February 14th - February 28th

Puly's fate

The injured Puly finds shelter in an empty apartment in town.


Kert and Mystic in "Into the town"

Mystic and Kert Upshaw a couple that is well acquainted with outdoor living. They love to hunt and camp.  Several times a year, they spend a month in the wilderness;  in their cabin. 
They were there when "it" happened.  Upon returning home, nothing was the same.  It was not safe  to stay in or near their home, so they took what equipment and supplies they could carry and set out in search of others. They arrive in town on Valentine's day. Careful and skillfully they make it to the apartment block. The apartments there are all empty so they decide to stay there and rest for a few days and planning their next step.


Yvaine and Gera in "Nightly Excursion"

Gera wakes in the middle of the night and finds that Yvaine, the scientist is missing. Since the group was told never to venture out on their own, she wakes Wilson and they drive out looking for Yvaine. They find her in town up on the roof of the derelict building, her escape way cut off off by a horde of walkers. Luckily they can fight them off and get back safely to the prison. 


Mia / Rapid / Blake in "The Comeback"

Mia has been hiding in her cell for weeks, now she reappears, she has changed, is aggressive and snappy towards Blake who finds her one morning in the prison yard. While they talk, they see Rapid the doctor coming through the gates. Rapid looks pale and exhausted. Angrily she tells them that she had to spend some nights at the barn behind the woods without anybody looking for her. Blake assures her that he had send out a search troop, but is appears they never even went beyond the woods. Blake realizes that his men might not be as reliable as he thought, which explains also why Puly is still missing. Rapid and Blake take Mia inside when they see that she has several cuts and bruises on her. Rapid examines the girl while Blake goes to talk to his men.


Yvaine / Gera / Rapid / Crisis in "Scientists and a wolf"

Yvaine and Gera come across a stray wolf who roams through the prison and Gera is scared and worries that the animal might attack her baby son. Rapid appears and tells them, the wolf "belongs" to her. She found the animal by the gate, treated its injuries and the wolf has not left her side after that. Rapid and Yvaine meet each other for the first time. The two scientists immediately get into a long talk about their theories on the outbreak and a possible cure. Gera can not follow their conversation and feeds the wolf instead.


Mia and Gera in "Home"

Gera sees Mia again after her long hiding in her cell. She is shocked about the way Mia has changed but understands that the girl must be traumatized after loosing both parents and her shocking encounter with their living corpses. Mia is determined to warn Gera about Blake, telling her that Blake can not be trusted and is dangerous. She also asks Gera if Blake would throw her out of the group. Gera comforts her.


Crisis and Blake in " Zombie to the slaughter"

Blake discovers that the female zombie specimen is missing from the cage in the yard. Angrily he turns to investigate and bumps into the wolf which was taken in by Rapid. To his surprise he discovers blood and brain tissues on the fur of the animal. It all indicates that the wolf must have overpowered a walker. He further discovers the remains of the missing female zombie by the gate. The wolf seems to be a valuable asset to the group.


Gerard / Yvaine / Abraham / Mia in " The search of a daughter"

Gerard, who is drifting between the town and the woods, meets Yvaine again when he fights off an attack of walkers near the garage at the crossroad. She tells him that she lives at the prison now. She also tells him that they set up a lab in the prison and that she is working on a cure. They walk inside the garage for safety and find Mia who was obviously hiding in there. Mia behaves suspicious and fearful, especially towards her old friend Gerard. When Gerard explains to Yvaine that Mia and him belonged to the same group once and that Mia's erratic behavior stems from the deep shock of losing her parents, the girl cries at him "Take it back! They are not dead!" and attacks Gerard with a knife. Upon this they decide to bring the hysterical girl back to the prison. When they arrive at the Prison gate an old sturdy rough looking man aims a shotgun at them. First they assume that he belongs to the prison group. Gerard tells him, they bring back the missing girl. The old man looks pale and ask them if this is a bad joke. Mia runs towards the man, calling him Abe and telling him not to worry as she did not tell anybody about him being here. As it turns out, the man, whose name is Abraham is from Lousiana. He was with his daughter but on the way to Macon they were separated and he is looking for his kid ever since. He met Mia when he came to this area and it seems Mia and him have formed a bond. A man who lost his daughter and a girl who lost her parents comforting each other.


