Thread: the new beginning // randomname & sixlikesgoree

XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx MAGGIE GREENE xxxxxxxx Just the very thought of Jacob being out there, alone, nearly starving to death was enough to put a huge peg of sorrow in Maggie's chest. It pained her a lot to know that she'd been on the farm the entire time the outbreak had started, eating the same way they had every single night since before the world went to hell all the while, Jake was living off of god-only-knows what out there. Not to mention the hardships he had to deal with on top of not being able to get a decent, sustaining meal into his system - as if the Army's trauma wasn't enough. It took every fiber of her soul to restrain her body from clinging to Jake's side the moment she heard him say he could use dinner, but she knew that the sooner her father finished dressing his wound, the sooner he'd get that wish. Maggie. Your father said something to me. You are keeping sick people in the barn? For a moment, the brunette almost didn't hear Jacob's question as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other, hands perched casually on the back of her hips, fingers hanging in the belt loops of her jeans. The distraction? At first, it was the exposing of Jake's skin below the belt that had faltered her attention, until her eyes finally focused and started to take in all the marks of battle, and hardship he'd been through in the recent weeks. A sharp, deep inhale was sucked in through the woman's nose, and her eyes slowly lifted back up to settle on the love of her life's face, lips pursing together as she re-thought what had been asked of her. Almost instantly, the pursed lips pulled into a bit of a thin line, eyebrows twinging together in slight disdain for the topic. She had never liked thinking about her neighbors, friends, and loved ones shambling around on the property, devouring their livestock.. Acts like that.. could they even come back from something so inhumane? Before she could say anything, not exactly sure on what to tell him, assuming her Father had done a well enough job of explaining his version of it, he had closed the distance in his fresh clothes, and took her hands. Giving his own a soft squeeze, she swallowed the lump in her throat and gave him her full attention, knowing that if he was being this sincere about it, it was important to him. There had been a small part of her that wanted to object to what he was saying - so cluttered with her Father's ideology of God, and this just being a test. That it was an illness that would be able to be washed away. But the moment she heard Jacob utter the words 'I need you to make a promise to me', Maggie's lips sealed and she nodded her head attentively. After all, out of the two of them, he knew a hell of a lot more than anyone in her family, and he wouldn't lie to her. As Jake explained what he needed her to promise him, her heart rate continued to quicken, thinking of the possibilities that could unravel, given the knew stance that was being shown to her. It was essentially a ticking time-bomb, in their farm. That they had been feeding, tending to, and multiplying. At the sound of Beth's call, Maggie's hands tightened in their grip, her step sister's voice bringing her back to reality. A soft breath escaped the back of her throat, and her head dropped for a moment, shaking her head. When her head raised, she gave him a reassuring smile, hoping he'd understand that it was just a lot to take in. Just the thought of him bringing it up to her father was enough to make her slightly wince, knowing how set he was in his ways. But she'd be there, beside him, every step of the way to try and ease her Father's mind. He did, after all, see Jake in a very high regard. I will, I promise. she agreed, giving him a soft smile before he parted to wash up. Heading down the stairs, Maggie washed her hands in the kitchen sink before taking her usual seat at the dining room table. She'd pulled Jake's chair out so he could access it easily, and everyone was more than happy to wait for him to return from upstairs to say prayer. The entire time, it was hard for Maggie to keep her eyes closed in a respectable way, too eager to steal glimpses of the man beside her, still not entirely sure if this was real yet. The hand that rested on her leg under the table was a good reassurance, however - a feeling that she'd missed wholeheartedly for far too long. Before long, the calming silence in the room was softly broken by Lori, who glanced over from the opposite table that her group was sharing. So how did you two meet? was asked after the food in her mouth was finished, granting the couple a genuine smile. Maggie glanced up from her plate, her eyes shifting from Lori over to Jacob with a smile that mirrored Lori's, only ten times brighter. I've known Jake my entire life, she mused in a breathless voice, one hand dipping under the table to rest over his own on her leg. My Mom, and his Mom, were really great friends. Been stuck with him ever since. Leaning her body weight into him for a soft nudge, a little laugh echoed from the back of her mouth, leaning in to give him a soft, polite peck on the cheek, knowing her Father wouldn't object to something so minimal at the dinner table. And, even if he did, Maggie sure as hell couldn't care right now. It was Rick who piped up next as he cut up his meat, clearly having taken note to the uniform Jake had been wearing on his way in. Maggie had mentioned you were in the Army, he spoke with a nod in her direction, recalling it from when they had first met in idle chatter. Glad you made it back home. With how everything is now.. it's a miracle. