ZOMBIEPOCALYPSE!

[The Broken Lunatic]

SETTING


23 Weeks After Initial Infection
Class 3 - Class 4 Outbreak
Washington, D.C.

The infection spread like wildfire. Traces of the virus started popping up in Third-World countries and were given little attention, but once American troops were attacked, they were quarantined and brought state side for further study. Subject Zero, one of the first infected soldiers, was shipped to the nation's capital for cross examination. He expired on the way only to rise several hours later, attacking several government officials who were present at the autopsy. Though attempts to quarantine were made, the virus still managed to slip through the barricades as employees and soldiers fleeing to their families.

Planes soon began to drop from the sky, spreading the infected contents over the country like a ripple in water. Some succumbed to the virus faster than others, while very few showed immunity. The Class 3 outbreak took a quick turn for the worse, spiraling toward Class 4, an undead world. Survivors grew thin as humanity had been violently shoved toward extinction. The capital has since then become an undead wasteland, deteriorating with every passing month.

Those in power, along with their families and associates, hole up in bunkers and secure areas around the country. Secure in these shelters, originally build for the Cold War, they survive. Perhaps they continue the façade of a government command structure. Perhaps the technology is available to communicate with other agencies or even other protected world leaders. For all practical purposes, however, they are nothing more than a government-in-exile. With the total collapse of law and order, small bands of individuals emerged to assert their authority. Looters, bandits, and common thugs prey on the survivors, taking what they want and indulging in whatever pleasure they find.

What police and military forces were left either served as protection for the government in hiding, deserted in an attempt to save their families, or degenerated into bandits themselves. A total collapse in communication and transportation swept the globe. Isolated cities became open battlegrounds, with scattered groups of citizens fighting to defend barricaded areas from both ghouls and human renegades. Neglected machines eventually broke down or, in some cases, blow up. Reactor meltdowns and other industrial accidents were common, polluting the landscape with toxic chemical by-products.

Because of the radiation, the infected around such places mutated, adapting certain 'abilities' that allow them to become even more dangerous. This mutation also stalls the decomposition process, causing the infected to last longer as well as boosting strength and speed.

It is the end of the world as we know it.​

INFECTION TIMELINE

• Hour 0: Infected
  
  Hour 1: Pain and discoloration (brown-purple) of the infected area. Immediate clotting of the wound (provided the infection came from a wound).
  
  Hour 5: Fever (99-103 degrees F), chills, slight dementia, vomiting, acute pain in the joints.
  
  Hour 8: Numbing of extremities and infected area, increased fever (103-106 degrees F), increased dementia, loss of muscular coordination.
  
  Hour 11: Paralysis in the lower body, overall numbness, slowed heart rate.
  
  Hour 16: Coma.
  
  Hour 20: Heart stoppage. Zero brain activity.
  
  Hour 23: Reanimation. Fresh Corpse - Fast Zombie. Most infections occur in this timeframe, as the reanimated will be in hospitals, ambulances, and highly-populated areas.
  
  Hour 27: Rigor Mortis sets in. Zombie becomes slow and shambling. Zombie is vulnerable in this state - however panic prevents organized responses from forming.
  
  Hour 40+: Muscles begin to loosen again. Zombies regain speed, however they will only degrade from this state.
  
  Day 20+: Zombies continue to degrade at a slow rate. Over time, speed decreases and becomes more shambling as muscles decay.
  
  Month 3+: Zombies are completely Romero-style now. New infections repeat the cycle. Source of infection keeps bodies from decaying away at a normal rate.
  
  Year 1+: Older zombies have mostly decayed away. Most remain, although they are in bad shape. You can 'date' when a person was infected by the condition their body is in.[/list:u]
  
  
  RULES
  
  
  • 1. Vampire Seduction and myself are GODS of this thread. Our word is Law. If you have any questions or problems you wish to bring to our attention, PM either of us.
    
    2. To ensure your place in this roleplay, players are required to create a profile for the character(s) he or she wishes to bring into this RP. It doesn't have to be detailed, just enough to show that you are interested in making this a long term deal.
    
    3. No godmoddery. Even though this is an apocalyptic scenario that deals with killing hordes of soulless meatsacks in a world that hardly has any rules or regulations whatsoever...this does not mean that you are the ultimate Zombie Slayer. You are merely a Survivor. Don't get cocky, you just might meet your end.
    
    4. This is a group effort, so play nice.[/list:u]
    
    
    PROFILES
    
    
    
    Right, here is a quick skeleton I put together for you guys to start creating characters.
    Fill them out, then send them to me via PM.
    Please keep in mind that there will be limited 'supernatural' characters.
    If you wish to play a humanoid creature, make your profile and send it to both me and Vampire Seduction.​
    • Name:
      
      Player:
      
      Age:
      
      Height:
      
      Weight:
      
      Appearance: linkies or descriptions
      
      Weapons of Choice:
      
      Bio Prior To Outbreak:
      
      Bio After Outbreak:
      
      Motivation To Survive:[/list:u]
      
      
      SURVIVORS
      
      • 
        Name: Eufemia Stratsner
        
        Player: Misha Hiroki
        
        Age: 19
        
        Height: 5'6"
        
        Weight: 124 lbs
        
        Appearance: [x]
        
        Weapons of Choice: .45 Caliber short barrel revolver
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Prior to the outbreak, Eufemia was just a normal freshman college student working toward a liberal arts degree. Her home life wasn't anything special. She didn't fight with her parents overmuch and she begrudgingly missed her older sister who had moved to Pennsylvania to go to school. Not that it was that far out of the way, but apparently her sister liked to keep in as little contact as possible. Despite the sibling rivalry that went on between the two of them at times, she still worried about her.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: After the outbreak, Eufemia became a shut in. Her parents had left to try and find and help survivors, but only ended up dieing shortly after, as far as she knew anyway since they stopped calling her after a few weeks. With her parents dead and her sister in another state, Eufemia kept her father's .45 close at hand while she stayed huddled in one corner of the basement. She made sure to conserve her rations of canned foods, but she would run out after not too long. Her only option now was to take a few essentials and risk running out into the suburbs of DC. Maybe if she was lucky she'd see her sister again.
        
        Motivation To Survive: To reunite with her sister and find a new safe haven from the horde of infected zombies.
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Dante McPhadden
        
        Player: BlisteredBlood
        
        Age: 21
        
        Height: 5' 11
        
        Weight: 200 lbs.
        
        Appearance: As seen here.
        
        Weapons of Choice: Handmade .38 pistol and a .50 caliber revolver.
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Before the outbreak, he had been working for the local Maryland police force as a bounty hunter, bringing in the hardened criminals, the psychopaths and the bond jumpers of the worst order. The last known criminal he was supposed to have brought in alive was ironically associated with some of the most grisly and disturbingly brutal murders, but it wasn't known if he was among the suspects. Upon discovery of the said individual, the man was clearly unable to respond to the simplest of commands, even when he was found eating the remains of a young female. As a result, Dante and a small squad of bounty hunters were forced to kill the man in question when he lunged for Dante. Since then, Dante has refused to speak of the event.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: Not long after the outbreak occurred, Dante has done everything in his power to scrounge up survivors, but has either found monsters and other hideous creatures tearing apart people purely at random.
        
        Motivation To Survive: The events before the outbreak was his prior motivation, and it is with that fear for his life that has since stayed with him.
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Marcus
        
        Player: vampire seduction
        
        Height: 5'11
        
        Weight: 190 lbs.
        
        Appearance: Long auburn hair and vibrant jade green eyes, a light shade of tan on his skin, and a humbly attractive appearance with his decently muscled build.
        
        Weapons: Whatever he can get his hands on.
        
        Motivation To Survive: To live.
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Xander Greene
        
        Player: Kingschoolyou
        
        Age: 28
        
        Height: 6'1
        
        Weight: 187 lbs.
        
        Appearance: Xander
        Alister
        
        Weapons of Choice: 50 cal. Tungsten shell, sniper., and .44 Mag, Raging Bull revolver. ( Tungsten Shells )
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Prior to infection outbreak, Xander was a counter clerk at a very well know gun shop. He had spent 10 years working there from age 18 on the weapons within the store, always having to clean them, repair them, and even test them. He had found a fondness for rifles, and pistols in the like. He found from his liking for rifles, that he learned to peg an 8 oz. water bottle from over 500 yards away. A skill he never found much use for....until now.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: Bruised, battered, and narrowly escaping being bitten several times before. Xander holed up in his gun shop, locking the doors, and baring the windows with his buddy, Alister. Alister being his trusted Rotweiler weighing at 110 lbs. of angry guard dog muscle. Xander, was running low on supplies as he grabbed a back pack, and a fanny pack, Xander filled the the backpack with Food and water in the main pocket, and every other pocket with boxes of ammo. Filling the fanny pack just below with more of the same boxes of ammunition. Coming out with room for 10 boxes of sniper shells each with 20 rounds in it, and 30 boxes of shells for his revolver, each with 50 shells in a box. His hopes for survival are dim at that, but not extinguished. His plan now is to travel from gun shop to gun shop, taking his booklet of known branches of his gun company with him. The last thing he grabbed being the body armor kept behind the counter for purposes of idiots with guns trying to rob the place. He figured the closest one to him now was Washington DC's branch. The headquarters. Surely they had more ammunition and supplies for him and Alister......
        
