Just Passing Through (Picked Back Up) (Chapters 1-9)

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Chapter 1: Mind Fuzz
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>find yourself driving north of town
>no aim
>no destination
>the open road always calmed you
>though today was taking it's toll
>look at yourself in the rear-view mirror
>average build
>6/10 if sharply dressed, 5/10 on a bad day
>nothing special
>the cars in front of you seemed to veer off onto the side of the highway
>weird
>there weren't any sirens going off
>wait
>there was one
>*Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo*
>wait
>that
>that siren is for tornados
>but there wasn't a cloud in the sky
>air raid siren?
>isn't that what it actually was?
>oh shit
>a red and orange streak was barreling through the sky at an alarming rate
>from the west there was more
>dozens of the things
>your eyes widened while they started descending
>boxed in by cars in all directions
>this was bad
>really bad
>a loud explosion came from in front of you before flinging your car into a ditch and knocking you unconscious

>wake up in a daze
>the windshield was smashed and left glass everywhere
>roof jutting in and stabbing into your side
>it took all your strength just to get yourself unstuck and out of the car
>bleeding heavily
>the wound looked worse than it actually was
>limp your way up towards the highway
>something was in the way
>a large chain link fence with green tarp on the inside
>giant square with four gates
>a tower in the middle
>look back at the wreckage of your car
>a large, onyx black mass began stalking closer and closer
>your eyes shoot open fully
>it's some sort of wolf with patchy, onyx black fur and horns like a demon
>when it notices you've seen it is when it strikes
>the giant teeth of the monster grip around your arm and pull
>"AAAAAAAH!"
>it keeps pulling with all it's strength
>you put your all into trying to get your arm free
>clawing at it's eyes
>punching it
>then you remember the knife in your back pocket
>flick it open and jam it right into the thing's neck
>the thing spasms over and over until going limp
>physically pull the wolf's jaws off the arm
>look down towards the trees to see dozens upon dozens of spine chilling amber eyes
>slowly back up as they begin advancing from the brush
>look for any escape
>the gate to the chained off area is ajar slightly
>rush into it and latch it shut hastily
>try to find anything to help bar it
>open padlock on the ground
>slap that on the latch and look around for anything to staunch the bleeding on your arm and side
>the tower in the middle might have a med kit
>stumble up the flights of stairs
>door locked
>fuckme.png
>how were you supposed to break open doors again?
>kick it hard off to the left of where the lock is
>three kicks later and it slams open
>oh god
>the bleeding cakes your clothes
>hastily look around
>med kit on wall
>open it and find very few supplies
>some bandage tape
>thread and a needle
>no gauze
>"Damn it..."
>wooziness is starting to set in
>look around again for something
>ANYTHING
>a pair of beds in each corner away from you
>use your knife to tear apart the sheets and get them ready for use as impromptu rag bandages
>this next part is the worst
>thread the needle
>pull up the shirt and see the wound
>[insertscreamsandselfstitchingtexthere]
>nearly an hour passed by the time the stitches were taken care off
>bandage the wounds and fall back on the musty old matress
>get lost in your mind fuzz

>deep blue colors swirled around in the abyss
>beckoning
>as if telling you you'll be safe deep in their depths
>though deep crimsons came right after
>they melded into a deep purple
>then a bright light came from behind
>soon found yourself walking closer and closer towards it
>dig your heels when you realize
>try to talk
>see your words pop out like bubbles instead
>poke the letter E
>it bursts into a bright blinding orange
>the sun

>jolt out of your fatigue instilled slumber
>see the "bandages" on your arm and side rife with dried blood
>replace them with more rags
>betterthannothing.jpg
>the light coming from the east windows creeped through
>a few things in this room began looking useful
>crate in the corner with cans of food and water
>a rifle rack
>a book case
>'A rifle rack?'
>walk over to it and find long blocks of wood in place of guns
>"So much for my luck."
>look out towards the car wreck
>the highway headed north had several dozen of those horned wolves waiting
>watching
>and looking at you with those fear inducing eyes
>sit back down on the bed and shake head
>what the hell even happened?
>how'd your car end up crashing?
>how long were you out? It's couldn't be too long.
>though there was some weird gated structure with a tower right where you would have been driving down
>then there's the rust everywhere
>coating everything and it's mother in spades
>the thick layer of dust on the shelves
>that wasn't a short time's build up either
>this was decades of dust
>makes no sense
>'What the fuck is even going on?'
>stomach growls like a wolf
>look over to the crate of food in the corner
>another growl
>well, best try something
>pull it towards the beds and look through it's contents
>"Alright. A gallon of water, a box of poptarts, a can of peaches and some beans."
>sparse pickin's
>especially since there wasn't a can opener
>cough for a moment when you open the box of brown sugar poptarts
>there had to be a legion of dust that came springing forth from it
>all looking to colonize in your gut
>see a few fully wrapped pairs of the things
>open it
>'Welp, here goes nothing.'
>they both go down the hatch in record time
>surprisingly, they don't taste like they've gone off
>at all
>the large amount of dust buildup on it should have indicated they've been here for a long time
>stomach still growling
>down another two of the packets before the growling subsided
>for now
>stand up and look towards the north
>still full of those horned wolves
>with the gate closed maybe you could explore what little this place had
>open the door out while clutching a long block of wood in your hands
>just in case
>start walking around this sectioned off area of highway
>it wasn't all too large anyways
>just big enough to section off the north and southbound lanes
>four gates
>two for through traffic and two for incoming
>all of them locked
>thank your lucky stars that this looked like the heavy duty chain link fence
>hell, there was even barbed wire on the top of it
>maybe this had been some military checkpoint before it rusted out
>makes sense now
>but what doesn't make sense is why it's *here*
>*here*
>the here where your car would have been when driving
>then the dust buildup comes back into mind
>and the rust everywhere
>that wasn't something that just pops out of nowhere
>hell, there was less cars on the road now then were there before the...
>before the what?
>the red and orange streaks through the sky?
>what the hell were those anyways
>you remember pulling onto the side of the highway when others did
>multiple of the streaks showed up too
>then the air raid sirens
>wait
>the air raid sirens
>something pops into your head that you instantly began fearing
>wouldn't the air raid siren go off if someone were to send ICBMs through the air
>but
>but that makes zero sense
>ohmygooooooooooood.gif
>if they were nukes that close to you when exploding wouldn't you just get vaporized?
>maybe that would explain the less cars on the road
>it wouldn't explain your being alive though
>try to shake it from your mind
>see a rusted out truck next to a small tarp overhang
>this would have been where the military man stood before this all
>now a skeleton laid strewn around the ground
>guess mr. bones wild ride finally ended
>nothing in his hand
>go to the truck and see the doors are locked
>'Alright wood, do me some good!'
>swing it towards the window
>it almost harmlessly bounces off
>try again
>you miss and break the side mirror
>damn arm messed you up
>swing it again
>leave a dent in the side
>a fourth swing
>finally
>the window collapsed in on the large chunk of wood
>rake it around the broken window to make it safer to stick arm into
>reach up and unlock the door
>hop it
>seats still seem a little plushy
>open the glove box
>ooo
>jackpot
>you recognize this gun
>Chiappa Rhino 20DS
>a 6 round .357 Magnum revolver
>pull it out and cradle it in hand
>begin ransacking the truck as thoroughly as possible
>an unopened Blue Bull
>a Gator-aid
>these seem wrong
>the poptarts were just poptarts, but these?
>they had weird names
>shouldn't that be Gatorade, not Gator-aid?
>open it and chug it down
>mmm, Glacier Freeze
>at least the taste isn't different
>keep looking around
>find a bag with the Chiappa logo in the back
>a "backpack"
>pull it out from behind the seat and open it
>a little gun popped out
>couldn't have been chambered any higher the .22 LR
>a Little Badger
>a Chiappa Little Badger
>put it back into the bag and sling it across your back
>maybe your luck isn't nearly as bad as you thought
>pull the Rhino 20DS from your pocket and pop out the cylinder
>alright
>all six shots
>back into the pocket
>take your bounty back to the tower and lay back
>eat another pack of poptarts
>fall back asleep
>back to your rattled mind
>you're in your mind fuzz now

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Chapter 2: Used To Feel Before
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>nearly two days had passed since you came upon this place
>the food was running out the longer the wolves stuck around
>a day into your stay you realized your phone had been completely torn in half by the crash
>so much for some music to lighten the mood
>down to a single poptart packet and a 1/4 of a gallon of water
>eat the poptarts slowly to savor it
>welp
>out of food
>look down towards the wolves
>those horned assholes and their horns
>still surprised the one that attacked a few days didn't try to gore you with it's horns like a bull
>maybe they don't know how to use them
>makes sense
>if they did you'd have a pair of matching holes in your gut
>familiarize yourself with the guns now in your possession
>soon find your way around them like an old pro
>count the amount of ammo for them
>6 .357 Magnum rounds for the Rhino
>6 .22 LR rounds for the Little Badger
>make sure each are loaded every time you step out of the tower in case a wolf got in somehow
>they didn't
>it was like a medieval seige tactic
>waiting you out
>the things were good at it
>never had you thought a horde of horned wolves would be implementing seige tactics
>it's like one of those greentexts you used to read on halfchan
>fuck 8chan though
>thosefuckingfaggots.gif
>half tempted to take a potshot but want to conserve ammo
>gaze returns to the wolves
>they begin dispersing slowly
>'Is this another trick?'
>sit back and watch until they all slink away into the forest
>maybe
>just maybe
>you're in the clear
>slowly descend the tower staircase and head towards the south facing gate
>jug of water in your left hand
>Rhino 20DS in your right
>get to the gate and realise there is a lock on it
>damn it
>what do
>look for that wooden block from earlier
>on the ground right next to the truck from the other day
>pick it up and line it up with the lock
>miss the first one
>swing
>smacks against it
>leaves a dent in the wood
>another
>hear a bunch of rattling underneath it
>sounds good
>again
>another great sounding wood on metal smack
>then the crescendo
>*KERCHING!*
>the lock breaks under the power of the last swing
>open the latch and look outside
>nothing right
>nothing left
>slowly slip out of the gate and stay low
>continue that way for a few minutes before you're convinced that it's clear
>stand up fully and walk down the highway with head held high

>hours passed while you walked down the barren highway you once drove down on bad days
>rusted cars
>broken down
>slammed into ditches
>the machines once used by us to travel now sat stagnant
>foliage growing through them
>a testament to humanity's vain attempts to tame the wilds
>every now and then you'd hear a rustling coming from the woods at either side
>though nothing comes out after you
>a few hours had passed since the checkpoint had disappeared from behind you
>see an off-ramp on the right
>there had been a few signs a little further back on the road
>a Walmart off on the left and some old fast food joints
>well
>will probably find some stuff at the Walmart
>leg it to the front of the store

>the automatic doors had been smashed in at some point
>walk in
>the whole place looked like a warzone
>shelves thrown over
>skeletons everywhere
>metal strewn around
>no shopping carts
>ominous
>walk further in and start exploring
>find a machete still left behind
>loop the sheath in your belt
>slip a flat head screwdriver into your waist
>head over to where the guns were
>the section was almost entirely bare
>look around thoroughly
>lift up a few of the small shelves
>see a few small boxes of ammo
>ooo
>a box of 50 .357 Magnum rounds
>25 .380 ACP rounds
>and a couple .22 LR rounds that looked out of place
>pick the boxes up and put the .22 LR into the bag alongside the Little Badger
>*clink*
>there was a quiet noise that echoed through the store
>then came another sound
>the sound of shopping cart wheels on tiles
>your ears perk up when you realize it's coming towards you
>pull your Rhino 20DS out and point it towards the noise
>see a blade covered shopping cart hurtling towards you fast
>slip on something when trying to step
>roll like a log out of the cart's path
>stand back up
>gun in hand
>see something rushing at you
>not too sure what
>takes a swipe at your chest
>it tears up your t -shirt worse than it already was
>step back and take aim at it
>*BANG* *BANG*
>two shots ring out from the revolver
>the first shot missed it's head by an inch
>the second impacting right into it's forehead
>it falls forward
>dead on arrival
>your thoughts immediately take a left turn
>roll the body over
>see it up close
>even in the light it looked foreign
>it looked to be somewhat humanoid in shape but that's where the similarities end
>if it was standing it would have easily reached seven feet tall
>grey fur draped across it's body where clothes weren't
>short, sharp claws
>digitigrade legs
>'I killed someone.'
>your head flashes with the scene over and over
>bile reached the back of your throat
>the last of the digesting poptarts slap into the tiles at your feet
>oh boy
>well, there went your lunch
>the body nearby looked back at you with cold, dead eyes
>of course
>dead people are cold
>look around the store for any other tools that might be useful
>in the very back of the tool section there was a shovel
>grab the shovel
>pull the body out the back door and into the grass behind the store
>bury the wolf person's body
>still feel sick
>"It was in self defence Anon."
>shake your head at yourself
>it doesn't matter
>the entire situation makes you sick
>but a feeling wells up deep inside
>"This makes me feel something I used to feel before."
>pain
>deep pain in your heart

