Susan Capshaw
@DoItForDaniel_
Name: Susan Capshaw
Age: 27, when the world ended.
Family: Parents are deceased, no siblings. Susan. has been alone since she was 18. Yet, at the age of 25, Susan had a son. Unfortunately, little Daniel was taken from her, by the mysterious figures that roamed the streets.
Status: Alive and Well.
Relationship Status: Single -NOT- looking.
FC: Malin Akerman
BIO:
Pre-Apocalypse:
Susan Capshaw, daughter of Hugh and Morgan Capshaw, grew up in the hills of Hollywood, CA. Being the lone specimen of a wealthy couple, her childhood was brief and well-manicured. Susan was greatly influenced by the congenial companionship of her caretaker, who mentored her in her creative expeditions, compensated the affection of a mother–one who was too busy to attend her ballet recitals–and the friendship of a brother who was never born. As Susan grew up she so naively conceived her circumstances as a blessing, for she was financially supported to attend Stanford University, and she had no worries as to whether or not she would succeed. Although, the summer before her freshman year of college, calamity postponed her attendance. Devastated by the death of both her parents in a plane collision, Susan decided to live off of the money left to her in their will, and pursue a career as a sculptor. Living in the heart of a big city, Susan found herself subject to late-night party goings. One night, while under the influence, Susan had a short romance that, unfortunately led to a pregnancy. As soon as Susan told the man he was going to be a father, he fled. Leaving her alone as a single mother in an unforgiving world. Without anybody to help or support her, Susan found help within her church. Growing closer to her religion. Once little Daniel was born, she turned her life around completely. Saying no to drugs, and alcohol. Susan lived a better life, she was actually happy.
Post-Apocalypse:
When the reports began, the city spiraled down fast. Military moved in like an unsuspected neighbor, practically taking over. Luckily, Susan's apartment building remained untouched by marines. However, the plague of the walking dead weren't far behind. Living in her large apartment, Susan tried to comfort Daniel, without much avail. The woman seemed to have been going insane. Hearing all the cries, the explosions, broke her heart. Every now, she would sneak a peek out of her covered windows. It seemed like every glance she stole, everything just got worse. Craters filled the streets, buildings crumbled to the ground. Along with that, the infected people stumbled around, in desperate search for fresh meat. The familiar world she once knew, was taken from her. Susan would stay up at night, listening to all the planes overhead, dropping bombs in attempt to kill the walking corpses. Listening to all the destruction, hearing the people's cries, it gave her an odd form of Insomnia. Eventually one day, all of the noises stopped. Being the hopeful person that she was, Susan believed it was all over. Emerging from her building, with Daniel in her arms, she decided to walk to a near corner store. Despite all of the death, the destruction, Susan believed that she would find somebody alive. Halfway to the store, she was attacked. During this attack, Daniel was ripped from her arms. The creatures ripped him apart, /eating/ him. Not knowing what to do, Susan fled. Fled from her child.. Now, she resides in her apartment building, looking out for other survivors. With high hopes to move on towards LA. Before the televisions stopped broadcasting, there was emergency news reports, feeding them a story about a refugee center in LA. The road between the large cities was long. Susan needs somebody to help her move there.
Shortened BIO:
I was born in Hollywood, California. My parents, Hugh and Morgan Capshaw were successful business owners. Most people would assume that a rich child would be, happy. I was constantly ignored by my parents. That isn't what you might call a "Happy" kid. Although, I made it work. When I was eighteen, my parents were in a very fatal plane accident. They didn't make it. At the time, I was supposed to go to Stanford University. But, I decided to just give up on that. I moved to the city of Sacramento, supported by the money my parents left me in their will. I wasn't really a person to make them proud.. When I turned 25, I got pregnant.. The father was a bum, never offered a hand. I was a single mother when shit hit the fan, now I'm just alone. Sacramento went bad, fast. The television shown emergency broadcasts, telling citizens of Sacramento to move on to LA, where the refugee center was. But, with Daniel to take care of, I never risked the trip. One day, all the bombing stopped. I went outside with Daniel, searching for survivors. Some of the infected people approached me.. They took Daniel.. I didn't know what to do.. So, I ran.. ran from my baby.. Now, I stay in my apartment, without an idea of what was going on, or what to do. Anybody alive out there?
Age: 27, when the world ended.
Family: Parents are deceased, no siblings. Susan. has been alone since she was 18. Yet, at the age of 25, Susan had a son. Unfortunately, little Daniel was taken from her, by the mysterious figures that roamed the streets.
Status: Alive and Well.
Relationship Status: Single -NOT- looking.
FC: Malin Akerman
BIO:
Pre-Apocalypse:
Susan Capshaw, daughter of Hugh and Morgan Capshaw, grew up in the hills of Hollywood, CA. Being the lone specimen of a wealthy couple, her childhood was brief and well-manicured. Susan was greatly influenced by the congenial companionship of her caretaker, who mentored her in her creative expeditions, compensated the affection of a mother–one who was too busy to attend her ballet recitals–and the friendship of a brother who was never born. As Susan grew up she so naively conceived her circumstances as a blessing, for she was financially supported to attend Stanford University, and she had no worries as to whether or not she would succeed. Although, the summer before her freshman year of college, calamity postponed her attendance. Devastated by the death of both her parents in a plane collision, Susan decided to live off of the money left to her in their will, and pursue a career as a sculptor. Living in the heart of a big city, Susan found herself subject to late-night party goings. One night, while under the influence, Susan had a short romance that, unfortunately led to a pregnancy. As soon as Susan told the man he was going to be a father, he fled. Leaving her alone as a single mother in an unforgiving world. Without anybody to help or support her, Susan found help within her church. Growing closer to her religion. Once little Daniel was born, she turned her life around completely. Saying no to drugs, and alcohol. Susan lived a better life, she was actually happy.
Post-Apocalypse:
When the reports began, the city spiraled down fast. Military moved in like an unsuspected neighbor, practically taking over. Luckily, Susan's apartment building remained untouched by marines. However, the plague of the walking dead weren't far behind. Living in her large apartment, Susan tried to comfort Daniel, without much avail. The woman seemed to have been going insane. Hearing all the cries, the explosions, broke her heart. Every now, she would sneak a peek out of her covered windows. It seemed like every glance she stole, everything just got worse. Craters filled the streets, buildings crumbled to the ground. Along with that, the infected people stumbled around, in desperate search for fresh meat. The familiar world she once knew, was taken from her. Susan would stay up at night, listening to all the planes overhead, dropping bombs in attempt to kill the walking corpses. Listening to all the destruction, hearing the people's cries, it gave her an odd form of Insomnia. Eventually one day, all of the noises stopped. Being the hopeful person that she was, Susan believed it was all over. Emerging from her building, with Daniel in her arms, she decided to walk to a near corner store. Despite all of the death, the destruction, Susan believed that she would find somebody alive. Halfway to the store, she was attacked. During this attack, Daniel was ripped from her arms. The creatures ripped him apart, /eating/ him. Not knowing what to do, Susan fled. Fled from her child.. Now, she resides in her apartment building, looking out for other survivors. With high hopes to move on towards LA. Before the televisions stopped broadcasting, there was emergency news reports, feeding them a story about a refugee center in LA. The road between the large cities was long. Susan needs somebody to help her move there.
Shortened BIO:
I was born in Hollywood, California. My parents, Hugh and Morgan Capshaw were successful business owners. Most people would assume that a rich child would be, happy. I was constantly ignored by my parents. That isn't what you might call a "Happy" kid. Although, I made it work. When I was eighteen, my parents were in a very fatal plane accident. They didn't make it. At the time, I was supposed to go to Stanford University. But, I decided to just give up on that. I moved to the city of Sacramento, supported by the money my parents left me in their will. I wasn't really a person to make them proud.. When I turned 25, I got pregnant.. The father was a bum, never offered a hand. I was a single mother when shit hit the fan, now I'm just alone. Sacramento went bad, fast. The television shown emergency broadcasts, telling citizens of Sacramento to move on to LA, where the refugee center was. But, with Daniel to take care of, I never risked the trip. One day, all the bombing stopped. I went outside with Daniel, searching for survivors. Some of the infected people approached me.. They took Daniel.. I didn't know what to do.. So, I ran.. ran from my baby.. Now, I stay in my apartment, without an idea of what was going on, or what to do. Anybody alive out there?
Video Diary
The camera snaps on. The image of a blonde-haired woman shows on the screen.
"Video Diary, 24. Susan Capshaw, age 27. Date, unknown. My best guess would be, sometime in December." She says, with a sigh. "It's been.. Maybe a month since the outbreak." Static folds over the screen, cutting out for a moment.
"--A week since the bombings stopped. However, I can't assume this is over," She says. You can easily guess the words cut out were 'It has been.'
The woman looks tired, almost sick. Her voice breaks every so often, sounding more helpless every time. The setting behind her showed a cluttered apartment. She is the only living person in sight.
"The television stopped broadcasting about 20 days ago. They say we should go to LA." She continues, looking towards the ground. What does she mean, 'we'?
"Ever since Daniel was lost, I don't want to make the trip. Not alone.. I think my best bet is to stay.." Susan mumbles, looking back into the camera. Her eyes watered at the mention of Daniel's name.
Static paused the tape.
When it resumed, the shot pointed towards the ground, out from a window. The streets below were scattered with rubble, corpses, and vehicle wrecks. Buildings nearby crumbled, shadows of stumbling creatures passed by broken windows. Sunlight shown down, casting long shadows of the lone figures that roamed the street. The woman focuses the shot on one specific figure, laying in the street below.
The man slouched beside a building, covered in rotted blood. Hair sprouted from the top of his head, thinner than a needle. He wore glasses, that slouched on his face, held up by the remaining ear he still had. The jaw, barely hinged to his skull, lolled open. Inside of his mouth, a pool of deep maroon colored blood dripped down his lips.
She moved the shot back to her face.
"I don't know if I can take any more of this. There's no hope for the world." She muttered, shaking her head. "I haven't seen any other survivors." Her voice cracks.
"Is anybody alive out there?"
The camera snaps off.
"Video Diary, 24. Susan Capshaw, age 27. Date, unknown. My best guess would be, sometime in December." She says, with a sigh. "It's been.. Maybe a month since the outbreak." Static folds over the screen, cutting out for a moment.
"--A week since the bombings stopped. However, I can't assume this is over," She says. You can easily guess the words cut out were 'It has been.'
The woman looks tired, almost sick. Her voice breaks every so often, sounding more helpless every time. The setting behind her showed a cluttered apartment. She is the only living person in sight.
"The television stopped broadcasting about 20 days ago. They say we should go to LA." She continues, looking towards the ground. What does she mean, 'we'?
"Ever since Daniel was lost, I don't want to make the trip. Not alone.. I think my best bet is to stay.." Susan mumbles, looking back into the camera. Her eyes watered at the mention of Daniel's name.
Static paused the tape.
When it resumed, the shot pointed towards the ground, out from a window. The streets below were scattered with rubble, corpses, and vehicle wrecks. Buildings nearby crumbled, shadows of stumbling creatures passed by broken windows. Sunlight shown down, casting long shadows of the lone figures that roamed the street. The woman focuses the shot on one specific figure, laying in the street below.
The man slouched beside a building, covered in rotted blood. Hair sprouted from the top of his head, thinner than a needle. He wore glasses, that slouched on his face, held up by the remaining ear he still had. The jaw, barely hinged to his skull, lolled open. Inside of his mouth, a pool of deep maroon colored blood dripped down his lips.
She moved the shot back to her face.
"I don't know if I can take any more of this. There's no hope for the world." She muttered, shaking her head. "I haven't seen any other survivors." Her voice cracks.
"Is anybody alive out there?"
The camera snaps off.
Keeping The Faith
One day, the noises stopped.
The explosions, the cries, the gunshots. They all stopped. Silence confused me, after three days of not even a minute of crisp silence, I've grown away from that feeling. The feeling of peace and quiet. Seems like those don't exist anymore. Not since the outbreak.
