It had been nearly a year since the last bomb was dropped, and Kali was finally starting to adjust to the sight of empty, crumbling cities. Some part of her wished she crumbled with them. Los Angeles was the first city destroyed, and if she'd been home she would have died swiftly, not left behind in a shattered desert. But as it was, she was filming out in the middle of nowhere, making a video worthy of an award in the Utah desert- train jumping, hopping from rock to rock...hell, she'd even invested in a camera drone.
And then they'd gotten the news. When it became abundantly clear that nothing was going to be left when all was said and done, she and her little camera crew hunkered down in a little town and waited.
Until no more news came.
When they came out of hiding a few months after the first bomb, the war was over, and they didn't know who'd won- they just knew America had lost. The president was dead and the rest of the government was gone. The majority of the British and Russian soldiers had pulled out, leaving the East Coast a war-torn waste. Most major cities had been bombed. And no one was coming to help.
After a few more months of just waiting, Kali heard the news- there was some small, if unfounded, idea of hope on the horizon. A place known simply as The Haven- a city of survivors on the East Coast.
Of course, it wasn't going to be as simple as just driving straight there- dangerous animals, Mutated and Scourge-infected, lay in wait on every major road, and bandits, pillagers, and disgruntled soldiers with a control complex were slowly moving through the country.
One such band of rouge soldiers was the presice reason she left. They'd found their encampment and decided to 'restore order' by recruiting anoyone who kissed at their feet enough and forcing hard labor on the rest. They seemed to have a particular distain for Kali- perhaps her influence as actively against the war had offended, or perhaps her insistence of clinging to her coral hair color was irritating to them. Either way, their oppression was soon ended with the perfect timing of a small Scourge attack and a convenient find of a drunk soldier's truck keys.
Kali didn't camp for days, just caught a few hours of sleep here and there before she calmed down enough to actually focus on her plans.
Eventually, following her gut and not straying toward any major cities, she ended up in the lower edge of Michigan, on the outskirts of a town called Benton Harbor. Of course, cities were dangerous when one had no connections, and she was still licking her wounds a bit from the soldier incident. So, when she saw an almost-intact gas station with a still-standing convenience store...well.
It was a good shelter, at least for a few days- until some stray band of pillagers came across it and decided it was theirs for the taking. With no guns and no idea how to use them, anyway, she and her nail-filled bat wouldn't do much against armed forces.
So, after she gassed up, Kali maneuvered her little truck to the back and half-covered it with a tarp before she moved inside, picking the lock and simply letting herself in. The place smelled- electricity was non-existent, now, and so any fresh food they had had simply rotted- the lack of airflow didn't do it any favors, either. But it had running water in the bathroom, and a nice little corner behind the cash registers where she could set up camp.
She spent the entirety of the first day just throwing out rotted food and trying to air out the place. She needed a break from the driving and fleeing, needed a while to recuperate and figure out what exactly her plan was. Until her life was shattered, she had just relied on moving one step at a time, planning when needed, and just unwinding through running and jumping from building to building.
That wasn't an option anymore, and she was finding that she was struggling to adjust.
On the second day, she began to map out possible routes, trying to take notes, and watching carefully out of the windows to see if she had any unwanted guests. But eventually she fell asleep around noon, and woke to the sound of the door creaking open and two male voices.
Shit.
She peeked carefully over the counter to find two men in her store, blocking her from both exits and her truck.
And both of them had far better weapons. Kali yanked up the bandanna she kept around her neck, tying it around her face, and pulled her hood up.
Her hand tightened on the bat's handle, and, slowly, she began to creep out from behind the registers. Maybe, if she was quick and quiet, she'd make it to her truck before they found her- or her stuff.
It seemed like their attention was focused elsewhere.
Bandit sprinted, not bothering with quietness, and launched herself over a display in a wild race for the door with the graceful motions that came with years of parkour. Her heart was pounding in her ears, and she could only hope that these people would just let her go- or at least not try to force her into labor like the soldiers. Both of them certainly carried themselves like they knew war.
She knew the risk. Knew she could get shot, or grabbed.
But she hadn't felt the rush in a while, either.
And then they'd gotten the news. When it became abundantly clear that nothing was going to be left when all was said and done, she and her little camera crew hunkered down in a little town and waited.
Until no more news came.
When they came out of hiding a few months after the first bomb, the war was over, and they didn't know who'd won- they just knew America had lost. The president was dead and the rest of the government was gone. The majority of the British and Russian soldiers had pulled out, leaving the East Coast a war-torn waste. Most major cities had been bombed. And no one was coming to help.
After a few more months of just waiting, Kali heard the news- there was some small, if unfounded, idea of hope on the horizon. A place known simply as The Haven- a city of survivors on the East Coast.
Of course, it wasn't going to be as simple as just driving straight there- dangerous animals, Mutated and Scourge-infected, lay in wait on every major road, and bandits, pillagers, and disgruntled soldiers with a control complex were slowly moving through the country.
One such band of rouge soldiers was the presice reason she left. They'd found their encampment and decided to 'restore order' by recruiting anoyone who kissed at their feet enough and forcing hard labor on the rest. They seemed to have a particular distain for Kali- perhaps her influence as actively against the war had offended, or perhaps her insistence of clinging to her coral hair color was irritating to them. Either way, their oppression was soon ended with the perfect timing of a small Scourge attack and a convenient find of a drunk soldier's truck keys.
