Ororo's ghost story II: Outbreak

[Harbinger]

the roof

:: Alison eyed Mike for a moment. So he DID have some sense. ::

:: Morgan tore into Cameron and Alison rolled her eyes. Didnt he KNOW that wasnt the best thing to say? with Morgan's stepping discs their travel time would be cut down significantly allowing them to get where they had to go MUCH quicker.::

OKAYYYY Morgan. Let's just try to remain focused!

:: she interrupted the other witch and waved her hand as if directing traffic::

He's only trying to be mindfull of the very PRESSING problem we have ahead of us.

Let's face it...RAMBO [Mike] here screwed up! BUT it wont be the WORST thing that happens tonight.

Let's move.

:: with the particulars of where to send the officers and now knowing where to find Jennifer, they were preparing to move.::

 

[Persephone]

Cameron: I'm not sure Ava. Opening my mind to thoughts of this city to pinpoint Jennifer would be tough. The amount of pain, the screams and the crying... and plus...Should we be trying to find Jennifer anyway?

Ava's eyes widdened, hearing his statement.

"Cam--"

But he continued on. Ava did AGREED with him--she really didn't want to waste time finding a woman she hardly knew when Haleigh had been missing for weeks--but she also knew when to keep her mouth shut about it. Morgan was already in distress because of her sister and mother, so to suggest to throw her friend to the zombies was just adding fuel to the fire and garenteeing that she WOULDN'T help them.

Sure enough, Morgan flipped out. Ava rolled her eyes shut, growing impatient herself. They didn't have TIME for this bullshit....and if Alison wasn't standing two feet from her, she would have rang Cameron's neck herself.

"Can we just go FIND Jennifer?!"

She finally snapped.

"The quicker we find her and get her to safety, the sooner we can go find Haleigh and Karen."

Alison agreed and Morgan tracked her down. Ava waited to be transported back to the lions den--the Rejuvenation building.

 

[Seer]

onward

<< and so they go forward, with hearts filled with uncertainy.>>

zoom across town

<< the building is dark....quiet...or so it seems. inspite of the chaos outside a few blocks away the building stands tall, seemingly untouched outisde.>>

inside and up the emergency stair well

<< a woman, blonde, tall and in decent shape RUNS up the stairs for her life! breathing heavily, and audibly expressing urgency as she runs, climbing one staircase after another, her normally impeccable appearence is now somewhat disheveled as she runs for her life!>>

<< it is JENNIFER!>>

<< the look on her face says it all...she's TERRIFIED as she looks back and sees not one...but SEVERAL men in suits...office personnell...ZOMBIES! bounding up the stairs after her! growling...moaning and ready to feast on her flesh.>>

<< but the woman is fast and has been able to keep well ahead of them but soon she'll have no where to run , she's reaching the top of this building which is MUCH taller than Nocturnal Tavern.>>


<< and soon enough, the young woman reaches the top staircase, and a door with a key pad. she's desperately trying to remember the code as she hurridly punches it in....a red light and buzzer.>>

Jennifer: SHIT!

<< another attempt, another fail! >>

Jennifer: they're coming for me!!

<< she cries out...and sure enough...they come...the first one reaches her but she throws up her elbow and knocks him back. she savagely KICKS a few others away with her high heel...but they CONVERGE upon her, tearing at her blouse, grabbing her even as she manages to hold them back a bit long...until...>>

Jennifer: AIIIEEEE!!!!

<< she cries out as she is BITTEN on her hand but at THAT moment, she somehow manages to punch in the code and the door opens! FIGHT OR FLIGHT kicks in and she FLEES, running across the roof top of the office building...waving FRANTICALLY for a mysterious helicopter whose light shines on her but CRUELLY moves on.>>

<< the zombies come through the doorway as well...once again chasing and closing in on their prey.>>

<< at THAT moment, chimes sound off, as Morgan's stepping disc opens and the group traveling with her emerges between the terrified Jennifer [ not knowing she's been bitten] and the oncoming zombie rush.>>

Morgan: Jennifer!!

