A short whistle sounded off to call their attention over to the staircase where a man in an official high ranked Army uniform stood with a line of officials behind him that included Leon. The man was aged beyond his years and it showed.
His voice boomed with authority and command as he stared over the small group of people, “Listen up Citizens. If you don't already know me I am Commander Decker. Today you're going to be doing a great service to our sanctuary. The place where you all build your lives among every individual in these struggling times. To progress we need your skills now more than ever. What you retrieve, these supplies are important to our future until we find the best ways to bring the survivors around the world together. Leave your pride, your personal priorities, and selfishness at the gate. We have no room for error. One mistake can and will kill your whole squad which includes yourself so stay sharp. The world doesn't need more dead men.” He said. Decker's beady eyes flicked over the groups in a long sweep before he continued, “A reminder now of special resources that will take priority over your list if your team happens upon them.” He ordered.
Canned food. Medicines and medicinal supplies. Sanitary goods. Tools. Guns. Ammo. Those were the main necessity above all else.
As the Commander droned on and on, Quinta looked over the ones that had accompanied him to send the “troops” out. Each of them had gun holsters strapped to their sides with hardened, serious expressions on their face, and medals to the Armed Services pinned to their attire. There were two women and three men other than Leon that loomed above them. With her gaze bouncing from one face to the other, she paused as she landed on the last male to the far right that made a connection with her.
A tall, darkly tanned male with a long, curly ponytail and an eye patch over his right eye stared right back at her. Quinta held his gaze for well over the appropriate time before she felt an extreme sense of foreboding settle over her shoulders. Slowly she pulled her eyes away from him and turned her attention back to the man who commanded their attention. When she looked away, the man finally broke his gaze, and fixated on the crowd.
“Right now, Mr. Delacroix will hand out laminated maps marked with the portion that you all will be expected to search. You must take note of specialty items that will take our special ops team to go out and retrieve. You must extract as many supplies as you can carry in as many places you can until you finish the map or when it's time to return. Know that once the sun begins to set, stop what you're doing, and head out immediately. The gates will close at 18:00 hours so do not be late or you will be locked out. If you so happen to return in the morning you will be reprimanded accordingly.” Commander Decker warned.
Quinta's eyebrows rucked together for she hadn't heard anything so ridiculous in her life. They would be admonished for being out overnight even after they survived? Rubbing her hands together, she watched Leon approach closer to their group before he finally arrived.
Once Decker had made the circumstances clear, Dane kept a mental note that he would come home before the sun even set. He wouldn't risk that for Addie nor Quinta. This in turn caused him to become antsy with the rest of them and ready to leave to preserve their time.
Leon had the laminated sheets cradled in his arms to which he handed one out per squad. He approached Dane because he felt the fact that this man had lived outside of the walls since the outbreak, his build, and calm nature demeanor had made him a good candidate to lead the group.
Reaching out with the map, it was snatched from Leon's hand as Dane reached out, “I'll take that.” The macho male stated as he grabbed the map, “Now...where will be going?” He muttered to himself as he hunched over the plastic and made his own game plan within his mind.
Quinta's lips pursed together as she stared right into Leon's face before up at Dane with an expression that read feelings that remained unsaid. Leon's gaze met with those brown hues and understood that they were both insulted. Although Leon cleared his throat to gain the man's attention, the citizen still didn't seem to notice of care. Tilting his head, Leon's bangs fell to the side and into his narrowed, blue eyes. Reaching over, he took a firm hold on the corner of the page and plucked it right out of his hands before he handed it back to Dane.
Leon flicked his glance up and down the man's frame as though to challenge him, “Pay attention, Mike.” He said.
Ah, so the idiot had a name, that was good because Quinta was about ten seconds away from calling him “bumbaclot” the entire day.
Leon then turned and walked to the next group without the desire to hear the lip that Mike was about to give. Those arrogant eyes fixated on his giant team-mate. He may not mess with an official but this newbie was a nobody in his mind.
