ZRP-2: Chapter 4, Backtracking

(James)
"We aren't out of the woods yet. Cooper wants the raiders gone, so that's what he'll get. Hibiki, turn the bus so it blocks the road, and we'll bring the guns to bear on them. The tank will mop up the other end, and Ace and Dex would be able to pick up the spares."

(Sam)
=I didn't say anything, but I held onto Eve tightly=

The tight hug seemed to calm Eve down a bit. Her sobs at least got quieter.

Hibiki did a quick turn and skid, blocking the road.
"Turn the fuckers to hamburger."

(Andrew)

=I give a weary sigh=

Good...I thought we were running away from a perfectly good fight.

=I head up to one of the guns, bringing the hammers back and cut loose with the HMG=

Just another day at the office...

(James)
=I swapped places with one of the men in the turrets, and aimed back at the compound. Most of our guys, the ones who couldn't make the bus, were running out and I gave them a chance to get to cover before I opened fire on the raiders. They went down like grass before a lawn mower, while in the distance I saw the swat tank, blocking them, open fire from the small turret up top=

Hibiki just sat there...listening.

(Andrew)

=I watch as I continue to cut loose with the HMG, the raiders continually being mowed down=

They're just coming down like bowling pins...

=I grin like a schoolboy, my past pain forgotten=

(James)
=The sound of the horn was heard again, and I stopped firing=
"It's done boys and girls. The raiders are dead. We won!"

=A cacophony of cheeses went up from inside the bus, many people punching the air in triumph=

(Sam)
=I slumped back in m seat, too tired to actively cheer=

(Andrew)

=I let loose a rebel yell, punching the air in triumph=

Hell yeah...!

=I then felt my adrenaline start to ebb, once again feeling weary=

Eve goes a bit limp against Sam, her breath pants that slowed down as she finally started to calm down.
"I...I thought I wouldn't see you." She managed to tell Sam. "Please...tell me this isn't a dream I invented while that raider is...is...doing.. taking..."
She sobbed. "Please hold me again."

Hibiki started the bus up and started away.
"We did it..."

(Sam)
"It's not a dream Eve. We're safe, and we're going home."

(James)
=I climbed down from the gun, and went to check on both Eve and Sam. I did my best to hide the grimace as I saw Sam's wounds, as well as Eve's. and their hair was almost gone, cut to shreds=
"Get some sleep Eve. You earned it."

=Then I walked over to Hibiki,gently touching her shoulder=
"You can breathe now Hibiki. They're safe."

Eve looked right into Sam's eyes
"I'm sorry."
She then promptly fainted.

Hibiki nodded.
"Make room in the bed. She'll be there tonight, tomorrow, and the next day if I have anything to say about it."

(James)
"You sure? The two of them might need time to themselves. After everything they've been through, maybe now more than ever."

Hibiki gripped the steering wheel.
"It will happen James. I need to do that again...like me and her used to."

(Andrew)

=I head down and sit on an empty seat, leaning my head back against a wall=

Good grief...So tired...but it's over...

=I groan a bit, my shoulder sore from repeated firing=

But man is my shoulder going to hurt...

(Sarah)

=In the many minutes during the raid, I was busy reliving another nightmare=

Just let me have one day...I just want this nightmare to end...

=I just sat in the chair, my face white with fear=

(James)
"Alright then. But what about her? What if she wants to be with Sam more than us?"

Hibiki glanced back.
"A d what if Sam dosnt want to?"

I wake up once the cheering had begun. To me though it was all a loud ringing. My forehead felt like it had a hole the size of my fist.

"Where... wh-where am I? Agh."

I lower my head to my hands, trying to figure out why I feel like this. But as I do blood runs down my forehead and into my eye.

Yeah. That woke me up.

(James)
"Then she's probably going to get an earful from you. Look, I just don't think that separating them so soon will be good for them. And I'm not talking about their relationship. With what they went through.....Hibiki, I've endured torture before. Believe me, the amount of false sympathies I got from the caravan before.....made me sick. I wanted someone who felt the same, to talk with me. And now Sam and Eve are going to have the exact same scenario. They'll want that comfort, especially in each other."

