The Walking Dead Apocalypse
Silence echoed throughout the valley. The stars gleamed up in the night sky with the mountains serving as a backdrop. Scott moved through the brush at a slow pace, better to take it slow than to roll an ankle, especially in this place. With hostiles seemingly everywhere you had to be careful.
Scott and his team had been up in the Hindu Kush for four days. What was supposed to be a routine snatch and grab had gone horribly wrong, and ended with the target being killed in a crossfire and the Rangers being forced to fight their way to the extraction zone. What had started out as a fifteen man team had dwindled down to seven over the course of three days. Now, early on the fourth, the team where nearly at the LZ. This was a moment they were looking forward to now.
Scott stopped his team short of a village. He called Ramirez forward. telling him to see if he saw any enemy movement up ahead, Ramirez confirmed. "How many can you see?" Scott asked.
"I can't fucking tell, looks like the village is crawling with them," Ramirez replied.
Scott got on his radio. "Reaper, this is Ranger team 1-75, requesting a pass, over."
The radio squaked, "Copy that, we have your position, what are the coordinates of the strike?"
"About twenty clicks up the hill of our position over."
"Copy that, firing mission dangerous close, over."
"Alright hold tight everybody," Scott told his team.
He heard the AC-130 fly overhead. Then watched as they fired upon the village, lighting it up. The grim light of the fire flashed over the team, almost making them visible to the world, but at the same time taking them away from everything.
The thunder echoed through the gaps of the mountains, creating a sense of belonging for whoever passes by. A storm like this use to be considered rare, but during these times it can be considered appropriate. The walkers themselves could not get an understanding of where these screams came from. They would simply just wander around, as if they had been called home without a meal. It rains as if it has meaning now, behind the cold dripping fluid lies the touch of a missing soul lost within its missing heart, and one man was encouraged to find her. Behind the sound of the thunder on top of the blessing rain, lied the sound of a motorcycle, travelling down the road at top speed.
Scott had been eager to set out since the day began. He was completely determined to find Karin and bring her home in once piece. He figured a good place to start looking was back at the highway, regardless of how unbearable it became to see. Regardless of how despicable to place came to be to him, it was the best place to check considering that's where Karin was last seen. He had all the equipment necessary for the mission. His supressed m-100, a five seven and bowie knife tucked in his new holster, and a pack of cigarettes to help him through the night.
From the distance he noticed a walker that had been roaming through the deserted car cemetery, and he planned to deal with it. When he stopped his bike, he immediately wanted a smoke, but the sound of a grouchy walker and pierced his ear drum. Once he lifted his ass of the bike, he noticed another walker emerge. He sighed, getting sick of seeing so many of these bloody creatures.
He took out his supressed shotgun. He ran up to the first walker, feeling the cold rain touch his skin, making him feel human. This was the first time he felt rain during the apocalypse, or at least it seemed that way. Even the little things that use to be part of society seem to be slipping from everyone he kept thinking. He closed his right eye as he looked down the sight, putting down the walker. Lightning echoes over the highway, giving the stranded walker a sense of ambition for his meal.
Scott does not reload his weapon this time; he has something more physical in mind for the next one. He ran up, grabbed the end of his shotgun, slamming the walkers head against the end of a car door repetitively. The view of this dismantled walker opened up a memory in the back of Scott's mind, back to the military. After all the people he had killed during the war, he had hoped he would never have to kill again. However, during these days he fears if he doesn't kill, everything might just be taken away from him again.
He ran off the road, heading in the same point where Karin was separated. Considering he was under attack by walkers, if was difficult for him to remember where it exactly happened. He took out a cigarette, no surprise. He had a few drags before he figured out where the incident happens. There were no foot prints, which had been expected. It had been two full days since Karin went missing, and with all the rain coming down, tracking was going to be very hard for Scott. He kept thinking about Clint, asking himself "What if it were Amanda. Would he do the same for you Scott?" and he knew he would.
He remembered the direction where Tristan Phillip and Hannah headed during the split, so walking in the opposite direction seemed appropriate. More lightning echoed from above, and Scott finally entered the woods. He kept running and running, trying to notice if there were any structures around for Karin to maybe make refuge in, but he was having no luck. He had crossed paths with a few walkers along the way, but they were easily manageable to put down with his shotgun. He was thankful for the suppressor Bailey gave, it really gave him the advantage he needed against the dead. He kept running, sprinting even. A person could question how he was able to do that for so long, with all the smoking he does. He finally came to an abrupt halt, when he finally noticed the one building he least expect to see.
It was a church, right across the field from the trees where he stood. Scott never considered himself a religious man, and truth be told no one does. He possibly entered church a few times during his life, and it was never because he wanted to. After looking at the church for a minute or so, he then noticed the walkers that covered the field. He knew it wasn't going to be a problem for him. What he was concerned about is if Karin is in there or not. The lightning roared above him again as he asked himself "Is this god's plan?"
Recovery
Tristan looked up to the clouds that swallowed the sky as the thunder came crashing down on the camp. After hearing about Scott, he did not take this as a good sign. Why did Scott leave, and why did he go alone? Tristan did not know the answer to this question. The rain caused his white shirt to get soaked within seconds, and he thoroughly did not enjoy it. He never liked the rain, only when the sky is clear and the sun wraps your body is warmth. Savian to a sense didn't mind it, while Wesley loved the rain. For Mary it was just like Tristan, she didn't really care to notice how she felt about the rain, only the thoughts of where everyone else lies.
"Why would Scott go out looking for Karin all by himself?" Tristan asked.
"He didn't really give me a reason when he told me, something about taking actions into his own hands or something. He wasn't really clear," Mary replied.
Tristan felt a sense of anguish in his stomach. The last time him and Scott spoke was earlier today, and it didn't end well. Tristan sees potential in Bailey and his group, but Scott disagrees. Ever since the events that happened in Chicago, Scott has had a real hard time trusting new people, and who could blame him. "Well he couldn't have left at a worse time, it's pouring," said Tristan.
