War Among Humanity

Returning to Richmond

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The bright moon casted down on the land as the group quietly made their way into Richmond from below, a cool breeze in the autumn air. Guards patrolled the empty streets, the vast majority of Richmond's people inside the buildings resting.

David pushes the manhole cover up, peering out carefully and climbing out. Javier follows, grunting as he hoists himself up and turns to the others. Tripp climbs out after Javier, turning and grabbing Max's collar on his jacket, yanking him out as he yelps.

Clement emerges after him, turning and holding his hand out to (Y/N). She takes it, Clement pulling her out of the manhole. She smiles in thanks, Clement's hand lingering around hers for a moment before he releases it reluctantly.

They crouch behind David, who was peering out and looking down the alley leading to the main road.

He turns to Javier, "I'm thinking this'll go a lot better if we split up. A group this big can't exactly sneak around. Particularly if they're expecting us..."

"Eleanor's in there somewhere," Tripp speaks up, looking ahead with determination. "I'm going after her."

"Lingard brought her to the clinic," David replies, nodding. "That's your best bet," he focuses on Javier. "Javi, that's where you'll go get Kate and Gabe. Then, bring them to my house. It's the one with the raven on the hitching post. We'll all meet up there. After I pay a little visit to Joan..."

Javier nods at this, "as soon as I can get Kate and Gabe, we'll see you back at the house."

"Roger that," David replies with a smile, nodding. He side-eyes Max, jerking his head to the side for him to get moving.

Max gulps nervously before nodding, following after David as they make their way to Joan.

"I'll scout ahead," Tripp volunteers after they leave.

He rises and slowly walks out onto the road, Javier watching him before turning to Clement and (Y/N).

"What about you guys?" he softly questions, knowing they had unfinished business.

Clement's eyes flick to (Y/N), who was looking down in thought.

"I think, or, well, hope we've still got some friends in the New Frontier," she replies after a moment. "If AJ's here in Richmond, they'll tell us where he is."

"They better," Clement adds, lightly cracking his knuckles. "As soon as we get AJ back, we're taking that truck and getting the hell out of here."

He holds up the truck keys held between his fingers, having swiped them from David when he was climbing up the ladder to the manhole cover.

"Well, you two are owed a vehicle," Javier jokes, offering a small smile.

Clement snorts softly, (Y/N) grinning at this as she chuckles.

His smile slowly falls, his eyes darting down the alley before he turns to Javier. "Keep an eye on David. He may be playing nice, but I'd still watch your back."

"David... He can be horrible," (Y/N) agrees, rubbing the back of her neck and sighing. "Someone goes against his orders, he snaps. And he was willing to just leave you behind, like it was nothing. Just... Be careful, Javi."

Javier listens with a frown, slowly nodding. "I'm with you. He... rubs me the wrong way. As soon as I get Kate and Gabe, I'm going to figure out what's best for us."

(?) They will remember that

"Well, I hope it involves getting far away from here," Clement replies, his words laced with a tinge of concern.