Alex continued shivering, oblivious to the world. The voices around him wouldn't have shocked him out of his trance, until he was shook by another, an Alsation. Alex slowly turned, and looked up towards him, tears in his eyes.

"Uh-uh-uh... ahu..." He muttered, his eyes welling up with his tears and his vision becoming difficult.

The dog looked puzzled, "Nuh?" he said, then tilted his head as if he was thinking. When he had decided what to say, he spoke again.

"Why you cryin', bunny?" he asked, in the tones of someone who thinks about every word, "I done sumfing wrong?"

Alex took a moment to look at Crash, and then sniffled, with the tears and snot which had been building up in his nose. He then shook his head from side to side, showing Crash that it wasn't his fault, but then he turned his head away and towards the ground, where he began to look depressed once again.

"What's wrong?" asked Crash, "What your name?"

"Ah... uh..." Alex couldn't speak properly. He was overwhelmed way too much and as such was unable to speak coherently, if he could even speak coherently anyway. Instead, he just continued to look away from Crash as if he was ashamed.

Crash wasn't smart enough to understand that the rabbit couldn't talk properly. Even Breech, who he normally hung around with, didn't talk to him much - most people considered him an embarrassment.

"Don't be sad, Ah-uh," he said, "You hurt? People get sad when they hurt."

Ruby moved over to Alex, putting her arm around the shaking rabbit. She smiled at him and spoke calming words, only looking up when John and Breech spoke, and when Crash spoke. Turning back to Alex, Ruby patted his back gently. "Take your time to speak...no rush. Now....what's your name man? Take your time."

Shaking her head, the vixen turned to Breech.

"I..I dunno. I really don't wanna chance it."

Alex took a moment to look up from the ground once more, and to look towards Ruby, who had put an arm around him. She was cold as well, but warmer then he was, and she was nice. Comforting. Most of the others that Alex began to notice now, like Crash, were nice too, but she was by far the most comforting. It made him feel better, slightly. But in this dreadful situation it wasnt much.

Ah uh Alex couldnt make out any proper coherent words, only grunts such as they were. He was trying his hardest to vocalise his name but couldnt manage it properly at all. His head sagged again in defeat. Ah uh. He repeated once more, trying to get it right, but found it just couldnt happen.

"One thing's for sure, that we can't stay here," said Breech.

Crash looked at Ruby, then at Alex, then Ruby again, "He not gonna talk different if'n you wait," he said, "He talk that way, you not gonna change 'im."

"I fink," he added, almost as if he was expecting to be wrong.

OOC:

Harley it is getting a bit late now, but I guess there is no harm. But I'm going to say, no additional characters from now on. Okay.

Also, sorry Harley, but I am going to push you for profiles, everyone else played along (except Cj, but his character is a special case, and we disscussed that over IM)

Anyhway...

IC:

I looked flabergasted at the badger, nomitating me the leader, still, I guess it was my fault that we where out here now... Yeah, I could lead, I was up to that.

Stretching out my newly freed paws, I had a look round at who I guess were my charges. At least someone seemed to be talking to that Rabbit now. It took one more think about of my shoulders, now I just had the matters of where we went, and of Zak.

"Okay then, um. Well, I think, that since this Zak guy let us go and all, we should give him a chance, not just follow him or anything, but he might be helpful. He seems to know the land, I certainly don't."

Gesturing to the direction that I could just about see the sea from, I gave a shrug.

"As for where we go, that seems like as good a direction as any, it's straight away from that "facility" at least."

The tracking signal has been activated...we can monitor his every move

If he does, we can follow him through the neuro reciever implanted in his brain. Thats the benefit of having such a weapon on your side. He has no idea he is just a creation...a creation built for us...

Zak gripped his head in his paws. The headaches were coming back strongly again...

~~~
OoC:
No problem, here they are...

Name: Bridget Loranski
Alias: Breech Loader
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Species: Domestic Cat
Eye Colour: Green
Fur Colour: Black, with white muzzle and tip of tail.
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 120lb
Bio: Bridget Loranski is short-tempered, paranoid, spiteful and she hates children. She has had a rough life, cumulating in her working for Robotnik on several occasions. It was he who implanted her metal bones. She's got the attention span of a gerbil in a tumbledryer, and has a tendency to attack people on impulse. Despite all these undesirable traits, she is loyal to her employers, honest in her dealings, reliable in a fight, and she never fails to complete a job.
Skills: Breech is highly agile and an excellent sprinter, despite her weight. She can climb up walls easily, and always lands on her feet. In her paws the metal quarterstaff is a deadly weapon. She is an adequate markswoman.
Criminal Record: Murder One, Manslaughter, Assassination Without A License, Carjacking, Jaywalking, Spying, Theft, Arson, Assault, Vandalism, Breaking and Entering, Bearing False Witness, Trespassing... the list goes on and on.

