we are the last people standing | closed

Timothy took a hit of his cigarette, blankly looking around the market that he found himself in. It wasn't overly crowded, probably because it was mid-afternoon on a Wednesday. People were busy living their lives, he knew, doing their work that they had for the town to still work. They didn't have a set government, but there was still jobs that were assigned. The jobs were mostly agricultural or hunting, which made them wealthy by trade. Money wasn't as he remembered it when he was a child, simply pieces of silver that were made that had a set number engraved into them. People vaguely remembered the customs of the old government, the one before everything collapsed around them in a world of fire and chaos. Things were more normal now, though, almost as if most of the corruption was destroyed and what survived was the better part of humanity.

He smiled at the elderly merchant as he passed, seeing her clothing that was being sold was sloppily made and it only brought worry into his heart about what would happen when she found there was no one who would buy it. Not having money and being in Newspring wasn't the worst thing that could happen to people, but it didn't get them anything lavish nor would they be praised for their accomplishments since there was none. He still handed her a few coins that he had in his pocket, what he referred to as pocket change that he had no use for, he had plenty around him regardless. Her eyes lit as she smiled thankfully, taking the money hungrily. It was a tad bit suspicious how shocked she seemed to even receive money, but he refused to acknowledge her behavior as he continued onward.

Running into someone Timothy knew wasn't a shock, since he was familiar with anyone and everyone who came and went to this city. He smiled as he recognized the back of Adrian's head, standing next to him. He looked at the stall the other was looking at. "What are you looking at?" He asked, bored and uninterested as he still asked, just for conversation sake.

---

Will knew that he was ready for the adventure that Jase and him were about to take. The nerves were still high as he checked and double checked that he had everything that he could ever need for this. He worried his bottom lip and continued to compulsively adjust the jacket he was wearing before he walked over to where Jase was, pacing back and forth as he tried hard to think about what they were doing. There was a part of him that knew that this was exactly what they needed, that he just had to convince himself this was for the good of his mother and younger sister. The other part of himself was saying how morally wrong this was, stealing was never the answer as often as the people of Derston did to the town next door. The town they were going to steal from.

"I'm going to be sick, I know I am," he said, face slightly paled and pulling at the hem of his jacket sleeves. He didn't know if he was specifically telling the fact to Jase or simply speaking out loud. He knew that he couldn't be weak and spineless about what was going to happen, especially since he was the one who originally started the beginning steps of the master plan. Taking a seat on the pad that was placed in the common room, running his hands through his untamed hair. He knew that they had to leave in the dead of night, which meant he only had a few hours to decide if he was well enough for it.

Pulling his hair into a messy bun on the top of his head looking over at the girl pathetically as he sighed. "Are you sure we can do this?" He questioned, slightly unsure as he continued to worry his lip.

Jase was sat on the floor, looking down at the pocket watch in her hand, hair askew as she bit back her tears. Her father had given her that pocket watch years ago and she kept it with her no matter where she was. He was everything Jase ever wanted to be: just, humble, good humored, intelligent, and as nice as could be. The watch in her hand only reminded her of how disappointed her father would be in the act she was about to partake in. Jase wished there was another option that didn't involve stealing, but her mother's illness was progressing everyday, and she didn't have enough money to keep buying what little medicine the town had left. Selling CD's, clothing, jewelry, and food only got her so far in Derston. Stealing from the richer citizens of Newspring was literally her last resort, so when the time came to send fresh blood into town, Jase jumped on the opportunity.

At Will's words, Jase swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to shake off how sick she felt as well. If she let the nerves get to her, Jase would definitely fuck the plan up somehow. She had to get her head in the game and just do it. It was for her mom - she had to see it all the way through.

"Yes," Jase said sternly, closing the pocket watch and sliding it into the pocket of her jeans, "And if you wanna back out, by all means, feel free. I know what I have to do, so if you wanna stay here because you're too nervous, do it." She gripped the sleeves of her jean jacket as she spoke, trying her hardest to keep a hard exterior so Will wouldn't see her cry. She refused to appear weak - not just for Will, but for herself.

"Now c'mon, let's go over the story one more time. I'll start off and you finish. Our car broke down a few miles outside of Newspring and we walked along the side of the road trying to look for help. What else?"

