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Gloriae
Sept 13, 2014 23:12:58 GMT -6
Post by macxcheese on Sept 13, 2014 23:12:58 GMT -6
Jane had to really stretch her arm to hold on to Conrad. She kept her eyes straight forward, pursing her lips and trying to keep calm. She had to admit, the trip would be much easier now. She noticed a scent coming off the taller boy. It smelled like... soap? Her eyes widened in disbelief. He had to have running water to smell so clean, but that was a lost comfort these days. She shook it off, opting to answer his question than ask another. "Upstairs," she whispered back. "In the ticket box of the movie theater."
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Gloriae
Sept 14, 2014 1:41:46 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by ashestoApples on Sept 14, 2014 1:41:46 GMT -6
He nodded silently and half-helped, half-carried her toward the stairs and grimaced at them. How was she ever convinced she was going to make it all the way up there without help? He had half a mind to carry her, actually. It probably wouldn't even be hard, he was just... afraid for her. If he hadn't already decided to trust people (who kidnapped him, no less) and saw it turn out so much better than he could have ever hoped, he couldn't even imagine how he'd feel having to trust someone to touch him, let alone carry him anywhere. So, he helped her (partly carrying her anyway) up the stairs, one slow step at a time.
He looked back over at her. For some reason, she reminded him of someone. Was it her voice? Maybe? Or was it what little he could see of her face? He felt like it was maybe that too. Whatever. She probably just had one of those faces/voices. Shoving the thought out of his mind, he looked away and concentrated on the task at hand.
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Gloriae
Sept 14, 2014 11:08:22 GMT -6
Post by macxcheese on Sept 14, 2014 11:08:22 GMT -6
As they made their way up the stairs, her mind was drawn back to the thought of a shower. She wondered if she'd be able to get in on what ever kind of running water he had. The idea pleased her so much that she cracked a smile. She'd just stolen- ahem- found a nice new hairbrush, and make up was a commodity that no one seemed interested in but her. She had a stash of brand new cosmetics in the ticket box, with a hand mirror on top of the pile. She didn't even consider how silly it was to worry about make up. It was the last thing that made her feel like everything could be okay.
When they finally reached the top, she nodded towards the large theater in front of them. The booth was only a few yards away, luckily enough. She hopped over there with Conrad's help and peeked through the blinds. It seemed like nothing had gotten in while she was gone, so she let go of the boy and hopped to the back. She managed to get the door open by herself and slipped in. Gazing at her goods, she contemplated what she should take. Her first item was her teddy bear, Sonny, and the next was the small hatchet she'd been travelling with. She added her beauty items to the backpack and, with a glance to make sure Conrad wasn't there, a few pads. After a couple of additions she was ready. She pushed the door open, prepared to leave her safe space.
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Gloriae
Sept 14, 2014 16:02:56 GMT -6
Post by ashestoApples on Sept 14, 2014 16:02:56 GMT -6
He turned around and waited for her to finish gathering what she needed, all the while hoping she wasn't just planning on making a break for it. Even if it was something minor like a sprain, Conrad knew from experience that those hurt like hell. He couldn't name all the times he'd fallen down on his ankle and been told he had a sprain when he was sure it was broken just from how it felt. Not to mention that it could be something a lot worse, and she was already really small. He didn't know how she'd survived this long, in all honesty... which kind of made him nervous.
When he saw her come out of her previous hiding spot, he nodded and made his way over to her to help her down the stairs again. Before he did that, though, he asked (mostly out of courtesy, since most people nowadays knew exactly what they needed to keep with them at all times, "Did you get everything? We can come back for more later if you need to. My base isn't actually all that far away, it's just a town over."
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Gloriae
Sept 15, 2014 14:25:08 GMT -6
Post by macxcheese on Sept 15, 2014 14:25:08 GMT -6
She'd bobbed her head and begun to speak when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Using the door frame as support, she stretched her good foot up to peer over Conrad's shoulder. Her eyes grew wide and she slowly lowered herself down. She looked at Conrad as she placed a finger over where her lips where hidden. After a quick hesitation, she grabbed his hand and began pulling him in the booth, peeking around him until they were safely inside. She reached behind him and flipped a small lock, then quickly backed into a corner. After managing to sit down, she motioned for the other teen to do the same and carefully took off her backpack. She reached in, grabbed her hatchet, and held it out to him with a shaking hand, hoping he would understand what she'd seen.
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Gloriae
Sept 15, 2014 15:50:44 GMT -6
Post by ashestoApples on Sept 15, 2014 15:50:44 GMT -6
He understood. His heart was hammering fast when she gave him the hatchet, and he drew in a shaking breath. Eyes wide, he got up slowly, just peeking out through the window long enough to see that the walker had found them and was shambling toward the booth. If he waited too much longer, they'd be trapped between the back of the booth and a walker.