The five of them, Tristan Mary Wesley Savian and Molly all heard a car horn from a short distance. They noticed Clint's car come back from the top of the hill. Wesley Savian and Mary all ran towards the car, hoping Karin would be there. Tristan was about to run, but he noticed Molly was just standing there, looking up at the sky. "You coming?" Tristan asked.
Molly looked back at Tristan, replying "Nah, I'll see you all later ok?" Tristan nodded. Tristan ran towards the truck. As he ran he was praying to the lord that Clint was able to find Karin today, and that some hope would finally arrive. Clint and the rest all emerged from the car, with no sight of Karin. Savian began coughing.
"You didn't find her?" Mary asked, being disappointed because she already knew the answer. Clint didn't reply.
"We looked. Found a barn but she wasn't there," Amanda said. Tristan looked at Amanda, wondering how he was going to tell her Scott went out on his own. Amanda gave Tristan a weird look, she didn't know why he was staring at her like that.
"She should get inside," Tristan said. Everybody nodded and began heading inside the main lobby.
Amanda stopped Tristan along the way. "Hey, where's Scott?" she asked.
Tristan looked away from Amanda, replying "We'll talk inside." They entered the building, being clear from the rain. Amanda began brushing her hair with her own hands, she doesn't particularly enjoy getting her hair wet. Tristan looked Amanda right in her eyes. "Scott went off on his own," Tristan said.
"What do you mean?" Amanda asked, having a tone of voice with such concern.
"He went off to find Karin. Knowing him he's probably well armed. I think he'll be ok," Tristan replied.
Amanda turned around, covering her eyes with her hands. She didn't understand why Scott would just leave like that, especially without saying goodbye. "He couldn't have waited till we got back?" Amanda asked. Tristan noticed she began to cry.
Tristan lifted his arms, signaling to her she shouldn't worry. "Hey hey hey, if anybody has a better chance out there it's Scott, you and me both know that," Tristan replied.
"How can you be sure of that?" she weaped.
"There's just certain things I know about the guy. Some of it is best left untold," Tristan replied, as Amanda did not want to know what he meant. They both headed directly to the cafeteria, where everyone else had been staying as the storm passed over. They passed by Matias on the way, and he smiled. Although Tristan didn't know him, he smiled back. They entered, noticing Bailey standing in the centre, while everyone circled around.
Tristan stood right beside Bailey, looking around noticing everyone was curious as to what's going on. "Were going to just have to stay in here till the storm passes over," Tristan said.
"What about Hannah and Andy? They're still out there," Phillip said.
"Andy will be fine, Hannah is in good hands," Tristan replied.
"What about Scott?" asked Clint.
"Like me, Scott's military trained. A little rain won't slow him down," he replied.
Naomi looked around. She still hadn't figured out the names of everyone from Tristan's group, but what she had noticed was that somebody was missing from them. "I don't mean to interrupt, but where's that Molly girl you guys were with?" she asked.
Tristan didn't notice it before, but Molly wasn't inside the cafeteria. He kept turning his head to maybe figure out he didn't see her before, but she was more missing than a lost puppy. "Has anyone seen Molly?" Tristan asked. Nobody responded. Tristan began to worry.
Tristan and Naomi left the cafeteria and into the woods in search for Molly. With all the rain falling, it wasn't easy to spot even the little things. They both kept on calling out Molly's name. "Why would she just wander out here on her own?" Naomi asked.
Tristan was a little hesitant to respond to Naomi at first. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea giving personal baggage about someone else to someone he barely knows, especially during times like these. He turned his head with frustration, replying "She hasn't been the same for a while. She lost her sister about a week and a half ago."
Naomi mouth opened up slightly from the shock. She didn't expect that someone like her had lost someone so close, and she felt bad for not doing something about it. "She must be going through a rough time then," Naomi replied. They both kept calling out Molly's name, hoping for a response. All they could hear was the roaring thunder from above.
From a short distance, Molly heard Tristan and Naomi call out her name. She didn't respond, for she wanted to be alone. She took out her knife while facing a tree, gazing into the reflection of herself. The memory of Nicole's death kept flashing in her eyes, and she just wished it would stop already. She began cutting her wrists with the blade.
From behind a walker emerged from a bush. It instantly noticed Molly, but she didn't notice it. It slowly headed towards Molly as she kept cutting her wrists. The blood spilling out had caused the walker to go fiendish. It figured now was a good time for an afternoon snack. It was only a few feet away from her now, and it began growling at her, without her noticing. It was only inches away from biting her neck, right before its head was pierced by Andy's boomerang.
The walker fell, and Molly stopped cutting herself to notice finally. She turned around, noticing Andy and Hannah were both behind her. She leaned back against the tree, she didn't expect anyone would find her so quickly. A swift pain erupted in her wrists, and she began crying. Andy watched as the blood began seeping on the ground.
Tristan and Naomi came from the side of the trees, finding the three of them and the departed walker lying on the dirt. Naomi got a good look at Molly's face before she noticed the slit wrists. She covered her mouth from the sight of all the blood. Tristan didn't pay any attention to Andy or Hannah then, he didn't even ask what happened, it seemed pretty clear. He looked at Molly with such resent, and she would look back at him with disappointment. He began shaking his head from the regret.
Scott slammed open the church held doors. He had no hesitation with doing so. Maybe before it would've seemed disrespectful for anyone who goes to church regularly, but he wasn't a regular. He pointed his supressed shotgun down the aisle. He noticed the three walkers inside turn around. He wondered if before these were fellow believers in the name of Christ, and they got exactly what he promised them, resurrection.
