Bad News From The Zones, Tumbleweeds

You and Jet spend the day in bed with intermittent trips outside to check on the perimeter. Jet tells you about his childhood and meeting the guys. Several times you start to tell him you are Cleric but something always stops you. The situation or a kiss. Such a short time together and you are completely in love with him. His smile, his lips, his kiss. You two are watching the sun set when you spot the dust from a car. You both stand and step away from each other in case it’s not the boys and you need to defend your positions.

JS It’s the boys.
OC you sure?
JS I can see the spider from here.
You look again and smile.
OC Looks like your pretty eyes are sharper than mine.
Jet wraps his arms around your shoulder.
JS Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.
You smile and steal a quick kiss as the car stops and they step out. You step away from Jet but he pulls you closer.

Party steps out of the driver door; Ghoul and Kid from the passenger’s side. Everyone is quiet and the boys look leery.

OCIM they aren’t moving closer, not talking, somethings wrong. Eight feet away and silent.
JS Jesus, what’s wrong? Jet’s arm drops off your shoulder but he takes your hand in his.
OC Something has happened, hasn’t it?
OCIM Oh God, they know, please don’t let them shoot me this close to Jet. He can’t get hurt by accident.
PP Lets go inside. Kid, check the perimeter.
Kid nods and unholsters his gun. Poison motions for Jet to lead them inside. Jet turns, still holding your hand and walks inside. Ghoul and Poison follow.

Poison closes the door and approaches you.
PP How did you find this place exactly?
JS Poison, wait a minute.
PP EXACTLY, step by step. How?
OC Well… you begin quietly.
Jet pulls you behind him and steps up to Poison. What is going on?
FG Stay out of it Jet!
Poison draws his gun and points it in your face over Jet’s shoulder.
PP Start talking! HOW?!
JS Back off Poison!
You are stunned, flabbergasted and you can’t pull your hand from Jet’s. If Poison shoots, Jet will get hurt. You start to ramble.
OC I, I don’t know. I don’t know where THIS is! Really. I ran out of supplies. I haven’t seen anyone for a week maybe more…even then I hid, didn’t talk to them.
JS Are you OUTTA YOUR FUCKING MIND?!
OC I stole some food from a trash sight, I was lost. I’ve been too afraid to talk to anyone I’ve seen. I didn’t want to get hurt or attacked. I killed a Drac and stole his batteries. I kept walking at night till the patrols scared me.
JS PUT THE GUN DOWN POISON!
Ghoul is silently watching the exchange intensely.
PP We have to know HOW Jet
JS FUCK YOU!
Jet pushes Poison, he stumbles back a few steps but never lowers his gun.
OC I saw something in the horizon and got closer saw this building, next thing I knew Jet and Kid saved my life. I still don’t know what zone this is. If you kill me now, I’d understand.

Closing your eyes, the fear of the situation paralyzing, tears falling freely from your eyes.
OCIM This is it, I’m going to die. You begin to whisper softly to Jet. I love you Jet, you are my Star Killer. Theses have been the happiest days of my life. I love you.
You wait to hear the gun fire; you repeat over and over how you love Jet. Your voice breaking by the emotion and crying.
Jet pushes Poison again, tears now visible in his eyes.
JS IF YOU SHOOT HER, SHOOT ME NEXT. I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT HER.
FG okay, that’s enough Poison.
Poison lowers his gun and turns to Ghoul.
PP Believe me now?
FG Yeah okay.
JS A test? This is some kind of bullshit test? Are you fucking kidding me?!
He turns to you and pulls you tight into his chest. You are trying to catch your breath as you sob uncontrollably.
Kid walks in to see tears in Jet’s eyes and you sobbing.
KK WOW, you made Jet cry Ghoul, you are a mean bastard.
PP It’s why we call him Ghoul.
JS You ALL suck! She never drew her gun; that alone should’ve been enough.
KK Crash King is dead Jet.
JS What? How?
FG before we get into it; take care of your girl.
PP Let’s give them few minutes.
They go outside.
PP We secure?
KK Yeah they set up some nice traps and warning devices. She must have suggested them. I’ve never seen them before. So, you pushed her hard, huh?
PP Harder then I should’ve. Jet isn’t gonna forget this you know.
FG Yeah I know.

You stop crying but Jet still holds you tight and you cling to him.
JS Are you okay Star Child? My friends are assholes.
OC No, they have no idea who I am, I get it.
JS Why didn’t you draw your gun?
OC Honestly? I was afraid you’d get hurt if he fired and I forgot about it.
Jet smiles and kisses you sweetly.
JS I love you Star child.
OC I love you Star Killer.

