Eastern Adventures

Having finished taking inventory of what they had left Haley made a quick list of things they were needing before shutting the trunk back and crossing to the front of the SUV to rejoin Sophia and Ysabel. Rounding the corner in time to see Sophia whisper something to the woman Haley looked at the red head with a frown, not a true one mind you, she simply wanted to tease her. "Spreading rumors again Sophia?" She asked shaking her head.

"Maybe I was, Maybe I was tellin her about how you're a total softy once you get past that Navy girl exterior." Sophia retorted which drew laugh from Haley.

"Yea, Sure thing Red Riding Hood." Haley teased again.

"Whoa there. One: I'm not a brunette, two: I do not have a grandmother with the hots for getting eaten by mutant wolves. And Three: Do I really look like someone that'll take a cake to her in the first place?" Sophia answered a little annoyed, Haley knew she didn't like being called it and honestly that was the entire reason she did. She loved seeing the fire in Sophia's eyes when she was defending herself and that extended to her pride as well.

Looking to Ysabel as she heard her break their back and forth up with talking to Sophia about the candy Haley shook her head and smiled before she crossed the two of them and came to lean against the hood of the car closest to the drivers side door. Taking to listening to the two talk as she watched Katey and Ysabel's daughter Rosa play in the nearby field she smiled as she watched them go at it. From the looks of it they were playing tag, but it seemed that neither of them where it, in fact it seemed that their dog was the one that was it as the two girls laughed and ran away from him as he happily chased after.

Shortly Haley looked back to Ysabel as she heard her begin to speak about where they found themselves, mentioning that it was like nowhere she had ever been and that in truth the only place she had been outside of her home state was Florida. Mentioning that her Fiance had family there and that they were going to visit. Catching on to the sudden shift in the woman's tone as she began to mention an Incident. Raising an eyebrow as she heard the shift in tone, the curiosity only grew when she suddenly cut off and began apologizing about sounding dramatic. There was definatly something behind this 'incident' but Haley wasn't going to pry, not unless it became an issue for her and the two kids in her charge.

Pulling the list she had made out of her pocket as she heard Ysabel deflect by changing the subject Haley smiled. "Well, we're good on most things, We still need to find a new water purifier and a few other odds and ends but I'm confident we'll find them somewhere around here." Looking back to Sophia she sent her off to fetch the map. Waiting for her return Haley waited for her to spread it out on the hood before she approached and placed her finger on the rough area that they were. "We just crossed the border using this road, closest town would be this one." She said as her finger came to overlap the name of the town in question. Pulling it away it read "Strathroy" In bold letters. "See if we can find any supplies there and then continue on back to the states." Looking back to Ysabel to for her input Haley brought her right hand to rest on Sophia's shoulder as she waited for the woman to answer.

Looking to Ysabel as she heard her call herself and Sophia precious Haley chuckled and shook her head. "You have no idea how long it took me to get her to actually answer me though." She explained as she looked to see if Sophia was making her way back. Seeing as she was still rummaging through the car for the map Haley looked back to Ysabel and closed the distance between them allowing her to whisper what she would say next.

"Ya see, When I first ran into her she wouldn't as much as look in my direction, let alone answer with me." She explained further in a hushed tone. Looking back  towards the car to confirm that Sophia was still occupied she then glanced over to Katey and Rosa who were still playing with Rosa's dog. Smiling at the sight she then leaned back into Ysabel to continue her explanation. "From what I gather it's got something to do with that mark on her face, the big one. But every time you try to bring it up she instantly shuts you down."

Leaning back away from Ysabel as she heard Sophia climbing out of the car again she looked back to see the young girl making her way back to them map in hand. Over the next few minutes they went over the map and confirmed the nearest town to them, a smaller one that went by the name 'Strathroy', an odd name to say the least but that was eastern Canada for you.

Looking back to the girls playing in the nearby plot of grass Haley crossed her arms as a brisk breeze blew through the group, hearing Ysabel call out for the two girls to return to them Haley smiled as she saw Katey follow the command and follow her new friend in, It was then she heard as Ysabel offered to go into town by herself. That was completely out of the question in Haley's mind and she let Ysabel know it. With a shake of her head she abruptly held out her hand to stop the woman. "No. We never go anywhere alone. My rule is no less than a group of two. You always have someone watch your back." Letting her hand fall again she looked down as she heard Rosa begin to plead with her mother not to go. The girl had a good head on her.

