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Scene Three: Ob-La-De, Ob-La-Da
Topic Started: Sep 24 2009, 11:54 PM (1,058 Views)
njsmostwanted651
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You can be the sinner and I'll be the sin
"Gah! Fuck!" Sam called out as Roza attempted to stick the needle into the skin of his head.

"No moving!" Roza said, trying to keep his head still.

"It's hard when your jamming a god damned needle into my skull!" He snapped back.

Roza sighed and parted his hair again, and pressed the tip of the needle through the wound and pushed the needle all the way through. He hissed in pain as she strung the thread across.

"One more." She said trying her best to be reassuring.

Sam sighed tensely "Just make it quick, ok?"

Roza nodded. She poured a small amount of alcohol on the needle and parted his hair. She stuck the needle through the wound once more, then threaded it completely through.

"Finish." She said and cut the thread with a pair of tiny scissors. She knotted the end of the thread to prevent it from coming loose. "Not so bad, no?"

Sam sighed. "I'm glad I had that bottle with me."

"So bad for you, that stuff." Roza said while packing up her almost empty trauma kit. She made a mental note to get the spare from Dominica's car. "So, Sam, you like Dominica, yes?"

Sam looked at her incredulously. "What?"

"I see way you look at her." Roza said smiling.

"What brought this up?" He asked.

"As doctor, I like to know my patients. And as friend, I like to know my friends."

Sam sighed. "She's young, I'm old. Even if I did...It wouldn't work."

"Why?" Roza questioned.

"She's young. She wouldn't be interested in me." He answered.

"Shouldn't be so fast to judge."

"Why are you so interested?" Sam asked.

Roza shrugged. "Why do you not talk about feelings?"

Sam thought for a moment before speaking.

"I never really gave it a thought, ok? Look around...How could anyone think about anything right now? An asteroid just hit the planet, killing millions of people. Some of them our families. How could you possibly think of anything so insignificant?"

Roza trailed off towards the water that surrounded them.

"I wish to forget."

"I wish I could." Sam responded. "But my son is out there. I need to find him."

Roza nodded. "I. . .Understand."

"Do you have family here?" He asked.

"No. Only in Russia." She responded.

"Have you heard from them?"

"No."

Sam looked over at the rest of the group as silence came over the pair.

"It was nice talking to you Roza. I'm going to see what I can do to help out around here."

"Ok." Roza said, not looking away from the sunset. It looked nice constrasting on the water.

Sam walked away, lost in thought. Dominica? He never even thought about her like that. Sure she was charming and beautiful, but...He didn't know. He didn't want to clutter his brain with the thoughts just then. He needed to find Adam, and that was all that he was interested in.
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." Matthew 7:15
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WeBandOfBuggered
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Shrimp Po'Boy
Alex/Domenica/Sam/Stu/Roza - Pit Stop

Still watching the sky burn, Alex was startled out of his thoughts when he felt the car pull to the curb, gravel crunching underneath the tires. Sam pulled the radio out, “alright kids. You gotta go, now’s the time, and please, try and make an effort. I don’t wanna have to stop in twenty minutes.”

“Yes, dad,” came Terry’s reply across the radio. The occupants of the car grinned at that, and Alex threw open his door, helping Roza out while Stu clambered out of the other side. Sam and Domenica climbed out of the front seat and the group stretched. Immediately behind Domenica’s Escape was the 4Runner, Gareth and Terry climbed out of that vehicle; Dominic and Leo pulled behind the 4Runner in their F150, while Mary and Pete brought up the rear, Pete was out the door of the car before Mary even put it into park, he was fumbling with a small disposable BIC Lighter, eventually lighting the cigarette jutting from his mouth. Alex shook his head and swallowed the lump in his throat before walking a few feet away from the road, coming up to a cluster of rocks. Using the rocks as a screen, he undid his fly and urinated. In the back of his head, the migraine was returning: it felt almost like someone was inside his skull attempting to push his eyeballs out; spots danced across his vision, but Alex slammed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Fuck.”

“You okay buddy?” Alex opened his to see Gareth trotting toward the rocks, “you look like hell which is to be expected; but you, mate, look even worse. No offense or anything.”

“Migraine. I get when them I get stressed..between the end of the world and Ames dying, I’d say it’s a Goddamn miracle I’m even able to stand, let alone walk and talk,” more spots and Alex wretched.

“Hold on mate, I’m getting Roza,” Gareth turned and ran back to the parked cars and Alex leaned against the rocks, closing his eyes and firmly pinching the bridge of his nose. Moments later, he felt a hand ease his own away from his nose.

“Alex. It’s Roza. You okay?”

“Stress-induced migraine. Happens sometimes. Last year during the trials; clients who are real assholes and now this...” He hissed in pain as Roza gently took his head.

“Look at me, Alex.” He forced his eyes open and saw Roza’s concerned face. “Look, I know it hurts, but you’re gonna have to fight this okay? We’ve got some Advil in the car if that’ll help.”

“Should.” Alex muttered weakly.

“Good,” Roza replied. She glanced at Gareth, “c’mon. Let’s get him back to the car,” she slung one of Alex’s arms over her shoulder while Gareth took the other. Roza reached into one of the bags in the trunk and pulled out a bottle of Advil and Alex quickly dry swallowed two of them. He leaned against the car and watched the others in the convoy milling about. Johnson was ordering some of the civilians and other military types around. After that was done, he walked over to where Alex stood.

“You alright sir?”

“Yeah,” Alex said. “Just got a headache is all.”

Roza intervened, “he’s not that good, Lieutenant. Stress-induced migraine.”

“You take something for it?”

“Advil. ‘bout five minutes ago,” Roza said. “Long as he takes them he should be okay.”

Johnson nodded. “Good, make sure he takes them. Last thing we need is a lame duck.”

Roza nodded, “don’t worry. We’ll ride his ass.”

“That’s what she said,” Alex muttered.

Johnson snorted, “feel better chief.” Wit that, he turned and walked towards the rocks where most of the convoy was lining up for some privacy.

There was a sudden beeping noise and Alex winced slightly before attempting to locate the source. He followed Domenica and Johnson to the other side of the road. The source was a battered cell phone clutched in the hand of a corpse. A man wearing a suit was all they could tell: the head was totally obliterated by a chunk of rock lying not two feet away. There were several other corpses in the area and few severed limbs. Johnson stooped over and pulled the phone free from the man’s hand. He glanced at the screen which showed there was a new text message. He flipped the phone open and read aloud:

“Daddy...with mom in Fargo. Scared to death. Please text me. Love, Maggie.”

“Poor kid,” Dom muttered. “No dad. I’m amazed the message went through though.”

“Reminder beep,” Johnson said dismissively. “My phone doesn’t stop yelling till I check it. Every five minutes it rings.”

Alex stared at the mangled corpses and piles of limbs. “Burn ‘em?”

“Might as well,” Johnson said. “Give the poor bastards a decent send off at the very least.”

Domenica nodded, “maybe a funeral service? For the people here and the ones back in Vegas?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Johnson said. “Check their pockets for ID, get at list of names on the ones that are whole. Plus a list of anyone we ID’d in Vegas.”

Alex nodded, “What about their possessions? Cigarettes, lighters, that kinda stuff? Not that I condone grave robbing, but money’s got no value. Smokes and that stuff will be real hot commodities soon. We can trade them for supplies.”

Johnson mulled this over. “I don’t know.”

“Look,” Alex said. “I know. It’s sick and twisted on about seventeen different levels and I feel like shit for even suggesting it. But we’re in a new world now. The rules went out the window the second that rock hit. Now, it’s pretty much anything goes.”

Johnson looked torn, but relented. “You’re right. I hate like hell to say it, but you are. I’ll send some of the others over here to help.”

A few minutes later, Alex and Domenica were joined by Leo, Stu and Gareth.

“Sam’s gonna do the service,” Stu said. “I gave him the names of Adia and David, two of the people who were with me and Ames back in Vegas. So we just checking them for ID?”

“And anything we can barter with,” Domenica said. “I know, it’s disgusting, but we need to find commodities. The economy’s gonna be based on trading goods now, not cash. We need the advantage.”

The others nodded their agreement and began to sift through the bodies. Within a few hours, they’d had the corpses arranged into a loose pyramid. Johnson poured some of the kerosene on the pile, left a small trail and dropped a match on the trail, running like hell as he did. The kerosene trail ignited and soon the pile burnt. Sam several hundred yards away with the others. He recited the list of names, followed by Psalm 23 from memory. He finished with another Our Father then the group returned to their vehicles. Alex clambered into the rear of Leo’s F150, stretching out on the bench seat to sleep off his migraine, keeping the bottle of Advil with him.
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LadyRahl
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Mod Note:

The Las Vegas group is NOW on the road at a pit stop.

Feel free to move forward, just a bit of an inconsistency there so I wanted to clear that up. :)
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Cale Raizer
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Shrimp Po'Boy
It was a long hike to the area were the rest of the survivors had set up camp, and neither Misty nor Bridgette were keen to make the trip on foot, carrying medical supplies and food.

