A man walked towards a small convenience store off of the road. He was quite... strange looking compared to most survivors. He was wearing leather armor that covered most of his body. But underneath was a grey digital camouflage ACU (Army Combat Uniform). He had a morning star on his belt, along with a pistol. He also had on a chainmail coif. There was a shotgun on his back, and he had a sort of monocular with a solar panel on the top over his right left eye. Under the coif there was also the basic infantry style helmet. He went over to the door, and tried to open the door. Locked. He looks around. None of the windows were broken. Sighing, he bangs on the door. He knew how careless this was, but he had gone a day without water, and he did not want to start dehydrating. After a while, he takes his morning star in hand, and breaks off the door knob. He then uses the bottom of the handle to knock the other end of it out, and swings the door open. He looks behind the desk, and finds a box of shotgun shells. He checks them, and curses to himself. They were the wrong kind. He pockets them anyway. Never know when you will need gunpowder. He looks around the store, and saw it was already mostly raided. The people must have gone out quick to miss those shells. He shrugs, and looks around for water. There were a few bottles of Dasani laying around, three empty, but he picked up four full ones, and puts them in his vest pockets. He walks out the door, and sees that his knocking brought some company. He smiles, and picks up an empty glass bottle that was close to the door, and ducks behind a beat up ice machine. He looks down the road where he came from, and tosses it down that way. It shatters not too far from the store itself. He was going to have to do this quick. After the zombies go over to check it out, and starts running as silently as he could manage, but his weight and his heavier boots made enough noise to attract some zombies to him. He sighs, and keeps walking. This was going to be a long day. When one of the zombies catches up after about half an hour, he turns around and smashes it's jaw in with a well-placed swing of his morning star. He then swings it down, and the zombie's head is turned into a pulp. The other two zombies had caught up at this point, and he took them out with a few swings. He then continued on his way, going towards Seattle.

Niko thought quietly ylto himself, he vould throw it in drive and run them all over, but that would just doom humanity. But what stopped them from shooting him the moment he got out of his truck. He unlocked the doir and grabbed his rifle and slunged it around his back. He flicked it to saftey to make sure everyone realised it. He eyed the crowd, a mixed bunch really. He noticed Clovers temper, he knew if it wasnt for that man she'd be dead. Niko took a deep breath.

"The names Niko, use to live in florida and worked in a boring cubicle. My only excape from everyone in the wold was going on month long hunting trips, when I came back well, thigs changed. Ive been in 9 other states and its been atleast 10 months since ive seen people. I thought I was hallucinating when I saw you guys."

"But dont call me stupid because of that minor mistake young girl. You'd be dead from that temper if it wasn't for him. Now ive got food, atleast a couple pounds of dried meat. We have a better chance of surviving together if you guys would all just be cooperative."

Niko sighed, he didnt think these people were gonna join him. No, not at this rate, no one seemed to like eachother.

"Or maybe im better off alone."

"Or dead." Clover muttered under her breath. Carter who was leaned against the same car gave her a hard stare but she only shrugged.

"We'll get to cooperating." Carter said to Niko still staring at Clover. "Who's next?"

Trees. Thousands of trees. An unending maze of forest. At certain points, the canopy above was so thick that Aaron was unable to see the sun. Only small little beams of light were able to penetrate through the leaves and branches. In retrospect, entering the forest was a very bad decision, though at the time Aaron was not presented with many. Things had gone south in Oakville. The situation he was presented with left him with three options. Run, hide, or die. Aaron chose to run. At the time, running north seemed like a good idea. In his mind, he thought that there would eventually be some highway or freeway. He was wrong. There were open patches from time to time. Fields and farms, even some dirt roads. Following the roads was pointless, Aaron tried once and it led nowhere, he decided to continue north instead. After about an hour, Aaron's boots were covered in mud as were the bottoms of his pants. Sweat ran down his forehead. The temperature was cool, not chilly though. That being said, non-stop walking (and some jogging) led to sweating.

After roughly five hours of almost constant travel (save for a few breaks), Aaron came across a car on a dirt road. At first glance, it looked abandoned. There were some boxes visible in the trunk and backseat, but Aaron was still hesitant to approach. For about five minutes Aaron sat in the brush observing the car, waiting for something or someone to exit it or walk towards it. No one came. The car was dirty. The passenger side door was flung open, Aaron could not determine whether or not the driver's door was open. The biggest two questions on Aaron's mind were; was the car operational? why was it abandoned?. Hopefully it worked and had enough gas to get him out of the God-forsaken forest he found himself in. Slowly, Aaron approached.

Almost instantly, Aaron regretted approaching the vehicle. Unfortunately, a walker had been lying dormant inside the car. How Aaron had not noticed it was beyond him, but once he started walking towards it, the creature noticed him. Almost instantly the typical moans and groans sounded from within the vehicle. Within about ten seconds, it had freed itself from the vehicle, stumbled onto the ground, and started trying to get back on it's feet. There was probably another ten second window before the walker would be on it's feet and walking towards Aaron. He acted quickly. In a few swift movements, Aaron drew the switchblade from his pocket, flung it out, and jammed it into the walker's forehead. The two fell over. The blade did not penetrate deep enough, because the walker was still flailing it's arms around. Aaron ripped the knife out, and began stabbing the creatures head. After about two bloody minutes, he stopped.

The little episode with the walker was great stress relief, but also relieved him of his much needed energy. Now, not only was he dirty and bloodied, but he was also exhausted. Aaron pushed on though. For another few hours he walked. When he entered the forest, it was just before sunrise. Now it would have been the afternoon he guessed. He had slept for a few hours, so perhaps an entire day had even passed. Aaron really did not know. His mind was elsewhere. Finally something happened to bring his concentration to the real world. HIGHWAY 8, it read. The walk had been Hell, but he was finally rewarded. The original goal and thought behind entering the forest was to find a nearby highway, unfortunately the nearest one happened to be what felt like 100 miles away, but was in reality only roughly 15. Aaron made his way to the guard rail and looked onto the highway. This section had a fair amount of cars on it, though not enough to block it completely. If there was a working one in the bunch, Aaron would definitely be able to drive off.

A nearby van offered some solace. Aaron checked it for any hidden occupants before entering the back. He did not close the back doors, rather, he left them open to observe the area while sitting in the back, drinking some water. His legs burned, but he was more relaxed than he had been in a very long time. "Maybe this is the start of something great" Aaron said aloud, to himself.

