Grant turned his head to look at her and shrugged, "Well, we can go sit outside if we sit on the front step and leave the door open so the light keeps what infected there might be away." He said then added, "You can come along next time we're training too. I'd like to see if you could eventually use that sight of yours without getting such a headache."

Molly's face lit up as she looked up at him. "Really?" she wanted to hug him but she wasn't sure if she should or not. "I would love that!" she rolled onto her back and faced the ceiling, she never went outside with out anyone, it wasn't safe, and she hated asking for them to come with her because the guys were always so tired from training. "And training!" her smile seemed to grow. She had wanted to go with the guys, for so long, to be able to prove she could help. To be able to show them that she wasn't completely useless.

She sat up and looked in the direction of their door. "So we could go sit on the front step?" her eyes seemed even more intense than normal as she smiled.

Grant smiled, "Of course! I certainly wasn't tired out that much by those two." He lifted a hand, finally reminded of the wounds created when the plant took root in his hands and made a clucking noise when he saw holes still in the skin but the plant absent. It was a bit bloody but it didn't hurt due to the plant Richard had made sure to use. "Let me wash this out and we'll go outside. Why don't you go grab a jacket first. Okay?"

Molly jumped to her feet and grabbed her cloak from beside the door. Normally she used it to shield her eyes in public, when even the bandages failed, but it would work for the moment to protect her from the chill of the night. she wrapped it around herself and slipped her tiny sneakers onto her feet, forgetting about socks. She then went to the kitchen and waited for Grant to finish whatever it was that he was doing.
"Do you have a cut or something that you are cleaning?" she asked, not too worried, Grant was the strongest man she knew, except for Trent when he lost control, but besides that, Molly knew Grant wouldn't be too badly hurt.
She was excited, it seemed like something so small to just be able to go outside, but for Molly it was a lot more. She couldn't go outside alone, too many things that she couldn't see and too many people for her to perceive.
It was these small moments that she cherished, when she could just take in the fresh air and relax with the people she cared so much for. Molly was so excited in fact, that she even forgot to grab her baseball bat.

Grant nodded, "Yeah, Richard got a lucky strike with one of his plants today and it took root in my hand before it died and came out." He finished washing it out then dried it before taking her under his arm like he had the day he found her, leading her out the door and stopping her when the reached the second step so she could easily sit on the top. He knew she didn't leave much and only assumed that she'd need some help on the front steps.

On a normal day, Molly would have protested the assistance, but she was actually grateful for it at the moment. She couldn't remember exactly how many steps there were or how far apart they were. Molly smiled as Grant helped her find her way and after he stopped her on the second step, Molly felt her way around until she was siting on the top stair.

Smiling and taking in a deep breath of the cool night air, Molly stared out at the buildings around them. She could see the fair colors of people sleeping in their beds and a few souls that were still awake at this hour. She sat like that for a few moments before something strange caught her attention.

Molly turned around and reached out for Grant. When her hands landed on him, she felt for his arm and clutched it in her tiny hands. "I'd like to go back inside now." her voice was shaking. Molly looked over her shoulder at the dark blobs moving not too far away.

Grant was enjoying the night's air too, watching a few broken animals walking past before Molly became scared and he looked in the direction she was, "Infected?" He asked as he took her hand and helped her back up the stairs. "They won't bother me when I'm using my powers, Molly. You remember that right?"

Rik stared at the woman for a moment, a bit baffled at her. He had thought that he had checked the building carefully, but if she was here first then he hadn't. "Fine. My name is Rik Evans. Or so I think that's what my name is." He said, lowering his defensive stance. He saw ice fall from her fire poker and wondered what that was about. It wasn't really that cold, so ice couldn't have formed on it. His current got to be too strong for him, he let out a little bit of lightening from his palm, which he had behind his back, pointing away from where they were currently. He hoped she didn't notice, he didn't like when people found out about his powers. There was a crackle of lightening off in the distance. Sweat had beaded on his forehead from letting it build up too much, he wiped it away with his other hand. "What are you doing out here?" He asked her. He was curious to find out if she had the same sort of powers he did.