They scavenged several cars in the area, eventually coming up with a few good tires, to replace the ones that had been destroyed on Misty's truck. The two girls worked quickly, and in twenty minutes, had changed all three tires that had been destroyed.

Bridgette grabbed some medical supplies and food, taken with zeke's permission from his own stock. Ruben hadn't been lying, Zeke looked like he had been stockpiling food for years, his basement was full of boxes and cans.

Misty could tell Ruben and Zeke wanted a private moment, so she tried not to disturb them as they fixed the truck. They were an odd couple, that was for sure. Misty wasn't sure what to think of Zeke's apparent ability to fortell certain events, but for whatever reason, she was grateful to the two men. She, Bridgette, and Marie were complete strangers, for all the two men knew, they were a roving band of murderers looking to kill the duo and steal all their supplies.

And yet, they had readily accepted them, and invited them to live with them for a while, until things got settled again. In short, they were lucky to have run across the two men.

Marie had opted to stay behind, but Goliath had climbed into the back cab, and no amount of coercing or pleading could get him back out. Bridgette had finally brought up the point that Goliath could potentially scare away any possible threat, and Misty had agreed.

The temporary camp for the survivors was only a few miles away, so it didn't take long for them to arrive.

"It's so...small," Bridgette said, looking out of her window, "These are all the people that survived?"

"I hope not," Misty said, her own heart sinking, "besides, I'm sure there are more people who havn't arrived yet, or decided to stay in their homes."

Even so, it was a depressingly small camp, Misty estimated maybe 500 tents in all. Figuring four people per tent, there were maybe 2000 people all told in the camp.

Misty parked her truck a short distance from the camp, grabbing the medical supplies from the back. "Leave the food," Misty said, as Bridgette grabbed for it.

"Why?" Bridgette said, "there might be some hungry people in the camp."

"I know," Misty said, "but what do you think is going to happen, when they ask were we got the food from? Even if we don't tell them about the warehouse Zeke keeps in his home, they'd probably keep an eye on which direction we drove from, and follow us."

Bridgette nodded, "I got it. They'd swarm the house and tear the place apart."

"Exactly," Misty replied, "Besides, the safe zones will have food, that chopper will airlift it in. They'll be fine." Misty turned to Goliath, "Ok, buddy, I need you to stay here, ok?"

Displaying an uncanny ability of understanding, Goliath merely yawned, and lay down on his belly, promptly falling to sleep.

"Good boy," Misty said, scratching his ears. She turned back to Bridgette, "Lets get moving."

As they approached the camp, a swarm of young children came swarming toward them, clamoring around them, asking them questions, whether or not they knew anything, and a few asked if they knew were their parents were.

Misty tried, but she simply couldn't fully ignore the young children. She reached into a pocket, pulling out the small box of cookies she had taken from Zeke's supply, and started passing them out among the children. She smiled guiltily at Bridgette, but saw that Bridgette had her own box of cookies, and was doing the same.

The children thanked them, and with promises not to tell anyone about the cookies, ran back to their tents.

The area inside the camp was bustling with activity, men lifting and carrying boxes and crates of supplies, setting up new tents, tending the injured, of which there seemed to be quite a few.

A few people gave them quick glances, but nobody payed them a whole lot of attention, everyone being too busy with their own problems to worry about anyone else's.

Neither Misty or Bridgette knew much about medical care beyond simple triage, but the doctor at the medical tent was more then happy to accept the medical supplies Misty had brought.

Feeling something rub against her leg, Misty looked down, expecting to see another child tugging at her leg for a cookie, but instead saw a black and white cat, rubbing its side against her leg.

"Well, hey there, kitty kitty," Misty said, leaning down to pet the cat.

"Careful," Bridgette said, "he might have rabies."

"I've had my shots," Misty said, ignoring that fact that rabies shots were administered after one contracted rabies. The cat seemed glad to be petted, and Misty wondered were the cat had come from.

"Loki? Loki!" A female voice was crying out. Misty picked up the cat, hugging him close to her chest, looking around for the source of the voice.

"Loki! Here kitty kitty!" The voice was close, and Misty thought she knew what the voice was looking for. She turned around, and spotted an attractive woman with light brown hair, she looked to be in her early thirties. The woman was searching around, her face mottled with worry.

Misty stepped forward, "Excuse me, but is this yours?" She presented the cat.

"Loki!" The woman exclaimed, "Oh my God, thank you so much! He got away from me, and I was so worried! Thank you!" Misty handed the woman the cat, and the woman hugged the cat-Loki-tight to her chest, practically crushing the cat.

"It was no problem, in fact, he found me," Misty said, smiling.

The woman nuzzled the cat, then looked back at Misty, "However it happened, I thank you." She held out a hand, "I'm Cydney, but everyone calls me Cyd."

"Misty Walker, and this is my friend Bridgette Miller." Misty said, indicating herself and Bridgette.

"Glad to meet you." Cyd said, shaking both their hands, "You guys got a place to stay? My tent isn't far from here, and we can make room for two more, it's only me and my two roommates."

"Cyd!" Another female voice called, and they all turned, to see another attractive brown haired woman walking toward them, with a tall fellow, also with brown hair, "Didja find loki?"

"Speak of the devil," Cyd said, as the two newcomers joined them, "Lisa, Nick, this is Misty and Bridgette, they found Loki for me."

"Good job," The male-Nick-said, "Now we have the demon cat from hell back..."

Lisa slapped him upside the head, "Be nice," She turned back to Misty and Bridgette, "Thanks for finding Loki, he's always running off and causing trouble."

"It was nothing, really," Bridgette said, "He came up to us, and Cyd here found us soon after."

"Still, it was a nice thing to do." Cyd said, "but yea, like I was saying, if you guys needed a place to stay, you're welcome to stay with us."

"One guy and four girls," Nick spoke up, "Not even Bond had those odds." Again, Lisa smacked him upside the head.

"We appreciate the offer," Misty said, but we have our own place in town. We're just here to help people out where ever we can."

"We understand," Cyd said, "But if you ever need a place to stay, you can always come here."

"Thank you." Misty said, and meant it.

As the trio walked back to their tents, Misty thought about how cool it was, that there were still so many people still willing to help those in need, to help people they didn't know.

Misty wished she could fool herself into thinking that everyone they'd run across would be as kinda as Zeke, or Ruben, or Cyd and her freinds, but she knew better. In this world, there was bound to be someone just waiting to prey on anyone they could.

Misty sighed, she hated when she got philosophical. "C'mon," Misty said to Bridgette, "Let's go see if we can't do anything around here."
"Alright, I've been thinking. When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back! Get mad! I don't want your damn lemons, what am I supposed to do with these? Demand to see life's manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! Do you know who I am? I'm the man whose gonna burn your house down! With the lemons! I'm gonna get my engineers to invent a combustible lemon that burns your house down!"


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bebeluv1
Nemesis
Tom---the morning after


Tom woke up lying atop his family’s grave, shivering. The sweat on his body had since dried, causing his skin to get clammy and cold. The morning breeze blew his hair back from his face and skimmed over his body; he shivered harder. Well, one thing was for sure—he wasn’t paralyzed. His back started angrily spasming and twitching the moment he awoke. Tom grimaced and dug out his pill bottle from his pocket again. He really wanted to take more than one, but he had to conserve them. He didn’t know what exactly had happened, but from what he could tell, it was very bad. He might not have a chance to get any more Oxycodone. That would suck. That would really, really suck. Still, he ended up taking two. He couldn’t help himself. He needed to be able to walk.

Tom struggled to get to his feet, already starting to sweat again, and limped toward the SUV. There was a cell phone in there. Not that it would work, but….Tom fought back tears. It was a battle he lost. He sobbed uncontrollably for several minutes behind the wheel of the SUV. They were gone. He still couldn’t believe they were gone, even after he’d buried them himself. What was he supposed to do now? He supposed he’d have to leave them here, buried in the ground, forever. What had he been thinking? He should have tried to call someone for help, or….bring their bodies back to Encinitas for burial. Why had he buried them here? Instinct, a voice inside him answered. It had been his instinct to bury them. So he had. He hadn’t questioned it until now.

Get to the interstate, Tom, he thought. That’s a start. Maybe the cell phone will work once you get out of the woods. It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was something to focus on other than his family, so he clung to it. Tom guessed it was about a 45 minute drive from the cabin to the interstate. The SUV roared to life and Tom negotiated over broken limbs, around fallen trees, and around various other woodland debris as he made his way down the narrow country road toward the interstate. He marveled at the amount of destruction he saw around him. What the FUCK had happened???
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LadyRahl
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Supreme Goddess Of All Things Bright And Shiny
Zeke/Ruben - Unexpected Visitor


“We should go and find the girls,” Zeke said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “It won’t be safe out there long.”

