Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: Well, better him than us - THEY'VE got guns! D: *keeps running with Key*

Key: *nods, and keeps running-- she spots a safehouse symbol on the wall* There!

Todd: !! *he sprints to it with Key*

Key: *opens the door, letting Todd in, and closes it behind him, lowering the bar to lock it. she leans against the door and slides down against it to a sitting position, completely out of breath from the running*

Todd: *slows to a halt in the safehouse* ... This day sucked. Big time. *he looks back over to Key* Maybe you should've stayed in the Safe Zone... after all, they weren't shooting at YOU...

Key: *shakes her head, still breathing heavily* No... I don't think I would've been able to sit there and just watch you run...

Todd: But Key... the infected! D:> *he sighs* Well, it's too late NOW, isn't it?

Key: *manages a smile, and stands back up* Looks like you're stuck with me, Todd.

Todd: ... how the hell are we gonna survive? You don't have a gun, and Harry... *tries not to think about it. He trails off there*

Key: ....There might be weapons in here... we should start looking. *avoids the subject of Harry on purpose--she knows thinking about it will only hurt Todd*

Todd: Maybe...

Pistol: *under a table*

Key: *looks around* how are there--oh, look. *picks up the pistol* that's convenient... still has ammo in it, that's a plus.

Todd: Yeah - that's a lucky find... *he looks out of the safehouse door* ...god... back to square one, huh? Except now we aren't even HEADED anywhere...

Key: *hadn't realized the irony of the situation until right then, and is shocked by how similar it was to when she started running...* ....

Todd: Y'know what's even worse? I hear a witch. Of course, she's no where NEAR here, and I'm not if sure you can hear her too, because she's faint to me. But yeah. Witch. Somewhere.

Key: *suddenly shudders* ...cold... (someone walked over my grave or something...)

Todd: I know I'm not exactly a blanket, but... do you want me to TRY to be? <:)

Key: *smiles* only if you want to. *tries to find a spot AWAY from the door*

Todd: *he follows her, cursing himself for having practically no body heat - well, at least he had his hoodie. Maybe that could compensate*

Key: ? *finds a couch (oh, thank god, we don't have to sleep on the floor today!) and sits on it, patting the space next to her* :)

Todd: *he smiles slightly at this, and sits down next to her. He tried his best to not think about Harry. But refusing to think about Harry made him feel bad. He glanced at Key. For her sake, he had to at least PRETEND to be happy*

Key: *notices when he glances at her, and knows something's up.* Hey... *she puts a hand on his shoulder* He's going to be okay.

Todd: Don't... don't kid yourself, Key... he was shot with something meant to execute me...

Key: *opens her mouth to disagree, but finds that she can't. Todd was completely right--the odds of Harry surviving were very slim. she looks away from him, and lets her hand slide off his shoulder.* ...He took the shot for you because it was what he wanted to do. I don't think it was intention for you to grieve over him... I mean, yeah, I'm worried too, but...

Todd: ... I feel really bad about yelling at him before... even though what he did was... what it was. *he nervously laughs at this - the laugh quickly turn into a sob* oh GOD, Key! *he hugs her tightly*

Key: *returns the hug, rubbing comforting circles on his back. she knew how he felt. It was like when she had lost Alex. The two of them had been through so much together, and for so long, that losing the other person hurt like nothing else ever would, or could. she held him as he cried, comforting him being the only thing on her mind at the moment.*

Todd: *he continued sobbing into her, thankful for the comfort, but also somewhat embarrassed for breaking down like that in front of her. Still, he cried as much as he could, now accepting the fact that Harry was dead*

Key: *continues to hug him, willing to wait as long as was necessary. Todd had done the same for her--the least she could do was return the favor.*

Todd: *finally, the sobs died down. The tears still rolled, but at least he could now speak* ... s-s-sorry...

Key: *quietly, still hugging him* you don't have to apologize. you have every right to grieve.

Todd: *he sniffs* ... I made your shirt all bloody...

Key: *laughs a bit at this* Don't worry, I can always get a new one... *(you can't replace friends, though...)*

Todd: *laughs a little as well, weakly. Today was a nightmare. It was best to just roll with it... if Todd could*

Key: ...we should try to get some sleep... *leans back so her head rests on the armrest, pulling Todd down with her so they're both laying down on the couch, with Todd's head still resting on Key's shoulder*

Todd: ... Right... *he was unable to sleep again. He no longer had those pills with him. Still, he enjoyed being with Key, even if he couldn't enjoy the feeling of rest*

Key: *hugged him a bit more tightly* ...I love you, Todd...

Todd: ... I love you too, Key...

Key: *falls asleep after a few minutes, smiling contentedly... she only wished they were back in the Safe Zone, then everything would be okay...*

up

Todd: D8> ... *keeps climbing* don't worry, we're almost there... Aha! :D *he climbs up onto the roof* phew... tall building... *let's Key off his back*

Bullet: *manages to hit Todd (barely) in the back*

Todd: AH!! *he suddenly snarls at where the bullet came from*

Key: Todd!! *grabs Todd's arm before he can run after his attacker* Don't! D:>

Todd: *struggles against Key for an amount of time, before suddenly stopping. He finds himself staring over the edge of the building* Gaahh...! D8> *crawls away from the edge*

Key: *lets go of Todd and presses a hand to her wound, trying to get it to stop bleeding. she winces* W-What now??

Todd: We'll wait up here until you feel like you can get on my back again. Then we'll "hop the fence". *his thoughts drift back to Harry's sacrifice* ... goddamnit... he... he didn't have to do that...

Key: *looks down, also thinking back to it* ...i told you he still cared... but he surprised me too. I didn't think he'd go that far... *looks at Todd* we can rest when we get out of here. Let's go.

Todd: ... right... *he lowers himself to allow Key to get on his back again, and walks over to the other side of the building* ...

Below: *it's a tall building. There's about six stories to it*

Todd: ... I hope you like roller coasters. *He drops off the building, falling down fast with Key. He manages to twist himself in mid-air, and push himself off the building. They jump over the fence*

Tank: *sees them* GUUAAAAAAHHH!!

Todd: WHA - OF THE ALL THE TIMES FOR THIS shoot!! D8<

Key: *has gotten off Todd's back by this point, and panics upon seeing the Tank. (How are we gonna kill this thing without guns?!) She suddenly remembers her first encounter with a tank--how she got separated from Alex* D:>

Todd: shoot shoot shoot - KEY, RUN!! We can find each other later, just separate so it only goes after one of us! D8

Tank: *FUMES*

Todd: *before Key can object, he bolts in a completely different direction*

Tank: HUURRRRGAAHHHHH!! *rushes after him*

Key: *does what she's told, ad sprints off down the street, hoping that Todd won't get himself killed, like she believed Alex to have done (if you die, Todd, I'm done for...!) He shoulder hurts even more now that she's running, but she opts to ignore it and keeps running. keeping her eyes out for a safehouse...*

A Hunter: *Leaps at Key from a building* RYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEE!!

meanwhile

Todd: *running away from the Tank* agh! Agh! Agh! D8

Tank: GRROOOAAAAAHHHH!!

Key: !! *hears its trademark scream and immediately steps to the side, causing the hunter to miss. she keeps running at full speed, hoping to be able to outrun it (however unlikely that is)*

Hunter: *it lands, letting out a little cry of pain* arf! *he growls, and leaps at Key again, this time getting her from behind* RAAAAIIIIHH!!

Meanwhile

Todd: *manages to run far enough away from the Tank to have time to crouch, getting ready to (hopefully) do away with it like he managed to do last time* ...

Tank: *CHARGING* RRUUUHHH...!!

Key: !!! *is knocked to the ground, the hunter pinning her down. she has a sudden burst of adrenaline and flips over, ramming her elbow into the Hunter's face-- HARD. (i am NOT going to die like this!)* D8<

Hunter: *his nose makes a crack sound - broken - and blood soon leaks out of it* GHFFK! *he then snarls at Key, completely enraged from this. He goes for her stomach*

meanwhile

Todd: ... *suddenly rockets himself into the Tank, taking it down like he did before* Hah! >:D

Tank: Guurrhh... *dead*

Todd: *hops off it, and starts leaping around, as this was faster than running. He tries to track Key down*

Key: !! *grabs the thing's wrists when it goes for her stomach, stopping it just inches away. The hunter is stronger though, and she won't be able to hold it back very long at all* nnnrg... TODD!!!!!!!!! D8>

Hunter: SNARRRRR!! *presses his hands closer to her stomach*

meanwhile

Todd: *hears this with his SUPER-HEARING, and leaps over at it's direction. He spots Key and the Hunter. He leaps at the Hunter, screaming the Hunter's scream, and pinning it down EXACTLY as a Hunter should* DON'T YOU frackING TOUCH HER!! D8<

Hunter: *struggles to free itself* REEE...!

Key: *scrambles back to her feet, still trying to catch her breath from all the running. she blinks at the sight of a Hunter pinning down another Hunter and briefly thinks of how odd it is, before realizing that they're still in a very dangerous situation. she watches Todd and the Hunter* ...

Todd: *takes the struggling Hunter by his head, and slams it against the pavement with as much force as he can muster. Which was quite a lot*

Hunter: *you can hear the cracking of his skull, and the slight squish of his brain when this happens. It dies, blood and fluids leaking through his hoodie. Oddly, while dead, and not screaming and thrashing about, the thing looked scared. The body's expression seemed to give off that feeling. This only made it seem more human*

Todd: ... *he gets off the body, and walks over to Key* Are you alright?

Key: *can't help but stare in terror at the dead infected, and how human it looked now. she snaps out of it when Todd comes near her, and she looks up* O-Oh, I'm fine. *puts a hand back over her gunshot wound* We n-need to keep going.

Todd: ... right, right... Harry would've wanted that... *he offers Key a hand*

Key: *takes it, and gets up, wincing a bit at her shoulder. she looks around* we'll have to go pretty far to finda safehouse... it would make no sense to have one this close to the safe zone...

Todd: ... then we better get started, I guess... *he begins walking North with Key*

*and so they walk*

Todd: *is extremely discouraged by all that had happened. He was silent when they started actually walking - that recent memory of Harry getting shot pulsing angrily in his mind*

Key: *was trying to find something to focus on--her mind kept wandering to what could've happened, what else could've gone wrong... her being killed by the Hunter, Todd being killed by the Tank, by the firing squad... Harry dying if they don't get to him fast enough... she unconsciously takes Todd's hand--she's done this so many times already, the action is almost automatic*

Todd: *squeezes Key's hand for comfort, himself* ... he's probably dead... he lost so much blood, already...

