ZRP-2: Chapter 4, Backtracking

Raiders?

"Like, right now? Yeah. I'll come with you. I'll just need a couple minutes to go get my stuff."

(James)
"No, not right now. We're working on a plan, and holding off the attack. If we're right then the Raiders will be expecting an attack right now, so we're going to surprise them....by not attacking."

"So we wait until a proper plan is made? Do you know layout of their base?"

(James)
"Not exactly, just where to strike where they're vulnerable. Now, hate to cut this short but I need to meet with Clarissa, get the clearance needed for this attack."

"Going to meet with one of the higher ups eh? Alright. Catch ya later."

I was the first to walk away. Excited to get back in the fight. Or at least something other then thinking under the arch.

(Sarah)

=I close my eyes, just wanting to shut out the world that hated me for what I once was=

You can't escape your past...

=For a few seconds, I went into a dream-like state, hoping it wouldn't turn into a nightmare=

Please...let me have my measure of peace...

=I then let my body relax, going into a light slumber=

(James)
=Once he was gone, I went back up the elevator to see Clarissa. To be honest, I had to wonder what she did all day. Surely she wasn't always there waiting for me to talk, was she? Turns out, she wasn't. But her guards were waiting, as usual. In reality she was out on the balcony, looking down at the city. Guess it made her feel like a god, or a queen=
"Clarissa....we have a situation."

*Clarissa*
=Without turning to face him, she responded=
"So I've heard. The raiders are proving to be that much of an irritant?"

(James)
"More than that. They took some of our people."
=I walked over to stand next to her, though with some space between us=

"Cooper suggested an attack, and I'm all for it. Though he and I both know you have to authorize it."

*Clarissa*
"Then perhaps it's time for a bit of change in how things are done here. Tell Cooper that from here on out, when it comes to military matters, he need only inform me of his intent and not wait on permission."

(James)
=I stared at her, stunned. She basically handed him the reigns=
"Why?"

*Clarissa*
"Because it's starting to get predictable, you or Cooper coming here to ask knowing full well I'll say yes. Might as well work to fix that."

(Sarah)

=I start to dream and it does start to go peacefully, but then I start to feel an oppressive darkness=

No...n-n-not you...please...LEAVE ME ALONE...!

=I then hear his voice in my mind, sending a chill up my spine=

Abernathy: You dare disobey me...! You are going to be punished...

=My eyes widen in sheer terror, and I cover mouth to stifle a scream=

Abernathy: If you wish to side with these...heathens....THEN YOU SHALL DIE LIKE THEM!

=The ground opens up beneath me and a great fire comes up to consume me, and I put up my hands to protect myself. The gesture, however, was futile=

NO...!!!

=I open my eyes, letting out a horrible piercing scream, feeling as if I was burned=

(Andrew)

=I had headed inside the hotel, having collected myself, and then hear a scream that makes my eyes widen in fear=

Oh no...Sarah...

=I then run towards the room, fearing the worst=

Mira shoots up, spotting the screaming Sarah. She quicklys goes over to her, pulling the woman against her and hugging her tightly.
"Shh...shh...it's ok...you're safe...it's ok Sarah."

(James)
"So....guess this means we have the all clear?"

*Clarissa*
"What do you think? Go, make a plan and tear those raiders a new one."

(James)
=I flashed her a grin=
"With pleasure."

=And then I left. There was a lot of planning to be done if we were going to get our people back=

(Allie)

I just sit around while everyone runs off. I had experience in strategic planning but I prefered to carry out orders than make them. Absent minded, I take out my necklace and run my fingers across the chain links.

*Cooper*
=He had walked over to the stadium, where Marcus stood waiting for him=
"Marcus. Guess you had the same idea?"

*Marcus*
"Sort of. I figured sooner or later you'd head here after your little pissing match."
=Quickly, he held up his hands as Cooper bristled=

"Now calm down man, I gathered enough from the shouting match to know you had good reason. But dammit Cooper, they just lost people. They're scared, and looking for an outlet."

*Cooper*
"Then they shouldn't be here. At least in this fight. They'll be a liability."

*Marcus*
"Maybe. Hell, I've seen what they're like when they get this way. But trust me, when they can control it, it becomes a massive asset. Don't discount the effect it can have on their resolve."

(Sarah)

=I hear Miranda's words, but I was still shaking like a leaf, the color completely drained from my body=

Peace...will be something I'll never have...