<< the group spreads out in a line...a blockade between the zombies and Jennifer and one by one...they each step FORWARD using their special talents in a way they think BEST to strike down the zombies. Jennifer holds her wounded hand...and watches...>>

 

[Spellbinder]

across town

<< with her fists encircled by halos of dark magick, Morgan stands with Blaze and Delilah on either side of her.>>

KEEP BACK!

<<ZARK!>>

<< motivated by urgency and yes, fear....the witch opens fire, unleashing destructive ELDRITCH BOLTS, mystical blasts of dark magick that have extreme concussive force AND irraditating effect.>>

<< the first two targets, she blasts in their CHESTS, blowing holes through them and sending them flying. it would have killed a normal man, but these creatures land hard and soon pick themselves up and begin moving again. Everyone else was firing too in their own way. >>

WHAT!?

Delilah: Remember what Mike said? shoot them in the head...

Alison: :: shouting from a few spaces away:: or extreme seperation of the nervous system!


<< Morgan looked again..and took aim, still nervous...but trying to follow the direction! she soon blasts one in the head, VAPORIZING the head completely as its body falls to its knees then forward to the ground.>>

<< Blaze uses her fire power to ENVELOPE two in flames...but it doesnt stop them! they keep lumbering forward as if NOTHING has happened.>>

Blaze...BURN THEM UP!

<< and with that, the younger sister raises her arms, her eyes grow bright yellow as she turns up the heat and two eruptions of WHITE HOT flame BLAST UP from the ground IMMEDIATELY incinerating her targets.>>

Morgan: thank the goddess....We've saved Jennifer...

<< leaving Delilah, Cameron, Alison and Ava to deal with theirs but soon they'd realize they werent QUITE as successfull.>>

 

[Arsenal]

Mike teleports with the others, the pair of officers safely sent to his storage on the outskirts of the city (and none the wiser on how they got there exactly thanks to Cameron). He emerges out of the stepping disk with a slight sense of vertigo that quickly is driven off by the wail of the re-animated.

Mike lifts his weapon and shoots three times. Three zombies fall quickly, all shot in the head. If Mike has a power, it is his shooting ability, finely honed from his teenaged years to now. After he dispatches those three, he notices (and notes) how everyone else hits their targets, gaining information on their abilities.

Morgan is a SOMETHING...witch? energy manipulator? He decides on witch for now since she seems to do stuff all over the place with no real one thing she does better than any others. Blaze is a pyromaniacs wet dream, a beauty who could put anyone's ass on fire it seems. He knew Delilah's power, but he was interested in seeing what the others could do...

 

[Harbinger]

saving jennifer

:: Emerging with the others, Alison immediately became aware of the imminent tragedy about to unfold with Jennifer, but it was for Morgan and Mike, who had made a mistake, to handle. She kept silent, instead doing her part to at least spare the innocent from a horrible death at the hands of these creatures.::

:: with Ava to her right and Cameron to her left, they stood with the others in a line and formed a blockade between the retreating Jennifer.::

She's running to the edge of the roof!

:: Alison said as Morgan called out for the frightened Jennifer.::

and here THEY come! there's at least a dozen of them...

:: Mike handled his weapons like a pro. Like Alison had said. He WASNT bad to look at and as long as he didnt TALK? he was alright with her! ::

Cameron...use your power, a PSYCHO BLAST! you can fry their nervous system and short out the mento electric impulse in their brain.

:: directing him to deal with his targets as they came. Alison for her part gestured with her hand a'la Prue Halliwell. a rushing/chiming sound is heard as twp zombies went FLYING back and up into the air like RAG DOLLS, spinning as their necks were twisted and SNAPPED, severing the top of the spinal column. their bodies flew up into a lightning rod and were impaled.::

 

[Prophet]

Stairwell

:: Cameron arrived with the others smack dead in the middle of what could only be described as chaos. There they all stood in a line ready to use abilities that they spent their lives trying to hide. But this was it. This is what separated them from humans. Their ability to survive no matter the situation. As Morgan unleashed eldritch fury and Blaze began to set them on fire. Cameron heard his direction from his sister. ::

"Roger that sis!"

