[MW] Pennsylvania

[re_mybrains]

It's a pleasant March afternoon in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania -- sunny, partly cloudy.

In the courtyard of Pennsylvania Apartments, the bang of the front door slamming is still echoing when it opens again.

Two dozen zombies, in varying states of decay, are staggering towards it.

A human lighting generator, a superhero, a geek, and two regular schmoes are coming out the door to face them.

Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets.

Comments

[accipiterpuella.livejournal.com]

She'd forgotten about that. The door. What if it moves? Maybe she should stay here, pretend to leave with the others and then try to come back, follow him, clear the way to New York, pull a fast one, or at least watch the damn door.

No.

That won't work.

Her head turns, so she can whisper into his ear.

"You better."

If he doesn't, she may have to eventually violate space-time, come back here, and take out her anger on all the undead walking around.

"Tom."

[re_mybrains]

"Yeah."

Tom may not have a head for the bigger picture, but this plan, he can follow through on.

"Yeah?"

[accipiterpuella.livejournal.com]

"It's okay. You can do this. One mile at a time, if need be. I know that you can do this."

Kendra has learned through hard experience that breaking a big problem down into small, manageable steps can work wonders, if you can retain your sanity long enough to get to that point.

"But it gets too bad, come back. You don't have to die here. You don't have to die with this world. No one expects you to."

She leans back enough to look up at his eyes, arms still around him.

[re_mybrains]

He follows suit, shifting to look down at her.

"Thanks."

Taking a deep breath, he straightens -- even manages a hint of a smile. "Believe me, I'm not planning on it."

[accipiterpuella.livejournal.com]

That kinetic motion in his body, that resolve, brings another smile to shine on her face.

"So, let's review. Water, garbage truck, and lots of ammo, okay?"

She's unwilling to let go, but realizes that she'll have to. But before she does that, she presses a soft, slow kiss to his lips.

[re_mybrains]

"Yes ma'ammmph."

It only takes him a second to readjust and lean in, kissing her back, the arm around her waist pulling her closer.

When the kiss breaks, he leans his forehead against hers and murmurs, "Definitely coming back."

[accipiterpuella.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

She touches his cheek, gently.

"I'll hold you to that. How, I'm not yet sure, but I will."

She pulls back, just a bit, to again look at him.

"My name is Kendra."

[re_mybrains]

Tom's face says: Holy shit.

He totally just got her secret identity.

Holy SHIT.

After a moment, he finds his voice. "Kendra. Kendra. I like that."

[accipiterpuella.livejournal.com]

Yes, he did get her secret identity. He's in the Very Much Trusted Club now.

"If you tell anyone, I'll cut your balls off."

It's okay, though. She's laughing when she says it.

[re_mybrains]

"I . . . kind of believe you actually so my lips are one hundred percent sealed."

He takes a deep breath, and then regretfully disentangles himself from her.

"I don't want to leave Shaun and Andrew wondering."

[accipiterpuella.livejournal.com]

She nods.

"Okay. You ready?"

Her mask is retrieved from the ground, and somewhat ceremoniously placed over her face. Her mask is not the kind of mask you can throw on.

[re_mybrains]

"What do you think?"

He picks up the cricket bat, weighs it in his hand for a moment, and then turns to lead the way back into sight of Shaun and Andrew.

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew's periodically scanning the area and watching for Tom and Kendra to get back.

Okay, mostly watching for Tom and Kendra to get back, and that's why he's the first to see them come back into view.

"They're back," he says over his shoulder to Shaun, and raises a hand to wave.

[got-red.livejournal.com]

He waves awkwardly, suddenly feeling very exposed.

[re_mybrains]

Tom lifts a hand in return, a little awkward.

Halting in front of them, he adjusts his grip on the bat, shoots a glance at Kendra.

"So, um." A breath. "I'm gonna -- head out."

[stilljustandrew]

"So ... where're you headed, then?"

In case we don't ever see you again after this? ... yeah, this is awkward.

[re_mybrains]

"New York, to look for other survivors. See if anyone's gotten organized there, y'know?"

He glances at Kendra again. "I'm gonna come back, though. Swear to God."

[got-red.livejournal.com]

All that glancing isn't lost on Shaun. "You'd better."

After a moment of awkward fussing, he holds out a hand.

"Figure I don't need to tell you you're crazy, but seriously - good luck."

[re_mybrains]

Tom shifts the bat and takes Shaun's hand, firmly.

"Man -- Shaun, thank you. For this" -- he hefts the bat -- "and the ammo and -- and everything."

(For getting it, he doesn't say.)

Turning, he offers a hand to Andrew. "And Andrew, same to you. Thank you for helping, thank you so much. You were great."

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew grasps the offered hand.

"Least I could do. Your world's even rougher than mine."

Beat.

"Take care of yourself, man, okay?"

[re_mybrains]

He gives the men a quick smile. "Gonna do my best."

Then, with a deep breath, he takes a step back to look at all three of them and nods at the door. "Okay. You should head back now."

[accipiterpuella.livejournal.com]

"De fumo in flammam," Kendra proclaims. When she smiles, it manages to reach her eyes. "Now go and kick some zombie ass."

Her hand is raised, palm outwards. It's less of a goodbye than an acknowledgement.

[re_mybrains]

Tom lifts a hand in return, and watches them file back through the door into the bar.

The door shuts.

He actually manages to keep himself from moving forward to open it again -- for about two seconds. Then he darts forward and cracks it open, peering inside.

Empty apartment building lobby.


Okay. Okay. No going back now.

Okay.

Tom adjusts his grip on the cricket bat, checks his gun, checks his backpack, checks the sun, and starts walking. New York's a long way away, and he's burning daylight.