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[eispy]

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[overboarded]

[It's the smoke that catches their attention. Smoke is never good, especially now. Was the forest on fire? Karina is hesitant to go check, but Simon insists they should see what it is, if it IS the forest it could become a problem for them later on. While their group was safe in a secure bunker, thanks whatever doomsday prepper made this, fire could devastate the forest and make it harder to hunt.

So needless to say they head in the direction of the smoke as it blooms up over the trees. Simon thinks that this is heading in the direction of that small shack... of Gabriel, but that-- no. No it wasn't quite the same way, in fact he looks back towards where they should have gone to climb up where the shack would be. Or he's pretty sure. This is further out, but he had mentioned having another place.

Fuck.

Dread starts to curl in his stomach and it's only shown to be right when they find the source of the smoke. Whatever the place was it was engulfed in flames and smoke and Simon can't be sure if there's even anyone in there. Men are yelling and talking to each other, going around the building and trying not to get caught in traps. Traps that have already taken a few lives.

Traps that make him wonder if this could be Gabriel... him and Karina hunker down to keep out of sight and she'll hold his arm, afraid, worried and he looks at her with a sad smile of understanding. It's not easy seeing this kind of thing.]

We should go, Simon... what if they see us?

[She'll whisper, right to be concerned. They're far enough away that they shouldn't be seen, but still... Simon can't help but want to stick around for just a moment longer. Jumps a little when a shot rings out and one of the guys cries out in pain, stumbles and trips another trap and oh-- oh that's... well there's another dead one. Karina hides her face in his shoulder and he'll put a hand at the back of her head.

So there IS someone in there still, shit.]

[eispy]

[ Gabriel is extremely cautious when it comes to leaving behind a trail or a footprint. He always, literally and figuratively, covers his tracks. It's why he knows this group must have been stalking his shack, no doubt picking up on the scent of their friends. They must have been watching him a while in order to eventually follow him to his main base, deep in the woods. But, instead of charging in guns blazing, they chucked a molotov to smoke him out. The cabin went up in flames in a manner of minutes, but Gabriel refused to leave. He knew they would be waiting for him.

When smoke began to fill his lungs, he knew he would have to try and take them out from a window, and luckily one of the idiots was out in the open, cocky fuck. And with his nearly camouflaged traps peppering the property, he indirectly took out a couple of others. Still, not enough, and the smoke crowded in his lungs so bad he could do nothing but collapse. The men, undoubtedly fueled by revenge, decided that burning alive wasn't a good enough punishment. Instead, they came into the cabin and dragged Gabriel out, then started to beat the crap out of him with bats, kicking him, making sure that it hurt.

His vision begins to go blurry, barely with enough strength to cough out all the smoke, and he's sure one of those kicks cracked a rib. The three men didn't relent. It was as if in this moment Gabriel and these pricks were the only things that existed. ]

[overboarded]

Simon.

[Karina says his name again, a soft plea for them to leave. She's right, they should. There's only danger here for them. Looking up back at the smoke and inferno, Simon pauses and feels his chest tighten when suddenly those men are dragging someone out of that mess. Even from here he can see who it is--]

Gabriel-

[Not thinking he stands and his sister reaches up to pull him back down.]

No. No no- Simon we can't help him, we have to go. Please.

[Logically he knows she's right, they're outnumbered and even if it's selfish to leave Gabriel to his fate that's how things are now. Helping people just gets you hurt. There's no good reason to do it... and yet. Simon removes the crossbow he'd had slung across his back and pushes it into Karina's arms.]

He saved me, Karina, I have to do something.

[She'll shake her head.]

No you have to stay with me, don't-- Simon I can't lose you too!

[It's not fair, he knows it's not fair to do this to her. Not after their parents... but what kind of man would he be if he left Gabriel to die? Holding her by the shoulders he'll look at Karina, giving them a squeeze.]

It's gonna be okay. I promise. Just don't let them see you.

[And then he's pulling away, moving through the brush and trees as he hears Karina call his name. The fire is loud enough those bastards won't hear it, won't hear him coming either. The pocket knife might not have cut through rope the last time he tried to use it, but as he opens it and comes up behind one of the men, it cuts into them easily enough. Sinks into the side of his neck like butter. The man flails, grabbing back at him, startled and shouting trying to fight Simon's smaller frame off him, but he plunges the knife in a few more times and the guy can only grab at his neck to try and stop the bleeding, falling to the ground gurgling and choking on it.