Ruben frowned and looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“This isn’t like in the Bible,” he said. “It’s not just good people that are left alive, and this isn’t over.”

Ruben couldn’t help but laugh. A giant asteroid had just hit the earth killing billions. What else could possibly happen? The smile left his face as he turned, seeing the look on Zeke’s face. “What’s going to happen?”

“I don’t know,” Zeke replied. “Something.”

“Another asteroid?”

Zeke couldn’t help but smile at him. “I’m not a prophet Ruben. I can’t see the future.”

“Not a,” Ruben smiled. “You’re the closest thing to a prophet that we have.” And if anyone else found out about that… he jumped as there was a sudden knock on the front door and his eyes locked with Zeke’s. Without a word he grabbed the last few jars of peanut butter that had been sitting by the hallway table and moved it into the kitchen out of sight. They’d agreed that it would be best to keep the surplus out of vission. He quickly returned and leaned casually on the wall as Zeke opened the door.

“John,” Zeke said, his voice soft before a grin spread across his face and his arms wrapped around the neck of the man standing in the doorway. He was in his late 40s easily, and wearing an army uniform. Ruben was pretty sure he saw the markings of a Captain before Zeke had covered them. John kissed Zeke’s cheek affectionatly and he touched his face, looking at him with obvious relief that he was okay. “Ruben,” Zeke said letting go and taking a step back “this is my brother, John… I’d like you to meet Ruben.”

“Your… oh,” Ruben said surprised and snapped out of the downward spiral and he’d found himself spinning into at the sight of Zeke leaping so affectionately towards another man. A smile came to his face and he took a step forward, holding out a hand. “Ruben Napoles.”

“You sly dog,” John said shaking his hand and looking at Zeke. “You didn’t tell Mom you were dating.”

“Yeah well,” Zeke said, his cheeks flushing. “It was kind of a sudden thing. What are you doing here?”

“My unit was activated a few days before impact and we were sent down here under General Halverson’s command. We rounded up some people on this List and sent them off to the silos, we didn’t know anything at the time but… I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Zeke brought his brother inside and shut the door, walking off into the kitchen leaving Ruben and John alone for a moment before returning with a wet dish rag. “You’re a mess,” he said reaching up with the rag and wiping the soot and blood from his brother’s face. They looked surprizingly alike and yet not at all. “Did you hear anything from Eve or Phillip?”

“No,” he said shaking his head. “Honestly, the chance of them still being alive…”

“They’re alive,” Zeke said wiping off the last streak under his right ear.

“So what about you Ruben, how long have you been porking my baby brother?” He gave him a good natured smile. “What? You haven’t done it yet?” He asked as Ruben blushed a holy shade of red. “When the hell did you meet him? Two days ago?”

“Pretty much,” Zeke replied. “The night the President made the speech.”

“Jesus wept,” John said. “Hell of a time to find love.” He gave his baby brother a half smile and looked at Ruben. “You make sure to take care of him. Things are going to get messy, and Zeke won’t fight even if someone sticks a gun to his head. He’ll just stand there and take it like a dumbass. Scares the shit out of some people, others, others it just makes them beat on him harder.” His eyes met Ruben’s. “He’s not scared of anything this one. He’s always said God has a plan for everyone, who’s he to judge?”

“I’m standing right here,” Zeke said folding his arms with a disapproving frown.

“Don’t let his faith get him killed, okay?”

Ruben nodded. “I won’t. You have my word.”

“I’m not six anymore John.” Zeke said walking off to the kitchen to wash the rag out.

“I’m serious Ruben,” John said.

“So am I.” Ruben replied.


OOC: Short I know but alas I ran out of time.
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mdnjr70
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Shrimp Po'Boy
Domenica/Alex/Roza/Sam/Stu – Park City

“Oh God!” Domenica said as they pulled off the highway looking at the once beautiful mountains. They had been following the stream of cars, some where heading further in land, Cheyenne, Denver, who knew, but they pulled off Park City was their destination and they made it. There was a huge camp in the low lying areas; tents, campers, trailers, busses, any and all kinds of vehicles parked and being used as new homes they were everywhere. There were people directing traffic, Military of course, but it was following smoothly. They reached the checkpoint, the female guard stopped the car, “Are you moving on or staying here?” The guard said, “Staying here.” Domenica said looking at her and she nodded, “You’ll need to park your vehicle, you can unload it and carry in what you can to the camp.” She saw the sudden looks on their faces smiling she continued, “Don’t worry, keep everything in your vehicle locked it up and you can access your car at anytime, the town is pretty much filled and we can’t have vehicle traffic there. The Red Cross is up the way, check in with them they can help you find family and friends, they are using shortwave radios to reach other camps as well, communication is spotty but we’re trying.” Domenica looked at the young woman, “My family has a cabin in town, can we go there. I have the key.” The guard smiled at her and nodded, “Not everyone is as lucky, sure, we still need you to check in with the Red Cross and even though you have a home here, I can’t let the car go to town, too many people. You’ll need to provide them the address and some kind of proof, the key should be fine. There have been a lot of people trying to break into empty homes, but we won’t have any of that here. Officially we are still under martial law, don’t cause any trouble, follow the rules and you’ll be fine. Questions check in with the Red Cross.” The Guard stepped back and started waving them through.

Domenica rolled up the window and drove pass the check point, “I never thought I would be so happy to see so many people again.” Alex said hearing the radio crackle “Were too?” One of the other cars said as they cleared the check point, it was Stu. “Just follow us.” Sam said in response. “Will do.” They drove through the cars, they had tried to line them up as you would see in a parking lot, but it was haphazard at best. “Organized chaos.” Roza said looking around; Sam frowned, “At the best. There really aren’t that many people here Alex.” They found a place to park and Domenica looked around forcing the location into her memory, “The cabin is just a bit out of town, it’s a bit of a walk but we can get there easy from here. Luckily I know where we are.” She said with a smile, she was lousy with directions, but she knew this area, it was a second home to her.

Overhead they heard several choppers fly by, “Well the military is entrenched.” Sam said looking around, the sky had grown darker and there was a mix of smells in the air. “We should check in with Red Cross. See if families are here.” Roza said looking at Domenica and Sam. Stu walked up, “The guard gal was cute, I might have to pay her a visit later.” He said with a smile and everyone looked at him, “so what’s the plan.” He added quickly not liking how the others looked at him.

Domenica pulled out some paper and wrote down directions and gave them to each person, the map was very clear and everyone understood it she also put the location of the cars as well, “This is where the house is, just in case we get separated.” She said looking at the others in the group. “I don’t know what you all are going to do but I’m going to head to the cabin. I can come back and check in with the Red Cross later, plus the title for the house is there and I can use that to prove I belong there.” Gareth looked at her, “Well I’m with you.” He said smiling. Sam thought for a minute, “I should see if my son made it, but.” Roza looked at her, “We’re all sticking together.” She said with a harsh Russian tone, but her face had a smile on it.

“Let’s move.” Alex said. The group loaded up what they could carry and locked up everything else into the 2 vehicles, nothing was left out and both cars were secured. They began walking towards town much of Park City looked the same very few building showed any kind of damage, it was the people, there were so many of them. As they continued to move slowly through the make shift camp they saw medical tents, Red Cross tents, military tents, the government and the military had done a good job at least from an organizationally sense, it helped to make Domenica feel better. Not everyone survived, clearly but to see all the people here, it was something more then she hopped after all the death they saw on the way. There were military everywhere, which was both good and bad; good in the sense that she felt secure, bad in the sense that it meant they were under marshal law, maybe the Governor had control over them, then it wouldn’t feel so strange. When they passed Salt Lake City it looked bad, the downtown high-rises were burning and a lot of it looked badly damaged, like something had come and tried to remove it all, bulldozing everything, but still they were doing their best, they didn’t need to ask to go to Park City, they were directed that way along the freeway, none of the off ramps were open they were blocked by either police or military, it was an eerie site. “Hey where are you.” Gareth said looking at her as they walked she had fallen quiet lost in thought, “I don’t know. I’m just hoping to find my family. And I’m glad to be here.” He smiled at her, “I hope you do as well. You and Sam.”

“Sorry about earlier.” Domenica said looking up the street as they walked, most of the buildings in the downtown where boarded up, the windows must have all broken out. “I know I got a little freaky with the whole picking up trash thing.” He shrugged, “It was shock, I think you’re aloud.” She looked over her shoulder, “if you’ve ever been here before, this was really an amazing town especially during the summer, most people liked it at winter, but summer was really great.” They made there way up the main street, passing some of the hotels and various people rushing about, the crowds thinned out the more then came into town, there were several of the local police along with the military patrolling the streets, most on foot a few by bike.

She shook her head looking at all the damage, most of it was superficial and what fires there had been were put out, at least in town, from what she could tell. The town was nestled between the mountains, so the blast would have rolled up one side and basically jumped the little valley the town was in, that was really the only way the town could have survived so well.