Lilly lowered her fire poker only when he seemed to lower his own guard some, her eyes darting to the flash of lightening before back to him as he asked his question. She could feel the moisture of the night air weighing on her skin and gathering there. At his question she kicked a chunk of the ice over to him, "That's why I'm out here. I'm so cold no one dares come near me for fear of being permanently attached or frozen to death. And what about you?" She let go of the fire poker and nearly panicked when it didn't come away immediately but once she'd gotten it loose form her hands she held it once more. "If you plan to continue this questioning might we go inside where we'll be less likely to be heard and attacked?"

"Yeah i know," she said as she gripped the door frame and looked back out the door past Grant. "I just would feel better if i had my bat." She knew that Grant would take care of any problem that came up and he wouldn't let anything happen to her, but Molly didn't like having to be that dependent. She liked being able to have some feeling of independence, even though it wasn't much.

The figure, whatever it was, didn't get any closer, and seemed to disappear into the night. Molly slid back down to a seat just inside the door where she could still look out. "Have i ever told you what happens when people sleep?" she smiled. "There colors get dim, it's strange i know but, at night time, when they aren't so bright, my eyes don't hurt." she took a deep breath of the night air, a smile still on her pretty face.

"It's okay to need help sometimes." he said watching her as she stared out the window in the door, "We don't and won't think you're helpless." he leaned against the counter, crossing his arms in front of him. A loud thud came from the roof and dust sifted down. There was an animal of some sort on the roof but it was highly doubtful that it was a threat to them. "That sounds beautiful." he responded, "At least you get some kind of break."

After a long pause he stood from leaning and went to kneel by where she sat, "I've always wondered if I looked like an infected to you when I'm using my powers. It's something we need to test soon." If they were fighting an infected and couldn't tell who was the true one it could have major consequences.

she smiled and nodded before looking up at the ceiling where the sound had come from. "I don't think i could ever actually mistake you for a real infected." Molly said as she turned to look at his blue form. His color was intense, much like the man himself. "Although you're right, we probably should test it out."

She thought back to what it was like when Trent and Rich used their powers. Their color intensified. Molly remembered that Trent turned a blinding red color when he lost control, normally she found his color soothing, but when she saw him loose control it was the scariest thing she had ever experienced. Molly couldn't remember ever seeing Grant use his power. When he had found her, her head had been in so much pain it was like a white hot rod was being stabbed in her temples. She couldn't really remember much from that day so even if he did use his powers, she never saw it.

Molly pulled her cloak tighter around her, sleep was over rated, she liked having these little conversations with Grant.

Rik watched her with curious and wary eyes as she kicked the chunk of ice at him. Had she caused that? She must've, it was rather warm outside. He saw that the fire poker was stuck to her hands for a bit before she finally got it loose. Rik didn't really like enclosed places too much, made him panic a little. "I guess we should." He said, looking around the roof a little. He rather be outside, ever since he woke in that vault. He never liked being underground or in a building for too long. "I can handle my own out there. I have a shocking ability to survive." He added as he gathered up his stuff and headed for the rooftop door. "Let's go inside then." He said, opening the door for her after he cleared away his barracde.

Grant nodded, "I wouldn't appreciate that bat connecting with my head on the off chance you're wrong." he rubbed at a sore muscle, "It'll have to be later. I'm too tired tonight." He glanced up at the heavy steps on the roof as the creature settled there. It was a broken then, infected didn't sleep. "The animals are getting bigger you know?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lilly waited for him, not surprised that he was like her. Most travelers were broken. When the barracade was removed she passed in the door and silently moved down the stairs to drop the fire poker back where she'd found it. "Is there any reason why you came here?" She asked, glance at the pail and back to him. She wasn't as worried with him once they were where she had access to water she could temporarily disable him with if he decided to attack her.