Key: don't say that... there were a lot of people there... i'm sure one of them would have gotten to him fast enough...

Todd: Even still... he was shot at by, like, five guns... no one can survive that...

Key: *sounds optimistic, but she's trying to cinvince herself just as much as she's trying to convince Todd* ....who knows? maybe.... maybe he got lucky.

Todd: *is NOT convinced* ... yeah... ok...

*the mooing of a Charger is heard in the distance*

Key: *freezes* ....any way to avoid that?

Todd: *shrugs* Move out of the way?

Charger: *RUNS AT THEM!!*

Todd: !! *dives out of the way*

Key: !! *dives in the other direction*

Charger: *crashes into an alarmed car*

Alarmed Car: BWEEE BWEEE BWEEE!!

Todd: No no NO!!

Charger: *stumbles at them, and tries smacking Todd with its large arm*

Todd: D8< *sidesteps it, and slashes at it's front*

Charger: GRRUUUUUEEERR!! *tries smacking at Key*

Key: *backsteps the smack, but ends put backed against another car* D8

Horde: *can be heard in the distance*

Todd: frack!!

Horde: *runs at them in all directions*

Todd: frack frack - WHADDIWEDO?? *he's panicking*

Somewhere else: *a car alarm goes off, which in turn sets off the alarm of a car near it. a voice is heard swearing loudly and shooting something*

Horde: *is distracted by the louder noise*

Key: !! Now's our chance-- RUN! *turns and runs in the opposite direction*

Todd: *he runs with Key* Well thank god for THAT! D:

Key: *still running* I don't think that survivor will make it, though....

up

Todd: Thanks... hey, I know it kinda sucks and all, but I think we should go to bed...

Me: OR SOMETHING. XDDDD

Me: you will never let that one die, will you? XDDDD

Key: ..... *nods* It's better than just sitting here..... *lets go of Todd and stands up off the couch, offering Todd a hand* :)

Todd: *gladly takes it, letting her help him up off the couch. He then ambled over into his (and Harry's, once) bedroom. Then he walked out, realizing that the pills were still in Key' room* ._.

Key: *was about to go into her own room when she sees Todd come out of his room* hmm? Oh! *remembers that the pills are still in there, and goes back inside to go get them-- she quickly returns.* I'm guessing you'll be needing these... *holds the bottle gowards todd, so he can take it*

Todd: ^^; *he takes the pills from Key* Goodnight, Key...

Key: *smiles, then goes up on her tiptoes and kisses him* good night, Todd. :)

Me: odd that they're not opting for a cuddlefest this time.

Me: Nooooope.

Todd: *quickly hugs her, then heads into his room. By quickening it all, he could avoid and tears. He didn't want to see Key cry because of him. He laid down on his bed (the last sleep he'll ever have) and pulled the covers over him, waiting for the drugs to start working* ...

Key: *waits for Todd to be gone to let her smile fade* .... *she heads back to her room and crawls into bed,, not even bothering to change, and tries to fall asleep.... it was going to be a long night...*

*The next morning started with a heavy knock on the door, obviously from a group of the soldiers, ready to take Todd to their firing squad wall*

Todd: *was still asleep*

Key: *was not--she had barely managed to get any sleep at all last night. she sat up when she hears the knock* ...... *she gets out of bed and goes out to the main apartment, and opens the door* ....

Soldier: *he was carrying an AK-47. In a powerful, demanding voice, he speaks* Where is he?

Todd: *still asleep. The drugs had almost worn off*

Key: *was not appreciative of his tone, and answers defiantly* He's asleep. *her sudden bravery fades quickly, and she looks down* ...I'll go get him. *turns and goes into Todd's room, closing the door behind her. she sits on Todd's bed, and hesitates a bit before lightly shaking his shoulder* Todd... it's time to go..

Todd: Mnn...? *he groggily sits up in bed, and looks at Key. Then, he remembers what was supposed to happen today* ... Oh... *he gets out of bed, puts his hoodie and shoes on, then walks out into the apartment. When he speaks, his words are tight, bitter* Alright. Here I am.

Soldier: *he nods to another soldier, and both of them roughly take Todd by the arms, and leads him out*

Todd: Y'know, it's not like I'm gonna run...

Soldier: We're just making sure.

Key: *comes out into the main apartment just as they drag Todd away* ..... *goes after them. there was no way in hell that she was going to stay there*

Soldiers: *They takes Todd all the way out to where the carriers were executed back when they first entered the place. Apparently, word had spread through the apartment the the murderer from the CEDA Building massacre had been caught, and details were provided about the execution. A lot of people came to watch*

Todd: Oh. How pleasant. You couldn't do this privately?

Soldier: No. *leads him to the wall. The firing squad was already set up in front of it* Now stay there. Face your back to the firing squad. Hands up*

Todd: ... *does as he's told*

*in the crowd of people, Harry was at the front. He had a good view of what was going on, and noticed the guns that the firing squad held. He recognized them - mainly because he had one in his gun bag. It was a peculiar model - it only had one shot per round, and was a dog to reload. If it was used for anything outside an execution, the user of the gun would probably get him or herself killed. Already, a plan formed in Harry's head*

Key: *was shocked to find a crowd when she reached the wall, and began pushing past people to get to the front. when she gets there and sees Todd, she immediately has second thoughts and tries to run towards him--*

Man: *grabs her before she can start running, and holds her back* are you crazy?? you're going to get yourself killed!

Key: *angrily tries to get away, but his grip is too strong* Y-You do't understand, he didn't--! *stops when she looks back and sees who it is* Y-You?!

Loud: Look, I know he's a good guy, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't want you to die before he does. D:

Soldier: *loads her gun. this should be rather quick*

Squad Leader: *in a loud voice that bounced off the wall and echoed out to the crowd* MR. HUNTINGS. YOU ARE GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF FIVE PEOPLE, ALL OF WHICH WORKED FOR THE MILITARY. DO YOU DENY THIS?

Todd: ... ... ... no.

Squad Leader: AS PUNISHMENT, YOU HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Harry: *he takes a step forward. He had to time it exactly right. No emotion showed on his face. Todd was probably still angry at him. He had to make it up somehow...*

Squad Leader: *to the firing squad* READY YOUR GUNS!

Soldier: *levels her gun, along with the rest of the squad*

Key: *doesn't struggle anymore, and merely watches with tears in her eyes. this was it...*

Loud: *still holding Key back, just in case, he notices Harry stepping forward (what the hell is that guy thinking?!)* ....

Leader: AIM...!

Soldiers: *do so*

Todd: *braces himself, baring his teeth* ...

Harry: *He had to save Todd. Even if it meant...* ... *he suddenly sprints towards them*

Leader: FIRE - AAAHH!!

Firing Squad: Suddenly fire their guns, accidentally shooting Harry* D8 !!

Todd: *flinches when he hears the shot, but turns around when he doesn't feel the bullets. Then he notices Harry. Horror overcomes him* HARRY!! D8>

Harry: *his sprinting slows down to a walk after he's shot. Then he falls down, blood leaking out of his body*

Crowd: *murmurs amongst themselves. What a strange turn of events*

Soldier: !!!!

Key: NO! *manages to get out of a very shocked Loud's grip, and runs towards Todd and Harry. any relief she had about Todd not being dead yet was immediately destroyed by her panic over Harry*

Loud: D: .....

Todd: *runs over to Harry, getting down on his knees in front of his friend he turns him over, onto his back, and is surprised to find him still alive* Harry...! Wh... why would you...? D8>

Harry: *he is in a LOT of pain* Nnnhh...! C-couldn't... wouldn't be... right... your life's... more valuable than mine...

Todd: What...? D8>

Harry: *he clenches his teeth, and squeezes his eyes shut from how much agony he was in* What... what the hell are you waiting for...? Take Key and RUN...! *he manages to finish this sentence before the heavy blood loss gets to him, and he faints*

*finally, one of the soldiers snap out of their shock*

Soldier: shoot...! shoot! WE SHOT A CIVILIAN! *he gets out a walkie-talkie strapped to his belt, and yells into it, telling someone else what had just happened. Most likely to get some help from the CEDA building*

Key: *manages to get over her shock, and grabs Todd's arm, trying to pull him away. she sounds almost pleading* Todd... Todd, please, we have to go...!!

Soldier: *notices this* Hey! don't move! *is almost done reloading her gun*

Key: !!!

Loud: *sees what they were trying to do, and decides that they need a distraction* ... *grabs a guy from the ground behind him and shoves him into someone else*

Guy: HEY! What the frack was that for?!

*a fight breaks out*

Firing Squad: !! D8<

One Soldier: HEY! KNOCK THAT OFF!

Firing Squad: *tries to intervene, now distracted*

Todd: *really doesn't want to leave Harry behind (he's not dead... he just... god - he's GOING to die!) No one could have survived that. It was an execution for christ's sake!* No...! NO...!! *he doesn't budge*

Harry: *still unconscious, blood leaking like the contents of a spilled bottle*

Key: Todd, come on!! If we don't run, he'll have saved you for nothing!! D8> We need to go!!

Todd: *is a tiny voice* ... no... *he looks up at Key, despair mixed into his features. He was trying not to cry. He looks back at Harry, who was still unconscious, then gets back up* ... Key, get on my back. We're leaving the Safe Zone.

Firing Squad: *still quite occupied. It is chaos*

Key: *nods, and does so, holding on tightly*

Loud: *manages to look back at them in the middle of the fight, and nods at them*

Key: *sees this... and nods back gratefully*

Todd: *he crouches low, building up power in his legs, then he releases almost a TRIGGER, as he, the bullet, shoots off into the early morning sky, and grabs onto a window sill of the CEDA building that was in front of them before they can fall. They are very high up. Todd starts to slowly climb up, using everything (from a loose brick, to another window sill) in order to climb to the top of it. From there, he'd be able to leap over the large wall with no problem - though he was slowed down from Key* gghnk...! Don't let go, and don't look down!

Soldiers: *THESE ones carry shotguns. They notice Todd and Key, and immediately start shooting at them*

*the bullets fly - one ALMOST hits Todd in the leg. Todd keeps climbing*

Key: *is hanging on for dear life, completely terrified (oh god oh god, please don't get hit, oh god)*

Todd: *continues slowly climbing up the building. They're almost there...!*

Bullet: *hits Key in the shoulder*

Todd: D8 !!!