Kali didn't camp for days, just caught a few hours of sleep here and there before she calmed down enough to actually focus on her plans.
Eventually, following her gut and not straying toward any major cities, she ended up in the lower edge of Michigan, on the outskirts of a town called Benton Harbor. Of course, cities were dangerous when one had no connections, and she was still licking her wounds a bit from the soldier incident. So, when she saw an almost-intact gas station with a still-standing convenience store...well.
It was a good shelter, at least for a few days- until some stray band of pillagers came across it and decided it was theirs for the taking. With no guns and no idea how to use them, anyway, she and her nail-filled bat wouldn't do much against armed forces.
So, after she gassed up, Kali maneuvered her little truck to the back and half-covered it with a tarp before she moved inside, picking the lock and simply letting herself in. The place smelled- electricity was non-existent, now, and so any fresh food they had had simply rotted- the lack of airflow didn't do it any favors, either. But it had running water in the bathroom, and a nice little corner behind the cash registers where she could set up camp.
She spent the entirety of the first day just throwing out rotted food and trying to air out the place. She needed a break from the driving and fleeing, needed a while to recuperate and figure out what exactly her plan was. Until her life was shattered, she had just relied on moving one step at a time, planning when needed, and just unwinding through running and jumping from building to building.
That wasn't an option anymore, and she was finding that she was struggling to adjust.
On the second day, she began to map out possible routes, trying to take notes, and watching carefully out of the windows to see if she had any unwanted guests. But eventually she fell asleep around noon, and woke to the sound of the door creaking open and two male voices.
Shit.
She peeked carefully over the counter to find two men in her store, blocking her from both exits and her truck.
And both of them had far better weapons. Kali yanked up the bandanna she kept around her neck, tying it around her face, and pulled her hood up.
Her hand tightened on the bat's handle, and, slowly, she began to creep out from behind the registers. Maybe, if she was quick and quiet, she'd make it to her truck before they found her- or her stuff.
It seemed like their attention was focused elsewhere.
Bandit sprinted, not bothering with quietness, and launched herself over a display in a wild race for the door with the graceful motions that came with years of parkour. Her heart was pounding in her ears, and she could only hope that these people would just let her go- or at least not try to force her into labor like the soldiers. Both of them certainly carried themselves like they knew war.
She knew the risk. Knew she could get shot, or grabbed.
But she hadn't felt the rush in a while, either.
Florida was destroyed, Alex knew. He was traveling with his friend, and former officer. He remembered when the first bomb dropped, he was at Long Beach, responding to a call of a terrorist organization located inside one of the many buildings around the area. Alex had looked straight into his brother’s eyes, and saw Los Angelas fall in a mushroom cloud, Hunter, a fellow officer, muttered “Jesus Christ... GET IN THE BUNKER!”
Alex was the only one who made it, he had entered the underground bunker made by the local government for times such as these, he jumped inside and waited for the others, but the last thing he saw before it closed, was his brother Wyatt close the door, and the agonizing screams as their flesh burned from the blast,
Alex started to cry a little, he hadn’t cried since he was 7, but now the tears flew freely. He remembered what he last saw, before he left Long Beach.
Alex grabbed a nearby gas mask and kicked open the door, looking for his fellow officers, but all he saw were skeletons, in riot gear. He screamed in agony, as one of the infected turned to him, he had been hit with the blast, and had gained some sort of superhuman hearing, instead of turning into a stain on the ground. He flipped over towards Alex and sprinted at him, Alex sighed and unslung his Bernelli M1, blasting the creature in the face, the momentum flung him towards Alex, and he side stepped away.
Alex snapped out of his flashback, he turned towards his friend, Scott Foster remembering how they re-met
Alex was wandering the forests, looking for berries, or a deer, or something to eat. Man he was hungry. He found some sort of squirrel in a makeshift noose, it was struggling furiously, Hunter snapped its neck and started to gut it, when he heard the sound of a drawstring be pulled back and the cold feel of a metal tip press against his head. Hunter raised his hands, “Hey now, don’t worry, I didn’t know it was your squirrel, My name is Officer... Scott, Is that you?” Alex had turned around to find that Sgt. Scott Foster had a bow drawn and pointed right at him. “It’s me, Alex, from the academy, remember?”
Alex was the only one who made it, he had entered the underground bunker made by the local government for times such as these, he jumped inside and waited for the others, but the last thing he saw before it closed, was his brother Wyatt close the door, and the agonizing screams as their flesh burned from the blast,
Alex started to cry a little, he hadn’t cried since he was 7, but now the tears flew freely. He remembered what he last saw, before he left Long Beach.
Alex grabbed a nearby gas mask and kicked open the door, looking for his fellow officers, but all he saw were skeletons, in riot gear. He screamed in agony, as one of the infected turned to him, he had been hit with the blast, and had gained some sort of superhuman hearing, instead of turning into a stain on the ground. He flipped over towards Alex and sprinted at him, Alex sighed and unslung his Bernelli M1, blasting the creature in the face, the momentum flung him towards Alex, and he side stepped away.
Alex snapped out of his flashback, he turned towards his friend, Scott Foster remembering how they re-met
Alex was wandering the forests, looking for berries, or a deer, or something to eat. Man he was hungry. He found some sort of squirrel in a makeshift noose, it was struggling furiously, Hunter snapped its neck and started to gut it, when he heard the sound of a drawstring be pulled back and the cold feel of a metal tip press against his head. Hunter raised his hands, “Hey now, don’t worry, I didn’t know it was your squirrel, My name is Officer... Scott, Is that you?” Alex had turned around to find that Sgt. Scott Foster had a bow drawn and pointed right at him. “It’s me, Alex, from the academy, remember?”