Hibiki nodded.
"Alright."

She then started to slow down.
"Attention passengers. We're back. Prepare for the victory celebration."

(Andrew)

=I give another weary sigh=

Whoopie...at least it isn't a funeral procession...

=My mind wanders, wondering what state my sister was currently in=

*Dex*
=He remained on the roof of one of the buildings, taking pot shots at any remaining Raiders. There were a few more people there with him, their job to secure the area while the bus, laden with wounded, returned to the base. The tank stayed too, serving as the command vehicle. The commotion attracted a large number of walkers, many of them going for the already dead raiders, feasting on their corpses. Some tried to take down the Elites, though they were either evaded or taken down quickly. As for Dex, he simply provided cover=

(James)
=I noted that there wasn't much in the way of cheering at Hibiki's announcement. Most of the passengers were out cold or too exhausted to actually say anything. But we got back to the compound alright, passing a few groups of walkers on the way before passing through the gates. We came to a stop outside the hospital, and I walked over to where Sam and Eve sat down. Sam looked up at me as I bent down and picked up Eve, though her arms tightened around her for a moment=
"Sam.....let me take my daughter to the hospital. Please."

=She let go seconds later, and I stood up with Eve, her head slumped on my shoulder and limbs dangling. Then I walked off the bus, Sam close behind=

Parking, Hibiki followed close behind, then placed a hand on Sam's shoulder.
"I should find Cooper...please make sure she's ok for me. Please."

Hibiki then broke away, jogging away to find Cooper as Eve remained unconcious.

(Sam)
Not like I was planning on going somewhere else.
=I followed James into the hospital, vaguely aware of the fact that I was.....well, partially nude. Since most of my clothes were torn the most I had to wear now was some shreds of clothing. I did my best to cover up, but I was still showing plenty of skin=

"Uh, James? I need some clothes....or a towel."

(James)
"What do you me--?"
=As I looked at her, my cheeks reddened. She was, for lack of better term, almost naked. Hell, I could see most of her boobs and more leg than I ever have=

(Sam)
"Yeah......not really how I imagined you seeing this much of me."
=My own cheeks were red, along with the rest of my body=

(James)
"Um, okay give me a sec. I need to make sure she's okay and I'll grab a towel for you."

Hibiki scoured the bar first for Cooper, but found him pacing in the armory.
"We made it. Raiders dead. Both girls are alive...I don't know what happened to your men yet."

*Cooper*
=He had been pacing in the armory for almost an hour, and was relieved to see Hibiki, and the news she brought=
"Good.....good. This is great news. How are Sam and Eve?"

(James)
=A doctor came over and took Eve from me, laying her on a stretcher and wheeling her away. A nurse came by, carrying a heavy blanket and handed it to Sam, who accepted it eagerly and covered up, the edge of the blanket going past her feet, making it tough for her to walk=
"Sam....."

=I walked over to her, attempting to hug her but she stepped back, and there was a look in her eye that made me think she would have bitten me=
"Sorry. You okay? Want to take a seat?"

(Sam)
=My reaction....caught me off guard. It was so unlike me to act that way. But I nodded my head, sitting down in a nearby chair=

"Hurt in every way but sexually...so that's something."
Hibiki sighed. "I should go see them...I just came to inform you...we made it."

She jogged off to the hospital after that.

*Cooper*
=Once she was gone, he got on the walkie and started speaking orders and asking for updates. The word he got back seemed to be promising....though still no word on his men=

(James)
"Sam......do you want to talk about what happened?"

(Sam)
=I shook my head by a few centimeters, very slowly. Everything that had happened in there....I didn't to talk about it. Didn't want to relive it. But then I remembered, very faintly, that James had also been tortured. When we saved him from Jonah before. So he was the best person to talk to, I guess=
"They.....they cut me. Shaved my head. They took my clothes....and fed me one of the guys we were with."

=I heard him make a hissing noise, an intake of breath through his clenched teeth. And I continued=
"They hit me, dunked me in water, burned me....and almost....almost...."

