[BCOLOR=transparent]Big Group Collab[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
The interstate road that led over the bridge was littered with abandoned traffic, no doubt the remnants of an entire city trying to flee an outbreak from which there was no real escape. Within the cars, discarded belongings and luggage could be seen through the dust and dirt smeared windows. As she passed, Evie couldn't help but intrusively peer inside them. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Hey guys, those people were taking their Playstation with them... ah, priorities,"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
she sighed, sarcastically. With the sun in the sky, her normally sunny disposition was only more noticeable. Then again, it was a stark contrast to the solemn and glum mood she had been in since the events at the hotel. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter glanced in the window as he passed, the sun burning across his bare shoulders.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Most people who evacuate think they're coming home."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He said softly.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Not entirely out of the ordinary for them to bring their most prized possessions."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
When Dexter left, he hadn't been in a position to take much of anything. The Desert Eagle at his hip, despite the frivolity of such a huge, cumbersome weapon, was the only thing he had to remember his father by. That, and his own personal handgun had been the only things deemed necessary enough to make the trip with him.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto walked among the cars as both Evie and Dexter spoke, he was quiet. His thoughts kept to himself as he provided a look out with his rifle.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]"Hmm, funny." [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He thought as the fact of the matter was that with the others gone Otto was the only one other than Cellio to have any real long range capability to speak of but the last people they had seen had been the other group hell even the infected seemed to be nowhere to be found along this road, he peeked in a few cars but found little to nothing of value.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"I don't know... I was always a Nintendo girl,"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie responded, nonchalantly, to Dexter's comment. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Me, too." [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter said.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto stood still for a moment as he heard the crackling of twigs and sticks off of the road they were on, drawing his attention.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Noticing the sudden lack of footfalls behind him, Dexter turned to notice Otto had stopped. They were just past the bridge now, and the neat roads in the past few years had succumbed on either side to wild foliage growth.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"You ok?" [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Heard something."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto spoke with a half grunt. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Off in the woods a bit, sounded like an animal…"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto left the sentence hang as he wasn't sure what had made the noise but the crackling wood had sounded too… deliberate to be an infected. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Don't think it was infected but I ain't sure. Want me to go check it out?"[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto asked. His rifle was carried near his hip as he stared hard into the forest.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Evie, Cecilio, hold on."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter called ahead, keeping his voice down as much as he could with them still able to hear him. Giving the command for Hero to sit still and be on guard, Dexter drew his Glock and checked the magazine. Four shots.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"It may just be a deer or something." [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He said, not totally convinced, but unwilling to outright say they were possibly being followed after the debacle at the hotel. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto kept staring into the wooded area before dropping back near Dex so that he could speak to him at a more… sedate level.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"I could hang back a bit… if it is someone following they ain't gonna notice if one of us drops off, plus the forest is where I thrive. I can disappear if I want to and follow."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto suggested to Dexter, if they were being followed by a person or persons it would be better to deal with them now rather than later and if it was a animal of decent size then they have dinner, a win win in Otto's book. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Uneasy, Dexter let a frown play at his lips. He didn't like the idea of splitting up, but Otto was right. Between the cars and the rest of the rubbage strewn about the road, along with the undergrowth that spilled over the sides of the highway, it would be easy for someone to disappear. But if they [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]were[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
being followed by people, it's likely they'd notice Otto's absence regardless. Waiting for the others to contribute, he fell silent.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]I won't send anyone off if it means they can get hurt, or killed.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
He decided. Even if the others did look at him as the defacto "leader" of their rag tag little band, he wasn't ready to make that decision.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"What's going on?"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie asked, obliviously, seemingly having being wandering and talking to herself for the past few minutes. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio had been lost in his own thoughts though he thought to add a little jab at Evie for liking Nintendo or as he called them 'Nintenblow' but felt now was the time for jabs or banter. When Dex said to hold on he stopped and looked around. It wasn't entirely welcoming to hear something was in the woods and he quickly pulled the charging handle on his rifle back to see if he was still loaded. Sure enough he still had the same bullet in the chamber ready to fire. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto looked to Evie.[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Something in the woods possibly, person or animal. I think we should keep moving but as we go I will slow and drop off and see if I can come up and around whatever it is and deal with it."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto was still looking into the woods, searching for anything out of place, anything that didn't belong. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