        Motivation To Survive: In hopes of finding more survivors, and possibly a cure to the infection.
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Seth "Set" Bradley
        
        Player: Midnight
        
        Age: 25
        
        Height: 5' 10
        
        Weight: 190
        
        Appearance: []
        
        Weapons of Choice:
        
        Winchester Model 70 Sniper Rifle (Bolt-action, scoped .308)
        M21 sniper rifle (Semi-automatic, scoped, 7.62MM NATO, re-chambered to fire .308 ammo, easier to come by)
        M9 Semi Automatic-pistol (Silenced, semi, 9MM)
        Machete (Black blade, sturdy make)
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Seth lived what some would believe a strict life, though to him, it was easy, his father was an important political adviser to the president himself. His mother died shortly after he was born so Set pretty much raised himself, taught by his dad how to shoot at the age of five and raised with a strict rule of discipline. Seth learned how to shoot early, and got pretty damn good at it, going on frequent hunting trips with his father when he had spare time.
        
        Set's favorite hobby is hunting, venturing out into the wilderness by himself or with a dog and tracking, trapping, or shooting was his passion. Seth was very skilled with wilderness survival, having gotten himself lost way out in the forest several times on his hunting trips. Through hunting Seth learned skills that would be invaluable later on in his life, how to avoid animals, how to track, how to be sneaky, and how to hit tiny objects from hundreds of yards away.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: After the outbreak, Seth was forced from his home, his dad was with the president at the time, so chances were, he was safe, Seth was all alone in his home, so he did his best, taking his trusty sniper rifle, his father's rifle, and his father's pistol and climbing out a window with supplies, Seth cleared off as many as he could and retreated, taking off into the wilderness with a couple survivors from the neighborhood. In this scary time Set resurfaced. The young man did quite well in this new hostile territory, using the training he received from dear old dad, and the skills he learned from all his years of hunting, Seth did very well for himself, by himself, never taking the undead head on but instead striking from the shadows with silenced weapons or melee weapons and avoiding the other hunters as well as possible.
        
        Shooting at human-shaped targets is hard for the hunter, but Seth Bradley is one hunter who refuses to become prey. Human looters and undead hunters Alike, if he has to kill he will.
        
        Motivation To Survive: To prove to the world that he is the hunter, not the hunted. To find his father, and to survive of course.
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Abby Ray
        
        Player: My_Apocalypse_Pony
        
        Age: 27
        
        Height: 5'7"
        
        Weight: 153 lbs
        
        Appearance: Abby
        Molly
        
        Weapons of Choice: .40 cal(two of them for everyday use) .357(aka last resort)
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Growing up in Oklahoma, Abby always wanted to be a ballerina, her father spoiled her, giving her everything her heart desired in exchange for her body. At age 16 she was excepted to Julliard and her hope of getting out of the house and away from her father. One day while practicing, something snapped and her knee broke. Even after surgery she was unable to dance again. A few months later her mother committed suicide and the sexual abuse got worse. With out ballet to rescue her Abby decided to run away.
        Getting as far as Tennessee she tried doing a few odd jobs, but found herself back in the arms of dancing. Only this time is wasn't ballet, in just a few short months she was the best dancer that Cherry's Exotic Dancers had. For the next few years Abby made a living dancing for dirty truckers, eventually she moved on and bounced from club to club. Hearing that Cherry's was up for sale she took everything she had saved and bought the place. She only owned the strip club for a year before the virus hit, but it was the best year of Abby's life.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: She has mostly traveled alone, trying to make her way to DC, not really knowing the reason. Along the way she picked up a stray dog she calls Molly. Molly comes and goes as she pleases but is never too far away. Abby tends to say away from larger cities avoiding the infected as much as possible.
        
        Motivation To Survive: To survive the infection.
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Arch Cole
        
        Player: Dark_Times
        
        Age: 25
        
        Height: 5ft 11
        
        Weight: 80kgs
        
        Appearance: Click
        
        Weapons of Choice: Arctic Warfare Rifle, and a Colt .45 with a suppressor.
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Cole was an only child, but that did not mean the attention he needed was given to him, his father had never been there for either him or his mother. So his mother spent all of her time at work, until he left school, but he got mixed up with some of the wrong people and ended up in front of a judge. He was given a choice, prison or the military, he picked the military and quickly proved himself as a sharpshooter. He was waiting to be shipped out when the outbreak was fully recognized.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: He deserted as soon as he got the choice, executed his CO in order to do it. Ever since then he worked against the military, trying to save those in cities said to be lost to the scourge.
        
        Motivation To Survive: To prove to whoever is left that those thrown aside by society are the ones who must save it.
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Xavier Cruise
        
        Player: 8Evolution8
        
        Age: 36
        
        Height: 5'9"
        
        Weight: 193 lbs
        
        Appearance: Picture
        
        Weapons of Choice: Machete, Combat Shotgun[Limited Shells]
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Xavier's life was fine until he joined a local gang in his mid-teens. He devoted himself to that style of living like it was his born right. Fighting, selling drugs, stealing, it was all he knew and enjoyed along with the partying. Four years and a daughter and you think he'd die like that from how much it meant to him. One punch from an old man with a cane changed all of that. Xavier had become drawn to this man and soon left his old life behind to start boxing where the old hermit was his coach.
        
        It seemed his joy of fighting paid off well, with him even gaining a state title for his hard work. Money, success, and family became his new thing and especially so with two extra kids joining his daughter. Xavier soon went to challenge the world and soared up in the rankings until he had a world title fight. The fight went the full rounds only for him to lose in a decision. Keeping the promise he had with his kids and girlfriend at the time, he put boxing behind him at the age of twenty-five. However a year later he would find himself in jail after a brutal fist fight at a local club.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: To Xavier, the outbreak was just some news report on tv. It didn't matter to him since he was living hell with a prison sentence that continued to go up. Everyone wanted to challenge the former boxer on the inside and then there were some who knew the gang tattoo on his arm. After beatings and accidental deaths, he found himself on death row where he knew he'd never see his kids again. The outbreak to him was a blessing, giving him the chance he needed to break out of jail and find a life that didn't have an expiration date written on a piece of paper.
        
        Motivation To Survive: The fact he can and to find his children.
        
        
        -----------------------
        
        Name: Molly Brandimarte
        
        Player: The Broken Lunatic
        
        Age: 23
        
        Height: 5'7"
        
        Weight: 125 Lbs.
        
        Appearance: Molly
        
        Weapons of Choice: M9 pistol (three 15 round magazines), Hatchet
        
        Bio Prior To Outbreak: Molly was always sensitive, not emotionally but spiritually. At 3 years she was able to sense the intentions, thoughts, and emotions from everyone around her. When Molly was 7, she foresaw her motherâ??s death which she desperately tried to stop. Her attempts failed. At 15, she became friends with a girl named Ellie who was also sensitive. They became close friends and because of Molly's abilities, Ellie and her mother (Roz) introduced the religion of Wicca to Molly. Because of Molly's choice to accept the religion and forsake Christianity, her father (a VERY religious man) cast her out onto the streets where Ellie and Roz were waiting for her.
        
        For years, Molly had honed her abilities, even focusing them to specific people and places until one day, she tried divination. What the future held shocked Molly. She convinced Ellie and Roz of her premonition, but the rest of the coven would not listen. Eventually, she took matters into her own hands and planned a safe house in an old church nearby. The walls were reinforced, the doors were replaced, bars and locks were installed on the windows...they even stocked up on supplies, that is, what they could legally get their hands on in such short notice.
        
        Bio After Outbreak: Roz had disappeared, leaving Molly and Ellie alone in their fortress. Molly stationed herself in the bell tower, watching in horror as the outbreak consumed everyone. Ellie went on for days on end casting protection spells, barriers and location spells until the food source started to take a turn for the worse.
        
        With barely any food, Ellie made the suggestion of going out to scavenge for resources. She also talked about rumors of a bunker in a hotel located a few hundred miles north of their location. 'The Greenbrier' she called it. Though it took several tries, Molly finally agreed to go out and find the rumored bunker.
        
