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sadrain
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#26
Old 06-24-2014, 05:46 AM

Ah, so the curiosity had won! Ryan's smirk widened. Not quite what he had expected, but perhaps the questions were just distraction to get him lower his guard. Well, she could wait until end of world(s) for that. Not that she had to know, though. What's more, this game could be played by two. He stepped further away, seemingly casual and relaxed, and swept gaze around the room, both exploring his options in it and looking for something to start fire with. In the short time they had talked, temperature seemed to have significantly lowered.

"I already told you, is your memory so short? Memory loss wasn't mentioned as your power side effect," he told her, moving to back of room, but careful not to turn his back on her, ever. He rearranged some of the furniture. "I do what I have to do, nothing personal, believe me." He looked about again and picked a metal-like sheet up. After quick work, the edges of it was bent and he placed item behind makeshift barricades. "And regarding your name, I've done some research. Or rather they have." He didn't elaborate, didn't plan to. At least not until blonde shot more questions at him.

Grabbing fistful of material that seemed to be paper (hopefully flammable as the real Earth thing), he dropped it on sheet and picked one of the boards, breaking it easily in multiple pieces and then another one. Firewood was also set on metal sheet. Still aware of her position and any sudden move she'd make, he fetched matches from outer pocket of his backpack. After short struggle, his hopes of making small fireplace came true and callous grin was replaced by content smile. For a brief moment, that is.

"In short, I'm just a delivery boy, ma'am," the taunting tone was back again now that he stood, staring at her rather intently. The way he had adjusted furniture meant light wouldn't be so easily noticed from someone peaking in through the window, as long as he kept it small. Never bad to take some precaution.

The bitterness of his words was well hidden, he was in a long practice of sounding arrogant and void of emotions that it wasn't even completely fake anymore. Not the second part, at least. And although Ryan had said he had some information on her, he knew so little. Like, how old she was? By her attitude, he'd give her 18, maybe, but she looked slightly older. It could be just the exhaustion, however. Perhaps, it had been a trying day on her as well and it was far from over still. Although he wished it was, that he had already delivered his package and he could completely disregard that hushed voice of morality in furthest corner of his mind that insisted kidnapping this girl was wrong. And that even worse would be to hand her over to uncaring, cruel people that would bend and break her for their benefit, the people that owned him - something that he couldn't swallow in his generally resigned state of mind.

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#27
Old 06-24-2014, 07:04 PM

Sophie's eyes narrowed. This guy was such an arrogant... She clenched her jaw as he kept speaking. They? Who were "they"? He was purposely being vague. He lit a small fire and turned around, stating his position in the situation. A delivery boy?

He was staring intently at her, and she stared right back. "Your mother must be proud," she snarked. She could play his arrogant game, too, if that's what he wanted. Though, she really didn't have any room to talk about proud parents. For all her parents knew, she was dead. It didn't matter.

She crossed her arms. "Is that all you're going to tell me then?" she asked, annoyed. She turned away and crossed the room to a window. The white haired wonder had arranged furnitures to block what spaces weren't covered by curtains, but she found a crack to peek out of.

Sophie glanced back over her shoulder at him for a moment. For the first time, she actually looked at the situation maturely. He'd been sent to do a job. But why exactly? Who wanted her and why? She could only assume that whoever it was, wasn't good, or they'd have come for her themselves, or at least less forcefully.

So he worked for bad people, and that meant he was bad, too. No good people worked for scum. She frowned again. Perhaps she could offer him something, to tell them she'd died, or something. She did, after all, have more treasures than anyone else probably, on any planet.

It wasn't like he cared about more than things, right? I mean, what could they possibly have to offer him more than things, or money? Freedom? She hadn't realized she'd done it, but she'd faced him again, and her frown had disappeared. He'd said it wasn't personal, and he wasn't really trying to be awful.

Maybe she was on to something with that freedom thing. He sure didn't look like a materialistic kind of guy. Sophilia's hazel eyes showed sympathy. A strange thing coming from someone being hunted. She almost hated having to crush his bracelet and leave him here... But she couldn't just let herself be captured and taken to, God only knows where.

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#28
Old 06-24-2014, 08:16 PM

Comment about his mother might have hurt him in another life, life he led about 6 or 8 years ago. But, no, even then the soft, caring feelings he had for woman who gave birth to him had been engulfed by anger and hurt. And most importantly - disappointment. Children weren't supposed to be disappointed in their parents, but he was. Ryan resented his mother for being the way she was, for making him feel like that, and himself for feeling so.

However, Sophie didn't need to know any of that and he opened his mouth to tell her that his mother didn't give a damn about him and perhaps even that she hadn't for too many years to count. In that last moment, man switched to more neutral words, shrugging as he spoke in nonchalant voice: "our parents don't live our lives, we do." It didn't mean parents didn't set children on their path, though. And god, had he tried to stray away from the dank alley his mother had sent him into. Only to end up in sewers, at least moral ones. Still, it was only his own fault, no one else's.

But there he was, tiny part of him getting side-tracked again, philosophical even. Letting his old habit mix with job was not a good thing and Ryan moved around the barricades, heading to one of the walls and leaning against it, his eyes still staring at her intently. "Obviously, I wasn't sent to have a little chit-chat with you over tea," he spoke, nearly lazily, as if not bothered by concept that Sophie was still walking on her own, like it was only question of time and she had no chance to escape her fate.

World outside window looked bleary - trashed and dark, barely lit with few blinking street lamps. It was growing even colder and fog was rolling in eerily. No signs of life, not even a light in another window - all buildings looked blind and empty like a scull. He caught that sympathetic look she gave him and was momentarily torn between relishing it or getting annoyed. Pride won, of course. He was Ryan Orth, a nobody, but he still didn't need pity.

"You can't really buy your way out of this, Sophie," he spoke, following her train of thoughts although on different tracks. Well, technically she could. He had an item that gave him unlimited opportunities to travel around not one world, but many of them. At least until it broke down. And before that, he could find a nice one to settle in, he just would need a little bit of funding to make life there which she would have provided. However, there were certain factors Ryan couldn't ignore, like they'd find him and that he couldn't trust her. "Besides, the moment you thought I was on your hook, you'd strand me here, wouldn't you?" he smirked.

Ryan pondered when she'd go for the orb, when she'd figure he was distracted enough. Although he was a street rat, thought of hitting woman first didn't really appeal to him. In fact, even through their previous struggles, he had attempted to hurt her as little as possible. But the game had to come to end soon and if he really had to make the first move, he would. It wasn't like he was trying to remedy his goals by his actions, was he?

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#29
Old 06-24-2014, 08:55 PM

Sophie's eyes widened and she looked shocked. What, was he in her head now, too? He was starting to really get on her nerves with all that cocky attitude. And here he was calling her Sophie, like they were friends or something. She looked annoyed now.

Her bag was still hung over her body, and she regretted having to do what she was about to... She reached into the bag quickly, and pulled out a gun. It wasn't like a typical Earth gun, in fact, it looked very different from something one would find there. Something, other worldly, but still dangerous.

She'd never had to use it before, though she carried it with her always. The thought of using it never really even crossed her mind, even in dangerous situations. Sophie wasn't one to hurt people, and she was quite crafty, able to get out of any situation. But this one was different.

If Sophie didn't scare him away, or strand him here now, he'd never stop following her. No one else ever followed her through dimensions. This was actually quite serious. She pointed it at him, looking like she might actually use it, though she probably couldn't, even if it came down to it. She only wanted to scare him was all, and make her leave.

