Play@YSDC

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:32 am**

Z-Day - 6:58 PM Mountain Time - SaveMart Convenience Store, 2 miles south of Ogallala, Nebraska
Outside the store-
Emily Montose made a quick U-turn and steered her pickup truck back to the turnoff and onto the parking lot. There were a couple of gas pumps, a small garage, and a SaveMart convenience store there. The store was directly opposite the road, its wide glass storefront facing west. The pumps were between it and the road, and the garage was on the south side of the lot. A few other vehicles were parked there: an old gray Ford F-150 pickup truck, a white Chevy Nova, a blue Toyota Camry, and, looking rather out of place, a silver Lincoln town car. A tall Hispanic man, Victor Gonzalez, had just emerged from the store's front door, revolver in hand. On the roof were an old Asian man and a huge, young, black man. Through the store's windows a man and two women were visible.

Lauren Montrose, the young lady in the pickup's middle seat, looked around with hope. "People!" she said. "Living people!" She glanced at her mother on her left and at Kathryn McCoy, the blonde woman on her right. In the bed of the pickup was Kyle Perkins, a young man with blond hair who was actually a bit bigger than Marcus. He carried an M-4 carbine, but the barrel was lowered. "Hey, mister!" he said to Victor, a smile on his face.

Behind them, to the west, the sun continued its descent. It was now an orange semicircle on the horizon.

On the roof-
Ho Nguyen stood up and faced the new arrivals. "Hello!" he called down to them. "How I can help you?" Then he turned to Marcus. "Good idea about the paint. There some in the storeroom in back of store. Problem is, we can't see out of painted windows easily. Maybe leave a few spots unpainted to look out."

In the store-
Rich watched the three women and one man arrive in the parking lot from his position at the window. Cynthia stood at his side, breathing a sigh of relief. "It's so good to see someone else," she said. "I was worried we might be the last people on earth who hadn't gone crazy."

"Hah!" snorted Helen. "What makes you think we haven't gone crazy?"

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:03 am**

***Rich noticed the time***

"its getting later, we really need to do something to secure this place up"

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:27 am**

Victor nodded and said, "Hello. Who are you all?" He looked up and shouted to Ho, "Sir can they come inside for now? They may be able to help us defend the place for the night!"

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:14 am**

Marcus climbed down the ladder to the ground and headed inside. As the newcomers entered, Marcus nodded with a friendly smile, "Good to see some more uninfected. It gives us hope that things aren't as bad as they seem."

When Ho comes in, Marcus asks him to reconsider the idea about the access to the roof from inside. If necessary, Marcus would take the ladder and an ax (if available) and hack his way through to the roof. When anyone asks about the idea, he explains, "The infected are stupid. If they manage to get in here, we could climb to the roof and pull up the ladder. We might be stuck up there, but at least we won't be lunch."

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:19 am**

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:22 am**

"Yes...but hold it just a minute! Let´s stay together. They outnumber us and we don´t know their intentions yet." The situation with infected people seemed to bring out the worst in human nature. Karhryn McCoy waited for Emily Montrose to do the introductions. "Let´s stay friendly. Together we stand a better chance of sitting out a siege and we do need to get more gas." Kat, evaluated the balance of guns and raised her palms in a saluting gesture to the Hispanic looking man in the store´s entryway. She kept the 9mm gun in her lap, within reach.

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:07 pm**

Emily stopped the pick up truck, put it in part, and exited the vehicle.
"Thank god!" she said. "It's great to see there are more suvivors. My name is Emily and this is my daughter, Lauren. In the passenger seat is Kat, and that is Kyle in the back." She walked around to the other survivors and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you all."

"You know, we should save the instroductions for later. It's getting late and we could sure use a safe place to crash tonight."

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:34 pm**

The big black guy shook everyone's hand, responding, "Marcus..." so they at least knew what to call him. "'Scuse me, I gotta get some paint for the windows before it gets dark."

Posted: **Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:59 pm**

"Nice to meet you, Marcus. How can we help?"

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:57 am**

"Hi I am Victor. My friends and I are crashing here for the night. We could use the help. Come inside?"

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:22 am**

On the roof-
"I Ho Nguyen," the old man on the roof called down to the new arrivals. "This my store, and you welcome to stay here. But there are rules. First rule, no stealing. You want anything, you trade for it. Second rule, everyone helps out to defend store. You, young man." He pointed a crooked finger at Kyle. "You have rifle. Maybe you come up on roof and help me shoot? You good with that rifle? What can rest of you do? Marcus, maybe we do make hole in roof. Sledgehammer in storeroom too. But if we make hole, it should be in back room. I think about it while you paint."

Outside the store-
"I'm pretty good, mister," said Kyle loudly, climbing out of the back of the truck. "Until today I've mostly been shooting rabbits and varmints, but I never had a rifle like this before. I gave my .22 to my friend Lauren. I'm strong as an ox, and I can also fix stuff...sometimes."

"Uh, I'm not such a good shot," said Lauren nervously as she stepped out and joined her mother. "I don't know how much help I'll be."

Kyle smiled at Marcus, pleased to meet someone his own age. "Nice to meet you, Marcus. Do you work here too?"

The sun sank further, and was now just a small red sliver.
In the store-
"Well, they look friendly enough," said Cynthia.

"We'll see," said Helen.

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:58 am**

McCoy stepped out of the car and hurried over to Marcus and inside the store. The kevlar vest and helmet made her feel reasonably comfortable in the midst of all strangers. She held the Beretta in her right hand and the shotgun slung over her left shoulder by a string of rope from the truck. Her two belts held the crowbar and extra ammo clips. "Hi Marcus, Vic!" She lifted her hand in a salute to Ho up top.

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:47 pm**

Vic nodded back and holsting his pistol in his waistband again he walked back into the store. He walked up to Helen and putting down $5 in quarters said, "Can i get the snickers bar and a pack of Camels?"

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:29 pm**

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:24 pm**

In regards to the hole in the ceiling, Marcus looked up at Ho and said, "Whatever you say... you the boss. If you don't want easy access to the roof without having to risk your ass every time you leave the store, that's your decision." Marcus nodded to Kyle, "Ah-yup. I work here, although its beginning to seem like a dead-end job." He shot a quick glance up to Ho after saying that, then started in and looked over his shoulder toward Emily, "Yeah, sure. I'll grab some extra paint brushes... try to find some index cards and tape. We'll tape them up to the windows and use those for peek-holes after we've painted over them."

Persuade (15%) (1d100=73)

Posted: **Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:57 pm**

"I think making a hole in the roof sounds like a great idea, personally. Mr. Ho, may me, my daughter and our friends stay the night on the roof tonight?"
Turning to Lauren, "Honey, why don't you grab some supplies from the back. Food, water, and any warm clothes we have. We'll take them up to the roof so we are safe tonight."

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:37 am**

Outside the store-
"Sure, Mom," said Lauren. She started gathering supplies from the truck.

"Can I help, Lauren?" said Kyle, excitedly bounding up to her.

"Um, okay. Thanks!"

Kyle strapped one of the five-gallon containers of water to his back while Lauren collected some food and blankets.

"Yes, you can stay on roof!" Ho called from up above. "Good idea. As for hole...I still thinking about it."

Lauren scaled the ladder first, while Kyle waited his turn below.

The sun finally dipped below the horizon. It was still possible to see without difficulty, but it wouldn't stay that way for long.
On the roof-
Lauren easily reached the top of the ladder and clambered onto the roof. "Hi," she said to Ho Nguyen.

"Where you come from?" he asked. "Ogallala?"

"No, I'm from Chicago - but we weren't there when this started. We were traveling around the Midwest in an RV."