:: The telepath took a moment to calm himself as best he could as a large halo of electric green energy began to form over his head. Pushing forward with all of his mind Cameron locked on to three zombies and unleashed a deadly PSYCHO BLAST hitting them with a force that knocked them to their feet, effectively turning their brains to mush as an unknown liquid began to seep from what was left of their noses. Three down. Cameron shot a look to his sister. ::

"Morgan you have to teleport her out of here! There's too many!"

:: Instinctively Cameron formed a barrier of psychic energy that filled the confines of the stairwell. It would buy them a little bit of time but it would be too stressful to hold up for very long. They needed to get out of here and fast before everyone was too drained to put up much of a fight. ::

 

[Persephone]

Arriving at the Rejuvenation building via Morgan's stepping disc, they were immediately greeted by a screaming Jennifer and well over a few dozen zombies. Gesturing toward a group of six zombies lumbering toward her, lightning shot out from her finger tips, ravaging the zombies until they were nothing more than black, burnt up bodies.

Cameron: Morgan you have to teleport her out of here! There's too many!

Cameron erected a psychic energy barrier in an effort to keep the zombies at bay as the winds around the group began to pick up violently. Helping Cameron, Ava sent a blasts of gale force winds at the remaining zombies [and additional ones who came to join the fun], sending them flying like rag dolls every which way. The zombies were strong, but against Ava's winds, it was like a human being trying to fight against 200 MPH winds.

"I got you covered Cam!"

Ava shouted over the windy chaos. However, Morgan DID need to get everyone out of the building soon. With Jennifer found, there was no reason to stick around. Especially with two other loved ones out there fighting for their lives.

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

Delilah felt that familiar feeling as she stepped into the stepping disc and found herself on a rooftop. But there was Jennifer. Thank god.

They lined up, and she stood next to Morgan, who was blasting the hell out of the creatures but they still kept coming.

“Remember what Mike said? Shoot them in the head...”

Delilah threw her arms out in front of her and put her hands together with her index fingers pointed out, mimicking holding a gun. Pressor blasts came one at a time out of her clasped hands, as she began picking off the zombies one by one, pulverizing their heads.

Mike used his weapon for maximum effect, and she couldn’t help but say with a little pride,

“That’s my boy…”

The others impressed upon Morgan the need to leave – and she had no reason to argue. As she took a little too much pleasure in watching another headless body fall to the ground, she called to Alison,

“So, what’s our next move?”

 

[Arsenal]

As the others acted, Mike listened and paid attention to what they did. Alison displayed telekinetics, but he suspected by how she carried herself and how others heeded her that it was not her ONLY ability. Cameron was a head shrinker (mental powers) apparently. Delilah did her usual, showing why she was his teammate. He nodded to her in respect after she did her thing.

And then there was Ava. The lovely Ava. She blew the beasts goddamn heads off with lightning, like a fine-assed Pikachu. Mike shook his head after she was done in admiration. In fact, the whole thing kind-of turned him on for a moment, like a male Black Widow spider trying to hit it before foolishly dying. He licked his lips quickly and kept his weapon drawn as the team yelled for a strategic retreat now that they had their cargo in tow.

Mike wished he had been able to get some of HIS friends, but the blonde was powerful, necessary, and too spoiled to listen to reason. He waited silently for them to make their move away from this place...

 

[Harbinger]

on Rejuvination's roof

:: Alison kept "looking ahead" trying to keep a CLEAR view of the most probable timethreads that would effect those she was with. What was coming next was going to be hard for Morgan, Blaze and Mike. But it had to happen, if t hey were to be able to move on without any FURTHER distractions.::

:: as they each dealt with their share of zombies, Alison gestures again. a rushing/chiming sound is heard and she sends a few more Zombies flying up in the air over the edge of the building, falling over and crashing HEAD FIRST far downbelow on the ground...surely BEYOND dead after they smashed their heads to a pulp.::

:: everyone was understandibly wary about being here long and wanted to retreat, but Alison held up her hand.::

look! they're all gone! it was just some office staff that had been trapped inside the building. they were chasing Jennifer.

