The group walked on in complete silence, each contemplating different scenarios. They eventually came face-to-face with a large cement wall, cracked in multiple places where the blocks were stuck together. Glinting barbed wire wrapped around wooden poles 5 or so foot above them.
"So there's a wall. That must mean there is a gate or hole around here somewhere." Ashlie mumbled to herself. "Did you mean that?" Tommy asked as he pointed at a solid iron gate the same height as the wall, the bright rust visible from the ten foot distance they currently stood at.
The group walked over to the gate and Ashlie and Nick stepped up to examine the workings of the gate. Cory cast a glance over his shoulder, towards the leering house close to the center of the location. UNi's gaze moved from the two at the gate to the blond. "What is it, Cory?" He asked. "Do you see something?"
Cory shook his head. "I just get this feeling that there is something in that house. I wouldn't say it's watching us, but there is something there." He answered, turning his head back to focus on the blue haired Brit. "Come now, Carl. I'm sure it's just your paranoia acting up." Tommy spoke, his voice taking a tone of mockery and a higher tenor.
Cory's glance swung towards the taller blond. "I'm not just saying this to be paranoid. It's an honest feeling." He said. "And I've told you not to call me Carl." Tommy nodded. "Yeah uhuh." He answered,although he made no effort to continue his antics. UNi glanced down at the ground, his glasses sliding down his nose.
Nick turned to the group. "There's a lever, but it doesn't work." He spoke. "It seems we'll have to find a way to get power to it." His voice tremored slightly in horror. Cory's human eye widened, his camera eye glinting. "That means we're going away from the wall." UNi spoke, whipping his head up quickly. "How will we know to get back here?" He questioned. "We'll have to find our way back here when we have everything situated with the power." Nick stated, his dark brown eyes dulling slightly as he thought of the horrors that could await.
Ashlie looked over at Nick, inching closer to him and brushing his arm with hers. Nick glanced at her, sharing a smile. Ashlie's blue eyes shone with determination as she looked at the other three. "We'll make it through this, y'all. All of us." She spoke encouragingly. The three looked back at her, each pair of eyes reflecting a different emotion. Cory's skeptical gaze stared back at the determined one. "Who says we'll be able to fix the power? We aren't electricians." He argued.
UNi and Nick leveled their gazes on their shorter blond friend. "We just have to believe." He replied. "Come on, Cory. If you're scared, I'll stay close to you." UNi added. Cory glanced at the British man. "I don't need your comfort, UNi, thanks." He said.
Ashlie blinked slightly and looked over at Tommy. "You're unusually quiet, Tom. You aren't scared are you?" She teased. Tommy flashed a white-toothed grin at the ginger girl. "Tommy, afraid? HA!" He mocked, raising his eyebrows. "Vright, vright." Ashlie said through giggles. Nick chuckled at hearing the banter of the two. "We need to find the power for this place." He said, cutting the light-hearted tone right down to the stressed level it was before.
"Maybe we should split up. To cover more ground." UNi suggested as he focused his gaze on the two by the gate. "That isn't really a good idea. We don't know what lies ahead." Nick said, shaking his head. Ashlie looked over at the man next to her consideringly. "Maybe he's right, though, Nick. We could get more accomplished if we split up." She spoke with slight uncertainty. Nick breathed out smoothly and glanced up at the rest of the group.
"I suppose it won't hurt. Tommy, you come with me. Will you be alright with Cory and UNi, Ashlie?" He spoke after a slight pause. Ashlie nodded and looked at the British man and camera-faced blond. "They can mostly take care of themselves, but it'll be good to have the back-up." She spoke with certainty now, her voice strong and sure.
Tommy chuckled. "Oh boy. Bonding time with my favorite Twitter star!" He said lightly, causing UNi and Cory to glance his way. Nick rolled his eyes. "On second thought, Ashlie you take him." He teased, his eyes darting to Tommy before quickly focusing on Ashlie. "Uh uh, Nick! You picked your group, and I picked mine! No switches!" She argued, a laugh in her voice.
"We are in this conversation, you two." Cory spoke up. "And personally, I would much rather not having Tommy with us." He added. UNi shook his head and smiled slightly, but muttered an agreement. "Sorry Tom. You'll probably get along better with Nick, anyway." He said as he quickly shot a glance towards his friend. "I won't be offended if you don't want to be with me, guys. I like to work alone, like Batman or something." Tommy said, clearly biting back something else he wanted to say.
Nick noticed the slight anger in the blond's tone and frowned sympathetically. "Come on, Tom. Let's get a head start on this power." He stated, trying to distract his friend from his anger. "Right! Let's make it like a race! Whoever wins is the better group!" Tommy spoke in a slight monotone, although the rest of the group could hear the bitterness in the undertones of his voice.
Nick flashed a smile at Ashlie. "I say that's a good idea. What about you, Ashlie?" He asked. Ashlie returned the smile, almost cockily. "You're on. Best of luck to y'all." She answered, and with that the group dispersed into their groups and headed in opposite directions.