In the store-
Kathryn and Marcus entered the store, where Richard, Helen, and Cynthia were standing near the window. Helen looked the gorgeous blonde up and down. The military-grade Kevlar vest and helmet contrasted sharply with her black miniskirt. "Hiya, hon," she said to Kathryn. "I'm Helen Stafford, and I work in this fine establishment." She turned back to Victor. "That's not enough. It's ten bucks for a pack of cigs, and $1.49 for the Snickers."

"I'm Cynthia," said the young woman standing nearby.

Marcus proceeded down one of the aisles toward the back. The shop's main area was ninety feet across, and the front was composed of plate glass. The entrance was a set of glass double doors in the center. The ten aisles stretched back sixty feet. Between each pair of aisles were two long, double-sided rows of shelves stocked with all the goods one might find in a convenience store. There were snack foods, bottles of soda and water, books, magazines, over the counter medications (the SaveMart did not have its own pharmacy), diapers, beauty products, DVDs, school supplies, and plenty of other stuff. At the counter were the impulse buying items, including the gum that Helen was sampling. Behind the counter were boxes and boxes of cigarettes, along with a "We Card" sign stating that you had to be 18 to buy them. At the very back of the store, in the center of the rear wall, was a door labeled "Employees Only."

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:50 am**

Victor sighed and grabbed his money back except for the $1.49. He snarled a curse word under his breath at Helen in Spanish and then said to Marcus, "Dude, can I help you out?"

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:51 am**

***Richard scratched his head as he watched the sun set. A slight look of worry on his face***

"I really think we need to do something about this window."

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:19 pm**

Marcus ducked through the doors marked "Employees Only" and looked around for some paint and paint brushes. He also kept his eyes open for a little AM/FM radio he saw back there a while back... they usually listened to music while cleaning up. It would be handy to be able to hear what the government was doing about all of this.

Posted: **Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:08 pm**

Emily pocketed the keys to the truck, grabbed the weapons in the cab, and started up the ladder. As she did, she spoke to Ho; doing her best to persuade him but made little progress. "I know this is your store, Mr. Ho, but being able to access the store without having to go outside would be so much safer for everyone. Believe me, those plate glass windows will not last for more than 5 seconds if they attack us. We've been attacked several times already and solid wood doors don't last for more than a few seconds against them."

Posted: **Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:51 pm**

"Hi, Helen...Cynthia!" She eyed the store´s interior. Maybe if they shifted the shelves to make a barrier to ward off the dead on the rise. By interlocking the shelves they might not be able to dislodge them and fail to get to the back of the store? She thought about it for a while. Then it struck her. If they stayed here, with only the roof as refuge. They might be sitting ducks. "So we´re setting camp here, right? What if we need to exit quickly? Is there a basement with sewer exit? If so I´d like to see if it can be used as a get away. If not only to use as a distraction to make the zombies look the other way?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:37 am**

Outside the store-
At the base of the ladder, Kyle stood aside to let Emily climb up first, then held the ladder for her.

On the roof-
Lauren and Ho paused in their conversation and turned when they saw Emily climb onto the roof.

In the store-
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to go anywhere tonight," said Helen, putting the change in the register and letting Victor take the Snickers bar. "Unless, of course, you like getting eaten alive. If we need to get out quickly, we'll have to take the vehicles in the parking lot. Going anywhere on foot is a real bad idea. The only place close enough to reach that way is Ogallala, and that's where the bulk of them have been coming from. We'll have to hunker down for the night and then see what's what in the morning. The only cellar is a storm cellar out back. We sometimes get tornadoes in these parts. There's no other way out of it, though, and I don't know of any way of getting into the sewers. We're probably too far from the city for the sewers to reach out this far. The store has its own septic tank. I wouldn't want to get trapped below ground anyway. There is a fire exit in the back, if we need another way out. So, who are you and where'd you get that vest? You in the military or something?"

"It's nice to meet you," Cynthia said to Kathryn. "Where are you from?" She looked back toward Richard. "Yeah, we can move those big shelves in front of them to block them off, but we need to get permission from Helen's boss up on the roof first."

In the storeroom-
Marcus went through the door and found himself in a short hallway. At the far end of the hall was a fire door that led out behind the store. To the left was the door to the large storage room, and to the right were doors leading to the employees' bathroom and Ho's office. Marcus went into the storeroom and quickly found a bucket of black paint, a couple of brushes, and a stack of index cards. He also found the radio, but when he turned it on all he got was static, no matter which station he tried to pull in. Was it not working, or was nobody broadcasting from any of the nearby stations?

Finally, he was able to receive an AM station, but it was just playing a recording in a loop: "This is not a test. A state of emergency is currently in effect. Do not panic, and do not attempt to go anywhere. Remain in your homes and await rescue. Martial law has been declared and government help is on the way. You are advised to seal all doors and windows, and avoid contact with anyone outside. Stay tuned to this station for further announcements."

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:01 am**

Ho Nguyen:

Still eyeing Emily clambering onto the roof Ho asks Lauren "How long will take to put hole in roof?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:28 am**

Marcus exits the storeroom with his hands full with stuff. He carries a bucket of black paint, and two paint brushes in one hand. The other carries a stack of index cards and a radio. The radio is on at a low level playing some public service announcement loop. "Thought this might come in handy," he said as he sets the radio down on the counter next to the cash register. He looked over to Emily and asked, "Did you have any luck finding that tape? We need to tape up the index cards before we paint over the entire window. Don't need many, I suppose."

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:58 am**

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:23 am**

Victor said, "You want help painting the windows up Marcus?"

Spoiler:

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:19 am**

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:30 pm**

Marcus nodded, "Sure would appreciate it, kind folks. Only got a couple brushes available, but if some of us put up the cards while others painted, it would go a mite quicker."

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:33 pm**

"Mr. Ngyuen I don't know how long this is gonna take but we need to start now. God knows when those monsters will find us and if were not ready then we are going to die. Just one of those things nearly killed all of us. Please Mr. Ngyuen you must listen to us." Lauren said this glancing over to her mother hoping that if she couldn't convince the man that her mother could.

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:02 pm**

To Cynthia, Kat replied, "Kearney, the airfield just outside the city. Now we´re heading for the Warren base." She looked at Marcus and Helen, "Get that permission to ward off a perimeter ASAP, then!" She checked her 9mm and looked out the windows for movement.

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:19 am**

***Richard looks around at everyone***

Im really dont think a glass house is going to give us must protection.

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:41 am**

"Lauren is right, Mr. Ho" Emily said. "They will find us and we need to get that hole in the roof ASAP. So we have the tools to do it? Let's get started if we do. If we don't cut the hole, we will be cut off from the store below once they arrive."

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:29 am**

On the roof-
Kyle climbed up onto the roof and set down the 5-gallon container of water. "I could help knock a hole in the roof, Mister," he said. "I'm real strong. Marcus is strong too."
In the store- Marcus brought the paint, brushes, index cards, duct tape, and radio to the front of the store.

"Warren Air Force Base?" mused Helen. "Yeah, that's only seventy or so miles away. Too dangerous to travel at night, but we could set out for it in the morning. It has to be safer there. Cynthia, can you go out and ask the boss if it's okay to move the shelves to barricade the front of the store?" She looked at Richard and Victor. "Why don't you two lend Marcus a hand in the meantime painting those windows and taping up the cards?"

Cynthia nodded and went outside.

Outside the store-
Cynthia emerged and called up to Ho Nguyen: "Is it okay if we move those shelves to block off the windows and door at the front of the store?"

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:33 am**

Ho Nguyen:

After thinking about the decision of putting a hole in the roof Ho gives in to the barrage of pressure from Lauren "Lauren, go to Kyle or Marcus put hole in roof. But remember they fix once this over"

Ho steps towards to side of the roof nearest Cynthia and grunts disapprovingly. "Do it, break something you pay"

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:48 pm**

Victor said, "I can help put up cards. Where is the tape and where do you want them?"