Nero

Nero drove the black 4x4 Ranger silently down the curving and twisting road that zigzagged around and at the some points through this mountain. It was actually ironic in a way, that the same kid he had allowed to tag along with him, was the same one who happened to be holding onto the keys of the Rover. Was a shame that kid didn't really know how to drive yet, Nero would have liked a nap inside a moving vehicle again, doubted he would sleep though anyways so what was the real point in the thought? He had lucked out this time it was not often you found a viable vehicle with some gas in it, his body almost chugged now from sitting down again, and the heat was a god send all on its on. That had been the first thing Nero had done when he got in blasted the heat, looking beside himself Shawn was fallen asleep with his hood over his face, it was probably better that he went to sleep, the kid looked like he had not slept in two days as it was. The truth was Nero understood his want to get revenge even if it cost him his own life, and a lot of memories of his first year had come back to him. An once again the only two people he actually found himself get close too, Clover and Carter, made their way back into the crevice of his mind. It had only been a short time, but it had been something bout them, something that Nero found relaxing he did not know why it was like this or what they possessed that made him feel that way.

9 Months Earlier...

Nero sat silently at the edge of the small fire, the warmth was nice in its own way even though it was always pretty hot in Georgia. Around the fire Clover and Carter were sitting silently eating out of an unmarked can. Nero just smoked a cigarette himself not really feeling all that hungry, not after the nauseating smell of those Walkers they had come across. A combination of heat plus decaying walking puss bags equaled a pretty nasty spine stiffening aroma that not even a can of febreeze and two hundred scented candles could erase from your nose.

"You know Nero those will kill you one day."

Nero looked up silently at Carter as he had that small grin on his face, he was forever scolding Nero about his need to smoke cigarettes, he was right in a way but then again then was a lot worse ways to pass on from this life.

"Given the countless other ways to die in this world alone, I think this one time, Cancer of the lungs seems the least painful in any case."

Nero became silent again as Carter took another bite from the can in his hand, even though Carter was just using that excuse as a reason to try and find a since of normality out of this hellish situation, it was nice to be able to think about something other then death. It wasn't talked about but even a month of this new world had worn them all thin to a large extent, the countless death experiences, watching people get torn apart as they screamed for life, the tears, it was enough to drive any one person insane. However all three of them plus the other few of this group seemed to make it work and get through it, at least for now anyways. Nero looked at Clover who was silent as ever, she was not one to make conversation as much as Carter, however out of the group she was the youngest and it was obvious that she was more effected by this then most. It was way to much to ask a young woman to keep a perfect composure in this new world, so Nero did not hold it against her, hell a lot of young woman had already taken their own lives to avoid it.

"Think I am going to turn in a tad early tonight, wake me when its my turn for sentry duty."

Nero silently got up and retired to his black and ragged stitched up tent, the only real place he had to himself anymore, entering he zipped up the front entrance tight and layed down on the make shift cot he had set up. He wouldn't sleep probably but resting his eye's did a lot for his energy levels, letting his eye's close to his unknown surprise he drifted off to sleep rather quickly.

"Nero have you seen Clover?"

Nero slowly opened his eye's and then almost like a reflex shot up looking around having heard the voice, however nothing seemed out of the ordinary letting his eye's adjust Carter had his head poked through the tent flap.

"What did you say Carter?"

"Have you seen Clove, I went to check on her and she is gone."

"No I have not seen her, that does not sound good."

"I am going to go look for her I will head east little ways you take west we can cover more ground that way."

Nero nodded as he shook his head to wake himself up fully, grabbing his guns he secured them around his shoulders, exiting the tent Nero went left as Carter was going right. Nero didn't like this at all, it was not like Clover to just run off somewhere, in fact it was very much unlike her that perhaps someone had a hand in this. However Nero had not been walking long before he heard a soft crying in the distance, quickening his step but keeping as silent as possible Nero moved forward removing one of the Beretta's from its holster and readying it in his hand. Nero came to the edge of a small clearing, in the center near a small lake Clover was huddled near by, slowly Nero made his way out into the clearing, it didn't seem like anyone else was here or it was some kind of trap.

"Clover?..."

Almost immediately Clover was startled and quickly wiped her eye's, bending down she dipped her hand into the small lake to make it look as if this is why she had been there in the first place. Replacing his gun in its holster but no clasping it Nero approached Clover speaking:

"What are you doing out here by yourself Clover? You had us both worried."

"I just came out to get some water, took longer then I thought it would, I am done now we can go back."



Nero smiled a little bit she was brave right up until the very end, never one to show any kind of emotion even towards Carter himself, although like Carter Nero knew better then that. It was not hard to see that it was hurting her deep inside, no matter how strong she tried to make herself look. Nero walked up to the small lake as he bent down dipping his own hand in, watching the water developed thin wave lines distorting his reflection and then slowly smoothing themselves out. Looking at Clover he spoke quietly to her.

"When I was a young man back in Italy I had a nanny for a short time named Alberta, an older woman who had a heart of gold, she practically raised me for the first part of my life. My parents were always gone on business and never had enough time for me, so Alberta was what you might call my adopted mother. She used to take me to a park where there was a beautiful small river running through it. One time I was crying near the river secretly because my parents had chosen not to come home on my birthday, to busy to care for such things. Alberta was a smart and wise old woman, she could tell that I was hurting and very much like I am now she came over to the river side and put her hand in it disturbing the water. See."

Nero put his hand back in the water as more small wave lines appeared distorting their reflections in the water, they slowly smoothed out again before the small lake became still once more.

"She told me that life was very much like water, full of waves and lines that make it hard to see the true reflection within it. There is always going to be waves in life, and that we must learn to weather them. Like the surface of this lake, the water slowly but surely smooths out and becomes still, much like life does. The water much like life does not stay distorted forever, and sooner or later the image becomes clear, and once you can see it you start to realize, that were all just reflections in a life size pool of water. One second were there and the next were not, but that is not for us to decide in the end if we are there or not."

Nero looked at Clover, she was remaining strong but the tears were slowly forming in the corner of her eye's again.

"I know that it is hard to understand it was very much the same way for me when she told me. However Alberta passed away when i was thirteen years old and I was left alone. It took me many years to finally see what she had tried to tell me that spring day in the park, do you know what that was?"

Clover silently looked at Nero as she caught his eye, the tears were there again, but she was faltering slightly now showing the person deep down inside.

