[center][h1][b][color=red]A[/color][/b][/h1][/center][sub]Interactions: Le Frey-[@Estylwen][/sub][hr]
[indent][color=#ffffff]A's heart lurched painfully in her chest as Val crumpled to the ground, his body wracked with violent coughs that spattered blood across the dusty floor. She lunged forward, her legs moving of their own accord as panic seized her mind. By the time he regained consciousness, fumbling for a cigarette with trembling fingers and trying to act as if nothing had happened, her emotions had twisted into a confusing knot of relief and bewilderment. What in the world had just occurred? How could he brush off such a terrifying episode so casually?[/color]

[color=#ffffff][b]“See, told you the big guy would be up for it,”[/b][/color][color=#ffffff] Val rasped, his voice rough and strained. He winced, a flicker of pain crossing his face as he added, [/color][color=#ffffff][b]“Dust me though, that stung a bit.” [/b][/color]

[color=#ffffff]A watched him closely, her brow furrowed with concern as she noted the tight lines around his eyes and the way his shoulders tensed with each breath.  Yet, before she could inquire about it,  a hesitant voice called out, [/color][color=#ffffff][b]“Hello? Is anyone there?”.  [/b][/color][color=#ffffff]A’s own instincts kicked in, and she moved to stand beside VV, her eyes scanning the dimly lit shelter.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]A watched as VV stepped forward to meet the source of the voice, the same look of confusion back on her face after she stated they knew this new person.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]They didn’t. Or, at least, A didn’t recognize her. [/color][color=#ffffff] What was VV up to? [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Despite her misgivings, A made a split-second decision to trust her teammate, silently vowing to play along with whatever plan was unfolding.[/color]

[color=#ffffff][hr] [/color]
[h1] The Next Morning...[/h1]

[color=#ffffff]A’s eyes snapped open at the sudden, sharp pressure against her ribs, her entire body tensing before her brain even caught up. She barely had time to process the low, unfamiliar voice before her gaze locked onto the man towering over her, the barrel of a rifle pointed directly at her chest. Her instincts immediately screamed at her to fight, to lash out and disarm him, but the hard press of the weapon against her ribs held her still. Now wasn’t the time to act recklessly. Not again. They’d already lost too much.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]Her hands rose slowly, trying to convey submission without giving in to the terror that clawed at her insides. She kept her gaze fixed on the man’s face, or what she could see of it at least. [/color]

[i][color=#ffffff]He doesn’t know who you are.[/color][/i][color=#ffffff] That was her one edge, the only card she could possibly play right now. If he had any idea what she could do, this wouldn’t be happening like this. Her eyes flicked to the side, searching for a sign—any sign—that VV was awake, that her partner had noticed the threat in here with them both.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]But there was only the sound of her light snoring. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]She could feel the weight of the decision she needed to make pressing down on her then—act too soon, and VV would be caught off guard; wait too long, and they’d lose their chance to turn this around. [/color][b][color=#ffffff]Helplessness.[/color][/b][color=#ffffff] The feeling churned in her gut, and she[/color][i][color=#ffffff] hated[/color][/i][color=#ffffff] it. But without more information, any move she made could cost them both their lives. Her voice, when it came, was cold and calm. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Who are you?”[/color][/indent]