While the war was raging, Scott had fleed from all signs of humanity. He had found a ramshackle of a hut in the forests of Colorado, and claimed it as his own. He knew living as a survivalist would be hard, but that was the only life he could see himself living after the war. He was completely cut off from society when he started his life. He wasn't interested in any of it, neither in how the war, he had fought in, ended. He had an idea that the war had gone nuclear, from the information he had gathered while being in the military. But he hadn't actually felt the consequences of it for a while. He was so out in the middle of nowhere, that there was nothing interesting around him to bomb.
It wasn't until mutated animals started showing up around his home. He wouldn't even call them animals, they were more like beasts or monsters. He had killed a few of them, protecting himself from their attacks. But he could see they were sick, so he never even considered eating them. Since the mutants showed up, he always made sure to check his preys for any signs of mutation, before setting in to hunt them. There was no point in preying on an animal he couldn't eat.
His food ressources became more and more scarce as time went on, and putting two and two together, he knew he had survived a disaster. Living in the middle of nowhere, he had avoided human contact, that was until the day he was reunited with Alex. He had tried to take his dinner, and being in desperate times, he had also nearly shot him. Scott surely didn't look like he did before the war, so it was almost a miracle that the man had recognized him. It took a minute for him to realise, who was standing in front of him. He hadn't seen other people for years, but as he understood what was going on, they ended in an embrace, being thankful for seeing eachother again.
He had let Alex stay for a few days, but it quickly came apparent that they couldn't stay there. The forest barely had enough ressources to keep Scott alive, let alone 1 other man. Although he definitely wasn't happy about it, Scott agreed to leave his home behind, and they started travelling east. They tried to avoid the major cities, but scavenged through smaller cities and towns for anything they could find. They were a deadly pair, both of them knowing how to handle weapons and protect themselves.
It took them months, but they were now in Benton Harbour, still just scavenging to stay alive. They had come upon a foodstore. From earlier encounters they had learned that even the most deserted-looking places could house many people. So even though they neared the empty looking foodstore, they had their weapons drawn. Ready to kill anything that might jump out to attack. As they had entered, Scott spotted something jumping behind a display. His bow was drawn, aiming towards the display. His eyes was fixated at the display, but he still awaited Alex' sign.
Scott was a miserable fuck when Alex found him, so although he had been a sergeant in the war, used to giving orders, he was now only following orders by Alex. Therefore he wouldn't make a move until Alex had signalled him to do so. He glanced over at his friend, making sure they were on the same page, and checking that Alex had seen and heard the same thing as he had. Taking a whiff of the air, he could tell it wasn't an animal or something mutated. It was a human, but weither it was friendly or dangerous, not even the best hunter could tell from just a whiff of the air.
It wasn't until mutated animals started showing up around his home. He wouldn't even call them animals, they were more like beasts or monsters. He had killed a few of them, protecting himself from their attacks. But he could see they were sick, so he never even considered eating them. Since the mutants showed up, he always made sure to check his preys for any signs of mutation, before setting in to hunt them. There was no point in preying on an animal he couldn't eat.
His food ressources became more and more scarce as time went on, and putting two and two together, he knew he had survived a disaster. Living in the middle of nowhere, he had avoided human contact, that was until the day he was reunited with Alex. He had tried to take his dinner, and being in desperate times, he had also nearly shot him. Scott surely didn't look like he did before the war, so it was almost a miracle that the man had recognized him. It took a minute for him to realise, who was standing in front of him. He hadn't seen other people for years, but as he understood what was going on, they ended in an embrace, being thankful for seeing eachother again.
He had let Alex stay for a few days, but it quickly came apparent that they couldn't stay there. The forest barely had enough ressources to keep Scott alive, let alone 1 other man. Although he definitely wasn't happy about it, Scott agreed to leave his home behind, and they started travelling east. They tried to avoid the major cities, but scavenged through smaller cities and towns for anything they could find. They were a deadly pair, both of them knowing how to handle weapons and protect themselves.
It took them months, but they were now in Benton Harbour, still just scavenging to stay alive. They had come upon a foodstore. From earlier encounters they had learned that even the most deserted-looking places could house many people. So even though they neared the empty looking foodstore, they had their weapons drawn. Ready to kill anything that might jump out to attack. As they had entered, Scott spotted something jumping behind a display. His bow was drawn, aiming towards the display. His eyes was fixated at the display, but he still awaited Alex' sign.
Scott was a miserable fuck when Alex found him, so although he had been a sergeant in the war, used to giving orders, he was now only following orders by Alex. Therefore he wouldn't make a move until Alex had signalled him to do so. He glanced over at his friend, making sure they were on the same page, and checking that Alex had seen and heard the same thing as he had. Taking a whiff of the air, he could tell it wasn't an animal or something mutated. It was a human, but weither it was friendly or dangerous, not even the best hunter could tell from just a whiff of the air.
Alex smiled as he remembered the situation where he met Scott, when they entered the food store
Alex snapped out of his daydream to find a human, possibly infected, charge at them, he motioned for Scott to engage, and he yelled, “HALT!” Towards the figure, he unslung his M4 and aimed it dead at her
“I’m with the LAPD, ma’am.” He said, “I need for you to calm down, now are you infected?”