Key: AAH! *nearly falls off, but manages to hold on to Todd* K-Keep going!!! D8>

Todd: *hugs her a bit tighter* Y-you can't fall apart because of me... I would hate for you to be like that again... *he sucks in his breath, and lets go of her* ... we... still have the rest of today together, anyway...

Key: *is trying her hardest to contain her sobs... she looks up at Todd, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand* R-Right....

Todd: *moves closer to her again, and kisses her passionately*

Key: *kisses him back with equal vigor, tears flowing freely again*

Todd: *holds the kiss there for an amount of time, before running out of breath, and withdrawing, panting* ... at least you're not alone outside... at least you're here, in there Safe Zone...

Key: *is panting a bit as well* it won't.... be the same... not without you....

Todd: *he gives a single, half-hearted laugh* But... but you'll be safe... and that's all that matters...

Key: ... *looks down, resting her forehead against Todd's chest. she doesn't know. she really doesn't know. she's not sure. (oh so very not-sure) she doesn't know if she should say it-- if she WANTS to say it. part of her thinks it must be true, but another tells her not to linger on it (since, you know, Todd only had a day left...) the thought made her want to start crying again* *quietly* .... it won't be the same..

Todd: You've said that... b-but... it's not true... you'll move on, Key. You NEED to move on... besides, I... I'm nobody special...

Key: *looks up at his last statement, a bit surprised* Todd... *places a hand on his cheek* What person could wake up one day as a Hunter, and take it completely in stride? What person can bring someone out of depression in a matter or hours? What person could stay positive through an entire apocalypse? Not everyone can do that, Todd...

Todd: ... I'm going to miss you, Key... if there I can...

Key: I-I'm going to miss you too... *leans up and presses a light kiss to his lips, and stays within an inch of his face when she pulls away* ...

Todd: *in a whisper* I love you...

Key: *doesn't even need to think about it. she speaks even more quietly* I love you too....

Todd: *he smiles, now reassured that she feels the same as he does* ... you wanna sit on the couch or something?

Key: *smiles as well* yeah... we may as well. *takes Todd's hand, and pulls him towards the couch*

Todd: *sits down on the couch. A firing squad... it was honestly the last thing he'd think he's die from*

Key: *sits next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. she tries very hard not to think about what's going to happen within the next 4 hours... but it proves to be very difficult...*

Todd: ... *trying to avoid any thoughts of his execution* I wonder what Harry's doing right now...

Me: that was meant to be a *24.

Key: ....He's probably just walking outside.... *wonders if harry knows about the execution* ....

Todd: ... probably. He might be a little upset about this whole execution thing, huh? But only a little. I hurt him pretty bad...

Key: .... I think me might be a bit more upset about this than you think. He really DOES worry about you, you know...

Todd: I think I'm part of the reason why he's nuts. Before we met you, he was... almost obsessed with protecting me... to the point where he killed others if they looked at me funny.

Key: ...do you think it had anything to do with the... "Between World" thing?

Todd: What do you mean? That wherever he went drove him insane?

Key: It's very possible....

Todd: ... Well then. That's that. He's nuts, and he's gone. Later I'll be executed. What a way to end your life, huh?

Key: *suddenly sees a terrifying fact: she's going to be alone again. AGAIN. She shivers at the thought--It was like the universe had decided to screw with their lives just for the hell of it (what did we do to deserve this? nothing.), and this was their final blow. Todd is going to die, Harry is never coming back, and she will be left alone. No one wins. she stares blankly at the floor as she comes to terms with this fact* ......

Todd: I shouldn'ta mentioned the execution, huh? Funny. You seem to be more upset about it than I am. Not to say it's not a horrible thing.

Key: I don't know how you can be so calm about it....

Todd: ... I dunno. We got to the Safe Zone right? That's a pretty nice thought to end your life with. Big accomplishment.

Key: It'd be a much nicer thought if you actually got to LIVE after you fought to get here....

Todd: Well, that's your job. You'll get to do mine for me. ;)

Key: I shouldn't have to, but.... if you want me to, then I will. <:)

Todd: I do want you to. That would be the best thing ever. *he thinks for a bit* ... man... I wish I could do parkour one last time. But those military guys surrounded the building - I can't. D:

Key: I wish I could've watched. From what I've heard from you and Harry, you were way above decent. I probably would've ended up trying to follow you and hurt myself in the process ._.;

Todd: Like I said before - I wanted to be a stuntman. My old man wasn't, but he was passionate about parkour, and that was all that really mattered. He worked to pay the bills but his LIFE was that rush you could feel... and I guess that rush is what got him killed... *he's silent for a bit* ... I was only eight. I didn't... I mean... it was just too soon... so that's when I decided to try carrying on his passion. And I did. It's what got me infected. I guess, when you look at it... it's killed ME as well...

Key: ... *hugs him* you're more alive than the rest of us realize, Todd. That's the only problem i see.

up

Todd: *winces, then shakes his head* nhhd to tell yhh la'tur. Bhd things... r'mhmburd BAD things...

Key: *Bad things? what kind of bad things? (what could be worse than being forced to cause a mass murder?) she nods* *quietly* ...okay. you can tell me tonight.

Todd: *he nods* Yhll not lihke ht... *he's very serious about this*

*later, that night, Todd has recovered his hearing mostly, and was finally able to see again. Harry had not yet returned*

Todd: ... Ok... now I can tell you exactly what's been going on...

Key: *sits down on the couch* fire away....

Todd: I... I don't know how, but I remember. I remember everything. When... when I was a Hunter... even before Harry met you, dragging me along by a leash... and I remember the awful things... the... the HORRIBLE things he's done...

Key: *now very concerned. Todd was usually very forgiving of Harry* ... things like what?

Todd: One memory... one memory that stuck out (the coppery taste again) ... I can't... think about it without feeling sick... and I can't look at HIM without thinking about it! Key... he killed a little girl... shot her down as she ran away... after he killed her parents... a-and then... (the feeling of vomit...) *he he shook himself a bit, trying to shake off the feeling. He had to tell her* ... he let go of my leash. And let me eat her. *as soon as he ends the sentence, he runs into the bathroom, finally overcome by his own stomach. The sound of Todd throwing up came out of the bathroom, loud and clear*

Key: *sits there in shock for a few seconds, then gets up and runs to the bathroom door, waiting for Todd to come out. Can it be true? Would Harry ever do something that horrifying? Something so utterly and completely WRONG? (a little girl... how could he...?!* T-Todd, Todd.... I really hope you know it's not your fault...

Todd: *after a bit, he finishes vomiting, and stumbles out of the bathroom* gghh... N-no... I know... just... the memory's still awful... I remembered it all so clearly - even the TASTE OF HER FLESH, I remember! And Harry... Harry acted worse than the zombies... that bastard didn't even warn them - the father just had to point the gun at me, and it was over... I can't... I can't forgive him for that...

Harry: *opens the door to the apartment, and enters* Uh... hey. Can you you hear me yet, Todd?

Todd: *doesn't look at him*

Harry: ... I guess not... <:/

Key: *hooks her arm with his* Todd's not feeling too good... I think he needs to get some sleep....

Harry: Uh... Alright. Feel better soon, alright Todd? D:>

Todd: *looks down at the ground* ...

Key: ...come on. *tugs him towards her room*

Todd: *follows her, growling quietly so Harry doesn't hear*

Harry: *stays in his and Todd's room*

Key: *closes the door behind her, and releases todd, going to sit on the bed* ...... *she still can't believe that Harry would do something like that....*

Todd: ... well, now you know why I can't even look at him anymore.

Key: .... *slowly nods* ....

Todd: ... and to think he passed as our friend - I just can't believe how twisted he is. D:< I just can't believe what kind of MONSTER he's become! D8<

*the door slowly creaks open. Harry was there. He had heard what Todd said*

Harry: ... why do you think I'm a monster?

Key: !! *glances up, then quickly looks back down. she stays completely silent--it's not her business, Todd and Harry need to settle this on their own.* ...

Todd: I know what you did while I was a Hunter - I remember all of it!

Harry: What? D:>

Todd: What? You DON'T remember? YOU ATE ME EAT A LITTLE GIRL, YOU SICK frack!! *his voice had become a snarl by the end of his sentence*

Harry: D8> ! You... that... that's not me anymore, Todd...

Todd: TO HELL THAT'S NOT YOU ANYMORE! IT ONLY HAPPENED A MONTH AGO!!

Key: *finds herself agreeing with Todd... especially when she recalls the way he brutally killed his father (i'll never forget the screaming...), but she feared that the argument may get out of hand soon, considering how angry Todd looked at the moment* Todd, calm down..!

Todd: WHY SHOULD I CALM DOWN?? I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE UPSET RIGHT NOW! D8<

Harry: No.. I-I wasn't... I never meant to -

Todd: ARE YOU SAYING YOU KILLED AN ENTIRE FAMILY ON ACCIDENT!?

Harry: ...

Todd: You're not... you can't even call yourself human, can you? *spitefully* You're worse than the zombies...

Harry: *he feels awful. Todd was right. He WAS worse than the zombies...*

Key: *can only sit and watch. Todd was absolutely right (at least the zombies killed so they could eat, Harry had no reason to do so at ALL). she didn't want to voice it--(i'm sure that Harry already felt rejected enough by Todd) but the look on her face said it all* ...

Harry: *quietly* ... I'm sorry... I don't know what I was thinking... *he gets up and leaves the apartment*

Todd: *he snorts in anger, not caring*

Key: *quietly* ...and then there were two... *really can't think of anything to say. sure, Todd could have been a bit less harsh (or could he?), but the reality of the situation wasn't going to change... Todd felt used, betrayed, almost, by the man he considered his best friend, and he hadn't even bothered to tell him what he did. Key stands up, and walks toward Todd, placing a hand on his arm. She can't sympathize, because she's never had something like this happen to her, but she feels like she has to say SOMETHING* .....I think he really regrets it, Todd...

Todd: *bitterly* No he doesn't. He can't regret ANYTHING anymore. Harry's a lost cause. Completely insane. *Though those words tumbled out unevenly from his mouth, broken up by the lump in his throat, he couldn't help but feel awful for yelling at Harry (knew him for so long...) he was friends with the guy for God-knows how long. He was hurt. Harry would probably never come back* ...

