ZRP-2: Chapter 3, The Coming Storm

=I chuckle, grunting a bit from a bit of pain=

Thanks.

=I get in the chair, and start wheeling myself out=

Catch me if you can, suckers.

=I grin, speeding along=

(Allie)

I roll my eyes and follow Andrew out.

"Don't get to cocky with that or I'll push you down a flight of stairs.."

=I grin=

Well, when you put it that way...

=I slow down=

I'd rather restrain myself.

Abel awoke to the sound of crackling and pops, quiet though, not gunfire. It was completely dark, save for the glow to his right. He looked over and saw a campfire, along with a man crouching by it, putting twigs and smaller pieces of logs in it. Abel sat up slowly.
"Who in the hell are you?"

The man looked up to Abel. He wore military-like clothing, a tan vest on top of a black coat. A Boonie hat hung around his neck.

Jacobs - "Kilroy Jacobs. The guy who saved your skin."

Abel touched the side of his head and felt a decent sized bump.

"Right... sorry about your goose bump, mate. Didn't mean to hit your car as hard as I did. Was just meaning to help out another survivor."

Abel - "Good thing you came when you did. I thought I was as good as dead. Thanks."

Jacobs - "Don't mention it. Us people who aren't yet braindead have gotta work together to survive. So, where're you headin' stranger?"

Abel - "Call me Buckeye. And I'm heading east. I got business there."

Abel saw his pack and gun near Jacobs.
"Mind if I have my gear back?"

Kilroy looked at Abel for a good long second, then smiled.
"Sure thing! Can never be too careful, y'know?

Abel - "Yeah, I know..."

Kilroy scooted Abel's pack over to him.
"I'm glad we understand each other. Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna get some shut-eye before the sun comes back up. Mind keeping watch awhile? I moved us off from the road, but chances are some Corpses heard the shots I fired. I'm sure you know how to use that sword if any get too close."

Abel - "Yeah... I'll watch out..."
This guy is awfully trustworthy, don't ya think?!

"C'mon. Let's get this next one over with."

I say to the other teen while walking out of the apartment. We head over to the next room's door. I try to turn it but it clicks.

"Locked. Looks like we're gonna have to kick it in. Get ready for anything that comes through there."

He nods and gets closer to door. I put my hatchet away, don't want to accidentally hurt myself somehow with it. Then get into position.
I run forward, using the momentum, kick the door near the handle. I hear a loud crack and hope it was the door. Not me.
After a second or two I conclude it was the door, because my leg isn't in intense pain. Unfortunately the door still shut.

'Try this again."

I step backwards a couple steps. Then charge again. Putting more force into the kick. The door then swings inwards with a loud crack.

(Allie)

I laugh and catch back up.

"Wheres your wife and everyone else?"

=I raise my eyebrows in surprise at the statement, which hits me like a punch=

My girlfriend? Oh...she's been keeping watch over me.

=I turn around a bit=

As for everyone else...I haven't a damn clue.

(James)
=We walked around for a few minutes, and I was at a loss for where the townspeople had gone. I felt like asking a guard.....but personally, it felt like it had been ages, since Hibiki and I had any real time outside a room to ourselves. I kinda liked it, even if it was raining=

Hibiki sighed softly.
"I was thinking his first name could be Connor."

(Allie)

I slow confused.

"You told me that she was your... All hell never mind."

I laugh.

"Lets try and find someone."

(James)
=I blinked at her=
"Connor?"

=I nod, a thin smile on my face=

Yeah...it's probably a good idea.

=I wheel on forward towards the exit=

(Allie)

I follow behind slowly, keeping an eye out for anyone.

"Then ask me before you die." Mira shot at Andrew.

Hibiki nodded. "I like the name."

(James)
"Hmm, it's nice."
=We walked a while more=

"Any thoughts on a middle name?"

"Harry." Hibiki said without pause, without hesitation.

=I casually turn around=

Uhh...can I propose when I'm NOT in a wheelchair?

=I grin sheepishly=

Cause it feels kinda awkward. That, and I need to get a ring.

(James)
"Connor Harry......Martin? Or Ikezawa?"
=I didn't mind if we called him Connor Harry Ikezawa Martin really=

(Allie)

I start laughing at the image.

"Why not? I think it would be romantic! What do you say Mira?"

"It means I don't wake up sore." Mira said

Hibiki sighed. "Martin. It is tradition to take the man's surname...but if Sam and Eve get married, who's surname wouls they use..."

(Allie)

I start laughing harder, clutching at my sides.

"Oh god.. A man's worse nightmare!"

(James)
"Hah, that would be an interesting fight. But I guess, who's surname is Eve using? Her fathers? Or yours?"

=I smile, turning slightly red=

You still won't let me live that down, will you, Mira?

=I say this jokingly=

"Nope." Mira sais.

