Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Trigon
by Red Hope
Chapter 25
"Hey, how's it going, Johnny?"
Johnny turned in the seat and looked at Carlos. "Hey... it's quiet." He shrugged and gazed at the flatscreens again. "You know, I thought after..." He looked at Carlos again. "I just thought they'd attack again."
Carlos patted the news van's door and considered it too. "Maybe we threw them off by going north."
"Maybe," Johnny murmured. He stared at the monitors. "Have you heard how K-Mart is doing?" He hadn't really spoken very much to her since Mikey's death. But he couldn't blame K-Mart considering he now took over Mikey's former duties and van.
"I don't know," Carlos honestly confessed. Once he'd realized that K-Mart was over her crush for him, he didn't pay too much mind to her anymore. That was until he saw how close K-Mart had become to Claire overtime. But gaining access to Claire through K-Mart had proved pretty useless in the past. Those two were both equally protective over each other.
Carlos patted the door once then pushed off from the van. "I'll check with you later." He couldn't offer much more about K-Mart's current state. Shaking his head, he considered where Claire was since about two hours ago. Usually Claire was doing checks or around the campfire with the survivors until about midnight. Claire was like clockwork, in Carlos's opinion.
Going to the diesel tanker, Carlos wasn't surprised to find Chase up on the top and smoking a damn cigarette. He smelled it before he saw Chase. "I thought you quit," he called up to his friend.
The cowboy tilted his hat back and peered down at Carlos. "Claire got me more so I started again." He grinned, his teeth flashed in the camp's low light.
Carlos shook his head and muttered, "Sneaky son of a bitch." But mention of the convoy leader made him ask, "Have you seen Claire?"
"Not lately," Chase answered. He then nodded towards the Ford F-350 on the other side of the tanker. "K-Mart ain't 'ere either."
Carlos was baffled and hooked his hands on his vest. He considered what was going on, and it slightly worried him. Not only was Claire not around but neither was K-Mart. Now that he thought more about it, he hadn't seen Alice in awhile.
Seeming to read Carlos's mind, Chase leaned in Carlos's direction and mentioned, "I reckon I saw Alice leave the camp awhile ago... around sunset." He adjusted the L85A1 rifle in his lap. He jutted his chin out. "She went north." He placed the cigarette back in his mouth and his words came out slightly muffled. "Claire and K-Mart probably went to see her."
Carlos ran his fingers through his hair, still worried and rather curious now. It wasn't normal for Claire to leave without word. "Thanks, Chase." He went around the tanker.
Chase blew out the smoke and loudly suggested, "I'd leave it alone, Carlos." He wasn't worried about Claire, like Carlos, but he did shake his head at Carlos's stupidity. Putting the hand rolled cigarette between his lips again, Chase grinned at how Claire would react once Carlos got into her business.
Carlos had ignored his friend's warning and instead cut through camp, heading north. He retrieved the rifle off his back that had a light on it. He opted not to use it and allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He easily found the perimeter camera that he'd placed earlier.
Silently moving through the woods, Carlos had a hard time finding any trail left behind by Claire or Alice. But his seeming luck started once he caught a sniff of wood burning so he followed his nose until the campfire's light started in the distance. Carlos slowed as he came closer to a fire lit clearing. He couldn't make out anybody but the sounds encouraged him to move in closer.
Finding a large enough tree in the dark, Carlos hid behind it and knelt down. The earlier sounds registered with him, and he realized it was Claire and K-Mart. His heart rate increased once he realized exactly what he snuck up to in the camp. But his curiosity got the better of his common sense, and he slowly poked his head around the trunk.
To the left of the campfire, Claire was on her back with K-Mart on top of her. They were both nude and clothes littered around them along with guns and radios. K-Mart was holding her own weight while her left hand was between Claire's propped up leg. But it was clear that Claire's fingers were thrusting in and out of K-Mart. Once Claire's leg slid down, K-Mart's fingertips rubbing a hard clit between wet folds was easy to imagine.
Carlos stared, wide eye for over a minute. "Jesus," he breathed, low. He had expected a lot of situations, but this nearly set him on his ass. Suddenly his attention was sharply drawn to whatever was in the corner of his eye. Carlos sucked in a sharp breath once he saw Alice was in the camp too. Fear instantly charged him once he realized that Alice was staring directly at him. Even from this far, she knew he was there, lurking in the darkness.
Alice grounded her teeth then slowly revealed a sneer. Her grip tightened on the kukri in her left hand. Her entire body was charged after detecting Carlos's presence outside the camp. She wanted to attack, needed to protect Claire and K-Mart. But she knew once she moved that it would alert the two lovers, who were sharing passion. She held her spot and waited for him to make the slightest move, especially the wrong one.
Carlos was breathing hard, and fear gripped his heart. He tried moving back and nearly fell on his ass except he caught himself with his left hand. Carlos read the menacing warning on Alice's face and knew if he didn't flee now that she'd come after him. Quietly yet quickly, he gathered himself and rose up to his full height. Each pounding heartbeat in his ear made him draw one step away, further and further from the camp. Once far enough, he turned on his heels then jogged a short distance until he was away from the light and noises. Carlos leaned against a tree and caught his breath. But what he'd seen was burned into his memory.
Alice heard him flee, smelled his scent fade off, and it gave her enough control again. She shut her eyes and allowed her anger to ebb. Another deep breath settled most of her rage, and she opened her eyes. Alice focused on the lovers and that made her grin because they were so close. Within seconds, K-Mart's passionate scream rung in Alice's ears. Tonight was worth it despite Carlos's mistake. Alice would fix his mistake, tomorrow.