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:50 pm**

Marcus pointed at several spots on the window and said to Victor, "You can tape them up there, there, there... basically, spread them around. Don't need more than a half-dozen at most but stagger them so we ain't trippin' over each other when we look out. Tape only one side so we can lift them up to see out, like a vertical shutter." He pops open the paint bucket and sinks a brush down, not caring too much about spilling on the floor. Marcus, being tall, starts at the top and paints across working his way downward.

He shouts over to Ho, "If we start busting that hole in the roof, it's gonna make some noise. We need to get some people top-side ready with the rifles while we're working. Why don't someone find a central area that is a good ways away from windows or doors and mark it on the roof."

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:01 pm**

Victor began to put cards up where it would be efficient.

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:00 pm**

"Kyle is god with a rifle, but he is also as strong as an ox and is a good worker. I will help with the roof while Kyle keeps an eye out with the rifle."
Moving to the edge of the roof: "Kyle,can you go to the store room in store and get an axe or soemthig to cut through the roof of the store?"
After speaking to Kyle, Emily scans the surrounding area for signs of trouble.

Posted: **Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:51 pm**

Marcus said, "If someone else wants to take over paintin', I can get started with Kyle's help we can take turns watchin' and makin' that hole and get a roof-top access right quick."

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:59 am**

On the roof-
"Okay!" said Kyle. "I'll go down now and get something. Lauren and Mr. Ho both have rifles too." He returned to the ladder and climbed back down to the parking lot.

Emily surveyed the store's surroundings. The terrain was flat and open, so it would normally be possible to see threats coming a mile away. However, it was already starting to get dark, which would soon limit visiblity. The store was surrounded by lampposts which provided some light, but only about thirty yards out. The area looked deserted, with no other buildings close to the store.
Outside the store-
"Thanks!" Cynthia called up to Ho Nguyen. "I'll go in and let them know!" She rushed back inside as Kyle reached the base of the ladder.

In the store-
"Good news, guys!" said Cynthia as she breezed inside. "The old guy said we can move the shelves and knock a hole in the roof. Kyle's on his way to get something. I can take over painting for someone, since I'm not too good at moving heavy stuff." She glanced over at Kathryn. "Wanna help?"

Marcus, with Helen's help, had already painted about one fifth of the front windows so far, and Victor had finished taping up the cards.

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:01 am**

"Yo Richard, can you help me move this section of shelves?"

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:07 am**

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:32 pm**

OOC: I am traveling today and will not be able to link a roll until tonight as I am posting with my phone now. Handy, you are welcome to roll spot for me.

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:42 pm**

"Sure!", Kat stared painting the bits covering the windows.

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:01 pm**

On the roof-
Emily looked carefully around while the fading daylight lasted. There was no sign of movement in any direction within about a mile of the store. That didn't mean nothing was out there, but at least they had time to prepare.

In the store-
"Thanks!" said Cynthia, handing Kathryn a brush. "I'm glad you and your friends showed up. It's good to meet other women besides Helen. Too much testosterone isn't good, you know. Geez, what happened to your arm?"

Helen went over to the shelves to help Victor move one.

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:35 pm**

"I got hurt in an explosion down at a farm, rooting out some low life! He got what he deserved." Kathryn commenced painting. The 9mm was holstered haphazardly between her two belts. The shotgun wagged back and forth in the string across her shoulder.

Posted: **Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:54 pm**

Marcus says, "Ya'll make sure to wait til the windows are painted before ya go and cover it." Then he heads back to find the sledgehammer for the roof work.

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:13 am**

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:21 am**

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:37 pm**

***Richard nods to Vic and helps him***

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:45 pm**

Victor went over to Richard and Helen and with thier help easily lifted one of the shelves and began to bring it over to the window

Posted: **Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:51 pm**

Spoiler:

Posted: **Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:13 pm**

Lauren relaxed a bit with the knowledge that they would be safe up on the roof. "Thank you Mr. Ho." She looked out across the area then clutched the rifle thinking about what happened to her father.

Posted: **Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:36 pm**

On the roof-
Ho Nguyen, Emily Montrose, and her daughter Lauren remained on the roof, looking around. So far everything was quiet. The twilight sky was starting to get a little darker, though for now there was still enough light to see.
Outside the store-
Kyle hurried inside.

In the store-
Marcus headed off through the door at the rear to go find a sledgehammer. Cynthia and Kathryn continued to paint, and they were now more than halfway done.

"Wow," said Cynthia to Kathryn, obviously impressed. "I hope it gets better soon. It doesn't seem to stop you from painting. You work that brush like a pro!"

Kathryn did in fact feel at ease with a brush in her hand, though she much prefered painting something artistic rather than tedious but necessary work.

"I came to get something to knock a hole in the roof," said Kyle.

"Marcus is grabbing a sledgehammer from the back room," said Helen as she helped Richard and Victor move one of the rows of shelves toward the front windows. "If you want, you can try pushing another of these shelves to block the front windows while you wait for him."
In the storeroom-
Marcus made his way to the back room once again and quickly found the sledge. He hefted it in his mighty arms.

Posted: **Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:47 pm**

Emily takes off the cumbersome helmet and scans the area for trouble.
As she scans the area, she asks Mr. Ho: "Are their flashlights in the store? We should probably get all the light sources we can in the event that the power goes out or something."

Posted: **Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:59 pm**

Marcus returns from the storage room, sledge hammer resting on his shoulder and heads for the door outside to go up the ladder and to the roof.

Posted: **Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:45 pm**

While waiting for the hole to get knocked through the roof Lauren decided to <look out and get a better bearing of her surroundings.

Posted: **Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:02 pm**

As Victor helped move the shelf he grunted and said to Helen, "So whats your problem with me anyway?"

Posted: **Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:28 pm**

Ho Nguyen:

Ho looks over the surrounding area.

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:34 am**

On the roof-
Emily, Lauren, and Ho Nguyen all kept a careful watch as the twilight slowly deepened. There was absolutely no movement as far as they could see in any direction, which was about a mile, though with the spreading darkness it would soon become impossible to see that far. The moon was already up, and a few stars were starting to appear in the eastern sky.

In the store-
"You mean aside from the fact that you're a male chauvinist pig who treats women like dirt?" Helen said to Victor as Richard helped them move the shelf. "Other than that, I haven't got anything against you at all."

"Okay, I'll give it a try," said Kyle. He easily began shifting one of the shelves, his thick muscles bulging. While he was doing so, Marcus emerged from the back with the sledgehammer and walked outside. "Hey, Marcus! You need my help up on the roof, or should I keep moving the shelf?"

Cynthia and Kathryn finished painting the glass windows and doors black, except for the areas covered by the index cards. "That's that," said Cynthia, putting her brush down and grinning at Kathryn. "We make a pretty good team, huh?" Just as they finished, the others slid the first row of shelves into place against the northwest section of the front window. It would take another three to fully block it.
Outside the store-
Marcus emerged from the front door and reached the base of the ladder.

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:11 pm**

"Yeah, Cynthia, we do! Let´s haul another of them shelves in place too." Kat moves to begin shifting a shelf. (45 in combined str x 3! Against what score?)

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:09 pm**

Victor smiled at Helen and said, "Well do you want to help me move another shelf to the window?" He walked over to one of shelves that held personal care products and said to Richard, "Hey Richard help me out ok?" As he waited for Richard he began to dump the stuff off the shelves and onto the floor in a neat pile.

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:42 pm**

In the store-
"Not particularly, no," said Helen to Victor. She made her way over to Kathryn and Cynthia. "All right, ladies, let's get to work!"

"Sure!" said Cynthia.

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:16 pm**

Victor snarled at Helen, "You better remember that your life depends on me the man defending you. At this point I have half a mind to let a creature eat you."

He looked at Richard and said, "Lets go buddy." He got near one end of the shelves and saw Richard at the other end. They counted to 3 and just managed to lift it. They began to walk it toward where it was needed.