Domenica picked up her pace as they made their way off the main street of town and headed up a little more of a hill, “There.” She said pointing to the dark house, the house was still boarded up from the last time they were here, the storm shutters closed other then being dark it looked in good repair. She headed to the house passing a few other homes that where lit, “I thought the power was out.” Sam said looking around at some of the homes in the area that had lights on, “Back up generators, you have to have them here, it’s part of the building code or something. The winters here can be harsh.” Everyone nodded. She got to the door and started to unlock the doors. The house was by no means big, but it would do, “There are 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, we have a private well and a septic tank. There is also our propane tank which, that god, my father had put in the ground. As long as the lines all still work we should have water, toilets and power.” Domenica said looking around the house. Her family hadn’t made it yet, but that didn’t mean anything, she was just the first to get here.

“Dom. We need to keep the shutters closed and the house secure.” Alex said looking at her with a gentle smile. “I know.” She said smiling back at him. She looked at the others, “make yourselves at him; I’m going to get us some power.” She said walking to the front door, leaving the others in the living room. She walked out the door and turned the corner heading to the shed where the generator was housed, She was looking and she walked into a gun pointed at her face, “Oh Domenica honey.” The older woman said lowering the gun quickly seeing who it was, “I saw all these people and the police and military have been doing a good job, but.” Domenica felt her heart in her throat she would need to pay more attention even around here, “Mrs. Brown! Oh please have you seen my folks?” She said hugging the woman quickly forgetting about the gun. “No dear not yet. I’m glad to see you. How is…Oh Domenica, honey, it’s so bad. They said there isn’t much of a west coast anymore the ocean.” She saw the older woman start to tear up. “Mrs. Brown, we’re all here and a lot of people got out.” The older woman nodded, taking a hanky out of her pocket whipping her nose. “People laughed at us Mormons. Joking about ‘Mormon Bunkers’ well they’re not laughing now. I’ve been thanking God all day for giving us the good sense to stock up supplies and keep them ready.” The older woman heard the others in the house and she pulled her to the side so they couldn’t hear her, “Honey I know you and your family are Catholic, but you’ve been good people and if you need anything you come see me and my Steve. Glen and Cindy came up from Provo too; they’re down helping in town doing what they can for others. But you come see me and we’ll help you out.”

Sam was at the door, “Any luck on the power.” He called, then walked over to where the two women where talking, he saw the older woman with the gun frowning, they should have never let Domenica go off on her own. Domenica smiled, “Sam this is Glena Brown, she and her husband Steve live right next door. Sam Barkley this is Mrs. Glena Brown, one of the most wonderful people in the world. She’s like a second mom to me.” Sam stuck out his hand, “Pleasure.” Glena did the same. “Welcome. You remember what I told you Domenica.” Glena said with a smile and started walking back to her house.

“Come on Sam lets’ get us some power.” Domenica said with a smile, she had been through hell and Park City wasn’t much, but it was better then being on the road and it offered them all a little taste of home.

(OCC: Per our MOD the Las Vegas group is now in Park City and at the cabin that Domenica’s family owns. The cabin is very typical of what you would find in Park City [well water, septic tank, and propane backup generator providing gas and power for the house]. As far as Domenica’s family goes, no one is to encounter them without my or the MODs approval. Also, as an FYI for everyone, Park City is a very small town very small; it is nestled between two large mountains and is only accessible by one major road off the highway. There is a main street with shops, restaurants, hotels, etc.)

Pictures of Park City

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Ruben/Zeke – Testing

“I’m not six anymore John.” Zeke said walking off to the kitchen to wash the rag out.

“I’m serious Ruben,” John said with a dangerous look.

“So am I.” Ruben replied. Looking at the hulking military man. The guy had to be at least 6’-2” and at least 250 of solid muscle. Ruben wasn’t a small guy, but 6’-2” he wasn’t. Ruben watched him he was serious but someone he didn’t think John believed him. Ruben looked to the kitchen waiting for Zeke to return, but no such luck. So, John was a Captain in the military you would have thought that Zeke might have mentioned that at some point. John looked at him seeing he was serious and a little nervous, Ruben had no intention of letting anything happen to Zeke or himself for that matter. The silence was starting to make Ruben even more nervous, “I may not be.” Ruben’s voice cracked but he continued again after swallowing, “I may not be a military man but I’ll do everything I can to take care of him.” John’s eyes narrowed and he looked at Ruben, “make sure you do. He’s very special anything happens to him and I have a memory for faces and names.”

“How did you meet him?” John asked well it was more like a bark, but not very loud, Ruben was sure he was doing everything to make himself look even bigger, but no matter what he did John still towered over him. “At the Marriott hotel in Des Moines. I saw his photography on display in the hotel, I liked it and I asked the staff about it. Well the next day, we literally ran into each other. I was coming back from my conference and he was going out. He dropped his photos on the ground and I helped pick them up.”

“And then you picked him up.” John added with a hint of a smile watching Ruben’s face, testing him.

“Um. Well he. I mean I asked him if he wanted to have dinner, but I didn’t know he was….well we where…I mean.” Ruben tried to find the right words but nothing came and John chimed in.

“Butt Rangers.” John asked with an even bigger grin.

“Gay.” Ruben said and John shrugged, “six of one half dozen of the other.”

“Anyway after the Presidential address I didn’t have anywhere to go, I was going to just stay at the hotel and sort of wait, but he invited me back here and things sortta happened.” Ruben said thinking how completely lame this all must sound and how he must sound like a complete and total jackass, no scratch that Ruben was now King of all Jackasses.

“Where are you from? Why didn’t you try to get to home like half the nuts out there?” John asked still watching him still testing him, “My family lives in California, we don’t really talk, well not till this all happened. I lived in Salt Lake City, I knew there was no way to get home in time.” John nodded he was still examining Ruben he wasn’t sure if John was going to let him continue to stay here or kindly escort him away from here and tell him to leave his brother alone. Ruben suddenly wished he was about a foot taller and carrying a machine gun, John wasn’t speaking just watching him so changing the topic was in order as far as Ruben was concerned, “Do you know how bad it was on the coast I mean?” John looked at him, he wanted to continue to run Ruben through the wringer but there would be time for that later. “From what we’ve heard, and I’m sorry, the west and east coast are pretty much gone. On the west up to the start of the Sierra Mountains is all gone and Vegas is now a beach town. As far as the East Coast, it’s bad. That’s all we heard, But Salt Lake is ok considering, they moved the evacuation center there to Park City.”

Ruben swallowed heavily, “God.” John looked at him, “We got lucky Europe, Asia, and Africa took the worst of it.” They were both silent they could hear Zeke in the kitchen no telling what was happening in there somehow Ruben thought this was a test on Zeke’s part as well, see how you do with my big scary brother, Ruben shook his head, that was so not Zeke, he was probably making sandwiches and tea, that was more is style. “Do you love him? Really love him?” John said looking at Ruben, again Ruben blushed and John smiled, “Does he know?” Ruben didn’t need to say anything and John nodded, “The last fucker, really hurt him, he won’t say anything bad about the guy, but I know. He messed him up, he’s my little brother I would die for him I wanted to go and pound that prick in the ground but Zeke, Zeke wouldn’t have any of it.” John looked at Ruben his voice getting low, “It’s bad Ruben, you take care of him, the world has changed, and if you hurt him, I swear to God.” Ruben looked at John took a deep breath and spoke up, “John, I would rather die then see Zeke hurt. I…I. I love him. I know it’s stupid and crazy and with everything that is going on, you don’t have to try and scare the shit out of me or intimidate me. He’s special I knew that the moment I saw his photos he captures a side of people that, well he captures your soul, and he did the same thing to my heart.”

Ruben sighed, “The night of the Presidents address I fully expected him to react like everyone else, go a little nutty run out of the building and leave me there but he didn’t he looked at me, he sat there with me. Just watching me he looked at me waiting for me to say something, everyone around us left or broke down, but there we were sitting and he simply watched me smiling, like we were suppose to be together and nothing else mattered. Something at that moment told me this person was very special, very caring, wonderful and there is nothing that I would do to take that for granted or allow him to be hurt.” John stood looking at Ruben.

“What I miss?” Zeke said holding 3 cups of tea returning from the kitchen, “I thought you might like something to drink.” Zeke said looking at John handing him the cup. “I was just giving Ruben advise on how to get into your pants, sense you’re both too damn shy.” Zeke frowned and yet again Ruben blushed he wasn’t shy, he just hadn’t done that before. Zeke handed Ruben his tea, “leave Ruben alone John or I’ll have to let it slip that I caught you masturbating to old photos of Elke Sommers. Opps. Did I say that.” Zeke said looking at John smiling, John finally blushed, “Not cool Zekee. So not cool.” At that point Ruben laughed the image of a young John masturbating to a 50’s model and a young Zeke walking in on him. “Your brother was just making sure I pass the test.” Ruben said smiling from ear to ear now well John frowned, but there was appreciation that Ruben hadn’t rated him out to Zeke about the third degree. Zeke took a sip of his tea then looked at John, “And does he?” John shrugged, “he seems ok. You Catholic Ruben?” Ruben nodded, “born and raised.” John looked at Zeke, “That was one. What do you do?” Ruben sighed, “before or after the apocalypse?” John smiled, “That was two. Before.” Ruben looked at him, “I worked for Catholic Charities of Salt Lake City as the Director of Communications. Now I’m freelancing.”

