Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: Maybe... or maybe I'm just... THAT AWESOME.

Key: Oh, please. You know I'm so much awesomer than you. :P

Todd: Herp derp, I'm awesomer cuz I'm a zombie.

Key: Ok, you beat me there. :P

Todd: Haha, YEAH. I am a POP CULTURE CHARACTER! >8D

Key: *rolls her eyes* Mhmmmmm.

Todd: Hey, when you think about it, our life is kinda like one big horror movie. :P

Key: The WORLD is one big horror movie, Todd. :P

Todd: Well, yeahhh... XI But I mean, whoduthunk this would all actually happen one day?

Key: I dunno, people who sit in their rooms playing those kinds of videogames all day? :P

Todd: Oh psshh... those people are nuts.

Key: I know, right? XP

Todd: Seriously! They always carried on about how they WANTED a zombie apocalypse! Good job guys, now 80% of our population is dead!

Key: It's not like it's their fault. XP

Todd: I'd like to THINK it is. It feels good to be able to blame someone.

Key: Well... you can't blame someone when it's not your fault, right? :/

Todd: Well, I think that if they're dead and they don't know me, and I don't know them, then I think I should be allowed to blame them if it makes me feel better. :3

Key: *sighs, but smiles* fiiine... whatever floats your boat.

Todd: Hell yeah. :P *he glances away for a second, then attacks Key in a sudden tickle-powered fury* HAH! AHAH! TIME TO KILL TIME! >:D

Key: OH MY GAHAHAHAHA-- *goes into a fit of laughter, struggling and failing to get Todd to stop*

Todd: *continues to tickle her* YES! LAUGH! EITHER WAY, I SHALL SHOW NO MERCY! >8D

Key: MEEEEEEEAN! *continues to laugh helplessly, completely surrendering*

Todd: *stops, laughing as well* Heheheh... XD

Key: *pouts, unamused, then grins* Hey Toooooooodd~? >:3 *lunges at him and starts tickling him* Revenge! >:D

Todd: NO NO STOHAHAHAHAHA! NO PLEASE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Key: *continues to tickle him* No mercy for you either!! >:D

Todd: *struggles to get away* NUOHOOGAAAHAHAHAHA I'M SORRY! I'M SUHHAAHAHAA!

Key: *grins, and stops tickling him* Ha.

Todd: *huffing, desperately trying to regain his composure* Mean... XD

Key: See? now you know how I feel. XP

Todd: Maybe, yeah. Just a little. ;P

Key: ^^

A FEW HOURS LATER

Sgt. Orello: *checks her watch* ... Shift's over. *calling got the other two* Hey! Time to head back.

Harry: *is somewhat worn out from the day, and is glad that he can rest again. He heads back with the others to the CEDA building*

IN THE ARMORY IN THE CEDA BUILDING

Sgt. Orello: *to the two men* Good job today, boys. You might make good soldiers yet. *sets her gun on the rack with the others and takes off her gas mask--it's the same woman who gave Harry the papers; the same one he bumped into outside the art store*

Harry: *this takes him by surprise* H-hey, wait - I've met you before...

Man: >.> *goes to put his stuff away*

Sgt. Orello: *smiles a bit* Yes, you have.

up

Todd: Yeah. Like... would you do what Harry did?

Key: *painful memories begin to surface* ...i know i wouldn't have been able to kill you...

Todd: *knows that people she cared about had turned - that was a given* ... is that what happened with...?

Key: *nods* ...my parents, my brother... i couldn't bring myself to kill them...

Todd: *quietly* ... you had a brother...?

Key: y-yeah... his name was Joey. he was two years younger than me....

Todd: ... I'm sorry.

Me: LOLOLOLOL THAT RHYMES WITH ZOEY LOLOLOLOL

Key: ...It's not your fault, you don't need to apologize...

Me: way to kill a sad moment there. I didn't even realize that, i had that name picked out like, a week or so ago. XP

Todd: But it still happened, and that's not okay... so I'm sorry that it happened to you...

Key: ...i just hope they got lucky and are still around to get cured...

Todd: I bet they will be. :)

Key: *hugs him a biit more tightly, grateful for the reassurace* ... Thanks.

Todd: It's okay, Key - I don't like seeing you sad.

Key: i don't like seeing you sad either...

Todd: Well then, good thing we've got each other ^^;

Key: yep. thank goodness for that. :) *kisses him*

Todd: *kisses back*

Key: *breaks the kiss after a few moments, but stays close to him* ....

Todd: We've survived a LOT of shoot, huh?

Key: We really have. Pretty sure we've had it worse than most of the people here...

Todd: I dunno, Key... don'tcha think a lot of people here pretty much went through the same stuff?

Key: not everyone got infected and lived through it. *can think of a few other things to list, but doesn't mention them because they involve Harry*

Todd: True, but everyone here - or rather, MOST of everyone here - had to walk all the way from where they were in order to reach the Safe Zone, like us. I'm pretty sure that there weren't a whole lot of people who survived, but those who did went through the same shoot as the next guy.

Key: *again, wishes she could mention Harry without destroying Todd's somewhat-happier mood... she settles for a neutral answer* Well, when you put it that way, I guess you're right.

