Ryker:

I peer around the broken horizon, Littered with demolished buildings and plantation. Charred bodies of those who didn't find cover quick enough. "What have we done..?" I sighed, obviously stressed, and I ran my fingers through my hair. I walked on, my combat boots making impressions in the decayed earth; Nothing but sand. Kye kept pace with me, never leaving my side. His frail body moves, bones protruding under thick skin and hardly any muscle. Kye's monsterous face swung gingerly, scanning the waste for potential threats; Nothing. My gun was slung over my back, A gorgeous M-16, perfect condition. She was, and has been, my only love and nobody was going to hurt her, let alone touch her. She was my father's gun, and it's the only thing other than memories I have to remind me of how simple life used to be compared to now.

Kitten:

Jump here. Scan there. Aim your weapon now. Shoot. And boom, dead.

Usual thought process nowadays, I grimaced as the bullet hit the mutated.. creature. Who knows what it once was before the attack. I walked over to the corpse, my body moves with a deadly demeanor. I grab my knife and i cut both of its jagged canine teeth out of it's mouth. "H'm, The only thing of use on this creature other than repelling everything alive" I scrunch up my nose and turn my head as the smell of radiated flesh and decaying stomach acid, rises from the creature. Disgusting. Placing the teeth in one of many pockets, I get to my feet and walk away to where I set up camp. A large makeshift shed. Big enough to house just me, and whatever I find. I open the metal door with a groan, and walk inside, the only light that enters is the few holes in the walls and roof. Gladly not big enough for a threat to enter. I sit down on a tattered chair I found on a recent scavenging trip and placed my gloves on a burnt elementary school desk. Along with 6 jagged canines of different lengths and sizes, I began ripping through the leather gloves, making the teeth stick out between my knuckles. Three on each hand. After about 30 minutes of modifying my gloves for combat, I slip them on and cross the shed to the door and step out into dwindling day-light. I immediatly charge towards my tactical practice dummy and through a hard uppercut, catching it under the chin. Tearing the fabric between where the jawline would be. And then in the stomach with my other fist; Spilling, what would be, stomach acid.

Bam. You'd be dead.

"Keep up boy." The girl said looking back for a moment at the mutated dog trailing lazily behind her. Her black combat boots sinking in the sandy ground as she stopped and looked back at the animal. Her blue eyes scanned the area for a moment, it was empty she wasn't really planning on finding anything.

The surface had been dead for years, there were a few carcasses, fresh from whatever had killed them. She crinkled up her nose as she watched the dog poke at one of them surprised when the...thing, opened and eye and sat up making an inhuman growling noise. The dog yelped before clamping its elongated teeth onto the things neck. It gurgled and spurted before falling back to the ground. "Gross." She muttered before spinning around the dust around her feet swirling up momentarily before settling.

"Ellowyn." Came a male voice that was hunched over another body. She motioned over to the dog once more before walking over to the man.

He was hunched over a body, a young woman, could have been between seventeen or twenty. He poked the body with a gloved hand and made a face. He felt his tanned companion come and squat next to him, her leg brushing against his momentarily. "What is it Jeth?"

Jethro shrugged and flipped the body back onto its back, the mouth falling open as he did so. He sighed and pulled at the small bag that the woman had, shaking it her pulled out a black hand gun and a few magazines. He picked up the weapon and handed the weapon to his friend. She raised an eyebrow but took the weapon and stood examining it. He went back to rumaging the bag and found a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. He opened the back to see it was half full, or empty, depending on how you thought about it. He placed one between his lips and shook the lighter hearing the fluid slosh around before he lit the thing. He stood up and placed the packet and lighter into his black leather jacket.

Ellowyn looked over at him. "I don't want it." She sighed handing him to gun. So many had been killed all ready due to weapons like this. He nodded and took the gun from his and tucked it in the back of his pants. Though Ellowyn slipped the rounds into her olive green messanger bag. She looked up to see Jethro picking up his rifle. "Ready?" He said and she nodded her curly head. "Roll out." He said, before letting out a whistle for the dog who came bounding up from the body Ellowyn sure hoped he wasn't eating. This was their life. Moving from place to place, temporary shelters in the Wastes. Looking for any sort of human life left.