---

Adrian pushed a hand through his hair as he stared out at what used to be the rest of their town. The only thing remaining were the skeletons of buildings that people couldn't be damned to fix. When he and his family had came here from London, they had thought they made the best decision of their lives by uprooting and restarting in Newspring. The area wasn't as depleted as it was directly after the government and everything else went to complete shit, but it wasn't what it used to be. Merchants roamed the streets now and even went as far as selling the clothes off their backs to get money, yet those were usually people coming in from neighboring towns who weren't as fortunate as they were. Adrian's parents still worked, as did his older brother and sister-in-law. He, on the other hand, was more interested in partaking in the luxuries in life to work again. He'd gotten a job in his teenage years and worked up until just recently so he could enjoy his time and do whatever he felt like doing.

A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts and he turned to see who had addressed him - Timothy. He'd talked to him on a couple of occasions, but their friendship was hardly anything but casual conversation and Adrian wishing he could have a moment alone with him, for he found Timothy to be attractive than most. He shrugged off Timothy's question.

"You don't really care," he murmured before looking at the buildings once more, "I'm looking at what once was. It's a pity a handful of these lazy bastards won't polish those up and continue on with what we've got."

Timothy grinned, amused as he shrugged. "I asked, regardless of if I care or not shouldn't matter," he said, ignoring the way his response originally seemed slightly cold. He stared at the buildings and abandoned merchant stalls that were before them, staring blankly at them and he wondered vaguely if it once had a story to tell. "It's always easier to expand than to recreate," he said passively, though he didn't mind it at much as Adrian did though. He found himself feeling more bored than he originally was simply staring at the emptied buildings and structures that splayed in front of the pair.

His parents were quite the rich pair, always had been even before the government even collapsed. They continued their strategic planning into the collapse, finding their cold and stern ways of taking control only helped them. When they traveled to Newsprings, it was easy for them to lay claim to a multitude of the expensive houses without needing proper documentation. It was then that they set their sights on making it known that those houses were for sale and anyone who had the money could live there. They made an empire upon it, owning most of the houses and earning revenue from simply promising a working well behind the house as well as semi-running water.

His parents success was how he was able to afford walking alone on a Wednesday afternoon instead of working. It was potentially why he even liked Adrian. They both were able to relax and could easily find common ground any time they'd want. "This idea is tragically boring, though, how about some scotch? My mother and father just purchased some from an Italian merchant," he said, already ready to turn on his heel and walk toward the direction of his home with or without the other.

---

William took a sharp breath in before he let it out slowly, trying to control his breathing and level his heart. He wasn't sure if this was what panic felt like or not as he thought more and more about his mother and sister. They weren't hurt, they weren't ill. They were healthy. They didn't have any diseases or something like Jase's mom had. His sister, though, always talked about wanting to go to school, about wanting to learn more than what his mother could teach him. His mother was working jobs that he wasn't sure about, jobs that made him close his eyes and try hard to hold back disgust because he couldn't bear to think of his darling mother in that light.

The thoughts about his family seemed to calm him down more, make sure that he was aware and alert of what he was going to do. This was what had to happen for his own families safety and to lock-in their chances of maybe even going to a place where school existed and his mother never had to work again.

"Our car crashed," Will explained, leaning against the wall as he stared up at the ceiling. "We walked along to try to find someone, anyone to help. Suddenly there was crazy people who tried to steal from us, managing to get most of the important and valuable things off of us. They didn't hurt us bad, just a few bruises and scraps, but they ran away into the dead of night. We ended up there, in Newspring. We are originally from Orchid, a few cities over, we were here to see our families in Tyraid." It seemed believable enough to him, but he didn't know how much convincing it would or wouldn't take for an educated rich snob.

Jase listened closely as Will regurgitated the story back to her, nodding once he said it all the way through. "Atta kid," she said, offering him a little smile as she stood up from her spot and walked over to where he was. Jason wasn't usually a person who openly showed much affection, but for what she and Will were about to do made her feel a little desperate for it. She wrapped her arms around his slim middle, the side of her cheek resting on his chest. The guy was a fucking skyscraper, so it wasn't much of a proper hug, yet it still made her feel a little better. Jase had little history with William - they went to the same high school and saw each other around in the halls and out in public, but he was three years older than she, so just as she came into high school, he was preparing to leave. Regardless, he was familiar. He reminded her of when times were easier, when all she had to worry about was graduating and pretending to be sober as she stumbled back home from parties on a school night. Now her worries pan from her mother's dwindling health to their next meal to paying to keep the lights and water on.

