((roz is now here.))
Roz's leg felt better. While the gash still hurt and impacted the way she walked, she was able to walk short distances without Rod's strong arm around her shoulder. They walked slowly together so they had to pick a location near where they slept the night together. They didn't talk about what happened during the night, how Roz snaked around Rod with her arms and their sweat soaked each other's clothes. They just walked toward the office building with tall windows, hoping Clay was there.
Roz wondered if she had done something wrong, bringing Rod with her there. Clay was her friend but he was strangely cold toward Rozenne. Perhaps it was because of what was going on the announcement with his girlfriend. She assumed it had to do with her, it was a better reason than having another boy than him helping her to walk. She assumed he didn’t have a weird hero complex like the shitty protagonist with the princesses and the dragons.
The only regret she felt when she entered the building was the fact it wasn’t as pretty as the last one. The boat shack had paintings on the wall of sea monsters, mermaids, sailors, and Roz woke up facing one of them. She was fascinated by the creatures of sea, they were so far away and mysterious, like aliens but on earth as they stared from their watery graves. When the door closed behind them, there was a second regret: the smell. Something was rotting.
Roz turned to her... ally? Yeah, he was her ally. They were in an alliance, nothing more. They weren’t friends or anything. Roz was a wounded gazelle and Rod took care of her, she didn’t know how long it would take before he would turn on her and that’s why she had a tight grip on her pistol. She was ready to blow his brain out, but she didn’t want to. She waited for the moment he turned, the moment she saw rage in his eyes. That was when she would pull the trigger, ending his life and leaving Roz alone, once again. She looked at him for too long which led to him turning his head toward her, she realized he might have been smelling the same thing she was.
“I think there’s a body,” she said without any emotions.
She turned back to the office. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to be there anymore. The stench was worse of the girl on the fence. While her guts were out to be cooked by the sun, she was outside. Here, it felt like the smell trapped Roz alongside of it, pulling her into the black hole. She felt if she stayed here for too long, she wouldn’t be able to leave.
Anahuac
Phase 3 (25-36 Hours)
((Rodney Vasicek continued from Dinner and a Movie))
Rodney continued to support Roz as they made their way through the peninsula. Somehow, supporting her was becoming a lot more natural for him. The feel of her body next to his, her arm around his, her pace matching his. It was kinda interesting, as if they were moving as one body instead of two.
They had moved to a new building and made their ways in. They weren't sure where Clay or Bishop or anyone else could be. Well, they knew where one person was. Unfortunately, that person wasn't alive anymore, and they had the stench to prove it.
Rodney covered his mouth and nose once he realized what it was. He had heard from his father about the smell of corpses on the battlefield and read similarly descriptive depiction in literature, but to be confronted with it was even worse. The one from yesterday hadn't gone bad yet, and probably had any smell covered by the salty air of the sea. This was way worse.
"O-oh god..." Rodney muttered. "We're really in Hell..."
Rodney continued to support Roz as they made their way through the peninsula. Somehow, supporting her was becoming a lot more natural for him. The feel of her body next to his, her arm around his, her pace matching his. It was kinda interesting, as if they were moving as one body instead of two.
They had moved to a new building and made their ways in. They weren't sure where Clay or Bishop or anyone else could be. Well, they knew where one person was. Unfortunately, that person wasn't alive anymore, and they had the stench to prove it.
Rodney covered his mouth and nose once he realized what it was. He had heard from his father about the smell of corpses on the battlefield and read similarly descriptive depiction in literature, but to be confronted with it was even worse. The one from yesterday hadn't gone bad yet, and probably had any smell covered by the salty air of the sea. This was way worse.
"O-oh god..." Rodney muttered. "We're really in Hell..."
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Oh Rod, Roz knew you weren't the brighest lightbulb on the peninsula but that was a bit too much. This was obviously not Hell, it was much more worst. See Rod, if Roz had a mouth that could speak these words, she would say this:
Our suffering is shown to the world; at least in Hell, you get privacy. In Hell, you are punished for what you have done, for the sins you have committed. Here, we are punished for being born in the wrong nation at the wrong time. In Hell, we deserve it and we can bear through it in silence. Here, everyone will know our fates while they bet, cheer, cry, and scream as we kill each other. This place is much scarier than Hell.