"Mommy, why is it so quiet?" Daniel looks up to me, hope strewn in his eyes. The look of my son killed me. His innocence, incapable of understanding what was going on. Hell, I didn't even know what was going on.
"I don't know, baby." I say to him, hoisting him on my lap. It's painful to see him this way. The happy-go-lucky, life-loving young boy my son once was, is gone. Gone with the world.
What I said was right, I had no idea what was going on. Before it went completely blank, the television was broadcasting emergency news reports, talking about the dead.. eating the living. That was impossible. The dead were, well, dead! No way in hell they could just, rise from the dead.. Jesus did but, with God's will. No way would God willed this.
"Why did the power go out last night?" Daniel asked again, looking to me. His blue eyes blinked with confusion. How do I reply to that? I don't know.. All I do know was to not leave our building or to move to LA. That's where the refugee center is.
"I'm sorry baby, I don't know." I mumble in reply, pulling him close to me. How do I do this? How can I comfort my son, in this world? His childhood, so violently ripped from him. "Let's do a prayer." I suggest, taking his hands into mine.
"Okay, I'll start." Daniel said in a quiet tone, interlocking his fingers with mine. "Dear Jesus, please be wiv us in these times." He whispered, bowing his head to his hands.
Again, I found myself saddened by his innocence. He was only three, for Christ's sake! He didn't deserve to live like this. To live in fear..
"Keep us safe, Lord. Deliver us from evil." I continue the prayer, with my head bowed over Daniel's. Of all times, this is when he needed me most. No matter how much I wanted to break down, I had to stay strong. Stay strong for him.
"Amen." Daniel said, unfolding his little fingers. His voice echoed in my ears, bringing a tear to my left eye. That was always the first one to water. Could never figure out why.. "Mommy?" He looked up to me, outreaching a hand towards my cheek.
As gently as he could, Daniel wiped the tear off of my face. Having him do that, just made me want to cry more. I wanted to break down, right there. Cry for my baby. Cry for his terrible future, if he has one. I couldn't though. I can't do that to him. Daniel needed me strong, I needed me strong.
"Yes, baby?" I looked into his eyes. The pain in his eyes was unbearable. His blue eyes watered, gazing up into mine. He was clearly afraid, afraid of what was to come.
"Are we going to be okay?" Daniel mumbled, looking down. I tried hard to capture his gaze again, but failed. The boy is clearly giving up hope. That really hurt me.. I don't want my baby to give up like this.
"Yes, baby." I said, yet again. "God will keep us safe. We've just got to keep our faith." I mumble to him. Pulling him closer, I rock him gently. We needed to keep our faith. No matter what life through at us.
Then, our peace was broken.
Planes zoom overhead, dropping small bombs on the unsuspecting risen dead. Daniel squeals, running across the room. I run to him, gently scooping him into my arms.
BOOM!
The first explosion goes off. Causing the apartment to shake. It seems like the whole world shook. My mind filled with thoughts. Thoughts that the apartment building couldn't take much more of this. I feel like it could implode at any second.
I put my hand over Daniel's mouth, muffling his shriek. Carefully running to the dining room table, I scoot under with him in my arms. Our safe place.
"Shh, shh. Baby, it's going to be alright." I whisper, stroking his hair. Any way to comfort him in this situation. I hold him close, gently rubbing his back.
BOOM BOOM!
The next explosions go off. They seem closer now.. I hope to god they aren't getting closer. Almost every building except ours has been burnt to the ground. Of course these bombs were small, meant to inflict as little damage as possible, yet I couldn't stop worrying.
The child squirms in my arms, tears falling down his face. I quickly hushed him, stroking his hair again.
"It's okay baby, I'll sing." I suggest, keeping my voice in a hollow whisper. I decide to recite a hymn from our old church.
"I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain.
The Lord, I know, ruleth o'er everything.
And all of my worry is vain."
I sing in a whisper to him. It seems to be calming him, enough. He's always loved the sound of my voice. Though, I could never understand why.
He was just drifting asleep, lost in the sound of my voice. I could hear the sound of the planes, growing more distance with each passing minute. Everything was going to be okay. I knew it was.
However, I was sadly mistaken.
The explosions, the cries, the gunshots. They all stopped. Silence confused me, after three days of not even a minute of crisp silence, I've grown away from that feeling. The feeling of peace and quiet. Seems like those don't exist anymore. Not since the outbreak.
"Mommy, why is it so quiet?" Daniel looks up to me, hope strewn in his eyes. The look of my son killed me. His innocence, incapable of understanding what was going on. Hell, I didn't even know what was going on.
"I don't know, baby." I say to him, hoisting him on my lap. It's painful to see him this way. The happy-go-lucky, life-loving young boy my son once was, is gone. Gone with the world.
What I said was right, I had no idea what was going on. Before it went completely blank, the television was broadcasting emergency news reports, talking about the dead.. eating the living. That was impossible. The dead were, well, dead! No way in hell they could just, rise from the dead.. Jesus did but, with God's will. No way would God willed this.
"Why did the power go out last night?" Daniel asked again, looking to me. His blue eyes blinked with confusion. How do I reply to that? I don't know.. All I do know was to not leave our building or to move to LA. That's where the refugee center is.
"I'm sorry baby, I don't know." I mumble in reply, pulling him close to me. How do I do this? How can I comfort my son, in this world? His childhood, so violently ripped from him. "Let's do a prayer." I suggest, taking his hands into mine.
"Okay, I'll start." Daniel said in a quiet tone, interlocking his fingers with mine. "Dear Jesus, please be wiv us in these times." He whispered, bowing his head to his hands.
Again, I found myself saddened by his innocence. He was only three, for Christ's sake! He didn't deserve to live like this. To live in fear..
"Keep us safe, Lord. Deliver us from evil." I continue the prayer, with my head bowed over Daniel's. Of all times, this is when he needed me most. No matter how much I wanted to break down, I had to stay strong. Stay strong for him.
"Amen." Daniel said, unfolding his little fingers. His voice echoed in my ears, bringing a tear to my left eye. That was always the first one to water. Could never figure out why.. "Mommy?" He looked up to me, outreaching a hand towards my cheek.
As gently as he could, Daniel wiped the tear off of my face. Having him do that, just made me want to cry more. I wanted to break down, right there. Cry for my baby. Cry for his terrible future, if he has one. I couldn't though. I can't do that to him. Daniel needed me strong, I needed me strong.
"Yes, baby?" I looked into his eyes. The pain in his eyes was unbearable. His blue eyes watered, gazing up into mine. He was clearly afraid, afraid of what was to come.
"Are we going to be okay?" Daniel mumbled, looking down. I tried hard to capture his gaze again, but failed. The boy is clearly giving up hope. That really hurt me.. I don't want my baby to give up like this.
"Yes, baby." I said, yet again. "God will keep us safe. We've just got to keep our faith." I mumble to him. Pulling him closer, I rock him gently. We needed to keep our faith. No matter what life through at us.
Then, our peace was broken.
Planes zoom overhead, dropping small bombs on the unsuspecting risen dead. Daniel squeals, running across the room. I run to him, gently scooping him into my arms.
BOOM!
The first explosion goes off. Causing the apartment to shake. It seems like the whole world shook. My mind filled with thoughts. Thoughts that the apartment building couldn't take much more of this. I feel like it could implode at any second.
I put my hand over Daniel's mouth, muffling his shriek. Carefully running to the dining room table, I scoot under with him in my arms. Our safe place.
"Shh, shh. Baby, it's going to be alright." I whisper, stroking his hair. Any way to comfort him in this situation. I hold him close, gently rubbing his back.
BOOM BOOM!
The next explosions go off. They seem closer now.. I hope to god they aren't getting closer. Almost every building except ours has been burnt to the ground. Of course these bombs were small, meant to inflict as little damage as possible, yet I couldn't stop worrying.
The child squirms in my arms, tears falling down his face. I quickly hushed him, stroking his hair again.
"It's okay baby, I'll sing." I suggest, keeping my voice in a hollow whisper. I decide to recite a hymn from our old church.
"I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain.
The Lord, I know, ruleth o'er everything.
And all of my worry is vain."
I sing in a whisper to him. It seems to be calming him, enough. He's always loved the sound of my voice. Though, I could never understand why.
He was just drifting asleep, lost in the sound of my voice. I could hear the sound of the planes, growing more distance with each passing minute. Everything was going to be okay. I knew it was.
However, I was sadly mistaken.
Faith Doesn't Kill Them
"Mommy, can we go to church? I don't hear anybody outside." Daniel said, looking up to me. His deep blue eyes gazed into mine, his thin eyebrows raising about a centimeter.
Why would we got to church? It's not even Sunday. Or, at least, I think it isn't. I also had doubts that the familiar building may no longer stand. Probably blown to bits by some guy following orders.
"No, sweetie. We're not supposed to leave the apartment." I recite to him, looking towards the covered window. The emergency-broadcasts said to stay indoors at all cost. Only make brief trips outside for groceries. However, the store that supplied us, recently on Carriage Path Way, now lies in 28th street. Strewn across the street in rubble like butter spread on a piece of bread.
Yeah, those bombs were totally necessary.
"I wanna see if Maybell is still there, with her daddy." Daniel said, his eyes watered.
Maybell was the Reverend's daughter. She lived with her father in an apartment above the church. Even though she was four and Daniel was three, he absolutely adored her. I could never quite understand why they got so close. Maybe Daniel was lonely, being a single child.
"I think she left.." I say quietly. Curiosity had gotten to me, too. If they were still there, wouldn't we be all safe, together? Since the military abandoned us, it would probably be okay to leave.
One -slight- problem.
These news reports showed, the dead, rising.. It didn't make any sense to me. How is that possible? Why would God allow that to happen? I haven't seen any close up. Only out the window on the street. Or, on the television screen.
My thoughts were interrupted.
There was a pound on the door. Not like somebody knocking. But, colliding with the door. My mind raced with questions. Is it survivors? Is it one of the so-called walking dead? I don't have time to think of that right now.
"Danny, get to your room, lock the door. I'll get you soon." I whisper to my son, my tone of voice sounded harsh. Piercing the air around us. He gave a small nod, lunging towards his room. Before he was too far away, I grabbed his arm. Twirling him to face me, I look deeply into his eyes.
"I love you." I whispered to him. For some reason, my being forced me to tell him. I felt like it would be the last time I'd see him, alive.. No matter the urgency, we stood for a moment. Gazing into each others eyes. I broke the gaze.
"I love you too" He whispered in reply, turning back towards his room. With a small pat on his back, I rushed him towards his room. After he was securely inside, I slowly approached the door.
The pounding had ceased. But, a quiet moan evaded through the door. I could hear dull nails, desperately scratching on the door frame. Whatever it was, it wanted to get inside. A stench of rotten flesh peaked from under the door.
"Who is it?" I called out, addressing the creature or person on the other side.
When my voice hit it's ears, the thing grew excited. Rapidly thudding against the door and moaning loudly.
I slowly backed away, into the kitchen. Whatever this was, it wasn't friendly. Finally reaching the kitchen, I grab my gun from a locked drawer. Being a single mother in the city of Sacramento can prove dangerous at times.
Pulling the Glock from it's case, I snap off the safety. Loading the chamber, I gaze at the door. Without hesitation, I snap the silencer on the tip of the gun, walking towards the door.
I slowly open it.
The creature on the other side definitely wasn't human. Or at least, no longer human. The figure stood tall, wearing a slim pink dress. Though, the dress was hardly it's former color. Bald spots covered the woman's head, thin pieces of hair strung out. Her eyes were a clutter, not even a solid color. She was drenched in a deep maroon colored substance. Possibly rotted blood. The still-hinged jaw on her skull lolled open, snapping at me.
Raising the gun, I take a few steps backwards. The face looked very familiar.. Like a teenager that used to babysit my son while I was away.. Could it be?
"Julie?" I address the girl, watching in disgust as it slowly shuffles towards me. Julie growls in reply.