Dane tried and stifle a smirk between his tense lips but failed. His eyes cast downwards at the map before he turned to the side and away from Mike's glare. He could feel the heat from Mike beating into him. Silently, Quinta stared back at Mike and studied him to herself. Dane ran a finger across the streets and what seemed likely the least populated route to the once heavily populated location they were supposed to search.
The smirk was wiped clean off his face before he huffed out of his nose, “Oakridge Boulevard. What could they want from here?” He muttered to himself.
At Dane's stupid question, his first mistake, Mike scoffed and rolled his eyes, “Obviously we're in need of supplies.” He muttered to Dane with a shake of his head.
Dane arched an eyebrow down at Mike and grit his jaw.
Already the tension between the group was high and they hadn't even left the building yet, “Alright...let's go everyone.” Dane said with a slight swallow.
In a start to try and lead these people, Dane walked ahead of everyone and handed the map to Quinta who he knew to be trustworthy and useful. She was far more intelligent and keen to her surroundings than one would first assume. Quinta sighed as she nodded her head silently while she gripped the map in her hands. Dane and Quinta once again met eyes before Dane glanced back at the other two who kept close together and stared ahead at them. Studying the map, Quinta then felt a presence over her right shoulder before she peered over to see the taller, blonde female reading as well. With a soft, apologetic smile, the girl backed off and followed the older man while Quinta put the map away.
Following the guards, they were escorted out of the building and towards the North-West gate. Standing in front of the exit, there was a heavy sound as the latch turned over before the doors were pushed open by armed guards. Many others were positioned on top of the wall and aimed over the side for signs of the dead that wandered about. Not wasting any time, Dane led the way down the long, barricaded road and across a second bridge parallel to the one they had used to cross over. As Dane's gaze wandered over and across the water, bad nostalgia rushed back to him which instinctively caused him to pull his bat out from his back strap and grip it firmly in his hand.
It did not take long for them to be outside the wall, and already on their way with another group of five that had traveled the opposite direction once they split from the bridge.
“Just follow me kids. I know this town like the back of my hand.” Mike stated.
He broke the first cardinal rule; no speaking. Cutting Dane off, he took the lead while he threw a cocky, testy expression at his enemy. He was not about to let him take the shine now that they were outside. Quinta grit her teeth before she noticed Dane pull his bat out which caused her to follow suit. Reaching around, she pulled a machete from one of the holsters on her back. The older man held up a pistol with his own homemade silencer screwed on. The female stuck close to him without a weapon and Mike simply pulled away from the group in haste. With the heat already beating down on the back of their necks, and the hatred Quinta felt for this man, she could already tell that this was going to be a long, long day.
Wandering down the sweltering streets, the group hardly looked like a team or allegiance of people at all. They were separated which would be detrimental if they weren't careful. The
older man and young girl were huddled together at the back of the group, Dane and Quinta kept a careful but timely pace ahead of them, and then there was Mike. He foolishly climbed across cars to lead the lookout far ahead of them.
Quinta arched an eyebrow as she watched this complete, bumbling idiot wander about aimlessly. He didn't know what the hell he was doing which showed by how careless he acted. One of the first things she learned was to not touch a car because one did not know in the chances that it had an alarm system. Of course, she wouldn't dare yell out him in that moment because of the off chance that one of the flesh eaters wandered about.
Quinta knew that once they were in a closed environment, she would give him a piece of her mind. She did not want to die because of his carelessness and she wasn't going to. Her jaw had become sore from the how tight she clenched it shut already. Constantly she would glance back at the other two to see if they were alright only for her attention to go right back to the fool who incessantly talked. All she waited for now was for him to start up with his own theme song.
