Taking Refuge

[dominic saunders]

The historic district of Savannah was known for its heritage and history. It had been one of the reasons why Dominic had taken him family on vacation there. His wife loved anything with a detailed history behind it. The old homes, shops and trolleys had been eye candy to his son who had enjoyed the actors located throughout the city. Now all that was left were broken down cars, debris and the walking dead. He had long since grown accustom to the scent. The smell of fresh flowers and foods by street vendors no longer waffled through the air. You could smell death for miles instead and with it can its own intoxicating aroma.

Wiping at his nose, Dominic walked alongside Theo as they moved through the empty street. He had a large black bag on his back that was filled with canned food and water. He didn't know much about the town but one of the old men back at camp told them about a home that was filled with old weapons; collectibles from wars. He hadn't given them an address but told them that they'd know it when they saw it. He figured a sign with the words 'antique weapons' would have been a dead give away but he didn't see anything like that. 

Glancing at Theo, he shook his head and groaned in frustration.

"I'm not saying he wasn't telling the truth, but we've been out here for hours. You got any idea where this place could be?" He glanced upward at the darkening sky and frowned a bit. It was going to rain soon and with an hour walk behind them, making it back before it poured was becoming very unlikely. 

Tag: theo weaver

[theo weaver]

Savannah, a gorgeous place. A location that his family had always loved deeply, but now... It was dead. Most of everyone was dead in the town, and from what he had seen it wasn't going to change any time soon. It had been a bit since the outbreak had gone viral, and Theo had ended up in a clan with a few other survivors. With his expert hunting skills, he was titled as a supplier.

As he walked alongside Dominic (their leader), Theo listened to him as he spoke. His eyes went toward the sky as he did notice it was starting to get dark. He didn't speak though, and instead he scoped the area out. There were a few signs around them, and a few buildings as well. On his back, tightly strapped, was a pack that was part of his hunting gear. He had his two guns, a flashlight, and a few medical things.

After a few seconds of silence, Theo spotted something. He pointed toward it. "There. The rest of these signs down this way are housing related. That area looks more like a spot for weaponry. It's not too far, if we hurry down we should be able to hit it before the sun's down." He shifted himself a bit, resting his arm against his leg (bow in hand). "Before it rains too, but it'll probably start pouring before we finish scavenging..." He looked at Dominic.

dominic saunders

[dominic saunders]

Dom's frown turned into an instant grin after Theo pointed out the shop. It did look pretty out of place among the other numbered home signs. He wouldn't exactly say it was easy to find like the old man had described but they had found it. That was all that mattered.

"Probably. We can wait it out if it does. Don't know about you but I don't want to walk back in a storm." With the ocean being so close it rained hard with each down pour. At first he thought they were experiencing hurricane weather until it literally rained every morning.

Quickening his steps, Dom slid his bat out of his make shift holster and propped it over his shoulder. He had gotten very good killing the dead with the steel bat. His aim with a gun wasn't too great and loud sounds seemed to draw the things in. That was the last thing they needed. He had a gun too but he didn't want to use it unless it was absolutely necessary.

"We get in, see what we can find and get out unless it's getting bad out here."

Climbing the metal steps to the shop door, he tapped on the red door and waited. When nothing moved inside he glanced at Theo to see if he was ready before trying the door. It gave easily. He pushed inside, his bat at the ready if anything jumped out.

Tag: theo weaver

[theo weaver]

Theo nodded to Dominic, and followed after. He watched the man fixing up his bat against his shoulder. Theo readied his bow a bit, and followed closely behind him. Scouting the area, and noticing most of the bodies hadn't seemed to notice their presence. He gave another nod, and with that they were entering the back of the building.

He climbed each step carefully, and waited for the go. As they entered, nothing seemed to move. Was it empty? "Hm." He grunted quietly, and placed his bow over his back. Pulling out his hunting knife from his belt. "You wanna check the back here, and I'll head toward the front?" He wasn't sure if Dom wanted to split up, but for the most part it seemed quiet. There couldn't be that many in there.

Theo waited a moment, and took a slight glance toward a door near the one they had entered. It was wide open, but something didn't smell right. "You smell that?" He asked, stepping a bit forward, and glancing around. He sniffed a bit loud, and rounded into the room. In the middle of the floor of the room lay a biter. Its face smashed against the floor. "Well..." He said, and then speaking loud enough for Dom to here (where he was at at the moment), he sighed. "We might not find much. Looks like someone's been through here..."

Leaning toward the ground, he looked at the body on the ground. How fresh was it? Was their another survivor in here still, maybe someone had already come days before? It was hard to tell, but the smell of the biter made his stomach churn.

dominic saunders

[dominic saunders]

Even though Theo didn't say much, his grunt spoke loud and clear. It wasn't like a place to be so quiet and empty. They'd entered three stores before they got here and they had all be filled with biters. Keeping his guard up just in case, he headed toward the back of the shop where a few large mahogany displays stood. The place must have been holding some really expensive stuff because there was silver and gold trinkets everywhere. Not that they were worth much now. He scanned the cases and looking for weapons. Only a few knives were left. Setting down his bag, he worked at opening the glass.