~~~
Name: Charles Bradley Rashin
Alias: Crash
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Species: Dog, Alsatian
Eye Colour: Brown
Fur Colour: Brown
Height: 6' 11"
Weight: 240lb
Bio: With an IQ of about 65, Crash isn't exactly the smart type. He has a real problem with telling the difference between a joke and an insult, and this gets him into a lot of trouble sometimes.
Crash is extremely loyal to his friends, and because of his simplicity he is an easy person to like, once you get to know him, and like many strong people he is loath to hurt others unless he has to defend others.
Skills: He can punch through a brick wall. It's not yet been tested, but I'd guess he could knock down Knuckles.
Criminal Record: Assault, Rioting, Causing a Disturbance in a Public Place, Mugging, Petty theft.

~~~
And BiC:

Breech nodded, and looked at Errol, "If we're gonna be working together, we should give names. I'm Breech."

"I'm Charlie, but people call me Crash," said Crash. He patted the rabbit, "This is Ah-uh."

For a moment, one might think the dog was mocking the rabbit, until they realised that he wasn't bright enough to use sarcasm.

OOC:

Harl, Zak's over the hill.

Re-read the posts por-favour.

In your own time.

OoC: I know, I just got names ixed up, that's all.

OOC:

Okay Harl, most of that's fine except for one thing...

Weight: 200lb (the extra weight is owed to the implanted metal bones in her body)

How many cats do you know with metal bones? Loose em please, these are ment to be normal people (well, normal anthros...whatever.)

IC:

I raised an eyebrow at the dog's comment. Could anyone really be that plain dim, or was he just being mean. I didn't really want to spend to much time here and now figuring out, there would be time to get to know each other later.

"I'm Errol. Errol Wood, and I really think we should head out of here now."

I pricked up my ears as at that moment, the sound of vehicles in the distance confirmed what I was saying.

OoC: Damn but you're picky... Okay, you're the GM...

BiC:
'Bugger,' said Breech, which pretty much summed it up, 'Can you guys run? Like, fast? Let's get going.'

She pulled Crash to his feet roughly. The dog didn't seem to want to leave Alex's side, and pulled him up with him.

John changed his stance, ready to run. "Point me in a direction, and I'll run."

Then, he paused for a moment, remembering Alex. He walked over to him, and knelt down. "Kid, can you walk? If not, I'll carry you."

"I... uh..." Alex managed to mutter as he suddenly found himself paying more attention to the present then he had ever before, from Crash addressing him, to Ruby placing a warn and comforting arm around him, and then to Crash lifting him to a standing position and John now asking him if he could walk.

Alex was still shaking, badly, his legs quaking as he hesitantly tried to take a step forward and walk properly, but found that he could barely do so. It took a lot of time and effort just for him to manage this, so running would be an impossibility.

Ah uh oh Alex tried to speak out.

The seven foot Crash picked up Alex and promptly sat him on his shoulders, "If you're not knowin', I can," he suggested.

I gaped as the giant german shepherd lifted the kid up onto his shoulders like that. This mutt was strong, a good guy to have around.

"Well, we should head away from the facility, so, um, that way?" I said, pointing in the direction of the ocean, just visible on the horizon

"You guys get a head start, I'm gonna grab that Zac guy and catch up"

John was somewhat surprised when Crash lifted Alex up, beating him to the punch. Saying nothing, John made certain the other kids were moving, and took up the rear of the group.

In his heart, a sense of urgency came flooding in. He wanted to run, but he had nothing left to lose. He wanted to wait for them to come, but then he thought of what he could do to help the kids. For some reason, the thought of them, and their possible futures, gave him reason. Reason to live, reason to run, reason, even, to fight!

They began to go at a decent pace, not running too fast yet. They didn't want to wear themselves out too quickly.

Ruby stared at Crash for a moment, a blank and unreadable look on her face, before giving the big dog look of gratitude coupled with amusement. She had been about to carry Alex herself, but knew that he would be too heavy for her, even in his weakened state. The vixen jogged to catch up with the others, stumbling at first as the true effects of her exhaustion hit her. It had been a while since she had been able to sleep for more than six hours a night; if she was lucky. Her stubborness at the facility had earned her many a rap on the wrists, and she had been seeked out constantly for the answers to her genetics and whatnot.

On the run like a scared little rat...geh, I'm glad daddy isn't hear to see me! Ruby thought, feeling a pang of sadness and longing for her father. Indeed, it felt shameful to be turning tail and running, when all your life you'd been taught that when confronted, you fight with your life.

But what choice did she have? Ruby knew she was too weak to do so, and would be carted straight back to where she'd come from. They might even interrogate the vixen on the whereabouts of the others! Not that she'd tell, but still...

A determined look crossed her face as she followed the others, making sure she'd try whatever she could to stay away from those.....those people.