After a long moment of deliberation, Dexter nodded his assent. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Alright, Otto. If you really want to go check it out, go."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
He clapped the man on the shoulder.[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Be careful, meet us at the Outlet Mall as soon as you can. If shit hits the fan just fire three into the air and we'll come running." [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He took a step back with a strained smile.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio was quick to speak up to offer Otto a small trade for the time being[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"You want to swap rifles? I'm sure a semi automatic would be more useful if you got into trouble Otto."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He suggested trying to make a point. Cecilio came to care about this group then again he tended to care a lot about other people in general but at the moment he was technically their doctor/medic wrapped up in a bundle of riot gear. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Or maybe one of the shotguns? I'd rather you take something with more kick."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"How are you not melting in that, by the way?"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie asked, looking on quizzically at Cecilio. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"You get used to it." [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter replied for him, remembering the days he spent in full battle rattle doing marches in the blazing sun.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto gave a smirk to Cecillio. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Trust me, I do better work with this than most anything else."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He gestured to his Springfield. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"And thirty aught six will send most things, be they people or otherwise, to their afterlife."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto intoned as he started to back up and push off into the woods. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"You all better start walking before they notice I'm gone."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Otto said as his retreating form entered the dense foliage.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"If someone's following us... don't you think they'll notice the tall, bearded guy is suddenly missing?[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie pointed out, scrunching her lips up slightly.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio looked to Evie and nodded [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"But then you still have the guy in riot gear and two attack dogs or one. I don't think anyone would be that crazy to go for it or at least I hope not."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He said as he adjusted his rifle in his arms keeping his finger on the trigger guard.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Then why are they following us? Those guys from the hotel were hardly ones for the subtle approach."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"It's probably just an animal."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter repeated.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Let's get a move on. Otto can catch up."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio nodded as he started to walk again [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Dex has a point plus the longer we stand here the bigger targets we become for some raider. Maybe if we're lucky we can find a gun Evie can shoot and throw when its not working."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
He teased a little.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"That was a cheap shot,"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
she groaned in response.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Turning away to hide his smirk, Dexter holstered his pistol and continued forward, Hero at his heels.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Come on, slow pokes. It will be nice to get where we're going before I get sunburnt all to hell."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"You do realise you're walking with a ginger, right?"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie commented, pouting slightly. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter looked over his shoulder and squinted at her. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"A [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]fully clothed[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
ginger." [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Wow, you almost sound upset about that,"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
she quipped, chuckling to herself.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Good god you two. I've got some condoms in my gear if you need them."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio quipped at them both.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Blinking stupidly, Dexter turned back around, grateful that the sun had already reddened his face.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"That's not what I… I didn't…"[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
He snorted, shaking his head before falling silent. Evie's response was only marginally better, as she made a noise that sounded as if she had choked on a fly.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"So... how out of date are those condoms, then?"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
She asked, trying to avoid the comment. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"I mean, I doubt anybody is out there making new condoms now, right? I mean... that'd be... that'd be stupid."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Uncle Sam thats who. Mostly 'cause his soldiers are practically willing to stick their dicks in anything - even their buddies if they agree to it."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio said plainly not exactly having a censor.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Why does Uncle Sam sound so pervy? Is he one of those special kinds of uncles? Did you have a bad experience?" [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie teased, unawares as to whom he was actually referring to. That's not to say she didn't know who 'Uncle Sam' really was, more that she had just discarded the idea that the US military was functioning still. After all, she had seen the pathetic last breaths of it during her time at the refugee camps.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Hey now."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter warned, not looking over his shoulder this time in fear of the expression on his face giving away more than he wished.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Not every soldier is like that, you know."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He dropped a hand down on to Hero's head.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Not to say most of them aren't, but…. You know. Not [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]all [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