"What she was trying to tell me was that the things in our life are like shimmers on the surface of water. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes it takes less time, but the shimmers eventually smooth out. Nothing bad can last forever, because like those shimmers even those things must come to an end. An when they do we finally see that the things that hurt us the most are the same things that make us strong. You are young still, still taking your steps into this world, a world that is unforgiving even more so now, and you are facing things that even grown men like me, like carter would fall to. You are becoming strong well ahead of your time, and one thing you must learn is that even the strongest must sooner or later fall. There is no shame in crying, because crying is a way to help smooth out the shimmers, and to release the pain we feel. Don't ever think yourself weak if you cry, because it takes a stronger person to cry and let it out then a person who keep its all in because they don't want to show weakness in front of others. Everything that has a beginning has and end Clover regardless of what we want to believe, but we can decide how it ends that is the only true power we have even now in this torn world. Your not alone Clover, not as long as there are people who care for you, always remember that.

Present Day

Nero silently looked over at Shawn as he slept, he was a lot like Clover in many ways and in a lot of ways he wasn't. But the thing they shared was that they were being forced to be stronger then they were prepared to be. It could not be denied that they were a lot like Nero as a kid, learning to be strong at a young age, perhaps thats why he found himself staying with Clover and Carter and why he could not deny taking this kid with him. In a way it was like looking at himself as a child and he was Alberta trying to show them that even though life is hard, there is always a way to rise above it.

With a sigh, Jack nodded at the siblings' story. He had seen things they described happen to others in his travels, and wouldn't wish some of the treatment experienced by these people from gangs on his worst enemy.
"Sometimes I honestly don't know who's worse - the monsters that caused the end of this world, or the monsters that survived it," he remarked, idly picking up a stone and skipping it into the woods. Some part of him, deep down, knew that it wasn't going to be better out west. There would still be gangs, and psychopaths, and the ever-present threat of the undead. It didn't change with the geography. But up in Cougar Rock where people were an anomaly, it wasn't so bad. For now, anyway. If there was one thing he learned, it was that this life was ever-changing; tomorrow could be a different story entirely. Taking a bite of his steak, Jack turned his attentions back to Chris and Claire.
"If you don't mind me asking, what do you guys plan on doing after this? Stay here, or move on?"

Ryan stared at the new girl who had apparently been wandering the same road as each of the others. Note to self... Roads aren't clear yet... Pretty far from it, actually He glanced to Carter who had apparently opted out of taking the crowbar, and simply put his arm down. He began to think over everything that happened, noting that Carter and Clover were obviously more focused on the other two than him. At least they finally know I'm not here to hurt anyone... I'm just glad they aren't either... He watcher Clover angrily go towards the car, sitting down on it and attempting to ignore the others. Like a little kid that doesn't get their way... Guess she is kind of a little kid, despite all of this...

Ryan looked back to Carter as he suggested everyone state their name and a little about themselves. It seemed like something from middle school, was it an attempt to calm Clover down while also finding out about their intentions? Or was it a simple coincidence that he was debating as if it were a possible conspiracy? He glanced to who he now knew as Nikko as he explained details about his past. When Nikko mentioned a large amount of meat, Ryan almost grabbed his stomach as he thought about how hungry he actually was, living off of maybe a can of food a day had lead to not expecting to eat much, but the simple idea of all the food that was there partially returned his old habits. He looked to Carter as he asked who was next.

"Like I said a bit ago, I'm Ryan... I just graduated high school and I was going to go to college. I worked on the nearby farm from time to time for side-cash while I got ready to leave. Then something went wrong, and everyone at the college is probably dead now, so I can't exactly go anymore..." He glanced down at his crowbar, deciding to say something about how his time surviving has been going. "I haven't seen anyone for at least a month until this group appeared, I've been scavenging where I can and moving from place to place. I didn't exactly keep track, didn't think it mattered much anymore, but I thought the roads were clear, and so I decided to head out here... Apparently I was wrong... Really wrong." He looked between Carter and Clover, figuring they would have to say something as well, seeing as they were also members of this random group of people that didn't know each other and couldn't be bothered to trust each other yet.

Chris and Claire, as usual, listened intently. Chris continued eating almost done with his food already. Then Jack finally asked if they were going to stay. Chris swallowed a bite and looked up at the sky pondering the question momentarily. "Well I thought we'd come up here for a couple of days, or just the night, so that Claire could relax fully for once. The fresh air, the beautiful scenery, I thought it'd be perfect. Though I think it's always best to keep moving. Eventually a horde always finds its way to you, or bandits find you and attack. And since its always just been the two of us that confrontation was not an option." He took another bite of the steak finishing it off. "But anyway. What about you? You mentioned possibly going through Ashford. Even though we went through there I couldn't tell you if it was good or not. There wasn't that many walkers, and the houses didn't look like they were all looted, so it could technically be a gold mine, but again, our stay was only about thirty or forty minutes, so I wouldn't know for sure."

Claire knew what Chris was up to. In the end he was treating this almost like an interrogation. Though Chris had a unique way of getting the answers he desired. He would let the person talk, learn things, and give only what he needed to wet there mouth. Then continued giving more slightly as they would reply and ask another question. Simple, yes, but it usually worked. She almost felt bad for Jack. He was a modest guy from what she could tell. Would they end up staying with him for a long period of time though? Or just leave in a few days after getting what they need from him? Her gaze had been set on her brother for so long she had spaced out though so she shook her head and smiled turning back to face Jack. Either way this went, her brother was always right.

For Elijah is new life was one of traveling. Now-en days he had to focus on survival and rarely got a moment to relax. He had been walking since the start never sticking in one place for to long. He had become a wanderer. He now currently traveled on a abandoned highway, all around him were abandoned vehicles with the occasional military vehicle. For now he would pay no heed to any loot unless it caught his eye otherwise he ignored it.

Elijah was currently walking a reasonable pace in his left hand he had a walking stick he used as a tester of sorts and occasionally used to be the walkers away from him. Mainly though it was used to test objects such as wood if it could hold him or just in general to help him walk. In his right hand he was taking drags on a e-hookah that he had looted a few weeks earlier. He was smoking perhaps his favorite flavor currently which was purple haze and unsurprisingly it had a grape flavor to it.