Claire lowered her lover into the blankets and fur. She couldn't guess the time, but she could feel how worn they both were from making love so many times. Laying down, she pulled K-Mart against her body and dozed off without realizing it.
K-Mart was tangled around her lover. She'd fallen asleep first and expected Claire to rouse her. Her last thoughts were on the chance that Alice had given them tonight. It was a gift, and K-Mart was thankful for Alice. A smile was on her face as she slept hard in Claire's arms.
Alice was able to stand once the lovers had fallen asleep. She stretched her cramped muscles and took a glance at the stars. She estimated that they were together for at least three hours. It was probably just after midnight or later. Shaking her head, Alice approached the campfire and considered whether to put more wood into it. She crinkled her nose and let it go.
After half an hour passed, Alice approached the two and knelt behind Claire's back. She gingerly gripped Claire's shoulder and wasn't surprised by how quickly Claire grabbed her.
K-Mart was stirred by her lover's jerky motions and took in Alice's hovering features over them. "What time is it?" she hoarsely asked.
Claire released Alice's wrist and relaxed once she knew they were safe.
"Late," Alice murmured. She couldn't help moving the strands off Claire's cheek. "You both should return to the convoy." If the survivors woke up in the morning, before Claire, then a lot of questions would start up.
K-Mart grumbled despite Alice was right. But the short nap would help her get back to the truck.
Claire sympathized with K-Mart yet started moving anyway. "Come on," she encouraged.
Alice moved away from the pair, not wanting to be near their nude bodies. Being so close to the smells of passion was already too much on her hypersensitive body.
Claire was dressed fairly quickly and finished off by tying her boots. She noted K-Mart was a bit slower, and it made her grin. She adjusted the dual shoulder holsters after standing up then zipped her vest. She only needed her hat last.
K-Mart retrieved their hats after getting ready and went to Claire. She gently curved the brim between her left hand then put it on Claire.
The convoy leader fixed her hat. She looked from K-Mart to Alice, who was squatting next to the campfire. Claire gripped K-Mart's shoulder in silent communication then slipped away. She knelt down beside Alice and leaned forward.
Alice was surprised by the kiss and tried not enjoying it too much. Her control was rather thin right now.
Claire withdrew and touched Alice's hot cheek. "Thank you for tonight." She didn't wait for a response and stood up. She returned to K-Mart and was ready to go.
K-Mart wanted to show her own appreciation. But she was well aware of the edge that Alice was on after tonight. She silently promised to thank Alice tomorrow morning and hoped that Alice would be fine. A strong hand on her shoulder made her turn and quietly leave the camp.
Claire took the lead once in the darkness. She didn't bother with the MagLite this time and took K-Mart's hand. It was a good ten minute walk back to the convoy.
K-Mart kept thinking about Alice and muttered, "I hope she'll be alright."
Claire squeezed her lover's hand and silently agreed but wasn't too worried because she was beginning to understand Alice.
K-Mart was slightly dazed after tonight but when Claire slowed down beside a holly tree, she looked at her friend.
"Come here," Claire hotly whispered. She drew K-Mart against the tree with her.
"What's wrong?" K-Mart murmured.
The convoy leader put her index finger against her lips, asking for silence. She then pointed off to her right, beyond the holly's pointed leaves.
K-Mart slotted her eyes until she able to see what had caught Claire's attention. She tensed up when the well-armed man in the moonlight darted off, towards the convoy. Her grip tightened on Claire. "We need to get Alice," she breathed out.
Claire seconded the idea and cautiously drew away with K-Mart. She retrieved a Beretta Cougar and made a run for Alice's camp. Once in the camp, she released K-Mart and snatched the radio off her hip. She allowed K-Mart to explain things to Alice.
Alice was on her feet, still beside the campfire. She smelled excited fear around the women.
"We've got trouble," K-Mart hastily explained. She glanced at Claire, who was calling the alarm over the radio to the convoy.
Alice raced over and grabbed her kukris then dug out the P220 Sport guns that Claire had given her a few nights ago. Her mind was spinning at how the robbers got by her. Most likely they'd seen her campfire, thought she was a lookout, and therefore avoid her camp.
"Get the bus locked up!" Claire hollered at the managers. "Robbers are coming from the north but may be from other sides."
"Roger that," Carlos reported in haste.
"We need the flood lights up, Chase," Claire barked. She glanced at Alice, who was rushing over to them. But she looked at K-Mart. "You get in the truck and-"
"I'm not getting in the truck," K-Mart fought. Despite robbers were rare, they were also unpredictable too. They were human and that was a different game in K-Mart's eyes. Yet still she wouldn't hide in the truck while Claire and Alice faced them.
Claire grounded her teeth, annoyance bright in her eyes.
"We don't have time to argue," Alice cut in. She slammed a magazine each into the handguns. "Let's go." She darted off into the darkness.
"Fuck," Claire hissed. She and K-Mart chased after Alice. She could tell that Alice was fully primed for a fight, especially after Alice stood guard while she and K-Mart made love. This would definitely get ugly, Claire realized.
K-Mart grabbed the Glock from her rear waistband and turned off the safety. Hours and hours of training from Claire kicked in just before they entered the camp. Chaos instantly consumed them, and Alice was nowhere in sight. Suddenly a loud yell from overhead caused K-Mart to spin around, and she saw a man jump out of a tree behind Claire.
"Claire, watch out!"