With his back to the wall, he edged toward the door, unlocked it and peeked out just before jerking his head back in. It was a lot closer than it had been last time and he was running out of time. He swallowed hard, motioned for Jane to stay there (as if she was going somewhere anyway) before darting out of the booth and swinging the hatchet through its chest. Conrad's face distorted into a look of disgust as it still tried to reach him though it was twitching on the ground in two pieces, insides spilling out and coating the tiled floors with red and black gunk. He motioned with the hatchet toward the head, half-swung a couple times to make sure he was on target and closed his eyes as he silenced the thing once and for all. A loud squelch made Conrad gag. He would never get used to the feel of it either, and no one got used to the smell. His nose wrinkled despite the gunk (thankfully) missing his face and neck, and looked down at his gunk-splattered arms and shirt with a sigh. So much for his shower last night.
"O-okay," he said, moving back into the booth and willing himself to look and sound brave (it wasn't working like he hoped it would). "Let's get out of here before we find any more stragglers." This time, though, he turned around and knelt on the ground before looking at her over his shoulder. "Maybe a piggyback ride would make things move along faster."
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Gloriae
Sept 15, 2014 17:27:07 GMT -6
Post by macxcheese on Sept 15, 2014 17:27:07 GMT -6
Jane watched in terror as he left the booth. That was not what she'd meant. Her plan had been to stay put until it went away or until it broke into the booth. She pulled out the pistol and drew her knees to her chest, flinching at the muffled sounds coming through the door. Oh god, is he dead? she wondered. He is, oh no, no, no, I'm next, oh godddd. She heard foot steps near the door and held the gun up, ready for it. What she wasn't ready for was the sight of Conrad. She let out a ragged breath and dropped the gun in her lap. Right. Not everyone's as weak as you.
After throwing her arms through her backpack straps, she leaned up and wrapped her arms around Conrad. She was going to need a good chunk of alone time after all this touching, but right now wasn't the moment to be picky on how she got downstairs.
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Gloriae
Sept 15, 2014 21:10:06 GMT -6
Post by ashestoApples on Sept 15, 2014 21:10:06 GMT -6
Conrad was twitchy and at high-alert as they went down the stairs. He swallowed hard before turning around any corner and his eyes widened and his head jerked around at any noise, even if it was his imagination (or his paranoia) or if it was himself. One time his dogtags jingled and his head whipped around as if he were under siege. The last time he'd given anyone a piggyback ride, it hadn't ended well.
"Connie, I'm scared." Conrad nodded and adjusted her slightly on his back so he could move faster. Her arms tightened around his neck at his burst of speed.
"We're all scared. Hang in there, okay?"
"Alright," she said distantly before lying her head on the section of his back between his shoulder blades.
He could hear his blood rushing in his ears and if Jane was trying to talk to him, he didn't hear it, though something told him she wasn't. She was introverted like him, that much was obvious. When they got to the door nearest the car, he (being sure Jane's arms were linked around his neck) released his hold on her leg that wasn't hurt, held out the hatchet and kicked open the door.
The light blinded him. He'd completely forgotten it was high noon. Standing in the doorway, he blinked several times before moving ahead and looked around in a panic, hoping he hadn't missed anything in his blindness. It appeared to be clear. He relaxed and reached out to hook his elbow around her knee again. The parking lot was deserted except for spots of trash left behind by the previously alive mall shoppers and the two walkers Conrad had had to deal with that morning, lying on the ground several yards away from the car, very extra dead. He made his way down the steps two at a time, trying not to jostle Jane too much.
"You still okay?" he asked as they neared the car.
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Gloriae
Sept 16, 2014 8:36:07 GMT -6
Post by macxcheese on Sept 16, 2014 8:36:07 GMT -6
The mashed up thing on the ground made Jane's head whirl. She closed her eyes, swallowing down a moan. She felt herself bob up and down as they made their way downstairs. Her eyes popped open when he let go of her leg and for a moment all she could see was light. It was too much for her, so she quickly shut her eyes again. She'd been in the dim mall for quite a while and was unused to the bright sunlight. Unbeknownst to her, it was for the better that she opted not to see. The two on the ground wouldn't have helped the nausea she felt. She nodded at Conrad's question, then realized he probably couldn't see her. "Y-yes, thanks," she managed. "How m-much longer?"
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Gloriae
Sept 16, 2014 9:13:18 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by ashestoApples on Sept 16, 2014 9:13:18 GMT -6
Instead of replying, he carefully set her on the ground, a hand on her back to steady her, as he opened the passenger side door and guided her in.
"Lock the doors and stay here. A window is cracked and there aren't any walkers in sight. I'll hurry. Is that okay?" he added the end part at the last second. He still wasn't used to not giving orders all the time, even when he didn't want to. The army had drilled it into him when he was a Master Sergeant and even though he was getting much better, he still found himself slipping into the old habit. "I just have to get the stuff I left behind."
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Gloriae
Sept 16, 2014 19:41:19 GMT -6
Post by macxcheese on Sept 16, 2014 19:41:19 GMT -6
She blinked a few times when her feet touched the ground, slowly understanding why he'd set her down. Seeing the open door, she scrambled in and anxiously pulled it shut. "Y-yeah, sure thing," she responded as she searched for the lock button. Finding it, she pushed down hard and heard a satisfying click. She watched him return to the mall from the side view mirror, only laying her head on the head rest after he'd gone inside.
