They Came, They Saw, They Didn't Conquer

[marauder13]

[OOC : This thread is closed for heartofcourage and myself. We hope you enjoy our tale.]


Shane huddled down in the remains of the shop's upper level. The small convenience store had been picked clean ages ago, but there had been a little treasure or two upstairs that Shane could use. A child's backpack full of clothes, diapers and other hygiene related stuff. It was light weight, and would be good barter for the right people.

Still, the room bore the scars of being worked over by many scavenging hands. The bed had be all but torn apart, the wardrobe was nearly pulled apart and the draws were all missing from the chest of draws.

"I'm surprised no one's chopped it up for fire wood yet."

He scampered over to the grime covered window, peering out carefully to make sure no one else had similar thoughts to himself. The road was littered with building debris, gutted cars and other detritus of civilization. Barren, and almost lifeless.

It took only a week for civilization to be crushed by the hands of outsiders. From December 22 through to December 30, 2012, the world as everyone knew it came to an end. They came. They saw. But they didn't conquer.

Shane returned to the centre of the room with the same scamper that carried him to the window. He picked up his own kit bag, slung it over his shoulder, picked up the backpack and his spear. Once everything was settled, he made his way down stairs to go find somewhere safe for the night.

He paused downstairs, making space in his kit bag for his latest prize. While he was rummaging around within, he pulled out the heavy gloves, as well as the safety goggles he had found left at a hardware store a few days before. The kit bag back where it belonged, Shane put on the goggles, and pulled on the heavy gloves. When he left the relative safety of the building, he held his spear firmly in both hands.

Shane's weapon of choice was a five foot long solid length of wood, with a carefully sharpened piece of starpicket embedded in the end. Few people and native animals decided to cross him while he carried it, but the little bastard hybrids the Dwarfs left behind when they retreated were a different matter.

The low rumbled snarl that carried on the wind made Shane's stomach clench. He dropped into a crouch, knowing that it was already too late to run for cover. Sauntering out from the shadows of a ruined building across the street was a Devil Dog. The aliens captured animals, and mutated them for reasons only they knew. This particular dog was something big to start with, like a Rottweiler, or maybe a Doberman. But the telltale battleship gray hue, coupled with the abnormal bulges, excessively large teeth and general size of a pony made it clear that the creature was one of the parting gifts.

Shane kept his gaze fixed on the beast as he started to move closer to the side of the street. The beast mirrored his gaze, moving in almost parallel. Shane wondered just how smart the creature was, how cunning and most importantly, how fast. He assumed 'very' to all three. The point of the spear was down and level with the dog, ready for the first move by it. Shane had fought off one before, but it was like a normal dog in size, and that was an experience he was happy not to repeat. But fate had other ideas in store for him, so he readied himself as best as he could.

Shane blinked at the wrong moment. When his eyes opened again, the dog was racing for him and starting to lunge. Shane Moved forward a little, ramming the butt of the spear into the ground, keeping the point aimed at the body of the fast approaching devil dog. But his aim was off, only catching the lower part of the creature's body as it sailed over his head. Shane spun around as the creature landed with a loud thud, turning itself around quickly to try attacking him again. Shane tried to get the spear lined up, but the beast was too quick. He smacked it on the side of the snout, the point of his spear gouging a long, bloody line down its flank until the tip slammed into the thigh.

The impact spun Shane around, sending him to the road with a hard, jarring impact. He stopped rolling on his back, and before he had a chance to move, the creature was standing over him, bringing a set of wicked looking teeth down on his shoulder. He dropped his spear, clutching for his knife as the teeth punctured his flesh, and started straining his bones. The intense pain almost blinded him, driving away most of his thoughts save for those concerned with grabbing his dagger. Screaming in pain, feeling the warmth of his blood and the dog's drool over his shoulder, he rammed the blade into the neck. The dog leapt back, howling in pain and surprise, joined by a fresh wave of screams from Shane as the teeth came free, adding to the damage to his shoulder. The dagger lost, he gabbed the spear, and scrambled, crawled and slid away from the wounded beast. He found his feet, feeling light headed. He walked fast, swaying and staggering, towards cover. He felt the blood running free from his wound. The five metres he had to cover felt more like five kilometres, and when he got there, he slipped through the gap in the broken door, sliding down the wall into a warm and welcoming oblivion.

 

[heartofcourage]

Brittle grass crunched under the soles of her sturdy boots as she made her way along the edge of the city. Lilly made it a point to not come back as often as possible to the center of where things had begun. The people that remained behind were often as vicious as the experiments that the aliens had left behind.

Lilly had a good life before the invasion had begun. She had studied to be a doctor, entering her last semester of med school at the top of her class It was a degree that was guaranteed to take her far away from her past where she’d grown up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, learning to live off the land because her family was too poor to provide for so many mouth to feed. She’d had a large family, six brothers and sisters, all of whom worked on the family land. Well, they had. She had been unable to find them since that first night that the world had changed forever.

It was funny. The first moment that the aliens had appeared in the city, she had packed what she could from her apartment in the city into her old beat up pick up truck and headed straight into the country. She had slept in that truck for nights on end in the freezing weather until she happened upon a farmhouse a couple of miles outside of the city that had seen better days. She watched it for about a week, finally deciding that the people that had been there were gone for good. It was hers now, fortified and strengthened with everything that she could need. The life that she’d once run from was what was saving her life now.

Lilly stopped in her tracks, dropping down on one knee and raising the Mosin-Nagant she carried as she heard the sounds of a wounded Devil Dog. The city rising before her blocked her view, but it sounded near and it sounded pissed off. It’s cries would most certainly draw other creatures in for a kill. The sounds tapered off into the distance and it was a few moments later that she felt safe enough to move from the crouch.

Slinging the Mosin back over her shoulder, she made her way towards the direction that the howls had come from. It was a part of the city still on the outskirts, scavenged of nearly everything that anyone could possibly take. There were parts of the city that were virtually untouched, but they were more dangerous, enclosed by tall sky scrapers and a prison of asphalt and concrete.

She hated coming back to the city from her little farm, but there were times when her supplies dwindled and she was forced to take her kit, her pick up, and her Mosin and scavenge just like everyone else. Walking carefully down the street, she picked up on a blood trail that led down the road, away from a convenience store and into a denser section of the city. She knelt at a particularly large patch of blood in the street and touched her fingers to it. It was still warm.

Looking around her surroundings, she noticed a second trail which lead to a gap in a broken store front. The Mosin at the ready, she carefully made her way to the building, leading the way through the gap with the barrel at the ready. She paused in the dimly lit space, taking in the scene of a man with a bloody shoulder wound passed out against a far wall.

Kneeling beside the man, Lilly took his pulse, noting a thready beat but her was still alive. She took her kit off, placing it beside her and laying the Mosin on the ground within her reach. Unzipping the pack, she pulled out her first aid kit, taking a supply of bandages and alcohol from inside. She set to work tending the man’s wounds the best she could in the dark interior of the shop.

 

[marauder13]

The warm, welcoming oblivion gave way to memories.

Young Shane was down at the local playground, going back and forth on the swing. It was one of the few things he could do by himself, and the other kids wouldn't get in the way. He had been watching a group of teenagers who staked out one corner with a few benches. They looked wary, but had lots of other people come up. They'd always meet with one boy, something would be traded, then the other person would leave. Sometimes, it would have several times while he was there.

A little older, in the same playground, the same group was involved in a fight with some other teenagers. They all had knives, some had guns, but they were all intent on hurting or killing each other. The playground was empty, expect for Shane hiding in the sole tree. He knew even then, the safest thing for him to do was stay where he was and wait out the fight. But one of the outsiders made a dash for the tree, and started to climb. Shane knew he was in trouble. He kept still, and the bigger boy moved along a branch below his, taking out his pistol and aiming at someone. Shane kicked him. They fought in the tree, and Shane got the pistol off the other lad. Without any hesitation, Shane shot him in the head.

Everything faded, then came his most vivid memory

Everyone waited for the 21st of December, 2012 for the next major marker point for yet another non appearing apocalypse. A few dedicated folk who believed that the world would end were prepared for that, rather than for another hyped up non event. Like most of the world, Shane Dunlap went about his days as per normal. That day was just another day, regardless of what significance anyone else put on it. He had work to do, and if he didn't get it done, other people wouldn't be happy, and they maimed people who made them unhappy.

If they were in a good mood to start with.

He saw his mark leave the office, and head for his car. Shane took a fair bit of effort to make sure that all the closer parking places were unavailable, and the mark had to park further away that normal. He sauntered off to get to his position, walking in front of the mark to help reduce any paranoia he might have. Shane walked onto the sidewalk, dropping to on knee, making a how of fixing his shoelace as the mark continued to close. While he was down there, Shane pulled out the blade he needed, and simply waited for the right moment.

