ZRP-2: Chapter 4, Backtracking

(Sam)
=My anger, my rage, my sheer defiance deflated like a balloon, and all I was left with was....tears. I wailed, screamed, cried in response to what had happened. Oh God, ohgodohgodohgod......that man had very nearly done it. I was almost raped. Hell, I practically was. I could still feel it pressed against my lips, inside my mouth. My stomach churned, and I was doubled over, puking on the floor, still crying=

--51 Hours earlier--

(Sam)
=We left the room, and headed for the gates. I could already see what looked like a dune buggy waiting for us. Our ride I guessed=

(James)
"True. Come on, let's go."
=I opened the door, waiting for her=

Eve kept wailing on him, oblivious to everything.
She was crying herself, oblivous to the sound of metal on concrete as she finally broke the guy's skull through.

Hibiki followed James in, gunning down the bastards without a drop of remorse.

--51 Hours Earlier--

Hibiki followed quickly. "Let's kick some ass."

Eve was silent. And not clingy. For once.

(Sam)
=Once I had finished emptying my stomach, I wiped my lips of the bile and blood, and only then noticed that Eve was there, bashing the pigs skull in with a gun. I crawled over to her, and grabbed her arm, stopping her midswing=
"Eve.."

=My voice was a quiet, hollow whisper=
"Eve, stop. He's dead now. We need to get out of here."

--51 Hours Earlier--

(James)
=We left the hotel, and I saw Sam and Eve out by a dune buggie like vehicle, over by the gate=
"Sam, Eve. Good to see you two ready."

(Sam)
"Same here James. Can't think of anyone else I'd trust to watch my back."

(Andrew)

=I nod my head, ducking under cover as bullets whizzed past my head=

Understood.

=I fire a few back to keep them under cover=

--51 Hours earlier--

=I then walked out of the room, heading outside to where there was a ride waiting=

Give em hell...

=I head on over, a smile on my face=

Keep out of trou...

=My voice trailed off as I spotted a familiar figure rolling around in a wheelchair=

Oh she has the balls to come here...you picked the wrong place to be in...

=I then turn and charge after the figure at full tilt, anger clouding my judgement. For what the others saw, I could care less. This was payback=

(Sarah)

=I continued to role on through the city, my sense of curiosity compelling me=

Wow...to think I missed seeing all of...

=My thought trails off as my expression becomes one of shock as I see Andrew barreling at me like a freight train=

Dear Lord preserve me...

I wake up with a jump and look around franctically like I always do. But the movement from that reminded me that... I have no pants.

What happened?

I realize that this isn't my room and this isn't my bed. To my horror I find Jennifer laying next to me, covered in the blanket.

Wait so that wasn't a dream? It was for real? Oh crap! Then that means... I took her... and she took mine...

I take in a deep breath and try to calm down.

(Allie)

I walk I over to the others by the gates.

"Morning everyone."


(Jenny)

I mumble and turn, snuggling up to tyler. I creak open my eyes and smile before closing them.

"Hey honey."

Eve numbly turned to Sam, the empty gun falling from her grasp. As her tears continued to fall, she shakily put both her hands on Sam's cheeks.
"I almost didn't make it in time..." she whispered. "Please tell me I'm not in a dream. Please." She sniffed, barely holding together.
She kept her hands on Sam's cheek, forgetting one hand was a bit bloody, which probably would leave some bloody streak on her face.

(Andrew)

=I then collided with her, grunting as I tackled her like a linebacker=

You wanted me mad...you got me mad...

=I then grabbed her and pinned her to the ground, hard=

(Sarah)

=I widen my eyes in surprise as Andrew tackled me off of the wheelchair bodily, surprised at the amount of strength he had, and how fast he had closed the distance between us=

Then again...I should have expected this...

=I then feel Andrew pin me to the ground, letting out a loud, piercing scream of agony and fear as I landed on the injuries that I had gotten two days ago, fearing that Andrew would kill me in his rage My expression was pleading=

(Allie)

I turn as Andrew tackles a girl.

"Andrew get off of her before you do something you regret. "

(Andrew)

=I turned to Allie, my face and tone were one of anger=

If you had any idea of what she did to me, you'd stay out of this.

=I keep Sarah pinned=

So stay out of this. This is a family matter.

=I was seething with anger, but Allie's voice kept me from throttling Sarah like she so deserved=

(Allie)

I almost walked away, but instead walked closer.

"Well talk it out, don't kill her."

(Andrew)

=I looked at Sarah, her expression pleading=

You don't deserve to wear that expression, you traitorous little bitch...

=I let go of Sarah's throat, the red mist slowly clearing from my vision, but I still pin her=

Oh no, I won't kill her...she has to answer for what she did.

(Sarah)

=I look to Andrew, pleading with him, my voice weak=

Brother, please...don't...

=I look to him, genuinely scared=

(Andrew)

=I turn back to Sarah, my face livid at hearing her=

You gave up that right to call me that YEARS ago, sister.