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Chapter 3: Bugs
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>the sunset going over the horizon put a few tears into your eyes
>this place is as foreign as Machu Picchu to you
>warm reds and oranges helped to put you at ease
>helps to damper the pain
>memories flash through your head of your past
>loves lost
>friends that you once knew
>and family that didn't care
>wipe the tears and stab the shovel in your hands into the dirt again
>pull up the dirt and pile the final shovelful onto the grave
>it clatters against the packed dirt
>walk back into the Walmart
>try to look away from the blood trail that stuck to the grimy tiles
>your sneakers tapped against them while you looked through the store freely
>few things were left in this place
>most had been ruined beyond repair or there was no use
>that one giant tv you once saw yourself window shopping for?
>broken in half and stomped on thoroughly
>the entire game section?
>thrashed
>books?
>ripped into pieces by something
>maybe that wolf man had done this
>with the low light it was beginning to get harder to move around this place and not trip
>find a small room in the back with a sleeping bag, pillow, and a few cans of food
>gulp
>this must have been where he had been living
>feel even worse now
>not only did you intrude in his home, you killed him and buried him outside
>now you were going to sleep in his bed
>the pain returns
>close the door and slip into the sleeping bag
>shiver from the cold currently eating away at you from the inside
>fall asleep after what seems like forever

>the black void that you were normally in subsided and brought you into a hectic store at midday
>sun creeping in from the glass front door
>people coming in and leaving with shopping carts full of supplies
>not just humans
>animal people
>hundreds of them all frenzied and panicking like it was their last minutes left
>people shoving
>fighting
>gunshots ring out across the place
>then loud explosions were heard far off
>blinding light
>mushroom clouds
>windows shattering from shock-waves
>the store slowly transformed into a decaying, ruined place with shelves strewn about and people scavenging
>like a timelapse
>thousands of ragged and scared people
>humans
>feline humanoids
>birds
>all different kinds of animal people
>then it all slowed down when a tall grey wolf man entered in through the broken glass door
>"Huh. Don't look like anybody been up here in years."
>you follow him while he walked through the place with a machete in hand
>after what felt like forever he calmed down and looted anything he could find
>"Maybe I won't have ta' run no more."
>he places his sleeping bag and pillow in an old break room before looking for breaking out a can of Spam and eating it
>soon enough you followed him through months of his daily routine
>he scrapped metal from the place
>fashioned blades and tied them to the cart he'd wheel around the place
>sold it to passing traders
>then would buy food
>suddenly you were brought to the front of the store
>Walmart
>and see a familiar figure
>you
>you walk into the Walmart with gun in hand
>the wolf man snuck around a corner and tailed you while you went about his home
>looting his possessions
>then you were alerted to him by the clinking of an old pistol round hitting the ground
>it was now or never
>the wolf rushed you with his blade cart
>you dodged out of his way
>he almost gutted you
>two shots from the revolver and he was dead
>feel remorse for your actions
>vomit
>then drag him outside to bury him
>when the dream you goes to bury the body, you turn around and come face to face with the grey wolf man again
>grabs you by your throat and pulls you up
>"KILL ME? BURY ME? SLEEP IN MY BED?"
>throws you head first into the grave

>wake up in a cold sweat while clutching your neck
>it felt like real pain
>look over to your right and see a watch next to cans of food
>pick it up
>7:03 AM
>well, you slept long enough
>eat a can of beans that was left over here before standing up
>swing the door open and hear dozens of loud skittering sounds coming from the store floor
>slowly walk around into the store front and see giant beetles of some kind moving away from your noise
>look towards where they went
>giant balls of black, concrete, and metals
>at least as tall as you
>this began a scary train of thought
>'Are they supposed to be dung beetles?'
>you see the giants balls shift around
>move around
>speed around
>flinging right towards you at incredible speeds
>no time to move
>stuck between it and a hard wall
>the ball smashed you through the wall
>feels like you were hit by Optimus Prime
>the wall crumbles while you look out and see the beetle coming to retrieve the ball
>try to stand
>the pain is overwhelming
>though it wasn't from your bones
>no
>it was just that you felt like your body was completely smashed in
>bruised
>battered
>but not broken
>think back to something you remember hearing in the past
>it's rare
>sometimes when someone gets hit by a car they flop around like they have rubber bones
>they don't break much if anything
>realize that you've gotten lucky as fuck
>get up after your fourth attempt
>pull your Rhino 20DS out
>try to think of something cool to say
>fuck it
>let loose four shots at it
>it squealed in pain when the bullets impacted it
>crumples into a heap
>realize that you don't have any bullets left in your gun and your box of ammunition is next to the sleeping bag in the break room
>your eyes widen in realization after this
>don't have time to get it
>another beetle skitters in front of you with a smaller ball
>about the size of a medicine ball
>it shoots it into your left leg
>your leg flies out from under you with frightening speed
>a cracking sounds
>sharp pains in your shoulder and leg
>welp
>broken bones
>take the machete out of it's sheath
>slash it at the bug
>it cleaves the thing's head in two
>the sounds of giant boulders smashing through walls
>maybe the things finally got the clue not to fuck with you
>or they got bored
>not sure which
>pull yourself towards the broken wall
>look to see giant holes in the side of the building
>get yourself up on your good leg
>limp over to the break room with the sleeping bag
>grab the sleeping bag and pile all of your belongings into it
>replace the spent casings in your gun and push it down into your pocket
>throw the sleeping bag over the shoulderand limp from the Walmart in pain
>back onto the highway
>the shoulder that smacked into the ground groaned whenever it moves
>leg slowly trailing behind
>the adrenaline from the whole situation wore off after the Walmart faded in the distance
>"Oh. There's the pain."
>bones creaked and the whole of your body felt it
>before you know it your face smacked into the asphalt
>"Fucking bugs."
>pass out

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Chapter 4: Far Far Away
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>here you were
>stuck in your own mind
>could still hear what was going on around you
>it had first started as loud animal grunting
>then came a voice
>"What the hell is a human doing all the way up here? The Rubble Beetles and Horned Wolves'll kill him!"
>couldn't tell what he was doing
>"Did he..."
>he went quiet for a while
>"His arm should be turned black by now! That bite's fucking huge! I have to get him back to the Doc... How the hell is his arm still on him?"
>that was disconcerting
>what the hell did he mean your arm shouldn't be on?
>these "Horned Wolves" have some means to render an arm useless?
>and what the hell was a Rubble Beetle
>for a while it was completely silent
>then there was the sound of gates opening and heavy footfalls
>"Ryan! What the hell are you doing with a human on your Rhino? You know we don't let them into Under-I after the problem with the bandits!"
>"Shut up Harrison, you stupid rabbit! I'm bringing him into the Doc. His arm didn't come off after a bite from one of the horned wolves and the Doc'll be able to tell why."
>a scoff came from the direction the voice had come from
>"If he wakes up and causes any trouble then it's your head. Fucking chickens. Can't stand to do guard work so you head off on your Hairy Rhino and "scout" the area around us. Pansy."
>another period of time passed without noise
>wait
>your eyes are open
>look up to see a stereotypical Leghorn chicken standing over the bed and looking intently at your wounds
>then there was a snow white dog man looking into your eyes with a flashlight
>"Alright, any news Doc? I've been dealing with flak from that asshole Harrison about this one."
>the dog's looked at the Ryan
>"It's been years since I've seen a case of this. A decade in the least."
>"Just get to the point Doc."
>the flashlight in Doc's paws clicked off and he sighed
>"You remember what you were taught in class years ago, right?"
>Ryan shook his head
>"Damn it. Try to keep up okay?"
>the chicken nodded
>"80 years ago there was an electronic malfunction that spread throughout North Korea. In and of itself that wasn't much of a problem, but when their power grid came on it sent hundreds of ICBM missiles streaking through the sky. Each of them were carrying a nuclear payload that could devastate a city the size of Los Angeles. NATO, Russia, China, anyone with nuclear weapons launched them to assure the destruction of their enemies. Mutually Assured Destruction."
>your mind blanked
>80 years?
>what the hell
>nukes?
>the air raid sirens
>it's beginning to make sense
>"Alright Doc, but what do those have to do with this human right here?"
>"Everything!"
>the doctor lashed out at Ryan
>"No one's quite sure why, but the after the bombs fell people started appearing out of nowhere. It wasn't ever consistent with a schedule. There could be three found in a week or none found in a year. The mysterious people cropped up in random places with memories of nuclear blasts and their lives prior. At first it was thought that they just suffered from serious, mind altering delusions, but that changed after the first person passed through The Wall out west."
>Ryan gawked at him
>"Damn it Ryan. The Wall is a potent wall of radiation that acts as a barrier between our side of the country and everything west of the Rockies. The human that made it through was one of these "delusion" sufferers. He told of the desert on the other side, of monsters lurking under the sand, and of kingdoms cropping up that survive in the harsh land. The radiation hadn't killed him. The reason? He was exposed to massive amounts of radiation in moments and survived. This gave credence to their memories of nuclear blasts. Many theorize that the reason these "Passers" arrived here has something to do with that electronic malfunction that struck North Korea, but it isn't proven. Some in the College tried to explain it with rudimentary science, but I thought out of the box!"
>the dog man laughed heartily
>"Parallel Universes. I theorize that we came into contact with a parallel universe when North Korea had their malfunction. We stayed stuck to the parallel universe just long enough for their power grid to turn on and send the nukes on their warpath alongside ours. Our nuclear weapons switched places during that time, replacing our North Korea's ICBMs with their North Korea's ICBMs. Since our nuclear weapons were tied to our world, they pulled in humans that survived the blast from their world to ours. Now there's two separate kinds of humans here. Our humans and the Passers."
>the chicken looks directly at your eyes
>"So this guy's a Passer? That must be why he didn't lose the arm."
>Doc tapped Ryan on the beak
>"Precisely! Horned Wolves inject a radioactive substance into one's arms that stops at the shoulder and turns it black. By being a Passer, this man was able to treat it like any other bite."
>this was all going over your head
>nukes?
>parallel universes?
>what the hell kind of shit did you find yourself in now?
>god damn it
>attempt to move
>body still won't respond
>mentally chastise yourself over lack of bodily control
>scream in your mind
>feel your big toe wiggle
>hard parts over
>get your other toes wiggling
>next is the fingers
>dothewave.webm
>arms follow
>"He's movin' Doc!"
>the doctor had gone over to a nearby table to get a new piece of paper
>runs over and sees your eyes are open
>"Hello, human, can you speak?"
>open mouth to talk
>a slight wheeze
>"What the fuck was that about nukes and parallel universes? I've been here for less than a week and I've had enough of this shit!"
>swing legs over the side of the bed
>try to walk
>oops
>that's right
>broken leg
>fall on your face
>Ryan and the doctor pull you back up and onto the bed
>"Stay still. The Doc'll fix you up right as rain in a few days. You'l never even notice the broken arm and leg when he's through."
>gives you a thumbs up before running off to go do something
>the white face of the doctor stared at you curiously
>"Are you willing to talk about what happened?"
>you know what
>fuck it
>fuck it all to hell
>bare it all to the doctor
>the day with the explosion and the wolf bite
>wolves employing seige tactics
>the walk to Walmart
>wolf man fight there
>burying him
>the dream that night
>and finally bugs
>fucking bugs

>"Well Anon, I'd say you're lucky. I've often thought that it's a one in a million chance that Passers make it over. That in and of itself would be worth praise, but surviving a Rubble Beetles's boulder? They can shoot those out at speeds of nearly 75 mph."
>if you had water you'd do a comical spit-take
>"75 mph?!"
>you got hit by two
>makes sense why you're hospitalized
>it doesn't make sense, however, that you're in a sterile white room
>from the last few day's out in hell you're sure that this place shouldn't exist
>"Doc."
>turns to you and writes something on his clipboard
>"Yes, Anon?"
>"Where am I? This place looks too clean for what I've seen."
>the dog's mouth upturned
>"Ah, an observant one. I'm the only doctor here in Under-I so I have to keep my workspace clean don't I?"
>suppose so
>"If you're still looking to leave I won't stop you. There's a crutch next to the bed if you want to go. Ryan, the Chicken from earlier, put your weapons into the sleeping bag you were found with."
>go to stand up
>fall back on the hospital bed
>take the crutch and grab your sleeping bag
>pull it over
>get your Rhino 20DS and check the cylinder
>the six shots are still in there
>click it back into place
>push it deep in your pocket
>the Little Badger bag is back on your back
>"Ah. While I'm somewhat disappointed that I won't be able to study you, I understand completely. Passers don't like staying in one place for too long. Now Ryan on the other hand... He's gonna be a little miffed about that. He's the one that saved you, ya' know?"
>chug the last of your water and put the bottle back into the bag
>you're still trying to fully realize the situation you're in
>a human from another Earth dragged into this shithole due to a nuclear bomb
>immune to radiation
>well fuck
>you're far, far away from home now
>stand up and crutch-walk to the door
>"Good luck out there, Anon. If you're ever back in Under-I, come see me. I'll patch you up free of charge."
>nod towards him before leaving
>the place seemed like a maze
>it couldn't have been less than fifteen minutes before you finally saw the exit
>a cloth covered, relatively open exit
>go through and see where you were
>well, that must be where they got the name
>a walled off town underneath an old two way overpass
>the I must stand for Interstate
>look over to the gate headed south
>the gate was slightly ajar
>well
>maybe that rabbit you heard in your head won't show up
>slip through as fast as possible
>down the highway and out of that place

