Town Square

Andrew Concepcion

In the shadow of The Big Fish, Andrew surveyed the surrounding area. It had been about an hour and half since he had wandered into the small town of Ashcroft. The place was crawling with infected and he doubted he'd find anyone alive. With a heavy sigh Andrew adjusted the strap for his helmet and tightened the paint mask to his face. His ears caught the sound of shuffiling feet approaching from behind, and without wasting a moment he ducked behind a dumpster. He breathed silently and slowly as he readied his crowbar to be used to defend himself and listened, waiting for the inevitable attack. Luckily however the infected persons stopped in the openining of the alleyway and looked around. The strong stench of trash and mildew covered that of the survivor's so when it did not see Andrew, it let out a soft groan before walking off down the street.

Andrew breathed a silent sigh of relief before standing and looking over his shoulder. This town seemed like it wasn't worth the trouble, if he could he'd just leave now and head east. Unfortunately however he had no choice, his supplies we're running low and if he ever wanted to get someplace safe he'd need to gather some more. Suddenly a gunshot rings through the air. Andrew's head snaps in the direction of the source. It would appear there are other survivors in the town. His first reaction is to want to head in the direction of gunfire in hopes of finding someone. But that thought is quickly expelled from his mind. He wouldn't be the only thing attracted to the shot. As he watched the infected on the street shuffle off towards the sound of the gunshot Andrew looked towards the north end of the street. The was a park that ran parallel with the small street, the park seemed like a waste of time and overall bad idea. At the end of the road however there was what seemed to be a small motel.

"We have a winner..." He quietly muttered to himself as he set off towards the motel, making sure to stay quiet and in the shadows.

Center of Town square, steel wolf's camp site. 9:20 AM

The steel wolfs, a gang of of survivors led by Dante Stronghold as the dictator. Or, if anyone asked what government it was that's what he would say and then give them a glare before walking away. With this, the camp site, or stronghold was the town hall, a house, the gas station, and with the help of the GIEI's barricade, that was there's too. Or at least they thought it was there's. Using the secure barricade, they had gathered many junk, scrap, wood, barb wire, and the nail and hammer making the own barricade on the streets. Before this they hid in town hall. Now, they have tents, a watch tower completed only a few days ago, and the houses were barricade as well. This kept the infected form getting inside the space, with guards on duty if any even tried to break though they be shot on sight. With each man made junk wall, there would be a sign saying, "Expect no kindness here."

With that said, the gang members, once simple, kind survivors had changed. Turned into selfish, cruel men and women only respecting the leader and sometimes each other. At this point, there was a guard in the new watch tower, not very tall though, and two per junk wall. None stayed by the military' barricade, it was made well all ready. The rest were either inside the safe zone working. Dante, in city hall, sat in the mayor's chair and looked though some papers of names and activity being on there gang. Stuff like the health of his members, spare notes, and any planning on how the day should go by. He was interrupted in his silent work by one of his more loud mouth member's walking in and barking complaints at him. "Yo Dante, da hell we going to do about the damn food? You haven't sent anyone out for two days! Were gettin low here man!"

Dante glared at him and leaned back in his chair, "All right, Jeff was it? Okay, you get the food today. You, and only you, don't come back unless you have enough to feed everyone for one day."

Jeff laughed then slammed his fist on the desk, "Listen you prick! I don't need this shit. I was just tell-"

"Go, or get hung!" yelled Dante, two more wolfs walked in and eyed Jeff in warning. Both holding a baseball bats. Jeff gasped, "You gotta be kidding..."

Sadly he was not. Dante nodded his head an the two wolfs beat Jeff to the ground then dragged him out of the building and thrown him out of the safe zone. The other member's either laughed or were dead silent. It was common for Dante to do something like that, but know gave him a reason to do anything like that for sometime. Dante sighed and left his hall and went to his people, they waved then went back to what they were doing. The two baseball bat wolf's returned to him.

"Gather two more member's and go scavenging past the barricade." he said to them. They nodded and did as he was told.

Dante's gang had been doing less and less activity over the weeks. Leaning farther and farther away form the church and more past the military's barricade. It was getting harder to find food and other supplies. Plus, the member's still questioned his method about the church's survivors but never said it to him directly. Only his most loyal would tell him these news. He sighed walking though the camps, then walked over to the watch tower and yelled up at the guard, "Have you seen anything today?"

There was no reply, so Dante sighed, "Has Rivera came back yet?" This time the guard said, "No." Then went back to looking down the street, he took a shot at a zombie with his hunting rifle, blasting off it's head. Dante smiled at the gunshot, knowing he only shot when he knew he killed something. Dante sat by a nearby chair and sighed. Trying to relax about his worries and to listen to any of his gang member's who had to speak to him. Hopefully not like Jeff.

Shizel was sitting outside in the camp, she had just finished a task and was trying to figure out what else she could do when another member, a man she had barely spoken to but had a big mouth was dragged out before finally being thrown out. While she couldn't say she cared it was always a bit of a shock to see people thrown out for the simple reason that they had to do something to deserve it, Dante was fair to say the least, though Shizel personally saw him as much more than most at the camp. That was why when he walked out she just looked over at him, following him with her eyes as he went to one of the watch towers and asked about a few things, one of them being about Rivera, another gang member. As far as Shizel was concerned she didn't stand a chance against that woman, it was a bit depressing but the leader seemed to care much more about Rivera than any of the other gang members. Shizel, like many other members assumed it was because they were lovers or something of the sort and he cared for her.

Shizel sighed to herself, she was just being stupid, it was obvious she was just another gang member and even as such, without the crush she had she was still a loyal member of the gang and as such would do whatever was needed of her. Of course she did want to impress Dante and as such she walked over to him soon after he sat down. She was wearing her usual attire and had her weapons, a scoped sniper rifle on her back and a tactical knife on her belt. "Dante, I couldn't help but overhear you, is there anything I can do to help sir?" she asked. She was a beautiful woman if you looked at her closely, her tomboyish nature easily ignored if you looked at the curves on her body. Then again she didn't think Dante would fall for her feminine charm anytime soon. It was okay though, as long as she didn't end up like one of the others she was fine, besides it was her crush and hers only, she knew that.