He was leaning against the wall like he didn't have a worry in the world. More of that cockiness that was really starting to get under her skin. She aimed the gun at his heart, and hoped he noticed. "Listen," she started, "I don't know who you are, and I don't know who sent you, but I am not just going to let you take me away."

She was already reaching out with her energy for a weak spot in the dimension, but wasn't getting much farther past this building. She was too tired. Fine. She needed his stupid trinket anyway, maybe she could use it before she destroyed it.

"Here's what's going to happen," she said, as if she had no doubt that this plan of hers would work. "You're going to give me your," she motioned to his arm with the gun, "stupid, bracelet, thing... And I'm going to leave. We're never going to see each other again. And you can keep the orb, for your hassle," she added, knowing he might actually need it here to survive.

Not that she should care. He probably didn't give a damn about what would happen to her in any situation. So screw him. Maybe she would take the orb. It wasn't as if she didn't have a hundred in various colors... Oh wait, she did.

Even though she was confident that she could get his bracelet and get out of here, she wasn't feeling cocky, and she wasn't smiling. This was after all, a serious situation. And she'd never pulled a gun on anyone before. She hardly remembered the thing was even in the bottom of her bag.

Still, she pointed it at his heart. "Hurry up," she said, "just put it on the floor and move away from it." This dimension had an ominous feeling, and she didn't want to be here long.

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#30
Old 06-29-2014, 06:49 PM

Although he had been right about part of her thought pattern, Ryan was still surprised when she pulled a gun on him. He had expected an attack, but not really a gun. Although, in hindsight it seemed such a logical thing. A young woman wouldn't be doing what Sophie did if she didn't have some serious security measures. Being able to hop through time and space wasn't enough and she would know that, if she had any sense. And he was very confident that the blonde did. Still, he had thought of some wacko hand-to-hand fighting skills, not this.

Still, he managed to keep his smirk plastered on without faltering and sized her up once more, as if weighting out how much the gun had added to her danger level and deciding that not too much. And while gun alone really wasn't threatening enough, Ryan guessed this was far from last trick in her book - there was little chance she had forgotten completely about his abilities. Although Sophie probably guessed it was invisibility only and given his somewhat tired state, albino man wasn't sure if he would have strength to stop a bullet if need arose. But wasn't being hidden to her senses enough? It'd have to be.

He let her say her demands, keeping the casual position and then simply vanished. One second, he was standing there, next he was gone. Putting up an extra layer so sounds of his movement wouldn't reach woman, he ducked and ran behind his makeshift barricades, in case she decided to shoot where he had been standing moment ago. Hopefully, his disappearance caused mild confusion and he used it to fetch the collar out of his backpack, stuffing it in pocket.

Still invisible and without making sound, he approached her. Sweat beaded on his forehead when he created smaller sphere around one of the cans and threw it against the shelf, creating a noise and hopefully making her turn or look that way. If it worked so, he used the moment to attack from behind, left arm going over her neck and crushing her body to his, while right going for the gun and hopefully making Sophie drop it. A powerful squeeze on her small hand should have done the trick.

Knowing her typical bite or kick tactic, he at least attempted to avoid any such attempts, hoping that force of his left arm would not harm her 'beyond repair'. Ryan pulled her towards one of the back walls, it'd be easier to have a bit more control over situation if they weren't in middle of room anymore.

Last edited by sadrain; 06-29-2014 at 07:03 PM..

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#31
Old 07-01-2014, 07:31 PM

Even with a gun pointed at his heart, this man still didn't seem to react. He certainly didn't do what she told him to. Wasn't he afraid to die? Didn't he even have anything to say?

Instantly, he vanished. Shit. Her brain seemed to scream, Pull the trigger! Now! NOW! But Sophie unfortunately wasn't always a girl of logic. Chances that he was even coming straight at her were slim anyway. But mostly, she really didn't want to kill him, and what if she did shoot him in the heart? No, she couldn't do that.

Stupidly then, Sophie didn't pull the trigger. She was frowning deeply, and somewhat worried. She recalled that stupid collar, and more so, that tugging feeling she got when he talked about being a 'delivery boy' and that it was 'nothing personal'. Wherever he wanted to take her wasn't a good place.

Sophie glanced around the room, but nothing seemed to be moving, she couldn't even hear anything. It was truly nerve wracking. Finally, a noise across the room caused Sophie to turn slightly and aim her gun in that direction. Shoot! she told herself. Shoot! But she just, couldn't.

Before she had any time to make a decision to put the gun away, try and call a truce, run away, reach out with her power, or anything, an arm wrapped around her neck. Simultaneously, another hand wrapped around hers that held the gun. He squeezed, but Sophie couldn't just let him win like this!

Her hand hurt, but she squeezed the trigger anyway. It wasn't pointed at him, but at least maybe it would draw attention to their location and cause a stir that would allow her to get away again. She was able to squeeze it twice, before having to release the gun and let it drop to the floor.

Sophie reached up to grab onto the arm around her neck. She knew how to flip someone over her shoulders, but wondered if she could manage with someone of his size and strength. Or maybe, just maybe she was going about all of this the wrong way. Running, fighting and threatening hadn't worked...

Why was he so adamant? And had he forgotten that she'd come back and saved him? He was pulling her across the room, and she wondered if anyone had heard the shots and how she was going to get out of this this time. She was finding it hard to believe that her traveling days were about to be over, thanks to this guy.

"W- why?" she asked, trying to put some space in between her neck and his arm. She wasn't asking him why in a general sense. Because it was his job, she got that. But, "What's in it for you?" she wondered. "How many people will you capture and harm, before you draw a line?" she asked. Sophie wasn't a bad guy, and she'd done nothing, too, wrong. How many innocent young girls would he take to their doom, before he decided whatever they were offering, wasn't worth it?

She didn't struggle against him any longer, and instead relaxed, giving the impression that she had given up. Though of course she hadn't. But she was tired. Just so incredibly tired... Her head leaned against him and the hand on his arm relaxed. "I thought, I could run, forever...", she mumbled, staring up at the ceiling.

Sophie hadn't meant run from Ryan forever, just run in general. It was as if Sophie was running away from something, though she'd never be able to pinpoint what exactly that was. Perhaps it was more that she was running to something. To find something. But what? Would she ever know now, what her purpose was?

Last edited by p o p p e t ♥; 07-01-2014 at 07:34 PM..

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#32
Old 07-12-2014, 10:46 PM

She didn't shoot and in all honesty, surprised Ryan with that once more. Most people would have tried at the very least. But he didn't have time to ponder why, he had to finish first phase before exhaustion got the best of him. But perhaps it already had - Sophie's fear laced words hit close to his heart. Enough to make him hesitate momentarily in the struggle, his grip on her stiffening and step faltering. Clenching jaw, he regained his composure. There was a job to be done.

'Once a mercenary, always a mercenary, eh?' his own voice taunted him in his mind as Ryan effectively trapped blonde woman between him and the wall. She was relaxed now, nearly slumping against him, but he wasn't buying it. Man forced one of her arms behind her back, then twisted his arm that held her in nearly strangling hold and grasped her other arm, attempting to pull it behind her as well. If he succeeded, he grabbed her dainty wrists in steel grip of his left hand and with other fished out collar from hoodie's pocket. With one quick move, it locked around her neck. The soft click sounded final, nearly like judge's hammer after announced death sentence.