>you had to have left Under-I about an hour ago when you heard voices coming from behind you
>not right behind, but not far behind
>look over your shoulder
>see a pair of people coming towards you
>Ryan, the chicken from earlier, was getting hauled by a large gruff looking rabbit man
>"God damn it Harrison! You can't just do this!"
>the chicken shouted while pulling at the ropes binding him
>"I'm taking you with to see that human. See? He's right over there."
>he pointed at you with a knife in hand
>"You're going to watch me kill him. Then you're going to be thrown out of town. That'll teach you not to disregard the leader of the town guard."
>Harrison throws Ryan into the ground and ran at you
>no time to pull the gun out
>your crutch is kicked out from under your arm and he pulls you into the ground
>knife pointed at you while looking at you with crazy eyes
>"Alright, human. We've dealt with more'n enough of ya' in the last few years. I can gut you like a deer and wear your entrails like a scarf and no one would bat an eye. I saved that town from humans once and I'll do it a-!"
>he was cut off by Ryan slamming into his side and knocking them both onto the ground
>you roll over onto your front and grab your crutch
>get up slowly and walk over to where Harrison was beating the chicken into the ground
>the Rhino 20DS in your hand feeling perfect
>like it was meant to be there
>the gun barrel pushes into the rabbits brown, dusty colored head
>*BANG*
>far, far away from home indeed

=-=-=-=-=
Chapter 5: Spleen Merchant
=-=-=-=-=

>the body of Harrison the rabbit dropped after your revolver rung out
>blood splattering against the side of the road
>on the slick, shiny coating on your Rhino
>and onto the white feathers below you
>the fight with those bugs helped to desensitize you to violence
>in this harsh reality you had to kill or be killed
>but it wasn't like you were a heartless killer
>the kill added itself to the pit in your stomach
>no bile
>this time you killed a crazy murderer
>revolver slips back into your pocket
>reach down and pull the chicken up off the ground
>take your pocket knife out and cut the rope holding his arms together
>the blood and brain matter had adhered to his face like spackling paste
>Ryan attempted to scrape it from his feathers but failed
>"T-thanks, human."
>correct him
>"Anon."
>"Right, right. Anon. I'm Ryan. I-"
>"Saved me after collapsing in the road south of the Walmart."
>the silence between us was palpable
>tangible
>it lingered on the skin
>finally he spoke up
>"Welp, can't go back there now. Not after, uh... *this*."
>Ryan extended his arms towards the dead rabbit man in the road nearby
>agree
>"Guess we're stuck together Ryan. Outlaws on the lam. Enemies because we were taught to be, friends because we dared to be?"
>his arm threw itself around your shoulders
>"Yup. Just the open road and what we can survive on."
>crutch-walk towards the rabbit and go through his equipment
>'An old Bowie knife, a wallet with... normal money?'
>put that in your pocket
>"Alright!"
>Ryan pulls the pistol out of the rabbit's holster
>"A Walther P99!"
>takes the magazine out
>"And it's full!"
>try to think about a P99 and what ammo it takes
>you pull the Little Badger bag off your back and toss it at him
>he just barely catches it by the strap
>"I already have the revolver. Hold onto that rifle until we need it."
>swung onto his back
>toss him the Bowie knife and sheath
>the road ahead of us was going to be long
>more likely dangerous
>take that first crippled step down the highway with a new friend
>the sun blared high in the sky
>the crutch clattered with each movement
>and you began smiling

---

>a few days had passed since you and Ryan had dealt with Harrison, the crazy rabbit man
>the two of you became fast friends while walking at a slow pace
>something Doc had given you before you left started kicking in the day after leaving
>at moments your bones felt like they were re-knitting as painfully as possible
>then the pain was gone
>walking got easier every time the pain subsided
>before long you could walk without the crutch
>your left arm also got better a lot faster
>being able to lift almost as much as your right in record time

>currently sitting across a fire from Ryan while he slowly roasts a recent kill over it
>he didn't tell you what it was yet, but it smelled good and it didn't take anything more than the Little Badger to take down
>you open your mouth to ask but he stops you
>"It's a small Razorjaw Squirrel. The things are bastards, but if you kill one of their own they back off."
>look at the body that was cooking
>about 2' long and half a foot tall
>it was missing it's entire entire head from the neck
>"Did you..."
>he chuckles
>"Yeah. When cooking Razorjaw Squirrels you have to cut off the head and pull out the thing's throat otherwise it'll cut your throat on the way down. Can't begin to tell ya' how many people the Doc had to save from dying of internal bleeding from it."
>oh boy, the smell was getting to you
>stomach began growling
>it was ready in a few minutes
>Ryan tears a leg off of the thing and begins tearing at it with his beak
>you follow suit
>it tasted interesting
>a weird, somewhat earthy and gamey taste
>not bad though
>especially for being not 80 FUCKING YEAR OLD FOOD
>how the fuck did that stuff not go off?
>Ryan had told you it was some old world preservative discovered a few years before the bombs flew and that it went into everything afterwards
>it couldn't be healthy but it's better than starving
>in fifteen minutes the squirrel had been completely devoured
>"Alright Anon, we should get up early tomorrow."
>lay out your sleeping bag and fall asleep soon after

>the sun just barely started rising when you stirred
>the fire that had been going was now just small embers
>look over to where Ryan went to sleep
>signs of a struggle
>gun on the ground
>Little Badger bag slightly open
>no Ryan
>eyes widen
>uh oh
>what the hell happened?
>you curse at yourself for sleeping so soundly
>pack everything up in moments and attempt to determine which way he went
>over at his side of the fire you grabbed the P99 and the Little Badger bag
>just out of the corner of your eye you see drag marks
>follow those for a few hundred feet
>then the trail disappears
>go in the direction it went for what felt like forever
>while heading in the direction you could see tall buildings and houses starting to peek through the trees
>manage to finally leave the forest and find yourself in town
>what town?
>you don't know
>but what you do know is there's a distinct copper smell in the air
>it was almost out of nowhere too
>like you'd gotten a nosebleed
>blood
>it smells like blood
>nearly flip your shit
>head in the direction the blood smell was the worst
>and that was an understatement
>every step closer in the direction took horrific amounts of force
>finally see the building on the corner of an intersection
>'Smith Meat Processing'
>and the scene was enough to make you retch
>[insertEdGeinreference]
>oh boy
>there went the squirrel
>notice something in front of the door
>a few large white feathers
>uh oh
>uh oh oh no
>start to think about what's happening
>'You could just run and never look back.'
>you hear the metaphorical demon says from your shoulder
>'He's your friend! You have to do something!'
>the angel said in your ear
>shake your head and the delusions leave
>fuck it

>kick down the door the same way that you did the watch tower
>pull your revolver from your pocket and pull the hammer back
>sweep through the place like spec ops
>come across the meat locker
>open it
>several humanoid bodies hanging from meat hooks
>do a quick look
>no Ryan
>leave the locker and hear loud clanging noises
>"LET ME OUT OF HERE YOU FUCKING SICKO!"
>okay, so we get a feminine voice
>not Ryan's though
>another voice pipes up
>"Well... seems the little kitty decided to pipe up. Maybe that'll be the first thing I cut out."
>follow the voice and peek around a corner
>there was a large room with a metal table in the middle
>cages all around
>no humans in the cages
>oh boy
>there was one in the middle though
>cleaver in hand
>flip back around the corner
>he had been wearing a blood drenched lab coat
>pull out your Rhino and check the cylinder
>all six ready and raring to go
>"Alright, kitty, we're going to take care of that tongue of yours."
>there was a little bit of whimpering from one of the cages
>decide it's either now or never
>flip around the corner and get low
>his back is to you
>there seemed to be three people in the cages
>a tiger of some kind was trying to back up from the cage door
>another wolf in a cage next to it
>and then a heap of white feathers
>'Ryan.'
>sneak up behind the man while putting your finger up to your mouth
>the whimpering from the wolf had subsided and the tiger relaxed
>start to take aim
>the butcher looks behind him to notice the gun barrel almost touching his face
>*BANG*
>his head was thrown back violently
>he toppled to the ground in a spectacular fashion
>the third sinking feeling in your gut finally hit, sitting like a rock
>the pit grew one size that day
>huff for a moment
>the tiger looked at you with fearful eyes
>speak up
>"Alright Ryan, I'm here now."
>the heap of feathers move for a moment before falling
>look around the room for any keys for the cages
>find it on a counter nearby
>take it to the cages and unlock them hastily
>the wolf bolts after the door opens
>off into the afternoon sun
>open Ryan's cage and pull him out
>he's unconscious but not too worse for wear
>then came the tiger's cage
>the key didn't work
>"Hurry up and get me out of here, you idiot."
>try again
>still won't work
>tell the tiger to get as far back from the door as she can
>point your Rhino 20DS at the lock and squeeze the trigger
>the metal lock broke and dropped onto the tiles
>she pushes the cage door open and crawled out
>you gawked
>she reached well up above your head
>there was a clear height discrepancy in your two heights
>okay
>how'd this guy even get her here?
>maybe drugging her then dragging
>even then that was a stretch
>some sort of vehicle maybe
>"Thanks."
>her paw patted your shoulder
>well
>at least your getting commended for this jail break
>go to grab Ryan before she scooped him up and threw him over her shoulder
>"The name's Sasha."
>shove revolver into your pocket and outstretch your hand
>Sasha returns the handshake
>"We should probably get our gear and get out. I've seen a few people other than him in the last few days. His rickshaw should be in the back."
>that perked your ears
>rickshaw?
>oh boy
>you always wanted to simulate a poo-in-loo taxi
>look for
>oh
>the key you found earlier was on a keychain
>that didn't even register in your mind until now
>there was seven keys on the thing
>'I didn't have to shoot the lock did I?'
>[inner/k/screams]
>look around for a locked door
>find one near the cage room
>try a few of the keys
>finally get it on the 5th one
>open it to see some bags on a counter
>a gun on a desk nearby
>ooo
>you'd recognize that thing anywhere
>tattered and scratched
>wood faded beyond all belief
>you, sir, were seeing a Browning Auto-5
>five shells on the table next to it
>while you're picking it up Sasha rushed by and headed straight for a a bag on the counter
>sets Ryan on the counter gently before cradling a gun in her arms
>rubbing her cheek on it
>"Oh baby, you knew I'd come back and get you."
>and that was an AAC Honey Badger
>damn
>she gets the other bags off the counter and throws Ryan back onto her shoulder
>"Come. The parking is in the back... This is the longest that he's been left alone. They will be back soon."
>Sasha left the room
>load 4 shells into the Auto-5
>charge
>load the fifth
>4+1

>head out
>through the backdoor
>see the rickshaw in all it's glory
>a hunk of black metal and yellow leather
>time for taxi driver
>where's the potted plant?
>and the mirror
>"Alright, human, I'm driving. There's a community downtown that-"
>*BANG*
>a small gun rung out from the other side of the parking lot
>impacted near your feet
>get into the rickshaw with the speed of a thousand Usain Bolt-Cheetah People hybrids
>Sasha hops into the drivers seat and started it up
>she tossed Ryan to you through the middle and started driving like a bat out of hell
>you look over to see jars of various body parts
>pick up one labeled "Spleen"
>shit
>anightinamotel6bathtub.bmp
>you fucked with black market organ dealers
>fucking spleen merchant
>a bullet rings out and flies through the leather
>barely missed your head
>lean out the open side
>oh shit
>they're giving chase in another rickshaw
>boy howdy
>more rickshaws?
>are you secretly a Bollywood actor?
>nope
>the bullets flying at you were 100% real
>start grabbing the jars of organs and throwing them towards the chasing rickshaw
>three of them impact the road
>the last two smash into the windshield
>they swerve for a moment before continuing their course for you
>make sure Ryan is secured in his seat before trying anything else
>"Sasha, any ideas?"
>she looks back at you for a brief moment before staring at the road
>"Got nothin' human."
>"Anon. I'm Anon!"
>Sasha grunts in response
>try to think while the bullets from the pursuers impact the roads all around
>any idea
>any would be better than nothing
>smirk
>there you go
>there's the idea
>flick open your pocket knife
>start cutting a large flap out of the leather in the back
>it falls down and you're left with a large rectangular hole in the back
>take your new toy and aim it at the person hanging out the side with a gun
>*BANG*KERCHANG*
>the automatic feeding system pulled another shell into the chamber
>see the body of the man fall out the side
>aim for a second shot
>*BANG*KERCHANG*
>the rickshaw swerves and topples onto it's side, leaving metal skids and blood trailing behind
>seems like the action on this needed some sort of quieting
>they aren't supposed to be that loud
>"Sasha! Stop the rickshaw and go back. We can take their guns!"
>it skids to a stop almost instantly
>at least Ryan didn't fly out of his seat
>step out and head towards the two dead men
>the first body was a few hundred feet behind the flipped rickshaw
>Sasha cut the engine before joining you
>start looking through the first one's belongings
>okay
>there's a trashy, one shot pistol
>there was a handful of 9mm ammunition on him though
>take that for Ryan's P99
>go over to the overturned rickshaw
>cut out the leather and look over the dead man
>a sawn off double barrel shotgun and two 12 gauge shells
>well
>lucky you
>replace the two shells you used
>bring it to Sasha and toss it to her
>grabs it and heads back to the rickshaw
>hop in and drive off from the carnage

