Welcome to Gaia! ::

I had hardly noticed I was sleeping, it was as if there was no escape. My mother's form haunted me in my dreams.

"Lori, it's time to eat!" Mom called into the house from the back porch. "Deep fried eggplant and cheese fries!"

Score.

Walking through the house and out the back door, it was suddenly dark outside. My backyard had been replaced by Beaver Creek, I was standing on the rocks. Where I found out Josh had died four years ago. The water was much higher than usual, the current stronger.

"Lori! Lori help me!" my mother called, her figure being swept downstream.

"MOM!!" I jumped in the water, desperately trying to reach her, only to find her gone and the water choppier than I initially thought.

Suddenly, something wrapped around my ankle, pulling me down.

"I'm going to kill you, just like you killed me. I brought you into this world and I will take you out!" my mother's maniacal voice sounded in my ear as I struggled towards the surface. Water filled my lungs, movement became harder as I desperately screamed. It sounded oddly clear, hardly muffled by the water. And then-

"Lori! Lori, stop screaming!"

A disgustingly familiar sensation in my midsection. I barely cleared the mattress and the blanket that was tangled with my limbs before stomach fluids were forced past my lips.

"This is getting to be a repulsive habit," I thought out loud.

((Sorry for the double post, but I wanted there to be a stopped point in your reading, to add a little suspense =P.))


I hope Lori finds them okay...and that they are still themselves. None of us are dieing tonight.

I scrambled back on top of the announcer's booth to get a better view. More zombies had piled against the fence as I peered through the scope. The entire first group and at least half of the second group was tearing at the fence. I aimed again and fired until the clip was empty. I hastily reloaded, practice had made me fast at it. I proceeded to empty the next clip into the closest batch of zombies. That was at least 20 dead or injured.

It had been a while since Lori left and she hadn't returned.

I wonder if she's found them yet...oh God I hope they're all okay. I should've gone with her, protected her...no, stop. She can handle herself, they all can. Concentrate. I need to do my part. We have to survive this. We have to get through tonight.

((ok guys, due to all the crazy rping, which I love to see, I’m going to attempt to jump back into this. Eventually we will all be able to keep up with one another.))

Drew took the advice, seeing that it was the only way and crashed through traffic at an alarming speed. He was very annoyed with all the cars pilled up in font and was going to screw the system and make his own route.

Moving across the intersection, Drew kicked his vehicle over a brush of bushes near the Beach Water Park and slid down the medium after moving a close and snug fit through the oncoming traffic. They where moving at a slow enough pace that this wasn’t to much of a heroic movement but more of a desperate act.

Drew slowed down his car to allow TJ and Chris catch up. His mind still jumping and thinking of all the possibilities. The real Drew was returning and all he could think about was every one else. He felt horrible for being so selfish, and could only hope that Chris and Emily would stick with him through this. They where, especially Chris some of the most important people to him and they all where on their way to get the most important person to him, Jordan.

Just the thought of her being back in his arms calmed his jumping heart. Everything aced but when he pictured her he was soothed.

“Chris,” Drew yelled sticking his head from out of the side of Giget’s open top., “Put me on three way if you have that available.” Drew was just short from yelling and the smile on his face proved that he had something good to say.

((this is where I radically jump into everything))

Hoping now that both Chris and Brad could hear his voice as he spoke Drew pilled his thoughts and idea as though it would be life saving, “Ok, think of this, and I may of read this some where so don’t give me credit for the idea, what if we found a location for us all to meet in that would be easy to hold. My thought is, and I’m guessing one of you geniuses would of thought of this too., what if we found a stadium, like a football stadium and held that area for support. We could reinforce it however we can and stick to the higher ground to pick off what ever gets to close. We have plenty of time to figure this out but this is worth giving thought.”

Chris smiled as Brad finished talking to him. He rang up Drew and TJ on 3 way calling again.

"Okay folks, from what I understand, Brad, Rachel, Alec and Lori are at the football field...trying to convert it into a base. Our goal, from what I can predict, is to get Jordan as quickly as possible, and get our tails back to the stadium. They should have the place started as a base when we get back."

He turned the I-pod to more techno as they drove relativly quickly on the median, blasting through tight lanes of traffic. No zombies were to be found yet, but he wasn't exactly looking for them as they spun ever closer to London.