Looking back to Ysabel she then heard as she began to try and compromise after saying something in her native language to her daughter. Listening to the compromise that Sophia stay behind and watch the kids while they go Haley shook her head again. This time though it wasn't because it was a bad plan but rather because she knew Sophia and knew that being stuck watching the two younger ones was the last thing she would want to do. A thought that was only confirmed when she looked down at the red head and saw the look of annoyance she wore. "Don't worry Red, You won't be stuck watching the kids." She reassured her as she patted her on the shoulder. Seeing the annoyance drain from the young girls face Haley then looked back to Ysabel. "I'll stay and watch the kids." She answered as she pushed Sophia forward. "Sophia here's the scavenger. She's quick and quiet." Haley said as she shot a smile to the girl.

"Yea, I'm not a bumbling fool like she is." Sophia answered as she stuck her tongue out at Haley. "When you wanna go?" Sophia then asked as she turned her attention back to Ysabel.

Hearing Ysabel say that they should head out now Sophia nodded and without a word made her way towards the back of the SUV where her pack sat half buried by Haley and Katey's. "Dammit, I told them not to do this." She grumbled under her breath as she pulled it out from beneath everything. Getting it out she unzipped the main pack and fetched her ankle holster and her pistol along with her extra Butterfly knife. Setting it all in the bed of the SUV she first grabbed the holster and strapped it on herself before setting her CZ 2075 in it. Pulling her pants leg over it she then checked her belt to make sure her hunting knife was still attached. Satisfied that it was Sophia grabbed her butterfly knife and spun it open with a grace of someone that had done it a thousand times.

Investigating the blade for a moment Sophia nodded before spinning it shut again and sliding it in her pocket before zipping her bag shut and closing the rear SUV door back. "Ready when you are Ysie." The redhead called as she rounded the corner to rejoin her and Haley. Seeing as the woman nodded to her in acknowledgment Sophia watched as she retreated to the rear of the SUV just as she had previously. Waiting for her to grab what she needed Sophia looked up to Haley. "So, anything else we need other than the water thing?" She asked.

"It's a purifier." Haley answered which earned her a look from Sophia like she thought she was dumb or something.

"I know that." Sophia responded. "What I meant was is there anything else we need besides that?"

"Try and find some bandages and disinfectant if you can." Haley responded refocusing the conversation on what Sophia had asked.

"Okay, So Water thing, Bandages and Disinfectant along with anything else we can find. Got it." Sophia confirmed before seeing Ysabel make her way back from behind the vehicle. "Ready to head out?" She asked her as she approached. Watching as she passed by Sophia followed her form as she approached Katey and her own daughter. It seemed she was planning on taking the dog out with them, upon seeing this Sophia groaned to herself, She didn't have anything against dogs or animals in general for that fact but it hindered her ability to be stealthy and quick unless Ysabel let her take lead and do her own thing like Haley would.

Waiting for her to gather the dog and rejoin her Sophia offered a week smile as she approach, she had placed the dog on a leash it would seem which meant he wouldn't get in her way but there was still the fact that dogs liked to bark and noise would give her away. Deciding to swallow her words for the time as she knew how Haley would respond Sophia just shoot her head and pushed herself off the SUV. "Let's head out then shall we?" 

Keeping herself vigilant as they began their trek towards the small town where they hoped to find what they needed Sophia kept her hands in her pocket, her left gripping her knife while her right kept ready to reach down and grab her weapon if needed. Keeping her eyes open for any sign of movement Sophia made a point to stay to the side of the road using the trees to her advantage as they moved forward. Slightly annoyed at Ysabel's insistence on staying near the road she surprised herself when she didn't instantly get angry at the woman. 'Damn.. They're making me soft.' She cursed to herself as she walked.