The mark drew level, and Shane stood up, driving the blade through the softer skin and muscle under the man's solar plexus until it tore a great gash in the man's heart. Before he could even register what had happened, he was dead. Shane lowered the corpse to the ground, removing his wallet, watch and any other obvious valuables before leaving with the man's case.

Shane didn't know why the man was to be killed. He didn't need to know. He just did as he was told, got his pay and kept going as per normal. Except, he never got the chance to collect his dues on his last job. He looked up to see the ship slowly descending from the sky, bringing with it horrors he was still trying to erase from his mind.


Shane became aware of something else nearby. He was too weak to do anything about it, but he opened his eyes. He wasn't sure if it was better that it was a human, and not another hybrid monster. Sometimes, humans were worse than the monsters. At times, he was. Whoever she was, she was a different cut from the rest of the people he had seen. She wasn't rifling his pockets, or his bag. She hadn't cut his throat, or stabbed him to death. He turned his eyes to his wounded right shoulder. The wound wasn't as bad as he first through. Two teeth front and back caught him, missing important stuff from the looks of it. More surprisingly, she was tending him.

He rolled his head back to face her. She was a little gaunt like everyone else. Hard work, sparse supplies and numerous worries did that to the survivors. He did note the rifle over her shoulder, and something about it told him that the woman knew how to use it.

He worked what little saliva he had in his mouth around to allow him to get something out that sounded vaguely English when he finally spoke in a deep, croaky wheeze. "Thanks, Doc. I... hope you... don't want... insurance, do you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly worked in relative silence as she flushed out the man’s puncture wounds with alcohol. Two of them looked as if they’d need stitches and she wasn’t really prepared to do that kind of job in a run down piece of shit department store. She ripped the man’s shirt open where the wound had been allowing her more space to work as she began to dress the places where the dog had sank his teeth through the man’s flesh.

She was surprised when the man started to talk and humor lit up her dark brown eyes as she ripped off a piece of medical tape with her teeth to finish bandaging him. “Nah. Just promise not to kill me when I’m done and I think we can call it even.” She said, her voice carrying a dark husky note. “You’re going to need stitches, my friend, and you’ve lost quite a bit of blood. Are you feeling light headed?”

She carefully patted the tape into place, tucking the left over roll into her kit once more before pulling out a large bandage and placing his arm into a sling to immobilize the shoulder. Pulling out a water bottle, she twisted the cap and held it to his lips, encouraging him to drink in slow sips. When he was done, she poured some of the liquid on her hands to wash away his blood. When she was finished, she quietly and efficiently packed away her supplies and took an appraising look at the man in front of her.

“I’m Lilly. I was out looking for supplies when I heard that dog howling blocks away. You must have got him good from the amount of blood in the street.” At that moment, the sound of a howl pierced the quiet store. It sounded far away, but in the corridors of the city one could really never be certain. She turned her head towards the door she’d entered through, her dark brown hair swinging in the ponytail she’d pulled it into that morning.

She stood from the man’s side, her kit forgotten on the floor as she drew the Mosin and made her way back to the door, crouching to look through it to see if the damned beast had returned. It looked clear outside, but it was best to err on the side of caution. Standing back up, she looked around the interior of the mostly ransacked building. It was looking like this run to town was going to prove mostly fruitless and she sighed softly to herself.

She kept herself physically strong, her height proving to her advantage most of the time. She was tall for a woman, standing well over 5’10 and the hard work she’d put back into surviving in this new world showed in her well muscled body. It made her feel better just knowing that whatever happened to her, she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

Now, she felt obligated to take care of the man that she’d found. He was hurt. Perhaps it was the doctor in her that wanted to help him or maybe it was the loneliness of spending everyday alone, but she found herself walking back to him and taking him by his good arm, helping him to his feet.

“Let’s get you up and moving. I know we just happened to meet and most of the time people you meet in the city are completely bat shit crazy, but I would feel immensely better if you came with me until you’re healed. After that, you can be on your way if you wish.”

Lilly McKenzie wasn’t a stupid person. She knew very well that this man might kill her where she stood to get the contents of the bag she’d placed on the ground, but it was a risk she was willing to take.

 

[marauder13]

Shane had been patched up enough times to know the difference between someone who knew what they were doing, and someone who didn't. Whoever she was, she had some idea of what she was up too. He gritted his teeth through the pain of her washing his wounds. For a brief moment, he was awake enough to make out some of the details of the woman before him. Dark eyes bright with intelligence, her dark hair pulled back from her face which showed the effects of the sun. Calm, sure hands worked on his shoulder, going where they were needed, causing as little discomfort as they could.

“Nah. Just promise not to kill me when I’m done and I think we can call it even. You’re going to need stitches, my friend, and you’ve lost quite a bit of blood. Are you feeling light headed?”

"Kill you? Are you fucking kidding?" The short laugh pulled up with a hiss of pain. "You're the first kind person I've met in years. Lady, you checked my wounds rather than checked my pockets. Me killing you is the last thing you need to worry about, even if I was fully fit.

"Yeah, I'm light headed. Lost maybe a pint and a half from the feel of it. I'll need maybe a day or two flat out somewhere."

When she gave him some sips of water, his amazement concerning her went up even higher. What she did for him gave him something to focus on rather than the pain. He felt slightly better, and a little more clearer. Shane briefly wondered what she would have looked like fed properly and in something more feminine and slightly frivolous. His imagination told him that she would have been stunning.

'She's not bad from where I'm sitting.'

“I’m Lilly. I was out looking for supplies when I heard that dog howling blocks away. You must have got him good from the amount of blood in the street.”

"Hi Lilly, I'm Shane. Sorry if I don't shake your hand. Yeah, I got a good couple of pieces of him, but I lost my dagger along the way."

Shane heard the howl. It was the same one he tangled with earlier. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the sound, rather than letting himself get caught up looking at Lilly. He wasn't close, but he sure was sounding pissed. Not that he could do much to defend himself, Shane grabbed the spear, and got it a little closer to himself.

As Lilly walked back, he felt comfortable at the way she was holding the rifle. Her manner told him clearly that she knew how to use it, and he would safely guess that she was a good shot too. She also appeared to be in reasonable health, as she moved well, and seemed to be in good shape.

He didn't realise how tall she was until she helped him to his feet. He was used to looking down to most people, and he still did with her, but not by much. Shane was a fraction over six feet tall in bare feet, with broad shoulders and the typical survivor's leaner build. Light brown hair was roughly cut short so it couldn't get in his blue eyes, and was hard to get a handful. Likewise his face was covered with hair too long for stubble and too short for a beard. The flannel shirt, jeans and boots all had signs of being well worn, thought the shirt was a goner due to the medical help.

Once his head stopped spinning, he slowly squatted down to pick up his spear, and prop it against the wall, then lift up his bag.

“Let’s get you up and moving. I know we just happened to meet and most of the time people you meet in the city are completely bat shit crazy, but I would feel immensely better if you came with me until you’re healed. After that, you can be on your way if you wish.”

"One minute, Lilly. What were you coming in here to find? What kind of supplies? I know of a few things around the place that haven't been scavenged yet. Well, I've scavenged them and hid them for later times. Since you've come this far, might as well make it worth the trip. It's the least I can do to thank you for saving me."

He swung the bag over his good shoulder, grimacing with pain as it settled, then took up the spear as a walking stick. He took a few steps, his head still a little light, making movement dodgier than he would normally like. But to remain there, even with armed backup, was not the most ideal of places to be. Even nearby, there were far safer places to stay.

"The choice is yours, Lilly. But, I'll say this again. You've saved my life. Unless you try and kill me, you've got nothing to fear from me. I never forget a good deed done, nor a bad deed."

 

[heartofcourage]

The way the man talked, Lilly knew he was born and raised in a big city. There was something about people that had spent all their lives in a concrete jungle that simply made them different from someone from the country. It wasn’t a bad thing. Perhaps a personality more suited to survival on another level.

When he confessed his lightheadedness, she nodded and leaned down to pull the straps of her backpack over her arms. “I thought as much. Once we get you back to where I live, we’ll get some warm food and painkillers in you.” She said as she watched him stand before her as if he weren’t injured. She could see the blurry edge of pain in his eyes and the determination to continue no matter the cost.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Shane.” She said with a slight smile as he asked what she’d come to find in the city that day. “A little bit of everything. Some more medical supplies, food to supplement my stock, maybe some cloth and canvas.” She gave a slight shrug as if to say that she was really looking for anything.

Her clothes were a bit worn, the jeans and long t-shirt she wore a little frayed around the edges, but serviceable enough and clean. Still, it never hurt to have extra, even if they were handmade. Over that she had pulled a thick sweater and a cargo vest which was packed with extra shells for the Mosin and the spark plugs from her truck. She knew better than to leave a perfectly good vehicle for any length of time no matter how well it ran.

