She quickly found Lucky and moved to his side. He was the safest person at of all of them to her so far.
Lucas smiled and nodded.
"If there's a sleeping problem, I can share the couch, it's big and wide enough, whoever I sleep with will just have to be at the other end." He told Lucky, his voice was scratchy.
Lucky nodded at him, plopping down on the floor and patting the open spot next to him to invite Ariella to join him. She looked more comfortable post-shower, but was clearly not ready to relax around the others. Lucky wasn't sure what he'd done to gain her loyalty, but he was glad she wasn't afraid of him.
"I don't think there's a sleeping problem, I just don't know the best way to split this up. We should be able to sleep with everyone comfortable, but none of us really know each other, so⦠there's no great solution." He looked at Ariella. "I wondered if the girls would wanna room together. It'd be you and June, and then we 3 guys can split up the couch and one of the beds between us. Or, we could do the siblings in one room, Lucas and I in the other, and you can have the couch." He didn't immediately mention that the other combo that'd crossed his mind was the siblings in one bed, Lucas on the couch, and he and Ariella in a room. Too forward. Not that anything would happen, but nobody would believe that.
Ariella took the seat next to him, combing her hair. It was relaxing to her, it gave her something to do with her twitching hands. Her hair dripped water down her shirt and on the floor. There wasn't much she could do about that.
She looked at June at the mention of them sharing a room and swallowed. She pushed herself into Lucky's side, hoping her movements would convey her answer. She didn't want to room with someone she didn't know. She also wasn't sure about sleeping on the couch. It was too in the open and she didn't know what could happen to her. She preferred to stay with someone she knew, and trusted the best she could in the circumstances. And that just happened to be Lucky.
(Have you seen the tik tok? "When mommy says stop you have to say okay mommy" "I just a baby" "You still have to say okay mommy" "I just a BABY" )
BAHAHAH no I got it that's so funny! πππ
Devon followed Lucky up to the room and hung by the door, June had been exploring a bit more, unable to stay still for to long. She came back and flopped on the couch. "Well, knowing my brother, if I managed to get him to sleep, he would just sleep on the floor rather than beside me." She hummed. She knew Dev didn't like the idea of rooming with a female, even his sister. Devon just stood quietly for a long momemt. "I thinkβ¦horse boys friend would be more comfortable with him. Me and the other guy could share the couch or something" he shrugged, crossing his arms.
"I thinkβ¦horse boys friend would be more comfortable with him. Me and the other guy could share the couch or something" he shrugged, crossing his arms.
. She preferred to stay with someone she knew, and trusted the best she could in the circumstances. And that just happened to be Lucky.
Lucky grinned at Devon. "I have a name, you know." Although 'horse boy' was hilarious.
He looked over at Ariella, who seemed to be giving every indication of agreeing with Devon. He thought for a moment and lookd back up at Lucas. "Well⦠if June is ok with it, we could put her on the couch, you two could take on of the beds, and we'll take the other. Doesn't seem fair to cram you two fellas on the couch."
Lucas shrugged and smiled.
"I'm fine with anything honestly. As long as I don't have to sleep on the floor." He told them all, giving Devon, despite his coldness, the most warm smile he could muster.
"I don't snore or anything." He reassured Devon with a small chuckle.
Devon looked at the floor, "yeah ok that works" He muttered. June rolled her eyes, "the couch is fine, heck I was asleep in the backseat of a car when you guys woke me up," She looked at her brother. "Dev doesn't snore, butβ¦he does move in his sleep" she said with a small smirk. Devon glared at her.
Devon looked at the floor, "yeah ok that works"
Lucky nodded. "Ok then. Sounds like a plan." He stood and went out to Sinjoro, digging some stuff out of his saddlebags in order to make room. He brought his belongings in and set it all in one of the rooms. "Guess I'm claiming that one." He smiled at Ariella.
He turned to Lucas as he headed back out the door. "There was a gas station the next block over I could see from the road. I'm gonna head that way, see if I can get us more food. I'll be back soon."
