Thread: Ruin And Rebirth (Mech Pilot and darkangel76)

Cordy could hear the jeep sputtering as Harry revved the engine to life. She winced just a bit knowing full well that he, Gordon and Ellen would be heading back without any water and... without their leader. She dared to glimpse in their general direction and noticed that Rick's body was no longer strewn on the ground. Obviously, they'd carted it back onto the jeep and would be bringing it back so that they could bury him there. Their people would want to see him, want that proof of his death. They would also need the closure in how they grieved and mourned the loss. No doubt it would be a while before they got over this one and no doubt she'd be the one taking the brunt of the blame. Just then, her eyes locked onto Harry's and she knew right then that it would be a while before she saw any of them again. That was... if she ever say any of them ever again. Swallowing hard, Cordy had all she could do to not let her emotions get the better of her in that moment. The jeep was moving, so she blinked and turned her head slightly, her eyes shifting so that she was looking at her rescuer once again. This was it. This was the moment when her life would truly change. She could shout out and stop Harry if she wanted to... one last chance to go back. Once again, she glanced over at the jeep. She then sucked in a sharp breath, holding it briefly as she watched the jeep drive away, leaving a trail of dust in its wake. As she let out a tiny exhale, she let her gaze fall back to that of her rescuer's once more and smiled. She missed Rick and hoped for the best for her people. She would be an outcast of some sort with them all forever. She was sure of it. But maybe time would heal things to some extent. Who could say? But right now, her time was with this mysterious man who'd found her and saved her. Six? Cordy stated more than asked as she tilted her head. It was a strange name to say the least. It sounded so cold, like an assignment more than a name. Given it was a number, she was sure it was just a nickname of some kind though she wondered what the significance behind it might be. Perhaps it was his lucky number or maybe his favorite number. Perhaps over time he might just tell her why he'd been given such a peculiar nickname. While Cordy continued to ponder Six's strange nickname, he suddenly handed her a gun. The thing felt awkward in her hands as she looked at it. She just nodded as Six spoke, explaining to her the basics on how to use it. It was funny. For all she'd learned and been exposed to back home, learning how to handle a gun wasn't one of the things she'd really been taught. Rick had made sure she knew how to handle a knife, though more for practical purposes over anything else. For some reason, everyone had always been opposed to teaching her anything, always wanting to keep her hidden away and behind the safe confines of the walls of the settlement. For what reason and purpose, she wasn't quite certain. Maybe it was because she had an aura about her, something that made it known she needed to be helped in some way. But whatever the case, she knew it was time she started to learn things, to come face to face with the realities of the world and the way life truly was. What happened earlier was definitely a wake up call. Cordy just wished Rick didn't have to have died as a result of it and she wished that Ellen and the others hadn't had to suffer either. It was so unfair. But then, that was life. Or so Cordy was slowly learning. I've never used a gun before, Cordy admitted as she looked up into Six's eyes. Just my knife, but... Her voice trailed a bit and she suddenly felt so useless. I don't even know how to use that very well. She scowled at herself, her eyes welling a bit as she began to worry about just how much of a burden she would be to her newfound partner. She feared that he'd become annoyed, want to leave her behind at some point, that he would abandon her. She barely knew him, knew nothing about him other than the kindness he'd just shown her just now and the fact that he could hold his own in a fight against all odds. But could she trust him? Her gut told her to, but... she was so young, so nave to the world. What would Rick do? What would he say? Cordy honestly didn't know... and she would forever be at a loss now. But I'll try my best, Cordy then added as she pushed her blonde hair over a shoulder. I always do. Hopefully those farms up north will work out. She then gave Six a smile. I have a good feeling, she stated trying to stay positive, hoping it would keep his hopes up and that it would help them to both focus and thus lead them to precious water.