Key: *was thinking along the same lines as Todd-- Harry left because Todd's words had hurt him, but Todd only said these things because Harry had used him. He was conflicted (that much was pretty obvious), and maybe even a bit guilty. she hugs him around the waist (it just happens automatically now, huh?), hoping that it would maybe help him a bit, even if it's just a little bit....*

Todd: *touches her hand lightly when he feels it go around his waist* Gah... I don't even know anymore... he's not the same guy from when we were kids... m... murdering a child... she wasn't even INFECTED... GAAHH!! *he covers his face with a hand* THAT IMAGE KEEPS COMING BACK UP IN MY HEAD!

Key: *hugs him a bit tighter--it's all she really COULD do at the moment (god, how useless was she?)* Try not to think about it, Todd.... The more you remember it, the longer the image stays...

Todd: It should've been so obvious... the way he killed that one guy in the safehouse - sure he was infected and all, but I knew that wasn't the REAL reason Harry shot him - a-and then the same thing with his father, only he was killing him in the most horrible way possible...! Why did I ignore all of this?? WHY??

Key: because you're his friend... your mind tends to block out anything you don't want to see....if you didn't want to see Harry as a... *trails off, somewhat unwilling to use the word "monster"* ...You didn't want to see what he had become.

Todd: *his head lowers* ... This is very confusing...

*there is a knock at the door*

Todd: ! *wonders if it's Harry, coming back (or whatever). He gets up and opens the door*

Leader: *there* Todd Huntings, after reviewing all the evidence provided... oh wait - you're deaf, aren't you?

Todd: I-I got better! D:

Leader: Oh? Wuh... well then! After reviewing the evidence provided, we have come to the conclusion that you, Mr. Huntings, are guilty of the massacre at the CEDA Health and Science Building. You are hereby sentenced to death. We will come tomorrow. Don't try to run - guards are posted everywhere around the apartment, and have been notified of your position.

Todd: D8> !!

Key: *hears everything from inside the apartment, and is horrified (No, No, this can't be happening, this can't...!) she can already feel the tears welling up in her eyes, words catching in her throat (No, no, no, it can't be true, they've made a mistake, it's not his fault!!) when she finds her voice, the words come out almost inaudibly* n-no... he's n-not...!

Todd: *is completely silent* ...

Leader: Oh, one last thing... you have a choice.

Todd: ... *doesn't even seem to hear him*

Leader: How you'll die... do you want a lethal injection, or to be killed by a firing squad?

Todd: ...

Leader: Mr. Huntings. We can make the choice for you.

Todd: ... firing squad.

Leader: Rather brave of you. very well. *He leaves, closing the door behind him*

Key: *is thisclose to just breaking down, right then and there (we were going to be safe here...why, why, WHY does everything only ever get worse?!) she stares at Todd, tears flowing freely. They had only just started being together, and now they were going to be torn apart, simple as that (just like that. they couldn't do that, they just couldn't, he was innocent!) she blurts out her next words* They can't do that! They can't take you...! You didn't mean it, it's not your fault, it was that GODDAMN SCIENTIST, and-- *stops to breathe, as she had said all that on one breath, and then chokes up and find she can't keep talking. she gives up and starts to cry now, sobs shaking her tiny frame (not fair, not fair, it's just not fair, he doesn't deserve it...!)*

Todd: *he is still very silent. He hoped that Key could take care of herself - he really did. She... this will be hard. This will be so hard. He turned, walked up to Key, and hugged her tightly*

Key: *immediately hugs him back, keeping an iron grip on him. she didn't want him to go. she didn't want to let him go. it wasn't fair. it wasn't. she cries into his shoulder, letting out all her despair at once. she tries to speak between sobs* D-Don't... want you... to go.... n-not fair....

Todd: *holds her closely to him, resting his head on hers. He speaks with a quiet, gentle voice* I know... but I guess life isn't fair, huh? You've just gotta promise me that you'll still hold onto life... please. Don't... don't let this be like last time...

Key: *nods slightly* I-I'll try... i promise, I'll try... D-Dunno if I c-can... *she knows she's closer to Todd than she ever was with Alex. If losing him left her like that, she was afraid to think of what losing Todd would be like... (how broken would I be?)*

up

Harry: I know... I just thought he might want these... so... yeah. *he walks over and puts them on the bedside table near Todd*

Todd: *squeezes Key's hand back*

Key: *watches Harry leave, then leans over to grab the bottle. she puts the bottle in Todd's hand and closes it around the bottle* do you want these? *realizes it's rather pointless to try and talk to him, but does so anyway (it makes her feel like things are somewhat normal anyway..)*

Todd: *his nose scrunches up when he feels the bottle in his hand... but then he relaxes. Being able to sleep was still something that made Todd feel human again. Plus it wasn't like he'd get kidnapped again, right? Todd held the bottle back up to Key, nodding. He needed help opening it up*

Key: *obliges, releasing Todd's other hand to take the bottle and twist it open. she takes a pill out of it and puts it in Todd's hand, then leans over to put the bottle back on the nightstand*

Todd: *he holds the pill for a few seconds, feeling its smooth coating. Then he took it. He searched for Key's hand with his own, and grasped it gently*

Key: *sighs* I wish things would just be normal... *shakes her head (she needs to stop talking to herself--Todd can't hear her) and scoots a bit closer to Todd, faces only inches away from each other* ....

Todd: ... *he puts his head on her shoulder, and puts his free hand around her shoulder like last time. He tries to speak to Key, and though he somewhat succeeds, it's still mumbled, and quiet* cnnnt 'ven hurr m'slf...

Me: incase you can't read that, it's "can't even hear myself"

Key: *it takes a moment to decipher what Todd said, and she frowns sadly (he doesn't deserve this, not at all..). she wraps her other arm around him, hugging him tightly, and resting her head on his* You'll be fine, Todd... Harry and I'll take care of you...

Todd: *he feels her head on his, and he lets out a relaxed sigh. The drugs were starting to take effect* Wish I'culd ss yhh... ... ih l... lvve yh...

Key: ... *was easily able to understand the first part, but the second part proved to be more difficult... she repeated it over and over in her mind, and her eyes widened when she reached the only possible thing he could have said to her (H-he really didn't just say that! He's just starting to feel the effects of the tranquilizers, yeah, that must be it...) her heart seemed to skip a beat--it was the first time someone had said that to her (in this context, of course), and she was shocked. she didn't know how to respond-- she took a deep breath, and released Todd's hand, hugging him with both arms now* ....I'm... not sure yet, Todd.... I don't know...

Todd: *seems to have fallen asleep after he told Key that he loved her. He was completely limp now, and his breathing was slow*

Key: ... *smiles, and sits in that position of a few moments, before reaching around with one hand to pull the covers down. she lays down, carefully bringing Todd with her, and pulls the covers back up. she hugs Todd tightly to herself, slowly running her hand back and forth through his hair* .... if only it was always like this... *quickly falls asleep, a small smile on her face*

*the next morning*

Todd: *is still sleep*

Harry: *is outside the room, sitting on the couch* ...

Key: *is starting to wake up* mmmh.... *feels Todd there, and smiles...and remembers the night before. his words have been bouncing around her head all night, and even more so now that she's awake.. not that she didn't sleep well, but now she was even more confused... she starts running her hand through Todd's hair again, trying to distract herself from her thoughts* .....

Todd: *he continues to sleep, the drugs barely in effect now, but still somewhat there. He makes a soft sigh when Key hugs him, and he smiles a bit in his sleep*

OUTSIDE THE ROOM

Harry: *That anxiety that was nipping at his thoughts suddenly came rushing back in full force. What if they concluded that Todd was the one who did it? What if they killed him??*

Key: ? *looks down at Todd's face and sees his smile. she felt rather proud of herself (if that was the right word), for being able to comfort him just by being next to him... maybe he really DID mean to say "I love you"... she decided to stay there a while longer; the tranquilizers were wearing off, and he was going to need help getting out of the room anyway*

Todd: *He soon drowsily returns to consciousness. Todd is surprised by two things. One was that he could SORT OF see the world, and the other was that he could SORT OF hear it. At the moment, things were muffled, and everything was extremely blurry for him... but he was glad to find himself recovering fairly quickly from what happened yesterday... yesterday... his mind drifted back to later, yesterday. Later, when he mumbled out those words... or did he? His brain was very fuzzy at that point, he recalled, and he couldn't even hear himself at that point (god, how unfair that was...)... so how could he ever really know if she had heard him, or if he spoke, or if he just dreamed the whole thing up. He sat up, the blurred waves (supposedly objects - the bed?) shifting with him. Ugh. The vertigo afterwards was astounding. He rocked a bit from it. Then he remembered that Key must still be with him, and he turned his head to his side, coming across her fuzzy image* ...

OUTSIDE

Harry: *looks around nervously*

Key: *sits up when Todd does, putting a hand n his shoulder to steady him (he looks dizzy...) maybe he can see something?* Todd? Can you hear me? *is somewhat hopeful, and hopes he responds*

Todd: *he frowns in disappointment. He could hear her, but it sounded like they were underwater, and when she did speak, it affected what he saw. It seemed to make the world suddenly sharpen itself, then blur out again. He groaned, holding his head with a hand from the aching it forcefully pushed onto him*

OUTSIDE

Harry: *nervously twiddles his thumbs, waiting for the two of them*

Key: !!! *decided not to say anything more (talking=pain, pain=bad, so talking=bad.), and instead puts a hand on his arm, waiting for his headache to subside* .... :(

Todd: *notices that Key immediately stopped trying to talk to him. When the headache quickly disappeared, he found Key's shoulder with his hand, gave it a pat, and grinned at her in a reassuring manner*

OUTSIDE

Harry: Gaahh...! I can't stand this! *he gets up and walks around the room a bit, trying to halt his rising panic attack*

Key: *was, in fact, reassured by Todd's grin, and grins back, still unsure if he could see it at all. she takes the hand he put on her on her shoulder and leads him off the bed*

Todd: *he lets her lead him off the bed, trusting her literal guidance* ...

meanwhile

Harry: *continues walking around the small apartment* ...

Key: *pulls Todd along, leading him out of her room and into the main apartment, and sees Harry pacing* *very quietly* Harry? You okay? :(

Harry: *lets out a short, fearful yelp when Key suddenly speaks* d-don't do that! I'm not ok! I-I-I mean yes I am! Why are you asking these things?? D8>

Todd: *The sharpening again. He sucked in his breath, trying to bare the wave of pain that bore into his skull. His grip on Key tightened as a result*

Key: !!!! *urgently makes the "kill it" gesture with her hand, and then holds a finger up to her mouth, basically telling Harry to shut up, please. she points at Todd and his pained expression* *whispers* loud talking hurts.

