Subject: Somewhere in the backwoods of Texas 2,182 views

[Genevieve Locklie]

"I need them to follow me. I'm going to drown them in the river about a half mile away." She said wiping some blood from her chest and flinging it at one of the Creatures. She began slowly backing away clapping her hands to draw their attention. "And I wont die... I promise." She knew the river had a strong current this time of year, and she had been exerting herself all day, she was desperately tired, and the sun was beginning to set. If she didn't do this soon, they were going to be in trouble. She wiped the sweat off of her forehead and in the process smeared blood across her face. She looked like one of them from a distance, bitten and covered from head to toe in dirt blood and grease.

[Aldrid]

Aldrid looks at you with a grim resolve and thinks quickly for a moment then says quickly "I need my jacket, its going to get cold soon and there is a chance you wont make it" he looks down at the zombies then over to the jeep, his eyes smouldering as a plan begins to set itself into place and he grins slightly to himself. His eyes locked on you, he waits for you to give back his jacket. He adjusts the knife at his belt and hangs over one of the branches, reaching for you. "Please, you have to hurry if you're going to make it back alive"

[Genevieve Locklie]

She quickly removes his jacket, tossing it to him in the tree. Without catching his gaze she begins leading the Zombies through the dense underbrush. Her memory telling her where to go. She kept just above their pace, wanting them to keep pursuit and not lose interest. She even faked a stumble to get their hopes up. Just as she was reaching the river, total darkness began to cover the forest. She had planned it perfectly, the water was at it's quickest pace, but in the dark it appeared almost placid. She knew better.
She prepared herself for the fight to the other side of the river.

[Aldrid]

Aldrid waited for the zombies to follow, then drops out of the tree, grabbing the leather belts and throws them into the bag, and runs around to the front of the tree. He didnt care what she thought, but in her state she could barely run let alone swim a river. He jumped into the front seat, he turned the engine to remember its out of fuel. No matter, he expected this, and pushed the gear into neutral and started pushing it with a bit of effort to where she was running, catching the slope, he stopped the jeep and waited a few moments, trying to throw the escape together. Well, it was too late now, he'd just have to improvise

[Genevieve Locklie]

She reached the bank of the river and waited for them to almost be able to grab her. At the last second she jumped into the river, she could hear the sounds of splashing above her and that was when she realized she was sinking very fast. Her jeans were weighing her down, she began kicking her legs trying to bring herself to the surface. Suddenly she felt a rough tug on the bottom of her jeans, then she felt a hand on her calf. She panicked and unbuttoned her pants and with every tug they slowly were pulled off. She kicked the burning in her lung becoming over powering. she was trying to swim to the surface. Her lungs forced her to exhale and inhale the water, and stars entered her vision. The blackness became darker before she coughed out and inhaled again trying to push out the substance. But with this breath there wasn't water, there was burning air in her lungs. she grabbed a passing branch her strength almost gone and pulled herself over the branch. She hung there halfway out of the water.

[Aldrid]

Aldrid kicked the gear into neutral and gave a great heave, running in it, and jumping into the drivers seat, barreling down the hill to the river, he hears the thunk as he hits a few of the zombies. Seeing you thrash about he kicks the door open just before he hits the water, crushing the left over zombies. he propelled himself powerfully through the water, swimming with the current, he doesnt wait. Aldrid grabs the woman around the shoulders the way the life guard saves a drowning victim and rides the current to a point of the river bank where he pulls you out, panting slightly on the bank as the Jeep sinks to the bottom. "A-are you alright?"

