2012

Steven - Bully(I'm not going to bother putting that he's pretending any more. I'll just let everyone know when he's been caught out).

In a moment, the map of the Baron Lands was spread out on the ground. Steven picked up a stick and pointed to one area of it, which depicted the city they were in, albeit at some time when it wasn't quite as devastated. Part of the city was taken up by empty whiteness.

"We're about here." said Steven, pointing at one intersection. "The way I would've picked is here." The point of the stick moved to a thin street about a kilometre to the east. Then he pointed at the white area, "There might be a way through in here, but I don't know. There are quarantine barriers set up there. Even the gang stays away from there, I've seen them making efforts to avoid it. I don't know what's on the other side of those fences, but I don't want to find out.

"On the other hand," he mused, "That might be the only way through that doesn't run straight through gangland." He looked across the large sheet, meeting Peyton's eyes, smirking slightly in apparent amusement, "So, since you seem to be the leader here, why don't you pick?"

"Well," Carlie muttered. "I say we go for it. But, if you want Peyton to pick she can."

Luke nodded and turned to Peyton. "We'll never know what's over there if we don't find out."

"What do you think?" Steven asked Peyton.

She bit her lip in concentration.

Traveler~Tessa: *This is for thefireinmeisJC. Try and come in after this*

I couldn't let Risa leave. I may distrust her but I'm not a fool. We need all the help we can get in order to make it through the mountains. There was nothing but dirt around for miles until you hit the mountains and I was already finding it unbearable to breath from all the dust and ash.

"Wait," I screamed and jumped off my jacket I'd been sleeping on. The fire was out and Risa was already a good five yards away.

"Wait!" I bellowed again and she turned.

"Go back to sleep. You don't want a person like me along for the Indian Trail," I didn't know what she meant by 'a person like me' but didn't care. I ran up to her.

"Oh no you don't," I held her wrist fast in my hand and tried to pull her back in the direction of the fire, to the direction of the mountains. "I won't let you leave."

"Let go off me," She shook my fragile hands off easily,"Why should I stay with this group?" I'd never heard her talk so strongly and she looked at me with eyes that pleaded for an answer. I suddenly felt like she was asking more than why she should stay. There was something in her eyes.

"Because......because me and Spike know how to get food and...and because Risa we need you, too!" It wasn't the best explanation and I didn't even know why I was trying to get her to stay anymore.

"That's it? I'm sorry Tessa but I have business else where. I'm sure we'll meet again," She shoved past me in saddened frustration and I fell, but she stopped moving once she turned back around in her original direction; away from me.

"What?" I looked in the direction she was facing and struggled to my feet. Down the long dusty trail, through the smoke was a figure. It was small, weak, and only stumbled a few more seconds towards us before collapsing. Dust rising up around it.

"Oh....my God..." were the only words I could manage as I drew closer to the fallen figure. Risa stayed glued to her spot wide shock in her eyes.

*thefireinmeisJC, this is your cue*

Edited*Okay Lizzifer is that better?*

Peyton- Traveler

Leader? Who said anything about being a leader? Peyton met Steven's eyes and, instead of smirking back, returned a beautiful, kind smile. "Thanks for showing us the map."Let him make what he can of that.

"Well, I'm not sure I'm the leader here, but I agree with Carlie. I say we go for it." Peyton smiled reassuringly at Luke and Carlie, then turned her eyes back to Steven.

*uh...I'm confused. I understand that Carla is the collasping figure but uh, she was already with the group.*

Steven - Bully

The Irish boy raised an eyebrow at the smile he was treated to. [i]And that after mocking her? Hm, almost tempts me to be sincerely nice.[/b] "You're welcome." he said, his smirk still present but dulled down to more of a half-smile. He knew better than to completely change his attitude, it would only arouse suspicion. He could, however, make it clear that he appreciated a friendly smile.

"Well then," he said, "It seems we're all agreed. We go through the quarantine zone." He stood up, joints popping a little, and adjusted his shillelagh where it was tucked into his belt. He returned the map to its folder and the folder to his bag.

Steven turned from the others and set off down a side street, calling over his shoulder, "Come on, unless there's been a massive blockage, this way'll be the fastest."

Peyton- Traveler

Hmm. That looked like a smile. Let's see if we can play up this nice thing more, Peyton thought.

She turned to Luke and Carlie. "I'm going to head up front. You guys want to come?"

They exchanged a glance. Carlie smiled and said, "We'll be right behind you."

Peyton walked up next to Steven. "Hey," she said, pulling a smaller version of her smile out again. "I'm going to stick up here with you. Keep my eye on the map and all, since you've dubbed me leader," she laughed, the sunlight hitting her teeth and causing them to gleam brilliantly.

ThefireinmeisJC, you are the collapsed figure. Carla is still sleeping by the fire. Why do you think I said to get ready?

*Call me JC. Its easier...though I feel really stupid now since I should be getting this. How is Carla the collapsed figure if she's sleeping???*

* butbutbut Risa isn't a bully.... she is just a traveler ..*

hold up, Everyone! Let me get this straight Carla is NOT the collapsed person and Lizzifer, I'm sorry I'll change that problem. JC you are the collapsed figure!

EDITED: Liz, I changed my last long post. Hope it doesn't come across like she's a bully again.

"This seems dangerous," Carlie murmured, starting to regret agreeing to going this way. She looked up to Peyton and Steven who seemed to be chatting.

"It's worth it if we get to Mexico on time," Luke muttered and stared straight ahead.

"I guess you're right. But, that Steven guy seems a little shady don't you think?" Carlie questioned.

"I don't know," Luke answered. Carlie couldn't shake the eerie feeling she got from Steven.

Peyton- Traveler

Peyton heard murmurs behind her as she waited for Steven's response. She turned around subtly and smiled a reassuring smile towards Carlie and Luke. I hope they figure out what I'm trying to do, she thought to herself.

*Still not getting it. My character's name is Carla. I don't know if you're getting it mixed up with Carlie...mhmmcolleenx0's character.*

Steven - Bully

Stevenlaughed a little himself, “Only did that because you seemed to be making the decisions for your little group, but here’s the map if you’re so keen on it.” He handed her the folder with a smile, “Although you won’t be able to read any of my shorthand.”

He fell silent, considering the implications of entering the quarantine zone. No one would try to stop them, the customs officers that had manned the gates were long dead, claimed by the virus that had seemed to affect only people older than Steven himself. Although it might have mutated, in which case going through might not be so safe…and who knows how bad things are on the other side of that barrier, anyway? He tapped his club twice, for good luck.

He stayed silent for a moment, then glanced across at her, “What’s in Mexico that’s so interesting, anyway?”