Scott took out his bowie knife, and instantly threw it to the closest walker. He nailed it right in the left eye. He loaded his shotgun and took out the second walker that approached him. The only one left was the one standing near the holy water. He figured it would be a good time to conserve ammunition, so he didn't bother to fire. He swung his shotgun to the final walker, causing it to collapse on the ground. He progressively began to use his shotgun to stomp on the walkers head until it was near past it's death. He finally stopped, and wiped his head clear of the sweat. He looked up, noticing the statue of Jesus, staring at him like a fox.
"Pulling back, you guys are good to go." This was the team's cue that it was time to move up. Scott commanded his team to stay low on their way up the hill. No need to take any casualties this late in the game.
The dust and dirt began to settle as the Rangers reached the village. "Watch yourselves and check your corners," Scott ordered.
Tony spoke up. "What if we run into any live ones?" Scott kept moving, checking each ruined building to make sure the job was done. "Searge?"
As Scott went to look around onto another road, he was tackled to the ground. One of the Taliban, wounded but alive. The attack being unexpected, Scott felt overwhelmed. But his team made short work of the man, emptying the clips of their M4s into his body. Scott got up and looked Tony in the eye. "No prisoners," he said coldly.
The team continued to move through the village. When they were at the end they saw a man, no doubt Taliban, crawling, since he didn't have the use of his legs. Scott ran up to him, scanning to see what he was going for. Then he saw the man was going for a grenade, probably to end himself with. Scott kicked the grenade out of his reach. The man looked up, as though he was begging for some kind of salvation. Scott looked coldly into his eyes, as he produced his pistol.
The team watched as Scott put a bullet in between the man's eyes. Ramirez ordered them to move up. At that moment, Scott's radio squaked. "Team 1-75 this is Whiskey One, I don't know what you did to piss em off but bad guys have surrounded the LZ. No way we can make a safe landing, over."
"Copy that Whiskey One, we'll clear the landing zone, just sit tight," Scott replied. His team moved forward out of the village and ran through a channel to get to the LZ, which was a giant clearing in the middle of these mountains. There they saw massive Taliban activity, possibly thirty or more militants.
Scott looked at his team, six guys plus him. He trusted all of them, but this was going to be a feat none of them were ready for. "No prisoners," he exclaimed, and began going over the plan to get them out of there.
Scott took out another cigarette. He didn't find it inappropriate for him to smoke in a church since he didn't care as such. He took one drag, letting the smoke die out within the church. He turned and looked at Jesus, wondering if maybe this was all his fault. He took another drag, and began blowing the smoke right at the statue's face. "Is this the hand that I've been dealt?" Scott asked. Jesus did not respond.
Scott began searching the church for any signs of Karin. He called out her name a few times, but all he could hear was his own voice echo throughout the church. There wasn't too much to check, it was a relatively small church, not like the ones he was forced to go to when he was just a kid. He searched the entire section of the main portion of the building. All that was left was the bell tower. He climbed up there, starting to wonder what was the point of even doing so. He started to think that there wasn't a single sign that Karin was ever hear, until he found the blanket lying on the floor right by the bell.
He examined it very closely, figuring out someone had been staying here no more than a day ago. He examined the rest of the tower, but the only thing that was really there was the blanket. He took a knee to look at it closer. He noticed that blood had covered a big portion of the blanket. Whoever had been sleeping here had sustained an injury of some from. Scott's hopes began to rise again, Karin was definitely here.
Thunder from above caused Scott to flinch, managing him to bang his head on the bell. The bell began to ring across the field, causing every walker around to head right for the church. He put his hands on the back of his head to try and cover up the pain as he screamed "dammit!"
Matias spent a fair amount of time stitching up Molly from her wrists. The entire time, she had been getting dirty looks from everyone. It didn't take long for everyone to figure out why she did what she did, but they were surprised of all people she would be the first to try. As Matias wrapped the bandages around her wrists, he could figure out she was going through a hard time with the look in her eyes. She decided not to hide her depression anymore, there just wasn't a point. Both Tristan Mary and Hannah had been getting in her face since she got back.
"Nicole would be so ashamed," Mary said. Molly just looked at the floor, having no point responding.
"What were you thinking? Are you trying to prove something?" Tristan asked. She remained quiet. "Is this about Nicole?" he asked.
"No shit Sherlock," she replied.
"Molly, whatever is happening, whenever something is wrong, you can just come and talk to us about it," Hannah said.
"Coming from you. If anyone should be on my side about this it should be you of all people, considering what happened to Sean," she replied. Hannah didn't reply, she found what Molly just said to be repulsive.
"You and me both know this isn't how we do thing," Tristan said.
"Yeah well this isn't up to you!" Molly screamed. Tristan backed away, he didn't think she'd get so defensive. "You don't get to decide what I do, what we do. One of the only things we still get to keep in this world is choice, how dare you take that away from me!"
Tristan turned around and walked away. He could understand that Molly was not in a good mental state right now. He figured she should just cool off on her own. "Have you given up this soon Molly?" Mary asked.
"I don't think you understand. How can you not give up? This world is meant to be harsh, cruel and despicable. Then there's people like you who try to promote that 'hope' factor, when the reality is all hope has been lost."
"You can't think like that," Hannah said.
"Then how am I supposed to think? Tell me Hannah, what am I supposed to feel. After having my lover, my dad, and my sister, the person I loved more than anything in this world taken from me?" Molly replied.
Neither Hannah nor Mary replied to Molly. They both had their reasons to remain hopeful. For Mary, her hope wrested within Tristan, who she assumed was dead, but he managed to find his way back to her. For Hannah, well the hope she has had has been with her since she was born. Being anything but unfaithful just doesn't seem to make sense for her. However, Molly didn't have those factors within her soul anymore, all she loved was lost.
Tristan didn't bother to talk to Molly, not right now at least. He wanted to thank Andy for what he did, for if he didn't do it, there's a very good chance Molly would be dead right now, so he walked over to him. "I appreciate what you did, finding her in time," Tristan said, showing his gratitude towards Andy.