[Genevieve Locklie]

Unable to answer she coughs up water trying to catch her breath. She was on all fours water, coming out of her nose and mouth. Her face was extremely pale and her lips were slightly blue. The only thing she now wore, was her black sports bra and her black boy shorts. She gave up her pants for her life. Fair trade she thought as her lungs emptied themselves of water. She was glad she was soaking wet because tears were dripping off of her face. She had almost drowned. Genevieve moved to a crouch so that her butt and calves were touching. "Genevieve" she said extending her hand to him

[Aldrid]

He looks at the sodden woman, and accepts her hand, hearing her name. It was an exotic name to Aldrid and he took an instant liking to it. "Well Genevieve, sorry bout the jeep, but oh well..." he takes off his jacket and places it around your shoulders, regardless of any protests and carefully picking you up carrying you back to the camp, following the path of destruction the jeep left before hitting the water. Back at camp, I carefully set you down before the sun begins to set and I focus on getting a fire started. Its slow progress but soon a fire starts and I crawl over to you and pull you against my body tightly, not caring about your protests, before you can say anything I simply say "shut up, or the cold will kill you"

[Genevieve Locklie]

"You do realize that you will have to tie me up right?" she said. even though she was very comfortable where she was she knew it was the right thing to do. she stood and walked to where the Jeep used to be and picking up the seat belt straps and all of the Leather she had cut from the interior. "Good thing I cut these before you decided to completely total my Jeep," she said walking back towards him. She dropped the leather down by where he was laying. She looked at the seat belts and then to him. "I would prefer, for your safety if you tied me to a tree on the other side of the fire. But if you think that I will get to cold then you need to tie my hands behind my back, and tie my feet together and tie one through my mouth so I can't bite you..." she said without emotion. She stood before him. Bra and underwear, the blaze of the fire at her back. She was almost a silouhette.

[Aldrid]

he looks up at her her ghostly figure against the fire, he blushes a bit, still a bit awkward, that she may be about to die, but she was still a woman. He gets to his feet, glad that its dark enough to hide his embarassment he grabs the leather straps and walks behind her, wrapping the belts around her and securing them tightly. He takes the bandana and gently stuffs it in your mouth, and ties the belt around it, mostly for your comfort. after he secures your hands and feet, he gently sits you down again and goes back to sitting there, resting you gently against me to share body warmth. He pulls out the Ka-bar and sets it on the ground in easy reach, the tool he'll use to bring you down.

[Genevieve Locklie]

She laid there against him, her head resting on him. She began to shiver and did her best not to press her cold and soaking body up against him. Just because she was going to die, doesn't mean that he has to suffer from it.

[Aldrid]

He ignored the subtle messages, and hugged her a bit tighter feeling her shiver. His body was warm, and he barely felt her damp body against his, just glad that he could be spending some time with another human for some time, no matter how short of a time it is. He buried his face in her hair slightly, feeling somehow affectionate to this stranger. His whole body screamed, hoping for her that she'll survive, but of course, he knew her fate was sealed and gave a soft kiss on her cheek, not letting it mean anything he mutters a bit embarassed by how she might take it " Dont take that the wrong way, its for good luck. I hope your soul or what ever we might have, finds it way to where it belongs"

[Genevieve Locklie]

Her eyes watered, being unable to speak she only nods slightly. She forces her eyes shut trying to stop the sadness. She had already accepted her death, so why cry over it? Was it because she knew deep down inside that he was already attached to her? Most likely. She never wanted to cause him grief. She hadn't even gotten to teach him everything she could... She hadn't even cooked the rabbit for him.. She had never felt more of a burden to someone on her entire life. Her life was meaningless and she was useless...

[Aldrid]

He watched the fire, and realized, though Genevieve was going to die, he was content with this moment. She reminded him of the warmth of a companion and his grip tightened slightly, pulling her against him more so. He let out a soft sigh, closing his eyes and just let the feeling of peace take hold of him. It was unusual to have these kind of moments and he just reveled in it. It was then that he didnt realize that he begun to hum a song softly to himself, usually he didnt sing or hum, but this moment felt like he needed to comfort her.

