Eternal Winter

Eternal Winter is roleplay run by Hk 4sixteen and managed by 900bv.

Rules

 * You may only have a total of 2 characters that you can roleplay.
 * If there are those who haven't joined, contact me or 900bv and give use your character info.
 * Character pages are needed.
 * Posts can stray off from the storyline, but must relate to the main focus of the RP.
 * The format for posts are as follows:

Andrew walked to the grocery store and bought a snack.

Hk 4sixteen (talk) 09:06, July 24, 2013 (UTC)


 * Signatures are required when posting to identify who made the post.

Storyline
In the year 2020, life on Earth nearly ended. The star, WR 104, became a hypernova, sending waves of gamma-rays across nearby systems. Without warning, one of these bursts hits and penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere. A mass extinction event occurs and most die from radiation poisoning, starvation, malnutrition, and other causes. As waves continue to hit the Earth, photo chemical smog pockets in the atmosphere, stopping all sunlight from reaching the surface. This causes the Earth to enter a second ice age.

The United States was the worst hit, taking the brunt of the initial wave. As millions died across the country, the government attempted to do what they could to save as many of them as possible. Despite their efforts, the United States was sent into chaos and much of the original government collapsed. Those that survived the bursts now have to learn to live in a new world where survival means everything.

Survivors

 * Scott Lester (Hk 4sixteen)
 * Grace Harper (900bv)
 * Brody Westbrook (Weejoh-_-)
 * Brandon Luttrell (USMC Lance)
 * Natalie Freeman (Bumblebeeprime09)
 * Leah Renner (EternalBlaze)
 * Frédéric Beauclerc-Finbarr (Gloryman3)
 * Bill Fletcher (Pancake301)
 * Michael Rivers (DeadRaiser)
 * Alicia York (DeadRaiser)
 * Alex Rayson (My Wunderwaffle iz missin)

Brandon 'Lutty' Luttrell
The ruins of Fort Bragg stood right in front of Luttrell. He looked in astonishment.

Burning humvees and trucks, decomposing bodies scattered around the barracks, buildings burning from the gasoline ignited by the Gamma Ray Blast.

"Michelle, I love you and I miss you.", Brandon thought.

Michelle, his wife. They had met around Fort Bragg and had a strong relationship. Michelle wanted to have a baby with Brandon but he consistently said no until his deployment to Iraq.

After Iraq, Brandon began his abusive behavior deriving from his experiences in Iraq. He daily physically abused and verbally and emotionally abused Michelle, yet apologizing after every time and is just "trying to express his anger from the war."

Michelle always pleaded with Brandon to reveal his experiences but at the cost of never getting anything out of him.

Unfortunately, she was raped and murdered by Brandon during a sleep-walk that Brandon had that night, also deriving from experiences in Iraq. Brandon serves six years in jail for first degree murder and rape but is released for treatment of his severe PTSD.

He gets a new girlfriend, Jennifer Burgess, who sympathizes with him and they have a three year old daughter named Judy Luttrell. Unfortunately after the Gamma Ray Blast, Burgess disappears and Judy dies of malnourishment, leading Brandon back into his state of depression which was lost after beginning the new relationship.

"Shit, someone's there!" Brandon screams. He runs with no supplies with his only weapon being a kitchen knife.

A man, dressed in full battle uniform with an armored vest and much supplies, is brutally killing a deer with a hunting rifle.

Brandon, desperate for food and supplies, decides to kill the man.

"God, I'll regret this. Please have mercy on my soul'," Brandon thought.

He pulls out the kitchen knife, sneaks behind the heavily armed man, and grabs his neck, covering his mouth with one hand and slicing his windpipe with the knife in the other hand. Blood begins to spew every where and the man looks at Brandon in shock, as he dies a quick death.

Brandon shakes his head and begans stripping the man of his supplies.

"It didn't have to be this way!" Brandon says to himself.

The man has a hunting rifle with ten magazines, an M4 military-grade carbine with five mags, two frag grenades, two smoke grenades, a bag of canned food and goods, MultiCam camouflauge shirt and trousers, tan boots, an assault vest, tan assault gloves, sunglasses, a balaclava, and a MICH military-grade combat helmet.

"Holy shit, where the hell did this guy get all this stuff?!" Brandon drags the man in a bush and puts on his attire.

Brandon looks at himself and awkwardly smiles.

He begins to skim the deer's skin and builds a fire using matches and wood from the man he killed. He cooks the deer and eats good for the rest of the night, establishing a little perimeter around the rest of Fort Bragg.

"Taste like Mom's good 'ol chicken, and I got a good 'ol fire to warm me up in this god-damn winter." Brandon says to himself, while also laughing.

He sleeps off through the night, resting his full belly from the deer stew.

Scott Lester
The ground under Scott's feet crunched as he walked silently towards the back door of the barracks. The area was different to many others across the state, remnants of grasslands still remained, preserved in the case of dead leaves. Wind blow deathly across his face, hard and sharp at the same time.

"Fuck do I hate winter" He muttered to himself, gripping his knife tightly.

It all began with the star, WR 104, going supernova and causing a gamma-ray burst. This lead to the US receiving radiation exposure. Photochemical smog was then created, blocking out the sun and delving Earth into an impact winter. Crops failed, animals were wiped out and starvation took the US. The fight for supplies began and tribes were created. The country faced civil war on multiple sides. But it wasn't war, it was survival.

