Burton

(WIP)

Burton is a father of 2, husband to Marylin. He's the one of the primary caretakers and council members of The Community. A sort of Stoic guy who does his best to keep his mind ahead of the terrors he and his family left behind. Providing a sense of security and partial leadership for The Community and establishing good relations with the Human Settlement across the river.

Burtons main role is to keep the peace within The Community and the Human Settlement. Guiding any lost humans towards their encampment and taking and Atomies that the Human Settlements happen to come across. Every once in a while, there are meetings between the Councils of both encampments where they exchange news with the lands and occasionally get goods on tab or trade.

At home, Burton cares for a small rare flock of chickens and provides eggs for a moderately high price. He's been taking Xavier around the town, trying to teach him more about what some of the expectations he'll come across when he gets older and get a sense of how important it is to have a strong personality. However, due to the strong timid nature of Xavier, Burton can't help but suppress his disappointment. He is a child after all but most children his age aren't as afraid to come out of the shadows.

When Xavier is unavailable, he shows his niece, Nora, the more complicated parts of his job, The actual handling and exchange of lost humans. Though he doesn't have her keep in contact with them for very long, he does have her write the various pages of notes and guidance lines that the human need to find the Settlement. Burton believes she has the best handwriting. 

Burton takes everything pretty seriously. In contrast to his friend Harlon, who he has to interact with once in a blue moon, but lately it seems Harlon has been coming by asking for help from Burton more and more as times goes by. 

Early Years

Burton was born in a community started up by C.C.. Burton grew up being the 1st child of his parents, followed later on by 2 twin brothers. Burton's upbringing had him follow the somewhat strict rules C.C. had set in place for the community with his parents being avid followers of it. Despite that, life wasn't bad as the rules allowed Burtons community be closer together and handle tough situations in a calm and dignified manner. He spent a lot of his young life watching his community build their town and share both the hardships and accomplishments done together. 

When Burton was in his adolescent years, he was the leader of most of the kids groups, with many ideas for playtime, having the most confidence in a group, being able to handle a crowd of kids and avoid getting them in trouble, either by means of preventing them from doing so or preventing them getting caught. He kept many of them safe and was able to see when someone was about to get injured or do something wrong. The children were kept under his watchful eye and the adults knew that they'd be ok for the most part. He would also have to watch his 2 younger brothers, not having many issues with them as they both looked up to him and would listen and obey most of what he had to say to them. This would go on for a while until he was old enough as a teenager to be entrusted with bigger responsibilities such as smaller constructions projects, like building fences, delivering goods and go on expeditions to other communities, with supervision. 

Burton would eventually meet his future best friend, Harlon, this way. However it was a rough start to their friendship as Burton was asked to keep an eye on this troublesome Atomie that's been rumored to steal in other communities. No proof was ever provided but they entrusted Burton with this task. Burton has met several bad eggs in the past but most of them would be quick to crumble under the pressure of being talked to by this larger than average Atomie. With Harlon, Burton for some reason was not able to get Harlon to kick his habits but he also wouldn't turn him in. Something about him intrigued him, the way he talked, almost fooling him several times that Harlon would stop his life of petty crime only to watch Harlon commit misdirection on some other poor Atomie. Like watching magic happen in front of him, he'd keep it a secret. Burton would lie and cover up for Harlon to his superiors under the condition that Harlon joins him in his work, not wanting him to get into major trouble and in hopes to make Harlon a better Atomie. The two would work in cart repairs and helping with delivery loading. During this Harlon and Burton hit it off together and Harlon was able to get Burton into pocketing some of the goods for themselves as a sort of additional payment for their effort. Later in their short career, they both would have to leave the community they were in when things started to get heated and Atomies started to notice their deliveries coming in short handed.

Burton thought to go back to his home community, but he was feeling a bit ashamed for letting Harlon convince him in committing crimes like that. He decided to go with Harlon back to The Slum Community, which at this point he heard that things might've changed since Harlon left it. Things were a little different now but there was a slight struggle in power in changing the dynamics of the scavenging lifestyle there. In their early 20's Harlon and Burtons would slowly drift apart when their lifestyles would also clash with what the other wanted. Burton wanted to help the community be a better place to live and settling. The two would get into disagreements about what they wanted to do in life, feeling the other was wrong the changes in that community. Burton wanted to go back to his roots in leading Atomies to a better tomorrow. He, along with others, banded together to get that communities shit together. Unfortunately, not much was able to be accomplished before the night of reckoning on that community. 