Alex snapped out of his daydream to find a human, possibly infected, charge at them, he motioned for Scott to engage, and he yelled, “HALT!” Towards the figure, he unslung his M4 and aimed it dead at her
“I’m with the LAPD, ma’am.” He said, “I need for you to calm down, now are you infected?”
She landed, and almost instantly hell broke loose. The man with the bow was pointing a nocked arrow at her, and the other was shouting, gun trained at the display.
Great.
She hesitated for a moment, eyes flicking from door to door. She didn't have many options. Bullets would just rip through anything, and she highly doubted she could outrun an arrow.
The one with the gun claimed to be LAPD, and she scoffed a bit before she finally raised both hands into view over the display and stood, coming into view with the spiked bat strapped to her back. Her lower face was hidden, but her hood had fallen down to reveal blue eyes and fading signature coral hair. It wasn't patchy, wasn't falling out, so it was clear she wasn't showing signs of infection- yet.
That, at least, was a blessing.
"Bit far from home, aren't you, officer?" Bandit began to edge toward the back door, truck keys enclosed in her left hand. "Funny story, I'm from LA too. Maybe you could do me a solid and just let me go, huh? I'm not into the whole 'labor camp' thing you people have going on around here."
Just a few more steps, and she could make a break for it. If she rounded the corner fast enough....she might be able to get to the roof.
Great.
She hesitated for a moment, eyes flicking from door to door. She didn't have many options. Bullets would just rip through anything, and she highly doubted she could outrun an arrow.
The one with the gun claimed to be LAPD, and she scoffed a bit before she finally raised both hands into view over the display and stood, coming into view with the spiked bat strapped to her back. Her lower face was hidden, but her hood had fallen down to reveal blue eyes and fading signature coral hair. It wasn't patchy, wasn't falling out, so it was clear she wasn't showing signs of infection- yet.
That, at least, was a blessing.
"Bit far from home, aren't you, officer?" Bandit began to edge toward the back door, truck keys enclosed in her left hand. "Funny story, I'm from LA too. Maybe you could do me a solid and just let me go, huh? I'm not into the whole 'labor camp' thing you people have going on around here."
Just a few more steps, and she could make a break for it. If she rounded the corner fast enough....she might be able to get to the roof.
Alex lowered his gun, “stand down.” He told Scott, “What do you mean, Labor camp, what’s going on?”
Scott quickly glanced at Alex, but kept aiming at what he could now see was a girl. He watched he interaction between the two. Although she didn't exactly answer Alex' question, he could smell she wasn't infected. His eyes rested on the girl, and he could tell she was slowly moving towards the door. With a quick flick of his body, he shot the arrow, which flew through the air and got stuck in the door behind her with a rattling sound.
"Don't move...", he grumbled with a low voice. Within a few seconds, he had grabbed another arrow from the holster on his back, and drawn the bow again. "She doesn't smell infected..", Scott mumbled with a low voice at Alex. He didn't take his eyes off the girl though, watching her every move, ready to react in case she was going to try anything.
He had been lucky enough to not encounter any corrupt soldiers on the way. They had encountered desperate scanvengers and other dangerous people, sure, but not whatever the girl was talking about. Out of the corner of his eyes, he tried to keep track of Alex as well, assuming he'd lead the word.
"Don't move...", he grumbled with a low voice. Within a few seconds, he had grabbed another arrow from the holster on his back, and drawn the bow again. "She doesn't smell infected..", Scott mumbled with a low voice at Alex. He didn't take his eyes off the girl though, watching her every move, ready to react in case she was going to try anything.
He had been lucky enough to not encounter any corrupt soldiers on the way. They had encountered desperate scanvengers and other dangerous people, sure, but not whatever the girl was talking about. Out of the corner of his eyes, he tried to keep track of Alex as well, assuming he'd lead the word.
The arrow imbedded itself in the door and she flinched, shoulders tightening and blue eyes flicking over to the arrowhead now being aimed at her again. It was clear that at least this guy meant business.
Maybe if she answered their questions, they'd let her go. It was a futile hope, and she didn't know if they were soldiers posing as concerened normal people, but she didn't exactly appreciate weapons being pointed at her.
"You know, the labor camps?" She stuttered a little before she swallowed, wild eyes darting from Alex to Scott and back. "East Coast soldiers thinking they're going to bring order back through slave driving?"
Bandit felt like she couldn't breathe. Slowly, a gloved hand reached up and tugged down the bandanna before returning to the air, and she found words just spilling from her lips in a desperate, panicked attempt not to get shot. "Look, I don't know what you guys want. I was just staying here for a few days, I don't even have a gun or know how to use one. I'm nobody, I don't have anything you want. Just....just let me go. I won't come back for my stuff, even."
She could get more blankets. She'd be back to square one, but...at least she still had her truck and bat.
But then again...now she was recognizable, and if they were soldiers and remembered her clear distaste for war....
Maybe she should have left the bandanna on.
Maybe if she answered their questions, they'd let her go. It was a futile hope, and she didn't know if they were soldiers posing as concerened normal people, but she didn't exactly appreciate weapons being pointed at her.
"You know, the labor camps?" She stuttered a little before she swallowed, wild eyes darting from Alex to Scott and back. "East Coast soldiers thinking they're going to bring order back through slave driving?"