The barracks was clad in snow after last week's storm. Scott had earlier obtained info that Red Day, a rogue tribe, had stored supplies in these barracks. The info came via Scott's cousin, Brandon Luttrell. They had hunted down a Red Day survivor and brutally interrogated him to find the info. The body was dumped crudely, mutilated inside a body bag, flowing silently down a river. Scott shivered at the thought of. As he reached it, Scott raised his knife to the edges of the door and carefully placed the point into the gap between the wall, digging it in deeper as he carved down the gap. He was sent to down the group as part of a military task force, but the group was split up over Calafornian airspace. He took the knife out and inhaled a deep breath. His hand was placed over his M1911's holster. Instantly, he stepped back and kicked the door hard. It felt slowly as he took out his pistol. He walked inside into an abandoned kitchen. A pot was simmering over on a counter. He stopped and listened for signs of activity; None came. Scott continued forward to a door at the end of the kitchen. He could hear faint voices, chattering away silently. Reaching inside his vest, he produced a silencer and attached it to the notch on the end of his pistol.

"Show time."

--Hk 4sixteen (talk) 19:12, July 23, 2013 (UTC)

Michael Rivers, Alicia York, and Grace Harper
Michael was slowly moving along an old forest path. He had been staying in an cottage at the end of the path where its inhabitants died during the initial burst. About half way down to path, he sniffed and looked up at the sky.

"I hope this ends soon," he told himself as he continued moving along the path. As he walked, he readied the M1903 that he had slung on his back and looked all around him. His winter coat made it hard for him to sneak up on animals, so firing from long range was all that he could do.

Soon, he came across a buck and aimed at its head. Before he could fire off a shot, something scared off the buck and ruined Michael's chances of having a meal for the day.

"Who's here? Show yourself!" he called.

  Dead Raiser   Talk    Contribs    My Home Wiki     19:59,7/23/2013 19:59, July 23, 2013 (UTC)

Grace walked out to Michael, keeping her crossbow ready.

She started speaking to Michael. "You know, you aren't exactly discreet yourself. Also, what do you expect to do with that rifle, kill the buck or alert pretty much everyone in and around this forest? If it's any consolation, I'm not eating today either."

Grace sighed, slinging her crossbow across her back. She continued.

"Listen, my name's Grace, thanks for asking. I'm not looking for any favours, but I have been wandering around alone for a while now, and you seem to be in a similar situation. Whether you trust me or not is irrelevant, but if we travel together, both of our survival chances are doubled. Oh, and I wouldn't mind you introducing yourself either."

-   900bv   Talk    Contribs    My Home Wiki     20:28,7/23/2013 -

Michael gained a suspicious look, but soon lost it.

"You're probably right. Name's Michael by the way," he told Grace, "I've been living in a cottage down the road for the past couple of days. I'm planning on leaving tomorrow, so if you want to stay the night, you can."

  Dead Raiser   Talk    Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  00:11,7/24/2013 00:11, July 24, 2013 (UTC)

Grace smiled to herself, before replying. "Y'know, in any other context, I'd need to know you for more than a minute before I took you up on that offer, but thanks. I've got a small campsite set up a small walk away from here. I'll need to travel back there before the day ends. If you wanna come and help with my stuff, that'd be great."

Grace adjusted her crossbow sling, before equipping her Kimber Royal II.

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  00:25,7/24/2013 -

Michael nodded his head.

"Sounds fair enough. Let's get going before it gets too late. I don't want to get caught out here when everything freezes."

Michael took off his pack and assembled an Mk14 Mod 2. He put his pack back on and stood up.

"After you."

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  00:32,7/24/2013 00:32, July 24, 2013 (UTC)

"Not exactly limiting the amount of weapons you carry, are you? Anyway, the camp is that way. I haven't seen any others around, but you should probably stay alert anyway."

Grace starts walking, wary of her surroundings.

"So Mike, what's your status. Searching for any kidnapped princesses?"

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  00:42,7/24/2013 -

Michael looked at Grace with a little surprise.

"If you mean a lost girlfriend then yes," he replied as he followed Grace, "Now my question is, how did you guess that?"

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  00:48,7/24/2013 00:48, July 24, 2013 (UTC)

Grace smiled to herself.

"A lucky guess, if anything. Most guys don't prefer going it alone, and most people I know wouldn't have found that much stuff on their own. Listen, I'm not bothered what goals you have, and if there is more you are gonna withhold from me, that's your choice. Just... don't expect me to open up to you, because I'm not going to, at least not now."

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  00:55,7/24/2013 -

Michael sighed and looked around him.

"Well, I wouldn't be caught in that situation if..." Michael began then stopped. He shook his head and tried to push the thought out of his head.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  01:10,7/24/2013

Grace sighed, and turned to Michael. "However you got seperated, and wherever she is now, I can see you aren't exactly over that. I haven't got a goal, or something to go out for, so I will do my best to help you find her. It's obvious you aren't gonna be your actual self until you've seen her again. Come on, it isn't far to my camp."

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  01:13,7/24/2013 -

Michael just nodded and surveyed the area. Behind him, he heard constant murmuring and looked back. He noticed the silhouette of a man hiding behind a snow-covered hill.

"We're being followed," he whispered and turned the safety off his gun.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  01:50,7/24/2013

Grace flicked the safety of her handgun off, and turned around. "Shit, they've probably found my camp too. I don't think there are a lot of people, probably only one. What do you think is the best call? If they have got some of my stuff, we better get them now."

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  01:57,7/24/2013 -

Michael looked at Grace.

"It's best if we go and get your stuff. If this guy follows us, he'll end up dead," Michael told Grace as he checked the ammunition left in his magazine, "I've got a full mag, let's get there fast."

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  02:00,7/24/2013 02:00, July 24, 2013 (UTC)

Grace looked around, worrying.

"Right, the camp is only a few hundred metres away. Move fast, and keep down as much as possible. If he is armed, and someone gets hit, I have medical supplies at the camp."

Grace pointed towards the camp.

"Run!"

