How Am I Alive?

Target...just Target

[targetwho]

Location: the warehouse, July 27, midstorm

Closed starter: @finnbrooks

at first target hadn’t even realized it was storming. Tucked away in the large storeroom of the warehouse, surrounded by shelves and focused on the numbers she was counting, the sounds beyond her little bubble were nothing but white noise to her. Since the sick had been discharged from clinic, the warehouse had been receiving bags of washed blankets and clothes to store until people needed them. It wasn’t exactly hard to find places for everything or keep track of everything they were getting in. Although it was a tedious job to do inventory, so it was easy to get lost in her own thoughts.

It was mid afternoon, when she would normally take her lunch break at the café that she realized the storm was raging. With a dejected sigh, she retreated back into the storeroom, obviously it would stupid and dangerous to go out in the storm. Unfortunately, she had nothing to eat tucked away in her backpack. At least she had a book of poetry to read.

Settling into one of the chairs in the back corner of the warehouse where furniture was stored, she tried to find that zone of spaced out again. Now that she knew about the storm, it was getting harder to ignore. The louder the wind seemed and the louder the rain and hail was against the roof. With each sound, she worried about the others in town. Her housemates, the people working in the farms, the kids in the school. The only people she didn’t really worry about were the other inventory workers, since the warehouse seemed to be a rather safe place to hide.

“I’m on my break back here.” She called out when she heard footsteps, a little annoyed that someone was looking for her.

[finn-brooks]

targetwho​:

Location: the warehouse, July 27, midstorm

Closed starter: @finnbrooks

at first target hadn’t even realized it was storming. Tucked away in the large storeroom of the warehouse, surrounded by shelves and focused on the numbers she was counting, the sounds beyond her little bubble were nothing but white noise to her. Since the sick had been discharged from clinic, the warehouse had been receiving bags of washed blankets and clothes to store until people needed them. It wasn’t exactly hard to find places for everything or keep track of everything they were getting in. Although it was a tedious job to do inventory, so it was easy to get lost in her own thoughts.

It was mid afternoon, when she would normally take her lunch break at the café that she realized the storm was raging. With a dejected sigh, she retreated back into the storeroom, obviously it would stupid and dangerous to go out in the storm. Unfortunately, she had nothing to eat tucked away in her backpack. At least she had a book of poetry to read.

Settling into one of the chairs in the back corner of the warehouse where furniture was stored, she tried to find that zone of spaced out again. Now that she knew about the storm, it was getting harder to ignore. The louder the wind seemed and the louder the rain and hail was against the roof. With each sound, she worried about the others in town. Her housemates, the people working in the farms, the kids in the school. The only people she didn’t really worry about were the other inventory workers, since the warehouse seemed to be a rather safe place to hide.

“I’m on my break back here.” She called out when she heard footsteps, a little annoyed that someone was looking for her.

"The whole town's on a break!" he calls back, trudging in through the warehouse. He's wet, uncomfortably so. The rain quickly soaked through his clothes, and Finn felt miserable. It's cold, at least. He much rather be chilly than overheat, and he sought shelter in the warehouse because that's where he had been when the storm kicked up. How lucky...

He presses forward with a frown, his dark hair framing his face and sticking to his skin from how it's now flattened to his head. He even holds his arms out in the slightest to keep the fabric of his button down and t-shirt from sticking to his skin. It isn't a fun feeling.

When he finds Target he stares at her reading a book with an arched brow. "Do you not know what's going on outside?" Finn asks, peeling the short-sleeved button down off to leave just his tee underneath on. "Or do you not care?" He wrings it out, a generous amount of water splashing on the floor beneath his feet. "Ew, it's still stuffy in here... anyway. Everyone's heading into Town Hall, but I'm not sure it's smart to try and head there now."

[targetwho]

Target rolled her eyes with a quiet sigh hearing what’s his face call the sarcastic reply. Just because the whole town was on a break didn’t mean she wanted to be bothered. The endless counting of the same things over and over again then being stuck inside with no lunch had put her in a bad mood. If Ray had been around, he would have teased her for being hangry. With a shake of her head, she did her best to bury those old feelings and memories that kept rising to the surface.

As the lanky man came into view, she shut her book, resting it in her lap. The light wasn’t the best for reading anyway. “Of course I know what’s going on out there. Why do you think I’m hiding in here? It seems a lot safer than town hall if you ask me.”