What am I supposed to do? Shoot her? Julie was such a sweet girl.. She wouldn't try to kill me.. Right?
Sadly, I didn't have a choice.
Julie tripped, stumbling towards me. She was getting closer. I had to do something, I can't just play tag with it. I had to keep Daniel safe. That was my top priority.
"I'm sorry, sweetie.." I mumble to Julie, raising the gun to her head. She outreached her arms, trying to grab at me. Right before she made contact, I would push her away.
The gun trembled along with my hand. I turn away. Forcing my eyes closed, I squeeze the trigger.
The gunshot, muffled by the silencer, echoed throughout my apartment. Most likely arising the young boy cowering in his room.
Julie dropped to the ground, a pool of maroon seeping from her exit and entry wound.
The sight of her haunted me, playing back in my mind like a broken record player. Sudden realization hit me like a train.
If this is what's happening, people eating people, then we don't have anything to hope for. The world is gone.. No going back.
I'd have to give up on my faith. No matter how much I believe it.
Faith doesn't kill them.
Why would we got to church? It's not even Sunday. Or, at least, I think it isn't. I also had doubts that the familiar building may no longer stand. Probably blown to bits by some guy following orders.
"No, sweetie. We're not supposed to leave the apartment." I recite to him, looking towards the covered window. The emergency-broadcasts said to stay indoors at all cost. Only make brief trips outside for groceries. However, the store that supplied us, recently on Carriage Path Way, now lies in 28th street. Strewn across the street in rubble like butter spread on a piece of bread.
Yeah, those bombs were totally necessary.
"I wanna see if Maybell is still there, with her daddy." Daniel said, his eyes watered.
Maybell was the Reverend's daughter. She lived with her father in an apartment above the church. Even though she was four and Daniel was three, he absolutely adored her. I could never quite understand why they got so close. Maybe Daniel was lonely, being a single child.
"I think she left.." I say quietly. Curiosity had gotten to me, too. If they were still there, wouldn't we be all safe, together? Since the military abandoned us, it would probably be okay to leave.
One -slight- problem.
These news reports showed, the dead, rising.. It didn't make any sense to me. How is that possible? Why would God allow that to happen? I haven't seen any close up. Only out the window on the street. Or, on the television screen.
My thoughts were interrupted.
There was a pound on the door. Not like somebody knocking. But, colliding with the door. My mind raced with questions. Is it survivors? Is it one of the so-called walking dead? I don't have time to think of that right now.
"Danny, get to your room, lock the door. I'll get you soon." I whisper to my son, my tone of voice sounded harsh. Piercing the air around us. He gave a small nod, lunging towards his room. Before he was too far away, I grabbed his arm. Twirling him to face me, I look deeply into his eyes.
"I love you." I whispered to him. For some reason, my being forced me to tell him. I felt like it would be the last time I'd see him, alive.. No matter the urgency, we stood for a moment. Gazing into each others eyes. I broke the gaze.
"I love you too" He whispered in reply, turning back towards his room. With a small pat on his back, I rushed him towards his room. After he was securely inside, I slowly approached the door.
The pounding had ceased. But, a quiet moan evaded through the door. I could hear dull nails, desperately scratching on the door frame. Whatever it was, it wanted to get inside. A stench of rotten flesh peaked from under the door.
"Who is it?" I called out, addressing the creature or person on the other side.
When my voice hit it's ears, the thing grew excited. Rapidly thudding against the door and moaning loudly.
I slowly backed away, into the kitchen. Whatever this was, it wasn't friendly. Finally reaching the kitchen, I grab my gun from a locked drawer. Being a single mother in the city of Sacramento can prove dangerous at times.
Pulling the Glock from it's case, I snap off the safety. Loading the chamber, I gaze at the door. Without hesitation, I snap the silencer on the tip of the gun, walking towards the door.
I slowly open it.
The creature on the other side definitely wasn't human. Or at least, no longer human. The figure stood tall, wearing a slim pink dress. Though, the dress was hardly it's former color. Bald spots covered the woman's head, thin pieces of hair strung out. Her eyes were a clutter, not even a solid color. She was drenched in a deep maroon colored substance. Possibly rotted blood. The still-hinged jaw on her skull lolled open, snapping at me.
Raising the gun, I take a few steps backwards. The face looked very familiar.. Like a teenager that used to babysit my son while I was away.. Could it be?
"Julie?" I address the girl, watching in disgust as it slowly shuffles towards me. Julie growls in reply.
What am I supposed to do? Shoot her? Julie was such a sweet girl.. She wouldn't try to kill me.. Right?
Sadly, I didn't have a choice.
Julie tripped, stumbling towards me. She was getting closer. I had to do something, I can't just play tag with it. I had to keep Daniel safe. That was my top priority.
"I'm sorry, sweetie.." I mumble to Julie, raising the gun to her head. She outreached her arms, trying to grab at me. Right before she made contact, I would push her away.
The gun trembled along with my hand. I turn away. Forcing my eyes closed, I squeeze the trigger.
The gunshot, muffled by the silencer, echoed throughout my apartment. Most likely arising the young boy cowering in his room.
Julie dropped to the ground, a pool of maroon seeping from her exit and entry wound.
The sight of her haunted me, playing back in my mind like a broken record player. Sudden realization hit me like a train.
If this is what's happening, people eating people, then we don't have anything to hope for. The world is gone.. No going back.
I'd have to give up on my faith. No matter how much I believe it.
Faith doesn't kill them.
Expiration Date
This is Lancer, sequence B-1 to mission control" The sound escaping the young man's lips filled the aircraft. His voice was obnoxious, attempting to be heard over the loud humming of the plane. He was currently flying in the US bomber jet over the ruined city of Sacramento, CA. "Do I have clearance?"
His mission was to kill as many of the infected as he could. No matter how much destruction it caused. Even though their plan was to save humanity... they do what they must to win this war. The war against the undead.
"Mission control to Lancer." The radio buzzed in reply. "You have clearance." Then, it cut out. That meant he had the okay to drop bombs anywhere he found fit. He controlled life and death of whatever roamed the ground below.
With a smirk, the man flew overhead the streets, dropping a bomb into an old park. Only a few of the infected were roaming over there but, it was worth it. Anything to kill them. Also, anything to produce a short energy rush...
He could fly wherever he wanted. The only thing he had to look out for was other bombers, buzzing around the sky in no type of formation.
The young man turned the aircraft around, circling the town, seeking pleasure in causing the destruction of a city he once knew. As he spotted a small apartment building, he flee straight towards it, carelessly dropping two bombs overhead.
-
BOOM!!
The first explosion woke me from my not-so-peaceful slumber. As soon as the crash registered in my ears, I knew something was /terribly/ wrong. It almost felt like the whole building shook.. My mind raced with questions, fear not far behind. As soon as I heard a plane zooming overhead, I'd put all my money that we were hit.
As I made my way out of the familiar room; my suspicions were confirmed.
Upon opening the door, black, choking smoke filled my lungs, causing me to wheeze violently. It made me feel like a crystal clear glass, smudged with mucky black tar.
"Daniel!" I choked out, holding my chest. My voice could hardly be heard through all the commotion; the crashes, the flames.. I fell to the ground, it'd be safer lower.
Firemen always say that the lower you are, the clearer the air will be. Unfortunately, they weren't correct in this situation.
My eyes watered, blocking the small field of vision I'd maintained. Guided by the wall of the hallway, I stumbled to my son's room.
It was empty.
"Danny?" I managed to mumble, accidentally gulping buckets of the toxic air. Coughing up a lung, I turned towards the living room. Maybe he got scared, went to hide.. I don't want to even /think/ about the other possibility..
Stumbling through the apartment, only the support of the wall holding me up, I managed to reach the living room. The smoke was more spread out now, giving me a better shot at clear air. Weakened by fear, I dropped to my knees. My mind was racing with different thoughts. I tired to hold on to the fact that I needed to get Daniel. But, getting breathable oxygen seemed to overrule that.
When my frail body hit the carpet, I used all of my strength to push myself to the window. I had to let this smoke out somehow.. It seemed like hours before I finally reached the slab of glass holding back all of that clean, safe air...
Fortunately, there just happened to be a baseball bat sitting beside the window. Taking it in my grasp, I desperately struck on the glass over and over. It took a while but, it finally shattered. Throwing microscopic shards of crystal clear glass raining down on my body; cutting my arms in three different places. Gaping over the new 'hole' in the wall; I took mouthfuls of air, almost bathing in the glory of free breathing.
After my lungs were fully restored, or at least seemed to be, I looked back into the living room. Most of the smoke had gone; escaping out the window. But more was coming, seeping in through the ajar door that lead out of the apartment.
"Daniel.." The word left my lips as a whisper. It wasn't necessarily a call out to him but, sudden realization. Daniel had fled the apartment. For reasons I won't ever understand.
Tripping through the apartment, I reached the door. Taking a deep breath of the clean air, I lunged my body into the wide hall, running down the left way.
"Daniel!" His name echoed the hall, eventually being eaten up by the atmosphere of black smoke clouding in the building. Where the hell was it all coming from? Unfortunately, the source wasn't very far away.
The elevator, on the right end of the hall, was blown out, engulfed in dark red flames. I could see flickers of blue and white in the flames as well. That wasn't good...Heat from the fire had reached me, all the way down the hallway...
There was a small form of a child laying on the burned carpet, still as a the flickering flame of a candle. My heart sunk into my stomach, lurching for the little boy. /My/ boy.
Grief clouded me, driving my body to the carpeted floor beneath my feet. My face went numb, I couldn't feel or sense a thing. It wasn't pain, it was fear.. Clawing my way down the hall, I reached the young boy's body.
His face was black; charred by the flames and smoke combined. Though close to death, a faint heartbeat was detected through his tattered clothing. Daniel's eyes blinked at me, watering with immense pain. What am I supposed to do? I'm no doctor... could I call 911? Would they save my baby?
Without a moment's hesitation, I scooped him into my arms. Something was different... Daniel was never this /light./ It felt like I was carrying two gallons of milk. Hardly any weight dragging me down..
Running to the emergency stairwell, I stopped. There was a strange sound emitting behind me.. Slowly turning around, attracted by a faint ticking noise, I saw it. The /second/ bomb. Hurriedly pushing into the stairway, I did a quiet prayer.
God wasn't listening.
The ticking stopped. Squeezing my eyes closed, I groped the cripple hand of the child in my arms. I thought it'd be okay, maybe this one won't explode.. I was wrong.
BOOM!!
The force of the explosion sent me down the stairs, throwing debris around my body. Sharp white pain sent shocks of electricity through my bones as I hit the cold concrete of the second floor.
The ceiling drooped, exhausted by the explosions, the flames.. Seeing that, I realized one very important thing. One thing that will definitely not assure my survival. Or Daniel's.
The building is going to implode.
Grabbing the completely motionless body I once called my son, I crawled down the stairs. With almost every step I descended, Daniel writhed in pain. My mind was a mess; worried about my son, fearful of not making it out.. How do I do this?
The fire began to spread through the building, playing around on the weak structure. Occasionally, small explosions could be heard. Black smoke continued to evade from the hallway, floating in the oxygen around us. With the stress of the pain, and Daniel, it was almost impossible to breathe the burn air around me.
Like a miracle, we finally reached the exit door. Gently setting the young boy aside, I pushed myself to my feet. It wasn't easy but, I'd have to do it sooner or later. With great struggle, I forced the door open. Sunlight and clean air plowed in the building like water a lake pouring into a single glass.
Once again taking Daniel into my arms, I trudged out of the building, expecting to see a rescue team waiting. I needed to end this /wishful/ thinking. Finding a clean spot on the sidewalk, I gently laid him down, to assess the damage.
The boy laying beneath me didn't look very familiar. Not anymore.
