My Zombie Shelter (open to everyone)

[gearhead73]

I started making my way along the inside of the wall. This place was massive and seem to be pretty well thought out. It took the better part of an hour to make it around as I would stop and just survey the situation.
I liked it like this; quiet, peaceful, lack of any sustantial threat. I finally made it back around to where I started and since I didn't see anyone around close decided to make my way into the guard tower where I had been earlier that afternoon.
When I was at the top, i cast a look around. The winds had died and the scattered clouds had dissapated some and the surrounding fields glowed in the moonlight. Leaning my rifle against the wall I dropped my backpack and laid down to use it as a pillow. This place was no Four Seasons, but it was dry and secure. Unless some walker has a rocket up his ass, there is no way one would get to me up here.
Ifelt good and bad to lay down, my body ached from head to toe, but still lying down gave my feet a much deserved break and a few deep breaths later I could feel the tension leaving my body. I was hoping that sleep would come, but knew that if and when it did it would bring with it the dreams and memories from a past that I had managed to ignore while awake and trying to survive. The memories of a time when I was happy and loved could distract me and cause me to make a fatal mistake. However here, in the dark, alone and safe they were free to find a way to creep into my consciousness."Fiona" I whispered as the face of the one who had been the center of my world came from somewhere deep within and to the forefront of my mind.
When I was eighteen my Dad booked a golf/drinking trip for me, him and my uncle to Ireland.
We were to be there two weeks and the first was a whirlwind of stunning courses and old rustic pubs. One night I had decided to explore on my own so with a bottle of Jamison in hand I made my way from street to street taking in the local scenery.
About midnight I was sitting on the curb in a neighborhood drunk and beligerent singing my version of "O Danny Boy" at the top of my lungs. Suddenly I heard the sweetest voice that had ever graced my ears telling me to "keep it down." I looked up to see a short, raven haired Irish princess glaring at me for waking her up. She said that she thought I had drank enough and grabbed for the bottle. Me being the ass I was, tucked it under my arm and hollered "They're always after me Lucky Charms!" for wich I was rewarded with a swift kick to the nuts.
I woke up a few hours later on a couch with her glaring at me with my head in her lap. It turns out that her old man had been a bit of a party boy when he was younger and although he didn't care for me waking him up, he thought her reaction was a bit...harsh. He made her stay up and make sure I was going to be ok. When I awoke, head splitting and needing to hurl I looked into those firey emerald eyes and asked, "Am I dead?" I fell in love with her the moment her reply made it's way through the fog in my brain, "Aye, and I'm your reaper ya arsehole!"

 

[gearhead73]

From then on, I was hers. She didn't take to me at first, in fact I think she down right hated me, but my persistance over the next few days finally broke her down.
I didn't get to kiss her for the for time for five months, but we shared countless emails, phone calls, and Skype chats. A year later she made me that happiest I had ever been when after asking for her father's blessing she became my wife and conscience. Before long she had transformed me from the knuckle dragging neadrathol she had met to a loving thoughtful husband. We had our fights, but her razor sharp wit, huge heart, and melodic accent always brought me around to her way of thinking. I once threatened to kick a guys's ass for correcting the way she said aluminum.Two years into the marriage she told me to get my shit together because our first baby was on the way.
A tear threatens to fall as the next series of events enters my memory. Some dipshit street performer named Raul or whatever fell asleep at the wheel and t-boned my wife's SUV three blocks from our home. He killed three people that night including me and walked away without a scratch. After taking her and my son back home to rest in Ireland, I became consumed with saddness, anger and thoughts of revenge.That fucker had taken everything from me and I was going to make it my mission to make sure he never got to breath a breth of fresh air.
He was serviing a seven year sentence when the world went to shit and after most of the living had either run or turned there was no one left to guard the prisons. I managed to track him down and find him cowering in his house trying to evade getting eaten. I will never forget the fear in his eyes when he saw me or how the last flicker of life looked as I choked it out of him. That was my last day as a human being.
Now here I lay, dirty, hungry, and lonely with the first tears I have been able to shed since I lost my Fiona. God I wonder what she would think of me now.