It wasn't tight, leaving slight gap between her skin and cool metal, perhaps a slimmer finger could be hooked behind it. In all honesty, he felt like he had been hammered in the gut. "It blocks your powers and it won't come off without code that's entered by certain person. So, there's no use to kill me - you'll just end up stranded here. The material is more durable than diamond," Ryan informed her in low, but nearly emotionless voice. If she was still in his grip, albino man dragged her over to the makeshift fireplace and forced her to sit down with him by one of the shelves, not loosening his hands on her wrists.

Once more, he dug in his pocket, but this time the item that came out was nothing fancy. Regular metal cuffs that he intended to use on her right hand, cuffing Sophie to metal shelf, if she didn't take him by surprise somehow. If she didn't, Ryan quickly retreated to grab the gun she had lost in their struggle. After that, he sat down across her at the fire, placing weapon beside his leg and searched for something in his bag. Short moment later, he brought out bunch of strange fruit and water flask. Both he placed in reach of blonde woman's left hand and without another word, retreated to his previous spot.

However, if she did manage to get her way out of his hold, he'd be intent on capturing Sophie again although he could swear he could feel strength physically seeping away from him as pain in his arm grew stronger and stronger.

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#33
Old 07-13-2014, 02:17 AM

Sophie didn't struggle or fight anymore. She couldn't. She had so little energy left, and what was the point? Sophie seemed to have met her match. And besides, she might as well go to this place she was going to be 'delivered' to, and see what these people wanted. Her natural curiosity really needed to know anyway. And who knew, maybe she could get away after that, if she thought she really needed to. Maybe this place wasn't really bad, and this was all some big misunderstanding.

While lost in her own thought, the collar clicked in place. It brought Sophie out of her own thoughts and she tensed at his words. Perhaps she'd given up too soon, as his words began to make her anxious. She couldn't use her power, and she couldn't kill him. Not that she would, or could anyway, obviously.

He drug her across the room and handcuffed her to a metal shelf. "Hey!" she finally protested. That was really uncomfortable, and really unnecessary. She'd already decided she'd go willingly. Of course, even if she told him that, why would he believe her?

She sat there uncomfortably as he moved back to his backpack. Stupid backpack, full of stupid things. She hated his backpack. Though he dug food out of it, and brought some to set beside her. She scoffed lightly. Of course, feed the dog lest it die before delivery.

Sophie didn't touch it. Instead she leaned against the wall with her arm uncomfortably hanging from the cuffs. The sleeve from the outfit she'd been given in that other dimension hung loosely, and now the tattoo she'd gotten in the jungles of Arushba showed on her wrist.

She glanced at the small fire he'd built between them. So no one had noticed it yet, or heard her gunshots? Oh well. What was meant to happen, would happen. Perhaps she really was to travel to this mystery place with the sunburned wonder.

Sohpie had been staring at the fire, but now she chuckled. Slowly it turned into a full out laugh. She couldn't stop herself. She wasn't crazy though, just nervous. That was another one of Sophie's 'little problems'. Or quirks, she called them. She laughed when she got nervous, into a sticky situation, scared, etc.

She tried to cover her mouth with her free hand and bury her face in her knees, but it didn't help. "I'm sorry," she managed to say between laughs. "It's just....", she continued laughing. "Your tan lines....", and she was laughing again. Really, no one would probably see a tan line at all. It wasn't like he laid out like that every day. It had just merely been the thought that set her off.

After at least a long minute of uncontrollable laughter that left tears in Sophie's eyes, she slumped against the wall again and took a deep breath. Her head rolled to look at him again, and she was smiling. Though it faded into a look of sadness awfully quick, and hazel eyes dropped to the fire again.

"I never thought I'd be here," she said quietly, moods surely giving Ryan whiplash. One minute she was hostile, the next calm, the next laughing, and now sad.

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#34
Old 07-13-2014, 10:09 AM

God. He was exhausted. Physically and emotionally. Not that he'd admit that, especially the latter. Not that it was Sophie's fault. Well, maybe it was. Just a little bit, superficially. He was jaded and bitter man long before he was handed that time travelling bracelet of his. In fact, that had gotten him in this mess first place. And the ache that spread through his whole left arm, growing in intensity was a clear reminder of the mistakes he had made. Still, she had managed to touch old and new issues in a short time, sensitivity to her words heightened by keen pain and lack of energy.

His left fist clenched, sending pain right up to shoulder and bared his teeth for second, caught off guard by the unwanted move. Ryan hated when his arm didn't obey to him. He'd been on medicine for weeks now and still felt like he had prosthetic limb at times, rather than his own, just augmented. Especially when he hadn't had the damn pills for a while, like right now. All he wanted was some painkillers and good sleep. Luxury far beyond his reach, although maybe he could catch a shuteye after a while.

But for now, it was best to focus on something. The man put orb in bag, glancing at Sophie to see her reaction to that and picked up the gun, deciding to figure it all out. Short after, she began laughing and with furrowed brows, he looked at blonde woman. What was so darn funny here? Before he voiced the question, she actually apologized and spoke of his tan lines. "Tan lines?" he echoed, incredulous, and then gave a little, hollow laugh. "If only." Honestly, being unable to get them was only thing that bothered him about being albino. "Lobster's only shade I can get," he mumbled, more to himself than her, but didn't take eyes off from her.

He saw her change and kept on staring. Ryan's unnerving stare was his specialty, most of time he didn't even realize he was using it. Now, too, he was registering her change in moods and processing it with corner of his mind, while the rest was focused on slight noise outside. Steps? Slow and dragging? And was that a groan? Ryan sprung to his feet and moved towards window with quiet steps, making sure to keep out of clear view.

The sight... Stunned him. He had hoped no one would hear the shots in this abandoned town, but it seems the town wasn't abandoned after all and noise had drawn a reaction. There were about four forms moving in the dim light. Genders were impossible to tell, the clothes ragged and dirty, their hair mostly gone and flesh... Even now he could see that it was sunken and some places missing. Low groan reached his ears. Ryan wasn't well versed in old movies and video games, but even to him the theme of small crowd shuffling toward their building seemed clear: zombies.

Immediately, he moved back to their little barricades, still avoiding to make a noise. He stomped out the small fire quickly, flung his backpack on again and knelt down next to Sophie. "We got company. No one that will save you, only tear you apart and eat your guts or something," he whispered, "so, when I take your cuffs off and tell you to go, get up and run upstairs." Ryan gestured in their direction. Damn, he wished he had flashlight on him that he could give her. "Look for something to barricade doors there, but don't move anything until I join you. Remember, you are stuck here without me. If they come in, I'll get them off our backs."

Maybe if they were quiet they'd get some time. These creatures were slow and without more noise, they might lose direction. Did they have keen sense smell? He didn't know, but hoped that it wasn't so. Ryan really needed at least an hour of rest before he would be in decent shape for fighting. At least there was gun, but that would only attract more attention from those things. Maybe he should free her now? It wasn't like she had many options, but if she got the gun back...

Last edited by sadrain; 07-13-2014 at 05:11 PM..

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#35
Old 07-15-2014, 09:48 PM

She'd been staring off into the fire when the man jumped to his feet. It startled her and she jerked her eyes away to see what he was doing. Was he going to take her cuffs off, or try to feed her something else, or take advantage of her? The possibility of things that could happen while she was f*cking stuck here, were kind of endless. And it annoyed her, and depressed her. Both things not normal for Sophie.

But he was looking through a window. Had he heard something? Sophie strained to listen, too. She heard something, mumbling maybe, or a moan? She wasn't sure, but it didn't exactly sound right. Though, Sophie had traveled through so many dimensions, that she wasn't necessarily overly worried, nor did she think she'd be surprised.