The other two are so shocked at what the fuck is going on they stop what they're doing to stare for a beat, before coming at Simon, cursing. One has a fire axe, the other a baseball bat stuck with pointy metal bits, something that would definitely hurt getting hit with. So when it's swung at him Simon just barely is able to stumble and lean back to not get his face caved in. He'll hold up his tiny little pocket knife like it'll actually be helpful at all in a match up like this when the axe guy starts to advance on him.]

STOP! DON'T TOUCH HIM!

[The man freezes, both do and Simon knows that voice. Keeping an eye on both men he backs up, knife still held up till he's closer to Karina, who's stood there with the crossbow held up, aimed at the men.]

Put your weapons down.

[One man laughs.]

Or what girlie? How do you think this is gonna end?

[He'll take a step forward and Karina jostles the bow to aim it better at him, warning him with a 'don't!', but that's all he gets before it misfires and he has a bolt stuck between his eyes. Startled she'll scream and all of the excitement gives the other guy the opening he needs. He'll charge at Karina and Simon just sees red. The axe is there on the ground and as he runs to stop him from going after his sister he'll pick it up, swinging and catching the man in the side. After that it's a bit of a blur. Karina is pulling at him, telling him to stop, it's enough, he's dead and he'll sit back, leaving the axe buried in the man's sternum. Covered in blood now, warm blood, fresh blood, he's killed people... it's a hacking cough from Gabriel that snaps him out of it.

Shit-!

Pushing himself up he'll wipe his hands off on his shirt, pants, anything, coming over to his side and dropping to his knees.]

Gabe- Gabriel... hey. Hey it's okay now. They're dead.

[God he looks terrible, dirty from the smoke and bruised and battered from the beating he'd taken. Karina rushes over as well, pulling a bottle of water from the bag she carries over her shoulder. She'll offer it to Simon, says it might help. Carefully he'll help Gabriel sit up some and undoing the bottle offers it to him.]

Drink, here-

[eispy]

[ There's a point where all Gabriel can register is the stinging pain in his lungs and the repeated kicks to his rib cage as the fire burns down his home. He can barely spare a thought to how he's going to get out of this mess, a strategy, anything. He's going to die.

Fine. Had a good run. Lasted pretty long. Shame he's going to die to these fucking idiots.

He's only vaguely aware of the commotion when it happens. The sound of gurgling, panic, bodies hitting the ground, yelling, it happens in a blur until he blinks away the sting and see that familiar outline, followed by that familiar voice. Good thing Simon is helping him up, because Gabriel sure tries to sit up on his own, grunting in pain but ignoring it and Simon covered in blood and offering him water to stare at the cabin burning up. The cabin his parents owned, brought he and Juan here when they were children, back when he actually spent time with his family. And now it burns. This world finally took the last thing Gabriel had tying him to his old life. ]

Gone—[ his voice is hoarse. He coughs again, each time sending a wave of pain through his chest and his sides. ]—Shit.

[overboarded]

[Simon finally is able to really get a good look at the building as it burns now, it looks like some sort of cabin. Probably had been real nice before it went up like this. A lucky find for Gabriel, though it would have made it a big target for looters.]

Shh hey, just drink, try and get some of that smoke out of your lungs.

[He'll rub a bit at his back, but mostly just support Gabriel so he can sit okay. He must be in a lot of pain, from inhaling all that smoke and from being attacked like he had. Wouldn't be surprised if he had some bruised ribs. Karina stands nearby, decidedly not looking at any of the dead bodies around them, it's still a lot for her even now. Simon on the other hand was used to the dead, dead bodies he could handle, it's the killing that was hard.

Guess not anymore...]

[eispy]

[ Gabriel finally takes the water, realizing that he can barely fucking breathe. It takes him another coughing fit before he's able to drink from the bottle, though his lungs are still trying desperately to expel some of that smoke.

He pushes the bottle back into Simon's hands. ]

Have to move.

[ This is sure to draw more attention. He doesn't have time to sit here dying, or lamenting the loss of this home he risked staying in just for stupid sentimentality. He's already trying to get up, wincing in pain as he gets a look around, noticing that Simon wasn't here alone. But he has no time to think about any of that. ]

Now.