"Don't mention it, I'm just doing my part," Andy replied. Tristan nodded and Andy began to walk away. Tristan deeply wished Andy would open up more. With everything that's been going on with him and Scott, Tristan wanted to have a new friend, a right hand man, but it just didn't seem like anyone was willing to open up that task. Clint is too busy worrying about Karin, plus Tristan did almost break his nose. Phillip to a sense doesn't seem to trust him, and both Savian and Wesley are not experience enough to go out there. He began scratching the back of his head, right before he heard Bailey from behind say, "Good thing you found her when you did. There really could have been some consequences."
Tristan turned around, replying "Yeah well, she doesn't seem to appreciate it, not one bit."
"She'll come around."
"Will she? To her all hope has been lost."
"That's why you gotta show her that there is hope Tristan," Bailey exclaimed.
"That's not something I exactly learned, and it's probably not something that's easily taught," Tristan replied. "You've seem to do good by your people though Bailey."
Bailey laughed, replying "You clearly haven't had a good chance to look at my people," as he chuckled. "When the six of us, now five," said Bailey, implying Brandon, "got together, they pretty much nominated me as their leader, and David hates me for it. I haven't exactly been doing a good job either, one of our own died, and there are others out there that we consider a threat and I don't bother to lift a finger to do something about it." Tristan clenched his fingers. "I'm not like you Tristan," Bailey said.
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked.
"You kidding? You found your way back to your girl, and you managed to lead your group in and out of Chicago. And when you guys split into three different groups, you managed to get everyone back together," Bailey said.
Tristan sarcastically laughed a little bit. "Scott did most of that, he was originally the leader of the group, still is from what I can understand," Tristan replied.
"Then how come every time I see your group struggle to make a decision, they go straight to you?" Bailey asked. Tristan began to ponder that question himself. Why were people going to him for answers? It' not like he nominated himself as leader. Tristan didn't see it before, but now that people have pointed it out he could. People were depending on him. "This Scott guy, he's the kind of guy men like David would follow. Using violence to get his way. 'Survival of the fittest' right? Scott's not like you. I know what kind of man he is."
Tristan made a fist and began shaking. "No you don't," he replied.
Clint sat at a table inside the cafeteria, being thoroughly angry about his situation with Karin. He was annoyed that Scott went out on his own busting his ass to bring back his girlfriend, when in his own rightful mind it should be him. He crossed his fingers, rubbing his eyebrows a few times, regardless of the lack of…you know. Phillip noticed Clint sitting by himself. He headed over to the table and took a seat, asking Clint what was troubling him.
"It shouldn't be Scott out there, it should be me," Clint said.
"Why does it bother you so much? Scott's just trying to help," Phillip replied.
"I didn't ask for it."
"Yeah well he didn't offer it, its just what he does."
"No. It seems like something Tristan would do, but Scott always has a deeper meaning behind what he does, and I can't figure out what it is this time."
"Between you and me, which one of them do you trust more?" Phillip asked.
"Tristan has his secrets, but his intentions are always for the best regarding the group."
"Personally, I have a hard time trusting either of them. Tristan keep so much to himself, while Scott's actions are so dangerous."
"Whether it's Tristan or it's Scott, I won't care, just as long as I have Karin by my side."
Matias left Molly alone, while she could still be seen inside the cafeteria. Everyone knew she couldn't be left alone anymore. The pain in her wrists were really starting to get to her, but she did her best to ignore them. She both appreciated and unappreciated the fact that the group went out and got her. She liked the idea that so many people cared about her, but she hated the fact they wouldn't let her be with Nicole on the other side. That was the last thought in her head before she noticed Naomi was sitting beside her.
"Who's Nicole?" Naomi asked.
Molly throat went a little dry. "She was my sister," Molly said.
"Ah. I have two sisters," Naomi replied.
"And where are they now?" Molly asked.
"Not sure, last time I checked one was living in Boston, the other in Los Angeles."
"How can it not bother you to know where your family is?" Molly asked.
"Me and my sisters never really got along, not after I was around the age of sixteen."
"How come?"
Naomi smiled with her teeth open. "They learned something about me that I guess they didn't want to."
"What was it?" Molly asked.
Naomi dropped her smile. "No sense getting into it right now. The point is, you need to be free with yourself, and not let your family affect your life decisions," Naomi said.
"Life decisions? In case you haven't noticed, we live in a world where the dead try to tear us limb from limb."
"You really believe you have nothing to fight for anymore huh?" Naomi asked. Molly got annoyed with Naomi, and stormed off. Naomi began smiling again, thinking that what she just said, possibly could have made sense to Molly.
Scott climbed down the bell tower, figuring now was a good time to get the hell out of this church. He ran down the aisle with full speed, preparing to open the door. He opened it, just slightly, and within seconds walkers began piling against the church door. He managed to find the strength to close the door, but the problem for him was he was up against and army all by himself, and he hated having that feeling in his stomach again.
As the team began to move into position, Scott tried to put all thoughts of failure and fear out of his mind. It was something everyone who had ever been in his shoes felt, but no one ever showed. So as he looked down upon the LZ, he cleared his mind, and began to focus on the task at hand.
Since the LZ was a giant circle, with two trails leading up to the channel on the left and right sides, Scott's plan was to use the advantage he had of the high ground and end this fight quickly. He would send two men to watch the flanks on both trails, while he and two others stayed up top firing down into their killzone. It was a good plan in theory, but there were so many Taliban, Scott worried that they would win this battle by simply attrition.
"Move into position," he told his team. When everyone had reached cover he gave the order. The LZ erupted in gunfire. Taliban soldiers immediately ran to cover, in their trucks, behind rocks anywhere they could stop and get their bearings. It didn't take them long however, due to the muzzle flashes, to figure out where the fire was coming from. And when they had been able to scramble out orders, they began to hit back Scott's team with force. Numerous soldiers were being sent up the flanks, while the ones down below were keeping the three up top suppressed.
