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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 9, 2011 1:55:53 GMT -5
*Reaching across the front seat, I push the door open for Red. As soon as she gets in with whatever she brought out, I take off towards the highway. I trust her to have done a thorough job in the pharmacy, but there's no point in hanging around and waiting for someone to call the authorities*
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Post by redhavoc on Oct 9, 2011 2:05:25 GMT -5
*I throw the clothes in the back and start going through the meds, picking out the ones I need. There are about eight pills in total, which seems about right. I dry-swallow the lot and sit back, waiting for them to kick in. The world slowly comes back to me, the headache going away. Even my side hurts less. I look over at Max and smile. I am back*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 9, 2011 2:08:05 GMT -5
*I nod to Red when I see her smile, taking a quick inventory of the numerous pill bottles I see in her lap. Such a trouble, to maintain that many perscriptions.* Feeling better?
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Post by redhavoc on Oct 9, 2011 2:24:35 GMT -5
*I nod, putting all the pill bottles I need in the front compartment for the time being. I reach around as we drive and pull out a drac jacket with a giant version of the familiar happy logo on the back. I smile as I put it on over the star shirt. This one's even clean...*
*I point to the back, telling Max that there are many more clothes back there. I notice for the first time that the scenery is going by fast, shrubs a blur*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 9, 2011 2:33:51 GMT -5
*I glance back to see the clothing and nod again, thanking her. The shirt I'm wearing now isn't very comfortable.* Keep an eye out for somewhere we can stop. We should get off the road in case they send someone to look for us after the robbery, and we can change.
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Post by redhavoc on Oct 9, 2011 2:37:01 GMT -5
*In 15 minutes Max turns off the main road and we run into a ghost town, one of the many never repopulated by BLI. Everything is grey and half the buildings have fire damage. Faded graffiti indicates that a while ago a killjoy gang went through, but it doesn't look like they stayed. There are tire tracks, but they are not fresh. I point to one of the more intact buildings, a general store. It looks like a good place to stop*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 9, 2011 22:46:34 GMT -5
*I pull around the back of the general store, parking in the shadow of the dumpsters. Getting out, I motion for Red to wait while I check the building. I draw my gun before opening the back door, quickly stepping through and standing with my back to the wall. I don't hear anything and begin moving along the corridor, checking each aisle as I pass. Most of the shelves are empty and everything is covered in dust, and glancing up I see that many of the lightbulbs are broken.*
*I've moved down the length of the building and I'm about to go up to the front when someone speaks from behind me*
I have to say, I didn't expect to see you again.
*Spinning around, my gun raised to head level, I see the old woman from the house in the canyons. The one from the Tower, when I got my memories back. Moniker. I stand frozen, hoping Red stays by the car*
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Post by redhavoc on Oct 9, 2011 23:16:22 GMT -5
*I stay by the car when Max goes in, pacing a little. I'm thinking about going to get another ration pack when I hear a voice coming from the building. It's very soft, but it's defenitly not Max. I slip inside, gun drawn. I'm silent, barely even breathing, as I go down the dirty halls*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 9, 2011 23:22:27 GMT -5
*When I don't reply Moniker smiles slightly reprovingly* It's polite to respond when someone greets you, Max. Or are you still not speaking? I would have thought you'd break your silence after what I showed you.
*I scowl at the woman* I'm speaking. It doesn't mean I have anything to say to you. I should shoot you where you stand.
*Moniker shakes her head* Shoot me, after what I did for you? Come now, Max, you're smarter than that.
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Post by redhavoc on Oct 9, 2011 23:40:50 GMT -5
*I stay behind a wall, listening to the conversation between Max and the old woman. They are just around the corner. I can hear the old woman's shoes as she moves. She's slow and bears her weight heavily. Max shuffles a little and I wonder what he is going to do. I don't want to get involved... what could she have done for Max?*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 9, 2011 23:51:50 GMT -5
You did nothing for me. *I refuse to consider her suggestion, I feel no gratitude* I owe you nothing.
*Moniker's smile disappears* Nothing? Giving you your memories was nothing? Showing you the truth about Better Living Industries was nothing? I admit that even I cannot fully heal you, but you're much more powerful now than you were before, Max. You're aware. You can see past the smoke and mirrors.
*Something about what she said sparks my anger, and my next words are nearly shouted* Who were you to decide?! What if I didn't want to see?!
*I stop myself, putting a hand over my eyes and taking a breath to calm down. When I speak my voice is cold again* You reminded me of things that were best forgotten. It changes nothing. I can do nothing. *I open my eyes and look at her* And I want to do nothing. I don't care about you or the killjoys or Better Living. I don't care about any of it.
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Post by redhavoc on Oct 10, 2011 0:02:00 GMT -5
*I think at that point I do stop breathing, a million little points connecting in my head like tiny gears. Together like clockwork. The clock is not complete yet, but still. ...memories... Max as a killjoy... things best forgotten ... can't do anthing, just like Wilson said...*
*Then Arson's voice comes into my head, back when I knew nothing, when I fought her. She told me I had a choice. And I couldn't see the choice, but it was there. Glaring and invisible*
*I step out into the corridor, in full view of both Max and the old woman. My gun is in my hand, but I don't feel it*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 10, 2011 0:06:58 GMT -5
*Both Moniker and I turn to look at Red, Moniker with curiosity, myself with something less easy to define. How much did she hear?* I told you to stay with the car.
*Moniker speaks over me* Who are you? Are you working with Max? *She keeps her tone light, but I can tell she's concerned about Red. Possibly because of the bandages. Possibly because of me.*
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Post by redhavoc on Oct 10, 2011 0:15:22 GMT -5
*I feel my pockets, but my notebook is in the car. I think for a second and walk over to Max. The old woman watches me the entire way, pulling her shawl tigher around her shoulders. She looks at my stomach and I look as well. Then bandages are starting to soak through, but it's just the wound trying to heal itself. I zip up my coat, a little disconcerted by her raven eyes*
*When I get to Max I look up and smile, trying to tell both that it's fine, that this is the happiest I've been in the time I can remember. I point from myself to Max, and then to the old woman, wanting him to explain. I don't know why, but I feel like this woman deserves to know... and that this will not be the last time either of us see her*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Oct 10, 2011 0:24:24 GMT -5
*I consider for a long moment, then start talking without taking my eyes off Red* Her taken name is Red Havoc. She was assigned to me a few weeks ago. She grew up in the Tower, trained as a Crow. Doesn't talk. Good in a fight. *I finally look over at Moniker* I'm not going to hurt her.
*Moniker had been watching me closely as I spoke. I hate the feeling of being examined.* I never said I thought you would. *She turns to Red* You don't speak, eh? Interesting. Not likely the same reason as Max, I'd say. They've improved their methods immeasurably since then, or so I've heard.
*She's talking more to herself now than to Red, but she still irritates me. I want to leave.*
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Yes, I'm still running - sort of. But it is lonely out here. Haven't seen anyone else for a while.
//