Escaping The Blind

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Ezra looked over to the group that finally arrived. Boris was the last one to come since he carried a large hiker backpack with several food items, handy weapons, and other useful materials. Despite Boris's size, he was very quiet, even with the countless things he carried. When everyone was accounted for, Ezra said nothing and began to move. The Blinders that were seen didn't move or attempt to attack the group. The Sun was barely over the horizon and everything was quiet. As they walked, some of the blinders began to stir but made no attempt to attack yet.

"We should try to find some sort of boat or raft that will get us across the state border between Florida and Georgia." Ezra said. "Hope you guys know how to swim in case we don't."

"Uhhm.. Ezra, don't you remember last time? In the vater?"

"You mean that Blinder that could supposedly swim?" Ezra shrugged it off. "We just gotta hope to find some sort of way to keep out of the water or a way to rid of those swimming Blinders."

Boris nodded and turned to the others.

"Have you guys experienced some weird Blinders? Ezra and I found one that seemed to swim very vell in the vater. It's veird because the other Blinders can't swim. Ve managed to kill it by dragging it to land, vhere it was totally useless..." Boris scratched his chin. "It almost managed to drown me! It seems to be adapted to vater... or something."

As the group continued to travel, they walked on what looked to be the main road. Many stores were seen available but most of them seem to be destroyed or completely robbed. Ezra held out a map of Jacksonville and headed in the direction of a nearby boat harbor that did tours of swamps. He remained quiet and let Boris become more friendly with the group. He would only speak if spoken to simply because he didn't want to offend anyone by how direct he spoke. The sun would finally be in full view and the Blinders began to stir and become more active. As of now, they were safe to only have a few Blinders and as long as they stay quiet, they wouldn't get spotted.

"This used to be a major road heading straight to Georgia..." Ezra said to himself. "We should be near the state border by tomorrow if we find a swamp boat or something to cross these waters... I don't want to see that swimming Blinder again."
 
He hadn't been feeling sleepy ever since they found the Pizzeria. In fact, he was even more energetic. But, to his dismay, his friend wasn't so eager to chat. He hated it. When he was alone with no one to talk to, unpleasant memories would start coming back. As a way to distract himself, he just continued doing what he liked best: Baking.
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By the time he realized the sky had changed color, Francis had gotten himself a dozen bread rolls. He searched the kitchen and found some old plastic bags to stuff his creation in before putting them inside his travelling backpack, along with several utensils that might come in handy, including a chef knife he found lying on the floor. His beloved pistol was sadly out of ammunition.  ​
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He went to the window again and peeked through the blinds. There were a few Blinders wandering the street, completely normal. He was about to look away when he noticed other movements. Francis narrowed his eyes. There was a group of people. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES! It had been a while since they met another group and he wouldn't let the chance pass.​
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“Khannie! KHANNIEE!” He called.​
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“Damn you Francis. Leave me be!” Khan grunted, eyes closing shut.​
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“There're people outside!” Francis shook his friend, beaming like a child seeing a cool toy in the store.​
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“Are you sure they aren't just Blinders?” The Indian man adjusted himself but still half asleep​
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“Well… they seem legit… Skin still intact and all… We're going anyway right? Maybe they’re going to the safe zone too. It’s better than just the two of us right?”​
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“Fine. We'll take a look…” Khan sighed, seeing his friend's happy face. He got up and quickly gathered his things. He wasn’t so fond of the idea of working with random people. Not after that one time they ran into a group that turned out to be quite f*cked up.  ​
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They opened the backdoor of the restaurant. After looking left and right to make sure there were no threats, the two slowly moved out. Khan held his crowbar tightly as they rounded the corner to the main street, Francis following closely behind with the knife. They stayed low and hid behind a car wreck to watch the group.​
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“See? They’re heading the same way as us.” Francis commented and stood up. “Imma go say hi!”​
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Khan quickly pulled this crazy friend back before the blonde could reveal himself. “Are you insane? We know nothing about them. You wanna get drug into another cult?” He hissed.​
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“They seem pretty cool.” Francis protested.​
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“You said the same about Hadrian.” Khan rolled his eyes. “Look. I’ll decide if we talk to them or not.”​
 
Too damn early for this shit...

Wayne thought to himself. He was pretty uncomfortable with the idea of wandering outside with those things still wandering around. Even if the sun hasn't peak it's head, he doesn't want to take any chances. Thus, he had a blade stash in his backpack in a way, it's become easy to pull out and attack at moment's notice. 

"Blinders...? That could swim?" Wayne sweated a bit. "During my travels, I haven't encounter anything specific other than few weird looking ones that seems to act as a boss or something." He said. "But swimming in water? These bastards seems to be adapting to the climate as the years go by, huh..." 