Elijah had been walking for quite sometime now. He saw a section of space cleared on the highway. This spiked his interested most of the highway had been packed but from here up there was enough room to drive a car through. Elijah stopped walking and looked around he saw the odd walker shuffling toward him. Elijah decided to take a look around this area to see if he could spot anything of interest. First though he would have to deal with the walker. Elijah put away the hookah he had and pulled out his bowie knife that was strapped to his leg. The walker was a lot closer now. Elijah rested his walking stick next to a maroon grand am. Elijah approached the walker. The walker went to grab him but Elijah sidestepped it and brought his foot crashing down upon the walker's knee, as the walker stumbled onto the ground Elijah brought his knife up to the back of the walker's head ending it. Once that was done Elijah cleaned the knife off on the tattered clothing it wore, then sheathed his knife.

Elijah then walked back to where he placed his walking stick, grabbing it he went over to the nearest pickup truck. Making sure there were no dead inside Elijah opened the tail gate. With aloud snap the tail gate snapped off and fell to the ground with a resounding crash. Elijah looked around silently cursing himself. He hoped no one or nothing had heard him. He slowly got in the bed of the truck and sat down. He took off his hiking backpack and his rifle. Opening up the back pack he dug around till he found his can opener and one of the random cans of food. Once it was open he started to eat.

Following Ryan was a short pause as the five of them simply stared at each other. The awkward silence was a thick cloud that hung in between them all. Sure they weren't at each other's throats but there didn't seem to be any improvement in their relations. Carter glanced over at the woman who seemed reluctant to say anything at all so he figured it was his turn.

"I'm Carter. I was in New York when it happened and have been surviving on the move since then." He looked over at Clover who was staring at the ground. "Same with Clover." He said, nodding toward her. He knew she didn't want to say anything. "We found her i-"

Clover cleared her throat interrupting him before he could finish the sentence. She didn't need them to know about her past. The less they knew, the less attached they became and the less she needed to worry about them in return.

"We've been traveling together for almost a year now." Carter continued, moving forward with their brief history. "Started about twenty strong until we dwindled down to just us two. Lost most of us along the East Coast with only four left by the time we hit Georgia. We left with three, heading West in pursuit of rumors of safety and a cure. Lost one more on the way here and we still haven't found what we're looking for. For now we're keeping on the road, stocking up on what we can find before we continue on our way." He stopped, looking at each of them in turn and committing their faces to memory. He had a feeling that if they all somehow got a long, they were going to be seeing plenty of each other in the near future. Unlike Clover who could take her time, he knew he'd have to get comfortable with the others quick. Their survival depended on not only each other but remaining on the move and with dark approaching and the possibility of walkers being attracted to all the noise made earlier, they needed to finish up soon. For now, that was all the information he was willing to give. When they had more time later, they could share more.

"Also... my name is Clover... not Clo, squirt, girl... Clover." She finished just as a faint noise caught her attention. She snapped her head to the right, looking down the road for the source but didn't see a thing. At this point it could have been anything... and she, like Carter realized that time was no longer on their side. It was quickly getting dark and something was coming down upon them.

...We need to move...

Niko listened as Cater explaimed himself. In truth he didn't want to grow attached to them. He wasn't going to bother with mourning a loss of one them. Niko wanted them for survival, and survival only. If they wanted his remose they would have to earn it from him, he didnt cqre if sounded cold. Not careing is what causes him to survive. He knew Clover wanted respect, she deserves it for being in a situation like. But one thing was for sure, Niko isnt gonna let her temper get in the way of living, even if it caused her death.

Niko watched as Clover turned her head. He took a look to sky, it was slowly getting dark and the clouds were rolling. The clouds were dark and bulging in water, it seemed a storm was approaching. But storms are npt the only thing darkness brought, and it isnt cold eathier. No, its dead rotting flesh eaters, who dobt care about rain.

"Okay its fetting dark, im not staying here and become a zeds buffet. Now ypu eaither hop in your car or my four door, maroon truck. If not suit yourself cause im gone."

He sat there, giving them the chance to join the hunter, and not become the hunter. He eyed them all hoping his story was convincing enough.

At the mention of a horde, Jack recalled what he remembered reading in Desmond's journal. How the lawyer's group had lived in an abandoned school for months, only to have it besieged by all accounts must have been one of the largest hordes Jack had every heard about. Desmond wrote that he had lost roughly half his men, and that the decision - his decision - to stay and fight, and die, haunted him until the day he, too, was claimed. No, for Jack, settling down in one location didn't seem wise, even if Cougar Rock had an abundant food source and a sparsity of walkers. He stood, finishing his steak, and walked back to the fire to burn another two hefty sticks in the embers, speaking over his shoulder as he went.
"Oh, I don't know. I'm sure I'll still head west at some point, after I've gotten some rest here and stocked up on available food. After that, find a trustworthy group I suppose. I mean, I'm confident I could live on my own if I had to, but.. Strength in numbers, right?" Confident that the fire would go on burning for at least a while more, Jack made his way back to the dead deer, and began by removing chunks of meat, then slicing it into strips of what would later become jerky. Noting the bloodiness of the process, he removed his black t-shirt, revealing a well-toned physique that had come about as a result of the apocalypse. Prior, the long hours in Washington and lack of nutritious meals forced him to have an average build at best.

Remembering something he saw behind the small cabin he abruptly stood, and went back in search of it. He quickly returned with a small, sharp hatchet that had been left in a tool chest out back. Holding the weapon in his left hand and placing his right on the torso of the deer, he brought the blade down on the neck, creating a deep gash in the skin and biting into the muscle. Blood squirted upwards, spraying his chest - he chose to ignore it. Jack brought the hatchet down again, this time severing the sinew and muscle entirely, marking a dull thud as it hit the bone. It took three more powerful swings before the head was severed completely, and he resumed his process of preparing the meat as if the violent - but necessary - display had never happened. Inside he retrieved some salt that he had collected, and mapped out a plan in his head to smoke and salt the meat into jerky. Going about his business in silence, he suddenly gave an absent, rueful laugh, before turning to the two teenagers with an honest expression and eyes that had seen more than their share of grief.
"I remember when my biggest problem was whether or not I had the votes," the former politician reminisced, the blood of the deer spattered across his torso.

