~~self portrait / jules

[Archer Addison]

Addison stared under heavy observation far across the fields through the scope mounted high atop the M24 held adequately inside the very crook against his arm strap wrapped even more appropriate around his entire arm while he counted his bating breath scanning the entire field set before him while laying flat upon the flat that was his stomach his finger wrapped complacent near the trigger second arm resting prone directly underneath to help support the rear watching the field settle with the daylight out beyond and the concurrent formation the wind was brazen fighting woefully amongst the isolated dandelions swaying them uncontrollably towards one direction only to pull them in another told Addison the direct current the wind was taking this day. "See them?", that voice was degrading. "No," Addison spoke flatly. There was movement behind him while his spotter scurried to his new location. "I do."~

Jensen swiveled the base heeding the boy's shrewd recommendation and immediately the crest topping a certain hill came into view. Jensen found the waiting unbearable and while he was left uncertain where he should first point the nozzle he hid behind the first head popped over the crest entire body declining the slope. More followed casting unsure glances over their shoulders hands full with groceries. "Their coming in hot!" Addison growled, "I see them. Now shut up.", and while the rifle now felt abnormally heavy as was accompanied by sudden adrenaline replacing his blood cells several more undesirables surfaced. "12 o'clock." Addison swiveled and squeezed, the first creature fell first accompanied by a puff of whispy gray smoke. Addison swiveled again squinting his left eye and squeezing, the second fell and so on. "Aw shit. Here come more.", several seconds had succeeded.~

Addison pulled his face away from the scope and peered across the field sweat beating his face, the survivors making one hectic beeline for the house. "Fuck procedure.", Jensen stood swinging the rifle around his shoulder and jumping from the roof to the front shed and then to the ground against the screams from the man above Jensen withdrew the pistol in his hand, tilting to one side and peered down in place until the pistol seemed secure enough for handling the first survivors had made it to the front porch. Jensen raised the sidearm plugging the first creature he saw while slowly advancing sniper rifle hanging loosely against his back pistol arm raised before him free hand clenched difficulty at his side behind him. Their screams mixed with vicious snarls were complex to his ears and until the farthest creature fell behind a puff of gray smoke Addison pulled the rifle from around and raised it turning his wait back towards the house.~

The last survivor to catch up was female, long brown hair tied into a bun on top and back her face assured, anyway, Addison placed his hand on her shoulder urging her to move while taking up the rear peering down the scope and backing up quickly. There was the slightest puff to his right so Addison swiveled left, there was another puff straight ahead so Addison swiveled right. This kept up for the most part for the next eight minutes. Addison felt the first stair against his heel, stepping up he tossed the rifle to the side withdrawing the pistol while one single creature stepped forward from the pack rushing for the stairs. "Lucy. Is. Not..-," the creature moved averting its course so fast Addison flinched. "Home..-" Addison squeezed the trigger hold in his breath and taking the leap for if he missed the creature would surely rip his chin from his face. "Motherfucker!", the creature fell being clipped at the ankle. Addison stepped from the step and crossed to the withering corpse.~

"How's that for a startling realization."~

Addison stared down into the face which held such agony and complexity the creature's pupils enlarged behind blood thickened vessels. Addison raised his pistol like that of Nazi officer, the creature snarled. "No exceptions." Addison removed the pistol staring quizzically unto the face and the creature shot its tattered arm grabbing Addison from the ankle and pulled its entire mass, or attempted. Addison tilted the pistol in his hand exploring it's functions. "H-e-ellp me.", the creature mused. "Kindly." Addison raised the pistol and blew its fucking head off.