A small laugh left her lips watching the ribbons of water slink off his shirt as he worked on wringing it out. Quickly she tried to disguise it as a cough, putting a hand over her mouth. “Let’s see if we can find you something dry to wear. You look like a drown rat.” Pushing her book back into her bag, she rose to her feet and made her way over to him. “Unless your wanna stay in those wet clothes.”

[targetwho]

Location: townhall, early evening, July 27

Closed starter: @sydney-grayson

When the storm started to appear to die down, one of the guards had made his way into the warehouse, telling everyone to relocate to the safety of town hall. For some reason, Target didn’t like that idea. To her the warehouse seemed to be one of the safest buildings in town. Not many windows to get blown out by the window, thick walls and doors. Town hall would be easily overwhelmed by people if other guard were collecting other townsfolk.

Nevertheless, she followed orders and dashed through town as quickly as she could. Still when she pushed her way through the doors of town hall, she was soaked to the bone. At least she had on a dark shirt. Wringing as much water off herself as she could, she began wandering around and looking in closets, trying to find a towel or something to dry off with. If she had been thinking, she would have stuffed a couple towels into a backpack before leaving the warehouse.

”Sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” She apologized seeing someone alone in a darkened conference room. “It seems like you got the right ideas hiding though.”

[sydney-grayson]

Once they had been safely rescued from the café, Sydney had rushed home to get Rusty, since the storm had died down enough that it was probably okay. Her furry companion had all but pounced on her as soon as she opened the door, whining with his tail tucked between his legs. “Hey, buddy,” she whispered, cupping his face long enough to plant a quick kiss at the top of his head. “Here, sit. Sit. Sit.” She had to tell him a couple of times to actually get him to listen, still quite anxious from the storm, but he eventually did. She grabbed his collar, grasping at the metal hoop to click on the leash she kept by the door. Since they were going to the town hall, and the entire town was going to be huddled away, and Rusty was in a particularly anxious mood, Sydney felt more comfortable with him on a lead.

Perhaps she could find a space inside the keep from further stressing him out.

She did. An empty conference room. He immediately hid under the table, pressing against her leg once she sat down. 

She wasn’t left alone long, though. The door opened, and a familiar voice sounded. Target, if she remembered correctly. She waved two fingers at her. “I’m hiding away mostly for him.” A pause. “You can hide with me if you want?” A little company would be nice, and she could only keep a one-sided conversation going for so long.

[targetwho]

Target was more than prepared to continue on her way if that was what Syd wanted. She figured anybody who would hide away, even for the sake of the dog, had the right to be alone if they managed to find a place to themselves. She also wasn’t sure if her presence would cause more troubles for the dog. For some reason bothering the animal upset her more than the raging storm outside.

“I’ll take you up on that.” She chuckled, stepping into the room fully and closing the door behind her. “It’s really coming down out there still.” She didnt want to talk about the storm. Once it calmed down and the damage was accessed, she knew it would be all anybody in town would be talking about until things were back to normal. “Were you with Rusty when it hit?”

[targetwho]

Location: the warehouse, July 27, midstorm

Closed starter: @finnbrooks

at first target hadn’t even realized it was storming. Tucked away in the large storeroom of the warehouse, surrounded by shelves and focused on the numbers she was counting, the sounds beyond her little bubble were nothing but white noise to her. Since the sick had been discharged from clinic, the warehouse had been receiving bags of washed blankets and clothes to store until people needed them. It wasn’t exactly hard to find places for everything or keep track of everything they were getting in. Although it was a tedious job to do inventory, so it was easy to get lost in her own thoughts.

It was mid afternoon, when she would normally take her lunch break at the café that she realized the storm was raging. With a dejected sigh, she retreated back into the storeroom, obviously it would stupid and dangerous to go out in the storm. Unfortunately, she had nothing to eat tucked away in her backpack. At least she had a book of poetry to read.

Settling into one of the chairs in the back corner of the warehouse where furniture was stored, she tried to find that zone of spaced out again. Now that she knew about the storm, it was getting harder to ignore. The louder the wind seemed and the louder the rain and hail was against the roof. With each sound, she worried about the others in town. Her housemates, the people working in the farms, the kids in the school. The only people she didn’t really worry about were the other inventory workers, since the warehouse seemed to be a rather safe place to hide.

“I’m on my break back here.” She called out when she heard footsteps, a little annoyed that someone was looking for her.