Instead, however, she quietly nodded. Her mouth and her brain weren't wired to say that. Even if there were no explosive leashes around her neck and even if they wouldn't hear it, America was present in her mind. Anything she said against it, felt like she was saying it against her family. In some moments, she was scared people could read her mind. She was scared of everything she thought so she quietly snuffed it out. The only things she could think of were the arm of Rod's around her, the fact she might have to kill him soon, and the smell that felt like it was sticking to her clothes.
She pointed the teller's stand. The smell was coming from there. She looked around the room. There were signs of a struggle with toppled chairs and blood, it did look it happened a certain time ago since the blood was dry and a thin layer of dust started to make its way on the chairs. She noticed the wall, she didn't like them. She prefered the walls from the boat house. She didn't need a reminder that she was so faraway from home.
"I think the body is behind the teller's stand," she paused then looked at Rod, realizing she forgot to do the quiet voice, "do we loot it or should we just... leave?"
Roz wanted to loot. She wanted the supplies that might have been left behind by the killer. She just wasn't in a state to make that choice on her own due to her leg. Worst case scenario, she could come back here alone.
Our suffering is shown to the world; at least in Hell, you get privacy. In Hell, you are punished for what you have done, for the sins you have committed. Here, we are punished for being born in the wrong nation at the wrong time. In Hell, we deserve it and we can bear through it in silence. Here, everyone will know our fates while they bet, cheer, cry, and scream as we kill each other. This place is much scarier than Hell.
Instead, however, she quietly nodded. Her mouth and her brain weren't wired to say that. Even if there were no explosive leashes around her neck and even if they wouldn't hear it, America was present in her mind. Anything she said against it, felt like she was saying it against her family. In some moments, she was scared people could read her mind. She was scared of everything she thought so she quietly snuffed it out. The only things she could think of were the arm of Rod's around her, the fact she might have to kill him soon, and the smell that felt like it was sticking to her clothes.
She pointed the teller's stand. The smell was coming from there. She looked around the room. There were signs of a struggle with toppled chairs and blood, it did look it happened a certain time ago since the blood was dry and a thin layer of dust started to make its way on the chairs. She noticed the wall, she didn't like them. She prefered the walls from the boat house. She didn't need a reminder that she was so faraway from home.
"I think the body is behind the teller's stand," she paused then looked at Rod, realizing she forgot to do the quiet voice, "do we loot it or should we just... leave?"
Roz wanted to loot. She wanted the supplies that might have been left behind by the killer. She just wasn't in a state to make that choice on her own due to her leg. Worst case scenario, she could come back here alone.
"Um, we can check. I can check. If you like."
Rodney breathed in and out. He was already dreading looking at another dead body, but he needed to be stronger. It was the second day. Anyone they came across was likely to be a killer, and were also more likely to be near the edge of playing. He had heard his father run all these hypotheticals each time The Program rolled around, reminding Rodney and his brothers about how alert they'd need to be if they were chosen. Besides, Roz needed supplies, and Rodney needed to make sure they had enough medical supplies and water.
"Um, here I go," Rodney said, letting Roz go so he could move around to the body.
He walked around the teller's stand. It was then he saw the body. And smelled it a lot harder. It was then Rodney's body told him "Sorry, but you gotta look like a loser right now," and made Rodney retch.
Rodney clutched his stomach and bent over. The minimal breakfast he got suddenly materialized on the floor. Rodney retched and let a little more out. He stared at the puddle of vomit, a bit dribbling out of his mouth.
"Uh..."
He suddenly felt embarrassed. He was trying to look strong and cool for Roz, and he instead showed her how he reacted after riding roller coasters. What was he supposed to say now?
Rodney breathed in and out. He was already dreading looking at another dead body, but he needed to be stronger. It was the second day. Anyone they came across was likely to be a killer, and were also more likely to be near the edge of playing. He had heard his father run all these hypotheticals each time The Program rolled around, reminding Rodney and his brothers about how alert they'd need to be if they were chosen. Besides, Roz needed supplies, and Rodney needed to make sure they had enough medical supplies and water.
"Um, here I go," Rodney said, letting Roz go so he could move around to the body.
He walked around the teller's stand. It was then he saw the body. And smelled it a lot harder. It was then Rodney's body told him "Sorry, but you gotta look like a loser right now," and made Rodney retch.
Rodney clutched his stomach and bent over. The minimal breakfast he got suddenly materialized on the floor. Rodney retched and let a little more out. He stared at the puddle of vomit, a bit dribbling out of his mouth.
"Uh..."