[overboarded]

[The way Karina is looking around she's clearly thinking the same thing. If the smoke got their attention it will definitely get others. So while Gabriel isn't wrong, Simon still wishes he'd take a second, he's still hacking up a goddamn lung after all.]

Alright okay- lemme help you.

[And Simon motions at Karina to come over too. She shoulders the crossbow looking uncertain about all of this, but comes to Gabriel's other side to help him walk, each sibling giving him a shoulder to put an arm across for support. Simon will hand him off to her for just a moment as they keep walking and books it over to the dead bodies, grabbing that axe, with a bit of effort. Shit he'd lodged it in there pretty good, how many times did he hammer it into this guy... not important. Jogging to reach Gabriel and Karina he's helping again, one hand still carrying that axe. It'd be good to have. As a weapon or to use more practically.]

... the bunker is a long way, Simon, I don't think he'll make it.

[Karina speaks up, as they start their trek back that way. It's not that long for them, but Gabriel is hurt, barely able to fucking breathe still... shit.]

We can take breaks, it'll be okay.

[He can feel her worrying gaze looking over at him, but she says nothing.]

[eispy]

[ Gabriel's trying to get something together, his body, his fucking mind — anything. But he's in pain and his mind is focusing on all the wrong things right now. Bloody faces, burning cabins, every shitty thing in this new world that often left him wondering why he even bothered trying to survive anymore. So many images of reason after reason why trying to live in this world was fucking pointless. ]

—Don't be stupid.

[ He manages to cough out, trying to move on his own so he wasn't just dead weight. It's hard. Exactly why he calls them both out. ]

Gonna slow you down.

[ Which is the exact opposite of his suggestion to move. ]

[overboarded]

[Gabriel is right, but that doesn't mean Simon agrees with it. The only reason he's having any doubts is because of Karina, he already put her in danger because of this. He already knows if he tells her to go on ahead to get to the bunker she'll refuse to.

She doesn't want to lose him.]

Well I'm not going to just leave you.

[He refuses to do that. It wouldn't feel right, even if it was stupid of him to risk this.]

[eispy]

Idiot.

[ It takes a lot of his energy to get out that one word, but he's petty like that. He still tries to mostly move on his own, but his undoubtedly cracked or broken ribs make it nearly impossible, not to mention he's still wheezing every other breath like a ninety-year-old who's been smoking since they were twelve.

If Simon is going to insist on being a dumbass, then Gabriel will keep quiet and focus what little energy he has on trying to help move himself along. Maybe they'll get lucky. Maybe they'll come to their senses and ditch him behind a bush somewhere. Who the fuck knows. ]

[overboarded]

Maybe so.

[Simon won't agree or disagree okay. Karina seems very unsure about Gabriel and her brother's decision to get them involved in any of this, but at this point they're already in it now. She tell Gabriel to be a little more grateful for them risking their lives to even do anything, but no one owed anyone shit out here so... it would be a waste of her breath.

Even as Gabriel struggles to walk along with them, Simon tries to keep them off the more well traveled path, as much as it would be easier for Gabriel to walk on, it was also more likely others would use it. Simon feels bad with every ragged breath Gabriel takes, eventually stopping them so he can have more to drink.]

See? We're not doing so bad. Making better time than I thought.

[Simon talks more hushed than anything, just in case there are others rushing to see what the smoke is all about. Better to not make anymore nose than they already are.]

... Simon, I'm not sure the others will be okay with this.

[Karina will speak up finally. Simon shakes his head a little.]

They helped us, they'll help Gabriel too. He helped me after all, it's the least we can do.

[The look on his sister's face looks unsure, but... okay.]

[eispy]

[ Gabriel doesn't have the energy to sigh, or the breath, but his expression does plenty to get his frustration across. It's not them — it's the situation. The situation he let himself get into.

The two argue in hushed voices and eventually Gabriel has to speak up too, already remembering why he prefers to travel alone. The reason he says out loud, anyway. ]

They don't have to like anything. I'll be gone before the evening.

[ All he needs to do is rest long enough to get his shit together, figure out his next move, and get out. Quick and easy. ]

[overboarded]

[When Gabriel says he'll be gone before the evening Karina looks relieved, Simon on the other hand shoots him a look.]

Are you stupid?

[Hissed.]

You can barely walk on your own and the way you're breathing you've def got a couple broken ribs. At least.

[eispy]

You're the one dragging around someone with broken ribs.