>the ride had been silent so far
>the only noise coming from the engine below your seats
>Ryan almost woke up a few times but fell back asleep
>wow, could that chicken sleep
>"So, Anon was it? What brought you to their hideout? Grudge? Kill someone you loved and wanted revenge?"
>tell her no and point a thumb at Ryan
>"Ah. A friend of yours?"
>tell her about the situation with the Walmart and getting saved by him
>she quieted down for a bit after that
>try to think of something to say
>"Hey, do-" "How'd-"
>you both interrupted each other
>"No, you-" "Go ahe-"
>damn it
>"You go-" "Just t-"
>angry
>shout out before it could happen again
>"Go!"
>"I was going to ask if you," she looked back at the chicken beside you "and your friend needed any help with anything. My employer sold me to those bastards and I need somewhere to go."
>eyebrow goes up
>that brought questions up that you wanted answers for
>Was there organized crime syndicates in this world?
>do they have nearly as much pull as you imagine they would?
>Sasha seemed to know what you were thinking
>"No, I wasn't exactly doing legal work. You think a tiger my size is going to get any other work than being an enforcer?"
>you didn't realize how different it would be
>"Honestly I haven't bothered to think about it. I've been here for all of a week and I've met four animals before you."
>the brakes smashed to the floor and she looked back
>"No fuckin' way. There's no way you're a passer!"
>that was a unique reaction
>was it that crazy?
>the doc did say it was (theoretically) a 1/1,000,000 chance
>nod your head
>"I got bit by one of those Horned Wolves and didn't lose an arm. That's how the doctor figured it out."
>show her the large bite scar on your left arm
>"Well shit, you better let me come with you two now! Ain't gonna be a dull moment around you!"
>well
>you think of your motto
>the one that gets you through everything
>two words
>fuck it

---

>the drive consisted of her asking you everything about your life before getting torn into this earth
>only tell her the normal stuff
>nothing personal
>try to make her keep her attention on the road
>it had been nearly three hours since the jail break at Smith Meat Processing
>Ryan was just waking up
>the sun was just started it's descent
>and your group was going through a tree canopy
>according to Sasha you three were headed to some community in the middle of Downtown New Brook
>"Andel"
>it's in a stadium off main street
>though you don't really recognize where she's been driving
>*MRRRRRROW*
>okay
>large cat growl
>did Sasha do that?
>she shook her head
>*MRRRRRRROW*
>there it was again
>a flash of brown flew through the drivers seat and took Sasha with it
>oh shit
>jump through the median and stomp on the brake
>it drifts into a stop and you hop out
>Browning Auto-5 in hand
>rush towards the giant cat
>*BANG*KERCHANG*
>a round of 00 buckshot sprayed into the side of the thing atop Sasha
>knocked it off of her
>a few more steps
>aim for it's head
>*BANG*KERCHANG*
>there
>inspect the body
>oh
>a cougar
>you could have sworn that those had been driven out of this area
>right, right
>different earth, different situations
>realize that Sasha was bleeding from the arm
>friends are friends, no matter how new
>use your pocket knife to cut off both sleeves on your t-shirt
>pull one of them over her arm
>tight fit
>"What are y-"
>tell her to shut up
>then pull the other over top of it
>roll both sides up to make the bloody area super tight
>"Alright Sasha. You're going to take a backseat and tell me which way to drive."
>pull her up by her good arm and drape it over your shoulder
>look back at the rickshaw to see Ryan walking out while yawning
>"Hey Anon, where are w-"
>"Just get back in the rickshaw and strap in. Sasha here was driving us before a cougar blindsided her from the driver's seat. You'll keep her company won't you?"
>grunt while pulling her
>you guess the shock was still going going on
>the chicken just gets back into his seat and helps to sit her down when you get her there
>"Are you going to tell me what the fuck happened? Why are we in the middle of nowhere with a tiger. Wait, wait. Where the hell did you get a rickshaw?"
>tell him that he must be going senile to not remember
>"Really? Where we- damn it. Damn it! Where is that fucking butcher?!"
>"Dead alongside his friends."
>took the rickshaw
>took their guns
>pull the P99 and holster from your belt and hand it back
>also hand him the handful of 9mm ammo
>"There's your gun and a few more rounds we got. The sleeping bag hanging there should have the  rest of your gear."
>he retrieves the Little Badger and Bowie knife
>ties it back up to the median
>"Why's there this giant hole in the back? There's bullet holes right near my seat!"
>tell him about the rickshaw chase and gunfight
>"Aw man, you did that shit while I was sleeping? Remind me not to get kidnapped."
>laugh while the engine turns over
>get ready for your poo-in-loo taxi career
>smile
>"Fucking spleen merchants gave us a good amount of loot though."

=-=-=-=-=
Chapter 6: The Alchemist / Wintergreen
=-=-=-=-=

>the city had just came into view after cresting a hill
>"New Brook."
>Sasha leaned out the door and gave a quick look ahead
>"We're on Pine Avenue right now. Not too many people come into town this way anymore. Now, I can't exactly remember why..."
>she got lost in thought for a few moments
>"Wait! I remember hearing something about a nomadic tribe of bandits a few years ago. This isn't the time of year you'd have to worry about them though. They spend Fall out a good fifty or more miles west of here."
>look to your right you see a large, pale sign faded in time
>a single distinguishing characteristic
>six semi-ovals in a circle
>'Walmart'
>steer off the street and onto the road that lead to the store
>Ryan looked at you weird
>"What are we doing Anon? Aren't we supposed to heading downtown?"
>nod your head and look back
>"Yes, Ryan, we're going to be going downtown, but not tonight. We have a few things we need to get and this place should have some of that."
>he just shook his head
>"Alright Anon, if you think somewhere this close to a town would have the stuff... Ain't like it's gonna be picked clean or nothin'."
>the tiger beside him punched him in the shoulder
>"If he thinks there's something that could help us, then it'll be there."
>the chicken nursed his arm
>"Okay, okay! Just don't punch me again."
>smile
>a nice small band of friends
>regardless of the amount of times you've known them, they seem trustworthy enough
>maybe not "take a bullet for you"
>but easily "won't leave you behind in a firefight" Forrest Gump style
>it might have something to do with saving them from black market organ dealers
>pull the rickshaw right up onto the outside concrete
>the front door wasn't shattered
>see some old clay pots
>idea
>go grab a large one and run towards the door
>360 degree shot put throw
>it sails through the door
>there you go
>a spider web of cracks spread throughout the remaining glass
>go over and kick out the rest
>Sasha took the keys out of the ignition
>"Remember, these keys and that rickshaw are important. I'm not walking back to Andel."
>pockets them
>well
>may as well loot the place
>ooo
>carts
>get Sasha and Ryan a cart
>then you
>an idea popped into your head
>the wheels seem no worse for wear
>maybe something to do with the front door not having been opened
>that must mean
>walk into an aisle in the snack section
>it's completely full
>oh boy
>time for some fun

>the light from outside had started going out by now
>that didn't matter
>you, Sasha, and Ryan were still going through the aisles, but you were using electric lanterns to light the place up
>Sasha and Ryan's carts were completely full on supplies
>food
>batteries
>some tools
>you think Ryan's cart had a 5 gallon jerrycan or two in his cart
>a crowbar, hammers, screwdrivers
>the works
>you were headed somewhere completely seperate
>the further into the store you got, the more empty it seemed
>must be that the snacks weren't on anyones primary lists
>it got barren quick, but at least you got things that you needed
>look up to see the sporting goods department
>if you're going to be waltzing around in the same world as psychos, you may as well have the means to fight back
>and you were glad you did
>while it wasn't an arsenal worthy of writing home about, you did find a good few weapons
>a Marlin 336W still in box
>a few Remington bolt actions behind glass
>in the display cases there was a few pistols left
>what looked like a Charter Arms Undercover
>a pair of blued Taurus Model 82s with a 4 inch barrel
>look behind the counter
>a brown box labeled "Kel-Tec SUB-2000"
>can probably sell that
>take the Marlin box and place it in the cart
>pull out a crowbar you saved from earlier
>rear it
>smash into the display case with the rifles
>pile them into the cart
>crowbar
>meet pistol case
>pistol case
>this isn't a healthy relationship
>smash the glass in
>put the pistols into the child seat
>grab the large brown box
>bigger than it should be
>rattle it
>the back of the laminated cardboard tore and two boxes fell out
>nice
>two SUB-2000s
>place both boxes into the cart
>get a nice feeling
>look for some ammo now
>a few shelves were mostly bare
>grab everything that was on there
>2 boxes of 5 12 gauge shells (00 Buckshot)
>50 rds of .22 LR (some brand that started with Fi- but faded over the years)
>another large box of 50 .357 Magnum (the only letters left were JHP)
>2 boxes of .38 Special
>it said Super-X on the front
>nothing else though
>five boxes of .300 AAC Blackout that were strewn around and knocked over
>you think that's what a Honey Badger took
>not 100% sure
>then the last 3 boxes of .30-30
>could only read the letters LOKT on the front
>hm
>no 9mm?
>maybe that was just in that high demand
>look at the door behind the gun area
>idea came to mind
>take crowbar
>pry the door open
>it took a few tries to get it
>finally open
>look in and see a skeleton at a computer desk
>gun fallen out of boney fingers
>what is this?
>it's a weird looking gun
>the magazine acted as the grip
>on the left side of the handle it had a backwards C before "VP9"
>under that it said SWISS MADE
>'It's called a VP9?'
>the most pressing thing was the supressor on the front that was longer than the main part itself
>'How do you charge this?'
>a large circular knob in the back
>pull it
>it ejects a decades old round with a *CLUNK*
>oh
>so it's a "bolt action"
>put finger into the wirey trigger guard
>start pointing the gun around the room
>secret agent anon
>job?
>to assassinate the leader of Mice-IS
>chuckle
>release the magazine
>single stack
>start to bring that out to the cart when you see a white box out of the corner of your eye
>pick it up
>damn
>heavy for how small it was
>'-eral ra-e and tar- 9mm'
>looked like a case of the things
>open it up
>20 boxes of 50rds
>skeletons are assholes
>hording all the 9mm ammo
>bring that out with you
>both the VP9 and case of 9mm rounds flop into the cart
>Sasha and Ryan come around a nearby corner at breakneck speeds
>"And the tiger skids to a finish!"
>Sasha jumped off the cart handles and pumped her fists into the air
>"Told you he'd be here, chicken."
>Ryan pulls out a five dollar bill and hands it to her
>quickly pockets it
>"So, Anon, what'd you find?"
>toss Ryan one of the Taurus revolvers
>"That thing shoots .38 Special, Ryan. There's two boxes of the stuff in the cart. Sasha?"
>she walks over
>point out the five boxes of .300 AAC Blackout
>sweeps them up and takes them to her cart
>Sasha pulls the gun off her shoulder and pats it
>"This baby eats through the stuff like the vicious bastard it is. Better to find the stuff for free rather than pay $2 a round in Andel."
>that made you think
>"Do they have their own ammo making facility or something? Seems like a good market to go into here of all places."
>she nods
>"They make all sorts of ammunition. Bring them a gun and they'll be able to make custom made ammo for it. I've seen them making some weird rounds before."
>nod
>maybe that isn't a bad idea
>go grab Ryan and pull him towards your cart
>hand him the case of 9mm ammo
>he gawks at it
>"Where the hell d-"
>cut him off
>"The skeletons were hording it."
>his face said it all
>"Not going to even ask."
>point at the rest of the cart
>"Unless either of you want something from the cart, it's all going to sell."
>pat the Marlin 336W
>"Except this."
>you're gonna be a cowboy
>unpack the thing
>grab a box of the .30-30
>load six into the gun
>wait
>there's some music coming from somewhere
>"Sasha, Ryan, we have company."
>the music starts blaring now
>right outside the front
>'Colt 45 and two zigzags, baby that's all we need.'
>'We can go to the park after dark, smoke that tumbleweed'
>'And as the marijuana burns we can take our turns, singing them dirty rap songs'
>'Stop and hit the bong like Cheech and Chong, sell tapes from here to Honk Kong'
>are they listening to Afroman?
>this isn't 2005
>rack the hammer on the Marlin
>load another in the tube
>6+1
>try to think of a plan
>don't know how many there are
>if they stayed outside
>or if they're crawling around the storefront
>group up
>don't spread out
>bring your voice to a low whisper
>"Alright, stick together."
>bring your Marlin up and head around a shelf
>see three men in balaclavas
>one with a nail bat
>the second has a rifle
>and the last had some sort of 1911 style gun
>a shot rung out
>impacts the wall behind you
>take a snap shot at the nail bat man
>kneecapped
>he falls
>slip back around the shelf corner
>look back to only see Ryan
>where'd Sasha go?
>peek around the corner to see Sasha blasting the Honey Badger
>it shaves the rifleman's gun nearly in half
>the pistol wielder got distracted
>rush in
>smash the buttstock into the man's head
>he falls
>gun flings from his hand
>walk over to grab it
>'Infinity'
>feel the power coursing through your veins
>unlimited power
>the chorus from the music comes back
>'Colt 45 and two zigzags, baby that's all we need.'
>point the gun at the man trying to get up
>"How's this for a Colt .45?"
>two shots
>*BANG*BANG*
>down he went
>feel a little upset
>'They shot first, they shot first.'
>take the pistol in your hand and place it in your waistband
>new gun