 

[AmenRa]

OOC:

I enjoy writing with all of you. I'm not leaving, but I am not where I can post as frequently as you all do.

When you're writing your posts, and need to include my character, if there is a way you can write around so that my response can be open, then please do so.

I certainly didn't mean to be harsh with my post about this, and I appreciate your attention to this little detail.

One thing: "Max" is a character that I will certainly allow some lee-way. For example, you write that your character comes up and says hi to me, and you reach down to scratch Max behind the ears. Max would obviously enjoy this, and it is certainly acceptable to write an appropriate response for him.

Thanks again!

 

[gearhead73]

OOC: Dude, I get it, and it's no problem. I enjoy the POV that you bring to this saga. It actually helps keep me on task when we are flowing through a survival/kickass scenario. I think ther are enough things going on here that there isn't any need for god-modding.
My last two posts are huge and I know it, but that is a result of inspiration that I gathered from all of our characters working together. Sometimes when I get started I just don't want to stop, but I realize that the nature of RP is that not everyone's schedule is the same and we cross lots of time zones.
Again, no worries, and I am glad to hear you are staying with us. There are so many story lines that can be brought out like the disappearance of the "voice" in the beginning. Is Alli dead, or missing? Where do we take a shit? All of these can be taken to an end as individuals or collectively, and some may become irrelavent as relationships progress. I will be more careful in the future and it actually will be fun trying to make everything fit. I just like to write. There is so much crap bouncing around in my noggin that this thread is where I can air it out.
Ok, enough of that shit. See ya in the funny papers.

 

[celestialdragon]

I smiled as I watched Pandora walk away. She was cool, I liked her.

I walked out of the room, still eating apples, and wandered back into the kitchen, grabbing myself some ham and cheese, rolling it into a ball and eating it. I loved the taste of it, I don't remember when the last time I had ham and cheese together.

I wandered around the complex then, finding a corner to curl up and mourn for James.

James and I were in a lot of the same classes. He and I worked well together and by the end of our junior year we were dating. Just before hell blew over, there was talk of marriage after college. I was only going for two years, while he was going for three.

Yeah, he was my first and only love. Corny, I know, but it's true.

The look in his eyes as he was overtaken, him telling me to run, but not forget him, my screaming his name, saying I'll save him. . .

I felt tears run down my face.

 

[prettyserpentine]

I had managed to get a shower. I had washed my clothes and found an oversized man's shirt that drowned me, I tied it at the waist, and a pair of slacks that were too big for me too. They'd do until I got my own stuff dried. I was clean, that was the main thing. And my hair smelled like strawberries. It made my mouth water. I was hungry, but I'd been inside way too long. I felt like I wanted to stretch my legs. I'd scouted around the inside of this compound and wanted to go out. My bat was still safely stowed away in the kitchen, and I lifted the little backpack and wandered outside.

There were those little solar markers dotted around. Whoever had made this compound had thought of pretty much everything. Smart guys. It was massive. I couldn't see the end of it. But there was a little lake type thing, a few trees. It was liveable. I looked toward the gate but there want really anyone around. It was a nice feeling, knowing someone would be there if I needed them, but at the same time, I had space for myself. I wondered where Randy was. He was probably checking the perimeter. I figured it'd be best to stay in sight of the place, and the watch tower, although it looked kind of dark.

I picked up one of the little solar markers and took it with me to the base of a big old tree. I think it was a willow, it's branches hung down like a veil. I sat down, kind of curled on my side against it to make sure I didn't bust any of the stitches that Kristi had so carefully sewn, and I opened the backpack, pulling out the bear and holding it close. I opened the bag a little further. It was hard. I hadn't done it in a long time. I pulled out the small scrapbook. Maybe now I could spend a minute or two looking at it without fear of walkers.

I opened it, and the first page was the picture Joel had taken of us the day she was born. All tiny and red. And me, looking exhausted but happy. I turned the page. With each photograph she got bigger. Those huge brown eyes that just melted your heart. And me and Joel loving on her. I looked down at my left ring finger, the indentation there. The last page in the scrapbook with anything on it was in his handwriting. 'First day at kindergarten'. I closed the book, my heart thumping in my chest. I didn't want to remember that day. I closed my eyes, and started to doze, holding the precious things close to my body.

