A Fistful of Bullets {Open}

[ARIELA KAREN]

Apple let out a light groan as she rolled over onto her back. The pain was barely noticeable at first, just a dull throbbing near her temples. However when she pushed upwards to sit up, the pain spiked up and she felt herself falling back. The pain wasn't unbearable but extremely agitating for her. She simply wanted to rest the pain away but she needed to explore the city for some supplies.

It was late into the night now. She didn't traverse the streets in the daytime as she had no intentions of running into anybody, hostile or otherwise. Ever since the end of the world she had been out on her own, it was the same as usual but by far more dangerous in terms of people. With the lack of authority figures, it was a matter of strong over the weak. For her, it was the signal to stay out of sight and survive. Of course she had a better chance in a group but she would also have other responsibilities outside of herself.

"Better not waste anymore time," she grunted, finally pushing herself out of her sleeping area. She had been camping out in an abandoned restaurant. It appeared to have long been raided, nothing was left worth taking. None of the appliances actually worked but she was cautious enough to rest behind other appliances. Besides today was the last night she will camp out here, she had found another decent hiding spot.

She was a bit disappointed by the lack of action lately. There was no need for her to fight others except out of self defense. She still practiced though, peace was no excuse for laziness. It was a useful skill although her specialty involved executing others from afar. She shrugged off the pain momentarily and climbed over the window. She traveled relatively light, her rifle hung over her back, guitar case with her right hand and her backpack full of essentials. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a painkiller, popping it into her mouth.

The Empire State Building that always seemed to loom over her in her childhood had disappeared. It actually made her smile sometimes to see such a beast fall. People were determined to fix it though but they were fools in her opinion but when has her opinion actually mattered?

The silence of the street should have been unnerving but she was used to it. There was no doubt there was dangers lurking in the shadow. So her decision was to become one of those dangers, crossing and moving only in the darkest areas she found. It wasn't long before she heart it. It was the sound of footsteps and in reaction she pressed herself against the wall. Of course she had an eye out, looking towards the source of the disturbance. What was going on here?

[Melody Medina]

Melody kept walking a brisk pace. She had to find a place to sleep for the night. She should have turned in earlier but something told her to keep going. She was tired and cold. It was also getting to point where she couldn't see. There were barely any lights since the destruction. She walked over piles of debris and tried not to make too much noise. She didn't know if anything or anyone was out there. If there were she didn't want to scare them or get attacked by some stray animals. She didn't have any weapons so she wouldn't be able to defend herself. She started getting chills down her spine. The wind was picking up and being alone in the dark wasn't the best predicament either. She wrapped her arms around herself and kept walking. All she needed to do was a place to sleep just for tonight. She could continue searching tomorrow. She walked by an abandoned restaurant. She stopped and looked at it. There was a place. She would be safe and at least it was a shelter. She started towards the entrance and looked for the best way to get inside.

[ARIELA KAREN]

Apple let out a sigh of relief as the footstep vanished back the way she came. There was no need to worry now, she can move on with her objective. That was what she thought before she reached into her pockets for her flask. Yes she was drinking on her job but that was to be expected especially when the world is so different nowadays. She cursed under her breathe for her carelessness, that meant she had to rush back over to the restaurant.

The trek back was quick and precise, darting from an already established route. She was just expecting to rush in like the way she was used to until she saw a figure there. Although she was known for her eyes, it did not mean she automatically had night vision. From the height she would assume it was either a woman or boy. She considered putting a bullet through the head but seeing as the person was alone gave her little reason to waste a bullet. Instead she laid down her guitar from her hiding space and crept behind the girl, her skinning knife in hand. For its purpose, the little knife will suffice.

"Stop, whatever you intend to get from this place you'll be sadly disappointed," she stated, not jamming the knife into what was clearly a girl. She didn't sink the knife in but instead lightly poked at her back. The tip was somewhat dull, she needed to remind herself to sharpen it later.

[Melody Medina]

Melody froze as she heard the voice and stopped breathing when she felt something poke her back. She gulped as she tried to stay calm. This person whoever she was was armed and she didn't want to start any trouble. She was stupid. She assumed everyone here would be wanting help and wanting to find people. The disaster probably messed some people up and caused people to fend for themselves by thinking everyone an enemy. She took a deep breath and spoke in the calmest voice she could, "I was only looking for a place to sleep tonight. That's it". She lifted her hands up slowly to show she meant no harm. "I didn't know anybody was over here. I've been on my own." She stayed frozen not wanting to tempt the girl to do anything dangerous.

