Urban Dead: The Price of the Oath

[Caz]

She took a deep breath. "Back at the mall," she said, "is there anything they could do... For this?" she gestured to her body.

Of course, if she got back at all.

[Josh]

"We've got some good docs there," he said. "Got experience with these infections."

[Caz]

For the first time since they'd entered the apartment complex, she allowed herself a little hope. And it showed.

"Maybe I'll even know some people," she said.

[Josh]

"Maybe so. We've got them from all over," he agreed. He had almost mentioned Melanie a couple of times, but...

It was a cruel thing to do, but if a bit of hope helped her stay together long enough to get her back, she could hate him for a lie of omission afterward.

[Caz]

She hated to ask, but...

"My father. Do you know if he's okay?"

[Josh]

"I haven't heard," he said. "You know how it is out there."

[Dark Silver]

Decimus moved silently along the roof of the mall, which surpsingly for all the "armor" he wore, was pretty damn quiet. He didn't rush his pacing, but his entire air was one of urgency.

Silver, despite the stealthy approach, had heard Decimus' approach aways off. He let the man get within five feet, before he spoke, without turning to face him, "Report."

"Word in from the second, reportedly abo't 'undred zeds, within strike distance of the perimeter, and possibly closing. Guldson vector. Frank is radio'n patrols, gettin' the troops in order, as it where."

Silver nodded, turning from the edge, and moving towards the mall's entrance, Decimus falling into stop behind them. The mall had fended off a horde of 40 before, and held. It'll hold again.

[Caz]

She sighed, nodded. "I figured," she said quietly, "but... It never hurts to ask, right?"

She then realised something. Regardless of the shot, she may very well die while they were still in the apartment complex... With a grunt of exertion, she yanked the gun from her belt loop and handed it to him.

"Just in case," she said.

[Josh]

"Keep it," he said, patting the one on his hip. "Got my own. And if anything comes in, we can use the extra firepower."

[Caz]

"I meant in case of me," she said. "Wouldn't want you to waste ammo."

And again, the way she said it wasn't at all sad. Gwendolyn was very left-brained, and it was the logical thing to do. End of story.

[Josh]

"I won't waste any ammo," he said pragmatically. "That's what the hatchet is for."

[Caz]

"Good," she said. "You're doing a good thing here... I wouldn't want to jeopardise that."

[Josh]

"You won't," he said. "That's something we won't let happen. Just take it easy and relax while we're here, save your strength."

[Caz]

"How can you be so sure?" she asked. Then: "Forget it; you're right."

She slumped against him, dared a few deep breaths without coughing. She then smiled, glanced up to him.

"Maybe this is our second chance," she said.

[Josh]

He took a deep breath. He could lie by omission, but... fuck... fuck fuck FUCK.

Mind vapor-locking, he boldly didn't say anything.

[Caz]

"You been with her long?" she asked, understanding his silence the way that sometimes only women could.

[Josh]

"A bit over a month," he admitted. "But... it's... real. I'm sorry."

[Caz]

"Don't you dare be sorry for being happy," she said, taking his hand in hers. She then realised what he'd said and blinked.

"After the outbreak, then?" she said incredulously.

[Josh]

"It's a little different at the Caiger," he said. "We've got something like normal lives there. Patrols that keep the perimeter swept clear."

It was strange. A bit over six weeks of life in the Caiger, he'd almost forgotten the desperate runs from safehouse to safehouse, never staying in the same place two nights running. The new life had presented a new series of stresses and challenges that had overwritten the old ones. Even this run wasn't the same, because he knew they had a home to go back to.

[Caz]

"Really?" she asked with a dreamy look in her eyes. "I'd like that."

She coughed again, clenching her hands into fists as she buried her face in her arm to stifle it.

"I want to go there," she said. "Want to live. And I want to make sure you're right about this woman," she said.

Because if there was anything that growing up in her position had given Gwen, it was the ability to easily pluck the bitches from a lot of equally pretty, well-made-up faces.

[Josh]

He rocked her gently. "Then rest and save your strength," he ordered. "And I'll take you back there."

[Caz]

"Do you have anything to leave here for me to signal with?" she asked, "In case I see something headed your way?"

[Josh]

"We'll leave you one of the radios, and I'll get you set up with a clearance so they'll listen. So, what code name do you want?" he asked with a light tone.

[Caz]

She laughed. "What type of codenames do you all use?"

[Josh]

He shrugged. "It's everyone's chance to be movie-sexy. Mine's Head Hunter." The slight gap between the words was evident. Even if nobody else said it the right way, by god he did.