Dane cringed every time he heard those dull, metallic thuds from his boots on the hoods of the vehicles. Dane's back was on edge. He was almost certain that Mike was drawing attention but not one of them could tell this man anything without being talked over. His shouting wasn't exactly a better alternative. Eventually Mike stopped once they were almost to the only restaurant on the map, Chef Paul Gourmet. He glanced back to take a long look at Quinta who was being vigilant to mark exactly where they went on the map to report back.
She didn't even look Mike's way until he spoke up and out to them, “Hey baby girl, come up here and help me lead.” He called out to her.
The moment that voice hollered over, Dane's eyes involuntarily twitched in irritation before he paused. He could have sworn for a moment he heard a shift in a far-off building. Stopping in his tracks he stared down that way and waited. Coming up to the restaurant, Quinta vaguely remembered that this was the closest hit spot from camp. What? Why didn't they go to the car wash further away in search of tools? Bumping into Dane as he stopped, the grating noise from Mike's mouth had finally caught the attention of an unwanted. Expecting to see a zombie shuffle out, Dane and the rest of the group was greeted with nothing. Once they were inside, Dane would have a clear talk with this guy he thought to himself.
Mike stood there overconfident with an arrogant smirk as he waited specifically for Quinta and waved her over, “Don't fear me, babe, I don't bite hard.” He said to her without taking note of why they were stopping.
The young girl behind them held her breath and gripped onto the older man's back all while Mike yanked the restaurant door open and disappeared inside. Following Dane, the other two began to barricade the door as per protocol while Quinta glared at him utterly disgusted.
“What da 'ell yuh tink yuh doin’? Makin' all dat noise for what? Yuh askin’ for sometin to come up and kill yuh, ah? Besides wat we doin 'ere? We dun 'ave much time and we can't start 'ere and work our way back further from da camp. Are yuh crazy?” Quinta lashed out the moment the door closed.
“Yeah, I agree. Shouldn't we move towards Sanctuary? That way we aren't stranded out here. I don't think there's a safe house for miles.” The girl said as she came to Quinta's defense.
The older gentleman nudged Dane to make sure the coast was clear because Mike surely didn't scout the area like he was supposed to. Dane immediately went to take the welcome sign and twisted the pole, before he ran it between the door handles. Dragging the waiting bench, he propped it in front to secure a small barricade. One that would be easy to take down in the chance that they needed to flee but also one to alert them if something wandered against the front door and they'd have to leave from the back.
Before he could even finish, Dane listened to Quinta curse this fool out in her rapid, temperamental accent. Even he found satisfaction for one of them to finally go after the forced silence. With the girl using her voice, Dane felt good for a moment, like they could move on with the mission.
Boy was he mistaken.
Chuckling under his breath with his hands on his hips, Mike shook his head, “Amateurs.” he muttered. Mike rolled his eyes before he leaned his head back and blew out, “Oh well, that was entertaining. I really wasn't expecting that accent coming from those pretty lips of yours. No, we will get what we need from here. Maybe consider some easy places around and then we'll pop to the dealership. The car wash will be last. We can kill everything that's in our way. Now...” He trailed off. Turning his back to them he pointed to the other man, “Pops, you go and look in the bathroom. Tabitha, my little beauty, you do this dining hall.” He then paused and looked at Dane. “You...you can do the registers and the offices.” His gaze then landed on Quinta, “You, sweet cheeks, can come into the kitchen with me.” He ordered with a sly smirk on his face.
Mike was as cocky as ever while he talked down to Quinta with those lecherous pet names. Dane's blue eyes narrowed through his long bangs as he targeted Mike, their so-called leader. His jaw squared and his muscles tensed in silent anger. They hadn't even passed the hour mark of being with this man. Dane was patient and calm at most times but this man pushed his barriers. Any harder and Michael would regret it.
Dane was about to turn away and do the task that Mike assigned him only to freeze in his tracks. Scavenging in the kitchen with Quinta? Food was usually rancid and nothing was salvageable. Mike's intentions were clear to Dane. This guy was likely stupid enough to try and do something to Quinta. Trading a look of understanding with Quinta, Dane stepped back towards them. He could practically see the blood boiling under her skin and it was better to save this idiot from receiving a machete to the face.