"Brad, you keep watch, Lori and I are going to see if we can figure out why the lights shut off. If it's on a timer, maybe we can reset it."

Brad looked at me, a strange look on his face. "Suit yourself."

"It's almost dawn." I said, looking at the horizon. "We'll meet back here in an hour. We'll head out then and look for supplies. If you see anything, shoot into the air." And with that I turned to walk down the field.

"Alec!" I turned back around. "Be careful." Was what muttered out of the corner of Brad's mouth.

"You too." I said. I headed back down the field, Lori at my side. I picked up Excalibur and slung the Sako on my shoulder. It was fully loaded, so I had left the rest of the ammunition near Brad. If anything happened, he would need it first. After a few minutes of searching, I found the electrical box I was looking for. The timer had been set for 5:00 AM.

An hour before sunrise...who the hell programmed that?

I flipped a couple of switches and turned a dial, changing the programming to 6:30 AM. I wasn't taking chances.

“There is an emergency on campus, students return to your dorms and lock all doors. Do not admit anyone.”
Fear snakes its way down my spine as I walk faster back to Morril Tower. What kind of emergency? I can feel the heat move through my limbs as my nervousness sparks a flow of adrenaline. I pick up the pace. I’m nearly jogging now. I pass a lot of confused faces, people that are connected to Ohio State’s emergency contact network via cell phone. No one knows what has happened.
I’m sprinting by the time I reach the double doors to Morril. I take the stairs two at a time and fly through the open door to my suite, shutting it behind me. No one is in the common room; it’s a Friday, most people have gone out. I burst into my room and find Nicole sitting on her bed staring at the TV in apparent horror.
“Do you know what’s going on?” I rush over to join her on the bed and turn my attention to the TV.
“There was some kind of attack on South Campus, in one of the dorms. They said they’ve recovered two bodies so far.” Nicole speaks in a whisper, fear lacing her words.
“What kind of attack?” Nicole just shakes her head at me and we both listen more intently to the anchorwoman on the screen.
“Students are cautioned to remain in their dorms, until the attackers have been apprehended. It has been confirmed that there are two attackers; initial reports are unclear as to the weapons the suspects may be carrying.” The anchorwoman paused for a moment. “This just in, we have confirmation of four deaths. Again, students we caution you to remain inside a room that can be locked, do not admit anyone.”
My phone starts to ring in my backpack and I lunge for it, answering the call before it can go to voicemail.
“Hello?”
“Samantha? Are you alright?”
“Yeah, Dad, I’m fine. Nicole and I are locked in our room.”
“I want you to stay there; I’m coming to get you. I’m just up the road at the site; I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“They want us to stay in our rooms.”
“Samantha, this is not a time for discussion. It’s not safe where you are, and I’m not just going to have a locked door between you and some psycho. I’ll call you when I’m in the parking lot.”
“Ok.” The call ends and I shove my phone into my back pocket. I pull my duffle bag out from under my bed and half-heartedly throw a few things into it.
“What are you doing?” Nicole asks, momentarily taking her focus away from the TV.
“My dad is coming to get me; he doesn’t want me to stay here while all this is going on. Do you want to come?” Fear is thickening my throat and I find it difficult to get the last few words out. Nicole shakes her head.
“I’ll stay here. If I need to leave, the jeep is still in the parking lot. I know where your dad lives. I can meet you there.” I throw a few more things in my duffle bag, as if I were just going to spend the weekend at my dad’s, where the most necessary things are sneakers and shampoo. Five minutes later my phone starts to ring again, the caller ID flashing ‘DAD’.
“Hello?” there is no answer on the other end. “Dad? Dad are you there?” I frown and hang up the phone, deciding it must be a bad connection. I swing the duffle over one shoulder and begin to leave.
“Be careful Sam.” Nicole says behind me, I turn and give her my best impression of a smile.
“I will. You too. Lock the door behind me.” I leave the room and wait to hear the click of the lock before I leave the suite and hastily jog down the stairs. I don’t pass anyone, which only makes me more nervous. I feel like a snail that’s somehow lost its shell, and is now lying in the middle of the sidewalk, venerable and squishy. I push open the glass doors and step outside, momentarily disoriented by the sun shining in my eyes. Then everything comes into focus and I’m disoriented for a completely different reason. My dad’s black F250 is there, right at the end of sidewalk. The driver’s side door is open and I can tell it’s still running because I can hear the faint chords of music coming from the truck’s radio. I’m confused, because I don’t see my dad anywhere. The only thing between me and truck is this strange mass of red and white and blue halfway up the sidewalk. I take a few steps forward and suddenly there are shapes I recognize within the mass. But it isn’t until I’m standing almost directly in front of it that I begin to scream. I’m tearing my vocal chords out with screaming because I recognize that watch on the ground, and I’d know the back of that hand anywhere, but this blob of torn up flesh cannot possibly be my father. My father is the strongest man I’ll ever know and there is no way that someone could rip apart a man that unbreakable.
I am jolted out of my screaming disbelief by a noise behind me. I whip around, hair flying into my eyes and mouth. Hastily I push it out of the way as my eyes lock on what is now before me. All that seems to register is the blood. It’s all over whoever or whatever this thing is, and it’s the same color as the blood on the pavement all around me. I want to scream again, but this time I find that I can’t. I can’t move; I can’t do anything. Seven years of martial arts and all I can do is stare. Stare straight at death and slowly take it in. I am suddenly very aware of my breathing, the oxygen slowly making its way into my body, and through the blood that is still pumping very hard through my heart. It takes three heart beats for me to realize that this does not have to be the end. If I can just make it to the truck.