        Motivation To Survive: To find Ellie and safely return to their fortress.
        [/list:u]

 

[vampire seduction]

As I gaze across this once vibrant land now desolate and defiled, I find myself again wondering where Mankind went wrong. Was it greed that brought us all down? Was it how we ignored the world around us and sought more and more power? Or was it simply Fate that had lead us down this vile path?

My eyes look to the horizon before me. Daybreak. My favorite time. I so love to watch the sun rise in the morn, a promise of things born anew and refreshed for a new chance at life.

Oh, what an empty promise that is. The only thing the sun provided now was the promise that those monstrosities would be rarely seen. I do not know why they hated the sunlight so, but thank the Heavens they did. I am getting a little ahead of myself, though, so allow me to start somewhere near the beginning.

*************************

I awoke that morning gasping aloud "Father!" There was movement beside me, then a gentle hand caressed my shoulder. "Marcus? That dream again?" her soft voice sounded in my ear, her breath tickling the hairs on my neck. I nodded, taking a moment. Then I turned and took Rose into my arms, both to comfort her and myself. "Don't worry, love, I'm quite alright." I replied, smiling and planting a kiss on the top of her head. She got up before me, pulling her robe on and heading down to start breakfast. I followed a few minutes later. Christ, I'm becoming a head case, I thought as I shook my head wearily. The doctors, shrinks rather, said it would take a long time to get over what happened. I never thought it would be this long and still I would not be fine.

We met downstairs again, kissing a good morning to each other properly, and I surveyed the kitchen. It wasn't really a kitchen anymore. Or, rather, it was, it had simply taking a wrong turn somewhere and ended up between kitchen and bathroom. Not that anyone could blame us, given the state of things, but the proper lavatory had been demolished as part of the building next to this one collapsed. Luckily, it perfectly sealed that section of the condo off, giving us adequate protection on that boundary.

Breakfast was served, such as it was, and we made short work of it. We had learned that being quick and efficient was the best way to go in these times. I sighed as I once again remembered how Richmond used to be. Rose turned to look at me, wiping some of her meal from her gloriously pouty lips. She always seemed to have this almost petulant, sassy smile lurking on those lips of hers. God how I love them. "What is it? What's bothering you?" she was asking as I brought myself back from my wonderfully distracting thoughts. I knew she was concerned about me, as I was about her. I shook my head. "Nothing." I said, trying to leave it at that. However the look in her eyes told me she was being stubborn today, so I relented. "Just thinking, reminiscing really. About, well, everything." Our eyes met and she nodded, standing briefly before slipping onto my lap. With her leaning against me, her warm arms encircling me, things felt almost normal. That's usually when things go to shit in the movies, and reality did not serve to disappoint me.

The wall beside us unexpectedly came crashing down. Not the whole wall, of course, but a large area of it. On the other side were those sad, wretched beings. We counted five at first, until several more surged forward. We fought, using anything we could get our hands on. The back of my mind suddenly registered the fact that it was daylight. They aren't supposed to be active during the day!! the logical portion of my mind screamed at the world. I got separated from Rose, watching her brandish a cast iron pan. I desperately fought my way back towards her. As my mind screamed it's rage at the universe for changing the rules so suddenly, I screamed in fury as I beat beast after beast out of my way. "Marcus!" she shouted over the din even as the pan connected with another one of their heads. For a brief second our eyes met, and then they swarmed over her.


I jerked awake with a shudder, bathed in cold sweat. My hand passed over my face as I squeezed my eyes shut again. Another would likely have reached out to check the place next to where they lay, to reassure themselves that their loved one was still there. That it had been all a stupid dream.

I did not.

I knew she was gone, if not in the exact way I had dreamed. My rage broke again, as it had so many other times after my dreams of late. Always a different way each night I watched her die. It never got easier, and I do not think it ever will. Not after how much we had shared together. I looked up as the wooden chair that had been next to me smashed against the brick wall, collapsing to the ground in several pieces. I hadn't even realized I had hurled it.

Christ, I'm becoming a head case, I thought, mirroring the thought from my dream. Still seething I punched the mattress I laid upon. Rose had been dead for weeks, overcome by the near-dead.

Near-dead.

The word brought another fresh pang of pain to my heart. That was the word Rose had invented for them. They weren't human, not anymore. They were not dead, obviously. But they were not those undead zombies, either. So she dubbed them near-dead, which seemed apt. Rose had always been good with words. One of the things I had loved so much about her. She was practically perfect, everything just seemed so right about her. She had been the reason I had stayed sane for so long. I wished to God she was still with me, even given the constant dangers of the world as it was now. My only comfort, sick as it was, was that she hadn't become one of those things. There hadn't been much left when they were done....

I was moving down the sewer again now, moving quickly away from the locked storage room I had found on one of my many excursions. I had found that the near-dead did not venture into the underground sewer tunnels even given their hatred of the sunlight. I found it odd, very odd actually, but I was not going to give out on a potential boon. So once a week I traveled via the sewer system under the city, day and night, sleeping in various locked rooms I had found and prepared. My destination: the various military depots around Greensboro. Richmond seemed so far in the past, it was hard to believe it had only been weeks since I had been there.... with Rose.

The trips were to prepare. Not the depots, it would be foolish to try and defend one with just one person even given the improvement of automated defenses. I had stores of weapons hidden around the city and in the underground, fortified as well from my various field trips to Fort Bragg. Greensboro was my home for now, and I would be damned if I was going to just hide as the near-dead roamed the streets. It was also fortunate that they could not operate machinery or guns and the sort. The sewers did not lead directly to all of them, of course, that would have been idiotic of them to plan out. I glanced over and read the scrawl on the brick wall: 1000 ft. I sighed, glad that I could be getting out of here soon. At the end of that distance was a sewer cover that I used to pop back out above ground.

A sudden itch attacked my skin, odd because it seemed to run along the base of my skull. I was idly scratching the base of my neck when I froze. Something had moved behind me. I continued forward, listening intently for another noise. There it was again, it sounded like a shuffled footstep. Sure, it could be anything down here, but I was all to aware of what it was most likely to be. I sprinted forward several feet and spun, eyes searching the corridor that was dimly lit by the lights I had painstakingly rigged up. I muttered a curse as I saw the light washing over two of the ravenous creatures that had sieged the night. As they lurched forward I took flight, though I knew I could kill them. Where there was two there would be more. I took a quick left, deviating from my course, and I could hear them approaching fast.

I leapt up and grabbed the short ladder that lead to the sewer cover above me. With a grunt I shoved it up and to the side, tossed my bag up into the daylight, and hoisted myself through it as the creatures below howled in rage. Breathing a sigh of relief I pushed the cover back over the hole. "Damnit" I muttered as I stood, then turned to look back in the direction of the city. "Shit!" I half shouted as I came face to face with a gruesome, mangled corpse. Shaking my head, I chuckled. Looking back, it may not have been my best idea ever, but around the outskirts of the city I had staked up the corpses of the near-dead I had killed. Like some silly omen to ward them off.

I laughed, it felt good. Getting my bearings back I headed back in the direction of the current goal. I vaguely wondered what anyone would think when they saw the rather disgusting display of bodies. Hah. Like anyone is going to be coming my way.

 

[Kingschoolyou]

Staring into the thick white, ghostly fog of morning those deep brown eyes watched vigilantly for any sign of danger. Low groans and grunts could be heard in the distance if one were to focus, those black floppy ears perking up as Alister continued to stare statuesque into the fog. A low monotone growl escaped him, causing Xander to stir in his sleep upon the roof of the Gun Store. Xander rolled in the shabby covers found in the back closet of the store. "Hush...." He managed to speak in a groggy tone. A high pitched whine escaped the pooch, as he continued to stare at the now silhouetted figures of a small crowd of the lifeless husks staggered towards the building, following the scent of warm flesh. Thankfully it was a crowd that had reached the rigor mortise stage. They staggered and moved slowly, grumbling and hungering for living flesh. Xander stirred again, before sitting up and looking over, seeing Alister staring at the crowd now emerging from the cover of the fog. "Shit...." Xander kicked the blankets off him, grabbing his rifle, jamming a clip into the chamber receiver. "Why are they out this early?!" He talked to himself, as he crawled forward on his belly, to the edge of the gun shop. Staring them down from within that little scope, seeing them up close about the only time he ever wished to see them, he pulled the bolt slide back, and loaded a sleek black tungsten shell into the chamber, his finger resting upon the smooth metallic trigger. "No matter.....they are dead on their feet....hehe." A loud boom filled the air as that hardened tungsten shell shot towards the hapless wretch that was unfortunate enough to be in it's way. A loud crackling splatter took place of the boom, as blood showered the area bits of rotten skull flying to the side, as the bullet pierced it's target, and grounded into another behind it. The creatures hit the ground in a bloodied mass, with Xander loading another round.

