I, Zombie [Tag: Everyone]

Ears wringing from the blast, Raph gave the side of his head a few good 'pops', hoping to get things back in working order. Unfortunately it only hurt his already aching head. Emitting a hiss that went unheard by his own ears, he continued to nibble on the snacks, wishing he could hear the conversation between Erica and whoever she was now speaking with.


This whole situation sucked! At least they were safe... for now. And he was in good company. At least there was that. Catching a whiff of the rotting corpses outside, Raph's snout wrinkled in disgust. Even with the barriers of the windows, the stench still filtered in. Obviously those things were close.. perhaps right outside the locked apartment door....

With Hun wanting supplies that he was too chicken shit scared to get himself. And one of their friends out in the mess, Mikko was ready to go.

Ok handsome, if yer coming lets go.

Mikko said to Gabe then left the room. She waited a bit to see if Gabe was following then started to head back up to the streets.

Tiph, Ally and the two boys had gathered all the guns and ammo they could carry they packed the car up and then headed out once again. It didn't take long will they drove up to a group of the undead. Tiph felt lucky that they were in the car, though she wasn't sure how long they car would keep them safe. The car was quiet as they slowly drove past the horde.

Tiph finally got a hold of her phone and dialed Gabe's number. She needed to tell him that she wasn't home anymore so that he didn't risk his life going there for no reason. that was, if he was coming to get her.

"I'll help him Leo." April smiles at Leo moving away from the phone talk and towards Mikey to give him hand organising make shift beds in the spare rooms...which were really blocked off side passages.

She smiles at Love and Mel. "Come help, Mel you come when your warm enough." She nods to the young one and gestures for Love to follow.

Watching Raph bop his head Erica raised her hand to stop him, waiting for Donatello to speak on the line with her, her hands catching Raph's and giving her head a small shake. She reaches for the other phone and types out a new message for Raphael to read.

'Why don't you lay down? on the couch maybe - I wish to look about to see if there is anything I can add to my little back pack - anything helpful at all and maybe with some luck after a little rest your hearing will come back. I am telling you brother Donatello how you are in full detail.' She gave him the phone to read again and rubbed his head where he had just tapped sliding her butt forward off the bench and gently standing - stretching protesting muscles and wishing she too could take her advice and have a small break, but she really should check out the apartment herself - Raphael had made sure it was safe - she needed to loot it for anything useful. She slips the phone from his fingers to add to the message for him again. 'I will be quick in checking out the place for usable items, and be back in ten minutes, promise.'

And smiling she gives him back the phone nudging him gently towards the couch as she takes his phone to keep the conversation with Donatello going as long as he needed to and headed herself off a little towards the apartments rooms, searching them, one drawer yielded a sheet she rolled up tight for now - it would be good to shred and use it for bandaging some time. And having raided the already pretty bare cupboards in this room headed for the second and slightly smaller repeating the look over process.

Only nothing could have prepared her for what she would find when she pulled open the closet - though considering the situation ...

A girl... was in the closet.... younger than her... younger than even Mel...

Oooooh someone wanted her to help. Well Love was all for being useful! She smiled and followed the attractive red head to help with making beds and such.

This is a really nice place down here, I can't believe something like this was in the sewers the whole time! Kinda makes me wonder what else is down here. Anyway, if we need more supplies or anything, I can run back to the streets and grab some things. i stick to the roof tops, So far the zombies don't seem to be able to climb...or fly.

Alysson’s eyes widened with fear when she noticed the door begin to open. She was slightly relieved when she saw that it was merely an older girl. Nervous around strangers, it took her a moment to find the right words to say. When she finally did speak, it came out softly as if she didn't quite want to be heard.

“I’m sorry!! I-I just…needed someplace to hide... Y-you saw outside, right?”

Erica Martins wrote:

"Hi Donatello - you have a nice voice." Erica greets smiling watching Raphael. "Your brother Raphael has temporarily lost his hearing due to a concussive shockwave from what I assume was a grenade explosion. He has just told me there is ringing in his ears so I am hopeful it means his hearing is recovering swiftly." She tell this voice. A calmer, if shy sounding male baritone.