((Song he hums www.youtube.com/watch?v=nenLowRQsog&feature=BFa&list=FL3zaL9WaoHr43vS7EvEE14A&lf=mh_lolz ))

[Genevieve Locklie]

If she could have smiled she would have. Her eyes were getting heavy so she let them fall. His humming blended with the night sounds and soon she drifted off into sleep.
She was having a nightmare. That she was bound and her fiance was grabbing at her ripping at her skin. She was having a night terror. And while she laid sleeping next to Adrian her body reacted to her dream. She rolled onto her back fighting to get away from the pain. She screamed but it came out gargled as her former Fiance plunged his hand into her abdomen pulling out her innards and devouring her alive. She arched her back screaming again but it coming out gargled with the bandana in her mouth.

[Aldrid]

Aldrid watched her thrash about, unsure what to do. Should he try waking her? there was no greater torment than the ones we plague ourselves with. Aldrid tried to shake her awake, but with the thrashing he doubted she felt him. Without much thinking, and to his great embarassement, he leaned over and kissed her forehead softly, whispering her name in her ear trying to pull her unconcious focus to something more pleasant, or at least, something that she isnt attached too. He tried to shake her again worried that the violent movements might re-open her wound.

[Genevieve Locklie]

Her eyes fluttered open and she locked eyes with him as if she was trying to process if this was reality. She steadied her breathing and without warning she just began sobbing, unable to hold it back any longer. Tears streaked her face and her sobs were gargled through the bandanna. She shut her eyes tightly trying to forget the horrible images burned into her memory. Kyle's disfigured bashed in face. What had she become? She was no less a monster than him. But at least he was out of his misery.

[Aldrid]

His heart felt a slight tug for this girl, and before he realizes what he's doing, he undoes the bonds around her mouth, letting her sob freely, setting the bandana and belt aside and pulled her into a tighter hug. "shh Genevieve, it's okay... you'll be be in a better place soon." He smooths her hair back out of her face, talking softly to her trying to calm her. "See? you're still human, "They" cant cry," he looks down at her with a gentle expression, appearing to be the aged, experienced Aldrid he was before he had had his little break down.

[Genevieve Locklie]

"Kill me now..." was all she uttered as she sobbed. She didn't want to turn, she wanted to die with her dignity. She wanted to die as a human, a human who never got to have kids, or have a life. She had secluded herself her whole life because of the torment people gave her. She hadn't married... she was just a failure.

[Aldrid]

He looks down at her and flips the ka-bar around, leveling it at her neck, but stops for a moment. He doesnt seem to be hesitating but more like thinking of something else, from a long time ago. he grits his teeth and snorts, with an exagerated blink his eyes lock on yours "I'm sorry for this..." he stoops over and gently brushes his lips against yours and sits up and places the knife to your neck again, but yet stops. "Wait... how long has it been since you've been bitten?"

[Genevieve Locklie]

"I was bitten....." she began to think, her wound had already begun to heal itself. Had it been that long? "Five days..." she said confused by why he was procrastinating her death. "Why?" she asked now curious.

[Aldrid]

He drops the knife and begins untying you. "y-you're not going to die... not from the virus or what ever it is. the wound is too old. You usually change within 48 hours of being bitten, or at least you begin the change." He winces but continues to untie you. "Im not quite sure how long it takes, but I know that its already been a week and you're not dead yet." his voice is a bit confused and his hands shake a little nervously

[Genevieve Locklie]

She froze. Just had to take in everything that had happened today and reanalyze everything. She had signed herself off, put herself in situations where she very well could have died... She just laid there in silence contemplating what he had said trying to figure out what to say to that. "I wont change, but I could still die." she said as statement. Not expecting him to comment about it. She was in a bit of a shock but pushed all of the thoughts out of her head and focused on the now. "So what now?" she wasn't even entirely sure of what was next. She hadn't planned that far ahead... "We work together? or go our separate ways?" She wanted very much the company of the man. Which was unusual. But there was something about him. That just made her feel comfortable. Made her trust him. She hoped that her judgement was not ill placed.

