Eyes of a Ranger
(First Story)
Prologue
-Setting & Blurb-
The story takes place in Dallas, Texas and its surrounding areas. It takes place three months after the events of "The Parish". Zoey is separated from her group and now under the care of the mysterious Austin Murphy, a masked desperado that believes it's his divine duty to Sheppard any troubled survivor to safety while scolding the Earth from the undead threat. As their journey progresses, not is Zoey amazed by his bravery and fighting talents, but begins to build a relationship as the hero reveals more of his past.
-Prologue-
In the run down city of Dallas, there's tales of a mysterious man. Survivors call him the Masked Desperado, the Samurai Cowboy, he Mysterious Ranger, the Dallas Spirit, the Texas Sheppard. But, for those who were saved (or claimed to be saved) by this shadow respectfully call him by his real name, Austin Murphy.
There so much lore about this hero who lingers in skyline of the infested city. People claim that he can single-handily fight a tank with a bowie knife. They say he's the reason why the witch cries. They boast that he fought off thousands of zombies to save a group of orphans. With so much under his belt, there is much to debate about this hero. Some say he's an angel from God, sent to protect and guide any traveling survivor looking for rescue. Some joke off, saying he's the son of Chuck Norris or he's a descendant of Chicago Ted or that he might be Chicago Ted himself. Others don't believe he is real, that he might be just a collection of other people or he was made up by someone to give himself hope.
But, he is real. Survivors who have passed through the Dallas Area found tanks with lacerations caused by a sword, or multiple blades. There are stakes with heads of slayed witches scattered around the city. There've been reports by lone or drifted survivors who were tangled by the smoker's tongue, only to be saved by the sound of a .44 magnum and a puff of smoke, with no sign of an assailant. For those lucky enough to have a glimpse of this ghost, say he is five foot ten male, wearing a brown leather coat, blue jeans, boots, a brown cowboy hat, sunglasses, and a bandana that covers the rest of face. Despite his physical description, his love for saving people, his name, and his lust for zombie blood, there's not much known about the man. Whether he some superman or he's just a made up, many survivors see him as a sign of hope that humanity may win this war for its survival.
-Welcome to Murphy-
It's a cold, foggy morning in town of Murphy, Texas, a suburb located outside of Dallas. The town that populated over 10,000 living souls now holds only 4 new "residents" with 10,000 infected bodies willing to add them to their neighborhood. In a safe room in the middle of the community, four survivors prep up for their long adventure to Dallas.
"Alright everybody, we need get ready, quick." Bill commanded his colleagues, "We got a long road ahead us before we get to Dallas."
"Alright Bill, just let me pack up," replied Zoey as she put more supplies in her bag.
"What makes you think there's going to be evec center in the middle of Texas?" questioned the irritable Francis.
"Well, according the map on here," answered Louis, "it says that every two weeks a military helicopter scans this region of Dallas for any possible survivors." He points to the circled section on the city-map. "We happen to be in the time frame in which the helicopter should make its pass. If make it in time, we'll be scot-free."
"Pssst...Whatever. I'm already starting to hate this state," as Francis started to rant, "Why does everything have to be so big? Who fricking do??? It's like they are trying to compensate for something. I mean, why do we have to travel in the largest state?"
"Actually Francis, Alaska is the largest state," corrected Louis.
"Whatever," said Francis, "and who is this Austin Murphy on the wall?" as he pointed at the wall full of graffiti. "Is he like the founder of this town or something?"
"What made you come to that conclusion?" asked Louis.
"Well, aren't we in a town called Murphy? Isn't his last name Murphy?"
"Well, nice observation, Francis. But I doubt he's the founder of this town. I think he's more of an "over the top" hero, like that Chicago Ted fellow up North."
"Sounds like some prick. Either way, nobody is a bigger badass than me."
"Still, it would be nice to meet and team up with him," Zoey added.
"Looks like Zoey has a new boyfriend," Francis mocked.
Zoey gave him a glare, but Bill interrupted, "Can you all just shut up!" The group went silent by the veteran's frustration. "Alright, are you all ready?"
Each member of the party checked their weapons to insure that they were loaded. Bill carried a M16A3, Francis had a SPAZ12, Zoey took point with a Scoped Ruger Mini-14 Rifle, and Louis was equipped with an Ak-47. They checked their supplies; making sure they had plenty of med-kits, pills, ammo, and bombs. With everything checked, they unlocked the door and ventured into the unknown.