Molly couldn't help but let a small laugh out. "Yeah, i've gotten better with that thing, and i would feel terrible if i hit you by mistake." She looked back up at the ceiling and nodded. "Yeah, i hear them wondering around a lot during the day." Molly glanced back in his direction. "I'm sorry if i'm keeping you up. If you want to go to sleep all you got to do it say so."

She could hear how tired he was in his voice, so Molly was going to leave him alone so he could rest up. When Molly went to stand up, she misjudged her footing and stepped on her cloak. She slipped and tumbled backwords, nearly smacking her head off the counter.
"That was smooth." she mumbled, her face red with embarrassment, it had been a long time since she had list tripped over something in the house.

Rik shrugged at her when she asked him the question. "I travel from place to place, trying to fine where I belong. And work for supplies and whatnot." He said said, watching her. She was interesting, he hadn't met anyone who could do what she could. He wondered what was the extent of her powers were, he never really met others like them before either. "What are your powers?" He asked, unable to keep his mouth shut about it. It was killing him, he had to know, he wanted to see how she feels about her powers. He leaned against the wall just across from her, he saw her glance at a pail that sat near her. No doubt she was thinking she could use that as protection against him if he decided to attack her. Of course he wouldn't, Rik may be an ass sometimes, selfish in every right, but he's not the type to attack women for any reason. "Don't worry, I won't attack you." He said, his voice rough with a sort of bored tone.

His pale green eyes scanned the horizon before they dared to blink. So today was another night he would have to fend for himself. Okay, had he wanted to get off his high horse and apologize to Grant for being a complete douchebag, he knew he'd be let in the house kindly. But to Sevastian, apologizing was a sign of weakness. Could he really cripple that low? That wasn't really the issue. The genuine issue was his over-sized ego. That and he was right. Sevastian had that perfectionism gene in him that legitimately made him right. It was a curse, but the male was extremely talented and knew how to use that dreadful curse as a heavenly blessing.

His peachy color skin looked darker than normal. With the light dying, he bite his lip. The salty taste of blood flooded into his taste buds. For a moment, he enjoyed the sickly taste, but soon realized he would need to knock if he were to even be let in.

A light rapping came to the door before him. A gulp followed. When he heard the shifting of people on the other side, Sevastian took a hesitant step backwards. First he scoped out his surroundings and noted that he was safe. Or at least he prayed he was. With that full step in the reverse direction, he planted his heels together and awaited the light to flood onto his body with the motion of an opening door.

But before that warmth came, Sevastian knew he would need to do something. "It is only I, Sevastian. I came to pay my respects and apologize. Please, forgive me. I was out of line. I should have controlled myself better. But hell, it's a bit nippy out here and I can't feel my fingers. Christ, they are nearly the color of fresh plums. And, if I know you, you wouldn't want a man with my knowledge and caliper to freeze to death." Under his breath he muttered, "Or get bitten. I would make one hell of a fiend."

Grant shrugged at Molly, "You wouldn't be the only one." He felt his scalp prickle at the thought of the last time he'd been hit in the head but a bat was nothing compared to that day. When she almost tripped he chuckled but nothing cruel, just acknowledging her making light of her almost falling.

Just as he was getting ready to head into the living room to catch up on his sleep he heard the knock on the door and Sevatian speak. Only after he'd apologized the man strode to the door and opened it, "You're right. You're trouble enough now I'd hate to see what would happen if you were to become an infected." He joked as he walked away from the door, leaving the man to fight to close it and the rarely closed oak door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The woman nodded in understanding but at his question she began to aanswer but his comment earned a glare from her, "You don't know how many times I've heard those words become a lie." but after a moment she let it go and answered his question, "Well, around here I'm called a chiller or a freezer. My skin is below freezing so water that comes in contact with it freezes, it's why there's always a layer of frost on me. When I focus I can also freeze preexisting sources of water." As she spoke she was picking at placed the frost had gotten too thick.