Todd: Damn straight. I'm a pretty "right" guy, y'know? XP

Key: As opposed to a "left" guy? XD

Todd: Well, I'm that too. :P

Key: pfft.... okay, sure.

Todd: You could even call me modest. ;D

Key: Ok, that might be stretching it a bit. XD

up

Todd: *starts laughing as well, his mood having risen back up*

Me: mood whiplash!

Key: Ahah.... I needed that.... XD

Todd: Heh... seriously, you are NOT alone in needing that.

Key: Mhmm... *leans against Todd, resting her head on his shoulder* ...we really need some crayons... XP

Todd: *puts an arm around her shoulders* we'll get some tomorrow, silly. :P

Key: Yaaaaay~ XD

Todd: Haha, yes. XP So what else can we do to pass the time? *suggestively* take a nap?

Me: DOOOOHHH HO HO HOOOO DOOOOOOOOOH HO HO HOOOO

Me: i lol'd in the middle of a serious part in Anastasia. I think they know i'm not playing ReCoded anymore. XD

Key: *raises an eyebrow* Todd... are you trying to imply something?

Todd: Hah, noo...

Me: XP

Key: riiiiight.

Todd: *grins at her playfully* I'm only kidding. Besides, that'd be weird - and a very good way to bring back a very bad memory.

Key: Let's stay away from that for a while then, shall we? *a bit more quietly* Don't think I'm ready for that anyway... >///>;

Todd: Well see? That's ANOTHER reason not to! We should be, like, the poster couple for abstinence! Or, well... no, not really - maybe YOU can be. :P

Key: *snorts* Pfft. Right. *mumbling* (th' fact that i only ever had one boyfriend helped...) XP

Todd: I heard that. Still, Key, abstinence is a good thing, I think! here are so many problems that can be avoided without sex!

Key: I know, Todd, they gave us a sex talk last year at school. XP

Todd: Right! Okay! I guess we can stop there, then, before it gets awkward.

Key: *laughs* Todd, it got awkward as soon as you suggested it. XD

Todd: Well... ... okay, yeah. Yeah it did. :P

Key: we could take a normal nap. If we have nothing else to do.

Todd: Uh... if my pills'll let me. I don't wanna O.D., y'know?

Key: oh, whoops. let's not risk that, then. D: so... what do we DO?

Todd: Cuddle? Heh. :D

Key: I have no problem with that. :) *snuggles up to him, hugging him around the middle*

Todd: *lets her, burying his face into her neck*

Key: *releases him with one arm, and moves it up to his head, slowly running her fingers through his hair*

*and so they cuddle in order to kill time. A few hours later*

Todd: *snuggles with Key* this is quite an eventful day.

Key: Mhmm... this morning was, anyway...

Todd: I was being sarcastic... :P

Key: i know, i agree with you. i was just saying. :P

Todd: Herp derp I'ma zombie.

Key: yes, yes you are. *hugs him tighter* but i don't caaare~ :3

Todd: It would be kinda crazy if you were trying this shoot with me while I was crazy and violent*

Key: i didn't know you then. heck, i didn't think i'd EVER know you, since we thought there was no cure...

Todd: Well, I mean if the situation had been different, and you DID know me...

Key: you mean if i knew you BEFORE you got infected?

up

Todd: Uhh... I dunno. Anyone, Iguess. It would be better if it was one of the Disney princesses, though. ;D

Key: oh, of course! Hmmm... Ah! I know. :D *starts drawing*

Todd: *watches her* :)

Key: *keeps drawing. it soon becomes apparent who she's drawing--Belle*

Todd: Oh! :D Dahurrr that's gonna be funny. XP

Key: :3 *continues to draw*

Todd: *continues to watch her for until she finishes*

Key: *finishes. she's drawn Belle in her blue dress, vaulting over a wall* done... :D

Todd: I love it. :D

Key: you can have it, then. ^^

Todd: Really? I can keep it? :D

Key: Of course! You gave me the idea, anyway. :P *carefully rips it out of the sketchbook and hands it to him*

Todd: I'm gonna put this in my room. :D *he looks around for some tape, and manages to find a roll in the supplies box. He goes into his room, tapes the picture up on the wall, then comes back* :D

Key: *laughs* God, i feel like a kid. getting drawings taped to the walls. :P

Todd: Maybe it's what we need after all this growing up we had to do.

Key: Maybe it is. *holds her sketchbook out to him* now YOU try drawing something. :3

Todd: Uhhh... I dunno... I'm not too good at drawing. ^^;

Key: I did say try, didn't I? X3 come on, give it a shot. :D

Todd: Mnn... fiiine... *he takes the sketchpad and pencil* hmm...

Key: ...you should draw the opposite of mine. :D

Todd: Uh... The Beast? Doing office work?

Key: yes. XD

Todd: Oh, okay. *starts drawing*

Key: :) *watches*

Todd: *after a lot of erasing and redrawing, he finally finishes* ohjeebusitssohorrible ;_;

Key: Naww, it looks fine! :D Can I keep it? :)

Todd: Well, if you WANT it... <:D *carefully tears it out like she had, and hands it to her* ^^;

Key: ^^ where'd you put the tape? *spots it* oh. *grabs it and runs off to her own room, and tapes the drawing up*

Todd: *slowly shakes his head, laughing a bit at this* You're right - it DOES feel like being a kid again...

