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Post by nicolas on Feb 6, 2010 17:20:46 GMT -5
The air was thin. The night was cold. But then again, in the dead of winter, that’s how it usually is. When you live as a vagabond, you get used to the cold weather. Since escaping the POW camp, I haven’t had much use for anyone else in my life. I don’t trust no one. When you’ve been treated like a dog, there isn’t much a person can say for humanity. There was no humanity in that camp, and there’s no humanity left in me.
When you live in this world and there isn’t anyone else in this world you want to live for, there really is no reason for you to care much about humanity or human life, especially your own. That’s why I live my life the way I do, roaming from town to town, living off various jobs and anything else I can find. Since the disaster, and since escaping the POW camp, I’ve only had one goal in life: Finding Jezabel.
Jez was the only thing that kept me going in the POW camp, and she’s the only thing that keeps me going now. I used to lie awake at night, even before being captured, thinking about Jez. When they were going to send me home, she was the only thing I thought about. I had wanted to surprise her, but I never got the opportunity. Now I’m doing all I can to get back to Canada and find her. I don’t know if she’s alive or dead, but that’s not going to stop me. I don’t let anything get in my way.
Even as I leave one town behind, heading toward the next one, the only thing on my mind is Jezabel. “I love you, Jez,” I told her as I held her in my arms, lying on the ocean, staring out at the waves. “One day I’ll marry you. I‘ll come back from the war, and we‘ll be married. I promise you.” I had meant the words and I had to believe that she was alive and well so that I could make good on that promise. I loved her and nothing was going to keep me from returning home to her.
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Post by jackson on Feb 9, 2010 14:59:49 GMT -5
I left the church with a heavy heart. Scarlett was all I could think about as I made my way back to town. My father always said a man's head is easier to control than his heart. He was right. If I could get my mind off of her I would forget all about her. I needed to get back to work. I needed to get back on the streets and help those less fortunet. The night was always more scary. Walking the streets were a dangerous stunt. You never knew who or what you would run into, case in point Scarlett for example. This time I would be wiser, not fly by the seat of my pants.
I rounded the corner to Main Street, downtown Grants Pass. It was darker than usual. I looked up to see none of the street lights were blinking off and on like usual. I reached down to zip my jacket, the air escaping into it was rather chilly. As I breathed I could see my breath filter into the night air. Since the quake the weather had taken a drastic change. It was so cold out I wasn't sure how any homeless people could survive.
I noticed a bus bench up ahead and I could see a small figure lying underneath it covered in old news papers. I warmed my hands by breath and reached into my pocket pulling out my cards. Out of habit I looked both ways before crossing the street, but I knew cars were a rarity now. When I approache dthe bench I could see the figure was even smalle rthan it looked from far away, "Hello." I said softly trying not to startle the person.The news papers ruffled as the person rose up rubbing their eyes, "Hell--hello." said the small voice. It was a child. I knealt down next to them, "Are you alone?" I asked looking around for any sign of an adult. He shook his head no. I helped him out from under the bench, "How old are you?" "I'm eight." he answered. I looked the boy up and down, he was so frail. I handed him my card, "When your parenst come back, have them take you there." he took the card from me and nodded as he stood to his feet and took off running for an alley.
I let out a sigh and turned to the bench where I sat down. I was starting to wonder if Scarlett had woken yet. I felt like a fool for it too.
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Post by nicolas on Feb 9, 2010 21:21:20 GMT -5
I pulled into the Grants Pass city limits and decided it was time to stop for the night. One more night and I’d be safe at home in Jezabel’s arms. I hadn’t eaten today, wanting to get as much of the road behind me as I could today. So, it was about time I stop, get some food in my stomach and get a few hours of shuteye. But as I pulled into town, I noticed that there was no electricity. Any generator that the city would have had probably died a year ago. With the world the way it is, I didn’t know why most people even cared about electricity anymore. It’s not like we really need it.