[ Instead of just leaving him somewhere. Right now he's just slowing them all down, making them vulnerable. Stupid, stupid, stupid. ]

I've been hurt worse and managed on my own—agh!

[ An intense pain cuts him off, causing him to grunt in pain as he tries desperately to keep it quiet, keeling over as both his lungs and his ribs punish him. ]

—Mierda.

[overboarded]

[Simon is at his side, hands at his arm and shoulder. Look he knows he's being stupid, but also he didn't forget that Gabriel saved him too. It's not even that he feels he owes him, hell Gabriel clearly doesn't expect that from him either, but... but he can't just leave him like this.

Even if it would be smarter.]

Hey hey, take it easy.

[Karina is behind him, worrying with her hands watching them, looking around and listening. Cautious.]

Simon if he doesn't want our help just let him go.

[Her tone is almost pleading. He knows it's not that she doesn't care, his sister isn't some heartless monster, but they all know things are different now. Risking their necks like this is asking to get killed, but...]

Hey, it's going to be okay— you should go ahead, you've got the crossbow after all. Just stay hidden and quiet and let everyone know we'll be coming soon.

[It's honestly safer for her to go on alone. She's much smaller, easier for her to hide if she comes upon anyone.]

But Simon—

[He looks back at her, smiling.]

I promise, we'll be there. Okay?

[Karina looks like she wants to protest more, to argue, but after a moment she'll nod looking sad and resigned. Hefting the crossbow on her shoulder she looks at Gabriel, then her brother.]

You promised. You better be there.

[Simon just nods.]

I will be, now Simon says get going.

[Still looking reluctant she'll head off ahead of them, hoping this won't be the last time she see's her brother. She can't lose him too.

[eispy]

[ Gabriel can't believe what he's hearing, but he stays quiet while the two go back and forth, knowing Simon is going to be stubborn about this whole thing. As Karina leaves, Gabriel looks at Simon as if he grew an extra head. ]

What's wrong with you?

[ His voice is a bit ragged, and it's hard for him to talk too much, but that sure as hell won't stop him. ]

I don't expect anything from you.

[overboarded]

Clearly.

[That Gabriel doesn't expect anything from him and that's fine. Simon gives Gabe a look in turn.]

Do you want to die that badly you won't let me help you?

[It could be said that Simon wants to die since he's helping him, but shhh.]

Now can you keep going or do we need to rest a little longer?

[eispy]

What about you?

[ Why does he have to be the one who wants to die, huh? His breathing is getting more ragged as he tries to sit up a little. ]

Never seen someone so intent on helping a stranger. [ He wipes at his forehead with the back of his hand. He's even sweating from the pain now, and Simon still hasn't left! Idiot. ] Go catch up with your sister. I'm not going anywhere for a while.

[overboarded]

That's funny, you sure went out of your way to help me.

[Simon raises his brows at him. Gotcha, bitch. Grumpy dickhead he may be, but he still saved him from being killed and then took him in and kept him safe during the nighttime. Let's not mention the other things that happened, cough.]

Also, you're not my dad, don't tell me what to do. My sister knows how to stay out of sight, she'll be fine getting back to the others.

[As much as he wants to let Gabriel rest as much as he needs, he's probably not going to get any better sitting here miserable.]

... look, we've got medicine back at the bunker, it won't fix things, but it'll help with the pain and you can rest. It's what you need right now.

[eispy]

You were stuck in my deer trap. And if I let you go then you would have attracted more attention to my camp.

[ Don't you think he isn't ready at any given time to explain why no, he was not being helpful and merciful, it was all for his own ends.

Rolling his eyes, he begins to push himself to his feet, grunting. ]

If we're going to do this then we need to move faster.

[overboarded]

[Guess who also rolls his eyes. This guy. Simon moves to offer him help with walking again. Trying to be gentle even as Gabe says they need to move quicker.]

Don't pass out or anything, I'm not carrying you.

[He couldn't even if he tried.]

[eispy]

Don't worry about me-

[ As fate would have it, Gabriel stands up far too fast, and with how little air he's taking in since the fire, with how heavy he has to breathe, it's just too much for his body to handle.

He trails off at the end of his sentence, his head spinning and vision going black.

Annnnd down he goes. ]

[overboarded]

Wha- wait no!

[It's more harshly whispered than shouted, because shouting would be stupid as hell right now. Simon desperately tries to catch Gabriel as he goes down, but he's all dead weight and in turn they both go down.]