Daniel's face was completely black, stained by the black smoke. The skin around his cheeks peeled; almost burnt completely off. His arm had a huge gash in it, a thick shard of glass must have been the culprit for that. A pool of blood evaded his many wounds, staining the cement beneath him. Throughout all of this, Daniel was still. his deep blue eyes locking a gaze with mine. I could hardly see the tear sliding down his burnt skin, landing heavily on ground. As my eyes scanned his body, tears built up even quicker. As soon as I reached his torso, they stopped.
There was an emptiness, one that I've never experienced, right below his thighs. Something was missing. Something /important./ At that moment, realization hit me harder than the explosion of the second bomb.
My son's legs were no longer there.
"No..no..no. No! No!" My cries started carrying throughout the street at a rapid pace as they left my lips. Grief poured over me like molasses, trapping me in that one spot. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I could hardly breathe. Simply cradling the boy in my arms, I listened to my thoughts. That wasn't the best idea. My mind was everywhere. Couldn't keep one thought for more than a second.
All I could do was sob, staring down at the broken body beneath me. What do I say? What can I say..? Tell my son he's going to die? That, he might already know. I was too lost in thought, I didn't realize..
The child had already expired beneath me.
His mission was to kill as many of the infected as he could. No matter how much destruction it caused. Even though their plan was to save humanity... they do what they must to win this war. The war against the undead.
"Mission control to Lancer." The radio buzzed in reply. "You have clearance." Then, it cut out. That meant he had the okay to drop bombs anywhere he found fit. He controlled life and death of whatever roamed the ground below.
With a smirk, the man flew overhead the streets, dropping a bomb into an old park. Only a few of the infected were roaming over there but, it was worth it. Anything to kill them. Also, anything to produce a short energy rush...
He could fly wherever he wanted. The only thing he had to look out for was other bombers, buzzing around the sky in no type of formation.
The young man turned the aircraft around, circling the town, seeking pleasure in causing the destruction of a city he once knew. As he spotted a small apartment building, he flee straight towards it, carelessly dropping two bombs overhead.
-
BOOM!!
The first explosion woke me from my not-so-peaceful slumber. As soon as the crash registered in my ears, I knew something was /terribly/ wrong. It almost felt like the whole building shook.. My mind raced with questions, fear not far behind. As soon as I heard a plane zooming overhead, I'd put all my money that we were hit.
As I made my way out of the familiar room; my suspicions were confirmed.
Upon opening the door, black, choking smoke filled my lungs, causing me to wheeze violently. It made me feel like a crystal clear glass, smudged with mucky black tar.
"Daniel!" I choked out, holding my chest. My voice could hardly be heard through all the commotion; the crashes, the flames.. I fell to the ground, it'd be safer lower.
Firemen always say that the lower you are, the clearer the air will be. Unfortunately, they weren't correct in this situation.
My eyes watered, blocking the small field of vision I'd maintained. Guided by the wall of the hallway, I stumbled to my son's room.
It was empty.
"Danny?" I managed to mumble, accidentally gulping buckets of the toxic air. Coughing up a lung, I turned towards the living room. Maybe he got scared, went to hide.. I don't want to even /think/ about the other possibility..
Stumbling through the apartment, only the support of the wall holding me up, I managed to reach the living room. The smoke was more spread out now, giving me a better shot at clear air. Weakened by fear, I dropped to my knees. My mind was racing with different thoughts. I tired to hold on to the fact that I needed to get Daniel. But, getting breathable oxygen seemed to overrule that.
When my frail body hit the carpet, I used all of my strength to push myself to the window. I had to let this smoke out somehow.. It seemed like hours before I finally reached the slab of glass holding back all of that clean, safe air...
Fortunately, there just happened to be a baseball bat sitting beside the window. Taking it in my grasp, I desperately struck on the glass over and over. It took a while but, it finally shattered. Throwing microscopic shards of crystal clear glass raining down on my body; cutting my arms in three different places. Gaping over the new 'hole' in the wall; I took mouthfuls of air, almost bathing in the glory of free breathing.
After my lungs were fully restored, or at least seemed to be, I looked back into the living room. Most of the smoke had gone; escaping out the window. But more was coming, seeping in through the ajar door that lead out of the apartment.
"Daniel.." The word left my lips as a whisper. It wasn't necessarily a call out to him but, sudden realization. Daniel had fled the apartment. For reasons I won't ever understand.
Tripping through the apartment, I reached the door. Taking a deep breath of the clean air, I lunged my body into the wide hall, running down the left way.
"Daniel!" His name echoed the hall, eventually being eaten up by the atmosphere of black smoke clouding in the building. Where the hell was it all coming from? Unfortunately, the source wasn't very far away.
The elevator, on the right end of the hall, was blown out, engulfed in dark red flames. I could see flickers of blue and white in the flames as well. That wasn't good...Heat from the fire had reached me, all the way down the hallway...
There was a small form of a child laying on the burned carpet, still as a the flickering flame of a candle. My heart sunk into my stomach, lurching for the little boy. /My/ boy.
Grief clouded me, driving my body to the carpeted floor beneath my feet. My face went numb, I couldn't feel or sense a thing. It wasn't pain, it was fear.. Clawing my way down the hall, I reached the young boy's body.
His face was black; charred by the flames and smoke combined. Though close to death, a faint heartbeat was detected through his tattered clothing. Daniel's eyes blinked at me, watering with immense pain. What am I supposed to do? I'm no doctor... could I call 911? Would they save my baby?
Without a moment's hesitation, I scooped him into my arms. Something was different... Daniel was never this /light./ It felt like I was carrying two gallons of milk. Hardly any weight dragging me down..
Running to the emergency stairwell, I stopped. There was a strange sound emitting behind me.. Slowly turning around, attracted by a faint ticking noise, I saw it. The /second/ bomb. Hurriedly pushing into the stairway, I did a quiet prayer.
God wasn't listening.
The ticking stopped. Squeezing my eyes closed, I groped the cripple hand of the child in my arms. I thought it'd be okay, maybe this one won't explode.. I was wrong.
BOOM!!
The force of the explosion sent me down the stairs, throwing debris around my body. Sharp white pain sent shocks of electricity through my bones as I hit the cold concrete of the second floor.
The ceiling drooped, exhausted by the explosions, the flames.. Seeing that, I realized one very important thing. One thing that will definitely not assure my survival. Or Daniel's.
The building is going to implode.
Grabbing the completely motionless body I once called my son, I crawled down the stairs. With almost every step I descended, Daniel writhed in pain. My mind was a mess; worried about my son, fearful of not making it out.. How do I do this?
The fire began to spread through the building, playing around on the weak structure. Occasionally, small explosions could be heard. Black smoke continued to evade from the hallway, floating in the oxygen around us. With the stress of the pain, and Daniel, it was almost impossible to breathe the burn air around me.
Like a miracle, we finally reached the exit door. Gently setting the young boy aside, I pushed myself to my feet. It wasn't easy but, I'd have to do it sooner or later. With great struggle, I forced the door open. Sunlight and clean air plowed in the building like water a lake pouring into a single glass.
Once again taking Daniel into my arms, I trudged out of the building, expecting to see a rescue team waiting. I needed to end this /wishful/ thinking. Finding a clean spot on the sidewalk, I gently laid him down, to assess the damage.
The boy laying beneath me didn't look very familiar. Not anymore.
Daniel's face was completely black, stained by the black smoke. The skin around his cheeks peeled; almost burnt completely off. His arm had a huge gash in it, a thick shard of glass must have been the culprit for that. A pool of blood evaded his many wounds, staining the cement beneath him. Throughout all of this, Daniel was still. his deep blue eyes locking a gaze with mine. I could hardly see the tear sliding down his burnt skin, landing heavily on ground. As my eyes scanned his body, tears built up even quicker. As soon as I reached his torso, they stopped.
There was an emptiness, one that I've never experienced, right below his thighs. Something was missing. Something /important./ At that moment, realization hit me harder than the explosion of the second bomb.
My son's legs were no longer there.
"No..no..no. No! No!" My cries started carrying throughout the street at a rapid pace as they left my lips. Grief poured over me like molasses, trapping me in that one spot. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I could hardly breathe. Simply cradling the boy in my arms, I listened to my thoughts. That wasn't the best idea. My mind was everywhere. Couldn't keep one thought for more than a second.
All I could do was sob, staring down at the broken body beneath me. What do I say? What can I say..? Tell my son he's going to die? That, he might already know. I was too lost in thought, I didn't realize..
The child had already expired beneath me.
Safety In The Clouds - Part One - No Time For Grief
Some place in the world, everything was normal. People are happy, living with their families. These people were sheltered. Sheltered from the true horrors on the other side of the world. Where the dead rose, feasting on the living.
...
In the streets of Sacramento, however, laid a little boy. A young boy that was exposed to the true horrors of this side of the world. The side that was unforgiving.
The boy was torn apart. Not by the infected people. Not in Sacramento, California. The Government, on their own, decided a new way to take the dead out. A plan that seemed to clear out the dwindling population of living, more so. The boy, being one of them.
Daniel Capshaw.
His mother was beside the boy, pleading for his return. Susan wanted so desperately to have her boy back. But, she never would get him back. The child was thrown in an explosion, his lower legs being torn from his body in the process.
"Hey! JD! I think we got a couple over here." William Chance flagged down his major, spotting Susan on the ground, laying over her son. Chance had seen her, thought she was one of the infected.
"She moving? Hey, lady!" JD called out to the broken woman, summoning her attention. She was injured. Looked like she had been through some sort of explosion.
Susan saw the men, her vision started to blur. "M-my boy..." She mumbled in a low voice. Casting one last glance at the expired child below her, Susan folded over, unconscious.
-Time Elapse-
"Hey. Wake up. You alright?" Susan could barely hear the words that floated down to her from JD's lips. Her eyes fluttered open, squinting in the light being held above her. Other than that, most was darkness. Where the hell did they take her?
"I don't know man, maybe the Mutts got her. Did you find a bite?" Susan heard another man's voice. This one sounded deep, yet gentle. His words slowly caressed her ears, tickling the skin surrounding them. That sudden jolt aroused her completely; fear not much a stranger.
Before the other man could offer a reply, Susan tried to sit up in a quick attempt to escape. But, she was restricted. She lay on a small cot, her left wrist was zip-tied to the frame. She was weak, and this wasn't helping.
"Let me go..!" She managed to growl, looking at the men surrounding her. There was three. Two of which, she faintly recognized. The other, however, was a complete stranger. "Who are you?.."
"We call ourselves: The Veterans." One man approached her, untying her wrist, helping her to sit up. "I am JD." He introduced himself, then looked to the others. "That is Chance, and Withers."
The two men nodded at their introductions.
"Where am I...?" Susan spoke in a low voice, hoarse from her pain. She cringed slightly, gritting her teeth together. A hot pain sent shocks through her thigh. She spoke directly to JD now, thinking he was the leader.
"You're safe. Right now, that's all that matters. Nobody is going to hurt you. We only offer help." He reassured her, sensing her doubt. Her fear... but, could anyone blame Susan? She was practically abducted. Misguiding the circumstances, of course. But these men seemed alright. "Are you hurt? What happened to you?" JD asked, a soft and tender voice strewn with care and concern echoing on the walls of the small room.
Just before Susan was able to speak, another man bursted into the room. He looked angry, and fearful. She could see drops of sweat along his brow, the man's adrenaline pumping quickly.
"JD.. Mutts got two of our men... Todd and Jake... they're gone.." His voice came out hoarse, similar to that of a longtime smoker's. It wasn't hard to connect those dots. Anybody with half a brain would be able to detect it.
"Dammit.. Samuels, did you put them down?" JD spoke, laying the palm of his scarred hand over his face. He shook his head for a moment, almost not believing what happened.
"Well... no... I" Samuels paused, collecting his words. This pause took nearly a minute, filling the room with silence. "They were m friends.. I couldn't..." He frowns, his eyes glistening with coming tears.
JD's expression drops more, a sorrowful frown tracing his lips. "I'll do it." He mutters in a low tone, grasping a small pistol from his holster. He began walking to the exit, before turning around.
His eyes locked with Susan's.