He suddenly felt embarrassed. He was trying to look strong and cool for Roz, and he instead showed her how he reacted after riding roller coasters. What was he supposed to say now?
G014: Mayumi Tendou
She sighed. Not at Rod's reaction but at her own. Her body had already moved to his, her left hand on his shoulder with a water bottle in her right hand. She rubbed his back. She empathized with his pain, vomiting after seeing a dead body was a normal reaction, she also puked when she shot the boy in the face. The boy was still very alive, but his body was very injured. Anyways, she hated feeling the acid in her throat going into her mouth but sometime it was necessary to make things happen. It was how the body handled toxins and all, a good vomit then you can handle things that really sucks. However, it was still very unpleasant.
Roz had forgotten the smell for a brief second as she rubbed his back. She didn't know what to say or what to do other than showing him the bottle as she caressed him. A couple of unplanned words came out of her mouth, softly twitching her lips, thinking of the right thing to say as she spoke to the retching boy.
"Let it all out, it's fine. I'm here, okay?" She rubbed his back softly. He was sweaty. Maybe handling Roz was getting a bit too much for him, she didn't exhaust himself over it. "There, there. Here's some water, you can rinse your mouth, okay?"
She forgot the small voice again. It didn't really matter. She rubbed his back, waiting for him to accept the bottle and rinse his mouth. She was already eyeing the body. She saw the feet of another one a bit further. That was a good find, really. She rubbed her nose with her wrist as she smelled the bodies. It smelled like someone had forgotten their lunch in a hot locker room but their lunch was a stew of rotten pigs.
Her touched lingered on his back for a bit too long for her liking but she kept it there. She lowered her head to his level. She smelled the vomit now, she hated the smell. It was dripping from his mouth like goo. It was pretty gross but Roz stayed there with the bottle in front of his face. She moved her left hand to his forehead, it felt warm. She tilted her head softly, quietly telling him what something he wouldn't like hearing. Roz was fine with it.
"Go get some fresh air, I'll handle it," she had a compassionate smile on her face, and for once it was genuine. She didn't think about the consequences of that smile.
Roz had forgotten the smell for a brief second as she rubbed his back. She didn't know what to say or what to do other than showing him the bottle as she caressed him. A couple of unplanned words came out of her mouth, softly twitching her lips, thinking of the right thing to say as she spoke to the retching boy.
"Let it all out, it's fine. I'm here, okay?" She rubbed his back softly. He was sweaty. Maybe handling Roz was getting a bit too much for him, she didn't exhaust himself over it. "There, there. Here's some water, you can rinse your mouth, okay?"
She forgot the small voice again. It didn't really matter. She rubbed his back, waiting for him to accept the bottle and rinse his mouth. She was already eyeing the body. She saw the feet of another one a bit further. That was a good find, really. She rubbed her nose with her wrist as she smelled the bodies. It smelled like someone had forgotten their lunch in a hot locker room but their lunch was a stew of rotten pigs.
Her touched lingered on his back for a bit too long for her liking but she kept it there. She lowered her head to his level. She smelled the vomit now, she hated the smell. It was dripping from his mouth like goo. It was pretty gross but Roz stayed there with the bottle in front of his face. She moved her left hand to his forehead, it felt warm. She tilted her head softly, quietly telling him what something he wouldn't like hearing. Roz was fine with it.
"Go get some fresh air, I'll handle it," she had a compassionate smile on her face, and for once it was genuine. She didn't think about the consequences of that smile.
Rodney took the bottle from Roz and took a sip, swishing the water around in his mouth as she patted him on the back. He swallowed the drink, not wanting to spit on the floor in front of her. He already felt really awkward, and the last thing he wanted to do was look gross. Roz even suggested her step outside while she looted the body.
"Um, I'll just stand by the exit," he said. "I can stay in the room just in case someone else comes in."
Rodney moved towards the entrance, turning away from Roz and the body. He sighed and bent over, putting his hands on his thighs and shaking his head. How was he supposed to protect Roz if he was already losing his lunch over a dead body. He was sure his dad and his brothers were mocking him back home. His dad was probably downplaying how bad the smell of rotting corpses was, and his brothers were probably chiming in to back their dad's statement without considering their own opinion.
He took another sip from the water bottle. He had to salvage something from this mess. Maybe he could try starting small talk to distract from the corpse looting.
"Um, have you thought about what your family back home might be thinking right now?"
"Um, I'll just stand by the exit," he said. "I can stay in the room just in case someone else comes in."
Rodney moved towards the entrance, turning away from Roz and the body. He sighed and bent over, putting his hands on his thighs and shaking his head. How was he supposed to protect Roz if he was already losing his lunch over a dead body. He was sure his dad and his brothers were mocking him back home. His dad was probably downplaying how bad the smell of rotting corpses was, and his brothers were probably chiming in to back their dad's statement without considering their own opinion.
He took another sip from the water bottle. He had to salvage something from this mess. Maybe he could try starting small talk to distract from the corpse looting.
"Um, have you thought about what your family back home might be thinking right now?"
G014: Mayumi Tendou
((Posting this for Lore since she has board issues))
"I don't know."
What could she say? She could only assume what they were doing based on what Roz had learned over the years of the Program. She started with her sister, she was the most obvious one.
"My sister Jobenna, you probably know her, she's very pretty, is probably crying. We were always different-," she noticed her words and corrected herself, "we are different, she cried at everything and I'm, well, more of an inside person. I'm assuming she's not going to work today but she will probably be back tomorrow."
Yeah, Jobenna. Little big sister who felt free to talk and explore her emotion. Her big little sister wasn't as lucky, she had be the weird quiet tall girl while Jobbie could just be pretty and smile. She wasn't sure Roz was envious of her position, there were days she would come home crying despite spending the day giggling and smiling. She assumed it took much more efforts psychologically than sitting down and being quiet.
Her parents were next. It was harder due to their job and status. They were away. Don't know where, somewhere in Canada. She assumed they knew about Roz but she wasn't sure if they went back home. She questioned that trail of thought out loud as she picked things of values from the first body. Interestingly enough, she was able to recover some water, food, medical supplies. She stuffed them in her bag as her mouth opened.
"My parents work for the military. My dad's a drill sergeant and my mom is a communication specialist or something," she took a break as she turned the body on his back, looting his pockets. "I assume they were given vacation after learning I was in the Program. They are probably either on the plane or landing home soon. I assume they are scared or something. Maybe proud, maybe they are watching right now. I hope they aren't."
As she moved to the next body mechanically, ignoring the stench in the air, she questioned Rod back. Realizing she had dropped the small voice again, she decided to drop it here. He wouldn't have heard her if she talk in a small baby voice, anyways.
"What about you?"
"I don't know."
What could she say? She could only assume what they were doing based on what Roz had learned over the years of the Program. She started with her sister, she was the most obvious one.
"My sister Jobenna, you probably know her, she's very pretty, is probably crying. We were always different-," she noticed her words and corrected herself, "we are different, she cried at everything and I'm, well, more of an inside person. I'm assuming she's not going to work today but she will probably be back tomorrow."
Yeah, Jobenna. Little big sister who felt free to talk and explore her emotion. Her big little sister wasn't as lucky, she had be the weird quiet tall girl while Jobbie could just be pretty and smile. She wasn't sure Roz was envious of her position, there were days she would come home crying despite spending the day giggling and smiling. She assumed it took much more efforts psychologically than sitting down and being quiet.
Her parents were next. It was harder due to their job and status. They were away. Don't know where, somewhere in Canada. She assumed they knew about Roz but she wasn't sure if they went back home. She questioned that trail of thought out loud as she picked things of values from the first body. Interestingly enough, she was able to recover some water, food, medical supplies. She stuffed them in her bag as her mouth opened.
"My parents work for the military. My dad's a drill sergeant and my mom is a communication specialist or something," she took a break as she turned the body on his back, looting his pockets. "I assume they were given vacation after learning I was in the Program. They are probably either on the plane or landing home soon. I assume they are scared or something. Maybe proud, maybe they are watching right now. I hope they aren't."
As she moved to the next body mechanically, ignoring the stench in the air, she questioned Rod back. Realizing she had dropped the small voice again, she decided to drop it here. He wouldn't have heard her if she talk in a small baby voice, anyways.
"What about you?"
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Rodney thought about what Roz said. He probably did see her sister around somewhere in Denver or at school. It was weird. Rodney didn't really have friends at school, and he often avoided people, making it hard for him to remember who people were or what their names were. He could have seen Jobenna plenty of times and not even realized he would be on a journey with her sister in the future. It was such a missed opportunity. He could have gotten to know Jobenna along with Roz. He could have actually made connections with the family of a friend.
But now he had to talk about his family. Crap. After dishing about them back in the boat shed, Rodney wasn't sure what he should say.
"Um...I have two brothers. Ashton and Dexter. I'm not really close to them. I'm the baby, and they always treated me as such. They're probably making fun of me right now... They probably wouldn't be sad if I never came back."
Rodney pursed his lips a bit.
"As for my dad, he was military. Did a lot of training and recruiting. He expected us all to be manly men like him. I don't really have a bond with him or anything. He was more like a coach than a Dad. It was always yelling and demands and disappointment and criticism and name calling with him."
Rodney had barely noticed that he was getting louder the more and more he talked. But he didn't find any reason to stop talking. Someone was asking him what he felt about his family, and he didn't see a reason to lie. Roz didn't lie to him, so he shouldn't lie to her.
"It was always like that. Just mockery and frustration. It's not like they even wanted to talk to me or ask how I was feeling. And then they probably wondered why I was always preferring to go right to my room after school and after dinner. They probably would only get even more angrier if they knew exactly what I was doing in my room. Probably talk about disowning me or humiliating me in public. But that's fine. I never wanted to be in this family. I never wanted to be their family. They probably never wanted me in their family anyways. And why not? I'm just the weird, quiet one who used to cry all the time because he missed his mom. I'm not a real man like them.
"But why would I want to be like them? They're mean and cruel and stupid. They don't appreciate me or anything but their own egos and the way they can make America better. Maybe it's a good thing I'm here because now it's guaranteedI'll never see them again. At the very least, I'll probably get to see mom sooner, and I pray to God she's at least willing to not look at me like some kind of freak!"
Rodney finally felt his throat seize. His face was streaked with tears. Maybe he got a little too honest with Roz. Just like the secrets of one of the old money families he wrote about in his stories, now that it was in the open, it wouldn't go back in. He covered his mouth and bent over a bit.
"Sorry. I'm not normally like that. I swear."
But now he had to talk about his family. Crap. After dishing about them back in the boat shed, Rodney wasn't sure what he should say.
"Um...I have two brothers. Ashton and Dexter. I'm not really close to them. I'm the baby, and they always treated me as such. They're probably making fun of me right now... They probably wouldn't be sad if I never came back."
Rodney pursed his lips a bit.
"As for my dad, he was military. Did a lot of training and recruiting. He expected us all to be manly men like him. I don't really have a bond with him or anything. He was more like a coach than a Dad. It was always yelling and demands and disappointment and criticism and name calling with him."
Rodney had barely noticed that he was getting louder the more and more he talked. But he didn't find any reason to stop talking. Someone was asking him what he felt about his family, and he didn't see a reason to lie. Roz didn't lie to him, so he shouldn't lie to her.
"It was always like that. Just mockery and frustration. It's not like they even wanted to talk to me or ask how I was feeling. And then they probably wondered why I was always preferring to go right to my room after school and after dinner. They probably would only get even more angrier if they knew exactly what I was doing in my room. Probably talk about disowning me or humiliating me in public. But that's fine. I never wanted to be in this family. I never wanted to be their family. They probably never wanted me in their family anyways. And why not? I'm just the weird, quiet one who used to cry all the time because he missed his mom. I'm not a real man like them.
"But why would I want to be like them? They're mean and cruel and stupid. They don't appreciate me or anything but their own egos and the way they can make America better. Maybe it's a good thing I'm here because now it's guaranteedI'll never see them again. At the very least, I'll probably get to see mom sooner, and I pray to God she's at least willing to not look at me like some kind of freak!"
Rodney finally felt his throat seize. His face was streaked with tears. Maybe he got a little too honest with Roz. Just like the secrets of one of the old money families he wrote about in his stories, now that it was in the open, it wouldn't go back in. He covered his mouth and bent over a bit.
"Sorry. I'm not normally like that. I swear."
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Looting bodies was a physical activity that Rozenne surprisingly didn't mind that much. She was already on the second body when Rod's voice started to get louder. At first, she thought the white noise grew in size because of the distance and Rodney decided to drop the small voice too but she was wrong. She searched for the second body, its pockets for supplies. Rod's voice kept getting louder and there was something she couldn't ignore, so she turned her head toward him. He was hidden behind the counter so she had to raise her head above it to see him.
He was visibly shaken. Was there a ghost with them in the room? Perhaps, she decided to listen and she noticed that the ghosts were coming from him. He was describing his father but it quickly degenerated. It felt like even the baby flies on the body and on her legs listened to his words. She had meager supplies in her hands but she decided it was enough. There was obviously something else much more important to salvage here than some pain killers and crackers.
When people raise their voices around Roz, it made electric shocks run through her body. It made her feel anxious, gave her physical pain in her stomach. It felt like the words of the person came out of their mouth to hit her savagely in the guts, imprinting their initials in her and, in these moments, she only wanted to run. There was something that scared her more than his loud voice that was evolving into a scream: she empathised.
It's like that sometimes with Rozenne too. She hated to admit it, but she was often jealous of her sister and she wanted to scream and shake her when she wasn't understanding Rozenne. A total vague anger often overcame her when she thought of her having it better because of her lighter skin and prettier face, and her parents' patriotism made her want to scream in their ears as they played pawns in the hands of the white king.
She took small steps at first, feeling the bugs fly away from her, going back to their carcasses. He was enticed in his monologue, in his rant that poured his emotions out. She was scared, but like a moth, she fluttered toward the fire. She looked at the gun in her hand and she did something she felt like she would regret. She laid it down to sleep, to finally get some rest on the teller's counter. His voice finally croaked after revealing the appeal of his impending demise and then there was a soft apology. Oh, but he shouldn't apologize, she liked that side of him.
She wrapped her arms around her neck but they slowly went down his shirt. She pressed her chest against his head and she squeezed him. She caressed him softly. His hair with her chin, his neck with her thumb and slowly feeling his spine with her hand as it went up and down his breathing back. She felt good. It felt good to touch someone that way. She missed hugging her sister every morning. She never touched a boy like that, she wished she had before. Her lips let some air and barely whispered some words she wanted to hear when she was being comforted herself.
"Shhh, it's okay. Let it all out, it's okay, hon', it's fine."
He was visibly shaken. Was there a ghost with them in the room? Perhaps, she decided to listen and she noticed that the ghosts were coming from him. He was describing his father but it quickly degenerated. It felt like even the baby flies on the body and on her legs listened to his words. She had meager supplies in her hands but she decided it was enough. There was obviously something else much more important to salvage here than some pain killers and crackers.
When people raise their voices around Roz, it made electric shocks run through her body. It made her feel anxious, gave her physical pain in her stomach. It felt like the words of the person came out of their mouth to hit her savagely in the guts, imprinting their initials in her and, in these moments, she only wanted to run. There was something that scared her more than his loud voice that was evolving into a scream: she empathised.
It's like that sometimes with Rozenne too. She hated to admit it, but she was often jealous of her sister and she wanted to scream and shake her when she wasn't understanding Rozenne. A total vague anger often overcame her when she thought of her having it better because of her lighter skin and prettier face, and her parents' patriotism made her want to scream in their ears as they played pawns in the hands of the white king.
She took small steps at first, feeling the bugs fly away from her, going back to their carcasses. He was enticed in his monologue, in his rant that poured his emotions out. She was scared, but like a moth, she fluttered toward the fire. She looked at the gun in her hand and she did something she felt like she would regret. She laid it down to sleep, to finally get some rest on the teller's counter. His voice finally croaked after revealing the appeal of his impending demise and then there was a soft apology. Oh, but he shouldn't apologize, she liked that side of him.
She wrapped her arms around her neck but they slowly went down his shirt. She pressed her chest against his head and she squeezed him. She caressed him softly. His hair with her chin, his neck with her thumb and slowly feeling his spine with her hand as it went up and down his breathing back. She felt good. It felt good to touch someone that way. She missed hugging her sister every morning. She never touched a boy like that, she wished she had before. Her lips let some air and barely whispered some words she wanted to hear when she was being comforted herself.
"Shhh, it's okay. Let it all out, it's okay, hon', it's fine."
Rodney wanted to curl inside himself and collapse inwards like a dying star. Stars often went out when they reached the end of their life, and humans might not have realized that the bit of starlight they saw in the night sky was the last bit of light that star offered before it disappeared forever. Rodney wondered if this was the end of his light and his life. He had basically destroyed any chance of going home, if he could, and he probably made himself look much worse to Roz now that he went off like that.
But, to his complete shock, Roz suddenly appeared beside him and pulled him into a hug. He felt her warm chest against the side of his head, causing him to blush a bit. She was comforting him and telling him it was okay. Rodney felt himself getting choked up. When was the last time he was really hugged? He might have gotten one of those sibling pat-hugs when one of his brothers came home from college. That was about it. This was much different. And way better than a stupid pat-hug.
Rodney nestled his face against his chest a bit as he adjusted himself, allowing himself to get face to face with her and wrap his own arms around her frame. He hugged her tightly, his large arms practically engulfing her. This was a real hug. This was way better than anything he had before.
"Roz...thank you..." he said. "I'm glad you're here."
But, to his complete shock, Roz suddenly appeared beside him and pulled him into a hug. He felt her warm chest against the side of his head, causing him to blush a bit. She was comforting him and telling him it was okay. Rodney felt himself getting choked up. When was the last time he was really hugged? He might have gotten one of those sibling pat-hugs when one of his brothers came home from college. That was about it. This was much different. And way better than a stupid pat-hug.
Rodney nestled his face against his chest a bit as he adjusted himself, allowing himself to get face to face with her and wrap his own arms around her frame. He hugged her tightly, his large arms practically engulfing her. This was a real hug. This was way better than anything he had before.
"Roz...thank you..." he said. "I'm glad you're here."
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Oh gosh, he was going to choke her-
her gun-
her-
where was it-
she needed it-
He moved his body according to her, pulling her closer. He was taller than Rozenne, it was pretty frightening when he stood straight. She quietly shallowed when she saw him wrap his hands around her waist. He could feel his fingers touch her neck, then her shoulders then her ribs. It felt nice. His hands symmetrically set themselves on her upper body, around her shoulder blades and behind her ribs. It felt like they could crack.
Her own grip got closer, her hands were around his neck. Oh gosh, they were so sweaty. This felt weird, it felt like their body could merge. She wished she could do a tight bun instead of a loose braid to her hair, something to stop the oppressive heat from forming a thick layer of sweat on the back of her. She blushed when she realized what they were doing, but that didn't stop her.
oh no oh no oh no oh no-
they were face to face-
maybe she could bite him-
tear his throat apart-
She put her left hand on his neck and the other flat on his back. She leaned closer, he made her feel so small. She was a couple of inches taller than her. That felt weird, she was tall and stocky but so was he, just bigger. He made her feel small, tiny, vulnerable. Weird feeling for a girl who always felt so numb and detached, so different and distant. He made her feel good in a way she didn't know she could feel. It was superficial really, but Roz found comfort in his appearance.
She never felt like she belonged anywhere other than the store and home, but this quiet tall boy who had problems with his family existed near her and made her feel like she found a piece of herself. The smell of the room evaporated as she got closer to him. It's not that he smelled good, but he smelled different. Was the proper term musk? Or was it just sweaty? Whatever, it was better than the smell of two rotten bodies of their peers.
she should have shot-
him! him! him!-
he was speaking to her-
a taunt! a taunt! run little rabbit-
She looked at his face. She bit her lips. What was this feeling? She wasn't sure, were they romantic or just lust? She wanted him to stay here and hug her forever. It tore her insides. The future wouldn't allow this relationship, but they already crossed it when they decided to ally. She could have shot him and the future would be pleased, but in reality, the second she sat down and decided to wait to kill him, she had already broken the rule that promised her future.
Just by being allies, then whatever this was, they broke what the Program meant and the future glared at them knowing the only possibly ending. However, for the first time in a while, Roz stopped thinking. Her nose poked his neck as she burrowed her head in him. It felt good. She wanted it, she wanted him right there. The thoughts were soothed, allowing a moment of respite as Rozenne embraced Rodney firmly.
her gun-
her-
where was it-
she needed it-
He moved his body according to her, pulling her closer. He was taller than Rozenne, it was pretty frightening when he stood straight. She quietly shallowed when she saw him wrap his hands around her waist. He could feel his fingers touch her neck, then her shoulders then her ribs. It felt nice. His hands symmetrically set themselves on her upper body, around her shoulder blades and behind her ribs. It felt like they could crack.
Her own grip got closer, her hands were around his neck. Oh gosh, they were so sweaty. This felt weird, it felt like their body could merge. She wished she could do a tight bun instead of a loose braid to her hair, something to stop the oppressive heat from forming a thick layer of sweat on the back of her. She blushed when she realized what they were doing, but that didn't stop her.
oh no oh no oh no oh no-
they were face to face-
maybe she could bite him-
tear his throat apart-
She put her left hand on his neck and the other flat on his back. She leaned closer, he made her feel so small. She was a couple of inches taller than her. That felt weird, she was tall and stocky but so was he, just bigger. He made her feel small, tiny, vulnerable. Weird feeling for a girl who always felt so numb and detached, so different and distant. He made her feel good in a way she didn't know she could feel. It was superficial really, but Roz found comfort in his appearance.
