Synxa's Story

Tyson started to relax as Alek stoked his hair, but as he felt himself falling asleep, he sat up. Half standing up half falling off the couch he made is way over to Rooke. Sitting down on the floor with his back against the couch, he gently grabbed Rooke's hand with a gentle squeeze. In a calm exhausted voice, "You did real good today kid. Now keep fighting cause I'm going to need my exercise partner. And I'm sorry... for everything. I promise... WHEN you pull through this... things will be different. I... I..." his mind wondered off as he thought about his brother and sister, about losing more family. For the first time, a single tear ran down Tyson's check. "I cant loss my brother or sisters... not again. This time I will be fast, stronger... If it has to be some one, please... let it be me. I cant go through it again." he said in a hushed tone almost like he was talking to some one who wasn't there. "Why couldn't you have saved them instead... Why didn't you leave me like I told you to. I've already lost enough haven't I. Now you want to take him to?" Tyson's mind drifted off again as he squeeze Rooke's hand a little more.

Rookes eyes flickered around under his eyelids. He seamed to respond to sound, every time someone talked his eyes would look over at them through the blackness before he was continue looking around in his REM state. He was still breathing heavily, and he started to get clammy. His skin was pale, and his short hair was starting to stick to his face. When Tyson squeezed his bloody hand he gave a small groan, and started to move his body, as if wanting to get off the couch. He was, however, still passed out. The bandages around his shoulder were tight, and thankfully holding his arm in place. Rooke couldn't hear anything normally, as if someone was talking to him under water. In fact, that's what he was dreaming, that he was under water. To him he was floating limply along. When he looked above himself through the crystal water, he could see people standing above him. His uncovered eyes squinted through the blurriness, trying to see if he couldn't make out the people above him.

The seamed to be standing on a metal cat walk above him, as if observing him. Rooke looked around, and noticed that he could kinda see outside around him. He was in a... Tube? Rooke started to freak out upon realizing he was in a confined space. With no air. And water. He started to panic, even out side of the dream. In both realities He started to try to swim up. Rooke on the couch was twitching around, his legs bending slightly before twitching back out, straight. Dream Rooke was franticly clawing up at the surface of the water. At first he thought he was moving before realizing that something was holding him down. He looked down to see a metal chain connected to the metal floor. He screamed, air bubbles pouring out of his mouth, and brushing up against his cheeks as soft as a kiss. His vision started to go black, and in a gasp of air Rooke in the real world bolted up. His uninjured eye was wide as he looked around, and then down at Tyson. He meant to say something, but before he could his eyes rolled back, and he passed out again, falling back on the couch.

Alek was beginning to think her flock didn't understand the need for rest and healing. She shook her head and watched as Tyson sat by Rooke and then fell asleep. "I'll go get the materials for a transfusion." She left her wounded members to the rest of the flock while she rummaged through her back still in the kitchen. She'd taken the materials needed from Alicia's house (she was well stocked in nearly everything) knowing that eventually one would probably need to be done. It didn't take long for her to find the two vacuum sealed bottles, hose, sterile needles, bottle of rubbing alcohol, wipes, and rubber tourniquets. She nearly dropped everything when Rooke woke up freaking out. Listening, he soon fell back to sleep, if not a little fitfully. Letting out her held breath, she walked back into the room.

"Alright Puki, if you'd be so kind as to sit by Rooke, we'll get this started. Unless you don't want to, then I can take over since I'm O negative." She started setting up as the younger girl decided.