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  02:06,7/24/2013 -

Michael began sprinting down the rode with his Mk14 in hand. He saw a small encampment up ahead that was full of bandits. He knew that he had to clear them out in order to get Grace's supplies.

"Here goes nothing," Michael thought to himself and began firing at the bandits.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  16:23,7/25/2013

Grace continued sprinting towards the now raided camp, slaloming around trees to avoid the bandits. She stopped and took cover behind a tree near the camp, while the bandits continued to shoot. After blindfiring, Grace grabbed her crossbow, and signalled to Michael to get behind them.

When Michael got to the intended place, Grace quickly developed a plan in her head. "Immobilise one with a crossbow bolt, shout to Michael to take one guy with a shot to the head, run up after the last guys turn around to Michael, shoot one of them, stab the last one."

After one more breath, Grace exited cover and shot one of the bandits in the leg, before shouting to Michael to take another out. "Shoot one of them Michael!"

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  18:21,7/25/2013 -

Michael popped up from behind cover and put three bullets in one of the raider's back and head. He quickly took cover and checked his ammunition again.

"Almost empty," he thought to himself. He began to switch out his Mk14 for his Desert Eagle.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  18:42,7/25/2013

As Grace had expected the last bandits turned to where Michael was shooting from, which allowed Grace to get close of them. Holding both her switchblade and her handgun, she shot one of the remaining bandits, before stabbing the final one in the neck.

Grace walked over to the immobile bandit, while putting away her handgun and switchblade, before crouching by him. After twisting the bolt fired into him, and ripping it out, Grace put the still bloody bolt back into her quiver. "I want you to tell your group through that transceiver that they do not come fucking near me again, and if they do, I will kill all of them."

The last bandit struggled, and grabbed his transceiver. "We failed, boss. Do not try attack this girl again."

Grace smiled and equipped her handgun. "You did a wise thing today."

With one last shot, the camp raiders were all dead.

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  19:07,7/25/2013 -

Michael got up and holstered his Desert Eagle. He walked over to Grace and looked around the camp.

"We can't stay here for long. I know that we may have killed everyone that was here, but we don't know if anyone else heard the fighting. We've got to get your stuff and get to my cabin before anyone else starts poking around here," Michael told Grace.

.::.

''"Get in the shelter Alicia!" Michael told Alicia."''

''"No, I can't, not without you!" Alicia replied.''

"Just go, I'll find another shelter. We'll both make it out of this alive!"

"I can't Michael."

''Alicia and Michael were standing in front of the doorway to a fallout shelter. Alicia looked at Michael and shook her head.''

"Alicia you've got to go. I'll find my way back to you, I promise."

One of the people inside the shelter walked over to Michael.

"We're out of time, you've got to get in here."

The man and two others grabbed Michael and pulled him into the shelter.

''"Let go of me!" Michael said as he tried to break free.''

''"No!" Alicia exclaimed as Michael was pulled in and the door slammed shut. She began banging on the door.''

''"No! No! No!" she screamed as she began to cry. She shook her head, then started running up the stairs to the surface. She looked around and saw another building across the street. She dashed over to the door, opened it and entered the building. As she made her way down the stairs, a huge blast of air knocked her onto the ground and everything went black.''

Alicia's eyes shot open and sat straight up. She was in her temporary home at the moment, a makeshift tent located near the Klamath Mountains.

"Not again," she said to herself as she gripped her head. She's been having the same dream every night since the day of the Gamma-Ray bursts. She put on her winter gear and crawled out of her tent. She collapsed and folded the tent before attaching it to her pack.

"Time to go exploring again," she thought and began marching down the slope of the mountain.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  19:28,7/25/2013

Grace sighed, and took out the magazine of her Royal II, checking the ammo count. She started speaking to Michael. "A little while ago, somebody told me that you need to make a choice. You either stay a human and die, or you become a monster and live. I still don't know what my decision is, because I don't want to keep having to do this."

Grace wiped away her incoming tears, and put the magazine back into the gun.

"We'll get all this stuff to your safehouse, cottage, whatever, and rest up for the night. If you were around here when you got seperated from your girlfriend, then she shouldn't really be far away, unless she went south immediately after the burst."

Grace holstered her gun and equipped her crossbow, loading in another bolt.

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  22:34,7/25/2013 -

Michael looked at Grace, then down at the raider. He bent down and checked the raider's belongings. As he looked, he noticed something odd about the way the raider was dressed. After a while, he realized that this isn't just a bunch of random raiders. He stood up and took a step back.

"This wasn't just a bunch of random raiders," Michael finally announced.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  22:47,7/25/2013

Grace was taken aback by Michael's comment. "Wait, what do you mean 'these aren't just any random raiders'. Are they from an official board of raiders? Who have we just killed Michael?"

Grace hurridly grabbed the bloody bolt from her quiver and wiped off the blood.

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  22:53,7/25/2013 -

Michael looked at Grace.

"These are members of the Morning Glory. I've encountered them before and they're just savages. They pretty much kill any person they see, take anything from anywhere, and assault any woman or child they can," Michael explained to Grace, "The last time I saw them was a month ago attacking a group of teenagers as they tried to make it back to their camp."

Michael shook his head and clenched his fists.

.::.

Alicia was half-way down the slope when she noticed a group of people walking up towards her. She equipped her FAR-15 Legacy Carbine and aimed at the figures.

"Who are you? What do you want?" she asked. The men didn't respond and just kept getting closer.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  23:24,7/25/2013

Grace put the now clean bolt back into her quiver, and replied to Michael. "Well, then they better take that message seriously, because they aren't gonna do a damn thing to me, to you, or to Ali-... your girlfriend."

Grace turned away from Michael and looked down.

"We should head to that cottage of yours."

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  23:33,7/25/2013 -

Michael gave Grace a suspicious look, picked up some of supplies, then started walking back towards the cottage.