Hibimi sighed. "Her father's. She still is Eve Taylor...I wouldn't mind her being Eve...what is Sam's last name?"

(James)
=It was only then that I remembered Sam's last name. Laughing, I shook my head=
"Connor."

"Eve Connor...I kinda hope that becomes a reality...she deserves better then what she was born into." Hibiki looked sad. "I hope she and Sam are doing well."

=I sigh and chuckle. After what I went through, laughing at myself was probably the best thing for me=

Well...can't say I'm not ashamed about that moment.

=I change topics=

Let's see if we can't find the others.

=I wheel myself to the exit=

(James)
"I'm sure they're doing fine."
=It wasn't long before we found the cars from town, parked outside a large apartment building. It was maybe seven stories, and occupied a good chunk of the block=

"Guess this is where they're staying."

"Maybe they are still clearing it out."
Hibiki stopped walking. "I hope everyone made it."

(James)
"They'll be fine. They survived for two years. Chances are they can clear out the building."
=I gave the place a look over=

"Though repairing it and getting it in working order....different story."

(Allie)

I follow them out still giggling slightly.

"Good plan... and I'll just ignore that one comment."

I raise my eyebrow at Andrew.

"It sounds personal.."

"I more meant got here in one piece..."

Eve moaned in her sleep, shifting. She was starting to wake up from her nap.

(James)
"Oh....right. I think they all got here okay, or else Marcus would have said something."

"Ok." Hibiki said. "Are we going to see how they are doing?"

(James)
"Hmm, I guess that would be the right thing to do. Ladies first?"

"You first. That way if someone panics, I still am alive to carry the hope for humanity." Hibiki delivered deadpan.

(James)
=My face broke into a smile, and I did my best to choke down some laughter=
"Gee, thanks for that Hibiki."

=I walked up to the door, and opened it. The interior wasn't as nice as the hotel lobby, no furniture inside to actually sit on. One of the walls looked cracked, though I couldn't tell if it was the paint or the wall itself. There was reddish brown stain on the floor, and I had a feeling it was blood. Marcus was over at some desk, looking at what I guessed was a blueprint for the building. Two other people stood next to him, and he didn't notice us=

*Marcus*
"Okay, we have at least two more floors to check, along with the roof. Once the building has been secured, we'll start getting people rooms."

Hibiki sighed.
"That's good."

*Marcus*
=He looked up in surprise, not expecting to hear Hibiki's voice=
"James, Hibiki. Glad to see you could join us. We're just finishing up securing the building, then we're going to let people pick rooms. Hopefully that will be as simple as it sounds."

(James)
"Expecting problems?"

*Marcus*
"Well, everyone will want a room with a window."

"Tell them windows are structural weaknesses." Hibiki offered.

*Marcus*
"Not sure how effective that might be. They may argue that at least they'll get a good view. Our main concern though is electricity, and utilities. I need to know how the hotel is getting power, see if we can't tap into their grid. Same goes for plumbing though I really don't want to know where the waste is being dumped."

(James)
"Yeah there's a thought that makes me reluctant to eat."

I got off the bus after Allie, and instantly made my way around the complex, eyeing the many people inside. Elites... Weird, never seen many in my time, and knowing there were so many in that tower was actually really discerning.

So discerning, I felt like it was time to get myself a little drinky-drink.

Hibiki shrugged. "They should take a lesson from the geth. Windows can spell your doom. This building isn't surrounded by walls."

(James)
=I blinked at her=
"You know Mass Effect?"

=Yeah I was a nerd, sue me. I enjoyed playing sci-fi games, though I never imagined I'd be living in a survival horror game=

"Femshep is best Shep. I wonder if Jennifer Hale survived this zombie apocalypse..."

(James)
"Heh, not sure. It'd be funny if she did."

*Marcus*
"Anyway, moving on from games of old.....look, I need to stay here and coordinate the housing. Can you two help us with the power?"

(James)
"Sure, just need to know where to look."

Hibiki nodded. "Yeah."

Eve woke up, sitting up straight and yawning. She leaned over, almost fell, and kissed Sam on the cheek, another kiss that nicked the edges of Sam's lips. She started ro rub her eyes.

(Sam)
=While I slept, there was the sensation of something warm...and soft on my cheek, though it felt like it was trying to get to my lips. I murmured in my sleep, rolling over so my face was pressed more into the pillow=

(James)
"Got any leads?"

*Marcus*
"Start with Cooper. He was the one in charge of security and maintenance."

(Allie)

I look up spotting Sammy. I shout to get her attention and wave, I head her way and look over my shoulder at Andrew and Mira.

"I'll catch up with you guys in a bit, have fun!"

I jog off over to sammy.

Eve giggled softly, petting Sam's hair. It was soft.
Sammy purred and jumped onto her head. She giggled again and continued to pet Sam's hair until she woke up.