Wayne's ears ringed off and he turned his head around. He thought a Blinder was approaching them, but saw no one. "Am I imagining things or I just hear someone scream like a madman?"  He turned back to the group, with his hand on the blade. "So you're saying that there are Blinders that can swim? There isn't any other way to go across aside from taking a raft?"
 
"No way in Hell am I gonna swim if there's something strong enough to drown Big Guy here. Our necks will get snapped like twigs if that's legit." Violet whispered with a hiss.

"It's not like we can just go around on land... we'd end up using the supplies we just got." Molly said, not liking how the odds are going for them. "We could always test if there's one like that in the water?"

"Test? What do you think this is, some bio project?" Violet sneered.

"I mean... has anyone tried to find out if there is one that ISN'T the hard way? I might be being a little too Darwinian here, but there's got to be some reason there's ones adapted to the underwater like Boris says. Probably just movement alone makes those things start moving. Surely, there's a way for them to know when food's around and they don't have to guess long to know."

"So, you mean to say...?"

"I'm saying that riding a boat wouldn't lessen our odds of being jumped by one that much. At least, not one that isn't motorized. A boat made from scrap wood might not give us any more protection than just swimming. So we either find a sturdy boat, or we take a longer way." Molly kept her voice low. "I doubt anyone is up to the idea of playing around with how these kinds of Blinders act."

As detestable as it sounded, Violet didn't want to have either of those options. She also detested the idea that as long as she was in the group, she'd be bossed around constantly; it was an aspect she never missed in her times alone. Molly seemed to read her thoughts, giving her a look that practically spelled out 'be patient'. So for the time being, Violet decided to just shut up. Her ears caught the sound out from a distance. Was that a person who just yelled?

"....Did ... you guys hear that?..." she questioned.
 
Ezra quickly lifted his head and instantly pulled out his combat knife at the sound of a loud voice. He looked over to Boris who nodded without saying a word. He moved closer to the back of the group and took out a pair of bloodstained brass knuckles and slipped them over his fingers. He kept a watchful eye on the rear end and gave the girls and Mr. Wayne a thumbs up.

Ezra didn't slow down his speed and continued to walk with his knife at hand. Everything seemingly returned to normal and both men didn't seem to show fear or any signs of concern. Regarding the questions the others said, Ezra spoke for once instead of Boris.

"Yeah, I think they're starting to adapt to their environment." He said looking up from his map. "If that's the case then we got more to worry when we head to other environments." He stared at a nearby Pizzeria and pointed at it. "Says here we turn right at that pizzeria and go straight until we see some boat rentals about 3 miles down."

Ezra headed to the small shop.
 
“Oh crap, they’re coming this way.” Khan said under his breath, still holding his friend back. He now had a serious look on his face, fully believing that his friend’s loud mouth had doomed their hiding. If something bad comes out of this, he swore Francis would get what he deserved coming to him.
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The group was getting closer and they had little time to move. Khan was slightly distracted when he was busy thinking of what to do. ​
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“Let me go man.” With a rather strong shake, Francis made them both fall to the ground. The crowbar hit the carcass of the car, creating a loud metallic sound. ​
 
"Hear it?" Wayne responded. "Whoever they are, they're making a ton of n-" Wayne overheard the sound of something being hit. Perhaps someone dropped it? Whatever it was, it made Wayne sweat bullets. 

"Alright." Wayne stated in a whispered. "We better move. Now. With a sound like that, it will literally triggered these Blinders and make them go running in whatever direction that sound was." Wayne didn't like the idea of going on a boat, but with a sound like that? Wayne swallowed his concerns. "Let's get a boat. Any boat before we're dead meat."
 
"There shouldn't be this many of them left around here. Should there? There shouldn't!" Raymond whimpered looking at the group of several infected on the street below them.

The three young people were camped in the second floor of a house in Jacksonville. In a  derelict, but serviceable bedroom that must have once belonged to a crazy cat lady if the sheer amount of cat patterned... Everything... was anything to go by.     

"I mean, they should be dead of heatstroke by now! Right?? Its not like they carry bottles of SPF-50 and Gatorade!" the young man continued to complain. Hugging a pillow to him as he peeked out the window once more. 

"I remember Gatorade." Reynard sighed happily, "I loved that shit. All of it, Gatorade, Powerade, Kool-Aid. Remember mom would save the Kool-Aid points so we could get t-shirts and stuff?" 

"I remember Pizza. And Chocolate~" Raymond whined, "I would kill for some chocolate!!" 

"And strawberry soda. And chili cheese dogs." Reynard continued.

"Happy meals... I never did finish collecting the rest of the toys... I can't even remember what it was. It was some Disney movie toys I think... And I only got the first two of the series." Raymond said sadly. 