About a minute and a half had passed, and Scott looked around. The two men on the right flank were outnumbered, while the left flank was about to break as well he feared. That's when he fell to the ground after a flash of white. He got up and looked around. An RPG had taken out his cover, and the two men beside him. He looked to his left. The flank was taken, and Taliban moved in on him. He looked to his right just in time to see Ramirez and Tony get shot and put down.
As Scott began crawling away, he was stopped by two feet in his way. He looked up and saw a bearded man, obviously in command. He said something in Arabic that Scott couldn't understand, and two soldiers began to pick him up and drag him away.
Scott looked out the window of the church, figuring if he went this way then the walkers wouldn't notice him. The door was still piling up quickly, more and more came every second. He knew if he didn't do something soon, the church would be over run. He stood by the window, loading his shotgun, hoping for the best.
He shot out the glass from the window and immediately ran out. As he ran past the church, the thunder continued to echo across the field, providing good cover. The walkers didn't even notice he passed them. Scott was relieve he didn't have to handle the horde that eventually broke down the door. There were still a few walkers along his path that he had to deal with. His supressed shotgun got the job done nicely.
He finally managed to run back into the forest. He started walking back to the highway. It was very possible Karin was held up in that church after the incident on the highway. The church was fairly close, so it made sense to him. The real question that remained was where she was now, and how he was going to find her.
He made it back to the highway, to his chopper. He stopped walking for a second, admiring the rain. He looked up into the dark clouds, letting the thunder pierce through his ears. He was already soaked with the rain, but he enjoyed it. He once again took out another cigarette, continuously dragging. He got on his chopper, riding down the highway, still in search for Karin.
"I wish he didn't leave before we got back," Amanda said, regarding Scott. Both Amanda and Mary were sitting down in the cafeteria, both waiting for the storm to pass over.
"You both have a hard time when you guys leave each other it seems," Mary replied.
"Can you blame me?" she asked.
"Not at all. When I thought Tristan died I was in a bad place," Mary replied. Amanda looked at Mary with such despair. Mary didn't really realize what she just said. She pretty much just implied that Scott has a death order. "No no no I didn't mean it like that," Mary said.
"It's fine. I get it," Amanda replied.
"Tristan says Scott's tough as nails, he'll be fine." Amanda didn't want to talk about Scott anymore, she was just too afraid to. Mary could see in Amanda's eyes that she was worried, and she had every right to be. Mary was the last person Scott talked to before he headed out, and she didn't fully understand why he left in the first place.
"Why do you think Molly's doing what she's doing all of the sudden?" Amanda asked.
"I guess she doesn't think there's anything to live for anymore," Mary replied.
"How are we supposed to prove her wrong?"
"Maybe there's nothing to prove."
"What do you mean?"
"Nicole was the only person Molly cared about, how's that supposed to change in this world?" Mary asked.
"So we weren't supposed to stop her?"
"I'm not saying that, but we certainly can't decide what she wants."
Molly was leaning up against a wall, constantly rubbing her wrists. She didn't think it would be hurting her this much, but then again she didn't expect to still be breathing after what happened. She kept looking outside, watching all the rain fall and the thunder crash. She admired the view of the mountains, but usually when it's sunny, not covered with dark clouds.
Tristan noticed Molly being alone. He figured now would be a good time to speak to her in private. "Admiring the view?" he asked.
"Most of it," she replied.
"I still don't understand why you tried to do what you did Molly," Tristan said.
"Of course you don't, you haven't had the people you love most all get taken away from you," she replied.
"That is not true," he exclaimed.
"What isn't true? You woke up in your bar, and managed to find both your girlfriend and your partner. I haven't seen you lose anything yet, so who the hell are you to tell me what I should live for."
Tristan remembered the day he awoke, how he was completely isolated from everyone, and how he lost almost all his hope, before he met Murray. From behind Molly, he noticed the image of Murray popping outside, and he was covered with blood. Tristan began rubbing his eyes, just trying to focus on Molly. "I still can't let you just die Molly," he said.
"Why the hell not!" she screamed.
"That day I awoke in my bar, I was completely alone. Scott went on a hunting trip and Mary left me weeks prior before the outbreak. I had nobody, and I was about to die myself, before I was saved by a very kind man. He saved my life, and showed me the way. He gave me hope that you can still have peace in this world, and he asked me to kill him. Everyday I remember what I did for him, and I still regret it," Tristan said. Molly eyes began to spread. "I will not you're your blood on my hands as well," said Tristan.
Molly could see that Tristan was fully serious when he was talking about Murray, and she didn't like it. She walked away with her arms crossed, fearing what Tristan just told her. This was the second time Tristan told somebody about Murray, and it's always been a negative reaction. Scott saw him out as crazy, while Molly now sees him as dangerous. Tristan began regretting talking about Murray, his stomach was in a knot.
"Hey," said a voice from behind. It was Bailey. "Let's talk outside," he said.
"It's still pouring?" Tristan implically asked.
"So? Let's get some fresh air," Bailey said. Tristan laughed a little bit. He went along with what Bailey said, so they both just went outside. They both so a sense enjoyed the rain on their skin, made them feel alive.
"What did you want to talk about?" Tristan asked.
"Your friend Scott, he's been gone an awful long time now," Bailey said.
"You're concerned?" Tristan asked.
"Not for myself, for you."
"I wouldn't worry. Like I said, he can handle himself out there."
"Don't take this the wrong way or anything, I know he's your friend and all, but he seems dangerous," Bailey said, implying something Tristan could understand.
"I'm not going to take that the wrong way because you're right, he is dangerous, but honestly, I think that's what's kept him alive for so long."