Bandit felt like she couldn't breathe. Slowly, a gloved hand reached up and tugged down the bandanna before returning to the air, and she found words just spilling from her lips in a desperate, panicked attempt not to get shot. "Look, I don't know what you guys want. I was just staying here for a few days, I don't even have a gun or know how to use one. I'm nobody, I don't have anything you want. Just....just let me go. I won't come back for my stuff, even."
She could get more blankets. She'd be back to square one, but...at least she still had her truck and bat.
But then again...now she was recognizable, and if they were soldiers and remembered her clear distaste for war....
Maybe she should have left the bandanna on.
Alex took one look at her and burst out laughing, “No way, Bandit?!” He wiped a tear out of his eye. “My god, I thought you died!” He slung his gun over his shoulder and took of his mask and goggles, revealing a glowing red eye that he seemed unaware of, “My name is Officer Alexander Meliamne, remember?” He laughed as he remembered the memory,
“Go go go!” Alex, Hunter, Wyatt, and Jonas kicked down the door to a warehouse, they hadn’t gotten a tip from an anonymous phone call that a hostage execution situation was happening inside the facility, They pointed their weapons at a masked figure running parkour across the room, with a cameraman filming them, Jonas lowered his rifle, “Shit... I think they just got swatted...” Wyatt muttered, slinging his weapon Alex walked over to them and exchanged a conversation. After a quick check throughout the facility, it was made clear that yes, they had got swatted.
Alex chuckled. Back to the present, “Bandit, huh, living up to your name I see?” Alex asked her, he told Scott to stand down “it’s alright, just a Bandit.” He chuckled, “You know, the famous Parkour girl?” Alex leaned against the counter, “so what brings you out here?”
“Go go go!” Alex, Hunter, Wyatt, and Jonas kicked down the door to a warehouse, they hadn’t gotten a tip from an anonymous phone call that a hostage execution situation was happening inside the facility, They pointed their weapons at a masked figure running parkour across the room, with a cameraman filming them, Jonas lowered his rifle, “Shit... I think they just got swatted...” Wyatt muttered, slinging his weapon Alex walked over to them and exchanged a conversation. After a quick check throughout the facility, it was made clear that yes, they had got swatted.
Alex chuckled. Back to the present, “Bandit, huh, living up to your name I see?” Alex asked her, he told Scott to stand down “it’s alright, just a Bandit.” He chuckled, “You know, the famous Parkour girl?” Alex leaned against the counter, “so what brings you out here?”
Scott kept a sharp eye on every of the girls movements. She seemed panicked, and panick tends to make people act crazy. If any movement suggested she was gonna attack, he would be ready to send an arrow between her eyes. His brows furrowed slightly at the girls explanation to the labor work she just mentioned. He hadn't heard of this, but it sounded inhumane. Whoever those people were, Alex and Scott weren't like them. He let Alex lead the conversation still, he wasn't good with words himself afterall.
Scott's eyes widened a bit, when Alex seemed to recognize the girl. Even though Alex told him to stand down, he still kept his glance at the girl, apparently named Bandit. He didn't notice Alex' red eye, as he didn't dare to look away from the girl. Alex might trust her, but that didn't mean Scott had to as well. He still obeyed though, and lowered the arrow, though keeping it on the string of the bow. He kept the bow out, pointed towards the ground, ready to take aim again quickly, if something were to happen unexpectedly.
Alex talked to him, like he was supposed to know who this apparently famous parkour girl was. "Mhmm..", he growled. This parkour girl must have become famous after he cut himself off from humanity. Whereas Alex seemed to near the girl, he stood his ground and didn't move.
Scott's eyes widened a bit, when Alex seemed to recognize the girl. Even though Alex told him to stand down, he still kept his glance at the girl, apparently named Bandit. He didn't notice Alex' red eye, as he didn't dare to look away from the girl. Alex might trust her, but that didn't mean Scott had to as well. He still obeyed though, and lowered the arrow, though keeping it on the string of the bow. He kept the bow out, pointed towards the ground, ready to take aim again quickly, if something were to happen unexpectedly.
Alex talked to him, like he was supposed to know who this apparently famous parkour girl was. "Mhmm..", he growled. This parkour girl must have become famous after he cut himself off from humanity. Whereas Alex seemed to near the girl, he stood his ground and didn't move.
Bandit visibly relaxed when Alex removed his gear, and her hands slowly lowered as she began to laugh in relief, breath shuddering.
How close to tears had she really been?
She took a few steps back to brace herself against the wall, letting out a long, heavy sigh. She wasn't going to die today. Probably. Her eyes flicked to the arrow and then back up, not wanting to seem like she were suspicious of him- even if she was.
The officer....she vaugely remembered, but she'd only met him once, and her past life had sort of been shoved to the back burner over the past months. And it was a side effect of fame- everyone seemed to know more about you than you knew about them. It was....strange. "You know, I do sort of remember. Old warehouse? False alarm?"
She swallowed, bringing her arms up and sort of hugging herself as she finally relaxed fully. "Looking for the safe spot. Maybe you've heard of it? Haven?"
Blue eyes drifted over to the man with the bow. He still seemed tense. "I'm not going to try anything," she tried ro reassure him, voice soft. Even if he wasn't pointing it at her, she didn't know him. And he didn't really seem to like her. Perhaps he was one of her critics, and that alone was dangerous, now.