KK They are laughing.
FG You’ve got ears like a bat.
KK Trust me it sucks. Especially with my room next to yours.
Poison laughs as they enter the building. Jet introduces the guys to your properly.
KK Star Child? Star. Child. What happened to YN?
JS It’s her handle.
KK Seriously?
FG It’s cute.
PP I like it.
KK It’s SUCKS!
You and Jet explode with laughter, exchange a look with each other and laugh again.
JS So tell me what happened to Crash?
FG Dr. D thinks it was Cleric.
OC Cleric? You whisper going pale.
KK You know Cleric?
OC I’ve heard the name.
JS They don’t know for sure?
PP It wasn’t Korse, he was in Battery City.
FG Whoever did it, did quite a number on him. Tortured him and carved him up.
PP He knew where this place is, he could’ve told.
JS We killed another Drac.
KK When?
JS After you left, this one had a car.
OC It’s out back. We didn’t find much in it.
FG That’s what? Two Dracs here in like 2-3 days?
KK That’s too many.
JS Agreed.
PP I say we take all we can carry and head home. Avoid this place for a while.
Everyone agrees.
KK Do we really want to head out tonight?
FG I hate driving at night; always seems like a bad idea.
PP we can’t stay here.
OC Why not? I mean if it’s too dangerous to travel at night…
Your voice fading out as everyone’s attention turns to you.
KK No room.
OC We have a room.
JS You three can sleep out here.
OC It’ll be cozy.
Ghoul laughs.
KK Fuck you Star. Child.
PP Maybe if we move some things around.
KK OH Hell no, I’m not sleeping with those two.
You look to Jet for an explanation.
JS Ghoul and Poison tend to get loud when they are together.
OC Oh, OH.
OCIM There’s something not in my files.
KK Christ, they are louder then you two. Gesturing to you and Jet.
OC Why Kid, I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about. Jet has been a complete gentleman.
KK Please spare me your sexy stories.
Ghoul and Poison laugh.
PP I like her.

Everyone starts loading up the cars with supplies and moving the shelves around for sleeping space. Even though the mood has relaxed, Jet doesn’t leave you alone with anyone. Once the place is almost cleared out, you go into the bedroom.

PP Look Jet, about earlier.
JS Just save it, I really don’t want to hear it.
FG It was my idea
JS I don’t care, I don’t want to…
KK I didn’t think it’d go so far.
JS Enough! You should be apologizing to Star Child.
KK Jesus Jet, that name is awful!
JS Fuck you too KID!
Jet turns, walks into the bedroom and closes the door roughly. You turn to see him standing there facing the door. You walk over and hug him from behind.
OC I’m fine. You shouldn’t hold this against them. They have every right to protect you and their family. I’m a stranger. They don’t trust me and that’s okay.
Jet shakes his head no and he holds your hands against his chest.
JS There was no cause for that; he never should’ve pulled his gun. It was too far. I’d never do that.
OC you should accept their apology. They love you. Maybe I have cast a spell on you. You don’t know me, really. I’ve killed before. You would be safer if you left me behind and forgot about me.
Jet turns to face you
JS IS that what you want?
OC NO! But I want you safe and if something happens to you because of me. Well…I’m not sure I couldn’t live with that.
JS You won’t have to, because I’m not going anywhere without you. He pulls you into a tight hug. I know this has been sudden.
OC I’ve wanted you since I woke up in your arms. My parents told me they fell in love at first sight. I never thought that was real, till you.
You look up him, your chin on his chest. He looks down, his hair falling around his face, framing it. You smile.
OC I love you so much it hurts, you know?
JS Yeah, I know.
OC Am I saying it too much? Like it’s just not enough to express how I feel.
JS I’ll never get tired of hearing those words from you.
He presses his lips to yours, softly at first then more demanding. He pulls you down onto your bed.

FG I guess I should’ve expected that.
KK He’s taking it too personally.
PP Well, isn’t it? I mean, if someone draws on either of you I’d be mad as hell. AND that’s if I didn’t kill them for it.
FG But that’s us. Hell, he’s known her for a minute. Maybe less.
KK See? It’s what I’ve been saying. Am I wrong? Something isn’t right, is it?
PP I don’t know. She seems sincere. I think she really cares for Jet.
KK Okay but that doesn’t mean something isn’t off; just cause she likes him.
FG Still I guess we should apologize to her.
PP I agree but let’s wait till tomorrow.
KK I’m not sleeping next to Ghoul.
PP Why?
KK He always tries to spoon me and I’ve been spooned by Jet this week. I’m done.
FG I’m hurt.
He says laughing.
PP Fine. Baby. I’ll sleep in the middle.
KK Damn right you will.
Ghoul laughs.

Notes

I'm sorry if there are grammatical errors in this chapter; I had to retype it and I wanted to upload it today. Hope you enjoy it!