I was at home. Like always. Joel let himself in the apartment door. He looks worried. Distant. He's carrying her in his arms and she has a white bandage on her hand. I ask him what happened. He tells me that another kid bit her. The school had called him. I asked if we should take her to the doctors. He said no. He put her to bed. She didn't make a noise on the baby monitor. Not until he went in to kiss her goodnight. She was cold, he said. Panda, come see, he said. I stood at the door, and she was reaching for him and he went to her and she made the most horrible....horrible noises...and she bit him... And she wasn't her anymore. She was something else. She was eating him. He was screaming Pandora, Pandora, get out, get out... I ran into the hallway. It went quiet. And he came out a few minutes later. And he closed the door. Is she alright, I said. He looked at me, and he said its the same as what's on the news. I said no, that can't be, that can't be. There was thumping and snarling from her door. He went into our bedroom, and I stood there, shaking, looking at her door. He came back with his gun. And he put it to my head, and told me to close my eyes. And I did. And he said he was sorry. And that's the part I always start to scream.

 

[AmenRa]

I set to work unloading the Subaru. I set out a few shopping bags of groceries I had - canned goods and dry packaged items. I set out a four-person dome tent and a duffle bag of clothes and gear. I got out Max's food bowl, and when he saw it he started whining. I filled it up with dry food and placed it beside the Subaru. He immediately started eating. I sat down a small pail and poured some water out of the plastic five gallon water jugs from the car.

I grabbed the grocery bags and took them inside. There were a few people milling about in the cabin. I saw the row of camp stoves and some pots and a few frying pans. I opened the canned ham and the mac and cheese. Someone came up, she looked like one of the women who had been tending the horses earlier, and helped me fry up the ham and prepare the mac and cheese.

I realized I looked like hell. I hadn't shaved in about 4 days and my clothes were grimy. I knew I probably smelled the same way. So, after I had eaten, I grabbed my bag from beside the car and found one of the makeshift showers. Max laid down outside.

The water was warm, but not hot, but it didn't matter. I was conscientious of the availability of water, so I took an old-fashioned navy shower. I wet myself down, and turned the water off. Then I lathered up, then rinsed. I stepped out into the bathroom area with a towel I had unpacked and found a mirror hung on one of the walls. I took one of the last razors I had and using a little soap I scraped off the stubble. I dug through my bag until I found underwear and a pair of jeans and socks. I got dressed as far as they would allow and realized I left my shirts and jackets in the other duffel bag that was still in the car.

I ventured outside towards the car. I was aware of the fact that I was shirtless as soon as the cool air hit me. I had toned up a lot in the last few weeks, losing that little bit of cushion around my tummy and showing some abs again. I realized I was back at my 'fighting weight' like I had been before I became a cop. I wasn't in quite the same shape I had been when I was in the service, but I thought I was pretty close. This was different training, though. In this reality, you couldn't ring a bell and quit; if you quit here, you died.

The tattoo on my right shoulder and arm reminded me of that. It was a U.S. flag scrolling across my upper arm. Superimposed on it, in black and gold, was a BUD/S qualification badge that showed an eagle holding a flintlock pistol and a trident in its talons. Under that were the stenciled black numbers 1-6-8. It was faded a bit now with age, but the faded memories of that once life before law enforcement had been coming back with ferocity the last few days of survival.

Max followed me out to the car. After I had gotten on a shirt and a light jacket and stowed my gear from earlier we set about getting the tent up. Well, I did all the work, he just waited patiently while I set it up. I put my sleeping bag inside the tent.

I was sorting ammo and checking gear at the Subaru when I realized this place was not only a refuge, but it was pretty much our own little town.

The thing about that was, well, who was in charge?

As far as government goes, God only knew what was left of an operational state or national government. My sheriff's office had fell apart as soon as the local government did. I figured most places were the same. I knew there had been Rangers and SF groups up at Ft. Lewis and Colorado Springs. I wondered what had happened to the Teams out at the amphib base at Little Creek.

