What Can You Do?
Disclaimer: I would like to thank everyone again for the reviews, followings, and favor. So please keep the reviews coming and I only own the OC.
If there are any A/N in this chapter, they will be marked(*) and the meaning behind them will be at the bottom.
Thank you to Darkangelfirekitsune for being my beta.
Chapter 13
By the time they got back to town, it had been dark for a few hours and they were exhausted, ready for bed. The only thing stopping them was they had no safe place to crash. Arika was driving while Harry and Merle were looking out the windows, trying to find a place that looked secured or a place that looked safe enough that they could secure it and fast. Everyone needed to sleep even if it was only a few hours of sleep. It took them a half hour before Merle pointed to a set of buildings a little way up.
"China man said he cleare' out the middle one." Arika, slowing down, looked at Harry in the rearview mirror and saw that he had a thoughtful look on his face. Nodding his head ok, Arika drove and parked right in front of the little store. Once stopped, Harry jumped out and told them to stay, while he jogged up to the storefront. At the door, he peered in; knocking on the window, and when nothing moved towards him, he took a step back. He was trying to figure out how he was going to get in without causing noise or using magic? Walking back to the truck he leaned on Merle's door.
"Did he say how he got in and out with the door being locked?"
"No. Jus' said he cleared all the buildings and the middle's safe from geeks. Said it was for nothin' casue there was nothin' good in them." Letting out another tired sigh Harry turned to look back at the building. It was in the middle, two other buildings on each side.
"I am going around back to see there is a back door. If I am not back in thirty minutes leave and start heading towards camp. I'll meet up with you."
"We're not leaving you!"
"You're outta your god damn mind." Arika and Merle yelled at the same time.
"I feel the love. But if I am not back in thirty minutes then you are leaving," he continued, looking Arika straight in the eyes.
"I will meet up with you guys just start heading towards camp. OK?" Arika looking back into Harry's eyes got the unspoken message.
"Fine, but I will throw you to the wolves if we get back to camp before you," Arika said a sadistic grin on her face, causing shivers to go down Harry's back. Taking in a deep breath he slowly let it out.
"Fine." Turning, he started walking down the sidewalk to get to the ally that he hoped lead behind the buildings when Merle yelled, "Hey," causing him to stop and turn around.
"Jus' don't do nothin' stupid. Your mine and my brothers' ticket and ay can't let you die before then," Merle grumbled out. This cause Harry to let out a laugh and raise his right hand, he gave a two-finger salute as a sign of understanding. Turning back around he continued to walk towards the ally with his knife out and once he lost sight of the truck, he also brought out his wand. Looking around he did not see any inferi, but it was dark. Not wanting to draw any with Lumos* he kept it ready just in case. He slowly continued walking down the back hoping that his luck held out for once. When he was at his intended door, he noticed that there was no handle.
"Fuck." Looking around he did not know what to do now. Kicking the door in frustration he was shocked to feel it shake, in a way that it could only mean if it was not fully closed. Walking up to the door he tried to get a closer look but was unable to with the little amount of light that was available.
"Fuck," he whispered again, before raising his wand and pointing it at the door.
"Lumos*," he whispered, light poured out of his wand and lit up the surrounding area. Taking a quick look around and still seeing no inferi he started to incepting the door. Starting at the bottom and making his way across and then up, it was not until he got to the upper right corner that he noticed that there was a piece of brink wedge between the door and the frame, keeping it from fully closing.
Placing his knife back in it holder he stood on his toes, reaching his hands up putting his fingertips between the door and the frame, he started to pull. When it did not open, he pulled with a little more force opening it. When it opened it throwing him off balance causing him to stumbled and dropped his wand. Catching himself he scanned the area making sure that nothing was creeping up on him before bending down and picking up his wand. With it, back in his hand, he pointed it at the entryway and seeing no movement he proceeded to slowly make his way inside, closing the door behind him.
Once the door was shut the only light he had was from his wand. Creeping around slowly he cleared the place before heading up to the front. Looking out the front door he could not see the truck and was now worried. 'It did not take him longer than thirty minutes to get in and clear the place. Did it? Did something happened that he did not hear?' These thoughts and more were running through his head when he saw movement out of the corner of his right eye. Looking he saw Merle jogging up to the storefront. Unlocking and opening the door Merle hurried in with no Arika.
"What happened?" Harry asked confused and worried. You could not hear it or see it on his face, but he was also a little scared.
"Nothin'. While you were getting in, we had ta look for 'nother ride. She's on her way back with it now. Sent me 'head so ya wouldn't worry," Merle said in a matter-of-fact voice. Relaxing Harry nodded his head and motion for Merle to go find a place to claim. Getting the dismissal Merle left out an unhappy grunt then walked further into the store. Taking a quick look around he did not see anything worth taking, so he just found a spot to sit and relax. Taking off his bag he sat it down and sat down next to it. Once down he started to rub his wrist, drawing Harry's attention.