Zak was holding his head in his paws. Obviously he wasnt in too fit - a state.

IC:
Amber followed the others, keeping a wary eye out for anything suspicous among the landscape, like dust clouds in the distnace from an aproaching car, or a large group of suddenly startled birds.
Amber didn't trust Zak still, but she decided ti stay quiet, she was too tired to argue, but she'd watch himc arefully if he came with them.

Alex had been silent for a long time, simply staring at the back of Crashs head in wonder and surprise, at how he was willing to carry Alex on a whim and without little consideration. Alex was stunned and surprised, and he didnt know what to really do or say he could only stare in disbelief. This time, now, was the first that anyone had actually been kind to him, offered a hand of support it was overwhelming and unbelievable. Alex began to silently cry again, this time not of fear, but of happiness.

The crying was silent; Crash didn't hear it. He was just glad to be of use again. There were some things he was simply too big for, and he didn't like hurting people just because someone told him to - though he would if they threatened his friends.

Helping the child made him feel a lot better.

Breech trotted a little way behind him. Although shorter than most of the group, she was fit enough to keep up with them.

As a reached the creast of the hill the Zak was behind, I could see dust being kicked up in the distance. Time was running out. I looked round for the Racoon, and saw him on the grass before me, paws over his head. He looked in almost a bad a way as that Ah-huh kid.

I stepped forward and gently laid a paw on his shoulder.

"Hey um, Zak, we are all getting outa here, you can come with us if you want, we are going to get away from those..."scientists" once and for all"

Zak jumped as he felt the paw resting on his shoulder.

The headache was dissipating...but it wasnt the first time he had suffered with them.

"I...I'm fine..." he regained his composure "Let's get out of here"

I nodded at Zak as he came back to his senses

"Yeah, that might be a good idea. It would be best if we were nowhere near when those guys got here. Come on, lets catch up to the others."

The faster of the rest of the group were already reaching the edge of the field, a low stone wall surrounded it, and beyond that, were some quite rocky grass covererd plains, and just visible beyond them, some cliffs.

Ruby looked up, pushing her bangs out of her eye, and frowned as she spotted the wall. They'd have to climb over that, and somehow find a hiding spot in the plains, which was very unlikely, seeing as there weren't any trees or bushes visible. The vixen sighed, as she caught up with the faster of the small group.

"Lord help us..." She murmured, preparing to climb the wall.

Tarka looked at the low wall and at the plains.
"Ur...I guess we either run fast or crawl, or a little of each. Or we walk. Man, I wish there was a river or something, atleast I can swim."
Tarka started climbing the wall and managed to get over it but as he made his decent he thumbled a bit and fell over the other side. Popping back up again he grumbled about his lack of climbing experience.

John was helping the others get over the wall. He wanted to be the last over, but it looked like Crash would have an easier time with the climb than most. In a way, he was glad for the break; it gave him a chance to get used to exerting himself again, because he hadn't been able to be very active for a while.

He knew he was far better off in this regard than most of the others; his body still held the high levels of endurance that he had before the facility. It looked like some of the other kids were getting tired quickly, and he was thinking about offering to carry one or two.

Ruby shut her eyes for a moment, before doing a cartwheel to build her momentum as she headed toward the low wall. As she neared it, she stopped her self and did roll, then vaulted herself up onto the top of the wall. Jumping down, the vixen smiled to herself, satisfied that her training trick had worked. She hadn't been able to do that for about a year, and was very pleased that she still held the ability to perform a stunt like that.

Pausing to catch her breath, Ruby took the time to scan the plains again. The grass was tall, and could probably hide some of the smaller persons in the group, but it wouldn't be ideal for the whole group. She squinted to see the cliffs that were at the very edge of the grassy, rocky plains, and wondered if there'd be a way to get there and hide. But looking at Alex and herself, she knew they wouldn't be able to get there in time.

"What to do, what to do...?" Ruby muttered, starting at a jog again.

Breech climbed the wall easily with her claws. When she got to the top, she helped pull Alex over, and sat him on the wall.

Then Crash climbed over the wall, and down the other side, and caught Alex as the boy dropped. He put him on his shoulders again, "We escaped!" he said happilly as Breech dropped to beside him.

Alex smiled slightly. He was being a burden, he knew it, but these other people were still helping him. He was useless, and yet they still continued to aid him, as exemplified with Crash carrying, and with Breech also helping him over the wall... and Crash was carrying him again.

