The Beginning of the End (Zombie RP) discussion

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Arkadios had been worried. He's not talked to Arabella for over two months, the longest they've ever gone without talking. Kade really blames himself, after what he experienced... he's been distant. With his family, with Ara, they were what kept him sane. And call him an overprotective brother but he just wanted to make sure that she was all right. When meeting his parents, they told him that she would be hanging out with her friends at the mall. Now he didn't really expect to find her, but he couln't just sit back and wait for her to come home.

Kade parked his Chevy, and before exiting he stared at his glove box. He knew that his hand gun was in side, and not that he would need it going into the mall, but something inside of him told him that he would need it. So he made sure the safety was off, and then he tucked the gun behind his back and into the waistband of his jeans.

After entering the Mall, Kade then was faced with the question of, Where exactly would she be? Well obviously Ara loved shopping, the clothes, that wouldn't change with age. But, Kade never really paid attention to where she shopped. He could check the basics? Or he could even just asked a random girl where she loved to shop at. Too broad of a variety at this place. Then Kade concluded that he should start at the food court. A lot of people in the same place, and he could search the area much faster. While thinking this, his stomach began to growl. Realizing this he also concluded that he should get some food while he was there. Luckily the food court wasn't that far. Once entering the actual mall, his eyes scanned the area looking for his sister.

Zackariah hasn't had a dull moment all day.
He had, of course, tried to get another resume submitted for a job as no one seems to want to hire him. The morning had been spent talking to managers and store owers who were hiring. After that he decided to see Arabella, she was the break he needed. He didn't really know what to call their relationship but he does know that he's been seeing and flirting with her. There's no doubt in his mind that she doesn't not know his intentions to further their relationship.

They two of them somehow ended up at the mall. Zach, being the flirt and romantic he is, had his arm wrapped around Arabella. Though, if she would pull away or tell him to stop, he would. All the stress from this morning had melted away the little time he hung out with her already. "Hey," Zach said with a smile. "You wanna get something to eat?" Zach was starving but that could be because he was uses to being fed food chalk full of proteins. If Arabella didn't want anything to eat then she would have the pleasure of seeing him devour a something from the food court.

A smile curled across of Arabell'a lips as her eyes caught onto the handsome features of her newest beau. If anyone had asked her a few months ago if she would ever date a man more than ten years older than her, she would have vehemently rejected such an idea. Now? Well, perhaps she would still deny it, not wanting everyone in her life for shaming her the way she had shamed such relationships in the past. Things had really changed since then.

That strange sensation then continued to curl her stomach in a twist, quietly watching as he, Zach, wrapped his arm around her smaller frame. A shy blush appeared across of her cheeks. She didn't know why she was so much more demure about this relationship than she had been in any of her previous ones. Usually by this point, she might have already let him take her to bed. Yet, with him? No, she wasn't even sure if this even was a relationship. But, she'd enjoy the feelings he would create in her for as long as she could. A whiff of his distinct scent filled her nostrils as she leaned against his chest while they walked slowly through the mall, him having to take shorter strides to keep her pace because his legs were much longer than hers.

Pretending to dwell on his question a bit, Arabella paused in their movements, turning towards him and dancing her fingers across of his. "I think I want some ice cream," she suggested with a small laugh, staring up at him with the persistence of a child. She wasn't feeling too terribly hungry herself, but Arabella wouldn't pass up the opportunity to hang out with him like this either. Who knew when her parents would be pestering her about her whereabouts? "You can wolf down like three subs while I get myself a sundae," she grinned wider, tugging on his fingers then to lead him towards the food court.

After looking around the food court for a few minutes, he decide to grab a slice of pepperoni and mushroom pizza. After eating his delicious slice he threw his stuff away, he started to leave the court and as he was about to, he made eye contact with someone he never though he would see again. Zach.

Kade wished that he went his whole lifetime without meeting this man. This murderer. What made matters worse was that this man had his arm around his sister. His Twenty year old sister. The blood in Arkadios's body was on fire. How dare he?! He's old enough to be... well not her father but still! Kade had the urge to kill this man right now.