Gabe- Gabe c'mon... shit. Shit shit shit.

[Panic spikes and suddenly he really regrets having Karina go on ahead. How the hell is he going to get Gabriel back to the base on his own like this? There's no way he could carry him, Gabe's bigger than him, heavier too, especially passed out. Fuck. Trying to be careful, Gabriel is already in bad shape after all, Simon manages to get out from under him and tries to wake him to no avail. He can't linger, not for long, Gabriel was right they needed to get moving. More muttering of shit and fuck and Simon gets Gabriel on his back, hefted up under his arms as he starts to pull him along as he walks backwards.

He can't imagine this is great for his ribs either, but at this point it's either this or leave him to die in the woods and... no. No he wouldn't. No matter how stupid Gabriel might think he is for doing this. It takes... a long time, he couldn't say how long exactly, but it's much longer than if Gabriel had been awake and they were walking together. It's even slower going now, slower and it doesn't take long for Simon to feel it. Out of breath, tired. His strength flags dragging him along like this, but he can't leave him.]

You could wake up... any... time now...

[Grumbled. It's probably hours by the time he sees the base, bunker, but it's like seeing the gateway to heaven. Simon drags Gabe over with the last of his energy, slumps down against the bunker door, Gabe pulled against him as he pounds on the door.]

Karina, it's Simon. Guys... guys it's Simon. I made it.

[His head thunks back against the door, tired.]

We made it. Gabriel... hey, hey we made it.

[Tired hands feel for a pulse, just to be sure he's still alive. After that it's a bit of a blur. So tired he doesn't really remember being let in or the others helping get both him and Gabriel in. He does remember Karina hugging him tight and his arms around her, smiling happily. See? He knew she'd be okay. At some point when they're getting Gabriel settled, Simon has the mind to mention they need to prop him up, make sure he's not laying on his back. It'll help his ribs heal better, less pressure on them.

After that he passes out. Not for that long, a little nap, his body insists and Simon doesn't have much say in it. When he does wake, groggily, Karina is there with some food. Not a lot, they've been slowly working through the rations in this bunker and supplementing with anything they find or kill on the outside. Today it's jerky and bottled water and canned peaches. Not the most delicious mix, but it's a delicacy in this new world. He goes to check on Gabriel now that he's not falling over too. They've got him on one of the roll out bed mats, propped up like he'd told them to do and covered with a thin blanket. At least he's getting rest. Sitting beside him he'll sip at the syrupy sugar water in the peach can, sighing.

It's a small comfort watching Gabe's chest rise and fall as he breathes. It sounds pained, but... well. Broken ribs will do that, he's going to be in a lot of pain until they start healing. If anything the fact he's still alive is good. Means he probably didn't puncture anything with said broken ribs. Small miracles.]

[eispy]

[ The first thing Gabriel registers upon awakening is pain. His lungs feel like punching bags, and his ribs feel as if they're moving with every pained breath he takes. As soon as his eyes open, and he has returned to the world of consciousness, he shifts about in a panic, doing more harm than good, naturally. ]

-Agh, shit.

[ Gabriel winces, confused as to where he is or why he can't feel himself laying flat on the ground. Why twigs and leaves and rocks aren't digging into his body. He starts to look around, but even his neck is sore. Sore is something he can push through, thought.

He's surprised to see Simon, even more surprised when he realizes they aren't outside. He tries to move again, stubborn ass, but he's in far too much pain to get up. In frustration, he grits through his teeth-]

The fuck are we?

[overboarded]

[Simon let's Gabe move about, come to, he's learned before that suddenly touching him can be a very bad thing when he's not all there it ended up being a good thing but shhh shut up. Also maybe he's pretty sore himself, the effort to drag Gabriel's ass to the bunker had strained muscles Simon didn't know he had.]

Bunker, some crazy end of the world bunker.

[He huffs, fingers pulling a sticky sweet peach slice out of the can as he eats it. Licking at his fingers to clean them he'll offer some to Gabe, tipping the can at him.]

Not so crazy anymore.

[Gabriel will hear other voices, see people walk by the door of the room they're in. Maybe a young girl peeks her head in, hand curled on the frame of the door staring at this strange new man. At least before an adult woman comes over to tug her away gently, but not without giving a wary look to Gabriel.]

Thirsty?

[Simon asks, sure he must be.]