Tyson, having been shaken awake when Rooke started moving around, but before he could act he saw Alek motioning for everyone to be quiet. That's when his slightly enhanced hearing heard it to, hunter outside. Knowing he was in no shape for an other fight but also he stood the best chance at winning one out of the three who were around Rooke, he extended his claws and fangs. Slowly and quietly he climbed onto the couch and crouched over Rooke like dog protecting its pups. He didn't dare climb anywhere for fear of making to much noise and being to far from the young ones if something happened. Normally taking on five human hunters wouldn't worry him, but in his tired and hurt condition, plus with Rooke out cold, if some thing went down, it might be his last fight. But at less if it does go down, he will take as many with him as possible and try and draw the others away so the flock and run. Tyson has learned to trust Alex, at less when it comes to the flocks safety, if they had to run she would be able to get the others out and keep them safe. After all, this whole mess was Tyson's fault so who better to be left behind to fix it. Beside, he was one of the best trackers in the group, should he survive, he could always find them again. In the mean time he watched the hunters and Alek.

Rooke shifted under Tyson, softly mumbling in his sleep. He was starting to wake up. His face contorted into a pained expression as his wounds started to bleed into his dreams. Rookes eyes slowly opened, blinking up at the fierce older male standing above him. Sucking in his breath he looked at what Tyson was looking at. 3 or 5 men were prowling around the building. 'Hunters!' Rooke though in a panic. He started to squirm, but stopped when he realized that the men couldn't see them through the windows at all. The sparrow looked to Alek, who looked extremely focused. Rooke put a hand over his mouth to keep himself from squeaking or grunting too loud.

The school was a terrible place to grow up. They were the least kind people you would ever meet, but they were great at teaching you to multitask. As Alek walked silently behind the hunters who marched through the house looking for her flock, she kept her eyes on her family while hiding them from the hunters' sights. They remained silent and together; Tyson crouch protectively over Rooke. When the hunters got too close to the couch, she manipulated their perception into thinking three shadows had disappeared upstairs. Three of the five looked at each other and ran after the ghosts that didn't exist as the other two waited on the main floor in case one of the 'hunted' tried to flee.

Before following the ones upstairs, she pointed at Puki, Addy, and Synax and signed them to flee outside. Then she pointed to Tyson to pick up Rooke and lead everyone towards the city. Her gestures were firm and with no room to argue; she would follow soon. Before weaving between the two hunters waiting for their friends, she passed Tyson her small notebook with four mapped out routes to the city drawn into it and then headed upstairs. There were three men that had a date with death.

Rooke watched as the men walked into the house and towards them. When he saw movement in the corner of his eye he looked over to Alek, who was frantically signing to everyone. His lips pursed, not understanding a word- or should he say gesture -of what Alek was saying. When Tyson picked him up and carried him out of the house Rooke wiggled around in Tysons arms so that he was being carried like a toddler, enabling him to see the house as they walked away. "We can't just leave her! She might get killed!" Rooke protested. His eyebrows were set low, and his voice was rough from being tired of pain, and just tired in general. He nuzzled his face into Tysons unwounded shoulder, making it so only his eyes and up were peaking over the broad males shoulder. "This is so unfair..." Rooke pouted, wishing he could help and do something.

Tyson, with more then a little protest, grabbed Rooke and both their bags, in his good arm well grabbing at the others to follow with his other arm. He lead them down the hill towards the city till they were a safe distance away. There he found a good place to stop so everyone could catch their breath. By this time he had no idea how he was still going, little sleep, no food, and a bullet wound, it was a miracle he could keep going. After checking with everyone to make sure they were ok, he had the girls go in front of him so he could watch them, well he carried Rooke. Guiding them down, he heard gun shot but forced the group on word. 'I will be back for you Alek' he thought as he found what to him looked like an abandoned back ally, but having never been to a place like this he couldn't be sure. Tyson had read about city as part of his training, in case any experiment fled to one, but it a lot different between reading about it and being there. In the ally there was a over hang were a door was boarded up, so he set down there. "Ok. Look, none of us like what's going on but here it is. Alek stayed behind to buy us time, which I plan on taking full advantage of. We'll stay here today because I can not keep going, not in my condition. Once I have had a chance to rest Rooke needs to doctor so that's what we are going to get him. In the mean time Puki as the eldest one awake, your in charge, need anything wake me. Synxa, I know it takes a lot out of you but watch over Rooke and heal him as needed. Addy, my young sweet Addy..." Tyson exaction and pain starts to set in as he reach up and with one finger gently strokes her check, "Stay strong, stay with Puki and Synxa. And don't worry I'm right here if you need me." He passes out from his condition.