Kade tried to fight the urge but his body just kind of reacted. He walked toward the couple, his vision turning red. He could see Arabella turn her head but he wasn't really focused on her. When he was in hitting distance he punched Zach with a left hook. "Get your hands off my sister!"

Zach was smiling as her fingers danced on his. He knew his feeling ran deeper then he let on but that was a mater for later in life. Letting out a laugh at her comment, he shook his head. "Come on and I'll buy your sundae," he replied and directed them towards the food court. It was then that he just barely saw Kade. Kade who he hadn't seen since before his arrest. Shaking the memory from his mind, Zach looked back at Arabella and gave a little more forced smile. He never even told her about serving and his dogtags were always hidden under his shirt.

It was right when he turned back to look ahead of them that Kade's punch connected to Zach's face. His body immediately jerked back from the force and when he got himself together he was bent over rubbing his face and jaw. "Damn," he muttered. Though he had guessed Kade had every reason to hit him as it is still believed he had murdered Jay. It was such a surprise that Zach hadn't yet comprehended what has actually said. Standing up he looked at the dark hair man that had once been his brother in arms.

Shock flooded his face as he looked at Arabella then to Kade and back. "What?" he asked just to be he heard right. Zach definitely knew they didn't share a resemblance to one another but he can remember Kade saying something about a younger sister. It was when they was sent out and Kade was the newbie at the time so getting to know him was a given. Arabella had told Zach that she was twenty six, but he can't remember anything said about an older sister.

Grinning now that Zach had agreed with her, she eagerly tugged him towards the food court. The place was lively, filled with people to the brim. It was, after all, a Saturday afternoon. While people her age were likely to be around here now, she knew that later tonight they would be heading out for a night of partying. She ached at the idea of going out herself, but she had yet to figure out if she and Zach were spending the night together or not. She knew that she'd give up going to some frat party over going out with a man like Zach.

As they approached the food court, she turned her head to the side, frowning for a moment when she spotted the familiar curly head of her older brother. Immediately, she was hit with the concern of being caught with out with Zach. The lies...they would catch up with her. No, she wasn't ready for this all to fall apart just like that. A scream erupted from her lips in fear and surprise as her brother's fist swirled and knocked into Zach's jaw. Eyes were wide open, hand curling around her mouth. The commotion had drawn the eyes of nearly every person in the food court. As she moved forward to check on Zach, he bit back in shock. She too mimicked his movement, looking in between him and her brother. An uncomfortable look spread across of her features, muddled with anger and shame. Her anger, however, overpowered her worry at the moment.

"Kade, what the hell is wrong with you?" Arabella accused, stepped in between Zach and her brother. Dainty hands came up and pushed back at his broad chest in a stronger push than was expected from a weak girl like her. "You can't just go around punching whoever you like!" she pushed her finger at his chest, prodding at him. Her narrowed eyes and tight lips were enough to make her usually demure looking features more intimidating.

Kade wasn't looking at Arabella, nor did he really care about the people looking at them. All he cared about this scum bag with his hands on his sister. "You know what. That's. My. Sister." Kade could feel little Ada's hands on his chest but he didn't really acknowledge her.

"You are not aloud to be around my family after what you did. Especially my little sister." Ara was trying to push him away, so he finally looked down at her. "What are you doing with him? You stop talking to me for two months and then I find out about this guy? Ara this man is not good for you." He was in between a normal voice and a screaming voice, but he couldn't help t. How did he get her to understand that this man killed innocent people, without having to go back?

Little sister echoed in Zach's heaf for awhile before he could actually do anything. Arabella lied to him about her age but that wasn't the big problem at the moment. "Hey, I didn't do what you're blaming me for!" Zach was angry at being blamed for his friend's death when he didn't do it. The whole situation was bull because of Jay getting killed and no one wants to believe his side, the truth. "Jay was not..." Zach started to sat but cut himself off. He was still messed up a bit from his time overseas and saying anymore could trigger it for not just him but also Kade.

