Thread: Nobody Likes Doctors -- Z-Nation [sixlikesgore & Virginia Greene]

Click. After the name was uttered, memories filled Murphy's thoughts - he barely had the focus to spare to hear the woman distantly refer to herself as someone else. Even still, the man remained motionless, eyes boring into the darkness where he'd last seen the still-breathing figure. The connection between woman and doctor were too persistent for the forty year old to rationally let it go, even with a name like 'Shannon Hastings' to go behind it. What if this was all a trick? Dark room, secluded area.. Murphy didn't have a weapon, and she clearly did. For all he knew, there were others in the room, waiting to ambush him force him back into some lab to be their guinea pig again. Moments passed, and Murphy remained silent, ignoring the woman's explanations and simple request to re-open the door that he'd accidentally released. If it'd been up to him, he wouldn't have ever opened it - left her to rot with whatever fate brought crawling to her doorstep. He should've tried a lot harder to make it appear he was helping, rather than actually doing said deed. As the door hinges sounded, Murphy twisted, shifting enough so that his body was now facing the wall to the door's left, giving him a good eye-view of the ones entering, as well as giving him an angle to get a good look at this 'Shannon' - just in case. Stepping out of Roberta's way as the door opened fully, he gave a small pursed-lip shrug, biting the inside of his cheek for probably the first time since he'd started getting dragged around by these has-beens. The less this woman knew about him, the better for everyone better if he mouth stayed as sealed as his charm would allow. Good find, Murphy. Thanks, Mom. Well, so much for that 'sealed mouth' plan. Instantly, the comment came to bite him back in the ass as Roberta assigned him babysitting duty. For a moment, all he could do was gawk at the dark-haired woman, jaw slightly slack in just disbelief that she'd even think to leave him with such a task. It was as though she didn't notice it, or purposely ignored it, probably knowing if she didn't say anything to his reaction, he'd sluggishly fall into place like he usually did. Unexpectedly enough, it was almost as though the good Doctor had taken his expression into thought for her next reassurance, trying to tell the group that she'd be fine without the extra hand of support. That allowed the look to wipe off The Package's face, and he went to readjust the coat he'd grown so used to wrapping around himself - only to remember he'd replaced it with a lab coat. The group started to head out, Addy and Mack leading the way from their position in the hallway with Garnett in the front, as Murphy shuffled quickly out of the new attire addition he was suddenly regretting. Tossing the material carelessly, Murphy turned to follow the group incidentally as the fabric landed snugly on the body of the fallen doctor, no doubt one of Shannon's former colleagues. Retrieving the brown jacket from the previous room, baby blue orbs glanced in Shannon's direction for the first time since he'd been placed with his 'assignment'. Even the reveal of her having absolutely no relation to Dr. Merch, maybe other than occupational interest, didn't make the churning within the bottom of his stomach settle. Keep up, he finally spoke, shrugging into his familiar clothing piece, quick to do the zipper all the way up. Not another word rolled off the man's tongue as he turned on his heels, following the trail to catch back up the few steps they'd fallen back. Zees were dispatched with ease, granting them easy entry back into the parking lot of the Campus. It was clear as the group emerged back into the daylight that 10k had been keeping himself well entertained while the group was submerged, fresh bodies littering the pavement a sight that Murphy still wasn't quite accustomed to seeing up close and personal. Kid's gonna get to ten thousand before he knows it. Scoffing, Doc's comment was ignored by Murphy, and he pushed past the group's pace to head back towards the van they'd driven in. They came, they saw, they unfortunately concurred. Now it was time to leave. Naturally, the impatience flowing within his veins wasn't precipitated, and everyone else's main concern was on getting Shannon re-hydrated before they set off to do anything. It's not like she can't drink up all our water supply while we're on the move.. complained a semi-reclined Murphy, who was currently taking up most of the back seats in the van with his stretched out position. Addy tossed an empty bottle in his direction in an effort to silence anything else that could be mustering to slip off his tongue, and then found another to give to Shannon with a smile. Don't pay attention to him - none of us do. Drink as much as you need, we've got enough. From the backseat, a scowl had briefly pulled across the rugged man's mouth at witnessing the kindness that every other person they came across seemed to get in light of how they treated him. What the fuck was he to these people? Just some parcel? Some piece of junk mail that was going to get ditched in the recycling box after two seconds of obtaining it? Murphy had the cure to everyone's salvation, literally running through his veins. He didn't ask for this - hell, going to prison for something as simple as fraud didn't even warrant a punishment like this. But here he was, witnessing time after time again when their new arrivals were rewarded with comfort, support.. even pampering. What had this Shannon Hastings ever done to deserve to be saved? Was she going to right the wrongs of this plague? Was she even going to be staying with them? Just one more doctor he had to look forward to poking and prodding him. Feeling claustrophobic with his own thoughts, Murphy suddenly pushed up from his position, and squeezed past the middle seat of the minivan, uncaring if he'd bumped anyone on his abrupt way out. Inhaling deeply as his feet hit the pavement, Murphy's boots instantly carried him to the front of the van, where Roberta and Garnett were mapping out the route they were going to take from here, where to stop off to look for supplies, and where might be a good place to hold up for the night. What're we still doing here? We have the broad, what's left - more orders from Citizen Nutjob? Unlike normal, these questions weren't asked as aggressively and sarcastically as they usually would've been. Instead, an underlining of nervousness rang within his words, mixing well with the anxious composure of Murphy's slight fidgeting. Something Roberta took notice of instantly, and momentarily, a look of concern flashed within her eyes, before her lips pressed thinly together. We're almost done, Murphy. We can't just take off without having a good sense of where we're going. And, the Coast Guard made a gesture to the sun's position in the sky. It'll be dark sooner than later. I don't wanna get caught in the dark with my pants down. Taking a step towards the man, she gave him what was supposed to be a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and nodded her head back towards the open minivan's door. Why don't you get some rest. 10k should be back from scavenging car parts for his slingshot soon. By that time we should be ready to roll out. Knowing he was defeated in the sense that Roberta wasn't starting that engine until they were satisfied with their mapping, Murphy turned to retreat back into the van, ignoring the stern 'be nice' their co-leader muttered in his general direction.