Mia and Gera in "Girls night"

Mia and Gera spend a quiet evening at the prison while the rest of the group is either sleeping or out on supply runs and search. (Puly is still missing) Gera gains Mia's trust again and in the end the girl suddenly pushes aside her clothes and shows Gera a bite wound. She tells Gera that a walker has attacked her a week ago while she had sneaked out to meet a girl from another group in town. Her friend died and turned as a result but Mia's wound is healing. She tells Gera that Rapid is the only person who knows but promised Mia to keep quiet. Gera is shocked and backs away. Mia begs her not to tell Blake. Gera says she can not promise anything. Confused and shocked she leaves the distraught girl and locks herself in her cell with Andy. The next morning Mia is gone. She left a note for the occupants of the prison:
"This is hard for me to write but I think it’s better you all know why I left the prison. About 2 weeks ago I snuck out one night to go down town. Blake if you’re reading this you’re probably mad at me for this. What I didn’t tell any off you was that I met my best friend before the world went to shit. She was part of another group and was doing exactly what I was doing. Sneaking out. We met in town and talked about everything thats happened before and since the outbreak. Then it all went bad. We got cornered in wall mart and ended up both being bitten. We sat on the roof of the gun store in town watching the stars. We thought we would go all poetic and turn together. Except I didn’t turn. It’s been a week now and I’m still here. I don’t know how or why. Maybe the bite that lost me my hand helped me develop some sort of immunity or maybe I just got lucky. All I know is I can’t stay here anymore. I’ve seen what happens when people find out but I won’t name names. because of this I've decided to try make camp somewhere else. I took 2 cans of beans and some water to last me a few days. I’ll miss you all very much.
Mia."


Mia / Hazel / Abraham in "The Apartment"

Mia has escaped to the town together with Abraham who has become her protector. They set up home in one of the empty apartments. Here they meet another survivor. A young woman called Hazel. They stay together and share all they have. Seeing that Mia is not alone anymore, Abraham tells him he wants to head up north to continue his search for his daughter.


Blake and Mia in "Come home little Mia"

Blake drives to the town to look for Mia. He observes the apartment and wait for the right moment. When Abraham leaves, Blake closes in. Mia spots him and in panic, she packs a few things crying out to Hazel that she must leave immediately because she is in danger and that Blake must not find her. Hazel is left behind stunned.
Mia runs but Blake cuts her escape off and finally corners her in another empty apartment downstairs. Incidentely this is the same room, where the injured Puly had escaped to, weeks before. The blood stain on the floor tells his story.
Blake tells Mia that they are all worried about her and that she should come back home with him. Mia yells at him to stay away from her. When he inclines he worries like a father, she cries that she is not his daughter and starts to say that she knows about "that girl". Blake tells her to keep her voice down because of the walkers outside. He tells her to stay calm, that he realizes he can not convince her but that she must promise him to stay here where it is safe. Again Mia yells at him that she will never come back and walkers enter the apartment. Blake retreats.


*****************************************
To read all stories in detail please touch the bookshelf "Our diaries of the Apocalypse" in world at our welcome platform.

February 14 - 2004 - Valentine's Day

Blake walks up to Yvaine, smiling politely:" Hey Yvaine...beautiful day, isn't it?" He glances over to the fence:" Clear and crisp"

Yvaine : *arrives back at the prison and see's Blake waiting* "hi Blake the weather is lovely today how has things been?"

Blake: Quiet, but what more can one wish during times like this

Blake : have you been out? I hope you didn't go on your own?

Yvaine : *nods slowly* "i went to the old farm barn to observe the walkers for the night"

Blake : You did what? " he looks at her stern, pressing his lips together:" But you took one of the men with you, I assume" his glance is piercing through her

Yvaine : "no one was awake or here it was interesting they can be like statues so still yet quick senses to noise" *looks at him noticing the look on his face* "i avoided the main horde it was odd it was moving towards the town i counted 18 maybe 20 of them"

Blake  sighs, he looks away, then back at her:" Okay, but next time, wake someone up to escort you. Only 20? ..well i guess most of them are right in the middle of town, you can never really tell. And I noticed that too, sometimes they are just standing there, no movement, thats the dangerous thing, it makes people careless, thinking they are a push over

Yvaine : nods i agree if a walker is still be double cautious but for now we seem to be safe here

Blake : He leans forward a little:" In here, my dear Yvaine, its as safe as houses. Nothing will ever break these walls, and there are enough people here to watch the fences, you will never find a safer place" he stares at her with almost triumph in his eye.

Yvaine : *nods and smiles softly* "the test results from the othr day should be ready hope they can reveal something about this but i am relieved to be here"

Blake : He smiles , then perks up at her announcement:" Then lets go and have a look at the results"

Blake: to the lab?

Blake : by the way

Blake : here is a little something for you

Blake: I ordered my men to build this device for you.