"Welcome to the Sacramento International Airport. It's safe here." His voice flowed smoothly, reaching her within a second. These words reassured her, made her more comfortable.
With that, JD disappeared out the door. To go take care of some business.
He approached the two mangled men, laying on the ground outside, drowning in a puddle of their own blood. He frowned at the sight of them, before cocking his gun and shooting one bullet into the first guy's head.
JD hesitated before putting down the second man. That was especially hard for him. But, it had to be done.
"Goodbye, baby brother." A single tear escaped his eye as he put a bullet in his brother's head.
...
In the streets of Sacramento, however, laid a little boy. A young boy that was exposed to the true horrors of this side of the world. The side that was unforgiving.
The boy was torn apart. Not by the infected people. Not in Sacramento, California. The Government, on their own, decided a new way to take the dead out. A plan that seemed to clear out the dwindling population of living, more so. The boy, being one of them.
Daniel Capshaw.
His mother was beside the boy, pleading for his return. Susan wanted so desperately to have her boy back. But, she never would get him back. The child was thrown in an explosion, his lower legs being torn from his body in the process.
"Hey! JD! I think we got a couple over here." William Chance flagged down his major, spotting Susan on the ground, laying over her son. Chance had seen her, thought she was one of the infected.
"She moving? Hey, lady!" JD called out to the broken woman, summoning her attention. She was injured. Looked like she had been through some sort of explosion.
Susan saw the men, her vision started to blur. "M-my boy..." She mumbled in a low voice. Casting one last glance at the expired child below her, Susan folded over, unconscious.
-Time Elapse-
"Hey. Wake up. You alright?" Susan could barely hear the words that floated down to her from JD's lips. Her eyes fluttered open, squinting in the light being held above her. Other than that, most was darkness. Where the hell did they take her?
"I don't know man, maybe the Mutts got her. Did you find a bite?" Susan heard another man's voice. This one sounded deep, yet gentle. His words slowly caressed her ears, tickling the skin surrounding them. That sudden jolt aroused her completely; fear not much a stranger.
Before the other man could offer a reply, Susan tried to sit up in a quick attempt to escape. But, she was restricted. She lay on a small cot, her left wrist was zip-tied to the frame. She was weak, and this wasn't helping.
"Let me go..!" She managed to growl, looking at the men surrounding her. There was three. Two of which, she faintly recognized. The other, however, was a complete stranger. "Who are you?.."
"We call ourselves: The Veterans." One man approached her, untying her wrist, helping her to sit up. "I am JD." He introduced himself, then looked to the others. "That is Chance, and Withers."
The two men nodded at their introductions.
"Where am I...?" Susan spoke in a low voice, hoarse from her pain. She cringed slightly, gritting her teeth together. A hot pain sent shocks through her thigh. She spoke directly to JD now, thinking he was the leader.
"You're safe. Right now, that's all that matters. Nobody is going to hurt you. We only offer help." He reassured her, sensing her doubt. Her fear... but, could anyone blame Susan? She was practically abducted. Misguiding the circumstances, of course. But these men seemed alright. "Are you hurt? What happened to you?" JD asked, a soft and tender voice strewn with care and concern echoing on the walls of the small room.
Just before Susan was able to speak, another man bursted into the room. He looked angry, and fearful. She could see drops of sweat along his brow, the man's adrenaline pumping quickly.
"JD.. Mutts got two of our men... Todd and Jake... they're gone.." His voice came out hoarse, similar to that of a longtime smoker's. It wasn't hard to connect those dots. Anybody with half a brain would be able to detect it.
"Dammit.. Samuels, did you put them down?" JD spoke, laying the palm of his scarred hand over his face. He shook his head for a moment, almost not believing what happened.
"Well... no... I" Samuels paused, collecting his words. This pause took nearly a minute, filling the room with silence. "They were m friends.. I couldn't..." He frowns, his eyes glistening with coming tears.
JD's expression drops more, a sorrowful frown tracing his lips. "I'll do it." He mutters in a low tone, grasping a small pistol from his holster. He began walking to the exit, before turning around.
His eyes locked with Susan's.
"Welcome to the Sacramento International Airport. It's safe here." His voice flowed smoothly, reaching her within a second. These words reassured her, made her more comfortable.
With that, JD disappeared out the door. To go take care of some business.
He approached the two mangled men, laying on the ground outside, drowning in a puddle of their own blood. He frowned at the sight of them, before cocking his gun and shooting one bullet into the first guy's head.
JD hesitated before putting down the second man. That was especially hard for him. But, it had to be done.
"Goodbye, baby brother." A single tear escaped his eye as he put a bullet in his brother's head.
Safety In The Clouds - Part Two - A Mysterious Savior
Like Susan and The Veterans, there still happened to be a handful of survivors. Ones that fight the dead, and avoid the government. Avoid the bombings. Although there were few, they were still out there.
Take Daerus Morgan, for example.
...
Back at the Sacramento International Airport, Susan Capshaw was in one of the abandoned luggage rooms, searching for any useful supplies. She was with two other men. For some reason, they insisted she help them. Why, you may ask?
Nobody could hear her scream.
They were at her within seconds, grabbing her and throwing the thin woman to the ground. One man fumbled with his belt, while the other climbed over top of her, stuffing an old sock in her mouth to muffle her cries.
Susan fought the man to the best of her ability, which wasn't much. She tried reaching for the knife in her pockets, but the man on top of her restrained her to the ground.
This was it. Susan was going to die. Then, they'd have their way with her. But, where was JD? He promised he would protect her. He promised it was safe.
Apparently, it wasn't
The first man threw a fist across her face, in attempt to calm her down. It weakened her, but she's had to deal with men like this before. A court order and full ride to prison usually took care of that. But, those days were over.
Susan had just given up, accepted her fate. When a mysterious man appeared in the doorway. Either to come to her rescue, or worsen her fate.
That man, was Daerus Morgan.
He was passing by the airport, to check things out when he heard a commotion in that far off room.
Standing in the doorway, still undetected, it took Daerus ten seconds to register what was going on. He didn't hesitate.
He covered the ground between him and the nearest man in seconds, he was fast, and quiet. Though the army grunt was larger, almost twice the size of him, Daerus showed no fear.
Daerus slowly rose a cricket bat, bringing it down full force onto the man's skull. The thick piece of wood infiltrated his cranium, scrambling his brain instantly. Susan clenched her teeth at the sickening sound of the bones smashing.
After the man went down, Daerus tackled the other off of Susan, landing multiple punches to his jaw. The man fumbled for his gun, but Daerus wasn't going to allow that.
He stood back up, stomping one final blow to the guy's lungs, breaking multiple ribs. Daerus once again lifted the cricket bat, bringing it down on the man below him.
"You!" Daerus growled, swinging the bat, smashing down on the guy's shin. "Mother!" He grunted, gritting his teeth together. This swing landed on his chest, leaving a sickening dent where his ribs /were./ "Fucker!" The final blow landed in his skull, the force driving through the thick bone with ease. He was immediately silenced, death welling in his eyes.
The pleading cries from the men echoed through the room, carrying in the air, alerting JD. He began running down the hall, toward the room where the racket had came from.
The next few minutes were quiet. Susan didn't know whether to thank Daerus, or to flee from him. Sure, he had just possibly saved her life. But, you can't judge a book by its cover. Maybe the act of heroism was sincere, that he cared about her. Why else would he have risked his life?
"Th--thank you.." Susan finally spoke, the words escaping her lips sounding shrill and hoarse. She was still crouched on the ground, unable to stand up completely.
Daerus just nodded. Then, he approached her, helping Susan off of the cold ground. It was a tense moment. That moment between the hero, and the damsel. Before anything else could happen, they were interrupted.
JD was running down the hall with Samuels, grief still fresh in their minds. He swung his military rifle around his back, it landing in his hands in one swift motion.
He didn't expect a bloodbath in the dark room.
"What the fuck is going on here?!" JD's loud voice boomed throughout the room, instantly seeing the two men, murdered on the ground. His eyes found Daerus, a deep rage boiling within them.
"Give me one -fucking- reason.." JD growled, approaching Daerus with the rifle traced on his head. "Why I shouldn't fucking kill you, right now!" He reached Daerus, placing the thin barrel of the rifle on his forehead.
"No! Don't!" Susan spoke, hurriedly shoving Daerus out of harm's way. JD panicked, squeezing the trigger and releasing two bullets in the air. His expression turned serious... fearful, almost. They bullets didn't hit Daerus.
They hit Susan.
"..." The woman was unable to form words, falling to the ground as the two bullets barely grazed her left shoulder. Susan's vision blurred again, her eyelids drooping unwillingly. A shallow puddle of crimson developed beneath her, evading the deep wounds.
JD dropped the rifle, falling to his knees as Susan goes down. A waterfall of tears welled up in his green eyes, threatening to pour down his face in short, yet violent sobs.
Daerus's eyes shot from Susan, to JD. Without another moment's hesitation, he attacked JD. Tackling him to the ground, Daerus planted multiple punches to his jaw, almost popping it completely out of place. JD showed no retaliation.
"Fucking murderer! You fucking killed her!" Daerus got to his feet, spitting at JD. He casted one glance to Susan, who remained still against the cold ground. More anger welling up in him, he sends multiple kicks to JD's abdomen.
Samuels runs to Susan, ignoring the fact that JD was getting his ass beat. He flipped Susan onto her back, checking her body gently for the bullet wounds. As soon as he found them in her shoulder, a sigh of relief went through him.
Daerus climbed back overtop JD, restraining him to the ground. Although, it wasn't hard. JD didn't fight back at all. For what he's done, he was convinced that he didn't deserve to live. Daerus clasped his hands around JD's neck, cutting off all oxygen from his lungs. In a matter of minutes, he would be dead.
"Hey, buddy!" Samuels stood up beside Susan, attracting Daerus's attention. "Yeah, asshole. YOU." He muttered in a disgusted tone. His hoarse voice was strained slightly. "She's not fucking dead. Lay off JD. Or else." Samuel's threat reached Daerus, although he didn't seem the least bit intimidated.
Daerus released his grip from JD's neck, approaching Susan with caution. He knelt beside her, feeling her pulse for proof. "You're fucking lucky. Both of you fuckers."
-Time Elapse-
"I'm just saying. If you don't let her the fuck out of here... I'll fucking kill you." Daerus spoke in a harsh voice, poisoning the air with anger. He spoke directly to a broken JD, hissing in his ears like a venomous snake.
"She doesn't know you." JD's voice was hoarse, shaking with pain. "Susan is safe here, with us." He muttered at Daerus, gritting his teeth in an attempt to control his arousing anger. JD wanted to kill him. Right then and there. Get this shit over with. But, clearly, Daerus dominates over him.
"Safe, my ass! Your guys almost fucking killed her!" He screamed directly in JD's face, his tone growing more anger with each passing second. "/You/ almost fucking killed her!"
"Fine." JD shook his head, avoiding Daerus's blameful gaze. He hung his head, lazily tilting it over to his second in command. "Samuels... get some shit and get them out." His tone of voice was pathetic, as though he'd given up all hope.
"Just get /him/ the fuck out of here."
-Time Elapse-
Daerus and Susan had left the airport, they desperately searched for shelter as the harsh California sun beat down on them. Susan had felt safe with The Veterans. But, she felt safer with Daerus.
"Why did you do it?" Susan's voice was quiet, a mere whisper, more so. She walked with a limp, casually holding her jaw to soothe the pain every now and then. Her gait was interrupted, tripping constantly. Susan was a wreck. No better than when she was in that explosion.
"It was the right thing to do." Daerus replied, casting a single glance toward Susan. He squinted in the light, searching for a place to set up cap for the night. Which, wouldn't be easy.
Susan then decided to remain silent, not wishing to pry any further on the matter. Yet, she was confused. Not very many people do the right thing. Before and after the dead started walking.
Most were selfish, only thinking of the better for themselves. On very rare occasion did they think of others. Daerus was one of those people. Doing the right thing, no matter what. He was good.