"And he lost quiet a lot of blood from lacerations received whilst fighting a mutant tiger - the heavy bleeders I have patched up and stopped blood flow - the small ones and his snout that looks out of place a little and swollen a bit I will have a quick look over, but I think it is fine he is not struggling to breathing through his nose and is eating just fine. He just needs some more fluids and time to rest to recover his blood loss." She fills this turtle in.

Don could feel some color coming to his cheeks at the girl's compliment to his voice.  "Wow, thanks!  Uh, you too," he commented, a huge grin on his face.  He hadn't expected that at all.  Then he was quiet and his grin faded when Erica explained in great detail about Raph's condition.  When she was finished, he smiled into the phone.  "It sounds like he is in great hands.  Thank you so much for everything.  He's lucky to have you as his guardian angel."  The girl seemed very sweet to him.  He would love to meet her face-to-face and thank her properly.

Nerves still on end, Raphael was reluctant to do any sort of resting. Zombies- fucking zombies! Never in a million years would he think this would be their biggest threat. All living things now seemed to have a common enemy, and if the hordes on the streets were any indication, this epidemic was spreading fast. He wondered how much of the world had been affected, and where this had originated from. And more importantly, who was behind this?? Sighing deeply to himself, he gave a small nod, figuring Erica was right. Maybe getting some rest would restore him. He had been trained to function if one sense was taken, but this was the real deal, and to say it was scary would be an understatement. "Be careful." He pleaded, finally pushing up and making his way to the couch, carefully positioning himself onto the too small for comfort furniture.

---

*Turtle's Lair* Had been keen to tease Donatello about his bgoofy ass grin in response to the girls compliment over the phone - but he had a Leo given task to see to and so he set off with a grin that said clearly to Don that he got lucky... for now... and swept over towards Love and Mel grinning. "come on ladies with April and Angel we'll fix up a space for all our guests to stay." He beams and nods encouragingly for them to follow to the 'spare room' or otherwise known as 'everything goes here' tunnel where they stored things they found until they had use of them or could give them away to homeless humans on the streets.

---

*TurtlesLair* Nods and follows Mikey more sedately - curious as to how much stuff and junk and miscellaneous things the brothers had found. It was a veritable garage sale junkie's dream spot.

---

" I don't think the word guest is the right word to use." The young teen commented as she put down the mainly empty bowl of food and followed Mikey and Angel.

---

Erica stared at the startled youngster - glad she did not make too much noise and holds up her hands to show her she was not armed at all. "Hey hey, its okay ... are you... are you hurt?" She wanted to know offering a hand in friendship. "I'm Erica... are you alone here?... was this your home?" and she had to forcibly stop herself from asking several more questions, she was trying not to frighten and overwhelme the youngster. And it bothered her how readily she thought of the 'what ifs' if it turned out the girl was bitten by the mobs outside

---

"maybe but its the one I'm going with alright?" Mikey said with a flourish showing the girls the stacks and stacks of boxes of things like found cloths and bedding and pillows and a pool table top in the back and wardrobes and all sorts of things. "Taaaa daaaa -" He beams, "It may not look like much yet but we'll use this stuff to make up some beds and things and share about what bedding we got." He assures his little helper group

---

"N-no, I'm not hurt," She replied, relieved that Erica seemed to be a nice person. "And, no, I don't live here. Just hiding."

---

" Better than an old warehouse that might as well be condemmed. How the smell of the sewers is kept out is beyond me though." Mel wondered a bit curious about as she looked around and nodded she could work with this area. " I'm guessing we're not sleeping alone?" She asked Mikey.

---

She really should check the girl over... but... she sighs and pulls her bag open digging about in it for the half eaten candy bar she found much earlier and breaking it in half again. "Here munch this bit, the rest is for ... our friend, he's resting... um whats your name?... how old are you?... do you know whats happening outside?" She asks again having to reign in her curiosity about the young girl and turning her attention away from her to the room, searching the cupboard... ripping up white cloths as she found them into shreds she could use to replace Raphael's bandanages so when they left here hopefully there would be even less trace amounts of blood smell to lead the hordes outside to them. She smiles at the young girl though in a friendly way.