[targetwho]

Location: townhall, early evening, July 27

Closed starter: @sydney-grayson

When the storm started to appear to die down, one of the guards had made his way into the warehouse, telling everyone to relocate to the safety of town hall. For some reason, Target didn’t like that idea. To her the warehouse seemed to be one of the safest buildings in town. Not many windows to get blown out by the window, thick walls and doors. Town hall would be easily overwhelmed by people if other guard were collecting other townsfolk.

Nevertheless, she followed orders and dashed through town as quickly as she could. Still when she pushed her way through the doors of town hall, she was soaked to the bone. At least she had on a dark shirt. Wringing as much water off herself as she could, she began wandering around and looking in closets, trying to find a towel or something to dry off with. If she had been thinking, she would have stuffed a couple towels into a backpack before leaving the warehouse.

”Sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” She apologized seeing someone alone in a darkened conference room. “It seems like you got the right ideas hiding though.”

[sydney-grayson]

targetwho​:

Target gave the dog more pets and scratches, savoring the touch while she could get it. “He’s only going to get more spoiled the longer you stay here. I can almost guarantee that. Just wait until the kids learn about a dog in town.”

“I’ve never been a big drinker either.” She agreed. A glass of whine or two after work was the most she ever got. Before the break, she used to be on antidepressants that never interacted well with alcohol. Not to mention seeing how wasted some of the sorority girls got during pledge week when she was son college had really turned her away from alcohol before she ever took her first sip. “I kind of treat them like freaks when it happens. Lock the doors and pretend they don’t exist. By morning, things are back to safe and normal. Well, as safe and normal as things are around here.”

“You know, I’m not complaining. He deserves to be spoiled. It’s been a long time since he’s gotten all this attention.” Sydney looked at Target with a grin. “Oh, I can assure you, if the kids hear about him, he will have the time of his life. He’s always been good with kids.” At least he was, though Syd had very little doubt he’d still handle them well. He’s been doing so with the adults he’s met.

“The taste of alcohol just makes me wanna-” her words faded as her face twisted in disgust, shaking her head. Just the smell of vodka after her first run in made her want to throw up. “I’ll just stick with coffee and water.”

“Honestly, avoiding them is probably the best option. Both drunk guards and biters,” she added with a laugh.

[targetwho]

Target smiled down at the dog. If any animal survived this long, they deserved all the love and affection that anybody could possibly give. “You’re gonna be the most popular gal in town. I already know it.” She giggled.

She shook her head in agreement at the face Sydney made. In her own head, she didn’t consider wine to be alcohol. It was simply adult juice. “Don’t worry, we’ve got coffee in abundance around here. The scavengers are always bringing it back from their runs. I don’t know how they keep finding more and more of it. But I’m not complaining. Wish they’d bring more tea back though.”

“We’re safe here. I haven’t seen anything bad happen except an unfortunate incidence of a well not getting maintained and a few people getting sick.” She purposely downplayed the shut shows that had happened during the time she had been in town. Things hadn’t been the greatest but the last thing she wanted to do was scare a newcomer.

[yahnaa-padney]

targetwho​:

Target looked toward the window of the cafe, wondering if they would ever get sweet tea again. There were so many more important things that sugar needed to go to than a drink. “I don’t know if sweet tea is even offered anymore. Sorry.” She apologized sheepishly. “Coffee is in abundance though.” Target was certain that the town they lived in would stop functioning all together if the coffee ever stopped brewing. Some people would have the coffee hooked up to an IV bag if that was possible. “Too English?” She laughed, not quite understanding the joke but finding the irony of those words coming out in the British accent. “Aren’t you a little too English to be stranded in the southern states of America?”

Yahnaa made a ‘damnit’ gesture, one arm hooked and shooting up. “Damnit,” she said, but a smile soon appeared again. “I’ll grow my own mint, it’s the only way, I’m sure I can find some plants at the farm that I can make tea out of, I believe in myself.” She grinned when the stranger talked about coffee. “We are so going to have a problem then, coffee is usually grown in warm high places, like in Peru and Chilli, not in Atlanta, though I heard that there were others ways to make different types of coffee. But… well, I heard they have a library here too, so maybe there are books on it!” 

At the mention of too English and her own accent she laughed. “Oh, oh yes, I know. I so am. I’m far too British to be in the United States.” She shook her head. “I’m actually from Nepal, my brother works… worked for the embassy.” 