Molly straightened herself and took her cloak off to hang it on the hook by the door. When she heard Sevastian's voice her head jerked to the side and she looked out the door Grant had opened. The man stood there, his purple from wasn't Molly's favorite, but she knew it well enough. Molly never quite liked Sevastian, she didn't appreciate the way he always argued with Grant or the way he kept secrets.

With out a word to him, Molly headed back to her room. "Good night Grant, don't forget to wake me before you guys leave in the morning." she yawned and disappeared into her room, finally able to get some sleep.

Sevastian looked up and over at the male. Smirking, he fought some with the door. It required less force than he imaged, but after being out fighting for survival, it would make sense that Sevastian was stronger than before. With the strength he put into closing the door, he couldn't help but smile. It was nice feeling... powerful.

Turning his attention toward Molly, he rolled his eyes. He wanted to snap at her some rude comment, but knew better than to start a fight this late in the evening. His genius brain truly was a curse. Having to deal with these 'less intelligent' persons caused Sevastian's brows to furrow. He wanted to sit down and actually tell them his full analytical report on the problematic situation. However, if he shared this information and he were miraculously transformed into an infected, it would lead to his undesired death. Thus, Sevastian kept his secrets close. He wasn't about to spill his lips and wondrous treasures he unearthed. At least, not now.

Curling up in the corner mat, Sevastian tucked his nose beneath the rim of his collar. The bitter sweet air whirled around his face some as it was his corner that needed some serious patching. However, Sevastian had always been a fan of 'free air,' so he decided against making a make-shift patch. Besides, it was an essential tool. After all, who else had a spy-hole to see if they were surrounded by blood-lusting fiends?

The night was full of shadows, perfect for a certain individual that seemed to suddenly appear from nowhere. In a sense, she had, for a normal human being couldn't rise from solid ground. With jet-black hair pulled back into a loose braid that trailed down to the small of her back, ivory-colored skin, and clothed in dark articles that were frayed and slightly ripped, Diva gave a sigh that spoke of fatigue. Her boot-claded feet moved heavily towards her destination, finally reaching the door and rapping on it three times.

She waited until the door opened, giving her trademark smile that the occupants were used to, "Evening! I'm back from my scouting."

Now having stronger light hit her, one might have found it odd that her pupils were not contracted from their dilated state. However, looking closer at her eyes, they would have been shocked to see that there was no discernment from pupil or iris. They were completely black and were probably eerie to look at if you weren't used to them. In fact, they were probably still eerie even after knowing her awhile, which was probably why she normally didn't keep direct eye contact for very long.

"Oh, I guess I'm not the only one arriving back tonight. Good evening, Sevastian." She said to acknowledge the man sitting in what was dubbed 'his corner', before turning to Grant, "I'm guessing everyone else already went to bed, though I can't blame them."

She gave a small yawn before continuing. Her powers over shadow normally meant she did things that were for stealth, as manifesting the shadow into a physical object was taxing, but even using them for stealth too much could tire her out. Plus, she hadn't slept very well since scouting, which further added to her fatigue. Digging into a pocket, she brought out a slip of paper that had various writings and notations on it and held it out to Grant. Even in an age where literacy was rare, she had been lucky to grow up in a home that had had a few books that she could learn from. Everyone in the house could read as well, something that was very helpful if someone had to up and go without seeing anyone first, "Anyhow, I kept my distance, but I found some information on the Infected you wanted, Grant."

Rik held up his weathered hands. "I know it may not mean much, but you have my word." He said, not wanting to upset her. She just might freeze his ass to the wall where he stood. "I can summon lightening from my body. It usualy comes from my hands, but it had come from both my hands and eyes. It depends on how strong my current is." He said with a casual shrug. He watched her pick at the ice on her skin, it was interesting to see. "So you're not cold yourself, but your body is cold or is it just your skin that's cold?" He asked, his mind running wild with questions. He knew how his powers worked to an extent, but he wanted to know about hers and what her limits were. So far it seemed like her powers where always active, unlike his. His tends to only work when he is stressed, angry or some other strong emotional state.