People needed leadership if they were going to live and work together. If not, then even a small society such as the one we were inside this compound would devolve into anarchy.

I shook my head as I finished loading an M4 mag. Society was pretty much anarchy already.

 

[gearhead73]

I was laying there balling like one of those pussies that always begged some asshole not to hurt them, when they knew damn well that hurting them was their sole purpose for being there. I needed something to get my mind off of things from my past. I sat up and stretched feeling even more sore than I did when I laid down. I stood up and looked around the fields surrounding the compound. There were about fifteen or so walkers milling around out there and the thought of doing some target practice sounded very appealing.
However Mike and the girls were probably asleep by now so to avoid becoming anymore "the dick" than I maybe already was, I decided to see if I could get cleaned up a bit. I smelled like the north end of a southbound moose and I am sure I looked like the scumbag king trimmed in filth.
I looked to the inside and saw that Mike had changed his clothes and was setting up a campsite by the Subaru. There was obviously water here somewhere so that became my new mission.
I shot Mike a wave on my way back inside and caught a glimpse of Pan curled up by a tree. That left River unaccounted for so I decided not to leave my rifle leaning against the wall while I looked for a shower. I didn't NOT trust her, but then again we had just met tonight, so leaving my equalizers out for the taking just seemed...stupid. I managed to find what looked to be a shower stall and after a few quick looks around I began to shed the scummy garments I had been steeping in for weeks.
The water felt great but in the interest of using it sparingly I took little more than a whore's bath and then changed into the last clean shirt and pants that I had.
'I don't know if the guy that built this place has any clothes here, but if he doesn't I am going to have to go scavenging.' I had a pretty ragged beard going on, but I hated shaving when I needed to, I sure as hell wasn't going to do it now for shits and giggles. After using the last of the deodorant I had I repacked my bag, put on my gun, and headed back to my safe haven. 'Maybe I could just scope those walkers.' I thought as I headed back outside.

 

[prettyserpentine]

I heard a scream and jolted myself awake and to my feet before I realised it was myself. I couldn't shake off the dream so I decided to go back inside, try and see if I could find tea, or maybe something stronger. I had heard water running, figured someone was in the shower so I stayed in the kitchen and started to boil up some water on the gas stove. I set the little scrapbook on the counter and started rummaging through the cupboards.

 

[AmenRa]

I caught Randy coming back outside from the shower/indoors area.

"Teflon lube and CLP is in that small black toolbox in the Subaru," I told him in case he wanted to clean his rifle or 1911. "Help yourself, brother," I added.

Pan had gone inside. She had let out a little yelp just before she stood up from where she had gone to sleep beside a tree. Maybe I should check on her?

Max caught up to me from where he had sat in front of Randy expecting an ear scratch. We went inside, where I found Pandora rummaging through some cabinets.

"Hey," I said. "Can't sleep?"

I had no idea what time it was. Probably around 2100 or so? My watch stopped sometime last week.

 

[gearhead73]

When I passed the kitchen, Pan was boiling water for something and looking through the cupboards. My first instinct was to just pass by and go back to my perch, but there was something about her, that actually made me want to talk to her.
It wasn't just her looks, though now that I wasn't bouncing her off of an oak, I took the time to actually look at her. She was short, maybe five foot four, but from the back she was built like a brick shithouse. In my single days, I would have said she had legs just like I liked them, feet at one end and pu....well, that was a while ago.
Not quite ready to make the transition to the human world just yet, I made my way back outside.

 

[prettyserpentine]

I found tea bags, and as I dropped them into the water, I caught Randy just leaving. I frowned. I didn't blame him. I mean, he had probably had enough of us all for one day. I made my tea and just sat in the corner, sipping it and thinking.

 

[gearhead73]

"Teflon lube and CLP is in that small black toolbox in the Subaru...help yourself, brother." Mike hollered to me as I stepped outside the door.
"Thanks bro..." I said as I made my way to the car. "Christine here is in need of a good scrub and the Kimber could use a touch up too."
I reached for the lube and a paper towel and set about pushing the takedown pin through the receiver and starting my cleaning routine.