Key: *jumps over the back of the couch and lands in her seat* yup! ^^ Man, we need some crayons or something. XD

Todd: Haha! Seriously! XP

Key: I wish I had picked some up at that store. >.< Ah well, maybe next time. :P

Todd: Eyup - Then we can color outside the lines. XD

Key: Exactly! *starts laughing*

up

Key: *flips it open to the first page. she hadn't had time to draw anything in it yet* If i can think of something to draw, maybe... *nods towards the open spot next to her* Sit down. :)

Todd: Right. :P *he sits down next to her*

Key: *taps the eraser-side of her pencil against the page, trying to come up with something* So... what to talk about...

Todd: Uh... so... why'd you get into parkour?

Key: *laughs* because it looked cooler than gymnastics. It was before I met Alex, so I didn't have much else to do, really... Just me trying to be known for something cool rather than my lack of emotional control, you know? :/ I really had fun with it, mind you. I don't think I'm nearly as good as you are.

Todd: Well, parkour's all about getting that rush - dangerous, or not. *he smiles at her* And hey, you don't have to be good at it to enjoy it... well, unless you break your neck. Then that's no fun. But that's what the lesser stunts are for.

Key: oh, I know I never did any huge stunts... hurting yourself is not fun. *winces, as if she remembered something* Not fun at all.

Todd: Did you have take bad fall or something?

Key: *starts scribbling absently* just one... dislocated my shoulder. Hurt like helllllll. XC I kinda took a break after that...

Todd: Yikes... that sounds nasty. D: once again, though, parkour is some serious shoot. I've gained my fair share of injuries from it - including getting infected.

Key: how did that happen? ...did you get attacked while doing a stunt..?

Todd: I was... uh... running on the roofs. I got shoved off of this tall building - must've been six stories of so - and fell. I survived, but I was stunned long enough to let my attacker bite me on the neck. *he moves his head in order to show where, touching the place lightly. The indentation of a human bite was still there*

Key: *was shocked enough to hear that he survived a six story fall. she stares at the bite mark, lightly touching it* .... *quietly* how did you survive that?

Todd: The bite, or the fall?

Key: *half smiles* both.

Todd: Oh, well halfway down the fall, I grabbed onto a fire escape. Then I kinda let myself drop. For the bite... *he rubs his neck, where he was bitten* ... I guess I got hella lucky. Well, sorta. I was lucky because the zombie didn't get anywhere lethal - Bobby said he BARELY missed my jugular - and then Harry dragged me all the way back up the the apartment and got Bobby to help me. Bobby was going down the medical path, and shoot.

Key: Guess you really were lucky, then. Especially that you had a few friends to help you out...

Todd: mm... *is reluctant to call Harry a friend* ... Harry told me at one point that Bobby had turned into a Boomer... I guess I infected HIM too, since he didn't have the best supplies, and he was pretty much washing his hands with my blood.

Key: mmh... *continues scribbing absently* ...none of you knew, huh?

Todd: That I was infected? Naw. Well, maybe Harry. He told them all that I fell down some stairs. They didn't really believe him, since, y'know, BITE MARK, but at that time we didn't really know that it could be spread through saliva. Just blood.

Key: Makes sense... *stares at the page* ...(don't even know what i'm drawing...)

Todd: ... and since no one knew I was infected... Sam... she... *looks down*

Key: *looks back up at Todd. She remembers Harry mentioning something about having to kill someone named Sam... Judging from his expression, it was definitely someone important* ....you infected her without knowing....

Todd: Yeah, and then Harry was all like 'Oh, by the way, she was a witch and I shot her', remember? Well... it's awful to think that someone you cared about... *he laughs a little* ... my mom's also probably dead - or a zombie.

Key: *looks down, trying not to think of what happened to her own family* .....

Todd: Do you think this is, like, all punishment for our sins? Like, if you believe in that bible shoot?

Key: *snorts* If that's true, then no one must be good enough to get to heaven... and... i don't think that's true...

Todd: Well, y'know... this one line in the bible - one that kinda stuck in my head... "For if by now I had put forth My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, you would then have been cut off from the earth"...

Key: ....that's.... *sighs, and scribbles out what she was drawing* That's kind of depressing.

Todd: No kidding. *he looks over at her sketchbook* whatcha drawing?

Key: I don't even know. :/ *flips to the next page* kind of uninspired right now...

Todd: Well... what are you into?

Key: What do you mean, like, in general? I dunno... Not much beyond parkour and disney movies. *laughs a bit* that sounded absurd.

Todd: I know! Draw a Disney character doing parkour! :D

Key: *grins* Which one?

up

Todd: ... I think his dad might've also been in the military, or the army or something... he was wearing an old uniform when we went into that gun store...

Key: *without turning around* If he joined the military, it wasn't because of his dad. you know he hated him...

Todd: ... it only means he hates himself... I can see Harry turning into that...

Key: *pauses* ... You're underestimating him...

Todd: *raises his head from his fist* Am I? You mean you never noticed the similarities between him and his father?

Key: *remains silent. of course she had noticed--it had become painfully obvious when he murdered his father. she keeps cooking* .....

Todd: You can't really deny it, can you?