"Hurting?"
"Yea. Has been all day. Nothin' anyone can do, no pills." Letting out a sigh Harry relocked the door and made his way over to Merle. Once he was in front of him, he kneeled down balancing on his toes while taking his bag off in the process. Once his bag was in front of him, he started searching. When he found what he was looking for he took it out. It was a small make-up bag, the kind most women seem to carry around in their purses. Pulling on the zipper he opened it up and pulled out a small pill bottle.
"I am only giving them to you so you can sleep tonight. They're only ibuprofen, so eat something and then take them," he said shaking three out and handing them over to Merle. Shocked, Merle put his good hand out to accepted. Opening his bag, he took out a couple of granola bars and his water. Seeing this Harry got up and walked back over to the doors. Still not seeing any sign of Arika he was starting to get worried again. Just before he could start to think any more on it, a white SUV pulled up and parked in front of the store. Arika getting out of the driver's side door, he let out a relieved sigh and opened up the door.
"Had a nice drive?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Yep. Nothing like a late-night drive to clear your mind. It does your mind a load of good," Arika said right back walking in. Once in, Harry closed and locked the door. Turning around Harry walked to the left corner and set his bag on the floor. Reaching into his bag he grabbed a snack-size bag of chips.
"Did you get lost?" Harry asked causing Arika to turn and look at him.
"What?" she asked confused.
"Did you get lost?" he repeated. Arika shot him a look that he was unable to read. He was going to ask what the look was when Merle burst out laughing, drawing his attention.
"Ya did," Merle said in between laughs. Whipping his head back around, he walked over to Arika, who had made her way into the opposite corner of him and saw the lit red on her dark cheeks. Letting out his own laugh he shook his head in disbelief.
"What?" she said attitude in her voice.
"Nothing. I just did not think this group out, that is all," Harry said still laughing a little.
"Wat'd ya mean?" Merle asked confused.
"I have never been to Georgia."
"Only been here a few times," Harry and Arika said at the same time.
"That means you are now officially our map. Congratulations on the promotion," Harry said laughing still. Merle's face was in disbelief. Arika seeing his face started to laugh at it and because of the situation.
"Talk about the blind leading the blind. We're fucked," she said.
"Aw hell! We are," Merle said joining in on the laughing.
"Wait, means I'm driving now," he contained.
"Nope," they both said again causing Merle to let out a disgruntled huff.
"Fine. But ya gotta listen to me then."
"Yep. We are fucked," Harry said turning and walking back to his corner. Sitting down he was still laughing a little while also shaking his head.
"Go to sleep. I will take first watch, then Merle," Harry said looking at both. Nodding their heads ok, they got ready for what little restless sleep they were going to get. It was going to be another long day tomorrow with not know which way they needed to go, it was not going to be any fun.
~~~~~~~~Next Day~~~~~~~~
Waking up the next day Harry looked around and saw that Merle was still asleep with Arika looking out the window. Turning to look outside he saw a couple of inferi walking around but nothing they could not handle. Stretching he out up and took a good look around the store. It was a little ma and pa's shop, but everything was looted. There was nothing upfront, at least, to take. Motioning to Arika that he was heading to back she raised her hand to stop him.
"There's nothing back there, I checked," she whispered.
"Ok, but I still have to pee," Harry whispered back, causing Arika to let out a small chuckle and moved her hand in the going away motion. With a smile on his face, Harry continues toward the back.
Once she lost sight of Harry, Arika turned to look back out the window. It looked like it was going to be another hot day, but when in Georgia what did you expect. They were going to have to find food and water soon. She just hoped that they were not wasting time looking for a needle in a haystack. Hearing noise from her right she turned her head and saw Merle tossing and turning as much as he could lean up against the wall. He was groaning in pain and she gave him a little bit of sympathy. She knew that he was not feeling good going though withdrawal and no pain meds for his wrist, she just hoped he would not be too much of an asshole due to the pain he was in.
Looking back outside she noticed that the sun was rising and that it was time to go. Turning to look back at Merle she was not sure how to go about getting him up. He might have been treating her better, but today was a whole new story. Taking a deep breath, she got up and walked over to him. Crouching down she started to call his name. Trying not to scare or startle him awake, she said it softly. When he did not wake, she took a deeper breath and said his name a little louder.
Jerking up; he reached to his side for his knife and looked around. When his eyes landed on her he just gave a huff and leaned back against the wall.
"Wat ya want?" he grumbled out.
"Time to get up. The sun is rising, and we need all the time we can get to look for your brother," she said standing back up. Nodding his head ok he grumbled and got up; stretching. Wincing, once he was up, he grabbed his wrist. Walking from the back Harry saw this and went over to his bag.