[targetwho]

Target gestured at the empty chair on the other side of her table, letting the woman know she could sit if she wanted to. “Mint is a menace. Be careful where you grow it. One wrong move and all that will be grown around here is mint.” She remembered when she was younger how one small mint plant hand taken over her mom’s garden when they first started growing herbs and vegetables. It took until she left for college for them to get it all weeded out and put into a pot far away from the rest of the garden. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone set up an indoor, hydroponic growing system just to grow some coffee beans. There has to be a strain that can grow around here. We will all be screwed if we run out.”

The woman’s eyebrows raised when the woman mentioned where she was from. “Nepal? How in the world did you end up here?”

[benny-chanda]

targetwho​:

Target giggled quietly seeing the man yawn. Second to maybe only the guards, she figured Bishan and the other maintenance workers in town were some of the most overworked people in all of town. At least physically. “I think you could use the coffee more than me.” She teased. If he offered though, she wasn’t going to be rude and refuse. It was clear that he was trying to make up for being so brass about the accident that had happened. “I’ll take a rain check on the coffee date. If I drink caffeine now, I’ll never sleep.”

Bishan gave an awkward smile, though maybe it looked more like a smirk. “Probably,” he agreed, glad she didn’t at least turn him down. It meant that his attempt to make it up to her was being accepted. And he needed that, even if he felt weak for needing it. “Well, some other morning then, when we’re both on shift and need it,” he added. He grabbed the cart and looked at Target for a moment, hoping that she understood he just needed to get rid of the damned thing, and pushed it over the gravel. The thing was not made to drag all over town like this. 

[targetwho]

Target looked down at the cart before taking a corner and helping him wheel it over the gravel. It was clear the small wheels weren’t made for this sort of ground. No wonder it had knocked over so easily when she bumped into him. “Sounds like a date to me.” She smiled, letting him lead the way to where the cart needed to go. She was looking forward a little bit to see where other people in town worked. Exploring was still something that made her nervous. Wandering too far from where she knew gave her a lot of anxiety. Not knowing where to escape to if things went wrong wasn’t a situation she wanted to be in. “Where are we taking this?”

[targetwho]

Location: Foley house basement

Closed starter: @oliverterrencewood

Since Ray had shown up in Fairvale, Target hadn’t been able to think straight. No matter how much she tried to distract herself or distance herself from her ex, he seemed to show up around every corner. The perfect reminder of how tiny this town really was. It never bothered her until she had someone to avoid. Truth be told, she wasn’t even sure she wanted to avoid Ray entirely. His presence reminded her of better days that she missed dearly. A time she was sure that after she had broken up with him, she would never have again.

Now she sat in bed with another man. Someone who brought her just as much comfort as Ray used to. Oliver Wood. The man who had saved her from becoming a skeleton in the offices of a superstore never to even be found because she had barricaded herself in. It was getting late and they both should have been trying to sleep. Instead she was awake, her mind racing with thoughts she had never considered before.

After her relationship with Ray ended a couple years back, she hadn’t done much dating. Sure there was a fling or two here and there. Nothing lasting more than a few weeks since nobody ever compared to Ray and how he treated her. That was until Oliver came along. In the sanctuary of the superstore, they had grown close. Shared stories, private moments, and given each other comfort. It wasn’t until this moment did she ever consider that she might have romantic feelings for him.

“Why did you come back for me?” She blurted out before she could stop herself.

[benny-chanda]

targetwho​:

Target simply shrugged at his minor protests. From where she stood, he didn’t smell too horrible. Simply like any of the guys she lived with after a long day at work. Even she didn’t smell like a fresh pick bouquet of daises after leaving the warehouse after a hot shift. “I mean, if you don’t want any blackberry cobbler, that’s on you. We can always sit outside on the front porch. The hot will probably be super hot anyway.” She offered, wanting him to feel comfortable with the idea. It was fine to go home smelling bad but she could see why he might not want come over to hers.

He pinched the skin on his thigh just to snap out of it, he could accept kindness and not freak out about it, he could eat this kids’ blackberry cobbler and not make it a big deal. He bit back the question as to why… why would she even want to invite him after him freaking out. He took a deep breath, and then pretended to yawn. “Well, if you don’t mind the smell, I don’t mind eating cobbler.” He paused then, looking a little ashamed still. “I can.. uhm, I can buy us both a coffee, you know, as an apology.” Which was so un-Bishan that he almost felt sick even suggesting it. His father sure would’ve called him weak. He felt like he was begging for company he didn’t deserve. 