Yvaine : *almost walks into the table* "oh my, thank you Blake" *smiles before walking over to get the results and smiles* "just as i thought it is the brain but i do not know if it is viral,fungal" *sighs and holds the results for him to see

Blake: He looks at the results, frowning as he reads and it is clear that he does not understand anything it says, with a boyish smile he clears his throat:" Hm...explain it to me"

Yvaine: *smiles and nods* "the first line of results show the time the infection rooted in the brain and how long it reanimated the deceased this one took 1 hour 45 minutes to fully infuse the second line shows recent brain activity and the thrid line tells a little about who the walker was but it may not be acurate the part of the brain that has the "you" part is all dead couldn't salvage or discover anything their"

Blake : He listens intense, nodding:"Then...I want you to find out more about the third line, you say it tells us about the person he was, if there is still a trace...then can it not be animated? brought back to...I dunno...the conscious level?"

Yvaine : *thinks for a moment slowly pacing* "there is a possibility but i am not sure if it is scientifically possible"

Blake : His eye narrows, his voice low and thick with emotion:" It must be possible!" he rubs his chin, and for a moment his hand seems to tremble:" There must be a way. I will get you anything you need, instruments, stuff to measure brain activities...we will scan the area for a hospital and get it" He holds his breath, calming himself, looking at her intense:" I believe in your skills as a scientist, Yvaine" his glance travels from her face down to her cleavage and up again" Don't dissappoint me"

Yvaine : *sighs* "i will try not too but i t will take time and many failures"

Blake : "You have all the time you need" he runs a hand through his hair, then smiles" all the time it takes"

Yvaine : *smiles* "we'll need a scanner surgery tools petri dishes also if you could bring one of the guests outside in ?

Blake: sure, I am positive to have everything here in a few days, and we get one of them on the table for you

Yvaine: could you also arrange for those here to give blood samples so a vaccine can be attempted

Blake : you mean the people who live here? yes sure, everybody will have to give a blood sample, I'll see to that

Blake : Something else Yvaine, while you're at it, maybe you can find out what are the best conditions for a...zombie..to stay...intact

Yvaine : *smiles* i'm sure i can look into it perhaps we can freeze them?

Blake : He purses his lips:" Would that not...damage them?"

Yvaine : not if we store them correctly but i'll look into it and let you know

Blake: "Very good" he smiles at her , his chest swelling with contentment."I am very pleased how things go"

Yvaine : "so am i things have been well so far"

 Blake : He nods:" You are an asset to our group, in fact I want you to have privileges, you should see that your work here is appriciated. Maybe a better room? more privacy than the cell?

Yvaine: "no no i am fine with what i have" *smiles* "if my work helps us with the infection then i will be happy"

Blake : He smiles at her gently:" Humble and dedicated, okay, if you are fine so be it. But remember, if you need anything, just say so

 Yvaine: "i will" *smiles* "also if anyone is bitten bring them back but keep them in isolation for 48 hours normally the infection should have taken affect by then if not then it will show they are immune to the infection on a cellular level

Blake: Okay..." he tilts his head:" Have you ever come across a person who was immune?" It seems like an off.hand remark but his glance shows an obsessive fire of hope.

Yvaine : *nods slowly* "once i did a young man was bitten by an infected but he didn't change his immune system adapted to the infection till he saw his sister ripped apart from the infected and he shot himself we had hoped their would be others but so far their has been nothing"

Blake : He watches her suspicious:" You are sure, he was immune, no mistake? was he really bitten? why didn't you examine his corpse? What happened to his remains?"

Yvaine : "we don't know we found blood in his room but no body, we assumed he was dead but their could be a possibility he may be alive but he show'ed no signs of fever which is a trademark sign you are infected

Blake: He stares at her coldly:" But you don't know for sure, it could also be that he simply took longer to fall ill, that he turned while he was alone and escaped in a zombified state, you have no proof!

Blake: He turns when two of the men appear at the door with a stretcher, a snarling mutilated zombie strapped tightly to it.

Blake : ah wonderful, bring him in here, on the table

Yvaine : *goes a bit quiet and looks down as she hears people arrive looking up to see two others bring in a stretcher*

Blake smirks, bending over the zombie, once he is secured to the table:" Big boy, aren't ya?

Yvaine : *looks at the zombie on the table* "some major tissue damage wounds suggest it was more then one walker" *reaches for some gloves and puts them on*

Blake steps back, folding his arms and watching her with interest as she is getting to work.

Yvaine : hmmmmm "can you pass me the bowl and the tongs from the table please blake"

Blake: He looks at her amused as if to say:"what? you want me to assist you? Me?" But then he strolls over to the table, holding up the thongs and bowl" Those?"

