ZRP-2: Chapter 3, The Coming Storm

(James)
=The bus came to a complete stop outside the gates to the bridge. The guards there recognized the bus, and one of them opened the gate enough to walk out. I myself walked out of the bus to meet him=
"Hi. I'm sure you recognize me?"

*Soldier*
"Yeah, James Martin. I was there when you got shot."

(James)
=I gave a rather hesitant laugh=
"Yeah, good times. Listen, the cars behind us are filled with the people from town. They want to move here. Can you let them in?"

*Soldier*
=He shook his head=
"Not my call to make for group this size. You'll need to talk to the people up top, but they can stay out here and wait."

(James)
"That works. The bus goes though, I'm not walking."

*Soldier*
"Understood. I'll open the gates."
=He waived a hand to the people standing on the wall, and the gate opened enough for the bus to go through. I waived at Sam, giving her the all clear. The bus pushed forward, past the gate and I stayed outside to walk over to the lead car. It wasn't Marcus' car though, and I held a hand out, open palm, to stop them. Moving to the driver's door, I stared at the driver=
"Everyone else needs to wait here. We need to clear this with Clarissa. Tell the others."

=Then I walked away, following the bus before the gate closed behind me=

We came to a stop and never started back up. So I wondered why and got out. Apparently the gate is closed and no ones allowed inside.
"That is certainly strange. Why aren't they opening?"

=The driver of the lead car walked all the way to Marcus' vehicle, and they talked. Marcus then got out, looking....worried. That made the other people worried as they got out of the cars=

*Marcus*
"Alright everyone, listen up: James is going to speak on our behalf, to get us entrance to the city. Now the most we can do is hope he can get us all in, but if he can't.....just remember we all knew the risk was there when we made this trip. So let's just unwind for now, stay in close to the group and the gates, and wait."
=Everyone nodded agreement, and soon the street was full of people. Parents kept their children close=

(James)
=We rode across the bridge, and eventually came to a stop within the city, and outside the hotel. Cooper was there, waiting for us. Maybe he knew we were coming or something, but either way I was glad to see a familiar face. getting out of the bus, I walked forward and shook his outstretched hand=
"Cooper, good to see you man."

*Cooper*
"Likewise James. I heard over the walkie talkie that you've brought a whole group of people with you?"

(James)
"Yeah, we're hoping to move here, or at least somewhere in the city if there's room."

*Cooper*
=He frowned=
"Well, you'll have to talk with Clarissa about that."

(James)
"Will do."

Hibiki was slumped by Eve's chair...who yawned.
"Sam?" She asked in that sleepy, just-woken voice. "Are we there yet?"

(Sam)
"We're here Eve."
=I was still surprised that the girl was able to stay asleep through all of that=

(James)
=Walking past Cooper, I made my way inside. It all looked and felt the same, right down to the annoying elevator music. At the end of the ride, I walked out onto a fairly familiar floor, and a bodyguard outside motioned for me to follow. He led me to Clarissa, who was sitting in a rather spacious room. She wasn't dressed immaculately or anything, it was all very plain. Past her, I could see out the window the same dark grey sky=
"Clarissa. Good to see you again."

*Clarissa*
"And you James, though I'd say it's too soon. After all, you did leave earlier today. What happened?"

(James)
"Well.....there were some complications."
=I told her about the Shepherd attack, and how it had convinced the town that moving was the best option. And then I asked her if they could stay here=

*Clarissa*
"That may be difficult James. Staying in this hotel would put a drain on our resources, and it's also one of the few buildings we have that can actually house people. We have the room but not the supplies."

(James)
"They've lasted for nearly two years on their own. They can manage."

*Clarissa*
"Still.....letting them stay here may not be possible. Letting them stay in the city in an area they can control though, is another matter."

Eve looked down.
"Mommy? Are you ok?" She asked, unaware of what transpired.

Miranda supported Andrew, hurrying him to the hospital.

(James)
"Then perhaps that may be the best course. We take control of our own territory within the city, but still share it with yours. That way your overall control of the city increases, as does the number of fighters you have for security and the war."

*Clarissa*
"Yes, this may very well work, as well as satisfy both parties. Send word to you're people, that the caravan can enter. They won't be allowed access to the hotel, but tell them they can park outside the stadium. You, Marcus and I will have to decide on where you can all stay."

(James)
"I'll get on it. Thank you Clarissa."
=We both nodded goodbye, and I left for the elevator. The ride down was boring and annoying, considering the fact that the music was still terrible. Walking out of it at the end, I made my way out of the lobby and to the bus, climbing back in. Hibiki was still out cold, and the first thing I did was crouch down over her, feeling her cheek=

(Sam)
"So, what happened? Is everyone good to stay?"