The convoy leader sensed it too late thanks to the flood lights briefly blinding her. She slammed face first into the ground, the handgun burning against her chest. Hastily rolling over, she surprised her attacker with a left hook then jammed her knee between his legs. He slumped against her, cupping his injured parts. But suddenly his weight was removed, and Claire was amazed by K-Mart's sudden strength.
K-Mart tossed aside the man, who stumbled while groaning in pain. She raised her Glock and fired on him, hitting him in the left thigh perfectly. She lowered the gun after he started crumbling down. But the second gunshot jarred K-Mart, especially when the bullet hit him in the forehead. He wouldn't even have a chance to turn into an undead later.
Claire remained knelt down, gun's sight trained on the man's bleeding head, and she huffed once he fell dead. She popped up and visually made sure K-Mart was okay. However, the screams made the convoy leader look towards the camp.
"Come on," K-Mart ordered her lover. She and Claire rushed into the madness and saw robbers racing every which way, heavy or empty sacks in hand. "They're looting and running!" she hollered at Claire. It was too perfect because the convoy couldn't keep up with the frantic hit and run robbery.
"How many are there?" Claire hollered over the channel. She fired on several of them and barely hit any because they were fast. If it weren't for the flood lights, she'd be worried she'd shoot survivors rather than the enemy.
"I can't get a fix," Carlos yelled.
"At least twenty... maybe thirty or more," Chase hastily answered. He was picking them off from his position on the tanker. But his luck was pretty thin.
"I need help over here!" Otto frantically requested, "They're coming after the food!"
K-Mart had heard Otto and raced off before Claire could stop her. She saw the catering truck just ahead and Otto's yells were loud. She came to the rear and saw Otto take a hit to the face from a robber. They were too close for K-Mart to shoot so she flipped the Glock in her hand.
Otto shoved the robber off, keeping him away from the locked truck. He expected to get shot at that point despite he was getting his own gun. He pulled up short though after K-Mart's unexpected appearance.
K-Mart nailed the robber against the temple with the Glock's hard metal handle. She performed a solid kick at his shoulder, sending him down. Spotting his rifle, she snared it from him and tossed it.
Otto raced up, his gun in one hand and a wire tie in his right. He'd used two wire ties earlier to seal up the truck. But now he had other plans for the extra ties as he pointed the gun at the robber's face. "Don't move!"
K-Mart took a step back, near the robber's head.
"Keep your gun on him, K-Mart." Otto put his away for safety then grabbed the groaning robber's hands. Hastily he wire tied them then stood up.
K-Mart took another step back. Behind her another robber snuck up, his left hand held an empty burlap bag. A second too late, she felt his presence but the bag was suddenly around her throat. K-Mart had dropped her gun and clutched the bag that became a choking device.
Otto had his gun pointed at the robber behind K-Mart. "Let her go!" But there was no room to fire.
"Open the truck!" the robber snapped. "I have no problem killing her." He emphasized his point by tightening the bag.
K-Mart dug her nails into the bag, barely able to breathe. She gasped and somewhat regretted it because of the robber's awful smell. Most likely he hadn't bathed in weeks and that was enough to kill K-Mart.
Otto went to the truck, not finding another solution. He pulled out his knife from his pocket and brought it to the first wire tie. "I'm gonna open it," he swore while cutting the first tie. A soft rustling inside the truck made Otto pause. He glanced at the robber behind K-Mart.
"Hurry the fuck up!" The robber doubled the bag around K-Mart's neck. "You got five seconds!"
Otto grabbed the second tie on the door's latch. Hastily he cut the heavy tie then yanked it out.
"Open it!" The robber edged closer, his prisoner still in his clutches.
Not missing a beat, Otto flipped the latch then shoved the door up until it lifted on its own.
The robber grinned ear to ear now that the supply truck was open. "Move," he snarled while approaching the truck. He had a plan in mind as he approached the dark mouth of the truck. The smell of food touched his nose and made him desperate.
Once close enough, he freed his captive then harshly shoved her into her friend. The robber grabbed his handgun, flicked off the safety, and aimed at the teen's mid back. The robber faltered after a sharp cry came from within the catering truck. His head jerked upwards just as a fiery redhead woman leapt out. Before he could shoot her, he was hit hard and taken to the ground.
K-Mart untangled from Otto, both on the ground. She rolled onto her butt and saw Claire Redfield wrestling the robber for control. She was stunned by Claire's trick and rather thankful.
Claire rolled to her right, closer to K-Mart's Glock. She found herself on top and nailed the robber across the face, knocking him out. She jerked her head up after hearing yells off to the right. She spotted yet another robber coming for the catering truck. She leaned to the left and grabbed K-Mart's gun.
"K-Mart!" Claire tossed the gun as she stood up.
Catching the gun midair, K-Mart pivoted on her feet and aligned the gun's sight on the new robber. She fired off twice and hit the female robber in the knees.
Otto blew out a breath and stared wide eye at K-Mart. He didn't know she could shoot so well and was rather impressed.
"Lock up the truck, Otto!" Claire sharply ordered. She rushed over to K-Mart and touched her.
"I'm alright," K-Mart promised. Yet Claire was inspecting her sore neck.
Claire glanced over at Otto and confirmed the truck was locked again. She grabbed K-Mart's shoulders and coldly reminded, "You stay near me."
K-Mart sighed, but the lecture was short because Claire's attention was drawn past K-Mart.
"Duck," Claire snapped. As K-Mart went down, she began firing on the three robbers that were coming towards the catering truck. Her third shot came out empty. "Shit!" Thankfully K-Mart was out of her way as she ran towards the third robber. She reached for her second Beretta but was forced to jump out of the way, bullets coming at her.