:: Morgan and Blaze were ahead of the rest of the group, closer to Jennifer who was now on TOP of the ledge. on the edge overlooking a smaller building alongside/beneath them. Mike had taken a few steps forward closer to the sisters. INSPITE of how they felt about him, he was truly sorry he had lost Jennifer in the confusion a few hours earlier. he only wanted to apologize to her and assure her no further danger would come to her.::

stay back...

:: alison warned Ava, Cameron and Delilah.::

This is between Morgan, her sister...Mike and Jennifer.

:: Ava and Cameron knew Alison well enough to know that she saw something coming. and so they remained back.::

 

[Spellbinder]

Rejuvination

<< Morgan's blonde hair blew in the warm summer evening wind as she and Blaze stood together, linked her right (and blaze's left) arms and holding hands. they werent "warriors"...not like DELILAH. and so while they had powers, this was still a NIGHTMARE for them.>>

They...they're gone! Blaze... are you okay?

Blaze: yes...i am now, sis. i burned them up. they wont hurt me again...not without a FIGHT!

<< clearly the younger sister was fighting through the fear of her trauma in the forest and the manifestation of that fear AGAIN in the Tavern. Morgan had called for her to stand up and fight...for BOTH their sakes as well as theier mother and that's what she was doing. t he fire and passion in her heart rising up to MEET the fear and combat it.>>

look! they're all gone! it was just some office staff that had been trapped inside the building. they were chasing Jennifer.

Blaze: Jennifer...where is she?!

<< Morgan and Blaze heard their friend shudder behind them and they turned around. Jennifer was on the ledge...the EDGE.>>

Jennifer!?....Jennifer...

<< Morgan said in a shakey voice as she tried to calm down.>>

Come ...come down from there. Everything's alright now. You're safe. I'll get you out of here...send you ANY place you want to go! I have that power.

<< she and Blaze took a few steps forward as Jennifer held her wounded hand...and seemed to recoil from t hem. Mike was drawing near to the sisters at this point. They both quickly glanced at him, BOTH showing flashes of disapproval to him but he was not deterred by them...not this time.>>

Blaze: It's okay, Jenn....come on down.

Jennifer: no. no it's NOT!

<< she lets go of her wounded hand and shows the massive bite wound.>>

Jennifer: I've seen what happens when you've been bitten!

<< Morgan gasps and Blaze looks dismayed.>>

Jennifer: I ...I don't want to die...I tried SO HARD to get away from them...but I couldnt get out of the door in time!

<< she looks at mike as her blonde hair blows in the wind and he can see her tear streaked face, the fear and sadness in her eyes. She's an innocent...and now...a VICTIM.>>

Jennifer: you ...promised me you'd keep me SAFE!

<< Morgan and Blaze look at Mike.>>

Morgan: IGNORE him, Jennifer. Listen...I can ....

<< her mind RACING for a solution. Somehow she had either heard from Alison or some other kind of way that a bite...a SCRATCH from those creature things would turn their victim into one of them.>>

My MAGICK...I can cast a spell...my mother...she's a DOCTOR, she...knows what's going on. We're on our way to get her...maybe she can...

<< Morgan's voice was trembling with sadness and grief.>>

Jennifer: No...I know its too late...I can see it by the way you're reacting. Thank you for caring though Morgan. I KNOW you were going to help me...but i guess...things happen the way they are meant to.

Blaze: Jenn, we love you...we're so sorry....we....

Jennifer: thank you... for coming to help me. but ...there's no going BACK!

<< and with that...she lets herself FALL off and over the edge as Morgan and Blaze SCREAM and rush forward. Morgan practically goes over the edge. FLIGHT is within her power set but her sister wraps her arms around Morgan's taller form and holds her back.>>

<< as they reach the edge and look over, they see Jennifer, laying down on the roof far below, her head turned to the side and her eye open, blood seeping from her mouth. She's dead...>>

Morgan: Jennifer....I ....