"Nervous? Clover eyed Niko with a smirk. "Afraid of the dark are we?" She hopped off the car and began to walk back to the fuel she'd syphoned earlier, no longer interested in everyone's stories. "If you can't handle a few walkers then by all means take your leave." She picked up the supplies, turning toward their truck to drop them off. As she passed Katrina, she stopped for a second to look at her. A tall slim woman, dark skinned, seemingly Latino decent. To Clover she seemed beautiful, something rare to look at these days when everything was dark and bleak and ugly. At the same time she felt a tug in her chest... if there was anyone she really missed... it was the only other person she considered beautiful. She only hoped that the girl in front of her didn't meet the same fate. All the more reason for her to remain detached.

Clover dropped the jug of fuel into the bed of the truck before pulling the passenger side door open and turning toward the group one last time. She looked at each of them. A mixed bunch really, all of them lacking the chemistry to stick together and one person in particular sticking out like a sore thumb.

"Don't worry Niko. We can't see your pussy under that skirt." And with that Clover disappeared into the cabin of their truck, closing the door behind her. Almost immediately all the stress that'd been building up inside disappeared. It was quieter in the back seat, peaceful. Outside the window she could see the sun's light beginning to dim, slipping behind dark clouds as they billowed across the sky.

---

"Ignore her..." Carter said to Niko. "She's a bit abrasive to strangers." He slowly righted himself, leaning fully on the cane as he eyed the other three again. "Niko's right, we need to get moving. It's getting dark and I now you heard that noise earlier. I don't mean to stick around and find out what it is. So..." He finally turned toward the woman who had remained quiet where she was. "Last chance to share."

Claire had finished eating and was still watching Jack. When he took off his shirt she just giggled slightly. He said he was a politician, but he'd obviously worked off that luxury fat of his. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't dealt with guys really in any way, socially, physically, or mentally since she stabbed the one and made him choke on his own tongue...huh. She didn't really count her brother though because that was completely different. Plus she never had to worry about him trying to kill, or rape her. She finished her steak and cleaned her knife off with her jacket and put it away and then Chris handed her his knife and she cleaned that and put it away as well.

Unlike her brother she didn't know much about government not having the class yet, and never truly taking an interest, so she figured she might as well learn. Better late than never right? She got up and slowly walked over to Jack, standing behind him and out of reach from the hatchet, even though she was trying to trust him she just couldn't...plus it was just safety. If someones swinging an axe or hatchet you don't go standing in the way. As she spoke her voice was soft and nervous, but not completely nervous, more insecure than nervous. "So...Um...Jack..." If there was a chance she was stuck hanging around this guy there was no way she'd get stuck calling a man by his last name. That would be such a hassle, plus they'd be friends, not neighbors! "What was it like...You know...In the government? I mean...What were you for, against, or just in general?" She was trying to be friendly but it just wasn't her strong point, and it was probably obvious. "Um...If you don't mind talking about it that is..."

Chris had sat back and let her approach Jack. He was glad to see her trying to be nice to others for once, especially after yesterday. This was a big deal, whether or not it seemed like it to others was irrelevant because Chris knew how difficult this was for her to do. Besides, this would get some of the answers he desired if it worked out. If not that wasn't a big deal either, time gave all the answers needed, but why wait if you can get them then and there? The sky was finally dark and the stars could be seen, only blocked by a few clouds in the sky. It was a good night, and hopefully it would stay that way. Maybe this could work out, sticking with Jack and all. If he'd let them tag along. And if not then they would just have to do what they always did. Take what they needed and hope that Jack could survive without what they took.

Nero

Nero silently sat outside the Rover as he looked around the deserted road, he could feel the change in the atmospheric pressure and that was at best not the thing he wanted to deal with right now, not at all. Taking a long drag off his cigarette he spotted the storm clouds in the distance, he could hear the crack of thunder off in the distance, he was driving right into a storm. Normally this was not a big deal, especially if you were mobile, however any storm was a risk not because of the risk of crashing but more the Walkers. For some reason storms seemed to draw them out in to the open more much like night time did, maybe it was the cool air maybe it was because the sun was gone, the truth was he didn't truly know the real reason. All he knew is that the Walkers would get all riled up and running into a large horde of them now was not something he wanted to do if he could avoid it. Not like the one him, Clover and Carter had run into, that was the whole reason he was not with them now, the whole reason he didn't know if they were alive yet right now or not. Looking back on it now he was amazed that he had even survived that night, he should have been dead, but perhaps if there was a god above watching, he had been merciful that night.

9 Months ago...

Nero silently lay in his tent, the rain outside was pounding pretty hard, in fact he was surprised that his tent had held up at all as shitty as it was. But he was not complaining at least he was warm and dry, he was too old to be catching the flu or some shit. Laying there he thought about the conversation he had with Clover at the lake the night before.

"Thats so stupid Nero..."

Nero let a small smile hit his face, she was not afraid to tell it how it was, then again it felt more like a cover then anything else to conceal the fact that he had helped her at least a little bit last night.

"Help us!"

Nero shot straight up from his make shift cot as he had heard the distressed voice, even through the rain fall it was precise and clear. Almost like instinct Nero grabbed his weapons nearby and quickly secured them on his body, swinging his coat around his body he quickly unclasped each of his Beretta's and quickly unzipped his tent running outside, the rain was cool as he was side swiped by a ferocious wall of wind and rain. Shielding his eye's from the whipping rain Nero saw Clover and Carter also emerging from their tents, quickly making his way to them he yelled over the storm.

"Did you hear that or am I imagining things!?"

Nero didn't get an answer both Clover and Carter were looking on into the darkness of the surrounding woods, the thunder cracked hard and lightening lite up the area for a split second. It was silent now but Nero could feel the hair on the back of his neck standing up as he looked with Clover and Carter in the direction of the scream they had all heard, but there was no other sound now. Perhaps it was just a trick of the storm, but if it had been then they both heard it too which meant the chances were slim that it was just Nero hearing things. Keeping his eye's trained on the dark terrain before him, Nero swore he saw movement out there but he could not be sure. As the thunder cracked loudly again, Nero suddenly heard something in the rain, slowly turning his head behind him, the lightening lite the ground up for a split second but that had been all he needed as his eye's widened. The ground illuminated Nero saw the biggest group of Walkers he had seen yet making their way into the camp ground.

"Nero?"

Nero broke out his memory quickly as he looked sideways, Shawn was standing beside him now looking at him in a weird and confused way. Looking down the cigarette in Nero's hand had put itself out having reached the filter, Nero slowly let the cigarette drop out of his hand as he looked at Shawn.

"Time to go Shawn get back in."