"Get behind the truck!" Claire hollered at K-Mart and Otto.
The robber saw his advantage and trained his gun on the redhead beauty, who was beside the truck. He kept the gun on her as he approached her. "You're one crazy bitch," he concluded.
Claire kept her hands out so that he wouldn't think she was doing anything. She gritted her teeth and ignored the hails from Carlos on her radio.
The robber glanced down at the radio then peered up at the woman. "You're the leader, aren't ya?" Her darkening glare told him plenty. He inched closer and used the gun's muzzle to open her vest. "Let's see what you're packin'." There inside was another handgun with a glowing night sight, hidden away.
"What ya got down there, Missy?" the robber taunted. His gun trailing lower to her abdomen.
Claire bared her teeth at him and warned, "I wouldn't do that."
K-Mart started around the truck until Otto grabbed her.
"You'll both get killed," Otto hissed. He was elbowed hard by K-Mart. Air rushed out of his lungs.
K-Mart darted around the truck's corner with the Glock ready. She pulled up short when Alice seemed to materialize from nowhere.
"And why not?" the robber snarled. A sharp pain cut through his back and stomach. Looking down, he saw a blade poking out of his stomach.
"That's why," Claire whispered and smirked.
The blade was jerked out of the robber's stomach, and he stumbled away with blood oozing into his hands. His gun was forgotten on the ground. He tumbled to his knees near the truck's cab and clutched the mirror before falling down.
"Eddie! Eddie!" a woman cried. She was racing up to him but knew her son's fate. She turned her wrath onto her son's killer and yelled, "You, bitch! He's dead!"
Alice raised the bloody kukris that had several robbers' blood on it tonight. She'd be happy to add the mother's blood on the blade. She started towards her until a shotgun was pointed at her. Inhaling deeply, she prepared for the blast.
But the truck's door flung open and slammed the shotgun, which went skyward. K-Mart withdrew the door, prepared to hit the woman again. But instead Alice took the opening and a kukri whistled through the air. K-Mart cringed when the blade embedded into the woman's head.
Alice turned to Claire and grasped her by the arm.
Claire gave a faint smile. She then looked past Alice and saw the robbers were starting to lose or flee. She grabbed the radio and responded to Carlos first. Then she asked Chase how things were looking from his perched view.
"The few that are alive are runnin' fast, Claire," Chase answered. He put his radio down then aimed for a fleeing robber. "Like shootin' squirrels on a fence," he muttered after lining his scope's sight on the robber.
Claire touched her brow then looked over at K-Mart, who was getting out of the truck.
Alice also followed along but wanted her kukri first. After jerking the blade free, she heard a low click of a gun's safety. Hastily she pinpointed it to a robber yards away in a tree. Her eyes honed in on him even through the darkness.
"Claire!" Alice hollered. Moving with all her speed, Alice rushed in front of Claire and used the front of her body to shield the convoy leader.
Claire had heard the gunfire from the treeline and went to protect K-Mart. She twisted her head around after the silence and saw the bleeding wound in Alice's stomach.
"Alice!" K-Mart started towards her lover until Claire grabbed her.
Otto had seen it from his spot behind the truck. He aimed at the robber's general direction and fired twice without any luck. Return gunfire made Otto duck behind the truck's opposite side. "Fuck," he hissed.
Alice stood slightly slouched forward, the kukris still in hand. She was breathing hard as the blood coated her lower stomach. She'd heard the gunshots fired at Otto but the recovery took her a second. Then she heard the robber shifting and most likely getting ready shoot at her again.
"Get in the truck," Claire ordered K-Mart. She looked over at Alice, who was amazingly still on her feet. She yelled, "Get down, Alice!" But the renewed gunshot made her pushed K-Mart against the truck and cover her.
K-Mart gripped her lover's larger frame. She hollered for Alice in fear, but she couldn't do anything to stop the gunfire.
Alice jerked her head up after the second bullet racked, loudly in her ears. Her dilated eyes had a blue ring and her mind latched onto the second bullet whizzing at her.
The robber lowered his gun and gawked at the bullet suspended in midair, about ten feet from the blonde's face. He was convinced it was just a bad dream.
Alice stared coldly at the bullet, breathing hard from anger.
Claire twisted her head around and like K-Mart, stared in awe. She faintly shook her head once she realized what this meant for the robber.
Alice gritted her teeth and straightened up. She spun her left kukri then suddenly sprinted towards the robber's location. The bullet fell to the ground after Alice passed it.
The robber broke from his daze and hastily started shooting at Alice. Every bullet was stopped by an invisible force. When the woman approached the tree, he ran out of bullets.
Alice snarled and took two more steps before she jumped up. She sailed through the darkness and landed on the same branch as the robber. She flashed her sharp teeth at him in a wild sneer.
"Fuck," the robber hissed and dropped the gun. Before he could make a move, his attacker was on him with the blades.
K-Mart clutched the convoy leader once the robber's terrified screams started. Her imagination created different ends to the robber's life as his pained cries echoed from the treeline.
Alice sheathed one kukri and wrapped her fingers around the robber's throat. She visually scanned his well sliced face, chest, and arms as she lifted him up.
"What aaaare..." he gargled.
Alice revealed her sharper rear teeth in a cat-smile. She drew the robber's face closer to hers, his feet dangling in the air. "You can't kill somebody that's already half dead." Alice inhaled his blood that teased her senses. Not giving in, she drove her left kukri into the human's stomach and pinned him against the tree. She released his throat then yanked the kukri free. She canted her head as the robber leaned to the right then fell off the tree.
