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Post by redhavoc on Sept 15, 2012 1:13:22 GMT -5
*I shake my head, secretly comforted by Arson's touch. Her words, however, get me thinking. And I feel something... deeper in my chest...*
//No, you are not ok. You stare into space for long periods of time. You hobble around. You don't talk about hating BLI anymore or buttons or... or other killjoy stuff! Where are the plans and the spray paint?//
*I pull my red jacket around me as I hand back the book, not even realizing until now what I had noticed. I feel a chill...*
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Post by Arson Anthem on Sept 15, 2012 1:22:24 GMT -5
*I rock back when I read the message, leaning against the doorframe. My gaze darts from the page to the distant chainlink fence, but when I realize I'm doing exactly what she pointed out, I make myself look back.* It's nothing, I just... *I start to trail off, but before I know it new words are pouring out.* I just... don’t think I believed you, about the thing in the grocery store in 4. Not really. I’d heard what they’d tried to do, and I never thought you were lying or anything like that, but it just didn't sink in… and then this happened… and I don’t know, Red. I just don’t know any more. I didn't – I didn’t want to believe that a killjoy would do something like that… that /anyone/ would, killjoy or BLI or anything. But at least if they’d been BLI, it would have been something to fight against. They were killjoys, Red, and I… I don’t know what side I’m on anymore. That’s it, that’s it right there. I don’t know if I can be on a side that includes people like them.
*Biting my lip, I'm silent for a long moment as I try to come to terms with what I just said. I feel tears threatening as I run a finger idly over the rough bandage on my wrist - one of the only ones left now - and I'm angry at myself for them.* I can’t – do this.
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Post by redhavoc on Sept 15, 2012 1:41:44 GMT -5
*I turn away as Arson begins to cry. I want to be angry or disappointed. I thought I couldn't bear to see one of my great role models in so weak a state. Instead, I lean into this once great woman and stare at our feet. That same deep part of me from before... it knows Arson can be great again, maybe still is. The thoughts flip-flop like pancakes in my head until an answer comes to the surface, a memory. I find myself writing as fast as I can*
//When I was in training with Wilson at BLI things got, uh, pretty bad, Arson. I can't really explain, not yet, but they were bleak. And there was this one nurse, when I was in the hospital, she would always hug me and sing me songs when she thought I was asleep. See, she knew I could report her if I was awake, but asleep... she was trying to do something nice for me. I thought she was crazy at the time//
//But, Arson, she was a good person and full on BLI. When the killjoys blow up a building in Battery City, some day they could kill her. Same goes with the killjoys, but it's like a mirror, see? You can't pick everyone that is on your side. Max and I have been ghosts, slipping back and forth, but you're a killjoy//
*As Arson reads my scrawl I pick up my blaster and put it back in the holster, breathing a little harder than normal*
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Post by Arson Anthem on Sept 15, 2012 1:51:46 GMT -5
*I swipe at my eyes, getting myself mostly back under control. She's telling me the things I've told others a million times... I guess it hasn't really sunk in yet. And apparently she had an even worse childhood than I'd assumed.* You're right, I know you are. You understand this stuff better than anyone, probably. Even so... It's one thing to say it, another to believe it, you know?
*Another pause, my voice lower. I haven't even talked to Gear about this stuff.* I was so helpless, Red. They could do anything they wanted and I couldn’t stop them. I couldn’t even talk, after they gagged me. *I glance over at her and smile ruefully.* Of course, you know all about that. *My smile fades, and I look back at my hands.* But I still feel like that, even now. Helpless, vulnerable. And I can’t. I have to help people, I have to protect them. If I’m weak… *I trail off, then shake my head.* I just can’t be.