Shawn

Shawn cocked his head slightly as he watched Nero turn and walk past him, he had only woken moments ago and noticed they had stopped, Nero was outside the vehicle shaking for some odd reason. That was odd to Shawn, maybe it was normal for him to shake like that or something, but he didn't think that was the case they way he had so quickly dismissed it for them to leave. Shawn silently obeyed as he got back into the Rover and they both got back onto the road again, they were nearly out of the park now it seemed, they would getting onto the main highway soon. Shawn realized that he must have been asleep for awhile, or perhaps he was too tired to realize where they were before, however seeing the sun setting he must have been out for a short time at least. They drove along silently for a short time, looking over at Nero he seemed like something was wrong, or maybe Shawn was just making up things in his head, looking down for a minute he suddenly spoke.

"Are you ok?"

Looking up Nero had not drawn his eye's from the road to peer at him but he spoke none the less.

"I am fine why do you ask kid?"

As Nero looked over at him Shawn diverted his gaze not wanting to make eye contact, the moment before where Nero had changed so quickly had scared him more then he wanted to admit.

"You were shaking before as if you were really cold, before we got back in the vehicle, almost like you were scared of something."

Shawn slowly looked up again as Nero was no longer looking at him, he was looking straight ahead at the road now, but he seemed rather tense now or at least it looked that way. Shawn shied his eye's away again, he just angered him somehow and his fright was starting to creep up on him. If he made him angry then Nero might abandon him or worse. Shawn just became quiet, they went along this way for a short time without any words between either one of them. However the sudden sound of Nero's voice surprised Shawn as he looked up.

"There is a storm coming towards us."

That was all Nero said before becoming silent again, Shawn didn't understand why this would affect Nero like it did, or perhaps this was just how he was all the time. The truth behind the matter was Shawn knew virtually nothing about Nero, he didn't even know if he was sitting next to a murderer or someone who had done some truly bad things before this. All he knew is that the man was nice enough to help him, it didn't take the fright out of his body but it did give him a little hope that he could feel safe again.

"Is that a big problem? The storms this time of year don't usually get too bad we should be fine."

Shawn felt the coldness again in the air and that subtle fear gripping him, perhaps it was just better that he didn't talk at all he felt like he was making Nero mad with the things he was saying and asking. However he received a quicker response this time.

"Don't be afraid of me kid, I know that your beating around the bush with me, I don't know your reasons but I can guess because your not sure about me because you don't know me. Don't be surprised I can tell, once upon a time it was my job to be able to read people like a book, some are easier then others, and you are not all that hard to read. Your young though and you are not trying to hide it from me or at least you don't seem to be."

The conversation was cut short however when the windshield was suddenly shattered, glass flew everywhere Shawn knowing not what to do quickly covered his face as the entire vehicle came to a jolting stop. Shawn nearly flew threw the remains of the windshield, thankfully he had put his seat belt on, he as flew forward the seat belt caught him by the chest and stopped him cold, the sharp pain in his chest quickly took his breath away as his head went back against the seat.

"Out of the car!"

Nero

Nero practically fell out of the Rover when he opened the door, that quick stop had taken the breath out of him, on the ground he coughed hard as a couple drops of blood came out of his mouth. Almost immediately he felt hands on him, bodily he was put on his feet as he was slammed into the side of the convoy denting the door in. As Nero's sight came clear a large brute of man with a messed up Mohawk trim had his hand on Nero's chest. The large grin plastered on his face told Nero that he was thoroughly enjoying what he was doing, this man was no doubt a marauder set up on the road awaiting travelers.

"Wheres the goods old man, be quick or ill break every bone in your body until you decide to tell me."

Nero struggled slightly but the air had not returned to him yet as the large bulk of a man tightened the grip, watching the man reached down and found Nero's weapons. One by one he slipped them out and tossed them away without much hesitation.

"Don't even think about it old man, you ain't gonna use those on me."

Nero felt the fist go into his stomach as the air was knocked right back out of him, the man then bodily tossed Nero sideways onto the asphalt of the road, his skin scraped it hard as the heat tore the skin away with ease. Nero was immobilized for a couple seconds as he breathed hard, that shot to the gut has been hard and direct, coughing more blood came out this time in a blotch. Gritting his teeth Nero dripped blood threw the cracks as he tried to get up but fell back down with a huff as his face hit the pavement.

"Leave me alone!!!!!"

Nero opened his eye's fully as he realized that Shawn was still in the car and now at the mercy of that Marauder, gritting his teeth Nero regained his feet as he turned clutching at his stomach. The mo hawked marauder was reaching in to the Rover and had a hold of Shawn who was now struggling but to no avail he would never be able to fight him off. There was no time to sit here and bleed like a weak old man, he couldn't let that bastard get Shawn, not a chance in hell he was going to let that happen.

"Hey you lumbering piece of shit! Get your hands off the kid are you so weak that you would pick on someone half your size?!"

Nero watched as the Mo-hawked man slowly let go of Shawn and poked his head back out, the glare coming from his eye's told Nero that he had not liked that remark just as he wanted him too. Moving away from the Rover the large man got in the middle of the road as both men stared each other down.

"What did you say old man! Didn't have enough yet!?"

"You heard me you pussy ass bitch, come face me if you have any balls!"

To Nero's surprise the Marauder pulled out what appeared to be a Magnum 357, no doubt the same gun he had shot out the window with, with not a shred of remorse the marauder pulled the trigger on the gun but the only sound that came out was an empty click. The mo-hawked man quickly retracted it as he seemed to swear to himself, the idiot had not realized the gun was empty. An Nero was lucky it was because if he had taken that shot then he would be dead where he stood, there was no way he could take any kind of shot from that weapon. Nero had to draw him in, get him to fight him fist to fist.

"Big bad man.. needs a gun to take out and old man. Your such a bitch!"

Nero spit blood after he said bitch and grit his teeth, he was not one for such useless words and bravado but he had to get this marauder away from the vehicle and Shawn so he would do whatever worked. An apparently to no surprise it did the Mo-hawked man tossed the gun down in frustration and charged Nero like a wounded bull just what he wanted. Nero was gonna show this young punk what and old man could still do. Nero watched his movement, it was nothing more then a fool throwing a tantrum charging like he will hit with no problem, Nero waited until he was about to strike before he side stepped the man and tripped him straight to the concrete. The man slid short ways as the pavement scraped his face clean of skin, watching the man get back up it was obvious he now extremely mad. Nero put his right arm in front of him in the form of a knife and then brought his other hand down to his side in a fist as he took a fighting stance. Moving his right arm out he turned his palm to the air and moved his fingers forward telling the large man to come. The large man like and idiot took the bate and charged, he was nothing more then a brute, still though he had strength so Nero would have to end this quickly and not give him a chance to use it. Watching the large man brought a fist forward to strike him in the face, Nero dodged the sloppy attack by ducking, bringing his arms up he grabbed the mans now outstretched arm and in one fluid motion flipped him onto his back.