Could it be because they all shared a common plight? Or because they had all experienced something similar, in the lab? Whatever it was, they couldn't have experienced anything as much as him. He was one of the first at the facility, probably because of his homeless status, and that nobody would miss or bother looking for him. He was an easy target. Was it because of the facility that he couldn't talk properly, that he couldn't even walk or run easily? Or why he was so shaken up so badly? Or was it also because of his past life before the facility... or a mix of both? Either way Alex's mind was confused, and he couldn't speak properly enought to deliberate or convey it. He couldn't only just try to keep up with reality events.

Zak hurried along "If you can get me to the others, I can lead you all to the safe location I know."

"It may not be anything special, but I know its safe from the facility"

I was running full pelt to get to the others, I wasn't that far behind now.

"You know somewhere we can go? Sounds like a plan to me, but we have to get the others there as well, and I guess they are my responsiblity sort of now..."

I shrugged as I ran toward the group and the wall in the distance

"Where is this safe place?"

Amber ran up to the wall and vaulted it, putting her hands on the stone and pushing herself over in one swift movement.
To land near the others on that side.
"Why is there never any cotherv when you need it." muttered the tabby, looking at the lengthy plain before them.
TBC

The doctor spat. "I still say we should not trust this...this Zak." he said blantally.

I could just see the old fox, that doctor guy, climb over the wall now, he seemed to be the last, but why were non of the others carrying on? I didn't understand.

"Zak! Where is this place?"

~

On the other side of the wall the rest of the group had a choice, wait for Zak and Errol, or move on.

Tarka turned and looked back at the two still over on the otherside of the wall.
"Come on, we can't be caught in the open, hurry."

Zak looked to his right and spotted what he was looking for.

"See that curve on the hill just there?" he asked, pointing to the landmark.

"Just over there is a little junky scrapyard area. The metalwork will jam their sensors"

"We'll be safe there!"

Tarka looked at the hill.
"Great more things for me to fall over." he stood there waiting for them to get over the wall so they could start towards the hill.

Zak swiftly climbered over the wall, swiftly even for a raccoon.

There was something odd about just how nimble he was. He seemed, that slight bit...too agile.

But only those taking the time to think about it would have noticed.

Leaping off, he carried on running, ready to take the lead.

"We leavin' them behind?" Crash asked Zak, "Cus people will be gettin' run out soon, you know."

To demonstrate this, Breech, who was a good sprinter, was starting to tire from the long-distance running.

Ruby, who had paused long enough to hear what Zak had said, began to take off in that direction. A rock caught her foot, causing the young vixen to stumble and wobble. Panting, she righted herself, and began to follow the others who had managed to pass her...

I clambered the wall after Zak, it was a matter of moments for me really, though not as fast as Zak was. But still, being a squirrel, it really was no effort to get over the wall. Deciding weather or not to follow Zak's advice, against the wishes of some of those he seemed to have taken the lead over, that was a tough choice.

Well, if the others didn't trust him, then, well, that would have to wait untill the heat died off, and if we could hide in the safe place of Zak's, then, well, the heat might die off. And if it was a trap, well, we escaped before!

"Okay, we head...uh...West possibly? I don't know, but um, its that way!" I pointed to the right of the direction we had just come. "Unless you don't want to of course, then I guess you can find your own way?" I shrugged, and started towards Zak's "safe place." I just hope I wasn't walking the rest into a trap, but it was their choice to follow me I guess...

The shadowy figure, Glasses, from the facility we sat in his dark office. He seemed to be watching Anime on one of his monitors, the others, only containing snow and white noise. Behind him stood a figure in a lab coat. He carried the same nervousness as the private before, but he had more of an air of knoweldge about him.

"Ahem...Sir. We have the reports from the last bio-tests before the subjects escaped. Would you like to view them?" He was greeted by a mere wave of Glasses' hand, dissmissing the large, and extensivly worked file.

"No need, Doctor. It is merly confimation of what we already know, I trust you can handle that without me." He steepled his hands, but his eyes never left the screen his animation was on. "It is what will follow that will be telling."

"You think they will follow the pattern of their predicessors?"

"Perhaps. Still, we will know, Doctor Keyvlin. You are dissmissed."

OOC:Hmm...the plot thickens
IC:
Amber paused and turned to see the squirrel just crossing the wall. The tabby was torn but fianlly decided that if it was a trap, then they would need all the help they could get. Still not trusting Zack the feline moved along side the squirrel, intent on following her to wherever the Zack guy was going.

He is proceeding exactly as planned...excellent...

He shook the memories away and carried on leading the little ban

"Wait up," a voice called. Crash was carrying Alex. He ran up, "Where we goin', anyway? Exactly, I mean. Is there food? I'm hungry."