"And how about you, what's kept you alive till now?" Bailey asked. Tristan looked through the window, noticing Mary sitting down with Amanda. He smiled.
David constantly kept looking outside at the rain, watching it all pour onto the dirt. Most people tried to avoid talking to him, other than Logan. Logan came beside David, asking what's been troubling him. "It's this Tristan guy. He's won over Bailey's trust completely, and I don't like it," David said.
"What you jealous?" Logan joked.
"It's not that, especially not that. But you know how I feel about Bailey being our leader, and I really don't like this Tristan guy either. The thought of them both taking over is just insane to me."
"Well what do you propose we do then?" Logan asked.
"It's not what were going to do, I think it's what that Scott guy is going to do," David replied.
"I don't follow," Logan said.
"Think about it. Would a guy like him really just hand over his leadership to a guy like Tristan? Whenever there seems to be a problem with the group, Scott seems like he can handle it, while Tristan on the other hand seems to get them into trouble."
"So you think we should put our trust into him?" Logan asked.
"Just think about it," David replied, and Logan began pondering the implications.
Phillip and Savian were both sitting down at a cafeteria table playing a good old came of poker. "I'm surprised Scott went out there on his own," Phillip said.
"I'm not. Not for one second would I be surprised that an arrogant guy like that would go off on his own," Savian replied.
"You still don't like him?" Phillip asked.
"I've never liked him, and I don't think I ever will, he's a liability," Savian replied.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but he's saved your ass, on more than one occasion I believe," Phillip replied.
"I'm not saying I'm ungrateful for that…" Savian said before he was interrupted.
"Then what are you trying to say?" Phillip asked.
"What I'm saying is…" Savian said, before he began aggressively coughing. Phillip could tell this time it was painful, he leaped over the table to see how bad it was for Savian. He wrapped his arm around his shoulder right before Savian covered his mouth with his left hand. He finally moved it away, and Phillip could see all the blood that had covered his hand. Phillip began backing away, with a blank concerning look on his face. "Don't tell anybody this, but I kind of have cancer…"
Scott rode his bike for a good half hour before hitting his next destination. He was beginning to wonder why the storm had been going on for so long, and over such a wide area. He didn't mind the rain at all, he was just curious. After smoking so many cigarettes today, he was beginning to feel frustrated about not finding Karin, just a blood stained blanket that probably meant bad news. He travelled down the road, noticing a small gas station not too far away.
It wasn't as small as he thought at first. There was a convenience store and a restaurant. Probably made for any travellers visiting the mountains. He parked his bike right at the gas station. He first tried to see if there was any fuel he could use, but unfortunately for him there wasn't. It was finally brought to his attention that his bike is probably low on fuel anyway, this would definitely be as far as he could go on bike.
He entered the convenience store, hoping there would be some cigarettes here for him to snag. It was his lucky day. He grabbed about two packs and placed them inside his pockets. He figured now was as good a time as any to have a smoke, so he did. He looked around to see if there was anything else that could be of use. He looked up from behind the counter, noticing a photograph that caught his attention. He grabbed it, noticing it was a very memorable photo. It was a photo of an old man and his son, both wearing military gear. He wondered if this convenience store belonged to the two of them. This photo began making Scott wonder about his dad, and why he could never have that kind of relationship with him. Scott smiled, putting out his cigarette.
Scott heard cars from outside pull up. He looked out the window, noticing two trucks appear. He ducked for cover behind the counter, and immediately took out his five seven. He heard several voices, one saying "Hey Dexter, do you think this place has any fuel?" Scott peaked over, noticing there was four of them outside, right beside his bike. Scott began squinting his eyes, wondering how he was going to handle this alone.
When Scott woke, it seemed as though he was on an axis, and it took him a few minutes to get himself centered. Once he had regained his senses, he looked around. He was tied up in the corner of a seemingly giant cave. He saw a mouth which would no doubt lead to the exit, but he couldn't see the light at the end, which frightened him even more as he didn't know how deep he was.
One of the guards noticed that he had woken up and began yelling something in Arabic. Scott's face remained emotionless as the fear began to well up inside him. Fear was something he couldn't show here. They'd do anything to single out his weakness and exploit it to no end.
A man came from the far end if the cave. Scott recognized him from the LZ. He was the one who was in command. He walked up to Scott, with a sense of elitism that was unknown to him. Scott remained expressionless, instead looking down at the ground. The man reached him.
"Your team is dead," he began. "Your military has abandoned you. No one knows where you are. You have no hope of getting out of here alive." He tilted Scott's chin upward so he could look him in the eye. There he saw the horrible scars on the left side of this man's face. "I want the location of your base, and your military's bases across Afghanistan. And you will give them to me."
Scott looked the man in the eyes. He said nothing at first then flatly stated, "Fuck. You."
The man sighed. He signaled the guards to come forward. They titled Scott's entire body backwards and put a cloth on his face. "You will give them to me," the man said.
What followed next was one of the most painful experiences of Scott's life. It took him a few moments to realize that he was being water boarded and couldn't breathe. When it was finished he was relieved, but finally collapsed and expressed the fear he had been feeling up to this point.
Scott watched the four men encircle his bike outside. A few of them discussed whether they should take it or not, and it caused Scott's boiling point to become rapid. He began pointing his pistol at one of the men. He kept biting down on the bottom end of his teeth, waiting to see if one of these pricks would notice him. He loaded his gun, ready for anything. He began to sweat immensely, halfway from pulling the trigger. He closed one eye, hearing the thunder from above echo over, wondering if today these guys would make it. He asked himself if this is what's needed to be done
The four men began loading back on their trucks, leaving Scott's bike alone. They drove off, and Scott lowered his pistol, breathing out heavily from the relief. He was extremely frightened he might have had to kill somebody, but he just kept wiping away the sweat from his forehead from the relief. He would not kill anybody today.
"Why'd you become leader if you don't like doing it?" Tristan asked.
