Thread: The Bridle Trails

Name Laila Chambers. Location Bridle Trails. Attire Gray cami tank top, black cargo pants, gray knit hat, black boots, glasses, backpack. Weapons Hunting knife in back pocket, pistol on hip, wooden baseball bat. DateTime July 4, 2025. Tagging JC, Shinjiro Open. Laila took a deep breath as the fresh air wafted into the vehicle. It smelled almost sweet and was definitely welcomed after having had to traipse through the city on foot for so long, taking in that horrendous smell of rotting flesh and entrails. She took a sip of her gatorade--a red one--and swallowed down the liquid. It tasted so good after all the running and did more than quench her thirst. Sitting back in her seat, she brought her knees up to her chest and rested her about her legs, her blue eyes fixed ahead in nowhere in particular. The backpack she'd been wearing was now resting beside her. Settling in a bit more, Laila couldn't help but smile. She hadn't expected to be complimented when she offered up what she figured to be fairly feeble talents at best. Still, it was nice to know that she could be helpful in some way, that someone thought she could be useful. Hell, no one had ever thought that--except for Jenna--so, it had definitely taken her by surprise. Biting down on her lip, her teeth grazing her lip ring, she could feel her cheeks suddenly grow warm. Thanks, she mumbled softly before bringing the gatorade back to her lips and shifting in her seat. Bring the bottle away from her mouth, she added, I'll try my best then. Do what I can. Her smile broadened a bit, her cheeks growing flushed. Laila listened to both Shinjiro and JC talk for a little as they discussed how they came to find things as they were--a hell unlike any other. She had come across everything on her travels east. She'd lifted her dad's car, her goal to never look back and hopefully find Jenna and just stay with her. And on her way she'd suddenly seen the first signs of walkers. It had all happened so fast. She'd bolted into her car at a gas station and just drove like a bat out of hell. Luckily things didn't get really bad until she'd gotten to the coast. But, unfortunately, she'd been unable to make it all the way to her friend and it seemed like communication with her friend was impossible. She looked over at her backpack. Inside, she had the barest of basics--her cell phone, the charger, a single change of clothing, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hair brush and a bit of food and water. It wasn't much at all and it was all she could manage to take from her car she'd left behind after it ran out of gas. She also managed to keep her car keys and her wallet, which had money and her father's credit card. She figured most of that would be useless now, but one never knew. Best to hold onto such things just in case. It had been slow going--or it had seemed to be--after she'd abandoned her car, making sure to lock it up before leaving it behind. She'd been fortunate to find weapons along the way, weapons that saved her ass as she'd run from small herds on the pursuit of her flesh. A shiver ran down Laila's spine at the memories of her various close encounters. She'd been lucky to come out unscathed and very much alive. She looked down at her one wrist. A bruise had formed on it, the purple bloom covering the one side. She scowled a little and reached for her backpack. Inside it, she found a wristband and placed it over the bruise to help cover it up. The bruise wasn't from battling a zombie or from trying to get away. She'd been upset earlier on, angry, frustrated, so overwhelmed when the credit card had suddenly stopped working. She'd almost forgotten about the self injury in all her running from the zombies. It's nice to meet you both, Shinjiro, JC, Laila then said a bit shyly as she adjusted the wristband. I have a little bit of food and water in my backpack. It isn't much, but we can add it to the supplies, she offered. Wish I knew what was causing this mess, she then said, her voice a bit soft. Again, she shifted in her seat. I ended up having to leave my car several miles back. A sigh rolled over her lips. Ran out of gas eventually because the card stopped working and... She looked down at her legs, her blue eyes staring at the scars hidden beneath the fabric of her pants. No doubt her father had put a stop on the card. Ugh, that man was always trying to bring her down. Even now! But for some reason, she held onto the thing anyway. Who knew if it could be useful for something. Anything. And, well, I've been running since. Laila took another sip of her gatorade. After bringing the bottle away from her lips, she breathed in deeply and let out a long exhale. She wondered where they'd all be going, where they'd stay for the night. She pushed up her glasses and then tugged at her orangey-red hair. Night. God, how she wished she could just take a walk and clear her head. Sadly, that was something of the past now. Heaving a sigh, Laila looked at both Shinjiro and JC. So, any idea where we're heading? she asked.