Rooke was quiet and pouty the rest of the way down from the cottage all the way to the alley way. His arms were crossed, and his lip stuck out. When they got to safety he realized that Tyson was having a rather hard time staying up an wake. His silent tantrum ended right then and there as his being was filled with worry. When Tyson passed out Rooke rushed too catch him. He didn't help much, but let Tyson land on his good shoulder before slipping off and hitting the ground. It was better than just slamming into the ground, Rooke assumed. The sparrow frowned and kneeled down, his jaw clenching. "This is all my fault...." Rooke mumbled under his breath, making sure no one heard what he said. Standing up he looked to Synax, who was asked to heal him. "I only need my wing and most of my shoulder healed, the rest I can live with. You should focus more on Tyson," Rooke said to Syn.

As Alek walked to her flock, she mentally kicked herself for not taking better care of the bodies. If the School had sent Erasers after them (which they always did), the creatures would be able to pick up on her work. She did have a very distinct way of killing and their scent was all over the place. Oh well, what can you do? The day stretched on with the sun slowly sinking in the sky. In the late afternoon she found a small stream and cleaned herself of the dried blood that spattered her upon the death of one of the hunters. Unless someone looked close enough at her dark clothes, no one would notice that she was painted with blood.

The closer she got to the city, the more alert Alek became. She hid her ears, tail, teeth, and claws so she appeared more human than hybrid. Before actually entering the city, she caught a few rabbits, wrapped them in some old (now) useless clothes, and easily slipped in without anyone noticing. It didn't take long for her to find her flock in an alley way with Tyson passed out and the others worried. With a smile she stepped out of the shadows, "I'm glad to see everyone made it." She walked over to the small group. "I'm glad everyone is okay... ish." She rubbed her cheek and hugged Puki and Addy, gave a warm smile to Synax, and hugged Rooke while placing a kiss on top of his head. "I have a few rabbits and sticks for a fire, eat up." Then she walked over to Tyson who was still passed out. Pleased to see the gunshot would hadn't opened, she knelt down and gently shook him. "Ty, you have to wake up. Come on Ty. You need to eat. Tyyyyyy."

Rooke looked over to Addy as she talked. He stood still as she approached him, but when Alek came back he just stared at her before going and plopping down on the ground. He spread his good wing out comfortably while trying to gingerly move the injured one. Once comfortable he sat there slouching, slowly putting pressure on the battered and scraped side. Grunting he instantly stopped. Looking at his arm he didn't even bother trying to move it. Dried blood crusted his clothing as he looked at the wound. Most of the bones were out of his shoulder, thankfully. Rooke looked back to Tyson and Alek when Alek started to hum her words and softly shake Ty. His lips pursed as he simply watched.

"Well, it seems Ty still needs some time to rest." Alek stood and turned to her flock. "We'll make some food and hopefully the smell will entice him out of hibernation." She grinned easily although inside she felt a little jittery at him not stirring. She build a small fire and assigned Addy to watch over it while she skinned the rabbits with one of her new knives and cleaned them before skewing them on a thin but long stick that went over the fire. "Addy, rotate them every few minutes so they evenly cook." Then she sat cross legged and pulled Rooke into her lap. "Now my little bird, let me see your shoulder." She inspected it and nodded satisfied with how the others had cleaned it. "Synxa, since we have down time please heal him." The cat slinked over and quickly yet efficiently healed Rooke with barely any indication that he had been wounded. "Thank you. Rest and eat. Tyson can wait until you're feeling more up to it."