=I felt my body feeling as if it was still on fire, still shaking=

(Andrew)

=I barreled down the hall, coming to the room=

Please be alright...

=I unlocked the door, and I see Sarah shaking like a leaf, white as a ghost. I walk over and kneel by Sarah=

Mira...what happened?

I made my way back to the apartment building. I was going to pretty much just hang with Jen, if she's awake. If not, then to sleep a little a bit.

Mira shook her head sadly. "I don't know. She just woke up screaming."
Mira stroked Sarah's hair. "I'm sorry Andy, I just don't know what's wrong."

(Sarah)

=I just lay there, too numb to speak. What I saw had shocked me, and I was afraid speaking would trigger a reaction again=

Even away from him, he still holds power over me...

=I cried, just wanting to be comforted. My voice returned, weakened=

H-he...w-was t-there... He was a-angry at me...and h-he wished m-me to die...

=I looked at Andrew pleadingly=

I remember...h-how...m-m-much he hurt me. Please...I want to forget it all.

=I looked at him, my face streaked with tears=

I just want the nightmare to end!

(Andrew)

=I just knelt down beside Sarah, trying to read her face=

C'mon...you know you can tell me anything...

=As soon as she spoke, I really couldn't come up with a response=

What did he do...?

=I try to help, but I just sit there mutely=

Mira stroked Sarah's hair, still cradling her head against her chest.
"Shh...it's ok Sarah.. he will never hurt you again. We promise."

*Cooper*
"It's not their resolve I need right now Marcus, it's their cohesion. I need them....we need them to be disciplined, and not put our attack at risk while they go into a rage field attack."

*Marcus*
"Yeah, there's always a risk that will happen. But trust me on this one Cooper: when the chips are down, these kids pull their shit together. And now, if we're both done, we have a visitor."

(James)
=I had made my way down to the lobby, and headed for the stadium. Cooper needed to hear the news, and we needed to organize an attack fast. I found him, and Marcus standing outside the stadium=
"Okay good you're both here. Cooper, Clarissa has decided that not only is the attack clear, but from now on all military matters are in your control."

*Cooper*
"Okay, good. By now most of our people will be gathering inside. So lets meet them, discuss a plan."

(James)
"It's your show Cooper."

(Sarah)

=I close my eyes, a small smile appearing on my face=

Th-thank you.

=I feel color return to my face=

But don't make me a promise, if you won't keep it...

(Andrew)

=I look upon the scene with quiet admiration=

And the chains are breaking, ever slowly...

=I look out the room with a smug grin on my face=

Abernathy couldn't touch her if he tried...

(James)
=Marcus and I followed Cooper into the stadium, heading for the armory. Along the way we found a few more elite soldiers headed in the same direction, even a few of Marcus' people. The armory was a little crowded by the time we got there=

*Cooper*
"Alright people listen up: the raiders by the river, have taken three of our people captive. We are going to get them back, and burn those fuckers to the ground, but first we need a plan. Dex."

*Dex*
=He was among those that followed Cooper and Marcus into the stadium, and he stepped forward=
"The east side is weakly defended. Best I could tell, there aren't that many patrols in that area, and the wall itself is just sheets of metal roped together into a thin wall. Plowing our way through won't be an issue, especially since they won't expect that approach."

(James)
"Why wouldn't they? I mean, if its the most poorly defended, wouldn't they expect an attack from that side?"

*Dex*
"They probably would, but chances are the reason they leave it so poorly guarded is because it faces the river. There aren't that many streets on that side of their compound, so not much vehicle traffic. Anything that does come in sight, they'll know and simply mobilize a defense inside and wait."

*Cooper*
"But we're not focusing all our resources there. We need to have them fight on two fronts, so that means one team will have to attack their main gates. But the tank and bus are going to be used to plow in from the east. West teams will simply distract, so that means a lot of noise."

After awhile I find myself back in Jen's apartment, in the living room. Wondering if she was awake or not.

"Jennifer, are you in here!"

(James)
"I'll be in the team going in Cooper. They took my friends."

