[Earlier]
As the world faded to black and the three once again drifted off into a sort of non dreaming slumber the world around them shifted into a black void. This happened to every moviegoer after a showing, as their physical and spiritual forms were transported to either the next viewing or back to the Cineplex for rest and relaxation. A usually easy affair for the non thinking entity as its hold on their being was practically ironclad. Yet, as the Cineplex shifted to drop off the three into one of the infinite instances of a world that found itself down the exact path of Zombieland, everything all at once started to...Glitch. It lasted for a single moment and the Cineplex was unaware of the sudden disturbance as it found an instance that aligned with the movie and simply dropped them off.
It only took notice when its ironclad grip turned into a thin breakable string that held on just barely as the three and the world drifted away from its connection. Instinctually the being reached out like it did most times when feeling the presence of mortal souls that found themselves misplaced by others of power. It was easier given the connection's still presence and locked onto the world once again. Quickly it scoured the planet, and touched upon all that were out of place to regrip. As it did though it found a few other forces interfering and making it nearly impossible to latch correctly. Some were like it, non thinking entities that were sweeping up lost souls as was intended, while others were thinking creatures who were watching thousands of planets for entertainment purposes.
With added force it forced the other powers at hand to back off for just a moment as it located the four, one further from the three, but whole and once again tried to reinforce its hold on them. Unfortunately it found it impossible as the world had drifted too far off course from its stationary presence in the folds of the infinite web that was the multiverse, thus causing too much static to allow a firm hold. As a last ditch effort the Cineplex reinforced its string like connection and solidified it enough to be unbreakable. With that done it then pulled tight on the strings to ensure that the four will be forced back after the story was complete to a satisfactory instance.
Unfortunately due to the world drifting so far off there would be instances of the four colliding with other world's and possible stories. It couldn't control this and thus simply gave each a boon to the devices that they purchased from its being. They would not know of this until this world's story was over but would keep them connected to each other. With that done it shifted its focus back to its physical place and continued its duty as a keeper of lost souls. Not once recognizing that it had sent out three souls, not four…
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After the mishap with Columbus's double barrel and the threat of a small hoard of dead running to the noise of the gas station explosion, the four quickly fled the area for a small retail shop at the edge of town. There they both got Columbus a change of pants and found a few duffels to carry a few extra pairs of clothes before hoofing it away from the now rather active town while it was still distracted by the burning gas station. When they hit the highway exit ramp the four slowed their steps and started a slow walk to the next off ramp. Columbus was hopeful that the group could find another working car after his exploded, but amazingly, every car had a critical flaw that made it impossible to drive even after hours of looking while walking.
"It's actually kind of funny really" Columbus said as they walked, his steps aligning himself with Leah and Logan. "I mean, statistically it is amazing that not a single one of these cars are usable." Logan looked over to the lanky nerd and then down at Leah, who matched his gaze with a smirk adorning her lips. The two knew why though, as it was a setup for the kid to meet up with the Florida born Texan. Still, they had to admit that it was a stretch that not a single car on this highway was able to be driven. either by being stuck on all sides by damaged cars, or by being damaged themselves.
"Yeah, well at least we're not seeing a horde walking the highway" Leah said while watching the forested sides of the long road. Columbus had to nod at that as he grabbed his double barrel a little tighter as he too started to look at the forest.
"Meh, it's not all bad guys," Akane said from the car's trunk up ahead. Looking over showed the three nothing but her shaking ass as she dug through the abandoned car's trunk for hidden goodies. Leah and Logan held neutral expressions at the blatant over exaggerated shaking, while Columbus shook and gasped before staring, looking away for a moment, before flicking his eyes right back to watch the tight ass on display. When she knew she had the attention of the three she pulled up to look at them, a set of wireframed, red lensed, sunglasses adorning her smug face while a fresh joint burned away in her lips. "The intact rides have had some neat shit if you're willing to look."