Of course as she stood there waiting her eyes scanned their leader, though she quickly averted them to the walls as she waited for orders. Not trying to be disrespectful of course and she tried to make it obvious she wasn't trying to be by being casual and looking at the watch tower and such, but mainly because every time she looked at him directly in the eyes she couldn't hold back a blush. She tried to look back at him but didn't look at him directly but more to at his mouth, waiting for an answer of some sort, even if it be for her to leave him alone and get back to doing something else. Honestly she wasn't sure what to expect, he had been in a bad mood apparently, throwing a member out and all.

Dante looked up at Shizel just before he was about to day dream. It pleased him to see that some of his wolf's cared for his cause. Shizel, an interesting women in Dante's eyes. He had so many wolfs come in to the camp, so many died, so many just here, but Shizel was someone he could not forget. She always went out to do more than what she was needed to do. That's all Dante really wanted from his members, to put in effort on there own time. This showed him just who he could trust and just who was here for protection. He saw her look away then looked around to see anything needed done.

He all ready had scavengers out, some wolfs were adding on to the barricades, the guards looked fine... Some asleep in there tent, others socializing, two in a fist fight. No biggy it happens. He sighed then looked back at her. He remembered in the city hall was all his information of activity. Now it was completely out of his head. Still, Shizel was is best men, he felt a but sympathetic to let her have the day off but that would not be a good decision for a leader. It was bad enough that he let his feelings get in the way for his sister, family comes first. Now to get his head wrapped up in relationships... No... Not needed. He stood up from his chair.

"No need to call me sir, Shizel, I know you respect me." he smiled slightly then continued on.

"I don't see anything needed done in the camp, but it's time to start activity on the outside. Why don't you help me out with organizing my office. Then we can start sending out more scavenging teams once everyone is organized again." he didn't bother for her response, so he began to walk back to the city hall, expecting her to follow.

It was indeed a stressful job now now that he was the only one left to lead. He personally thought that no one else could lead this group. He always thought he could have an well organized, happy government, instead it was a heartless gang. At least, that's what he thought being that every time he went out to study his members someone would trail him off. Either way he did not dread on it, he knew that haft the people would leave him in a heartbeat if he didn't know what he was doing so he had to keep some of his loyal wolf interested. He didn't want to, but he turned his head back to see if Shizel was still following, feeling a bit lonely without his sister, she was the next best thing at this point.

Andrew Concepcion, The Motel

A soft crack rings through the empty halls of the motel as Andrew's crowbar makes short work of the lock on the kitchen door. Closing the door behind him he places a nearby chair under the handle at an angle to form a makeshift barrier. It would at least buy him a moment or two if nothing else if something were to try and get in. With a quick but thorough scan of the large kitchen he found it was empty of life, save for a few rodents or insects. Without wasting anymore time he searches through the cabniets and drawers. He search only rewards him with a few canned food items, a bottle of water, and a flashlight. Stuffing the food and water into his pack He rubbed his head with a sigh. He had a feeling that he was over looking something... He looked around again, with the aid of the flashlight he discovers that in the corner of the kitchen there is another door marked "Pantry". He stands infront of the door and tries to pull it open, only to find it has been securly locked with a heavy padlock. This gave Andrew reason to smile. Most survivors would be in too much of a rush to bother with the heavy lock and go off in search of an easier find. Andrew however, was skilled when it came to mechanical knowledge. With the use of his crowbar and his knowledge of leverage, Andrew easily broke the lock off with some effort.

Inside there were mostly perishables that had rotted away, giving Andrew a reason to be thankful he was wearing his paint mask. It wasn't on the same level of a gas mask but it kept him from inhaling dangerous fumes and filtered most of the horrid smell. Although the drawback was it made his face incredibly hot, but he had learned to deal with the trade off. rummaging through the Pantry he found more canned food items like fruits and vegetables, even a couple cans of tuna, a godsend. Although the true god send would be the pack of bottled water in the far corner. Wasting no time he quickly filled his bag with as much as he could carrybefore closing the doorbehind him. There was still alot of useful supplies in there, maybe he could use the knowledge of the location of the food cache as a bargaining chip.

Making a quick mental note before leaving the kitchen Andrew decides to climb up the stairs to see if the main lobby down the hall has anything that can be of use. Making sure to stay as quiet as possible he slowlys creeps down the hallway, keeping his back pressed against the wall as he moves. his hand goes to the USP on his waist tucked into his belt. He pulls the pistol out and puts the crowbar on his belt and lets it hang for a moment. He quickly removes the suppressor forthe pistol from one of the pouchesof the leather bandoiler on his waist and attaches it to the barrel of the firearm. When he finished this act quickly he grabbed the crowbar andput it securly into his belt, then pulled the six inch survival knife from his pocket and flipped it open. He held thepistolout in front of him and aimed further down the hall as he brought his knife under the wrist of his gun hand so that the blade would point in the same direction as the pistol.

Making sure to check behind him occasionally Andrew quickly arrived in the lobby where to his great luck, he found noone and no infected waiting for him. He breathed a sigh of relief before hopping over the front desk tosearch foranything of use. The only thing he could find was a town map. The map was marked up with red ink that described some locations. One circled location looked likea church, next to the mark the words "Pansy survivor outpost" were scribbled. The other mark circled what seemed tobe the Town square and Hall. "Steel Wolves, Kick ass!" Was found next to this one. Looking closer at the map he foundthat his location inside the motel was not far from the "Steel Wolves" mark, in fact it looked like five minute walking distance. He tucked the map away in his front vest pocket looking to his right as he did so. He noticed that lying at his feet was the corpse of a young man, dressed in what seemed to be athletic gear. The corpse was still clutching a small handgun which Andrew picked up. He looked over the firearm and smiled.

"Hey this is a forty five.... shame you won't be needing it."

He quietly whispered to the corpse as he ejected the magazine and placed the ammo in one of his pouches. He put the small handgun in his pocket, another bargaining chip, before taking another two clips of .45 caliber rounds off the corpse and hopping over the main desk. As he exited the Motel, now choosing to have his crowbar readied as his weapon, he formulated a plan. He'd quietly make his way to this "Steel Wolves" place, and use the location of the food cache as leverage for a place to sleep and information. then he'd make his way to the church we're he'd use the handgun for more information, possibly more supplies, and then leave this town behind him.

Andrew smiled to himself, it seemed like this town was turning out tobe worth the trouble after all. His thoughts ceased as he happened across a makeshift barricade. He smirked at the sign; "Expect no Kindness Here." Good. He thought. That sort of thing just gets a man killed. He walked along the perimeter, making sure to keep an eye out for infected until he heard a man's shout.