"The sooner we get there, the safer we'll be," Michael said as he continued moving.

.::.

Alicia clicked the safety off of her gun and prepared to fire at the oncoming men.

"Stay back," she warned.

"It's Alicia, get her!" one of the men and started firing. Alicia began firing her gun and picking off the men one by one. As she kept firing, a bullet hit her left arm. Pain shot all along her arm and blood was flowing out of the wound.

"Shit!" she exclaimed as she attempted to recuperate. She managed to bring up the gun and fire at the last enemy. She quickly wrapped a bandage around the wound and walked down to one of the dead men.

"Morning Glory," she said to herself, "Why are they still going after me!?"

.::.

A man ran through the halls of an abandoned hospital. He swerved around hallway intersections and made his way into a meeting room.

"Sir," the man wheezed as he was out of breath. A tall man stood up from the center chair.

"Yes, Rourke?" he asked.

"We received a message from Lark sir," Rourke began, "The mission was a failure, no members returned from the encampment."

"What? How can one little traitor manage to kill ten of my men?" the man demanded.

"She wasn't alone sir, there was someone else with her," Rourke replied. The man walked out of the shadows and below the light in the center of the room. He had a scar on his neck and torn, bloody clothes.

"You find Grace and anyone who is with her. When you do, make sure that they're dead and that their corpses are brought back here!" the man ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Rourke responded and rushed out of the room.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  01:25,7/26/2013

Grace picked up the supplies that were left, and started walking with Michael. After a brief silence, Grace decided to speak again. "I just wanted you to know that I probably wouldn't have taken those guys out if you hadn't been there. With that, and letting me stay someplace nicer than the forest, I really appreciate it. I'll do my best to help you when I can."

Grace looked down at her bloody coat, and was instantly reminded of what she did. She knew she'd have to open up sooner, rather than later.

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  01:38,7/26/2013 -

Michael looked back at Grace for a second.

"You're welcome," he replied and looked back at the road. After a while, they came up to Michael's cottage and entered it.

"Well here we are," he said, putting Grace's stuff down, "I found this place about two weeks back. The original owners didn't make it through the initial bursts, so I decided it was best to give them a proper burial." Michael pointed out the window where two graves were with a cross above each.

.::.

Alicia knew that it wasn't safe to stay in the same spot anymore. She began to move along the mountain to find a safer location not to far away from where she was.

"I hope Grace finds Michael soon," she thought.

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  01:47,7/26/2013

Grace looked outside towards the graves. She spoke quietly. "Wow, she was right about you."

After removing her now blood covered pea coat, she looked through her supplies, finding a tan jacket. After putting it on, Grace spoke slightly louder.

"Well, at least I don't feel like a psychopath anymore."

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  02:07,7/26/2013 -

"I, uhm, heard you about to say a name back your camp. I also happened to over hear what you said over at the window. I'm going to be blunt here, so, how do you know Alicia?" Michael asked calmly, there's no need to hold anything back."

<span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  Dead Raiser  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:pink">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #444 35%, #000 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#eb0">  02:53,7/26/2013

Grace sighed, and pulled a folded up picture from her pocket. "A while ago, I was forced to ally with a group. In fact, we've just met them, and I knew exactly who they were. They shot and captured a girl who had been looking around the base, and threw her into a darkened room. They wanted me to find out who she was, and you should understand how that happens."

Grace started tearing up, still clearly affected by the events.

"I was with her for so long, in silence, not doing anything. When the people I was with started hammering the door, questioning the quiet, I had to do it, and Iit has stayed with me since. They kept her captive for a few days before that, and it was then when I split away from the group. I spoke to her privately, and she gave me this."

Grace unfolded the picture, showing it to be a picture of Michael.

"Alicia wanted me to find you, and I did. I helped her escape, and I had to run away from the group. I couldn't stay with her. I know the basic location of her, she's very close to the Klamath Mountains. Morning Glory are still looking for both of us, and if she is still alone, she's going to struggle if they find her."

- <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); border:1px solid #eb0; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; border-top-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; border-right:0;"><span style="border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex;">  900bv  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0; border-top-left-radius:1ex; border-bottom-left-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topleft:1ex;"> Talk  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  Contribs  <span style=" background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:#fff; border:1px solid #eb0;">  My Home Wiki   <span style="border:1px solid #eb0; border-left:0; border-top-right-radius:1ex; border-bottom-right-radius:1ex; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:1ex; -moz-border-radius-topright:1ex; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, white 35%, silver 65%); background-image:-webkit-gradient(linear, 0% 0%, 0% 100%, color-stop(35%, #444), color-stop(65%, #000)); color:red">  14:50,7/26/2013 -

Brody Westbrook and Natalie Freeman
Snow and ash felt on the ground. The woods were covered in a black and white blanket. The treetops were leafless and only a few strong plants had survived the bitter cold of the last days. Only the sound of footsteps in the snow was heard in the whole area. Brody lifted his rifle up again on his back. He had walked for over an hour now, but he hadn’t seen anything.

“Everything is gone.” He whispered to himself. He stopped and looked around in the dead forest. Wind blew right in his face. Even though the sheer cold of second winter is deadly, Brody didn’t mind it anymore. He had been looking for wildlife the whole day. He was hungry. Suddenly a deer started growling in the distance. Brody’s head searched the area. Downhill stood a lone deer, searching for plants. It was hungry and weak, an easy prey. Brody grabbed a bullet from his backpack and loaded his rifle.

“One shot...” He muttered. His rifle wasn’t in a good shape and he was almost out of bullets. He pulled the barrel up after he had inserted the bullet. He stood up and slowly walked downhill. The snow made it difficult to make no noise at all, but the deer wasn’t as sharp as he used to be. Brody crawled towards a tree. He sat down against the bark. The deer was only a few meters away from him.