She bit her lip to keep from scolding him when he lifted his own pack, causing more pain to flare in his eyes. She could have taken the extra weight for him, but she didn’t know if it would add insult to injury. She debated for a long moment, noticing how it slowed him down. With rest, he’d be fine, but right now time was an issue. She took the pack from him and slung it over her own free shoulder, giving him a look that would silence any debate on his part. This was about survival. Nothing more.

“I suppose we’ll need to collect your things and find you a new shirt most definitely.” She said as she motioned for him to follow her, checking to make sure the coast was clear before they stepped back into the street. She took the Mosin from her shoulder, letting it lead the way even though she was now encumbered by another pack. It was fine, she could make due for the time being. “Show me where you’ve been hiding things and then we can make our way back South and out of the city. I don’t want to be here when night comes.”

Night in a city was like a whole different world. Even after everything she’d seen since the invasion the thought of being stuck there overnight made her skin crawl.

 

[marauder13]

Shane was going to tell her off for taking his bag off him. He was injured, and a little slow, but he was not an invalid. But then his intellect caught up with his emotions, and he saw she was doing something sensible. She was in a far better state physically than he was, so she was better able to bear his load. Plus, he did find himself moving a little better without it. His personal honour, and ego, wouldn't allow him to let it go without at least giving her a dirty look.

“I suppose we’ll need to collect your things and find you a new shirt most definitely.”

"Well, the first job's already done, Lilly. Everything of mine, bar the dagger decorating that Devil Dog's neck, is in that bag."

“Show me where you’ve been hiding things and then we can make our way back South and out of the city. I don’t want to be here when night comes.”

He came to a stop for a moment, quickly getting his bearings. "Food, medical supplies, cloth and canvas. Heading south... Ok, head west. Second intersection, turn left. The Devil Dog went north so we should be right for a while. And if we start running out of daylight, I know somewhere safe we can hole up for the night."

Shane found his rhythm after a few minutes, and maintained a good pace with the aid of the spear. While still a little wobbly, the goal and company helped Shane find the reserves he needed to move.

"You know, this is a sign of the times. Normally the Knight in Shining Armour is the man rescuing the woman in trouble. Must be that equal rights thing in action, huh?" He gave her a broad grin to show he was making light with what he was saying. "Let me guess? Country gal? I don't know many city types who know how to hold a rifle like you do. Plus, I'd say you'd be a fair shot with it too. If it was in the hands of anyone else, I'd kill 'em for that gun, Lilly. Luckily for you, I'd kill anyone trying to take it from you."

At each corner, Shane slowed, checking both ways for any signs of trouble. At the first corner, he saw signs of people in the distance, but they went to ground soon after being seen. The streets were still littered with miscellaneous debris from the damaged buildings, including shards of glass, broken concrete and twisted pieces of metal. Broken bodies of cars and trucks could be seen, all of them mere skeletons of their previous selves.

"OK, a couple of blocks down this way is a stash of cloth and a couple of MREs. Most of my other stuff is hidden further north, and I'm not in a good enough state to help you out with those just yet. But there is a little bad news. There are some people who've kinda claimed the area as their own, and may try and stop us. They don't like the sight of their own blood on the ground, so be prepared to wing one of them if you need to. We may not need to, but be prepared all the same."

Shane gave her a few moments to prepare, then rounded the corner and headed toward the location of his stash.

 

[heartofcourage]

Waiting for Shane to lead the way, she fixed the strap of his bag so it rested across her body, more secure and allowing her the ability to move faster. She kept a brisk pace, stopping even few feet to allow him to get his bearings and work through the pain. She couldn’t help by smile as he talked. It seemed he liked to talk…a lot. That was fine by her, she’d spent too many lonely days in silence.

“Just remember that at this moment a woman can totally kick your ass.” She said back with a grin when he mentioned equal rights. It had nothing to do with proving that she was better than anyone else. She had a compassionate nature and the need to help those that needed a helping hand. Some had called her weak for it, but she saw it as a strength.

“Yeah, I grew up on a farm until I was seventeen. Then I got out of there as fast as I could because I knew if I didn’t, I’d stay right there on that farm and never leave.” Why had she confessed that? She mentally scolded herself as she listened to the conversation that Shane was trying to make. He would have killed her for her weapon. She’d heard that statement more than she cared for from other survivors. They were willing to kill for survival, no matter how gruesome the thought was. “I guess I should be flattered that a city boy isn’t going to murder me.”

She let Shane look down the streets, checking to make sure that there was no trouble. She kept the Mosin trained in front of her, the bolt in place and ready for action. She took a moment to listen to what he had stashed away in this area of the city, making mental note of the space that she had in her pack. It shouldn’t be a problem, she thought as she took a good look at his face. He seemed pale, a thin sheen of sweat beading on his face. She really didn’t need him going into shock, but he seemed determined to keep going.

The street was eerily quiet as they entered into hostile territory. Since the invasion, she had learned to hone her senses, to listen for small noise and seek out anything that looked out of place. It had saved her life on more than one occasion. Travelling one block seemed too easy. A second was just the warm up. The third was where the trouble was. She could feel tension in the air and smell it before she saw the people that would block their path from their final goal. She stopped, the Mosin raised and her hand on the trigger, ready to defend the both of them at a moment’s notice.

 

[marauder13]

The group that came out of cover to stop them reminded Shane of human sized rats. Long drawn faces constantly searching the air, looking around, never quite still. Courageous in numbers or when cornered, otherwise happy to disappear at the first signs of trouble. Even with the advantage of numbers, Lilly's gun was making them rather cautious.

"Piss off. Our land. Our place. Piss off!" Even the largest of them looked very rodent like as he gave them their directions. Shane saw that the shirtless man was very wiry, and could easily take Shane down in a brawl if things went bad.

"We're moving through. Too many Devil spawn that way," he thumbed further west, "and this is shortest way not going through all them devil critters."

As he thought, the mention of the hybrids got the group taking a collective step backward, looking around even more sharply. The leader looked closer at Shane's shoulder, a strange light coming into his eyes.

"What do that?"

"Devil Dog."

"Liar."

"Not lie. Left it with long cut along side, and a dagger in the neck. Decided I was not worth eating."

"See Devil dog with bloodied neck and side. Been hunting us for days now. Leave us alone now for days. Maybe forever." He was still looking at them with that strange look. "You go through this time. Come back, treat like any other that come to steal."

Shane nodded, never taking his eyes of them. He waited, as they did, until they got the hint that he wasn't going to move until they backed off. When they got to what he felt was a safe distance, yet remained in the open, Shane started moving away, heading to where he had one of his stashes. He kept his eye on them by looking over his shoulder at random times, but they remained where they were.

"I hate having such a low opinion of people, but I think that they're going to do something stupid soon."

Shane led Lilly to a corner of a large office tower, indicating she should keep going west instead of south. "Take the first entrance you get to, and wait there for me."

He looked back, seeing the crowd melting back into the buildings. He turned and followed Lilly as fast as he safely could, joining her inside the foyer. Due to rents in the facade, enough light came through to make it easy for them to see where they were going. He took the lead once more, finding a stair well that was still accessible. Piles of junk, and missing chucks of stairs slowed them down, but they still made their way up to the third floor without too much trouble.

The light didn't penetrate as well there as down below, so Shane used the butt of his spear to test the floor in front of him as he shuffled along. He softly counted out loud whenever he reached a door, stopping when he reached the fourth door of their right.

"Now, let's see if I can do this left handed." He pulled out a set of lock picks, inserting one into the door lock, and getting it into position. He then shuffled around to hold the pick in his right hand while he moved a second one into the lock. He fiddled, teasing the tumblers into place between groans, soft curses and pleads.

"Come on, come on, come on... dammit, so close. We're almost there, just one more little bit, you bastard... ahhh... got it." He slowly turned the handle, then opened the door enough to clear the frame before he retrieved his picks. He turned to look ay Lilly triumphantly. "Well, it seems I can do it left handed after all."

The door revealed a room that was at one stage an executive's office, The room seemed to be mostly untouched, though there were no electronics available in the room. In the cavity under the desk sat two rolls of cloth. Each was three feet long, one was of a deep blue cotton like material, the other a brownish green heavy fabric. Along with them were four packages of standard issue military rations, all unopened.

"Here it is. I hope it's the sort of thing you've been looking for. I have some room in my bag for the food, but little else. What'll you need most?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly kept her Mosin trained on the lead man in the group as Shane did all the talking. Any toe out of line from any of these men and she wouldn’t hesitate to blow his head off. Shane had said to wing them, but she wouldn’t take any caution. It was kill or be killed, she knew that lesson very well.