He was still such a child in so many ways... they all were in a way... Its hard to be adults when there's no adults around to show you how after all... 

"Mom said she was gonna try and get me the others while we were away at camp..." Raymond sighed sadly, drawing his knees up to his chest and hugging them. He sighed again and watched the milling sickos below. 

Reynard who had been silently assessing his crossbow and checking each feathered bolt to ensure there was no damage, turned to look at their silent third member, and gave a roguish grin, "What about you Eddie? What food do you miss the most?"

The girl was silent for a long moment, and then, a small smile appeared on  he face.

"Papa's lunch boxes..." she said, her voice as always barely above a whisper, and rough from disuse.  

the twins looked at her questioningly. She coughed to clear her throat, and then explained.

"My father would always spend extra time on my lunches for school. He'd make my favorite sandwiches, strawberry jam and marshmallow fluff, and then, since he knew I didn't like the crust he'd take these little tiny cookie cutters of bunnies or stars or hearts or I dunno anything... and cut out little sandwiches with them. And he'd do the same with the fruits, cutting then into shapes. And he'd always make sure everything looked just perfect and girly and frilly." she laughed, "I remember as a kid I always loved it... I thought it was so pretty, and all my friends would wanna see each day what Papa had made for me..." her smile fell and she turned away, laying her head on her arms and staring off into the distance, her dark eyes glassy with nostalgia.

Raymond fidgeted and then suddenly shimmed around to stare off down the street. 

After a few minutes of watching attentively he turned back two his companions, "They all left...?" 

Reynard smirked, "Must've smelt all the cat fur and decided to spare their sinuses the aggravation and find someone else to eat." 

"Do you think they can have allergies and stuff?" Ray asked honestly curious. 

"That would be hilarious. They go to bite you but suddenly they suffer sneezing fits instead." Rey snickered.

"Sounds gross and filthy. I don't want monster snot on me thanks." Eddie sniffed. 

"Ewwww" Reynard whined, laughing, "Bad image."

"Monster Snot... didn't they have stuff like that? They did. Didn't they? Remember, you'd get em in lil plastic eggs? The silly putty slime gunk!" Raymond smiled enthusiastically.

The other two nodded. 

"Oh yeah that stuff."  

"I loved that shit!"
 
"Okay, yeah, I want to get the Hell out of here. They probably alerted any Blinders within twelve feet of us." Violet gripped her bat in a defensive position as she looked around to see the source of the noise.

"I think it came from up ahead." Molly whispered to the others, keeping herself in a good spot since she was the most vulnerable of the group at the moment.
 
Near the Pizzaria
 
“Goddammit man. You trying to get us killed?” Khan quickly picked up his crowbar and looked back and forth. Thankfully, the Blinders he could see in the distant didn’t seem to really be making their way over yet. Another mistake was made, as he had allowed himself to be distracted once again and Francis shook away from his grip. He watched in horror as his friend jumped over the upside down vehicle to stand on it, waving his hand holding knife to greet the group of people. (Probably perfectly demonstrating how Jason Voorhees would say hi to a bunch of teenagers in the wood while he was at it?)
 
“Howdy y’all. Lovely day isn’t it?”
 
“Get down you airhead!” Khan face-palmed and shook his head at the scene. Though he still didn’t reveal himself and just waited to see how things would go. Worse case scenario would be those guys having a gun and shoot them out of surprise.
 


Outskirt of Jacksonville
 
The Asian girl sighed. She was sitting on the back of the pick-up truck with her arms crossed on her knees and rested her head on while waiting for the men to fix the truck. Buck was curling up beside her, looking really bored. In front of her, the handmade alcohol can stoves were priming. She put the old camping kettle they found at an old camping site above the fire and sat back down, waiting for the water to boil so she could be helpful by making them some rose hips tea. She absent mindedly stroked the dog’s fur, causing him to shift his pose a bit. Brawny was opening up the hood to look for what could have caused it to die. And Kasir was sitting on the roof of the vehicle with his binocular to keep watch.
 
“So, what’s wrong with it?” She asked, peeking over to the head of the vehicle where the blonde was.
 
“Seems it over heated.” Replied Brawny. He wiped the sweats on his face and stepped away from the heating radiator. “We’ll have to wait until it’s cooled down.”
 


Random house in Jacksonville idk???
 
While the group of three was busy chatting upstairs, a figure was lurking at the back of the house, looking into the ground floor windows. Once he had decided there was no one in the kitchen, the man smashed the glass on one of the windows to open it. He cleared the shattered glass and climbed inside.
 
Arthur had been wandering the whole night and needed somewhere to crash. He skipped the refrigerator though, knowing nothing would have lasted inside after so many years. He made his way around the rooms, checking them one by one for anything he could take.
 
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