"Hey you, don't move or I'll shoot you right through your eye!" Came the voice.

Andrew looked up to see a small guard tower, manned by a guy with a rifle. Andrew raised his arms above his head and smirked.

"My eye?" He called out in reply, keeping an ear out for infected. "Damn, you must be some special forces sniper or something." Andrew smirked behind the plastic of the paint mask. "I don't want to mess with you, you must be the leader of those Steel Wolves I heard about. Some kick ass gang that don't take shit from nobody?"

"That's Damn right!" Came the rifleman's response. "Well, except the leader part, I aint the leader."

"You're not?" Andrew asked quizzically. "Hard to imagine a man as capable as yourself aint the leader. Anyway since you aren't the leader,do you mind fetching him for me, I have some information he might want."

The rifleman grumbled to himself for a moment as he thought. "Grr....Wait there! Don't try and get in or we'll shoot you!"

"You have my word." Andrew smirked. "But do hurry will you, not exactly safe out here." Andrew looked around and lowered his arms intohis ready posistion as he waited for the rifleman to return.

"No need to call me sir, Shizel, I know you respect me." When Dante said that Shizel just kept her cool and held back a blush, for some reason she doubted that would help her case for being a trusted member. Yeah but you don't know what else I think about you... she thought and just looked at him, his smile made him look much more cheerful than he was, though she found it impressive that he smiled at all despite the burden on his shoulders to try and keep this place going. She just wanted to help him with that burden, even if it was only being there for him and helping where needed. Because despite some of the things he did she understood he was only doing what he had to do to keep the place running and protect everyone he could. "I don't see anything needed done in the camp, but it's time to start activity on the outside. Why don't you help me out with organizing my office. Then we can start sending out more scavenging teams once everyone is organized again." When it was suggested that she helped him in his office she didn't say a word but she did bite her lower lip when he turned around, a bit nervous about being in his office with him, though she knew it was for a genuine purpose and she would try her hardest to help out, though she had never been that organized a person.

Shizel followed him without questioning though, the military had done a lot of things such as teaching her that you never questioned a superior because those who did usually got the short end later at a worse time. As they walked Shizel took a chance to look around once more at all of the others in the camp, two guys fighting caught her attention as they walked away and she knew them, a couple of punks who hadn't been here too long and liked the idea of being in a gang... One thing that did cross her mind besides the dislike for such people was that they sucked as close quarters combat, their punches not even straight but all hooked like amateurs. Then again she was probably one of the few with serious close quarters training in this camp. It mattered not, it wasn't a serious fight from what she could tell, if it was about something serious she doubted fists would be the end of it.

Her interested faded soon enough and she turned her head just in time to see Dante look back at her and she just continued to follow right behind him, wondering if he had expected her to say something. Not that she would mind small talk but she didn't know what to say to him, she had only ever talked to him in the capacity of the gang and things that concerned the gang, not that she didn't have questions. One of the biggest questions on her mind was what Rivera was to him but she didn't dare ask him, it was not her business and she didn't want to risk enraging him. Instead she just looked at him when he turned and continued to follow, convinced he just turned to make sure she had understood that she was expected to come with him and help organize his office and not wandering off somewhere else.

Rivera sighed. Dante was probably getting worried about her at this point. Looking around with a bored expression, she slowly made her way back to town square. She greeted the look out. "Where's Dante."

The man shrugged, looking just as bored as she did. Sighing, she made her way inside, throwing her weaponry in her room. She pulled the small silver necklace out of her pocket. It was a small metal wolf, perfect. She owndered about how in the world she got so lucky as to find something like this. On the back of the wolf, you could just barely make out the "made in china - stainless steel" inscription. A steel Wolf for the pack leader. She smiled, and began walking around, searching for her brother.

She found him, barricaded under a pile of papers with Shizel in his office. Raising an eyebrow at the mess, she nodded to the other girl, and leade up against the door. "What the hell happened in here, a tornado?"

After awhile of attempt after attempt of organizing his papers, the place had turned out even worse than before. Turned out both Dante and Shizel were not the best at this. Dante sighed falling back in his chair. He pretty much given up on the organization of his room and watched as Rivera walked in and went on with her joke. He smiled at her getting up from his chair with papers falling from his lap. He sighed seeing that the place was even worse than he thought. He nodded to Shizel, a sign meaning thanks then walked out of his desk space.

'Where the hell were you?' he thought to himself.

As much as it was great to see her, she went out of the safe zone without telling him. It made him angry, it made him think there was no respect between them but that can't be the case. He paused staring at her, then walked up to her and sniffed. He made a face at the sudden smell that had entered his nose. He plugged it and coughed.

"You stink, running around in the slums? Go take a shower when you can." he said giving her a pat on the shoulder then began to pick up some papers on the floor.

Taking the time to listen to what ever the girls had to say while he at least made his room walk able in. The guard had made his way into the entrance of the city hall and was making his way down towards Dante's room. The information of a survivor at there door step would indeed make him at least interested today. Dante kept his ears open for any conversation, his mind on a sudden day dream of the two girls having fun as he watched from the watchtower. These daydreams happens quite often now. He been staying up more and more that his lack of sleep led his emotions to take daydreams of what he wish would happen. Instead, his outer, hollow self stayed out for everyone to see, knowing that if his emotions got in the way of his leadership things would end up horrible.

With that said the he manege to find a book he was looking for a while now. This book was empty with pages but now filled with what Dante truly thought of everyone, his life, his secrets, he had to store them somewhere. Still putting this with someone would be bad, so he stopped with the papers and opened the book to read a recent passage.

'List of wolf's, best to worse.'

Dante
Rivera
Shizel
Danni
Jake
Ryan A.
Ryan C.
Glen
Rebecca
Hiya
Sim
Simon
Jeff
...

The list went on and on of his favorites, some he didn't have time to get to know so he mark a check on them so they were not effected by the chart. He crossed out Jeff from the list now. Seeing on how he was kicked out. Then closing it, seeing the guard waiting in the hallway, he nodded for him to come in.

"There is a man waiting outside the barricade." he said.

Dante paused then replied, "Bring him here... I'll take care of it." He then shooed him off and went back to the girls before the man came.