"Good night, Molly." he responded, giving a wave of hand that told he'd be sure to wake her. He turned to his long time friend after Molly was to bed, "Did you have fun dodging the monsters and the cold?" he asked, settling down at the table with a wide yawn.

He only looked at the door as the last of his students came in, smiling, "We would've waited up for you but Sarah assured us you'd be back just fine." he said, referring to the girl that rarely made it out of her bedroom. When offers the note he promptly took it with a smile and a thanks. "You missed dinner but I think if you go scrounge around in the cubbard there might be some fruit courtesy of Rich."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lilly was a bit confused by the question and her face said as much as she answered, "My skin is cold but I never feel cold. If you were to remove my skin my body would be warm to the touch." after a long pause in which she'd removed most of the ice she looked at him, "Have you ever met another broken before?"

"I'm going to have to thank her later, then." Diva grinned, thinking about the young woman who looked like a child no older than ten, moving towards the cupboard mentioned when the promise of fruit was made public. Her fatigue had quieted her stomach's growls from the lack of sustenence in the previous days, but hearing that a potential meal was within grasp made it roar to life and demand something to satisfy it, "And Richard for the midnight snack. I've gone a little soft when it comes to foraging because of you all."

There was only a tone of amusement at this last statement, her hand reaching into the cupboard and pulling out a delicious-looking apple. Its red skin playfully bounced light off itself, making it all the more tantilizing to the young woman as she brought it to her lips. A sharp crack of teeth splitting fruit flesh, followed by the ripping of said flesh from its origin, produced a muffled crunch and very happy-looking Diva. Her eyes were closed in bliss at the succulent meal she was partaking it, tongue darting out to capture the juices that had escaped her waiting mouth, before she took another bite out of the apple. She was quick to lick up any juice that began to slide down her hand, the world being too harsh to afford any waste even in such comfort the others brought with them. Once she had picked the apple clean of its bounty, she dug into the core to produce the seeds and left them on the counter to dry. Knowing Richard, he could easily find uses for such items. Sucking on her fingers to relieve them of any remaining apple juice, she finally seemed to snap out of 'only-me-and-my-apple' world and gave the two men a grin.

"Well, I'm off to bed now. Wake me up if you need me for anything." Granted, she was a light sleeper most of the time, but that didn't mean that missions such as this wouldn't cause her to sleep heavier than normal. When around them, she felt safe, and so felt she could let her guard down somewhat. Diva was grateful for every day she spent with them, knowing that Grant could have very well gone on his merry way after seeing her fight off an Infected.

Scared and unsure of what to do after the incident that caused her to realize her powers as a Broken, she had wandered aimlessly, just trying to live from day-to-day. With her eerie eyes, it meant that finding day work was nearly impossible unless she was very quick of averting her eyes before they realized the strangeness. That meant, more often than not, she was trying to find things to pawn or find the odd can of food or bottle of water in an abandoned area. There were even a few times where she had contemplated stealing what she needed, especially if it had been a few days since her last meal, but something always held her back from completing the deed.

Now, however, she didn't need to worry about food, water, or a safe place to stay (well, when she wasn't out scouting). This place was always open to her and the people here accepted her, just as she accepted them. Diva hadn't even realized the aching, grieving hole she had in herself until Grant asked if she wanted to stay. To date, that was the only time the people of that house ever saw her cry, even as she sat there grinning like an idiot.

Molly laid in bed staring at the ceiling. She had heard Diva come in. She was a nice girl, Molly didn't really have an issue with here. She just envied her. Diva was able to use her power to go run errands for Grant. She could go be useful while Molly was stuck at the house playing mom.

She let out a sigh as she laid in her bed. Molly just had to find a way to prove she could be useful. She had to give Grant some reason to let her stay, because a small part of her feared being thrown back out on to the streets.

But what could she do? Molly thought for a long while. Maybe Trent would have some ideas, she always felt better after talking to him.