Zeke looked at John, “Happy?” John looked Ruben up and down, “for now. I still reserve the right to pass jugement.” He finished the tea, “Listen I need to get over to base, we were checking the area for survivors and recovery, seems recovery has already taking place I saw the grave out side.” Ruben nodded, “We checked the area for bodies and buried the dead. Disease is going to spread quick if we don’t care of it.” John nodded, “smart move.”

“We need to go find the girls they’ve been out for a while and it’s getting really dark?” Ruben said there was no light coming from the windows, but it wasn’t fully dark yet. John looked at them, “Girls?” Zeke nodded, “Amanda, Misty, Bridgett and Maria. Amanda you know, but the others, they are staying here and they want to help out at the camp.” John looked at his younger brother, “collecting strays?” Zeke frowned, “they needed help and I’m going to help them.” John held up his hands giving Zeke the cup, “grab your keys, my jeep is outside I’ll give you a lift to find your little lost souls Zeke.” Ruben and Zeke nodded Zeke took the mugs and put them in the kitchen, “Oh I have to check the babies.” Zeke said running off to the basement. “Babies?” John looked at Ruben, “puppies, 4 of them.” John frowned, “Zeke’s allergic.” Ruben nodded, “Yes I gathered that, but you know your brother.” John nodded again.

Soon enough Zeke was back upstairs and they headed to the door, Zeke locked it up and they climbed in John’s jeep and headed over to the evacuation center.
May it be said, when the sun sets on your life, you made a difference.
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Cat Hansen and the bus gang - Electric Avenue
OOC: The following broadcast is from 16 July 2008

“Rise and shine west coasters; it’s Stray Cat and cock-a-doodle-doo, you’re jammin’ to K106.8 Jahmon Radio. Today we’re talking about everything pertaining to your veeeeee-hicle and common courtesy on the streets. First off, I saw an awesome car today. Ran on biofuel, guys. I’m pretty jealous. Thinking of saving up for one myself. But that’s not what I really want to talk to you guys about. I just wanna speak about manners when you’re cruisin’.

Now friend honking is cool. I don’t mind that. If you pass and you’re my buddy and you give a little honk, hey, awesome. And if I screw up and start being a jackass on the road, honk. However, if you cut me off, and then honk and flip me off… well I’m going to be pretty pissed. And I don’t lose my cool of stupid stuff but this is getting ridiculous.

Just yesterday I was driving, which I really don’t do that often. I had to travel a distance to take my little fleabags to the vet. As they’re yowlin’ in the back of the car, this little Prius flies in front of me, then proceeds to slow down, switch lanes, come up next to me and tell me off. It’s time like these I wish my temper were more like that of Christian Bale. No one messes with that guy anymore. In case you don’t know his deal… here’s a clip:”



“Most of you probably noticed Peter Griffin in the background, and I apologize for that. This is the only fully edited clip I could find of him tantrum. Plus, I just find it kind of funny.

But in all seriousness, you know that saying 'treat people the way you want to be treated'? Well drive the way you want other people to. I know you don’t want to be surrounded by swerving, speeding jerk-offs. So keep you’re cool at there you guys, okay? Here’s something to keep you guys chill on the streets. Let’s rock down the Ave. with Eddy Grant. Electric Avenue, here it comes, on K106.8 Jahmon Radio. Hit it.”



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Cat sat in the back of the bus with Adam, Willow, and what was left of the crew. Despite his constant attempt at blocking his emotions, he could refuse his feelings no longer. He fucking missed Paul.

He sat and stared at the seat he should be in, thinking of the talks they’d had, the laughs they shared. And Cat couldn’t help wondering if make it much longer. Armageddon: the end of times. It was serious, it was real, and it was upon them like the stink in a locker room. Periods later and it still lingered. You couldn’t shake it.

Cat felt a lump well up in his throat and he suppressed it. His refusal to cry was confusing… normally he let it happen. But something about the situation called for staying strong.

As the bus pulled into Park City, Cat squared his shoulders and stood up. He needed to contribute somehow. He needed to help. But for the first time in his life… he was speechless. He pretended he had to straighten out his pants, sat down and stared at the floor with his head in his hands, tears running off his shoes.
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Sam and Domenica stood in the small detached shed behind the cabin, frowning down at the generator. For 5 minutes, they attempted to get the little Honda chugging. Sam spent another ten minutes looking over the wiring but all the leads and grounds were attached. If it was something deeper, like motor trouble, it was approaching the range of being out of his expertise.

Domenica said, “I don’t get it. It worked fine when we were up here last summer. Could an animal have gotten into it?” Sam looked at the concrete floor and said, “Hard to tell, but the place looks pretty shut-up. I would think it would be hard for anything, furry or otherwise, to get in there and plug any of the holes. But there’s nothing wrong with it electrically, I can verify that.”

Domenica stepped behind to where the feeder was. Sam pointed to the 4-inch PVC pipe and said, “What’s that?” Domenica said, “Oh, something my father insisted on when we first installed the generator. It gets a gas feed from an underground tank. Much like our propane is underground. It pulls it up through a pump and then feeds itself continually into the generator. The tank was topped off last summer, so it shouldn’t be out of gas.”

Sam was thinking. He grasped at it, lost it, then grasped at it again. He said, “Is there a nossle back there, something that opens?” Domenica looked. She nodded. Sam said, “Open it up.” Domenica did. She heard the sound of air, and after a few seconds, gas started trickling out. She closed it back up and walked back around, smiling. She said, “The pump lost it’s prime.”

She pressed yellow, green, blue, and the generator fired up right on the first attempt. Domenica hopped it the air, saying, “I never thought I’d reach the day when starting a generator became such a big accomplishment.” Sam said, “Welcome to the new America. Something tells me that everyone who has survived this disaster will be viewing their accomplishments much the same way we are.”

Domenica smiled, a vibrant white thing that lit up her face like a Christmas tree. The smile reminded him so heavily of his deceased wife that Sam almost had to turn away. Roza’s words leapt into his head but he immediately quashed it. Not only was he her father’s age, roughly, he was only average in the looks department, and Domenica already had Gareth. No, Sam thought. Concentrate on getting your son back. The last thing that the group needs now is petty jealousy. You’re a catholic man, for god’s sake. Act like it, Sam.

Sam opened the door and they stepped into the mild weather, the door closing off the road of the gas-powered honda behind them. Sam stood in the grass and slapped his forehead. Domenica said, “What’s wrong?” Sam said, ‘The check in guard. I know she took our names, but I only gave mine as Sam. So if Adam and company come, she’s only got my first name. I can’t believe I’d make a foul-up like that.”

Domenica siad, “A foul-up, but easily fixable. We’ll just find the first guard and leave the information.” Sam siad, “But that involves splitting up.” Domenica sighed and said, “Well, I know what we agreed to, but old people can be senile, so we have to make certain allowances for them.” Sam frowned and said, “I’m not THAT old. Old enough, but not THAT old.” Domenica said, “Oh really? Well, it’s a lovely red track suit you’re sporting today, Sam.”

She turned and walked away, smiling darkly. Sam said, “Wai…wha…?” He shook his head angrily and said, “What’s wrong with the track suit?” He followed after her. Domenica poked her head into the cabin, where the others were and explained where they were headed and why. Sam looked at the track suit from the sporting goods store reflected in the window and decided he didn’t understand what the problem was.

They started down the path taking them to the main sidewalk and into town. Domenica was silent for a moment, but finally said, “It’s very important you find your son, isn’t it?” Sam nodded. Domenica said, “Why in particular, besides the obvious?” Sam frowned. Domenica said, “If it’s too personal, you can….” Sam held up a hand and said, “No, it’s fine. It’s a story that I can’t tell without looking like the bad guy, but it’s one I’ll tell.”

Sam was silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts. He said, “Monica, she was the love of my life. I knew her as a friend long before I knew her as a partner. When we got married and moved to California, we had everything we wanted…Except for a son. We tried for a long time and then finall got checked out. According to the doctor, due to a medical condition, the likelyhood of monica ever conceiving was slim to none.”

He looked around at the Idyllic scene, unable to believe that the west, east, and a variety of in-between coasts were gone. He said, “Monica was discouraged, but she never fully gave up. When she finally did, we weren’t taking any extra steps to grease the skids, it just…Happened. She was overjoyed. I was as well. She went through the entire 9 months without a single problem. But when she was in labor…she died on the operating table. She died giving birth to Adam.”

