Vincent had made it all the way to the bottom floor of the apartment. He had taken a little time to look around, and from the looks of it this apartment used to house a small army of bandits. Or a large group of families that they had all killed. Vincent didn't stop to ponder it much, he left out the front door which looked like it was security locked before everything went to s**t. He was just about to leave the parking lot when he heard a shotgun go off, and the driver window of a car next to him exploded. Vincent quickly doubled back and took cover behind the car. He had a feeling he was about to meet Jim.
L-Look mister, I-I don't want any trouble or nothin'. What did you do with Tommy and Jake? The man called out. Vincent poked his head up a little just to see him. He was a tall and skinny man, but he was wearing a vest that showed Vincent his arms, one had a sleeve tattoo and both were very well-toned. But the man didn't act like a typical raider. Vincent's head was perfectly in sight, and still he didn't shoot at him. He looked scared, but Vincent couldn't exactly see very well. He had on half of a ski-mask that had a skull on it and a pair of dark tinted military grade shrapnel goggles.
You their mate Jim? He asked.
Y-Yeah, I'm Jimmy. N-Now w-what the ******** did you do to them? The man asked and raised his shotgun.
I did what I had to, Jim. They're dead. Vincent replied. Jim's reaction was a bit more calm than Vincent had expected.
Like, you killed 'em? He asked calmly. Vincent rolled his eyes.
No, the magical pink ********' elephant did. He's here to save humanity. Yes, I ******** killed them. Vincent told him. Jim actually let out a laugh.
I like you, mister. But I still gotta kill you. Can you tell me your name before I have to do this? Jim asked him. Vincent decided his odds weren't the best, since he had no ammo. But he had an idea. He stood up and dropped his gun on the floor to look at Jim.
Vincent Alexander Savoretti. At your service. He said.
How about we settle this man to man? Fist fight. Winner takes all. Vincent knew this man was a probably a bit stronger than him, but Vincent was confident his skills in hand-to-hand combat could get him through this. It was either that, or a shotgun to the face.
I can do that Jim said and set his shotgun down. He drew a bowie knife off his belt and set it down next to the shotgun. The two approached each-other.
So where'd you come from, Vincent? Jim asked.
England, you? Vincent wasn't ready for Jim to take a swipe at him. He took the hit right to the jaw, thankfully on the other side that he hadn't been hit on yet. He stumbled back and put his hand to his jaw. So it was this kind of a fight? Vincent stepped closer and went for a right hook, Jim caught it and looked at him during the momentary break.
Atlanta Georgia. You a long way from home, Vincent Vincent brought his left fist into Jim's gut, and then threw his right on right into Jim's head. Jim stumbled back. Vincent could have taken him down right there, but he let him get back up.
Yeah. I actually came to America before the outbreak. Spent a few weeks here before this all started. I lost my only friend during the outbreak Jim got up, and tried to run at Vincent with his fist, but Vincent knocked it out of the way and got him in a choke hold.
Did you - Make it - Painless? Jim asked between grunts as the two wrestled around. Vincent finally let him go, and slammed his head onto the back of the car.
Not that kind of lost. We got separated. What about you, Jimmy? Jim turned around and landed a punch right to the center of Vincent's chest. Right in the sweet spot. Knocking all of the air out of him. Vincent doubled over and started coughing. Jim wasn't as nice as Vincent. He kicked Vincent in the gut, then in the head. Vincent fell over onto his back in a daze.
Lost my brother and my girl, that kinda lost, I didn't get to make it quick. I had to bash their ********' brains in with a bat. Jim said. Vincent could hear the pain in his voice. He stood up and got back into his stance.
I'm sorry to hear that. He said before spitting out a bit of blood. They got closer and Vincent unleashed a volley of hits on Jim's stomach. Something to slow him down. He got him everywhere he could before Jim landed an upper-cut to his face, breaking his nose. Vincent stumbled back.
It ain't your fault, Vincent Vincent cracked a weak smile. That was something he always said. He thought about calling a truce, but he could see in Jim's eyes that he was dead-set on killing him. It was probably an honor thing.
So how'd you get stuck with those assholes anyway? Vincent asked him. Jim went for another punch but Vincent knocked it out of the way and swung his fore-arm into Jim's face. Breaking his nose in return. Jim stumbled back a bit.
Exactly how you said it. Got stuck with 'em. They were my family though, I guess. That's why I gotta kill you. Vincent nodded. He went for another punch, but Jim caught this one. He landed a powerful punch right in Vincent's gut. This had gone on long enough. Vincent took what energy he had and put it all into a sweeping kick to knock Jim down. He waited for him to get back up before he simply slapped him in the face to confuse him, then kicked him in the stomach. Jim fell backwards onto the car. Vincent approached him and locked his arms into place. Using Jim's own arms, he pressed all of his weight onto his throat, slowly choking him to death.
Sorry Jim, it's nothing personal. Jim actually seemed to nod in agreement. Maybe he had wanted to die the entire time. He didn't fight it. Vincent almost felt bad for what he had to do. Suddenly, Jim's eyes went wide and he pushed back just enough to choke out
what the ********] Vincent didn't loosen his grip, but he did look back to look at what Jim was looking at. A building was on fire. Vincent couldn't help but think that that had to have something to do with the man with the dog. Vincent couldn't think of anyone else that would burn down an entire building. He didn't know it, but he had let go of Jim and turned around completely. When he did realize it, he quickly whipped around, expecting a shotgun to the face. But Jim was just staring at him. Truce? At least until we figure out what that is Jim asked. Vincent nodded, but he had other plans. As Jim took a few steps forward, Vincent took his shotgun off the ground. Jim turned around to say something but stopped when he saw Vincent pointing the shotgun at him. Jim knew what was about to happen, Vincent could see it in his eyes. Vincent hesitated, then squeezed the trigger.
Vincent collected his pistol, then slung his new shotgun over his back. He looked at Jim's headless body for a moment, then searched him for ammo. He found a few shells and pocketed them before turning his attention to the apartment. He thought for a moment, then went on his way towards the burning building. Beaten and bloodied, but still very much alive for another day.