Key: ...no, I can't.

Todd: Well there we go. If he ever had kids, I bet you anything he'd be just as abusive to them as his dad was abusive to him.

Key: .... *has nothing to say to this. she knows he's probably right, but she really really hopes Harry can prove him wrong... she keeps working on the food*

Todd: *puts his head back down on his fist* Why the hell did I even bother bringing this up? Now I feel like crap.

Key: ):> .... *grabs a plate out of the cupboard, and serves the food. she goes to the table and sets a plate of pancakes down in front of him* ...Do you want syrup?

Todd: *never lifts his head* ... I'm fine...

Key: .... *leans over and places a hand on his shoulder* you need to eat, Todd. Come on, it'll make you feel better. <:(

Todd: mnn... at least sit down with me...

Key: ..in a second. *grabs the rest of the pancakes before they burn, then sits down next to Todd* ...

Todd: *weakly cuts at his pancakes, not exactly motivated. He starts eating his breakfast*

Key: *starts eating as well, not saying a word* ....

*after the pancakes*

Todd: *looking down at the table without interest* So... uh... thanks for making those... they were good.

Key: *half-smiles* Anytime. *smile fades* .... *grabs their plates, and takes them back to the kitchen*

Todd: *he never looks up from the table* ...

Key: *puts the plates in the sink and returns to the table, sitting down again. she doesn't know what to say* ....

Todd: Life sucks, huh? Sometimes it forces you to do stupid things... Harry's been forced to do a LOT of stupid things...

Key: *she can agree with that. she nods* ....

Todd: Do I sound hateful to you?

Key: ...just a little...

Todd: Mnf... sorry...

Key: it's okay... you've got to let that negative stuff come out somehow, right? ....better hateful than violent.

Todd: *he sighs* true... *gets up out of his chair, pushing it in slowly* I swear, I'm trying to be positive again - I'm just finding it really HARD...

Key: I know... *stands up and pushes her chair in* And you're right, it is hard. You just need to give it some time...

Todd: right... time... *he stares blankly at the wall to his side for a few seconds before looking at Key again* I'm not gonna try going out there again today. What'll we we do now?

Key: ...that's a very good question... ^^; *looks around the room* umm...

Todd: Uh... you wanna just sit on the couch and talk, or something?

Key: Guess there's not much else to do, is there? ^^; *goes to sit on the couch when she spots her sketchbook on the egde of the counter. she grabs it, then sits down*

Todd: *glances at the sketchbook* Are you going to draw something?

Todd: Glad to hear it. Ready for the day, whatever the heck it can bring?

Key: *sighs* yup.

Todd: Alrighty then. *jumps out of the bed*

Key: *climbs out of bed, a little bit less energetic than Todd*

Todd: Oh come ON, Key! It's not THAT early!

Key: I don't wake up as quickly as you do! XP *stretches her arms upward, then lets them drop* sheesh.

Todd: Well, I guess that's true - you're not the one relying on drugs. XP

Key: Hey, at least you can sleep whenever you want. If I get insomnia, I can't borrow your pills. I'll end up in a coma or something. XP

Todd: But you have me! :D

Key: That's true. ^^ <3

Todd: =^^= so, what now?

Key: ....breakfast? ^^;

MEANWHILE

*the three are still on patrol*

Soldier: *stops* .....you guys hear something?

Man: ??

Todd: >8D ... ... right! *he walks out of the room, opening the door for Key*

meanwhile

Harry: ? *he strains his ears, trying to listen. He manages to hear a faint, but VERY familiar growling noise*

Hunter: RYYYYYYYYYE!! *suddenly leaps from the top of the wall, at Harry*

Harry: !!??? *shoots it*

Hunter: *Harry manages to shoot it directly in the head with the shotgun, right as it was about to pounce him. The head is blown completely off, and it lands in front of Harry with a "thump"*

People: *STARE* D8

Harry: ... how did it get past the wall?

Key: thank you, sir. :3 *goes straight for the kitchen and starts digging around for something to make*

MEANWHILE

Soldier: *stares in shock at the dead Hunter, then looks back up at the wall* ...It must've climbed the wall somehow... We're going to have to report this...

Man: o_o;

Todd: *he heard the Hunter's cry, and the shotgun blast. His head turned quickly to the direction where the noise originated. A pang of fear wedged itself back into his mind as he imagined the worst may have happened* ...

meanwhile

Harry: So the hunters are able to get in. Do you think ALL of them will eventually be able to get through?

Key: Hey Todd, I found some... *turns to look at him, and frowns* ...Is everything okay?

meanwhile

Man: Don't say stuff like that out loud...! D:

Soldier: *ignores the other man* ....it's possible, but highly unlikely....

Todd: *quietly* ... something happened outside. I heard a Hunter, and a gunshot. *starting to get anxious. A bead of sweat runs down his forehead*

meanwhile

Harry: ... *he glances at the horrified people who stared at the body. Some had started whispering to each other. They were scared. "An infected got in." "Was the Safe Zone really so safe?". He looks back at the headless body* ... maybe we should do something about the body...