[targetwho]

Target giggled quietly seeing the man yawn. Second to maybe only the guards, she figured Bishan and the other maintenance workers in town were some of the most overworked people in all of town. At least physically. “I think you could use the coffee more than me.” She teased. If he offered though, she wasn’t going to be rude and refuse. It was clear that he was trying to make up for being so brass about the accident that had happened. “I’ll take a rain check on the coffee date. If I drink caffeine now, I’ll never sleep.”

[yahnaa-padney]

targetwho​:

Target was on her lunch break, sitting outside the cafe, wishing that there was so relief from the thick summer heat. Her hair clung to her face and the back of her neck due to the sweat from being cooped up in the warehouse all morning. Inside that oven of a building there was only so much they could do to combat the heat. Opening the windows and doors in hopes that a breeze would blow through was really it. Judging from the sweat stains on her shirt, it wasn’t doing much to keep them cool.

She was just about to rise from her table when she heard someone talking. “I really doubt it. The only tea southerners really drink is sweet tea. You’ll be lucky if sometime finds and English breakfast blend or even earl grey.”

Yahnaa wrinkled nose, then grinned. “I don’t mind sweet tea,” she said, happily, though she might be considering other teas then the young girl meant. Though… she was probably her age. “English breakfast and earl grey are not the type I like,” she added. “Too bitter.” She grinned. “Too English.” It was a joke with her and her brother, even though her accent was on point and could easily distinguish herself as British, she was from a former occupied colony.

[targetwho]

Target looked toward the window of the cafe, wondering if they would ever get sweet tea again. There were so many more important things that sugar needed to go to than a drink. “I don’t know if sweet tea is even offered anymore. Sorry.” She apologized sheepishly. “Coffee is in abundance though.” Target was certain that the town they lived in would stop functioning all together if the coffee ever stopped brewing. Some people would have the coffee hooked up to an IV bag if that was possible. “Too English?” She laughed, not quite understanding the joke but finding the irony of those words coming out in the British accent. “Aren’t you a little too English to be stranded in the southern states of America?”

[southernrays]

targetwho​:

For a moment, Target was almost certain that Ray was going to actually sit down and start talking to her. Let them finally have that break up talk when ever allowed the first time around. She even thought that if they talked, she would be able to explain herself, why she did what she did. Not that any of that really mattered anymore. Just like the memories of attending cook outs on the fourth, it was just a painful memory that would never be the same again.

At this point, she wouldn’t have even cared if all he did as yell at her. She would have welcomed it almost. She almost wanted to feel bad and have an excuse to cry over Ray. Or just a reason to cry in general. She felt almost guilty when she started crying over really anything with how much of a coward she had been in the beginning. So many more people in town went through so much more to get here while she stayed locked away like a princess in a tower waiting for somebody to save her. That wasn’t even a far reach. If it weren’t for Oliver, she might still be hiding away.

Hearing his voice catch, Target let out a slow sigh. She should have let him leave when he wanted to. This was too strange. Too awkward. Too uncomfortable. No matter how much they tried, they would still be on bad terms because of her. “No, I’m sorry. This is your day. I shouldn’t have offered anything. You stay, I’ll go. I need to get to the warehouse anyway. It’s still a mess from us tearing us apart getting stuff for the sick.”

Ray felt guilty when he didn’t argue with her leaving. Part of him didn’t want her to go. He should be able to be deal with his issues like an adult, all things considered. It was the end of the world, after all. He could be wiped off the face of the Earth in an instant nowadays. The lingering hurt and rejection still stung, after all of these years, and Ray’s defense mechanisms are quick to remind him of that. She had hurt him before, when he had family and friends to fall back on. Who would be his support system now?

Ray was a coward when it came to his own feelings nowadays, and the end of the world hadn’t changed that. In fact, it had made things worse.

But he did let her go. Ray watched her back as she moved away from him until he she turned outof his line of sight. Another heavy sigh escaped his chest and Ray reached for his trusty flask he always kept in his back pocket. He drank until his belly was warm and his throat burned, and then he drank some more. Today was a day he just didn’t want to remember.