As soon as the man was on his back Nero went forward and raised his leg in the air and brought it down straight for his throat to crush his windpipe, the large man however brought his hand up and stopped the kick. In a swipe he pushed Nero's foot back and knocked Nero to the ground, the large man was quick to get to his feet, he charged forward to get on top of Nero, but he was quicker, extending his leg Nero nailed the large man straight in the gut, out of reflex the man grabbed his gut and bent down, Nero then kicked again and caught him right on the chin. The man flew back from the kick as a ragged line of blood smacked the ground before he smacked the ground. Nero rolled over as he got on all fours, gritting the pain in his stomach sent a sharp pain through his body, clutching at it with his hand he got back to his feet just as the large man did. The mans face was now bloody, his nose was broken completely now, which would restrict his breathing which would make him easier to take down, Nero now went on the offensive as he ran forward. Leaping off the ground he did a flying side kick and struck the man straight in the chest. As another sharp pain vibrated through Nero's body he was unable to land correctly, hitting the ground hard he gripped his side as he spit out more blood. Nero shook his head looking up just in time to see the man come to kick his jaw, Nero put his hand up to take most of the kick but the blow knocked him back as the large man climbed on top of him.

Nero tried to force him off but the pain from the recent blows had weakened him and he failed, the large man brought his fist down to strike Nero, bringing his arms into the shape of an X Nero blocked the attack to his face. The man brought his other fist down and cracked Nero's defense with good strength, he couldn't block this forever or his wrists would break. The sudden shot that rang shocked Nero as the large man screamed in pain, looking back Shawn had the Colt in his hands as he was on his knee's quickly looking back Nero saw a bullet wound in the large mans shoulder falling back slightly he gripped it. That was the opening he needed, twisting his body Nero brought his legs forward and freed himself completely from underneath the man, and then in one ferocious kick Nero aimed low and caught the large man right in the groin. The man almost went instantly blue in the face as he fell to his knee's Nero slowly got back to his feet as he glared at the man and spoke only two words as he wasted no time.

"You lose..."

Nero brought his hand forward with an open palm and struck the man straight under his nose, there was a resounding but almost silent crack as Nero drove the bone up into the mans brain. It was over instantly as the man's eye's glazed over and he fell sideways onto the ground. There were a couple weak convulsions and then he was completely still, he was dead. Nero coughed again as he went down to one knee breathing hard, that fight had not be easy at all, letting out a sound of pain he brought himself back to his feet slowly and turned.

Shawn

Shawn was on the ground as he had his arms wrapped around himself, tears were coming down his cheeks and hitting the ground, he had seen the man die and knew he was safe but he had shot him. Shawn had just shot a man how could he do such a thing to someone! He was no better then anyone else in the world, he was a monster just like that man was. Shawn just lay there curled up, hearing the foot steps he didn't turn but he felt the hand on his shoulder, no doubt it was Nero but he didn't want to get up he just wanted to lay here forever and not think about what he just did. Feeling the tug he pulled his shoulder away not wanting Nero to help him get up.

"Come on kid you had no choice it was him or us, I am sorry you had to learn this way but you have to understand that this how the world is now."

The words didn't help they just solidified the fact that Shawn could not adjust to this, this new world he couldn't do it an he wasn't going to, this was too much for him. Shawn shrugged off Nero's hand again, but then he felt both hands as he was lifted up against his will and his back put against the Rover, his eye's were then meant with Nero's those cold eye's that had scared him before.

"Get up kid Im not gonna just leave you hear to cry and let yourself die because you got a taste of the real world.."

"Leave me alone!"

Shawn tried to move away but Nero had much more strength then he possessed, the grip tightening as he was pushed up against the Rover and was now unable to move the muscular arms keeping him in place.

"Thats it huh their sacrifice for you to just let yourself die because you had no choice but to defend yourself! Wake up Shawn!

Shawn felt the slap go across his face and felt the sting of Nero's hand, it was a pain in which he had never experienced before ever in his life, feeling the grip tighten again the tears were rolling down his cheek as he faced those eye's once more.

"Its time to let those tears go Shawn they serve you no purpose anymore, not now not ever, if you want to cry then let it be because of something that should be cried about, not for some punk that would have cared nothing more then shooting us in the head. You wanted me to teach you to survive in this world, and I am a man of my word, I am not going to leave you to just die! Now get up!"

Shawn felt his body raise as he was brought to his feet, his cheek was stinging as he was shaking, he didn't know what to say or do he just looked away and closed his eye's wishing this would all go away. A few moments passed before Shawn opened his eye's again, once more he was faced with Nero's eye's but they had lost that mean glare and were now soft again. Shawn sniffled as he wiped the remaining tears away, maybe Nero was right, that he did what he had to do, that there was no real other choice then to shoot that man.

"Come on kid we gotta go before those shots attract anyone or anything else."

Shawn felt the grip loosen as all he could manage to do was nod.

Shan watched Matt's motions with a frown on her face. The frown only deepened, when he came close, and placed the kiss on the top of her head. Everything in her wanted to scream out to him that they shouldn't split up, and that he was stupid, and careless. Instead, she pouted to him, and nodded, crouching next to a tree.

She listened for his footsteps, her sharp hearing picking them up specifically out of all the noise in the woods. She also counted the seconds, until his footsteps began to grow closer again, and he appeared beside her. Sighing in relief, she narrowed her eyes, and listened to his explanation. She took a breath, to protest, but slowly let the breath out, closing her eyes for a second. They didn't kill people. They didn't have to, up until this point. It had always been in their best interest to just ignore the raiders, and to avoid them, if nothing else. She slowly began to nod, opening her eyes and pulling her revolver from its holster.

"Okay…", she signed with one hand.