Sam brushed at a single tear that, even after all these years, still came. He said, “I was devestated. I spent several months off work wallowing in my self pity. I never thought I’d recover from the loss. I did eventually, but it was a long process. And slowly I got into the role of a single father. But I…I couldn’t get over monica being dead. I wanted someone to blame, I guess. And since I was a catholic, I couldn’t blame god. So I turned to the only one I could.”

Domenica’s eyes widened. Sam said, “Now you know why I can’t tell the story without looking like the bad guy. Adam was wanting for nothing, except maybe love. When he wanted to get into a band, I was unsupportive. I hid in the back of his high school functions. I went, but he never saw me. I don’t think he even believes I was there. He got rowdy, gothish, or…punkish, or whatever it is these kids get into nowadays. He moved in with a woman who I suspected at the time was some sort of devil worshiper. They had a child, then finally married after the second one. The last time I saw Adam was at the wedding reception. It was catholic mixed with wic…Wicker….wicker Man…no that was Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee….”

Domenica said, “Wiccan.” Sam said, “That’s the one. I stayed through the ceremony and part of the reception but…It’s just been hard. It’s been hard because I’ve been blaming Adam and it’s wrong. It’s not Adam’s fault that Monica is dead, god just needed to bring a child into the world and Monica was the vessel used. Unfortunately….she wasn’t as strong a vessel as she needed to be.”

Sam looked at her. He said, “Am I the world’s biggest asshole?” Domenica said, “No, that was George Bush Jr. You’re up there, but not at the top.” Sam glared. Domenica siad, “No, in all seriousness, You’re not. You’ve seen what’s wrong, and you’re trying to change it. Instead of being self righteous and refusing to admit guilt, you’ve seen that you were wrong and you’re trying to fix it.”

Domenica looked up. They were almost to the first checkpoint. She said, “I’ve seen a lot in my time and in my job, and I’ll admit, you’ll probably never be able to heal all the scars. But I think you know that.” Sam nodded. Domenica said, “Then all you can do is what you’re doing. Fix what you can.” She pointed over to where, far in the distance, you could see traces of the destruction. She said, “Fix what you can, because there’s no time like the present.”

Sam nodded. He said, “You’re easy to talk to. Like Mon…” Sam stopped himself. He said, “Thank you. That’s been rolling around in my head for quite awhile, and it’s nice to be able to air it out.” Domenica nodded.

Sam approached the guard at the first checkpoint and said, “I’m sorry, I should have spoken to you when we got in. I’m looking for my son. He’s on his way here. Name is Adam Barkley. Here’s a photo.” Sam removed his wallet from the jacket pocket and removed the latest Christmas Family Photo. He gave it to the guard and said, “If you see him, will you tell him his father is here and point him in the direction of the cabin we’re staying at?”

The guard said, “No problem. Hey, I’ve heard this guy. He’s a great drummer. This is your son?” Sam said, “Yes, it is.” The watch-guard said, “You must be proud.” Sam was silent for a moment. He said, “Yes…..Yes I am.” The guard said, “I’ll give this to Adam to give to you when he gets here.” Sam said, “Thank you.” He rejoined domenica and said, “Well, back to the cabin we go.”

Domenica said, “Yes, but the long way round. I want to see Park City a bit before we go back.” Sam said, “Alright, I’ll follow the leader.”
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Misty poured water from a canteen into the injured mans mouth, careful not to spill any. The mans tongue ran across his dry lips, and he exhaled deeply when she pulled away the canteen, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Misty said, capping the canteen. The man looked to be in pretty rough shape, he had minor burns and cuts across most of his torso, and had a deep puncture wound in his left side that wouldn't stop bleeding. The medic had patched him up as best he could, but there wasn't much to be done for him.

In short, Misty was afraid the man was going to die. How cruel, she thought, that the man had survived the end of the world, only to die a few hours later.

He shivered, and Misty pulled the blanket tight around him, up to hiss houlders, doing her best not to apply too much pressure to his wound. A few rows down, Bridgette was helping a woman who had lost a leg, and Marie was in another tent, offering some much called for spiritual guidance.

The French actress had explained that she wasn't deeply religious, but she knew quite a few prayers, and a small congregation had gathered to be comforted by her words.

Misty sighed, brushing her hair behind her ears. She was tired, dead tired, she had been active since the morning before the asteroid hit, and hadn't taken time to rest yet. She kept meaning to get some rest in, but the thought that there were people dying, people who might need her help, kept her awake.

Behind her, two medics carried a stretcher in, bearing an extremely bloody man, who seemed to have multiple lacerations all over his body. Misty noticed a few especially across his wrists.....

Misty scowled, annoyed. With everything they had to endure, now they had to care for some idiot who botched killing himself? Ridiculous.

"And your souls will forever burn in the fire and brim stone of Hell!" A voice, shouting, was heard outside, and Misty looked up, confused. What idiot was yelling right outside the medical hut? These people needed rest!

Misty looked to Bridgette, who was also staring outside with a confused expression. "Bridgette, can you watch him?" She asked, pointing to the injured man next to her.

"Sure." Bridgette said, clambering over, "Try to shut that guy up, if you can, ok?"

"Sure." Misty said, clapping her friend on the back as she stood up. The voice continued as she stepped outside the tent, "This is Gods punishment for your sinful, wicked lives! You satanic, sodomizing, blaspheming heathens shall burn in Hell for eternity for the way you have lived your lives!"

Stepping out of the tent, Misty squinted in the suddenly bright light, looking around. She saw a man, fairly tall, and balding, standing on an old wooden crate of all things, arms spread wide, a tattered Bible in his hand. He wa sshouting, his face red, spittle flying from his mouth, "God is punishing you for your lives of sodomy and same sex marriages! It is an abomination, as stated in the Holy Bible!"

The guy looked familiar to Misty, but she couldn't quite place him. No one seemed to be paying him overly much attention, except for a small group of young men with shaved heads, and one had a Swastika tattooed on his hand. Skinheads. Wonderful.

She walked up to the man, tapping him on the shoulder, and he spun to face her, his face flushed and sweaty. "Excuse me, but we have injured people in there who are trying to rest. Can you maybe take your sermon somewere else?"

"HEATHEN!" The man bellowed in her face, "My word is the word of God! Any who dare interrupt the word of God shall burn in Hell for all eternity!"

"Tell me about it," Misty muttered under her breath, not liking this guy at all. She was catching the glimmer of insanity in his eyes, "look, pal, I'm serious, those people are hurt and need rest..."

"They are injured because they were targeted by God as fags and sodomites!" The man interrupted, waving his arms wildly as his small crew of skinheads nodded, their faces rapt.

Now Misty was pissed, "Hey, pal, I asked nicely, and I'm not gonna ask again! Get your ass off the box and take your idiot speech somewere else! And, for the record, I'm a bisexual, thank you very much!"

The mans mouth worked wildly, his eyes rolling. Misty was willing to bet not many people had spoken to him like that before. He turned to his skinhead following, "See here! Here is a sodomite bitch, a satanic whore! She and her sodomite lover will burn in Hell, and all other fags will sare her fate!"
h
Misty had had enough. She grabbed the man by the shoulder, pulled him around, and swung her left fist into his jaw with a loud crack!

The mans eyes rolled up into his head, and he collapsed to the ground, moaning. The small group of skinheads stared at her, shocked, then they snapped himself out of it. One of them pulled a knife from his pocket, and they all stared at her, murder in their eyes.

Misty adopted a defensive stance, knowing as she did so that it was useless. There were eight of them, and even at her best, she would only be able to handle five. Nevertheless, she didn't back down, preparig for the fight.

"What the fuck is going on here?" A new voice roared, and Misty jumped a sa big shadow eclipsed her. She turned around, and saw a positively HUGE man standing behind her.

The skinheads, for there part, suddenly wanted no part in the fight. The muttered under their breath, picking up the unconscious man Misty had knocked out, leaving with their tails tucked between their legs.

"Punks." The big man grunted, turning to Misty with a smile, "You ok?"

"Yea, thanks to you," Misty said, suddenly feeling giddy. He was good looking, and he had just saved her life. "I'm Misty."

"Misty? Would that be Misty Walker?" The big man asked.

Misty's eyes narrowed, adopting her defensive stance again, "How did you know my name?"

The man seemed to realize he had upset her, "Relax, girl, Ruben and Zeke sent me, I'm Zeke's brother, John."

"I didn't know Zeke had a brother," Misty said, still partially wary, "What's the number of the house he stays at?"

"1402." John easily answered, "He's got four puppies in his basement, even though he's allergic, and he's not much of a fighter. Does that satisfy you?"

Misty nodded, "Sure. Sorry for mdoubting you."

"No problem," John said, grinning again, "Can't be too careful nowadays. Ruben and Zeke wanted me to find you, make sure you guys are ok."

"We're fine, really," Misty said, but she chose that moment to let out a huge yawn.

John frowned, "Your exhausted, you look dead on your feet, and you just punched out Fred Phelps, you need some rest."