[benny-chanda]

targetwho​:

As much as she wanted to run, simply to be away from Bishan’s anger, she tried to remind herself that people were allowed to have bad days. Clearly he was just having a bad day. She knew Bishan on his good days, it was about time she caught a bad day. So she stayed, still keeping her distance. “I can always help you if you need.” She offered, still in the mindset of doing extra around town while the sick were in the last stages of recovery. “We can take a break now if you want. Drop off this cart whenever you were going and go back to my house. I made a blackberry cobbler last night. There should still be some left.” She offered, trying to make his day a little better in really the only way she could offer.

He watched thoughts cross her head, and waited for what she was going to decide, whether his reasons were valid enough or if she was going to slink away, leave him to his bad day. Not care, like so many others. He swallowed, feeling like it would be the latter. He’d fucked this up. Another good chance of having someone on his side, and he had to fuck it up. 

Yet, while she kept her distance, her suggestions said otherwise. He raised an eyebrow. Bishan didn’t have an answer to that. The kindness a little too much to completely understand. She wasn’t just offering him help, she was offering him an escape, to have a break somewhere, to eat something. He hated how his heart beat as if he should be fleeing. As if she was drawing him into a trap. But she wasn’t, he didn’t think this girl was capable of that. “I do smell like a gutter rat,” he said, grinning. “You sure you want that in your house?” But his eyes said ‘yes’ to the offer, he looked at her and he was certain the longing on his face was obvious. 

[targetwho]

Target simply shrugged at his minor protests. From where she stood, he didn’t smell too horrible. Simply like any of the guys she lived with after a long day at work. Even she didn’t smell like a fresh pick bouquet of daises after leaving the warehouse after a hot shift. “I mean, if you don’t want any blackberry cobbler, that’s on you. We can always sit outside on the front porch. The hot will probably be super hot anyway.” She offered, wanting him to feel comfortable with the idea. It was fine to go home smelling bad but she could see why he might not want come over to hers.

[southernrays]

targetwho​:

Target’s smile faulted again watching him kick at the rocks. It always took her off guard when Ray got nervous about something. That was her niche, not his. Ray was the person to make everybody happy and comfortable, not the one to need reminding that things would be okay. Seeing the action made her want to comfort him. Take his hand or something. That felt like crossing a line that shouldn’t even be approached.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind. I got today off. Just trying to pass the time. ‘S’not even that good.” She signed, letting the book slide closed in her lap. Almost immediately, she regretted the easy out of the interaction for both of them. The tension between them was still so obvious it could have been seen by the blind.

With a small sigh, she stuffed her book into the picnic basket, looking up at him. He looked good, like he always did. Stressed, most likely because of her, but good. “It’s always gonna be awkward isn’t it?” She said quietly. They might as well talk about it since they could both feel it.

Ray expected a nice dismissal so that Target could put them both out of their misery and go back to her book. He wasn’t expecting her to tuck the book away and look up at him with those big eyes that do all sorts of things to the butterflies kicking up a storm in his belly. God, Ray really disliked feeling so emotional and sentimental. The holiday was making everything worse, like someone had stuck an amplifier in Ray’s head and set the grief and guilt switches to high before locking the door so no one could fiddle with it.

“Ah shoot,” a grumble, and then a sigh. “I don’t know Luci, I really don’t.”

He could open up, right then and there. Tell her what was bothering him, what’s been bothering him for years. They could have it out right now. An honest conversation about the hole she left in his chest and why it might have been his fault, too. But that wasn’t the Ray Turner way. Instead Ray stuffed those feelings deep down and pretended they didn’t exist, because it was easier than being emotionally vulnerable with people. It’s pathetic and weak, but Ray did it anyways.

“I shouldn’t have -” Ray cut himself off and pinched the bridge of his nose with two of his fingers. He felt like a goddamn idiot, floundering in front of her right now. His voice caught in his throat for a moment and Ray just wanted to melt in the Earth and never come back. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin today, not any more than it’s already ruined. I should go.”

[targetwho]

For a moment, Target was almost certain that Ray was going to actually sit down and start talking to her. Let them finally have that break up talk when ever allowed the first time around. She even thought that if they talked, she would be able to explain herself, why she did what she did. Not that any of that really mattered anymore. Just like the memories of attending cook outs on the fourth, it was just a painful memory that would never be the same again.