“Okay... easy now...” He whispered to himself, regretting it immediatly when the deer put his head up. He didn’t have the courage to turn around and shoot the deer, so he waited. Suddenly, the deer starts running.

“You got to be kidding me!” Brody shouted in the air. He moved away from his cover at the bark and aimed his rifle. His right eye, focused on the deer. He wanted to pull the trigger, but he didn’t. He waited. His sight became hazy and it felt like he was going to sleep. He then realized that the deer is getting away and got himself together. He stood up and chased the deer. The agility of the deer was far for improved than Brody’s, but he managed to keep up with the deer. When the deer began walking uphill, Brody saw his chance. He aimed again and pulled the trigger. He looked to the deer, waiting until he was going to collapse. The deer ran a meter, and another meter, he kept running. Brody missed him.

“Fucking great...” He said. He kicked into the air. The deer had escaped and no way he could find him again in the next hours. He sighed a few times. He looked up at the treetops. In the treetops hang a flag. Suddenly, Brody realized something. He hang the flag in the tree, years ago. It was during the time he used to hunt with his father.

Weejoh-_- 17:58, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

The shot rang out through the valley. Shit, Natalie thought. ''Someone's not happy, time to get out of here. ''Natalie crawled out of the bushes she was hiding under and began treading downhill, keeping as quiet as possible. Unfortunately, the shortage of wildlife since the event made it much harder to tell when someone was around. A silent forest often meant there was an intruder, someone or something that wasn't supposed to be there, that was scaring the animals into silence. Not now. The forest was almost always silent.

She spotted a deer. So that's what that was about. Natalie, unfortunately, didn't have a high-powered rifle. This will have to do, she thought, as she brought up her FAR-15 and threaded a suppressor on it. Her rifle was stolen from a group of survivors who had been previously holding her captive for their various pleasures, before she managed to free herself and kill most of them. The rifle had been previously modified to be able to fire in two-round and three-round bursts, as well as the original semi-automatic setting. She took aim at the deer and set it to a two-round burst setting.

Due to the suppressor, she could fire off multiple rounds without the deer, or any survivors in the area, knowing. Natalie fired the rifle. Two rounds, one after the other, slammed into her target, wounding it. The deer tried to walk away, so Natalie fired off four more bursts, most of them hitting the deer. The deer collapsed, but was still alive. Natalie set the rifle to semi-automatic and fired another three rounds into the deer's eye, killing it. Dinner, Natalie thought, as she pulled out her springblade and set to work getting the meat from the deer.

BBP09 16:21, July 24, 2013 (UTC)

Brody climbed in the tree. He had risen above all treetops. The panorama of the woodtops, covered with a white cloak which was illuminated by the orange light of the sun. He forgot everything for a second and thought back of the fall day. He went hunting with his dad.

"Dad, I'm tired, wait..." Brody shouted to his dad. No response. Brody stopped walking. He looked around. Leafs were falling from the rooftops. Same old hunting with his dad.

"Nothing's the same since mom died..." He muttered. His mother died due cancer and after that his dad stopped working fulltime. He always said he wanted to prepare Brody, but he was just a kid. For what was he going to be prepared? He sat down and looked around, no sign of his dad.

"I hate him..." He whispered to himself. Suddenly, a boar ascended from the bushes. Brody stood up and slowly walked backwards, but the boar came closer. It growled and was ready to attack. Brody searched for a weapon, but the boar suddenly jumped right at him. Brody dodged the attack half and started running. The boar stood up and chased him. He came closer.

"Shit shit shit..." He looked around. With no doubt he started climbing in a tree. The bark was sharp and he cutted his hand, but he couldn't fall down. The boar growled and stayed right at the bottom of the tree. Brody went higher and higher until he reached the top. He looked around, searching for his dad.

"DAD!..." But no response. Brody then took of his jacket and hang it in the tree, making it look like a flag. For minutes, he waited. Suddenly a gunshot. Brody looked tpdown and the oar was hit by a bullet. It was dead. Brody started climbing down. His dad was the one who shot. When Brody stepped on the ground. His dad walked away.

"Thanks..." But his dead kept walking, he didn't reply. Brody followed. Tey walked right through their house. For a second, Brody stood in front of the house, while his dad walked inside.

"Home..." Brody woke up from his daydream. He stood in front of his old house. He walked to the door, gemtly opening it. The house was messy and dusty. He walked to the living room. The windows were open and sunlight lighted the room. He walked to the desk, picking up a picture of his old family, him, Luke, his dad and his mother. He still could hear them talking, when they were a nice family. Now he's the only one left. Angrily, he threw the picture on the ground.

"Not fair..." He angrily said. He looked to the closet. His dad's old hunting rifle was in it. He opened the door and grabbed the rifle gently. His dad signature was engraved on it. He stared at it for seconds and aimed the rifle to the roof. He then grabbed the bullets from the closet. One bullet, which was covered in blood, was laying in a tiny box. Brody looked at it and put it in another pocket.

"Thanks dad..." He said. He finally understood it.

Weejoh-_- 01:54, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Natalie stuffed the last of the deer meat into a separate pocket of her pack. Gotta move now. She began running downhill, trying to put as much distance between herself from the deer's carcass as possible.

She saw a house. Her first thought was to run inside and hide, but then she realized that someone might be in there. Someone might be watching the house. Oh well. She decided to first sweep the area around the house.

''Guess it's clear. Time to check the inside,'' she thought. Natalie let the rifle hang from its sling as she drew her SIG Pro, holding it at the ready as she moved inside. Living room clear.