=I was still seething, my face now one of controlled anger=

(Allie)

Andrew has a sister? I blink confused but step closer in case he loses it again.

Names now? Alright.

"Hey babe."

I lay back into the bed, easing back. My back hurts more then usual so it felt that much better.

(Andrew)

=I was still seething with anger, a dark corner of my mind was speaking to me, but I was ignoring it=

You also lost that right when you tortured me, cutting me up like goddamn lab experiment!

=I then bring my face close to hers=

Who's the hurt one now?!? You want to know what happens next?!?

=I watch her face pale with fear=

I'm going to destroy every damn everything that you care about, just like you destroyed what I cared about.

(Sarah)

=I wanted to curl up in fear, mentally recoiling from Andrew's reaction=

My God, Abernathy...what have we done...?

=I couldn't say a word. My throat was choked with fear=

(Andrew)

=I balled my free hand into a fist, my anger screaming at me in my head=

DO IT! DO IT! MAKE HER SUFFER...!

=I then give her a hard punch to the face, hitting her two more times. I then got up off of her, still shaking with anger=

(Allie)

Andrew punches before I can stop him, I run up and put myself in between them.

"Andrew! Calm yourself."

I crouch next the girl, looking at her bruised face.

"You okay?"

(Sarah)

=I groan, my head feeling like a thunderstorm, turning my head towards the voice=

I...I'm fine...

=I looked at her with a mix of thankfulness and fear for her safety=

(Andrew)

=I was livid, and I jabbed a finger at Sarah=

Don't you DARE defend that Shepherd trash!

=I shake with anger, every fiber of my being wanting vengeance=

(Allie)

I round om Andrew, getting up in his face.

"She's your sister Andrew, no matter happens. You're bettef than and don't give no lame ass excuse. "

(Andrew)

=I was mad, and right now my mind was only thinking of venting=

If you knew what I knew, what she did to me...you'd hate her, too.

=My mind clicks back to reality, and the extent of what I did hit me. I willed my body to go into shock=

Dear God...what happened to me...

(Sarah)

=I look at the confrontation, not willing to say anything=

Don't defend me...

=I get onto my knees, my mind still reeling from the shock=

"Well. Should we stay in bed all day? Or get up and possibly get dressed?"

My fingers find their way to her hair and start to curl in it.

(Allie)

I look at Andrew not sure what to expect.

"You only have one family, I lost mine, don't lose yours. No matter what."

(Andrew)

=I nod mutely, still shocked at my reaction=

I know...it was just... with everything that happened. I just lost it.

=I shake a bit, slowly recovering from my outburst=

(Sarah)

=I got into a sitting position, color returning to my face=

I know you have every right to hate me, Andrew, and I can't possibly imagine what you were put through personally...

=I bite my lip=

But the truth is...I actually envy you.

(Allie)

I step back content that Andrew wasn't going to beat her to a pulp.

Eve, seeing the entire situation unfold, slipped a hankerchief from her pocket, and knelt by Sarah. She started cleaning up Sarah's face.
"If you remember...I was a Shepherd...and what changed me was not beating me to a pulp, not handcuffing me in the car or being threatened with jail. It was realizing how much I loved them...and how badly I hurt them."
Satisfied Sarah's face was clean, Eve folded the hankerchief and stuck it in her pocket. "So,...Miss Andrew's sister...have you realized that you have more to live for with your brother then with the people who have a fetish for carving other people up?"

(Andrew)

=I just stood there, speechless, absolutely floored by the statement=

She...she jealous of my life...I never knew...

=I couldn't help but admire the whole scene, watching in amazement=

(Sarah)

=I nod, touched by the gesture, the words sinking in=

Y-yes...I understand...

=I smile weakly, tears streaming down my face=

Th-thank you, Ms. Taylor.

Each step had a different noise, one might make a loud creaking sounds, while the other might stay quite. Jacobs made it to the top and there wasn't a rifle pointed at his head, so that must have been a good sign.

Pistol gripped, Kilroy slowly made it down the hall to where the shooter was held up at. He now stood right outside of the doorway. He put his ear near the door that was closed, trying to see if he could hear the marksman inside. . . Silent.

Jacobs moved away from the door, getting ready to breach, but before he could, a gun fired, blasting through the door. Kilroy stood quiet.

(Allie)

I sensed this was a 'family bonding' moment, so I just continued to stand back, watching with the faint hint of a smile.

(Andrew)

=I look to Allie, a grateful look on my face=

Thanks, for fixing this little mess.

=I give a half smile=

(Allie)

I grin and give him a half hug.

"Thats what friends do. Now get back to your wheelchair before you break something"

I walk over to his sister, joining Eve.

"And we need to get something for your face- Erm, bruises.."

Eve smiled, putting her hands on Sarah's shoulders.
"Eve...Just...Eve..." Smiling, she removed her hankerchief and wiped some blood she missed away. "I'm no longer a Taylor. If anything...I'm Eve Martin."