"oh geeeeze even more packed down here than it was before I left." Angel chuckles moving over to begin looking through boxes and placing the ones with items they may need to one side, the rest she began stacking in roughly bed shaped heaps. They may not be a comfy surface all told but at least off the floor and provide something to sleep on.

---

She took the candy gratefully. "My name's Alysson, and I'm uh..." glancing at her fingers quick "twelve. It's really scary outside - lots of blood. I don't like it."

---

Oh dear, how lucky she was to have been here... "Alyss - mmmm nice name..." She grabbed a little shoulder sachel and stuffed her new first aid bandaging inside and gestures to Alyss. "Come on I should introduce you to our friend, if he's still awake, if asleep though we'll leave it until he wakes again okay?" She begins to lead the girl back to the apratments living dining combined area and to Raph. "Please don't be scared of him, he wont hurt you or I." She adds forgetting almost whilst she was used to mutants... others may not be.

---

"I know right? we'd have more but we did a clean out not long ago and most went to where we hoped it could be used." Mikey grins gesturing for Mel to join in with the checking and arranging of boxes and bags and suitcases and odd bits of furniture they had, Love already starting on some to his left. "No you guests will have to be in here together. And this is way better than an old warehouse... and Don's smarts makes things to keep out the smell and keep it warm and stuff." He explains working quickly.

---

Alyss nodded and followed Erica closely. Seeing Raph, her eyes widened in fear. What was he?! Erica told her not to be afraid of him, so she tried to, though the shocked expression remained on her face. She stood a bit closer beside Erica.

---

" As long I get just a little space this will be fine got no choice anyway. I don't wanna get eaten and it was beyond creepy to see it." Mel said with a shudder as she tried to get her own little area set up. She mainly used the clothes to make a mattress on the floor which was easy to do. She took some bedding to make it more into a bed while pushing other stuff into a corner as much as possible.

---

Watching the girl - ready to pounce and smother her if she showed any sign of taking in a breath to scream or shout - and smiles at Alyss stepping over to see if Raph was yet alseep - feeling it was best if he was still awake to introduce Alyss so he didn't get a surprise when he woke - and if he was already asleep then to leave him too it and deal with the surprise after. She touches his shoulder to signal her return still the phone in ease hearing and reach encase Donnie had advice for her or anything more to say or another family member spoke.

and speaking of Donnie she was still blushing from his compliment and she grins. "Well I think your brother and I both got lucky on that front Donnie, but I am glad to be of help, is there anything I should do differently?" Just encase there was specific care instructions he would have for her in regards to his brothers care and treatment, afterall she had been told he was usually the family doctor.

---

"Mel your gonna have to make up beds and space for others not just yourself girl." Mikey admonished her gently shooing her off and giving her the stuff she was shoving back into the corner. "Look through these, things like blankets spare cloths we may need, other stuff that is not camping or cooking gear can be stacked into bed shapes like Angel is doing please, I think there was one other person to come with Raph." Mikey pointed out gently encouraging her to get to it so this task would be seen to quick

---

Angel gave Mikey a thumbs up and helpd Love shift a few same sized shelves over the 'bed' she had made with boxes and then through up bags of cloths and rags up there - Love said it would be comfortable enough for her for now. Then they three moved onto moving more stuff, shaping and stacking and clearing foot traffic space

---

" Sorry kinda been on my own and only relying on myself for a while. Well as much as one can on the streets and before that foster homes." Mel admitted as she did what Mikey told her even though it was a little bit of a struggle. That was one thing she would have to get used even though she hated it and it was being told what to do.

---

Raphel's eyes were closed, but his mind was to noisy to actually rest. Feeling Erica's touch startled him and heavy eyelids sprung open, greeted by the sight of a new human, who looked startled by his appearance. Normally he would have sprung up and over the couch, not wanting to hear her scream.. but it looked like Erica was ready to take care of it if something like that happened. Besides, what was the point in hiding? Too late, she had seen him. And with the world going to shit, who could she possibly tell about him that would actually give two shits? Still, he felt tense and uneasy.. gaze meeting hers....

---

Don smiled into the phone. "No, I think everything has been covered." But he did have one more question. "Um, will he be ready to travel? It's much safer here than up there. I have taken special care to make sure no one gets in this place without me knowing about it." He was bragging slightly while showing off, but then again, he was right. If they could get Raph back home, it would be safer for all of them.