She moved into the kitchen, where a compact handgun and a knife lay on the counter. The knife was stained with blood and there was a magazine next to the gun. ''Oh shit. Someone's been here. Natalie suddenly heard a thump'' from inside the house. Her heart rate skyrocketed. She raised her pistol and began to walk into the master bedroom.

Natalie was abruptly grabbed around the neck from behind and her SIG was knocked to the floor, out of her reach. She felt the strong arm begin to choke and strangle her, and she clawed at the arm desperately, trying to make it let go. As her vision darkened, she reached for her knife, unhooked and opened it, and cut the hand, making her assailant scream in pain and let go. Natalie whipped around and tried to thrust the knife into the man's neck, but he blocked it and tried to first reverse it, by curving her arm so that she would stab herself in the stomach. However, natalie saw this coming and turned to the side, making the knife miss. She kicked the man in the leg and tried to stab him again, but this time, the man grabbed her arm and pushed it to the side, getting the knife stuck in the wall.

The man then resorted to punching. Natalie managed to block a few of them, but soon, her attacker landed a blow right on her nose, stunning her momentarily. The man backed off and grabbed his shotgun, preparing to shoot her at point blank range. At the last second, Natalie cam to her senses and grabbed the shotgun by the barrel just as he fired, causing him to miss. She swung the shotgun, hitting the man in the face with the stock, and then brought it back around, getting the sling caught on the man's neck in the process. Natalie took advantage of this, kicking the man in first the groin, and then the chest, making him fall to the ground. She then pressed her foot down on his lungs while pulling the shotgun towards herself, strangling the man with the sling. He tried to grab at the sling and free himself but there was no use. Then he raised his arm, seemingly begging for mercy, but then pointed behind her.

A wild cougar had come into the house and was snarling at her. She dropped the shotgun on the man's stomach, further weakening him. Then, she grabbed her pistol and dove out the window, breaking the glass and cutting herself in the process. She looked back, wondering if she should've helped him, but decided against it and ran away from the house.

BBP09 19:20, July 25, 2013 (UTC)

"Aw fuck!" Brody shouted while breathing heavily. His shotgun lay right next to him, but it didn't come up to grab it because the pain on his chest was so bad. The cougar slowly came closer and was ready to attack. He jumped to Brody, who realized the shotgun was next to him. He grabbed it and held the face of the cougar awayfeom him with it. He pulled the trigger, but no shot.

That bitch must have fired all bullets, he thought. With his last power, he throw over the cougar and run towards the room. He reached the table and grabbed his dad's rifle. He loaded it while the cougar got up and attacked him again. In a split second without doubt, Brody aimed an fires the bullet. The sound of the shot interrupted the growling of the cat and it collapsed. The bullet had pierced the cougar's skull.

"...Close call..." He sighed and breathed heavily, while leaning on the table. He stood up and walked to the kitchen. He grabbed his knife and the pistol with it's magazines. He walked back and skinned the cougar, putting the skin inbhis backpack.

Never know when this is good for something., he thought while the animal's blood dripped of his finger. He cleaned his hands with his shirt, while he walke to the cracked window. He climbed onthe edge an looked outside.

"Now I feel sorry for calling her a bitch." He said while he looked to trail of blood drops of the girl. The trail leaded right into the forest. Brody jumped out of the window while slinging his rifle on his back. He put his shotgun in his holster and loaded his pistol. He cocked it, which was an enormous loud sound compared to the silence of the forest.

Weejoh-_- 17:58, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Natalie finally stopped running. She felt she had gone far enough, and decided to assess herself. ''I'm mostly intact. Some cuts on my hands and face. ''She felt her face some more. ''Fuck, my nose is broken. Better patch that up. ''Natalie got out some alcohol and binding and applied it to her nose. It stang, but not anymore than the cold did.

Natalie then decided to check her ammo. Two magazines for her SIG Pro, two and a half for her FAR. Considering the condtions of most survivors, that was pretty good. She then decided to make sure her knife still worked okay. She reached for her belt and felt for it. It wasn't there. Oh no, I must've left it at the house, she thought. "Damn it!" she said out loud. She checked the rest of her bag. Her PMK mask, deer meat, flashlight, bottles of whiskey, everything. She zipped the bag baack up and continued downhill.

Before she knew it, Natalie had reached a frozen river. Nearby was an abandoned settlement. She headed for it. Near the entrance, she heard a faint beep. It was that of a biochemical detector, designed to test the air for traces or buildups of biological or chemical hazards. She was familiar with the model, having been shown how to use it by her captors. As she reflected, she thought of what they had taught her, whether directly or indirectly. She found it almost ironic. The people she hated the most had ended up preparing her the most for survival.

Natalie shook the thought out of her mind. "Their bad far outweighed their good." she said to herself as she picked up the biochemical detector. She activated the scan. The screen read; 'NON-HARMFUL CHEMICAL LEVELS DETECTED'. She put the detector in her bag and put her gas mask on. A reading like that meant that they were in the outskirts of a contaminated area. Those levels wouldn't kill her, but if venturing further without protective gear would spell her doom.

Once inside the complex, Natalie searched the inside of the buildings, performing another scan while she was at it. 'HARMFUL LEVELS DETECTED'. She was right. She continued to search the building, encountering a small stash inside one office drawer that held a few 7.62mm rounds. She put that in the main pocket with the bottles of whiskey. Those were her 'trading goods'; the items she wouldn't need for herself but could trade with more benevolent survivors for items that she found more practical. She also found a small can of black powder. She stashed that into another pocket.

Natalie climbed out onto the fire escape. She looked out across the courtyard and further. She thought she saw something moving. She got cautious for a second, but decided that it was nothing. She climbed down the fire escape back to the ground.

Once in the courtyard, she began searching through the flower pots and flower beds. She knew that people liked to hide stuff in such places; her captors had done the same thing.