"I don't know. I guess they just see something about me that makes a leader," Bailey replied.
"Do you see it?" Tristan asked.
Bailey laughed, replying "No, no I really don't. I hate being in charge." Tristan laughed as well, and began staring at the mountains. "Maybe you can take some of the power from me," said Bailey.
"Why. You think I'm meant to be the leader of everyone?" Tristan asked.
"I know you are."
Tristan chuckled. "We'll see." He replied. From behind them, David was hiding, eavesdropping on their conversation. He walked away from rage, fearing that what he said has come true. Both Tristan and Bailey entered the cafeteria again. They entered, noticing everybody was in some kind of panic. "What's wrong?" Tristan asked.
"It's Molly, she went missing again," Mary said.
"Fuck! Okay everybody go out, spread out and find her before its too late," Tristan replied. Everybody ran outside, all running around different section of the forest, hoping Molly hasn't done anything stupid.
Scott left the convenience store and back into the woods, hoping Karin might still be around here somewhere. He had his shotgun out in front, while he was smoking another cigarette again. He was actually beginning to get sick of the taste, if that was even possible for him. As he walked, he found a walker's body along the way. Most of it was intact, most of it. What was missing was the brain section of the body. It looked like had been beaten down. Thunder echoed over Scott once again.
Days had passed since Scott had first woken up and he hadn't slept since that day. The times of silence were filled in with questioning and beatings and waterboarding. Scott hadn't broken yet, and he hoped that he wouldn't, but his stretch of hope was beginning to run out.
That's when he heard gunfire echo through the cave. Scott looked up. He couldn't see the commander around anywhere, just guards. When the gunshots and shouting began to get closer the soldiers started to move towards him. They shouted something in Arabic, and then kicked Scott down on his side. One of the guards but the barrel of his gun to Scott's head. Scott closed his eyes, awaiting the bullet. Then he heard gunfire, but he was still breathing. He opened his eyes, both guards were dead. He looked up and saw a team of Marines moving towards him. They picked him up and untied him. "Come on man let's get you out of here," the lieutenant said.
"How'd you find me?" Scott asked, wearily.
"Whiskey One kept us updated on your position, they saw where these guys took you, we were dropped in two days ago, we've been fighting our way to you, now come on. Miles help him!"
"No. I can walk." Scott struggled to get up, but he was able to make it to his feet. Scott picked up one of the guards AK-47s and began stumbling with the Marines out of his tomb.
They were almost out, when Scott finally saw his captor for the last time. He sprung out from behind a rock, going for Scott. Scott knocked him down with his AK, and began beating his head in. The rest of the soldiers looked on as blood and brain matter began to shower Scott's face and worn our military attire.
Scott continued travelling into the forest. It was almost a time to head back, right before he noticed something you don't see everyday. He found a big wrong, but not an ordinary rock. It was completely covered with blood, and he feared he was about to find what he was looking for. He travelled along the path of the blood, hoping he wouldn't find Karin's body. He made it to a cave, wondering if he should enter but he chose not to. He looked down, noticing something interesting.
He leaned down to grab the necklace that was below him. It was made of gold, he couldn't tell how many carrots it was, but obviously a lot. It was in the shape of a heart. It opened it up, seeing the tiny pictures of both Clint and Karin within it. This was Karin's necklace. Scott looked into the cave, he began hearing moaning of some sort. He tucked the necklace in his pants, and began walking back to his bike. Whatever was in there, he didn't want to know yet.
Everyone encircled the area within a mile radius. People were beginning to panic, especially Tristan. He was the one who was searching the hardest. He knew whatever Molly was planning, it wasn't going to be good, he needed to act quickly. The thunder kept growing louder and louder with every step Tristan took. The rain made it hard for him to see. He made it to the top of the hill, frustrated he couldn't find her, however, within a few seconds he found exactly what he wanted.
He saw Molly at the very bottom of the hill, just standing there. He was wondering what she was doing, and he was beginning to get concerned for her safety. A few seconds later, he noticed several walkers begin to circle around Molly. More thunder screamed from the heavens. Walkers got closer and closer to Molly each second, and all Tristan could whisper to himself was "Dammit."
He began running down the hill, screaming "Molly! Run!" but she wouldn't respond. He took out his revolver, shooting from quite the distance, taking out two of the walkers circling her. He kept running, but was stopped by a few walkers along his path. He tried to find a way to pass them, but they completely blocked his way. He kept trying to get a glimpse of Molly, but within seconds, he lost sight of her. "Molly! Get out of there!" he kept screaming.
Molly watched as the walkers began circling around her, and she began talking to herself while looking at the sky. "Nobody understands me. I've lost everything. My love, my life, my family, I've lost it all. This world isn't meant for me, it shouldn't meant for anybody. I just want a fresh start to it all I guess. At first I thought there was something worth fighting for in this world, but not anymore. I'm coming home Nicole." She continued to watch as the walkers got closer. She closed her eyes, hoping she would see Nicole real soon.
She reopened them, noticing the one walker only inches from her. She began screaming "No, I don't want this!" She fell to the ground as the walker began grabbing at her feet. "Somebody! Help me!" she screamed. She feared that her time has finally come, and she just realized she didn't want that time to be now. She began crying from the fear, before someone pierce the walker's brain with a knife.
The walker fell, and in front of her stood Naomi. Naomi heard Molly's screams from only a few metres away, she was the closest to her than anybody it seemed. "Are you okay?" Naomi asked.
Molly stood up immediately, forcefully hugging Naomi, replying "Thank you." Walkers from behind them began getting closer. Molly stood behind Naomi as she readied her knife, but she feared it wouldn't be enough. Tristan finally made it to the bottom, emptying any rounds he had left in his revolver for the walkers. Clint and Andy also came from the trees, taking care of any walkers that came forward. The area was clear, and the four of them all began staring at Molly with shame as she kept repeating the words "I'm sorry."