Alister fled behind the door to the main building with the first shot, desperately covering his ears from the loud shots going off. Xander gritted his teeth, and fired again, the sharp white flame spouting from the rifles end. Another dropped to the ground, as more seemed to endlessly file out of the blanket of the fog. "Damnit!" He picked up his rifle, and emptied the used shell from it, loading another into the chamber. Xander grabbed for his backpack, having recently packed it last night for the trip ahead. "Time to go Alister!" He said, shaking the soreness from his body. He made a grab for the revolver and shoved it into the holster, patting his side for Alister. "Come, we're going on a road trip!" The dog barked, running to Xander's side. His tail wagging excitedly awaiting his next command. Not much time left, wiping the newly forming sweat from his brow, Xander made a dash for the door leading back down to the building. Slipping the rifle into the back holster behind the back pack, and clipping his fanny pack to his waist. He took the steps by two's, landing with a thud on the tile floors of the main shop. Xander looked about, and made a grab for a large heavy shotgun sitting within the shelves of the shop. He pulled the pump back checking the ammunition of it. "Empty....of course." He felt stupid for thinking it would be loaded and sitting on the shelf display. Xander grabbed a box of shells from the glass desk next to him, ripping open the flimsy cardboard and shoving shells into the gun till it could hold no more. "Alright..." Pulling the pump back loading a shell into it's chamber. "Let's do this Xander! The truck is just outside. Glad I found gas for it a couple days ago....probably the last we'll see for a long while." He grinned, and took one last look about the place. "Hmmmm...... Aha!" He found Alister's vest, and smiled.

Making a mad dash around the shop, Xander grabbed box after box of ammo for various weapons. Loading 10 boxes of .45 mag rounds, 3 boxes of .50 mag rounds, the last 7 boxes of .50 cal tungstens, and several boxes of 8 gauge slugs. "Well....I think I have just enough rounds to take out a small army....hmmm. I could leave her behind. Someone might use it later....if there is someone else out there." Smirking, Xander looked up at the very top of the main display wall, seeing the long black barreled rifle with a name etched into the side of the hard black steel. 'Iris Gravemaker.' was visible, bringing a reminiscent smile to his lips for only a few seconds. It was the one and only long barreled elephant rifle. Who knows, maybe he would want to take out a small crowd of those wretched deathly creatures at once. He climbed on top of the lower shelves reaching up to grab the large weapon. "I can't leave you behind Iris....it wouldn't be classy. Besides, it's time you had some use aside from just looking pretty." Xander shoved the rifle into the holster with his sniper, holding the shotgun still within his hand. "Now where are they?...." The voices of the dead were now at the door of the building banging against the heavy steel of it's frame, the sickening noises filtering though it's cracks. "Oh god....Guess we were too slow Alister." Xander said with a grimaced dismay upon his face. "THERE!" He found the locked drawer, and simply yanked it open breaking the lock and wood of it's frame. "Shit.....only three boxes." Each box only holding five 1100 grain shells each. Better than nothing, they will have to be used conservatively....whoever was going to use it that was. "Ok let's get this going." He took the three boxes, and crammed them into the last pocket open on his back pack. A sharp whistle sounded off, Alister barking loudly, coming to Xander's side. The dog smiled, with a droop in his lip. "Good boy....ready to go?" He smiled, patting the dogs head before slipping the now heavy vest onto him. The dog grunted lightly at the weight being put onto his back. Barking again, Alister wagged his tail rapidly, making it whip against the shelves with camouflage vests, and hunter orange hats. "Alright....let's go pal!" Xander held the shotgun infront of him, and walked slowly to the door at the front of the shop.

Upon reaching the door, scratching, pounding, screeching noises could be heard, as the undead mercilessly grinded away at the door, fruitlessly getting to the shop. "DIE FUCKERS!" He kicked the large black iron bar up from the door frame keeping it locked shut, and kicked again shoving the door open. The disgusting vile husks fell back slightly, before lurching forward with a hungry look in their decrepit eyes. Alister growled viciously, and barked boomingly at the lifeless husks starting to file into the shop. "hmph!" Xander pulled the trigger, blasting into the zombie into pieces and several others. "Move!" he pulled the pump back, loading another shell, and fired again, coagulated blood spraying everywhere, speckled with bits and pieces of dead flesh. The creatures fell back, those who were unfortunate enough to meet the unfriendly end of the shotgun falling to the floor officially dead now. "Alister come!" Xander dashed out of the door, followed at the heels by his friend, seeing the truck across the street from the shop. It was a large black Chevrolet Silverado, Duramax. By god he loved that truck, and it brought feelings of hope knowing it would bring him to more safety outside of this backwater town infested with the lifeless, sleepless creatures. A sickening grunt came from the side; looking up Xander jumped back startled at how close the thing was, and blasted it away with the gun. Taking only a split second to watch the result of the shot, he pumped the gun again, hearing the clink of the shell hitting the ground. Reaching the truck, Xander yanked the door open, and tossed the back pack in, followed by Iris, and his sniper. "Alister let's go!" He ushered the dog in, watching him jump in with ease. "Good boy." He said breathlessly, as he blasted away another small group of the vile creatures. As they fell, he could see in the distance more shadowy figures racing towards him. "What's this?...." He slammed the door shut, closing Alister within the vehicle. The figures bursted from the fog cover. "SHIT!" The rigor mortise must have worn away, seeing the creatures running full speed towards Xander. He fired madly at them, watching them drop to the ground like flies, strafing around the truck, stopping as he finally reached the driver side. "Gotta get out of here...." He said to himself, pulling the pump back, and thrusting the trigger back, only getting an empty click. "No...." His thoughts racing faster than the decrepit, lanky husks. He yanked the driver door open and threw the shotgun in, hearing it slam into the passenger door. Leaping into the door, Xander felt a hand grab his boot. "No!" He kicked, feeling the cold, clammy hands make efforts to pull him out.

Thinking fast, Xander pulled his revolver out from it's side holster, and pulled the hammer back, firing blindly at the creatures. A loud crack boomed through the confined space, as the hands freed his boot from their deathly grip. Taking in a breath, Xander quickly pulled in his foot, and wrenched the door shut, the Silverado shaking a little. "Time to leave Alister!" He said, slipping the key out of his boot side, shoving it into the ignition. Twisting the key forward, the diesel engine roared to life. Xander slipped the seat belt on, smiling as Alister sounded off with another booming bark, snarling at the corpses gathering about the vehicle. "MOVE!" Xander slammed the accelerator down, the back tired spinning into a cloud of white smoke, before taking off, tearing into the creatures ripping them apart as it ran them down. He looked at his gauges, as he raced down the torn streets, dodging vehicles parked in the way, as well as various debris. "Good....just as I left it. Full tank. Should get me far enough away from here to the next branch of the gun shop....." He smirked and put his full focus back to what little road was left, before turning off into the dirt and grass, having no more road to take. He looked at the rusted, and bent road signs following them out of TN, and into KY, making his destination the country capital. "DC, here we come..." Xander said with a smile. He looked in his rear view for Alister seeing the dog sitting in the seat, panting as he stared out of the side windows. "Don't worry pal....we'll get there soon." Xander smiled, taking a turn going up a hill, before meeting the Interstate. Surprisingly clear and void of vehicle and debris. Xander cheered quietly in his mind, and gassed it zooming down the open interstate, following the large green signs pointing towards DC. Hopefully everything would go uninterrupted from here....."Best morning ever I think."

 

[BlisteredBlood]

How long had it been since Dante was assigned to this recovery effort in Eastern Baltimore? Days? A month? A YEAR, even? To be honest, it felt as though he had been doing the same damn thing over and over again for the past century and every day, it was the same damn thing over and over again. More of these damn creatures shambling around in the middle of a busy street, some looking as if they were just reanimated just yesterday while others look as though they were nothing more than walking rotting carcasses. It was hard to discern what was what in this environment these days, and with so few survivors he had found, it was amazing that this part of Baltimore had even managed to live through the initial swarming. Never in his young 21 years of life had he expected it to be on this scale. To be honest, it was like out of some kind of twisted nightmare or worse yet - ironically - out of some kind of gory horror flick.

And to think that he was nearly amongst them. It honestly brought shivers up and down Dante's spine the more that he thought about it, even as hard as he attempted to put the events out of his mind. But the more that he tried to shake it off and try to focus, the more that he began to plan out how to take himself out before the infection were to take pure and complete control of him: Simply by taking the long-barreled .50 revolver, load the one bullet he had saved for himself if said event was about to take place, then pull the trigger without a moment's hesitation. He honestly couldn't bare someone else doing the deed. The burden, Dante figured, should be best suited on someone who knew he had nothing left to gain and nothing else to lose.

"Hey." Said a fellow bounty hunter off to Dante's right as he and an small group of survivor gatherers were on a routine patrol through Baltimore. "Dante." He said again, getting the young man's attention.