Shizel couldn't help but feel useless as she tried to help Dante organize his office, she had never really been the best when it came to being neat and tidy, apparently she hadn't been born with that specific skill. That was why when Rivera came back she just sighed, the part of her convinced that Dante and Rivera were lovers just taunted her saying that she would never beat the woman at this rate. Not to mention what most people would have been severely reprimanded for, leaving the camp without permission, she simply got a pass on, save being told to take a shower which wasn't much of a punishment as far as Shizel was concerned, how she would love to have a shower right now. She didn't say anything though, she had tried to help and that was all she could do in this situation. Not that she would be able to stop thinking about it, she already liked him, that wasn't going to change with so few good guys around, besides she was sure most guys didn't even see her as a girl so the idea of just giving up didn't appeal to her. She didn't have the courage but she would eventually tell him, Rivera be damned...

Fortunately guard soon came allowing Shizel to take her mind off of the failed task and from the less than professional thoughts about her leader. Instead she switched to the matter at hand, a person seeking entrance, it was rare these days. Mainly because most people around here knew of the gangs rather infamous reputation and didn't come near this place because of it. When Dante turned back to them she had a serious look on her face, she may have a crush but she knew when to keep her feelings out of a situation and having a potential 'trespasser' or 'recruit' was one such situation where being the loyal soldier was better than being the dotting girl. Besides, someone actually wanted to try and join up, this could be a chance for them to strengthen their numbers which was always a good thing as long as the new people carried their weight. Her 'soldier' mentality causing her to just stand there, waiting for Dante to tell her what to do, it was obvious she was awaiting orders, every time she got in this sort of a mood her stance became more rigid almost like she was standing at attention, her military background peeking through. Of course she was well aware that he probably wouldn't need her assistance in handling the acceptance or punishment of a person but she was more than ready to do whatever he needed her to do, as someone who cared for him secretly but mostly as a capable marksman and hand to hand combatant if need be.

"Well gee, it's nice to see you too." Rivera stuck her tounge out at him. "And if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times. You can't keep me caged here. Safe zone or not, it's...well, boring."

She shrugged, noticing Shizel all but deflate when she had walked in. She smiled a bit. So many of the wolves had the wrong idea about them. Oh well. She internaly sighed, and then pulled the necklace out of her pocket. "Here." She handed it to Dante while she spoke, "Figured you'd get a kick outta this." She grinned at them, then looked to Shizel.

"Hey, Shizel! Wanna join me? Dante can handle this. He's not the leader for nothing, right?"

Andrew Concepcion, Town Hall, Steel Wolves Camp

Andrew sighed as he brought the crowbar to his shoulder. Fresh blood dripped flowed down the metal tool and onto his hand. As the blood dripped from the hand that clutched the weapon on to the asphalt Andrew looked down at the corpse of a young man. The infected male had noticed Andrew while he waited outside the Wolves's barricade and had gotten much too close. With another sigh and flick of the wrist Andrew tried to remove some of thebloodfrom his weapon. Suddenly their was the sound of a familiar voice. He turned to see the Rifleman behind a gate working on a latch.

"Alright," He grumbled as he opened it "you can come in, Don't try and start any trouble though."

A small cloud of mist appeared on the inside of the plastic paint mask that covered Andrew's face as he breathed a smirk of relief. "Don't sweat it." He nodded to the guard before following him into the camp. After locking the gate securly the guard proceeded to escort him into the town hall. As he was led into one ofthe offices Andrew noticed a pair of feminine figures with their backs to him.

"Ah...am I interrupting something?" He asked with a calm tone as he removed the mask from his face.

As the mask dangled in his hand at the side of his body Andrew smirked. He was probably a strange sight considering his outfit. Compared to the present company his armored jacket and vest, kevlar helmet, the paint mask that resembled a cheap gas mask, the leatherbandoiler on his waist, all made him seem a bit, eccentric, at the very least. Although he wasn't complaining, while the group of these wolves had been holed up in their camp and survivng in one place, he'd been wandering and fighting his way all the way from Fort Worth, so it was no surprise that he had created an outfit such as the one he wore, it was out of neccessity.

Andrew took the crowbar from his shoulder andreturnedit to it's place on his waist, a few specks of blood that had remained on the weapon flew through the air and landed on his left cheek. As he wiped the blood off he looked at the two women infront of him. Keeping his thoughts to himself he turned to the man who stood in front of the two.

"You must be the the head of this group, correct?" Andrew said to Dante. He tucked his Paint mask behind him between the belt of hispantsand his back. "Name's Andrew, and I'm here to do buisness with you." His hands removed the dark grey helmet revealing his head of dark brown hair. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a content sigh as he felt the cool air on his hot head. "I propose a deal, you give me a room to get some sleep, any information you have on the the GIEI and safe zones and I'll give you the location to a good size cache of food and water. A camp like this needs supplies don't it? What do you say, we have a deal?"

Dante accepted the necklace gladly, giving his sister a warm happy smile that the some of the wolfs have never even seen. He stuffed it in his pocket making sure to wear it later and simply understood what she was she was going on about. She was right, there was no way to keep her in the safe zone all the time, still he would at least like a heads up. Being that one day she would run off, get in trouble and he had no way of helping her for he would have no clue where to look. That is what he feared. Another, more depressing daydream began to rise in his mind. But before it had it's fool affect on him he heard Rivera ask Shizel to go do whatever.

This surprised him as well, for, as far as he could remember, when Rivera did anything with another wolf it never ended on how he thought it would. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, never the less he was overprotective of her. In this case he only wondered instead of arguing. It was Shizel, she was the one wolf he trusted more than anyone else. That and Rivera, she was still the top no matter what. For what she had done for him in his dire need. He simply nodded at Shizel when asked to leave and gave her a small smile. Not like the one Rivera gets but all the same a simply smile. In case you didn't know Dante suppresses his emotions a lot. There is only a few ways to know how he is feeling or how he feels about something. His expression, his book of secrets, and his body. They were all hard to read, being that he had bad hand writing and good at hiding his feelings, but he would slip up time to time and show how he felt. For Rivera, a love of brother and sister, for Shizel, that was undetermined. All he knew is that he was more fond of her than every other wolf. Begin the leader, it's hard to know just how you feel on a personal level when being stressed with your life.