"We're gonna be okay," Jase reassured softly, voice slightly muffled from her position. She wasn't sure if she was saying that to make him feel better or to make herself feel better, but either way, she felt like it had to be said. These times were tough and it wasn't uncommon to see fights break out in the streets over clothes, food, money, or any sort of supplies that someone else had. Unfortunately, it was what Derston was coming to, and there wasn't much anyone could do to stop it.

In another attempt to lighten the mood, Jase looked up at William and chuckled a little. "You wouldn't happen to remember the first time we met, do you? Back in high school? You caught me staring at you and I turned away so fast I slammed my face into a set of lockers." She didn't know why that was the anecdote of choice, but it seemed the funniest to share and talk about. Back when Jason was still fairly young, she used to think Will was the hottest thing that walked the Earth. Hey, she was fourteen, she was allowed to have dumb teenage thoughts. He was still pretty attractive years later, like hell Jase would ever voice that thought, though.

---

Adrian nodded, grinning a little. "Good point," he replied, eyes never leaving the buildings, even as Timothy spoke, "Then why the hell haven't they expanded?" He shook his head, dropping his head to kick at the ground a little at nothing in particular. There were meetings that were held a couple times a month to discuss issues in Newspring, whether it be concerns of neighboring towns or if anyone wanted to see something changed. He was surprised no one brought up the topic of expansion. He'd never speak up in them, though. Adrian only went because his parents were always front in center, not to speak, but just to be seen. He didn't like the idea of having the spotlight the entire time, so he'd either idle in the back while everyone spoke or he'd end up ditching early to find someone to hook up with.

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Adrian mumbled, following behind Timothy as he crossed his arms across his chest, "I haven't had a good scotch in ages. You sure it's none of that cheap rubbish the merchants try to sell for an arm and a leg?" He joked, nudging Timothy a little with his elbow as he grinned, a little happier now that there was alcohol being involved. There were two things Adrian loved more than his family: sex and booze. If Adrian wasn't at some pub drinking and enjoying his alcohol, he was out somewhere being properly and thoroughly fucked.

Timothy smirked, amused by the disappointment on Adrian's face as they continued to discuss the world of Newspring. It wasn't pure as most people thought, since they were still at the end of the day trying to survive. "I said it was easier, not that it was going to happen. You need patience, or to not get so consumed in all this mess, it doesn't concern us," he said, genuinely believing his statement. Everything around him that didn't revolve around him or his family wasn't important to him. He doubted Adrian cared about much outside of his family as well, since that was how most of the people in Newspring acted. Everyone was more self absorbed since that was how they had to be, especially since there was no real government or law enforcers.

It was easy to know the other was walking next to him, though he held back a scowl at how close the other was next to him. There wasn't a problem Timothy had exactly with being close physically, but he knew that there was a certain part of him that refused to accept people closing in on him. "I'm offended that you assume that my parents are as daft as to not distinguish the real thing from a fraud. I can say that it is the real thing. Now, don't ask such idiotic questions before I change my mind on this offer," he said, almost compelled to tear the other to shred.

---

William was slightly thankful for the diversion of the serious topic, the serious adventure they were about to set off on. He crossed his legs as he bit at his bottom lip, enjoying pulling at the dry skin that accumulated there. It was easier to relay old times with old friends than it was to face the present situation they were in. He couldn't think about what would happen if this was a failure, running back to his mother's run down home with his tail between his legs as he admitted to not being good enough to the two family he had left.

"You know, I thought everyone was scared of me," he recalled. It was mostly true, the fact that he was well over six foot while his peers were a head or two shorter. "I thought you were running away from me like I was a monster," he admitted, feeling foolish for thinking such things know that he knew the truth. He was aware of Jase's small crush on him, but since she never explicitly told him, he decided it wasn't his issue to confront her about it. He leaned back against the wall, wanting to catch a few minutes of sleep before they left, but knew that his anxiety wouldn't allow him to. "Why bring it up?" He asked instead of relaxing, his mind wandering off to how they were as teenagers.

Jase walked over to her backpack, digging around for the little flask of whiskey she stored in there, longing for the feel to calm her nerves more. She laughed at his recollection from high school. Yeah, a lot of people were afraid of him, but a lot of them believed that he was 'too cool' for them to even associate with. To try and preserve their pride, they just never tried talking to him. Jason had only murmured out quick apologies when she rammed into him from time to time and held conversations when she managed to talk to him. It was a shame those people didn't actually drop their petty accusations and talk to William - he was a great person. She pulled out the flask and took a sip from it, tipping it slightly towards Will's direction as an offering.

