Dawn breaks on a group of four people sitting around a fire. Each one stares intently at the pot over said fire, a mix of meat scraps from an uninfected rabbit with some canned goods- the last canned goods left amongst the four.
A stomach growls. It's owner, Robert Reeves, mumbles quietly before stirring the "soup".
"World's gone to shit, huh. I wonder if anyone's managing better than we are."
The doctor of the group, Rhea, spoke up. "I... I mean, we can hope..."
The librarian, Sarah, looked around before speaking. It would seem that Oleg, expert scientist when it came to the infected, had nothing to contribute, or was simply lost in thought.
"Hope is a strong word. I mean, in the first two days, back when there was still a little electricity left and newscasters were still alive, they said by the end of the week, a third of the population would be infected. Even the crazy people who had been preparing for this kind of shit were taken completely off guard, because there were people who didn't even have to die for the car- cordie- co-"
"Cordyceps." spoke Oleg.
"Yeah. Cordyceps, they didn't die before it took hold of them. Maybe it was that about one third of the populace would be infected without dying? I can't remember anymore."
"I'd bet there are people better off than us," Oleg began, "especially those in rural towns. Areas where everyone knows each other because there are few people. If they were lucky, they'd be able to survive. Places like that would have more people who know carpentry, and farming. If they were fast, they could hole up indefinitely. Makes me wonder about the, uh... There is a group of people somewhere in America who live such lives already?"
"You mean the Amish?" asked Rhea, quietly.
"I believe so. They might be able to survive, as they would not need to adapt anything other than a strong enough wall. Assuming they could build it fast enough."
"Well, enough on that. It's time to eat, and afterwards, we should be able to make it to the dam soon." said Robert.
---
The group ate quickly, in anticipation of finally being able to settle down in a semi-protected place. After all, living in the wilderness was wearing on the group- they'd been moving like this for at least two weeks, although everyone had lost count- and they had to make every supply they had count. Having to hunt, then check the animals for infection, learning which animals were immune to the Cordyceps for some reason or another, and sleeping on the cold, hard earth, as well as the occasional Infected, had been enough to drive the group half-crazy.
"Let's get going, then." Robert stated, hefting his now empty pack and stomping out the smoldering cinders of the fire.
No one responded, everyone imagining what the inside of the dam would be like, hiking there on autopilot. The rushing water was a constant sound now, the concrete monolith growing in size with every step. The trek there was uneventful, until they reached the outer fence.
"I don't see any holes. No signs of the infected. There's no barbed wire, but there's a chance it's electric, so... Let me go up first just incase it's still running." Robert stated, grabbing ahold of the fence."
"Seems OK..."
He climbed up and over, landing on the other side with a thump.
"Yeah, it's not charged. Come on over now."
"You two first," Oleg said, drawing his pistol, "In case someone has followed us."
Sarah climbed up slowly, lifting herself over and climbing down in much the same manner.
Next was Rhea, who started up, then hesitated. "It feels... wobbly."
"Don't worry. I have your back." Oleg watched the forest around the fence.
Rhea continued climbing, very carefully, slowly changing her footing to get over the fence. She was almost on the other side when her foot slipped free, causing her to fall off the fence. Her foot twisted around in the chain link before falling free, causing her to cry out in pain. She landed on her back, which hurt, but her ankle was on fire. "Auh! M-my ankle!"
Robert ran over to her, gingerly lifting her head up to make sure she wasn't bleeding. After checking to make sure her back was OK, he moved over to her ankle, taking it softly in his hands.
"It's... not bent at a funny angle or anything. I'm also no doctor, though..."
"It's... probably just sprained... I won't be able to walk for a few days, at least..." Rhea breathed.
"I'll carry you the rest of the way. We'll find a place for you to lie down inside."
Oleg landed with a thump nearby, returning his Ruger GP100 to his pack.
"If neither of you mind, I should carry Rhea. You have a better weapon, and there's a chance that infected still wander about inside the dam complex."
Rhea spoke first. "N-no, that's fine Oleg. I just need to stay off my left foot, if you can balance m-"
Oleg hefted Rhea seemingly effortlessly, using both arms to steady her. "Sorry if this is embarrassing for you, but we cannot risk you walking so soon."
Robert took his Mossberg 500 from the strap across his back, and opened the front door to the dam complex. A few LED lamps shined, illuminating the place well enough to see.
"The emergency lights are still running. This dam must still be working, then. Yay hydroelectricity." said Susan, unenthusiastically. "Better than darkness, I guess."
The room was somewhat large, obviously some kind of reception area. There was a nice wooden desk on the far end of the room, and plastic chairs with metal rods holding them up all over the place, most of them in fairly good condition.Robert kept the group moving, until they reached the reception table. Oleg laid Rhea down, as gently as possible, on top of it.
"How should I treat this, Rhea? No idea what to do except maybe wrap it up."
"That sounds fine. There isn't a lot we can do, except that. Please be careful though. It's still painful."
"It might be for a while. Hold still, I'll get some bandaging out from your pack."
...
Oleg, Rhea, Susan, and Robert are in the Reception room of the Hydroelecrtic Dam, F1.
Exits are East (Unknown) and West (Outside).
The room has not been looted. There is no obvious loot.
It is Daytime, Hour 2. There have been no attacks today.
Rhea has a sprained left ankle, treated. It will take 5-7 days to heal fully. She will be able to walk in 4-6 days.
...
Normal Pack (4)
- Ruger GP100 revolver, fully loaded (7)
- Box of Pistol Ammo, [7]
- Utility Knife [Brand New]
Normal Pack (4)
- USP .45, full magazine (15)
- Spare USP magazine, full magazine (15)
- Scalpel [Brand-New]
Medical Satchel (2)
- Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol, x4
- Cloth Bandaging, x3
Normal Pack (4)
- OTs-33 Pernach full magazine (17)
- Spare Pernach Magazine, (15)
Back-strap Holster
- Mossberg 500, fully loaded (6)
Durable Pack (4)
- Box of Shotgun Shells [6]
- Combat Knife
It would seem I've murdered this post with incorrect lists. Next one will look better I hope. FIXED IT.
Welcome to Daytime. I suggest you explore the building, look for good vantage points for someone to keep watch (good news, the infected can't get you at night), and... get Rhea somewhere that isnt' a hard-ass wooden table.
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Topic: INFECTIOUS- Turn 5: Zombies On Acid (Read 6897 times)