Burton was caught by surprised in his sleep, guns to his face. He was one of the 1st to be captured, a blessing in disguise as at the same time, The Disorder had begun attacking that community. Burton stayed as calm as he could and listened to orders as he was escorted abruptly outside. In the mist of the chaos, he watched his fellow Atomies running in a panic. A mix of terrified Atomies and others viciously attacking anything on sight. Any of them being shot if seen running towards any men with guns. Burton resisted the temptation to run and help them out but he saw the consequences from others trying to do the same. He was tossed into an armored vehicle with others, left to his thoughts as to what will come of him and all the others. Especially of Harlon, whom the last time he saw him, argued with him and said he didn't want to see him again.  

In the Facility

Burton comforted the Atomies in the vehicle, many which were confused and terrified, unsure if their loved ones survived. Eventually the others passed out, Burton being the only one who stayed awake during the drive which might've been hours from he could gather. 

Upon arriving in the facility, he and all the others were dragged through a process which required them to undress, sprayed in some kind of chemical shower, and given some choices of medical robes to wear. He and the others in his group were separated and examined in various ways. He maintained being calm through most of the process, despite how rough they shoved lights to his face, pushing cold object onto him and his mouth and ears, while still being able to hear the others screaming in fear and confusion. He feels a sharp pain clipped into his ear, seeing a tag hanging off of it. Then everything went dark after he felt another sharp pinch on his neck. He awakes later in a hut, greeted by another young male Atomie, Levi. Levi introduced himself and his partner, Neeva, as well as their infant daughter. They asked Burton to keep her a secret. They're positive the humans don't know about her yet but Burtons agreed to never mention her to anyone else. He also met the Neeva's older sister, Marylin. Burton could tell she wasn't comfortable having a random Atomie assigned to their hut but they both were able to get a custom to one another eventually.

Burtons first few days at the facility were, like many others, him scoping out the area and trying to get some information of his whereabouts. Burton tried to keep a low profile with engaging with Atomies when he was in the line of site of an armed guard. He learns about the process of Atomies being called out via a number that's on their tag and if they don't report, armed men come out to seek that Atomie. Taking them behind closed doors. Unfortunately it seems like the numbers are random and he can only hope he isn't called anytime soon. Especially given the rate of Atomies coming out with their mind still intact. Other than for information purposes, he settled on getting to know the Atomies around the facilities as well. Hearing their stories and figuring out how to help others with their mental anguish. Despite the difficulty and challenges that came from keeping everyone's hopes up, he helped develop a small community in his section of the facility. Atomies felt safer and were more able to accept and take care of any newcomers and Atomies that were brought out again after being called in. 

Burtons would shortly after grow closer to Marylin. The two were able to kindle a close friendship, get along very well, sharing similar goals, and able to open up to each other more than they could with any of the other Atomies around. Later forming the start of their long term relationship. During this, Burtons comes to find out Harlon is still alive, finding him snooping around in his hut. The 2 were excitingly throwing their arms around each other, like children meeting up to play. Burton was relieved to find his old friend again, a weight lifting off his shoulder as he apologized their arguments before all this. Burtons would introduce him to his new partner and the other members of his hut, Harlon looking excited but slowly dying on the inside knowing that Burton has a new partner. 

Burton continued to keep his fellow Atomies closer, while keeping any information he's gathered away from the guards and scientists that roamed the facility. Gathering more intel from any Atomies that were able to come out from behind the doors and trying to make a layout of the facility for an eventual escape. What they did was a low priority for him, though him being called on was still in the back of his head. He does not want to go through anything that will ruin everything he's worked for and end up as a different Atomie like some have become. Unfortunately, the other worst case scenario happens when Marylin is called on, Burton loses his cool and would almost attack the guards trying to take her away. Fortunately, Harlon steps and to hold him back to prevent him from doing something he'll regret. Marylin would be released earlier than anticipated, wearing a patch over her eye, but otherwise mentally unaffected. This pushed Burton to start to take action and planning out with Atomies for a means of escape. Furthering his motivation was when Harlon was officially called in, also released almost unfazed but now being told he needs to start taking a medication, Burton was hesitant on supporting Harlon's new necessities but he has seen what can happen with other Atomies when they refuse to take any required medications. It was not something he would let Harlon find out what would happen if he were stop taking them. 