Yvaine : *nods with a smile* "yes please i found something useful"

Blake : this sparks off his interest again, he comes over, handing her the thongs and bowl, watching her intrigued

Yvaine: *carefully takes them from him before looking at the area before sticking the tongs in the walkers side hearing it yell and the table shake violently as she pulls what remains of his liver and puts it into the bowl

Blake follows her actions with his one alert eye:" Why the liver?"

Yvaine : *looks up at him* "it can hold important information what he last ate if it was another person how long he has been in his current condition"

Blake nods:" ah okay"then he looks up:" Something is up outside, I hear gunshots:" Excuse me " He walks out

Yvaine : nods

Blake : After a while he returns, Nothing to worry about, all is taken care of

Yvaine : nods with a smile then struggles to open up the walkers rib cage*

Blake : He watches concerned, coming around, taking her arm protective:" Wait be careful, let me do that"

Yvaine : *nods and steps back* "thank you Blake"

Blake  places his gloved hands to the ribs and cracks them apart, a grim expression on his face, blood splatters on his face. When the rib cage is open he takes a deep breath and steps back, you're welcome"

Yvaine : *looks inside and steps back* "the smell is awful but let me see" *glides her hands inside the walkers chest as he bites at the metal holding it to the table growling*

Blake watches her impressed again by her professional attitude.

Yvaine : hmmmm "this one's heart has rotted away significantly" *rummages around some more but with the walker wiggling around makes her work bit more complicated looking over at Black* "could you get our friend to stay still?"

Blake : "sure" he leaves the room, come back with a crude wooden hammer and smashes the zombies teeth in, without so much as batting his eyelid, more blood splashes his face. He lets the hammer sink to the floor, getting a good grip on the rotten corpse and holding it

Yvaine : *shakes her head but lets him work draining off some o f the walkers blood in the bowl as well before placing it over on the table*

Gera: suddenly runs into the lab, breathing hard:" Blake! Someone is in the yard! a stranger!" he must have tricked the guards!!

Blake : What the...!

Blake runs outside

Prison yard: A young red-haired man with dirty face and hands, a bag over his shoulder, a guns on his belt, his one eye black as if he had been in a pub brawl fight.

Renn : Hey... " he calls to the man on the bridge.."This a working truck?"

Blake  narrows his good eye and stares at the young guy:" who are you? what o you want? Did my men let you in?"

Renn : Name's Renn... and I ain't looking for trouble. That guy... Wilson or something.. let me in. I ain't bit or nothing.. just looking for some equipment... seeing what's around is all.." he lowers his hands to his sides, but doesn't holster his pistols.

Blake keeps scanning the guy suspiciously:" Wait; I am coming down"

Renn watches the man warily... "Jail huh?" he grins as he looks around.. "that's a good idea..."

Blake : In that case, welcome Renn....my name is Blake, you can stay here, have a rest, we got food, a warm bed...but the equipment is community property

Blake  nods and smiles businesslike at Renn":yep, a good idea" we were lucky to find it"

Renn nods thoughtfully, sliding his guns back into place. "Well... I never turn down a sandwich... " he almost chuckles... "especially not these days." He extends his hand in greeting. "Renn Sinclair.."

Blake : "what happened to your face?" Blake takes his hand and squeezes it friendly with a rather limp wrist.

Renn  chuckles, probably not realizing how dark his eye has gotten. "Oh.. I was born with it... " he shrugs. He shakes his head, reaching up gingerly to the bruise. "I took a bit of a tumble, trying to get some fluids from a car in town, slammed my head on the side-mirror on the way down.." he smiles. 'Nothing interesting, just clumsy..."

Blake nods slowly, his one good eye scans Renns body from head to toe, he is looking for bite marks, finally he sighs and smiles friendly:" Then you better come inside and have that seen to, we got an excellent medical compartment and a pretty nurse" he winks at Ren as if they are old buddies:" come along"

Renn  laughs a bit, an honest laugh.. "I do like pretty nurses.." and follows

Blake looks around:" Yvaine! Gera! come down and help Renn here , would you?"

Blake  chuckles:" yep, me too"

Renn  shakes his head.. "man.. I appreciate the help.. but i'm not looking to 'cause you guys trouble."

Blake  shouts: " Yvaine! Gera!"

Blake : no trouble at all Renn, we believe in helping each other

The two women come down.

Gera smiles shy at Renn, lifting a dainty hand:" Hi"

Renn  smiles to her, giving her a nod in greeting. "Hi.." he extends his hand to her. "I'm Renn.. Renn Sinclair.."

Gera takes his hand: Gera...Gera Heliosense"

Yvaine: *smiles* "hi Renn i'm Yvaine"

Renn  smiles softly to her.. "hey... nice to meet you.." he looks around.. "How many people you got around here? Steady, I mean?"