>the music didn't stop after the gunshots rang out
>head to the front of the store
>see a human in a pitch black rickshaw bobbing along to the music
>clear throat
>he looks over at you with a surprised look
>"O-oh... I'm in deep aren't I?"
>his dreads flopped down onto his back when he stopped
>think
>*he* didn't shoot at you
>maybe you could try something
>he started talking before you could
>"Alright man, don't do anything hasty! I'm just a driver for the Rondell Family. Our operation up north got disrupted and we were told to look for someone in a rickshaw. They didn't tell me anything. I wasn't even allowed within five blocks of the location either, man!"
>sigh
>"You caught us I guess. They were butchering, uh," think back to what Ryan called them during the drive, "anthros? They were killing them and selling the organs."
>he froze
>eyes wide
>looks right at you
>"Alright man, alright. I'm getting outta here while I can. That kind of thing ain't my scene, dude."
>stop him
>"Listen, we could use your help. We're headed down to Andel tomorrow and if what Sasha is saying is right, then this 'Rondell Family' has to get paid back for what they did to her."
>his ears perked up
>"Did you say Sasha? She went missing a few days ago!"
>tell him to cut off his engine and follow
>keep him in front
>find Sasha and Ryan moving the bodies off to the side
>go to stand by them
>"Sasha!"
>the guy threw his hand up and waved
>she waved back
>"Jimi! What're you doin' up here? This ain't downtown."
>he recoiled for a moment
>"Uh, yeah, I was the driver for the guys sent after you."
>"What."
>Sasha took a step towards him
>"What do you mean "sent after"? We killed everyone that was chasing us!"
>he took a step back
>"Now listen Sasha, it's not my fault! You had been poking around, man. The boss doesn't take kindly to Nosey-Nancies."
>she took a pair of steps
>"And if you don't start telling us how you found us, you're gonna be a Beaten-Blue Bruce."
>he kicked the tiles
>"According to those, uh, those guys that are against the wall over there, a rickshaw was missing."
>Ryan steps up and tries to be intimidating
>"Yeah? We killed the guy and took h-!"
>you smack him in the back of the head
>"Like hell you did. I did."
>Sasha steps back
>"Damn it Jimi. You've fucked up royally this time..."
>a smirk came across her face
>infectious
>Ryan started smirking
>then you did
>Sasha decided to say it for you
>"But you can make it up to us by helping us kill Edward Rondell."

---

>it was cold
>despite the fire burning on the tiles, the wind rushing in through the door made the entire building bone cold
>your friends (and impromptu ally) were sitting around it
>the clock you grabbed and put a battery in said it was just rounding 10:00 PM
>it did take a while, but you and Sasha managed to make a small enclosure out of shelves with a tarp door at one end
>no roof
>still a nice little area for being in such a shitty place
>no one had time to eat yet so they were cooking old hotdogs from the broken freezers
>roast yours over the fire
>no buns
>eat it off the skewer
>eh
>really processed hotdog
>80yearoldfoodisstillfood.jpg
>lay out your sleeping bag after transferring the contents into a duffle bag you found earlier
>slip into it
>look over and see that Sasha didn't have a bag
>being a gentleman you offer her yours
>"You sure Anon? You don't exactly have fur do ya'?"
>nod your head and pull a fleece blanket from one of the carts nearby
>go to lay down closer to the fire
>fall asleep not too soon afterwards

>wake up
>look over at the clock a few feet away
>3:00 AM
>prime time to wake up for no reason
>slowly get up from under your blanket
>make sure you take your Rhino in case you need it
>go out of the sleeping area and out of the front door
>a bottle of old whiskey in hand
>sit down with your back to the old concrete
>drink nearly half of the liquid courage
>feel a hand on your shoulder
>"Couldn't fall back asleep?"
>it's Sasha
>shake your head
>pass the bottle
>takes a long swig
>"I know how that feels. If I was in your position I'd feel the exact same. A week in a foreign place with crazy animal people and killing just to survive would break just about anyone."
>grab the bottle from her and take another drink
>the faces of the people you killed rush back
>maybe this is why people turn to alcohol
>helps dull the feeling deep in the gut
>another swig and pass it to Sasha
>she downs the rest
>"I don't think I've properly thanked you for what you did today. It doesn't matter if you were only there to get Ryan. You saved my life from those sick fuckers and I won't ever forget it."
>she took a step in front of you, placing her paws on your shoulders and looking right into your eyes
>"If you need any help, *any*, tell me. I don't forget my debts or hurt my friends, and I'm glad to call you that."
>maybe it's just the alcohol kicking in
>hell, you hope it is
>her eyes were still affixed with yours
>waiting for a response
>"Right. You got it Sasha."
>the pair of paws left your shoulders and returned to her sides
>"Good. Now, you should get back to bed sometime soon. We've got a long day ahead of us."
>stand up to leave
>"I'm going to have a smoke before heading in Anon. I'll see you in the morning."
>go through the broken door and head down the aisles to the fire
>the alcohol was definitely in your system
>it was hitting hard
>that's what you told yourself
>at least that was a viable excuse
>'What was with her emphasis on "any"?'
>you're hoping it means nothing
>head through the tarp door and lay down underneath your blanket
>face flush
>alcohol clouding your ability to think clearly
>hear Sasha returning just before you drift off to sleep

-----

>the clock next to your head blares with electronic beeps in increasingly loud bursts
>smack the button
>8:00 AM
>damn it
>did this thing come with a predetermined alarm set?
>feel like chucking it over the shelves
>restrain yourself
>can always use a clock
>look over to see Ryan and Jimi still passed out
>where'd Sasha go
>don't see her anywhere
>the sleeping bag is gone
>two of the carts are gone
>uh oh
>slam revolver into your pocket
>rush out of the tarp door and through the aisles at mach one
>see some orange and black near the rickshaw
>relax a little
>jog out the broken door window
>she notices
>"Hey Anon! I'm just making sure everything is set up for the drive down to Andel."
>see more holes in the back of the rickshaw's leather
>bungie cords and ropes being used to tie the carts to the back of the rickshaw
>some sort of juryrigged contraption
>[/diy/approved]
>"Mind getting the other cart? We should get those guns tied up to the overhead. Get Jimi's lazy ass up too, he's going to be driving in front of us."
>head back in to get the cart
>Ryan already up and about
>"Hey Anon, sleep well?"
>grunt
>"Go wake up the dread-head, Ryan."
>he nodded and headed off
>that was easy
>grab the cart while you see Jimi getting slapped awake
>pull it outside and hand it to Sasha
>"Thank ya'. Grab those bungie cords from the back seat and we'll get out of here when that bastard Jimi gets out here."

>it was a good few minutes before Jimi and Ryan made it out of the store
>"You're Anon, right? I'm not going to be sat next to Sasha am I? She scares me."
>chuckle at him
>no
>he's going to be driving the other rickshaw
>Ryan is going to be in the back to make sure he doesn't betray us
>hop into the back of the yellow and black one
>Jimi turns the ignition in his and starts the engine
>Sasha follows suit
>she decides to take the shopping cart trailer for a test run
>two laps around the parking lot
>no spillage
>no tipping
>if a wheel locked up the others would pick up the slack
>hell, the cracks and rocks in the road didn't do much
>the tiger in the front seat pumps her fist
>"Alright! Now we're talking!"
>she drives up alongside Jimi and Ryan
>"Here's how it's gonna go Jimi."

---

>forty minutes had passed since the two rickshaws had left the Walmart
>your's in front
>Jimi's behind
>keep an eye on him through the hole in the leather back
>be sure to throw in "I'm watching you" motions often
>hear Sasha sigh behind you
>turn around and lean out the side
>"Back into town. if we don't do this right, we all die."
>she looks at you and puts on a smile
>pat her shoulder
>"If we *don't* do this you'll have a price on your head."
>that made her look worried
>hear her mumble the words "Rickshaw Rick"
>try to pay it no mind
>an old sign came into view under an old streetlight
>Park Avenue
>we turn left down it and continue for a while
>the cramped downtown buildings opened for a grand spectacle
>Park Avenue intersected with Main Street
>to the left there was a large arena/concert hall
>right there was a parking lot that took up more room than the hall itself
>the concert hall had five, brightly colored letters lit up in neon lights
>"Andel"
>ahead of us there was a large scrap metal wall and gate
>looked like they were made out of all sorts of metal they were able to scavenge
>hell, even some old semi trailers
>look back to see Jimi's trailer pull ahead and flag down the guard
>Sasha hits the brakes
>see the dread-head get out of the drivers seat and start talking to a human with an M16 of some kind
>not one of the burst fire ones either
>it had a giggle switch
>remind yourself not to start shit with the guards
>you wouldn't be making it out of that encounter alive
>not with an army of 50 tiger women
>Jimi shoots us a thumbs up and the metal gate scrapes open slowly

>drive into the building
>down a narrow hallway
>Sasha looks back at you again
>"You should get familiarized with the town before we try anything tomorrow. Map out escape routes, low traffic areas, where would be a good place to hide. I'm counting on you."
>tell her that you would
>"Good. Untie the gun cart and go do your trading. We'll all meet up at the Nosebleed."
>before you could ask her what that was she was gone
>cart left behind
>map of Andel and marker on top
>good
>start wheeling it into an opening on the bottom floor
>it took a moment to move through
>soon it opened up spectacularly
>"Whoa."
>that was an understatement
>the concert hall had been completely changed
>where seats once were there where now buildings made out of reclaimed wood and scrap
>some in the middle reached up to three stories in and of themselves
>look at the ceiling
>where an old cube shaped hockey scoreboard and screen was were walkways
>all suspended from the rafters far above
>houses found their way up there too
>look far up to see a large square building built into the highest seating area
>large red letters lit up by lamps
>"Nosebleed Hotel and Restaurant"
>ah
>makes sense
>look back forwards
>see haphazardly constructed signs with directions to different stores
>Hound Harry's
>Import-ant
>Johnny's Pawn N' Gun
>that sounded like a good place to start
>head in the direction Johnny's would be
>find yourself outside of a shack with glass display cases out front
>all junk
>maybe you made a mistake
>go to leave when a man rushes out and shakes your hand with vigor
>"Howdy son! My name's Johnny and I run Johnny's Pawn N' Gun! Might I say your guns are lookin' fit as a fiddle! You lookin' to sell?"
>seems Johnny was an old greying brown bear
>though he seemed off
>look at his eyes
>bloodshot
>oh boy
>he ushers you into the dingy building
>it's even worse inside
>just junk
>no guns even
>"Now, how many of those babies you lookin' to sell? "
>shake your head
>start pulling your cart out of the store
>"I need those guns."
>he places his claws around the metal basket of the cart
>"You aren't getting any of these guns! Get your paws off them!"
>his eyes narrowed
>scowl on his face
>crazy look
>"That wasn't a question. I need those guns and I'm gonna get them iffin' I have ta' pry 'em outta your dead hands."
>bad idea on his part
>go for a quick swing
>the bear ducked underneath the swing
>all you hit is the bill on his "Arlen-Daveysons" trucker cap
>it flies from his head
>Johnny swipes at you with his claws open
>great
>try to step back
>just barely get grazed on your right cheek
>a little bit of blood trickles down
>wince
>alright
>quick jab into his muzzle
>smack on the nose
>follow up with another
>reach for your Rhino
>'If I cause a big scene with gunshots, we'll be kicked out of town.'
>pull the revolver from your pocket and throw it like a boomerang into his left eye
>"AGH!"
>the front sight smacked right into it
>Johnny's clutching it in pain
>try to think of a way to get him onto the ground
>lightbulb above head
>it might work
>rush in close while he's trying to stop the pain in his eye
>slip your right leg between his legs and behind his left
>full arm swing
>your forearm smashes into his muzzle, sending him toppling back onto the back of his head
>take a few steps back
>"Now Johnny, you should have been good."
>damn one liners
>you messed it up
>punt kick him in the side of his maw
>out like a light
>shouldn't have messed with you
>look back at the scene
>an unconscious, beaten junkie bear in amongst a trash heap of a store
>junkie man, don't tell me what your story is
>look around for anything worth taking
>a week ago the thought of robbing a store was foreign to you
>in this world, if an opportunity such as this arose, you should take it
>see a cash register
>click it open
>$14.57
>not much money
>can be used if needbe
>grab your cart and do your best to leave the place without causing a scene
>just barely get out of there before people gathered