The robber crashed on his head and cracked his skull. Blood seeped from his stomach and stained the grass. He was fortunate compared to what Alice truly wished to do to him.
Staying in the tree for a moment, Alice regained control and didn't lift her head until she heard Claire call for her. She couldn't worry them further and jumped out of the tree. She imagined her wound looked nasty so she sheathed the kukri and zipped up her jacket.
Claire and K-Mart met her halfway. K-Mart was the first one to touch her, but Alice shook her head when asked if she was okay.
"I'll be fine," Alice insisted to the worried pair.
"You took a goddamn bullet to the stomach," Claire reminded, an edge in her voice.
"I've done it a few times," Alice offered.
K-Mart shook her head and was about to say something.
"It can wait," Alice stated to K-Mart. "We need to check on the convoy."
Claire could tell she wouldn't win and sighed. But she looked at K-Mart and pointed at Alice. "Keep an eye on her."
K-Mart nodded and planned to do so. She watched Claire hurry off then peered up at Alice. "You scared the Hell out of her."
Alice wasn't concerned and offered, "Better than either of you being dead." She and K-Mart started over to Otto, who was watching the tied up robber.
Otto nervously glanced at Alice, but he couldn't see her wound thanks to the jacket. He wasn't about to ask either. Instead he went over to the unconscious robber that Claire had handled earlier. He had a few wire ties and used one to tie up the unconscious one.
"So you got a name?" K-Mart asked the robber.
He growled at her and started to get up until he was grabbed from behind. He turned his head sidelong and took in the older woman's cold features.
"She asked you a question," Alice reminded him. She grabbed the wire tie and tightened it two notches.
The robber hissed as the circulation in his wrists was close to being cut off. "Rusty," he revealed.
Alice chuckled then hauled him up to his feet. "Well, Rusty you're one lucky son of a bitch." She shoved him forward, but Rusty came at her. Alice expected it and pulled out a kukri faster than anybody could blink.
Rusty stopped short when the blade gnawed at his throat. He breathed hard and held the woman's crystal blue eyes.
Alice dared him with a wicked smile. But he was slightly smart and didn't tempted Alice further. She lowered the blood stained kukri and poked her chin out, telling him to go.
Rusty turned and started marching. He swallowed when he passed Ma, who was just as dirty as him. But he wasn't dead, yet.
K-Mart watched Alice take the prisoner, but she recalled Claire's warning. "You got him, Otto?" After his nod, she hurried off and took Alice's side.
Alice gave a light glare at K-Mart but didn't voice her opinion about Claire's earlier order. Some part of her was warmed by the pairs concern for her.
Rusty spotted the few prisoners from his group in the center of the camp. Once nearby, he was shoved forward into the group.
"Anymore?" Claire asked the survivors that had captured any robbers.
"There's another by the catering truck," Alice informed.
Claire slotted her eyes and now had five robbers to deal with. "Get him."
Alice nodded, and she and K-Mart retrieved the last robber. But instead of the last robber walking there, Alice had to carry his unconscious ass over her shoulder. When she came to the circle of captives, she tossed the last robber into the others.
The unconscious robber groaned and was stirred awake by his fellow robbers kicking him.
"Get up, dipshit," one robber snapped.
"Any of you the goddamn leader?" Claire demanded of the five. She could tell none of them would say it if that was the case. She huffed and decided it didn't truly matter. "You five better enjoy your night because tomorrow you're going to pray that your friends that escaped still give a fuck about you." She searched their dirty, grunge faces and coldly added, "Because I sure as Hell don't."
Carlos glanced at the convoy leader and wondered what exactly Claire had in mind. He wasn't going to ask here and now.
"Chain them up together, Carlos." Claire moved away from the robbers that were surrounded by convoy members holding guns at them.
Carlos nodded and was glad to do so. He first went to the M35 cargo truck to get chain and a lock.
"K-Mart," Claire started, more gently than earlier. "Get to the bus... let me know how everybody is in there." She turned to Alice and ordered, "Can you scout around? I need to be sure they definitely left the area."
Alice nodded and started to go until Claire grabbed her by the wrist.
"Don't do anything crazy," Claire softly implored.
"Never," Alice whispered. Yet her dark grin gave her away, and she hurried off.
Claire blew out a low breath after Alice left. She turned on her heels and faced the captives. She started giving orders on who would be standing guard over the robbers tonight. She felt more at ease after Carlos chained them together. So far word from Betty was that only three survivors were wounded from fights, not including Alice.
The wounded went to the ambulances and were cared for that included lacerations, bruises, and one broken bone. Carlos refused any medical attention despite his handful of wounds. He was obviously still too worked up from the raid and had to know what'd been taken. Claire didn't force him to go and instead they checked over everything.
"Fuck," Carlos hissed. He slammed a broken wood lid that'd been locked earlier tonight. "They got into our ammunition." He was perched on the cargo truck's bed.
Claire was standing next to the four-wheeler that'd been moved out earlier tonight. She folded her arms and asked, "How much is gone?"
"This box is empty," Carlos reported. He went to the other side. "This one they didn't touch."
"And the third box?" Claire posed.
"About half gone," Carlos reported.
Claire sighed and rubbed her brow. They'd lost a third of their ammunitions. There were still some hidden away in the Ford truck and also in L.J.'s tow truck. But it could have been worse. "Let's see if Otto had any problems." She suspected not though.