=I seemed to gag around the word I was trying to say, like I was trying to vomit it out=

(James)
"Sam....did they rape you?"
=It came out in a very quiet voice, a whisper so low she was the only one that could hear it=

(Sam)
"They tried."
=It came out in a growl=

Hibiki pushed open the door to the hospital. Spotting Sam and James, Hibiki left them alone and grabbed a doctor.
"Fouteen year old girl. James brought her. Where is she."

*Doctor*
"Yes, she was taken over to the the emergency room. Nothing serious but they just want to be safe."

(James)
"Tried?"

(Sam)
=A wolffish grin appeared on m face=
"Yeah....I bit the fuckers dick off when he tried to...."

=As confident as I was then, my voice trailed off as I remembered the mans penis, shoved towards my lips, and against them.......then past and against my teeth. I shuddered=
"Eve killed him though."

Hibiki headed for the emergency room.
Not like anyone could stop her.
Guns.
Sword.
Blood on her face and clothes.
Yeah.

(James)
"Well, that's good I guess."
=My gaze fell to her shoulders, and her neck. There small lines there, scabs that were still healing over=

"I'm so sorry Sam. God, I wish we cou-"

(Sam)
=I cut him off=
"Oh save it. I know how sorry you are, and trust me right now James: it is not enough. But it's a start."

=And then I did something I never expected; I leaned against him, pressing the side of my body against him=
"I'm just glad you finally got there in time James. Thank you."

=Taking it a step further, I kissed him on the cheek. I could practically feel the heat on his cheek=

(James)
"Anytime Sam. Let's just hope we don't have to do this again."

Hibiki peeked into the emergency room, where Eve lay still. Stepping in, the docs backed off, mostly from fear, but relaxed when Hibiki only took Eve's hand.
"Is she ok? What was done to her?"

*Nurse*
"She was beaten, heavily. We also have some lacerations, most of them shallow and already healing. Burns on her arms and legs, and bruising from the beating. She'll live, and what's more she'll recover. It'll be a while though."

Hibiki kissed Eve's forehead.
"Do yiur best...she's my world..."
Bending down again, she nuzzled Eve's cheek.
"I love you Eve.. I always have."
Hibiki left the unconcious girl and went back to the lobby.
Looking at James and Sam, she briefly smiled at them before heading for her room.

(James)
=I saw Hibiki leave, and felt inclined to follow her=
"Sam, you going to be okay? Want me to stay with you?"

(Sam)
=I stood up and shook my head=
"Someone should be there when Eve wakes up. May as well be me. Go, keep Hibiki company. I'll do the same for Eve."

(James)
"Okay. Take care Sam, and get some rest."
=Then I left, walking after Hibiki. When I got up close behind her, I moved to her right and draped an arm over her shoulder=

"Hey. How is she?"

(Andrew)

=I head over to the room, my body smelling like cordite and death. Not that it was new=

Comes with the territory...

=I make it to the room a few moments later, seeing Sarah almost in a state of madness=

My God...this is not good...

=I then strip off my armor and try to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, only to get a wicked punch in the gut. I was actually surprised she had this much strength in her condition. My body was slow to react, but I needed to do something, and fast=

(Sarah)

=Some part of my mind was relieved when I saw Andrew come into the room. But my mind was in a wholly different place=

Just leave me alone...just leave me alone...I JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE...!

=My body just reacted as Andrew tried to comfort me, giving him a hard and sharp punch to the gut=

Leave me alone...!

=I gave Andrew another punch, this time hitting him in the jaw=

(Andrew)

=I took the second punch right on the chin as my head snapped up with the force of the blow=

Jesus hell...that's some right hook...

=I then take another jab to the side, but I roll with the blow, trying to restrain her=

Miranda woke up, and, seeing Sarah go postal, nailed her with an excellent full-body tackle

Hibiki laid her head on James' shoulder. "She's alive. She's ok...she's ok." Hibiki whispered.

Eve laid there...her dreams a tangled mess of feelings, emotions, doubts.
And, of course, Sam.