I start to slowly inch my way backward, not taking my eyes off the thing in front of me. I don’t know if I can run fast enough to get to the truck first, but I want the distance to be as small as possible. It seems like hours, but I know it’s just minutes that I slowly back up, waiting for the thing to decide it’s going to kill me. The decision registers with the faintest of movements and I almost don’t move fast enough. The truck is closer than I originally thought, and in seconds I’m throwing myself up into the cab. I slam the door shut and a huge thump hits the door right after I close it. I push my duffle bag into the passenger seat and pull the gear shift into drive as I slam my right foot down onto the gas. The truck lurches forward and I pull haphazardly out of the parking lot. I’m not used to the size of the truck and I go over the curb as I turn onto Cannon Drive. Minutes later I’m barreling down 315 heading towards 71 south. My hands are shaking so badly that I have to grip the steering wheel with extra force to keep it steady. I merge onto 71 and press harder on the gas pedal, as I reach down to adjust the seat. That’s when I realize I’m crying. I clench my jaw and blink furiously. I have to keep driving, I can’t break down right now. I have to get home.

Rachel was quite asleep. So asleep in fact that she didn't notice the fox as it strode in, chomping on a squirrel it had found. Is lay down next to her, and the smell of death was very apparent in her dreams. She cringed as she woke, seeing the glowing green eyes from the fox, reached out and petted it. ((I'm guessing I still have the dog tags?)) The fox leaned into her, absorbing her affection. Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. She had been cowardice this whole time - a sort of hold back to the entire team. She couldn't stay here - she wasn't needed, probably not even wanted here with the way she acted.

"This is what I have to do." She nodded, and with a tear in her eye, she put the dog tags onto the fox. "These are yours now...they don't belong to me" And she grabbed her guns, the little ammo she had left, her duffel bag, and walked out the door.

Before she left, she wrote a small note on a sheet of paper she found in the visitor's announcer's box earlier. It read...

Dear all...
I know this isn't a good time for me to be saying this, but you don't need me. I have a place to go - a place I'm needed. And I'm going to that place to defend, you will find me there. I've left the fox, and a box of 12 gauge shells for you all. I'm sorry for being a letdown after Kite died. I don't ever think I'll be the same...But if you need me

I'll be at the Atrium Medical Center. With my mom. When you're able, come find us. I'm sure we'll need help. Thanks for everything.

And with that, she walked out the door, towards the Blue F - 350 Super Duty that sat behind the middle school, which had been left unlocked, as if someone had left it for her. It wasn't a hummer...but it was a step down.

With some difficulty, she had remembered what her father said about losing the key to a car and hotwiring. In 10 minutes she had started it, and with a roar, she was off.

The fox sat in the empty parking lot for a second, and what seemed like a tear shed from it's glowing green eye. It shook it's head, and trotted back to where everyone was sleeping, found Rachel's empty bed, curled up, and went to sleep. The dog tags rested around his neck, the tags on his paws.


The Legacy Remained.