Key: w-what?! *becomes very worried* IN the safe zone? ....There was only one gunshot, right? That means they already killed it... right? D:>

meanwhile

Soldier: ...you're right. *pulls out a walkie talkie and speaks into it* This is Orello. We have a jumping Whiskey Delta that got over the wall. Yes, it's dead, but we've got a mess that needs cleaning up. *to Harry and the other man* Get these people out of here, we don't need a crowd.

Todd: ... or the person with the gun was killed...

meanwhile

Harry: Yes ma'am. *starts shooing the people away*

Key: *trying to reassure him* ...but then you'd still hear the Hunter...

meanwhile

Man: *helps Harry shoo people away*

Sgt. Orello: *watches the wall carefully for any signs of more Infected getting in* ...

Me: she has a name~! XD

Todd: *turns his head to her* ... c-can we go out and see? Please?

meanwhile

Harry: *continues shooing the citizens. He can't help but worry. What if they DID manage to all get through the wall? What then?*

Civilians: *slowly start to go away*

Key: ... *nods* grab your jacket. *heads for the door, grabbing hers off the back of a chair*

meanwhile

More soldiers: *arrive. they grab the corpse and quickly take it away*

Sgt. Orello: *oversees this, assigning extra patrols to some soldiers*

*the two of them get their jackets and run out into the Safe Zone*

Todd: *notices the blood on the ground where the Hunter landed* ... Key... I can't tell what color that is... is it blood?

Harry: *notices them* *quietly to himself* ah, crap... *he approaches them, hoping they won't recognize him (no, just another 6"5 foot giant in a military uniform, goddamnit)* H... hey! Move along - there's nothing to see here!

Todd: *glares at the faceless soldier*

Key: *blinks at the sight of the tall soldier* ... *quietly, to Todd* Yeah, it is... *tugs on his arm* Come on.

Todd: *walks with Key, mumbling out quiet obscenities* fuggin piece'o'shoot ex-friend wit'his fugging piece-o-shoot armor fugging gonna get him nowhere 'cept a lonely life goddamnit...

Harry: *watches them walk off* <:(

Key: *links arms with Todd as they walk. she glances back over her shoulder at the soldier... she hopes he's doing okay* <:( .....

Sgt. Orello: *notices Harry being distracted* Gazsky! Pay attention.

Harry: *flinches, and turns to her* Y-yes ma'am! Sorry!

Todd: *snorts, his moods dampened*

Sgt. Orello: *rolls her eyes, though the gesture goes unnoticed due to her mask*

Key: ..... *rests her head against Todd's arm* We should go back to the apartment... don't think there are any places to eat out here.

Todd: *grumbles* Yeah, yeah... *walks with Key back to the apartment*

Harry: >_>; *shoos away the last of the witnesses*

*and so they walked*

meanwhile

*and so they cleaned up the mess*

Sgt. Orello: *something unintelligible comes out of her walkietalkie. she grabs it and speaks into it* Repeat that. *listens for a while* ....copy that. *looks back up at the wall. if she wasn't wearing a mask, her worry would be obvious*

*AND SO THEY ENTER THE APARTMENT ROOM*

meanwhile

Harry: Excuse me, but what next?

Key: .... *goes into the kitchen and continues working on brakfast* ...want anything specific?

Me: *cough* what are they limited to?

meanwhile

Sgt. Orello: ...We're going to set up more patrols... as a precaution. We don't want this to happen again.

Me: They have enough food to last two months.

Todd: *still angry* ... no. I'm okay with whatever.

meanwhile

Harry: And us? What will we do?

Me: i mean, like, what kind? anything? o.o;;

Key: ...okay.

meanwhile

Sgt. Orello: Right now? We keep doing what we're supposed to be doing. come on. *continues down the street*

Man: ! *follows her*

*the other soldiers had begun to return to their posts*

Me: Anything. Go crazy.

Todd: ... *sits down at the table, his head resting on his tightly closed fist* ...

meanwhile

Harry: ... right. *follows Sgt. Orello*

Me: XP

Key: *glances worriedly at Todd over her shoulder* ... *pulls some more stuff out and starts cooking*

up

Me: lol yeah. XD

Harry: *he trudges back up to his room, and, after closing the door, looked down at the gun and armor he held in his arms* ... :/

meanwhile

Todd: ... thank you.

Key: *thinks she knows the answer, but asks anyway* For what?

MEANWHILE

...

Todd: For being a good sport about my WANGST... for helping me through all of this... <:)

meanwhile

Harry: *changes into the armor, mask and all. He didn't need the mask, but he'd rather stay faceless for when he finally got to doing his job tomorrow. For Todd's sake. For his own sake* ...

Key: *smiles* Anytime. *nuzzles him* Whenever you need me, Todd. :) <3

MEANWHILE

...

Todd: Heh... <3 *kisses her on the cheek*

meanwhile

Harry: ... *he takes off the armor and stores it in his closet, along with the gun. He prepares a quick meal for himself, then brushes his teeth and goes to bed*

Key: *continues to snuggle with Todd* ...oh! You... need your pills to sleep, don't you? ._.;

Todd: Oh! Yeah. :/ I'll go get them. *he gets up out of bed and into the other room. He comes back, bottle in hand* ^^;

Key: *laughs a bit, sitting up* Would've sucked if you had remembered the hard way. XD

Todd: Eheh... ^^; *he opens the bottle and shakes out a pill. He then takes it* Gah... maybe that would be easier if I took it with water... those horse pills are MASSIVE...