Security tightened that day, word got out that things haven't been going so well behind the doors in the facilities. Despite more and more Atomies called in, Burton made note that a lot of them have been coming out without any side effects. However the air didn't feel good; Burton continued for the next several days monitoring his surroundings and reassuring his fellow Atomies that action will happen soon. Burton was starting to get a sense of the establishment and patterns around the facility, despite how random things have gotten. It was difficult keeping the maps and plan they had laid out away from the daily Hut inspectors but they were successful in doing so up to this point. Burton was finally called in. 

He was given a small but forceful examination, similar to when he 1st arrived, minus the shower. He then was made to stay in a room with nothing but a chair, a camera in the top corner, and a black window in front of him he couldn't see through. He was able to hear some talking behind the window if he lifted his ear a bit, though did not want to make it obvious he was listening in. He wasn't sure but through the other walls there were muffled screams, familiar screams that he couldn't quite remember when he heard them. He tried to remember all the details other Atomies told him about their experiences. From the room lay outs, the wait times between them, the number of people in a room at once, trying to anticipate what will come next for him. As quickly as he was brought in, he was kicked out. No information given to him. Just a shock from the sudden outside lighting after being in a dim room for too long. The only thing he was able to gather were the guards escorting him moved quicker, almost as if they were in a hurry, perhaps afraid of something. Burton returns back to Marylin, Harlon and the others. They were just as confused as him wondering why he was let go early. Perhaps luck. 

The next day wasn't as lucky. During the early sunrise, Burton was trying to inspect the guards from the early shift again. They were late. Burton and Levi that morning both felt something uneasy in the air, worse than before. Their ears shot up and heads turning towards another side of the facility. Gunshots were fire and wall was blown off with a body being thrown out by the impact of the same explosion. The same screams he heard muffled from the day before were now much clearer. They were cries of something wicked. The smoke hardly had a chance to clear until he saw an Atomie quickly come out. It was an Atomie suffering from The Disorder, the same speed and sinister look of utter anger rushing towards him, same as the ones that attacked the community sometime ago. He and the other Atomie quickly ran from it, only escape from that Disorder being shot and momentarily disabled. But Burton could hear more coming from the smoke. Many Atomies came out to find out what the commotion was. Burton started tell them to take cover, hide and defend themselves however they could from The Disorder. First place Burton rans towards was his Hut, waking up almost everyone in it, he frantically started telling everyone to grab whatever they could to defend themselves. He shook Harlon awake, the meds making him be a heavier sleeper. Bullets flew, Atomies running in a panic. Small explosions left and right from the guards resulting to having to throw grenades and flash bombs, some of the walls around the facility have collapsed. Burton tried to remember the details of the facility he was able to gather to find out which hole in the wall or windows would be best to run through but in the end they just went for the closest and clearest one to run through. 

Burton had ran 1st up the wall, pushing a body of a guard out of the way, and helped the Atomie get through the debris.  As he was pulling Marylin up the wall, a Disorder jumped towards Burtons from behind, missing him but rolling down the debris with Marylin. Burton in a panic grabbed the dead guards weapon and started trying to aim at The Disorder who was no longer on Marylin but now attacking Harlon. He had been able to get The Disorder from continuously attack Marylin but now take its focus of attack on him. Burton took the shot half hazardly when the opportunity came and managed to momentarily stun that Disordered Atomie. Burton went down to help Harlon up, covered in wounds but still able to run. Burton and another Atomie helped him up the debris. Burton looked back for a moment to see the chaos continuing to unfold as both Humans and Atomies tried to flee and fight and many more of The Disorder chase and attack them.

Burton continued to encourage all the Atomies with him to continue running, trying to make sure get as many to escape as her could. Unfortunately, Burton watched Levi and Neeva run straight ahead of the group, with their daughter still in Levi's arms, get gunned down by a panicking guard. Harlon quickly took down the guard with a heavy headbutt. Their child had only been scraped by a shot but her parents wounds were too fatal for them to continue. Burton gave Levi a sad but reassuring look before they took his crying daughter off his hands. Burton wanted to give Marylin a chance to mourn but knew they had to keep moving, making sure Marylin had the child secured on her before continuing. Burton and Harlon took the chance also to take what they could from the guard. Keys, cards, even some gum he had in his pockets, until they saw a knocked over cart near him. They grabbed whatever medical supplies they could from the cart, with Harlon stuffing all the medication he needed into a satchel near him. 