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Post by redhavoc on Sept 15, 2012 2:02:21 GMT -5
*I hold Arson's hands and lean in more, knowing something strange and wonderful is happening, that I am connecting with another human being on a deeper level for the first time in my remembered life. Strange that it has to come at such a horrible time, but that's nothing I nor Arson can choose*
*I rip out the pages we just used in my notebook, plus an extra one. Another idea, coming from nowhere:*
//remember the mirror. And remember, too, that the most persistent killjoys at BLI were not the strongest or the smartest. I think Max was one of those. No, a killjoy has friends so they don't have to be strong. Like... like how you can't stay awake forever... you have to sleep sometime//
*I hand the pages to Arson, hoping if they physically stay with her then somehow... someday the message will sink in. Mirror... helpless... protect... that deep pang in my chest. Yes, I know the feeling*
*I sit next to Arson and draw symbols in my book as she reads. Oddly content in our mutual, yet entirely different, sadness*
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Post by Arson Anthem on Sept 15, 2012 2:14:45 GMT -5
*I read the paper through twice, then fold it up. It would be pocket-sized, if I had any pockets left to put it in.* Thanks, *I say, going back to staring across the tarmac. I don't feel good by a long shot, but maybe she's helped a little. Given me something to think about, in any case.*
*I can't stay awake forever. Maybe it's okay to rest a bit.*
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Post by Electric Revenge on Sept 18, 2012 22:03:38 GMT -5
*My feet keep kicking up dust and dirt as I shuffle around the airport. Bored out of my mind, I'm fighting against some invisible opponent as I walk around. The blades are whistling through the air as I slice and dice, sunlight glinting off as they arc around my body. It's not a practical fighting style, but it's more about keeping my sanity at the moment.*
*Other memories bubble to the surface as I'm "playing" around with my swords. Memories that I really don't want to think about. The day my parents were murdered. But it doesn't matter because soon tears are forming in the corners of my eyes. The katanas drop onto the dusty concrete as I fall to my knees, the tears not wanting to stop as they mix with the caked dirt on my face. I must look like a mess. I thought I had gotten over their deaths. The nightmares had stopped a year ago. Maybe I'll never get over it, but I have to be strong now, even in my weakest moments. After all, one a renegade, always a rebel, as my father put it.*
*Regaining my composure, I take a few deep breaths before brushing the longer part of my hair out of my face. I look around, making sure I haven't completely embarrassed myself, only to have my eye catch on a pair of cars making their way towards the airport gates. I scramble to grab my swords before running back towards the buried plane. If it's a team of Dracs or Better Living agents, then they've really caught us off guard. I see some people ahead, and I shout out towards them.*
Cars! On the inbound!
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Post by Arson Anthem on Sept 19, 2012 10:24:15 GMT -5
*I'm on my feet even before I hear Electric's words; I like to think it means I'm prepared, but I know a better word is jumpy. I pass Red's gun back to her and scoop up my jacket, waving once at Electric to let her know we heard before racing down the tunnel and into the plane. I head straight for my corner of the plane before stopping short and swearing when I remember I lost pretty much /all/ my weapons at the high school. Returning to the tunnel entrance, I wait to see who it is, and whether we need to run or fight.*
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Post by Max Griffiths on Sept 19, 2012 10:34:06 GMT -5
*I hear a shout from the other side of the airport and straighten up, setting a convex piece of metal over the lizards to hide them from predators. Drawing my gun, I start off along the back wall of the main airport building, weaving between the hangars as I near the safehouse and entrance. I move silently, taking care to stay out of sight. If it's nothing, I'll just go back the way I came and keep hunting. If it's someone who needs to be dealt with, it's better to work with the element of surprise*
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Techno Beat
Drac chow
Slaughta-matic sounds comin' right at'cha!
Posts: 12
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Post by Techno Beat on Dec 6, 2012 15:32:38 GMT -5
(from Roadtrippin' pg. 3. And just to remind everyone, Techno, Electric and Neon are written by the same person, so there may be some crossover)
*I watch Neon drive up to the gates of the old abandoned airport. There's a feeling of uncertainty that's beginning to grow, and it's causing my hands to shake uncontrollably. I haven't felt like this in quite a while. Maybe it's the fact that I'm closer to Battery City again. Of course, we're still a few zones out, but the fact that a drive to the city could be a few hours away makes me worried. There's a reason why I left and I really don't want to head there at any means.*
*I feel the car stop moving as I look over at Neon. She's checking her blaster before sliding it into her holster. I do the same before exiting the car. The air has gotten hotter during the drive, causing me to sweat. I think it's a combination of nerves and the heat that's making me more uncomfortable. Up ahead I see a few people standing near the boulder that had been used as the marker to the underground airplane. It's one of the few things I remember during our quick exodus out of the Zones. Out of habit, I place my hand on the grip of my blaster, keeping it inside its holster before I shout out across the desert.*
Hello there!
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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.
//