Just when Dante would see the girls off, the man had walked in asking if he interrupted anything. Cocky... Maybe. Dante didn't like that. He watched as the strangely dressed man walked in and cooled himself off. It was good armor from the infected, Dante never really worried about it. Being that his blood type was the immunity O. Still, being bit would be a bad idea, even if what the military say is so true, he never trusted his immunity. Less clothing, more on guard.

Dante scratched his head a moment listening to the man's deal. His name was Andrew? Seemed like a trust worthy name, never the less, he would not be suckered in so easily by the idea of food and water his men had missed or were to scared to venture to far from the safe zone. He then replied...

"First, I'm Dante, you may call me Dante and nothing else. Second, I can't just amuse that your supplies haven is true. Your going to haft to show proof, and as for a place to stay, only steel wolfs may have a place here. You would haft to join or leave the next day. Sense I'm in a good mood and one of the wolfs were kick out today, I give you a shot on joining. I have all the information you need about the safe zones and military you need but I need an answer, join or stay for the day?"

It fell silent for a moment, Dante never was this polite to the randoms that walked in his hall, but this man was armed, knew how to survive, and if what he said is true, has an idea of food and water, a perfect scavenger. Those were needed in the wolfs, most were good guards and builders. Some were good at the gas station, the barricade wonderland that was the main tech of there camp. As for scavenging, they were lacking. He needed someone reliable like this man to be apart of the big piture. Still, he make things quite clear before this was over. In fact...

"Drop your weapon, Shizel, Rivera, leave now. See if there anyone else waiting by the wall." his voice suddenly firm and demanding.

Every wolf he attempted to recruit had this happen. Alone with the leader, dangerous yes, smart yes. For when alone you can say what you rally need to say, and do what is needed to be done. Dante, needed to know if this guy was simply after there stuff, insane, or the real deal.

Andrew Concepcion, Town Hall, Steel Wolves

Andrew brought a hand under his chin as he thought. "Hmm, well one at time."

Andrew looked at the two women as he swung his bag around to his front. "First things first, Proof." Andrew quickly unzipped the bagand helditopen to reveal what he had gathered from the supply. The large pack was filled with canned food items and bottles of water. "I took the liberty of grabbing a share for myself, plenty more still there." Andrew gave Dante enough time to get a good look before zipping the pack back up. He swung the bag over his shoulder before looking around at the interior of the building.

"As for a membership into your group here, I have to respectfully reject." Andrew said calmly as he looked backto Dante. "I have no intention of staying in this foresaken town longer then neccessary. I just need lodging for the night, then I'll be on my way."

Andrew sighed and put the helmet back on his head. "Now, as for that info I need, what kind of intel do you have on GIEI activity in the area and how far to the nearest safezone?"

Dante simply glared at the supplies. He was right, this was going good. Another guard had been waiting at in the hallway with information of yet another survivor, Dante glared at him, simply saying that if there was anyone else bring 'em here. That or the girls would see that, but that was just to be said so he had some privacy with the newcomers. He didn't really care what they did at this point, they did there work, or at least Shizel did, Rivera is lucky.

Dante frowned when he declined his recruitment. If anyone would of done that he would of took his revolver and shoot them dead. This guy had info that was needed. A small price for a better cause. Instead Dante nodded and said, "As for those guys, there barricade is watched time to time, we use it as an extra for are wall, they tend to have information with the church. As for safe zones, it's here. This town, we are the only ones that give true safety. If anyone asked, the church is unsafe, and no need to bother those guys."

This was a lie, but her didn't need a possibly of those survivors getting info that he had. He sighed, "As for your stay, there is a house on the fare corner, you can have the spare room in there. That house is were we store are food in the basement and where the more helpful wolfs rest but one day... There ya go, now... Where is this supplies?"

Dante had his arms crossed now. Waiting for an answer so he could shoo the man off, under the supervision of a guard of course and deal with the other one that would no doubt be want in there base.

"And just what the hell do you want?" That was not what David expected when he walked in, though in truth he hadn't know what exactly to be expecting. He just stood there for a minute though wondering how best to answer such a question, should he stand his ground as he usually would and show who he really was or let the leader think of himself as utterly superior and probably have a better chance of living? "My bad, that was rude of me. I'm Dante, the leader of the steel wolfs, speak your deal now." David smirked, he had just gotten lucky, apparently the bad mood didn't last so long and he wasn't almost certain to die anymore. With that though in his mind he stepped forward just a bit and looked the man in the eye, "Well I am David. I have been surviving by myself for awhile now and fear if I don't find a group to join up with that I will soon end up like those I have seen fall since the beginning. I happened upon your setup here and it seems safe, organized enough, and well if you don't mind me saying..." he leaned in a bit closer looking over at the female with short hair, "The woman who brought me in was quite fine." he said in a whisper so only Dante could hear him and with a slight wink he leaned back, "That being said I was hoping to be able to join you here, do my part, reap the benefits of a setup such as the one you have going. Of course that is you wouldn't mind. Do ya?" he asked rather nonchalantly but there was hope in his voice if you listened closely enough.

Of course he was just being himself as usual, though as soon as he said that he figured he may have come across a little too strong on that end. Not that he could do anything about it now but it didn't stop him from wanting to slap himself in the face. He didn't move after that, he hoped he had gotten the point across that he was looking to join, hopefully him doing his fair share of the work was also assumed. He was also hoping that his rather forward way of speaking about things would lose him any points with the leader of this gang, but once again, it was too late to really change that now. He looked Dante in the eyes as he stood there, evaluating his chances, hoping to see if he was going to accept him or test him, or on the chance that he was just going to have David eliminated he wanted to at least be ready to try and get away from this place, though there were better chances of the infection all being a dream than him escaping this little base with all of the men with guns, and of course the women as well, the girl who led him in also carried a rifle and he bet she could use it.

"Well I am David. I have been surviving by myself for awhile now and fear if I don't find a group to join up with that I will soon end up like those I have seen fall since the beginning. I happened upon your setup here and it seems safe, organized enough, and well if you don't mind me saying..." Dante was surprised to see David lean closer to him. Not many would get so close to him, but really most the time he was all talk, and when he had to he show action, so this didn't seem to to big of a deal. Still, what had would say that would possibly anger him any more than he was? "The woman who brought me in was quite fine." Dante clenched his jaw a little, giving off a fake smirk to the David. "That being said I was hoping to be able to join you here, do my part, reap the benefits of a setup such as the one you have going. Of course that is you wouldn't mind. Do ya?" See Dante, as calm as he was, tend to get a little pissed when strangers looked at his members like that. It was rule number six: No sex of any kind, children not welcome. Punishment for breaking rule: Male must either shoot the female, anywhere, or if a child was on the way he haft to kill it. It was one of his cruelest rules, and the moment he put it up, he never head to worry about enforcement it. Being that this stranger, David walked in cocky, wanting to stay here, and goes off talking about one of his greatest members like she was meat... Well, Dante tend to get a little more emotional over that than most things.