He walked out, walked Sinjoro out of the building and down the steps, and got into the saddle. They turned and trotted off in that direction.
Alastor let Zeus lead the way, keeping an eye on the massive ball of muscle and fluff as he sniffed the sides of buildings, searching the area for food and people.
They got to the truck pretty quickly and Ronni checked the door. It was unlocked, so she hopped up in the driver's seat and felt around under the steering wheel. Within a few minutes, she had the truck hotwired and was motioning to the fellas to hop in. The cab had enough room for all of them, if somebody didn't mind cramming into the smaller seat in back.
She motioned up the road and tapped the fuel gauge, trying to tel Alastor she knew where there was a gas station up ahead.
And how are you going to explain knowing how to jimmy a gas pump and hotwire a car? Tanya asked her.
I don't have to explain, I'm sure they'll just be glad I know how.
They got to the truck pretty quickly and Ronni checked the door. It was unlocked, so she hopped up in the driver's seat and felt around under the steering wheel. Within a few minutes, she had the truck hotwired and was motioning to the fellas to hop in. The cab had enough room for all of them, if somebody didn't mind cramming into the smaller seat in back.
She motioned up the road and tapped the fuel gauge, trying to tel Alastor she knew where there was a gas station up ahead.
And how are you going to explain knowing how to jimmy a gas pump and hotwire a car? Tanya asked her.
I don't have to explain, I'm sure they'll just be glad I know how.
"Sounds good," Alastor said, smiling gratefully at Ronni. Zeus got into the back of the truck and Alastor can see him wagging his tail excitedly from the rearview mirror.
Devon looked at the floor, "yeah ok that works"
Lucky nodded. "Ok then. Sounds like a plan." He stood and went out to Sinjoro, digging some stuff out of his saddlebags in order to make room. He brought his belongings in and set it all in one of the rooms. "Guess I'm claiming that one." He smiled at Ariella.
He turned to Lucas as he headed back out the door. "There was a gas station the next block over I could see from the road. I'm gonna head that way, see if I can get us more food. I'll be back soon."
He walked out, walked Sinjoro out of the building and down the steps, and got into the saddle. They turned and trotted off in that direction.
Lucas hurried out after him, jogging and waving.
"Hey!" he shouted in a friendly way "wait up!"
He made it beside Lucky and began walking at the same pace as the horse.
"Soβ¦" he said, trying to make conversation "I think we have a pretty good group. Ariella has obvious trust issues but probably for a valid reason, June is energetic and social, which would be good for meeting survivors and having to get supplies for anything we need to build. Devonβ¦"
He paused and an image of Devon popping into his mind, then slowly fading, like waves at the beach.
"I think he needs a while to warm up to us, see our intentions, like Ariella." He said at last.
"Sounds good," Alastor said, smiling gratefully at Ronni. Zeus got into the back of the truck and Alastor can see him wagging his tail excitedly from the rearview mirror.
Liam petted Zeus as he hopped in the back of the cab, only barely squeezing in. He gasped in surprise. "Guys!" He said excitedly. "There is a jar of peanut butter back here." He held it up.
Lucas hurried out after him, jogging and waving.
He made it beside Lucky and began walking at the same pace as the horse.
"Soβ¦" he said, trying to make conversation "I think we have a pretty good group. Ariella has obvious trust issues but probably for a valid reason, June is energetic and social, which would be good for meeting survivors and having to get supplies for anything we need to build. Devonβ¦ I think he needs a while to warm up to us, see our intentions, like Ariella." He said at last.
Lucky slowed Sinjoro down to a walk and hopped off, walking alonside Lucas. "I agree. I can't blame them for being a bit stiff. After what we've all been through, I'm surprised it's gone as well as it has." He smiled up at Lucas. "I hope you don't mind that I keep running things by you, I just-β¦ you're bigger and stronger and probably smarter, and in this kind of situation those are the things people look for in a leader."
They had made good progress, covering a couple of blocks already, and the gas station was just ahead.
Out of nowhere, a pickup truck came rumbling around the corner and pulled into the station. A short girl hopped out and began fiddling with the gas pump.