(James)
"Yeah, but there are conditions, some that are already going to be agreed upon, and other that will be discussed later."

Eve seemed to get scared.
"Is mommy ok?" She asked fearfully.

(James)
"She's still got a pulse and her breathing is fine. I think she's just exhausted is all."
=I got a hand under her neck, pulling her up into a sitting position though she was still asleep=

"I'll get her to a room. Sam, you should do the same for Eve. Everyone else on the bus.....you can either stay on the bus or stretch your legs, but don't get too comfortable in the hotel. I don't think any of us are going to be staying here for very long."
=Most of them nodded, as if understanding what the terms of the deal were. I didn't know or care though, as I got both arms under Hibiki, lifting her up and carrying her out the bus. I was dimly aware of Book saying something about "there and back again." =

Eve stood up and, shaking her head, held her arms out to Sam for a wake-up hug.
Hibiki didn't move. Didn't make a sound. It was as if everything except breathing had been turned off.

"Okay, so we just hang out here. I'm cool with that."
I lean up against the car and just wait. Hoping there isn't going to be another Shepherd attack.

(J)

I yawn and stretches out in the seat.

"Thats sounds good.."

I rubbed my head, blinked confused. As I looked around, I came to the stunning conclusion that I'd fallen asleep at some point. As I looked down, I could tell why.
Allie and I were cuddling. It felt... nice.

(Sam)
=Honestly.....I was just too tired at this point to get up and hug the girl. Today really had been a long day. Most I could do was flash her a small smile, as I slumped in the drivers seat=

(James)
=I carried her through the lobby, backtracking a very familiar path, until we were once more outside the hotel room. I found it almost laughable really: me carrying my fiancee to our hotel room. And there hadn't even been a wedding yet. Gently, I let her legs fall down as I freed my hand to open the door. She shuffled in her sleep, with me guiding her, into the room. Getting her to the bed wasn't difficult, nor was laying her out on it. I draped the blanket over her, and once I was sure she was comfortable I left the room. She was going to be out for a while=

(Allie)

I wake up again, this time cuddling with Sammy. I notice she was already awake and blush.

"Er... I'm a cuddler..."

I grin while blushing deeper.

=I had been cleared for one of the rooms as soon as I entered the hospital with Mira, doctors looking at me wide eyed because of the extent of my injuries and how pale I looked=

Well...that shouldn't come as a huge surprise...

=I was put in one of the rooms, a doctor coming into the room almost immediately=

Doctor: I'll unwrap the bandages to see what we have for injuries, because you look like death, young man.

=I take off the clothes on the upper half of my body, exposing my bandages=

Go on doctor...

=An orderly takes care unwrapping the bandages, the face on the doctor morphing from fascination to shock as the extent of my injuries became brutally apparent=

Doctor: I'll add to my previous statement...because it's a MIRACLE you're even alive, much less walking with assistance.

=He looks to one of the other doctors, nodding as if they had done a backroom deal=

Doctor: You are staying here for the time being, and no buts about it. You lost a large amount of blood, and resting for a day or so would do you some good. Plus you have two injuries that need attending to.

=I sputter an excuse=

But...I can walk, even with assistance.

Doctor: As I said, no buts. You are to rest here...doctor's orders. Your friends can see you in due time.

=I reluctantly relent, laying down on the bed, my body begging me for rest=

Eve shuffled over to Sam, gently hugging her. She gently nestled her face in Sam's hair.
"What's going on?" She asked with confusion.

(Sam)
"Nothing Eve, it's just been a long day. Besides, you slept through all of it so you don't really get to know what happened."


=The soldier at the gate got word over his radio, and he opened the gate once more to talk with Marcus. They spoke for a minute, and then Marcus turned to the caravan, nodded his head, and everyone got back in their cars and drove through the gates. At the other end of the bridge were several guards, pointing the way for the caravan to head for the stadium=

(James)
=I sat in the lobby, waiting. I was sure that sooner or later, Marcus was going to walk in and he'd want to talk with me=

"Meanie." Eve said. But she smiled into Sam's hair. "Everyone is ok. So it doesn't matter."
Her hug tightened a bit.

(Sam)
Yeah, you don't know how close it was....for that statement to be false.
=But I held my tongue. She didn't need to hear that James had nearly died, or that Hibiki almost shot herself. It wouldn't do for her to hear that. I moved to stand up, to get out of her embrace, but was stopped when the preist, Book, moved to walk out of the bus. He nodded at me, almost apologetically for blocking me, then was gone=

(Book)
=I made my way off the bus, and to the lobby. Something told me that James needed to hear about what had happened with Hibiki. Entering the well decorated interior, I found him sitting at a chair, relaxed in the cushions. Walking towards him, I wrinkled my nose at the smell. After falling into a river, it was no surprise he stank=
"James...."