Blake : Steady? " Blake purses his lips:" around 20 people, that includes the baby"

Gera smiles:" I have a little boy, he is upstairs"

Renn  blinks a time or two.. "Baby?" He sighs.. "Shit.. that's tough man... what about in the rest of the area, or is everyone pretty much set up here? I ditched some of my stuff in a hay loft a couple blocks.... haven't seen any other live ones.." he pauses a moment, and it almost seems like his legs sway a bit. He reaches his hand out to the wall to steady himself.

Blake : Blake steps forward catching his arm:" Hey hey boy, steady on. you better lay down for a moment. " he leads him to the stretcher in the first aid room, calling over his shoulder:" yvaine, can you have a look at him?" Turning to Renn, he then says" The barn? its dangerous there"

Yvaine : *nods* "i can he looks exhausted where have you traveled from Renn?"

Renn  eases against the bed... "Oh, I'm in from the coast..." he nods.. "Seemed like moving more inland was the smarter thing to do..." He nods to Blake... "I dunno.. seems like really nowhwere is 'safe' these days... but at least the hayloft was empty... and high up."

Blake: yeah but the surrounding area around the barn is usually full of walkers, mind you, Yvaine here sometimes likes to spend the night there" he gives Yvaine a glance that is hard to read.

Gera Heliosense watches Blake and Yvaine, seeing how he looks at the scientist. She bites her lip and looks down.

Yvaine : *goes to the cabinets and looks for an ice pack before bringing it over to Renn* "this should help reduce any swelling then we can see how your eye is" *begins to think the guest upstairs is a little too quiet glances to Blake and Gera before looking back to Renn* "get some rest and we'll see if you are feeling any better tomorrow" *looks to blake and gera* "someone should stay with him for at least 24 hours supervision incase of any complications due to him hitting his head"

Renn  takes the icepack, and he winces at the coolness as he sets it against his skin. 'I'm a sure you guys got more important things to do than babysit me.." he nods. "I just need to sit for a bit... I sure could go for something to drink if you have water to spare... and I can be out of you guys' hair..." he leans heavily on the bed.

Blake nods:" yes I agree, Gera you stay with him for the first 4 hours, then someone will take over. He leans back, folding his arms, a pleased smile on his lips:" Welcome to the family Renn, how about a bite to eat?" he is not aware that his face is still covered with fine blood splatters from the zombie operation earlier

Gera nods quietly:" yes Blake

Renn  looks at Blake with his uncovered eye.. "Yeah.. something to eat would be great.." he gives Gera a soft grin.. "guess you're stuck with me for a bit..." he shrugs, then looks back at Blake. "What's going on with those walkers in the cage outside? You running a day-care?" he chuckles a bit, as if this were funny.

Blake  bursts out laughing:" a day care, hehe yeah...you could say that...we need them for research. Yvaine is working on a cure, and I am certain she will find one"

Gera smiles and blushes when Renn talks to her:" Oh I don't mind , not at all"

Yvaine : *smiles and nods* "which reminds me i should be getting back to the research need to store the tissue samples before i turn in for the night early start tomorrow i hope" *chuckles and waves to those gathered making her way back to the laboratory*

Renn ( looks up to Yvaine with his uncovered eye. "no shit? Wow.. very impressive.." he says as she goes. "Ok.." he looks back to Blake. "Let's talk about a sandwich.." he chuckles. "I don't have much for trade right now... when I get back to my stuff... maybe something'll turn up.."

Blake : No need to pay, as i said we help each other here, Gera be so kind and fetch a snack for Renn, and get a beer for him too"

Gera nods and runs off to get the food

Brian Herriot : Hey there! safe place you got here!

Brian Herriot : keeps the walkers out!

But Gera stops dead in her pace when she sees another man in the corridor." Blake?!"

Renn  looks up to Blake as she goes.. "She's pretty quiet..." he nods.. "I guess it's hard to handle.. all.." he waves his hand around.. "all *this*." He shifts the icepack, and winces again... turning his head to the sound of the man talking. "Looking like you got another... big day for immigration, here."

Gera : There is..another one here!"

Brian Herriot : i can help, what happened?

Blake  smiles at Renn, then turns his head, looking concerned. He walks to Gera and stares at the man

Yvaine: returns back down and sighs looking over at Renn on the stretcher, seeing him still there then looks over to Gera and Blake

Brian Herriot : you look familiar 

Blake : "well hello" he turns to Renn, his face serious and suspicious:" Does he belong to you? Why didn't you say ?"

Blake scans the man with his one good eye" How did you get in?"

Renn shakes his head.. 'Not with me... Dunno him"

Gera backs away until she bumps into Yvaine

Brian Herriot: the whole back wall of the prison is compromised, fought off several walkers just to find you people

Brian Herriot : please you're good people, we're dying out there! you don't know what its like!