"We might not find much. Looks like someone's been through here..."

"Found some knives." Now that he looked at them they were more like ancient machetes. It was good enough. The things even had leather holders. Dom slid them into the corner of his bag. It was getting pretty tight with all the food they'd collected but there was just enough room for a bit more if they could find anything else of use. Sliding the bag back over his shoulder he continued on to the back and down a hall way. The place got more domestic the further he went back. Family photos lined the wall. A picture of an old man and his wife hung next to a picture of kids. Maybe that smell Theo mentioned was coming from one of them. Thoughts of his own family flooded into his mind. Did their home look like this now? Cold and desolate. Brushing the thought from his mind he continued walking until a loud bang behind a door made him jump back and slam into a wall.

"Got one down here." He called to Theo. He readjusted his hand on the bat and mentally prepared himself for anything that came when a female voice rang out.

"I need help. The door is locked."

Dom glanced back at Theo and then turned back to the door. He hadn't expected that.

Tag: theo weaver

 

[theo weaver]

Fishing through the room quickly, he didn't find much. It seemed like someone had already been there, but maybe he was wrong? Just as he was about to open the last drawer of a desk he heard a loud noise. Which pulled him instantly into survival mode. Jerking around, knife up, and his stance in fighting mode. Theo heard Dominic shout.

"Alright, comin'." Checking the drawer, he found an old box cutter. Shoving it into his pocket, he raced to where Dominic was. As he approached the door, he glanced to Dom. He had heard mumbling, but wasn't sure if it was someone talking. "They don't talk, was that someone talking?"

Situating his knife in his hand, he looked at the door. Readying himself, he looked at Dominic. "You want me to break it open?" They couldn't use a gun, that'd be a waste of ammo, and if she was bit that'd make things even more dangerous. Definitely didn't want to get bit.

Theo was heavy enough to break it open, but so was Dominic. However, Dominic could probably take whoever it was out with his bat better range than Theo's hunting knife.

dominic saunders

[dominic saunders]

Opening the door would seem like the obvious choice had this happened before the dead started killing the living. And it wasn't only the dead they had to worry about. Some of the people like them turned out to be crazy too. They needed to play it safe. Side glancing at Theo, Dom couldn't hide the apprehension he felt. What if this women was nuts and tried to attack them? Sure, they were two strong guys, but women had unbelievably strong legs. He wasn't looking forward to be kicked or scratched...or bitten. 

Theo didn't seemed to have the same reservations; at least he didn't appear to. Nodding at his question, Dom raised his bat and stretched his fingers, letting them curl around the warm handle of the bat.

"Stand back!" Dom called out to the woman on the other side of the door. He could hear the shuffling of feet against carpet. Casting a glance at Theo, he nodded a single time to let him know he was ready. They decide what to do with the woman after they were inside. 

Tag: theo weaver

[theo weaver]

After a few seconds, and allowing the female voice enough time to scuffle away from the door. Theo glanced to Dominic to ensure he was prepared. With the knowing signal look, Theo nodded and slammed his foot against the door. It slightly broke, and he did it again. It was near giving away. The third hard kick had the door break from its hinges, and fly open. Knife up, he took several glances inside of the room. Making a thorough check over, and there was an awful stench. He wasn't sure where it was coming from though, it was darker in the room. There wasn't any lighting, and so he slipped his flashlight from his pocket.

Shining it on, he saw a few dead bodies on the ground. "Are you bit?" He asked her calmly, and watched her closely. He wasn't totally sure, but he shined the light on her face for a moment, and slowly moved it over her body. Checking to see if he could spot anything. Mostly blood stained clothing.

dominic saunders

[dominic saunders]

The door came down with a few well placed kicks from his partner. Impressed by the other man's strength, Dominic raised his right brow and chuckled softly. Nice. The brightness of the flashlight made his eyes sting and the smell from inside mad his stomach lurch. He raised a hand to cover his nose and leaned in close to get a look inside. The floor was covered with bodies. A woman, a few women...and child. Their clothing was ripped and stained with coagulated blood. They'd been lying there for a few hours he was sure. The moist, Savannah heat had decomposed the bodies and the stench was damn near unbearable. 

Dominic didn't raise his eyes to look at the woman until Theo questioned her. The woman, hair dark and matted to her head, stepped forward out of the darkness. Dark circles aged her young face. Her tiny body was draped in a over sized gray sweater. Blood and vomit clung to the fabric. It was hard to tell if it was hers or the remains of those lying dead on the mahogany wood floor. 

Her pale lips trembled as she looked them over. The bat, the bow and arrow. 

"I've been locked in here for hours," she said, her british accent hoarse and barely louder than a whisper. I didn't know what to do. The windows...they're barred and painted shut." She took a tentative step toward Theo, her hand extended to her sides. "No...I'm not bitten. I...need your help. These people killed them all. My father...my nephew. They let those things inside..." She fell silent then, her eyes darkening as she remembered. If possible the room grew darker as the sky outside opened up to allow the rain to finally fall. Thunder boomed in the distance.