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:23 pm**

The shelf moved effortlessly as the women lugged it towards the windows.

Posted: **Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:29 pm**

Marcus called back to Kyle with a smile, "When you're done playin' around with those shelves, come on up and give me a break."

He headed up the ladder towards the roof, holding the sledge in one hand, and using the other hand for grabbing onto the rungs.

Posted: **Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:53 pm**

On the roof-
Marcus climbed up onto the roof, where his boss and the Montrose women were keeping watch.
In the store-
Kyle moved his shelf closer to the front. Behind him the other men started moving theirs, and the three women made equal progress on their own shelf.

Posted: **Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:03 am**

Emily moved to her daughter and put her arm around her and hugged her tightly as she looked out on the horizon. So much has changed in the last 10 hours. The enormity of the day nearly brought Emily to her knees. In silence, she stood there holding Lauren and silently wept for her husband.

Posted: **Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:30 pm**

Marcus walked over to where he wanted to punch the whole through the roof and went to work. He resisted the urge to sing a chain-gang song in the process. Strength x5 (85%) (1d100=54)

Posted: **Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:41 pm**

Posted: **Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:16 pm**

Posted: **Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:52 pm**

On the roof-
Marcus swung the sledgehammer mightily, creating a hole in the roof above where he knew the storeroom to be. After several swings with his muscular arms, he managed to create a hole big enough even for him or Kyle to comfortably pass through. The storeroom was visible below, fragments of concrete and plaster dust littering the floor beneath the new hole.

Emily stood hugging her daughter Lauren as they watched the twilight deepen. It was getting harder to see, and night was setting in. But would they survive to see the sunrise?

Ho Nguyen also stood watching silently, his rifle at the ready.
In the store-
Kyle Perkins finished sliding his set of shelves into place along the southern end of the front windows. Having finished, he stepped out through the still unblocked front doors since the others had the remaining shelves well in hand. They had almost reached the front.
Outside the store-
Kyle emerged from the store and walked over to the base of the ladder. "We're just about done blocking the windows!" he called up as he prepared to climb.

Posted: **Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:15 pm**

Marcus called down to Kyle, "Why don't you take that ladder down and move it to the storeroom. We should be able to barricade the doors now too."

He looked to Ho and said, "With everyone walkin' along this roof, it may leak this spring after the snow melts. We might need to put another coat of tar on it just to patch up the seams."

Posted: **Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:55 am**

"If Kyle want to come up, he should, then we can pull the ladder up behind him and put id down into the hole you created" Emily said as she said after scanning the area for signs of trouble.

Posted: **Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:37 pm**

Marcus nodded, "Yeah, that's a good idea. Come on up, Kyle."

Posted: **Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:22 am**

Oustide the store-
"Okey dokey," said Kyle. He climbed up the ladder to the roof.

On the roof-
Kyle climbed onto the roof and waved sheepishly. "H-hi, Lauren," he said. Then he noticed the hole. "Hey, Marcus! That must have been fun, smashing that hole in the roof. Want me to bring the ladder over now?"

The roof was very sturdy, as it had been built to withstand the tornadoes that plagued the flat plains of Nebraska. It could support the ten people here with ease. The only part of the roof that looked like it would leak in the near term was the hole and the area immediately around it, but the rest of the roof would be good for a while. Luckily it wasn't raining now, though that could always change.

In the store-
The two groups, one of men and one of women, pushed their shelves into place against the front windows at the same time. They were now completely barricaded. The paint on the windows was still wet, but it would dry in time. The index cards could be lifted by anyone wishing to look outside, but it would be necessary to climb up the shelves to reach them. The front doors were now blocked off, so the only ways out were the back door or the newly created hole in the roof above the storeroom, both of which were accessible from the short hall through the door at the rear of the store.

Posted: **Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:34 am**

Victor sighed and wiped some sweat off his forehead. He then walked over to the fridge and opened it a bit to get cool.

Posted: **Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:40 am**

Posted: **Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:43 am**

As he stood at the fridge Victor reached in and grabbed two beers which he then conceled in his coat. He walked up to Rich and whispered, "Buddy I snagged a beer for you. Here you go!"

Posted: **Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:40 pm**

***Richard took the beer and a small smile crossed his face***

"Its amazing how you can miss the simpler things in life"

***He clanked bottle with Vic and took a swig***

Posted: **Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:21 pm**

Marcus smiled at Kyle, "Yeah, got my aggressions out on something. Boss said I can't get a raise." With this last statement, he shot a glance at Ho really quick, then looked back to Kyle. "Let's get this ladder down the hole and let the others know we're done with the renovations. I want to take a better look at the back door, anyway... just to make sure we've done all we can to prevent those things from breaking it down."

Posted: **Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:34 pm**

Posted: **Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:31 am**

Emily scanned the area for trouble again, before tuning to Lauren: "Are you hungry, sweetie? I think we have a few things in the sack we brought up to eat."

Posted: **Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:44 am**

On the roof-
"Yeah, we brought up some food," said Kyle, easily lifting up the ladder and carrying it over to the hole. "We did eat dinner during the ride here, but we can always eat more. This is hungry work." He placed the ladder in the hole, leaning it against the edge. "All done!"

Peering out into the growing darkness, Emily could not see anything moving out there.
In the store-
Helen did not notice Victor swiping the beer, as she was busy looking over the barricade. "Okay, looks good," she said, rubbing her hands.

"Great!" said Cynthia, smiling at Kathryn. "So, what do we do now?"

Posted: **Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:49 am**

"You're right, Kyle. We should save our food. Who knows how long until we'll be able to resupply."

Posted: **Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:28 am**

Victor smiled secretly at Rich and said, "Maybe me and Rich will go up and spell some of the roof watchers." He headed for the storeroom where the hole had been cut.

Posted: **Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:33 am**

Posted: **Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:30 am**

Victor headed into the storeroom and called up the hole, "Hey I will be coming up to spill anyone who wants it."

Posted: **Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:17 am**

Marcus climbs down the ladder and says to those up top, "I'll let the others know how they can get up then check out the back door."

Posted: **Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:28 am**

Posted: **Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:02 pm**

Once at the bottom, Marcus smiles to Victor, "It's all yours. I wasn't really keepin' watch... but it couldn't hurt to have some extra eyes up there cuz its so dark. Wish we had some of them night-vision goggles they use in the military."

Posted: **Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:01 am**

Lauren cocked her head at Kyle. " Hi Kyle. How are things going down below?" She felt chilly as the sun started disappearing but she felt safer on the rooftop.

Posted: **Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:11 am**

(Victor will climb at the next major update)

Posted: **Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:47 am**

On the roof-
Kyle smiled at Lauren. "Things are going great downstairs!" he said. "They painted over the front windows, but they taped these cards on them first so they can still see out. Then we moved a whole bunch of shelves in front of the windows to block them. Everyone else had to move them in twos and threes, but I moved a row of shelves all by myself! Kathryn made a new friend, a girl named Cynthia." He saw Lauren shiver and picked up a blanket, offering it to her. "Here you go, Lauren." He was so distracted that he didn't even think to look around.

Ho Nguyen peered off into the darkness and gasped when he saw something in the distance to the north. "I see someone running this way - fast! He about a few hundred yards off."
In the storeroom-
Marcus started walking across the storeroom as Victor reached the base of the ladder.
In the store-
Cynthia grinned at Richard, putting a hand on his arm. "I guess we can finally relax," she said. "We should be safe for the night now."

"This must be some strange new definition of the word 'safe' I've never heard before," said Helen, popping her gum.

Posted: **Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:57 am**

Victor called from the storeroom, "Hey Richard why don't you and Cynthia come up to help guard as well?" He then climbed the ladder to the roof.

Posted: **Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:28 am**

Hearing Mr Ho mention the person running towards the store, Emily, slightly worried, scanned the area herself.
"We should warn the others downstairs." She said.