Susan's thoughts were interrupted when Daerus gently grabbed her right shoulder to stop her from walking on. With a raise of a brow, she stopped beside him, tilting her head in question.
"There. It'll be safe for the night." Daerus spoke in a whisper, almost directly into Susan's ear. He pointed up a steep hill, towards an average size house. It gave the impression of safety, even security.
However, it was neither of those.
Susan nodded, looking up at the house. It seemed alright. Although, that hill may prove difficulty. But, she'd have to give it a try. There wasn't really any other choice.
Daerus went ahead, placing their baggage at the top of the hill. He made it up and back down with ease, using his bat to assist him every so often. Susan stood back, keeping watch for any nearby zombies.
"Are you ready?" Daerus asked Susan in a low voice, glancing for a moment up the hill. It wasn't going to be easy, no doubt about that. But, they'd have to make do.
Susan just replied with a nod, walking toward the hill. It was pretty damn steep. Barely a hill.. a cliff, more so. She stepped forward to the hill, nodding once. "I got this." She said in a slight whisper, in attempt to reassure herself.
Daerus began climbing with ease, expecting to meet her at the top. Every so often, he would look back down to her and give her directions. Places to trust your weight on, and places to not.
Susan was very timid on her left side, careful not to strain the wounded shoulder. One wrong move could be fatal. She had a few close calls, but she finally made it to the top.
Before reaching her arm up to the surface, Daerus reached his arm down. He carefully took hold of Susan's right arm, pulling her up as gently as he could.
When they were both situated on the top, their eyes drifted toward the old house. It better have been worth the climb.
Daerus stood up, carefully helping Susan to his feet. Every time the two came in contact, Daerus was careful, as though he were holding a newborn baby. She took note of that, tilting her head slightly.
They approached the house, a putrid smell carrying in the air hit their noses almost immediately. Susan wrinkled her nose shrugging off the horrid scent.
Daerus clutched his bat, slowly approaching the front door. He showed no hesitation. He showed no fear. Susan, however, shook nervously. The house looked alright. But, so did The Veterans. You never know for sure.
Without another moment to waste, Daerus kicked the door in. The shabby slab of wood crashed to the ground, coming off the hinges with ease. The sound made Susan jump slightly.
No words were exchanged between them. Only the constant whistle of the breeze was heard as they walked in the dark house. There was an uneasy feeling between them, fear infiltrating the two with ease.
Daerus treaded further, setting the baggage on a small table. Susan remained by the door, pressing her back against the wall beside where the door was. Something about this house wasn't right.
"We'll have to check throughout the house." Daerus was the first to speak, ignoring the slight fearful feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was almost hard for him to accept this. Accept his fear.
"I'll check the lower level." Susan folded her arms across her chest, shrugging a bit. She knew it wasn't a good idea. Daerus probably even knew it wasn't a good idea.
He offered a single nod, handing her a small knife for protection. Though, it wouldn't help much if she was attacked. Susan mumbled a slight thanks, grasping the thin blade in her trembling fingers.
Susan walked over to the basement door, her muscles tensing every time she stepped over a loose board. She swung the door open, nearly collapsing at the acrid stench that filled her lungs.
She casted a longing look around her current stance, wishing with all her being that she wouldn't have to go down there. But, Susan wasn't going to bother Daerus with this one. She was on her own.
With a slow, lurking pace, Susan descended the stairs. Every step created an echo of bone chilling sounds. Fear and dread were the only emotions in which Susan was capable as she entered the dark abyss below.
The putrid scent grew stronger, tainting her nostrils, with each step she took. Susan's vision was incapable. The darkness no different than when she would close her eyes.
A low moan could be heard as she finally reached the bottom of the aged stairs. Susan clutched her knife, expecting to meet with a few of the infected. She began her slow gait, shaking as a chilled draft blew over her.
Before she could continue, she ran into a thin string hanging from the ceiling. With a slight moment of hesitation, Susan pulled the string. A single bulb began to flicker, until the whole bottom floor was lit up.
What she saw next, would never leave her.
A series of cages lined the walls, each containing a few infected people. They wandered in their small enclosures. Some of them were missing limbs, others: half of their whole body. Few just stood, sniffing at the shallow draft.
There had to have been at least thirty infected in the room. All securely chained. But... for what? Who would keep these damned creatures in their basement? Somebody with sick intentions, no doubt.
Unwillingly, Susan took a few timid steps down the wide hall. As she furthered into the room, her dread grew. The stench grew stronger, but Susan had already become numb to it. Her eyes attempted to wander throughout the room, but she wouldn't allow them to. There wasn't something her mind was fixed on. Something... drawing her to the end of that room.
Maybe it was a ghost. It definitely wasn't anything tangible. A ghost of somebody she once knew, leading her further into the room. Carelessly passing by countless horrors.
Finally detecting her presence, the caged zombies began rattling their cages, snapping their oddly toothless jaws. They called out to her in growls, -they were incapable of words- reaching for her skin. They were desperate for her flesh, their unending hunger taking over.
Susan came to a sudden halt as a silver operating table came into view. The table was hardly its original color, stained with a deep crimson. A small figure laid upon the surface of the table, squirming against its bonds.
Her heart lurched, causing the feet below her to move closer. Susan walked slowly, her eyes feasting upon the horrible sight just inches from her.
It was a little boy. He looked familiar, despite his new zombified appearance. His lower legs were gone, severed in some sort of explosion. The boy's remaining facial features similar to Susan's. At that point, she knew.
It was Daniel.
The Daniel-thing struggled against the table, reaching out restrained arms. Rotten blood tricked from his lips, his mouth completely full of it. He growled at Susan, snapping the few teeth he had together. His eyes found hers. The boy calmed for a minute, as though he recognized her. That quickly passed.
Unable to control herself, Susan fell onto the concrete floor, engulfing in loud sobs. Questions flooded her mind, pushing her grief even further. She stayed there, motionless. She wasn't able to move, nor did she have the will.
Daerus was checking the kitchen. There wasn't much. A few packages of strange smelling meat was all. He perked up when he heard a commotion downstairs. Crying. Moaning. Growling.
"Susan... are you okay, down there?" He called out to her, looking toward the dimly lit stairwell. Daerus slowly approached it, his concern growing. Without another second of hesitation, he descended the stairs.
Once Daerus reached the bottom, he was drawn back for a moment. His eyes burned at the sight, his nostrils, with the stench. The zombies groaned loudly, rattling their cages in an attempt to break free.
He weakly began walking down the hall, seeing the thin form of Susan folded over on the ground. Daerus stopped in his tracks, seeing the little boy almost instantly. His eyes grew wide; fear and anger causing him to stumble.
"My... D-Daniel..." Susan hardly managed two words, pointing at the little boy strapped to the table. The child continued to struggle against his restraints, reaching out for his mother's flesh. She continued to sob, unable to look back up at her child. Who could blame her?
Daerus almost immediately understood. He walked behind Susan, putting a hand on her shoulder in a weak attempt to comfort her. He gently pulled her to her feet, holding the grieving woman to keep her from seeing the boy.
"We need to go..." He mumbled into her ear, turning Susan toward the door, so far away. Daerus guided her away from the boy, but Susan refrained from taking any further steps.
"I can't leave him... not like this." Susan kept her eyes away from the table. She didn't want him to be... one of them. Yet, she couldn't be the one to put him down. "Could... you?" She asked in a low tone of voice, offering the blade to Daerus.
Not having any words to offer, Daerus took the knife. It would give Susan, and Daniel peace. She needed this. No matter ow hard it would be, Daerus had to do it.
He clutched the knife, leaving Susan. Daerus approached the child, casting a sorrowful gaze upon him. Killing a kid was never easy. No matter if it were a zombie.
"Sorry." He whispered a single word to the child. Then, he drove the knife into its mouth, struggling to get the knife through Daniel's skull.
Then, it was over. The child was silenced. Daniel Capshaw, was dead.
Take Daerus Morgan, for example.
...
Back at the Sacramento International Airport, Susan Capshaw was in one of the abandoned luggage rooms, searching for any useful supplies. She was with two other men. For some reason, they insisted she help them. Why, you may ask?
Nobody could hear her scream.
They were at her within seconds, grabbing her and throwing the thin woman to the ground. One man fumbled with his belt, while the other climbed over top of her, stuffing an old sock in her mouth to muffle her cries.
Susan fought the man to the best of her ability, which wasn't much. She tried reaching for the knife in her pockets, but the man on top of her restrained her to the ground.
This was it. Susan was going to die. Then, they'd have their way with her. But, where was JD? He promised he would protect her. He promised it was safe.
Apparently, it wasn't
The first man threw a fist across her face, in attempt to calm her down. It weakened her, but she's had to deal with men like this before. A court order and full ride to prison usually took care of that. But, those days were over.
Susan had just given up, accepted her fate. When a mysterious man appeared in the doorway. Either to come to her rescue, or worsen her fate.
That man, was Daerus Morgan.
He was passing by the airport, to check things out when he heard a commotion in that far off room.
Standing in the doorway, still undetected, it took Daerus ten seconds to register what was going on. He didn't hesitate.
He covered the ground between him and the nearest man in seconds, he was fast, and quiet. Though the army grunt was larger, almost twice the size of him, Daerus showed no fear.
Daerus slowly rose a cricket bat, bringing it down full force onto the man's skull. The thick piece of wood infiltrated his cranium, scrambling his brain instantly. Susan clenched her teeth at the sickening sound of the bones smashing.
After the man went down, Daerus tackled the other off of Susan, landing multiple punches to his jaw. The man fumbled for his gun, but Daerus wasn't going to allow that.
He stood back up, stomping one final blow to the guy's lungs, breaking multiple ribs. Daerus once again lifted the cricket bat, bringing it down on the man below him.
"You!" Daerus growled, swinging the bat, smashing down on the guy's shin. "Mother!" He grunted, gritting his teeth together. This swing landed on his chest, leaving a sickening dent where his ribs /were./ "Fucker!" The final blow landed in his skull, the force driving through the thick bone with ease. He was immediately silenced, death welling in his eyes.
The pleading cries from the men echoed through the room, carrying in the air, alerting JD. He began running down the hall, toward the room where the racket had came from.
The next few minutes were quiet. Susan didn't know whether to thank Daerus, or to flee from him. Sure, he had just possibly saved her life. But, you can't judge a book by its cover. Maybe the act of heroism was sincere, that he cared about her. Why else would he have risked his life?
"Th--thank you.." Susan finally spoke, the words escaping her lips sounding shrill and hoarse. She was still crouched on the ground, unable to stand up completely.
Daerus just nodded. Then, he approached her, helping Susan off of the cold ground. It was a tense moment. That moment between the hero, and the damsel. Before anything else could happen, they were interrupted.
JD was running down the hall with Samuels, grief still fresh in their minds. He swung his military rifle around his back, it landing in his hands in one swift motion.
He didn't expect a bloodbath in the dark room.
"What the fuck is going on here?!" JD's loud voice boomed throughout the room, instantly seeing the two men, murdered on the ground. His eyes found Daerus, a deep rage boiling within them.
"Give me one -fucking- reason.." JD growled, approaching Daerus with the rifle traced on his head. "Why I shouldn't fucking kill you, right now!" He reached Daerus, placing the thin barrel of the rifle on his forehead.
"No! Don't!" Susan spoke, hurriedly shoving Daerus out of harm's way. JD panicked, squeezing the trigger and releasing two bullets in the air. His expression turned serious... fearful, almost. They bullets didn't hit Daerus.
They hit Susan.
"..." The woman was unable to form words, falling to the ground as the two bullets barely grazed her left shoulder. Susan's vision blurred again, her eyelids drooping unwillingly. A shallow puddle of crimson developed beneath her, evading the deep wounds.
JD dropped the rifle, falling to his knees as Susan goes down. A waterfall of tears welled up in his green eyes, threatening to pour down his face in short, yet violent sobs.
Daerus's eyes shot from Susan, to JD. Without another moment's hesitation, he attacked JD. Tackling him to the ground, Daerus planted multiple punches to his jaw, almost popping it completely out of place. JD showed no retaliation.