Harry: Eh...?? *he looks at Todd when she points to him, and quickly understands* Oh... *quietly* So he's able to hear us? Sort of?

Todd: *relaxes again* ...

Key: *walks over to Harry, pulling Todd with her* *whispering* yeah. It hurts him, though... I think he can sort of see too, since he was able to tell where I was...

Harry: *he looks relieved* Oh good... that means it's not permanent...

Todd: *he avoids looking at Harry's blurred shape (he could tell it was him because of how tall it was). He was still furious with him*

Key: *nods* Yeah, I know... huge stroke of luck, really... though I don't think he can go outside at all, the noise would kill him. D: *notices out of the corner of her eye that Todd isn't looking at Harry (that's odd), but doesn't point it out*

Todd: *he makes the mistake of thinking back to what Harry made him do (the girl... the girl... the girl...) he can't even think about it. He suddenly retches again*

Harry: D: !! *is a worried whisper* Is he ok??

Todd: *when his nausea subsides, he can't help but glare angrily at the tall shape in front of him, the bitterness he felt, he wore on his face fittingly*

Harry: ... D:> ? Why is he looking at me like that?

Key: *is very worried now, and it shows* I-I don't know... *squeezes Todd's hand, hoping he'd look at her* ...

Todd: *continues to glare at Harry*

Harry: Ok, no way in hell have I ever offended him in any way. D: And if I did, he hides it really well.

Key: I... honestly don't know... *frowns....what was up with him? she swings their linked hands a bit, not wanting to use a loud sound as a way to get his attention (that'd be plain cruel)*

Todd: *snaps out of it, and looks at Key (or as best as he could, rather) with a questioning, almost DEMANDING look. He was in a bad mood now, and it showed*

Harry: D:

Key: *seems a bit taken aback-- it was a drastic change from his mood earlier...Whatever Todd was thinking about couldn't be pleasant, but what did it have to do with Harry? She squeezes his hand lightly, tilting her head to the side questioningly*

Todd: *quietly* he'ssa mons'tr... tll yhh murr lter when I'cun'hurr myslff speak...

Harry: Huh?? D:>

Key: *is now very confused. she's pretty sure she heard that right... if so, Todd had a lot of explaining to do later...* ...it's nothing. He's just upset that you yelled earlier, his head's still ringing... *feels bad about lying so blatantly, but she was pretty sure Todd didn't want Harry to know what he just said* ....

Harry: *looks down at his boots* ... sorry... >_>;

Todd: ...

Harry: ... I'll go out, then, seeing as I don't seem to be wanted right now... <_<; *he leaves*

Key: *waits until Harry leaves, then turns to Todd with a frustrated look on her face. she whispers loudly* What was that all about?? D:<

up

Todd: *he is somewhat comforted with the knowledge that Key was there with him... he was less than comfortable with the speculation that Harry was ALSO there...*

*there is a knock at the door*

Harry: *completely freaks out and whispers to Key* Don't let them in - DON'T OPEN THE DOOR...!

Key: *whispers back* Do you think I'm moving?? *grips Todd's hand a bit more tightly in her growing panic*

Squad Leader: *pounds on the door* Open the door! NOW!

Harry: *doesn't move. He's sweating in his nervousness*

Todd: *he notices Key grip his hand strangely tightly - what was going on?*

Key: *can only sit and wait. she grips Todd's hand with both of her own, waiting for the inevitable... she brings the hand up to her face and presses a light kiss to it--this might be the last time she'll see Todd* ....

Harry: *still completely frozen*

Todd: *the kiss makes him also get nervous - was something happening??* D8> !!

Leader: I SAID OPEN UP! (goddamnit...) *fumbles with a ring of keys, the jingling loud and clear, and unlocks the door after a few tries. He kicks the door open, gun ready* You're not helping your case by hiding in here! *he opens the door to Todd and Harry's room*

Harry: *lets out a panicked yelp*

Key: !! *releases one hand and turns herself so she's standing protectively in front of Todd. They're not taking him, she won't let them. she won't let them come CLOSE. a determined expression appears on her face. she doesn't even consider the fact that they're fully armed and she's completely weaponless. she won't let them come NEAR him* ....

Soldier: *comes into the room, gun leveled* ..... *looks around at the inhabitants-- she sees the Hunter, but she wasn't expecting to see a rather young-looking girl standing in front of him, gripping his hand. she looked towards the third inhabitant, and she blinked in surprise, when she saw the man she had bumped into earlier that day. fortunately, her gas mask hid any reactions she may have shown* ....

Harry: Don't take him, please.. h-he would never... never... hurt...

Soldier: He's our primary suspect on who caused the massacre at the CEDA Health and Science Center. We're just investigating the area, looking for any hints towards who truly caused it.

Harry: Caused?

Soldier: There was unauthorized usage of the building's tools at, as recorded, around 4:00am in the morning. We're suspecting your friend of involuntary manslaughter. Though this is only suspicion.

Key: .... *her grip on Todd's hand slightly loosens. they might manage to get out of this one...* ....what kind of information are you looking for?

Leader: Anything that can help would be nice. We'll need to question your friend.

Harry: Uh... he can't... not right now...

Leader: Excuse me?

Harry: H-He can't hear anything.

Leader: He's deaf?

Harry: Yes sir...

Leader: Hunter's have hyper sensitive hearing. It wouldn't take much for his ears to be damaged. *he holds up the device that was left in the building - the one used on Todd* Could this have been the cause?

Harry: !!! *doesn't say anything*

Todd: ... *still nervous*

Key: *hesitates, then nods* ..... a scientist put that on him.... *is trying to steer the blame away from Todd*

Leader: You mean Dr. Killinjur? He was found dead with his stomach torn open earlier this morning. Are you telling us that you're suspecting he was the cause of the massacre, when he, himself, was a victim?

Harry: Yes. We are.

Todd: ...

Key: *nods* That's exactly what we're saying... *grips Todd's hand again* We don't think he intended to cause a massacre, but it happened. Todd was taken against his will.

Leader: Interesting. *He writes things down on a notepad, then quickly puts it away once he was done* Thank you for helping us. We will figure this case out as quickly as possible. Have a nice day. *He motions for the soldiers to leave with him, and does so*

*the door closes*

Harry: Oh frack... oh frack...

Todd: *mumbles more gibberish, trying to ask a question, forgetting that he was still deaf - but goddamn, he still was! He growls in frustration (the hell was the point of that?) and wonders what those soldiers had come for... probably for him (HE DESERVED EVERY BIT OF PUNISHMENT - EVERY BIT!). He was stuck. Would they kill him?*

Key: *goes back to kneel by Todd's bed again, and takes his hands on both of hers again, holding it up against her forehead (they were gone, why was she still so scared?), breathing a sigh of relief* god.. i thought they were just going to take him right then...

Harry: Y-yeah... *he scratches the back of his head* I hope this passes over without Todd getting into serious trouble...

Todd: *he slowly sits up, then rubs hes free hand around the bed, making sure to know where the edge is* ...

Key: ! *feels the bed move as he sits up, and stands, still holding his hand. she sits on the edge of the bed, placing Todd's hand back on the bed, though still keeping a hand over it* *to harry* I really hope so too....

Todd: *moves his hand away from Key's, then puts it, and his arm, around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. She brought him comfort. He needed it. GOD did he need it*

Harry: *he sincerely smiles at this* I'm glad that you two are... *can't think of another way to say it* together. It just makes the room a bit warmer in spirit.

Key: *smiles at his sincerity, face reddening a little bit. only a little* I guess it's one of the few things that keeps you sane... *she rests her head against Todd's shoulder, as she's done many times before, and puts her arm around him as well* ...knowing you have people who'll be there for you. *smiles at Harry-- she was obviously including him in this statement. sure, they've had their fair share of disagreements and their arguments, but the three of them were friends nonetheless...*

Todd: *... god he needed it...*

Harry: *he looks down, smiling a bit after she says that, obviously thankful* ...yeah... *he notices the clock on the bedside table - it read 6:57am* Holy shoot... we should seriously go back to sleep, or something.

Key: ? *looks at the clock-- was it still only that early?* wow. umm, yeah. You're right. But, umm... what about Todd?

Harry: ... I don't know... I don't think that after what happened, he'd want to take the tranquilizers again...

Todd: *still holding Key close to him, very comfortable where he was* ...

Key: that's... very understandable. *glances at Todd* and... I don't think Todd wants to let go. *Pauses* Should I take him with me or t

Harry: ... *raises an eyebrow* ... take him with you to your BED?

Todd: *still quite comfortable*

Me: frack, it got cut off again. it was supposed to end "or stay here with him." gaaaaaaaah.

Key: *face reddens* h-hey, it's nothing like that! (jeez!) I mean... *sighs* here, look. *tries to move away from Todd*

Todd: *becomes terrified when Key starts to move away form him, and his grip on her tightens into a death-grip* D8

Harry: ... move him with you or you won't get any sleep tonight.

Key: *sighs* i knew i'd have to. *moves again, but this time pulls Todd along with her, trying to get him to stand up. sure, she felt awkward about the whole situation (i mean, who wouldn't?), but she was willing, if only of Todd's sake. it's not like they hadn't slept next to each other already (but it wasn't on a bed...!)*

Todd: *moves with Key, now somewhat more relaxed about it. But where was she taking him? He was afraid of accidentally tripping over something, or smacking into a wall* ... nn...

Harry: Try to get some sleep... *he goes into the bathroom to brush his teeth and whatnot*

Key: I'll try... *leads Todd around the couch and other furniture, towards her room. she wondered how Todd would feel about this as soon as he realized where they were going (hope he doesn't think I'm coming on to him or something...)*

Harry: *after he's done in the bathroom, he goes to bed*

Todd: *He never suspects a thing, but wonders why they were walking around now*

Key: *stops to open the door, then continues in, closing the door behind her. she lets out a deep sigh. here we go. she pulls Todd towards the bed, and sits on it, gently pulling Todd down with her. now, she just needs to see his reaction* ...