<< Morgan shuts her eyes as Blaze holds her. Both sisters mourn as Alison sadly looks on from a few feet back>>

Blaze: she didnt want to be a burden...she didnt even give us a chance...

<< it was moments like this that reminded Delilah why the sisters were so close and so STANDOFFISH with outsiders. it seemed that tragedy followed them all through their lives. th eir family...their friends...anyone they cared about was at rrisk of being LOST to the machinations and fallout of mystech. Ava, Cameron and Mike could see the pain of loss more clearly now...why Morgan was so agressively protective of her privacy and her sister as well as her mother. Cameron knew Jennifer, she was not just Morgan's assistant. She was a FRIEND. She knew Morgan and Blaze's secret and had such a bright spirit about her but to see her tonight...it was clear she had been traumatized and she knew her life as it was...would be over. She decided to use her last moments of "freedom" to save herself from a fate worse than DEATH and once again, Morgan was left to bear the burden of loss and hurt.>>

<< they ALL knew Mike was placing himself in EXTREME danger by being so CLOSE to the sisters at this moment, but Jennifer had been placed in his care...he wouldnt be deterred, even now from doing what he could as an honorable member of the RPD and STARS to comfort the sisters, just as he had TRIED to help Karen and Morgan during Blaze's trauma.>>

 

[Arsenal]

Mike looked around as everything died down. Alison spoke again as he moved closer to the sisters, closer to Jennifer to apologize. But it seemed that all would not be put back together again so easily. Jennifer stood on the ledge and as the sisters called to her, she revealed her hand. Mike gasped audibly at the sight if certain death. Jennifer looked at him, her eyes understanding yet not understanding all at once.

Jennifer: you ...promised me you'd keep me SAFE!

I KNOW girl. I yelled for you to wait but you got scared...we were both rushing, but you left me before I could get to you. Then the wreck separated us and...I looked for you for HOURS...I should have found you somehow, should have asked the others for help.

Mike clearly would be harder on himself than even the sisters. Everyone would see that he took his responsibilities seriously. And this one would be VERY hard for him to accept. He knew what she would do, and he knew that she was too far away for anyone to stop.

As the sisters screamed, she leaped to her death, freeing herself from the curse. They both mourned and Mike, reaching for a pair of handkerchiefs, dabbed at their tears as he apologizes from the heart.

I am SO sorry...I only wanted to help. She was in my care and I take full responsibility for her loss. I wish that I had been better, done more somehow to keep her safe and with you. Barring that, I wish it had been me instead. She was my responsibility and I failed in it. I only hope that you can one day forgive me, I can understand if you cannot. Since the beginning of all of this, I have only wanted to help.

Mike stood still, prepared, if not truly ready, to accept whatever judgement was to come...

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

Delilah exhaled sharply it sunk in that they were (for the moment) safe on the rooftop. She looked around at the others, still a little bit in shock over what had just happened. She started to go over to see if Jennifer was okay, but

Stay back...

:: Alison warned Ava, Cameron and Delilah.::

This is between Morgan, her sister...Mike and Jennifer.

She knew better than to argue, so she hung back and watched from afar with the others. Jennifer looked so devastated. The poor girl looked to Mike, as if pleading for answers. Delilah wanted to step in, and say it wasn't his fault she had behaved like a dumbass, but she held her tongue. She was safe now, and that was the important thing.

But Delilah's heart wrenched as Jennifer revealed that she had been bitten. Her face looked stricken, and she reached out with one hand...

"No..."

Jennifer threw herself from the rooftop. And the saddest thing of it all was that they all knew it was the best thing for her...

Delilah turned away and looked into the faces of the others.

 

[Persephone]

Finally all the zombies were either destoryed or contained enough for the group to take a bit of a breather. Alison didn't look too worried about leaving right away....in fact, she seemed to WANT to stay a little longer--like something was supposed to happen before they could leave.