"Fucking murderer! You fucking killed her!" Daerus got to his feet, spitting at JD. He casted one glance to Susan, who remained still against the cold ground. More anger welling up in him, he sends multiple kicks to JD's abdomen.
Samuels runs to Susan, ignoring the fact that JD was getting his ass beat. He flipped Susan onto her back, checking her body gently for the bullet wounds. As soon as he found them in her shoulder, a sigh of relief went through him.
Daerus climbed back overtop JD, restraining him to the ground. Although, it wasn't hard. JD didn't fight back at all. For what he's done, he was convinced that he didn't deserve to live. Daerus clasped his hands around JD's neck, cutting off all oxygen from his lungs. In a matter of minutes, he would be dead.
"Hey, buddy!" Samuels stood up beside Susan, attracting Daerus's attention. "Yeah, asshole. YOU." He muttered in a disgusted tone. His hoarse voice was strained slightly. "She's not fucking dead. Lay off JD. Or else." Samuel's threat reached Daerus, although he didn't seem the least bit intimidated.
Daerus released his grip from JD's neck, approaching Susan with caution. He knelt beside her, feeling her pulse for proof. "You're fucking lucky. Both of you fuckers."
-Time Elapse-
"I'm just saying. If you don't let her the fuck out of here... I'll fucking kill you." Daerus spoke in a harsh voice, poisoning the air with anger. He spoke directly to a broken JD, hissing in his ears like a venomous snake.
"She doesn't know you." JD's voice was hoarse, shaking with pain. "Susan is safe here, with us." He muttered at Daerus, gritting his teeth in an attempt to control his arousing anger. JD wanted to kill him. Right then and there. Get this shit over with. But, clearly, Daerus dominates over him.
"Safe, my ass! Your guys almost fucking killed her!" He screamed directly in JD's face, his tone growing more anger with each passing second. "/You/ almost fucking killed her!"
"Fine." JD shook his head, avoiding Daerus's blameful gaze. He hung his head, lazily tilting it over to his second in command. "Samuels... get some shit and get them out." His tone of voice was pathetic, as though he'd given up all hope.
"Just get /him/ the fuck out of here."
-Time Elapse-
Daerus and Susan had left the airport, they desperately searched for shelter as the harsh California sun beat down on them. Susan had felt safe with The Veterans. But, she felt safer with Daerus.
"Why did you do it?" Susan's voice was quiet, a mere whisper, more so. She walked with a limp, casually holding her jaw to soothe the pain every now and then. Her gait was interrupted, tripping constantly. Susan was a wreck. No better than when she was in that explosion.
"It was the right thing to do." Daerus replied, casting a single glance toward Susan. He squinted in the light, searching for a place to set up cap for the night. Which, wouldn't be easy.
Susan then decided to remain silent, not wishing to pry any further on the matter. Yet, she was confused. Not very many people do the right thing. Before and after the dead started walking.
Most were selfish, only thinking of the better for themselves. On very rare occasion did they think of others. Daerus was one of those people. Doing the right thing, no matter what. He was good.
Susan's thoughts were interrupted when Daerus gently grabbed her right shoulder to stop her from walking on. With a raise of a brow, she stopped beside him, tilting her head in question.
"There. It'll be safe for the night." Daerus spoke in a whisper, almost directly into Susan's ear. He pointed up a steep hill, towards an average size house. It gave the impression of safety, even security.
However, it was neither of those.
Susan nodded, looking up at the house. It seemed alright. Although, that hill may prove difficulty. But, she'd have to give it a try. There wasn't really any other choice.
Daerus went ahead, placing their baggage at the top of the hill. He made it up and back down with ease, using his bat to assist him every so often. Susan stood back, keeping watch for any nearby zombies.
"Are you ready?" Daerus asked Susan in a low voice, glancing for a moment up the hill. It wasn't going to be easy, no doubt about that. But, they'd have to make do.
Susan just replied with a nod, walking toward the hill. It was pretty damn steep. Barely a hill.. a cliff, more so. She stepped forward to the hill, nodding once. "I got this." She said in a slight whisper, in attempt to reassure herself.
Daerus began climbing with ease, expecting to meet her at the top. Every so often, he would look back down to her and give her directions. Places to trust your weight on, and places to not.
Susan was very timid on her left side, careful not to strain the wounded shoulder. One wrong move could be fatal. She had a few close calls, but she finally made it to the top.
Before reaching her arm up to the surface, Daerus reached his arm down. He carefully took hold of Susan's right arm, pulling her up as gently as he could.
When they were both situated on the top, their eyes drifted toward the old house. It better have been worth the climb.
Daerus stood up, carefully helping Susan to his feet. Every time the two came in contact, Daerus was careful, as though he were holding a newborn baby. She took note of that, tilting her head slightly.
They approached the house, a putrid smell carrying in the air hit their noses almost immediately. Susan wrinkled her nose shrugging off the horrid scent.
Daerus clutched his bat, slowly approaching the front door. He showed no hesitation. He showed no fear. Susan, however, shook nervously. The house looked alright. But, so did The Veterans. You never know for sure.
Without another moment to waste, Daerus kicked the door in. The shabby slab of wood crashed to the ground, coming off the hinges with ease. The sound made Susan jump slightly.
No words were exchanged between them. Only the constant whistle of the breeze was heard as they walked in the dark house. There was an uneasy feeling between them, fear infiltrating the two with ease.
Daerus treaded further, setting the baggage on a small table. Susan remained by the door, pressing her back against the wall beside where the door was. Something about this house wasn't right.
"We'll have to check throughout the house." Daerus was the first to speak, ignoring the slight fearful feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was almost hard for him to accept this. Accept his fear.
"I'll check the lower level." Susan folded her arms across her chest, shrugging a bit. She knew it wasn't a good idea. Daerus probably even knew it wasn't a good idea.
He offered a single nod, handing her a small knife for protection. Though, it wouldn't help much if she was attacked. Susan mumbled a slight thanks, grasping the thin blade in her trembling fingers.
Susan walked over to the basement door, her muscles tensing every time she stepped over a loose board. She swung the door open, nearly collapsing at the acrid stench that filled her lungs.
She casted a longing look around her current stance, wishing with all her being that she wouldn't have to go down there. But, Susan wasn't going to bother Daerus with this one. She was on her own.
With a slow, lurking pace, Susan descended the stairs. Every step created an echo of bone chilling sounds. Fear and dread were the only emotions in which Susan was capable as she entered the dark abyss below.
The putrid scent grew stronger, tainting her nostrils, with each step she took. Susan's vision was incapable. The darkness no different than when she would close her eyes.
A low moan could be heard as she finally reached the bottom of the aged stairs. Susan clutched her knife, expecting to meet with a few of the infected. She began her slow gait, shaking as a chilled draft blew over her.
Before she could continue, she ran into a thin string hanging from the ceiling. With a slight moment of hesitation, Susan pulled the string. A single bulb began to flicker, until the whole bottom floor was lit up.
What she saw next, would never leave her.
A series of cages lined the walls, each containing a few infected people. They wandered in their small enclosures. Some of them were missing limbs, others: half of their whole body. Few just stood, sniffing at the shallow draft.
There had to have been at least thirty infected in the room. All securely chained. But... for what? Who would keep these damned creatures in their basement? Somebody with sick intentions, no doubt.
Unwillingly, Susan took a few timid steps down the wide hall. As she furthered into the room, her dread grew. The stench grew stronger, but Susan had already become numb to it. Her eyes attempted to wander throughout the room, but she wouldn't allow them to. There wasn't something her mind was fixed on. Something... drawing her to the end of that room.
Maybe it was a ghost. It definitely wasn't anything tangible. A ghost of somebody she once knew, leading her further into the room. Carelessly passing by countless horrors.
Finally detecting her presence, the caged zombies began rattling their cages, snapping their oddly toothless jaws. They called out to her in growls, -they were incapable of words- reaching for her skin. They were desperate for her flesh, their unending hunger taking over.
Susan came to a sudden halt as a silver operating table came into view. The table was hardly its original color, stained with a deep crimson. A small figure laid upon the surface of the table, squirming against its bonds.
Her heart lurched, causing the feet below her to move closer. Susan walked slowly, her eyes feasting upon the horrible sight just inches from her.
It was a little boy. He looked familiar, despite his new zombified appearance. His lower legs were gone, severed in some sort of explosion. The boy's remaining facial features similar to Susan's. At that point, she knew.
It was Daniel.
The Daniel-thing struggled against the table, reaching out restrained arms. Rotten blood tricked from his lips, his mouth completely full of it. He growled at Susan, snapping the few teeth he had together. His eyes found hers. The boy calmed for a minute, as though he recognized her. That quickly passed.
Unable to control herself, Susan fell onto the concrete floor, engulfing in loud sobs. Questions flooded her mind, pushing her grief even further. She stayed there, motionless. She wasn't able to move, nor did she have the will.
Daerus was checking the kitchen. There wasn't much. A few packages of strange smelling meat was all. He perked up when he heard a commotion downstairs. Crying. Moaning. Growling.
"Susan... are you okay, down there?" He called out to her, looking toward the dimly lit stairwell. Daerus slowly approached it, his concern growing. Without another second of hesitation, he descended the stairs.
Once Daerus reached the bottom, he was drawn back for a moment. His eyes burned at the sight, his nostrils, with the stench. The zombies groaned loudly, rattling their cages in an attempt to break free.
He weakly began walking down the hall, seeing the thin form of Susan folded over on the ground. Daerus stopped in his tracks, seeing the little boy almost instantly. His eyes grew wide; fear and anger causing him to stumble.
"My... D-Daniel..." Susan hardly managed two words, pointing at the little boy strapped to the table. The child continued to struggle against his restraints, reaching out for his mother's flesh. She continued to sob, unable to look back up at her child. Who could blame her?
Daerus almost immediately understood. He walked behind Susan, putting a hand on her shoulder in a weak attempt to comfort her. He gently pulled her to her feet, holding the grieving woman to keep her from seeing the boy.
"We need to go..." He mumbled into her ear, turning Susan toward the door, so far away. Daerus guided her away from the boy, but Susan refrained from taking any further steps.
"I can't leave him... not like this." Susan kept her eyes away from the table. She didn't want him to be... one of them. Yet, she couldn't be the one to put him down. "Could... you?" She asked in a low tone of voice, offering the blade to Daerus.
Not having any words to offer, Daerus took the knife. It would give Susan, and Daniel peace. She needed this. No matter ow hard it would be, Daerus had to do it.
He clutched the knife, leaving Susan. Daerus approached the child, casting a sorrowful gaze upon him. Killing a kid was never easy. No matter if it were a zombie.
"Sorry." He whispered a single word to the child. Then, he drove the knife into its mouth, struggling to get the knife through Daniel's skull.
Then, it was over. The child was silenced. Daniel Capshaw, was dead.
Safety In The Clouds - Part Three - Title Undetermined
She had lost it all now, all of her family when Daerus's knife entered Daniel's skull. She fainted, and the last thing she remembered was Daerus carrying her out of the farm house and sitting on the ground, waiting. In the distance, the airport waited. After what seemed like an eternity, Daerus turned and looked at Susan, and whispered
"We have to go back."
...
It was a gloomy day back at the Sacramento International Airport. JD was still upset from the days before. It had been about three days since that man showed up and took Susan as he went. Three days since he had shot Susan. Would she forgive him?
Samuels slowly approached him, a skip clearly detected in his step. He wore average military apparel; heavy combat boots, large camouflage jacket and pants. He even had an assault rifle strapped around his shoulder.
"Good news, JD. We found one that'll fly." Samuels spoke in his hoarse voice, almost directly into JD's ear.
JD turned to face Samuels, a grin spreading across his lips. Finally things were looking up. They could get out of California. Get where they were needed.
In Atlanta, Georgia.
"Can anybody fly it?" JD spoke his reply in a soft voice, tripping with his words. He hadn't exactly fully recovered from his beating.