Abel had been walking for an entire day, then night fell and he was forced to make camp alongside the road. Sleeping out in the open wasn't preferable, but Abel didn't have a lot of options. He set up a few trip wires in the trees he was camping under, they were attached to a set of empty cans, hopefully loud enough to wake him encase of intruders.

(Kilroy)
He was shot, he knew it, he didn't have to look down and see, he could feel it in his side. That shot would have already alerted the rest by now, he didn't have time to deal with the injury. He used the bullet's entry point to guess where the shooter was shooting from.

*BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!*
Three shots entered through the door, then Kilroy kicked it open, seeing now a dying bandit on the floor. His eyes looked up to Jacobs in fear and pain. Kilroy, not showing any mercy, rose his pistol to the man's head, blowing his brain out the back of it.

(Andrew)

=I smile=

I'm fine without that damn thing, thank you.

=I grin=

It's the raiders who are going to have something broken.

(Sarah)

Well...thank you then, Eve.

=I smile shyly=

And yes...that sounds like a good idea.

=I rub my head=

Does anyone have asprin on them? My head feels like a thunderstorm.

(Allie)

"I don't think anyone here would be carrying any. I can get a doc."

Eve shook her head. "Sorry."
She smiled at Sarah. "Don't have to be shy around me...I know what you're going through right now. Fighting everything the Shepherds trained, drilling, sometimes almost literally carved into you."
One hand went to Sarah's cheek. "People here will forgive you over time. You just have to turn your back on the Shepherds...and forgive yourself."

Kilroy's bullet wound burned lie hell, but he shook it off for the time being. He lumbered into the room and grabbed the dead man's rifle, then heard the other bandits yelling.

"What the fuck was that?!"

(Other bandit)
"I don't know, sounded like it came from Dan's house!"

Kilroy peaked out the window. The other two were walking over while what seemed like the leader stayed back. Jacobs swung the rifle around the corner of the window and aimed right for the leader. The weapon didn't have any zoomed optical, just some basic iron sights over the top of it.

(Bandit leader)
"No! there's Dan up there now. DAN!? WHAT WAS THAT SHOOTI-"

The man wasn't able to finish his sentence before the bullet went through his brain faster than his words.

"Alright. Well. I need to use the bathroom anyway. And get some fresh air."

I go to stand up, putting my feet on the floor. But then realize, again, that I was without pants.

"Hey uh, could you turn around for a second?"

(Sarah)

=I nod, a small smile on my face=

It'll be hard, but I can try.

=I feel a few tears flow down my face=

For forgiveness, I think my brother might be a good start.

Eve used a finger to flick the tears away.
"Every journey begins with a single step..."
Getting up, she turned and started heading away. "Where you step, is up to you."

(Jenny)

I mumble and curl up when my pillow and source of heat leave.

"Yeah, sure thing Tyler.."

I'm to asleep to move so just lay there with my eyes closed.



(Allie)

I cough.

"Jailbait *Cough*"

(Sarah)

Thanks.

=I look to Andrew, a pleading look on my face=

Can you ever forgive me? After what I did to you?

(Andrew)

=I smile, fighting back tears=

Yes...I think I can, sis.

=I give her a grin=

Besides...I think you're due for some payback.

=I glare at Allie=

You're lucky my sister is here, ingrate.

(Sarah)

=I smile, and rub my head=

Now where is that damn asprin I asked for?

Eve scowled, then stomped on Allie's foot extremely hard.
"My next arrow and go up your ass." She said, before walking to Sam.

(James)
=I watched the scene play out, silent as I stood with Hibiki. Was I surprised at first when Andrew tackled a girl? Yeah, but then I heard what he was saying, or at least made out some of the juicy bits. There was pride in me though, as I watched Eve resolve the situation peacefully. But then I realize that we still had a job to do=
"Guys, I hate to break this up, but we have a job to do. Sooner we get it done, the sooner we can get back to this discussion. Sound good?"

(Sam)
=I nodded at James=
"Sounds good."

Hibiki nodded as Eve stopped by Sam.
"Am I jailbait?" She asked Sam really quietly, so only the redhead heard her.

(Sam)
=My cheeks flushed a little=
"Technically? Yes. But I'm not really planning to....well, do anything, with you Eve, if you get my drift."

(Allie)

I grin and whisper.

"Steel toe boots, got to love 'em"

I then look at Andrew.

"And whats that about?"

I stood up quickly and search for my underwear. Finding them and throwing them on along with my pants. And my shirt.
Then make my way to the elevators. I need some fresh air. Walk around a little bit.

Eve turned to face Allie.
"Berretta 92A1 with a 30 round clip and hollopoint rounds. Gotta love how they get through pathetic clothing material and useless steel.

(Allie)

I only grin more.

"Well yeah, cause their boots. They ain't made of Kevlar."

(Andrew)

=I sigh and shake my head=

Nevermind.

=I look to James=

Agreed.

=I then ask a now obvious question=

And where do you want to keep my sister?

(James)
"She's your sister man. You decide, but I suggest keeping her somewhere secure, and where you can keep an eye on her. So for now....I think the two of you should stay here, take the time to talk."