Bending down, Harry picked it up and walked over to Merle. Walking over to the counter he sat it upon it and opened it up. Taking out a couple of cans he tossed one to Arika and handed Merle one. Standing around in a circle they started to eat their breakfast before making their way towards the door.
Opening the door Arika ran out killing any inferi in her way before getting into the SUV and starting it. Once it was running that was Harry's and Merle's sign to run to the SUV, also killing any inferi in their way. Once in, Arika drove off asking Merle where they should start.
After driving and looking around for a while, they decided to stop and try and form a plan. Just driving was not getting them anywhere. Finding a spot Arika parked the car and everyone got out. Pulling the map from her bag, Arika put it on the hood of the SUV and while Merle was telling her what to mark with an X.
Harry was asking Merle questions on here he thought his brother might be/go. After talking for a while Harry pulled out a jar of peanut butter and handed each of them a bag of crackers. Eating they were talking trying to figure the best route when there was a boom and the ground shook under them. Looking in the direction that it came from they saw a cloud of black smoke. Grabbing their items, they ran and jumped into the vehicle; heading towards it.
Driving towards the blast site only were able to get two miles before they encounter a gigantic hoard of inferi. There were over 300 hundred and counting, also making their way towards the blast. Not seeing any way through Arika put the SUV in reverse and started backing up. Getting ready to swing the vehicle around the dead boxing the SUV in. Clawing at the windows and side trying to get to them. Slamming on the gas she ran over them until free. Turning right she speeding down the road trying putting distance between the hoard and them. Taking a glance in the rear-view mirror she saw that some of the dead had changed their course and where following them.
They tried a couple more times to head towards the site before it was no longer safe, and she had to drive out of town. Pulling the vehicle over to the side of the highway Arika turned it off, but Merle was already out of the SUV yelling and cussing in a fit of rage. Putting her head on the steering wheel she let out a sigh.
"What do you think caused that?" she asked in disbelief. All she could see in her mind's eyes was all of the dead. How could something that had only started a little over two months ago have killed so many people?
"Stop thinking. Just breath. I'll go talk to Merle," Harry said from the back seat. Hearing him she sat back up and gave him a thumbs-up before taking in deep breaths. She could not afford to lose herself now. She promised 'them' that she would survive, and she would.
Harry looking at her, saw that she was slowly putting herself together and got out of the SUV. Getting out he shut the door behind him before walking up to Merle, who was still cussing and kicking at the ground.
"Don't tell me we're jus' gonna leave him. We have ta head back. If you're too much of a pussy to go, princess, then fine. I'll go an' look. I don't need you or blackie in there either," he raged along with something else lacing his tone.
"Listen to me. We will go back and try and find your brother another day, but whatever caused that blasted was felt and heard for miles. All of the inferi within those miles are going to start to make their way towards it. We need to go back to camp to make sure they are ok. Once it is, we will head back and look. Trust that your brother is as stupid and hardheaded as you. Someone who will not let themselves die," Harry said trying to get Merle to calm down and back into the car. He knew that the inferi were going to start coming out of the woodworks soon and he did not want them to be around when that happened.
"T'was probably the CDC," Merle grumbled out glaring at the view of Atlanta. Taking in a deep breath he continued, "Center of Dieses Control. No power and that stuff, well it goes proof so no one can get their fuckin' hands-on what everyone thought was the end of the world shit. Well looks like all those dick heads that were supposed to protect us ended up failing and I hope all of those fuckers are rotting in their own fuckin hell. Bags of shit they are," he raged again kicking the ground. Harry let him go for a couple of seconds before calling Merle's name again.
"WHAT?" Merle yelled, turning to glare at him.
"Are you coming?" Harry asked.
"Fuck. Shit. Hell. Fuck. Fuck fucking fuck," Merle yelled storming towards the SUV. Getting in he slammed the door shut still cussing. Turning, Harry started to walk back towards the SUV before glancing over his should at a city that was once home to its people and held their dreams. Now it held nothing but death and despair. Walking over to the driver side door he motioned for Arika to get out and once she was in the back seat, he got into the front. Starting up the car he drove away, leaving the city in the rear-view mirror.
~~~~~~~~Slytherin~~~~~~~~
A/N-Also if anyone has any questions about the story please ask.
1. Lumos-(light- Latin)
Type: Charm
Pronunciation: LOO-mos
Description: Creates a narrow beam of light that shines from the wand's tip, like a torch.
~~~~~~~~Ravenclaw~~~~~~~~
Special thanks to:
LunarRoseFox
Animefangirl0219
wildwolfrose
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Here are the answer to the reviews:
Vladimir Mithrander: (I am sorry for not being more specific on what I meant by saying I am trying to be true to the show. Harry is not going to come in wave his want and save everyone, the end. There are going to be losses and people will get hurt. That is what I meant by true to the show. Now about Sophia and Carl well I guess you will just have to wait and see. ^-^)
AnimeNerdX: (^-^)
chaoswizard:(I will.)