Logan snorted at his wife as it seemed she finally broke open the pot they scored after finishing world war z. He wasn't surprised as the two use to enjoyed a good smoke during a long walk back on their home reality. Giving her a look he raised his hand and she smiled before digging into her pocket to toss him a baggie of blunts and lighter. Catching it he popped it open and looked at Leah in question.
"Oh hell yeah, it's been a long walk and my feet are starting to feel a little sore" Leah answered and took the offered medicinal stress relief and lit up the next moment. Logan took one himself and then gazed at the nerd, the bag raised towards him.
"Oh, no, um, well I guess it has been a bit of time since my last taste of Mary Jane" Columbus stuttered out and started to reach for the bag. Only for Logan to pull away.
"Mary Jane?" Logan said with a smirk as he just sealed the bag and tossed it back to Akane, who was chuckling at Columbus. Leah just shakes her head at the nerd while bringing the lighter away from her lips.
"What? that is a name for it" Columbus defended as Leah passed the lighter to Logan.
"Yeah, maybe in the seventies" Leah said while taking a drag and holding it as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the familiar sensation filling her lungs. When she breathed out she blinked as her mind got a little fuzzy. "Fuck, this is some strong shit" she said with a bit of a giggle coming out. Logan nodded as he breathed out his own first drag and had to say those dope heads from the Cineplex had really mastered the craft.
"Yep, no offense man, but if you haven't 'partaken in some Marijuana' then this shit would have knocked you out for the rest of the day" Logan said and gave the kid a look. "And I'm not about to carry your ass for the next forty miles or so as you spout off some crazy shit." Columbus took a breath while trying to look offended before turning his head away and breathing out a relieved sigh.
"It was a good call if I'm being honest" he thought. He secretly would have just put the blunt into his mouth and not even inhaled, before finding a perfect time to toss it without the three noticing. "What can I say, the "Say No To Drugs" seminars really did wonders for my young and growing mind during my younger education. I mean, who really needed a reason to order pizza and drink some over-sugared code red anyway?"
"Oh well, well, well" Akane said as she stared behind the three with a knowing smile as Columbus self reflected. Logan and Leah turned to look back and smiled as well, finally making Columbus break from the frown and crane his neck to catch what had caught their attention. What he saw sent a shiver down his spine as the roar of an engine kicked up some birds on a tree in the nearby forested area. Driving through the roadways was a black suv Cadillac with a white numbered three painted on the sides. He could see it was modified with what he assumed was a snow plow, which came in handy as it crashed and pushed a smaller sedan out of the way as it made its way closer.
Instinctually Columbus started to gaze around for a place to hide, as his four F responses chose flight as the best course of action. He spotted the broken down sedan that Akane was rummaging through as good cover and was about to run for it when he saw that his three recent walking partners were watching the car approach with eased expressions.
"Right, no, yeah, you're not alone Columbus" He mumbled as he gripped his double barrel tighter while watching the car approach. This wasn't his first interaction with another person after so long being alone. Still, new people and new interactions always scared the college nerd and as such he silently stepped closer to Logan. The simple logic running through his mind being, Six foot two wall of muscle is best cover, played out easily enough and thus took up his position slightly behind Logan. "Just be cool, be tough. don't shit yourself in front of random strangers again" he mumbled as the suv finally reached the four and pulled off to the side a little ahead of the group.
"Oh this is going to be good," Akane said as she smiled at the car. She always enjoyed a good monster flick with an actual monster slayer and the beach side Cowboy was one of her favorites. With a clunk of the door lock disengaging the driver side open up to reveal a man in his forties stepping out. He looked like a modern Cowboy with his wide brimmed hat, grizzled features, leather jacket, and some worn out jeans and boots to tie it all together. On his hip, as all three clocked, was a mare's leg repeater that the man's hand wasn't too far from. In all ways he oozed confidence as he stared at the four infront of him, his eyes easily picking out the strength of each individual.