(James)
=At the sound of my name, I looked up to find the priest looking at me. I could tell from the way he wrinkled his nose that I smelled terrible=
"Book, what's going on?"

Eve pulled away until she only held Sam's hand.
"I don't want to...but should I go away for a bit? You seem...agitated." she said softly.

(Sam)
"It's fine Eve....I guess I just need some time to myself right now. Like I said it's been a long day."

(Book)
"James, you should probably know that after you went over, and we were a good distance away from the Shepherds......Hibiki tried to kill herself."

(James)
=All the blood drained out of my face, and there was a shiver that went down my spine that had nothing to do with how wet I was=
"Wh-what?"

(Book)
"Sam was angry that Hibiki had left you and Andrew on the bridge. She was yelling at her so much that Hibiki walked out of the bus, with her gun and almost...."
=I didn't need to finish=

=The caravan was soon parked outside the stadium, and people were once more out and about. However, guards from the compound stood at the entrances to the Stadium, not allowing anyone inside=

Eve pulled Sam down a bit and kissed Sam's cheek, catching the very corner of Sam's lips. "I'll wait in our old room, ok?" She said. Eve quietly gathered her things and left Sam at the bus.

=I let myself go into a sleep=

Food and sleep, two of my best friends right now...

=I go back into the same dream I've had before, the sequence goes through normally. Then instead of my sister dying, I see her taken by Abernathy, me helpless to stop it. She then ages to when I just saw her, standing next to Abernathy. I then look down to see my scars crisscross my body, my sister looking at me, a face full of loathing, Abernathy sneering=

Abernathy: She was your flesh and blood...yet her trust is with the Lord...Be lucky you're alive...

NOOOOOOOOO...!

=I wake up panting, and sweating like crazy; the sweat seeps into my wounds, making me grit my teeth and groan in pain=

(Sam)
=The kiss should have made me smile, even sent a small jolt through my body. It didn't though. So I ended up sitting there in silence=

(James)
=I was going to speak, until I saw Eve walk by. I kept silent, not sure if she knew or not. In any event she didn't need to be brought into the topic right now, and when she had passed I spoke=
"What stopped her?"

(Book)
"Both Sam and I went after her, tried to talk her down. Then Andrew was discovered, injured but alive and it helped give her some much needed hope. She dropped the gun, and we brought her back."
=I sat down opposite him=

"You needed to know, because I'm not sure you realize yet just how much she really loves you. And more importantly, how much you really mean to her."

(James)
=The implications of what he said reverberated through me. It meant that I was now the one thing that was keeping her alive, at least as I understood it. It made me want to crawl into bed with her, and hold her, anything to reassure her that I was going to be fine=

Once we get out again I realize we're at the Stadium. The weapons Facility.
For some reason, I don't think they're going to share again.

I stay snuggled with you, smiling happily and rubbing your head slowly.
"I wonder if we're here or not..." i blink tiredly

(Allie)

I Laugh at her question and pull myself up. I grab my hoodie and tactical vest and throw them on, then grab my rifle and sling it onto my shoulders.

"Hell the way I slept we could've been here for hours, now where the hell did Andrew and the rest get off to?.."

That and trading may be out of the question. But we're allies right? I mean, since we're in their compound and everything.
I probably look like I'm in thought to anyone else.

(Book)
"I don't mean to worry you, or make you overly-cautious. But I felt you needed to know."
=With that, I got up, making my way to my old room=

(James)
=I got up myself, and walked back to the bus. My stuff was there, and I needed a shower just to wipe away the smell of the river. Sam was still there, looking dazed. She and I would have words later, but for now I let her sit there. We both nodded to each other, and I grabbed my bag. Leaving the bus, it was a short walk back to my room, and the whole while my thoughts were consumed by Hibiki, and the knowledge of what almost happened. I soon got back to the room, placing my bag on a chair across from the door, and walked into the bathroom. Stripping out of my soaked clothing, I started the shower, and stepped in. After my dip in the cold river, the hot water was nearly divine on my skin, and the soap certainly helped wipe away the smell=

(Sam)
=After James had left, I continued to sit there for a good minute, until finally I got up, walking back to my room at the hotel. It didn't do for me to be stuck on that bus.....though I was still heading for a little girl so clingy she was going to suffocate me the moment I entered that room=

Hibiki's eyelids flickered a bit.