Key: Keep that in mind for next time. XD Get back over here before you fall asleep. :P

Todd: Right. *he climbs back into the bed* Must be kinda weird though, huh? I mean, I'm ASLEEP, but it's not my eyes are closed or anything, since I don't even HAVE eyes.

Key: *cuddles into him again* I don't really notice... but you don't have to have your eyes closed to fall asleep. I mean, people fall asleep with their eyes open sometimes.

Todd: Really? That's... weeeiird... D:

Key: Just a little bit. I've never seen anyone fall asleep like that, though.

Todd: So... weeeeiiiiird DB

Key: you're weird. :P *briefly kisses him* Don't worry about it. just get some sleep.

Todd: *his speech is starting to slow down* Mm... can't until the drugs... kick in... *he yawns* oh... there we go...

Key: See? :) *snuggles into him* Good night...

Todd: *he gives her a sleepy smile* goodnight... *he falls asleep there, completely losing consciousness*

Key: ...heheh... <3 *falls asleep there as well*

Me: Timeskip!

*THE NEXT MORNING*

Todd: *still asleep*

meanwhile

Harry: *gets into uniform and goes out, looking for any sign of the squad leader he was supposed to report to*

Key: *also still asleep*

MEANWHILE

*a small group of soldiers is gathering down the street*

Soldier: *is the same one from before. she seems to be giving orders to the others*

Todd: *sleeeep*

meanwhile

Harry: *runs over and slips into the group* ._.;

Key: *asleeeeeeeeep*

MEANWHILE

Soldier: *notices him, but doesn't call him out on it*

A few soldiers: *leave the group, already having been given their orders.*

Todd: *sleeeeep*

meanwhile

Harry: *looks at the squad leader, though his pathetic look is hidden by the mask* uh...

Soldier: *tells a few other guys where to go, then turns her attention to Harry, and one other man that's left* You two are with me, since you're new.

MEANWHILE

Key: *asleeeeeeeeep.*

Todd: *the drugs are wearing off. Now he's kinda half asleeeeep*

meanwhile

Harry: *nods* uh... yes ma'am.

Key: *still asleep*

meanwhile

Soldier: *motions for the two men too follow, then turns on her heel and starts walking down the street*

Other guy: ! *folows her*

Todd: *drowsily comes to. He looks over at Key, still asleep, and cracks a small smile. Quietly, he speaks to himself* Well... that's new.

meanwhile

Harry: ! *Also follows her*

Key: *is still asleep*

MEANWHILE

Soldier: *speaks as she walks* Our job is to patrol the Safe Zone and make sure the citizens don't get out of line. Don't shoot unless it is absolutely necessary.

Man: *nods* Right.

Todd: *waits for her to wake up. He nuzzles her a bit*

meanwhile

Harry: *nods*

Key: *seems to react to the light touch, shifting around a bit*

MEANWHILE

*and so they patrol the city*

Todd: *smiles a bit at this, and continues nuzzling her*

meanwhile

Harry: *does his best to look out for anything suspicious*

Key: mmm. *smiles a bit, starting to wake up. she snuggles up to Todd*

MEANWHILE

*everything seems mostly peaceful*

Todd: *whispering to her* good morning...

meanwhile

Harry: *wonders how Todd and Key are doing*

Key: *drowsily* g'mornnn...

meanwhile

*nothing really happens. unless you want something to happen*

Todd: *his smile cracks into a toothy grin* Did you sleep well?

Key: *nods slightly, smiling contentedly* mhmm...

up

Todd: *he didn't realize that he was quivering in his fear* Y-Yes... what... what do you think will happen to those of us who were infected...? Who will turn America back into a civilization? What would we say in our history books after all of this finally comes to an end? No... more like crashes to a halt... the... THEY... will probably become the leading power...

Key: *can clearly feel him shaking, and hugs him more tightly. was he really this afraid?* I'm... sorry to say this... but I think you're right. There's no one else left to take that responsibility... but I don't think it'll be as bad as you think.

Todd: *in a whisper* ... What do you think it'll be like...?

Key: *lowers her voice as well* Well... i think.. they might keep the cured and the immune separate for a while... just to make sure they're all... you know... stable... but i think they'll eventually let everyone live together... like we do.

Todd: *frowns* ... so like, segregation...?

Key: Not for too long... Like.. remember how hesitant i was with being around you at first? like that.

Todd: ... does this mean WE'LL be separated...?

Key: ....i hope not... they know you're not a threat if they don't hurt you... and you basically gave them the cure so...

Todd: ... that doesn't mean I'll get any privileges... they still fear what they don't understand. I've come to realize that that's just the nature of the human race. Hating Catholics, Blacks, Asians, Homosexuals - ANYTHING that's different.

Key: *hugs him a bit more tightly, she speaks with determination* I won't let them take you away. If they do... I'll just go with you.

Todd: *he laughs a little at this* You're not like you used to be...

Key: *answers with a very serious tone* Nothing is... not anymore.

Todd: *he is tripped up on her seriousness, and falls into silence* ...

Key: .... *suddenly laughs a bit* jeez... I'm such a downer... guess that's different...