*Cooper*
"Wasn't going to put you in West team anyway James. You, you and you..."
=He pointed at six individuals=

"You're going to be the distraction. Grab the explosives, grenade launchers, and anything else that's loud as hell. You're going to have to get to a secure spot, and wait for my signal."
=They nodded, and started loading up supplies from tables=

(James)
"Look, if this is it, I'm going to go check on my wife, see how she's doing."
=With that, I left and headed for the hotel=

--Raider Compound--

(Sam)
=Slowly, I came to. The side of my head felt like it had been split open, but it was a god thing at least. Pain meant I was alive. I opened my eyes, and found myself bound in chains in a small room, no bed or chair, and a bucket. I couldn't see Eve, or Rick. I hoped they were alive=

=The raiders had quickly gone to work on Max's corpse. They skinned him, leaving the skin hanging like a banner from the wall for all to see, while they skewered his body on a metal pole, one end going up and through his backside, the other emerging from his mouth, the teeth all bent outward at odd angles. Arms and legs were tied to the pole, secured as they lowered him over a massive bonfire. Many of them began cheering, raising fists and weapons into the air. The feast was going to start=

--Elite Compound--

(James)
=I got back to our room, and opened the door=
"Hibiki?"

When eve finally woke up, she was bound and left carelessly on a bed. She groaned and rolled over. Table. Chair.
Someone's room.
Where was Sam?

Hibiki was practicing her martial arts in the center of the room, first going slow and deliberate, then speeding up, testing her stamina.

(James)
=I stayed by the door, out of her way=
"Hibiki...you going to look at me?"

(Sam)
=I stood up, though it was sorta hard to do. My wrists were cuffed together, and the door had no handle that I could see. Walking forward, i pressed my ear against the door, listening for anything=

*Raider*
"Get the door open. Lets see if our guest is awake yet."

(Sam)
Shit..
=I jerked away from the door as it opened, and found myself staring at a man in his thirties, little bit overweight but definitely had some muscle so a fight was out of the question. He had two guys with sticks behind him=

*Raider*
"At last, sleeping beauty wakes up. We've got some questions for you."
=And then they grabbed Sam by the cuffs, pulled her out of the room and into a hallway, and shoved her along=

Eve didn't move, deciding to wait it out
Mostly silent.
Mostly.

Hibiki high-kicked some shadow opponent before facing James.
"We gonna get moving now?"

(James)
=I shook my head=
"Not yet. Cooper and his people are still getting their gear together. Plus, he has a point though it galls me to admit it."

=I sat down at the edge of the bed=
"Attacking now, would be playing into the hands of the raiders. They've proved they're smart, and organized. Wouldn't put it past them to have a trap set up."

--Raider Compound--

(Sam)
=They herded me into a room, larger than my cell. A lone chair stood in the center, and they sat me down, removed the cuffs, and then bound me again with rope to the chair. The same raider from before stood in front of me, looking down at me with a grin reserved for crocodiles=

*Raider*
"So...how about we make this easy. Tell us where to get easy access to that compound of yours, and this will be a far more enjoyable stay for you. Refuse....jerk us around, and this will be hell for you."

(Sam)
"Why exactly, would I tell you anything?"
=No sooner were the words out, than I was slapped, hard across the cheek. The man had a ring on, the outer side of his hand striking me, and there was now a cut on my cheek=

(Jenny)

I open up the door and smile shyly.

"Hey."

*Raider*
"And that's just the least of it. So again, I'll ask: where in that base, can we easily get inside?"

(Sam)
=I wasn't going to say anything, so I just shot him a cold glare. He returned it, and I was slapped again. Then he grabbed me by the hair, nearly tearing my scalp off as he yanked my head up to look him in the eyes=

*Raider*
"If that's the way you want it.....boys, I believe we have a tongue to loosen. Get to work."
=He let go, and let her head hang limply. Walking away, he passed two men who slowly advanced on Sam=

(Sam)
=They went to work all right. First they punched me, slapped me around in the chair, and I knew my face was going to get swollen with black and blue marks. Then they did more....they tore off my clothes, ripping my shirt and pants off, leaving me bare save for my undergarments. I shivered, and it had nothing to do with the cold. I hated being exposed like this, humiliated=

Hibiki sighed.
"Alright."

Eve heard the door open. Before she could move, she was rudely yanked up, and felt like a pendulum, landed hard on the table.
She was surprised it didn't break.
"So sweetie. Up for a game of Twenty questions?"
"No thanks; the anseer is obviously forty two."

That slap hurt. But Eve looked up. "Sorry. I can't hear the question over the amount of stupidity in the room."
Ok. That actually left a stinging sensation.
Eve smirked. She had worse.
Bring it.

(James)
=I reached out a hand, taking hers in my own=
"Hey. We'll get them back Hibiki."

(Sam)
=Someone poured a bucket of water over my head, and I gasped in surprise. It had come from behind, and I suddenly smelled like the river. Chances were that was where the water came from. Still, I spat at them=
"Nudity and water. That the best you got?"