>it took a minute before you finally felt comfortable to come out of hiding
>pull out the map of Andel and mark this hiding spot
>step back onto a "street" and see some more signs
>Import-ant
>Hound Harry's
>Rank Arms
>that last one sounded good
>follow the signs and push in through a nice looking, ornate wooden door
>definitely not take from that nice hotel from down the block
>"Hello and welcome to Rank Arms! How can we help you?"
>a white rabbit woman stood behind a check in counter
>"Uh, I saw the sign for this place and thought it was a store. Excuse me."
>go to wheel the cart out
>"Wait! We're a store! Just check in and I'll be able to let you in."
>walk up to the sign in
>"Anon Anonson, 10:51 AM"
>place the pen down and get ushered in through a pair of elevator doors
>"Enjoy your visit!"
>wave her off
>the elevator closes and starts slowly pulling you up
>1 floor
>2 floors
>3 floors
>4th floor
>elevator doors open
>push the cart out and enter into a large room lined wall to wall in display racks
>most with nothing on them
>"How're you today? My name's Richard Rank and I'm the owner of this little slice of heaven. How may we help you today?"
>a short elderly human man extended his hand
>shake it
>"I was hoping to sell off some guns I don't need."
>his eyes lit up
>"Well I'll be. Ain't often we get shipments into town anymore. Those Rondell Family bastards drive out any caravan that manages to make it here. Not to mention that tribe of bandits that stop anything comin' in from Under-I... Haven't seen anyone from up that way in a few years now."
>wince for a moment
>the situation with Harrison was still somewhat fresh
>hell
>his body was just passing fresh
>it's hasn't even been a week
>Richard speaks up
>motions towards the cart
>"You're looking to sell all these? I'm not going to shortchange ya', 'specially not since you've seen the stock I'm dealin' with."
>motions to the few handfuls of guns on display around the room
>nod to him and push the cart to a counter nearby
>quickly put the guns up on top
>consider placing the VP9 up there
>decide against it
>might need it at some point
>"So we have three Remington 700s, one woodlands camo, two synthetic stocks. Two Kel-Tec SUB-2000s, a Taurus Model 82 with a 4 inch barrel, and a Charter Arms Undercover. Quite a haul you got here ain't it? While it ain't like when I had the materials to make my own, selling old or used guns still makes me money. For all this I can get you $1800. I'm paying you primo dinero for this stuff, 'specially since you had those SUB-2000s in box."
>is that a low ball or not?
>fuck if you know
>you haven't had to sell anything in this place yet
>the old man extended his hand again
>hesitate for a moment
>shake it
>Richard takes out a wad of $100s
>counts out 18
>hands them over
>"Now, you see anything on the walls you like? I'll throw one of my handmade pieces in for probably savin' my behind."
>look through the few guns on the wall
>a pair of rifles
>pistols
>and a single revolver
>pick it off the wall and look over it in your hand
>barrel has "Rank Arms Model 1" and "9mm" embedded into it
>"You have good taste. Nearly twenty years ago I came across an old laptop with a folder of thousands of different guns in it. Deciding to set myself apart from other gunsmiths, I melded together two revolvers into a unique weapon. A Nagant M1895 and a Colt Cobra's love child in the common 9x19mm Parabellum round."
>he gently pulled it from your hand
>"This one is special though."
>he flips the gun over and points out a number on the metal loop
>"001"
>was this...
>"This Model 1 is just that... the first. The first one I ever made. Nearly two dozen hours sunk into making this. I'm sad to see it go, but if it can help you then I'm happy."
>hands it back
>place it into your waistband
>you're armed to the teeth now
>a Marlin and Auto 5 on your back
>Rhino in your pocket
>and SVI Infinity, Rank Arms Model 1, and VP9 tucked into your waist
>holy hell
>maybe you should dump some of the guns off when you get to the Nosebleed later
>start pushing the empty cart towards the elevator
>turn around towards Richard one final time
>"Don't worry about Rondell. By this time tomorrow they won't be a problem."
>he smiled genuinely
>"Thank you. Maybe then I can put these old hands back to work."
>into the elevator and back out onto the main street

---

>you could see from the fourth story glazed windows that night was just around the corner
>spending most of your day mapping out escape routes and hiding spots was annoying
>every twenty steps there was a sign for the Nosebleed Hotel and Restaurant
>all the rubble cordoned off with ropes or walls of their own
>it's like a maze
>push inwards and finally see the entrance
>two rickshaws parked outside
>nice
>didn't even see the ramps that they would drive up
>open the door and see a mostly empty bar
>a middle-aged man stood behind a counter cleaning mugs
>notices you come it
>"Not often we get newcomers in Andel. Here for a drink or a bed for the night?"
>look around to see your two companions, Jimi, and another person at a table
>Sasha waves you down
>"Anon! Come over, get a shot in you, and talk with us!"
>as you walk to the table a smell wafts through the room
>mint mixed with chemicals
>sit down and look over at the person that was partially obscured
>some sort of black bird
>raven, crow, not too sure
>Ryan kicks back a full bottle of beer
>"He~y Anon! Have you me-m-met Casey yet?"
>she casually waves her hand
>"She's Andel's resident chemist. Loves messing with chemicals, dude."
>Jimi bobbed his head a few times
>you could finally place what the smell was
>wintergreen

=-=-=-=-=
Chapter 7: Mind Eraser, No Chaser
=-=-=-=-=

>"Hey, Anon right? I'm Casey. I've known Sasha for, what, nine years now?"
>"Almost."
>you sit down amidst the crew you've assembled over the last week
>a long week it's been
>you've been shot at
>your left arm and leg have been broken by giant beetles and (somehow) healed by a doctor in three days
>hell, you've been transported from your home by nuclear weapons from a parallel world
>all in a world with humans and animal people
>now everyone is getting ready to kill off a mob family
>great
>seems Casey is keen on telling you more about herself
>"Like I said, I've known Sasha for nearly nine years. She's like the sister I always wanted. After hearing she disappeared I was devastated! I did a little bit of digging and found that she had been looking around in the Rondell Family headquarters nearby."
>she slams back a shot of something
>"I've never much cared for that cocksucker Edward. Always acting like he's better than everyone else, sacking caravans from Johnston further south, pissing on the people that made up his father's legacy."
>bad blood
>must be that Casey was indebted to Edward's father
>"Now the Rondell's are thugs. They used to act like a militia in return for supplies, but now they extort and kill. Sasha got a hold of me while you were out, Anon. The instant I heard her say she needed help I agreed."
>she extends her talon
>shake it
>"We should probably get out of here."
>you whisper to the people at the table after noticing the bartender had started getting closer
>eavesdropping
>Ryan is in a drunken stupor by now
>Jimi is high as a kite
>just you, Sasha, and Casey are fully aware
>"Sasha, mind getting Ryan? I'll take care of the dread-head."
>you lift the stoner up, fireman carry him upstairs, and get into the room Sasha pointed out
>place him in an old recliner chair in the corner
>he's out like a light
>now's as good a time as any
>pull your map out of your pocket and place it on a table
>"Well, well, well! Seem's Anon can map out escape routes like an old pro."
>Casey patted your back
>take a while to go over the hidey-holes and escape routes you planned out
>Sasha then produced a map of the Rondell Family's headquarters
>drawn from memory
>she tells Casey that she and Ryan are going to enter in through the back and take care of any guards there are back there
>Sasha and Jimi are going to go in through the front
>create a distraction
>wait
>what about you?
>what are you going to do in this?
>"You're going to go into their HQs with a fake business proposal. While you're in his fancy meeting room we'll be kicking ass and trimming the family tree."
>that made you a little worried
>if the bartender was any indication, there might be some trouble
>"If you're worried about it, don't worry! I got you a three piece suit! You'll look the part."
>all you could do was nod
>where would your weapons go?
>"You'll still be able to hide a few guns on you. Don't give me that look! You can't just walk in there armed to the teeth like you have been since we left that meat processing place."
>try to think of a rebuttal
>can't
>nod your head
>look out the glazed windows to see that it's getting pretty dark now
>sleep starts to cloud your eyes
>maybe all that running around today was catching up to you
>"H-h-hey guys. I'm gon' take this bed o'er here."
>Ryan waved at you and fell beak first into one of the two beds
>"I'll take the couch if that's fine."
>Casey hops onto the couch
>Jimi is just in the corner stoned out of his gourd
>he's got the recliner all right
>that left
>oh
>that left one bed
>Sasha sends a light punch into your shoulder
>"Come on. Don't give me that look! It's not a death sentence."
>still, sleeping next to a tiger that could probably bench press you wasn't really high on your "to do" list
>reluctantly get into bed
>face away from the tiger
>it took a while to fall asleep, but you did after nearly an hour

---

>the light was just starting to shine through the windows
>you could feel a slight pain in your shoulders when you awoke
>pulling the blanket up, you saw a pair of claws holding you incredibly close
>a little bit of blood trickled down
>try to look back
>can't
>large mounds of white fur on both sides of your head
>face facing towards the wall
>thankfully
>you didn't fancy getting smothered by tiger tits
>not while sleeping
>or right now
>slowly but surely slip free of her vice grip
>stand as still as you can and get your best "figure of authority" voice ready
>cough
>"ALRIGHT YOU FILTHY MAGGOTS! I WANT YOU ALL UP AND AT 'EM IN ONE MINUTE! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR, NANCY? GET YOUR ASS OFF THE GRASS AND BACK IN FIGHTIN' FORM!"
>chuckle when you see four people bolt out of bed and get dressed and ready for action in no less than thirty seconds
>take your suit to the bathroom and change in private
>it took you a good five minutes
>come out of the bathroom to see nobody moved
>good
>there's hope for them yet
>"For those who don't remember or were too indisposed last night, here's a rundown. Ryan, you're sneaking in the back with Casey. Jimi? You're going in with Sasha, guns blazing. Me? I'm a distraction."
>tighten your tie
>not too tight
>"I have to act like a business man. While I'm in there acting like an idiot, you're all going to do your jobs. Flawlessly, I might add."
>they nod and then relax right afterwards
>"I'm going to head there now. Ryan, Casey, you leave now and make your way around to their building. Jimi and Sasha are going to leave five minutes after I do."
>"Alright Anon, just don't get yourself killed."
>shoot a glance at Ryan
>"I won't."
>the two birds leave the room right before you head out
>"Sasha. Good luck."
>she nods
>close the door and make your way across the old arena

---

>the entrance to the Rondell Family building was interesting to say the least
>what must have been an over-street tunnel from the other side of Andel was haphazardly moved and installed on the opposide side
>now it leads to old buildings
>look through the tunnel to see a pair of guards with M-16s posted in it
>waltz through like a business man
>they gave you a quick nod before going back to their position
>across from the bridge I could see a man in a dapper suit
>a mid-40s man with his blond hair slicked back
>blue eyes
>looks like a slick fella
>"Hello! My name's Edward Rondell. I take it you have business to discuss?"
>nod
>he starts to escort you through the hallways and towards his meeting room
>the entire time you walked there was nearly two dozen armed men throughout the building
>okay
>now you're a little more worried
>you finally get ushered into through an ornate gold and wood door
>a lavish meeting room
>mahogany table
>plush chairs with red velvet cushioning
>really nice
>"Now, I know why you're here. You need someone taken care of don'tcha? You seem the sort that caused all sort of ilk to despise you. I should know, I'm the same way."
>you look back to the door
>see two guard come in and stand on either side of him
>a lion with a Remington 870 Express
>and a Zebra with an Armalite AR-10
>"Don't worry, these walls are soundproof. No eavesdroppers here."
>boy howdy

---

>several minutes pass by while the two of you talk business
>you're not entirely sure if he knows about the plan
>that bartender that was eavesdropping yesterday kept coming to the forefront of you mind
>just barely hear some noises coming from underneath the door
>Edward looks at you with half lidded eyes
>"I already know you've been talking shit this entire time. Drop the act. You and your friends are going to die here. Rosco, do it."
>the lion points his shotgun directly at you
>no time to pull out your Rhino
>try to get out of your seat and dodge
>the Remington 870 in the Lion's hands bellows
>a hunk of metal slams into your side
>fuck
>you've been reservoir dogged
>now you're laying against the wall opposite Edward and his lackies
>pain racing through you
>"Alright Rosco, Jamie, get out there and stop this asshat's friends. Get that bonus to the bartender up at the Nosebleed too."
>the two guards departed right after
>Rondell was just sitting in his seat looking down at you with amusement
>"Bet you didn't think I had that bartender on my payroll. Makes sense. If you did, you would have found a place better than a bugged room to discuss your plans to kill me."
>that didn't even occur to you that there might be bugs in your hotel room
>you grasp your side and try to put pressure on the wound
>it's not helping
>"Oh god. This fucking hurts. I thought I p-paid for a dark blue suit, n-not a crimson one."
>try to chuckle
>nope
>just coughing and wheezing
>the door to the room breaks off it's hinges while an orange and black shape screeched in through the doorway
>Sasha look over towards you to see blood staining your suit and the carpet
>keeps her gun trained on Edward while picking you up
>throws your right arm around her waist and pulls you towards Rondell
>"Alright, you sack of shit. You not only tried to have me killed, but then you tried to kill my friend? Fucking asshole."
>the AAC Honey Badger in her arm barks out a duo of shots
>they smack into his kneecaps, sending him splaying into the ground
>Sasha hobbles you over to him
>maybe she expects some sort of one liner
>the thoughts racing through your head had all been directed to the searing pain in your side
>now?
>now you had the perfect line to say at this moment
>while he was grasping at his shattered knees you pulled out your Rhino 20DS
>your hand forming perfectly to the grip
>"I call this one "Mind Eraser, No Chaser"."
>a .357 Magnum round barrels into his head, sending blood gushing from the entrance
>while the event was stunning, you really had to deal with this pain in your side
>it grew worse every few seconds
>that was until you passed out from it
>only then were you granted any sort of reprieve
>you're back in your mind fuzz now