---

"That's better - more hands make light work and all that sensei stuff Leo often reminds us of," Mikey gestures vaguely in answer shoving things that would be no use into the wardrobe and closing the doors then shifting it back and out of the way. He counted the beds, Casey and April had their own spare space when they were here so this corner was more for Love, Mel and the girl on the phone.



Blinking, Alyss looked at Raph nervously yet calmly and slowly raised her hand to wave. He didn't seem TOO scary, though she remained quite close to Erica 'just in case'.

---

" Did that come off a fortune cookie?" She asked because a lot of those sayings sounded made up to her. " Do we have enough food though with all the people staying here?" Mel also asked food was important one and just because she was used to not having a lot of food didn't mean everyone was. She kept working.

---

Erica shifts her phone and chuckling at Donnie's words felt a grin spread as she types a message to Raph 'sorry to disturb you, you should be sleeping... but thought I'd introduce the kid I found - Alyss, I think she is clean and unhurt so far' and handing him the phone to read she speaks to Donatello some more. "that's great Donnie, these... things that we are hiding from... they are attracted to noise - and smells like blood, but have so far as I know gone into the sewers. And as long as Raph gets at least an two hours rest we may be able to move... as long as his hearing has returned. He should be able to cope with after affects of blood loss as long as we get below ground quick." She told him smiling at Alyss now and speaking to her. "Alyss this is Raphael he's friendly."

---

" I may be able to feed us comfortably for a week or so then we'll need to make some runs... I hope it is not oo bad up there." Mikey sighs and shoves some more furniture that would take two human men to lift into the corner with the cupboard easily smiling at their combined efforts, "Looking good girls."

---

Don nodded to what Erica was saying. Yeah, it was best to hold off until Raph had some rest. However, Don still was anxiously waiting for his brother's safe return, but he could wait a bit longer, couldn't he? After all, they had to be cautious in making their way there. "Alright. But when you're ready to move, please call this phone so I know when you're on your way."

---

Angel shakes her head ruefully at Mikey. "Its any one of your zombie comic scenario's come to life Mikey - it's worse than bad."

---

" Better ration the food then I can easily survive with not a lot of food and if I have to I will skip meals to stretch the food out." Mel replied all to used to doing just that by the look of her small body. She continued to make beds.

---

Reading the message, Raph only gave an awkward sort of nod and a small wave back to the girl, knowing any attempt to communicate with her would have to wait. Which was okay, not that he was normally a chatter-box anyway. Eyes shifting between the newbie and Erica, he finally shifted, now facing the couch to drown out any visual distractions, realizing rest would be essential if he was to move from this place. He needed to be in fighting condition because heading to the sewers would surely be difficult with those things flooding the city.

---

"Is he okay?" Alyss asked, looking up at Erica. She'd finally retrieved her ability to speak after her initial shock due to Raph's slightly frightening appearance.

---

Mikey rolled his eyes he just told the girl he'd feed them... and he knew about rationing out food. In any case he did not answer and simply shifted things more until there was a pathway around the made up bed. "That will have to do for now - come on lets join the others - unless yous want to rest." He grins.

---

Angel grinned - April had left to see her and Casey's spot was fine for them and Love announced she may cat nap briefly on her pile of softness.

---

" Nah I will come out." She replied as she left the room back into the main one.

---

Erica smiles and grabbing the couchs throw pulled it over Raph gesturing for Alyss to get into the recliner beside him. "He will be okay, he's just a bit tired." She explains simply for now checking over his makeshift bandages which seemed fine. She waits until the girl complied and then nods and backs off speaking to Donatello. "I will, I have promised Leonardo to test every hour to update our status or signal for help." She told Donnie moving back to the task of searching the rooms for anything useful that was not taken.

she smiles, "I know it's an anxious wait but please... we are for the moment safe and will buzz if we need help - be nice to meet you Donnie... and the rest of you, glad April and her group made it safely."

---

Don smiled again. "It was nice meeting you too--uh..." He trailed off, feeling embarrassed for not knowing the girl's name when she already knew his. He was nervous about asking her, but in the long run, it probably would be a good idea to know. Especially if they should meet in person eventually. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name..." He bit his lip trying to keep from ducking his head inside his shell in utter embarrassment.