Renn starts to get up.. albeit slowly at this announcement.. "Fuck.." whispers, dropping the icepack onto the bed, and futzing with his holsters... "you want me to go take a look?" He asks Blake.

Blake  nods at Renn:" Okay " looking back at the man:" You were looking for us?" Blake rubs his chin:" ah you were looking for shelter...I understand, you came to the right place...and yes Renn, please take a look, I wasn't aware that we got some faulty fences, we check them every day but there you go

Renn  nods.. "I'll be back..." his brow furrows, but he fakes a smile at the women as he passes.

Brian Herriot : thank you, i cant tell you how grateful i am

Blake folds his arm,giving the man a fatherly smile:" No trouble at all, whats your name? I am Blake, this is Gera and the lady is Yvaine"

Brian Herriot : Im Brian... Brian Heriot, its great to meat you all, i thought it was only me left

Gera  walks to the window, watching Renn kicking zombie ass

Blake : welcome to our little sanctuary, Brian

Brian Herriot : your man out there he seems to know how to handle himself, is he millitary?

Blake : yeah, he is a tough kid, he also found us today

Brian Herriot : thank you, this is the best ive had i weeks!

Blake : I can imagine

Brian Herriot : is there anyway i can repay you, let me earn my keep

Blake points to his eyepatch, smirking:"looks like we got something in common"

Brian Herriot : it seems so, how'd you get yours?

Blake : yes, I am sure you can make yourself useful here, we all have our chores here....how i got mine? well...an infection, I had to cut it out myself...and you?"

Brian Herriot : i will get started straight away, i'll do a perimeter check, and i was attacked, a mad woman with a katana... a long time ago. but im sure we've all had our fair share of pain in this world

Blake  narrows his eye:" yeah...yeah we all had...pain, I agree" he turns around to Renn" All clear out there?"

Renn comes walking back in.. breathing harshly... "it's cool..." he says leaning against the wall. "One of the fence rails had come displaced... One of the guys on your towers covered me while I set it back.." He nods a bit.."you guys need comms..." he says softly.

Brian Herriot : i'll leave you guys too it, check no more walkers made it in behind me, i'll catch you in a bit 

Blake : okay Brian, just be careful...and close the gates , each one okay?

Brian Herriot : sure!

Blake : Thank you Renn, and yes, we are working on that, walkie talkies would be good

Renn nods.. "Might be something in town... " he exhales.."A lot of .. " he considers his words.. "Abandoned Police equipment out there.."

Blake: absolutely, would you organize that, Renn? you know your way around in town, I assume, you could take one or two of my men, you'll get weapons and the pick up, and as soon as you are okay, you'll take a trip to the town"?

Gera sighs:"I suppose, Renn won't need a nurse after all" she smiles, walks over to Blake, raises to her tip toes and places a soft kiss to his cheek:" I go and check on Andy, " she smiles to Yvaine and Renn:" See you all later"

Renn  nods.. "yeah.. sure. We can do that. It'll give me a chance to run by the barn. You guys know anyone that still lives in the town? Or is it abandoned?" He chuckles.. "and what about that beer?" He stands- slowly, and moves back to pick up his icepack.

Blake  rubs Gera's behind absentminded when she kisses him, not even looking at her:" Yeah, you'll do that" then he smiles at Renn, we get a beer for you , my boy...the town, I am afraid we have no clue whats going on there, we haven't managed yet to check it out

Renn  holds the pack against his eye, leaning against the wall again. 'So that guy..." he motions the way that Brian left..."Where's he from? I mean.. what's his story?" He chuckles lightly.. "I mean.. what's *anyone's* story? you guys from here?"  

                                                                                                  

Blake presses his lips together:" That guy Brian, I have to investigate further, but we never turn anybody away who asks for shelter. Me? I am not from these parts, I am from the south, Yvaine is from Alaska"

Blake : But Gera is a local

Renn  nods.. "So... what brings you guys here, then? I mean.. " he swallows a bit.. " it's not really a destination spot..."

Blake looks down, he rubs his chin:" Well as for me, I came here to die. But The people who already lived here then, an old lady, a man and a former inmate, they saved me...and I stayed...

Renn: nods... "Are they... still around?" He asks carefully.

Blake  : Blake looks down, his voice raspy and emotional:" Unfortunately , the woman and the man died...."he looks up" But Radoslaw is still with us, the inmate, he is a good guy, very reliable, you will will meet him soon, the others too"

Blake : and Yvaine has her own story, you care to share it with Ren, Yvaine?