She didn’t lower the gun even as the rats fell back. She didn’t trust them and it was nice that Shane felt the same way. She would turn and look at them as they walked, making sure that they weren’t encroaching on their personal space. Any movement and she’d get trigger happy.

She moved along the side of the building that Shane led her to, taking his direction and entering into the foyer. It had once been a nice office building. She could see the touches in the architecture that probably made it very beautiful in its day. As she waited for Shane to follow, she walked towards the old security desk, surprised at her luck in finding an old first aid kit in one of the desk drawers that hadn’t been scavenged. She was placing that into her pack when Shane reappeared.

“Don’t worry. You’re not that only one with a low opinion of people like that. You should meet some of the people that live near my place. Complete and total fanatics that make those guys look like saints.” She said with a shrug as she followed him into the stairwell and allowed him to lead the way.

In the stairwell, she made sure to pull the safety on the Mosin. It wouldn’t do for her to trip and accidentally shoot one of them. Slinging it over her shoulder, she helped to steady Shane as they trekked up the flights, taking the moment that he paused to use his spear to guide them to check his pulse and feel for fever. She was extremely concerned for his health, even if he seemed to be holding his own for the moment.

Leaning against a wall as he pulled out lock picks, she couldn’t stifle the chuckle that left her throat. “Talk any dirtier to that door and you’ll have it blushing.” She grinned at him as he turned to look at her with a sense of triumph. “My left handed hero.” She said in passing as he held the door open for her.

The room was large and well lit, offering a nice view of the city beyond dirty windows. She looked around the walls at photos of the man that had once occupied this office, wondering briefly what had happened to him. She took her time in walking around the office, checking for things that might be useful in the future.

“You think this guy is still alive?” She asked absently as she pocketed a metal letter opener, a box of matches from the man’s desk, ink pens, paper, most anything that seemed inconsequential in everyday life. She would find a use for it sooner or later.

Kneeling beside Shane, she looked at the supplies he had hidden. The cloth would be nice for new clothes but the green cloth had its merits too. She opened Shane’s bag first, checking for the room and seeing that he was indeed telling the truth. It was pretty packed in the first place. “We’ll put the food in here. I’ve got enough room in mine for both bolts of cloth. This will have to do for today. I don’t want to spend anymore time in this city than we have to.” She carefully rearranged things in both packs, making sure everything would fit. She gave Shane a triumphant grin of her own when both packs zipped once more. “Just leave it to a woman to do all the packing.”

Looking at Shane closely, she noticed just how good looking he was. Despite his injury, she knew he was physically strong and on some level, that appealed to Lilly. It had been a long time since she’d found someone that was strong enough to look after her as well. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts as she mentioned that they should get going. They still had to get to her truck before nightfall.

She let him lead the way, following closely behind him as they climbed back down the stairway. On the bottom floor, she released the safety, waiting for Shane to take a look outside to make sure the coast was clear. Following behind him, she kept the Mosin raised, looking out for anything suspicious.

She was caught unaware when something heavy slammed into the stone wall above their heads. She let out a scream and ducked as she stone shrapnel rained down on them. A pain flared in her cheek and she knew that she’d been cut. Gun raised, her eyes opened and she took aim at the direction the object had come from. She spotted a rat boy and had to stop herself from shooting his head off. She fired off one shot, catching him in the leg and sending him spinning to the ground. Quickly discharging the casing, she slid the bolt back home and took aim again, wondering if another attack would be quick in coming.

 

[marauder13]

Shane saw that Lilly was a seasoned scavenger, lifting items about the place that would be of use in some manner or other. Shane was the same, but he lived light, spreading his wealth about the city so he could fetch it as needed. He was a nomad, living off the land as he moved, never trying himself down anywhere long enough to grow too complacent.

Her question was a little too much to think about. So many people had died. From the invasion, the war that somehow threw them back, and then the aftermath of the entire thing. So few people had the skills, the desires and the moral flexibility to survive in the world left behind. Shane only really cared about whether he was alive or not. Well, until recently. Lilly was now on that list too. She saved him. He'd never forget it.

He helped her pack as best he could with one arm out of action, ignoring her little quip about 'woman packing', but giving her a little smile. He caught her looking at him, studying him. He held her gaze, unwavering. He wanted to measure up to her. Deep down, he wanted her to approve of him. To feel that she didn't waste valuable supplies on patching him up.

They got back downstairs without any mishaps, but Shane was on edge. He was waiting for something to happen. Something that should have occurred by then. After a quick look outside, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. It was all clear, so he started to head out.

He was caught by surprise as much as Lilly was when the rock shattered above their heads. He heard her scream. He wanted to look to check on her, but kept his eyes forward. He saw the boy, loading his sling again. But Lilly was on him, shooting his leg and dropping him to the ground. Shane scanned the area, and saw other rats breaking cover and advancing on them.

Shane ushered Lilly inside, moving her towards the security desk. Anyone entering would be back lit and easily -

The fist caught the side of Shane's face. He'd been in enough brawls to go with the flow, letting most of the energy dissipate rather than damage him. As he spun away from the blow, he kicked out backward, his booted foot landing in the attacker's groin. Shane smiled at his lucky hit, continuing his spin until he was facing his doubled over opponent. His knee met the man's face with a loud crunch, sending him onto his back with a spray of blood gushing like a fountain from his broken face.

He heard cries from outside as the rats closed on the door, ignoring them in the hope that Lilly could keep them at bay while he checked for others hiding in the foyer. Keeping himself low, he grabbed his spear and got it ready under his left arm. He scrutinized every inch of the foyer looking for anywhere someone could hide.

He rounded a corner, to find another rat huddled, crying softly and cringing. In the young woman's hand was a large, heavy bladed machete. She looked up at him, her eyes full of fear, and tears. Shane looked at her, never taking his eyes off her, the point of the spear ready in case she did anything. He plunged the tip deep in her chest, her eyes widening in pain and shock. She bent her head to see the spear embedded in her body, the action continuing as she died. He pulled the spear out, grabbing the machete by the cord hanging from the handle.

He turned to be greeted by another attacker, armed with a dagger. The man grabbed Shane's right arm, pulling it hard.

"Fuck!" Shane's cry echoed loudly through the foyer as he felt blood flow anew from the wounds. "Prick." He ducked the wild swing, feeling the breeze of the dagger move his hair. Shane dropped the spear, turning to dodge a thrust to his body which cut the inside of his right arm. He flipped the machete up into his hand, steadying his grip while he waited for the man's next attack. When he moved, he put a leg forward to steady himself, and Shane swung his blade right at the calf muscle. The metal bit deep, stopping at the bone. His attacker's wail filled the room. Shane reached up behind the bleeding leg, grabbing the man by his balls. The other man squealed like a pig trying to raise himself up from the vice like grip. Shane got to his feet, guiding the man to beside the front door.

"Be a good boy, and tell them to back off. Or no more fucking for you."

Shane pushed him into the front door. before the man could say a word, two arrows thumped into his chest, killing him. Shane let his body fall out the door, and waited where he was to see how they took that bit of news.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly sank behind the guard’s station, reloading the Mosin as Shane made sure the rest of the foyer was clear. She could hear the fist connect with the side of Shane’s head and she let loose a torrent of words that would have made a sailor blush. She didn’t need him any more injured than he already was. She swooped back up over the top of the guard’s station, the Mosin at the ready as she shoot the man that Shane had laid out flat on the ground. The sound of the gun echoed around the foyer, loudly ringing through the front doors and causing rats to scurry for cover.

“Piece of shit assholes.” She murmured again as she threw Shane’s kit to the ground, shrugging off her pack to dig through an exterior pocket. She always traveled prepared and luckily today was no different.

Absently she watched as Shane took care of the man with the dagger, his body riddled with arrows the moment Shane pushed him outside. Lilly shook her head at the savagery that these people operated with, but it really didn’t surprise her. This is why she hated coming deep into the city. She noticed Shane’s wound was bleeding again, a new cut on his other arm and his face was swollen and red. They needed an escape plan, something she was more than willing to provide them.

Wiping blood from her cheek, she pulled out baggies of various powders and liquid, mixing it all into an empty water bottle. Pulling back on her pack and placing Shane’s kit around her shoulders again, she handed him the Mosin for a moment.

“Something I picked up in chemistry class.” She said with a grin. Picking up the water bottle, she shook the ingredients inside before she hurried to the opened door and chunked it into the street. A few moments later a loud pop could be heard outside, followed by the scurrying of people as they ran for cover.

“We’ve got about a minute before they realize that wasn’t a real bomb. You think you can run?” She asked, taking the Mosin back and holding it at the ready. She didn’t want to but the unspoken promise was that she would leave him behind if need be. “Let’s head back the way we came and I’ll get us to my truck. Keep your eyes peeled.”