Dante held Davids comment in the back of his mind for later, then went on to say, "If you wish to stay here, you must become a member, which means you must go threw a small test sense you asked me." Dante simply paused, seeing on that's not how he wanted to say it. "We have one slot open, so I want it filled, you, will be acceptable, but your test... Well let me think..."

Dante brought back his comment about Shizel, this time, having a small daydream of Shizel... He leaned back a bit surprised. Dante never really thought to look at his members like that, being that he followed his own rules, still, this was the first time in a long while he felt an attraction. He glared at David, "Now for your test." His voice went loud so all could hear in the room, "Sense you like her so much, for one week, she is your drill Sargent. She train you like the others had been trained, but more importantly, you do everything she says, you don't eat till she says you can, you don't sleep till she says you can, you don't even step out of place without asking her first, basically as far as I care, she can make you do anything she wants. Your her bitch."

This was different from all the other tests, normally they be gathering supplies, or something productive, but David seemed to be able to be a good member for lasting so long, and it was his way of getting revenge on him for his comment. Dante had rules, posted at the entrance of city hall, and number one was don't piss off Dante. He broke it, he was a recruit of the wolfs now, there for it was more of a punishment than a test. For all he cared, he would of just let him in as long as he was helpful, but he went off saying that. Dante, feeling the small concern to ask Shizel if it was all right, all well. If she really wanted to, she could just send off to do what ever, or make him suffer like he wanted.

Dante said one last thing, grinning at David, "Or you can just leave, and never show your face again. I'm fine with that. Though if you past the test, then you be opened to the food and other supplies freely like the rest of the members. Don't forget to read the rules on how we share food though."

Seeing that there was nothing left to be said at this point, he turned to Danni, who he had ignored up till now. "Well stay out of the damn way and they wont't do that girl! If it's messing with you that bad, after your done go get patched up at the gas station." he said to her. The gas station, being that it was were they got gas, and where they stored there medical supplies as well as tech that could be important at some point. Each corner of the camp had a building, each one used for different things, and making it easier to fortify the walls. Dante sighed now, looking back at what he had said today, was he really doing the right thing? Treating the slacker like crap? Or giving Shizel another small responsibly? Shizel, he nearly went back to a daydream about her, this is when he did something he head not done sense last week, he blushed.

"Hm hm hm~ Very well played out, Mr. Leader." mused a familiar voice from behind the doorway leading to Dante's office.

By now, everyone had already gone to where they were ordered to go, leaving Dante all alone in his office save for his guard stationed just outside the office. However, the person who just taunted the Wolves' leader was definitely not that guard. No one dared to challenge Dante's authority here, all except for one.

"Mind if I come in?" asked the voice before a young man stepped out of the shadows and made his presence known to Dante.

The young man stood at about 6' flat and had spiky brown hair and cold yet strangely hypnotic crimson eyes. His clothes were noticeably better looking than most people at the camp, a sure sign that he held at least some authority here. He was Glen Stokes, one of the original survivors to form the Steel Wolves and an integral part to the group despite his defiant personality. He has been known to clash with Dante every now and then due to differences in perspective, earning him the distaste of those loyal to him.

"Well well well, picking up strays from the streets again I see. I wonder why we even put up those signs on the first place. Well... I guess we have plenty of food to feed another mouth anyways." sighed Glen in a sarcastic tone as he approached Dante's desk and sat on one of the chairs in front of it. "And striking a deal with a complete stranger in return for food and accommodations. Have we really gone so low, Dante?"

To say the least, Glen was frustrated with Dante's actions. Sure they would benefit them in some way but there was always a price to pay. That was not what the wolves' way... or at least not the one he come to know. The wolves didn't have to give a rat's ass what other people wanted. They take whatever the hell they want when they want it. Letting in random people from the streets, striking deals with strangers, and letting those church pansies get away with mountains of supply was definitely not the wolves' way.

"Seriously Dante, what is wrong with you? Where did the wolves' ruthless and efficient leader gone?"

Andrew Concepcion, Steel wolves Camp

As he walked with his newly appointed partner towards the exit of the town hall Andrew breathed a sigh of relief. He gave a look to the red and blonde haired teen. She was rather short compared to him, almost a foot difference left the top of her head at the height of his shoulders. A small smirk came onto his face as he felt a memory of an old girlfriend come on. A small shakeof the head prevent him from dwelling and he looked ahead. He walked with her to the camp's south exit where he gathered a couple of duffel bags from the guard.

As they waited for the guard to open the gate Andrew readied himself. He checked the armored parts of his jacket first, then made surethe bandoiler on his waste was secure. As he put puton the paint mask he looked at Danni.

"You got a name?" He asked, voice slightly muffled through the plastic. "You know what, never mind, you can tell me it when we get back." Andrew grinned reassuringly to her. He removed his USP from it's holster on his hip and attached the suppressor. Looking up he saw the guard give them a nod to let them know it was time to go.

"We're heading to the 'Free to Stay', should take us about ten minutes if things go well. I'll tell you something now though, when your with me you are quiet understood?." He spoke sternly. "Any unsuppressed gun shots and I'll shoot you myself. Start yelling and hollerin, I leave you behind. If you understand then your welcome to join me. I've come too far to die now, if you aren't confident about this then you can stay, I'm more then capable of accomplishing this task on my own.

Andrew nodded to the guard who opened the gate. After walking out a few steps he stopped, duffel bags in one hand andcrowbar in the other, and turned to Danni. "However," He smirked to her. "I could use the company."