Renn nods, with a deep exhale. "I'm sorry to hear about that... your friends." His head shakes and his free hand runs through his hair. "It's just all gone south.." he says, his voice tight. He just nods.He turns to look to Yvaine

But the Scientist seems deep in thoughts, scribbling some notes down.

Blake sees Gera returning with her son and smiles at them briefly

Renn smiles. "How old is your boy?"

Gera  smiles at Renn:" he turned three last month"                          

She kisses the little boy softly, holding him and stroking his head:" his father left us when the outbreak started, i guess he couldn't cope with the burden of a woman and child...too weak, too vulnerable, too much to protect

Renn looks over to Blake.. "oh.. but you guys are together, now?" He nods... "I'm sorry that you got abandoned like that.." he says softly to Gera... "I can't imagine what that must feel like... especially with everything going on..."

Blake smiles "Together, me and Gera? " he shakes his head, "I don't think anybody here has the energy for a relationship, but I take care of her and Andy, gladly, "He smiles at Gera gently. "Well, no rest for the wicked, I've got work to do, I'll see you all later or tomorrow." And with that he walks to his "office" .

Renn shrugs, "Maybe I'll go lie down for a bit... it'd be good to get some real sleep for once." he looks to Gera. "Any of these beds are ok?

Gera  smiles"Of course, let me show you

Renn follows, nodding and still holding the icepack to his face.

Gera : this one here is still free, and the one next to it is occupied by Radoslaw but only the lower bunk

Gera : and next to my cell, there is one empty cell too

Gera : wanna see?

Renn smiles.. "This looks great... Is it... I mean.. if I wanted to close the door to sleep... does that work?" he asks softly, then follows.

Gera : oh we need to fix the doors

Gera : but the men will do that as soon as possible

Renn shrugs.. "Oh. ok.. that's cool. So.. i can crash out here..?"

Gera : just drop all your stuff in there, sort of "mark " your territory

Gera : yes its fine, see it as your home

Gera : and Renn?

Renn: yes?

Gera : thank you for your kind words, what you said about me being abandoned...thank you" she lays her small hand on his arm:" have a good rest, I'll fix you breakfast in the morning

Renn nods, and sighs. He nods again. "This is the best thing that has happened for me in a while now.. thank you guys.." He sets his hand on the bars, and moves to step in.

Gera : I know how you feel, we all felt like this when we came here...Blake..he is a saint"

She blushes and looks away:" well good night Renn, hope you can get some rest here"

Renn nods.. "good night."

1st - 13th February 2014

On february 1st a new survivor makes it to the prison. She sees Blake in the yard and limps towards him

."...Oh, thank god someone else is still alive other than me!"

He welcomes her inside the building, introducing himself: " Oh forgive me, I am Blake, we are a small group here. You've already met the guys at the gate, I hope they were not too rude"

"...Well... I wouldn't say they were the rude ones. I'm afraid I was in such a panic I may have said a few things here and there that might not have been a nice thing to say or wise really..."

Blake bursts into a laugh:" Oh well in that case, you better apologize to them later, the boys are rather sensitive. "He leads her to the medical compartment, where she cleans her wounds and scratches. She tells him her name is Taliah. He shows her a cell and she gratefully takes on the offer to stay.

Meanwhile Gerard who drifts between the woods and the town saves a man from a horde of zombies.

And there is someone else he comes across one day in the town, a woman, carrying a bow for defence. When she asks him for some kind of safe zone, he tells her of the prison.

He mentions to her, how he found a long lost friend there. A teenage girl. And how she warned him about staying there. But he points out to the woman, that the girl has suffered terrible losses and in his opinion has lost her mind. He regards the Prison as the safest place in the area.

About a week later, Gera and Ludger are out at the prison yard and notice a woman, carrying a bow running away from a group of walkers. She is the woman that Gerard had met in town. They let her inside. She tells them her name is Yvaine, she is from Northern Alaska, where the plague of the dead was not yet so prominent. But then she came to these parts for a friends graduation, when she arrived the house as on fire and she had been on the run ever since. They take her inside and give her something to eat in the prison cantine. Here she tells them she was a scientist in Biological medical studies but now is just fighting to survive like most. Being a scientist, Yvaine explains to them her theory about the plague and that she believes that there might be a way to cure it, if only she had the means to work on that. Gera and Ludger are excited about the prospect of having her in the group, a scientist working on a cure is the light at the end of the tunnel. The talk about the dead triggers off Ludger who suffers post traumatic fits…

Ludger puts his head in his hands. "Please, dear god - let me wake up from this nightmare." He suddenly jumps to his feet. Maybe this IS a dream. I mean, maybe...