Lilly took a deep breath, made sure the Mosin was ready to go, and then she stepped out of the building, breaking into a run the moment she was clear of the door. She hoped Shane was behind her. She hoped he wouldn’t give up.

 

[marauder13]

Shane kept taking quick looks out the doorway, checking on the activities of those outside. The fact that one of their number was now dead outside seemed to make them less enthusiastic about pushing their advantage. Between peeks he saw Lilly rummaging about before putting on both of their bags, and handing him her rifle.

“Something I picked up in chemistry class.”

She saw her shake the bottle vigourously before lobbing it outside. When he heard the sound, he smiled knowing what she had done.

“We’ve got about a minute before they realize that wasn’t a real bomb. You think you can run? Let’s head back the way we came and I’ll get us to my truck. Keep your eyes peeled.”

She took the rifle back, getting it ready for use. Shane knew there were tines for responses, and times for telling her that she didn't have to tell him things like 'Keep your eyes peeled', but right before making a break for it was not one of those times.

Then, she was off. Shane was about three paces behind her, because his shoulder made standing up a little more difficult. So did running with an arm in a sling. But shane had all the inspiration in the world to keep running. In the middle of people trying to kill him for being in the wrong part of town, his greatest inspiration to run was the ass ahead of him, and not wanting to loose sight of it.

'About to be killed by raving loonies over some fabric, and all you think about is a good looking woman's ass. I'm a sick fucker.'

He managed to break his anatomical line of thought enough to think about how they worked together so soon. She was tough in the way he liked a woman to be tough. Tough between the ears. She was willing to pull her weight, take the lead when it was the right thing to do. She wasn't a screamer like on those cheep slasher flicks. He was starting to like her, and he hoped that she wouldn't mind letting him hang around for a bit. Maybe even drop back in on her while he wandered about.

The run reached a point where thinking about anything was getting hard. His head was starting to get light again, and his right arm was feeling a lot damper than the rest of him. He'd lost track of how many blocks that had covered. If he was capable of thinking, he would have been surprised that they hadn't been attacked by anyone along the way. That normally meant something worse was around.

He couldn't run any further. His lungs were feeling like they wanted to explode, his head was about to float off and his shoulder reminded him of exactly what it thought of the punishment it had received. He slowed, coming to a stop. Breathing hard, he tried to call to Lilly. But ahead of them was what he thought was the truck she had mentioned. Still, no humans.

He looked around quickly as he dropped to his knees. His heart almost stopped beating when he saw why there were no humans around. Approaching the truck, carefully and with some degree of stealth was one of the Dwarfs, safely encased in his armoured suit. Shane thought they were gone, but one of them was approaching Lilly, and he hoped to God she would see it before it saw her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Run or die.

Run or die.

Run or die.

That’s the only thing Lilly’s brain was screaming at her as she ran. Her flight or fight response was kicking in and she was definitely running for her life through the concrete and glass corridors of the city. She could hear Shane behind her, the heavy footfalls and breathing reassuring her that her was only a step or two away. She could definitely feel the extra weight of his pack, her endurance which she had worked up over the past months was already depleting but she couldn’t stop. If she stopped, then they were screwed.

She didn’t even let them stop as they went through new parts of the city. Not until she caught sight of her truck in the distance. The rusty old blue hunk of junk was such a welcome sight that she felt a giddy joy at even spotting it resting alongside a brush pile. She affectionately called it ‘The Beast’. It was an old beat up two-seater farm truck that had seen better days but it was the first thing she’d ever learned the drive and one of the only things she’d kept of her old life on her family farm. She’d bought it from her father the day she moved to the city and it had served her well since the fall of civilization.

It had been a bitch to try and find fuel for it, but she’d been pleasantly surprised at the stockpile that she’d been able to get going by scavenging in gas stations. She made sure to keep it in top condition and she also made sure that the damn thing wouldn’t run when she wasn’t around. It wouldn’t do for her to come back from a trip to find it stolen. That was why her vest currently had a pocket full of spark plugs while her jeans held the keys to the ignition.

She heard Shane stop running as they came upon the truck but she thought nothing of it. With his wound, she was surprised that he had kept up with her for all the blocks that he had. All she was going to do was pop the hood, get the truck back in working order and then they could load up and get the hell out of dodge.

Lilly dropped both packs to the ground in front of the truck and propped the Mosin within easy reach. She had just reached for the latch on the hood when she heard something rustling in the grass to the right of her. Glancing to the side, her eyes widened when she saw a Dwarf heading her way in a protective suit. She ducked down quickly, crouching out of site as the thing inspected the side of the truck, trying to door to see if it would open.

Shit, Lilly thought, looking across the field to where Shane now lay, wondering if he had passed out or had hit the deck upon seeing the creature. The fucking things were suppose to dead or gone but there was one walking around as if it were the first days of the invasion. If it saw either one of them things could get back really quick. She had to think quickly.

She could bust the thing’s glass visor with the butt of the gun, but that still left the problem of a living Dwarf alerting others. She could take care of that. She just needed to act fast.

Lilly waited until the thing had drawn up next to where she was crouching before she swung up with the butt of the Mosin with a force that tumbled it to the ground. The Dwarf rolled on the ground disoriented for a moment, the wooden stock busting a crack in the surface of his protective mask. Lilly pounced quickly, hitting him again until the glass shattered and the creature looked up at her with an angry shriek. She didn’t even think to turn and fire the gun. She simple kept smacking the thing’s face with the butt of the rifle until there was nothing left but a bloody pulp and the creature lay still.

When she was done, she collapsed to the grass, panting at the exertion of the moment. She surveyed the area seeing neither Dwarf, Devil Dog, nor human. That suited her just fine. She’d had enough to last her months. She glanced towards Shane and saw him watching her intently and she grimaced to think that she was probably covered in bloody gore.

“Are you alright?” She called across the field to him, wondering if his injuries were getting the better of him.

 

[marauder13]

Before the invasion, Shane wasn't much for God. Now, he found himself praying at times with a heartfelt devotion that would shame a lesser saint.

"Lord, please, keep her safe. There are too few people like her about, and we need every one of them."

He lowered himself onto his better side, ignoring the stabs of pain as he did so. His request to the higher authority continued under his breath as he watched as best he could. He knew that his spear could puncture the suit enough if he thrust it from right in beside the creature. But with one arm out of commission, and very tired from the run and blood loss, he was useless. He was angry that the first time she really needed his help, he was unable to be there for her.

It seemed the alien didn't know Lilly was there, and was more interested in the truck. But it started to move around it closer to where Lilly was. Shane Slowly started to get to his knees, ready to distract it and give Lilly a chance to get clear.

But it got beside her, and Lilly attacked it with the butt of her rifle. Shane had not seen such ferocity in a long time, even longer from a woman. Lilly pounded the head of the Dwarf over and over. He saw the blood and other matter spray and splash out of the ruptured helmet until she finally stopped. Then, like a puppet with the strings cut, she dropped to the ground. He couldn't blame her at all.

Shane pushed himself to his feet, finding the energy to cover the distance between them.

“Are you alright?”

"Much fucking better know that you're still alive." He smiled at her as he closed, pausing to look at the work she did on the alien. It was one of those few times he was grateful for having an empty stomach. He moved to the front of the truck, found the latch, and popped the hood. He laughed sporadically.

"I'll give you an 'A' for the idea, but a 'F' for the execution." He reached into pocket, and pulled out a pair of spark plugs. "Not enough to have her run, but I do have enough in the kit bag to do it. Plugs are model neutral. Next time, take out the distributor cap. Just as effective, but no one carries around one for every type of vehicle out there.

"Give me yours, and I'll get her ready to run." He took the spark plugs, putting them in place and hooking up the cables while Lilly rested. The simple task took longer that it needed, but off handed and exhausted made his hand eye coordination practically non-existent. The hood came down with a loud bang that seemed loud enough to be heard throughout the entire city.

"Under normal circumstances, I would offer to drive, but I don't think that would be a good idea." Shane wandered over to stand near Lilly, offering her his good hand to help her stand. "So, let's go back to your place and have a hell of a good time. I'll promise not to make too much of a mess."

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly sat there and stared at the dead Dwarf for what seemed like an eternity as Shane came upon her, talking about something that she couldn’t quite comprehend in that moment. She brain was still on overdrive, the delicious feel of adrenaline steadily coursing through her veins. If she had it in her, she probably would have been vomiting over the blood and gore, but she at least kept that together.

Spark plugs…She looked up at Shane like he was crazy. Why the hell was he talking about spark plugs? “Oh..” She mumbled as she patted down her vest, pulling them out and handing them to him as she remember what she’d been doing in the first place.