[Aldrid]

He shakes his head and says softly " you know as well as I do that we wont survive very long without the other" he rubs your freed arms gently, trying to get warmth back into you. "But first thing is first. we need to make it to the city, you cant survive without shoes or clothes, its going to be getting cold so we have to be careful." His heart flutters at the thought of being alone again and he battles back the emotions and he grins with a bit of confidence, "You seem capable, I'll take you along with me, just so long as you keep up." He looks out into the night with a soft sigh, annoyed that he had to total the jeep

[Genevieve Locklie]

"Okay, but the city has to be the worst place to go. That's suicide. I don't need shoes, and I can make clothes out of the leather seat covers if I have to." She looked at him completely serious. She knew first hand how deadly it was to be in the cities... Genevieve shivered at the thought of the hordes. "Absolutely no cities. I will not go back there."

[Aldrid]

"genevieve, believe it or not, but despite the hordes its safer. Out here we have no shelter and what happens when winter hits? plus we cant even see them aproach. what should happen if they stumble upon us at night? we have no shelter, and food is going to be very limited. We need to get back to the city where we have walls and can get resources. what happens if one of us gets injured? we dont even have a first aid kit!" He gets up and paces about a bit and stumbles on something that was stirred up from the day commotion. Reaching down he heaves up a dirty crowbar that seems a little scratched. "we got lucky today, Genevieve, please, If there is one place im strong in, its the city"

[Genevieve Locklie]

"They are predators, and from what I have seen, they wont stop following a scent, they will continuously follow a scent for miles. And what happens when they catch the scent of my blood. We will have every one of those things after me." she spoke matter-of-factly. She stood up and paced around where her Jeep had once been. "I will only go on a few conditions. One, I want the wound on my neck healed. It slows me down and my energy drains a lot faster while it is trying to heal. Two, we do not stay for extended periods of time in the city, that we have two places of refuge. I say this because if we stay in the city for too long we will fall into a pattern and become to comfortable with things, and that would be the down fall of us. I can build a shelter out here for us, I would just need an ax. with some other supplies. So here is my proposal: We go into the city to get supplies and we stay here for the winter. Because though it may be cold we will have the advantage. The white of the snow will by far escalate our vision. We just need to make sure to get heavy coats, thermal socks, and boots, etc. and we have to be able to carry it out... So I will have to get us a vehicle to drive back here... and the hardest part is going to be getting the gas.. But I have a way of doing that I will just need some time to do it..." She stopped pacing and was watching the flames of the fire deep in thought. "I know this is something that you will have a problem with.. But if we go into the City.." she removed her gaze from the fire to his eyes. "I want you to follow my lead... and not have out bursts like you did earlier..." She reminded him of when he hadn't listened to her, when she thought she would die and was sacrificing her life for him. A stranger... no, a friend.
"I say this because you are strong but you need direction, and you can protest it, But I know where to get exactly everything we need. Before all of this happened. I never wanted to be seen by anyone, because I am two people in one. I am a Chimera... My skins pigmentation is noticeable. Why you haven't said anything about it baffles me.. But regardless. I never wanted to be seen, so I know the places to go that aren't in the middle of the city where it would be extremely dangerous to be. I know where to get us a car, and gas, and everything else we could need for surviving, and it's actually all in the same plaza. We just have to walk through the 75+ acres to get to it. That in itself is going to be the hardest part..." She turned to look at him, what was he thinking? "What do you think?" she asked, almost afraid to hear his answer. just knowing that he would reject her ideas and leave her right here all alone by the fire.

[Aldrid]