Todd: *he laughs a little albeit nervously* y-yeah... "different" is a bit of an understatement. I guess I also kinda changed...

Key: you're... *snuggles a bit into his chest* you're not as happy anymore... I miss that...

Todd: Sorry... I guess reality kinda took its toll on me... s'gonna be kinda hard to claw my way out of this...

Key: *laughs a bit again* I'll help you, then.

Todd: *he smiles gratefully* That would be wonderful.

meanwhile

Harry: *wonders how long it really takes for someone to figure out where he can help*

Key: *smiles* glad to help...

MEANWHILE

Woman: *is approaching him from down the street. it's the same woman he had bumped into before*

Todd: Do you think I could be, like, medically depressed or something? :/

meanwhile

Harry: ? *he notices the woman, and remember her in the back of his mind as someone he briefly brushed against nearly a week ago*

Key: ...I don't know.. maybe.

MEANWHILE

Woman: *stops a few steps in front of him, and searches through the small stack of paper she was carrying* Harry Gazsky?

Todd: I don't want to be medically depressed. D: That would be... scary. D8

meanwhile

Harry: *raises an eyebrow* Uh... yeah?

Key: ....It would... but... like I said, I'll try to help you get through it.

MEANWHILE

Woman: *pulls the piece of paper out of the stack* Well, congratulations, Mr. Gazsky, you're officially a part of the military. *hands him the page* Your duties are outlined there. It's not much for now, you'll mostly be on patrol.

Todd: What would you do if I tried suicide?

meanwhile

Harry: Hey, haven't I seen you before? Outside of the art store?

Key: *without hesitation* I wouldn't let you. I would stop you.

MEANWHILE

Woman: *raises an eyebrow* That was the first time we "met".

Todd: Glad to hear it. Eheh. ^^;

meanwhile

Harry: Right... uh... sorry about your papers...

Key: *hugs him a bit more tightly* ....don't say stuff like that, it gets me worried...

MEANWHILE

Claire: I think I paid you back.. albeit a bit disproportionately... I got in your way and you got in mine.

Todd: Sorry. :(

meanwhile

Harry: Uh... y-yeah, I guess so. Yes. So. Do I just... get armor and a gun and... I dunno, receive an assignment?

Key: It's okay.

MEANWHILE

Woman: Basically, yes. You should report to the CEDA building whenever it's convenient for you. Preferably today.

Todd: So... will you please be my teddy bear? <:)

meanwhile

Harry: Will do. Right now. Thanks. *he heads off to the CEDA building*

Key: only if you would be mine too. <:)

MEANWHILE

Woman: ...

Todd: I always am. XP *climbs onto Key's bed*

meanwhile

Harry: *walks over to the CEDA building and looks for someone who can help him out*

Key: *climbs into bed next to him* Well, I'm always yours, so... I dunno why you even need to ask. :)

MEANWHILE

Man: *is the same man from before. he notices Harry* Hey! Back already?

Todd: heh... *cuddles with Key*

meanwhile

Harry: Yeah, I've been put on patrol, or something... I just need to know WHERE to do my job, and if there's an armory I can get supplies from.

Key: *cuddles with him*

MEANWHILE

Man: Well, if i were you, I'd got to the armory first and get your things sorted out.. after that, you just gotta find out who your squad leader is. It should say it on the sheet you got. Ya probably don't start 'till tomorrow.

Todd: *snuggle*

meanwhile

Harry: *nods* Got'cha. Thank you. *he walks off, searching for the armory, which was in the basement of the CEDA building. Signs directed Harry there. He got the standard armor and shotgun, then left, walking back to the apartment*

Key: *sighs contentedly* <3

MEANWHILE

Woman: *is gone*

Me: I think you can assume who his squad leader is. XD

up

Todd: *he takes another step away from her* Oh. Oh, I get it. It's all because *in a mocking impression of Key* "Harry's our FRIEND, Todd, and he has every excuse in th book at his disposal - even when he stab us in the back!" *he ends his impression with a sour face directed at her*

Key: *doesn't move, eyes slowly narrowing. she doesn't appreciate mocking, not at all. (stupid dumbass kids can't keep their mouths at least until i walk away from them) It was the reason she hid her face under a hood for so long, the reason she never opened up to anyone, ANYONE except Alex. (damn them all, they would never ever stop...!) She clenches her fists, outrage clearly showing on her face* Dammit, Todd, you're no better than the rest of them...!! I thought you were DIFFERENT! *is yelling at this point*

Todd: *he is taken aback by Key's sudden increase in volume - her sudden RAGE* ...Pardon?