At this point, she wouldn’t have even cared if all he did as yell at her. She would have welcomed it almost. She almost wanted to feel bad and have an excuse to cry over Ray. Or just a reason to cry in general. She felt almost guilty when she started crying over really anything with how much of a coward she had been in the beginning. So many more people in town went through so much more to get here while she stayed locked away like a princess in a tower waiting for somebody to save her. That wasn’t even a far reach. If it weren’t for Oliver, she might still be hiding away.

Hearing his voice catch, Target let out a slow sigh. She should have let him leave when he wanted to. This was too strange. Too awkward. Too uncomfortable. No matter how much they tried, they would still be on bad terms because of her. “No, I’m sorry. This is your day. I shouldn’t have offered anything. You stay, I’ll go. I need to get to the warehouse anyway. It’s still a mess from us tearing us apart getting stuff for the sick.”

[zveca-carnage-deactivated202401]

targetwho​:

“I knew it. You just seem like the type to hate kids. Something about your face it just screams making kids cry is my favourite hobby.” Target laughed, really hoping that he wasn’t serious about going to the school to take from them to give to the sick. If it came down to that, she’s rather not know about it. She had a massive soft spot in her heart for kids. They had already lost so much that she couldn’t bare the thought of them going with even just a little bit less. Even if that little bit was naps without blankets or special snacks.

“I’m not saying don’t keep them updated on the status of the inventory. That’s literally part of our job so they know what to put on the supply run lists. It just seems pointless right now since it’s obvious what we need.” She did her best to put her trust in the council, that they would make the right choices when it came to everything in town. But she couldn’t help that they all had too much pressure on their shoulders as a collective. Having to deal with every little thing in town couldn’t be easy. They were bound to make mistakes from time to time. In her short time in town she could sadly pinpoint a couple of their shortcomings out already.

A smile played on her lips at the overly obnoxious sweetness in Kaz’s voice. Even with her still learning social cues again, she could pick up on the joking tone. For that she was a little grateful. “Teamwork to her is two cats playing with the same ball of yarn without getting into a fight. This is mind blowing to her I bet.”

- 

His tongue clicked behind his teeth. “Can’t pull one over on you.” Kaz wasn’t sure if he had ever heard Target laugh. He’d take it. Kaz was well aware he could be sandpaper on skin to some. Contentious by circumstances, not necessarily by nature. Or he didn’t used to be. Much had changed at the end of the world. 

The point about inventory though. Survival. He cared about his own survival, above all. Not about a council. Not even about those around him. However, Kaz had already stated his case regarding inventory in the wake of the illness that spread like wildfire, and could easily happen again. Considering well water to be the source, how surprised was he that it had not occurred before?

No sense in rehashing it all. She wouldn’t change his mind, nor he change hers. “Mhm.” It was all he could muster, to shift the conversation. 

To… a cat lady. “Yarn? You don’t think she at least had a few of those… sticks with feathers on them?” They walked leisurely, and Kaz began to cross the field towards the houses Target wanted to search. “Cats know what’s up though. They don’t fuck around, do they? They like who they like– if they like anyone at all. Actually, I always wanted a cat.” 

[targetwho]

When it came to the new world order, Target wasn’t sure if she considered herself lucky or not when it came to the experiences and circumstances. She had managed to go almost an entire year without ever coming face to face with a walker. When she did finally encounter one, she was in the protective ring of people from Fairvale. She was almost sure that she was probably the most in touch with the old world. Even some of the kids had had harsher times than she had. Perhaps that’s why she was so eager to help where she could, because she still believed in the goodness of people and the world. At least she was delusional about the walkers. From her annex, she had watched on the news and through the small office windows of the store the true horrors of the new world. Simply never experienced them herself until she came to this town.

Once outside, Target shut off her flashlight, not wanting to waste the batteries, knowing how scarce they were becoming. Soon they were going to be replying entirely on candles and lanterns. Not that she minded. The aesthetic of handheld firelight was incomparable. “She might have a couple of those stick cat toys. But she’s also really frugal. So why would she buy cat toys when she can just toss a couple balls of yarn out for them?” She couldn’t keep her giggles at bay the more she created this imaginary woman. “She is probably a knitter after all. All those homemade blankets we found in the warehouse, at least half of them were from her. She gave them to neighbors at Christmas time.”

[sydney-grayson]

targetwho​:

Target couldn’t stop running her hands over Rusty’s soft fur. There was no way that he was the only pet still in existence. Most had probably gone feral if they were lucky enough to be let out by their owners before the world ended. That’s at least what she hoped. She doubted her cats had survived. They were so dependent on humans to live, even if they managed to be outside they would never have been able to find food for themselves.