Carlos kicked the wood crate and reset the lock that'd been picked by a damn robber. "Bastards," he grumbled and got out of the duce and half. Together they went to the catering truck just after Otto finished checking things.
Claire was pleased that none of the food had been touched. That mainly left the ammunitions diminished, which wasn't a huge concern if they weren't attacked between here and Reston. Sadly, she realized if there was another major attack that they could potentially rely on Alice's powers for protection. That was a large strain on Alice, who couldn't protect every last survivor. Claire knew her life and K-Mart's life took priority over anybody else's in Alice's book.
Carlos mentioned he planned to watch the robbers all night. He knew he'd have help, but he was fuming about what happened. Glad to get away from Claire, he stalked off to the center of the camp where the prisoners were being held tonight.
Claire started towards the ambulances and wanted to check on the few wounded. She slowed because K-Mart was coming towards her from the bus.
"Everybody is fine," K-Mart reported. In her left hand was the Glock, but the safety was on. "L.J. was in the bus and took care of everything."
Claire was relieved to hear it and nearly told K-Mart to wait in the truck. Yet, concern about K-Mart's safety won out, and she asked K-Mart to come with her.
K-Mart briefly considered if Claire wanted her to get checked out after nearly being choked to death. But that wasn't the case, and K-Mart realized Claire was keeping an eye on her. That was to be expected after what happened tonight.
Betty didn't have any patient and greeted the convoy leader. "Nothing was too serious except the broken bone." She indicated Doctor Green's closed doors. "She's just finishing up with Charlie."
"Good," Claire replied. She then considered an idea and asked, "Can you take care of Carlos?"
"He was hurt?" Betty asked, slightly surprised.
Claire nodded and knew Betty understood Carlos's mentality.
"I'll take care of it," Betty promised. She grabbed her travel kit, hopped out of the ambulance, and went off on her mission. She had no doubt that Carlos was watching over the prisoners.
K-Mart curiously peered up at her lover and gave a small grin. They both knew that Carlos would bitch at Claire later for siccing Betty on him. Backing up, K-Mart sat down on the ambulance's stainless steel bumper. "That could have gone a lot worse."
Claire glanced over at her lover and silently agreed. She sighed then took a seat beside K-Mart.
"Tomorrow though..." K-Mart whispered, "We'll be done with this."
Claire could only hope so, if the safe haven existed in Reston. She turned her head to the right after sensing an approaching presence. "Hey," she greeted Alice. "How'd you make out?"
"They're long gone," Alice informed. She sheathed a kukri in her left hand.
"You think they'll come back?" K-Mart questioned. She looked between the two older women.
"I don't think so," Claire whispered after a long silence. She looked over at her lover and explained, "We killed a lot of them."
"Maybe a few escaped," Alice agreed.
K-Mart nodded and was relieved too. But she didn't dare question Claire about the prisoners, not really wanting to know their fate.
Claire turned her dark eyes onto Alice's stomach. "You need to get checked out." Most likely the bullet was in Alice's gut and that worried Claire.
"I'll be fine," Alice insisted.
Claire held her tongue because Doctor Green opened the ambulance doors.
Charlie was helped down the ambulance thanks to K-Mart. He gave her a smile then focused on the convoy leader.
"Thanks, Charlie." Claire patted his shoulder and added, "Go get some rest."
Charlie shook his head and argued, "I'm not sure I can after all that excitement." He huffed then slowly walked off.
Doctor Green knew the convoy leader was here to get a report. She just didn't expect K-Mart and Alice's presence too. But she easily told Claire what she'd dealt with, nothing too serious. She then checked whether or not the prisoners required medical attention.
"No," Claire replied. "I don't want to waste supplies on them."
The doctor nodded and didn't contest Claire's choice. But before she could excuse herself, Claire spoke again.
"But Alice needs some medical treatment." Instantly blue eyes slotted at Claire, but she wasn't deterred by it. She turned to Alice and ordered, "Get in the ambulance."
Alice gritted her teeth. She disliked Doctor Green a lot and being forced under her hand wasn't good. "No," she stated, coldly.
Claire moved closer to Alice. Such a word wasn't acceptable in Claire's mind. "Get in," she quietly yet hotly ordered again.
Doctor Green reversed a step, leery of the two.
K-Mart popped off the ambulance's bumper and approached Alice, first. She hastily offered, "I'll go in with you, Alice."
Clenching her fists, Alice gazed down at her lover and saw the concern in amber eyes.
"We all will," Claire decided aloud. She then grabbed Doctor Green and directed her into the ambulance. She wasn't about to let the bullet sit in Alice's stomach even if she had to remove it her damn self.
"Come on," K-Mart persuaded, gently. She gathered Alice's hands into hers and guided them into the ambulance. Once inside, she shut the doors and turned around only to feel Alice's intensity. Somehow it reminded her of a wild animal caged up.
"What's the problem?" Doctor Green prompted. She tried falling behind her doctor's training to get her through the tense moment.
"She's got a bullet in her stomach," Claire answered for Alice. She looked at the doctor. "Can you get it out?"
Doctor Green exhaled loudly and turned her attention to Alice. "I don't know without looking at it first." She nodded at Alice. "You're going to have to take off your jacket and shirt." She could read the protest all over Alice's face.
Claire stepped closer to Alice. "Come on, Alice." She didn't want to waste more time.
"It'll heal over and the bullet will come out on its own," Alice sharply informed.
"But it'll take longer to heal, won't it?" Claire guessed. By Alice's silence she knew it was true.