Zach took a deep breath before looking at Kade. He had let his grow out but so has he which is normal. It was also odd to see his old brother in arms in civilian clothes but he had never gotten to be good friends with Kade. "First of all Arabella is an adult." Zach was trying to save himselc but also Arabella. He wanted to know why she lied but then again would he of flirted with her knowing he was ten or more years older then her. No, Zach wasn't someone who prayed on young women but he can't just shake his feelings for her. "Again with me being the bad guy here?" he asked annoyed.kade waa going to blame him no matter what he guessed.

Panic flowered inside of her chest, spreading evenly throughout her veins. What was she to do now? A glance in between them showed more animosity than she was expecting. What was going on between the two? Surely, there was something else other than the fact that she was hanging around with an older guy, right? The tension that was present now, almost palpable, seemed to be about something in the past more so than what was happening in the present. Confusion flustered her in her attempt to keep her brother at bay from attacking Zach again after he clarified that Zach "did" something in the first place. So, they knew each other? Mind blown by the coincidence that the two men already knew each other, Arabella lagged a bit as she tried to keep up with them.

Flinching back, a hurt look drew across of her face as her brother yelled at her. She was a sensitive girl and did not do well when people were angry or were yelling at her. Her lip trembled for a moment as she tried to stand her ground to him. "H-Hey, asshole! You're the one that hasn't been talking to me for two months. I-I would have told you if you weren't so angry all the time!" she protested. Her eyes watered for a moment, though her hand pushed to her lids to hastily rub away the wetness. No, she wouldn't just pitifully start crying over this. Her brother was being a right asshole right now and he needed to hear it.

Inhaling deeply, Arabella turned her head over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of Zach. She hadn't wanted to look at him, too ashamed to look into his eyes after he realized that she lied about his age to him. They weren't in an awful stiuation though. People of huge age gaps dated all the time. And even so, it wasn't like they had done anything together even after two months of "being together." A questioning look was sent in his direction, pleading him to answer her honestly amidst all of the confusion that was occurring now. "How do you guys know each other? What's going on?" she demanded to know, glancing in between them.

Kade knew that if they were in a different setting, when it was only the two of them, Kade would have tried kept punching him. But his sister was there, and that was pretty much the only reason that Zach wasn't more badly injured. "Don't try and act all Innocent Zach, you were in charge of us. You were supposed to be our brother and you let Jay get killed! If not for you he would still be alive!" Kade's fists clenched and he was trying to remain calm. After months of keeping his anger at bay, it was threatening to come flooding out. "By what two years? She's not even able to drink yet. I wouldn't exactly consider that an adult." Of course Kade forgot to say the no offense part to Arabella.

But then Ara had his attention, and Kade realized then how much he had hurt her by the look in her eyes. He recognized it easily, Ara trying to hold back her tears to look strong. Shit, Kade thought. She was right, he had been angry, apparently more than he realized. Kade's expression softened, and he looked back and forth between them. But, then she brought up the question that Kade didn't want to answer. "He was my lieutenant a while back, just for a short time..." Kade looked solely on Zach now, as memorise rose to the surface. He shut his eyes tightly, just like a kid would when their were afraid of a monster coming to get them. He stepped away from Arabella, trying to clear his thoughts.

"I wasn't in charge of the team our captain was." Zach was so tired of trying to explain everything over and over again. When he was arrested they asked about what happened to Jay and it to several times telling them the story that he was finally believed. "What, if I didn't do what I done then Jay would of been captured, tortured, and killed! Jay ans you and the whole team was family. I done what I done because our captain didn't want to save him." Zach's hands where fisted and hia knuckles were white, he save his brother and his death was not his fault.

Seeing Arabella's face, he calmed down but he didn't like that she was holding back tears. "She can still decide what she wants in life," he said to Kade. Zach's face was throbbing and the start of a bruise was forming. He hated seeing her like this and he wanted to fight Kade. Kade was younger but Zach had more training so it was about evenly matched. "Yeah," he murmered. He does wish that he never signed with the army even if it got him through college. This way he would of never of met Jay, Kade or the rest of the team. He would probably be living in Ohio close to his parents and be married with his high school girlfriend.