She sat in the grass, listening to him work until the hood slammed shut and he was suddenly in front of her, holding out his hand to help her up. There wasn’t really a word to describe how weary she felt in that moment, but she still had a ways to go before she could rest. There was also Shane to worry about…

Letting him hoist her to her feet, she took a moment to assess his features, noting his skin was pale, the dark circles under his eyes, and the beads of sweat that covered his features. She checked his pulse one more time, a hand pressed to his forehead to make sure for the hundredth time that fever wasn’t setting in.

“I don’t think you’re in much of a condition to party, my friend.” She said as she bent down to retrieve both bags, slinging them into the back of the truck as she motioned for him to get in the passenger side as she retrieve a water bottle. Slipping into the driver’s seat, she tossed him the bottle, propped the Mosin next to her, and then stuck the key in the ignition and listened with a smile as the Beast purred to life.

“Take small sips. No use in making yourself sick. If you feel faint, you let me know.” Her voice was serious, her eyes looking at him with a concern that was very real. He was the first person that she’d found in this hellhole of a world that had actually been able to hold his own and help her. She didn’t want to lose that so quickly.

She pulled the truck into gear and pulled out of the hiding spot, sticking to the grassy hills parallel to the city roads until they were well beyond the outskirts. She didn’t want to take a risk in running into a booby trap that would render her means of transportation out of order.

She glanced at Shane from time to time as she smoothly changed gears, heading further and further away from the town and into the countryside. Her eyes were constantly watchful for anything that might be lurking, but she had found that the country was relatively peaceful compared to the hard fought existence in the city.

“Thanks for showing me your stash.” She said with a small smile towards him. “I can work that blue fabric into a new shirt for your since I had to mess up that one.” She said, motioning to the bloody stain and rip that had completely ruined his current attire. “When we get to my place, I can get you patched up and some painkillers in you. Then I’ll get you fed. It’s the least I can do.”

 

[marauder13]

The way she fussed over him, taking his temperature and checking his pulse made him feel like he was a little kid being checked by his mum. He took it in his stride, knowing that she was making sure that he was fine, and he guessed, letting her ease any concerns she may have.

“I don’t think you’re in much of a condition to party, my friend.”

That brought a much needed chuckle from him, which seemed to ease some tension within him. He got himself into the truck, fumbling the catch of the water bottle. The first small splash of water rehydrated his mouth, and little more.

“Take small sips. No use in making yourself sick. If you feel faint, you let me know.”

"Don't worry, Lilly. I wont be doing any macho shit on you." He took a small sip from the bottle, letting the cool liquid soothe his parched throat. As she drove, he took little sips. He been there before a few times, and knew what to do. He even saw the looks she sent his way, and he felt slightly embarrassed that he was causing those looks. He felt he was a burden on her, and that was the last thing he wanted to be to anyone.

He was pleased to see how careful she was driving, avoiding the road and keeping from the high ground. The more he saw of her, the more he was liking. Cool under fire, generous, determined smart enough to lead when needed, follow when needed, and still as pretty as anything.

He so wanted to sleep. The rocking motion of the truck coupled with the lack of blood and exhaustion made it hard to keep his eyes open. Falling asleep there would not be good. He needed to wait for her to check his wounds, patch him up and then he could sleep.

“Thanks for showing me your stash. I can work that blue fabric into a new shirt for your since I had to mess up that one. When we get to my place, I can get you patched up and some painkillers in you. Then I’ll get you fed. It’s the least I can do.”

"Whatever you feel up to doing, Lilly, is fine with me. You saved my life when you could have left me to die. Most other people would have." He sent a smile back her way. "Given the man I am, I wouldn't have blamed you if you did."

He shift a little in the seat, facing her more while taking pressure off his busted shoulder. In the full light of the sun, she cut an impressive sight. There was no doubting that she was a woman. Not one of those tractor driving brutes that would pass for a man in low light. Fine, no feminine, features that seemed to relish the caress of the sunlight. Whereas Shane, he was more straight lines that the soft curves that made up Lilly. One previous girlfriend, to use the phrase loosely, called him 'rugged', which he took to mean as 'not that good looking, but still worthy to fuck'.

"I guess I was best suited to live in a place like that, given how I lived before hand. You, I'd say you were a doc, or a nurse. You've got good hands, ones that know their way around a body. Me, while you saved lives, I took 'em. Professionally. Lived below the radar for the last few years. Then they came. Still kept killing, but rather than humans, I took out the Dwarfs. After they pissed off, well, better to stay where you know well, and I have been getting by one day at a time ever since."

He took a slightly longer sip from the bottle. "Pardon the ramble, but if I stop talking, then I'll probably pass out, which I think is not the best idea right now. But, if you're wanting to talk as well, feel free. I'd be a real idiot to not allow a pretty lady like you to have her say."

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly wasn’t sure what she was hearing at first as Shane described what he did in life before the invasion. She looked at him with an odd expression before she turned her gaze back out the windshield. He had just admitted to her that he was a paid killer and she had just saved his life. Lucky her picking up the only assassin in the city, she thought ruefully with a grin towards him as he talked about rambling on lest he pass out.

“I never got my degree. I still had one more class to go before we got invaded.” She said, changing gears once more for a particularly steep climb up a hill. “I wanted to be an ER doctor. I liked the fast pace style of medicine and the feeling of being able to save someone’s life. It got me off the farm at least.” She shrugged at the last statement as if really weren’t that important.

She’d thought a few times about going to her family farm, but it was over a hundred miles away. After the telephone systems had gone down, she’d lost touch completely with them all. She didn’t know if they were alive or dead. She preferred not to think about them if she could help it. The last time she had heard from her father he had said they were going to wait it out and see what happened. That had been an eternity ago.

She shook herself out of her thoughts, noticing how tired Shane looked in the light of day. She thought he was handsome, most certainly a rugged appearance, but handsome. He was made of study stuff and she hoped that would help him get through what was going to happen when they got to her home.

“When was the last time you had a good meal?” She asked, changing the subject to something more pleasant. “Not one of the nasty MREs but something fresh? I’ll definitely make sure to spoil you with some fresh chicken soup.”

Lilly certainly knew how to live on next to nothing. She had a little set up next to her house where she kept chickens and a goat for milk. She’d also managed to plant a small bed of crops that supplies her with fresh vegetables. It had been a miracle that she’d been able to actually find those things, but she always knew to count her blessings when they came to her.

After nearly 30 minutes of driving, she slowed the truck to a crawl as she turned onto a torn up dirt road, telling Shane to hold on as she guided the Beast along with expert ease up the dirt tracks and ruts until they were deep in the woodland. It didn’t look like anything was there, but soon a clearing came into view, hidden behind the thick trees, and in the middle of the clearing was her little home.

It was an old two room shack that someone had built and abandoned long ago. With some hard work, she’d made it livable with a wood stove and water barrels about to supply fresh water. She pulled the truck alongside the shack, pulling it into park and turning off the ignition.

“Home sweet home.” She said, looking at Shane.

 

[marauder13]

Shane liked the sound of her voice. Someone who talked, rather than screamed obscenities, threats or incoherent sounds. Her voice fit her, how he was perceiving her. He wanted to keep on her good side. He wanted company, human company. He thought he was doing OK by himself, but since meeting Lilly, he knew he was missing human contact. Friendship.

“I never got my degree. I still had one more class to go before we got invaded. I wanted to be an ER doctor. I liked the fast pace style of medicine and the feeling of being able to save someone’s life. It got me off the farm at least.”

He gave her a slight smile with half closed eyes. "Your secret's safe with me, Doc. I wont tell anyone you're not fully MD'ed."

'God, she is one good looking woman. Would have been nice to have met her when I could have had the chance to get her in bed. I think I could have done it too. Still, I just need to behave, and maybe she'll let me hang around. I'd like to hang around her some more.'

He heard her question, which stopped him from drifting off into a dangerous sleep. "A good meal?" He lifted his head, forcing his eyes open. "Before they came. Since then, it's been scavenger's suppers all the way." Just thinking about the chicken soup got his mouth watering and his stomach joining in on the action.

He furiously focused his attention on Lilly, staring at her as though his life depended on it. She was a loner, like him. Yet, she was making her way better than he was. She was doing lots right. Thinking ahead. Planning. Getting far enough away from the city to avoid trouble, yet close enough to reach when the need for supplies got too great.

What really got him was that no man, nor men, managed to get her. She kept herself free. women like her found themselves tied up, locked up or chained up somewhere for the delights of someone, or many. He'd seen it quite a few times when he traded with some of the gangs. He remembered women before the Dwarfs who loved that kind of thing. He had one or two himself for short flings. Put he doubted that every one of them he saw wanted to be there when they first got there. She managed to keep free, and he was going to help her stay that way. She deserved it more than anything else.

Shane had zoned out for a while, lost in the minute details of Lilly's profile while she drove. He couldn't remember a damned thing when they broke out of the tree into a small clearing. His mind jolted back into action as it thought they might be near her place.