K-Mart shifted in front of Alice and tried again to mediate the war of wills. "You saved us," she softly reminded. "Now let us help you."
Alice's chest rose and fell fast as she stared at K-Mart. She slowly reached up and unzipped her jacket, dropped it, and started taking off her shirt.
K-Mart was relieved and shifted aside when Doctor Green came closer.
The doctor pulled her glasses off her head and put them on. She retrieved a small flashlight from her pocket and was able to see the wound better. "It's still open." Doctor Green saw metal reflect over the flashlight's beam. "I think I can pull it out." She straightened up and went for a pair of tweezers plus the stool.
Alice clenched her hands when Doctor Green wheeled across the floor to her. She back stepped and glared darkly at Doctor Green. "I don't think so." Too many times Doctor Green's hands had been on her.
Claire moved towards them, ready to intercede but K-Mart beat her to it.
K-Mart snared the tools from the doctor and offered, "I'll do it." She saw how Doctor Green tilted back in shock. "Just... tell me if I'm doing it right."
"K-Mart," Claire fought. Yet she received a warning look from her lover.
"Fine," Doctor Green relented. "Let me hold the flashlight at least." She took the flashlight again.
K-Mart faced Alice and saw some of the stress calmed in Alice. She read the permission in her lover's crystal blue eyes. She was relieved and knelt down. Not quite sure how to go about it, K-Mart wiped the sweat off her brow first.
"K-Mart, wait." Doctor Green produced a pair of gloves from her pocket. "Put these on." She didn't need the teen getting Alice's inflected blood on herself.
K-Mart resisted from putting the tweezers' one end in her mouth and instead set them down. She put on the latex gloves then grabbed the tweezers. "Alright so I just need to grab it and pull it out."
"Yes, but you need to be quick about it," the doctor warned. "The wound is closing up rather fast." She shined the light over K-Mart's shoulder and directly on the wound's entrance.
Biting her bottom lip, K-Mart braced herself and pressed her right hand flat against Alice's well built stomach. She could faintly make out the bullet in the light and moved the tweezers into the wound.
Alice tensed up and gripped the table top behind her. Her nails started to cut through the table slightly. As the tweezers moved within the open wound, she hissed and struggled to remain still enough for K-Mart.
K-Mart shifted in closer and fished more for the bullet. Fresh blood started flowing again and made it more difficult. Then a sour or tart smell hit K-Mart's nose. She realized it was Alice's blood, which didn't have a metallic scent like a normal human. It caused her mouth to water as if she were getting ready to eat a sour candy.
Claire realized the problem and hastily grabbed a clean cloth. "Here." She was able to wipe the blood off after K-Mart pulled the tweezers out.
"Get on some gloves," the doctor snapped at Claire.
"Just get the damn bullet out," Claire ordered. She ignored the doctor's concerns and didn't care that Alice's blood got on her hands.
K-Mart probed in the wound and hit the bullet. She opened the tweezers and finally grabbed the damn thing. Now she had to get it out without losing it.
Alice dropped her head back as the bullet slid through the wound. She gave a low cry until suddenly the bullet halted its movement.
K-Mart hissed after the tweezers slipped off due to the slick blood.
Claire wiped the fresh blood and encouraged K-Mart to try again.
"Come on," K-Mart whispered, hotly. She snared the bullet.
"Fuck," Alice growled as the bullet was slowly drawn out the rest of the way. She related it to a band aid being pulled off at a snail's pace. But once the bullet reached the entrance, it became worse because the entrance had mostly closed up.
K-Mart had retrieved the bullet from its front, the tip poking out.
Claire could see how the wound was sealing up around the bullet. She dropped the rag and grabbed the bullet's tip. "Sorry, Alice," she forewarned before tearing it out.
Alice gave a sharp yell and used all her self-control not to do something stupid like toss Claire and K-Mart. But the table under her hands didn't fare so well. She was panting hard and beads of sweat rolled down her temple and back.
Claire lifted the bloody bullet and turned it in her fingers. She blinked after the sour smell went under her nose. But she didn't say or ask anything and instead looked at the bleeding wound.
"Let me get a bandage," Doctor Green decided. She popped up from the stool and hastily collected peroxide, a clean cloth, and a bandage.
Alice slumped against the table and glowered at the shiny bullet. "Bastard," she muttered.
K-Mart blew out a shaky breath then stood up. She tossed the tweezers into a tiny sink meant for sterilizing. She removed the gloves and tossed them into the trashcan near the sink.
"Trade," Claire instructed Doctor Green. She put the bullet into the doctor's latex hand and took the supplies. Now it was starting to make sense to Claire why Alice didn't want Doctor Green near her. Most likely the two had a history and that didn't sit well with Claire.
Alice became calmer and the leaned against the table. She let Claire clean and bandage the wound, which would be nearly gone by first light. The scar after that would only last a day or two before her stomach looked completely unblemished by the bullet.
K-Mart stood to the side and watched Claire's tender touch. It amazed her how gentle Claire could be at times despite Claire's usually abrasive attitude. K-Mart knew that was due to being a convoy leader for so long.
Claire handed off the peroxide to Doctor Green. Briefly she touched Alice's side, which was damp from sweat. "Better?"
Alice rolled her eyes in answer.
Claire took that as good enough and forced herself to move away. "Come on... get dressed and let's get some rest."
Alice shot invisible daggers at the convoy leader's rushed orders. She suspected it was a mild tease, but still she just had a bullet ripped out of her stomach.
K-Mart picked up Alice's shirt and jacket and held them out. She looked over at the doctor and offered, "Thanks, Doctor Green."
