If you're going out then I want to come.

There was still a chance that her group was out here somewhere, and though she tried to act like she was okay with being locked in a room, Ash had found the isolation and confinement close to maddening after nearly a year spent in the constant company of people and outdoors. It had been discussed briefly over breakfast, a small disagreement about it but they had agreed to bring her in the end as the group decided to head out on a supply run after the department of their friend yesterday, much to her relief.

It was easy to get back into this kind of routine. Scanning the trees, checking around shrubs and rocks, making sure it was as safe as the world could be these days to go forwards. Slowing before eventually pausing her steps Ash spotted a slight movement just off to the side. Glancing around she saw no signs of the dead, at least not yet and the others were just ahead. She could go and check quickly and catch up, calling out would just attract unwanted attention. Her clothes had dried and Leo was back behind the group somewhere, acting as a rear guard, so she felt fairly well protected.

Drawing her knife Ash moved as silently as she could towards the downed tree, giving it a wide enough birth that if anything was lurking behind it she would have enough space to not be gabbed. Small twigs snapped beneath her feet and the leaves rustled softly with each step but other than that it was quiet here. If there was something dead it would have been making noise by now- a slightly noise to the left caught her attention, she half turned, but felt something grab at her before she had a chance to fully react.

A strong grip took hold of her torso, a hand clamping over her mouth before any sound could escape and the girl was suddenly pulled back into a body, pressing her against themself. Panic struck at Ash as she struggled in vain against the grip on her. Her knife had been dropped in the ambush, however after a moment a flash of common sense returned and she bit hard on the hand over her mouth, feeling it instantly release her with a cry.

“Aaargh! Ahh, stop! Hey! It’s me!”

She’d already moved several steps away from the figure but stopped and turned at the voice, a frightened look on her face for a moment and her hands held up defensively until she saw the familiar face. That brown hair, those warm chocolate eyes, that goofy smile, the slight country twang to his voice.

“Luke!”

Kneeling down the man shook his hand slightly, inspecting the fingers. “Yes! Man… bit the hell out of me. I think you drew blood. Come all this way-” His words however were cut short as Ash closed the gap between them and hugged him tightly.

Leo observed the group from a distance, keeping himself hidden from any potential threats that could be lying in wait. It was how they often played it when going on supply runs if they intended on walking it. Unfortunately they had no working vehicles anymore after Conrad bolted. Deep down Leo really didn't care about him and part of him hoped they'd find the car wrapped around a tree with all the supplies still safely stowed away.

With each tree looking almost identical it would be easy for anyone unfamiliar with the area to get lost but the group had tracked through them so many times before that they didn't even need markings to find their way back. Let's just hope we don't have any surprises, Leo thought to himself. Then like a cliche from a movie he spotted Ash disappear behind a fallen tree, out of his eye line. Shit...

Then a figure emerged from behind the tree stumbling backwards...but it wasn't Ash. Leo brought his gun up to his shoulder and took aim down the sight. Luckily for the man in his sights Ash leapt up into his arms. That must be her people. Leo dropped down to a crouch and looked around the nearby area. Just because they were friendly to Ash didn't mean that they would be to them. He spotted a nearby bush sat on an elevated piece of terrain. He carefully made his way up to it and crawled underneath it, using the surrounding branches and snow to hide himself. Peering down the scope once more he began to watch the situation unfold, finger on the trigger ready in case things went bad.

Jorel had been one of the group who adamantly implored the girl to come on the supply run. He wasn't exactly sure why, be it training or to keep an eye on her or perhaps just bonding. Needless to say he was still a little surprised when the group had agreed. Here they were, stalking through the path between the trees, getting ready for a supply run. Jorel was out the front, Leo at the back, and had his revolver tucked in its holster, ready for a quick draw if need be.

Which was what happened, though Jorel expected a dead man rather than a living when he aimed down the sights.

He might've missed the commotion, had there not been a struggle. His ears were pretty perceptive though, and within moments of the girl getting pulled away from the formation, he had his revolver out, and was looking down the lengthy barrel, eyes raised when the two suddenly hugged. Curious to question the man, but not wanting to interrupt, Jorel debated whether to say something. He decided to go for it.

"Uh, hi..?"

It wasn't exactly a well-thought sentence. Jorel kept his hands tightened on the revolver's grip, and he started to pay attention to his peripherals while maintaining eye contact.

The crisp winter air felt wonderful as it entered Brooklyn's nose, the hot air coming from her body made a veil of smoke around her still bruised lips. She suddenly wanted a cigarette. The woman hadn't smoked in over a year, despite the hardship and stress she retained in her inner workings. Adjusting the straps of her backpack on her back she made sure it was flush against her skin. Walking along, she kept her attention from member to member of the group, most of the percentage of her scan on the back of Ash's head. Brooklyn found Ash to be very elegant in her movements, like a gladiator she drew a knife. Brooklyn's lips pulled to the side to reveal her teeth. Oh how wonderful Ash was, so strong and brave. So beautiful and pure in this forsaken world, Harris- Ash would be able to survive on her own if anything were to happen to the rest of the group.

Suddenly taken from her altered reality Brooklyn let out an audible gasp as the others watched her get snatched from another man. Brooklyn began to throw her backpack off of her body in a hurry, unzipping the zipper and pulling out her fireman's ax. She gripped it underneath the heavy blade before sliding her hand to the bottom of the handle ready to swing it straight into this man's cranium. However as the two embraced the ax was brought to her side. She looked to her group and then to Ash. Why did it feel like such a betrayal as they smiled and exchanged pleasantries.

Why would you betray me?

Why?

W̵̯̪̦̙̯̖͍̗̯̔͐ͫͪ͢͢h͖̲͉́̌̍ͭ̾̉̒͐̕y̺̓̄̓͢͞?̸͍̤͕͔̜̞̤̤̿ͩ̈́͟

Leo took the side, watchful and responsible. Jorel took the other road and bluntly brought attention to the group, he greeted them. Brooklyn's slender fingers tightened around the bottom half of her weapon, the metal bouncing against her shin as it swung ever so slightly outwards and inwards. "Good morning." Brooklyn said, her voice a bit sullen but still friendly and approachable, it was not a good morning.