"Big one is fucking solid as could be and keeping his eyes on my mare's leg, shortstack has a smile that makes me what to pull said mare's leg, while the native seems the most approachable, yet with a glint of a killer underneath." Tallahassee thought this as he flicked his gaze across the group. "As for who's the weakest of their pack? I'll take the shaking leaf behind the brick wall" He thought some more as he zeroed in on Columbus who was indeed vibrating with fear from the glare being sent his way. For a minute the two sides looked at one another before another voice caught the moviegoers off guard.
"Sweet Jesus Tally, are you gonna fucking sit there all day? Or are we gonna fucking offer then a ride!" a husky sweet southern voice came from inside the car. The four looked behind the man who was grimacing at the breakdown of the stare off, to see an absolute smoke show swing around the suv's front. Standing at Six foot even in a tight pair of black jeans, black tank top, and a red plaid jacket was a twenty something blond that one wouldn't ever forget. She also sported an identical Mare's leg strapped to her waist and thigh, telling that the guns were likely a gift for the two. As she stopped next to the man she flashed a confident grin on her face as she eyed up the four, her eyes trailing Logan the most before flicking to Akane and Leah for a moment.
The three were doing the same to her as she was obviously unknown to both the movie and plot line. Akane flicked her eyes to Logan, who caught the gaze and nodded, while Leah merely shifted a hand to tap Logan's own. He responded by grabbing hold and squeezing in reassurance before both separated to better be able to grab a gun if necessary. The three couldn't explain it but the woman made their hackles rise.
"Sis, I had this" the man said, giving her a look which she just snorted at.
"No, you were playing visual chicken for some fucking reason, and left me to deal with Bucky. Who, might I add, is getting hungry for lunch before we even saw these four" the sis said before looking back at the group. "Sorry about Mr. "Badass" over here needing to play top dog with you all."
"It's fine, we get it, zombie apocalypses can do that to a man" Akane said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. The blonde bombshell genuinely laughed at the joke, her entire posture to relaxed for Akane's liking. "She doesn't see me as a threat" flashed through her mind as the blonde and her shared a heavy gaze. "No, She doesn't see any of us a threat" came a second later as the blonde shifted her grin from simply kind to knowing for a moment that made The short woman tense up. The blonde simply continued to gaze without even trying to reach for her gun as she saw the tension in Akane ramp up.
"Well, how about some quick introductions and then we can hopefully get you four somewhere you can get a usable car. If you don't already know that survivor rules, we don't use real names as dying is just too easy and splitting up happens just too often. So you can call me Orlando, and this is Tallahassee." Tallahassee waved a hand before dropping his no nonsense expression. He hated how easily his sister just blew off the need to be badass with people. "Inside is Little Bucky, my brother's four year old son, and just the sweetest little toe head you could meet."
"No special name for him?" Columbus shouted out, making the blonde look at him for the first time. Her gaze made the young man smile awkwardly as thoughts of romance started to blossom in his mind. "I'm Columbus by the way, uh, hi" he followed up. Orlando nodded with an expression that told of reading the love struck nerds mind, and not liking what she found.
"mmhm, well nice to meet you Columbus, and considering Buck's only four we found it better for him to know his own name before we start calling him Austin" Orlando said before quickly moving off the boy and to the three she was more interested in. "How about you big man, want to go first?" she asked. Logan, much like Akan, was tense at the easy expression of the woman in front of him. It reminded him of the soldiers he trained with due to his father's will. It told of absolute confidence that they could handle what was in front of them.
"Yellowstone" Logan answered with a normal yet slightly cold voice. She smiled with a wink then looked down at Akane again.
"Salem" she answered.
"Big Valley" Leah answered next as she held a mute expression while watching the woman. She wasn't as instinctual with knowing a threat like her two lovers, but she could definitely spot the corded muscle underneath the blonde's tank top and jeans.
"Great, so...who wants a ride?" she asked with another genuine smile.