"Yeah?" Dante asked as he looked over to him.

"You look like you've got something on your mind, buddy. You wanna clue us in with the rest of the guys or are you going to keep giving us the same silent treatment?" He asked.

"Nah. It's nothing. Besides, I got enough to worry about with all this stupid bullshit." Dante remarked as he made a motion with his hand out words the general expanse of the area.

"I hear that, man." Said another bounty hunter. "Besides, what more can we do that hasn't been done already? I mean, we've been forced to sort out who's among those fucking things and who isn't? For all we know, this whole damn country could be graveyard. Makes it easier for me, because lately, it's just been point, shoot and hope for the best."

"We don't know that!" Dante growled. "There might still be survivors out here somewhere and we haven't found them yet!"

"Whoa. Easy with the aggro, man. No need for the hostility." The first bounty hunter said, looking back at Dante and arching an eyebrow at him. "I'm just tryin' to make some conversation with ya." He added.

"In any case," Dante answered with a roll of his eyes and a shake of his head. "We'll be heading into the DC area soon. I just hope and pray to god that there's someone left there. God knows the whole place could be teeming with undead."

"Heh. Just like old times." Said the first bounty hunter as he brought his AR-15 around to his front and cocked it. "Only difference? There ain't gonna be no old times anymore."

"You're telling me. Besides, last I checked, the only old times we had left were back about a few months ago before all of this began to take shape." Dante answered with a shake of his head as he spoke before reaching into his jacket and producing his signature .38 pistol, holding it off to the side. "We'll need to bring everything we have into this party. Because if those things are as quick as they seem, we're gonna need to be as quick as we can."

"How did they say it happened on the news?" Said the second bounty hunter. "Didn't hey say it was some bizarro accident in a lab or whatever?" He asked as he also took a weapon out, this in the form of a SPAS-12.

"Meh. Who knows. No one's around to answer those questions now." Dante answered with a shake of his head as his face became slowly grim.

Once the trio entered the outskirts of the Washington DC area several minutes later, they were treated to sounds of absolute silence aside from the occasional gust of wind howling across the area. There was no telling who or what was left here in town, if anything at all. One of the bounty hunters gave a whistle as he looked from side to side then shook his head in disbelief. "Wow, man. Place is a fucking ghost town. How are we supposed to look for any survivors here?" He asked.

"We look regardless. Besides, I heard there was bunkers around here we can take them to." Dante answered.

 

[vampire seduction]

I try to spare you of the insignificant details. But it is hard, sometimes. Bear with me, for this journey must be told. At least, I think it should be. You should know of the things that led to today. What transpired to bring us to this moment. Listen carefully. Know my life as it was in those days. Feel it as if you lived it. This, all that I convey to you, this is my story.


My God how good that sun felt on my body. I didn't even care that it seared my retinas as I gazed upwards. It was just so very, very nice to be out of the sewers and into sweet, rejuvenating daylight. So little to be thankful in this God forsaken place, this putrid land of decaying flesh.

As was my moment of luck, the streets around the armory were clear. Not a single moan or shuffling step could be heard in the crystal clear air. A calm before the storm, perhaps, but I wasn't to be there long. My only regret was that I could not return the way I had come. In fact, I would not be returning to those sewers again, it seemed. A distasteful reality, to be sure, but, then, so was most of reality itself. The armory wasn't much, not really, but it provided me with some lovely weaponry and various other things. Besides that, I had found the near-dead had rarely traveled to this portion of the city. No clue why, but I cared little then and still don't. I wasn't far, still, from the entrance and I let my wander as it usually did on my journeys. My most recurring thought was, of course, of Rose. Those were both the most painful and delightful.

We had met during one of my travels to New York and grew quickly close. Looking back it was amazing to think that I had grown attached to her at all, or she to me. I had not always been the most sensible person around. I chuckled at that. Course I'm not to splendid of company nowadays, either. I had no set length of stay in New York, as was usual for me, and so I stayed on for weeks. We met and entertained each other so often it seemed as if we never left each others company. I did so enjoy that, to have the company of a beautiful and vibrant woman with whom I could share myself with. Even in death she was beautiful... she would always be beautiful...

Rose...

I yelped softly as my hip smacked into the intercom box at the gate. In a moment of ridiculous anger I took hold and shook it, grunting and groaning as it swayed. With satisfaction I heard the pole creak and bend slightly, giving up soon after. Not much damage at all, really, just venting my frustrations. Stupid machines. I thought with a mental grunt whilst slipping through the gate, which was stuck open barely far enough for me to squeeze through, and went quickly up the short path to the main building. I realized I was mumbling idly as I went, though I paid myself no heed as it was my usual state as of late. My first stop, was to be the main depository of the armory, my feet moving as if I was on one of those silly racecar tracks children used. You know, the ones with the handheld triggers that gave the cars the power to zip about? I remember watching a pair of kids once and was... nevermind... I was in need of ammo. I had no qualms about clubbing those beasts to death, and truth be told it could be immensely satisfying, it was not always the brightest plan.

Why in God's name has this happened? I thought yet again as I surveyed the wreckage that had been a body; Corporal, the insignia on her shoulder showed. Dried blood still clung to the walls, it was amazing.

God. Now there's an interesting concept. I never gave much thought to God in these times, as I do not see why he would allow this to happen to the world. Granted it was not the best world, but still. Humanity was not all that bad. Maybe God really was just a silly myth people had conjured up to keep others in line. I didn't think so, however. God existed, that much I was sure of, though His motives were obviously cryptic and downright cocked up. I sighed, passing a few more broken bodies I hadn't had the heart to remove. Damnit I hate getting all philosophical. Just end it already.

 

[Dark_Times]

Cole was sitting leaned against the wall of a small apartment on the edge of a small city, he watched as a man he had picked up earlier that day slept. This man was the very thing Cole hated, he had been rich and his money was built on the pain and abuse of normal people. Cole dropped the cigarette he was holding and crushed it out before picking up his pistol, he checked the chamber and made sure the clip was full, he cocked the gun and walked over to his sleeping companion. Now, the gun aimed at the mans head he quickly thought over what he was about to do, money was useless in this world, however there was a jeep outside filled with guns and ammunition and this man had the keys.

Arch had his mind made up, he tightened his grip and pulled the trigger. The quick thunk of the gun firing followed by the almost musical clink of the empty shell hitting the cold wooden floor relaxed him.

"Less baggage to lug around now", he smiled to himself.

He reached into the man's pocket and took the keys out, slipping them into the right side pocket of his leather coat. He turned and picked up his rifle, slinging it over his shoulder before moving towards the door of the room. The wet sound of his boots in the pool of blood on the wood floor was all there was to be heard. He paused, a hand on the doorknob, his mouth formed the silent words of a farewell to the dead man on the floor.

A few minutes later he was out on the street in the lightening day, keys in his hand, pistol in its holster. Cole slid in behind the wheel and started the jeep, pulling away and driving towards the rising sun.

"On to the next city then", he glanced towards the passenger seat, in it sat his likeness, one of the pro's of his little problem.

 

[vampire seduction]

Damnit. I drifted off again. I looked around from where I rested, still sitting on the same crate, leaning back against the wall. I checked my watch briefly and, muttering a silent prayer that I had only been out for a couple of hours, I stood. I felt a little better. The sort of better you usually feel after a catnap. It wasn't that I really needed the sleep, but it did feel oh so good. And I had been having the most delightful dream about Rose, summer in Paris, and puppies. There was this delightful unicorn as well. Ah, I always loved how their hair was so incredibly soft. I remember I used too...

Wait. That's not right. Unicorns? That was when I became aware of the fact that I was clutching my head with both hands, fingers twisted in my hair, my elbows propped on the crate. Taking a few deep, somewhat calming breaths I released the near frantic grip on my skull. Dear Lord. Give me strength. It was a simple prayer, though certainly effective. Course, that meant that God would need to, for one, be paying any attention to this world, and two, the even smaller chance He would deign me important enough to listen to.

Using a time-honored skill I had honed over the years, I pushed all thought from my mind. I began to move around again, picking up where I left off. I had made several trips to this facility over the last few weeks, and so I had ran out of places to look. I hadn't taken everything at once, of course, and the armory still held a good reserve of all sorts of goodies. Mm and how good they were. My fingers traced idly over the stock of a M14A1, the most delicious little model in sight. I had several of these hidden around, keeping one on me at all times. I had frequented the shooting gallery's often, the sounds of bullet after bullet plugging into the corpses of the dead or incapacitated near-dead I had tied up like scarecrows.

I snickered. God I am a bastard. I mean, don't get me wrong, I knew what those things were. They were mindless, flesh-craving automatons. But they were human once. I recognized that. But, well, survival of the fittest and such I suppose.