Todd: *His eyebrows jumped up when he realized that they were in KEY'S room, and that he was sitting on Key's BED with KEY. He smiled slightly at this, only showing a tiny bit of his happiness*

Key: *raises an eyebrow when Todd's expression changes. (he's SMILING?) her face reddened a bit at the fact that Todd was totally okay with this (he must really really like me to not mind this, i know i'm still feeling a bit awkward.) She climbs onto the bed, releasing Todd but taking his hand, and pulls him over onto his side* ....

Todd: *allows her to pull him over like such. He would love to sleep beside her. He really would... but he feared what would happen if he took those tranquilizers again. He frowns*

Key: *notices his expression change yet again. was he worried about something? she obviously didn't know what* ..... *she turns herself to face him and sits up a little taller. she reaches up with her free hand, and puts it on the back of his neck, gently pulling him down towards her. she holds his forehead against hers, hoping the message will get across* You don't need to worry.

Todd: *the smile returns a little bit, and he stays there* ...

Harry: *knocks on the door*

Key: !! *sighs and pulls away from Todd, and puts her hand down* Come in, Harry...

Harry: *he slowly opens the door a bit, and held up the bottle of tranquilizers. It seems that he remembered about them while trying to go to sleep, because he looked a bit dazed* Uh... I, uh, thought he might... I dunno... actually sleep.

Todd: *confused by Key's withdrawal, he frowns again, moving his head to look for her, even when that could never help. He did it only out of habit*

Key: *lightly squeezes Todd's hand to show she was still there, and holds out her hand* I'll see if he wants them... You should go sleep too.

up

*they reach the CEDA building*

Harry: *runs through the halls with Key, following the sounds of screaming and gore. This eventually leads them to the room that the doctor, Todd, and the only two living soldiers were in. Todd was eating the insides of a (barely alive) soldier in the other room. The soldier was begging for his life* !!!!! *practically screaming at the scientist* WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM??

Todd: *snaps his head up when he notices Harry and Key. Quickly, he charged at the unbreakable glass window, and started pounding on it, fury guiding his movements*

Key: AIEE! *was scared shootless when Todd hit that glass* W-What did they DO?! D8> *to Harry* W-What-- HARRY, What do we do??!

Harry: *shakes his head* I-I don't know...

Doctor: Keep him in there! Keep him in there forever! D8>

Harry: You hurt him... he should calm down after a few minutes. >:(

Doctor: N-no... no no no... not this time...

Todd: *still pounds against the glass, drool leaking through his bared, red teeth*

Key: *turns to the doctor* What?! *turns and grabs the doctor by the collar, fueled by concern and rising anger* What did you do to him?! TALK!

Doctor: W-was just trying to find the cure...

Harry: What...? D8<

*suddenly, there was a power-outage. Everything goes pitch black, and the sound of the metal door slowly creaking open was heard. That door had been magnetically sealed. ELECTRONICALLY SEALED*

Doctor: *suddenly starts blubbering and sobbing like an idiot* HHHGAHHD-IDUNNWANNADIIEE...!!

*Todd's growling can be heard. He could see perfectly fine in the dark*

Harry: *so can he, because of his mutated eyes* shoot!! KEY, HE'S IN FRONT OF US!!

Todd: *leaps and attacks the Doctor, who's screams fill the air. Hot blood splattered the area*

Key: *was right in front of the doctor when Todd attacked, and felt the blood spatter her arms. she staggers back into Harry, terrified--she's the only one who couldn't see ANYTHING* C-Can't see--H-Harry...!! WE need to move!! D8>

Harry: *grabs Key by the arm and runs*

Todd: *He wasn't using echolocation this time to track down his victims - he couldn't because of the thing on his head. Instead, he had resorted to using his enhanced sense of smell. When they ran, Todd gave chase, his breathing was heavy from the pain he was still suffering from - the noise continued to seemingly rip the insides of his ears to shreds*

Harry: *continues running with Key, down the blackened hallways of the CEDA building. Fortunately, everyone who worked there had already turned in for the night. Harry and Key were alone, being hunted down by their own dear friend. Harry looked back, and stopped running - slowing down to a walk, then completely halting - when he saw that Todd was no longer behind him*

Lights: *flicker back on*

Harry: *nearly out of breath* ... d-did we lose him...? *then, to his horror, he hears pained breathing above him. A string of drool drips onto Key's head. Todd was clutching the "exit" sign on the ceiling, and hanging upside down from it, about to pounce*

Key: *feels the drool on her head, and freezes. She knew he was up there--she didn't WANT to look. Instead, she turns and shoves Harry forward, and quickly steps back--Todd can't chase both of them, and if one could get out and get help, they could make Todd stop* RUN! *takes off down the hallway, back down the way they came*

Harry: !!??? ... !! *he nods, and does so, panicking*

Todd: *leaps down, and is surprised to find that he had not pounced on anyone* RRAUUHHH...!! *he locks onto Key's scent, and gives chase once more*

Lights: *are flickering on and off, threatening to go out again*

Key: *notices the lights, and hears Todd chasing her* Oh god no, please don't go out...!! *runs as fast as her legs will carry her--which is surprisingly fast. she didn't get this far just to be killed..! she takes a sharp turn down a hallway to her left, hoping to slow Todd down, if only a tiny bit*

Todd: *he stumbles and crashes into the wall, not expecting the turn. He quickly gets up and goes after Key again* RAAAIIIII!!

meanwhile

Harry: *had found his gun bag* ... *he takes out his shotgun, then goes running back to search for Todd and Key*

Key: *is speeding down the hallway, praying that she doesn't take any wrong turns. one dead end meant one very dead Key* Come on, Todd...! Why aren't you stopping..?!

Todd: *almost as if on cue, Todd stopped - but he was clutching his ears, doubled over and screaming in pain. The noise had gotten to him*

Harry: *still searching for them, following the noise that Todd was making*

Key: *can't help but look over her shoulder, and stops running when she hears the screaming* !!! Todd!! *turns to run back, but realizes the danger she'd be putting herself in and stops* D:>

Todd: *as if it would stop the noise, he shakes his head, still screaming. Soon, he snaps out of it, letting go of his ears, and Todd was suddenly screaming ANGRILY at KEY* RLLAARRRHHHHGH!!

Harry: *is close now with his gun readied* >:(

Key: !! *starts backing away, ready to run as soon as he leaped* T-Todd!!

Todd: *is about to pounce on Key, when suddenly*

Harry: *comes from the hall to Todd's left, and smacks Todd in the head with the butt of his gun*

Todd: *stumbles and crashes into wall, then turns and snarls at Harry* SSNNAARRRRHH!!

Harry: *hits him again, this time in his face* Fall down! *pleadingly* Please, just fall down, Todd! Please!!

Todd: *this time it sent to the floor, shakily getting back up onto his hands and knees. He had bitten his tongue, and blood was dripping out of his mouth* ...ghssssrrr...

Key: *breathes a massive sigh of relief* Oh GOD, Harry...! *looks back at Todd, and notices something odd about his head... there was something else under the hood* !!! H-Harry, i think there's something on his head...! *takes the risk and steps a bit closer*

Todd: *FROM THE GROUND HE SUDDENLY LUNGES AT K - !!*

Harry: *smacks him one last time in the head* D8< !!!

Todd: *is finally unconscious, and falls down with a "thump", blood still snaking out onto the floor from his mouth* *...*

Harry: ... *he bends down and takes off Todd's hood, revealing the gruesome device strapped to his head* Oh, that damn doctor...! No wonder he wasn't stopping, THIS wasn't letting him!

Key: w-well, we gotta get it off!! *rushes over to them and kneels next to Todd* How do you-- *sees the little lever used to lock the machine in place and opens it, then pulls it off his head and tosses it aside* D:> .....Why would they do this to him....?!

Harry: The doctor mentioned the cure before he died... I think he was trying to recreate it... *glances at the headphones* what the hell were they forcing Todd to listen to...? *he takes the headphones, and holds them to one of his ears - then immediately flinches and drops them onto the floor* ... that's cruel. It was a loud, high-pitched beeping noise. Like, REALLY loud, and REALLY high-pitched.

Todd: *...*

Harry: ... *he picks Todd up* let's head back before we're caught...

Key: R-Right... *stands up, visibly shaken* L-let's go...

*they walk back through the storm, and enter their apartment soaking wet*

Harry: *when he puts Todd in his bed, Todd groans in pain. The poor guy. His head must've been seriously pounding from the abuse it got tonight* ! *he notices that Todd's ears were bleeding* ... Key?

Todd: *...*

Key: ? *notices this, and lets out a small gasp. she she kneels down to get a closer look, and bites her lip* i... i don't think Todd's going to be hearing anything for a while...

Harry: ... then he wouldn't be able to see anything, either. Todd's gonna be deaf and blind... I hope it's not permanent...

Todd: *is twitching in his unconsciousness*

Key: .... I'm gonna clean him up. *gets up and goes out of the room, and into the bathroom. she grabs a small towel, and searches through the cabinets for bandages, just in case* ....

Harry: Alright...

*bandages were placed in each apartment, and were included in the box of supplies*

Todd: *seems to be waking up from his unconsciousness. He tries to say something, but because he can't hear himself, he is unsure of what he's saying, or if he's saying anything at all. His words come out as mumbled gibberish, and he starts to panic. Where was he?? He couldn't tell - everything was silent and black! The doctor - the soldiers - HE ATE THE SOLDIERS! Todd screamed. Or did he? He couldn't even tell*

Harry: *he jumps when Todd lets out a loud, panicked scream. He must have woken up*

Key: *comes out of the bathroom, unable to find the bandages. She was about to start looking in the supply box when she hears Todd scream, and hastens her search. She almost tears the box apart until she finds the bandages, and vaults over the couch to get to the other room. She runs over to the bed and puts her items down, looking down at Todd in concern. He was probably panicking because he couldn't see, or even hear himself... she takes his hand and squeezes it reassuringly, willing him to calm down so she can try to treat him*

Todd: *his screams turned to softened whimpers when he realizes that Key was holding his hand. Was he back at the apartment? He must be. Maybe he was on his bed. Yes. That was what the soft thing he was laying on was. He was so scared though - so SCARED - so LOST - he had no idea what had happened - what HAD happened? Everything about the night before seemed almost hazy... no, he couldn't see THEN, either. As soon as they put that device on his head and turned it on, it became black. That vivid copper taste in his mouth... that was... other memories had distracted him when he was unconscious. Hazy at first, but it grew more and more clear (god, so clear now) - GODDAMNIT, HARRY! Todd swore that if he could ever hear anything again, he would make sure Harry knew how unforgivable his actions were - a little girl (she looked so scared...) WHY THE GIRL?? WHY DID HE SHOOT HER?? Why did...? Todd felt sick. Harry made him eat her. He ate a little girl. He tried to repress the feeling of nausea. To help, he squeezed Key's hand for comfort*

Harry: ... he doesn't seem to be doing too well... he looks sick.