"Was that who that was?" Misty said, but she knew John was right. She needed to rest, before she fell off her feet. "Ok, ok, you win. Let me just get Bridgette and Marie and we'll go."

Misty stepped into the medical tent again, "Hey, Bridgette, this is Zeke's brother, John, and he..." Misty stopped as she saw the look on Bridgettes face. She was kneeling next to the man Misty had been looking after until she had stepped out. Bridgette had pulled the blanket over the mans face, and Misty noticed that his chest no longer rose and fell.

Misty didn't know what to say, what she would say. All the time she had taken to help the man, and now he was dead. "Let's go." Misty said, and Bridgette didn't say a word, merley followed as they gathered Marie, and started the drive back to Zeke and Ruben's.
"Alright, I've been thinking. When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back! Get mad! I don't want your damn lemons, what am I supposed to do with these? Demand to see life's manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! Do you know who I am? I'm the man whose gonna burn your house down! With the lemons! I'm gonna get my engineers to invent a combustible lemon that burns your house down!"


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bebeluv1
Nemesis
Adam, Cat, Willow--Park City, Here We Come

Adam couldn’t believe that they were finally on their way to Park City. He and Cat had managed to round up a few survivors, well, those who were willing to travel with them, and the bus was now fairly cramped with people. Adam couldn’t help but notice that none of the survivors they’d found were children. The cold hand of fear squeezed around his heart as he again thought of his children’s future.

The addition to the front of the bus was working like a charm. The wedge-shaped contraption that Mark had rigged up was amazing, pushing cars and trucks aside like wads of paper. Mark was a gruff guy, but he always came through in a pinch. And this time, in a big way. They all owed him a great deal of thanks.

Adam noticed Cat get up to leave, not that he had anywhere to go that was private now that they’d packed in about 10 more people. He thought he knew what Cat was feeling—his heart ached for his lost brother, too. Torn between talking to Cat and letting him grieve in peace, Adam stared at his folded hands. He never was too good at comforting people. He slowly stood up and made his way over to Cat.

“Hey, man, you all right?” he asked, resting a hand on Cat’s shoulder.

“Nah, man, not really.” Cat wiped his eyes with the palm of his hand. “I wasn’t quite prepared for a reaction like this, you know? It’s so heavy.”

Adam nodded, he knew what Cat meant. “Nobody knew what to expect, dude. Nobody.”

Cat shook his head. “I thought I was all right until we buried Paul. Then it all suddenly became real.” He bit his bottom lip, fresh tears standing in his eyes. “Too fucking real, Adam.”

Adam hugged Cat awkwardly. “We’re gonna make it, man, ok? Just….hang in there,” he finished weakly, not knowing what to say. He never knew what to say. He’d have to remember to ask Willow to talk to Cat, she was the bomb at comforting words.

Cat smiled, appreciating the effort Adam was making. “You know it, man.” He stared out the window and saw that they were approaching a small scenic town. “This Park City?” he asked, hopefully.

“I dunno, man. We’re still too far from the sign, and I’ve never been here before.” Cat and Adam stood silently, waiting for the town sign to become readable, like children waiting for Santa to exit the chimney.

A collective cheer rippled through the bus as they passed the sign and entered Park City. Adam smiled at Cat and clapped him on the back before making his way to Willow and the kids, to let them know they’d arrived.

“Hey, baby, we made it!” he called.

“Shh….honey, the kids…” Willow shushed.

Adam dropped his voice as he saw the two little bundles, wrapped snugly in their blankets, sleeping in the bed. “We’re here.” He grinned, gathered his wife into his arms, and kissed her hard.

She beamed back at him and nodded. “I know. I heard the shouts of joy.” She grabbed her hair and wound it into a ponytail, expertly wrapping the band in it. “So do you know where your dad will be?”

“No, but this looks like a pretty rinky dink town, I’m sure it won’t be hard to find him,” Adam paused, the thought of seeing his father again suddenly caused a greasy ball of dread to roil in his stomach. “Do you think…..”

Willow kissed Adam softly. “Yes, Adam. I think he’ll be different now. He said he loved you, right?” Adam nodded slowly. Willow continued. “See? Different. You’ll see, he’ll be happy to see us. Just like you’re going to be happy to see him, right?”

Adam nodded again, and then glanced over at the kids. “Think we should wake them up?”

“We probably should. But let’s wait until we stop.”

“Ok, baby.” Adam and Willow held each other tightly, both fervently hoping for a happy reunion. Please be here, Dad, Adam thought. I’ve never needed you more than I do now.
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WeBandOfBuggered
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Shrimp Po'Boy
Alex - Dawn Over a New World

Alex went down the front steps of the cabin and trotted along the path to the street. He figured he’d attempt to track down Leo, Terry, Dominic, Mary and Pete: they’d gotten separated during the chaos of locating Domenica’s place and signing in with the Red Cross. First he checked the Red Cross tent at the entry of the Park City Refugee Camp; there was a huge mass of people, but he saw none of the others. He then started moving deep into the town, knocking on doors and searching shacks and tents the the Red Cross had set up and forced his way through the crowds. Most of the refugees were milling about, attempting to barter for food, water, cigarettes and booze: most of them asked Alex if he had any, then moved along after he told them he didn’t have anything with him right now and that he was looking for some friends. He was wearing the pants he’d worn the day before, but he’d managed to grab some of his spare t-shirts before leaving Anaheim. The shirt he was currently wearing was black and sported the words: “FUCK CEN***SHIP” in large white block lettering.

Near the rear of the camp he finally came across Terry Owens, climbing out of one the many tents. “Terry!”

She turned and grinned when she spotted Alex, then threw herself into his arms. “Where were you?”

“Domenica’s house. I realized we got separated and came to find you guys. Where’s Leo and the others?”

Terry gestured to the tent, “Leo and Dominic are in there. Not sure about Mary and Pete.”

“How ‘bout Captain America?”

“Huh?”

“Lt. Johnson,” Alex replied.

“He’s probably gone off to find more refugees. That or they having manning the gates, sending more refugees in.”

The tent flap reopened and Leo van Dyke stepped out, stretching. He saw Alex and pulled him into a bear hug.

“Okay...Leo, good to see ya, but breathing’s becoming an issue.” Alex pulled himself free of the hug and stepped back. “You guys all okay?”

“Yeah, Dominic’s asleep. Lost track of Pete and Mary though.”

Alex nodded, “Terry mentioned. Ditto for Captain America, I hear.”

Before Leo could reply two sharp reports filled the air; all three of them instantly recognized them for what they were: gunshots. The masses in the area panicked, shoving to get away, while Leo and Alex fought against the flow of the crowd. Terry stayed behind with Dominic, now awake and confused.

The two men reached the rough area where the gunshots seemed to come from. They pulled to a stop and stared at the two corpses: Mary lay sprawled against a tree while Peter was a few feet away, a Glock pistol clutched in his right hand.
“Jesus,” Alex said. “I mean, Jesus FUCK!”

“I’ll overlook the blasphemy this time, Alex,” Leo noted. Behind them, a few soldiers came up.

“Nothing to see here folks,” Johnson said. “Back your tents.”

Alex nodded, “sure thing Captain America. And I mean that in the least offensive way possible.”

Johnsons cocked an eyebrow, “Mr. Castle, please, get back to your friend’s house, okay? We’ve gotta handle this.”

Alex nodded and followed Leo back to the tent.

“What happened?” Terry asked.

“Pete and Mary. Murder/suicide by the looks of things,” Leo said.

“Shit.”

Leo nodded, “yeah.”

Alex fished into his pocket and pulled free the scrap of paper he’d written Domenica’s address on. “That’s where we are. Not sure if there’s enough room in the house proper, but maybe we can get you guys a tent in the backyard. I’m headed there now, let ‘em know you three are alright and the bad news about Pete and Mary.”

The group exchanged somber looks and Alex left. As he threaded his way through the camp, he passed the Red Cross tent and heard a voice.

“Look, I don’t need a tent, okay? My father’s here! He’s with some friends of his who live here,” the speaker was male and Alex vaguely recognized him. He’d seen him on TV a few times, mainly on MTV or during the entertainment segment on the six o’clock news. “My name is Adam Barkley. My father is Sam Barkley.”

Alex paused, then walked back towards the gates. “You say Adam Barkley?”

“Yeah, what you want an autograph or something?”

“No,” Alex replied tersely. “I’m Alex Castle, I came here with your father, alright?”

“See! I told ya!” Adam said, “now can you let us in?”

The guard nodded, “we’re gonna have to process you first.”

Adam nodded, “alright. There’s five us of: me, my wife, our friend Cat and our two kids.”
The guard waved the group through and led them to the processing tent, Alex followed them, but didn’t force any small talk. One of the kids, a little boy, glanced at Alex.

“Mommy, what’s that man’s shirt say?”

“Something very rude, baby,” the woman replied. She was holding a baby and the little boy was walking along side her, holding her free hand.