Gera looks at Ludger:" shh Ludger..its fine" she quickly gets up

Ludger : maybe... Tears fill his eyes and he laughs loudly

"Gera, how can I know that you are real? "He pushes her softly.

"Or you Yvaine…."

Yvaine looks at Ludger, then to Gera* "is he ok?" She looks back to him.

Gera Heliosense touches his arm gently and whispers to Yvaine:" Don't mind him, he just...lost it a bit since the outbreak...he gets these fits but..shhh Ludger"

Ludger kneels down on the floor whispering: " Wach auf, wach auf Ludger!!!"

Gera watches him concerned and sighs:" Ludger, listen precious,...what was that song...by the stranglers...you remember? She starts humming some notes

Ludger continues whispering but lifts his head a little and listens to her humming.

Ludger  lifts himself up slowly and looks Gera in the eyes. Humming with her. His voice broken.

Gera Heliosense smiles at him , stroking his back, looking at Yvaine:" Music always calms him...he...used to be a musician"

Ludger sings softly: "Golden brown - texture like sun..."

He holds Gera's Hands and sings softly, then he stops, looking up at Yvaine a little embarrassed.

Gera Heliosense nods and to him and slowly gets up, her cheeks flushed:" All good now"

Ludger lets go of Geras hands and slowly gets up.

He turns to Yvaine.: I'm sorry. I'm not crazy.

Puly, the so called Survivalist has disappeared on the Prison Group.  It was abrupt, and all of his personal effects were left in his bunk.  Perhaps lost, or injured, the survivalist has not returned to his home . Blake sends out search groups.

Yvaine meets Blake two days after her arrival. He shows her a makeshift lab they prepared for her to  proceed her studies. And they have a long talk:

Yvaine : *drinks the wine and looks over at him* "how long have you been here?" *she asks curiously*

Blake : He rubs his chin thinking:" About 2 months, yes..it was not long after the outbreak. I was roaming the country for a while, lost...and at the end..I came here to die...and stayed to live again

Yvaine listens to his story* "oh were you on the road for long?"

Blake : yes for a while, to tell you the truth, i have no recollection of those days, i was in a stupor, I had lost...my wife and...my little girl. Nothing mattered to me, i didn't even had a weapon on me...I found shelter in some weekend house for a while...incidentally I met Ludger there but we were attacked by a horde of zombies and lost sight of each other...and i ended up here. I found a gun...and i decided to kill myself.

Yvaine : *sinks a little in the chair* "i'm sorry about your family Blake this infection has taken everything from us all"

Blake : He nods, his expression grave and painful before he fastens his one good eye to her face:" What is your story Yvaine? How did you make it all the way up here? Who did you leave behind?"

Yvaine : "I'm from Alaska we had a research facility their but it was over run by a horde of zombies 4 weeks ago i managed to escape back to my dads house but his front door was broken down i found him in the kitchen holding his neck" *closes her eyes for a moment* "he told me to run and i have ever since when i got to the end of the road the house exploded" *she goes quiet for a while*

Blake nods quietly, glancing at her full of compassion, pressing his lips together:"your father must have been a very brave man. And how terrible for you to run, all on your own. The worse part is always to let go, to accept that you must leave the people you love....but continue please. What happened after that? How did you survive?"

Yvaine : "the only way you can keep moving don't remain in the same place for too long only stop for supplies but always keep moving stay ahead of the zombies it is how i have survived this far"

Blake : "Yes very true. We have a man here, Puly who goes by the same tactic, he calls himself a survivalist..." he frowns:" Unfortunately he has gone missing and we are currently searching for him. He is in charge of training the people here, teaching them to handle weapons and such...

Yvaine : "How long has he been missing did he say were he was going?"

Blake: "Puly did not say anything, we assume that he was surprised by a horde when he was out on a routine run, he is a tough guy so i hope for the best but it is nerve wrecking as the days pass and no news of him."

Yvaine nods* "it would be. I hope everything is alright with him"

Yvaine soon adapts to the life in the prison. The men are ordered to retrieve anything she needs for her work from hospitals and health centers in the area. She works there everyday, closely monitored by Blake.

Another man is seen more frequently. His name is Radoslaw. He was one of the three original prison residents, more so, he was an inmate. He is the only person who knows Blake from the day of his arrival. The one who is still alive. Blake's right hand man. Usually out on patrol and retrieving supplies for the group.

Mia who has not been out of her cell for weeks since her mothers death and has avoided contact with anybody. But one day she runs into Radoslaw. She looks bruised and Radoslaw asked her suspiciously how she hurt herself. She admits, she ran into some walkers by the gate, when leaving the grounds. He grimly tells her to report to Blake and have a check up, but she backs away with a feeble excuse.