Naomi walked Molly back to the camp. Molly would not stop crying. At first she thought she wanted to die, but once she faced it right in the eye, she knew it wasn't what she wanted anymore. Tristan was relieved that Molly was ok. As he walked back to camp with Andy and Clint, he kept seeing the image of Nicole beside her, constantly giving him a smile and a thumbs up. This was the first time Tristan was happy to see a ghost.
"Is she going to be ok?" Clint asked.
"Yeah, she'll be just fine," Tristan replied with a smirk on his face. The rain from above them finally stopped, and the sun emerged from the clouds. Tristan was glad to see how bright it was. Only problem was it was almost nighttime. They all made it back to camp, and Tristan noticed Bailey standing there, waiting for him.
"I guess she decided to live," Tristan said.
"Yeah, but how long will it last?" Bailey asked. Tristan didn't reply. From a short distance, they heard Scott's motorcycle park. Both Tristan and Amanda were the first to run at him with full speed. Scott had a look of disappointment on his face. Tristan and Amanda faced him, noticing he wasn't in a good mood.
"I didn't find her," Scott said. "Amanda I'm sorry I left without telling you."
"I don't care right now," Amanda replied, right before she gave him a big hug.
Clint also came up to the three of them. "You didn't find her huh?" Clint asked, even though he already well knew the answer.
Scott took out Karin's necklace from his pocket and gave it to Clint. Clint looked at the necklace, beginning to feel extremely frustrated with everything that has happened. "Tomorrow morning, me and you are going out to find Karin. Once and for all," Scott said.
"I'm coming too," Tristan replied.
Scott looked at Tristan. Their argument from earlier today still wasn't settles, but right now Scott could use all the help he could get. "Alright," Scott replied.
"I'm coming too," Amanda said.
"Amanda, I really don't think that's…" Scott said.
"I don't care what you think. Whenever I leave you get upset and whenever you leave I get upset. It's time we started doing things together," Amanda interrupted. Scott smiled.
"Alright, tomorrow morning we'll all head out in search for Karin," Tristan said. Clint kept rubbing his forehead. Tristan turned to Clint. "We'll find her, I promise Clint. She's alive." Clint nodded.
It was finally night time, and everyone was absolutely exhausted from the day they had. Scott took off his jacket, revealing a pack of cigarettes. He looked at them briefly, then decided now isn't a very good time to smoke. He took off his shirt and laid in bed with Amanda by his side, figuring it was about time he got a good night's rest.
Scott had been plagued with nightmares since he had been put into the Illinois Psychiatric Hospital two weeks ago. In his dreams he saw the faces of his team that he had lost on that abomination of a mission. Ramirez, Tony, all of them. More than that, he saw the guards who beat him and water boarded him, with their smug faces. Every time he woke, he was left wishing it had been him who had ended their lives, and that the last emotion he had shown them hadn't been one of fear. The fear of death, but more than that, the acceptance of death. Most of all though, he saw the commander, and every night, his dreams ended with blood and brain matter on his face, beating a now faceless man to death, and loving every minute of it. When this had been uncovered, due to countless therapy sessions, Scott had been instituted here so he could recover from what doctor's described as a truly terrible and frightening experience.
Scott was wandering the grounds of the hospital, wondering what he'd do with himself when he left this place and was discharged from duty. The only thing he really knew how to do was kill. That's all the military taught him. And that certainly wasn't something he could integrate into civilian life. He began to contemplate the option of making a career out of the military, when he saw a familiar face by the front gates. He walked closer, and called out Tristan's name. He turned and began walking to him. "Long time. I didn't know you were still here," Scott said.
"Yeah. After what happened, they kept me here for a little bit. I'm heading out now," Tristan said hesitantly. "How.. how are you doing?"
Scott didn't know how to answer that question. It was no doubt that Tristan had heard the story, but Scott didn't want to dwell on it, and left the question unanswered. "Are you uh, are they shipping you out again soon? " Scott asked.
Tristan waited a minute before answering. Trying to find the darkness that had seeped into Scott's soul. "No," he said. "My time's up I'm just going to, I'm not going back. I'm just... just heading home." Tristan continued to size Scott up for a moment before bidding farewell. Then he was off.
Scott watched him go, and began to wonder how long it would be before he would be allowed out of this place. He began to wonder that before those fateful four days, before everything had gone to hell, if there God had simply abandoned him. And if so, why he condemned his soul to hell that day, and had taken the souls of his many comrades away from him. Scott felt the anger well inside him, and then began to walk back inside.
The morning came, and the sun raised high over the horizon. Scott Amanda and Clint packed all their supplies. They were going to use Clint truck for the three of them, while Scott would still use his motorcycle. Scott was a little worried about Amanda coming, however he was also glad to have her by his side. Clint was worried as he usually was. He kept thinking that if he didn't find her today, he wasn't going to find her at all.
"I found that necklace near a cave in the woods, we'll head there first thing," Scott said. Clint nodded. "You sure you want to come Amanda?" Scott asked.
"Absolutely," Amanda replied, right before she kissed him.
"Alright, as soon as Tristan gets here we'll head out," said Scott.
Tristan had his revolver fully loaded for the mission coming at hand. "I'll see you later then," Tristan said to Mary. Tristan was about to leave, but right before, Mary responded "Bring her back to us." Tristan nodded.
He began walking down the path towards Clint's truck. He looked at the sky, thinking today was going to be a beautiful day, and he took that as a good sign. He kept walking, but was stopped by a familiar face. It was Bailey. "I thought you and me were going to share the power. How can I do that with you gone?" Bailey asked.
Tristan walked over to Bailey, putting his arm on his shoulder. "Right now, I think it's still your time to shine. I believe in you Bailey," Tristan said. Tristan began heading back to Clint's truck. From the distance, Bailey watched