"I was running away because I felt like the biggest idiot on the face of the Earth," Jase chuckled, "I had a pretty big crush on you then, Tailor." Jase plopped down next to her backpack, crossing outstretched legs over the other, boot clad foot shaking a little. "No reason," she responded, "I was just thinking that there was a point in time where I didn't think I'd ever spend more than twenty minutes in the same room as you, but now look at us," Jason shrugged, "Funny how the world works sometimes, innit?"

---

Adrian wished he could let something like this go so easily. It should've been easy considering he didn't have to worry when his next meal was gonna come like some people from outlying towns did, but the question would still nag in the back of his mind. Why haven't they expanded? Why is no one concerned about creating a better Newspring after the terrible government collapse? When will someone show any emotion towards this? It wasn't his job to fix his town, but he'd be damned sure if he'd let it get turned into a shit show like the towns filled with citizens fighting for loaves of bread and expired lunch meat. A town as nice as Newspring didn't deserve to become something like that.

"Woah, Timothy. Hold off for a moment, yeah? I was just messing around," Adrian said, surprised at the defensiveness that came out of him, "I wasn't doubting that your parents had nothing but the best, alright?" He sighed softly as they kept walking, sliding his hands into his pockets as they continued. He'd never really known Timothy to become easily angered like that, but apparently he did. Unfortunately, Adrian was now concerned that he'd have to tiptoe around Timothy with some of his comments, seeing as he rarely had a filter.

[sorry this is so shit, i've just gotten back from work.]

Timothy sighed, automatically feeling the familiar since of regret washing over him. "Sorry, just," he said, trying to find the words or the excuse as to why he would snap at the other like that, "pride. I suppose I am just far too arrogant and don't like being tried. It happens to the best of us." He said, looking over at the other as he realised he probably made the man before him feel slightly awkward and uncomfortable. He decided it was okay for him to allow the silence to surround him after his slightly petty excuse. It didn't mean anything as he was well aware, but it still made him feel as if his behaviour was slightly more accepted to the other. He cleared his throat as he tried to think of something, anything, to feel the now suffocating space that surrounded them. "I just hate when people think of me as lesser, I do dress slightly like a homeless person," he joked, trying to bring a playful air around them as he motioned to his over sized shirt and tight jeans he insisted on wearing even when his dad jokingly called them women jeans.

[lines]

"I could say the same, though, I must admit that I was sure after the wars started, there wasn't going to be much time for meeting up with old friends," William admitted as he looked over at Jase. It was slightly terrifying to think of the two years of none stop warfare that was happening all around him, almost loosing his sister in the rush to evacuate an area that was under attack. There were far too many incidents that came during those long years, which was how Derston ended up being a poverty stricken land due to the amount of battles that were held inside it. He looked up at the wall of the house they were in, able to clearly see where a bullet hole entered into the building. "I think it was fate," he said, looking over with a grin, "so you can finally admit to me just how much love you have for me." He puckered his lips, making kissing noises as he started to lean closer to the other before pulling away. Instead of the anxiousness he originally felt, it was now replaced with the happiness that made his eyes start to squint.

Jase nodded in response to that. She hadn't spoken to any of her old friends from high school in ages. Either they moved to other sides of the city, left entirely, or chose to not speak to her. Derston was fairly small - like everyone basically knew everyone small. A lot of people knew of her mother's dwindling condition and either gave her tiny smiles in public or offered whatever food they were willing to share to her. Her mom was a schoolteacher for the longest time, having started in elementary school before moving up to the middle school for the last fifteen years. "I didn't think I'd see old friends, either. Quite surprised you volunteered for this." Jase commented casually, taking another swig from the flask. She rolled her eyes at him before stashing the flask back into her backpack. "We might as well get it on right now then, hm? Call it a good luck fuck," Jason joked, shooting a wink in his direction/

---

Adrian just watched Timothy as he began talking, letting him apologize and explain his behavior. He patted his shoulder and shook his head at him. "It's all good, mate." He wasn't really sure what to do, so that seemed like the safest bet at the moment. Adrian was often pretty awkward when it came to apologies and such, so he wished to get them over with as soon as possible to avoid feeling weird about it. "Only slightly," he replied, offering him a half smile as they kept walking. The few homeless people in Newspring were either from other towns or a handful of citizens from the town that had too much pride to seem homeless. They still wore their designer clothes and carried their designer bags. The only difference was instead of going home to their nice houses, it was their car that they called home. Everyone else around pretended as if nothing had happened, mainly to help the others keep some sort of dignity about them.