The conversation had taken a turn that she hadn't expected. What did her brother say? Someone had gotten killed? Her eyes widened at the prospect of Zach being responsible for someone else's death. Was it murder? No, no it couldn't be. How else would her brother have known about something like that? They obviously didn't run in the same friend circles. Zach was still a few years older than her brother. Did they know each other from the army? Did Zach used to be in the army? That was the only explanation she could come up with. They had to have served together. It was the only way any of it made any sense. And both confirmed it, mentioning a time that she would never understand. Staring agape at either of them, arguing over something as trivial as her and Zach's relationship while also arguing about their past tension, she had had enough.

"That's it! Stop!" Frustratedly, she spread her hands in between them, forcing them to back away from her. There was a new look in her eyes now that she had seen either of them. While her lie to Zach had been revealed that she was not the age that she said she was, she learned that Zach had been in the army, possibly having had someone named Jay killed. "Is this not something you would tell me? Uh, like 'Oh, I'm Zach, I used to be in the army. By the way, I worked with your brother.' You know my last name is Winters. I told you I had a brother named Kade," she shook her head at him, disbelief plastering across of her face. But, then, she turned on her brother. "And you. What right do you have to show up here, acting all high and mighty, pretending to give a shit about me and what I do when you haven't for so long? Huh? You don't get to tell me what I can or I can't do. If I want to date Zach, I can. If he was just a hook up, that's my choice. Not yours. Got it?" The definitive edge in her voice made her surpass the role of mediator and rather play as the ruler in this conversation.

Kade opened his eyes now, the memories slowly sinking beneath the surface once more. Arabella was right. He shouldn't have let his anger get the best of him, like he had been for the past few months. As he thought more about the situation, she was also right about the fact that Kade could have just as easily have picked up the phone. Kade wanted to counter the argument between Zach and him... but after letting Arabella's words sink in... he would actually like to keep his life today.

"Your right Ara." He said after a beat, or two. "I just keep forgetting that you're a young woman now.... God that sounds so cheesy, but it's true. You're my little sister, my bestfriend. But, sometimes it's hard for me to just let you go." After saying this did Kade really understand that part of the reason he was so mad, was because this meant in a way, he was going to be by himself even more than he already was. His parents love him, for sure, but Arabella was his rock. He told her everything.

Even though he was trying to apologize, he couldn't help but think about what Zach had done. "Ara, I know you. I know when you're not into a guy. I know this isn't just some.... fling," he couldn't even muster the words 'hook up', "But this guy... I just think you should get to know what he's done, before you decide to date him. And don't even get me started on how old he is!"

(view spoiler)[Also sorry. I woke up early and was still kind of asleep when I posted (hide spoiler)]

Now that the anger had simmered, Zach had to lean against a wall as his started to jaw throb painfully. The adrenaline and anger had kept his mind away from the pain so now it was at full force. He knew from what Arabella was saying that he should of told her about his time overseas and what he done and who was on his team, but he was trying to forget or at least not bring it up because he was suffering nightmares about his last tour. “I know several Winters, who toured overseas and we all had nicknames for each. Besides Kade was Arkadios Winters.” Zach's nickname was the mad ox, which he had been called since his first tour and Kade, they called him AK.

"I didn't really connect the dots but after everything I also didn't want to bring up the past." Zach felted defeated and on top of it he was in pain. Who really ever wants to relive what they went through over there. He killed, he saved people, he was shot at, and one of his best friends, his brother was dead. He blamed himself for Jay but it wasn't his fault. Jay was shot by one of the men who had caught fire. While listening to Kade, Zach held a hand to his jaw just out of instinct to the pain. He should honestly get some ice so his face doesn't swell.

