Travel (closed)

[sandi_grl]

"Okay, I'll go with you," she replied, being sure that her statement wouldn't be confused as a question. Laura took a bite of food before she continued, wanting to rebuttal any protest he would have. "I know you're used to going out alone, but it would be safer with someone else. Like yesterday," she reminded him. "And I used to go hunting with my dad, he taught me how to use my bow. I'd like to think I'm a good shot."

 

[MrGoatee]

The protest in his mind was shot down immediately and Cole was relieved. He felt secure with this woman, her confidence and authority was reassuring. Besides he liked her company.

'Good' he smiled 'I need my ass covered. Give me a few minutes to get sorted and I'll meet you at the trail?' He ate quickly and put his boots back on. He emptied his pack, placing the few possessions' he had onto his bedroll, and hefted it onto his back. Walking to the trail, he smiled, the sun was up and the day warm

 

[MrGoatee]

Cole took two spare bedrolls and arranged them in his pack together with some food. He walked out of the cave to wait for Laura, the small town was fairly close they could be there and back in a day but there was always a risk. He sat waiting outside the cave.

 

[sandi_grl]

Laura wandered out of the cave to meet Cole, with bow in hand. "Alright, lead the way."

She followed him along the trail, taking in the their surroundings, listening to all the sounds. With the seasons changing, the weather was getting warm and the sun shone brightly that day. Despite the trail mainly being downhill, soon her skin had the soft sheen of sweat across it.

 

[MrGoatee]

The sun burned off the thin cloud as they descended the slope, Cole kept the pace up but made sure it was nit too demanding, he wanted to be back by sundown or to be at least in some shelter so time was precious. The headed to the old road and he smiled as he saw Laura keeping up with him 'You've done this before'

As they reached the road he took a knee and took out a water bottle, taking a sip before passing it to her. 'I want to head east from here, away from the raiders and toward a town that had a pharmacy. You never know we might find other supplies and I would kill for something sugary!' He grinned

 

[sandi_grl]

She gave him a small grin in response to his comment. "I've done my fair share of excursions." Laura sat in a small bolder, dropping her pack on the ground while they rested. Graciously the took the bottle and took a few sips of water as well." Thanks." She capped it and handed it back to him.

The redhead laughed at his wanting something sugary. "I could go for some chips," she admitted. "Salt and vinegar were my favorite."

 

[MrGoatee]

He smiled and took the water, sipping it a final time and returning it to the pack. 'yes, chips and a beer, watching a movie then watching the sunset' he smiled. He sat close by and laughed 'well now I have a mission - get you some chips!' Cole leaned back, stretching and the looked up, nodding in the direction if the town 'you think the bar will be open when we get there?' The grin on his face mischievous and happy

 

[sandi_grl]

Laura grinned back at Cole and rolled her eyes. "Who's going to keep us out?" She redid the braid her hair was held in, attempting to tame the strands and flyaways that had freed themselves. "Would the beer even be any good at this point?" She shrugged at her own question. "I'm more of a hard liquor girl anyway."

 

[MrGoatee]

Cole smiled, 'you never know, the barkeep might be a good guy, have a generator. But I bet the regulars will be grumpy!' He smiled at the absurdity of thinking anything might be open.

He stood, shifting the pack on his back to make it comfortable and nodded 'ready to carry on?'

 

[sandi_grl]

Following his lead, she stood and rowdy herself to continue on the tail. "After you," she said as she motioned towards the trail.

They continued on and the sun slowly made it's way to it's highest point in the sky. It felt like they were walking for ages, and that this wasn't going to be just a day long trek anymore. The trail seemed to disappear as they made they way through the trees, brush getting thicker. "I'm really not trying to say I doubt you, but are you sure you know where we're going?"

 

[MrGoatee]

Cole turned slowly, putting a finger to his lips and crouching. He reached and took her hand, pointing to the trail ahead. A deer stood, unaware of their approach, grazing quietly. He pointed to the bows and nodded. 'Together' he whispered and took aim. He wanted to make sure the kill was quick and quiet, two arrows should help.

The animal would not only feed the two of them for this short trip, but also provide much needed food for the main group.

He watched to make sure Laura was ready

 

[sandi_grl]

Laura gave him a curious look as he took her hand, but looked in the direction he pointed and realized he didn't want to scare off the animal. She gave him a silent nod and readied her own bow and arrow and took aim at the deer.

She waited on his cue before letting the arrow fly. The two arrows struck the deer in the side, surely puncturing a lung.