(Andrew)

=I pin Sarah to the ground after Mira tackled her like a linebacker=

I would criticize her form...but that isn't the biggest problem...

=I grunt a bit, putting Sarah into a restraining hold. Whatever was going on in her head, I would somehow have to make Sarah see sense=

I can't keep doing this, or else I just feel bad about doing this to her...

=I didn't dare free up her arms, or else I would get another wicked punch=

Mira...go get some help. Because I don't know how long I can restrain Sarah.

=I then tighten my hold as Sarah continues to thrash about like a fish out of water=

(James)
"Good. That's great. Listen, you sure you want to go back to the room now? I'd have thought you'd want to stay here for when she wakes up."

(Sam)
=After James left, I walked Ito the room where they kept Eve. I noted that, since it was the emergency ward, they had transported the other wounded here and many of the beds were full of wounded soldiers=

Mira runs. "HELP!" she shouted.

Hibiki nodded. "Yeah...Sam...she needs to watch her...ya know?"

(James)
"Okay. And I guess I'm with ya there.....but it just doesn't feel right, leaving her alone, without her parents I mean."
=Still, we had exited the hospital and out onto the street. There were people outside, friends of the wounded or just people looking for information. We dodged them easily enough=

Hibiki didn't speak for a minute.
"Sam needs her, right now, about as much as Eve needs Sam...we can stay with her all we want soon, alright? But first...first, they need some space..."

(James)
"Alright then."
=We entered the hotel, and it was just about empty so there was no hassle getting back to the room=

(Sam)
=I wasn't tired, not enough to sleep anyway. I just sat there, next to her bed and slumped in my chair, the blanket draped over me and keeping me warm. The memory of the attempt flashed in my head again, every sight and sensation. I fought down the urge to vomit=

Andrew)

=I keep a restraining hold on Sarah, her face a wild eyed expression of fear and anger=

What the hell set her off...was it the body armor...?

=I feel Sarah free herself a bit and I receive a kick in the gut, leaving me winded=

Dear God...this isn't going well...

=I then catch my breath and lunge at Sarah, the scene devolving into a brawl=

Well...this isn't good at all...

(Sarah)

=I wasn't thinking clearly, my mind only seeing my tormentor for twelve years as I kicked Andrew hard in the gut=

Just die already...

=Andrew then lunges at me, the scene turning into a brawl=

Eve murmured and shifted. Her eyes flickered open.
She looked to the side. "Sam?"

(Sam)
=There was a quiet sound beside me, and I found Eve waking up=
"Hey sleepy head. You feeling okay?"

(James)
=Once back in the room, I plopped down into a chair, smothering my face with my hand, exhausted=

Eve reached out, trying to touch Sam's face.
"I was so scared I wouldnt see you again." She whispered. "Scared I wouldn't be able to save myself for the one I love."
Her fingertips brushed Sam's cheek. "Are yyou ok?"

(Sam)
=I gripped her fingers delicately=
"I'm fine Eve. Just a little shaken up though."

(James)
=Looking up at Hibiki, I thought about what to say, if there was anything to say at all=
"Days like this.....make me wish we were just facing walkers."

=Not my best line, but it was the truth. I was getting tired of Shepherds and Raiders. Tired of fighting the worst of humanity. No....no I think a nice, good old fashioned zombie slaughter was what I needed now=

Eve looked on the verge of tears.
"Don't let go. Please. Dont ever let me go."
Some tears welled. She sniffed a bit. "I meant every word back there. Every word." Eve's eyes met Sam's.
"I love you."

(Sam)
=My stomach twisted a little. I loved her as well, and I wanted to say it. But something fought against it. It wasn't enough to keep me from saying something though=
"I know."

*Dex*
=Once the area was locked down, and the worst of the walkers were taken care of, Dex and the other soldiers explored the area of the Raider compound. They checked to see if there was anything useful, though in reality there was already something useful that they were planning on securing=

(James)
"Hibiki.....about Eve, I think she'll be fine. She's a tough kid, and the same goes for Sam."