Axel stood quietly by as the siblings talked amongst themselves, thinking about their destination. Shelter 505... A legend to most survivors, but recently Axel had developed a belief in it. He couldn't say why, just that he was sure it was out there somewhere. Maybe it was his refusal to lose hope that the human race could be saved, but secretly Axel thought it was because he hoped against hope that his brother Zane, who had disappeared a couple years back, was there. Axel knew it wasn't likely, but not likely is a better chance than impossible.

.

At the mention of a new name, Nero, Axel drew his attention back to the conversation. A brother, most likely. Wait, had that girl just made a joke about the death of her brother? Week's blood boiled, his fists just barely managing to stay unclenched. Selena had somebody; she had her brother. That was more than Axel could say, and it enraged him that she would even consider joking about such a horrible event. As the two continued to trade joking remarks about their late brother, the ball of anger in Axel throat hardened into a diamond of pure, cold rage.

.

"If you had any respect for those you had lost, you wouldn't treat them with such casual rudeness," Axel hissed, glaring first at Maxx, then at Selena. "You two have each other, that's more than I can say. So shut up and be grateful. Stop trying to lighten your brother's death with jokes." He shoved past them, elbowing Mass in the stomach. He wasn't afraid of what they might do; he was taller than Mass by at least four inches, and considerably brawnier. And they wouldn't dare shoot him, that might bring unwanted guests. "I'm going to Shelter 505 as well, but if this is how you treat the dead, I hope I don't see you there." Valient followed his master, snarling at Nyx as he passed, then nipping Maxx's legs, just barely drawing blood with his sharp teeth.

Selena's eyes flash,"I have ever respect for those I lost." Maxx's eyes harden slightly, as Selena continues. "But life goes on without them, and I respect my brother by joking. Nero loved to play jokes and he loved to hear them, I joke about his death because it helps me cope." Selena's eyes narrow,"I can promise you this, if I could have taken Nero's spot, I would in a heartbeat." Selena glances at Maxx, flashing a small smile at him, then returning her hard gaze to the boy that had saved. "I'm sorry if I offended you, but it is how we cope. If I just sat and dwelled on it, then I would lose my mind." She frowns slightly,"I wish I had a different way to cope, I really do."

As the fox nips at Maxx, Nyx was on her feet at once, snarls rippling from her chest. Selena's hand comes down gently but firmly on the wolfdog's muzzle,"Enough, Nyx." Her voice sharp, then she glances at Maxx,"Come on, obviously time to part ways." Suddenly Nyx goes stiff, and Maxx responds,"That sounds like a lovely idea, sis. But it seems we've got a bigger threat." Over the last two years the siblings had learned how to tell the zombies apart.

The Generics had a limp, and their arms were often out in front of them, and they were slow. The Walkers had a quicker pace, and their eyes were sharpen and more alert. Ghouls' bodies were rotted away, and you could smell them from quite a ways away. Crawlers had no legs, animal zombies well were animals with a gruesome looking body. Screamers were one of the harder ones for the siblings to tell, but the Screamers had a limp but still moved pretty fast. Spitters' clothes were usually completely burned off, and had toxin slipping from their lips. Then the Brutes were larger and more muscled then the rest of the zombies, the only good advantage was that the Brutes were the slowest.

Selena's lips thin into a hard line,"Ghouls." The siblings hated the ghouls the most, they had been the ones to kill their family. The two unsling their weapons, Selena not even looking at the boy,"You can go on to wherever your heading, Maxx and I can handle these. Besides, its probably best we part ways before we get into a fight." Maxx nods as he checks his ammo,"Yeah, and before you get stabbed again, sis." Selena rolls her eyes as she pulls her gun up to check her sights,"Whatever, Maxx." While Nyx was at their side, ears up and teeth bared.

Axel would never admit it, but he was impressed by Selena's courage, standing up to him like that. And the control over the wolf dog was also quite admirable. Axel knew from experience with Valient that kind of obedience and power over an animal was hard. Axel could control Valient more strictly if he wanted, but he didn't really care what the fox did as long as he was safe.

.

Axel paused, turning back to the pair as a stench like a pile of rotting meat hit him. That smell was very distinct, very particular. Ghouls, though at Omyega they preferred the name Carcasses, for obvious scent reasons. Axel slung his backpack onto the ground, fishing through it until his fingers brushed the bullets for his pistol. He hadn't been able to reload earlier, just because it would have taken too long, but now he had time to take out several refills. He stuffed the gun with as many rounds as would fit, barely even registering the continued conversation of the siblings.

.

When Selena suggested he leave however, Axel's head snapped up. "What?! No." He stood, glaring fiercely at her. "Look, I'm sorry, alright? My people skills are lacking, as are my emotional control skills, but I'm not dumb enough to leave you two here alone. I'm helping, wether you like it or not." Valient seemed to agree, standing resolutely by Axel's side, his eyes gleaming with determination.

.

Axel glanced over Maxx's shoulder to see a pale greenish grey figure limping across the horizon. Followed by what looked like at least twenty more. Fantastic. Axel raised the gun, firing a perfectly aimed bullet that just missed Maxx's ear and hit the nearest zombie in the chest. Axel couldn't hear the thud of the zombie hitting the ground, it was too far away. He could imagine it though, and a wave of satisfaction washed over him, even though he knew there were many more.

Selena glances back at him with perhaps a hint of admiration in her eyes, and a hint of new found respect. Before she focuses back on the Ghouls, Nyx posied ready to attack any Ghoul who perhaps would get to close. Selena and Maxx release a volley on shots, shooting at the same Ghoul before moving on. The tactic did well especially on the tougher and stronger Ghoul's, who feel before the onslaught. But there were lots, and as they drew closer, Selena's gun suddenly jams. She hits the barrel, before trying again, nothing. "Bah!" Selena spats as she throws the gun aside, pulling out her bow and arrows, she had found those worked pretty well too. They were quick and she didn't have to worry about reloading.

Selena pulls back on the string, aiming, before releasing a perfectly aimed arrow that took down the lead Ghoul. She usually only used the bow for hunting, but at the moment she couldn't remember if her pistol was loaded, and she didn't want to waste time to check. So arrow after arrow flew, taking down Ghoul's. Then finally with the effort of all three humans, the Ghouls were gone. Selena lowers her bow, her sharp gaze scanning the dead zombies, nose wrinkling slightly. "God, they smell bad."

Then at the same time, Maxx and Selena look up and around, making sure no other zombies were approaching. Selena frowns,"Perhaps we should move on, find somewhere to camp for the night before the stench and sound draws more zombies here." Maxx grunts in agreement,"Bring your gun, Sel, I'll see if I can fix it." Selena slings her bow over her shoulder as she heads to snag the gun she had thrown,"It's never jammed before." She mentions as she walks back to Maxx, handing him the gun. Before glancing at the boy,"Are you going to camp with us tonight? Or are you going to keep going?"