|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 8:39:58 GMT -5
Ryker ignored the prod and picked up the walker head, which was still snarling. "Well, like you said, no teeth. And they were pretty recently pulled, too. Which means whoever cut off this roamer's head either wanted them as trophies or needed them for something else." He walked over to the blood splatter, tossing the head aside. "Yeah, this is recent too. Whoever did this, they didn't go far." He put his hand on the gun and kicked the door, hard, sending it flying open.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 10:24:07 GMT -5
Inside was a simple, inexpensive apartment building, the kind of thing a kid going to college would stay in. One could almost picture it before the apocalypse, with a couple dirty changes of shirts on the floor and a bowl of ramen noodles heating in the microwave. Except for the large, dark blood stain that caked the blue carpet in front of the door. It looked recent, probably around the same time the head outside had been. A young woman with short brown hair was sitting in a chair in the kitchen, her head resting against the table until the door was kicked in. She jerked awake with a little scream, scrambling up and backing against the wall, her blue eyes startling against her pale, hollow face, a bloody rope gripped in her hands.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 12:51:49 GMT -5
Ryker immediately raised his hands in the air. "Woah, woah, it's ok. We're not here to hurt you." he assured her, putting his modified axe on the ground and kicking it towards her.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 12:57:05 GMT -5
The woman stared at it for a minute, breathing hard, before slowly lowering her rope. "I...I d-don't have anything t-to steal..." she stammered in a raspy voice, lowering herself into her chair again and putting her head in her hands. "Th-there's no more food...I'm sorry." Now that she had moved, a chemistry set was visible, a glass bottle containing a single rotting tooth suspended in dirty water giving gentle puffs of steam.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 13:19:12 GMT -5
"Okay." said Ryker calmly, hands still up. "Do you need help? We don't exactly have much to go round either, but we have a little."
"What've you got running?" asked Sawyer, pointing to the glass container.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 13:25:21 GMT -5
"Do I need..." A laugh bubbled at her lips, making her sound rather insane. She shook her head, hating the sound but unable to stop. "Oh. That." She added, making an effort to straighten her face as she glanced at the bubbling set. "Just my stupidity...never mind. Watch it!" She added sharply to Seth, who hopped away from a shelf he had been poking at.
On the shelf, sprawled out at an awkward angle, the limp body if a large ferret could be seen.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 19:40:38 GMT -5
Sawyer shrieked when she saw it, stumbling back several steps. "Ugh!"
Ryker leaned in to peer at the creature. "Hey there, little buddy." he said, reaching out a hand for the ferret to sniff.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 19:46:51 GMT -5
The girl smiled slightly at Sawyer's, and for the first time she looked human, a devilish glint in her bright eyes. "That's Hades. I wouldn't touch him, if I were you. He lives up to his name."
The ferret, however, continued to lie quite still, unresponsive to Ryker's attention.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 19:52:38 GMT -5
Ryker gently put a finger on Hades' head and scratched him between the ears. "I used to have ferrets when I was a kid." he mused. "Loved 'em...haven't seen one in forever, though."
Sawyer glared suspiciously at the ferret, suppressing a shudder. "Just like giant rats..." she muttered.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 20:00:54 GMT -5
Hades remained completely limp, a little trickle of drool running from his mouth.
"Oh, rats are adorable." The girl answered simply, giving Ryker a shy smile as he mentioned his own ferrets. "I thought, when the apocalypse began, he probably wouldn't...but he has." Her voice grew harder. "And he will."
"Heyyy, you got Boy Scout out of his shell." Seth sounded impressed. "I've been trying for ages."
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 20:06:38 GMT -5
"I've got a dog." mentioned Ryker offhandly, still petting Hades. "She's keeping watch outside."
Sawyer stepped over to the chemistry set, examining the setup closely in an attempt to determine its purpose.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 20:15:24 GMT -5
"Really?" She asked interestedly, wandering closer to Ryker and not noticing Sawyer's interest. "I like dogs. They're need a lot of exercise, though." She glanced into her living room, where a dusty gaming console sat abandoned, then kept going and leaned against the wall. "I'm Opal, by the way."