I took my leave to go and make a check of the Humvee I kept constantly tuned and stocked, ready for my escape from this hell hole if time permitted. A speedy getaway was always nice, especially with a lovely vehicle such as that one. There's certainly something ot be said about military-grade hardware, and even moreso when you know how to properly use it. Oh, that's right, I had been in my share of military action in my time. Nothing too major, though that's just me being modest, but plenty of training to know my way around things here. And I couldn't get this nagging suspicion that I wasn't alone. "Christ," I snorted, "Course I'm not alone." There were, of course, a few thousand or so near-dead roaming about the city. Then again, perhaps it's natural to crave the company of something that wasn't trying to eat me alive, as it were. And that's when it all started. Slowly, of course, and back then I wasn't quite sure what 'it' was. For all I knew I could have been thinking it all day, or just thought of it.

But I digest. Er, digress. Jesus this heat is getting to me. Or is it even hot in here? I shook my head, pushing annoying thoughts away from me again. That's about when I made up my mind. I needed a change of pace, some new scenery. I stood and rechecked the back of the vehicle. Water, extra gas, guns, ammo, even a handy little katana and some knives. Yes, yes a katana. Call me nutty, which I most definitely am, but I liked the feel of it. Not always the most practical weapon but I also wasn't foolish enough to parade around with just a sword. I chuckled without any real mirth. "Well, I think it's about time we left this place, don't you ol' girl?" I said to the Humvee, speaking aloud on purpose this time. That way, it wasn't crazy, right? So I hopped in and started her up, gunning the engine a few times. I lifted a small box, fiddling with it a bit, and grinned. I headed east, no idea why, but the coast sounded nice for now. Nothing like the world ending to give a man the time to go sight seeing. As I passed the city I could hear distant explosions. My parting gift to the fiends of Greensboro. Rest in pieces you sons of bitches.

 

[Dark_Times]

Cole conversed with himself over his previous actions, but about two miles out of the city was wrenched out of his conversation by a loud bang. He ignored it for a moment but the Jeep suddenly lurched to one side, he tapped the brake pedal repeatedly until he came to a stop. He threw the door open and got out, he spotted the problem immediately, the front right hand tire had blown out.

"Fuck me", he muttered.

"That's what happens when you don't check over the vehicle", the voice came from the same image of himself he spoke to in the car.

"Oh go fuck yourself!", he kicked a rock at the apparition and it vanished.

Grumbling he went to the back to get the spare and the tools, "Typical of me to get stranded in zombie country", he said as he pulled open the rear door. He found himself thinking how handy it would be to find another person to travel with, but someone he wouldn't want to gun down after ten seconds of conversation. He carried the jack and tire-iron around and dropped them to the ground before going back to try and unfasten the spare wheel.

 

[My_Apocalypse_Pony]

It had been a long two days walk but Abbey had finally found a place to rest. She hadn't seen any people or things for a while and her head was starting to hurt, she needed sleep. It was early afternoon when she was finished setting up the small homemade alarm, made of string and empty cans she found in the small cabin. After checking all the windows for easy escape routs, she settled down on the dusty floor. Her eyes where soon shut and she drifted into sleep.

It seemed like only moments from when she closed her eyes to when she felt the cold wet nose of her canine companion touch her neck. She woke with a start grabbing the pistol tucked under the jacket she used as a pillow. Before she could draw it however she realized who it was that woke her. In that same moment she also realized that Molly had not been in the room when she went to sleep.

Staring into the sweet face of her husky companion She whispered "how did you get in here." And as if she understood Molly whimpered and waged her tail. "because you are just that good, i know i know" Abby laughed lightly. Whimpering again Molly perked her head up and barked soundlessly. sitting up slowly Abby listened and after a moment she heard low voices moving closer.

Abby moved slowly as she walked across the cabin, peeking out the front window, she seen two husky men walking around with shotguns in hand. They where close enough that she could hear there conversation. "Where did that fucking dog go?" said the first man.

"In that cabin?" The second one asked with a thick southern drawl.

"What? Fucking dog wouldn't be smart" he stopped and as if he was looking right at her "do you see that?"

Abby ducked, her heart pounding, she tried to listen to their conversation over the sound of her blood rushing to her head. "see what?" the second man said, she figured he was looking her way now.

"A dog may not be smart enough to open a door but a human would be" the first man stated, she could hear him walking towards the cabin. Hearing Molly whimper again she Abby looked up to see her sitting under the back window. Nodding she slowly made her way to the back window, looking out she made sure no one else was around. Opening it quickly and as quietly as possible. Once it was open she peeked out once more to make sure no one was around. She signaled to Molly to hop out first, and watched as the dog hopped out of the open window using her bag to do so.

She heard the cans rattle and the men talking, throwing her pack out the window Abby hopped out. Once her feet where on the ground she peeked back into the cabin to see the door opening. Crouching she turned slowly, and found herself staring at the crotch of a third man.

"Well, well, well look what we got here," he smiled grabbing Abby by the back of the head, "hey boys you might want to come and see this." He laughed yelling to the other two. Looking around Abby looked for Molly but couldn't see her, she looked back at the man as he smiled. His teeth where black and a lot where missing, he obviously hadn't seen a tooth brush ever. "Whats a pretty little thing like you doin' in the middle of Kentucky?" As he spoke Abby's stomach turned and she almost vomited at the stench of his breath.

"What you got joe," the first man asked as he rounded the back corner of the house. He was a larger man and had a short beard and mean looking dark eyes. "Mmm, a lost little kitten?"

As the last man walked around the corner, a much skinnier man then the other two, the one that was holding her by her hair, Joe, held her hair tighter. Wincing, Abby looked back at him, she glared at him "what asshole?" He blinked once as if he hadn't expected her to talk, his smile dissapearing he threw her to the ground.

"This one has a mouth on her," said the Skinny man, "maybe we should change that." Taking a step forward he smiled lust filling his eyes.

"Thats exactly what i was thinking" said the first man.

Joe stayed quiet standing over her, his eyes where dark, seeming to peer into her soul. She had never been the kind of girl to go down with out a fight and this time was no different. Scooting backwards slowly she reached for the gun holster around her waist. Before she knew it Joe was on top of her holding her hands above her head with only one of his. In seconds he had her belt off and was working on her jeans. "I was going to go easy on you, bu' you done fucked that up." he said, the other two men stared at them like hyenas waiting for the lion to get its fill.

Abby struggled, trying with all her strength to get her hands free, but that was no use. She started kicking but he just trapped her legs under his. With her pants around her knees Abby watched as Joe worked at his own. He froze though when he heard one of his companions scream out, and the other fire off his shot gun. Looking back at the other tow he stood up and Abby scrambled away. Pulling up her pants she grabbed her gun holster as Joe fired a shot at the undead man that was chewing on his friend. As three other zombies joined the party, Abby took the opportunity to flee.

Grabbing her pack that was thrown as she had been, she started running. The movement obviously caught the attention of on of the zombies, cause she heard screaming coming from behind her. Leaping over a log Abby started running faster, fallowing an old deer trail. It wasn't long before she seen the worn asphalt road that brought her to this location.

She heard a yip and watched as Molly ran past her veering off to the left. And to her amazement the zombie fallowed. The moment her feet hit the pavement Abby upholstered her gun and turned waiting. Her breathing was heavy and her heart was pounding, she was shaking from head to toe, adrenaline flowing through her veins.

Her heart and mind started to calm down, she started to think that Molly had led the zombie back towards the others. Slowly she began to lower her gun, the next few moments went by quickly as the undead female leaped out of the forest. It tackled her to the ground and Abby wrestled to keep its teeth away from her skin. Tucking her knees in, so that her legs became a barrier between the two, she used all the strength she had to kick the zombie off from her.

Grabbing the revolver that was tucked into her boot Abby pulled the hammer back, pulling the trigger she shot a huge hole between the eyes of the zombie. Letting out one last scream it fell to the ground.

Abby let out a deep sigh as her body went limp. A few moments later she heard rustling in the woods. Jumping up she aimed the .357 to towards the noise. Molly limped out of the trees her big blue eyes staring at the gun as if saying, get that thing out of my face. Dropping the gun to her side, Abby bent over tucking it back into her boot. She knelt down next to Molly grabbing the foot that she was limping on. "what happened?" she asked inspecting it, bending it and turning it.

Looking over the pads she seen a tiny thorn, "you can handle zombies on your tail, but not a tiny thorn" Abby laughed as she pulled the thorn out and Molly whimpered "see all better?" After kissing Molly's paw she nuzzled her neck and stood back up. "lets get the hell out of here before those other things decide to fallow."