=Then they covered my face in my shirt, tilted it back, and while I was blinded I felt lukewarm water start to drizzle onto my head. It soaked the shirt, and I suddenly found it very hard to breathe=

Hibiki gripped back. "Ok."

Eve spat at him.
"Next question: did daddy abuse you as a child?"

This slap disoriented her. Which left her vulnerable to her shirt and tank top being yanked over her head. She felt her wrists yanked down and tied to the table legs.
The crack of a whip was what scared her.
"Pretty scar. Let's add to your collection."
Eve put her thoughts on Sam...one of her warm hugs, the smile she would give Sam...the feel of Sam keeping her close at night, protecting her fom nightmares.

The whip was just a dull sting in the back of her mind now.

Guess sue cod thank her father for something.

(Sam)
=They tilted the chair back up into its regular position, and when the shirt came off my face I gasped for air. My face was soaked, and there were chuckles all around me=
"Thanks...thanks for the drink."

=I looked up at them with a defiant gleam in my eyes. It let me see one of them light a torch, and take out a knife. The heated the blade until it glowed a dull red, and just to test it out they pressed it against my shoulder. There was an intense heat, searing pain, a sizzling sound, and the smell of seared skin. I screamed in pain=

When the raider was done, she felt herself dropped rudely on the bed again. Her shirt was just torn off.
"Now sweetie. Need me to get nasty again?"
"You haven't taken a shower."
The man scowled. "I'd put that mouth to use, but I'm feeling generous."
Eve felt weight on her lower back -his knee.
"Maybe we should see if I'm the first - "
"Take my virginity and I promise you, that you will die a horrible death."
"How will you do that?"
"First, I'll untie myself. Then, I'll get your knife. In the end, I will ram it into your head - wherever it is convinent - and let you bleed out."
He laughed. "In your dreams."
Idiot. This is your nightmare.

(Sam)
=After they tested the knife, they started to cut me. Dragging the blade along my skin, they left burning lines along my arm, running from my shoulder to my wrist. Once done, they moved to the next arm=
"Agggghhh, YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH! I'LL FUCKING KILL YO-"

=They stuffed my shirt, still damp, into my mouth, gagging me. And I guess, to keep me from biting off my own tongue=

The raider got off her.
"I'll be back."
"I'm playing Arnold right now."
The slightly confused man backed out of the room. He looked to his buddy.
"Is that other one a crazy bitch? I whipped the little girl, and she still has fire."
The man shrugged. "Who knows. Just tell me when it's my turn; Jennings won't pass on the last bitch to me yet. Asshole."

(Sam)
=I sorta lost track of time. It felt like hours, that they dragged that knife over me, but at some point it ended. Then they unbound me, stuffed my clothes into my hands, and walked me to my cell, shoving me inside. It was dark in there, not a single window around. I sat on the floor, my back to the wall, fighting the urge to cry. The indignity, the humiliation....the pain. I couldn't even get my clothes back on because the pain from the cuts was still fresh, the skin around the cuts burned=
Eve....please be okay. Oh, what am I talking about, you're probably fine. You had Jonah and whatever the hell he put you through....I have nothing.

Eve was conserving hder strength on the bed, glad her captor was sex deprived and wanted no waitingperiod.
She paced her breathing.
"Sam..." she said quietly. "Please be ok."

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't actually expect that you'd be here. Heh."

I put my hands in my pocket.

"Silly of me to."

(Jenny)

I smile and shrug and move aside inviting him in.

"There's not much to do, everyone helps out bur there's not much I can do. I know how to use guns but.."

I sigh and shrug.

(Sam)
=At some point, the door opened again and I was led back to the room, though it was a little different. There was a table set up for me, with a crude version of a plate. There was an aroma...of meat. Cooked meat. My stomach growled, and I heard one of the guards say it was for me. Hunger overruled caution, and I rushed forward, picking up a piece of the meat. It was blackened on one side, but I bit into the side that wasn't burned, tearing off a chunk of the white meat. It tasted strange, not pork, beef or chicken, but I didn't care at the moment. I took a few more bites, before I saw it. One bit wasn't all that burned, and I saw on that piece of meat....what looked very much like a tattoo. An eagle maybe, but definitely a tattoo=
"Oh my god...this is...this is."

*Raider*
"One of you're friends. Gotta say, he tasted good sweetheart. Makes me wonder what you'd taste like."