 

[prettyserpentine]

I heard talking outside the door, and peeked my head out. I cradled the cup in my hands and looked at Randy's back a moment. I wondered if it'd be stupid of me to offer him tea. He'd think it was lame, like I was trying to make conversation. I stood there like an idiot for a minute, and then ducked back inside and glared into my tea cup as I bent over the counter.

I smiled half heartedly at Mike. "Bad dreams. Can I make you some tea? Coffee maybe?"

 

[gearhead73]

I whipped through cleaning my bolt carrier and after cleaning and checking the bolt and firing pin, I reassembled the group and moved onto the chamber. Mike had a pretty extensive kit and I was even able to find a bore snake for a thirty cal. I slid the parts into the receiver and pushed the upper and lower together. A quick function check and I was ready to Carlos Hathcock on some walkers.
When I moved on to the Kimber my mind drifted back to Pan. There were a lot of things that I wanted to know about her, but honestly after the way I had been over the last years, I didn't even know where to start. Things were easier with Fiona. She would straight up smack you in the face to get your attention. She was a straight shooter and always spoke her mind which I admired about her. Now, here cleaning my pistol, and thinking about all that had happened, all I had done, I wondered how I could find the courage to just talk to someone.

 

[prettyserpentine]

I made a cup for Mike, and then I made a spare. I wasn't sure if he wanted to talk or not, so I left his tea for him, and took the extra cup outside. "I made tea. I don't know if you want any or not, but I didn't want to be rude." I looked at Randy as he cleaned his guns and gently ran my thumb over the front of the little book. I glanced back in, and gave Mike a warm smile. Just to let him know I hadn't forgot about him. I probably sucked at making tea. Joel always said so.

 

[gearhead73]

I was surprised when Pan showed up outside holding a cup.
"I made tea. I don't know if you want any or not, but I didn't want to be rude."
I accepted the cup and took a quick sip. Dear God, it was horrible, had the woman never heard of sugar?
"That's perfect thank you. You didn't happen to make an extra sandwich did ya?"
I winked again trying to let her know I was just joking. I know jokes aren't the makings of conversation, but it was a start.
"You clean up really nice..." this was so much harder when I am not pissed off. "I feel like a brand new man now that I'm squeaky clean."

 

[prettyserpentine]

I smiled, "You don't look so bad yourself. You don't have to drink the tea. My ... " I caught myself. People don't care about other people. Catch a grip, Pandora. "I've always been told I make miserable tea." I couldn't stop myself thinking about Joel and the coughing noises he used to make when he drank it. I smiled to myself sadly. Sometimes I couldn't help but miss them. I looked up at Randy with bravado. I kind of wished there'd be a horde, so I didn't have to think about it.

"So. Weather is decent, at least."

 

[gearhead73]

"You don't look so bad yourself. You don't have to drink the tea. My ...I've always been told I make miserable tea."
It was apparent that she was thinking of someone in particular, but like me wasn't ready to share.
"It's fine, really." I couldn't tell her the truth. It was horrible, like french kissing a walker bad. But she had made it for me as a gesture and I appreciated that.
"So. Weather is decent, at least."
We were pathetic.
"Yeah, still a little warm, but not bad. If it were a few degrees cooler would be good sleeping weather."
The weather? Ok, somebody was going to have to make the first move here.
"So, tell me about that bear in the backpack. You had a daughter...I guessing. What was her name?"

 

[prettyserpentine]

My mouth suddenly felt dry and my hands started to shake. "Her name was Mara." I looked down at my hands and tried to stop them shaking. I had never said her name 'was'. My lips quivered. "She...she was bitten. I ... I had to ..." I couldn't say it and instead pursed my lips closed and bit back a whimper. How could I say what I'd done? What kind of mother was I? I just looked at Randy. I guess I half expected him to be totally disgusted. Which is fine. "She was four..."