"Rooke." She said gently as she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her chest. She nuzzled her cheek to his hair. "I think you know we need to talk about you flying off earlier." She kept him in a tight (but not too tight) hug in case he had any desire to flee. "I think now you know that was a terrible idea, it was dangerous not only for you but also for everyone else. From now on you have to bring one of us with you if you decide to go somewhere." She raised her eyes to look at everyone. "Everyone needs to work in the buddy system." She began slowly rocking back and forth. "It's dangerous for all of us to be alone. It's easier to be caught if we don't have someone watching our backs. No more going off on your own, okay?" She knew he felt guilty about flying off, getting, and attracting the hunters... Hell she would have.


[OOC: Since Synxa is up for adoption, I had her do something to move the RP along]

Alright, cool. I didn't realize that Synax isn't in the RP. I'll try to not mention her?

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Rooke flexed his shoulder and wings once Synax had healed them. Although still a bit sore they were perfectly fine. His bad eye and side were also healed well. Rooke imagined there was hardly and scar tissue on his shoulder now. He put his wings away when Alek picked him up and put her in her lap. He snuggled into her instinctively as she hugged him. He frowned at the scolding, tears starting to burn at his eyes. "I just wanted to help... I would of been okay if I wasn't so stupid and looked where I was flying... I promise not to do it again," He mumbled, looking down in shame. He nuzzled his face into Alek's chest, hugging her tightly. He listened as she talked to the rest of the group, nodding in understanding.

Rooke was quiet the rest of the time as Tyson slept and Synax rested. When Syn finally had the energy to heal Ty, Rooke got up and sat right next to his older 'brother'. Once Synax was finished healing Tyson Rooke checked his shoulder. There was barely a scar. The sparrow sighed, and sunk back onto his butt, slouching and messing with his shoes. Realizing his clothing was covered in blood Rooke went over to his duffle bag, grabbing a shirt, as well as some pants. They were rather clean, the pants only having a little bit of dirt on them. Glancing at the group he shuffled behind a dumpster, quickly changing his pants first before pulling on his favorite flannel shirt. He walked out into the open as he finished buttoning the shirt, his dirty ripped clothing under his arm.

Alek cradled Rooke in her arms until he decided to get up and look over Tyson. Smelling the rabbits, she got up and found them to be ready. Taking them off the fire, she carefully passed them out to every. "Rooke, once Ty wakes up make sure he eats this." She wrapped the last rabbit it some cloth and placed it next to the sparrow. "Puki, I want you to watch over everyone and the fire, don't let it get too big I don't want it attracting attention. Addy, you'e with me. I want to check the immediate area. Sit tight, we'll be back to." She waited for Addy to be next to her before silently walking down the alley and beginning to scout the area.

Tyson, who had fallen into a deep state of REM sleep, suddenly sits up with fangs and claws fully extended. A look of fear, pain, sadness and anger as he looked around. Upon seeing the others he relaxed and propped himself up in the corner of the alcove. His body was still a little out of sorts from his long day but thanks to the rest and healing, he felt a lot better."Addy... were you... Alek...? Its about time. What's the matter, little fox not that quick or cunning? And were is my buddy Rooke? Puki beautiful as always. Why does everyone look so worried, and what smells so good." That's when his stomach decided to make the loudest rumble it could and reminded him that he had skipped breakfast. He started debating how and when to till the others about everything, the way he really feels, about his brother and sister and about... him... about being an eraser. "I'll wait till everyone is sitting down and I've had a chance to eat, then I got to just come out and say it." he thought to himself, of course having had the dreams, or more accurately nightmares, he just had should help him talk about everything.

Rooke was off playing with some of his rocks he had taken from the house. When he heard Tyson talking he perked up, quickly standing. He trotted over and gave Tyson a big hug, still being careful of his shoulder. He smiled, bouncing excitedly. Remembering what Alek said about giving him the last rabbit, he trotted over to where Alek stored it. "You were asleep for a long time! Everyone was getting worried that you might not wake up. Alek is off checking everything out. She got some rabbits on the way back to us, she wants you to eat," He showed Tyson the raw rabbit. He smiled to Addy, Synax, and Puki, her spirits obviously up now that Tyson was awake.