=-=-=-=-=
Chapter 8: Traveling Without Moving
=-=-=-=-=

>oh god
>the pain
>your subconscious realized it could only delay the inevitable for so long
>the pain from the slug in your gut brought you back to the land of the living
>"God damn it, Ryan! Step on the fucking gas! You're sure Under-I has a doctor able to treat him?"
>he's visibly freaking out from the drivers seat of whatever vehicle you all were in
>Ryan was driving, Jimi was riding up front, Casey was in a seat further back, and Sasha was busy trying to keep pressure on your wound
>she lifts a bloody paw up just long enough to smash it into the driver's side seat
>"Can't this thing go any faster?! It feels like we aren't moving at all!"
>Ryan shoots a look back at her
>"I don't want him to die either! I'm stepping on the gas, dodging the rusted out cars and trucks, and avoiding any animals on the road! You want to take my place?"
>Sasha just shook her head and turned it back to your's
>"Don't worry Anon. We're gonna get you to a doctor. You'll be fixed up in no time."
>you could swear she had tears rolling down her face
>try to look down at your wound
>see the shirt around it torn
>blood everywhere
>the metal inside of you had gotten a lot colder than it was earlier
>that made it easier to feel it rattling around inside
>'Oh god. I'm going to die aren't I?'
>no, no you're not going to die
>you had a few hours
>maybe
>if Reservoir Dogs was any indication
>if it wasn't, then Hollywood is a pack of liars
>wait
>fuck
>you're going to die
>try to sit up again
>pushed back down
>"Stay still! You're just going to make it worse if you move around!"
>shout towards Ryan and ask him how far until we're there
>"I've been driving full throttle for nearly an hour. It shouldn't be too much longer!"
>see Sasha look through the windshield
>"Is that it up ahead?"
>"Yeah! We aren't going to wait for the gate to be opened though!"
>what did he mean by that
>shit
>what did he mean?
>the vehicle slams through the gate and comes to a grinding halt as fast as possible
>Sasha picked you up and carried you in through the underground entrance while Jimi and Casey stayed behind
>probably to keep the people from bum-rushing you
>the maze underground didn't get any better the second time
>especially with Sasha frantically running through the halls looking for the doctor
>"Don't worry, Anon, we're going to get you taken care of. There isn't a chance in hell that fucker in black is taking you. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever!"
>she finally busted through a door and was met with a snow white dog's maw
>"Anon! What are you d-"
>Sasha realized he was the doctor almost immediately by the lab coat and the red cross on the wall behind him
>"He's hurt bad Doc. Please, you have to help him!"
>she carries you to the bed and gently sets you down
>"Don't worry, ma'am, I've helped him before and I'll help him again."
>Doc' pulls out a few syringes and injects them into you
>"Painkillers and local anesthetics. I don't want you feeling it while I'm rooting around inside."
>then a mask was deposited over your face
>"Now for the anesthesia. Just in case. Can't be too sure when dealing with supplies older than you are."
>you're out like a light in moments

---

>back into the void
>your dreams have been increasingly weird over the last week
>first you had that vivid and colorful dream in the military checkpoint
>then there was that nuke dream with that wolf you killed
>then... nothing
>just the void every time you slept since
>a bright light flashes through the dark
>reds and oranges
>more nukes?
>no
>the light is accompanied by loud explosions
>gunshots
>you stand straight up and see a bunch of different people kneeling in a line
>each with a copy of you behind them
>your signature revolver pointed at their heads
>the wolf man was furthest right
>he still had dirt and grime on him
>then there was Harrison
>bullet wound already in his head
>then there was the human from the meat processing place
>cleaver still in hand
>then the final two were side by side
>a man in a balaclava
>and Edward Rondell
>the wolf on the right spoke up
>"All I wanted to do was live. I couldn't run any more from that bastard Rondell. I just wanted somewhere to call my own... then you came along and took that from me."
>the copy of you behind the wolf clicked back the revolver and shot it
>your copy had a stone still face
>as the bullet entered the wolf's head, the body slowly started disappearing
>next was Harrison
>"Me? I've seen the horrors your kind inflict on anthros. Hell, I had to kill dozens of the fuckers so my town could be safe from the violence your people would inflict on them just because they didn't look the same."
>another bullet and another body disappeared
>the butcher didn't have anything to say before getting shot
>balaclava man speaks next
>"I was just doing my job. If you didn't shoot me, we could have solved it peacefully."
>then he gets the same treatment
>your copy behind Edward Rondell fazed out of existence
>then your own body started moving on it's own accord
>your Rhino materializing in hand
>"I call this one "Mind Eraser, No Chaser"."
>he goes away just as the others before him
>then the voices start
>all of them at the same time
>barraging your ears
>everything you've done so far was coming to a head
>you couldn't even hear your own thoughts anymore
>the voices won't stop
>they overpowered your body, sending you into the ground and clutching your ears

---

>you wake up with a start
>sterile, pristine white room with a blue curtain drawn around your bed
>you're hooked up to a heart monitor
>your left hand currently resting in the paw of a tiger woman
>right
>you're in the Doc's office again
>try to make sense of the dream you had
>maybe it's your subconscious trying to justify each death your being here has caused
>the wolf was just protecting his home from a thief
>Harrison dying wasn't bad
>he said that he killed humans on the basis that some humans were murderers
>the butcher's death was completely justified
>hm
>maybe your dreams can help you in the long run
>shake the thoughts out of your head and look to your left
>Sasha was leaning against the bed, lightly snoring in her sleep
>if she wasn't a head or more taller than you it would have been cuter
>try to wrestle your hand from her paw
>her grip wasn't letting it go anytime soon
>well
>might as well check out the damage
>lift up the blanket with your free hand
>looks like some old bandages held onto your skin with bandage tape
>it reminds you of that gash you had from the car crash
>try to determine what time it is
>you hear the ticks of a clock nearby
>damn it
>it's behind the curtains
>you try to pull your hand from Sasha's paw again
>"Ugh..."
>seems you woke up the sleeping tiger
>"What i-. Anon! You're awake!"
>she wiped the sleep out of her eyes before looking right at you
>"I've gotta admit it. I wasn't too sure about that doctor but he did a good job... Though his unnecessary digging around in there was worrying."
>that got you in the questioning mood
>you ask Sasha how long you were out
>"He, uh, had to put you under for a while. It's been a week."
>so you've been here for two weeks, one of which has been in a coma
>lovely
>at least the pain in your side wasn't there
>not now at least
>try to get up
>Sasha pushes you back into your bed
>"Doc' said you can't get up until you've been awake for a few hours. The stuff in the IV should have you ready by then."
>she points at a nearby IV stand that is hooked up to the same arm she was holding
>try to think of something to say
>"Hey An-"
>"What was t-"
>damn it
>not this again
>try to wait it out
>she doesn't say anything
>"What were y-"
>"I wanted to s-"
>fuck it
>"What was the doc' do-"
>seemed Sasha had the same idea as you did
>fuck it
>her face was in front of yours in an instant
>you'd never seen her eyes up close before
>amber
>they bore into you like a drill
>you attempt to say something before getting cut off by her
>her thin lips pressed up against yours, whiskers tickling your face
>you chuckled at the feeling when she broke the kiss
>"Been waiting to do that for a week."
>she's huffing a little
>was that really that draining on her?
>Sasha looks right into your eyes
>"This last week has been an eye opener for me. I doesn't matter that I've only known you for a week. Hell, I'd still feel the same if you didn't save me from that butcher. Seeing the hole in your side from that lion's shotgun made me realize. I..."
>tears form in her eyes
>"I don't care if it makes me look weak, I love you Anon. Don't go scaring me like that again. If you do, then I'll chase you all the way down to hell and pull you back out."
>ever since that conversation outside of the Walmart on Pine Avenue, you've been contemplating what she meant
>you guess this was it
>she loved you
>the question was did you love her?
>you'd only known her for two days
>you saved her from the black market organ dealers, from that cougar that attacked her, and agreed to go into Rondell's HQs just because she planned it out
>if Ryan was your friend, then Sasha was easily a few steps above that
>you connected more with the Tiger woman than anyone else here
>especially on guns and alcohol
>though violence wasn't your cuppa, you had to fight for your life as often as you breath in this world
>maybe having someone that genuinely cares for you wouldn't be a bad thing
>then again, you think back to your life before coming here

0-0-0-0-0

>here you were, wedged between two family members in a five seater
>driving down to Florida
>a family visit to Epcot
>after your father passed away from a work related accident a few weeks ago, your family decided to use some of the life insurance money to get your mind off of it
>"Does anyone have to use the bathroom?"
>your mother said from the driver's seat
>she pulled into the McD's at the closest exit
>it took you a moment to get out of the car, but when you did you made your way into the restroom
>"Damn it."
>it wasn't even month since you turned 18 and you were stuck on a family trip
>relieve yourself and head back to where the car was parked
>9:00 PM and completely empty
>the only light coming from the restaurants and gas stations along the road
>you pull out your early era smart phone to see a trio of texts pop up
>"haha idiot, hope you like it!"
>"don't bother looking for us, we're long gone!"
>"faggot"
>your family left you at a McDonalds in Bumfuck, West Virginia
>no money
>just your ID, your wallet, and the last thing your dad had ever given to you
>a hat
>the last thing your dad had given you was a hat from the concert the two of you had gone to
>you slipped it on tight and headed out to the road
>a month of walking and hitchhiking back home left you bitter and angry
>no home to go back to, no money in your bank account
>just goes to show that family isn't blood
>it's who sticks by you in the end

0-0-0-0-0

>the thoughts in your head dissipate when you look back into Sasha's eyes
>you already knew the answer deep down, but the memories helped to reaffirm it
>"Ah-hem."
>damn it
>the Doc' was back in town
>"Am I interrupting something?"
>cough a few times
>Sasha retreats back to her seat
>"No, go ahead Doc'."
>he takes a piece of paper from his clipboard and hands it to you
>"I'll give you a moment to look over it."
>it took you a second to fully understand what it was saying
>some sort of code
>the letters from some of the words were capitalized
>you wouldn't be able to tell if you just skimmed over it
>-GET ME OUT OF HERE ANON-
>something must've happened after you left
>you hand the note back to him and nod
>whisper towards Sasha and ask her where your guns are
>"Right here."
>she pulls them out from under your bed and hands them to you
>most of them were here
>the Rhino, SVI Infinity, your Auto-5, and the Marlin
>where'd the VP9 go?
>"It's in the van we took from those fucks. The rickshaws wouldn't get us here fast enough."
>ask her what kind of van it is
>"One of those old city transit buses for old people."
>ah
>those always looked a little interesting
>sling the Marlin over your shoulder while you get up slowly
>pull out the IV and tear the heart monitor clamp off
>charge the Auto-5 and put your arm around Sasha's waist
>she does the same with the Honey Badger

---

>"I, uh, I think we might have gone overboard."
>Ryan said while looking at the body slumped over the overpass railing
>there had to be nearly a baker's dozen bodies strewn around Under-I from the gunfight
>your guns were dry
>Sasha's ran out halfway through so you had to throw her the .45
>Casey pulled a TEC-9 from somewhere and rained lead
>Jimi?
>he was too busy getting high in the van to notice everything
>just shake your head while you lie with your back to the van's grill
>"Just get their guns, their ammo, and let's get out of here."
>pull yourself along the van and through the open doors
>get to the back seats and lie down
>see another bullet hole in your side
>god damn it
>you just got this one fixed
>the doctor rushes in a few moments later with a handful of duffle bags and satchels
>Sasha follows with an armful of guns
>Ryan hops into the drivers seat
>Casey jumps into the open door and finds a front seat
>sit up so the tiger can sit down
>think of something to say
>it came to mind
>"Alright people, here's how it's going to go. We drive back down to Andel first. Then we grab our supplies and find a way to transport them well enough in this thing. We take the leather and gas from the rickshaws afterwards. If anyone tries to stop us, split up and meet back at the Nosebleed."
>the group all shout "Yeah!" in response
>you're coming into this leadership thing really well
>relax back in your seat while the doctor does what he can to treat your new gunshot wound
>Sasha squeezes your hand tightly every time she sees you wince
>the metal is eventually plucked out and deposited in a small baggy
>you're about to ask why he didn't just dispose of it, but get interupted by the van lurching forward and speeding away from the carnage
>boy howdy