He returned to her quickly, almost urgently. Sophie frowned and watched him expectantly. His instructions were lacking in explanation, and Sophie was insanely curious as to what kind of company they had out there that would tear someone up and... eat their guts. She shuddered at the thought. Was it some kind of animal? Cannibals maybe?

Sophie wondered if the two of them could actually work together long enough to survive, well, anything. Everything in her told her she needed to run away the second she had the chance, but, she also knew that without her powers, that would be rather senseless. She also knew that she wouldn't kill the man, and he should have found that obvious, too, by her lack of being able to shoot at him when she had the chance.

Finally Sophie nodded. She would do as he said for now, and play this by ear. She might not be doomed just yet after all. "Well, un-cuff me then," she said, probably not quiet enough, but obviously annoyed that she'd ever been cuffed in the first place, of course.

When he did un-cuff her, Sophie would rub at her wrists and push herself off the ground to adjust her over the shoulder bag. Then she'd frown at the sunburned wonder and cross her arms. "I'm not going anywhere without a way to protect myself though," she said, giving him a defiant look. And why should she?

Though it wasn't as if he'd let her die. She was pretty sure he'd get into trouble for that, probably. That prompted Sophie to wonder if the man was actually a good enough person to care if she died, had they been say, equals. If she wasn't his target, would he be someone that cared about her life? Anyone's life but his own?

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#36
Old 07-16-2014, 03:23 PM

He frowned at Sophie, when she ordered him to un-cuff her, mouth pressing in even thinner line. "Don't speak so loud," man hissed at her while quickly thinking over his options. He could leave her cuffed until someone, something, entered building, but that would give him disadvantage of defending either of them while he fumbled with keys. If he freed her, she might tackle him and try to take the gun or something, and then run away while zombies attacked. But if she had brains, and by now Ryan didn't doubt she did (and the kind that were quite set on self-preservation, too), she probably wouldn't try to get him killed until she was free from collar as well.

So with irritated sigh, he fished out key, taking perhaps longer than he wanted with opening cuffs, since fading embers didn't light the area up enough. At her demand for means of protection Ryan battled need to let out exasperated breath. This is why he worked alone and didn't like people involving jobs. Of any kind. Protecting someone, especially if it was someone you had kidnapped, was a whole lot of trouble. And killing... Well, despite the not just metaphorical blood on his hands, he wasn't cold blooded killer. Had wanted to get away from that line of work after barely dabbling in it.

But Sophie was right, letting her go completely unarmed wasn't good. Nor was giving her a weapon to use against him later, but that was a risk he had to take. With huff, he un-clipped his knife's holster and handed it to blonde girl. He had to trust his instinct that he'd be able to disarm her, if she decided to attack him. It was better than her own gun that she'd surely fire and make lot of noise with, whereas in his hands the gun itself was weapon usable for beating zombies up into bloody pulp. Well, bloodier pulp. Hopefully.

"Go!" he told her, still in quiet voice, hearing the shuffling just outside the doors now. It would be moments later that the group would press in and Ryan, still hiding behind the junk would move towards them, seeking for best opportunity to launch offense and perhaps, observe them for a short moment to learn how much sense they had. Not too much, it seemed, but if he was right, they made up for it more than enough with lack of pain.

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#37
Old 07-16-2014, 04:26 PM

Sophie took the knife, and stared blankly at it for a moment. She really hoped that whatever was out there was something that would be scared by the threatening of their lives at Sophie's knife. She couldn't actually kill a person. Trick, deceive... that she could do. Actually having to kill someone, not. She wasn't even sure she could stab someone.

That wasn't saying that Sophie wasn't quick on her feet with quick reflexes and street fighting skills. It was just saying that she didn't have it in her to really hurt anyone. She didn't want to hurt any living thing. It just wasn't what Sophie was about. She was about shiny things, and travel. Not blood and death. She was a free spirit, and not something dark and hateful.

Would Sophie do what she had to do to survive though? That was a question she'd never really had to ask herself until today. And clearly, by not taking her chance at killing the sunburned wonder, the answer was no. She clutched the knife in her hand and was startled back into reality by Ryan's hurried and hushed 'go'.

She nodded and headed for the large doorway, without door, leading out of the main room. Where were the stairs even at in this old rundown place? Hadn't they come in through a sort of alley? Perhaps they'd entered through the back then, and Sophie only needed to make her way forward to find the staircase.

That was her plan then, skewed as it might have been. For all she knew, they came in through the front, off the street. She frowned at herself. It was a damn staircase! It couldn't be that hard to find. She shook her head then and exited the room, disappearing into the darkness.

Minimal bits of light filtered through holes and cracks here and there. It was hard to see, but Sophie could see enough. She clutched the knife, holding it out in front of her, trying to move quickly, but slow enough not to run into anything or make too much noise. She was sure that the point in this was to be quiet, and hope that whoever was out there would pass right by this place.

As Sophie neared the end of the hall, she heard a creaking sound. She stopped and listened. It hadn't come from behind her, but from ahead of her. Her heart rate picked up, but she stepped forward until there was another open doorway to her left. Through that room, there was another door leading to the outside. But it was open. Had that been the creaking sound? Perhaps it had been open the whole time.

She crossed the floor quietly and closed the door gently before locking it. Wouldn't want anyone coming in while they were using this place as a hideout. She moved out of the room once more, to the stairs just beyond it. Sophie took careful steps, though it helped little in the old place as each step creaking to some degree anyway.

When Sophie finally reached the top floor, she did as the man had said and went into a room, immediately though, she crossed to a window. She wanted to see if she could sneak a peek at whoever was out there that had her own captor nervous.

Sophie refrained from touching the curtain, one hazel eye peering out into the darkness. The moonlight lit up enough of the area that Sophie could make out figures. They looked like people from here. About the normal size of a human anyway. They did seem to be off somehow though. Maybe it was in their movement?

Nevertheless, Sophie started thinking ahead at how she'd barricade the room once the sunburned wonder arrived.

((I just now realized that we've both been imagining two different rooms. I just picked up on what you were imagining. But that's okay. My post still works right? ))

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#38
Old 07-17-2014, 11:23 PM

Ache was not just in his arm anymore, it was crawling up his left side of neck, but most vividly, across his collarbone, like a molten metal snake. But it wasn't first time and it wouldn't be last. Better to get this over fast and then maybe he could rest. The creatures were shuffling closer, groaning as if it was problematic to move, and the trio had split up, perhaps trying to cover more ground. If they could come up with something like that.

Ryan used the chance and barged out of his cover, charging at the closest zombie-thing, left arm with gun prepared for mighty swing that hit the home, bashing in head of the thing. There was no time for disgust when brain and sticky, yucky form of blood flew across room and coated the weapon. The other two had their attention on him now. He didn't wait until they came for him, he charged again, well aimed kick bringing one that had once been woman down. It moaned and reached up for him, but next moment gun hit its head her again, and again and again...

He barely managed hands of the third zombie, approaching from behind, half rolling out of reach. Painful gasp left his lips, when his shoulder hit one of the shelves and the furniture piece skidded across floor slightly, making way too much noise for his liking. And what was worse, the first 'victim' was scrambling back to his feet. Apparently, while something of their heads was still in tact, they wouldn't stand down. Backing up, Ryan outstretched his hand, creating a tight bubble around head of the one that almost got him.

The bubble tightened more and more, human in this situation would be gasping for air, or trying to claw offending sphere off, but not this thing, it didn't even seem to notice its presence. And then it was too late, the bubble simply crushing everything in its path with incredible force. It was a disgusting idea he had come up with long ago, had never thought he'd actually use it... To do something like that to living creature... Maybe this hadn't been best time to dish it out now, too, as he saw stars behind his eyes and darkness looming at the edge of his vision.