“Home sweet home.”

"She's smart. She's tough. She damned fucking pretty too. I need to thank God for letting her cross my path."

The truck had come to a stop with Lilly looking his way as he realized that the internal monologue was anything but. He blinked a few times, never shifting his gaze.

"Damn. Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You're damned sexy and it's a shame I wont get the chance to fuck you."

His brows furrowed. "I'm not doing that good right now, Lilly. I think I need to lie down before I say something that could make things difficult for us while I am here." He turned himself carefully, opening the door and sliding out to stand on the ground. He found his spear, gabbing it and using it as a walking aid on his way to the shack that was her home.

"Shane... just shut the fuck up. You are sounding like an idiot." He staggered to what he hoped was the door, readying himself to wait for Lilly to catch up with him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her at Shane’s dazed observation of her positive attributes. She was smiling at him from across the cab of the truck when he muttered an apology and his despair at not being able to fuck her.

“Slow down there, city boy. The night’s still young. Who knows what you’ll be able to do.” She grinned at him as she left the truck, locking it up tight and grabbing their bags as Shane made his way to the door.

He was a man that was to the point and direct. She liked that about him. He’d also made no bones about being attracted to her and that did wonders for her self-esteem. Like most of the other survivors, she’d lost a bit of weight, gained some muscle, and at times she simply didn’t feel like herself. To have someone say that they were attracted to her…well, it was nice to hear.

She slung the packs back on and made her way to the shack, opening the door and ushering Shane into a small but tidy kitchen. It contained her canned provisions, an old wood stove, wash basin, and a table with chairs. She’d used some of the things from her former apartment to decorate the tiny space and while she thought it was homey, she could see now that it was just frivolous. She wondered if Shane would think the same.

“Go through the other door into the bedroom. Off with your shirt and sit on the bed. I’ll be in there in a moment.”

She watched as he struggled to move and she knew she was going to have to work quick before he passed out on her. She moved placed their packs near the door, propping the Mosin behind it and locking it tight for the time being. Moving to an old rug on the floor, she threw it back and pulled up the old trap door to what had been a root cellar.

Dropping down into the dark interior, she felt for what she needed. She’d scavenged medical supplies from wherever she’d gone and she knew better than to keep them out in the open where coke heads and drug users could get to the painkillers inside her kit. The root cellar was dark and dank, full of spiders and snakes at times, but she kept everything organized in a plastic water proof container.

Pushing the container into the kitchen, she hoisted herself back up and pulled out a stitch kit, a couple of pain killers, gloves, and some more alcohol. She wet a rag in a bucket of water and grabbed a cup full of the clean liquid before she entered into the bedroom.

Much like the kitchen the room was furnished in a Spartan style. She had a nice, comfy bed, the one luxury she allowed herself, a nightstand, a chair in the corner and a chest where she kept supplies and clothing. She had scavenged an old gun chest which she kept under the bed in case of emergency.

“It’s not much, but I think I’ve done pretty well.” She said, helping Shane to peel his shirt off his wounds before she offered him the painkiller and the cup of water. “I’m afraid I can’t really deaden you up much more than this, but I can make up for it with a good meal afterwards if you’re a good patient.”

She smiled at him as she began to wipe down the area first with her wet cloth to remove the blood and then with the alcohol to sanitize it. She kept looking at him for any sign of pain and discomfort, hoping that this didn’t hurt him too much.

“You know, I don’t think you sounded like an idiot earlier. It was kind of nice to hear something like that from a guy like you.” She ventured to tell him as a means of distraction as she readied to make her first stitch.

 

[marauder13]

The inside was warm, dry and worthy of further investigating when he was more awake. He had already said some things that were better said in much better ways. She hadn't slapped him, nor shot him, so that was good. He barely smiled at her reply, knowing that he wasn't capable of anything right then and there.

“Go through the other door into the bedroom. Off with your shirt and sit on the bed. I’ll be in there in a moment.”

With a zombie like response, Shane moved into the bedroom. He placed the spear on the floor, rolling it almost under the bed. He sat down, removing the sling then starting to peel off the remains of his shirt. He, too, had a survivor's leanness. His broad shoulders tapered down to a respectable sized waist, which was flat and well defined like his chest.

His abdomen sported a three inch long lateral scar above his navel, old and well healed. His right bicep sported a gunshot wound scar, a through and through. He sat straight, ignoring the blood that covered his body from the more recent collection of battle scars. He fixed a stare into the unseen distance, readying himself for another occasion of raw surgery.

"At least the doc will be better looking."

“It’s not much, but I think I’ve done pretty well.”

Shane smiled, nodding just enough to be noticed. He took the painkiller and washed it down. He was more grateful for the water than the med, but anything was better than nothing.

“I’m afraid I can’t really deaden you up much more than this, but I can make up for it with a good meal afterwards if you’re a good patient.”

"Thanks."

Again, the calm, sure hands were there, working about his wounds with the knowledge of what to do. He winced occasionally, but it was nothing he hadn't expected. He saw out of the corner of his eye the way she keep looking up at his face. He could see she was looking for something from him, but he couldn't guess at what. He was focused on staying awake so she could patch him up.

“You know, I don’t think you sounded like an idiot earlier. It was kind of nice to hear something like that from a guy like you.”

He turned to look at her. She was concentrating on his wound, needle and thread in hand. He turned his face back to look off into the distance again.

"That sounds good, particularly coming from you. 'a guy like you'" Shane flinched as the needle passed through his flesh. "Oh, I think I might be in love, Doc. You're good. I really mean that. The others I have had done like this hurt shitloads more than that. Least now I know what to expect.

"So, what kind of guy is 'a guy like me', to paraphrase it a bit? Never had it used as a compliment before. But I am glad I didn't offend. Those were meant to be just inside my head. I... I just don't want you to think that all I'm interested in is sex. If there is a chance, I'm in for it. But I wouldn't be fucking you just because you're a woman, even a pretty one at that. There's a lot about you that I really like a lot, and that's the stuff that give's me the mental boner. I ain't got enough blood for the real one just yet."

He moved himself just enough to get her face in his line of sight again. "When you're done there, I will pass out before I say too much more. I'm sure that the rate I'm going, I'll say something wrong and well... I'd rather not do that."

He paused for a few moments, gazing at her eyes. "Thank you, Lilly. You have taken quite a risk with what you've done. You are something else. Rare even in the days before the invasion, I'd say your fucking unique now. Thanks."

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly was focused on neat even stitches, closing the worst of Shane’s wounds. She had noticed the old wounds on his body but given his profession, she supposed that it was pretty par for the course that he had so many injuries.

He was fading fast, that much she could see. The adrenaline had worn away, leaving him exhausted. She would hurry so he could sleep. She could keep herself busy with things around the little house until he woke again.

She smiled as he complimented her style, laughing under her breath as she finished one puncture wound and moved to the other. “Well, I’ve found that most of my peers can barely spell the word medicine let alone practice it. There’s a fine art to putting in stitches. Do it the wrong way and you leave behind a huge scar.”

“A guy like you.” She said with a shrug of her shoulders. “I don’t know. A handsome guy? One that actually cares? You know how many perverts and freaks I’ve had to outrun since the invasion? It’s nice to find someone like you…someone normal.”

She couldn’t help the blush that stained her cheeks as she said that, laughing again when she heard his ramblings about sex and fucking. She paused in her work, pressing her fingers to his lips to stop his words.

“Shane, listen to me. You lost a lot of blood and you’re exhausted. I’m not going to hold anything you say right now against you.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “If you still feel this way when you’re sane, then work on showing me you mean it.”

Lilly hurried to finish, tying off the last stitch before helping him to lie back on the bed. She gently covered him with a blanket, his shoulder propped up with the pillows as she listened to him thank her.

“It’s my pleasure, Shane.” She said softly as she walked to pull the sheets she’d put up for shades to let the room go dark. “Get some sleep. I’ll be around when you’re rested.”

With that, she gathered her trash and left him to rest. Adding them to a rubbish bin she’d scavenged, she sat at the kitchen table and smiled to herself at Shane’s ramblings. Even though he was delirious she couldn’t help but notice the warm feeling that filled her just knowing that there was someone else that cared asleep in the other room.

While he slept, she spent the time on chores, killing a chicken and feeding the others, plucking feathers and putting together vegetables and meat to boil on the stove. She milked the goat, knowing that Shane would need the nutrients to get back his strength. As dinner cooked, she cleaned the Mosin, making sure that it was still in perfect working order.

As the light outside faded, she lit the old oil lamps in the cabin, a soft glow shining through the house. Placing one beside the bed, she checking Shane’s forehead once more, sighing with relief that there was no fever. At least they wouldn’t have to deal with that, she thought. Leaning down, she kissed his forehead, smiling at his slack features as he slept before she turned to finish the soup that was boiling on the stove.