The set seemed to be intended to boil the tooth down, making the rotten bone separate. The overall purpose seemed to be to study the interior of the tooth.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 20:17:48 GMT -5
Ryker nodded his head. "Ryker."
"What're you doing with this stuff?" asked Sawyer. "Are you trying to find a cure?"
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 20:22:55 GMT -5
Opal turned, glancing sharply at Sawyer. Then her eyes softened. "It doesn't matter. I was just being stupid, to think I could stop the end of the world with a dusty chemistry set and next to no experience." She shook her head, rubbing her temple as if having a headache.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 20:25:00 GMT -5
"Somebody's gonna have to." remarked Sawyer softly.
"We should get going." said Ryker, glancing outside. "I was thinking we'd head to that university we saw - it might have supplies." He turned to Opal. "My offer still stands. If you wanna come, we'd be happy to have you."
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 20:31:31 GMT -5
Opal bit her lip, glancing around at her surroundings as if, bloodied and empty as they were, they still held some kind of protection for her. Then she closed her eyes, chewing in the inside of her cheek. "Well, there's nothing for me here. All right." She turned, first slipping on a baby sling and then kneeling and prying open a loose floorboard. "Oh, and here...it's not much, but.." She pulled out two cans of tuna.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 20:34:10 GMT -5
Ryker nodded his appreciation, but made no attempt to take it. "You keep it. If we get separated, everyone should have at least a little food with them."
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 20:39:42 GMT -5
"Hey, I don't have any food." Seth complained, indignantly folding his arms. "You know, Ryker, I believe you hate me."
Opal blinked, clearly surprised, but obediently tucked the food away. "Okay, if you're sure. Thanks." Reaching over, she scooped up Hades' limp form and tucked him into the sling. "Ready to go?"
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 14, 2017 20:46:55 GMT -5
Ryker rolled his eyes impatiently and tossed a can of clam chowder in his general direction.
(Timeskip)
"Woah..." said Sawyer.
Woah was right. They had reached the outskirts of the campus grounds, only to find it surrounded by a haphazardly-built plywood-and-nails fence, complete with barbed wire across the top. There was no door or opening to be seen.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 14, 2017 20:51:15 GMT -5
Seth whistled. "Someone's beat us to it." He said, stepping closer and poking the fence. "Not very sturdy, is it? A couple Vidiians, and it'd topple right over."
"Are they still inside, though?" Opal asked. She hadn't stopped glancing around nervously since she'd stepped outside, and was hugging herself protectively. "The person, I mean."
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 15, 2017 9:29:54 GMT -5
"Maybe, maybe not." said Ryker. "Everyone stay on guard." He swung his saw-axe into the wood, ripping out the nails and sending it toppling.
Inside was a strangely peaceful, yet gruesome scene. Rows and rows of fresh graves, dating all the way back to the start of the apocalypse, lined the lawn. Some of the pits were empty and lined with spikes at the bottom, apparently meant to be traps for whatever creature would be dumb enough to walk into an uncovered trap. The campus building itself was boarded up, except for the door, which was at least outwardly unmarked.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 15, 2017 11:28:53 GMT -5
"What the hell..." Opal's hand rose, covering her mouth. "Oh, this is creepy, this is really creepy. Do monsters need air? Would they suffocate? Or just...lie down there...swallowing dirt until their stomachs burst..." She pulled her amethyst coloured sweater closer around her, shivering, then caught sight of the labels and promptly lost the last traces of colour in her face. "Oh wait. These are people graves. I'm standing in a graveyard." The high-pitched giggle that erupted from her had nothing to do with humour.
"Pretty sweet setup though." Seth commented, walking ahead of the others to stoop beside a pit. "Someone's been busy. Look at the rest of these though...must've been a big group they had. Could still be pretty big. I recommend sneaking in, taking what we can grab, and running."