 

[Dark_Times]

"Come on, lets get out of here, the tire's changed and the jeeps fine, we checked it over"

"Hush", Cole hissed, completely at ease talking to himself, "We can go in a minute, I just want to let off a round or two, there's something in the distance over there, I'm guessing its an old one, two slow to be fresh".

Sure enough when his rifle scope was pointed at the figure in the distance it was as he(they) expected.
"Yeh thats an old one", they agreed.

He slid one round into the rifle's chamber and dropping to one knee, he steadied himself as much as possible in that position. Prone would have made it easier, but why waste energy on a target of entertainment. Slowly he brought the sight to rest on the creatures head. A slow and deliberate count to three before he squeezed the trigger, and at the moment with the sun high in the sky all that was to be heard was the loud sharp crack of the gunpowder igniting. Cole took pleasure in that sound, and even more from seeing the target drop.

"Very nice shot if I do say so myself", his more critical side said.

"Of bloody course, now shut up before you make the others think their invited to speak."

He got to his feet and walked to the drivers door, all the equipment back in the trunk, he hopped into the jeep and turned the key. The engine struggled a bit, but caught and roared. Cole sighed and pulled away slowly, he wasn't really sure where he was headed, just on to another city, and with no map, he might be a while. Though this time he hoped he'd find someone he could stand.

 

[8Evolution8]

Then..........

It was early in the morning as Xavier laid on his bunk, but rest wasn't something allowed to him. For the past three nights he hadn't had a drop of food, not allowed to go out and stretch his muscles or even work out. This may have been prison, but even that was odd yet understandable. From within his room he could hear the sounds of chaos as it roared through the structure like it had a physical form. Simply put; there was a riot. That was at least what he thought.

His window was too high up to see out of and the white good had a small window but the shield had been drawn over it. This seemed different though. These screams sound more like something one would hear from a horror show, not a battle between convicts and guards. He wasn't really bothered by the food, he was use to it when he use to box for weight control. He could also work out in his cell, even though he missed being able to work and lift weights. The only thing that really bothered him was the fact he couldn't use the phone.

His end day was in two weeks, in fourteen days he would be put down like some rabid dog. He just wanted to call his kids at least once before this week was over with.

"'Ere is!" A voice shouted out from the other side of his door which caused Xavier to look towards the small window to see the shield had been drawn back. The eyes that peered inside told him to be cautious which made him instantly sit up from his laying position. "Oh, we got ya bitch ass now!" Another voice said when a new pair of eyes had replaced the old. The sight of those eyes and the clicking of the doors told him one thing; The convicts won. He didn't even bother to wonder about the national guard or the army, this was more important right now. The door swung open and three familiar faces came into view.

"Hell broke out in dis muthafucka. But we couldn't leave knowing ya ass was still breathin'!" The sight of them told him even more. They were wearing guard clothes, carried weapons, and had blood stained on their clothes. This was completely in the prisoner's control. "Drag his ass out 'ere!" The leader shouted which caused the other three to rush into the room, that was where he had them. Xavier rushed forward to intercept the first one and block his block. He wasn't as fast as he use to be, but it was still enough to shock the men he was fighting. He drew back his left hand and struck out making sure to use his shoulders and rotation.

Instantly he felt the give when his fist connected, heard the snapping sounds, and the man crying out. This wasn't the ring though, this wasn't boxing. These techniques were good, but they couldn't hold up in the wild. So when he stood up, he grabs the back of the man's head who was doubled over holding his side. Xavier nearly jumped up off his feet as he slams his knee into the face of the first man. Dead weight was all he felt next. A few minutes later he was walking out of the cell where he left his former opponents. Whether they were dead or unconscious he couldn't say. He used the back of his hand to wipe the blood from his lip and nose. Proof he wasn't invincible and that he was getting sloppy.

Afterward...........

It became quickly understood what had happened. Dead decayed corpse littered the grounds of the prison along with the bodies of the guards. From the remaining prisoners, he heard what had happened. Hell had decided to visit them and turns out, evil already resided here. Well that was the words of the boasting inmates. Men who moved around like they owned the place and in fact they did.

They must have just won because everyone was in a good mood, bring a mild peace to the place. Soon Xavier had found the armory which looked like a tornado hit it, it was clear they hit the place up. He managed to find himself a change of clothes, putting on some dark blue pants and some combat boots. There wasn't a shirt or vest anywhere in the place. It seemed he hadn't been forgot by god when he discovered a shotgun laying under a pile of prison clothes. It was clear it had been forgotten. He grabbed it and a few shells he found laying around the floor.

There wasn't a single word of protest or curiosity as Xavier walked out of prison and through the gates to freedom. Today he wasn't meant to die.

A few Days Later.......

Xavier had found himself a black tee-shirt in a ravaged store at the next town, grabbed a machete from a hardware store. That allowed him to save on shells as he made the travel back to the home of his family. He figured out a few useful tips on his travel. One most vehicles didn't work, was out of gas, or banged up. Two it was easier to walk in the morning since more of them came out at night. Three to never let your guard down.

These helped him make the journey back home and gave him that much more of a joy when he seen the familiar house. He could already imagine playing with his kids on the front road, or performing acts with his ex girlfriend on the front porch. The woman broke up with him his second year in prison and even tried to take full custody of the kids. He lost all love for her. In truth, he never thought he'd laid eyes on this place again.

All that was shattered when he got closer to it and noticed the door was hanging off the hinges. Saw the blood smears on the front door and on the carpet as he entered. It was a war zone. Panic traveled through him like a grenade had went off. The shotgun slid from his left shoulder as he rushed through the house shouting the names of his kids. No answer. He couldn't even take joy in the fact fact that he hadn't found blood anywhere else or the lack of bodies.

This couldn't be happening. This was too cruel. How could he be given a chance to live only to have the one thing he wanted taken from him. It was getting hard to think, he began to struggle to breath, and his blood was pumping faster than it ever had before. "Calm down.....relax....think." He tried to tell himself. These weren't normal kids, these were his children he was talking about. They weren't dead, they're too smart for this. After he managed to calm himself down a little, he went back downstairs where the answer machine caught his eye.

It was flipped over, and hanging off the table. He pressed the button to replay the voice mails. After four messages, it seemed like nothing was important. On his way to the kitchen, his eldest daughter's voice rang out. "Hey ma, I hope you safe and don't worry bout us. Gran-Gran has a bomb shelter, so we safe. I hope dads okay...bye mom." Joy and relief washed over him and filled him with air. Gran-Gran was what they called his mother, which meant they were in DC. He fell to his knees, thanking god for this small blessing.

Two Weeks Later and Present Day........

Four vehicles, two rides, and a one group of survivors later he had reached the sign welcoming him to the country's captial. Five shells remained of his shotgun, his machete had split through the limbs and bodies of damn near countless zombies, and blood on his boots and pants had long sense dried up. For right now, he needed to find a place to rest. His kids were safe for now so there was no point in rushing himself. With a deep slow breath to help calm himself, he continued down the main road. His shotgun hung on his left shoulder by the strap and his blade held out to his right side, always at the ready.

 

[Dark_Times]

A good few miles down the road Cole happened across a deserted military base, he turned into the courtyard out of curiosity and shut of the engine. He grabbed his rifle from the other seat and checked to make sure his pistol was strapped into its holster. Once he had all he felt he needed he threw open the door and climbed out of the jeep.

"Hello?!", he roared, and got back only an echo.


Cole shrugged and decided to take a look around, more weapons and ammo would come in handy and what better a place to find them. Most bases he came across were cleaned out, but this one seemed to have been left in a dire state. There were charred and mangled corpses everywhere, he calmly drew his pistol and left his rifle over his shoulder.


Cole moved silently about the base until he came to the armory, so far it had been uneventful and he was happy about that. He looked around, someone had been here before him and recently at that. He could tell because of the pre-packed food wrappers all over the ground and the fact that some of the weapons had be taken from a case that looked like it was opened with a crowbar.

He moved faster now, grabbing only what he would need, a carbine and a large metal case of ammunition for his rifle and the carbine. He left these things by the door as he began rigging all the explosives together and hooking them up to a timer which he set to five minutes and activated. With that he grabbed the stuff by the door, packed it into the jeep and took off down the road again.

 

[vampire seduction]

...

You know, I can remember the first time I saw one of those poor former humans. I was working, then. Not that I really needed to. I had money. Old money. Real money, I guess you could say. If you were takin to liberties you could say it was family money. Heh. Almost sounds like a joke now.

Ung. Christ that hurts...

But yeah, I never really needed money, or rather I never needed more money. Or whatever. I worked to break up the monotony of life. Odd jobs here and there sometimes. Working for less than I was really worth, considering my skills. Not that I minded, I was content to get less attention than I could draw unto myself.

