forum I summon thee @Young-Dusty

Started May 08, 2019 by @amber_is_in_a_loop

tune

Rick heard the small noise and quickly looked over, tilting his head at Charlotte questioningly.

(I am so sorry for disappearing I’m having a really rough time right now. I’m going after a mental health diagnosis soon cause I just don’t know what’s wrong with me XD)
Charlotte got down to her knees, gesturing for Rick to do the same. Sniper, she mouthed over at him.

(Ah man, I'm sorry to hear you're in a bad spot rn hugs I hope a diagnosis (or a bill of health, as the case may be) provides you clarity and comfort soon!)
Rick sank down into the grass immediately, sweeping the area with his gaze for a sign of the enemy. He was glad Charlotte was there to help him watch his back—a week ago, he'd had to do these kinds of missions all by himself, and the close calls were far too many for his liking. He glanced back at Charlotte, wondering if they should risk hanging around much longer.

(Thank you hugs back)
She stared intently at the culpable window, waiting for the second telltale glint of a gun being pit away.
« Okay, » she whispered to Rick, getting back up to a low crouch.

Rick spotted the sniper just as he went out of shooting mode and nodded to Charlotte, carefully continuing his stealthy trek around the fortress. He had spotted a trench running quite close to the outer wall, perhaps the bed of an old creek, and wanted to see if it held any potential for sneaking closer.

She inched around the brush, coming to an open field leading straight down to a minor entrance, guarded by a small handful of guards. They looked distracted— easy to take out quietly with the element of surprise.

(okay, ty)
Rick dropped into the trench and slipped closer to the fortress using its cover, going slowly in case there were traps or alarm systems ahead. If he were in charge, he'd definitely notice this trench and take care to defend the potential weak spot, but there was always the hope that these guards weren't quite so careful. He would only go a bit farther either way, then head back and meet up with Charlotte again.

Deciding against risky exposure, Charlotte inched back the way she'd come to the top of the hill. She knelt down in the grass, waiting for Rick to join her.

To his slight surprise, Rick found the trench to be clear of defenses, but he stopped before he reached the outer wall and turned back. He'd seen enough for now.
Carefully he retraced his steps until he saw Charlotte and went over to her. "See anything interesting?" he whispered.

"Across an open field there's a minor entrance. Guard seems young and distracted, fairly easy to take out," Charlotte listed. "And you?"

"Found a ditch leadin' up to the wall, nice and hidden, might be a way to get close enough to climb over." Rick shrugged slightly. "Either way, seems like there's potential to sneak in. Wanna head back to the others and talk about it?"

Charlotte nodded, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. This seemed… too easy. What was the catch?
"This is strange. It's like he's deliberately unprepared."

Rick was willing to trust her judgement when it came to this guy. "Maybe we shouldn't take either route then. Seems like this Axel fellow's pretty wily." He glanced over his shoulder at the fortress, then started sneaking away. "Let's get well outta sight. We should probably check on the kids anyway."

"The kids". The familiar phrase, and the place they were stood in, sent another flood of memories forward, one that she tried to keep at bay by nodding silently and walking slightly ahead of Rick, her stare steadily holding ahead.

Rick followed her, keeping half an eye out for anyone watching. After a while he decided they were truly alone and sighed, letting the tension of the job fall away as he'd been taught–but still staying alert just in case. "Well at first glance, I'd say Axel's had a lot of time to settle in and fortify that place. It's too bad we don't have more time to scope it out, but I guess we'll make do. Did you notice anything else on your side?"

She gathered her thoughts and shook her head. "No, but I seem to remember the section doors being locked code or key card."
Easy enough to steal, seeing as the guards were young and distracted– she told Rick as much.

Rick nodded. "Pretty high-tech for around here….if they have an electric lock on the door, I guess they've probably got electricity in the rest of the building too." He thought for a minute. "So, have we decided we're tryin' to sneak in, then? Or are we still considering approachin' Axel up front and seeing what he's got to say?"

She considered, biting her lip. “Maybe… we get in on our own terms and then confront him.”
Although she’d hate to admit, she needed to prove to herself that she could at least do this first step on her own. Axel had, after all, always been the most able of them both.

"Sounds like a plan," Rick said. "The way I see it, we should have an advantage since Axel won't be expecting anyone to show up but you, right? If we can use that element of surprise in some way, I definitely think we should."

"Right. That what we'll do then. I'll take Slash with me and Jessie can go with you if ever we need to split up, since Jess and I already know the building."
If anyone was going to be able to protect Jessie, it'd be Rick. She trusted him with the girl's life.

"That works for me." Rick recognized Charlotte's decision to rely on his ability to protect Jessie, and intended to live up to her expectation as fully as possible. He paused, then glanced over at her. "If we run into Axel, what d'you want us to do?" His tone was serious. "Should we save him for you?"

She almost stopped waking, every inch of her body going cold. The truth was she didn't want him to die.
If she told Rick to take care of him should they run into each other, the deed was out of her hands. If Rick found him and brought him to her, she didn't know if she could kill him herself. What was the better option?
"Yes. Get him to me."

Rick nodded. "Okay. I'll do my best. I figured you might want to be the one to choose his fate, seein' as he's caused you a lot more grief." He glanced up ahead and quickened his pace. "There's the camp. Let's go eat lunch and talk things over with the other two."