 

[gearhead73]

After a short pause she responded.
"Her name was Mara. She...she was bitten. I ... I had to ..." she had begun trembling and I immediately regretted asking. I felt like shit for bringing up the worst memory that someone could have. I really sucked at the human thing.
"It's ok Pan, it's none of my business. I lost a kid too, only not to walkers. I am so sorry."
I put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. She was looking at me like she needed me to say something to make it better, but I was useless to her. I had never been able to deal with my own tragedy, how could I help her through hers.
"She was four..." she started again but didn't seem able to continue. Her hands were shaking and she had this look of need. Before I could think, I laid down my pistol and pulled her into a hug. This was closest I had been to anyone that I wasn't trying to kill in forever, yet it felt nice as well as foreign. I pulled her tighter to me and just held her trying to show that I understood.
"I am so sorry Pandora...really"

 

[prettyserpentine]

I couldn't stop shaking. And when Randy pulled me into his arms I felt like I was completely undeserving. "I spent two days in the house with her...after she became... I couldn't do it. And Joel..." I shook my head and leaned it on his shoulder. I suck. So much for keeping a guard up. I kind of wished one of us had killed the other back in the woods. I was making him feel so awkward. "Your kid... What was their name?" I put my hand on his arm, and lifted my head to look at him. He looked stony, yet soft. But he had grief like mine.

 

[gearhead73]

"Your kid... What was their name?" it was a simple enough question, but the answer was far from it.
"Ethan." I said I could feel the anger in my jaw as I remembered that hill, outside of Fiona's home town where I laid them to rest.
"His name was Ethan...well it would have been. He and my wife were killed by some...in an accident."
I looked into those familiar green eyes and felt that burn that comes when a tear forms. I didn't want anyone see me break down and show that kind of vulnerability. That is the kind of thing that can get you killed. However, standing here, amidst the chaos, and seeing the pain in her expression as he embraced, it didn't worry me that much. If I were completely honest, it actually felt like it might be ok.
"You did the right thing Pan. That thing wasn't your daughter anymore and..."
There was no reason to finish. No matter what i said I knew it could never make the pain of losing your child any better.
"You did the right thing. For what it's worth, I'm glad you made it."
I shut up after that and decided to just stand there and hold her. Fiona had always told me I talked to much, that I always had to reason things out; as usual, maybe she was right.

 

[prettyserpentine]

It would have been... I recognised the look in his eyes, it was the same one I bore. I threw my arms around his middle and just squeezed. The poor little thing hadn't even been born yet... God what could have been. We were very similar in our tragedies. Maybe that's why it felt okay to talk to him, to open up a little. It was okay to let go a little, I mean god knows tomorrow might never come and if it means a little human conversation tonight then why not.

I looked up at him again. He said he was glad of the decision I'd made. I smiled sardonically. "I don't think any parent, under any circumstances, would have done what I had done. Two days of listening to her scratching at the door and growling. Two days of watching over Joel's body. He shot himself. He had two bullets in that gun and he didn't have the consideration to shoot me first." I pulled away, hugging my arms around myself like a defence against the shivering, against the guilt. "Do you ever feel like you aren't really alive? Like the moment that all happened, like you died too?” I looked around at him, wrestling with my conscience, my eyes brimming with unshed tears.

 

[gearhead73]

"Do you ever feel like you aren't really alive? Like the moment that all happened, like you died too?”
I had to remind myself that she didn't know me. She had no way of knowing the things that I had done after my family had been taken from me. Pan had moved a step back from me and wrapped her arms around herself.
"After my wife and son were killed, I searched and searched until I tracked the asshole down that had taken them from me. I found him hiding from the walkers in his apartment. Had a gun, but he didn't really know how to use it. I shot him in each of his limbs so he couldn't get away and while he laid there bleeding and screaming in agony. I put my boot on his throat and watched him suffocate on his own blood after I broke his hyoid bone."
I had never confided that in anyone before. I hate myself for it. It hadn't make the pain of losing my family go away or even lessen. In fact, the only thing that it had accomplished, is killing the last remaining cell of the man that I had become loving Fiona.
"We have all done things Pan. Everyone here has made choices that resulted in compromising who we are as people. We can't change them, we can't go back and do it differently. All we can do is try to find that little spark of ourselves that may be left in the deep dark recesses that we don't let anyone see, and build it into a big enough blaze to continue on."