 

[MrGoatee]

The deer fell and Cole couldn't help but smile, he turned and took Laura in his arms laughing as he hugged her. Slowly he let her go 'I'm sorry' he blushed 'its just....' He cringed at his actions, but knowing it was all pure instinct

 

[sandi_grl]

He surprised her when he wrapped his arms around her in his excitement. She laughed with him, and shook her head as he apologized, letting her go. "No, it's okay," she reassured him with a smile.

 

[MrGoatee]

Cole moved, still red in the face and headed to collect their prize. He knelt over the body, his hand on the deer and his eyes closed. He gave thanks in the old ways as he had been taught in his survival training. Then he lifted the body onto his pack and turned to smile, Let's get into town, it's about 15 minutes walk from here'

He set a steady pace, almost not looking at Laura, still embarrassed by his show of enthusiasm

 

[sandi_grl]

Was he embarrassed? Why was he embarrassed?

Laura followed along behind him for a few minutes before picking up her pace momentarily to walk next to him. "Would you like me to carry anything for you since you're carrying the deer?"

 

[MrGoatee]

Cole smiled and nodded his thanks. He shifted off his pack for her and lifted the deer back up.

The final leg of the trip was relatively flat and through open meadow. Cole stepped forward into the sun leading confidently but with an innate caution. As they stepped closer to the town he slowed, watching for danger, checking for anything out of place.

He pointed to several buildings, 'pharmacy, bar, sheriff's office' he whispered as his finger indicated each one. 'Sheriffs will have beds still if you want some comfort '

 

[sandi_grl]

She shouldered his pack, adjusting both on her back to be comfortable before they continued. Thankfully the rest of their trail was fairly flat.

Laura looked from each building as he pointed them out. "I'm sure those would be better than the cave floor." She took a few tentative steps forward, "So what first? Get a couple drinks or go pilfer the pharmacy?"

 

[MrGoatee]

He nodded 'pharmacy, let's do what we need to do first. Much as I would like to buy you a drink' he smiled. 'but it also might be an idea to get this meat safe and secure. You watch here, I'll head to the sheriffs and stash this' he jogged across the street and checked the door, it had been barricaded but not locked and a stiff shoulder barge opened it easily. Inside he scanned the site, noting the cells each with a cot bed inside. Finally storing the deer in a storage cupboard.

Cole returned to the door and waved Laura over to him

 

[sandi_grl]

The redhead made her way across the street to him and gave him a smile. "Yes officer?" she teased gently. She set both of their packs down on the ground with a light sigh. "Think we can leave these in there too?"

 

[MrGoatee]

'for now' he smiled, 'now miss, I need you to accompany me to the pharmacy' Cole led them over cautiously, so far as he knew the place was empty, but there was always a chance.

He tested the door, pushing it gently and testing for house. As it swung silently, he raised the bow in an active stance. Shafts of light burned into the room and he entered cautiously.

 

[sandi_grl]

Laura followed closely, scanning the dimly lit pharmacy. No movement, the air was stale. It seemed like no one had been there in over a year. Some shelves were falling from the walls, pill bottles scattered across the floor. Though she did her best to step quietly, she kicked one, and cringed as it made an awful ruckus. "Sorry," she whispered.

 

[MrGoatee]

Cole cringed but immediately crouched, listening intently. He looked back, smiled and winked. 'Take a look at the bottles, see if there is something useful' Cole moved cautiously, heading into the store room at the back, where he had heard something move.

Silently he stepped in, listening. He heard the breathing, more than one, but animals for sure. He lowered the bow aim slightly and moved inside. Two dogs, feral and hungry padded towards him, Cole shot the first, the arrow true and on target. He dropped the bow and pulled his knife, then the third animal attacked.

 

[sandi_grl]

Laura slowly made her way through the various bottles left on what shelves were left. Penicillin, amoxacillin, tetracycline, naproxen, vicodin... So many different medications they could use and have needed. She paused gathering the bottles, hearing yelp from the feral dog that had been shot. It came from the store room, Cole had just gone in there.

She approached the doorway, arrow drawn and ready.

 

[MrGoatee]

The beast was covered in a thick coat, it was powerfully built and fast. It barrelled into Cole and he saw it in the gloom. A large wolf like dog, it's eyes clouded as if it didn't see normal light. He felt the enlarged canines snapping at his arms.

The beast simply over powered him, Cole knew it. He pushed at it's throat, desperately trying to keep the jaws away from him, but he felt claws rake his leg. Then the thing slowed, a calmness settled on it and it just pushed, it was almost as if it had intelligence, it knew it was too powerful for him. Cole jabbed furiously with his knife, the blade sinking in over and over but he knew he would nit win this. 'RUN!' He screamed.