Burton and the others were able to find an exit, fortunate enough to come across any more guards or Disorder, however he knew that they would quickly be caught if they took too long catching their breath. Burton had them search the armored trucks. One had a person who was dead in their seat, gun in hand. Burton didn't think about the circumstances for long and had the body moved and urged his group to get in the back asap. He could hear The Disorder quickly approaching. He made the tallest Atomie, who could reach the gas and look over the dashboard, to take the wheel and just risk it with their lack of driving experience. Once the truck was moving, they closed the back door and drove off road until the facility was no longer visible. Burton looked around at all the Atomie in the truck, all tired and most still in shock. Marylin, holding her passed out niece in her arms, sat in the corner, looking at Burton with in both relief and distraught. Burton wrapped Harlons arms in medical tape. Then sat next to Marylin in silence, just like the others.

Present Day

The Community

Sometime after the chaos that came during the escape, Burton and the group of Atomies came along one of the many towns that were in ruins from the main events in TAOK. He and the others establish their own village near a river that a town resided near, reusing and reconstructing many of the old buildings materials. Over the next several years, they expanded the village to a gated community, where Burton and a Counsel of other Atomies led the charge to rebuilding other communities and trust between Atomies and Humans. He's in charge of negotiations and quality control between the trades of other Atomie Communities and The Human Settlement across the river. He also uses the time to guide other lost humans towards the Human Settlement and also ensures that any Atomies that find the Human Settlement are safely brought his Community. 

Many look up to Burton for his leadership and his continued efforts to keep everyone's hopes up for a better future. Many feel comfortable approaching him, over the other Counsel members,  with any problems that come up and for any issues that need looked over and fixed. With new friends and allies that he's gathered, Burton was in a good spot in his life. Later having 2 children with Marylin and continuing to raise Nora as their own. 

Family & Friends

Marylin

The love of his life, one of the first Atomies that Levi introduced him too. Their early relationship had some rough waters but overtime they realized they both had more in common than just the idea to escape. Burton admitted his feeligns to her in the facility, fully aware that it was probably never the right place to do so but she admired his humbleness. After their escape, they worked together in bringing their community closer, spending much of it side by side. They built their home together, and started a small farm there when they rediscovered chickens. Burton helps Marylin with getting her supplies to help with reconstruction and other projects she does around The Community. 

Xavier

Burton's first child they had a few years after establishing their community. His views and judgements of Xavier are somewhat clouded given he doesn't see himself much in him. He has seen Xavier have a hard time being open towards other Atomies, sometimes being bothered by how timid he comes off and his refusal to speak up, even at his current age. His worries a bit amplified as Burton often imagines what Xavier would do if The Disorder would ever come back. Would he be able to make the right decisions or freeze in place, unable to help anyone or himself. Nonetheless, Burton doesn't love his son any less but hopes that Xavier will break out of shell soon, for his own sake.

Hoffman

Burton's second child. The name Marylin picked as it was her fathers name. Burton has high hopes for him, wanting and expecting him to be more bolstering than his older brother. Though he knows his kid is still very young and doesn't put any pressure or responsibilities onto him. He allows him to do basic things in the farm such as gather eggs in a basket and "watch over" the chickens. He's not sure if Hoffman is aware what happens to the chickens when their older as he doesn't have the butchering done at the farm, however he does know which ones are Hoffmans favorites and allows Hoffman to treat those as his pets. 

Nora

His niece, adopted right after Levi and Neeva's death at the facility. He's found that Nora is also a very quiet Atomie. Marylin told Burton that it may be a trauma response from the events at the facility, even though she was still an infant. He respects her choice of being silent most of the time. He's dumbfounded how his kids and niece are all so quiet compared to others and the people they come from. He is able to talk to her and he does get her to speak up sometimes. Burton has offered her opportunities to go his trips to neighboring communities which she does. He's given her the job to write booklets and other informational pamphlets for New coming Atomies, something he's seen that allows her to communicate better with others on. He occasionally tries to get her more writing and reading materials when he visits the other communities, respecting her space when she feels overwhelmed with social interactions.

Harlon

Burton's longest friend. Knowing him since they were both teenagers. Their long and somewhat complicated history together has had him wonder how this Atomie has stuck by his side for so long despite being almost in the opposite ends of the spectrum. Burton holds a lot of cautious respect for Harlon, knowing that Harlon is a true friend through thick and thin to him but to everyone else he can be a sleazy scum bag. Burton has spent the years after helping and defending Harlon through his troubles, both community driven issues and his own personal ones. Burton still puts Harlon over almost anyone else though and risks a lot that Marylin worries about the consequences that could come if other Atomies discover what Burton has been doing for Harlon for years.