How close to tears had she really been?
She took a few steps back to brace herself against the wall, letting out a long, heavy sigh. She wasn't going to die today. Probably. Her eyes flicked to the arrow and then back up, not wanting to seem like she were suspicious of him- even if she was.
The officer....she vaugely remembered, but she'd only met him once, and her past life had sort of been shoved to the back burner over the past months. And it was a side effect of fame- everyone seemed to know more about you than you knew about them. It was....strange. "You know, I do sort of remember. Old warehouse? False alarm?"
She swallowed, bringing her arms up and sort of hugging herself as she finally relaxed fully. "Looking for the safe spot. Maybe you've heard of it? Haven?"
Blue eyes drifted over to the man with the bow. He still seemed tense. "I'm not going to try anything," she tried ro reassure him, voice soft. Even if he wasn't pointing it at her, she didn't know him. And he didn't really seem to like her. Perhaps he was one of her critics, and that alone was dangerous, now.
Alex frowned, “you mean the Helicopter Accessible Villa Extraction November 311?” He asked, turning towards Scott, “You know anything about that place?” Alex asked Scott, his red eye seeming to dilate and contract as if it was zooming in and out. It was a side effect of the radiation he got when he watched the nuke hit, after all, radiation travels faster than the actual blast. He was mutated, but not infected, yet.
Scott kept an eye on the girl, while Alex was interacting with her. It seemed she recognized Alex as well, which made Scott calm down slightly. He still watched her like a prey though. He chose to dettach the arrow from the bow, and put it back in the holster. He kept the bow in his hand though. As she wrapped her arms around herself, he saw it as her being unprepared to attack, technically making her very vulnerable.
He saw it as a good time to walk over to the door. He snorted lightly, as she claimed she wouldn't do anything. It might be true, it might not be. He'd rather be prepared for her attack, than being taken by surprise from it. As he reached the door, he took his eyes off her, and had his back turned towards the both of them. He was relying on his ears, to catch any sound of danger. He folded his hand around the arrow in the door and pulled it out, putting it back in the holster. He didn't come across arrows often, and took quite some time to craft, so he saved every arrow he could.
He quietly turned around, and walked back towards Alex. Standing by the door he was closer to the Bandit-girl, than to Alex, which didn't seem safe. He went and stood behind Alex, watching the two's interaction. When Alex turned towards Scott, and asked about the place, he shrugged. "Nah", he mumbled in a low voice. His glance landed back at the girl. She had mentioned a safe place called Haven. He felt like he had heard that word before, maybe from some scavengers along their way. He had almost forgotten. It hadn't exactly been an aim of theirs to go there. In fact he wasn't even sure if the place actually existed, or if it was just a rumour keeping people's hopes up.
He saw it as a good time to walk over to the door. He snorted lightly, as she claimed she wouldn't do anything. It might be true, it might not be. He'd rather be prepared for her attack, than being taken by surprise from it. As he reached the door, he took his eyes off her, and had his back turned towards the both of them. He was relying on his ears, to catch any sound of danger. He folded his hand around the arrow in the door and pulled it out, putting it back in the holster. He didn't come across arrows often, and took quite some time to craft, so he saved every arrow he could.
He quietly turned around, and walked back towards Alex. Standing by the door he was closer to the Bandit-girl, than to Alex, which didn't seem safe. He went and stood behind Alex, watching the two's interaction. When Alex turned towards Scott, and asked about the place, he shrugged. "Nah", he mumbled in a low voice. His glance landed back at the girl. She had mentioned a safe place called Haven. He felt like he had heard that word before, maybe from some scavengers along their way. He had almost forgotten. It hadn't exactly been an aim of theirs to go there. In fact he wasn't even sure if the place actually existed, or if it was just a rumour keeping people's hopes up.
The guy with the bow was too quiet, too...stare-y, and it put her on edge. Bandit watched as he pulled the arrow from the wall and then manuvered himself so he was standing behind Alex.
And Alex was asking something about helicopters? "Helicopter Accesi-what?" She arched one eyebrow, laughing a bit as she circled around them and snatched up a map behind the counter they were leaning on. "No, Haven. You know, the safe city that's supposed to be somewhere on the East Coast?"
She unrolled the map on the counter. A series of red symbols- dashes and X's- marked a bunch of places, and a few cities along the coast were circled. "I've been looking for it, but I don't have a fantastic idea of where it is. I'd hoped you may have."
She glanced up ar the bow-man again and finally stuck out a hand to him. "I'm Bandit, by the way."
They didn't need to know her real name. Not until she knew they were actually cool.
And Alex was asking something about helicopters? "Helicopter Accesi-what?" She arched one eyebrow, laughing a bit as she circled around them and snatched up a map behind the counter they were leaning on. "No, Haven. You know, the safe city that's supposed to be somewhere on the East Coast?"
She unrolled the map on the counter. A series of red symbols- dashes and X's- marked a bunch of places, and a few cities along the coast were circled. "I've been looking for it, but I don't have a fantastic idea of where it is. I'd hoped you may have."
She glanced up ar the bow-man again and finally stuck out a hand to him. "I'm Bandit, by the way."
They didn't need to know her real name. Not until she knew they were actually cool.
Alex nodded, and pulled his gear back on, he pulled out his water bottle and, lowering his balaclava mask, he drank from it. He raises his mask again and turned towards Kali, “I think we should stick together, at least until we make it to Haven.