The doctor gave a quiet welcome but didn't feel that helpful. She studied Alice's cold features and realized she was the cause of it. She highly doubted Claire's earlier demands was only fuel of the fire.
Alice was first out of the lit up ambulance, all too happy. She sensed K-Mart on her heels.
"Goodnight, Doctor Green," Claire politely offered. She said nothing else and caught up to the pair.
"You have guards setup tonight?" Alice prompted.
"All taken care of," Claire promised. She fixed her hat.
Alice figured as much and didn't ask anything else. Right now, she was in a strange mood after so many things happened tonight. She hadn't fully come off her blood lust high after fighting so many robbers. She'd lost count after killing ten of them.
K-Mart noted they were near the Ford F-350. "Hey," she started and gingerly touched Claire's arm. "I'm going to check on Otto quickly then lay down." Otto had always been a good friend that'd cheered her up many times in the past.
Claire withheld her argument and relented after K-Mart's small smile. She watched K-Mart go then she turned to Alice, who had a distant stare.
"I'm..." Alice shook her head and finished, "I'm going to go back out to camp." She started to go until Claire hooked her arm. She saw the struggle on Claire's face, rather clearly.
Claire swallowed hard then whispered, "Stay with us tonight.... please."
Alice faced Claire after a beat and was startled by the request. At first she was uneasy then shifted closer to Claire. "I'll stay... if you sleep in the back with K-Mart." She wouldn't allow Claire to remain in the front where it was most dangerous.
The convoy leader could tell that it was the only option if she wished for Alice to stay with them tonight. She gave a low nod.
Alice had expected an argument, but it didn't come this time. The temptation to kiss Claire was strong, and she withheld it because they were next to the bus full of survivors. "I have to get my things and snub out the fire."
Claire released the older woman and took a step closer to the truck. "See ya shortly." Alice's smile made her skin tingle. She waited until Alice was gone then she decided to do one last check on the prisoners. By the time she returned to the truck, K-Mart was already comfortable in the back. She startled K-Mart by climbing into the back from a rear door.
"Move, K... you don't need all that space."
K-Mart goggled and demanded, "Your space is in the front."
"Not tonight," Claire playfully replied. "It's back here with you."
Before K-Mart could fire off her question, it was answered by Alice opening the front passenger door. She cut her eyes to Claire, who was changing her clothes. "I like how the person who needs the least amount of sleep gets the entire front to herself."
Alice actually laughed, needing the humor after tonight's events. She grinned at her lover and reminded, "That's because I did all the fighting."
"I got strangled," K-Mart argued.
Claire sighed at the reminder about the one robber that had K-Mart. "Let's not talk about that."
"I got shot at." Alice inched up the scale higher.
"You always get shot at," K-Mart reminded. "What else is new?"
"Are you two done?" Claire complained. She'd pulled on a clean tank top. "It's been a long night." They were both silent, and she sighed happily. "K, you're going to have to lay on me."
"I'm not the one to deny cuddling but this is going to get uncomfortable," the teen warned her lover.
"Well I think we can work it out." Claire was more optimistic. She worked herself onto the bench seat, stretched out. She then pulled K-Mart into her lap so that K-Mart's back molded into her front. "Is that alright?" She adjusted the pillow behind her.
K-Mart was only content after she got the blankets over them. "It's not bad," she admitted now that she was safely in Claire's arms.
Alice had become comfortable in the front, the kukris resting between her legs. She didn't need any blankets since she'd changed into a clean shirt and fleece. Her body temperature regulated itself fairly well, especially in the colder seasons.
"Goodnight," K-Mart softly offered to the pair.
"Night, K." Claire ran her hand over her lover's soft stomach in a soothing motion.
"Sleep well." Alice rested her head against the cool window then closed her eyes. Gradually her body started unwinding, but she couldn't fully relax, ever. Sleep would most likely be difficult tonight.
Claire leaned her cheek against blond strands. It took her some time to doze off, but her sleep was light for most of the night. Her mind not quite calming down, especially with Reston only a few hours from them. Nearly close to sunrise, Claire was jarred awake by K-Mart. A nightmare had taken over K-Mart's dreams and Mikey's name was on her lips.
K-Mart sat up sharply after Claire woke her up. For a moment, she thought she was going to be sick. She'd been close to being bitten by Mikey until Claire shook her out of the nightmare. Alice's sure grip on her shoulder helped ground her to reality. She curled up against Claire and waited for her tears to run dry. Eventually she fell asleep from exhaustion.
Claire though remained awake and distraught by her lover's nightmare. Despite K-Mart was trying to carry on, it would take awhile before Mikey's death became easier. She thought about what could help K-Mart and knew there wasn't much that could be done. Peering up at Alice, she sensed the same turmoil in Alice too.
Alice straightened up and ran her fingers through her hair. "You want me to get the convoy moving?"
The convoy leader considered the idea and realized she was okay with it rather than it being herself. She nodded. "But they do get time to bathe in the creek." She hadn't forgotten K-Mart's wishes about a bath. "Make sure those damn prisoners don't cause a problem."
Alice was tempted to ask what Claire planned to do with them. But their talking could bother K-Mart so she instead quietly started out of the truck. "Get some more sleep," she softly suggested to Claire before she left.
The convoy leader at first doubted it until she settled into the warmth again. She in fact fell asleep without meaning to and slept a solid hour that was enough to renew her. Hopefully that meant today would go smoothly rather than any more difficulty than what she'd faced recently. However, such a treat was rather unlikely since they did live in a post apocalyptic world.