Kade was criticizing him again and it literally pissed Zach off. "What have I done that you hadn't?" he asked just to things clear. And his age? Yes, Zach understood that he was quite older than Arabella and if he knew she was only twenty then their relationship wouldn't of gotten as far as it has. Zach has boundaries and this once was crossed because of a lie but he cared deeply for Arabella. He would walk away if it wasn't for the sake that he wanted to be with her. “Would it make you feel better if I said I wouldn't of flirted with Arabella if I knew?” Zach wasn't trying to be mean just a little honest.

(view spoiler)[It's okay! I just wanted to let you guys know. (hide spoiler)]

She knew that this situation was beyond her or anyone's control. A series of misunderstandings was all that this was and it beyond frustrated her. Kade and Zach should have just remained very separate. She eyed both of them now, wondering if there was still time to salvage any of what was left. Would Zach back off from her because of this incident? Would this be the end of their supposed relationship? She couldn't tell at this point and that scared her. Arabella was still huffing and puffing from her earlier rant that she was red in the cheeks and a bit embarrassed by what could be read as an overreaction.

She listened to her brother, giving him the attention he needed to explain himself. And she knew he was being genuine with her. But, that didn't just brush aside the fact that he'd been trying to intervene in a matter that didn't concern him. "Then, let me get to know him, Kade. I know that you think it's your responsibility to do background checks on whatever guy I'm talking to, but you don't have to do that." A deep sigh racked her body as she turned to look at Zach in the eyes. This was going to take a lot of her pride and energy to admit this out loud. "I'm sorry, Zach. For lying to you about my age. When we first started talking, I just didn't expect this would be going anywhere. It was just a little white lie I told when we first met and all of this just..." she sighed again, shaking her head with a shamed expression. It hadn't been in her control and while she wished to tell him her true age, she fear that he wouldn't ever talk to her again. That was the one thing that she didn't want happening.

Looking up at Zach, she crept forward, hands hesitantly reaching for his. "I know this seems wrong. I'm so much younger than you...but my age doesn't change my feelings for you. I hope you can forgive me, but...I understand if you don't want to see me anymore," she admitted, eyes sadly turning away from him.

Kade honestly did feel a little better, there was a big difference between Zach openly flirting her Ara when he knew her age as opposed to him just honestly getting to know her. He was still on the fence about their relationship, and was about ready to just haul Ara's butt home, even if she was kicking and screaming, and even if she hated him for it later. But then Arkadios saw how the two reacted around one another.

You know when a couple forgets the world around them, and the just focus on the other, the look in both of their eyes told Kade exactly what he needed to know. They were falling for one another. Crap, Kade thought to himself, Ara's going to get her heart broken if this ends bad... Kade let out a frustrated sigh, he was coming to terms with the relationship, but he still didn't fully trust Zach. Their past was still haunting him, and Kade's opinion of him wasn't just going to change overnight.

Hearing Ara's confession even made Kade's stone wall crack ever so slightly. Not waiting for Zach to answer, Kade slowly walked up to couple. "Look.... whatever your decide.... I guess... You can... still date or whatever...." He let out another sigh, "Arabella's right, I can't control her love life. As much as I would like to.... It's clear to mean that both of you care about the other. But this still doesn't mean I give you my blessing or whatever.... Or maybe I am I don't know! What I'm trying to say is... I'm not going to show up yelling at you guys on your dates. Or punch you on your dates." Kade focused on Zach, and could see his face was starting to bruise from his punch. Even though Kade was supposed to feel sorry about it, seeing the bruise brought a slight smirk to his face.

Zach had his eyes closed as he listened to Arabella talk to Kade. He was relieved that she wanted to get to know him especially after this whole thing. He only hoped that the past would stay in the past for a little while longer. Opening his eyes he looked at her when she started her apology and knew it was hard for her. After a little while of knowing her Zachariah knew she was a very confident woman that had a lot of pride. He stayed silent during her whole apology, wanting to hear her out. When she started to creep towards him, Zach gave a sigh and reached out his hand towards her.