After living in confinement for years, no electricity, no “modern” world amenities, I’ve grown accustomed to not having them and not needing them. So coming into this town, no electricity wasn’t a problem. I could go on about my night without it. I had enough cash, hoping I could find a hotel room and sleep for at least three hours and in twelve hours from now I’d be with my Jezabel. I could almost smell her. I could never forget the way she smelled, but the closer I got to Canada, the more she seemed to fill my senses. She’d be in my arms in no time at all and I was counting down the seconds.
I pulled over against a curb, surveying the area. Not any café or restaurant would be open with the power out and it was late enough all grocery stores would be closed. But that didn’t mean that it wasn’t open to me. I looked down the street, spotting a convenient store, deciding it best I park my bike a bit from the scene. I pulled the bike into an alleyway, parking it behind a dumpster, making sure no one’s around, not even vampires or cats or anything of the like. This was my bike and pretty much my only possession. I wasn’t about to let it be kifed. Next to Jez, it was the only thing I cared about.
I took the back way around, not coming up around the straight way from where I came into town, I walked up to the service entry to the convenient store, looking around again, making sure no one’s around before kicking in the door. I walked into the building. It was empty. Power gone out, everyone gone home. I walked into main area of the store looking for something edible. I didn’t need salty snacks or anything of that nature. I walked around to the hot food’s section. Lifting the case, the warmth still emanated indicating the food was still somewhat warm. I settled on a bean and cheese burrito. The cheese would be processed, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I took the wrap to go, walking out the way I came in, not bothering to shut the door behind me. Coming back to the alleyway I left my bike in, a little kid came running past me, almost running into me. “Watch it, kid!” It was more of a warning than a scolding. I may not have much feeling left for people left in me, but children were innocent. They didn’t need to be punished for the sins of man. The kid ran off, and I pulled my bike out down the alleyway. Spotting a man sitting on the bench who hadn’t been there when I went down the alleyway, I walked over to him, standing beside my bike on the curb. “You from around here?” I asked, not really bothering with many niceties. This world wasn’t full of them and neither was I really. “You know where I can lay my head for a few hours?”
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Post by jackson on Feb 11, 2010 0:43:29 GMT -5
I sat on the bench in my own little world. I was lost in my head, in a time where these streets were busy, and life wasn't so hard. I closed my eyes for a moment to imagine my parents and my friends whom this disaster had taken away from me. With my eyes closed I felt a smile form and a warmth fill my heart. In my head it was the 4th of July. It was warm and sunny. My mom, my dad, and myself were walking these very streets waiting for the fireworks to start. I had a cold sweet tea in my hands and a funnel cake. People were happy and laughing. There were no hurt or pain. I was content being lost in my memories, however my utopia was interrupted when I heard a man's voice say,
“You from around here?” “You know where I can lay my head for a few hours?”
I opened my eyes, that warm feeling being replaced by the frigid cold and dark. I turned to face him, and nodded 'yes' to his first question then I replied, "I own a shelter." I handed him one of my cards as I stood to my feet. I watched him look it over, "It's about thirty minutes outside town." I said. I folded my arms around me in response to the wind chill. The temperatures were dropping and I was about ready to give up for the night. I just wasn't in the mood to save the world. Scarlett had drained a lot out of me.
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Post by nicolas on Feb 12, 2010 17:27:45 GMT -5
The man nodded, speaking as he handed me a card. "I own a shelter." I took the card, looking it over for a moment. I looked up at the man as he stood. He looked like a good kid, probably really good prior to the disaster. "It's about thirty minutes outside town." I nodded my head and he wrapped his arms around himself, obviously cold from the weather. It was kinda cold, but it didn’t bother me much. I could sleep in the snow without getting too cold. But after you’ve been through the kind of shit I’ve been through, you can pretty much weather anything.
It didn’t really matter where I stayed for the night, and if I could save a couple hundred bucks from the hotel keepers trying to rob travelers blind, then that was a plus in and of itself. “A shelter, huh? Am I going to be running into any freaks?” I shook my head, pocketing the card in my jacket. “All I need is three or four hours of peaceful sleep and then I’ll be hitting the road. I don’t require much. Just a place to sleep, that’s all.” I looked over the man. He didn’t seem like the type that would take advantage of people, but then again, I’ve known more deceivers in the last year than ever in my life, and I knew it was all because of the disaster.