Turning around, Ava saw Jennifer standing on the ledge of the building preparing to jump. With her mouth agape in shock, why the hell would this woman--whom they risked their lives to save--want to end her life now?! But then...Ava saw it. The bite mark on her arm. Now it all made sense. Why Alison didn't want to leave right away. Why Jennifer was up on the ledge. Morgan and Blaze tried to talk sense into Jennifer, but it was in vain. Everyone knew that once bitten there was nothing that could be done to save the person.

Standing back along side of of Cameron and Alison watching, finally Jennifer jumped. Closing her eyes, even though she didn't know Jennifer it, was still a hard sight to witness. And it was even more gut wrenching to hear Morgan and Blaze scream out in horror. But in the end, if the choice was death or 'living' as a flesh eating zombie, Ava would have done the exact same thing.

Mike began to speak to Morgan and Blaze; trying to express his remorse. With a tightened jaw, what was with men and their need to speak at the most inappropriate times. She just hoped Cameron wouldn't do the same thing.

"Mike, don't. Now's REALLY not the time to try and clear your conscious."

 

[Prophet]

the EDGE...

:: Cameron watched the entire scene unfold between Jennifer and Morgan. While he knew it was definitely upsetting, it was a noble thing to do. Jennifer had no choice. Sure they could have gotten to Karen Victoria but Jennifer knew she didn't have the time Morgan was counting on. She sacrificed herself and Cameron would have done the same thing. He would rather be dead then become.. a zombie. ::

"My God..."

:: Cameron closed his eyes and did a Hail Mary, regardless of his life as a playboy super he was still a little spiritual and it made him feel better as if he was helping Jennifer cross over to the other side. In peace. That was when Mike was starting to talk when he really shouldn't of. Cameron himself too felt bad for not wanting to rescue Jennifer but hindsight was 20/20. He probably would have done the same thing as Morgan. Cameron passed a look at his sister and then at Ava. ::

"No now is not the time for ANYONE to do anything but to get out of here before anyone else risks getting bitten.."

:: Cameron looked at Morgan in her somber eyes. He knew he couldn't penetrate her mind but he was hoping to convey a look of apology to her for being so cold about the situation earlier. Hopefully she picked up on it. He just hoped Morgan wouldn't be blind with rage and go off on Mike. It would help nobody, but he can't say he would blame her if she did. Emotions for everyone were running high. ::

"Do you feel that, Alison? This whole situation just FEELS worse. I'm a little worried.. just.. don't leave my side.. okay?"

:: He whispered to his sister via their bond as brother and sister. ::

 

[Harbinger]

keep moving

:: Alison watched silently. her blue/black hair flowed in the hot, fire charged night time air and her colbalt blue eyes looked on, unwavering in their solemn gaze as Jennifer did just what Alison foresaw. But the precog knew this moment had to occurr. Jennifer's sad but brave sacrifice, Morgan and Blaze's grief and perhaps most importantly...MIKE's grief. He too had a vested interest in this innocent and her loss ...his EMPATHY for the sisters would allow them to FINALLY give him the chance he asked for, the chance that was only FAIR to give if they were to work together and ESCAPE this nightmare.::

:: it was happening as it should.::

:: Alison closed her eyes and silently uttered the witch's "prayer" for a lost innocent::

:: Ava cautioned Mike not to press his luck too much with Morgan and Blaze while Cameron reached out to his sister via their sibling bond.::

"Do you feel that, Alison? This whole situation just FEELS worse. I'm a little worried.. just.. don't leave my side.. okay?"

:: opening her eyes and looking at Delilah before surveying the roof slowly and looking out over their now much higher view of the plagued city in the night::

that's because it WILL get worse, baby brother. Even if we FUSED ourselves together...I can't guarantee that will save us. All i can tell you...is that the bigger picture that i see ...is something far worse than before. something large...expanding..and FINAL.