Ryker:

I begin jogging, Kye keeping pace, my comabt boots kicking up hot sand as I jog.

Keep in shape, especially during times like these where I spend most of my life as a running and gunning wastelandic nomad. My legs carried me a good mile and a half before I had to take a breather. I cracked my neck and went into a once convienence store building, looking for my kind of treasure. A Cigar. Ohhman how I craved it. Equal to smoking a pack of cigarettes, Bad for you. But damn. So good. Especially the Black Wine, Wood tipped ones. As I entered, I held my M-16 in a defensive, cautious manner. I walked towards the counter, slowly, looking around the dimly lit store. I make a hand gesture to Kye, signaling him to search and destroy any threats. He takes off, like a little soldier. I then quicken my pace and go behind the counter and search. One left. A miracle on my behalf. I took the cigar, wrapped in a thin la
yer of plastic covering and packed it. Grabbed some food, a monster to keep me running and walked to the door, Kye met up with me outside as I was lighting my Cigar. I took a huff of the Wine flavored smoke, held it for a second, and blew it out. "Come, Kye" we began walking. A trail of sweet smoke trailed us.

Kitten:

Perfect weapon for trading any merchants around this area.

I grinned about my little invention. I walked back to my shed grabbed more magazines and my sniper and climbed the ladder to the roof and sat on the chair positioned, over-looking the wastes. I hum a tune I learned in military camp and looked at a picture of my best friend I made in the military. He was the best friend I ever had. And I left him. Ryker. I wonder if he made it home from Iraq before the incident. He made it as a soldier before I did. He was such a sweet heart. I still wish I could see him again. He was a loyal and determined Soldier. Even though he didn't agree with the nuking of the planet. I place the picture back in my boot, And continue watching over my home.

My lonely, Eerie home.

Ryker:

"Dammit"

I cursed loudly as I sliced open my arm on a piece of protruding metal. I looked at the cut on my arm as blood trickled from the wound. Ouch. I can dodge bullets from raiders and bandits, I can evade mutated creatures. And I get hurt by scrap metal. I took my survival knife and cut a strip off my denim jeans, wrapping it around the wound. Whatever. Pain is temporary. I continue to scavenge the buildings, looking for ammunition, or food. Perhaps a first aid kit, or even a tote bag / backpack. Kye flanked me as I marched through broken streets cluttered with trash, totaled vehicles, and chunks of building. I held my M-16 looking around as I walked, occasionally kicking something ahead of me to bring any life out. I wish I could somehow find someone.

I hate being alone.

Kitten:

Boom. Headshot. 10pts.

I kept score on a small slightly scorched notepad, As a little game. I played video games at base, and this was just one nightmare-ish reality. Why not make a little humor out of the carnage? I set my sniper to the side and stifle a yawn. Bed. I climb back down and close and lock the hatch with a wood plank and board the door and holes up and climb into bed, My sniper set on the ground and my knife under my pillow.

Sleep..

Ryker:

I signaled to Kye

"Search."

Kye skirted the buildings, staying silent and in cover as he inspected the shilouettes. Human and animal. He emitted a bark that only I could hear and I grinned. Another survivor. I fired two shots in the air. To show I'm just a wandering survivor, I mean no harm.

"Hello?"

I call out, my deep voice waivering slightly. A bit nervous. I haven't been social with anyone since I was in Iraq. I had to hide as soon as I was flown home. Kye let out a bark for the survivor, letting them know he was safe, and that he was approaching with caution. He neared the human and animal,

Curiously.

Kitten:

Screech!!

My alarm screamed, faltering a bit. I sat up in my bed and yawned. Stretching slightly. My stomach lurched and growled as I stood up and I doubled over in pain. I haven't eaten in

3 days.