Gritting his teeth, he scrambled to his feet, awaiting for final enemy to approach him. When it reached for the man, he ducked under his grasp, moving behind it and then gave final, hopefully truly fatal, blow to still in-tact head. The body fell to floor with thud and Ryan exhaled in relief. But they weren't entirely safe yet. He moved to doors that he, Sophie and eventually trio had come through. The lock was busted, dammit. Making as little noise as possible, he moved closest furniture in front of it. With enough force, it could moved aside, but hopefully, any intruders wouldn't bother to and just shuffle away when meeting resistance.

His head buzzed and there was just one thought now: find Sophie. With tired steps, he walked out of this room and up the stairs. He avoided middle of the steps, those always creaked the most. When he entered room on top floor, he paused to survey it, immediately noting Sophie at window and... "Watch out!" The words left his lips at the same moment as Ryan's legs propelled his body towards quiet form that awkwardly, but speedily moved towards blonde. It wasn't quite a shout, but not a whisper either.

Somewhere in darkness, he hadn't noticed some box on floor and tripping over it, he flew right into the thing, sending them both crashing to the floor. And he lost the gun in the process. Trying to kick and push the zombie off of him didn't go very effectively, but at least they were kind of struggling on floor at arm's length until Ryan managed to hold the thing down. "Knife! Stab it in the head!" he half ordered, half requested for help, breath uneven and his cheek stinging - damn, had he been scratched by this thing?

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#39
Old 07-18-2014, 12:15 AM

Sophie had been lost in thought, wondering about her situation vaguely while also watching whoever was coming. There seemed to be more. They multiplied from the shadows, though not in a mass amount. She couldn't tell if they were headed towards their current refuge or not though. Some of them seemed to be passing right by.

Suddenly she heard Ryan's voice and she jerked her head around just as he tackled someone. She simultaneously took his advice, jumping out of the way. The room was pretty dark, but Sophie could see, if not hear, that the person wasn't exactly a normal human, though he may have once been.

The hoarse moaning sounds of its mindless hunger, attacking, growling and snapping at the sunburned wonder were sounds of nightmares. Sophie hadn't realized she'd only been staring in horror until her personal kidnapper started ordering her around again. She frowned, torn.

She couldn't very well let the man be killed. No, that was far beyond Sophie. Besides, she couldn't get out of this dimension without him. But equally, she was unsure that this other being was a zombie. Sure, it had zombie written all over it, but Sophie had traveled through many dimensions, and seen many things.

What if this wasn't a zombie. What if this was just a guy, who really needed a Snickers? Sophie didn't really have time to mull over options. She'd already been standing there for way too long. It was the attacker, or the kidnapper. She rolled her eyes internally. What a decision.

Sophie moved closer, swiftly bringing the knife down at the base of the zombie's head, instantly severing the spinal cord. While she'd never actually met a zombie before this, she'd heard plenty about them. They were quite the fad in some dimensions.

The once seemingly human assailant went limp, and Sophie released the knife. She didn't really want it back now... "Are you okay?" she asked the white haired man on the ground, offering him her hand up. It was a moment of unintended teamwork, and Sophie was only following through.

When she realized that she'd done it, she'd go back to being stubborn and angry. But for now, she was just a little shocked, and glad that her kidnapper had initially saved her. Not like he didn't kind of have to. But she was alive, the thing was dead, and she was offering her hand. He could take it or leave it, she didn't care.

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#40
Old 07-18-2014, 09:33 AM

Why the hell was she hesitating!? If it wasn't for his left arm, that now was channeling far more power than he had thought he still had left in him, the thing would be all over him and Ryan wasn't sure how long this surge of adrenaline would keep his grip more than steel strong. Even if she wanted to get rid of him, she'd need to get rid of the zombie... And then blondie finally acted and he moved off the creature, slumping beside it a lot more helplessly than he had intended to.

He heard knife clatter to the floor and looked at her, heard a slight tremble in her voice. Was that genuine worry or she was just stunned from the whole ordeal? Next moment, she extended hand to him and he instinctively accepted it, although he pushed himself up more than used leverage girl offered. "Will live," he replied in hoarse voice, hand going to rub the sting on cheek, but pausing in midair at the last moment. Since there was zombie yuck all over his hands, it probably wasn't best idea to touch open wound, if it was there. "Thanks," he continued, not explaining if it was for asking about his well being or somewhat saving his ass and added: "nice work."

Ryan picked up knife and then searched for the gun. After a minute or two he found it and look of disgust passed across his features. He didn't really have anything to wipe either clean. Well, some kind of cloth scrap from floor would have to do (but before that, he cleaned his hands as well as he could with one end). Sheathing knife behind belt, he threw gun in his backpack and focused on finding something to block only doors in the room. There wasn't as much furniture here, but they'd have to manage. But first, he'd drag the body out of the room, leave it in the hallway as away from stairs as possible, while listening in if there was chance of any more 'visitors'. Didn't seem there were any.

When a vanity table was placed in front of closed doors, he slumped against wall, then moved to sit down on floor in more civilized manner. What he wouldn't give for a shower right now. And clean clothes. And a med-kit. And bed. And for this whole ordeal to be over, with something to help forget it on top. Tiredly, he checked his bracelet. 12 hours until he could open a portal to get them out. Well, at least they weren't stuck here for whole 20 something, like in the last realm.Ryan's fingers felt numb as he took canteen out of his bag, but instead of taking a sip, he offered it to Sophie wordlessly.

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#41
Old 07-18-2014, 06:20 PM

"Oh, so he does have manners," she mocked at his thanks as she helped him to his feet. He moved to find and clean the weapons, and Sophie moved as far away from the body as she could. Sure, she'd seen some death and gore in her travels, but that didn't make it any easier to see each time, and she certainly didn't like it.

She had moved across the room, away from the body and away from the door, also sliding down the wall onto the floor. They were both exhausted, and they would both need rest. Sohpie would need much less time to open a portal than twelve hours, but she'd probably sleep that long anyway. It had been a trying day.

What was Ayashe doing right now, she wondered. Did she miss her? Was she worried? Sophie never really stayed gone for too long, and when she did it was because she was in trouble. How would her feline friend fare if Sophie never returned? Would she guard Sophie's home and treasures for the rest of eternity?

Sophie was brought out of her thoughts when the sunburned wonder began digging in his pack. He pulled out a canteen and offered it to Sophie. She hesitated for a moment, but realized she was actually incredibly parched. She scooted closer to him and took the canteen.

She was sure to leave water in there for him, though she contemplated not. She handed it back to him. "Well, you're the nicest kidnapper I've ever met," she said, half jokingly, thinking of his sudden manners. At least he hadn't tired to cuff her to anything again.

Sophie rubbed at that wrist that had been cuffed without realizing she was even doing it. It didn't really hurt, she was merely thinking of the feeling of it was all. Her fingers rubbed over the tattoo and around the flesh of her wrist and she leaned against the wall beside the kindly kidnapper.

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#42
Old 07-19-2014, 09:51 PM

He watched her sideways, as she drank. At least this time she had accepted. That was kind of an improvement, wasn't it? Only of what, he wasn't sure. Taking canteen back, Ryan let out a completely humorless chuckle at her comment. "Yeah, well, you're first person I've kidnapped, so, gotta give some kind of special treatment, eh?" His tone was dry and despite his best efforts, exhaustion seeped through. Heck, who could really crack smart-ass comments about his manners in this situation, in the situation she was in? Well, obviously Sophie. He wasn't decide between being as amused as he could muster or annoyed.