 

[marauder13]

Shane listened to her. He focused on her words, using them to anchor himself in consciousness while she worked. He ceased wincing as she sewed him up, finding her rhythm and mentally readying himself for each puncture and feeling of the thread pulling through his skin and flesh.

Her assessment of him made him blush a little. Handsome guy? He never thought himself in that light, as the women weren't really focused on that in the days before the invasion. He had power, money, reputation. He was the bad boy that all the girls wanted to have, just for the ability to tell their friends about him.

The press of her fingers on his lips broke his concentration. He blinked several times, noting the reassuring smile she gave him.

“Shane, listen to me. You lost a lot of blood and you’re exhausted. I’m not going to hold anything you say right now against you. If you still feel this way when you’re sane, then work on showing me you mean it.”

It took him a while to burn that into his memory, and to process the significance of what she said. She was willing if he was serious about it. If he showed her he was serious about it. It was a lot to take on board. He was still working on the thoughts as she laid him down. She fussed over him like a mother of a sick child, or a nurse over a favoured patient. It felt nice to get that kind of attention as he finally allowed himself to drift off, and fell asleep.

There was a peaceful oblivion, a complete lack of anything to disturb his slumber. Shane was used to sleeping lightly, but while on the bed, he slept deeply, soundly. His body made the most of the downtime, and when he finally woke several hours later, he felt refreshed, awake and feeling reasonably good.

He rolled himself out of bed, finding the sling for his right arm and getting it all settled. Carefully, he checked all his muscles and joints, working out the stiffness in all the undamaged areas with slow controlled movement. He walked into the kitchen area, stopping at the doorway and looking over at Lilly.

There was evidence of little treasures to make the place more homelike. Things that served no real useful purpose, apart from decoration. A reminder of times gone by. Better times in this case. Of what maybe able to come again. One day.

"If that tastes even half as good as it smells, Lilly, it's going to be one fucking good soup." He gave her a crocked smile that hinted at something lighter within him. "You did some great work patching me up. Now, before I go answer a call of nature, I want you to let me know what I can do around the place to pay my way. Now, I know I wont be capable of much to start with, but I am not going to sit back and do nothing while you work your pretty arse off looking after me. While I am here, I'll do my share to make this place work, or improve."

He saw where there was an empty mug, and he got himself some water. He took care with the amounts he took, so he didn't get another lecture about getting sick by going too quick.

"Thanks for taking my rambles with the grain of salt they deserved, Lilly. There are truths in what I said, and I'm sure you figured out which ones they are. But I'll happily take whatever you're willing to share, when you're ready."

He continued to drain the mug slowly, then started moving for the front door. "So... where's the little survivor's room? or should I say, spot?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Lilly had heard Shane moving around in the other room and quickly moved to set the table. It was silly, really. Here they were in the middle of the fall of civilization and she was worried about what he thought about a soup or her little home. What did it matter what he thought?

Get it together, Lilly.

She was stirring the pot when he spoke and despite herself, she still jumped. Turning to look at him with a small grin on her face, she noticed that he already looked so much better than he had when she’d first found him. There was color back in his face. The dark circles beneath his eyes had receded. He seemed lighter altogether.

“Well, you looked like you could use a good meal.” She said as if what she was doing was nothing. She had learned to cook from her mother, who she considered to be the best cook in the world, and she still indulged herself every so often with a boiling pot of her mother’s famous chicken soup. It was good for everything that ailed you, including the crippling loneliness that had settled in after the invasion.

“It’s out by the chicken coop.” She said as he asked for the bathroom.

She had fashioned an outhouse out of old sheet metal and wood she’d salvaged from the area around the shack. It was crude, but it served its purpose. She could have killed for running water in that day and age. A flushing toilet, a steaming hot shower, or even a bubble bath would have been heaven. Instead she settled for her little outhouse and a metal tub in front of the wood stove to keep warm.

When Shane came back, she had dished up the food. Of course, she’d given him more. She had been living pretty well out here in the middle of nowhere. He looked like he hadn’t had a kind word since half past never. She’d managed to make some corn muffins on the wood fire and served them up with a glass of goats milk and chicken soup. The look on his face told her that he was pleased and she felt a warm trickle slowly fill her body, as if that were the best payment she could ever ask for.

“There’s more if you want it. Don’t be shy and help yourself.” She said as she finally sat down. She considered what he’d said about wanting to help out around her home. It would be nice to have someone else help carry the load, but she thought that was too much to ask. She was simply doing her job by helping him.

“I was thinking about building a shed. Big enough to park the truck and hide it from view. Maybe even extra storage. My cellar is getting a little full.” She ventured, wondering if that was too much.

 

[marauder13]

"Thanks." Shane walked out to the outhouse, quickly relieving the pressure of his bladder, then making his way back inside. Unlike the last time, he took the time to have a look around. The shack was serviceable, but he saw that it needed a little more work to make it sturdy and livable. While he wasn't a carpenter, he was confident with his hands, and knew enough about things he could make things better when he was fitter. There were also barrels he hoped were full of rain water, as well as what he thought was a vege patch.

"Well, until the shoulder rights itself, I have some exploring to do around the shack."

He got back inside, and stopped to take in another deep breath through his nose. His mouth watered so much he felt he had taken a cup full of water. He sat himself down, bowing his head in a heartfelt prayer of thanks. He gazed at the food Lilly placed before him, awed by what she was sharing with him.

“There’s more if you want it. Don’t be shy and help yourself.”

He gingerly reached out for the milk, bringing it to his lips. The taste was strong, and definitely nothing like cow's milk. He let it rest on his tongue, enjoying the rich taste before he let it slide down into his eagerly awaiting stomach. There was the softest of sighs. The spoon dipped into the edge of the soup. He brought it to his lips, flinching at the heat a little, then sipping the contents into his mouth. It was marvelous. It tasted divine. His eyes closed so he could focus on trying to identify what was in the mix, before giving up and enjoying it for what it was.

"Dear God, Lilly, you are fast tracking for a sainthood. This... this is wonderful. Thank you again for everything you've done." He was torn between getting the food into his body as quickly as possible, to nourish it, and to take his time and enjoy the grandest meal he had for a long time. Patience won out, knowing that he may not have many of these meals in the future, and he would enjoy every one of them he had.

Of course, enjoying such a meal with Lilly across the table from him made it even better. He was thinking clearer for the sleep, and was better able to assess her better. If anything, she was more beautiful than when he first saw her. She had the chance to relax, let the tension out of her a bit. She definitely softened up nicely. Her smile warmed him, and he noticed that she was definitely femininely shaped still. But the fact that she was able to help him, willing to stick with him, trusted him enough to allow him to lead her to one of his stashes as well as bring him home and remained cool when things went pear shaped, that was what really made her stand out for him. Plus, he was honest enough to say he would fuck just about any woman who showed an interest in him that way. He wouldn't say no to Lilly if she was interested, but he wouldn't just fuck her to get his pleasure. No, he owed her a few good ones. Time would tell.

“I was thinking about building a shed. Big enough to park the truck and hide it from view. Maybe even extra storage. My cellar is getting a little full.”

He let the last spoonful of soup descend to his stomach, then sat back contentedly. "Well, while my shoulder's on the mend, I can help with the planning for the shed at least. That way, when I'm healed up enough, I can then help you putting it together. How does that sound?"

He picked apart the muffin, using it to soak up the last bits of the soup. He finally washed it all down with the last of the milk, letting out a soft burp at the end. He laughed a little. "Compliments to the cook?"

Shane stood up slowly, feeling the pressure in his belly from all the food he ate. He walked around to Lilly, offer her a hand to help her stand. When she did, he turned her to face him. He gave her a long, penetrating look, then extended his good arm around her, pulling her into an embrace. He held her for about a minute, saying nothing. He wanted to thank her in a way that could not be mistaken for anything else. He longed to feel close to someone again, and this woman had shown she was worthy of that contact. She was warm. She was as she appeared; firm in places, soft in others, a woman all over. She smelled wonderful, and felt great in his arm.

"Thank you." His voice was soft, warm and thick with feelings of gratitude, welcome, relief and hope. He placed the softest kiss on her cheek, just before her ear. He let his arm drop, and pulled back enough to allow a gap between them both.

"I am going to go lie down again. The full belly is telling me I can get the remaining sleep I need now." He looked at her eyes, trying to delve into the soul that was hidden behind them. He wanted to ask her to join him, to sleep beside him and continue to share that delightful contact he found himself craving.

'No, not yet. Even something that innocent is too soon.'

With a slight smile, and a tiny nod, Shane turned and headed back to the bed. He laid himself down, letting his eyes drift closed and finding the sweet oblivion of sleep once more.