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 15, 2017 11:37:49 GMT -5
Ryker nodded his agreement. "We're running dangerously low on supplies, and I'm not sure how much further we'll have to walk before we reach another settlement. I vote we head in." He turned to Opal with an expression of mild concern. "You gonna be alright?"
Sawyer gripped her shotgun tightly. "Someone dug all these graves." she added quietly. "So...you know, I'm not sure exactly what state they'll be in, you know?"
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 15, 2017 11:44:50 GMT -5
Opal grinned faintly, nodding very slightly. Her hand slid inside her sling, where Hades sat awake at last. Repeatedly stroking his cinnamon fur, her arm and shoulder muscles visibly relaxed, and though her blue eyes were closed she nodded again, more determined. "This is an apocalypse. Just because I didn't see it until now doesn't mean I can't learn to deal with it."
"Probably pretty poor." Seth agreed, glancing grimly at Sawyer. "All that death, it does things to people." He squinted at the sky, noting the threatening clouds on the horizon. "Might not have all been the same person, though."
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 15, 2017 12:18:01 GMT -5
"Alright - let's go." said Ryker. He tried the lock on the door, discovering that it swung open easily.
Inside, the darkened-yet-recognizable campus hallway was littered with debris. The walls were cracked and molding in places, and the carpet was a sickly green color and made a squelching sound as they stepped on it, as if there had been a leak somewhere. Loose wires and boards hung from the ceiling, which was missing the majority of its surface area so you could see into the interior of the roof. One light bulb was the only thing still illuminating the entire hall, and it was flickering and sparking ominously.
Most striking of all, a banner-like tangle of barbed wire had been stretched across the hall, bent into letters that spelled "GO AWAY". Dried blood tinged the edges of the message.
Sawyer's eyes widened and she instinctively backed away. "Oh...oh no."
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 15, 2017 12:28:54 GMT -5
Opal put her hand out, leaning against the wall and letting out a little squeak. "Um, Ryker? Maybe we should just go." She suggested nervously, jumping and flinching every time the light flickered. She took a step backwards, shuddering as the floor squelched beneath her.
"No way." Seth answered decidedly, seeming quite unperturbed. "We came for supplies, and that's exactly what we're gonna get. Besides, there's a good chance all this is just posturing. Weak people always feel a need to assert themselves more strongly, it's basic instinct."
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 15, 2017 12:32:40 GMT -5
Ryker stared at the sign for a moment, conflicted. "As much as I hate saying this, I'm with Seth. We have to stock up." He turned to Opal and Sawyer. "If you guys don't wanna come, you can wait outside with Ginger. It's ok."
Sawyer hesitated. She glanced again at the wire, then back at the door. "I'll wait here." she said abruptly, turning and heading out. "I'm sorry." she added as she vanished into the light.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 15, 2017 12:38:23 GMT -5
Seth stared at Ryker as if the other had announced his intention to marry a Vidiian. "Right. Well, I'm thoroughly creeped out now. Thanks." Shaking his head, he moved to continue down the hall.
Opal bit her lip, looking torn. "I don't want to leave her alone out there...She could be attacked." She muttered after a second, turning and heading out. "I'm sorry, Ryker, I wish..." She didn't finish the sentence.
|
|
|
Post by <Raintalon> on Jan 15, 2017 12:46:35 GMT -5
Ryker turned and ducked underneath the wire, continuing down the hall. "Guess it's just us." he said to Seth, keeping an eye out for any movement. "Let's head for the cafeteria - best chance of having usable supplies is there."
Sawyer sat outside on the steps, absentmindedly petting Ginger.
|
|
|
Post by ®Hawkpath® on Jan 15, 2017 12:50:18 GMT -5
"Right." Seth agreed, walking quickly down the hall and ducking under the sign as well. "What do you think we'll find? People, food, nothing?" His tone didn't give away how he felt about any of those things, and he looked around as if he was perfectly at home.
|
|