Posted: **Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:33 am**

Marcus heads to the back door and studies it carefully, opening it to check the strength and quality of the hinges and lock and door. He looks outside for the dumpster wondering how hard it would be to move it into position in front of the back door.

Posted: **Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:41 pm**

Having hauled the shelf, Kat backs away from the shelves and looks for errors in the frame work. "That should make it harder to cross..." She looks at Cynthia and says, "Let´s step away from the windows, we´d better hold up further in to the store."

Posted: **Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:26 pm**

Lauren clutched at Kyles hand and squeezed. She looked out trying as hard as she could to make out what the store owner saw. She couldn't see much of anything however.

Posted: **Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:44 pm**

On the roof-
Kyle squeezed Lauren's hand back, making sure to be gentle about it. He felt a tingle when her hand touched his. "Don't be afraid, Lauren," he said. "I'll protect you." He peered out into the darkening purple sky. "Who is it, mister?" he asked Ho Nguyen. "I can't see nothin'!"

Victor Gonzalez climbed through the hole and onto the roof.

Ho Nguyen gasped as the figure rushed closer, but he did not panic in the slightest. "It one of them!" he shouted, raising his rifle to his shoulder and taking aim at its head. It was difficult to aim properly in the gathering darkness, and his first shot missed as a result. He drew back the bolt and chambered a second round before taking another shot. This time his bullet struck home and blew his target's brains out. "Got him!"

In the back hall-
Marcus examined the back door. It was made of solid metal, and it and the hinges seemed very sturdy. Still, he'd rather not have to put them to the test. He unlocked and opened the door and looked outside. The dumpster wasn't far from the door, and he might be able to move it into place to blockade the door himself. With help it would be a lot easier. As he looked around, he heard the rifle shots and his boss calling out "Got him!" on the roof.
In the store-
"Yeah, let's get away from the front doors," said Cynthia, walking arm in arm with Kathryn to the back of the store. "You coming, Richard?"

Helen also moved out from behind the counter and joined the other women at the rear of the store, her shotgun resting on her shoulder.

Posted: **Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:21 am**

Posted: **Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:25 am**

Posted: **Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:33 am**

Victor saw Ho fire and went to the edge of the roof to look around and see if he saw anything else. In the gathering darkness he thought he saw something move. "What the heck is that? Hey Ho do you have an extra rifle that I can use. My handgun is pretty useless but I want to help defend the store."

Posted: **Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:40 am**

On the roof-
What Victor saw wasn't moving - not any more. He followed the trajectory of Ho's rifle with his eyes and saw the dead body lying a mere 40 yards from the store, a large bullet hole in its head. There was no movement out there as far as he could see, which was a little under half a mile.

"This my only rifle," said Ho. "Marcus have one too, but it his. Revolver not useless, anyway. Anything close enough to see, close enough to hit with that. That .44 Magnum, so if you hit, it probably die."

Posted: **Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:35 pm**

Posted: **Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:37 pm**

Emily cringed and wanted to curl up into a ball and just get away from all of this when she heard the rifle shots. The reality that she would probably never be able to keep Lauren completely safe filled her with despair... but only briefly. She snapped back to reality and knew she had to act like a lioness guarding her cub if she were to keep Lauren safe. She stood up and walked over to Mr. Ho. "Mr. Ho, are there flashlights in the store down stairs? If so, I think we could use them up here to spot our enemies. Those gun shots are sure to bring more of them running and I fear we are in for a long night."

Posted: **Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:10 pm**

Lauren cringed when she heard the shot. Her heart started pumping and the fear started melting. "Thanks Kyle. Thanks for everything. I'm gonna give the rifle to Victor if you don't mind, I would only shoot one of us if i tried using it." She looked over at Victor. "You can use this rifle I've got. I've got some bullets for it too. I wouldn't mind trading you for that pistol of yours."

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:57 am**

On the roof-
"You're welcome, Lauren," said Kyle, smiling. "I'm real glad you're my friend. Um, it's okay if you want to trade him the rifle for now, but make sure you trade back before we leave. That...that was Pa's rifle, and I want you to have it. I can show you how to shoot better. Pa always said I was a pretty good shot with it."

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 2:19 am**

Victor smiled at Lauren and said, "Lauren right? Thanks for the offer but this .44 would be harder to use for you and the range is the same. Tell you what though, I think that if you stayed up on the roof we both could kill double the creatures. Maybe your boyfriend could stay also?"

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:29 am**

Marcus looked up toward the roof hearing the shot, back at the dumpster, and scanning the surrounding area for movement, but it was too dark to make anything moving out there.

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:00 am**

On the roof-
"Yes, there a couple flashlights inside," said Ho Nguyen to Emily. "Good thinking."

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:06 am**

"Where are the flashlights? I'll have someone down below gather them up for us."

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:16 am**

On the roof-
"In storeroom," said Ho. "Unless Marcus already got them."

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:22 am**

Emily shouted down into the store: " Marcus, did you grab the flashlights from the store room? If so, could you bring them up here? You should probably keep at least one down there in the event the power goes out here."

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:03 pm**

Marcus doesn't respond, not wishing to draw any attention to himself when he is so vulnerable. He grabs an empty paint can sitting next to the door and props the door open so he doesn't get locked out, then rushes over to the dumpster intent on pushing it away from the building at least a couple feet.

Posted: **Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:35 pm**

OOC: Does Emily see of hear this? Is there anyone on his side of the building on the roof covering him?

Posted: **Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:31 am**

Posted: **Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:39 pm**

Emily moves from the hole in the roof and peeks over the edge of the roof to keep an eye on Marcus.

Posted: **Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:28 pm**

Lauren look at Victor and blushed. She looked at her hand and withdrew it quickly. "Your right. I just don't feel comfortable with the gun. And I'm sorry Kyle I didn't know it was your dads... I'll try to take care of it, the best that I can." She looked back out across the parking lot trying to see if anything moving caught her eye.

Posted: **Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:34 am**

Victor, while keeping an eye on marcus, said, "I am sure that Kyle and i can help you out with the gun Lauren."

Posted: **Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:49 am**

Marcus rushed over to the dumpster... and looked rather funny doing so. He didn't have the body of one accustomed to 'rushing'. Once he got there, he threw his shoulder against the dumpster and tried to push it away from the building... but it didn't budge. He was thinking there might be wheels on the bottom side, but apparently not.

Posted: **Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:51 am**

Posted: **Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:30 pm**

Hearing the shots from the roof, Kat gets her 9mm out and spins around, facing the now blocked store front. She keeps her other hand guardingly in front of Cynthia, "Can you manage to squeeze a trigger? Here..:" Kat lets the shotgun slide down from her shoulder in the strap as she spins towards the windows. She tries to see what they are targeting from above... "Just wait till your target is close... really close - can´t miss, then..."
The words come out fleetingly and Kat feels her confidence rise when she´s protecting her new friend. We´re not trapped and unarmed...we´re fortified and well stocked. The thought started with a negation. Had she really felt assured of the situation, she would have skipped that and only stuck to the last bit. Neglecting the pessimistic/optimistic analysis in her head she flips the 9mm´s safety off.

Let them come!

Spoiler:

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:58 am**

In the store-
"Thanks!" said Cynthia, accepting the shotgun from Kathryn. "I'm better with a pistol, but I guess anyone can use a shotgun."

"Yeah," said Helen, "but it helps if you know what you're doing with one like I do." She patted her own shotgun. "I can give you a few pointers, kid. Tricks of the trade, like pointing the other end of the barrel away from yourself and anyone you care about."

"Uh, right. I feel a lot safer now, Kathryn. Those...people out there are only part of it. Victor really gives me the creeps, you know." She glanced over at Richard. "At least his friend is very nice."