David zoned out a bit as Dante began to speak about a test and open slot, he just let the occasional word drift into his mind, of course he looked like he was paying attention, a learned trait which he had mastered over the course of his life. "Now for your test." He began to pay attention then, knowing this was the important part, he had to be ready for whatever the test was. "Sense you like her so much, for one week, she is your drill Sargent. She train you like the others had been trained, but more importantly, you do everything she says, you don't eat till she says you can, you don't sleep till she says you can, you don't even step out of place without asking her first, basically as far as I care, she can make you do anything she wants. Your her bitch." When he heard this he couldn't help but smirk, he got to be around the beauty all day as his punishment, how bad could that be? He had the feeling it was all going to be fun and games to be honest, he would flirt with her a bit, use his charm, maybe get her into bed, of course this was just his fantasy. He couldn't help it though, what guy wouldn't want to get a sexy woman into bed with him after being alone in such an environment, it was like some sort of heavenly ideal in his head. He didn't say any of this though, he had a feeling this assignment was because Dante hadn't liked him having an eye for the woman. Of course he didn't understand that either, the leader doesn't like him looking at another member in such a fashion so to punish him he assigns him to her, wasn't any logic he would have used but hell he didn't mind it either way, he would be fine with it.

With that he nodded, "I think I will stick around, hanging around a woman like her for a week sounds awesome, thanks Dante." he said but inside his head he was cursing Shit shit shit! I shouldn't have said that, I already made him mad once talking about her like that! He couldn't help it though, that was the kind of guy he was and although he would love to have made a better impression he knew he had already said enough and kept quiet. Someone else had it in their mind to talk now though as he heard another man began to speak to Dante, being a new member he didn't know that much about the gang but this didn't seem like the kind of thing Dante would stand for, though he had been known to be wrong in his life before, probably more often than not. Instead of speaking he just took a few steps back and watched, his first day and he would already get to see the leader out for blood if his assumption was correct, if not at least he would get to see who else held a bit of power in the gang because nobody but another powerful figure could get away with something like that. Besides, he couldn't help but look at the way the guy was dressed, his clothing almost like he had first pick, who knew though, once again, he was new, he knew nothing about all of this gang stuff, just that they had what he wanted so he wanted to be part of it.

Dante sat in his chair listening to Glen rant on today. This was one man who made Dante feel like jumping of a cliff. Not because he was the most questionable of all his members, but because haft the time he called him on something, he was right. Today, he had two random strangers come in, one who had supplies, a large amount, and only had to send one member to retrieve it. At the same time, before, they would of captured him, taken his stuff and killed him. That would be it, that was when Dante had recently lost his parents, when the steel wolfs were really steel wolfs. Now, it was different, that and Dante, was starting to worry about his leadership for the past few days. Glen just made it clear to him that it was all so true. Like hell he admit it though, if anyone else had there way there be blood for his men, blood for him.

"Things are changing Glen, we can't just do things like before. There less of everything in this city and we need to think ahead as a unit not a gang."

Dante glared at him, his jaw clenched now. What more could he could say, much more. Dante was looking for a more peaceful, more organized now. The gang stuff was just simply over to him. They needed to gain there own food, maybe a garden, or a farm. They could not do this for ever, and going back to the way things were, where everyone was unorganized, and dead in the head of others. No. Dante was getting soft, he thought it was just being wiser but it was him getting soft. He bottled everything up till it released in different ways, the wrong ways. First, his emotions, into daydreams, mixed with lack of sleep. His leadership, softer, due to his regrets of memories and emotions for others, lack of sleep. His choices for today, the worst in a while, though he always thought that way when Glen did this. Like wanting David to stop thinking like that to Shizel, making Shizel and David with each other for a week? Well keeping them away would not help, he hopped Shizel would just put him in his place. Or, would they break rule number six? ...

Dante mind began to stress quicker than usual, Glen had all ready had him over thinking his leadership, he was going to get fed up with it soon. He took a breath and glared at Glen, anger in his eyes, emotions running fluid, "Look! I not putting up with your outbursts. My leadership is perfect. I don't have a doubt in my mind that the actions I had done today will backfire. The survivors will benefit us, we will gain more food, and there will be no need to be ruthless. Once day, we won't haft to threaten people at the gate with guns, that day would come sooner if I had support in it Glen."

It was an outburst, something he really did not need to have said to Glen. Dante, personally was sick of the way he ran things here, he just held it away and kept moving on. But stress, just overtook him there, an outburst that could be a bad output later on. As far as Dante knew, his members respected him to the point to obey the rules and get a simply job done. As for small events like this, they were all too questionable. How they got like that he only thought was the voice of Glen. If Glen was not happy, then Dante knew that he was in for some stupid shit. He sat there waiting for more criticizing or something else to stress him out. The dark under his eyes made his eyes heavy, he needed to rest and rethink how to move forward. Or maybe Glen was being a bitch and everything is going better than he thought. Either way Dante was in a state of stress, anger, annoyed, and insecurity. Something a leader should never have with one man. Glen seemed to have the words, the tone, the action to get to him so easily it was sad. This only made Dante even more frustrated with himself.

Glen was amused and at the same time disappointed by Dante's reply. There was no doubt about it... their leader was getting soft, perhaps too soft for comfort. The question now was why? Why had Dante's ruthless efficiency suddenly died down? He didn't believe the reason spouted by the wolf's leader one bit. If there was anything changing in this world, it was Dante; everything else was static. His parent's death? Perhaps... Well that could be part of the reason but being the cunning person that he was, he knew that there was a deeper reason to their leader's drastic change.

"Hah... What? Do you want us to hold hands and sing Kumbaya next? You're starting to sound like that priest..." replied the defiant male. "We don't have to kill those guys at the church. That would be stupid. What would the GIEI be supplying if those guys are all dead?" explained Glen. "We just threaten them, that's all. Scare them enough so that they'll do everything we say. And when the supply comes from the GIEI, we'll be rolling in food, baby!" smirked Glen.

His suggestion was answered by a rather loud outburst from the leader, pontificating his leadership skills and chastising Glen for questioning his authority. Did this guy even listen to his own men? Listened to the sound of their grumbling stomachs? He wasn't the only one who had something to say about this regimen , he was just the one with the most balls to say it to Dante's face. If no one did, nothing was ever going to change and they'll be starving to death or die venturing into the slums for two cans of soup.

"Geez, take a pill and listen to yourself." snorted Glen dismissively. "Or better yet, listen to your people. You might be interested with what they have to say."