He was getting ready to speak when Kade interrupted him. He guessed Kade felt the need to say everything because it was his little sister. Zach understood where he was coming from because he too was an older brother and would be also angry that his younger sibling was dating someone over ten years older than them. He gave a nod to Kade as to say that he understands what he was saying. Although Kade was okay with him seeing his sister and not punching him on dates, Zach knew that was what he wanted to do again and again and probably felt no shame for bruise blossoming.

Looking back to Arabella, he gave her a smile and pulled her a little bit closer. “I do want to continue seeing you and I forgive you for lying.” Although two months didn't seem that long he felt a connection with her, a connection he hasn’t had in a long time. “But for your brother sake we take things slower,” he leaned in and whispered to her. Zach had no doubt in his mind that Kade would watch everything he done especially since he was believed to be a murderer.

An appreciative smile rose up to Arabella's lips. This was the behavior she was waiting for from her brother. He could always be protective, she knew, but when he behaved like this, she could see just how much he cared about her and loved her. It made her happy that he wasn't upset anymore, allbeit he was not terribly happy either about the entire situation. It was a step in the right direction and she was relieved for that. Her brother was not opposition to her anymore. He'd be the best friend that she had all these years and would support and trust her in her decisions whether he thought that she was being a complete fool or not.

Her gaze returned to Zach when he tugged her closer, bordering a distance that was a step outside of normal. Eyes turned up to observe him, watching his handsome features as he thoughtfully accepted her apology. Immediately, her pink lips spread in a wide, pearly smile, content that he had forgiven her. A small chuckle slipped from in between her lips, amused by the situation more now. This was all so ridiculous at the same time of being so serious. Her hand squeezed his reassuringly then, nodding her head when she told him, "Yes, I am completely fine with that." Her cheeks had turned that rosy shade now, blushing under the stare of both Zach and her brother. Having solved the issue, her head turned over her shoulder at her brother, feeling a bit bad about what she had just put him through. "Do you want to join us for some lunch, Kade? Zach was just going to buy me some ice cream," she mentioned, extending the offer out to her brother after exchanging looks with Zach.

Kade felt like an intruder now, here these two were going on a date, and he come in and interrupted. He thought he should interrupt, but now it felt like he was the overprotective dad sitting on the porch, reading the newspaper, while his daughter was being brought to the door with the expectation of a goodnight kiss . This awkward feeling made Kade uneasy, he began to pivot from one foot to the next, hands in his pockets. Only then did Kade realized that he still had a gun in the waistband of his jeans.

Arkadios became very nervous. Earlier his sole purpose was to find his sister, now he had to deal with the fact that he was stupid and brought in an armed weapon into the mall. What probably didn't help matters was the fact that he was seen talking to a discharged soldier. If Kade got caught, it would not go well for any of them. "That's okay, I have to get back to the house for mom and dad," Which was most certainly a lie. Kade turned to leave, but then noticed a two mall cops toward the either exists of the mall. Kade new they wouldn't be there forever, and that he could probably slip past them without getting in trouble, but he didn't want to risk it. Turning back to his sister and to Zach, "You know what? Actually a butterscotch dipped cone couldn't hurt. Right?"

Zachariah eyed Kade when he said hw should be leaving. One he didn't believe Kade would because Zach had a history and for most it didn't look good and two with their confrontation he didn't really think Kade would let Zach out of his sight. And even more shocking was when he started to leave but changed his mind. There was a lot of suspicion going through Zach's mind right now. "Alright," he said politely while grabbing Arabella's hand. He did feel a little awkward about Kade being there but he done his best to ignore it.

Leading the group to the food court, he whistled a easy and short tune over and over. It was one he done out of habit and often heard when traveling in the jeep back overseas. After a while he was always told to shut up. Seeing the food court up ahead, Zach looked to Arabella. "Why don't you so pick a table and I'll order your sundae," he suggested while giving her a big smile. Zach was probably just gonna get a sandwich to eat so he had something on his stomach. "Arkadios," he said as away of lead the way. He also used Kade's real name instead as he doubted AK was subtle and he wasn't used to Kade just yet.