With the windows covered with black paint and blockaded by shelves, Kathryn couldn't see outside from here. There were index cards taped to the window that could be lifted to peek out, but she would need to climb up the shelves to reach them. If there were other windows, they weren't in the main area of the store.
Behind the store-
Marcus strained at the dumpster, but it stubbornly refused to move. There were no wheels on it, and it was also nearly full. Trash collection was supposed to be tomorrow, he recalled. It wasn't likely to happen now.
On the roof-
"Yeah, I'll help you with the rifle," said Kyle eagerly. "Pa always told me you've gotta adjust for the wind, 'cause it can throw off your aim. It is kinda picking up," The wind was gusting fairly strongly, sending a chill through everyone's bones at night set in. The area around them seemed deserted, and nobody could detect any more movement nearby. "I'll be happy to stay up here with you and show you how to aim, Lauren. Only don't actually shoot it unless there's something to shoot at, 'cause there's only so many bullets and I don't know when we'll get more. You gotta think of the rifle as part of your arm, and relax your muscles. Hold it gently in both hands and extend the barrel as far as it goes, and look through the sights. When you're ready to shoot, just gently squeeze the trigger. That rifle only works good up close, so don't shoot at anything that's far away, or you'll never hit it." He hefted his M-4. "This one can shoot a lot farther off, and it's pretty nice. I never held a rifle this good before."

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:34 am**

Victor patrolled the roof and smiled. Keeping his eyes on the world outside, but failed to see anything, he said, "Yeah Lauren Kyle is a keeper. He is right and you should listen. A man who only has so many "bullets" so you can hold the rifle but do not shoot. Think of it as part of your arm and stroke it gently as the barrel is extended as far as it goes. And when you want to shoot gently squeeze the trgger and it fires away."

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:04 am**

Emily stands up, having heard enough: "Hey...Vicky!" she says sternly and approaches the man with a stare that could kill. When she is within a few feet of him she leans in slightly and says so that only he can hear: "Why don't ya keep your eyes on the horizon and your mouth shut. You speak to my daughter or Kyle like that again and rip out your tongue and shove it up your fucking ass. Are we clear?"

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:37 am**

Victor smiled at Emily and said, "Woman, step back. I am just saying what Kyle is thinking. Do not tell me you think Kyle is dumb. He is like any other guy and wants in your daughter's pants. Me personally I am not intersted in your daughter. i can protect her so back off once again."

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:43 pm**

Kat moves over to climb the newly built structure, she can´t find a good spot to start and decides to take a step back again. Maybe it´s as good... "We built it well! At least it will make the process of getting in here harder for hostiles."

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:18 pm**

"I'm not for one second saying Kyle is dumb. I'm saying you're an prick. Kyle meant what he said and any inuendo you THINK you detected came from that pile of shit you call your brains. I'll reiterate for you: Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open." She slowly turned form the poor excuse for a man and returned to Lauren and Kyle: "Are either of you cold? I think we've got some blankets and jackets around here."

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:22 pm**

Victor stared at her and muttered "bitch" and then turned his attention back to the outside world.

Posted: **Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:41 pm**

Marcus turned his back to the dumpster, bending at the knees and grabbing at the bottom of it. Using a powerful squat thrust motion that he used to perform routinely in the weight-lifting room, he lifted the dumpster on its corner like a lever and flipped it to its side - with a loud crash and spilling garbage in the process.

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:50 am**

***Richard makes his way to the roof***

ooc-sorry been busy in RL life...will try and get caught up of all the going ons tonight and tommorrow

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:45 am**

In the store-
"Yeah, you're right, Kathryn," said Cynthia with a grin. "Hey, I bet I can climb up there! I'm really flexible." She tried to scamper up the shelving, but couldn't find purchase. "Oomph! Guess not."

"Marcus could probably get up there too," said Helen. After Richard had left the room and was well out of earshot, she went on talking. On the roof-
"Thanks, Mrs. Montrose," said Kyle. "I already gave Lauren one of the blankets, but I could use one too. It is kind of cold." He laughed. "Vicky's a girl's name!" He glanced over at Victor. "My Ma always said if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say nothin' at all...but I don't like that guy either."

Richard climbed up the ladder and emerged onto the roof through the hole in the storeroom's ceiling.

Behind the store-
Marcus easily toppled the dumpster, pushing it well away from the roof. Nothing would be able to climb up to the roof from it now.

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:54 am**

When Richard came up through the hole, Victor walked over to him and grabbed him aside taking him to a corner of the roof where no one was near.
He whispered to him,

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:09 am**

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:03 am**

Marcus saluted to Helen, preferring not to let anything that might be sneaking around in the darkness get a bead on him. He rushed back toward the door, kicking the empty paint can out of the way and shutting the door, locking all the locks available.

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:07 am**

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:16 pm**

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:04 pm**

Posted: **Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:28 pm**

Posted: **Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:50 am**

Posted: **Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:55 am**

In the store-
Helen grinned at Kathryn. "You've got the right attitude," she said. "Wish I'd had someone to give me this advice when I was your age." She looked up as Marcus entered the main area of the store from the back hall. "Hey, Marcus, what's going on outside and up top?"

On the roof-
"I don't understand it," said Kyle. "Why can't people just all get along with each other? We all have to work together now."

Posted: **Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:09 pm**

Posted: **Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:58 am**

Posted: **Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:00 am**

Marcus shrugged his large shoulders, "Beats me. Them men's a shootin' up top. Suppose they see some of them crazy people runnin' about. I was just out there an' I didn't see none of 'em." He looked around the store to see what else was left that he could pile up before the shelves to make those shelves harder to topple.

Posted: **Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:24 am**

In the store-
The shelves were massive. The only things Marcus could put behind them that would effectively reinforce them were more shelves.

Posted: **Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:22 pm**

Kat throws a question at Marcus, "So, what did you find out there?" She lets her gun arm rest at her side, convinced she´ll be prepared should someone uninvited enter the shop...

Posted: **Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:00 pm**

Marcus responded "I didn't see nothin'. Knocked over the dumpster, is all... so those infected can't climb up to the roof so easily." He headed over to the shelves and said, "Someone want to give me a hand with these?"

Posted: **Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:25 pm**

Kathryn puts the 9mm in the gap between her belts and helps Marcus shift a shelf.

Posted: **Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:01 pm**

Emily listens intently as she stands on the roof with Kyle and Lauren. She then remembers the flashlights and approaches the hole in the roof. "Marcus? Kat? Can you hear me?"

Posted: **Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:23 am**

Posted: **Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:55 am**

Kat responds to Emily´s question, "Yeah, what´s happening up there?"

Posted: **Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:29 pm**

"Mr. Ho says there are some flashlights in the store room. Did you happen to see any of them down there? We could probably use some of them up here in the event the power goes out. I can come down and get them if you can round them up?" Emily said to Marcus.

Posted: **Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:24 am**

Mr Handy:

Spoiler:

Posted: **Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:37 am**

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:28 pm**

In the store-
"I've got the flashlights," said Marcus as he and Kathryn started moving a set of shelves. "We should have one for inside the store just in case, but Emily is welcome to come down here and get the other one. I noticed you both have those military-style helmets. If they've got radios, you can probably talk to her directly through them."

"We also sell some flashlights here," said Helen. "They're on the shelves somewhere, but now that we've moved them around I'm not sure where. They aren't as good as the ones from the back room, though." She and Cynthia tried to move another set of shelves, but it was proving stubborn.

On the roof-
Lauren was too distracted to hear anything, and so was Kyle. Ho, however, managed to hear every word. His nostrils flaring, he slung his rifle on his back and drew his pistol. He turned on Victor, pointing the gun at him. "You!" he shouted furiously. "You get out of my store now! You troublemaker, and you not welcome here!"

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:55 pm**

Startled but Mr. Ho, Emily jumped a bit and backed away from the hole in the roof and backed towards Kyle and Lauren. Remembering the helmet she wore, she keyed the mic and spoke quietly into the mic: "Kat. This is Emily here, these guys up here are bad news and Mr. Ho is pointing his gun at them. Shit is going to go down. We need help!"
OOC: How close are Victor and Philip from teh hole? Are Kyle and Lauren closer to the hole than they are?