With that, Glen stood up and walked out of the office. He gave up with trying to convince Dante into putting things back to the way they should be. If he and the other wolves wanted to change the pecking order here in Ashcroft, they'll need to do it themselves as their deluded leader was no help. He already had a plan and pretty soon he will make his move. He was resolved to put things in order and ensure the survival of the wolves.

As Shizel looked at the man talking to Dante she couldn't help but wonder what he whispered, it wasn't like she had to know or would insist on knowing but interest, that was a different story. Not that she had to wait long as Dante said something that confused the hell out of her but explained a lot at the same time. "Sense you like her so much, for one week, she is your drill Sargent. She train you like the others had been trained, but more importantly, you do everything she says, you don't eat till she says you can, you don't sleep till she says you can, you don't even step out of place without asking her first, basically as far as I care, she can make you do anything she wants. Your her bitch." At that she just looked at both of the men, Dante and the new guy David as well. Not that she was uncomfortable with being a drill sergeant, she was use to that kind of thing from her time in the military but what did bother her was the fact that apparently the new guy liked her? What the hell, the thought disgusted her but at the same time it was nice that someone thought she was attractive. Not that she cared what this man thought but she wished at least once that Dante would think about her with that, she knew the rules though, she knew he would follow them, it almost made her sad. It was okay though, she knew all of this from the beginning. Of course as the man accepted the offer Shizel just sneered and looked at him with a look that explained just how much she disliked the idea. She then turned to David "How about you go and run laps. I will be out in a bit... Don't stop running until I do..."

She waited a second and left giving him time to start his run, how much time she would be spending with the new guy was the main question on her mind though, she didn't want to spend time with a random guy if she didn't have to. She hoped Dante wouldn't realize she disliked it though, not that he usually got as angry at her as he would some but she wasn't Rivera either, pushing it would get her in trouble as well. Besides, why not just accept it, she could have a worse assignment than this. Of course after saying that she turned and left not waiting for an answer knowing he had things to do and she had to go attend to the new guy. Once she left and made her way outside she didn't look for him yet, instead she just scuffed her shoes against the ground, "Damn Dante... Giving me this guy to look after even after he says he likes me..." She hadn't heard it but she still assumed, her voice low enough where nobody would see her but she looked more like a woman than usual, almost a bit defenseless. It didn't matter though, she would get over it, she had to. With that she began looking around for David, hoping he was doing as she asked, she really didn't want to have to throw him out for disobedience in one day.

"How about you go and run laps. I will be out in a bit... Don't stop running until I do..." David smirked tempted to mess with her or just ignore the orders and see what she did. Of course he wouldn't, not that he feared a girl but he did in fact know that the leader would kill him if he fucked around, that had been made clear since he entered the camp. When he got outside he began to run, one person seemed to laugh at him but he just smirked, he didn't give a shit about what other people thought about him, especially when they wouldn't even compete with him once he made it in to this gang. He knew he wasn't the most polite person and that he would probably piss of the leader but he would do more than any of them could. As he ran around he did take time to make note of things, how the place was put together such as how the walls were in a few places but buildings and the huge military style barrier was also used. It was a rather smart setup, they used what they could to limit the resources to protect themselves as well as making sure they didn't have to use any more men to defend than they had to. He also noticed something else as he ran though, a few of the people who were probably standing guard at this point looked at him odd, like they were not intending on accepting him any time soon. That made him think about the words Dante had spoken about a slot being open and he began to wonder who in the hell was he filling in for.

It wasn't like it mattered though because he had been told to accept the test by the leader and he had, if he passed this test he planned on becoming an integral part of the group, even if they didn't want him to. It was at this point in time that he noticed Shizel looking a bit annoyed, scuffing her feet against the ground and having this look of something he almost thought resembled sadness. Not the traditional crying type but one that spoke that she was just tired and while he didn't know how he wouldn't mind finding out. In order to get closer to her he would have to try and woo her, Dante could just do whatever he wanted, he would anyways, best to just live life to the fullest. He stopped running when he got near her, his eyes looking her up and down in the most obvious way and once again he took stock of her. She had one of the best bodies he had ever seen, hell even before this damn outbreak she would have turned his head and the look of strength on her face was not lost on him either, the look that told you she wasn't the normal girl and she would take you down. He didn't just stare though, he smiled at her to try and move on from his admiration, "I know you told me not to stop running but I figured I should come keep my new mentor company." he said moving a bit closer but keeping eye contact with her, "Just tell me... What do you want me to do?" he asked but his voice was almost seductive like he was implying he would do anything, not that he thought it would get him far but he had nothing better to do, the worst she could do with him saying it like that would be to punish him with some task or another.

Andrew Concepcion, Steel Wolves Camp

"Sir?" Andrew muttered confused as she stop in front of him. As she made her demand Andrew smirked and watched as she seemed to try and put on a stern looking expression. It took all that he had not to burst out laughing right then and there although he did manage to nod.

"Sure. But don't call me sir, makes me sound old, I'm only twenty one." He said, holding back a chuckle. "This box in the camp or is it somewhere else in this forsaken town?"

He desperately hoped it would not be the latter. As nice as she seemed he didn't think wandering through this infested place was worth it. Still he had entered this place with one other goal besides food and information, a reliable companion to travel with was just as important. For in the long time he had spent fighting and sneaking his way here from Fort Worth, he discovered that loneliness was a factor just as dangerous as low supplies.

He gave the girl in front of him the once-over and sized her up. She seemed nice enough, and given she was still alive odds were she was capable, although he would needto find that out first hand before thinking about inviting her along.

"Well then," He said bringing the crowbar to rest on his shoulder. "lead the way."

Andrew Concepcion

Andrew stood guard as she searched through her box. With his back to her crouched over body he cast his cold gaze at their surrondings keeping a sharp eye out for anything not human. He felt a sense of empathy as she referred to her box as "home", but quickly dismissed the feeling by remembering that the situation was bad for everyone.

His gaze faltered for a moment as he felt something land on his shoulder. He quickly snapped his head to look at it and oull whatever it was off his shoulder. To his surprise it was nothing dangerous, just a black pair of young women's underwear. The oddity of the event caused him to go into a minor shocked state as he unfurled the undergarmet and held it in front of him. Turning around as the girl began to climb out of the box. Andrew found himself staring at her with her little stuffed dog and he holding a pair of her underwear.

"Um, cute." He stammered as he crumbled the undergarmet into a ball in his hand and tossing it onto the worn out bag.