Lucky froze when he saw two guys and what looked like a German shepherd in the truck. "Lucas?" He knew what he would do on his own, but he wasn't on his own anymore.
Liam petted Zeus as he hopped in the back of the cab, only barely squeezing in. He gasped in surprise. "Guys!" He said excitedly. "There is a jar of peanut butter back here." He held it up.
Ronni started them towards the gas station, weaving around other cars and bodies in the road. Occasionally, she had to drive up on the sidewalk or through a yard or parking lot to get where she was going, but they made steady progress towards the gas station.
She glanced in the rearview when Liam found the peanut butter.
DON'T eat that! Tanya yelped.
If it's still sealed, it should be ok. Ronni had eaten plenty of things she wouldn't have even given a second look before. She reached back and tapped the lid, trying to warn him to check before he ate.
They came up to the gas station and she pulled the truck in next to a pump. She got out and was so focused on trying to get the pump to work, she didn't notice 2 men and a horse across the street.
Lucas hurried out after him, jogging and waving.
He made it beside Lucky and began walking at the same pace as the horse.
"Soβ¦" he said, trying to make conversation "I think we have a pretty good group. Ariella has obvious trust issues but probably for a valid reason, June is energetic and social, which would be good for meeting survivors and having to get supplies for anything we need to build. Devonβ¦ I think he needs a while to warm up to us, see our intentions, like Ariella." He said at last.
Lucky slowed Sinjoro down to a walk and hopped off, walking alonside Lucas. "I agree. I can't blame them for being a bit stiff. After what we've all been through, I'm surprised it's gone as well as it has." He smiled up at Lucas. "I hope you don't mind that I keep running things by you, I just-β¦ you're bigger and stronger and probably smarter, and in this kind of situation those are the things people look for in a leader."
They had made good progress, covering a couple of blocks already, and the gas station was just ahead.
Out of nowhere, a pickup truck came rumbling around the corner and pulled into the station. A short girl hopped out and began fiddling with the gas pump.
Lucky froze when he saw two guys and what looked like a German shepherd in the truck. "Lucas?" He knew what he would do on his own, but he wasn't on his own anymore.
Lucas' stomach tightened at the sight of the truck and he paused where he was.
How strange they must look, two men, one on a horse, the other walking fast next to him.
"I'm not the leader." He whispered and looked at Lucky.
"What should we do?" He asked curiously, keeping his eyes on the people filling their truck with
gas.
"I think we should talk to them, see if they're friendly, if notβ¦" he looked at Lucky again.
"We'll do what we have to do to get away and stay alive." He winced as he said this, the idea of the girl trying to attack him was questionable, but not impossible and he would hate to have to hurt her, even if it was in defense. And the dog, he realised if they attacked the dogs owner, the dog might attack them and he would have to draw a line, they would have to try to escape then, he wouldn't hurt a dog. No. No way.
He began walking forward, a polite smile on his face and his hand waving excitedly.
(Lucas: decides what to do in a crisis situation because he got told he's the leader.
Lucas, after he made a regretful decision: wHo ElEcTeD mE lEaDeR?!?)
Ronni started them towards the gas station, weaving around other cars and bodies in the road. Occasionally, she had to drive up on the sidewalk or through a yard or parking lot to get where she was going, but they made steady progress towards the gas station.
She glanced in the rearview when Liam found the peanut butter.
DON'T eat that! Tanya yelped.
If it's still sealed, it should be ok. Ronni had eaten plenty of things she wouldn't have even given a second look before. She reached back and tapped the lid, trying to warn him to check before he ate.
They came up to the gas station and she pulled the truck in next to a pump. She got out and was so focused on trying to get the pump to work, she didn't notice 2 men and a horse across the street.
Zeus practically slammed against the door of the back of the truck, barking loudly at the horse and the 2 men with it. Alastor immediately got out of the truck, and opened the door for Zeus. Before he could get a hold on the massive beast, the dog bolted past the man who was waving at them and went straight for the horse, barking happily and wagging his tail in playful delight.