[Gleam]

Obnoxiously loud footsteps announce the presence of a third person - heavy treads, boots in fact, as he wanders around the corner of a nearby fence and leans against it. Beside him follows a large dog, some kind of husky breed, with silent, intelligent eyes as it seats itself beside its master and glances up at him. His clothing is faded browns and greens, and hardly stands out compared to his most eye-catching feature: a white loop of scar that bridges his throat, curling up beneath each corner of his jaw.

The man pats its ears absently then plops himself down on his can as well, reducing him from a hundred and seventy two centimeters of scarred strangeness to a dude on his keister. "Howdy, neighbors. I scent tension! Let's dissipate that real quick - I'm Jagd Asimov Metschulin, from over in the river park; I go on strolls through the city every once in a blue moon. Miss Pointy Thing, I daresay I don't know you either, but I'd guess that prodding your guest like that with a pigsticker is probably not the best method of inter-city politics."

[ARIELA KAREN]

Apple inched away from the woman's back as she answered, seeing no immediate harm. However the entrance of a new voice made her poke at the back again. She did not want to deal with these people right now. What did he mean by politics? She hated it, in all forms, she was a soldier and a weapon at heart. A careful glance at the source was all she needed to tell it was a man. Another sigh escaped her mouth but this one laced with stress.

"I don't particularly need meat at the moment," she said, now focusing on the man and backing away from the girl. With that in mind, she hopped over the side of the broken window, years of exercise and training making it all too fluent to the eye. Of course she found her flask on the ground and quickly picked it up.

"Listen, this place isn't the best to stay the night, I'm relocating for a reason," she stated, unscrewing the top and taking a gulp. The alcohol was refreshing as it burned her mouth and throat. It wasn't the weak stuff either but she needed to find a new bottle soon.

[Melody Medina]

Melody jumped at the sound of new voice. She prayed that they weren't together or she would be in real trouble. She left out a sigh of relief when the girl backed away. She turned around and backed up till she was against a wall. She was petrified. She hadn't had an encounter like this yet. It was awful. Melody didn't know what to say so she just nodded to the girl. She would move on. This event had made her alert and she wasn't so tired anymore. She leaned against the wall for support. Her legs were like jello. She closed her eyes and calmed her breathing. She doubted that either one of them wanted to hurt her. Her mind was at a lose to what to say at that moment.

[Gleam]

Jagd pokes his dog in the side and then directs it towards the blonde with a finger. The canine rises and trots over to the panicked girl, before plopping itself down beside her. It knocks its head against her thigh then looks up at her expectantly, ears perked. "He likes to be scratched under the chin." his master notes with a smile. "Try that."

He scoots on his butt to face the other woman then and waves cheerfully. "I'd expect as much, considering the lack of good salt to preserve it with, but the metaphor stands." Jagd chirps. "You've been holing up here? Looks like you'd have a lot of trouble with the looter gangs, they like ruined urban areas - which, I admit, is basically everything now, but this place moreso than others."

He squints at the bottle. "Hey, is that tequila?"

[ARIELA KAREN]

"Exactly but they've been keeping out of reach of this one until lately," Apple stated turning back towards them. By this time, it was getting even darker but the skies were clear. She was glad for the little light the moon and stars offered. It only made her wish she was out in the wilderness some more.

"Yes it is," she continued hopping over the side again. As soon as she reached to the other side, she could hear the sound of even more people approaching. The bustling city had become quiet after the disaster, it was actually strange how quiet it had become. This place was no longer the home she was used to but than again her home always felt odd. Her reflexes kicked in as she hurriedly bundled herself against a rather large piece of debris, her clothing helping her blend into the night.

"Get down. I was just heading to my new place..." she said quieter but enough to be heard by the other two.

[Melody Medina]

Melody smiled down at the dog. She loved animals and was instantly at peace. "Hey there buddy," She said and scratched him under the chin as Jagd said. Melody looked up but continued to scratch the dog. "I didn't even think about gangs still being around." She shook her head. She had been totally blind. This was New York after all. She heard what it was like. Hearing about all this made her rethink about being over in this area. She really needed to be more careful. Maybe she needed to find a weapon of her own. Just in case. She didn't want to be caught in this kind of situation again. She was lucky this time that these people weren't looking for a fight. Next time she might not be so lucky and could end up dead. Then her whole reason for coming here and starting a new life would be gone. She heard the noises too and ducked down staying as flat against the wall as possible.