Alex turned towards the window and looked outside, when his eye picked up on something outside, “Hey Scott, you see that?” He asked, when a loud yell was heard “YEE HAW, LOOKIE HERE BOYS, WE GOT SOME PIGS TO TAKE CARE OF!” A female voice rang through the ship, and then bullets started flying. “Shit! Get down!” Alex yelled, throwing himself to the floor
Alex turned towards the window and looked outside, when his eye picked up on something outside, “Hey Scott, you see that?” He asked, when a loud yell was heard “YEE HAW, LOOKIE HERE BOYS, WE GOT SOME PIGS TO TAKE CARE OF!” A female voice rang through the ship, and then bullets started flying. “Shit! Get down!” Alex yelled, throwing himself to the floor
Scott seemed to have calmed down a bit, that was until the girl started moving. He gripped tighter around the bow, as she circled around them. He followed her every move again, even turned his body while she was moving, so his back didn't end up being turned towards her. She just seemed to take out a map, so he forced himself to loosen the grip around the bow slightly. He was always on edge, but that might have also been the reason he had gotten so far. His eyes rested on the girl, while she talked about this place. She seemed to believe it was a real place. How could she be sure though.
When she looked back at him and stuck her hand towards him, it took him a bit by surprise. He straightened up a bit, from being unprepared for the hand coming towards him. He looked at it, then up at her again. She presented herself, which was probably the nice thing to do in this situation. But alas, Scott was socially handicapped. "Yeah, I guess that.", he grumbled, referring to Alex talking about her.
Alex said his name immediately after, ripping his attention from the girl. "Hm..?". He didn't even get to react, before a loud voice from outside sent chills down his spine. He should have known, and he should have kept an eye out. He immediately scowled at Bandit. "Are these your friends?", he growled. He didn't get another word in, as the bullets started flying through the facade of the shop. He dropped to the floor, taking shelter behind one of the shelving units.
They seemed to be shooting aimlessly, which was positive for their situation. That meant they'd be burning through their ammunition quickly. He just had to wait for a moment, for them to take time to reload their guns, before he could start shooting back. He felt his hands shake, as he drew and arrow from the holster, and put it on the string. He hated the gunshots, they made him uneasy. He took deep breaths, trying the calm himself, and instead tried to remember the glimpse of the people he saw outside, so he had an idea of where to aim.
When he saw his shot, he kneeled out from the cover of the unit, with the bow drawn. He quickly took aim at one of the gunmen, in the process of reloading his gun. Not staying out of cover for long enough to see the hit, he ducked back in. In the silence of the forest he could easily tell wheither his shot were hits or misses. But here, the sound of gunshots deafend him. He would know if he hit or not, the next time he'd take a shot.
When she looked back at him and stuck her hand towards him, it took him a bit by surprise. He straightened up a bit, from being unprepared for the hand coming towards him. He looked at it, then up at her again. She presented herself, which was probably the nice thing to do in this situation. But alas, Scott was socially handicapped. "Yeah, I guess that.", he grumbled, referring to Alex talking about her.
Alex said his name immediately after, ripping his attention from the girl. "Hm..?". He didn't even get to react, before a loud voice from outside sent chills down his spine. He should have known, and he should have kept an eye out. He immediately scowled at Bandit. "Are these your friends?", he growled. He didn't get another word in, as the bullets started flying through the facade of the shop. He dropped to the floor, taking shelter behind one of the shelving units.
They seemed to be shooting aimlessly, which was positive for their situation. That meant they'd be burning through their ammunition quickly. He just had to wait for a moment, for them to take time to reload their guns, before he could start shooting back. He felt his hands shake, as he drew and arrow from the holster, and put it on the string. He hated the gunshots, they made him uneasy. He took deep breaths, trying the calm himself, and instead tried to remember the glimpse of the people he saw outside, so he had an idea of where to aim.
When he saw his shot, he kneeled out from the cover of the unit, with the bow drawn. He quickly took aim at one of the gunmen, in the process of reloading his gun. Not staying out of cover for long enough to see the hit, he ducked back in. In the silence of the forest he could easily tell wheither his shot were hits or misses. But here, the sound of gunshots deafend him. He would know if he hit or not, the next time he'd take a shot.
The guns went off, and Bandit threw herself down, diving for a nearby shelf. "Hell no!" She shouted, sounding offended as she glared back at Scott. First he didn't shake her hand, then he blamed her for raiders?
Outside, a man was struck by the arrow, the head digging into his shoulder. His gun fell, but his scream was muffled.
She snatched a bottle of alcohol from the shelf and wrestled the cap off before she began to stuff a rag into it. She did this a few times before she looked up at a vent. The cover was hanging loose, a stray bullet having broken the bolt. "Alex! Cover me!"
She jumped, hands catching the edge, and started pulling herself into the vent.
Don't hit me, don't hit me....yes!
"Bow guy! Hand me the bottles. I'm gonna rain fire and brimstone on these jerks!" Her voice was urgent, hands out for the four ready molotovs.
Outside, a man was struck by the arrow, the head digging into his shoulder. His gun fell, but his scream was muffled.
She snatched a bottle of alcohol from the shelf and wrestled the cap off before she began to stuff a rag into it. She did this a few times before she looked up at a vent. The cover was hanging loose, a stray bullet having broken the bolt. "Alex! Cover me!"
She jumped, hands catching the edge, and started pulling herself into the vent.