Having walked for about fifteen minutes Sophia kept herself on the edge of the tree's until they turned into fields. 'Damn..' she thought as she made her way to rejoin Ysabel on the road, below them Ysabel's dog kept his nose to the ground sniffing for anything out of the ordinary, or at least that's what Sophia assumed he was trained at. Looking to Ysabel as she offered her a piece of gum Sophia nodded and took it. Unwrapping it she almost got it to her mouth before she heard her say that they were somewhat stale and had lost most of their flavor. "Most things have these days." Sophia answered with a shrug. Sticking the piece of gum in her mouth Sophia chewed hard for a few seconds to soften up the gum, she was right, it tasted of nothing. But it gave her something to do so with a shrug she continued to look towards their destination.

A number of minutes later Sophia looked back to Ysabel as she heard her speak again, the area had stayed quiet thankfully and the few deadheads they did see had been so far in the woods that they lost interest fairly quickly. "Where am I from?" She repeated to her after hearing it, she didn't exactly like the idea of sharing the information but as long as she stayed vague then it would be fine, or at least she hoped. Hearing as Ysabel explained that she was from Georgia and took a guess that she was from Colorado because that's where Haley said she found her Sophia shook her head. "Colorado." Sophia repeated with a laugh. "Colorado was a shit hole. Never anything good." She said, waiting to see if Ysabel would get mad at her like Haley does when she cursed she shrugged and continued. "No. Try further West." She answered, again waiting to see if she would guess it Sophia took a look at their surroundings, her finger tapping the grip of the knife in her pocket.

"Far West. Nevada." Sophia answered after a few seconds, "Although we didn't stay there long after the fall. I guess you could say I'm from everywhere, god knows I've been basically everywhere before.. Well. That doesn't matter." Shaking her head as she caught herself nearly letting slip about her dad and what they did Sophia went silent again, hoping she wouldn't ask more Sophia looked to the sky and tried to change the subject. "What about you? you said something about your fiance right? Where's he from?"

Thankful that Ysabel didn't ask any further questions about what she had said Sophia smiled to the woman as she heard her begin laying out an answer for her question about the man she had mentioned previously. Apparently his name was Troy and he was from Florida, hearing the states name Sophia winced. "Yuck, Way to hot." She said as they continued to walk. In the distance a sign was growing closer and as they approached what it read became apparent. The name of the town was written across it in bold white lettering along with a few bits of travel information someone decided needed to be on there. "Almost there." Sophia noted aloud.

Turning her attention back to Ysabel as she continued her story about how they had met and gone on vacation there when she had gotten out of the hospital, Probably from having her child. Hearing as the woman's tone went dark Sophia looked over to her, her voice had gone shakey and it was apparent that whatever she was about to tell her carried a great amount of weight to her. Looking up to her with a curious raise of her eyebrow Sophia waited for what she had to say. Listening as Ysabel told about how a group of men broke in and beat her Sophia shook her head, While she and her father had broken into many a house they never assaulted anyone, They're goal was always to find valuables and get out without alerting anyone of their presents. Reaching out Sophia took the woman's hand and looked up to her.

Thinking of how to calm the woman Sophia gripped her hand tightly and as she did the dog took notice of her raised emotions as well. Following the woman's form as she reached down and picked the dog up from the ground Sophia waited for her to get him situated in his arms before she let her hand drop. Reaching it up to her face she ran it along the mark on her face. "You wanna know how I got this?" She asked as she looked back to her and left her pointer finger touching the X mark on her face. Waiting for the womans answer Sophia looked back towards the buildings that had now come into view in the distance.

"When my father and I made it to the east we went through Oklahoma where we met a group there." She started explaining as her hand fell back to her side and she closed her eyes. "They apparently had an unspoken rule where if you joined them then you join them until you die, and if you leave you're considered a traitor." She explained further, opening her eyes she looked back to Ysabel. "This is the mark of a traitor. The mark means no one around Ok will even talk to you, let alone help you." Bringing her hand over to hold Ysabels again she looked up to her. "That's what I am to them." She said with an empty chuckle. "A traitor that can't ever go back." Shaking her head as she finished Sophia then looked up to the woman again. "Don't.. Don't tell Haley about that okay?"