Ryan took few sips, making sure to leave some water and put the canteen away in the bag. 12 hours without single drop of water was a long time. He doubted they would find any water source here, any natural body of water or sink (if they found functioning one) could provide contaminated water. Who knew how this zombie sickness spread in this particular world. Still, he had some juicy fruits... Which reminded him. "You hungry?" he asked in casual voice, staring ahead in darkness. It was kind of pointless, since she most likely was, but silence in current situation made him uneasy.

Especially when she rubbed her wrist. Had he hurt her? Ah, but of course he had. No doubt there were bruises there, from his grip, and also marks from cuffs. Women were frail things, even when they were tough as nails. And most of them were also observant, watching you like hawk, until they find your weakness and then cut through you, sharp like surgeon's scalpel but with so much larger blade. Heck, they all were masters of undermining, even if they could not see beyond their own lashes. A natural protection, he guessed.

If she admitted to wanting food, he'd bring some of the food out and give her. If not, he'd simply place her share between them without comments, letting her choose if and when Sophie'd take it. Whatever she chose, the man took a large bite of one of the pear-like fruits himself, noting its sweet taste, but it somehow didn't fully register in his mind. Damn. He really needed to sleep, his thoughts were doing roller coaster rides right now. Like, he was thinking if he was being undermined right now. By her, unconsciously. "What's in it for you? How many people will you capture and harm, before you draw a line?" hummed around his brains.

He shifted further away from her and laid down on his side, wrapping his cloak around him to his best ability, tucking arms under his head. "Wake me if there's any weird noises outside the house or this room," Ryan instructed her, his eyes already shut. Either he'd sleep like a log or just slightly so, hopefully in neither cases she'd try to pull the weapons off of his belt. And as he was already drifting away he spoke. The quiet sentence was muffled by both sleep and fabrics of his cloak, but if she caught it, he had said this: "I get to live half-assed life, or I get a line drawn over me. That's what I get for this." Next morning he'd not even remember he had said that out loud, probably.

Last edited by sadrain; 07-19-2014 at 09:57 PM..

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#43
Old 07-20-2014, 03:49 AM

Sophie half shrugged at his words, almost seeming not to care about his response either way. Though inside, she was surprised to know that she was the first person he'd ever kidnapped. He was pretty good at it, given the circumstances. She felt angry at that again. If he was good at it, it only meant she wouldn't be the last. And no, she wasn't going to give him special treatment. The child inside her crossed its arms and turned up its nose.

She also didn't respond when he asked her if she was hungry. Not because she was being stubborn, but because her stomach answered for her, grumbling at the thought of food. She picked something looking similar to a pear, and took a bite. It was okay. Not the worst thing she'd ever eaten, but not the best. She'd certainly had her share of amazing and awful foods in her travels. 'Course, she was hungry enough now that a lot of not too pleasant things would probably have tasted just fine.

The sunburned wonder, who's name she realized she still didn't know and might not ever, was moving to lay down. He did sound exhausted. Hell, Sophie was, too. But he seemed more so than her. In fact, maybe so exhausted that he didn't realize he'd left her uncuffed and his backpack unguarded. She would wait though, until she was sure he was asleep to search through it. For now, she finished her fruit, giving him a sarcastic salute at his orders, though he probably wouldn't have caught it.

Finally and luckily she'd finished chewing, or the thing he'd mumbled then in his sleep would have been lost to her ears. But Sophie heard him, and she frowned. What did that even mean? A line drawn over him? Would he be killed or something, if he didn't do this 'job' of his? Living a half-assed life didn't seem like a very fair trade off to Sophie, not for kidnapping people, stealing away their lives. The sunburned wonder was getting jipped.

Perhaps she could offer him the chance to run away from this life all together. Sophie could take him to some desolate paradise planet and drop him off. Yes. Sophie smiled at that thought. She'd love to be rid of this pale haired kidnapper and abandoning him on a desolate planet was just what he deserved.

She yawned, but no, she couldn't sleep yet. Sophie reached carefully and quietly for the man's backpack. She pulled it open and carefully reached inside. Her fingers brushed over food, the canteen, her gun, which she would be taking back now, thank you. Sophie put the gun back into her own bag and then proceeded to search for something to remove this stupid collar. Her fingers found a box of matches, and some kind of book. She squinted at it in the darkness out of curiosity, but the thing was locked.

The locked book was clearly some kind of journal. Sophie fidgeted with it for a moment, incredibly curious to know more about this man. Like his name for one, but also where exactly he'd been sent from, and, anything else she could use against him. But he stirred in his sleep, and Sophie dropped the journal back into the bag quickly. She sat there silently for a moment, making sure he wouldn't wake up before continuing to snoop through the pack.

She still found no way to remove the collar. She hated it. Not only did she hate that it took away her powers, but it was degrading. It was a collar. What was she? A dog? Sophie huffed and pushed the backpack aside when she found nothing to help her, not even caring about the orb at this point. She didn't know how to use it either. Though it was quite the powerful item, they would find.

She leaned her head against the wall and stared up at the ceiling. She could hear those things moving around outside. Strange dragging sounds, moans and grunts. It gave Sophie the creeps. She'd never admit that she'd done it, but she scooted closer to the sunburned wonder, before laying down in the opposite direction. What? It was his job to keep her alive after all. She was just scooting closer to make sure he wouldn't get in trouble. Yeah, that's why.

Sophie positioned her bag so that she could use it like a pillow. The long garment she'd been given covered her a great deal, leaving all to the imagination in her case. But she was grateful. It was like a portable blanket, and it was actually quite comfortable. Sophie closed her eyes and tried to block out the gut turning sounds outside by thinking of her home, the one she'd made for herself with Ayashe, and soon fell fast asleep.

Last edited by p o p p e t ♥; 07-20-2014 at 02:26 PM..

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#44
Old 07-20-2014, 07:44 PM

He slept like a log. Sort of for. There were nightmares in his sleep, but upon waking he couldn't remember any of them, just a dreadful feeling. And that his mother had featured. Through those 6 hours of (debatable) rest, he groaned few times, shifting around and trying to find more comfortable position. As end of his sleep came closer, tossing and moaning became more frequent and, finally, he sort of crashed into wall and woke up with a start, breathing heavy. Wild eyes shot around the room, as Ryan tried to piece together where he was.

As his gaze stopped against her form, he muttered "damn", everything coming back to the man. Morning light filtered through dirty windows, gray tone of it and long shadows stretching out giving everything an eerie sense. Slowly, he stood up and stretched. There was ache in most of his bones, but his left arm was not burning up anymore. Current pain in it he could stand. And although he wasn't rested, he knew he could face another day and pull some of his tricks. Glancing at his wrist, he noted it said they were stuck here for about 5-6 hours more. Then there would be lengthy retelling of his experience to some white-collar robot, hot shower, full meal, decent bed and gnawing guilt.

Man rubbed his chin, noting stubble there. Two days of not shaving meant something, even though thanks to something in his genes, he wouldn't be able to grow a good beard even if he wanted to. He looked at the vanity table, now seeing that its mirror was cracked and walked over, leaning down to have a look at himself. As expected, his hair was a mess, stubble on his face. Icy eyes stared back at him and he noted circles under them. Ryan's pale skin was now more ashen than anything, except for the ugly mark on his right cheek with its reddish purple edges of the shallow gash, sickly color seeping further up and down his cheek in few thin lines.