“I bet he enjoys that.” She smiled, imagining the dog lapping up a piece of blackberry pie or a hunk of fresh bread.

With a nod, Target had to agree. That was the main reason she avoided the guards. Nothing was scarier than someone with anger issues and a weapon. “I guess it takes a certain kind of person to be a guard. It’s unsettling how wasted some of them get at night just to see them on the wall the next day as if nothing happened.”

There were plenty of positives that came with coming to Fairvale. One, which was her favorites, was she was able to give him a bath. A somewhat proper bath with a little bit of grooming. Maybe she could find a pair of sheers or something to give him a trim. Maybe an unused brush to help de-shed him.

“Oh, he does. Cause he’s a spoiled brat. Aren’t you? Yeah, the biggest.” Rusty looked up at Sydney, tongue lazily hanging out the side of his mouth, tail wagging as she spoke to him.

“That’s… that’s really scary,” she said, making a face. “I’ve only gotten drunk once, and I was completely useless the next day. Hell, I don’t think I was completely over it until the afternoon of the next, next day.” That fact was a little unsettling.

[targetwho]

Target gave the dog more pets and scratches, savoring the touch while she could get it. “He’s only going to get more spoiled the longer you stay here. I can almost guarantee that. Just wait until the kids learn about a dog in town.”

“I’ve never been a big drinker either.” She agreed. A glass of whine or two after work was the most she ever got. Before the break, she used to be on antidepressants that never interacted well with alcohol. Not to mention seeing how wasted some of the sorority girls got during pledge week when she was son college had really turned her away from alcohol before she ever took her first sip. “I kind of treat them like freaks when it happens. Lock the doors and pretend they don’t exist. By morning, things are back to safe and normal. Well, as safe and normal as things are around here.”

[targetwho]

Location: town square, sunset

Open starter: @thecatastrophicstarters

Since the deaths of those who had gotten sick, Target had been doing her best to gather in town what would be needed for the mass funeral...of sorts. Funeral wasn’t the right word. It implied too much death and sorrow. While it was a very sad occasion, she had learned over the years that people grieved in their own time in their own way. With such a large number of deaths, it was best to focus on something positive. More of a celebration of life and a formal goodbye to everything the people of the town had lost, rather than focusing on the deaths that had occurred.

For days she spent scouring the empty houses, gathering up as many candles as she could find. She wasn’t sure how many people were in town or how many candles would be needed, but she wanted to be prepared. The tables set up in the town square were filled with every kind of candle she could find. Half melted stick candles, so many different scented three wick burners from Bath and Body works, small tea candles no doubt left over from Halloween for Jack o lantern usage, a surprisingly amount of flame less candles, even a few Virgin Mary candles from what she assumed was someone’s prayer alter. Each table held a basket with a mixture of lighters and matches that she had scavenged as well.

“Can I light your candle?” She offered to someone pick up a candle from the table. She had chosen one of the candlesticks, liking the almost ancient and ceremonial effects of tall tube of wax.

[yahnaa-padney]

WHERE: Common Grounds WHEN: mid July WITH @thecatastrophicstarters

Yahnaa was leaning on her knees with her arms, breathing heavily, laughing as she watched the kids cheer. “Alright, alright, you have won, break is over, time to get back to school,” she told them, rightening her back and gesturing for the kids to go to school. Smiling and still panting when she watched them run off. Some of them had come with her, but most were just kids she had been introduced to. She was glad for their smiles and games, because at least it meant they weren’t frightened anymore every day. 

She skipped towards Common Grounds, already back at full energy. She was a little sweaty though, and her skin gleamed from the sunshine. “I would love a Turkish tea, do you know if they sell those here?” she asked the first person who was in front of her in the line. 

[targetwho]

Target was on her lunch break, sitting outside the cafe, wishing that there was so relief from the thick summer heat. Her hair clung to her face and the back of her neck due to the sweat from being cooped up in the warehouse all morning. Inside that oven of a building there was only so much they could do to combat the heat. Opening the windows and doors in hopes that a breeze would blow through was really it. Judging from the sweat stains on her shirt, it wasn’t doing much to keep them cool.

She was just about to rise from her table when she heard someone talking. “I really doubt it. The only tea southerners really drink is sweet tea. You’ll be lucky if sometime finds and English breakfast blend or even earl grey.”