Suddenly, she heard the distinctive 'click' of a shotgun. She froze.

"Stay right where you are if you value your life."

BBP09 21:33, July 25, 2013 (UTC)

"If you turn around, you're a dead woman. Now move out of this hell's bunker." Brody said to the strange woman he struggled with earlier. He pointed his shotgun with one hand at her. They walked outside the compound. Pretty put off his gas mask and so did the woman. Brody's face looked steadfastly towards her, but that meant he could pull the trigger any second. "Where did you look?" He pointed at her bag. The woman stayed where she was, she didn't move a muscle.

"Leave me the fuck alone!" She shouted to Brody. It sounded like she could cry any second, but she didn't. She waited for the shotgun shell to hit her back, but it wasn't coming.

"Looks like we want the same." Brody stopped pointing the shotgun to her. "I'm Brody." He said to the back of her. "You may turn around now." He said with a bit of sarcasm. The woman slowly turned around, facing Brody.

Weejoh-_- 17:58, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Natalie was now facing Brody. For a second, the thought occurred to Natalie to grab her SIG and just shoot the man then and there, but she decided against it.

"What do you want with me? Why the hell are you following me?" she asked sternly.

BBP09 01:36, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

"What are you...?" Brody waved his arms while he said it. "I mean...." He held his hand against his head. Fucking great, he thought. "Just why are you alone?"

Weejoh-_- 17:58, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Natalie was about to explode. Brody's question infuriated her. She was about to scream at him. Once again, the thought of just killing him came to mind. But she couldn't blame him; it wasn't his fault. Besides, he still had that shotgun.

"Listen. Everyone I knew and loved has been killed. I watched my parents die right before my eyes. Then they took me, and-" A tear fell from her eye. "I have no one left. No one. Does that answer your question for you?"

BBP09 01:45, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Brody looked irritated at her. "So you think that you can cry about that?" He meant is less hurting than it sounded, but he hesitated. "Do you think you're the only one? The only person whiteout parents?!" He pointed to the wall. "People who have nobody left have died! You're lucky you live!"

His face changed to an angry expression. He held his hands against his face. "Why don't you team up with people?" He asked while all his expressions changed to a sad/questioning mood.

Weejoh-_- 17:58, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

"Considering what they put me through, I'd rather have been killed."

The reply stunned Brody and left him speechless.

"And I don't team up with people because I'm a girl. All anyone wants anymore is to take advantage of someone like me. You should fully understand what I am talking about."

BBP09 02:24, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

"You have a clear opinion about men." Brody laughed sarcastically. "But who are they?" He looked at the woman. Suddenly, an explosion is heard. What the fuck!, he thought. He looked at the woman.

"You're not alone..." He pointed the shotgun at her, looking like he could pull the trigger any second.

Weejoh-_- 17:58, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

"We're not alone. I suggest we move if we want to live." Natalie said in a suprisingly calm voice. "Follow me. Gas Masks on."

Brody nodded, lowered the shotgun, and pulled his gas mask down over his face while Natalie picked hers up off the ground and put it on. "Hurry!" she said, and they both ran into the compound.

Natalie and Brody ran into the first building, a small shop. Natalie unslung her FAR-15 and put a round in the chamber. Down below, they could hear the voices of the various men. "Gas masks on! Spread out and search the compound, they must've gone inside here. And cover the exits!" one deep voice shouted. Natalie wondered how they would fight back against so many men at once as she watched men take up positions at each entrance while more flooded in to search the buildings.

"Alright. Here's the plan," Brody began.

BBP09 07:03, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

"We need to split them up." Brody started talking while they took cover behind the wall. "One of us needs to drag one to the other and then take hem out silently." He looked around the corner. Flashlights lighted the room.

Fuck, they're close, he thought. He grabbed his pistol and loaded it. "Cover my ass." He said to the woman. He slowly walked in crouch position next to the walls. A patrol of 4 men stood there with flashlights.

"All right, eyes open lads." One said to the others. Brody looked around while the woman peaked around the corner to watch him. Brody found an empty bottle. He picked it up and threw it right behind the patrol

"What was that?!" One said. "Go after it!" Another replied. One of the men walked around the corner, looking for Brody.

Easy now..., Brody thought. He pulled out his knife and waited until the guy was out of sight of the others. He pulled up his knife and stabbed the guy in his neck from behind. He pushed hm on the ground while breathing his last breath. He released grip on him and pulled out the knife.

"Your turn." He whispered to the woman.

Weejoh-_- 17:58, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Natalie crept out of cover and behind the second man and waited for the right moment to strike. Once the others turned around, she grabbed the man around the throat, removed his gas mask, and began to strangle him, while dragging him back behind the counter where she was hiding. Once there, she continued to choke him out. She could feel the weakening resistance in the man, so she momentarily released pressure, but still kept her hand over his mouth to keep him from making a noise.

"What are you doing?! Choke him out!" Brody whispered.

"I have a better idea." Natalie said, as she wrapped her arms around the man's neck and began to pull. The man was trying to scream but couldn't get any sound out. Finally, Natalie relaxed for a second, then pulled extremely hard, breaking the man's neck and killing him. She then gently lowered the head and body (which were now connected only by soft tissue) to the floor.

"Was that necessary? You could've just strangled him." Brody asked, disgusted.

"It didn't satisfy me enough." Natalie replied coldly.

BBP09 18:41, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

What is her problem?, Brody thought. It was weird how she waited a second before killing her opponent cold-blooded. While she was walking away. Brody looked to the body for a second. The neck was turned around, disgusting to see. When he looked up, the woman had disappeared from his sight.

"Fuckin' hell." Brody said. He went into the right room. The room was filled with a foggy substance. He went to a window covered with wooden barriers. He looked outside onto a group of many armed men.