of them."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio nodded[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Technically I was conscripted along with the 'security' team I was assigned to. Then again pretty sure most of your soldiers getting Infected makes for a pressing draft."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Wait... wait... so... you mean the US military is still making condoms? I think I got lost somewhere in this conversation..." [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"No, Evie. They are not."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter said seriously.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Damn, that's a shame,"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
she sighed. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Could have made for some funny slogans: 'Avoid infection... and no, not that kind of infection'."[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Usually their main slogan is 'Don't get a VD or we'll cut your dick off so help us god.'"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio said with a chuckle[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Alright, alright, can we talk about something else maybe?" [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Rubber up! Don't let your little soldier suffer zombification!"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie pressed on, regardless.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Ok ok. So Evie can you tell me where you got that awesome tactical move to throw guns? I think you may seriously be onto something."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio asked sarcastically to try and change the subject.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Bully,"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
she said simply and bluntly, pouting once more.[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"I can't believe you told him about that, Dex..."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
she sulked.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"It was impressive."[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
He said sincerely.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"I say we get Evie a hi-point pistol. That way when she's out of bullets it's like throwing a piece of metal covered in truck bed liner."[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He chuckled. As a bit of compensation Ringo nudged her hand in a sort of apologetic/pet me manner.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Will you kindly fuck off, please?"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie retorted, scowling slightly. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Is the guy dead? Yes. Am I alive? Yes. Case closed, I'm a badass." [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Feeling the soft fur of Ringo's coat brush against her hand, she smiled slightly, patting the otherwise terrifying dog gently on the head.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Dexter fell silent at that, clenching his fists so that the bruises and cuts he had across his knuckles twinged painfully. He wasn't quite willing to discuss that at the moment. The men that they'd killed in the gunfight… well, that was that. Heat of the moment. But the last guy, the one he'd beaten to a pulp before Evie… well… that still struck a chord. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio fell silent as well, knowing he went a little too far and he pressed on moving between two cars. He stopped for a moment to look around before something grabbed his ankle causing him to let out a confused[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
"Wha-?"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Before he was pulled down to the level of the Infected on the ground and he began to shout and scream in terror and panic. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"HOLY FUCK! BLYAT!"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
While the suit protected from bites an Infected trying to pull you down and crawl on you to get a chunk wasn't something most people could remain calm under. Soon Cecilio was struggling, the zombie deciding his face looked good though his visor, which was offering protection, but the visage of a face trying to eat him wasn't very assuring,[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"So much fucking drama!" [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie screamed, heading over to see what the problem was. Upon seeing the Infected snatching at Cecilio's ankle, Evie's eyes widened, an unhindered bellowing of the word 'shit' spilling from her lips as she grasped at her hunting knife. [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"Dex, help!"[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio's initial noise of surprise had gone unheeded by Dex, thinking that he and Evie were just fooling around still, but the second outburst, with Evie's cry right after, made him whip around in confusion. Evie was in between him and the grounded medic, so he moved forward in several long strides, brushing past her and ripping his own knife from his sheath.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio calmed himself, grabbing the zombie by the neck and keeping it away from him though it required both his hands.[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
"FUCKING SHOOT THIS THING!!!"[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
Cecilio shouted as he tried to push the Infected off of himself. Lifting his foot, Dexter kicked the Infected so hard it bounced back and off of Cecilio and against the rubbish-strewn asphalt. He was atop it only a second later, his knife sunken between the creature's eyes. Its furious snarls and cries silenced immediately, and Dexter froze, waiting to see it its noises would call others to their location. In the meantime, Evie had already rushed to Cecilio's side, grabbing him by his collar, grunting as she attempted to lift the heavy man to his feet. It didn't take Evie much effort with Cecilio's cooperation, however. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Fucking shit…"[/BCOLOR] [BCOLOR=transparent]
He murmured not too pleased by being taken down.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Are you okay? You didn't get bit, did you?"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie checked, concernedly as she looked him over, looking for any blood, abrasions or cuts. [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"No… no… He tried, but the suit does its job pretty well…"[/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
He said looking at his wrist and arms at a few new scratches on the wrist portion of the suit.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]
"Ok, ok. So Cecilio can you tell me where you got that awesome tactical move to get taken down by a zombie and then cry like a little girl? I think you may seriously be onto something," [/BCOLOR][BCOLOR=transparent]
Evie taunted, revelling in every word with a smug smile on her face.[/BCOLOR]