But oh, yes, that night. I was workin at a twenty-four hour pharmacy then, just before the shit really hit the pool. Er, fan. Fuck... Morphine, anyone? Jesus. Yeah, so. Someone just left the window when... well, someone pressed up against it. Didn't see her at first, but when I came around the corner she started scratching at the window. I'll never forget it. Had this look like she just saw a free all you can eat buffet. It was disturbing, even for me.

Next thing I know, an SUV went plowing into her. Craziest thing. Like a freak accident or somethin. But I never forgot that dead stare as she scrabbled to get through that thick window. Yeah. Fucked up night.

...

 

[8Evolution8]

A slow casual pace carried the new comer into the outskirts of the city. Even though the area looked clear, Xavier knew better than to relax. Something like that could bring an end to him pretty quickly. He learned that during his first few days out of prison. In fact he learned that even inside that steel cage. Hell? No, this was his heaven.

Granted it wasn't perfect but to have once been a prisoner on death row, there was little else god could throw at you. He got to breathe another breath of fresh air, see the beautiful sun, and had a chance to see his children once more. Creatures who would like nothing more than to eat and kill him roamed the land. This wasn't that much different from being out in the courtyard or lunch room with other prisoners. Actually this was better in some regards since he didn't have to wonder if someone was going to attack or kill him.

Out here, they all wanted you dead in some way or form. So he'd more than welcome this lifestyle, at least for now. The only downside, like on any battlefield, was finding a safe place to rest. They seemed to be able to get anywhere and that was annoying in itself. But he needed to find something to eat first and knew he had to get creative with things. Grocery stories wouldn't last forever.

This is what brought him to a near by school, most wouldn't think of such a place. The mall or other places were first in people's minds, so he knew the odds were on his side. So he lifted the strap to his shotgun and places it over his head so it hung diagonally along his back. Now he didn't have to worry about it swinging or being count on something. He tightened his grip on his machete and began to jog across the grounds towards the front doors. After testing the handle, he was glad to know it was opened which made him wonder if school was open when it was abandoned.

This could mean trouble for Xavier, but he wasn't expecting a easy run in the first place. With his weapon at the ready, he made his way into the school building and keeping himself on guard. He needed to find something to eat and maybe catch a nap on the roof.

 

[Dark_Times]

A few minutes down the road there was a dull roar from behind him and the abandoned base was engulfed in a bright flash of light. He smiled to himself, work well done as usual, soon he would reach his destination and from there he would work towards trying to link up with some kind of group. Traveling alone lost its charm a long time ago and he was not putting up with it for much longer.

He glanced at the fuel gauge, which seemed to be dropping way to quickly, he had even noticed it had dropped while he was out of the jeep. He assumed it was a leak, but he would still make it far enough to find a substitute or at least somewhere to hole up and make repairs. Cole knew there was at least two cans of fuel in the back seats.

He became aware of a strange sound, after a few moments he realized the radio had been on the whole time, he must have not noticed the quiet static. Though know there were faint voices coming through the static, A broadcast? How and who would be sending out a radio broadcast. Due to the jeep being worn down by its previous owner the radio was failing, but before it gave out, he made out one thing...D.C.


He know had a definite destination, and up ahead he saw an old truck stop, there would be maps there and everything he needed to make his repairs. Cole pulled the jeep in around the back and shut off the engine. Time to get back to work.

 

[vampire seduction]

It took me almost two days to reach the Virginia border. I had intended on making the trip in less than a day, driving straight through. That's why I had started that same afternoon. I figured driving or holing up I was safe either way, and that the open roads would be less prone to hiding those lovely beasties. I was right, for the most part. After all, when there's a Humvee barreling down the highway at over seventy, there's little a near-dead can do other than look and growl a few times in hungry longing. Going past several sparsely populated areas I had the pleasure of seeing a few on the road itself. That was a blessing, of sorts, as I had the extreme pleasure of adding to the count of Carolina roadkill.

I have to admit that was fun, albeit a little messy. The collision of flesh and bone with metal. The spray of blood and gore hitting the windshield as my wipers fought to wash away the blood. I watched in morbid fascination as bits flew past the windows. I had never shied from blood, it never sickened me like most people. That wasn't to say I was on the same level as some psychotic killer. I didn't enjoy it, per se, I was simply immune to it. But the sight did remind me of how hungry I was, and I suppose if I were capable my stomach would have growled. The near-dead were not the best snack to eat, lower than the animals I usually devoured, but they would suffice for the time being. Besides, I needed to clean up my car.

There was just enough of the window cleared to see where I was going, and I pulled off at a nice little stop that was probably very quaint before the virus hit. A few near-dead were starting to group in the area; I could hear more in the not so far distance. Emerging slowly from the car I took note of my surroundings. I was pleased to note that not only did they sell diesel, but there was a hand pump for water on the side of the station; I doubted there would be running water still. Looking back to the near-dead I smiled. "I'd like to thank you all for coming to this little get-together." I said to them, grinning like some over dramatic nut, "Please, be patient. The feast will begin shortly." They gave no indication of understanding my words, not that I had any misgivings about that matter. Those bodies just kept pushing forward, intent on having a late-night snack. There were about ten now, forming a semi-circle of shambling, growling death; more were on their way still. It seemed it would be a good night.

With a hiss of sudden rage I flung myself at them, directly at the middle of the group. I latched onto the middle figure, crashing my forehead into it's jaw and then nose. The two on my sides were trying to claw up my arms as I dropped the body, and I inverted my grip, grabbing their forearms instead. Growling as my arms surged with strength I jerked them from their feet, smashing their bodies together in front of me so that they fell into a tangled heap with my first victim. The others fell upon me. I could feel their dirty, gnarled nails ripping through my clothing and into my skin. The feeling was incredible as I let them have their way with me for the moment, teasing them before pulling from their grasp.

My mind imagined the virus infecting my blood, running through my veins. And then, as it sought to take control of this new host, it encountered something unexpected. Suddenly it was fearful, locked into terrible combat with something far stronger than itself. Something which had existed for hundreds upon hundreds of years. This is my gift to you, I thought, willing my mental voice to be heard by the fiend in my veins, Fear me, for you cannot tame me! I howled, eyes blazing as my body consumed the virus. And so I shrugged off the near-dead around me. Blood flew from my cuts and wounds as I struck back, sending the animated corpses reeling in every direction. The last two I left alive, breaking their limbs so that they posed no real threat. I smiled at them for a moment, looking over their mangled, snarling features. I could tell they had been very good looking in life, and it was then that I noticed the matching rings on their fingers.

I nodded slowly as I realized that even in this state of undeath they were together. Well, they would be together in death as well. Fitting. In an instant I crouched and sank my fangs into the girl's neck, bleeding her body. I drained him next as well, delighting in the taste of the blood flowing down my throat, unclean even as it was. Replenished of that tangy life-force my wounds began their familiar healing process. Prying myself away, I made way to the pump, filling the nearby bucket and drenching myself thrice. Once sufficiently clean I did the same for my transport.

I left not long after that, staying just long enough to clean up the next group. It had been weeks since I last engaged them in close combat, preferring to kill from a distance. I had no fear of death or the virus, of course, they were simply not worth my personal attention. It felt good to dispatch some of the scourge with my own hands and feet. To be like Death himself. To unleash myself fully upon them. It was almost intoxicating. I hadn't plotted my course well however. Or, perhaps, I had subconsciously done this to myself. A few hours later, I was back in Richmond.


(I couldn't wait to post and it was getting a tad long, so there's a continuation that will follow once complete)

 

[Dark_Times]

Cole cleared the truck stop of any of those creatures then slid under the jeep to take a look at the leak, he cursed loudly, the tank was old and rusted.

"Musta hit a damn rock", he pushed himself out and stood up, no quick fixes here. He had however spotted a truck round back, "Bigger the better", he chuckled to himself. It was stopped beside the pumps, which he assumed were dry, though upon trying them, there was enough to fill the trucks tank.

He cast a glance at the trailer, "A tanker eh?", it had a highly flammable warning on the side, so he climbed up to find out what exactly it was carrying. He opened a hatch and the tangy stench of gasoline struck him, "Perfect". He jumped down and began moving the important things from the Jeep over to the truck. There was a map in the cab and the keys he had found near a pool of blood inside the stop's diner. So he grabbed a flare gun and decided to see if there was anyone else nearby, hell even a few zombies were good company now.

He fired a bright red flare up before climbing back into the cab and laying out the map, tracing the fastest route and the least likely to be jammed with abandoned cars, not that this beast would be slowed by them. He flicked on the trucks radio and grabbed the mic, hit the talk button and spoke, "My name is Cole, if there is anyone out there will you please respond, I have a tanker almost three quarters full around the back of Mick's Truck Stop, radio in if you care to join me, I'll be leaving before nightfall". He stuck the mic back and left the radio on just in case someone had heard.