:: and all of this said between them SILENTLY.::

Delilah...Michael, we need to get to the Raccoon Police Department. it's our last stop before we head to the outskirts of the city...to arklay forest. I need to see something before we leave though and we can get some armory there as well.

:: As Delilah comforted Morgan and Blaze, Alison looked at Ava.::

It's time for us to run the gauntlet...on the ground below.

We stay together...Morgan and Blaze can fly and pick off targets before they even know what's happening, Delilah and Mike can lead the way on the ground. Ava, Cameron and I will block for for them and we move...no hesitation...no matter HOW afraid we may be. We HAVE to protect ourselves.

:: though she knew they were ALL afraid for their lives...for the first time SHE herself felt a FEAR like never before. This was no adventure...this was LIFE AND DEATH and her precognition was a horrible preview of a nightmare that would end BADLY.::

are you ready??

:: the OTHER "power" that Michael was trying to figure out that she had? the precognition that was such an advantage to her in her life...right NOW it felt more like a BURDEN as she looked among them all and saw the flickering apparition of DEATH hovering above them...in the night sky!::

 

[Spellbinder]

raccoon city- rejuvination

<< As Morgan cried, mourning Jennifer, her sister Blaze held her close. Blaze shuddered as tears fell from her jade green eyes too. the stood together...as they often had in the face of tragedy and pain as Jennifer lay on a roof further below...now dead by her own hand. Such a tragic loss and yet...what made it WORSE for the sisters was that they secretly knew there was NOTHING they could have done to save her from the OTHER fate she would have suffered had she lived on through the night. Morgan couldnt bare the thought of having had to KILL Jennifer.>>

Jennifer....

<< Morgan said softly as she struggled.>>

Blaze: she's....

<< Blaze sought to make sense of it...but could not find the words as she shut her eyes and the tears flowed while she and Morgan held each other.>>

<< as Delilah silently came over and place and hand on the sister's shoulders, Mike who ALSO felt the pain of Jennifer's loss stepped forward.>>

They both mourned and Mike, reaching for a pair of handkerchiefs, dabbed at their tears as he apologizes from the heart.

I am SO sorry...I only wanted to help. She was in my care and I take full responsibility for her loss. I wish that I had been better, done more somehow to keep her safe and with you. Barring that, I wish it had been me instead. She was my responsibility and I failed in it. I only hope that you can one day forgive me, I can understand if you cannot. Since the beginning of all of this, I have only wanted to help.

<< in other times, for far less important things, Morgan and Blaze would have berated Michael, calling him everything from incompetent to idiotic and pointless. The Victoria family had LITTLE love or respect for this man considering their tragic connections through the bizarre occurences in Arklay forest and Mike's well intended but ill received efforts to uncover the truth while failing to protect Blaze and Karen.>>

<< But NOW? it all seemed to blur for Morgan, even Blaze, who wouldnt let any man near her sister didnt react to Mike's gentle, sympathetic touch.>>

<< Morgan looked up, her icy violet eyes were now strained from tears as she looked at Mike. even being as tall as she was and that height bolstered by heels, Mike was the tallest among this unlikely group. He seemed different now, and Morgan could tell he truly DID feel badly for Jennifer's loss. She realized that maybe he wasnt so bad after all.>>

...Michael...

<< she sniffled as she tok the hankerchief and dabbed her eyes. Ava cautioned Mike not to press his luck any furthher as Blaze and Morgan attempted to collect themselves.>>

thank ...you...for caring. Jennifer's gone now...she did ...what few MEN would have the courage to do when faced with that awful curse of becoming one of those...those THINGS down there.

If you'll help us[Blaze and herself as well as the group]...we'll help you...anything else that happened between us before...we can deal with...if we survive...together.

Delilah has always vouched for you and i've never had a reason to doubt her judgement before. Now...for my mother and haleigh's sake...i...we..

<< blaze nodded in agreement>>

will trust you.

<< she let bygones be bygones.>>

<< Alison said they had to move, and worse...on the ground.>>

I don't know if Blaze is READY for that, Alison. those creatures...they...