To say she was startled was an understatement. Alek hadn't seen Tyson so excited in forever (perhaps never). It was nice seeming one of the flock so free for once that they let themselves be overtaken by pure emotion. When he hugged her, and thus agreed with her plan, she nearly melted into it; she did loved hugs. When he kissed her, she locked up in surprise and felt her cheeks burn . Let's be real, none of them really had any time to even think about being anything more than friends or siblings with another. Being kissed on the lips was new. With a slightly ajar mouth her eyes tracked as the part primate teen jumped around happily and then froze realizing what he did. He quickly disappeared near the dumpster.

It was quiet a moment before Alek let out a laugh and walked over to him. Mussing Tyson's hair, she gave him a smile letting him know that the kiss wasn't a big deal before addressing the flock again. "I know Ty's at least in, but I want to know what everyone else thinks. If you need time to think it over, that's fine and before we start planning we need to work on blending in here and finding a safe place." She tapped her lips as she thought about what their next moves would be.

Death. Corpses. Rot. The smell. Gagging. Blood. Wake up. Alone. Blood everywhere. Don't vomit. Wet. Shh, be quiet. Dead bodied. Wake up. Don't say a word. Pain. Silence. They know. Red everywhere. Your fault. Killer. Innocent. Wake up! This is all your fault. No exit. They'll come. Everyone's dead. No speaking. Don't move. Covered. Murderer.

With a slight twitch, Alek woke without opening her eyes. She listened as Addy sat up and yawned loudly before squeaking when a container was given to her. Puki pushing gently against Alek's leg as she also stretched her slightly sore muscles and then got up to munch on her food. Barely making any sound, Alek heard Synxa sit up. Her ears also caught Rooke waking up. Satisfied all of her flock was awake, she opened her eyes to catch Tyson's look. She smiled at her older younger sibling in thanks and quietly munched on her food. Her stomach still turned with queasiness. She hadn't had that particular dream in a while... it was probably because of having to use her skill yesterday on those hunters.

Once finished, she stood up and loosened her muscles from a night in an awkward position. Turning to face her flock she said, "Alright my lovely Flock, today we have business to take care of. First, we need to find some clothes that don't make us look like killer homeless kids, we are of a higher class than that. I have some money so we'll head to a local salvation store or Goodwill and get hopefully two outfits." She thought out what they needed, it would be better to split up, but after yesterday she wasn't sure any of them were ready to break into smaller groups. "I have some jewelry I want to pawn, while I do that with Addy, I want the rest of you to go to a drug store or some other store that sells essentials and start getting stuff. I'll make up a list and once Addy and I are done we'll meet up with you. If we have money left over, maybe we can find somewhere to stay so we can clean up a bit if not we'll have to find an abandoned building. Lastly, within the next few days I want to get to know the homeless/ transient population. They can be handy with information and ways to disappear."

List: Shampoo, Soap, Conditioner, Brush, Non-perishables, First Aid, Scissors, Ibuprofen, Toothbrushes (unless still have), Toothpaste, 1gal water

She wrote herself a separate note and stuffed it in her pocket before folder the main list up and passing it to Puki. "If there's any repeats on the list don't get them and if you can think of anything else that's important get it. Let's go." She grinned before turning on her heels and heading towards the street. As the rest of the Flock followed, she fell back to watch them.

Puki happily walked beside Synxa chatting with her about something the quiet feline had drawn the day before. As she spoke and listened, her eyes scanned to make sure everyone was together but otherwise was relaxed and enjoying the sun. Addy was giddy, bouncing around while staying close to the large group. She fluttered around from different groups talking about how excited she was to finally be in civilization again. For the first time since staying with Alicia, the young Mamba was acting like a regular 12 year old.