[Gleam]

Jagd grins and does exactly the opposite, popping up from his seat and waving enthusiastically at their new company - a trio of looters, recognizable by their spectacularly mismatched clothing: sandals with tracksuits and earrings, a sundress with pajamas, and a nice whitebutton-down suit over camo pants. The other recognizable feature are the grocery bags full of loot that always seems to be draped over a shoulder or an arm.

They pause and stare at the idiot.

"Howdy!" Jagd cheers, and scoots around the fence, ambling to a safe distance away; thumbs tucked in pockets, an amiable smile parked firmly on his face. "How's the pickings today? You find anything worthwhile out there in the New New City? Have you tried hitting Berkeley's, it's this department store down on the corner of Fourteenth and Moscow, has just a solid ton of stuff sitting around. Still an active alarm system though, that's why it hasn't been hit yet."

[ARIELA KAREN]

Apple's jaw dropped, literally. It wasn't easy to phase the woman but somehow this nut job of a man managed it. What was running through his head? He looked normal enough, maybe he was on some new drug or had a bad hit to the head. She wanted to end this suffering by placing a bullet through his head. Than again she was the cynical type, have been by herself the last few years tends to do that to you.

The looters approached him with a grin after they were finished being shocked. Each of them took out a nasty looking switchblade. It was obvious to most people that they intend to rob the man and probably leave him for dead.

"Yeah, quite the loot, plus we get the added bonus of a poor sap like you," one of the man said as he approached, weapon poised to stab him.

[Melody Medina]

Melody was shocked too at this guy. He was brave for standing up right off the bat. Maybe crazy but brave. Melody stayed still. She knew she was no good in a fight. So it was best for her to stay out of the others way. They knew what they were doing. She decided she would jump in if it was absolutely necessary. She quietly grabbed a sharp piece of stone. She needed a weapon just in case. She stayed near the dog. Animals helped her stay calm. She watched the looters carefully. She had to be cautious and alert. She got in a crouch position in case she needed to move fast. She sat and waited.

[Gleam]

The dog's ears go flat and it rises to its feet, brushing against Melody's leg as it circled to in front of her. Its tail flicks against her knee once then goes still.

"Boy, you're a stupid shit." Jagd says brightly, and when the tracksuited looter blinks in half-confusion and half-anger, he thrusts a hand under his heavy winter coat and pulls out a hand trowel that he swings hard at the wrist holding the knife. Tracksuit Man backpedals a step, jerking his hand out of the way - and that's when Jagd bulls in with a Sioux war whoop, slamming a shoulder into the other man's chest and turning his backstep into a stumble.

Jagd capitalizes by jerking the trowel back up and swinging it at the sundress chick, making her leap back out of the way as well. Then she blinks and wipes at her eyes angrily as she cries, "You fucking prick, you got this shit in my -"

She stops. The stuff in her eyes is blood.

Her gaze tracks back to Tracksuit Man, who is rolling on the ground with a hand clenched around his throat, trying to staunch the heavy flow of blood from his torn throat, where the trowel had sliced right through on its merry way up.

She looks back up at Jagd, fear and rage tangling together, making her thin, dirt-smudged limbs tremble as tears form in your eyes. Her other companion grits his teeth and starts to circle behind Jagd, knife poised and ready. "You son of a bitch."

He responds by blowing a raspberry at her. She screams in incoherent rage and lunges at the scarred man, stabbing with her knife.

[ARIELA KAREN]

Apple could feel the blood pumping in her body once again. It was the thrill of combat, the thrill of a hunt. A grin began to plaster itself onto her face but another part of her was restrained. It wasn't until the strange man made his blow before she begin to itch again. In a moment she had her combat knife in hand, ready to sink into flesh. Unlike her skinning knife this was as sharp as always.

Without further hesitation, she hopped from her stop as the other woman approached to attack the man. Unfortunately for her, what she ended up meeting was Apple's blade. The knife easily slashed through her fingers and it kept going. With a twist of Apple's body, the knife changed course slightly and cut into her neck. It went deep and she knew she had cut a good artery. To put the poor creature out of her misery she kneed her in the face as she fell forward.

Of course there was the remaining looter however he soon made a run for it as soon as the first man had fallen over. For Apple his escape was not an option. She unstrapped her rifle and carefully aimed. Once again her night vision was not the best but she could still make out the figure. The head was barely visible from a normal range, the wind was also blowing hard but she kept careful aim. The resounding and satisfying sound of her rifle and the eventual collapse of the figure was all that she needed to reassure her. It was actually easy, the distance was hardly anything to sweat over.