Dominic stepped in close to Theo and nudged him softly in the back. After getting his attention he adverted his gaze to the woman's right leg where a gaping wound; akin to a bite; shone against her pale skin. Grimacing sadly he turned his attention to the woman. She was clearly in shock and hadn't noticed the blood dripping down her calf. 

"We'll help you..." he said, holding his hand out to her. "Come on. Lets get you out of here."


Tag: theo weaver, victoria foster

[victoria foster]

The house was deathly silent as Victoria opened the door and locked it behind her. Better safe than sorry, but she was sorry to note the mentality hadn’t worked for the dead women that lay by the front table. She skirted around her politely. The stench of her decaying body didn’t bother her anymore. The photo on the table drew her attention. The man who lived there had a Civil War rifle. Victoria’s gaze lit upon the shelves in the living room and she started scanning them. Empty. Of course they were, the locals probably got to this place before she did. The weapons may be old, but they still worked. Something shone dully in the dust, behind a box. Victoria scooped it up with a grin. A knife to replace the one she lost. Before she could place in in the holster, Victoria became aware in that moment that someone else was in the room. Her muscles tensed and she looked up. One of the locals was still there.

Victoria sprang forward, raising the knife and plunging it into the eye socket. It made a wet, odd sound as she withdrew it, and the walker collapsed at her feet. She moved forward, down the hallway. Maybe she’d get lucky again. As she was searching the master bedroom, a loud bang on the front door startled her. Raiders. Or worse. Victoria crawled under the bed a few feet away from the door, eyes glued on the crack where she could hear the soft footsteps as whoever they were drew closer. Victoria tried to calm her erratic heartbeat, concentrating on her breathing. Her elbows scraped against the carpet as she steadied the gun in both hands. A female voice called out and Victoria cursed herself for not checking all the room. The voices, two males, became more clear. At least they were trying to help the girl. Victoria wriggled back out and stood up, pressing her back against the wall once she reached the hallway. The room in question was a few doors down, and the men were talking to her in low voices. Victoria risked getting closer, stopping in the doorway. Their backs to her. Victoria's eyes narrowed she saw the blood running down the girl’s leg, and the two teeth marks she could make out from her perspective. Didn’t the man know that’s how people turned? She had to warn them. Victoria raised her gun and spoke. “Leave her alone, she’s bit!”

[theo weaver]

It was disgusting, and Theo was fighting himself to not throw up himself. The woman's voice was in complete shock, but at the same time it sounded almost soothing. She must have really experienced something crazy in that room.

He was mostly distracted with her appearance, and hadn't yet noticed the bite mark. When Dom nudged him, he glanced her over and then spotted it. He lowered the flashlight, and looked down. It had been a bit since the last time he had to put someone down. Theo glanced to Dom, but nodded as he watched him offer to help the woman.

The only way to help her was to kill her. That was when he felt a cold sweat hit his body, the sound of the crackling thunder as a woman's voice sprung from behind them. The sweat rolled down the sides of his forehead. He stopped, and waited a moment before calmly turning to her. "We know..." That was all he said, was there anything he needed to say?

Theo gave her a look, not certain if she could see his face. He lifted the flashlight to playfully shine it in her face. "What's your name, blondie?" He asked with curiosity. Dom was pretty well preserved with the other woman, but Theo wasn't too concerned with the one bitten. The one with the gun was a new target if she did decide to shoot.


victoria foster, dominic saunders

[victoria foster]

She raised one hand to ward off the flashlight's glare. "Victoria." She lowered her gun. "I-I thought you didn't know." Her eyes flicked toward the girl, wondering what she thought of this exchange. If she knew what was coming. Nausea burned in her throat but she swallowed. Victoria knew. It would haunt her, what she did, for as long as she was alive. Killing walkers was killing monsters. She had never done the same to a fellow survivor. A good person just trying to survive. But the woman wouldn’t have been who she was for long. Compartmentalizing. Justification. She wondered if her father had to deal with this when he’d been forced to make a choice as well.

dominic saunders, theo weaver

[dominic saunders]

The woman's wide, gaunt eyes darted between them. Dom could tell that their presence was overwhelming her. She was shaken and afraid. She didn't seem aware of what was happening around her. Dom glanced over his shoulder at the new woman. Theo seemed to have that under control. She would be pretty stupid to try anything at this point. It wasn't like she had anywhere to go and Theo was getting pretty good with that bow.

Turning back to the woman, Dom gestured for her to take his hand. They needed to decide what they would do with her. He didn't know how long she'd been alone and bitten. When her hand touched his he could feel that she had a fever. Her hands were sweaty and pale. That's how it started. She didn't have long.

"Theo, got something for her to drink?" He led her to the front sitting room where the knife displays were. "It's gonna be a long night."

The woman coughed and covered her mouth. Her hand alone wasn't enough to hide the blood on her lips. She didn't seem to notice that either.

He could only imagine what this woman had been through.

Tag: theo weaver, victoria foster