>it took an hour of high speed driving to get back to Andel, and we were welcomed in with warm arms
>wat.jpg
>wait, wait, it makes sense
>if what Richard Rank had said was true, then the townsfolk would be more than happy to be rid of the Rondell Family
>after your van parks in an indoor parking spot, the entire group splits up
>you and Sasha are headed to the Nosebleed to take care of some unfinished business
>Jimi and Ryan took $300 to go and look for materials to spruce up the transit van
>then Casey and the Doc' were going to get everything from her little hole-in-the-wall store
>as you rounded the corner, Sasha stopped you
>"You're sure you're fine to fight? You only got up a little over an hour ago."
>wave her off
>"Like you said, Sasha, if I die you'll claw your way through hell just to get me back."
>elbow her in the side
>if anthros could blush, she'd be crimson
>"A-anyways, your gun is fully loaded right?"
>pull the Rhino from your pocket, pull the hammer back, and roll the cylinder like a roulette wheel
>"All six shots primed and raring to go."
>the two of you stood on the other side of the Nosebleed's door
>ready to shoot
>did you really want to do this?
>yes
>snitches get stitches
>your right foot slams into the door right next to the lock
>sending it right off it's hinges and falling to the floor
>not from your strength, no
>but because it was haphazardly installed
>your gun aims for the bartender behind the counter
>in a moment he had an old school side-by-side double barrel out and ready for action
>run over to a nearby table and flip it
>*BANG*BANG*
>the slugs he was using blasted through the table like it was paper
>damn it Hollywood
>he had to reload now
>jump over the table, slide over another, and rush the counter
>the bartender was fumbling while reloading
>now's your chance
>grab him by the collar and force his back onto the bar
>head over the side
>second idea pops into your head
>send a full body right straight into his face
>audible crack
>he's down
>not dead
>unconscious
>take the shotgun and shells from him
>then came the best idea you've had in days
>mainly because you were in a coma, but who's judging?
>"Sasha! Get a crate or two! We're taking all the booze!"
>that put a smile on her face
>she rushed upstairs to get back what we left here, then grabbed a few wooden crates from nearby
>there were several dozen kinds of beer and ale in 12 oz. bottles
>then came all the good stuff
>scotch, bourbon, irish whiskey, vodka, hard cider, wines of all kinds, rum, even mead
>fuck was it beautiful
>you pried the cap off of an old, cheap beer and downed it
>it had been too long since you saw something this nice
>start looking under the counter
>find some cream, salt, different mixes, sugar
>this place was incredibly well stocked for a place that was under Rondell's boot
>fuck
>you didn't think of that
>Rondell must have been hitting caravans and giving his informant some of the alcohol
>take one of the short glasses, pour in some vodka, some coffee liqueur, and then the cream
>mmm
>white russian
>let's just hope you don't get mistaken for someone else with the last name Anonson
>make one for Sasha as well
>if you're both here, you may as well enjoy it
>just as you finish making it you see Ryan walk through the door
>"Whoa, what happened here?"
>did you tell Ryan about the bartender being part of the Rondell Family?
>tell him just in case you didn't before
>"I'll go tell the guards to come get him then."
>he leaves the Nosebleed
>that left you with Sasha
>grab the bottle of vodka, coffee liqueur, cream, and the drinks you poured
>bring them over to a wraparound booth nearby
>Sasha grabs her drink and sits across from you
>for a few moments it was really awkward
>yet here you were, sitting across from the tiger that said she loved you
>you still hadn't responded to her question
>drink a little of your white russian
>she does the same
>damn it
>this wasn't going to be easy
>"So... Anon. How's the drink?"
>it was pretty good
>especially since you hadn't had one of these in the longest time
>"So, did you happen to think about what I said earlier? Before the Doc' interrupted us I mean."
>your heart felt like it was in your throat
>beating like a jackhammer
>it was like your heart was traveling without moving
>without a second thought you blurted it out
>"I love you too Sasha."
>she slowly moved from the seat across from you to the open spot to your left
>"You mean it right?"
>you nod your head before she wraps her arm around you
>pulling you in close
>wew lad
>you wish you had a rag to dab the increasingly worse sweat coming from your forehead
>the tiger tit currently pressed into your side wasn't making it any better
>shetypedintheletterp.gif
>down the rest of your drink in a single go
>if this wasn't luxury, you didn't know what was
>mixed drinks, an empty bar, and a wily woman next to you
>upper class here you are
>pour yourself another round while Andel guards hauled off the unconscious bartender
>ah
>the lap of luxury

=-=-=-=-=
Chapter 9: Brick House
=-=-=-=-=

>sitting here with Sasha and getting tanked started getting more fun
>as your new friend group (now with the Doc') started showing up, you drank another white russian
>the tiger to your right started in on another herself, along with a shot of "Johnny Balm's Woodword Reserve" whiskey
>after she's poured herself a shot, take the bottle from the table and get yourself one too
>if anything is gonna happen, it's gonna need to be done drunk
>only because you're sure she'd break your pelvis in
>down the shot and start in on half of a white russian
>Ryan, your Leghorn chicken friend, slid into the booth across from you two
>"So, that bartender huh? The guards that took care of him said to leave at least two six packs behind."
>get up from the booth slowly and make your way towards the crates of alcohol
>find two packs of some sort of local beer from before the bombs
>"Creator's"
>bring them out to the two guards outside the shop
>they're thankful for it
>back to the booth, and before you know it Sasha had her arm around your shoulders
>all Sasha did was down another shot and shoot you a toothy grin
>Ryan seemed a little more skittish after that
>Casey, the town's chemist, slid in the booth right next to Ryan
>Jimi is off doing god knows what
>and the Doc is probably off reading notes
>all that matters right now is taking your mind off of last week's events
>getting out of Under-I earlier put it into perspective
>this place really is kill or be killed
>having even one escape, be it a woman, a bottle, or whatever Jimi does, can keep your sanity
>take the shot glass from Sasha
>pour another a shot, down it, and do one more
>"There we go! About time we saw you really cut loose. Gotta make up for the week you were in a coma, right?"
>Ryan chuckled and put back some of his beer
>"You're one to talk, Foghorn. You're only drinking a beer."
>Casey elbowed him in his ribs
>instinctively move, but he didn't spit out his drink
>he swallowed and slammed the beer on the table
>"T-That's only because the last time I had drank a full bottle to myself, I couldn't fight off that kidnapper."
>the crow chuckled and grabbed the shot glass from me
>think back to the night before the spleen merchant situation
>he had been swigging on something for a while
>thought it was water, but to each his own
>she poured him a shot of the whiskey and held it up to him
>"You're not going to let Anon drink you under the table are you?"
>well
>seems maybe there'll be a contest
>"I'm not gonna just sit here-"
>Sasha hopped over the back of the booth and walked over behind the counter
>"-while you two drink, you know. I'm gonna get in on this."
>seven shot glasses, another bottle of whiskey, and a crate of beer were plopped on the table a few moments later
>alcoholpoisoningdoesntexist.jpg
>there is that old adage
>beer before liquor, never been sicker
>look up towards the room entrances on the upper floor of the Nosebleed
>Jimi stumbles out a door slowly, along with a wafting of smoke pouring out
>almost falls down the stairs but makes it down in one piece
>Sasha cracks the lid on the crate and tosses two beers at the dread-head
>somehow manages to catch them
>"Woah, how'd you know I wanted beer?"
>the tiger has you move over further into the booth before sitting down
>"If you're not drinking and you're in Andel, what are you doing?"
>she chuckled before throwing her right arm around your shoulders
>"Besides, we're celebrating *this*-"
>she squeezed you
>"-guy's near death recovery!"
>she poured eight shots worth of whiskey out before passing two to everyone other than Jimi, who pulled up a chair to the booth end
>"Sorry Jimi, you'll have to get a shot glass if you're drinking this."
>he shakes his head
>"Beer before liquor, never been sicker."
>Ryan goes white as a ghost
>look over to see four beers down already
>he still accepts the shots Sasha pushed his way
>what a trooper
>once we all had our drinks we started in on it

>what felt like hours passed while the five of you got drunk
>whiskey shots, vodka, more white russians, and eventually the beer
>you learn a lot about them during this
>Sasha talked a lot about the jobs she would take while working under Rondell
>sticking up caravans headed north
>robbing that Pawn & Gun down on the main floor
>when you followed her story up with your own, the entire table couldn't stop laughing
>"Like a boomerang? What the fuck?"
>Ryan told some stories about when he was still a scout for Under-I
>he had actually searched the Walmart a few weeks prior to you arriving
>the wolf man must not have been home at the time
>it ended up being mostly stories of finding people after getting attacked by the wildlife
>never a good thing
>Casey explains how she came to be a chemist in town
>it started with a fascination for wintergreen when she was younger
>making anything from it turned into a career for her, and that eventually turned into an interest in chemicals and, most importantly, poisons
>that reminds you never to cross her
>poisons are hard to detect if you don't know what you're looking for
>you think you heard that before
>Jimi told us about how he had originally started working for Casey when he found these plants of some sort and started selling it alongside her own medicines
>you can imagine what kind of plants he found
>has the smoke from upstairs even cleared out?
>shake your head
>he eventually needed a second job because of the lack of caravans in town, and got hired as a driver for Rondell
>he had been the driver on several of the jobs Sasha had taken, so that's why they had known each other
>Doc had come and gone in the middle of it, having only come out of one of the first floor rooms to check on the noise the group had been making
>by the time the sun had went down, everyone was drunk and happy
>a much needed relief from the last two weeks of your life
>from being a no-skill wagecuck with a hobby of driving to getting crushed and shot near to death
>something about it is alluring in a way
>the smell of gunpowder sticking to your nostrils
>sounds the guns make when you shoot them
>clinking of the brass casings on the ground
>racking a slide
>clicking back a hammer
>knowing that even if you get hurt, there's a group of people that are willing to fight with you
>kind of like a dysfunctional family that doesn't leave you in a McD's parking lot
>but this one feels right
>just right
>look across the table at Ryan, who's polishing off another beer
>slur something out about him going to bed sometime soon
>"I-I-*hic*-I know. We're g-gonna do shomethin-*hic* about the bus t-tomorrow right?"
>nod while taking another swig of the beer in your hand
>Sasha has spent the entire time with at least one of her hands on you
>around your shoulder, on your thigh
>but even more lewdly
>((the hand))
>she looked down towards you and motioned for the two of you to stand up
>stagger your way up and look at her
>those beautiful amber irises boring into you
>she broke the eye contact and waved towards the two birds and Jimi
>"We're headed off to *hic* bed."
>Casey waves while Jimi takes a rolled cigarette from his hawaiian shirt pocket
>lights it up and waves us off
>as you take another step forward, her paw grabs your hand, pulling you along with
>every step you could feel your heart starting to pound harder
>it had been a while since you had any sort of action
>Sasha opens the door and ushers you in

>you hobble in and hear the door shut loudly behind you
>followed with a
>*click*
>you whirl around to see her eyes already trained on you
>she was on you in a moment, pushing you against a wall and hovering her muzzle above your face
>the breath coming from her nose hit you
>warm
>her lips pressed forward, locking with yours
>as soon as you pushed forward, she pushed back twice as hard
>it was like there was a real need behind it
>she broke the kiss and looked right into your eyes
>"You don't kno-*hic*-w how much I've wanted to do that."
>a grin covering her face
>you have some idea as to how much
>she leaned in and planted a kiss on the left side of your neck before slowly kneeling in front of you
>her paws went right for the button and zipper of your pants
>help out a little and pull them down
>it didn't take anything more than that before she buried her face in your crotch
>taking deep breaths
>"God, I thought sitting over you for a week was bad... You *hic* had me in a rut the entire time."
>Sasha looked up and shot you a toothy grin
>try to keep your composure while she gave you a tentative lick
>followed by a more confident, longer go up the length
>in an instant she had plopped your head in her mouth and placed a paw on your hip
>nearly the entire length disappeared right after
>you could feel her tongue cradling the bottom of the shaft whenever she moved her mouth
>that sandpaper texture you had somewhat expected wasn't there, but replaced with a more pleasurable experience
>the papillae must be different than a normal tiger
>focus
>look down to see Sasha's eyes half lidded as she goes to town on you
>by the time you realize it, she'd been at it for a minute or two
>pat her head and get her to stop
>suckling it on the way off
>it's time for the main course
>pull her up from the floor and bring her to the bed
>get her on her back
>undo the button and zipper on her pants
>go to pull them off
>she gets one leg through and slides the rest down to her ankle
>before you could take them all the way off, she grabbed your arm and pulled you down on top of her
>pressing you against her crotch
>Sasha's hand shot up to help guide you closer to the goal
>when you finally see it, you're grinning like a dope
>she's already soaked
>go to push forward
>it slides off
>this time she keeps her hand there to guide you
>look down at her as your head enters her
>her breathing caught for a moment
>now growing more ragged as you slowly press further
>getting inch after inch deeper until you're finally into the furthest reaches you can get to
>her arms wrapped around your neck
>hold yourself up with the bed as you begin pistoning yourself in and out of her
>slowly getting faster and faster
>in your drunken haze, you're certain your footing kept slipping while you went at it
>each moan she made sending you further and further into that rut you didn't realize you were in
>her cold nose pressed into your neck while she purrs under you
>enjoying every last moment you're giving her
>fall onto your elbow, pressing up against her even more
>pulling her tank top up to reveal her breasts
>take one in your hand while pounding away
>look up to see her covering her face
>"D-Don't *hic* look at me like that!"
>stutter out something between pumps about her act dropping fast
>that you're more than happy to take charge in the bedroom
>put even more into your frantic and heavy thrusts
>her back arched even more as you moved both your hands to her hips
>just that leverage was what you needed to get further into it
>before you knew it, she had your head in her chest and her purrs got even louder
>feel that all too familiar feeling deep in you
>a swelling
>mention this to Sasha
>she immediately threw her legs around your waist, pulling you as deep as possible
>those strong arms found their way around your back
>her paws nearly stuck to your back with how far her claws were out
>can't pull out
>those legs could probably crush your head like a melon
>no getting out of this situation now
>stop holding back
>a few more thrusts and it came
>rope after rope shot into her, each renewing the purring from the tiger under you
>as you finished, the haze and drinks finally caught up to you
>all you could hear for the few moments before passing out was a thank you

>wake up in a mass of short fur
>hear a song faintly coming from the bar's stereo system outside the door
>~"-she's mighty mighty, just letting it all hang out."~
>take a minute to look around
>Sasha was laying against you with a dopey grin on her sleeping face
>the room could be described as barebones if anything
>a desk, a pair of beds, and an overhead light wired haphazardly to the middle of the ceiling
>the longer you look around, the more of last night that you start to remember
>the drinking
>the idle chatter between people
>Sasha taking you to the room
>pat her on the back lightly while staring at the dark wooden ceiling
>she rouses from her sleep slowly, gluing her eyes to yours when she realizes you're still there
>"Sorry, I'm just... just not used to waking up like this."
>assure her its fine, she wasn't bothering you at all
>her fur was a good insulator
>seeing as this place probably didn't have any insulation
>as she moves a little, the blanket covering you two falls
>get an eyeful of the tiger and smirk
>absolutely stacked
>a brick house