Samuels chuckled, giving him a look. "Dude. Chance was in the Air Force for three years. He says he can fly it." His voice sounded happy for once. Excited to get out of this hell hole. To get to Atlanta. To the CDC.
JD nodded, preparing a few more words. However, he was interrupted by the visual of two people trudging down the northern runway. The woman looked somewhat familiar. The man had a face JD will never forget.
Susan and Daerus walked with a slow pace toward the two heavily armed men just outside the port. They seemed tense, almost fearful. As the two neared the men, Daerus went ahead of Susan, stepping in front of her in a sort of protective way.
"Drop your weapons!" Samuels was the first to yell, rising the barrel of his rifle to trace right on Daerus's forehead. JD stood silent, his eyes tracing the thin form of Susan. It took a moment for him to catch on, but when he did, he rose his gun as well. JD was shaking slightly, the barrel trembled in the air.
Daerus approached further, not breaking his pace at all. He swung the cricket bat at his side. "What, you gonna shoot her again?" He hissed at JD, sensing his fear. It was easily detected, especially with the trembling rifle.
"Shut the hell up..." JD began speaking, his voice nothing more than a holler. He paused for a moment to collect his words. But, he couldn't take his eyes off Susan.
She seemed broken, unable to fight any further. The empty look on her face was suspicious. What had Daerus done to her, if anything? Her pace was half her usual gait. Susan stumbled behind Daerus like a zombie, gazing off into nothing.
There was a tense few seconds of silence before JD spoke again. Daerus grew closer with each passing moment. Not breaking his stride for a pebble. "It was an accident! I was trying to shoot your ass." He finally yelled. However, JD managed to whisper the last part under his breath.
"Accident my ass." Daerus muttered. He finally reached Samuel, allowing the barrel of the rifle to press against his chest. Susan stood beside him, silently gazing towards the ground.
"I'll shoot! Don't make me kill you!" Samuels yelled with a croak, fearlessly fingering the trigger of his rifle. He hesitated, almost unable to kill the man. Samuels couldn't kill Daerus.
Nobody heard Withers approach. He swooped in, wielding a small handgun. He approached Samuels, placing it against his temple. The gun was held there for quite some time, before anybody managed to speak.
"Pull the trigger, Sam. Kill him." Withers finally spoke in a harsh whisper, keeping his gaze fixed on Daerus. He suggested the murder into Samuels's ear.
JD perked up, allowing his eyes to leave Susan. In a minute, he realized what was going on. "Put the gun down, now." He spoke to Withers, slowly approaching him with a tense pace.
Daerus hesitated. He silently planned what he would do, in event of an execution. It was a bullet-proof plan. Literally.
Withers turned to JD, allowing his handgun to leave Samuels's temple. Big mistake.
Daerus acted quickly, pushing the barrel downward from his chest, with his free hand, towards the ground where Withers stood. As soon as he moved, Samuels squeezed the trigger. When the bullets escaped, they went deep into the vegetation below.
Samuels felt a kick in his shin, delivered by Daerus, and fell to the ground, the rifle leaving his hands. Daerus then moved to Withers. He had his attention on JD, the handgun now resting on JD's forehead.
Daerus was swift, swinging the cricket bat beside Withers's left leg. With a cry of pain, Withers began to fall to the ground. Daerus caught him, taking control of the gun in his hands. The short struggle soon ending with a few whacks of the cricket bat.
Now unarmed, Withers hit the hard ground, cringing in pain and anger. Samuels had gotten up now, but he didn't raise his rifle to Daerus. In fact, Withers now looked down the barrel of the deadly weapon.
Susan stood back, fearfully gazing at the men, and around them, not knowing what to do. She released short gasps at times, throwing both of her palms to cover her lips to avoid a possible scream.
Daerus hovered his bat above Withers, the threat hanging in the air like a spider on a thin string. He handed JD the small gun, offering a nod.
A peace offering, more so.
-TIME ELAPSE-
A bound Withers sat in the corner of a far room, muttering curses at the many people in the room. He squirmed and fought to the best of his ability, which wasn't much.
On the other side of the room, Daerus, Susan, and JD stood. There was a tense conversation going on between the two men, while the woman remained silent. She was still horrified from the days before.
"Why'd you come back?" JD asked firmly, his left hand placed on the holstered gun at his side. He was still a little beaten up since Daerus had let it out on him. He didn't hold back. Not for a moment.
"There was an issue. Now, we're staying here." Daerus spoke easily, positively not taking no for an answer. "Whether you like it or not." The slight threat was short, hanging in the air as they stood.
JD took this into account for a moment, before nodding. Susan had caught his attention, her silence being easily detectable. His eyes would wander to her every now and then, fueled by curiosity.
"What's wrong with her?" JD leaned toward Daerus, half whispering. Daerus tensed up as he came closer, clutching the cricket bat at his side.
"Not now." Daerus muttered, nearly spitting in JD's face. With that, JD backed away. "So, what are your plans from here?" Daerus asked curiously, tilting his head a fraction.
"We've got to move on from here. I'm thinking... Georgia." JD replied, folding his arms over his chest. He smirked slightly, almost proud of himself. "Samuels found a plane that'll fly."
This had gotten Susan's attention. She looked up quickly, locking her eyes with JD. "What do you mean?" Her words were harsh, demanding of an answer.
JD was silent for a moment, shocked that she'd spoken so suddenly. This silence lasted nearly a minute, only to be interrupted by constant mutters from Withers.
"There's a plane...and...uh.." His words faltered.
-Unfinished
"We have to go back."
...
It was a gloomy day back at the Sacramento International Airport. JD was still upset from the days before. It had been about three days since that man showed up and took Susan as he went. Three days since he had shot Susan. Would she forgive him?
Samuels slowly approached him, a skip clearly detected in his step. He wore average military apparel; heavy combat boots, large camouflage jacket and pants. He even had an assault rifle strapped around his shoulder.
"Good news, JD. We found one that'll fly." Samuels spoke in his hoarse voice, almost directly into JD's ear.
JD turned to face Samuels, a grin spreading across his lips. Finally things were looking up. They could get out of California. Get where they were needed.
In Atlanta, Georgia.
"Can anybody fly it?" JD spoke his reply in a soft voice, tripping with his words. He hadn't exactly fully recovered from his beating.
Samuels chuckled, giving him a look. "Dude. Chance was in the Air Force for three years. He says he can fly it." His voice sounded happy for once. Excited to get out of this hell hole. To get to Atlanta. To the CDC.
JD nodded, preparing a few more words. However, he was interrupted by the visual of two people trudging down the northern runway. The woman looked somewhat familiar. The man had a face JD will never forget.
Susan and Daerus walked with a slow pace toward the two heavily armed men just outside the port. They seemed tense, almost fearful. As the two neared the men, Daerus went ahead of Susan, stepping in front of her in a sort of protective way.
"Drop your weapons!" Samuels was the first to yell, rising the barrel of his rifle to trace right on Daerus's forehead. JD stood silent, his eyes tracing the thin form of Susan. It took a moment for him to catch on, but when he did, he rose his gun as well. JD was shaking slightly, the barrel trembled in the air.
Daerus approached further, not breaking his pace at all. He swung the cricket bat at his side. "What, you gonna shoot her again?" He hissed at JD, sensing his fear. It was easily detected, especially with the trembling rifle.
"Shut the hell up..." JD began speaking, his voice nothing more than a holler. He paused for a moment to collect his words. But, he couldn't take his eyes off Susan.
She seemed broken, unable to fight any further. The empty look on her face was suspicious. What had Daerus done to her, if anything? Her pace was half her usual gait. Susan stumbled behind Daerus like a zombie, gazing off into nothing.
There was a tense few seconds of silence before JD spoke again. Daerus grew closer with each passing moment. Not breaking his stride for a pebble. "It was an accident! I was trying to shoot your ass." He finally yelled. However, JD managed to whisper the last part under his breath.
"Accident my ass." Daerus muttered. He finally reached Samuel, allowing the barrel of the rifle to press against his chest. Susan stood beside him, silently gazing towards the ground.
"I'll shoot! Don't make me kill you!" Samuels yelled with a croak, fearlessly fingering the trigger of his rifle. He hesitated, almost unable to kill the man. Samuels couldn't kill Daerus.
Nobody heard Withers approach. He swooped in, wielding a small handgun. He approached Samuels, placing it against his temple. The gun was held there for quite some time, before anybody managed to speak.
"Pull the trigger, Sam. Kill him." Withers finally spoke in a harsh whisper, keeping his gaze fixed on Daerus. He suggested the murder into Samuels's ear.
JD perked up, allowing his eyes to leave Susan. In a minute, he realized what was going on. "Put the gun down, now." He spoke to Withers, slowly approaching him with a tense pace.
Daerus hesitated. He silently planned what he would do, in event of an execution. It was a bullet-proof plan. Literally.
Withers turned to JD, allowing his handgun to leave Samuels's temple. Big mistake.
Daerus acted quickly, pushing the barrel downward from his chest, with his free hand, towards the ground where Withers stood. As soon as he moved, Samuels squeezed the trigger. When the bullets escaped, they went deep into the vegetation below.
Samuels felt a kick in his shin, delivered by Daerus, and fell to the ground, the rifle leaving his hands. Daerus then moved to Withers. He had his attention on JD, the handgun now resting on JD's forehead.
Daerus was swift, swinging the cricket bat beside Withers's left leg. With a cry of pain, Withers began to fall to the ground. Daerus caught him, taking control of the gun in his hands. The short struggle soon ending with a few whacks of the cricket bat.
Now unarmed, Withers hit the hard ground, cringing in pain and anger. Samuels had gotten up now, but he didn't raise his rifle to Daerus. In fact, Withers now looked down the barrel of the deadly weapon.
Susan stood back, fearfully gazing at the men, and around them, not knowing what to do. She released short gasps at times, throwing both of her palms to cover her lips to avoid a possible scream.
Daerus hovered his bat above Withers, the threat hanging in the air like a spider on a thin string. He handed JD the small gun, offering a nod.
A peace offering, more so.
-TIME ELAPSE-
A bound Withers sat in the corner of a far room, muttering curses at the many people in the room. He squirmed and fought to the best of his ability, which wasn't much.
On the other side of the room, Daerus, Susan, and JD stood. There was a tense conversation going on between the two men, while the woman remained silent. She was still horrified from the days before.
"Why'd you come back?" JD asked firmly, his left hand placed on the holstered gun at his side. He was still a little beaten up since Daerus had let it out on him. He didn't hold back. Not for a moment.
"There was an issue. Now, we're staying here." Daerus spoke easily, positively not taking no for an answer. "Whether you like it or not." The slight threat was short, hanging in the air as they stood.
JD took this into account for a moment, before nodding. Susan had caught his attention, her silence being easily detectable. His eyes would wander to her every now and then, fueled by curiosity.
"What's wrong with her?" JD leaned toward Daerus, half whispering. Daerus tensed up as he came closer, clutching the cricket bat at his side.
"Not now." Daerus muttered, nearly spitting in JD's face. With that, JD backed away. "So, what are your plans from here?" Daerus asked curiously, tilting his head a fraction.
"We've got to move on from here. I'm thinking... Georgia." JD replied, folding his arms over his chest. He smirked slightly, almost proud of himself. "Samuels found a plane that'll fly."
This had gotten Susan's attention. She looked up quickly, locking her eyes with JD. "What do you mean?" Her words were harsh, demanding of an answer.
JD was silent for a moment, shocked that she'd spoken so suddenly. This silence lasted nearly a minute, only to be interrupted by constant mutters from Withers.
"There's a plane...and...uh.." His words faltered.
-Unfinished
Ginger's notes
All of my characters belonged to one RP group. And, that group came up with a new project called Z-Day. The setting is in California. I created Susan in Z-Day and, she became my completely favorite character. Unfortunately, the Z-Day group was disbanded. So, I am currently working on a series of solos to get Susan from California to Georgia. It is the best I could do, on such short notice.