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:00 pm**

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:13 pm**

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:13 pm**

Not bothering about any flash lights Kat listens to Emily´s words. Trouble? "I´m coming up!" She says in to the helmet mike, to Cynthia and Marcus she explains, "Gotta go topside and help out!"

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:17 pm**

Victor kept his pistol in the open and said, "Whoa old man. We have not done a darn thing to you except protect this store. We intend to move on once morning comes anyway as it is. So keep your temper in check. After all you may need us tonight. We can keep your store protected so you can go right on charging high prices for a second day. Victor knew that he had not managed to talk Ho down but he would be dammed if he was forced to leave the store in the middle of the night. He kept his pistol pointed causually at the group and stood with his back to the edge of the store with the hole in front of him.

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:25 pm**

OOC: Note, Emily and the kids are away from Ho, I believe. If Victor aims the gun at Emily and the kids, she raises her pistol and aims at him.
Into the mic again but very quietly so Victor cannot hear: "Careful, Kat. He has a gun and is aiming it at Mr. Ho. He is right near the hole in the roof."
To the group on the roof: "Mr.Ho, please listen to me, please. I don't like these guys either, but Victor is right. There are things out there far worse than us. We need to stick together and put aside our differences so we can work together and survive for as long as he can. It's the infected out there that are trying to kill us, not those two." The terror and anger in Emily's voice prevented her from being very persuasive.

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:29 pm**

(occ-Actually I am not aiming the gun at anyone. But if I need to I will fire at Ho and not at the others. Oh and I am at the edge of the roof right at the edge. So the hole is however many feet in front of me.)

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:31 pm**

OOC: I just read that you siad you were aiming at the 'group' and wanted to make it clear that I was not with Ho. Also, I edited my most above to try and talk Ho 'off the ledge' if you will.

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:36 pm**

On the roof-
"How dare you!" shouted Ho. "Don't act innocent, I heard what you say! You and your friend were cellmates in prison. Normally that not problem, but you say you going to kill Emily. She guest here. You break rules, and you no longer guest. Now you trespasser. Like the sign say outside: 'Trespassers will be shot.' Now you leave my store!"

"Sir, please calm down," said Richard. "I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Ho Nguyen frowned, but he seemed to unwind slightly. "I not so sure." He gestured at Richard with his free hand. "You, you not do anything, you not cause trouble. You can stay if you want, or you go with him. Your choice. But he leaving."

"Where my friend goes, I go." Richard looked at Victor. "I don't think this is worth it, man. Maybe we should just get out of here."

In the store-
"Hey, wait up!" said Marcus, rushing after Kathryn. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Helen was right behind him, her shotgun at the ready.

"Don't leave me all alone," said Cynthia, following the others through the door at the back.

In the back hall-
Kathryn rushed into the short back hall and into the storeroom to the left, followed by the other three.

In the storeroom-
Kathryn entered the room, where she saw the ladder sticking up through the hole in the roof. Marcus came in a few seconds later. "We don't know what's going on up there," he whispered. "Maybe you'd better let me go first."

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:53 pm**

Emily keyed the mic so Kat could hear her down below: "Everyone please be calm. I've seen enough bloodshed to last me a lifetime. Mr. Ho, please lower your gun. Victor, please do the same. Let's all relax." Looking to Victor: "Victor, did you really sayd that you were going to kill me? Is me telling you that I didn't like the way you spoke to the kids enough to kill me?"

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:57 pm**

Posted: **Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:59 pm**

edited above

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:07 am**

Victor lowered his gun and said, "Look everyone has had a bad day. Yes i was in prison. I did some bad things. i stole some money from a bank. I did it for fun. I stashed the money out in the world and I want it back. i am not a killer and I will not kill you unless you tried to kill me first. But I have protected this store with my gun today and for you to kick me out for being a former prisoner is wrong."

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:08 am**

Emily keyed the mic again so those below could continue to hear what was going on up stairs: "Victor, I could give a shit about you being a prisoner or a bank robber. None of that means anything now, in this fucked up world. What I do care about is you saying you were going to kill me. However, I don't believe you meant it. You were probably pissed at me and said it in anger. I am sorry I got in your face earlier. A mother lion does a whole lot of growling when her cubs are in danger and I am no different when it comes to Lauren and Kyle. Appology accepted?" she said as she walked up to Victor with her hand extended for a hand shake.

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:01 am**

Victor nodded and shook her hand but kept his eye on Mr. Ho. "Who knows. Maybe tommorow we can make a run for the money all of us together. We could all buy something nice with the $5 million or so that I stole."

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:14 am**

Emily held Victors hand firmly and said: "Now that we have made up, I would like to ask you to please leave the kids out of any of this, okay?" She released his hand and said, "I hate to break it to you, buddy, but I don't think that money will buy you anything. If all this shit is happening everywhere, money is barely going to be worth the paper it is printed on. Well....except for here." she said with a wink.
Turning to Mr. Ho: "Mr. Ho, what Victor said, he said in anger. He didn't mean it, and I forgave him for it. We could use their help here for the night. We will need as many hands as we can get tonight. In the morning, they plan on heading out and they will not be in you stores. So could you please lower your weapon? Please? We need each other. We have enough to fight out there," she said, pointing into the darkness, "we don't need to be fighting each other here. Now please lower your gun. Let's get ready for the long night, okay?"

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:48 am**

Lauren didn't know what to do. The sight of the guns and the yelling were terrifying but Lauren couldn't hold it in any longer. "Everyone just shut up. This is so damn stupid. Did you all just forget we just SHOT A MAN. Mom dad just died... Kyle's parents are dead. Did we forget this has all just happened? Let Victor say his stupid remarks and who cares if he was in prison. We are all going to die just like my dad. Whats the point anymore." Lauren trailed off. Her eyes started to blur with tears as she sat back.

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:53 am**

Listening in on the conversation above, Kat decides to stand down and hold up in the storeroom, "Copy that, Em! We stay down here and make sure no one gets up to the roof...as long as we´re able to... Let me know if you need aid again. Good resolution up there. We´re just below, heading back out to the store front."
To the pursuing three she explains, "There was some disagreement up there....solved now...let´s get back to the store font. Sorry for bolting like that, but my friends were in a pickle and I´d be damned if I didn´t do my best to help them. I´ll do the same for you Cynthia, don´t worry."

Waiting for the others to turn around and head back Kat makes sure the 9mm is operational.

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:19 pm**

Emily moved to her daughter and embraced her. "We're not going to die until we're old, alright? I know things look bad, but I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise." Emily hugged her daughter tightly and reached out to Kyle to embrace him as well.

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:18 pm**

On the roof-
Ho Nguyen nodded and put his pistol away. "I not kick you out because you criminal," he said to Victor. "I kick you out because you threaten someone. She say she forgive you, so you can stay tonight - unless she change mind or you break more rules." With that, he unshouldered his rifle again and went back to scanning the store's increasingly dark surroundings.

Kyle folded his arms around Emily and Lauren. "I won't let anything happen to you, either," he said. "You're my family now."
In the storeoom-
"Thanks, Kathryn!" said Cynthia with a sigh of relief and a huge grin. She and Helen followed her back to the main area of the store.

"I'm leaving one of the flashlights down here, by the bottom of the ladder!" called Marcus as he placed it on a nearby shelf. "Anyone who wants can come down and get it. If you'll excuse me, I've got more shelves to move." With that, he rejoined the others.

In the store-
The four people returned to the store proper. Everything was just as they had left it.

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:35 pm**

Then Kat and Marcus will continue doing just that. "You seem like a good bloke, Marcus, better be for real...or I´ll be disappointed." She sighs, "...and this better be worth the effort!" the sentence ends in a nervous laughter as she remembers the RV back at the ranch...
The things will tear through these like tissue paper...