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx CHARLOTTE ARCHER xxxxxxxx I told you to shut the fuck up already. I know what youre trying to do. When I get free, your sorry ass will be the first one I pike, you fucking bitch. Whoa. Someone was a little grouchy. And as if his words didn't get his point across enough, this guy even had the balls to spit in her general direction. Hmph. So be it, then. Surprisingly enough, he put up a good enough fight, even through his anger - which was rare to find, especially these days. Usually every angry soul got clouded, and let it run every action they made. This guy might be letting his anger control his mouth, but he damn well wasn't letting it control his ability to fight back. What was more surprising, was that after Charlie had knocked the remaining bandit off his balance, and called out a command she wasn't sure the stranger would oblige to - and without hesitation, listened . He executed it perfectly, tripping up the smaller of the two bandits, leaving him wide open for an easily dispatched kill. Charlotte took one step forward, a menacing look on her face as the hammer cocked back once more, only to be told to back the fuck off. Instantly, the redhead sneered slightly, but she stopped her pace, lowering the hammer back down to her side, though the white-knuckle-grip she maintained on the handle meant she was ready to step in if need-be. What came next was completely unexpected.. The moment the dark haired stranger grabbed the drill bit, she knew exactly what he planned on doing with it. A slight flinch crossed her features as the instrument was plunged into the man's skill, via his eye. Despite her training, the things she'd done for petty cash, none of it had ever prepared her to witness a man stab another in such a rage-fueled way. But.. this wasn't that world anymore. Everyone was quite literally carrying their baggage on their shoulders every day, and it just piled higher and higher. Whatever this guy had on his back.. it was fueling a fire inside that caused a spark that the twenty four year old hadn't felt in years - a heated adrenaline rush, mixed with an undertow of arousal. The type of sensation that working her merc jobs gave her - the same type of sensation that made her push to keep that line of work, up until it all ended. If it weren't for the sudden sound of yelling outside, and Shane's immediate reaction to it, the hazel-orbed woman might not've realized soon enough, considering her slightly entranced state. Snapping out of it, even a bit hazily, Charlie retrieved the broken saw she'd used to release her bonds with, quickly closing the distance between the two in order to mirror the same actions. You think I wanna take all of them on by myself? No thanks. Tossing the rusted saw away once his ropes were cut, knowing that it wouldn't do much in the line of weaponry, she offered the hammer to him. I've got a plan, but I can't do it by myself, she spoke softly, crouching so that they wouldn't be seen through the clouded windows that easily. There's six of 'em left, and they've probably made themselves pretty cozy with some nice gear. You help me get out of here, and I'll let you take whatever the fuck you want from these sons of bitches - but you need to follow my lead. Whether she could trust him, the twenty four year old had no idea - but it was a chance she was going to have to risk. She either died here, in this cabin, by who only knew, or she could fight and see where it took her. Going with the latter choice was always her decision. After explaining that the next one who walked into that cabin would have a better weapon, melee or firearm, Charlie suggested that she pose as still tied up. That Shane had escaped his bonds somehow, and was trying to get away - something that would surely arouse someone to 'man up' and come take care of the situation. He'd be waiting in ambush, and one or two quick knocks over the head would easily take care of them, granting them the second weapon, and a better one up on the remaining. Now, it was just a matter of if they could pull off her plan as smoothly as the hazel colour eyed woman had made it sound. After getting into position, hands securely behind her back to mimic the stance she had been tied in, Charlie cried out a fake, hoarse cry for help - that this son of a bitch was taking off, and he wasn't even bringing her with him. In a matter of seconds, the cabin door burst open, a handgun pointed sloppily inside in Charlie's direction. A fat, stocky man entered slowly, his steps attempting to be cautious, as he eyed up the redhead. It didn't take long before he noticed the bookshelf behind her was broken, and then connected the drying blood that had run from her nose down to her chin with that scenario. The wheels began working in his head, and Charlotte cursed on the inside, knowing this facade was soon going to end. He may be fat, and slow, but he definitely wasn't a simpleton. Now! was all she could cry as the ex merc lunged forward, narrowly missing a stray bullet that was fired off out of shock from her exclamation. Pulling her legs underneath her, Charlie raised and took hold of the gun, struggling to free it form the man's hands, hoping to keep his attention long enough to give Shane a clear shot, and to maintain control of where he was pointing that lethal weapon. Unfortunately, she hadn't thought about the consequences of a bullet being fired, but it was obvious enough that their already ticking timer had just started to tick faster. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX