just live

Katherine/Kathy | 32 | Hospital | Research

[jax-irons-blog]

“You know, I think sugartits suits you a lot more. I think I’ll keep it for now” again she shoved the end of his gun hard into her back, letting her know not to forget it was there. Being in control was something the boy enjoyed a lot more than he’d ever care to admit “Ohio- you’re a long way from home. That’s like what? Nine hours? How’d you make it that far- last I checked the highways weren’t really all that travelable”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“Well, I think dick, or asshole, suits you more,” Katherine retorted, then winced when she felt the end of his gun being shoved in his back. She sighed, muttering something under her breath. “I was smart. We.....I used back roads, until my car stopped working. Then I just went through the woods. Got stuck for a while, but I found my way,” she said with a shrug. “I found that car, and just drove, then I found this. And know I’m here, with an asshole, pointing a gun at my back.”

[blue-eyed-devils-deactivated202]

Indy wandered the halls of the hospital, feeling increasingly lost. This place was like a maze. She’d said go right and then left - or was it second left? The wing devoid of people, silence looming in on Indy. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to be here. 

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine scribbled down on an old, wrinkly notepad with a pen that was running low. Not a lot of people cared for pens, and if any where found, there was always something wrong. She wanted to break the pen in half and get a new one, but she was sure looking for a new one would be like trying to discover what started this world-ending-apocalypse-causing virus. She looked up and could tell, from the actions of the male figure, that they were lost. “Need help stranger?”

[katewalkerashes]

Kate shrugged nonchalantly. ‘’Well, I wouldn’t know. I’m an only child.’’ Lie. Kate had a brother, half-brother, that she didn’t know if he was alive or not. He was the closest person she’s ever had in her life, which changed once she ventured into the criminal business and toxic relationships. He cut off all ties with her. Kate glanced up at Katherine and her jaw clenched; this was not the first time she was hearing such a story. She wasn’t good with these things so she chose to ignore the comment and not pry into the woman’s privacy. ‘’Oh, I was on my way to Florida a few months ago, before I got to the Base. Harsh weather conditions kind of led me to a warmer climate but then I changed my course.’’ She offered a small smile. ‘’What were you doing in Ohio?”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“Sometime, I prefer being an only child than having siblings,” Katherine said, with a shrug. She sighed a bit, looking down at her fingers. She twiddled with them, thinking of everything she could to calm herself down. Telling herself to not think about what Connor could be doing. Meeting kids his own age, or finally getting a decent meal. She cleared her throat and nodded. “Yeah, i was going to head back to Florida. But it's really far, unfortunately,” she said. “I was visiting family, and I was also looking for a new place to live.”

[jax-irons-blog]

“Coulda fooled me” his words were muttered just loud enough for her and her alone to hear as he pushed her along- trigger finger itching to send a bullet through her skull. Now wasn’t the best time to be trusting anyone,not after the attack. But things at the hospital were different to things at the base, Jax had learned that the hard way “Thanks, sugartits” he commented, reaching into her back pocket and pulling out the knife “What’s your name? Where are you from? Why the hell did you decide to show up here of all places”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to clench her fist. She could see that something had surely happened. Ignoring the obvious bullet holes in the wall, it was the way this guy had treated her. “It’s Kathy, not sugartits,” she snapped, correcting him. “I was in Ohio when it all started. And I didn’t really decide, or pick to be here. I was just driving. Then I found this place. You don’t have to trust me, or even believe me, but I didn’t deliberately find this place.”

[katewalkerashes]

‘’And you’re the youngest in your family?” Kate raised her eyebrows, a bit curious over this peculiar situation. She wondered if Katherine was telling the truth. ‘’Usually it’s the other way around. The older siblings are the protective siblings who worry about others.’’ Kate stated, shrugging. ‘’Pretty far? As in where?’’

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“Yeah. It’s not all that rare for the younger sibling to be protective. Not common, but also not rare,” Katherine said with a shrug. “Besides, I’m...” she paused, hesitating on whether to talk about it or not. “I was a mother,” she said softly. She shuffled in her seat, trying to calm herself down and stop herself from becoming a crying mess. “Miami, Florida. Well, that’s where I was born. I was in Ohio when, uh, everything started.”

[jax-irons-blog]

Jax moved, making his way to the beat up gate and opening it just wide enough that the woman could step through “Keep your hands up like a good girl” he spoke as he shoved the gun into her back. He knew the hospital was open to new survivors but after the attack they couldn’t take the risk “I’ll get one of the engineers to bring it in. Got any weapons we might find on you?”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine was almost tense, feeling his gun on her back as he shoved her. “I’m not a dog,” she snapped. Her clenched as she kept walking, her eyes still scanning over the place. Did she look that threatening, or was it the car that raised suspicion? “There’s a pocket knife in my back pocket. There’s at least one or two guns in the car. Other than that, no.”

[katewalkerashes]

It took some time for everyone who arrived at a new camp to get used to the new people and new environment, she couldn’t blame Katherine for looking around and being kind of wary – because that’s how it seemed. ‘’You don’t have to worry if they do or don’t… as I said, you’re part of the community now so…’’ Kate trailed off, letting her conclude on her own. ‘’So… what’s your story? Where are you from?”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“Just kind of...instinct to worry about other people eating before me,” Katherine said with a shrug. “Well, I’m the youngest in my family. One of my brothers might still be alive,” she said softly. “I was pretty far from here when shit hit the fan, so...I’m kinda surprised that I made it all the way here, you know? I got lucky. Unfortunately lucky.”

[oscxrwrexhxm-blog]

“So, don’t want to try medical, then?” Oscar laughed. It felt good to see her relax, even a little. Katherine seemed like a genuine person, and it wanted to make sure she was comfortable.

Oscar shook his head, “God, no, it’s no trouble. Well, the guys might complain about it, but those knuckleheads will do anything to get out of doing genuine work.  Seriously, you should eat, then you can rest better if you don’t have to worry about a growling stomach. I fix you up a room myself. I’m bored anyways,it’ll give me something useful to do. Do you need anything else?”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“Unless you want me to pass out every few days, and have me playing a game of role reversal, where I’m the patient and somebody else is the doctor,” Katherine joked. “As fun as it sounds, it’s probably not a pleasant feeling.”

She shook her head, sighing. “There’s no telling you ‘no’ in this case, is there?” She lightly chuckled again, remembering what it was like to debate with her son, where there was hardly a way of telling him no. “One, small plate of food. That’s what I’ll take. I’m used to eating, and I’m sure that I’ll throw up if I eat more than what my stomach is used to,” she said and then looked at the building. “Seeing as how you guys have a possible ghost problem, I hope you guys have proton packs. From I heard, that can help get rid of them, or at least help trap them.”

[oscxrwrexhxm-blog]

Oscar nodded, he couldn’t really imagine what it would feel like to keep running during all of this. He had been safe here for so long, but it was one of the only times he had ever felt safe in his whole life. He wanted to give that feeling to someone else, and this woman seemed like she deserved it. “Mmhm, I think so. I can’t really say, to be honest, but I could direct you to some people, if that’s the sort of thing you’d be interested in? Not many people are up there, so I’m sure they’d be appreciative of an extra pair of hands” 

He smiled, saying softly, “Oh, I’m very good at handing people things. One of my greatest talents. It’s a good job I bounce when I fall, I’ll tell you that”

As the reached the main entrance of the hospital, he stopped and turned to her, “You’re not scared of a few ghosts are you? Listen, if you’re hungry, it’s almost dinner, I’m sure I can get the food guys to rustle up an extra plate. I’ll see if we can get you a room sorted, too. If you still want to stay, even with all the ghosts?”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine nodded again with some excitement. “Yeah, that’d be great. I couldn’t really defend a wall, and I occasionally freak out around blood. Research would be best, plus it’ll probably fun.” She could already see herself liking it here. God, I’m such a nerd. Even if that meant her staying the research lab, and the occasional visits to the kitchen and her room. 

She stopped as well, and then let out a laugh. “If I was a little girl, I would be scared. You don’t have to do that. I think I’ve already trouble you guys enough, with coming in and I don’t want to trouble them with having to hustle about just to get me some food. Just a room will be fine, but thank you.” She was actually starving, but she hated the idea of troubling people just to get her a plate of food. It was enough trouble to get her a room and bring in her car.

[julienxdcraine-blog]

“What are you doing here? Dinner has ended, go away.” Julien muttered as he shoved a piece of chocolate in his mouth that supply runners had brought to the kitchen earlier that morning. And since no one has come forward to claim it yet, he chose not to let faith decide what was going to happen to the treat. Might as well take it himself then. That was the only reason he had applied to work at food distribution. And because he didn’t want to be out there the whole time or get his hands dirty on stupid machines. 

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine just wanted to step out of her room for a bit. It was all new to her, and almost overwhelming. She couldn’t sleep, and she kept walking around her room. Her foot steps took her out of her room, and then to where everyone ate. She was restless and knew that it would do no good for her tomorrow. She hardly cared, for right now at least, sitting down in a chair--and then jumping at the sudden voice. “What?” She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. “I was just coming out my room to get some space...to clear my head, or whatever. Is that a crime?”

[oscxrwrexhxm-blog]

Oscar smiled a little at her comment, “Even when we’re pointing guns and knife at you? I’m sorry about that, we’re all…we’ve been through hell. But generally we are nice people” He thought back on how they had accepted him into the hospital, really helped in gain back the trust in other humans he’d lost so long ago. “You’ll do a job that you’re capable of doing. Wherever your skills lie, and it’s only you who can decide that. We have guarding, that’s what I do, you can look after the wall and take patrol. Or supply runs, if you’re willing to go and risk your ass to find stuff. Or maybe medical, if you have experience. Or there’s research, a few people in the lab who are trying to figure out stuff. I don’t really know what, I’m not smart enough to understand what goes up in there. But generally everyone pretty much helps wherever they can. Right now the only thing I’m capable of it handing stuff to people” he said, lifting his slung arm a little, trying to make light of his injury. 

Deciding to ignore her comment, he felt sad for Katherine. Obviously she had lost her child, or children. He didn’t want to go poking around in a very painful wound. He would know, he’s been through it himself, a long time ago. “I’ve been hear for about a year. A couple months after the outbreak happened. It’s a little beaten up at the moment, but it’s where we call home. We pretty much work as one team, everyone helps each other and most people get along great. Everyone gets a room, we have clean running water. I mean…it does feel like a haunted attraction at first but you get used to it after a while. It’s better than being out in the cold.”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“Everyone’s been through hell. I can’t think you’re all people with malicious intentions just because you pointed a knife & some guns at me. You all wanted to protect your place, and I can’t blame you. This place looks worth fighting for,” Katherine said with a shrug. She listened, nodding her head. “Research? Like, trying to understand the living dead’ genetics and bio-molecules and all that?” She asked and cleared her throat. She wouldn’t deny that she loved science and anything to do with genetics. She looked at his arm and frowned a bit. “Well, I’m sure you do a very good job at guarding this place, and handing stuff to people. Besides, the injured warriors make the toughest ones.”

He didn’t ask anything about what she said. It was something she wanted to never talk about, and this time, it accidentally came out. Katherine just walked and listened, her eyes still scanning over the place. “Haunted attraction? Are you trying to tell me that this place is haunted and has ghosts at every corner?” She joked, chuckling lightly. “I think I would prefer that over the cold.”

[jax-irons-blog]

“Don’t get cocky- who’s the one with the gun?” Jax’s sight was pointed to the middle of her forehead. Trigger finger itching, pressing up against the cool metal clamp that could end her life in less time than it took for ones heart to beat. But the boy resisted like the good little soldier he was and nudged his head towards the main gate “Might want to move quick, we’ve had a bit of a geek problem the last few days and I’m on strict orders not to waste ammo”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“It was sarcasm,” Katherine muttered, correcting him. She would say he was bluffing, because if he was going go to do it, he would’ve already done it. But, from the looks of it, he wasn’t. She panicked for a second, slowly moving a hand to the pendant on her neck. She sighed, dropping her hands to the side. “Mind if I grab a few things?” She reached in, took what could fit in her pockets and started heading towards the gate. “Feel free to keep the car and whatever’s in it.”

[katewalkerashes]

Kate didn’t comment on the joke, although she appreciated it. Everyone got so serious lately, that this woman was somewhat like a breath of fresh air. ‘’Yeah… nice.’’ Kate muttered, wondering if she would’ve thought the same way if she witnessed the attack from a week ago. ‘’It’s convenient, I’ll admit that.’’ The curly brunette finished off and offered a smile. ‘’You sure? Everyone who arrives is usually really hungry. There’s no need to pretend, you’re one of us now.’’

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine looked around, again. It seemed like all she could do when she arrived here. Become familiar with her surroundings and get used to the place. Or maybe it was  just a sense of worry. “Yeah, I’m good,” she said softly, waving her hand, dismissing the offer. “I’m not a person to eat in new surroundings. Just a habit I had as a kid. I’m sure other survivors here need to eat more food, you know?”

[jax-irons-blog]

“Right- and I’m the Queen of England” Jaxxon looked down at the woman as she got out of the car and greeted herself. Funny how only a few days after an attack someone happened to show up at the hospital gates. This time his suspicion was warranted but because he promised to be on good behaviour he didn’t simply open fire and instead brought the site of his gun to his eye and peered at her through it “Hands where I can see them- any sudden movements and I will not hesitate to shoot”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“I’m sure you are. I knew the rumors of the Queen having a masculine voice were true,” Katherine retorted. “Your Majesty, if I was infected, I doubt that I would be able to talk,” she said, cocking her head to the side. “My-My hand are already in the air, see?” She shook her hands, raising them up higher. She sighed, not too surprised that somebody was this hostile towards a stranger who was asking for safety.

[katewalkerashes]

Kate mirrored her smile as she slid over some water and poured it for both of them. ‘’Oh, just because you haven’t met them, doesn’t mean there weren’t any out there.’’ Kate noted with a small smile. She herself had given so many different, fake names before that she couldn’t even keep track of the most of them. ‘’Oh, welcome then.’’ The curly brunette said, figuring that if she was let into the Base, this meant that she had some skill and could be trusted. ‘’You hungry?”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine muttered a thank you before taking a few sips of the water. “Yeah. They’re probably out there in a safe place, wondering where the other Katherines are,” She joked. She nodded a bit, taking another sip. “Thanks. It seems...nice here,” she uttered. “Oh, no. I’m not all that hungry. But thank you.”

[oscxrwrexhxm-blog]

Oscar gestured for Katherine to enter through the gate, hoping and praying he wasn’t making some kind of mistake. But what did he care? Everyone had kept Mae’s disappearance from him, so if there was backlash bringing in someone new then let there be backlash. He shook his head as he walked through with her, closing the gate up behind.”We’re not going to keep your stuff from you. If you have to go, then we’ll give you what you need to make it out there. I will give you what you need. We just took in someone the other day. A weird kid who most of us have no idea how she’s stayed alive by herself. Walking into rooms, looking through stuff…If you ask me, she’s more of a threat than you seem to be. No one as dumb as she is makes it through without a group” He put his knife away, glancing at her to try and get some kind of impression from her. He swallowed hard, before saying “They’ll let you stay. Give you a job so you can earn your keep. I’ll persuade them if I have to. You seem…genuine.”

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

Katherine followed after him, hands in her pockets, thumbing at the necklace. “Y’all seem like nice people,” she said softly, still looking around. “Don’t take me word for it, but that’s impossible. Either she had a group, and they’re all dead or dangerous and she doesn’t want to talk about it, or she killed everyone in her path,” she said and sighed. “Or maybe she’s just lucky. Still, don’t take my word for it. I don’t really know the girl,” she said. She nodded a bit, biting the corner of her lip. “They’ll assign me a job, they’ll interrogate me and then assign me a job, or I get my pick?” Katherine asked, then hummed. “That’s kind of you, but I’m 98% sure all mothers are--Forget I said that,” she uttered and cleared her throat. “So, tell me about this place. Unless you’re a newcomer, but still older than me.”

[oscxrwrexhxm-blog]

“Katherine, my name is Oscar” he said. She looked scared, and her words sounded genuine. She was fleeing, needing sanctuary. But it all could have been a trick, to get them to open up the gates and have another ambush. “No one is going to kill you. Not if what you’re saying is true. We’ve had trouble here. A lot of people - good people- were murdered.” He shifted his arm in the sling subconsciously, remembering the feeling he had while he was left to die on the ground. “I’m not a leader, not by any sense, so I can’t tell you that you can stay here, but - but I want to help you. So, leave any weapons you have in the car, and hand over the keys, and you can come inside.” 

[pattersoncommakatherine-blog]

“Nice...to meet you?” Katherine said, her words coming out like a question. It wasn’t exactly nice to meet anybody anymore. For all she knew, he could be dangerous too. “I’m sorry. I know the feeling,” she said softly and cleared her throat. She slowly lowered her arms, and nodded, about to walk away from the car. “Um. Wait, just a second. I-I have to get something,” she said and sat in the driver’s seat. She reached in, opening the glove compartment, grabbing a necklace and closing it. Katherine stepped out and away from the car. “The car is all yours. And the few things in it,” she said, stuffing the necklace in her pocket. “If I can’t stay, you guys can keep all of it. Not gonna need anything else in there.”