Shit!, he thought when he heard gunshot from another side of the building. What is she doing!, was the only thought that came to him. He ran through the hallway, but suddenly a molotov cocktail was thrown right In front of him.

"Surprise, motherfucker!" One of the armed men shouted. The room was set on fire. Brody doubted no second and ran for his life. "Get me his head!" The guy shouted while Brody tried to find an exit in the burning building.

Weejoh-_- 19:46, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

''BANG! ''The sound of Natalie's SIG echoed through the room and then the gas mask as she shot one of the men in the stomach. She watched the man crumpled onto the floor as blood spilled and began to pool next to him. She heard more footsteps, so she rolled over the office desk into cover. Just as she peered over, a man with a PDW rushed in. Natalie leaned out from the right side of the desk and shot hom twice.

A third man rushed in. Natalie imediately recognized the flame in his hand- a lit Molotov Cocktail. She aimed and fired at the bottle, shattering it and setting the man and surrounding ground on fire.

"Damn." Natalie thought, realizing that she had temporarily blocked her only way out of that room.

BBP09 21:04, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Brody looked around. The whole surrounding was on fire. He grabbed his pistol and fired at his pursuers. Where is the goddamn exit, he wandered. He saw a ladder and ran to it. He took point and fired at the incoming soldiers. He turned around and went on the ladder. He reached a room with an table full of notes.

"What the hell is this?" He asked to himself. Slowly, the fire entered his room. Brody looked around and walked towards the cabinet. He throw it on the hole of the ladder so he blocked the escape road of his pursuers.

Burn motherfuckers, he thought while putting the notes in his backpack. He walked on the scorching floor, while looking for any opponents. He saw a window, enlighted by sun. He looked out of it to the ground, seeing multiple soldiers.

I can take 'em out from here, he thought while slinging his rifle in his hands. He loadd a bullet and aimed at the convoy. The man he aimed at turned around, revealing his face. Brody looked at him whitout looking through the sights. He hesitated and looked back through the sights, slowly taking grip on the trigger.

Weejoh-_- 21:15, July 26, 2013 (UTC)

Leah Renner
To be written.

Frédéric Beauclerc-Finbarr
Frédéric looked around him. The city where he lived, Piedmont, seemed almost normal to him, except there was no people. Frédéric decided to stay back instead of leaving Piedmont, after all, Piedmont was the only city that welcomed him after being honourably discharged from the Canadian 22nd Regiment.

This year would have been his second year in Piedmont, but he decided he would eventually leave the Bay Area after a couple of weeks.

Frédéric felt almost normal, he felt rather pleased he had the whole city of Piedmont for himself. "At least there's no government now", he thought to himself, he laughed.

Frédéric slung his hand-made crossbow, he heard of the numerous gang and guerrilla uprisings in California, so he decided to take action and join the first survivor group he found within California. "Might as well stayed back in Canada", he thought to himself.

Frédéric scavenged through the abandoned houses and buildings looking for food and other things he would find handy. Frédéric entered an abandoned house, in there, he found a SA58 rifle and a couple of 7.62mm rounds. "This will definitely come in handy", he thought to himself. Frédéric left the house and kept looking for anymore supplies in Piedmont.

On the way to the next house, he stopped in an abandoned drugstore. Frédéric grabbed all the necessary supplies and a box of contraceptive pills and condoms. "Will definitely need this", Frédéric thought to himself, laughing.

Gloryman3 (talk) 22:05, July 23, 2013 (UTC)

Bill Fletcher
Bill stood, he had just been shot, although it had only been a flesh wound. The looters that had killed his wife and young child thought they had killed him too, instead of fighting back he had thought it best to wait for them to leave when he would have the element of surprise.

The five men had left and were about a block away. Bill climbed the stairs and found the gun cabinet where he kept his GOL Sniper Magnum. Quickly, he rushed to a window and tried to find a shot on the men, but they had turned a street corner. He rushed down the stairs and out the house, finding himself in the middle of a small town. He felt the cold hit him like a wall, "fuck i hate the cold," he said to himself. Slowly he made his way down the street toward where the men had gone. The house at street corner had an excellent line of sight down the street that the looters had gone down. Slowly, he opened the door and climbed the stairs.

He settled his rifle on the window ledge and watched the men walk further down the street. He looked next to him, a decomposing body sat in a rocking chair directly to his left. He ignored it and continued watching. The five men all were out of cover at the same time, Bill slowly squeezed the trigger, sending a bullet sailing into the man in the middles head. He dropped to the ground and the rest of the men all froze. Bill chambered another round and readied the shot for another man, the man was struck in the brainstem, dropping him to the ground. One man finally realized what was happening and ran inside a nearby house. Bill cursed and loaded another round, the remaining two men raised their AK-47 rifles and began firing wildly, still not knowing where the shots were coming from. Bill quickly finished off the other two and left the building, heading for the one the remaining looter was in.

quickly Bill made his way toward the house, rifle raised and ready to fire. he got to the door and put a round into the lock, then kicked the door in and drew a knife, ready for an attack. He found the man sitting in a corner, looking at him. Bill raised his rifle and aimed it at the mans head. The looter was wearing a heavy winter jacket and a ski mask. "Take off the mask!" commanded Bill, tightening his grip on the rifle. The man obeyed and slowly took off the ski mask, revealing that he was just a boy, no older than 16 or 17. "Listen, si-" the looter began to say before he was cut off by Bill, who put a bullet in his head.

Bill walked out of the house, and began to walk down the street, passing the dead looters. He searched them for anything valuable, all he found was some food and a few 7.62mm bullets. He continued down the street, hoping he could find anyone else that did not want to kill him.

Pancake301

Combined RP
Closed until all survivors meet up with one another.