---

"oooh hehe sorry thought Leo had it on speaker, when I answered, um I'm Erica, Erica Martins." she answers Don listening to the quiet apartment, rifling through a linens closet from top to bottom shelf. All be told she was exhausted... But she had to stay alert to text and be the ears whilst Raph and Alyss napped.

---

Don let out a small chuckle. "Then it was very nice meeting you, Erica. Please -- be safe and keep in touch." Then he hung up, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding at the time. Erica...what a pretty name. Now he was anticipating them actually meeting in person. After Raph rested, of course.

---

' Not much to do now and not everyone from the group is here and going above ground isn't that great of an idea.' Mel thought as she looked around the area wondering what was going to happen. Staying in the city even in the sewers was a bad idea sure there was food and everything but cities meant a ton of zombies.

---

and she smiled tucking the phone away again finding matches and a small aid kit, and a third bag, a backpack that she could fill like she was the satchel and her bag. She left the closet and headed for the rooms.

Of course Gabriel was coming along. His friend was half of the reason Mikko was risking her life, after all. Sparing one last glance at Lexi and Ezekiel with a promise to return (and hoping he could keep it!) Gabe followed Mikko out, just as his phone began to vibrate. He quickly answered, paranoid that those things could hear it somehow...


"Tiph?" He answered, tone kept low... "We're comin' for you, just hang tight..."

Finally Gabe answered. Spike could be heard in the back ground giving orders as they drove.

I'm not home anymore. Those things got in and we had to get out of there. We just stopped at a gun shop to pick up weapons. I don't know where we're headed now. But don't come for me. its too dangerous.

Just then Jack stopped the car and in front of them was a horde of undead.

"Run em over!" Spike shouted.

"The car isn't big enough to plow through them. we have to go back!"

Spike turned to Tiph. "where the fuck if yer boyfriend at? We'll go there."

Tiphanny returned to the phone. Where are you, Gabe? I think the our plan is to come to you.

Lexi watched them go, worried, but trying to stay positive.They would make it back. Mikko was a trained assassin and Gabe was a thug. A passive thug, but he could handle a gun. Though she overheard Mikko saying something about giving him a sword.... hopefully that ended well. She did NOT want to stabilize another messy amputation site.



Finally getting Karai taken care of and leaving her to rest, she walked back over to Laz and where Ezekiel was sitting, her gaze shifting from each man, before settling on Laz. "How are you feeling? They're going to be okay, right? She knows what she's doing?"

Laz watched them leave and let out a deep sigh. They were both doomed. He didn't know about Gabe, But Mikko was way too kill happy. She would run into a group of those things for the hell of it. Hopefully Gabe kept her in check.

He was brought back by Lexi's question. Slowly he nodded.

Yeah. Mikko has one of the highest kill streaks in the foot. She's great with a sword and a gun if it came down to it. Don't worry. they will be fine.

Ugh. Of couse Gabriel could hear the unmistakable voice of Spike bellowing in the background. He hesitated for a moment, knowing that it would be a horrible idea to be in the same proximity as that asshole, but they had to make sure Tiph was safe....



"We're....at the Foot Tower. Well, under it... or somethin'.... but we're headed out to get some things, could meet you someplace.."

Well that made Lexi feel somewhat better. She carefully took a seat on the edge of his bed, taking a warm damp washcloth and began cleaning away some of the blood around his bandage, trying to keep herself busy so her mind didn't put her into a panic.


"So, how are you feeling?" The fact that he avoided that question earlier hadn't gone unnoticed. "And... I think you're right. They'll be okay... and they'll be back soon. If they don't go off someplace to get high and fuck..."

Tiph also knew this was a bad idea. but the worse that could happen is Gabe would kill Spike. And really, was that so bad?

Ok. Oh and...Ally is with us too. can't remember if I mentioned that.

Jack backed up the car and headed to the other direction. "ok where to people?"

We can meet you all at the foot tower. It has to be safe there, right? I mean, nothing can get in that place.