Key: *approaches him and gets right in his face, suddenly becoming frighteningly intimidating--despite the obvious height difference* I spent years trying to get away from that--and you just go and bring it right back. All those fracking years of never being left alone by almost everyone, and only having one person who would never insult me, never make fun of me, never say anything to hurt me. He's fracking DEAD now. Then I though I found someone else like that. GUESS I WAS WRONG! *she doesn't hit him, doesn't touch him, just yells in his face*

Todd: *his skin seemed to go a bit more into grey-ish-white in his face - his version of going pale. His bitter expression had turned from shocked, to regretful* I-I'm sorry Key, I-I didn't know... D:>

Key: *is starting to tear up, though she doesn't seem to notice* Goddammit, Todd, I TOLD YOU ABOUT THIS! I told you about it and you still did it! I thought you were DIFFERENT! *takes a step forward on the last word, practically screaming it in his face*

Todd: *he can't really get himself to say anything, but now felt awful for doing that to Key. He looks down, away from Key, in shame*

Key: L-Look at me! *is starting to break down. she raises a hand as if to hit him, but stops-- and instead, turns on her heel and simply walks out, without a sound, not even bothering to slam the door as she leaves. she goes straight to her room, and silently enters it, barely making any noise as she opened and closed the door*

Todd: *looks back up when the door is closed* ... ah, frackING HELL... *he puts a fist on his forehead, then beats himself against it a few times* just... god, Todd - you fracking idiot... *he looks back over at the closed door* ... *decides to give Key some time before trying to talk to her again. He fully goes into his room, softly shutting the door behind him, and just lays down on his bed, staring at the ceiling* ...

*AFTER A WHILE*

Key: *has not left her room. not even a sound has come out of there*

Todd: ... *still feeling completely terrible (it would be wrong to feel anything BUT, anyway), he slowly walked out of his room, and knocked on Key's door* ... Key...? D:>

*there is no response*

Todd: ... *he tries opening the door, hoping that it's unlocked*

*it IS unlocked (she hadn't bothered to close it. he wouldn't come in anyway. no one ever did.)*

Todd: *he quietly steps inside* Key... I-I'm really sorry about before... D:>

*the lights are off. the room seems to be empty-- but upon closer inspection, one can find a small, curled up figure in the corner farthest from the door*

Key: *is curled up against the back wall, hugging her legs and hiding her face in her arms. she had reached into her closet and grabbed the first thing she came into contact with, and put it on--it happened to be the bloodstained, torn up dull red hoodie she had been wearing when they arrived there. the hood was pulled low over her face, so none of it was visible from the position she was sitting in. she looked tiny, pathetic, more helpless than when Harry let her come along with them. she is completely silent*

Todd: ... *he feels that pang of pity - he had expected it, but it punched him in the gut harder than he expected, then once again in the throat, and for a few seconds he couldn't speak. Shaking it off, he approaches Key, and sinks down onto his knees in front of her* Key... please - I-I... I'm such an idiot... I never meant to hurt you...

Key: *abruptly turns her head to the side, refusing to communicate verbally (he's just like the rest of them...why should i talk to him?) she was trying to convince herself that that was the reason... but the real reason was that if she were to try to speak now, she would break down completely* ...

Todd: No... no, no, PLEASE, Key... I'm begging you - just LISTEN... please - I'm not.. that was... I-I don't know. There's no excuse for that - that shootty trash-talking MONSTER you had to talk to... *he's very upset. At this point, his voice cracks* at least LOOK AT ME, Key! D8>

Key: *the change in the tone of his voice catches her attention more than the words, and she slowly turns to look at him. her face is still almost completely hidden, but she was definitely looking directly at him now. it took all her willpower not to burst into tears* ...

Todd: *stares directly into her eyes* ... I won't be surprised if you don't forgive me for this... but that's okay, because I don't deserve your forgiveness.

Key: *stares. (he doesn't deserve it, he's no better than the rest--yes he is, you know you love him--) she snaps. she can't hold it in anymore, and she starts to cry*

Todd: D8> ! Key... *he hesitates, then places a comforting hand on her shoulder* I'm so sorry, Key...

Key: *is so wrapped up in her own thoughts, she doesn't even seem to feel the hand on her shoulder. (he deserves the be forgiven--no he doesn't, he's just like the rest of those assholes--but he IS different--no he's not, he made fun of you--but he loves me, and I love him--)* I-I-I'm s-sorry......

Todd: *is only able to catch that because of his mutated hearing capabilities* Oh, Key... why should YOU be sorry...? I'm the one who acted like a complete jerk...

Key: s-sh-shouldn't have pushed you... should've just left y-you alone... I-I... *takes a deep, shuddering breath, looking back up slightly* I love you, Todd... a-and... I f-forgive you...

Me: notice the one phrase she doesn't stammer on.

Me: I know. XD

Todd: *he leans forward and hugs her* Well... then I forgive you too... and I love you too.

Key: *sits there for a few seconds, then hugs him back, burying her face in his shoulder* ....

Todd: I swear I'll never do that to you again - you deserve better.

Key: *shakes her head slightly* N-No, you're okay... i-it was just one thing... i overreacted...

Todd: ... but we're okay now, right? We're both feeling at least a little better... that's good. *he slowly stands up, and offers a hand to Key, as she normally did for him*

Key: ... *nods* yeah... *takes his hand, and pulls herself up. she doesn't let go of his hand* ...

Todd: *never lets go of hers* ... so now we just wait for the world to be normal again...

Key: Mhmm... not much else to do... *rests her forehead against his chest and sighs. she doesn't really want to talk anymore... the last few days have been rather...difficult.*

Todd: *suddenly hugs Key very tightly - he had surprised himself. Todd needed more comfort than he realized* What will happen?

Key: *is rather surprised by the sudden hug as well, but doesn't object to it--she fully welcomes it, and hugs him back* When everyone gets brought back?

up