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:41 pm**

Quietly, Emily said: "We're all family now. We've got each other and that is all that matters." After hugging Lauren and Kyle for a moment, Emily gives them a final squeeze and says: "Okay, lets get that flashlight. Keep your eyes peeled, you two. We need to make sure we are prepared if any of those things come at the store." Emily turned back toward the others as she moved towards the hole in the roof. "Thank you, Mr. Ho. I'm going to grab the flashlight, anyone need anything while I am down there?"

Posted: **Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:43 am**

"If Mr Ho says we can maybe something to set on fire like matches and a atlas or something. Then I can go down and out into the woods at the edge of where we can currently see and set this on fire giving us more access to the area. What you all think?"

Posted: **Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:37 am**

"Honestly, I think it sounds dangerous. It's a big risk for you and it may end up drawing those things towards us." Emily says

Posted: **Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:42 am**

"Yeah but i am just a common crimminal and will end up to no good anyhow. Just a spic who will end up on welfare one day you know."

Posted: **Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:18 pm**

"Victor, all of that is in the past. Government, prisons, welfare...all of them are gone" Emily replied to Victor as she climbed down the ladder. " We are back to basics: survival. Pure and simple. Besides, no one is beyond redemption."

Posted: **Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:49 am**

Marcus looked to Kathryn at her last words and shrugged, "I am little more than what you see on the cover, ma'am. A good mechanic, strong as an ox. I don't like all the fighting going on, and killin' those poor sick people... but its us or them at this point. What I do know is that fighting against each other is a bad idea. We need to pull together, and don't need to be a-worryin' who got our backs." He continued moving the shelves, and it didn't seem too strenuous to him, what with some help. He looked like he could go at it all night long if need be.

As they continued to move shelves, Marcus asked Kat, "So... don't you think shinin' that flashlight all over the place up top might be drawing more attention than what its worth?" He shrugged again and added, "Guess we'll find out soon enough."

Posted: **Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:18 am**

On the roof-
"Yes, Emily right," said Ho, reloading his rifle. "Fire too dangerous, and could spread too."

Emily went down the ladder and picked up the flashlight that Marcus had left for her. Then she climbed back up the ladder and onto the roof. Kyle peered out into the deepening darkness, but without light he couldn't see much.

In the store-
Marcus and Kathryn continued to move the shelving toward the front of the store and were now most of the way there. Helen and Cynthia tried to move another set of shelves again, but it only budged a little. They rested for a moment before making another attempt, this time with better results.

Posted: **Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:30 pm**

Smiling at Marcus´ comment Kat suggests, "Sure! Strap a flashie on to some poor sod and send him running! Sure will draw attention to him. That´s what we don´t want, right? Painting the windows and lighting the place up are kinda contra productive. I would vote for a situation where we draw attention to another location... Somehow... For now, let´s stick to this plan: If someone or something gets in through these doors or windows, we send them to kingdom come. The shelves will stall them at best not stop them. We may get a few shots extra to finish them off. I´ve encountered infected on a couple of occasions and it´s starnge...Anyone who die gets some weird energy and rises with the infection. Must be something airborne...So let´s stay alive! Marcus...If I by some misfortune end up at the angels make sure I don´t turn on you guys...Shoot my brains out - then I won´t come after for them kisses... I promise I do you in if fate gives you a fast ball to hell, fair?"

Posted: **Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:49 pm**

Marcus nodded, "Sure. Figure as I'll be dead in the head... it won't matter much no how." The big man shuffled along carrying the heavy shelves and said "Kathryn, just so you knows... I gots a car nearby. Its in the garage across the way. Keys in my pocket. The tank is full, and I keep her in good shape."

He considered the idea of drawing attention elsewhere, then asked, "If we gets surrounded, I wonder how good those infected can see in the dark. Maybe we could camouflage somebody and send them off to draw attention. But I don't know how they'd get out of here without being seen. Can't go through the front door no more. Back door will probably be covered. Jumpin' off the roof is pretty out in plain sight."

Posted: **Mon Mar 16, 2009 11:42 pm**

Victor said, "I will go be bait when the time comes. Nothing I can do to advance society as a crook anyway."

Posted: **Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:49 am**

"We brought our wheels as well, Marcus...Better stay together and sit this out. Then we go in caravan to some base ahead and see what goes from there. Don´t want to be cut off from the others now. Could be friendly fire that kills ya. If you keep cool we all be fine. But, thanks for sharing a secret." To Cynthia Kat offers some reassurance, "We´ll get away from here when the morning comes, don´t worry. One way or the other..." She glances at Helen, "Won´t we?" Thinking of the kids up top and Emily, Kat says in the helmet comm, "Things alright topside?"

Posted: **Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:34 am**

Marcus exclaimed, "I wasn't suggestin' we go run off in the night - lessin we have no choice in the matter. Just lettin' you know in case somethin' happened to me and your other vehicle is compromised."

He looked at the shelves on the front wall and shook his head wondering how anything could make short work of getting through their blockade. It should take them a good long while to knock the shelves over, providing they could get enough weight and leverage behind the shove. Crawling through didn't seem like an option unless they managed to break the shelves backings first. He felt rather safe with them in place. The only concern he had was if the infected managed to crawl to the top of the shelves and over them. "I think we should do somethin' to defend the top of the shelves. Maybe we can find some razor blades or nails or somethin' and have them pointy-side out up on top. That way if any of those infected try to crawl on over, they'll cut their hands up but good."

Posted: **Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:26 pm**

Emily scans the darkness for infected before replying into the mic: "Yeah. Things are okay now, thankfully. They were a little tense for a while, though. I think we should be okay up here for now. How are things down there?"

Posted: **Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:03 pm**

"We´re making sure all shelves ward off the posterior store from the front. It´s tough but Marcus is a great asset." She smiles at her shelf-hauling wingman. The therapy of doing something that appeared to be with purpose - and trusting the one you did it with, was making Kat feel better at ease with the new acquaintances. However the topside arrangement with the shop keeper and the two men...was another matter. How serious the matter should prove to be has to be determined in the future.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:02 am**

"This is tricky," Cynthia says, pouting.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:25 pm**

With the darkeness making seeing an threats difficult, Emily stood at the side of the building, closed her eyes, and tried to listen to the darkness surrounding her much like she used to do as a kid in a dark house. After a few moments she quickly opened her eyes, feeling slightly emberassed.

Posted: **Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:59 am**

Marcus was beginning to take his mind off all the mahem outside, and he knew it was largely because he was talking with someone. Ho hardly ever talked to him unless it was to bark orders or complain about something undone. And Kathryn was a darn sight better looking than the old coot. He asked Kat, "So, what do you do... I mean, outside of here when it's all normal like?"

Posted: **Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:22 pm**

On the roof-
Emily could see nothing in the darkness even with the aid of the flashlight, and she heard nothing but the growing howl of the wind. Kyle still couldn't make anything out either. Ho Nguyen was equally blind.

In the store-
Marcus and Kathryn shoved the shelving up against the row already in place at the northwest corner of the store, reinforcing it further. Helen and Cynthia made further progress with their shelves, and they were now most of the way to the front of the store.

Posted: **Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:45 pm**

"I say we rest with this and help the women with that last shelf. Eh, normally I´m painting and doing some photography... And I keep my day job. I´m no Picasso... I´m a air traffic controller at a strip. My aim is to get to a major airport and do their interior design. That, while doubling as chief traffic controller. That´s about my life goals in two sentences." Kat wipes the sweat from her hands, looking for oranges on display somewhere in the store.

Mr Handy:

Spoiler:

Posted: **Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:51 pm**

Posted: **Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:05 pm**

Mr Handy:

Spoiler:

Posted: **Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:16 pm**

"Yeah, help us," said Cynthia. "If something comes up here, better we have another shelf up already than be halfway there with two shelves. It'll be a lot quicker!"

Play@YSDC

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