Key: *continues to hold his hand when she picks the towel up off the ground* I'm not surprised... he's probably disoriented... *thinks as starts cleaning the blood off him. How in the world did the military get into their apartment? That one was a no-brainer-- they probably had keys to ALL the apartments. but then... who would think of doing something so cruel to Todd? he was taken against his will--kidnapped! That wasn't right, wasn't right at all. Key's eyes narrowed involuntarily in her now-forming hatred of the military... she squeezes Todd's hand in response, assuring him that she wasn't going anywhere* ....

Harry: I'm sure he won't STAY like this though... I mean, surly his ears will repair themselves and... and it'll be ok...

Todd: *Those bastard military motherf -... no... they were trying to find a cure. They were just being stupid and ignorant about how they obtained it. The doctor was writing notes down before he killed him - those notes! What happened to them?? If he had everything down, then maybe - oh no. They'd find out what he had done. They'll know it was him. Will they kill him for it (ate the officer - ATE THE LITTLE GIRL!)? They would kill him... They would find him and kill him...*

Key: ....right.... *started to wonder what was going to happen after this... the military was bound to discover the incident in the morning, and there's only one place a killing like that can be traced back to... one PERSON that could've possibly done it... but why would those scientists have wanted with Todd? as tempting as it was to think that they just took him and tortured him just for still looking like an infected, she doubted that was the reason...* Harry... do you think they were trying to take the cure out of him?

Harry: Y'know what? I'm sure that that was the case. Maybe Todd feeling pain was the only way they could have taken it. Maybe they were desperate.

Todd: *... killed everyone...! He had killed EVERYONE! MURDERED! The memory of the coppery smell - the taste (ate the insides...) - made him suddenly wretch*

Harry: !! D:

Key: !!! .... *wonders if he was remembering... and then desperately hoped he wasn't. saying it was an unpleasant memory was a severe understatement. she was terrified enough just by WATCHING, she couldn't imagine how Todd was feeling, not at all. having cleaned most of the blood off him, she puts the towel down and holds Todd's hand with both of hers. if only she knew what he was thinking, maybe then, she wouldn't feel as useless* ....

Todd: *it was all too much for him (KILLED THEM ALL!), the ringing in his ears, the feeling of vomit constantly pushing against his throat - THE MEMORIES RISING BACK UP (First her parents, father first, mother second) - WHY? The blood tears rolled down his cheeks for the second time - streams of them, the blood tears. The ghosts of the soldiers cried out in his head. Killed them... killed the girl... almost killed his friends...*

Harry: *is surprised by the blood dripping down Todd's face - this was new to him* ! OH GOD, HE'S BLEEDING FROM HIS EYES! D8

Key: *sees this, and remembers the first time she saw this happen-- in the safehouse, right after he had attacked her. it was then that her worst fears were realized: he remembered. he remembered everything. She quickly reaches of the towel again, and starts cleaning off the blood as it drips down his face, before it stains* ... Th-this is how he cries... *glances back at Harry* he remembers, Harry. H-he remembers what he did....

Harry: *pity fills his eyes when he looks back at Todd* ... oh... Todd... D:>

Todd: *he is sobbing, shaking. The beginning. He had attacked Harry before - bastard deserved a scare (THE GIRL!!) - but he... almost killed him... the smack of the bat against his face. Darkness. Everything was rushing back, lingering the most on the most horrifying bits. He willed for it all to stop (those soldiers had families...) but that was the last thing they seemed to do. It felt like he was getting hit by a train. More tears*

Harry: ... he's not... supposed to remember it... the constant pain must have triggered something...

Key: *continues to wipe the blood tears as they stream down his face, trying to be as gentle as possible. she still kept a hold of his hand* I... really wish he hadn't remembered... I can't even begin to imagine the pain he's in.... *eyes show nothing but concern for Todd. she just wanted this all to stop.. it hurt her to see him suffer like this...*

up

Harry: We have an excuse - we're in the Safe Zone. No zombies here. Thank god.

Key: I know, right? *sighs* Finally.

Harry: Still... I kinda enjoyed being out there, killing zombies. As sick as that sounds. It just gave me a... different kind of rush. It wasn't the... the Between World, and it wasn't society.

Key: ...i think I know what you're talking about... I can't say I felt the same, though. I just wanted it to be over.

Harry: Yeah, well, you're not a crazy-@$$. I've got an excuse.

Key: *frowns and huffs, not really finding anything to say to that*

Harry: ... hey. Are you still mad at me about that whole knife-thing back at the gun shop...?

Key: ....I can't say I approve of it... not when it happened, and not now. We could've avoided that really easily, Harry.

Harry: ... well... I can't say that I feel guilty for murdering him. That man deserved everything he got. But that's just me. Me and my opinions. But those... opinions and thoughts of mine... scare the living hell out of me. *he makes eye contact with Key* I don't know what's wrong with me. Maybe I never will. All I know is that I'm fracked up in the head, and need professional help.

Key: after having to go through all that, i'm not surprised you feel that way... I guess we could go look for someone one of these days... not much else to do anymore, really.

Harry: Yeah...

Todd: *comes back* The bullets are out. Hi Key. :)

Key: *is grateful for the topic change-- the memory was still rather gruesome* Hi, Todd. ^^

Todd: So guess what? :D

Harry: What?

Todd: I can't feel this arm *he points at the arm that's been shot at* at ALL! :D *truth be told, it looked rather limp*

Key: I really hope you're just talking about the anesthesia, Todd! D8

Todd: Well, DUH. It just feels cool. :P

Harry: |:C

Key: *plunks back against the back of the couch with a groan* jeez, Todd, freak me out some more, will ya?

Todd: Also, I can now say that I've been shot at by the military at least once.

Harry: That's not something to be proud of.

Todd: It means I'm a BADASS.

Key: *snorts, still laying back* sure sure, like you haven't proved yourself to be a badass already. XP

Harry: He's no badass. He can get his voice high enough to make dogs cower.

Todd: Aha, but yes I am! See, I was shot by the military!

Harry: Oh, my mistake. You are TOTALLY a badass.

Todd: Thas' right. >:P

Key: *laughs* Okay, Alright, NOW you're a badass. whatever you say. :P

Todd: *puts his fists on his hips, and puffs his chest out, almost like Superman* >8D

Harry: *smacks him upside the head*

Todd: *rubs his head* ow... D:

Key: *laughs some more, mostly at Todd's expression* XD

Todd: Harry, it's not polite to hit people.

Harry: I killed a man.

Todd: Well... okay, I'm shutting up.

Key: *her laughter subsides into giggles* Jeez...

Todd: Who wants to sleep? I want to sleep. Sleeping is my new favorite pastime. Let's goooo!

Harry: ... it IS getting kinda late...

Key: you make a good point. Off to bed we go, then. *stands up and stretches* mmmf. G'night you guys...

Todd: G'night, Key. :D

Harry: Goodnight. *he enters his and Todd's room, and gets into bed*

Todd: *he takes the tranquilizer, then also goes to bed*

Me: So, huge note here, this is when Todd is kidnapped. Goodness, lots of BAD shoot is happening to him.

Key: *goes to bed as well*

Me: aww, jeez..... I'm really tempted to give Loud a name and actually use him for something... though i dunno what D: and i have a feeling Claire should somehow be involved in this too.

Me: lol, what if she's part of the firing squad? Maybe Loud can help Todd and Key escape? Like the vigilantes in Assassin's Creed?

*LATER THAT NIGHT*

Creepy Soldier: *with three other soldiers, he sneaks into the apartment. Because Todd wasn't actually sleeping, just tranquilized, there was no way in hell he could've woken up. Now all they had to watch out for was the girl, and the tall man with him* ... *quietly opening the door to Todd and Harry's room, he takes Todd, flinging him over his shoulder, and quickly runs out of the apartment, the last soldier in there quietly shutting the door*

Me: YES, and YES. Though you'll have to help me out on the escape part. XD

Key: *doesn't notice a thing*

BACK AT THE CEDA HEALTH CENTER THING, 4:00 AM

Todd: *he is shaken awake to find himself strapped down to a chair, which was bolted to the floor. Looking around, he finds that the room that he was in was padded, made soundproof. The only opening he could see was an unbreakable glass window. The doctor from before was looking through it. The one who shook him awake was the creepy soldier* H-hey! What's all this for?? D:>

Doctor: Todd. We are quite desperate to find the cure.

Todd: Well, yeah...

Doctor: We think we can recreate it through you. *he opens and steps through a thick steel door, then walks up to Todd. There was a device in his hand. There looked like headphones, but they were attached to a metal neck-brace*

Todd: Wait... what are you saying?

Doctor: Mr. Wilowsky here *gestures to the creepy soldier* noticed what happened when first entering the Safe Zone. You were shot, and immediately tried to attack the squad's leader.

Todd: Uh... can we say I didn't?

Doctor: *ignores him* THEN, afterwards, you seemed to cool down, and regain your humanity. Why do you think that is?

Todd: um...

Doctor: You're still infected, Todd.

Todd: Wait - ! D:

Doctor: But you can't infect other people, and you don't ACT infected. The parts of the Green Flu that constantly changes still remain inside you, but the stable bits have been completely destroyed. Your mind is at war with itself, and your only ally against the virus is that cure that still lingers inside you. It's not gone. It CAN'T be gone.

Todd: ...

Doctor: Every time you're hurt, it triggers the infection's hold on your mind, and you once again return to that Hunter-mindset. Then, the cure acts as reinforcements against the Flu, and fights it back until the mind is safe enough again. This is what the cool down is.

Todd: How are you going to get the cure... through me...?

Doctor: We don't have the tools necessary. CEDA did, but they're... out of the job. We need to use much more crude methods. We're going to hurt you in long segments of time, then extract your blood while you cool down. At that point, the blood and the cure would be in a more separate state, and we'll be able to identify the components.

Todd: Uh, oh. Well... if it's for the greater good... then ok. But I don't like how you kidnapped me.