Don't hit me, don't hit me....yes!
"Bow guy! Hand me the bottles. I'm gonna rain fire and brimstone on these jerks!" Her voice was urgent, hands out for the four ready molotovs.
Scott took another arrow from the holster, put in on the string, and drew back the bow, ready to shoot. He was trying to pay more attention to what was going on outside than inside, so it wasn't until Bandit shouted for Alex to cover her, that he looked over his shoulder at the two. It seemed like his time to take another shot. He stepped out again, quickly took aim at another gunman, and sent the arrow flying through the air. As he stepped back in cover, he got a glimpse of the other gunman that he had just shot. It looked like the arrow had hit. He would have been dissapointed if it hadn't, but with the guns blazing, triggering his PTSD, he couldn't exactly count on hitting every shot.
He froze for a second, when Bandit yelled at him from behind him. He turned around to look at her, seeing that she was half way into a vent. He wasn't sure what the hell she was up to, but it looked like she was on their side afterall. He grumbled a bit to himself, as he couldn't believe he was taking orders from a stranger. Reluctantly he stuck his arm through the bow, and let it hang on his shoulder. He then turned and crouched towards where she had made the molotovs. He picked up the bottles and stood up. He quickly handed them to Bandit, trying to be as quick and swift as possible, so he could crouch back down behind the unit.
He froze for a second, when Bandit yelled at him from behind him. He turned around to look at her, seeing that she was half way into a vent. He wasn't sure what the hell she was up to, but it looked like she was on their side afterall. He grumbled a bit to himself, as he couldn't believe he was taking orders from a stranger. Reluctantly he stuck his arm through the bow, and let it hang on his shoulder. He then turned and crouched towards where she had made the molotovs. He picked up the bottles and stood up. He quickly handed them to Bandit, trying to be as quick and swift as possible, so he could crouch back down behind the unit.
Oh, Alex covered her alright.
Alex had taken positions by the window, firing outside at them, the jumped out, running at high speeds, he fired his Benelli M3 at point blank, eventually, he got hit, and jumped back inside the store, nursing his shoulder
“Alright you sons of bitches, take this!” Alex lobbed a grenade at them, and took cover behind the counter, when it exploded, he painstakingly raised his gun and started to fire, when his eye sensed something just out of view.
A streak of red, a bit of flame and “GET DOWN!” A missle flew inside the room, Alex grabbed it and attempted to throw it back outside, but he failed, instead altering its trajectory towards one of the vending machines nearby, it exploded and sent Alex flying back outside.
“HAHA, I like this kid.” The bandit leader hollered, She grabbed him and sat him upright. “You’re my bitch now!” She yelled, tossing Alex’s last remaining grenade inside the food store
Alex had taken positions by the window, firing outside at them, the jumped out, running at high speeds, he fired his Benelli M3 at point blank, eventually, he got hit, and jumped back inside the store, nursing his shoulder
“Alright you sons of bitches, take this!” Alex lobbed a grenade at them, and took cover behind the counter, when it exploded, he painstakingly raised his gun and started to fire, when his eye sensed something just out of view.
A streak of red, a bit of flame and “GET DOWN!” A missle flew inside the room, Alex grabbed it and attempted to throw it back outside, but he failed, instead altering its trajectory towards one of the vending machines nearby, it exploded and sent Alex flying back outside.
“HAHA, I like this kid.” The bandit leader hollered, She grabbed him and sat him upright. “You’re my bitch now!” She yelled, tossing Alex’s last remaining grenade inside the food store
Kali grabbed the bottles, snatching them from his hands and retreating into the vent with quick motions.
She had just reached the roof when the grenade was thrown.
Some part of her hoped, even if he didn't like her, that bow-guy would be okay.
It never did explode, even after a few seconds, and the raiders grumbled a little as they discovered a dud existed before they began to shoot again.
Bow-guy better be good at hiding. Still, she had to focus on the task at hand. A few had died, and one had an arrow between his eyes, but there were still too many. "Hey, up here!"
The woman looked up, then grinned as she saw the pink hair and bandanna. "Oh, it's the little Bandit. No scaffolding this time, honey!"
"I don't need it." Her smirk was visible in her voice.
The bottle was sailing through the air the next moment, the fire on the rag swiftly burning down, down, down...
The firey explosion hit directly behind them, and the woman cackled, looking back at it. "You have horrible aim."
"Eat it!"
The next bottle clocked the woman in the face and she screamed, releasing her grip on Alex as liquid fire rained around her.
She had just reached the roof when the grenade was thrown.
Some part of her hoped, even if he didn't like her, that bow-guy would be okay.
It never did explode, even after a few seconds, and the raiders grumbled a little as they discovered a dud existed before they began to shoot again.
Bow-guy better be good at hiding. Still, she had to focus on the task at hand. A few had died, and one had an arrow between his eyes, but there were still too many. "Hey, up here!"
The woman looked up, then grinned as she saw the pink hair and bandanna. "Oh, it's the little Bandit. No scaffolding this time, honey!"
"I don't need it." Her smirk was visible in her voice.
The bottle was sailing through the air the next moment, the fire on the rag swiftly burning down, down, down...
The firey explosion hit directly behind them, and the woman cackled, looking back at it. "You have horrible aim."
"Eat it!"
The next bottle clocked the woman in the face and she screamed, releasing her grip on Alex as liquid fire rained around her.