(Sam)
=I didn't hear him, not really. All I could think about was that I was eating a human being. My stomach churned, and I threw up all over the floor. It felt like it had gone on for hours, before I found myself screaming in horror, disgust=

I walk past her and into the room, taking a seat on a chair.

"But you'd rather not to?"

The raider put a plate of grilled Max on the table.
"Eat up."
"I only eat cow and chicken. Doesnt smell like either."
"How would you know?"
"Shepherd Advanced Training Program Six. Asshole instructors. Good food."
The raider blinked...not aure if she was bluffing.

(Jenny)

I shake my head and sit on the bed.

"Its not that, I just don't realy have umm.. experience."

"Maybe I could teach you? Like, set up a shooting range or something..."

I lean back into the chair and think for a moment. It only took a second for it come up.

"Maybe you could come with me? There's, no wait. Nevermind."

And only a second to regret saying it.

(Jenny)

I lean forward looking at him.

"I could, why not? First hand experience coul help a lot."

"But if something were to happen to you again..."

I let it trail off. I didn't want to finish.

(Sarah)

=I smile as I hum a tune that I was taught while I was in training as a child, whenever I felt I was in a nightmare=

There is a room that's full of toys,
There are a hundred boys and girls,
Nobody shouts or talks too loud,
Not in my castle on a cloud...

I know a place where no one's lost,
I know a place where no one cries,
Crying at all is not allowed,
Not in my castle on a cloud...

=I felt a small bit of my heart lighten, slowly taking away the darkness that had consumed it for 12 long years, and feeling a slight semblance of comfort=

(Andrew)

=I was struck speechless. I never knew Sarah could sing like this=

He deserves to rot in Hell...The little prick...

=The voice drifts into my ears as I sit down, being lulled into a light sleep=

(Sam)
=A some point, I stopped puking. Still on all fours on the ground, a puddle of pile beneath me I still reeled in disgust. I ate someone. Max, or Rick.....I ate them. God, I felt another vomit comet coming on=

(Jenny)

I frown.

"But ill be with you, it'll be safe."

The bandit fell to the dirt as a rifle round entered his skull. Kilroy emptied the spent shell from the chamber by pulling back the rifle's bolt. Before Jacobs could chamber a new round, the window he was crouching near was lit up by automatic fire. Kilroy dove to the floor, bullets pierced through the wooden walls, while Jacobs kept his entire body as close to the floor as possible.

The firing stopped after a good five seconds of firing. Kilroy thought about getting up from cover, assuming their mags were dry, but he could have been underestimating them, it may have been a bluff. Instead of making an ass of U and Me, Kilroy army crawled to the door, rifle in his arms as he did so.

Once free of the room he stood up and made his way further down the hall, into another room. This one had only one window. He moved to the single window and got his rifle ready. The two remaining bandits were out of sight, they must've been actually taking cover.

It didn't take long for Kilroy to notice one peaking his head from cover, towards the window Kilroy had been occupying before. Jacobs brought up his new rifle to the man's shoulder. Kilroy breathed in deep, then slowly exhaled, pulling the trigger lightly at the end of his breath.

*CRACK*
The bullet hit the bandit's shoulder, causing him to scream in pain while falling to the ground.

(Bandit)
"Oh shit! OH HOLY SHIT FUCK! HE SHOT ME! FUCK! AAH!"

(Other bandit)
"Hush. where is he?"

(Injured bandit)
"I DON'T FUCKING KNOW!"

Kilroy saw the injured one look over to behind a house corner farther down the street, close to where the shot bandit was, before he spoke. Kilroy focused on that corner, waiting for the other bandit to show himself, which he did after not a long wait. The man darted his head out of cover, then back in, trying to get an idea of where Jacobs was. The injured man still screamed as Kilroy stood up and ran down stairs then out the back of the house he was in. He made his way down a few alleys, then to one that should have him just across the street from the bandit. Jacobs lent his rifle against the building then drew his pistol before swinging around the corner, putting the bandit in his sights.

The man was surprised as Kilroy appeared. He tried raising his own pistol towards Kilroy, but was me with three .45 bullets to the chest, killing him dead. Kilroy moved to the last bandit's location, finding him behind cover, grasping his wound. When the injured man saw Jacobs he reached for his rifle on the ground, but Kilroy stepped on it with his foot. He made a clicking like sound with his tongue and shook his head, *Tut tut tut.* The he injured bandit met his fate with a shot to the head.