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Post by jackson on Feb 13, 2010 18:43:30 GMT -5
“A shelter, huh? Am I going to be running into any freaks?” “All I need is three or four hours of peaceful sleep and then I’ll be hitting the road. I don’t require much. Just a place to sleep, that’s all.”
"No," I answered quickly, "No, no freaks." I felt a sadness as I replied to him. Part of me still wanted Scarlett to be there, and part of me knew if she wasn't it were for the best. My father would be so disappointed in me right now I thought. I looked away from the man into the alley to see if the child was coming back with his parents. I looked back at him and held out my hand, "Name's Jackson by the way." I looked at the guy's motorcycle. He had transportation which was good. I wasn't ready to go back to the church. "I have a few things to do, but the back door is open." I shrugged, "I haven't been running the shelter long, you shouldn't be bothered." I stood there hoping he would agree to go without me.
I just wasn't ready to go back. There were other streets that I hadn't hit. I needed the good people of Grants Pass to know the shelter was there for them. I needed to fulfil my purpose. And after my run in with Scarlett it really hit home the danger the public was in.
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Post by nicolas on Feb 14, 2010 1:11:53 GMT -5
"No," he answered me, maybe a little too hastily. "No, no freaks." But then again, even if there were, it shouldn’t bother me much. I shouldn’t let it bother me. I wasn’t going to be there for more than a few hours and even then, I kept to myself, and if anyone was to bother me, I’d use my KA-BAR USMC, the only thing I really wanted when I left the Iraqi camp where I was held for years. It was the only thing I had gone in with that I had wanted when I left.
I nodded slightly taking a deep breath. I could stay there. I’m sure I’ve slept in worse places. I’m sure the camp was far worse than this shelter would be. "Name's Jackson by the way." I looked over his hand fro a brief moment before taking it and shaking it with mine in a firm grasp. “Nick,” I told him, introducing myself. I withdrew my hand, eying him closer as he looked over my bike. "I have a few things to do, but the back door is open." I shrugged. It wasn’t as though I needed him to help me get there. I’m pretty good at finding things. I had been a Marine after all. Not completely inept.
"I haven't been running the shelter long, you shouldn't be bothered.” I nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate it.” Reaching in my back pocket, I pulled out my wallet. The least I could do was pay him just a stipend for the service he was offering me. I had taken my dinner without paying, the least I could do is offer this man a helping hand for the helping hand he was offering me. “How much can I pay you for the stay? What could you use?” I may be a bastard, but I wasn’t completely cold hearted.
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Post by jackson on Feb 14, 2010 12:15:23 GMT -5
“How much can I pay you for the stay? What could you use?”
I looked down at the wallet in his hand, my brow raised in surprise. It was very generous of him to want to pay something, but this wasn't a Motel 6, it was a church and what I was called to do, "I don't want your money. I do this because I want to." I told him motioning for him to put his wallet away. If I started to take donations for every person that stayed there I think God would be disappointed. The world needed someone to help without a hand stretched out and open. I wanted to be that person that everyone knew had a good heart and would help at all costs. I didn't want him to think I was being rude by any means since I wouldn't except his money, "It's nothing personal Nick, just a deal God and I made." I assured him. And secretly I wouldn't kid myself, that money looked awful good but I wanted to be a trusted and respected man. It's not a shelter if you have to pay a fee to stay.
I looked toward the alley once more, realizing the boy and his parents weren't coming. My heart sank a little because I wanted desperately for them to come walking out of the dark alley. I know not everyone would except my help, so I should be greatful for those who do. I knew I was fighting a losing battle but this was only the beginning, I knew this wasn't the worse, the worse of this ordeal was yet to come. And when people really needed me, I'd be there.
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Post by nicolas on Feb 16, 2010 0:37:37 GMT -5
"I don't want your money. I do this because I want to." I looked him over closely for a moment before nodding. It’s not like I really wanted to pay him anyway, but if he was lending out a helping hand, the least I could do is show that I was at least honorable. Prior to the war I would have insisted, but not now. Not after the shit I’ve been through over the past few years. I really didn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone, not even myself. The only person I cared anything about was less than a day’s ride away and soon she’d be in my arms.
