"So, Allie, what do you all do then? Just roam and survive, or are you some sort of rag-tag group of heroes trying to save the world? Or maybe you're some sort of Shepard-esque group, intent on living out your goals and yours alone?"

I took another sip. I loved drinking, made me sound smarter sometimes.

"It's not like I had a choice. Crap, that still hurts. Because if I didn't let them... well I might've gotten my ass handed to me."
I rub my head. Still tender.
"I mean. You saw that hulking man right? Andrew."

(Allie)

"What.. oh!"

I laugh a bit.

"Oh I don't know, I just jumped on today."

I shrugged, and took another hefty swig. Whatever it was, I'm sure they were a fun rabble, even if only till their next stop off somewhere protected.

"Well, here's hoping I'm let on."

=I smile=

We're just a group of people trying to save the world, that's all.

=I sigh, the day's events draining me=

(Allie)

I grin at Sammy.

"Me too."

I look at Andrew.

"You should try to get some rest and watch that arm..."

I take another drink.

"Also I think some of the other people in town are leaving, we need to talk to james... as soon as he's ready."