Alyss curled up on the recliner, attempting to fall asleep for at least a little while. Today was very strange, and she'd seen so much violence - way more than she'd ever imagined seeing. It'd be difficult to sleep after such imagery. However, both Erica and Raph seemed pretty nice. It'd been a while since someone had been nice to her. With that thought in mind, she shut her eyes and fell asleep.

Lexi Davis wrote:

Well that made Lexi feel somewhat better. She carefully took a seat on the edge of his bed, taking a warm damp washcloth and began cleaning away some of the blood around his bandage, trying to keep herself busy so her mind didn't put her into a panic.


"So, how are you feeling?" The fact that he avoided that question earlier hadn't gone unnoticed. "And... I think you're right. They'll be okay... and they'll be back soon. If they don't go off someplace to get high and fuck..."

I'm fine. Thanks to you. Laz gave her a smile. Mikko's crazy, but not crazy enough to get high while things are going down. No...I'm more worried about them taking a detour to screw.

Eze lifted a brow at that. I don't think Gabe is that needy. Maybe...

"...Yeah, meet us here..." And Gabe wasn't too sure about this. Not with Spike. But they needed to make sure that Tiph was okay.. and Ally. Spike could be dealt with, if he needed to be. But maybe this whole situation would make him more... tolerable. Doubtful.



"See you soon, Tiph...be careful..." With that, Gabe hung up and looked at Mikko. "Think we're gonna have company..but at least we ain't gotta go look for her. What else do we need to venture out for?"

"Needy.. yes. But I'd like to pretend that he's smarter than that.." Lexi added, but shook her head in defeat. All that mattered is, they would come back safe. She smiled a little at Laz' compliment, but wondered just how long they could beat this? Could this infection be contained and if so, what of those that had turned? Surely they were goners. That meant that they would have to avoid infection until this virus was headed off....



"So, how do you guys think it works? We know if you're bitten you turn, but what about scratches? I know we should avoid it all, but if someone in the group is scratched in a location that can't be dealt with.. we need to know how to handle it..."

Hun was leaning against the wall as he listened to everyone talk. He lit a joint, not caring that the small room would fill with smoke and that there was a small child there.

That's a good question, Lexi. Ezekiel! Go out there and tell us what happens if yer scratched.

Ezekiel stood up and took the joint from Hun's lips and put it out under his shoe. Fuck you.

Padding about quietly Erica found some more cloths to pull apart into strips and a half tube of tooth paste, tooth floss. She packed them in different bags considering the future - they may have to run and leave the city - so there was the possibility of needing the floss as lines to catch fish some where.

She checked the rooms - raiding closest. Pondering a few hours ago this would have been unthinkable, to just so outlandishly go through stuff that was not hers. And yet here she was doing it with a touch of mingled guilt and glee every time she found something of use. A hair comb. Duct tape Roll. Empty cans that may have been destined to become arts and crafts projects but she could think of better uses for them.

And lastly the toilet snagging the half roll that was left.

And out back to Raphael and Alyss... she could hear odd bangs out side on the wall.

Alyss and Raph had been asleep for just over two hours.

It was not much but maybe the stillness allowed Raphael's hearing to reassert itself in some way.

She had sent on the hour every hour Leonardo a text, just to let him know they were fine, that they had an extra. That for now the three of them were ... not being hunted.

But she had noted the way out of this place. The master bedroom faced into a small alley that had a storm grate. Hopefully Raph could pull up the rusted square piece... hopefully he would be strong enough.

The drop down was dangerous but they may not have a choice in the matter.

She checks her loot bags.

And then sits to wait, blinking back the tiredness she felt.

Gabriel tried to make a mental note of all the things they would need. Common sense type stuff, sure. But it sounded as if she was suggesting going out there, and when mentioning the reason, he understood why. Shredder, as a zombie.. yeah. He didn't want to cross paths with THAT!


"I know a few stores we can hit.. if yer wantin' to go out there, I mean... maybe the looters ain't wiped 'em all out..."

Yeah I wanna go! lets go chop off some zombie heads! WOO!

Mikko pulled out her swords and spun them in her hands. Where to first? Oh we need a car. Or..no! a shopping buggy to carry stuff in. Lets gooooo! FOR THE GLORY OF THE FOOT!