“Sorry,” Alex muttered. “Didn’t anticipate there being kids around,” his apology seemed sincere enough, but he made no effort to hid the inscription: he saw no point in compromising his standards and beliefs. “How ‘bout I don’t wear it when the kids around from no on?”

“I guess,” she sighed.

“Alex Castle, by the way,” he said. “I’d offer to shake, but you’ve got your hands full. You want me to take one of the kids?”

“Willow Barkley,” she replied. “And if Lex gets tired, Adam can take him.”

Alex nodded, “just thought I’d offer is all.”

The group walked in silence the rest of the way to the center.
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bebeluv1
Nemesis
Tom DeLonge--Driving

There was nothing on the radio, so Tom still didn’t know what the hell was going on. He’d reached the interstate and had been met with more destruction. His theory about a natural disaster was the only thing he could think of—that or aliens. Maybe the aliens had finally attacked, he thought. He’d always believed in aliens. But he didn’t see any aliens or spaceships around, just destroyed vehicles, sinks and cracks in the earth, and your basic natural disaster-looking destruction. So, that was his number one theory. Aliens was still a close second.

He had no idea what to do or where to go. He’d already pulled over to the side of the road and tried the cell phone. Nothing. He even tried the CB radio he hooked up a few years ago for shits and giggles. That hadn’t worked either. Something inside him told him to head south. It was better to be closer to the center of the United States if something big was still happening, at least that was his opinion. What state was south of Minnesota again? He had to look at a map, his brain was that addled from the trauma of the night before, and the drugs he’d been taking. Oh, yeah, Iowa. Iowa should be pretty good.

Thinking of Iowa reminded him of something. He dug his wallet out of his pants pocket and thumbed through it. Finally, he found it. It was a business card from some dark haired guy who’d shoved it into his hands at a Macbeth fundraiser a few months back. He’d loved the vegan shoes, he remembered that. He would be excited to take photographs for Macbeth ads, he’d said. Tom had almost thrown the card away, but something about the earnestness of the man had made him keep it. He read the name and address on the card again: Zeke Costa, 1404 NW 23rd Lane, Ankeny, IA.

Well, he thought, one slightly familiar face is better than none at all. That thought automatically made him think of his old bandmates in California. Was California still there? Were is friends ok? What about his mom, his sister, his brother…..the list could go on and on if he let his mind go off. He turned off his mind as best he could and tried to focus it on one thing at a time. First things first---how the hell was he going to get to Ankeny?
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Domenica/Sam – The Long Way

Domenica said, “Yes, but the long way round. I want to see Park City a bit before we go back.” Sam said, “Alright, I’ll follow the leader.” Domenica started to lead the way through the camp and heading the back way into town shaking her head looking out over the mass of humanity and the once beautiful area. Even with the destruction and all the people there were still hints of the beauty that once was here, “You see that way down there?” She pointed out towards the 4 lane highway that headed east, Sam looked and nodded, “we would bring our boat here, there is a man made lake out there, freshwater and beautiful. We would spend a day on the water, my folks thought about buying a cabin there instead of in town, but my mom wanted to be walking distance from the shopping and we wanted to be walking distance to the slops. It was all so amazing, now who knows?” She said looking around, “this all used to be so breathtaking.” Sam looked at her he could see the memories flashing through her expression, “It still is.” He was talking about both the scenery and her, but the later he would never admit too. She shook her head, “Not like it was. I mean I’m happy we’re here and it’s safe and all, but, it won’t be the same. Not like it was.”

There was a rumble over head as several choppers were heading east interrupting her thoughts and their conversation, “I wonder where they’re going.” She said watching them fly off.

Sam looked up, looked at the direction, “Cheyenne, maybe heading to Iowa.”

She nodded taking her eyes off the sky and looking back at the camp, “how many people do you think really made it? I mean there don’t seem to be too many people, how many people are still out there, trying to get to a camp, or setting up their own, trying to avoid large population centers? The military seems to be keeping things under some kind of control so I can’t believe that people would be afraid to come here.” Sam looked at her, “you really think that?” She nodded and shrugged, “Sam I have to believe it. I have to believe that people are going to help one another. It’s just too much to think that we’re going to resort to some kind of animal or monster praying on each other, people are better then that, they have to be.” She stopped he was looking at her, “You think I’m foolish; that I’m being silly or naive.”

“No. I don’t think that at all. You’re trying to find the good in this situation. You’re reminding me, us, of how we should be, how we can be.” He sighed, “so much like Monica. She was like you. Perky, sweet, lovely. Always trying to find the bright spot.” Sam said fond but sorrow filled images filled his mind as he spoke of his dead wife. “She sounds amazing you were a very lucky man.” Domenica said looking at Sam smiling. “How she tolerated me I’ll never know.” Sam added allowing more memories to fill his mind. Domenica looked at him grinning, “Because you’re a doll a complete and total doll. You put on a tuff exterior but you’re an old softy. I can see it when you talk about your son and his family. Not to mention how you’ve looked out for me through all this. You’re a gentleman Sam, one of a dying breed I would gather.” Domenica said as she continued to look at the camp, it was growing as more and more people came they were putting more and more tents up, directing people doing everything they could to have it make some kind of sense.

“I bet you were quite the heart breaker when you were younger Mr. Barkley.” She said with a little laugh trying to not show the stress and the strain they were all feeling and maybe just a little flirty, more then she might have realized at least.

She saw Sam blush at her comment, “Why Sam, did I just make you blush? How cute.” She said looking at him, “I’m just a fool old man, it was probably my pills. I don’t blush.” He said looking away, feeling awkward that he was indeed blushing.

“You do too blush and You’re not a fool old man. Grumpy maybe, a little feisty definitely, poor taste in clothes completely.” Domenica added with a laugh. Sam looked at her, “the track suit is fine and red is my color.” Sam said crossing his arms in front of his chest. Domenica laughed. “You keep saying that and maybe someone will believe you, but if you ask me, I think you’d be much more handsome in a pair of jeans and a button down shirt, I bet some of my Dad’s clothes would fit you, back at the cabin.” She said not really thinking of the comment, but Sam on the other hand was paying attention, a lot of attention. “Plus it would show off your great shape, I mean, you know, for your age.” Domenica said in a flirty friendly tone. She took a deep breath and coughed a little the air was bad, “how long do you think the air is going to be like this?” Sam looked at her, snapping out of her thoughts, “I’m not sure, when Mt. Saint Helens blew its top the dusty and stuff was in the air for a long time, with this who knows.” He said looking at the dark sky he had tried not to breathe too hard, no telling what was in the air.

“We should head back to the cabin. The others will start worrying, or worse, make a mess in my parent’s cabin. My mom will have a fit if we junk it up before...” Domenica said with a sudden frown and she started walking away a little too quickly. “Domenica what’s wrong?” Sam said touching her shoulder, she stopped not wanting to have him see her face, she spoke but didn’t look at him, “they should have been here, they should have all beaten us to Park City. No one has checked in under their names not here or the camp in Salt Lake City.” Domenica said her voice shaky. Sam heard the worry and fear in her voice, “Hey now, listen, you know what it took for us to get here, who knows, maybe they had car trouble, the roads where filled with people walking. You don’t know.” Sam said trying to be comforting. She shook her head, “Oh Sam.” She said turning and burying her head in his shoulder as she started to weep. “They should have been here, they left hours before us, they all should have gotten here.” She couldn’t say the words and he knew what she was thinking.

He wrapped comforting arms around her, “You listen to me, none of us know God’s Plan, not you not me. None of us. You can’t second guess him, they will find you. You’re family will find you, you have to have that faith, just like me. I know my son will find me, in fact I’m counting on him being at the cabin when we get back.”

“How can you be so sure?” She said not letting go. He sounded 100% confident as he spoke, but she wasn’t so sure, she had hopped they would be there waiting for her, all of them, sitting around waiting, worrying about her, not the other way around and with the cell phones no use there was no way to even text them, it was a nightmare. She wanted to see them again. But they weren’t there. Not her brother or sister or their families, none of them.

“Faith, I know you have it as much as I do. You just have to keep that up.” He said his voice calming pulling her out of her downward spiral or worry and fear for her family. It was possible that they could be there waiting for her, anything was possible.

She was quiet a moment and pulled away from him, “I just…” He held up a hand, “you have to keep faith until you know for sure, nothing is certain. Nothing.” He said looking at her and she nodded he gently whipped the tears from her eyes. “Now let’s head back to the cabin. Nature is calling and I would much rather use a bathroom then a tree.” He said looking at her as she started to laugh smiling at him, he had managed to lift her sprits and keep her thinking positive about her family, “Thank you Sam. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Sam looked at her then looked in the direction of the cabin, “I’m sure Gareth or Alex would be willing to pick up the slack.” His tone was a little more jealous sounding then was his intention; luckily Domenica didn’t seem to notice as they pressed on back to the cabin.
May it be said, when the sun sets on your life, you made a difference.
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Skin by Spades aka Volture.