<< Alison stated that Blaze and Morgan should take to the air since flight was a power they BOTH had. Ava, Alison and Cameron would block on the ground while Mike and Delilah lead t hem the shortest route to the Raccoon Police Station.>>

That place is huge, and well fortified. We'll have a chance to rest there...before we move on.

Blaze: anything on mother?

Morgan: I can't feel anything...nothing BAD. She's still alive, i'd know it otherwise but if we rush in their BLIND...we could die before we ever find her. while we're at the police station...i'll try again to magick up a scrying pool...see if i can't get us a preview of that creepy mansion!

<< and so the sisters rejoined the group emotionally, ready to join them all in a horrifying run for their lives.>>

 

[Arsenal]

Mike waited for the sisters' response. he did not know what to expect, nor did he care anymore. His failure and the loss of Jennifer along with the fact that Karen and HALEIGH were both out there...with THIS? Mike stood tall, ignoring the warnings of Ava and Cameron. Sometimes you had to do what you had to do.

Morgan looked up at him, and this time her look was different. FAR different.

...Michael...

<< she sniffled as she tok the hankerchief and dabbed her eyes. Ava cautioned Mike not to press his luck any furthher as Blaze and Morgan attempted to collect themselves.>>

thank ...you...for caring. Jennifer's gone now...she did ...what few MEN would have the courage to do when faced with that awful curse of becoming one of those...those THINGS down there.

If you'll help us[Blaze and herself as well as the group]...we'll help you...anything else that happened between us before...we can deal with...if we survive...together.

Delilah has always vouched for you and i've never had a reason to doubt her judgement before. Now...for my mother and haleigh's sake...i...we..

<< blaze nodded in agreement>>

will trust you.

Mike exhaled deeply, wiping a tear quickly from his own face. He heard Alison urge them on, and said that they would be moving on the ground. Raising an eyebrow, Mike went back into combat mode. Nodding to the sisters, he picked up his bag and put on the rest of his gear quickly.

But HOW did Alison know where they needed to go, or what they needed to do? he started having a hunch but no...that was crazy, even for THIS bunch.

He walked back to Delilah, armed for bear. Looking over to Alison, then winking at Ava, he nodded.

Let's go then. I have some frustrations to take out. Dee, take lead with your light. I will cover you, formation Beta.


Delilah would recognize that formation as a simple one that should work here. Delilah would light the way and attract all the attention at lead while Mike kept things clear from the shadows in his own special way. He overheard Morgan mention her mother.

Blaze: anything on mother?

Morgan: I can't feel anything...nothing BAD. She's still alive, i'd know it otherwise but if we rush in their BLIND...we could die before we ever find her. while we're at the police station...i'll try again to magick up a scrying pool...see if i can't get us a preview of that creepy mansion!

I've tangled with that pretty old bird enough to know that she is still flying. Let's hustle here and we can get her and Haleigh out of this shitstorm. Anyone need a piece?

Mike offers a weapon to anyone, mostly Cameron, who looks agitated enough that he might fail in his powers. Mike tried to make it general enough not to embarrass him. Mike knew little about telepathy but he knew that fear could freeze the mind. Perhaps it wouldn't freeze his trigger finger if he needed it.

 

[Persephone]

As Morgan and Blaze mourned, Ava kept silent. There really wasn't much that could be say in a situation like this....even though Mike DID try. Fully expecting the sisters to freak out at Mike, Ava was surprised to see Morgan thank him for trying to help Jennifer. She agreed to work along side him in order to find Haleigh.

"That was unexpected."

Ava muttered quietly to Alison. Soon, Alison explained they needed to go to the Raccoon City police department before actually going to rescue Haleigh. Sighing, she really wished she knew WHY Alison was taking them on a zombie filled tour around the city and not just GOING to the woods to get her sister. But she trusted her friend...so she didn't say anything. Especially now, after everyone was finally not fighting and getting along. Starting an argument now would only slow things down even more.

Mike: Anyone need a piece?

Shaking her head no at Mike's offer, Ava stood ready to leave.