Alastor jogged up to the man who had waved at them and smiled at him apologetically.
"Sorry about that. Whenever Zeus sees a horse he thinks that it's now his new best friend and playmate."
Lucas bent down, petting the dog and running his hands through Alastors fur excitedly.
"Hi!" He said excitedly "im sure glad to see you."
He stood up after a minute and looked at the stranger.
"Hello," he said, sticking his hand out for Alastor to shake. "Im Lucas, this is also Lukas, but we call him Lucky and his horse's name is Sinjoro."
"Pleasure to meet you," Alastor said, accepting the handshake with a smile. "I'm Alastor, the kid in the car is Liam, andβ¦" he glanced back at where Ronni was, his voice faltering. He hadn't known her for very long, but he could tell that she was a bit of a secretive person and didn't talk to others often. It wasn't up to him to give out her name if she didn't want him to.
"And the other one can tell you her name when and if she comes over," he finished saying, turning his bright amber gaze back to Lucas.
Lucas smiled, putting his hand back down to his side.
"Nice to meet you all." He said, honestly.
"We have a few people back that way." He said, pointing behind him "in an apartment is where we're camping."
"That's cool," Alastor said, keeping an eye on Zeus. "We were going to stock up on supplies before finding a more rural place to stay in for a while."
Ariella's spine stiffened as Lucky left the apartment. She watched as the other Lucas left as well then turned to the two siblings. She decided not to engage in conversation with them. She got up from her spot on the floor and placed her duffle bag in the room Lucky had claimed for them. Then she went to the kitchen, rummaging through it to see if she could find anything edible.
Liam watched from the back of the truck, He hadn't seen anyone for almost two weeks and now here was four new people, and Zeus. He got out an walked up to Alistor and the other guy.
Alastor jogged up to the man who had waved at them and smiled at him apologetically.
"Sorry about that. Whenever Zeus sees a horse he thinks that it's now his new best friend and playmate."
"Hello," Lucas said, sticking his hand out for Alastor to shake. "Im Lucas, this is also Lukas, but we call him Lucky and his horse's name is Sinjoro."
"I'm Alastor, the kid in the car is Liam, andβ¦the other one can tell you her name when and if she comes over."
"We have a few people back that way." He said, pointing behind him "in an apartment is where we're camping."
Lucky saw the dog coming and immediately jumped into the saddle. He knew how Sinjoro would react.
The horse reared as the dog ran up, wagging and barking, and Lucky had his hands full trying to calm Sinjoro. The dog lost interest and went over to where Lucas was talking to his owner, and Sinjoro calmed down, nickering nervously as Lucky patted his neck.
"Easy, Big Boi, you're ok."
The dog wasn't attacking, so Lucky walked Sinjoro over to the conversation, in time to hear Lucas tell the strangers where everyone else was. He stiffened, as that wouldn't have been his first move, but⦠he trusted Lucas's instincts.
I can always just shoot them all if it comes to it⦠Not a pleasant thought, but they wouldn't be the first people he'd put bullets in during the last few weeks.
Alastor, Liam, and the girl. He figured Lucas had introduced him as well, so he just nodded at Alastor and stayed quiet.
Alastor jogged up to the man who had waved at them and smiled at him apologetically.
Liam watched from the back of the truck, He hadn't seen anyone for almost two weeks and now here was four new people, and Zeus. He got out an walked up to Alistor and the other guy.
Ronni wasn't ready for Zeus's outburst, and she flinched when he started barking frantically. She looked around, reaching for her weapon, before seeing the two men and-β¦ A horse?? In NYC??
Alastor went over as Zeus said hello, and they seemed friendly, but Ronni wasn't so sure. She would have to trust Alastor's lead⦠although it made her nervous.
She could tell the guy on the horse wasn't comfortable either, so that was good. He's worried for the same reasons I'm worried. We don't know if we should trust each other⦠but if he was trying to con us or kill us, he'd be confident.
She continued trying to get the gas pump to work as Liam walked over to the newcomers. Regardless, we'll need the truck.
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