---

Travis wiped a hand down his exhausted face, wishing that he could find a sign of safety. Anything would be better than the alternative…dying out here for the walkers and vultures to feed off of. Sighing, he noticed a sign above him, covered up with bullet holes and pointing to a campground that was close. Part of him figured that someone had thought of the same thing he was thinking, and was already holed up there, waiting to kill anyone who came near their supplies. The other part of him wanted to go either way, hopefully to find something to sustain him. He followed the sign, his feet dragging in the gravel as he slugged toward what he hoped was a temporary home.

At Claire's question, Jack gave a genuine chuckle. He was surprised anyone still cared to learn a thing about the old way of living, much less about D.C.. However, as he thought he realized it may not have been the content of the question that mattered, but rather than the fact that she was trying to connect and get to know him in some way. Since they'd met, Chris had done most of the talking. Up until then, he couldn't tell if something had been troubling her, or if she was just naturally like that.
"Well, I used to be a Democrat - which basically meant that half the country hated me, and the other half wanted me to do literally everything they asked. But.. I never initially wanted to join a party in the first place. I had my own beliefs, and my district had their own beliefs, and that's what I wanted to represent in the Capitol. But.. As I entered politics I realized that was virtually impossible - in order to get nearly anything done, you had to pick a side." Jack gave a shrug; he was at least glad that that feeling of incessant pressure from all sides was behind him. Then again, the life that replaced it wasn't much of an improvement.

"It does make me wonder what happened to all those politicians after the outbreak. I mean, we had emergency procedures, in case of nuclear war and all that, but zombie apocalypse?" He paused, looking into the fire, which was still crackling strong. "I suppose then again I likely wasn't high enough in the food chain to know about anything. The President? Vice President, the Cabinet? I'm sure they made it; preserved in an underground bunker, set to rise up again and lead once the threat has passed. A phoenix, rising up from the ashes of a nation that no longer exists.." He stopped himself before he said any more. The truth was, he had become increasingly cynical about it all, following the months he'd been alone. The tattered remains of his life were so up in the air - his parents were likely dead, but he never found them in Spokane. His friends down in California, the group he left, could very well have been overrun by now. Everyone he ever knew could now be walking the Earth, foot-soldiers in the endless army of the undead.

Jack caught something out of the corner of his eye which startled him out of his reminiscence. He glanced over toward the west, and spotted the light wisp of smoke above the trees. It was either a forest fire, or..
"I don't think we're alone," he said suddenly, directing the siblings to what he had seen. The smoke was barely visible, so the fire must have been low, but it was unmistakably a campfire. Perhaps a half-mile away, within the boundaries of the campground. Jack stood and brought the now smoked meat inside, before walking briskly over to the cabin, going inside to gather some ammunition, then exiting, making a brief stop at the picnic table to throw his shotgun behind his shoulder and slip the hatchet into the belt-loop of his jeans.
"I'm gonna go investigate. They could be in need of help. Or.. They could be trouble. Either way it isn't safe here until that is known," he returned his gaze to Chris and Claire and, preparing to tell them not to move until he returned, instead shook the idea away. He wasn't their father, and it seemed they could handle themselves.
"You can come if you want, I could probably use some backup. But it's your choice."

Claire listened intently. She was glad Jack hadn't just pushed her away, metaphorically speaking of course, well physically too. Most of the people she knew weren't big fans of the democrats, but personally she'd never cared, or learned the difference. Never once had her life changed when a new party took charge, though she liked the fact that he had joined for a good reason. Then he pointed out the smoke and she walked over to Chris. When Jack said they could tag along she looked at her brother. Chris looked at her and nodded.

Chris took out his revolver and knocked out the last three bullets and showed them to Jack. "We'll tag along, but this is all we got for ammunition." He reloaded the three bullets into the gun and holstered it, then pulled out his butterfly knife from his pocket. "Other than that I got this and Claire has her six throwing knives. We'll do our best to back you up, but most of our tactics involve letting others walk in on us, or just not confronting them...we have a few risky plans to deal with approaching people...but they all involve a lot of risk...You got any suggestions for how we approach this unknown scenario, Jack?" Chris realized when Claire had called him Jack that he probably should too.

At Chris and Claire's response, Jack nodded, taking mental stock of the surroundings from what he had seen while hunting. The brush got fairly thick to the west, at least as far as he could see, which would mean that they would be difficult to detect initially. However, shrubbery didn't protect well against bullets. If a firefight broke out, both sides would likely be fairly exposed. To Jack's knowledge the cabin was the only actual structure in the camp, save perhaps for small bathrooms dotted throughout. As Jack cleaned the blood off of his skin as best he could and donned his shirt, he snuffed out his own fire, careful not to do it too fast and create too much smoke, and glanced over at Chris and his nearly empty handgun. After a moment's deliberation he removed his own handgun from the holster and, holding it butt-end out, offered it to Chris along with the spare ammunition, a box containing thirty rounds, he had on him.
"Use mine, I have my Remington. And," he noted that Claire fought with throwing knives - a weapon wholly unfamiliar to him - instead of a gun. "If I can make a suggestion, let Claire carry your gun. It's nearly empty, but they don't have to know that. And if things get hairy, use what you know how to use. The gun's for appearances; they may not be intimidated by knives, but they'll notice a gun."

He checked his shotgun and made sure it was loaded, before grabbing a few more rounds just to be safe. Again he went inside to hide his possessions under the sink, returning with a pensive look on his face. He did it often back in D.C., work everything out in his head, a game-plan, and found that his skills as a quick thinker also came in handy after the world turned to shit.
"Chris, I think you should stay in cover while Claire and I approach them. It'd be better not to let them know our true numbers in case they are hostile, and with the gun having a longer range than her knives, it'll mean more precise coverage. What do you think?" He asked, before turning to Claire as well. "What do you both think?"

Chris looked at the gun for a few seconds, then took it and then pulled out his own and aimed off toward the brush with both, just for amusement. Well when you put it that way I guess you have a point." He handed his gun to Claire, then spoke again. "I can easilly cover, but..." He turned to Claire and pulled her by the arm gently away from Jack and whispered to her. "Are you okay with this? You might have to kill someone again..."

Claire was glad Chris was concerned for her, and she nodded. "It has to be done...We don't have a choice, as usual." They both nodded once more then turned back to Jack as Claire spoke up. Shall we take the truck? If we're approaching anyway we can drop Chris off just before we get there, give him a two minute head start and then pull in slowly and try and be friendly." She was putting a lot of faith into Jack. A leap of faith was probably the best phrase for this. But something told her she could trust him, she just hoped that if things did break out he would be able to cover her back...this could go very badly for them...especially for her...