She never felt like she belonged anywhere other than the store and home, but this quiet tall boy who had problems with his family existed near her and made her feel like she found a piece of herself. The smell of the room evaporated as she got closer to him. It's not that he smelled good, but he smelled different. Was the proper term musk? Or was it just sweaty? Whatever, it was better than the smell of two rotten bodies of their peers.
she should have shot-
him! him! him!-
he was speaking to her-
a taunt! a taunt! run little rabbit-
She looked at his face. She bit her lips. What was this feeling? She wasn't sure, were they romantic or just lust? She wanted him to stay here and hug her forever. It tore her insides. The future wouldn't allow this relationship, but they already crossed it when they decided to ally. She could have shot him and the future would be pleased, but in reality, the second she sat down and decided to wait to kill him, she had already broken the rule that promised her future.
Just by being allies, then whatever this was, they broke what the Program meant and the future glared at them knowing the only possibly ending. However, for the first time in a while, Roz stopped thinking. Her nose poked his neck as she burrowed her head in him. It felt good. She wanted it, she wanted him right there. The thoughts were soothed, allowing a moment of respite as Rozenne embraced Rodney firmly.
The two broke their hug and moved outside the customs office. Rodney let out a long exhale and put his hands to his thighs. He didn't expect to get as emotional as he did, especially since it was with a new friend, but he sort of felt glad to let it out. The last few days were definitively the worst of his life, and it was probably for the best that he got it all out this way. He was sure there were some people who were channeling their frustrations and anger at the situation into more deadly ways, so maybe this was the sort of clarity that would help him and Roz out in the long run.
Rodney leaned back up and looked around. It was nearing midday, and they still didn't have much of a plan. They didn't know where Clay or Bishop or anyone else was. He wasn't sure how many people were left, but hopefully there would be some clue soon how close they were to some relief.
"Hey, where should we go next?" Rodney asked Roz.
Rodney leaned back up and looked around. It was nearing midday, and they still didn't have much of a plan. They didn't know where Clay or Bishop or anyone else was. He wasn't sure how many people were left, but hopefully there would be some clue soon how close they were to some relief.
"Hey, where should we go next?" Rodney asked Roz.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Oh... oh okay. They weren't hugging anymore. Roz felt a surge of shame, it appeared on her face as a flush. She felt her cheeks heat up, as if she was breaking into a fever. Last time she was sick, she laid in her bed for a good week readeing books and listening to music. She wished she could go back to this. A moment where she could afford being vulnerable and closing her eyes and being fine with being weak. She was weak a second ago, showed a spot where a knife could easily lodge itself. She wasn't sure if she was fine about it, but she enjoyed the hug.
Casually, she grabbed her bag and her gun. The smell had come back, it felt like it was going through her skin. It's not like she could breath with her mouth: she tasted it as it tainted the air around her. She resorted to short breaths until she would leave the building. She had her weapon and her supplies and promptly left the building. She closed the door behind her. Rod mentioned where they should go next and her answer came without thinking,
"The church, there's room we could spent the night. Like, I'd like to sleep in a bed tonight," she reached her hand toward the boy. Oh, please grab it. She wanted to hold him again.
((Roz continued to church.))
Casually, she grabbed her bag and her gun. The smell had come back, it felt like it was going through her skin. It's not like she could breath with her mouth: she tasted it as it tainted the air around her. She resorted to short breaths until she would leave the building. She had her weapon and her supplies and promptly left the building. She closed the door behind her. Rod mentioned where they should go next and her answer came without thinking,
"The church, there's room we could spent the night. Like, I'd like to sleep in a bed tonight," she reached her hand toward the boy. Oh, please grab it. She wanted to hold him again.
((Roz continued to church.))
Rodney exhaled a bit. The church sounded good. They would need the faith to carry them through this game. He had faith in Roz, but he would certainly need faith in a higher power.
"Sure. We can go there."
Rodney stretched a bit before they headed off. Now that they had gotten all these frustrations off of their chests, maybe things could turn around.
He could hope, at least.
((Rodney Vasicek continued in Emotional Resolution))
"Sure. We can go there."
Rodney stretched a bit before they headed off. Now that they had gotten all these frustrations off of their chests, maybe things could turn around.
He could hope, at least.
((Rodney Vasicek continued in Emotional Resolution))
G014: Mayumi Tendou