Aldrid watched her pace about thinking of her conditions. Sure, he could swallow his pride long enough to get the resources, doesnt mean he had to like it though. he frowned slightly and stared into the fire, carefully thinking out what she had to say. Outbursts? His "outburst" as she called it saved her life. Calm down, Aldrid, He thought to himself, she isnt trying to insult you. She may be older, but that doesnt make her any more experienced than him, she is an equal, not your superior, but she just seems to know the area better than you, and its true, she does. Wandering this far south from New York, Aldrid knew nothing of the terrain he was in. Aldrid had the ka-bar, which he thought can be used as a small axe. He saw it before with Haku, but that was before they lost it. At the thought of Haku, he closed his eyes for a moment as the wave of grief passed through him. He let out a breath slowly and looked back at the flames. There was something else she was forgetting. They also hunted by sound. If they were to start up a car, that would alert any of "Them" of their prescence. True getting into a pattern could be dangerous, but that is why Aldrid lived nomadically. Her neck would have to be healed over before they acted, but he didnt know how much time that would take. And what was so bad about looking a little different? I mean, so did he. She probably hasnt noticed the discoloration of his eyes. "There is something though, that you probably havent seen. considering you got bit about a week ago, was that the last time you were in the city? Its havoc. Getting a car out of there will be extremely dangerous, and alot of the roads are beyond repair, even this soon. I've seen it happen in New York, and a few other places before the trains stopped running." He thought for a moment. "Alright, I'll follow your conditions, but we will also need to get medical supplies. What would you do if one of us broke their leg or something? and as for the snow, sure we can see, but what about snow blindness? we will also need snow shoes." He thought for a moment. "And hunting gear for sure if we expect to eat. I can hunt, kind of, but its not like I cant learn or anything." He mulled over her words in silence for a few minutes before saying, "as for those acres to cross, I dont think that you should, just listen!" He held up his hands before she can protest. "Just point me to where I can get you a pair of shoes, then at least if I have to run, I dont have to worry about you, and you dont put yourself in danger, now I dont like the idea of splitting up either but at this point it's probably safer. Besides we still have a bit of time to get our supplies before winter hits." He stands up and dusts himself off and stretches a bit. "That bat doesnt seem like it'll be too much of an effective weapon for too long, even Alluminium, its too light and prone to break, I'm lucky I got this ka-bar when I did."

[Genevieve Locklie]

Without saying a word or responding to anything he was saying she grabbed her bag. Filling it with her belongings and she picked up the bat. She started walking away from him into the darkness leaving him standing by the fire alone. Who the fuck did he think he was. She had a perfect plan, and he wants to be the hero and gallop off to his death... If they worked together they would overcome. If they split up they would surly perish.
How ignorant could he be, she had driven her Jeep out here. The roads are surely passable especially with a vehicle with 4x4 and in Texas its a more than common thing. She knew she could get them everything they needed including hunting gear, if she had a shovel and an ax, and a hammer and nails, they would be set for a shelter without the fear of being attacked in their sleep. She knew how to even make a smoke house to preserve food. Sure the car would attract attention she had already thought that over, and the Benefits out weigh the risks by far. They would be able to carry more, farther. Surely he could see that. He was too stuck on the past and not focused enough on the now. She knew exactly where to get everything. That is where she was headed, whether he followed or not. But she knew deep down he had already taken a liking to her. He would be sure to follow. To admit, she had taking a liking to him, he was stubborn, which was good. It meant he was opinionated.

[Aldrid]

He watched her stalk off in the night with abit of surprise and ran after her. Of course he knew he would already, he couldnt afford to lose someone else again, it would send him over the edge, and she needed him whether she admitted it or not. He caught up to her easily, having long powerful strides, but still moved silently. He stepped in front of her blocking her path. "Wait! just wait, fine I'll go through with it, but then we need to wait for the apropriate time, acting now is foolish. you said it yourself, you neck needs to heal over, and its dark." he was worried she wouldnt listen, after all she was as stubborn as he was. "If I insulted you im sorry, I'm just trying to look out for our best interest." He grimaced a bit, obviously swallowing back his pride. This woman was right, she new the area better than he, and a vehicle would have its uses... but its not like he hasnt high jacked a car before. "if you're so impatient to go now, at least wait till morning? then at least we can see whats coming after us." He knew this woman was smart, so she was reasonable. If she could clean a rabbit, then she obviously hunted, and if she did hunt, she knew the nature of hunters. And they were prey. "Look, its a solid plan, but nothing is perfect, so while your neck is healing, lets work on some alternatives should it fall through. Nothing is certain any more, not even that the resources will be there, and I guarantee it, that some of it would probably of been looted, or there'll be "Them."