Doctor: Sorry. We'd thought you would refuse. *he places the device on Todd's head, and locks it into place. The lock was a small handle that you needed to turn. Todd couldn't turn handles*

*it is pouring rain outside. lightning flashes in the distance, and soon after, the loud crack of thunder is heard*

Key: !! *blots upright in her bed, startled awake* ?! *Gets out of bed, and looks out the window* ..... *sighs, and decides to just stay up. she quietly opens the door into the apartment, and goes to look for something to eat in the kitchen, when she notices the door to Harry and Todd's room is slightly open. Confused, she looked towards the bathroom--the light was off* *mutters to herself* Weather's too bad to go out... *becomes curious enough to walk towards the room and peek through inside... and she sees that Todd's bed is empty* ! .... *looks around the room. Those tranquilizers shouldn't have let him wake up this early...!* *loud whisper* Todd? Todd! *is now very worried, she enters the room and shakes Harry awake* Harry! Wake up! Todd's gone! D:

Harry: *wakes up* AAH! Wh-what...?? N-no, he's - *notices the empty bed* AH, frack!! D8> WH-WHERE'D HE GO??

meanwhile

Doctor: *he turns the torture device on Todd's head on while a soldier stands by with an empty syringe ready*

Todd: *almost immediately starts screaming and thrashing about from the high pitched, extremely loud noise that was blaring into his head. The screaming soon turns into angry snarls and monstrous cries*

Doctor: *turns off the device* take some of his blood - quickly!

Soldier: *does so*

Doctor: Good. Just three more times, and we should have enough.

Todd: *his breath was rattling through his lungs. He was still twitching from only five seconds of listening to that horrible noise* ghh... hhh...

Key: *now starting to panic* I-I don't know, I woke up, saw the door was open and no one was out there, so i figured neither of you would go out in this weather and i looked in here and saw he was gone! *takes a deep breath, she said that all at once* Where could he have gone?! D8>

Harry: We can ask the soldier at the desk downstairs - he or she should know! *immediately gets up and gets dressed, then flings the apartment door open, and runs downstairs*

Meanwhile

Todd: *is now suffering from the second torture-session. He's starting to wonder if life is worth living* AAAAUUUUGAAAAAAHHHD SSTOP!!

Doctor: *watches him callously*

Key: *doesn't even bother grabbing her hoodie, she just grabs her shoes and RUNS*

Harry: *slamming his hands down on the soldier's desk, startling him* A GUY WHO LOOKS LIKE A HUNTER! HE CAME THROUGH HERE, RIGHT??

Soldier: A-ah! D: H-he looked unconscious - h-he was being carried by another soldier - Dr. Killinjur was with him!

Harry: The CEDA building. C'mon, Key! *runs out the door into the rain*

meanwhile

Todd: *he's on his third go-around with the torture, when suddenly, he slumps over... but he wasn't really unconscious. He was smarter than the actual infected Hunters, and even in his less stable state of mind, he knew exactly how to trick human beings... much like a predator to its prey*

Soldier: shoot! We must've put him in that thing too long, get him out of that chair! Turn off the device!

Another Soldier: *had run in and has already made the mistake of taking Todd out of his restraints*

Doctor: It won't turn off! WH... why won't it turn off??

Other Soldier: What if the rain outside is effecting the power chord it's connected to? D:

Doctor: *he then realizes their mistake* w-wait... N-NO! PUT HIM BACK IN THE CHAIR! HURRY!

*It's too late. Before they knew it, Todd had shoved his claws into the nearest soldier's stomach, and thrown his limp body aside*

Todd: RYYYEEE!! *his pulls his hood up - he felt uncomfortable without it - and leapt for the other soldier*

Doctor: FOOLS!! WHY DIDN'T YOU BRING YOUR GUNS WITH YOU?? D8> *he runs and manages to shut the steel door behind Todd in time. Now he could only watch the entire squad he brought with him get slaughtered through the window*

Key: *follows him out without hesitation--she actually runs ahead of him at one point, completely ignoring the rain*

up

Loud: *is completely weaponless when he sees this, and is terrified*

Key: *sees this as well, and knows what she needs to do. she hits Loud with the frying pan hard enough to at least get him to stagger out of the way, putting herself in Todd's path instead* >:(

Todd: RYYYAAIIII!! *shoves her out of the way, trying to get at his target*

Key: *grabs his arms when he shoves her, and drops the frying pan. she plants her feet and devotes her full strength to holding Todd back as long as she can* nnhh..!

Loud: *is dizzy enough from the hit to be unable to stand, but can still see what's going on. he had to admit, the girl had guts.*

Todd: *fully annoyed by this, he throws her to the ground, screaming loudly. He is about to use the opportunity to disembowel his target, when he suddenly comes back to his senses* ... ugh...

Key: aah!! *quickly gets back up, ready to tackle Todd to the floor if necessary, but relaxes somewhat when she sees he's stopped* Todd...!

Skinny and Big: *are gone*

Loud: *is very wobbly as he gets up*

Todd: *rubs his head from the still-lingering traces of pain. He was also somewhat dazed* So... uh... I guess they won't bug you again, right...?

Key: I guess n-- *notices Loud standing up, and tenses up* ...

Loud: *stands up straight, and notices Key watching him. he meets her gaze* ....

Key: *isn't afraid to hold it, and stares back, fists clanching and eyes narrowing* ....

Loud: .......Three weeks and ya change this much. I gotta say, I'm impressed... *doesn't sound mocking at all. in fact, he soulds very sincere*

Todd: *he silently listens to the loud guy, surprised by what he says, but can't help but still glare at him hatefully* ...

Loud: *rubs the side of his head* oww... looks like that's that, then. *grin fades* You don't need to forgive me, but... you don't need to worry about me anymore. *grin returns* I'll see ya when i see ya, right? *turns around and heads back to the apartment building*

Key: *watches him the entire time... and she doesn't relax until he turns around, and doesn't speak until he's out of sight* ......he....nhh....

Todd: That was kinda weird. At least he - hopefully - won't bother you anymore, Key. I think you earned his respect. Not that you need it, anyway.

Key: I... don't even know what to say to that..... *looks at Todd* I won't forgive him for what he did, but.... tch... *looks down* i don't even know.... *shivers* can we go back? it's really cold...

Todd: Yeah, that'd be a good idea... I was thinking the same thing, anyway. *he walks with Key back to the apartment, and up to their room*

Harry: Welcome back.

Todd: ... hi.

Key: .... *goes back into the bathroom*

Harry: What's up with her?

Todd: Oh... nothing. Well, something. You don't really need to know, though.

Harry: ... ah.

*the shower turns back on*

Harry: ?

Todd: She's showering again? D:

Key: *through the door* I WASN'T DONE!

Me: she got too worried to do anything XD basically, she got in, freaked out over Todd, got out. xD

Todd: Oh. Oh, I get it now.

Harry: That explains why it was super quick.

Key: *showering*

Me: well, if you want Harry and Todd to talk to each other over something, now's the time.

Harry: ... so...

Todd: So.

Harry: Soo... how do you like the Safe Zone so far?

Todd: ... uh... it feels pretty safe.

Harry: *in a lowered voice* ... and how's your relationship with Key going so far?

Todd: *THIS throws him off-guard, and he turns his head, surprised* ???

Harry: *laughs at this*

Key: *still showering...and will be for a while*

Harry: No, really. Are you guys... y'know... together yet? Fully?

Todd: Th-that's none of your business! D:

Harry: Sure it is - I'm, friends with you guys.

Todd: ... well I THINK we are...

Harry: *grins*

Key: *see previous post*

Me: make your replies here longer, or we'll never go anywhere XD

Me: I'm trying so very hard! XD Also, compare THIS Harry to uber-crazy Harry in the crack rp. :P QUITE a difference.

Harry: So, I bet you're a happy Todd. You and Key, together. Totally. Yup.

Todd: Ssshhh. D:

Harry: Did you guys kiss yet?

Todd: STOP ASKING SUCH THINGS.

Harry: You did, didn't you? XD Ah, I knew this would happen!

Me: I'm so amused.. they're acting like middle-schoolers. XD Also... yeah. It's crazy how the crack rp got way darker in tone than the 'srs' one XD

Key: *stillll in the shower. she can't hear any of what's being said outside*

Me: Well both are laced with dark tones, I think, but in their own special way. Tee hee. XP

Todd: It's not that big of a deal -

Harry: It's a frackLOAD of a big deal, Todd! She used to be afraid of you!

Todd: Not really... D:

Harry: *pokes him in the shoulder* Yeah really. By the way, those two bullets in your arm. You really need to get those removed.

Todd: Oh, right. *glad about the subject change*

*the shower turns off*

Harry: ... by a professional.

Todd: I know.

Harry: Which excludes Key, who can't remove bullets.

Todd: I... know. <_<

Harry: But DOESN'T exclude that creepy-@$$ doctor. If he does surgery.

Todd: :C

Key: *is drying herself off, and getting dressed*

Todd: Key's done showering.

Harry: Yes she is. Maybe you should go see that doctor now.

Todd: ... ...ffff... fine... *he gets up and walks out*

Key: *comes out of the bathroom. she's left her hair down so it can dry* I really needed that... *looks around* Where's Todd?

Harry: He's gone back to that CEDA-funded hospital place to get the two bullets in him removed.

Key: ...oh. *remembers one of those is hers* ......

Harry: If they preform the surgery wrong, he might end up eating their faces... *notices Key's forlornness* y'know, that whole shooting-him-in-the-arm thing was just a small case of friendly-fire, right? At least the both of you weren't killed.

Key: I know... I just can't help but think we could've avoided all that... :/

Harry: In a zombie apocalypse? Yeah right. We're bound to accidentally shoot each other at SOME point. Luckily, your guns aren't as powerful as most others.

Key: *snorts* right.... Just glad i didn't shoot him somewhere important... like... *shivers at the thought of accidentally killing Todd* ehhhhh. *sits on the couch* Wonder how long Todd's gonna take...

Harry: Probably not long. *trying to lighten the mood* Accidentally shooting him somewhere important? Like his penis?

Me: I had to, don't hit me. XD

Me: why would i hit you, that was my intention all along! XD I would've hit you if you HADN'T taken that opportunity. XD

Key: W-What?! *turns red* I was thinking more like his head, or something! Jeez! D8

Me: XD

Harry: *he laughs a little* Hahaha... sorry, I'm a college student. Ex-college student. Whatever, we tend to think about that shoot first.

Key: Hey, I'm a senior in high school, I know what you mean! D:< Just caught me off-guard, that's all.... Not much time to make sexual jokes in the middle of an apocalypse. XP

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