After another quick glance, she untied her bandana. It was incredibly stuffy under it, and the cool fresh air was so nice. A few minutes of deep breathing passed by until she decided it was time to put the cloth back on. She really didn't know how long she could do this for, the whole biker face look. She wished she didn't have to worry about it, wished she would've stayed a normal girl when she had the chance. It's too late now though, she gloomed. She stared at her backpack, which she'd thrown between her feet. She desperately wanted to pull out her teddy bear and just hug it. Instead she turned her face back outward. With her cheek pressed against the window, she watched Conrad return with whatever he'd left in the mall.
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Gloriae
Sept 16, 2014 23:12:44 GMT -6
Post by ashestoApples on Sept 16, 2014 23:12:44 GMT -6
His hoodie was slung over his shoulder, tucked under a very large and heavy backpack that he was carrying lop-sided with one strap. In his hand he held a large duffle bag, jammed full of supplies, and in the arm that was supporting the backpack, he held the hatchet. He flinched away from the sun again, but this time not as harshly. The keys jangled in his pocket as he pulled them out to unlock the back door and dump what he had in there. Another time he could come back for more, but that day probably wouldn't be today.
He jammed the key into the lock on the driver's door and pulled it open before clumsily throwing himself into the seat. The engine sprang to life when he shoved the key into the ignition and turned it hard. As he backed up, he cleared his throat.
"Like I said, it's a town over. Maybe ten miles. It won't take long." He paused and put the car in drive to get out of the lot. Why had he parked in a parking spot anyway? Was he worried about someone else having room for their car while they went on a shopping excursion? Habit, he guessed.
"What's uh..." he thought for a minute. Was it too much to ask? If it was she'd just avoid the subject and they could continue their car ride with faint music in the background and awkward silence, right? He swallowed as he took a turn out onto the side street and headed toward the highway.
"What's your story?" he asked warily. "Or I can go first. Or something."
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Post by macxcheese on Sept 17, 2014 18:20:43 GMT -6
She kept her eyes straight ahead as he got in. She was wary of the part of her face that was showing now that they were somewhere with more light. Eyes were distinct. Eyes could give away a person.
And well her eyes hadn't given away her identity (yet), they sure gave away her emotions. She gave the windshield a "what the hell" look at his question. Was he trying to bond with her? Weren't you only supposed to ask that after like, level four of friendship? And that's with assuming they were friends! Then again, she worried. He might get suspicious if she denied his request. She had to lie, it was the only way. It wouldn't be that hard, she'd been doing it since she was fourteen as June. She would need time though. Shifting her right foot onto the seat, Jane made her response. "You first." She noticed his dog tags. "Were you in the army?"
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Gloriae
Sept 17, 2014 19:30:42 GMT -6
Post by ashestoApples on Sept 17, 2014 19:30:42 GMT -6
Conrad nodded, eyes focused on the road and eyebrows turned down in concentration. He didn't want to step over a line, but he wondered if he had. You had a right to be paranoid nowadays, and that was one thing he was good at- probably the only thing he was good at. The only thing that really kept him alive.
"Yeah. I was an ASAP. Master Sergeant, back in Detroit. My sister and I walked there from Philly. When we got there she and I joined up with the army- or what was left of it- because I figured it was a surefire way to get rations. She, uh... Didn't make it. She was gone long before I... well... joined up with these people." He swallowed hard, thinking about her limping around in the half of Detroit where they flung walkers, moaning and probably aching. They always looked sad and like they were in pain. Sometimes he wondered if she remembered him, but somewhere deep down he knew she didn't. She wasn't herself anymore. None of them were people anymore. He'd always hoped she would be different, but he knew better now; only Rick was different.
He clenched his teeth and tried to focus on getting past a small group of walkers he saw afar off. They were slowly shambling toward them, but they wouldn't make it to them. Conrad nearly floored it and they were in his rearview mirror before he'd had time to have an anxiety attack.
"You... uh... don't really have to tell me. If you don't want," he said, now feeling awkward. He didn't want his past to paint how she'd view him from now on, but now he didn't have a choice.
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Gloriae
Sept 17, 2014 21:02:27 GMT -6
Post by macxcheese on Sept 17, 2014 21:02:27 GMT -6
"Oh." She'd been so ready, a perfect lie all stacked up. It was simple: she was at a concert, stayed with a scavenging group for a while, and then half her face got burned off. It was his sister that stopped her from going through with the plan. At least she had hope that her parents were alive. In a moment of madness, she reached up for the edge of the bandana. She was gonna do it, she was going to take a chance! But even as she thought that, her fingers slid past the fabric and back into her lap. Her wounds were still too fresh and she was still too unsure. Instead she answered back, "I was at a concert when it happened." She tried to pull up her other leg, but a bite of pain reminded her why she was in the car in the first place. "And well, now I'm here."
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