I put my wallet back in my pocket and shrugged. "It's nothing personal Nick, just a deal God and I made." I nodded my head, trying to show the humor in my face, I looked over to my bike. I didn’t know many people who still believed in God. I most definitely didn’t believe in God since going to Iraq and I certainly wasn’t going to start again just because some church boy was offering me a place to stay. Wiping my face, I turned back to him. “Well, that’s nice of you, Jackson. I appreciate it. I won’t be sticking around long. Like I said. Just long enough to get a little bit of rest. I’ll be shipping out after a few hours.”
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Post by jackson on Feb 19, 2010 13:45:36 GMT -5
“Well, that’s nice of you, Jackson. I appreciate it. I won’t be sticking around long. Like I said. Just long enough to get a little bit of rest. I’ll be shipping out after a few hours.”
"Yeah..." I could hear his words but something in me was different. I couldn't concentrate to talk to him. Suddenly it was like I had spent too much time on the tilt-a-whirl. My stomach started to feel upset and I broke out into a sweat. This wasn't like the toxic poisoning though, this was different. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest, and I felt a presence I couldn't explain. I started to look frantically around us. I reached up rubbing the clamminess from my forehead. I forced myself to focus back on the guy, hoping he didn't notice I just completely tunned him out, "Stay as long as you want." my voice trailed off, my syllables barely making words.
I looked back to the bench and sat down on it. I leaned forward resting my head in my hands. What was happening? I could feel something inside of me I couldn't before. I was confused and disoriented. I looked up at him and back out toward the street. I closed my eyes for a moment remembering her coming up the road singing and it was as if I were there again. I quickly opened my eyes and stood to my feet, "You should go."
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Post by nicolas on Feb 19, 2010 16:22:41 GMT -5
"Yeah..." he answered as though he barely heard me. He looked like he was getting sick. It seemed to have come on all the sudden. He sat down on the bench, breathing deeply, wiping his brow. I narrowed my eyes in on him. “Hey, you ok, man?” He didn’t answer. He seemed to be wrestling with something inside himself. "Stay as long as you want," he said, his words slurring together as though he was about ready to pas out.
“Look man, is there something I can do for you?” He had offered his shelter for me to stay in, the least I could do was offer some sort of compassion for the dude if he was sick. He quickly stood up, turning to me. "You should go." I looked at him oddly, shaking my head. Something was definitely troubling the poor guy. I shook my head slightly, taking a deep breath, turning my head slightly when I hear a blood curdling scream come from an alley across the street.
I’d heard that voice before. Several time, actually. That voice was like a melody in my head that I didn’t want to ever forget. It was beautiful, but right now, her voice was screaming bloody murder and I knew I had to get to her. I had no idea why she was here or what was happening, but I knew I had to get to her. I had to help her. I ran off across the street, forgetting the man who I had just been standing by. The only thing that mattered right now was getting to my Jezabel.
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Post by jackson on Feb 20, 2010 0:02:53 GMT -5
I heard her screams, it was then I knew what was happening to me. Scarlett. Her blood had somehow linked us together. The scream was her getting what she had been longing for, a meal, and that meal was made of young lady. I watched as Nick started to run across the street, "Noo!" I shouted at him, stumbling over my feet as I tried to run after him, "Don't go there! You can't help her!" My head was pounding. It felt as if a brick was being tossed up against my temple, and the closer I got to Scarlett the worst it felt. It didn't do me any good to run after the guy. I had to stop a few times to grab my head because the pain was too much. My eye balls felt as if the pressure was going to pop them out of my head.
I tried to suck it up and run after Nick. He didn't understand the danger he was running into. I turned the corner still running, with Nick running a few feet ahead of me, "Nick! Nick!" I yelled trying to get his attention, "Nick!!! Stop!! Wait!! Come back!! Don't!!" I shouted everything I could to get him to stop and listen to me. I stopped dead in my tracks when my eyes landed on Scarlett.
