After The Fall

The Shattering of Hope

It took exactly as long as the old Sargent said it would to get to a port in Florida. When they arrive, everything is quiet, much to their surprise and glee. Sargent Masters stops the boat next to the dock, looking back at his passengers, "Go ahead and get out, kids."

"Again," Dave chuckles, "We all grown adults."

The Sargent chuckles back, "And again, you're still kids to me. Go on, get outta here."

One by one, they all get out, leaving Sargent Masters alone in the boat. He tips his hat to them and Cry looks back at him, "You're going back?"

"Of course," he states, "I still have men back there. And what would happen if more people like you show up for help and we've already packed up and left?"

"What if there's no one left alive out there?" Dan asks, "Why stay where you know it's unsafe?"

"Because I don't know if everyone's gone." he explains, "And I'd never be able to live with the thought that my abandoning that place led to more lives being lost. If I lose my life, I wouldn't mind so much, but I can't damn someone else just because I haven't met them yet."

Cry nods, "That's valiant."

Sargent Masters smiles, starting the boat once again, "Yeah, well, you guys enjoy the good life. Maybe we'll meet again some day."

They all wave as he drives away and then they all look around at each other and the environment around them. The port is deserted, but it doesn't look to be in great shape. Cry frowns, taking all this in. There's no bodies in the streets, but there definitely looks like there was a fight here at some point. He's not entirely sure what to think of it, but it doesn't look good. He looks back at his friends, only to find they're all already staring at him. He blinks, "What? Is there something on my face?"

Dan rolls his eyes, "Well, I say it's time I get out of here."

He's the center of attention now and Cry frowns, "What?"

"You're leaving us?" Dave asks.

Dan shrugs, "I don't see any real reason to stay. We survived together, didn't we? It's safe here, so there's no need for me to hang around."

"You don't have to go," Signe says softly, a sad look in her eyes.

"Why should I stay?" Dan sighs, looking away, "We're all friends, sure, but.. I just need to be on my own for awhile after.. I just need time to process, that's all."

He looks back at them, a ghost of a smile on his lips, "Besides, it's not like we'll never see each other or anything. I don't have any money on me, so.. How far could I really go, right? You guys can stick together all you want, but I have to be on my own."

"Dan.." Minx sighs, frowning, "If that's what you want, I won't stop you. But.. You're always welcome to come back."

"I know that." Dan smiles a little more before he turns and walks away from them. 

They all stand in silence for awhile, the sun shining brightly above them as it slowly sinks towards the evening. They all share looks once again, wondering just what they should do now. Should they all split up and do their own things, go their own places, or stay together for a little while longer? Before any of them can make a choice on the matter, a sound resonates close by that shatters their prior hope of a better world. Sounds of the Infected not too far off. 

Cry looks around quickly, trembling as he tries to find the source of the noises. Signe whimpers, hugging herself as her eyes widen. She shakes her head, taking a step away from the group, "No.. No, not here, too.. Not here, too!"

"Signe, shut up!" Minx hisses softly, eyes narrow, "They'll hear you, get a grip of yourself!"

Dave puts a hand on Signe's shoulder, speaking softly to her to try and calm her down. Entoan turns to Cry, concerned, "What do we do? Should one of us go after Dan? He doesn't know it's not safe here."

"Yeah," Cry nods, though he's frowning, "We need to catch up to Dan, right now. Let's go."

He turns and runs in the direction Dan had gone. Entoan and Minx follow, followed by Dave dragging Signe along with them. Signe's crying, shaking and tripping over her own feet. On the edge of having a breakdown as the last bit of hope she's been holding onto is ripped from her. If the infection's here, too, then Sean's really dead. She falls with a sharp yelp, her hand tearing from Dave's. Dave gasps and turns back, kneeling down by her, "Signe, come on, get up."

Entoan stops a few feet away, looking back at them. He yells lowly, not wanting to be too loud, "Signe, Dave, come on!"

"Signe," Dave soothes, trying to get her to her feet. 

She pulls away from him, sobbing, "No! Leave me alone, I can't keep doing this!"

The sounds of the dead grow closer, they can be seen on the street coming from around a building now. The street is soon full of them, and they're coming towards the group. Cry's eyes widen as he looks back at his friends, "Guys, come on, they're coming this way!"

Minx looks back as well, eyes narrow. She grunts softly and runs over to Signe and Dave, pushing Dave back and gripping Signe tightly by the arm, "No way, you're not giving up here! You've come too far for that!"

She roughly pulls Signe to her feet, and Signe glares back at her with hot tears rolling down her face, "You don't get to tell me what to do when you've been mostly checked out since you met up with us!"

"Guys, not the time!" Entoan groans, taking a few steps closer, taking out his gun and taking aim.

"Come on!" Cry calls, eyes wide, drawing his own gun now.

Dave looks at the ever growing hoard that's coming towards them. He swallows, turning and running back to Cry, "Get them to move, I'm going to get to Dan. No one should be out here unaware."

Cry nods and Dave runs off ahead. The assumed leader calls out to his friends again, the hoard is getting closer and closer as the girls argue as Minx tries to drag her along. Signe fights every step however, screaming about how there's no hope left and they should just let her give up on her own terms. Minx stops dragging her to try and reason with the hysterical woman as Entoan takes a shot, killing an infected. Now more are alerted around the area from the gunshot, and it's quickly become a lose-lose situation. Cry's ever aware that they could all die if they don't get out of here quickly.