[b]March 15, 2018 - Framingham, Massachusetts - Walmart Checkout Area[/b]

[color=6ecff6]“Well, Ryan…”[/color] Bri huffed a little as she hauled Grant slowly to his feet, trying to keep her body upright, front-facing and one arm free in case their new ‘friend’ needed a stabilizing knife to the face. Struggling to support Grant gave her some verbal cover as she tried to come up with a polite response. Weird how fast your casual communication skills disappear when your only blessed source of chatting knows you like the back of his hand. They could have a whole conversation with a single look. Who needed words when you were that close?
She supposed a name exchange would be a good start.

[color=6ecff6]“Briana, Grant,”[/color] she gestured in introduction, still keeping a wary distance. Cool and calm. Clearly Ryan hadn’t had much interaction either. [color=6ecff6]“I guess thank you for the help with the rots.”[/color] She shot Grant an understanding look. [color=6ecff6]“I don’t blame you for swinging at us first, asking questions later. Can’t be too careful. But we’re not here to hurt anyone or cause problems,”[/color] she finished quickly, in case he was rethinking his apologies for Grant’s attack. [color=6ecff6]“Just needed a few supplies.”[/color]

The edges of Bri’s vision began to smooth out as the adrenaline faded. She hesitated a moment before sheathing her knife in a clear sign of ‘I’ll Trust You Enough For Now’, and nodded to the basket of items on the floor near Ryan. It had spilled, sending socks, spices and a few other items Bri had gathered rolling. [color=6ecff6]“Promise we didn’t take more than we needed, but we DO need it, and then we’ll leave you in peace.”[/color]

Making sure Grant had a solid hold on the checkout counter, she very slowly went about gathering her strewn items and tucking them into her backpack, every movement deliberate as she narrated what she was going to grab next the closer she got to Ryan. As the last of the adult pre-moistened washcloths was zipped away, Bri gave him a small smile and backed away next to Grant. [color=6ecff6]“Electronics, huh?”[/color] She threw her best friend a look, an ironic glint in her eye. [color=6ecff6]“Maybe you know how to fix an old CD player? I found one a while back, got the batteries for it, just can’t figure out why it won’t work–”[/color]

Through the boarded up front doors of the Walmart came the sound of a vehicle, a voice following shortly.

Bri froze. 

When she’d said she understood Ryan’s fear and uncertainty about strangers, she’d meant it. Because the only thing potentially worse than rotters…was other people.

She looked at Grant, then Ryan, who’d suddenly become part of their group in her mind because he was less of an unknown than whatever was outside in that car. Grant wasn’t much for a fight right now, and Ryan had proven to be something of a loose cannon…but he did know the store, and that was a point on their side.
[color=6ecff6]“I’m assuming no one wants to meet the newcomers?”[/color] She quietly crept to the front doors, peering through a shard in the wood paneling, but the glass was too fogged and shattered to see anything. [color=6ecff6]“Ryan? Know somewhere we can hide in here while we wait for Grant to heal up a bit?”[/color] she whispered.