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Post by jezabel on Feb 23, 2010 13:41:24 GMT -5
BANG!! Fuck me, fuck me, FUCK ME!!! The hunter had tracked me back to the city. He stood over me, gun still smoking, while he stared down at my bleeding body. I heard a blood curdling scream from somewhere nearby and it took me a few minutes to realize the sound had come from my own mouth. I looked down at the blood bubbling from my stomach and then back up at my attacker. He laughed maliciously as he taunted me. "I told you I'd get you kitty cat. Your little friend slowed me up, and don't worry I'll get her too." He bent down to me, leaning in to my ear. "We're going to have lots of fun, you and me. I'm going to make you pay for running, don't you worry."
He didn't have the chance to play with me. Before I could even get scared about my desolate future, small hands came around his face and twisted his neck to an odd angle. His eyes bulged and he stared down at me as his last breaths passed through his lips. "Whose playing who now fucker!" I said to him, my voice strained through the pain of yet another fucking gun shot wound. The man's body fell down beside me and I looked up at my saving angel.Angel. That word was the furthest thing from what this woman was. Her eyes glowed red as she stared down at my oozing wound with hunger in her eyes. Great, just fucking great. I'd gone from the pot to the fire in a matter of seconds. The woman bent down sinking her teeth in to my neck as another horrible scream escaped me and I realized I was going to die today. Finally.
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Post by Scarlett Devereaux on Feb 23, 2010 14:00:47 GMT -5
I finally slowed when I reached the desolate town. I walked slowly, listening to the soft sounds of the streets. It was nothing like Georgia. Well, the Georgia I knew. There were no happy patrons in these store windows, no men on horses, no excitement at all. There was only death on these streets and as I walked down the main road, I heard the familiar sounds of that death coming from an alley only steps away from me. There was a man standing over a girl and she was.. I breathed in deep through my nose. She was bleeding. Severely.
My feet were quiet as I came up behind the man and quickly ended his life. His neck cracked disgustingly and it sent a wash of contentment over me. It calmed me to take a life after the mess I'd just caused with Amber. I let his body fall down to the side and that was when I saw my reward. A beautiful blonde give, *sniffs air* a shifter. She looked like she might yell for help and I put my finger to my lips and made a shooshing sound to her. I bent down to her and leaned in slowly, knowing she was too hurt to fight back. My teeth sank in to her neck and my body jumped with the pleasure that came with ingesting lycanthrope blood.
"Nick! Nick!" I yelled trying to get his attention, "Nick!!! Stop!! Wait!! Come back!! Don't!!" Oh god. I jumped back from the girl and my eyes locked on Jackson. I could feel the blood running down my chin and I looked at the girl on the ground. She was still alive, if just barely. My eyes moved slowly back to Jackson and I felt the first tear roll down my cheek as he stared back at me in utter disgust. I was finally the monster I'd always claimed to be. "She's still alive, help her." I said to him, my voice strained as I pressed myself hard in to the brick wall of the building enclosing the alley.
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Post by nicolas on Feb 24, 2010 17:11:37 GMT -5
I came to a stop, seeing a woman crouched over my Jezabel. My blood starting to boil in my veins. I was pissed. I was going to kill this bitch for touching my Jezabel! She was going to be be a dead bitch. She was… a fucking vampire?!? I glared at her as she stood back and Jackson came up behind me, yelling at me to stop. "Nick!!! Stop!! Wait!! Come back!! Don't!!" His words didn’t mean anything now, even as I saw the vampire’s gaze lock with his. He had offered me a place to stay, but seeing now that he had something with this monster, this killer, there was no way I’d be staying there, especially not now that I’ve found my Jezabel.
I instantly grabbed my KA-BAR from my side, slamming the vampire up against the wall, the blade underneath her neck. Jez’s blood was still dripping from her mouth, which was only fueling my anger, and extreme, bitter hatred for this vampire I held in my grasp. Yes, I knew she was a vampire and could rip me apart with just a flick of her little finger, but I didn’t give a fuck. I was going to kill her for attacking my Jezabel. I was going to do anything I could to avenge my beautiful Jezabel. “Anything to say before I kill you, bitch? Anything to say to the man whose girl you was just about to kill?”
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