Survival or Struggle?

After Jinxx had cleaned up the creature(formerly called a 'Splater' because of the sound it made when it spat out the gunk at everyone), they went about fixing the fence. Minus Jinxx, of course. Being near the creature made him smell to high heaven. CC had to walk away to the other side of the complex in order to escape the smell. Ashley and the others braved it, however. Ashley would go and check on CC after fixing the fence. It took a long while, about five hours to be exact. And Ashley was breathing heavily by the end of it, having discarded his shirt around the two hour mark. He wiped his sweaty bangs out of his vision and went to get a bottle of water. Once his thirst was quenched, he made his way to CC. Not hard to find him, just go to the farthest part of the complex.

He saw CC and made a noise to announce his presence, careful not to spook CC. He didn't know why he bothered, the guy didn't even flinch. He simply looked up at Ashley and nodded. Ashley made his way over, handing a bottle of water to CC silently. CC looked at the water, then to Ashley, and took it with a grateful glance. He took a giant swig and sighed. Ashley knew it wasn't the smell of Jinxx that had bothered him. It was something more important. He didn't bring it up though. CC needed his silence, deserved it. After all, the man came back into safety into nothing but noise. A little piece and quiet was well deserved. So Ashley just sipped his water as he stared out into the horizon. CC made a noise, grunt-like and Ashley turned.

"Thanks for keeping me company. You didn't have to." The drummer said softly, not looking at him.

"Hey man, I wanted to. Plus, I was worried. After Jinxx took care of that creature, you never came back from your hiding spot. Plus, everyone else is doing their own thing. Might as well do mine." he said, smirking a little. It earned a slight smirk back before CC frowned again.

"Hey man, what's wrong? You know you can tell me anything." Ashley said earnestly.

"I know. It's just..." CC said, trailing off and shaking his head.

"It's just..what?" Ashley asked him. CC was quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

"Is this going to be our life. Fighting like this? Scraping by? Watching our backs all the time? As if it wasn't hard enough before! It's even worse now!" CC said, almost screaming this.

Ashley shushed him, quieting him. Ashley sighed, thinking about it. The world seemed to be falling apart. And scarily enough, Ashley was already getting a routine in this new version of their lives. He supposed this was something that he had to live with. That all the survivors had to live with. This was their new world now and Ashley hated to admit it. But why lie when he knew differently?

"Yes, it is." Ashley said, holding up a hand before CC could speak again.

"And I would rather have it this way than being all alone. Yes, this is something out of a horror movie. Yes, this may be our new life. And yes, we're probably going to have to fight to keep it. But I'd much rather have you and the guys by my side kicking undead ass than running around screaming. It's much more fun and besides, we're all better in a group than we are alone." Ashley explained, then going silent as he looked away and to the horizon again.

CC and Ashley were silent again, thinking and trying to relax. Once both of their waters were finished, Ashley took CC's bottle when it was handed over to him. CC seemed a lot calmer now after what Ashley said and the silence that had followed. Maybe that's all what CC needed was a little pep talk. This was a dark time, a little pep talk might be all they needed from going insane. They smiled at each other, laughing slightly before walking to the front of the complex together. It was time to get some rest. They would need it. Once they all got into their respective beds(they were able to get the apartments cleared out and livable), they all fell asleep as the events of today caught up to each of them.

Upon morning arriving, Ashley woke up alone. He looked at the doorway and noticed Jinxx about to come in. Jinxx smiled a little and helped Ashley up.

"Come on, Andy said that people need to go on supply runs on the regular. So I'm seeing them off. He also said to come and get your sleepy ass out of bed. It's nearly noon dude." The violinist said as Ashley got dressed. Ashley rolled his eyes at the remark.

"Tell him I'll be out in a few seconds." Ashley said simply. Jinxx nodded and left him to get himself ready for the day.

Once that was done, Ashley exited the building and was just in time to see off the people going on some supply runs. Jake was in the front, waving. Ashley noted that he looked exhausted, and a bit in pain. Ashley strode over to Jake and rested a hand on the mans shoulder. Jake looked up and grinned at him.

"Hey Ash! How are you?" Jake asked kindly.

"I'm good. Probably better than you, if I'm to be honest." Ashley said. Jake grimaced at that.

"It was a close call. A lot of blood lost, plus a ton of stitches. But I'm fine now. For the most part at least." Jake said, shrugging slightly.

"Just be sure to rest more. Andy would throw a fit. So would the rest of us." Ashley said sternly.

"Yes mother." Jake joked. Ashley punched his shoulder lightly in response.

After more banter, he went in search of the others. Andy was leader(go figure), so he had the task of organizing and strategizing everything. And that was a big task. CC was making the barbed wire fence stronger(thicker wires and knocking the posts into the ground a little farther so that it would be harder to uproot them). Jinxx was taking care of the other survivors. Jake didn't have a task for a while, except rest. So that left Ashley with something to do. Ashley found himself helping Andy organize things. Like weapons, rationing food, water, shoes, clothes, things of that nature. Andy passed on the things he had strategized to Ashley, whom would then pass it on to everyone else. It was tiring. And by the end of the day, he had no voice. Queue that on repeat for the next week.

Ashley woke up to CC pacing, almost echoing how Ashley felt. He rubbed his eyes and looked at CC pacing. He watched for a little while before shaking his head and rubbing his eyes a little more before speaking.

"Uh, dude. Could you stop pacing. You're making me nauseous." Ashley joked.

CC stopped upon hearing Ashley's voice, offering a apologetic smile. "Sorry man, I just hate being cooped up in here." he said softly.

Ashley nodded, knowing the feeling. He got up and got his clothes, readying himself for the showers in the back of the complex. "Maybe ask to go on a excursion? It'll at least get you out and around." He said as he went to the back of the complex and hopped in for a quick shower.

Once out, dried, and clothed; he went to the front of the complex, CC waiting by the gates with a slight grin. CC came forward with a pack in his hand and offered it to Ashley.

"Want to come with?" Was all CC asked. Ashley nodded silently and took the pack that CC gave him.

"Andy made sure to give you a little of everything. Oh, and your weapons." CC said, picking the weapons up off the ground.

He had machetes and twin pistols, which he secured firmly before nodding to CC. Waving the Andy, who waved back; Ashley turned to CC. "Let's go." He uttered.

Once out into the unknown, they began walking. "So what exactly are we looking for?" Ashley said after a long silence.

"Andy said we would need gas for the gens. We have plenty, but better to have a back up supply. Also more medical supplies. They had to use most of it on Jake and Andy himself, plus a few others." CC explained. Ashley nodded, understanding all of it.

Gas would be hard to come by soon. As well as medical supplies. But damn it if the hated getting the medical supplies. Ashley hated hospitals, as did CC. For good reason too. Dr. Loomis sprang into his mind and he shook his head to clear it. That man probably isn't even around the area anymore. That's what Ashley had hoped anyways. And as they walked further into town, they didn't realize someone was following them.

"Your time will come soon boys." Said the person with a sinister grin before melting back into the shadows.

Notes