Tentatively, he touched one corner of it and winced as throbbing sensation entered the wound and then moved further up half of his face. This couldn't be good. How could it get to this point in matter of 6-7 hours? It had to mean it was infected. And considering the situation he had gotten the scratch, those had to be worst news he had had in past week. Ryan's jaw tensed. What would happen in next 6 hours? Would he already be rendered to the level of the moaning creatures he had slaughtered last night? No, it couldn't be so fast. No way in hell.

He sat down again, realizing he had been staring at his double reflection for too long and dragged his bag closer. Quick inspection told him that Sophie had touched it, too, but somehow, the thought of her having a gun suddenly didn't seem so awful. Besides, he could always pull the same invisibility stung and get it back, nor it was in her interests to kill him. What worried him more was his journal, but it looked untouched so he let out a soft sigh of relief. It was something he didn't trust to leave back at Zofies and always carried around. At first it had been his personal recovery log, after augmentations, but quickly it had become so much more, a way to jot down his thoughts and observations, vent some hate, when he could muster energy to feel it.

So, if Sophie was awake, he didn't bring bag touching matter up and he again gave her food and canteen, eating remaining fruit himself (even if she was asleep, he'd eat) Each bite felt stale in his mouth and Ryan took extra time to chew it up and swallow, although his stomach wanted food. His thoughts spun around different possibilities and mostly the fact that he just couldn't catch a break these days. Hopefully, Sophie wouldn't have some smart ass comment. He really wasn't in mood for cracking jokes. Instead, he felt like cussing at himself for preparing so poorly for this assignment. He was more out of the game than he had originally thought. Then again, this should have been simple swoop and grab, with no overnight stays. But he should have prepared for the worst... Had he not, because he still didn't really care what happened to him?

If he was honest with himself, he wouldn't worry for the scratch much. About most physical harm, really. Only the fact he might turn into groaning, brain eating thing with no will of his own disgusted him. Something in him protested against that firmly. Did he value his will that much? Corners of Ryan's mouth quirked slightly, bitterly. It's not like he was using his free will a lot past few months. He glanced at blonde, young woman, before continuing to stare at the wall. Well, if his situation got much worse in next 6 hours and he felt his mind slipping away... He would take her gun, take off her collar and shoot himself.

But that was exactly the fatalistic thinking - or lack of thinking - that had gotten him in this mess initially. He didn't have much to live for, not before Zofies and not after, but it didn't mean he couldn't make something out for himself. He couldn't let his view of life actually cost his life or sanity, as it had already cost his arm, in a sense. Resisting urge to groan in frustration about his own thoughts, Ryan sighed softly.

Last edited by sadrain; 07-21-2014 at 02:20 PM..

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#45
Old 07-21-2014, 08:48 PM

Sophie had slept just fine, using her bag as a pillow and her long cloak-like garment as a blanket. She' had years of practice though, sleeping in random places with little to no comfort. She cracked her eyes open as the white-haired wonder sighed.

Stretching, she sat up and yawned. Sophie rubbed some sleep from her eyes, looking perfectly refreshed. Perhaps to him, annoyingly refreshed. "What's with the heavy sigh- Whoa," Sophie said, noticing the scratch on his face. "You look awful," she added with a grimace.

She picked at a piece of fruit, but passed on the canteen. Sophie was no zombie expert, but she wasn't going to share germs with him. Wait, hadn't she already? No, no. Sophie felt instantly relieved. He'd offered her the canteen last night, before he'd taken a sip. So yes, Sophie passed on that.

She watched him for a moment. "So," she said awkwardly, not sure how to bring it up... "That cut looks pretty..... infected." Hazel eyes waited for his expression or response. She wasn't sure if he'd seen it yet, but surely he felt it. Sophie didn't know to feel bad yet though, she didn't know he'd gotten it while saving her from becoming zombie dinner.

Would the man become a zombie now, Sophie wondered. Was there a cure somewhere for something like that? She wondered how big this planet was, and if there were parts of it that weren't infected, closed off perhaps. It would be a shot in the dark, but she didn't know what other chance he'd have in surviving, well, the infection.

Had he thought of those things yet? She'd stopped eating and was just staring at him. Her expression was one of thoughtfulness, but also sympathy. Poor bastard. Though, Sophie shouldn't care, he was her kidnapper after all.

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#46
Old 08-03-2014, 04:47 PM

'And so Sleeping Beauty awakens,' Ryan thought after casting a glance in blonde woman's direction. She seemed well rested, but he didn't resent her for that. At least not until she opened her mouth. "Thanks, Captain Obvious," he replied dryly, currently not caring that she may not even catch the reference. Then again, it was kind of self-explanatory. He didn't know where it originated from either and it didn't really matter.

Sophie didn't accept the canteen and he figured it was the right thing to do. Even if it meant she'd go thirsty, but damn it. He wasn't here to accompany her on stay at resort. Zofies had asked him to bring her back, not make her comfortable. So, he had already went up and beyond in that aspect. Right as she directed their half-conversation back to cut, Ryan swallowed last bite of his fruit and abruptly stood up.

"I know, okay?" his tone was irritated as he stared down at the girl and motioned slightly with hand towards cracked mirror, then moved over to the window. Carefully, he peaked outside, making sure the curtain hid him. The street looked empty and nearly as eerie as it had in darkness. Perhaps those zombie-freaks were nocturnal and they'd not have to worry about moving around in daylight. Fool's hope probably. He tugged harshly on his earring, as if it could help to vent some of his frustration with the whole situation.

Ryan paced around the room, thoughts rushing through his mind. They will fix him. They have to. Right? Only they may be unable to. Zombifying hadn't been a problem in his world, after all. No, there had to be some kind of anti-mutation and immunity boosting crap in their arsenal that could help him. He could again be their guinea pig for testing it. If they thought he was worth saving, that is. Although they had invested a good deal in him, and he had already proven to be worthy 'employee', Zofies might decide he wasn't worth the trouble in the long run.

His left hand was clenching and unclenching by his side, as if he tried to crush his anxiety and thoughts in his fists. He couldn't stand this feeling of being trapped animal. Or rather, a rat sent into maze and now standing in crossroads, knowing instinctively that any of the paths before it held a nasty end. That the only true choice he had was to pick the less painful way to go down. But that was the essential truth of the whole situation.

Ryan caught her expression and stopped with a scowl, icy eyes boring into her hazel ones. He didn't need her pity, dammit. And it even looked genuine, for Pete's sake. But it could be a good act, too, attempt to make him soften up. Women are sneaky like that. His scowl deepened and the man turned around, settling down at the back wall and staring at the window. Bringing her back will give him some bonus points in their books, that he knew. It left a bitter taste in his mouth again.

Once, he had promised himself he'd be a free man, truly free... No debts, no gang relations, no one to order him to do things he didn't want to do, no responsibilities. Well, fine, he wouldn't mind some responsibilities (wouldn't mind a family). But none of that mattered. What did matter was that the promise had faded out slowly, his life sinking lower until he had no choice but to turn to Zofies to pull him up to the surface. And still the water was filling his mouth and lungs. He wasn't even a pawn in the Corporation's eyes. A mere speck of dust with no choices, no will. Damn it. Damn them. Damn him.

Not for first time Ryan wished he could conjure an Ace up his sleeve and use it to 'repay' Zofies somehow, break free. His eyes drifted towards Sophie again, expression now not so angry as thoughtful. Maybe there was a way... But first he had to survive. And, unfortunately, that seemed to leave only one of the pathways. However, if he was careful, he might be able to find a hidden passage in its walls.