Too late.
“And why do me need to go scavengin’ wit yuh? Yuh not me leader. Yuh a fool dat will get 'imself killed before da day is over.” Quinta spat in Mike's direction.
Quinta's grip tightened on the handle of her blade as she took a step towards Mike. The girl's eyes widened as the older man looked between the two of them and waited.
Mike chuckled and spoke up, “You know you're going to eat your words when you see just how capable I am of saving you today. You're not too bright or else you'd be able to see that. It's alright sweetheart, I forgive you. Now everyone to their posts, we're wasting daylight.” Mike replied with a smirk.
He rubbed the top of his lip and stared Quinta down. Fully expecting her to follow, Quinta groaned out.
“Yuh not capable of bein anyting but a bumblin’ BUMBACLAAT!” She ferociously yelled at him.
At the sound of her outburst, Dane stepped in to try and remedy the situation, “Quinta, I'll do the kitchen with him. Why don't you take on the registers?” Dane questioned calmly.
The sound of a clattering pot hitting the ground caught everyone's attention. Quinta's head snapped in the double door's direction. Low gurgles emitted deep from the kitchen and behind them in the bathroom which was soon followed by shuffles. Quinta's nostrils flared as she backed instinctively away from Mike and over to Dane before she took her second machete out. Mike reached around to grab his gun while Tabitha hid behind the man.
Dane felt his core clench and his breath lock in his chest. Quinta and his instinct was to step close to one another and press their backs together. This was something they had agreed on if they were ever ambushed back in the quiet dining room of Cracker Barrel. Dane gripped his bat in both hands while he felt her head press against his spine. They both stayed still while his gaze locked onto the kitchen and Quinta's on the bathroom. They both were tense and at the ready when the kitchen door swung open and one of the dead charged out for the living that had wandered into its “home”.
Its jaw hung from its skull. Rotting flesh was stripped away from one of its arms and half of its face. To tell the gender was difficult though that hardly mattered anymore. Mike, being the closest, fired shots on pure reaction and fear. His finger was trigger happy and soon was the chamber was empty while simultaneously he
released a panicked yell. The younger girl screamed out loud with her hands shaking by her head. The older man grabbed a hold of her and stumbled back into a corner of the room and held her close to his body. The shots that rang through the restaurant brought alive what was left to which a zombie broke through one of the doors that hung off the men's bathroom. Looking very much like the other one, except his clothes were ratted and holey. He rushed out in a fit of gurgling, maddening hunger, and manic grabbing.
Quinta inhaled a sharp breath, “Me got dis one!” she was quick to say.
Taking off for him just as strongly as he came, Quinta's head dodged a quick left to miss the bloodied bones and nails that protruded through the decayed flesh of his hand. Her shoulder collided with his side which caused him the stumble back with a gurgling grunt. Before he had time to react, her blade sliced across the extent of his neck. Dark brown blood poured from the wound and splattered across her face, down her hand, arm, before the liquid pooled on the floor.
Dane turned and swung the bat with a sharp reaction. He missed the things neck but impacted against with a crack on the side of his head. Denting and caving in his skull, it was pushed by force and stumbled onto the floor. Twitching, it struggled to its feet while Dane barely heard Quinta or the heavy sobs of the girl amid his heartbeat in his ears. Half of the things rotted face was upturned with its features caved and it's long, desperate arms outstretched for Dane's legs. Adrenaline coursed through Dane's veins and his bat swept down from above and smashed its face in. Its arms fell limp, Dane pushed his boot against its head, and set his weight down. Due to the fragility, the entire skull burst with a thick pool of old blood and liquefied matter spilled beneath his foot. Kicking it off, Dane finally took a breath and sighed. The air around them was pungent of death and decomposition.
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