Eve, in fact, did not suffocate her. Instead she merely went over and took Sam's hands.
"I know I'm...hard to...deal with...but I...I'm here for you." She managed, looking at her sneakers.

(Sam)
=I was taken aback, at the girls statement. That and the fact that she had been waiting right behind the door for me. I just smiled a little=
"It's okay Eve, really. But on the subject of you being difficult....I don't want to sugarcoat it, but you tend to be way to clingy though I'll forgive you because this is the first time you've had to deal with this kind of thing."

(James)
=Was I being wasteful with the hot water? Probably. But the fact was after my time in the river, however brief, I wanted to spend maybe another half hour in the shower. Besides, in addition to being nice, it was a nice spot for me to think=

Eve shifted a bit. "I've never been that loved. I've been alone...alone...all I can do is follow what feels right. And staying close and hanging on...is what feels right to....to me. I love you...I'm afraid if I let go, I might not be able to...to grab you again. It...it might be foolish...bit it's how I feel." She moved a bit closer. "I'm sorry I'm not able to...be less clingy...very easily."

(Sam)
"Just try Eve. Because I can safely say, that being too clingy can force people away."

(James)
=I wasn't really standing at this point. Now, I was more like sitting down in the tub, letting the water fall down and wash over me. Thoughts drifted through my head, and the most dominant of all was Hibiki. She had tried to kill herself, because she thought I was dead. In spite of our child, and Eve...she couldn't go on. That had to change=

Eve looked up fearfully. "Please don't leave me. I promise I will try." She sniffed. "I promise."

(Sam)
"I promise, I won't leave you Eve. But for the both of us please, try and be less clingy. I need to breathe now and then."

(James)
=Standing up, slowly, I turned off the shower and walked out. There was still a towel inside the bathroom, and I dried off before walking out, the towel around my waist=

Eve nodded. "I will." She said. She then let go, sitting down on their bed. "You're just nice and warm." She said qith a giggle.

(Sam)
"Yeah, but that's why you have your own bed Eve."

(James)
=Hibiki was still out cold on the bed, and I let her be. I walked over to the other bed, bag in hand, and started to get dressed=

Eve scooted back on the bed. "I'm scared of the nightmares returning..." she said. "I'll stay on my side of the bed...please?" She activated BAMBI EYES.

Hibiki's eyelids flickered again, and she twitched a bit.

(Sam)
"Alright, fine. But don't get too comfortable Eve, the day's only half done."

(James)
=Her sudden motion caught my attention, and as soon as my pants were pulled up I walked over to her side of the bed, gently feeling her cheek. She still felt cool, so no fever. But for the most part she was still asleep, though I wished she would wake=

Eve smiled. "Thank you Sam."

Hibiki twitched again. Then she groaned, starting to waks up.

=The crowd outside the stadium had, for lack of better term, made themselves comfortable. Marcus and his men kept people near the cars, though he himself wondered how long it would be before they met with Clarissa. These people needed housing soon, especially with the rain=

(James)
=When she made some noise, I jerked my hand back, leaning away=
"Hibiki?"

Hibiki woke up, then looked around before finding James.
"I thought...I thought I had killed you...." she reached for him. "I'm not hallucinating?"

(James)
=Smiling, I took her hand in mine, squeezing gently=
"Nope. I'm real. Real and alive."

=Leaning down, I gently kissed her forehead=
"And no, you didn't kill me Hibiki."

Hibiki started to cry. She didn't let go.
"I couldn't turn around. The bridge started to collapse...it...it was the entire bus or you..." she sobbed. "I never wanted to make that choice James. I never wanted to make it."
Hibiki pulled his hand down to her chest, and with both hands held his over her heart. "Im sorry."

(James)
"Hibiki, it's fine. You don't need to apologize."
=I felt my hand get crushed in her grip=

Hibiki relaxed.
"Is everyone else ok? Everyone...holding together?" She asked, her voice hinting something more then the bridge happened (obviously the suicide attempt.)

(James)
"Everyone's fine. Well, Andrew isn't but he's being tended to."
=I looked her in the eyes=

"And I know, Hibiki. Book told me."

Hibiki looked away. "First Eve...then you got shot...then Harry...then I left you to die...I couldn't go on. I...I can't go on without you." She closes her eyes. "Please don't leave me again."

(James)
=I sighed, and then leaned down so that I kissed her again on the forehead=
"Hibiki, I promise I won't leave. But with this world, I can't keep any promises. But you have to promise me, that if it ever does happen...you won't kill yourself. You have our child to think about. Live for them, for the both of us."