Last edited by sadrain; 08-03-2014 at 04:51 PM..

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#47
Old 08-08-2014, 12:49 AM

Sophie had quietly watched the white haired wondered. He tugged at his ear, clenched his fists, paced... He was worried, maybe scared. Angry perhaps. All of the above? When he settled again, Sophie gathered her things and slung her over the shoulder bag across her body.

Then she gathered his things and stood, making her way over to him. She offered him his backpack. "Well, are you done having a fit?" she asked, surely getting under his skin. "We can't just sit here until you zombify." But what could the do? Search the planet? Hop dimensions looking for a cure? That would take too long, and where would they even start?

Sophie removed the gun from her bag and held it out to him, holding the barrel towards herself. "Here," she said. "I don't usually keep it loaded," she admitted. "But there's one in the chamber." Sophie left it at that, though clearly she was implying that he could have it. The bullet. If he began to turn....

By having it, she'd also clearly gone through his backpack. If he hadn't noticed before, he'd know now. "Don't worry," she said. "I couldn't find the key to your diary," she said, poking at him. Or the stupid collar....

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#48
Old 08-09-2014, 11:02 PM

"I am not having a fit!" he growled at Sophie, yanking his backpack out of her hands. For a moment, white hot anger flashed in his cool eyes, but despite what she may think it wasn't aimed towards her. At least not entirely. She was merely one of the bricks in the wobbly house that was about to collapse on top of him. And Ryan didn't deny the zombifying bit, although he wanted to. It'd be lying to both of them and he had done enough of trying to believe his own lies.

When the girl offered him gun, he had already managed to put reins on his rage and he accepted the gun, quirking an eyebrow at Sophie. "Interesting," Ryan smirked tiredly up at her. "Why do you think I'm the type to blow my own brains out if things start to go down that road?" he asked, with rather genuine curiosity. Had the blonde really read him so well? He had a good poker face and although he knew he had slipped up this morning, it wasn't enough to give away his true intentions, was it? Maybe after all these months with white-collars he had really lost his touch...

"Most people don't take that step no matter the situation and it'd make sense if you would reserve the option to save yourself with the bullet. Especially since you think there must be some way to get the collar off without me involved." He tucked the gun behind his belt. Even if he had no plans of using it on himself, there was no reason to let her have it. "Only there really isn't." Corner of Ryan's mouth twitched ever so slightly at the thought of her trying to open his diary. He was intensely private man, but apparently, not cautious enough anymore. But unless she really got her hands on him, there was no way she'd get the key to his most personal thoughts.

Albino man glanced at his bracelet and tapped it in superficially lazy manner. "5 hours and then we can get out of here. We will have to start moving before that, however. I think roof route might be safer. Looks like buildings are close together." He hoped that the spot that he could tear through wouldn't be far, if anything, it may be at the end of alley where they first had entered this world. Since he could choose his destination, rather than have it picked by fate or some magic-physics laws, it didn't matter at what weak point he was.

p o p p e t ♥
a whisper in the wind

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#49
Old 08-10-2014, 04:52 AM

When he took the gun and asked her a question, Sophie shrugged. "You can do it or I will," she said nonchalantly. As if she'd do it. Well, she would. But he'd have to be like, actively trying to eat her brains and she'd have to have a serious risk of death. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what was worse; offing oneself, or allowing yourself to painfully turn into a monster that could kill others.

Hmm. Sophie assumed the white-haired wonder didn't battle with that question. He was already a monster after all. Kidnapping innocent girls and heck, for all she knew, he'd already killed others. Or, was taking her to her death. Sophie had to remind herself that she needn't feel sorry for this guy. He was a bad man.

"In any case," she said. "I was hoping you'd take it off before you turned into a mindless brain eating cannibal." She'd said it in a snarky tone, referring to the collar. Stupid, stupid collar. She felt like such an animal with the thing on. It was degrading. She was frowning deeply in thought of the piece of junk when he tapped on his bracelet. Also stupid, she thought childishly.

Sophie didn't tell him that she could open up a portal right now. Let him stress on figuring things out. It wasn't like she could get them where he intended to go anyway. She'd had to have seen the place herself, or a picture of it to do that. She didn't want to go there anyway, wherever there was. For now, Sophie would go with his plan. Which she assumed to be, hop around on the rooftops like ninjas and try not to get eaten for the next five hours.

Hopefully somewhere in that time, the white-haired wonder would realize he didn't have a chance, remove her collar, set her free, and she could put this whole ordeal behind her. Sophie sighed. She didn't really wish the man would turn into a zombie. The idea was actually terrifying, and sad. But, if he was going to, he might as well take the collar off and let her go right? Sophie held onto that hope.

"After you," she said, wondering just how he planned on getting onto the roof.

sadrain
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#50
Old 08-10-2014, 05:13 PM

"Everyone hopes for a lot of things," he said without amusement, his mouth twisting slightly as if the words on his tongue were laced with lemon juice. Ryan didn't bother affirming that he would indeed let her go if his end was inevitable. There wasn't any other option, not for him. But he also didn't care (or so the man said to himself) if Sophie saw him as bad, heartless person, so, why discuss the good deeds he would do, but won't. Because he was not going to become a zombie. No way in Hell, Heaven or whatever the heck actually existed.

They could discuss how good or evil he was after he had his freedom back. If he was being honest, he thought that the plan forming in his mind wasn't much kinder than the fate originally in store for her. Ryan wished he could share it with her, attempt to explain, but he couldn't trust that during drug induced haze and perhaps even torture the blonde would go through, she wouldn't spill it. Then they both would be doomed, as theatrical as that sounded.

And why on Earth she'd agree to it, anyway? No, she'd say 'screw you and your zombifying, I'm not going to go through anything to help your sorry ass and why should I trust anything you say!?' He wouldn't blame Sophie, he'd do the same in her situation. Heck, he'd be a lot more rude and physical. Of course, he could try to play on that pity note, tell her she'd a honorable thing and that since he already had her captured, he had no reason to lie, but...

The woman's last statement brought him out of his thoughts and he shook his head. "Settle down. We're not going anywhere just yet. Not for an hour at least." Ryan stood up, flinging backpack over his shoulder and looked about the room, as if trying to spot something that he had missed previously. But there wasn't anything. Hm, maybe getting out of here wasn't such a bad idea after all. He felt like animal in trap, although this was probably safest place they could be right now. His thoughts were tumbling over all the junk here, he needed free space in which his idea could grow, take a certain shape. He had to have clear, definite plan ready before he took Sophie back through the portal. Nothing half-baked would do.

"On second thought," he spoke and moved towards doors, pushing the furniture stacked in front of it to the side. The man did it as slowly and quietly as possibly, still not believing that the zombies were actually nocturnal or anything. When their exit was cleared, he cautiously opened doors and peered outside. It was rather dark and empty in the hallway and Ryan motioned for blonde to follow. He headed for stairway and headed up, entering attic. It was just as clustered with broken furniture and thrash as all the other rooms in this building. He inspected ceilings with scrutinizing look.

"Ta-dah," he commented her unspoken question with smirk (damn, part of his face felt stiff when he moved it), pulling on a string that opened ceiling hatch. But the rusty ladder that should have slid down to the floor didn't come all the way down. Instead, it got stuck about 1/3rd and Ryan refused urge to grimace. He reached up and tugged it roughly with his left arm, but it didn't budge. Humorlessly, he thought he'd rather drag the whole roof on them than get the ladder down. "Can you reach it and pull yourself up or you'll need a lift?" he asked, looking at Sophie.

 


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