I grab my knife and slip it into my satchel deesigned for it, and picked up my sniper and slung her over my shoulder. The gun strap resting between my shoulder and my neck. I quietly unboarded the door and stepped out into the seeping dawn; crimson red skies with sickly yellow clouds sauntered past the few rare white clouds, or even the occasional rain cloud.

I hope it rains.

I walk to a nearby store I had marked on my home made map and went in, knife drawn. Clenched my other hand, knuckles turned white beneath my gloves as I grabbed whatever enclosed food or drink item I could. All of a sudden I heard something from behind and I whipped around to be face to face with a raider. I quickly dodged a shot and stabbed him in the stomach, delivering the same upper cut I had on the practice dummy. He fell to the ground, bleeding out. Crying and writhing in agony. I went back to scavenging and ran back home.

Ryker:

I speak with a defensive ring

"If they know of our position, Kye will search and destroy. And our scents would have possibly alerted them by now. And plus, I find ammo rather..Quick." I grin and step into a flickering streetlight, my large bulky form casting a large shadow over Kye and I signal, Kye races off to search and destroy. "Nothing can escape him." I gloated, my chest swelled with pride as he stalked the shadows like a silent assassin. "Plus creatures don't worry me. After spending a year or two in Iraq." I shrug and crack my neck

Ryker:

"If there's a group, Kye will alert us with a high pitched bark, on a frequency most creatures cannot detect" I coughed and sighed "The war sucked. And I bet you anything. If there are soldiers still alive now, they're fighting still. I wouldn't doubt it" I shruged, slinging my M-16 over my shoulder "I had just unboarded the plane coming from Iraq when I heard the news, I was supposed to be on 2 weeks leave to visit family, but instead had to hide because nobody was present to pick me up from the airport and there was the nuclear attack on it's way" I lightly tapped a piece of dry wall with the tip of my combat boots. I looked at you, you could tell by all the events happening so fast I was already deteriorating at such a young age. So was my mental health.

Ryker:

A small side smile opened up on my face, "My name's Ryker" I looked around and looked back at Vynessa. "Sounds about good" I smile more and stretch, moving my green hair out of my face. "Sleep is a hard find out here in the wastes. Been livin' off of energy drinks" I chuckled half heartedly, Kye returns to my side and slowly walks over to Vynessa and sniffs slightly, and looks up at you, wagging his boney tail.

"Reagan." Ellowyns voice called out nervously. She chewed on her bottom lip and looked around. They were nearing an old city, they had made it thus far without any encounters but you never know. She looked over at the man who was kicking a rock across the abandon road, stepping over whatever bodies were there. Her blue eyes went to her side hoping to see the dog, but he was gone. SHe looked ahead and saw him weaving his underfed body through open buildings and cars, his nose to the ground his ears up like satelite dishes.

"JR," Ellowyn said again nervously shifting her messanger bag. "What?" He finally answered moving a cigarette from his mouth and turning his steely blue gaze to her. "I don't like it here." she stated simply, as she crunched what looked like a bone under her boot. He huffed and shook his head. "Look we need a place to stay for the night, this city is a better place than any. Maybe you'll find the people you so desperately need."

He shrugged carrying on, holding his rifle. He was always partial to the M-16 himself, standard Marine's issue. He continued walking up the deserted street, he could feel his companions unease coming off in waves. He breathed out a string of smoke and looked around, noticing that that dog was now gone. He raised a dark eyebrow but decided against saying something. Beast would find his way back.

((Not really sure what to do...))

Ryker:

I chuckled "Don't fancy them much myself, but they're the only thing that keep a nomad going nowadays." I smile and walk in past you, "Safety is your thing now isn't it?" I throw a glance back at you, a raised eye brow and a grin shows a slight flirting side of me, mainly not on purpose. "Military chambers are pretty damn sturdy when it comes to protection against outside enemies or weather...Depending on how it's styled atleast." I say quickly, trying to hide the fact I was accidentally flirting. My face turns a slight shade of red.

There I go again. Rambling nervously.