Recounting her experiences in Oklahoma Sophia shook her head as the memories were dug to the surface. Opening them again she scanned their surroundings, it was odd how quiet it was around here, even closer to the town there weren't any walkers in obvious places. Looking to the closest building as it grew closer Sophia nodded to herself as she saw one of the things through the window, 'They're probably all in the buildings.' She thought to herself. Looking up to Ysabel as she began reacting to what she had told her about the group that her father and her had joined Sophia chuckled again. "Okay, let me stop you there." Sophia responded as Ysabel started getting mushy on her. Reaching up and grabbing the woman's shoulder as she crouched down to her Sophia dipped her head. "Don't get all mushy on me okay? It happened. Just like my dumbass of a father deciding he wants to be a race car driver and flipping our car killing himself, or my mother getting killed by the deadheads leaving me to find her body with skin hanging off the bones, or the kid that wasn't fast enough in the first group we were with who died screaming bloody murder. Shits fucked in this world, I get it." Letting her hand fall Sophia shook the woman off of her and pushed passed her.  "Why does everyone keep fucking reminding me."

Regretting the fact she let everything slip in her bought of anger Sophia went quiet as they approached the store. Listening as Ysabel as she explained the way her and her daughter did scavenging Sophia just shrugged. "Whatever, Your call." She answered in a depressed tone. Brandishing her pistol from her ankle holster and taking up a position behind the woman Sophia crossed to the wall and looked for Ysabel to follow her before making her way to the back. Again waiting for the woman to take lead she came to stand next to the back door.

"Ready when you are." 

Trying her best to quell the anger that had bubbled up inside her from revealing way more than she had ever intended to Sophia took up her position by the rear door of the building, having passed by the store front on their way in the main area looked clear at a glance, but glances could be deceiving. Taking her place on the left side of the door Sophia took a deep breath and shoved her feeling down as deep as she possible could at the time. "Okay, Ready." She said as she looked to the woman across from her. She was gonna need to apologize for her little outburst on their way back if Ysabel was anything like Haley but thankfully the woman hadn't brought it up again.

Taking a breath as she watched the door open Sophia gripped her knife in her hand and moved in behind Ysabel. Entering into the building the two of them found themselves in a rear maze of hallways and rooms that almost certainly acted as offices for whatever store had been in operation before the end, Not making a point to look at the facade on their way up Sophia didn't know. Getting in the two of them heard the sound of the dead approaching and soon enough the source of the sound became apparent as a lone walker shambled out after them, which Ysabel quickly dispatched with the makeshift weapon she had fashioned out of the table leg she always kept on her person. Keeping her eyes open as she saw Ysabel crouch down to a medical kit that laid a short distance from where the walker had fallen, it's outside layer caked in crimson goo thankfully it hadn't made its way into the bag proper. "Nice." Sophia answered as she saw her hold the disinfectant and gauze up to her. Waiting for her to walk off Sophia then crossed to the bag and threw it over her shoulder, while it rested empty now it was a decent size and they could use it to store anything else that they may find of value as they went.

Slinging it over her shoulder Sophia returned to stand next to Ysabel, in the distance the two could hear the sound of the dead and from the sounds of it there were a fair amount of them, They'd have to be careful with this one. Crossing in front of Ysabel Sophia got down next to the side wall and motioned Ysabel to follow, waiting for her to do so before peeking around the corner down the continuation of the hallway. "Damn, There's three of them." She muttered just loud enough for her companion to hear. "Okay, Here." Sophia said as she set her knife down and pulled out the pistol from her ankle holster. Pulling the silencer from her pocket she screwed it on. "It's not dead silent but it'll help keep us under the radar from the rest of the building. I'll cross to that door and get their attention, when they all get in clear view put them down. Okay?" Sophia said before holding the weapon out to her. Whether she took the weapon or not would determine Sophia's plan but she hoped that she'd take it. The fact she was offering the weapon in the first place though was an oddity that even caught Sophia off guard, Before the only person she would ever willingly give her weapon to was her father, had they grown on her that much? Or had she gotten soft? Whatever the case was she didn't have time to dwell on it now.

"Oh.. By the way.. Uh.. Sorry, for the outburst earlier.. It's just.. Yea... I'll tell you after we get out of here." With those words Sophia held the weapon out once more. "All you gotta do is aim it and shoot, it's loaded and the silencer is attached so it won't be extremely loud like it would be otherwise."