Kyle and Nikki Hishamie, Jacklyn
Nikki walked towards the guard and the brunette. She seemed odd. How was she all alone out here? She wasn't carrying any large weapons, that Nikki could see. Most likely a gun and a smaller dagger or something like that she figured. Most women especially couldn't make it out here on their own for long.The closer she got to her the more curious she became.
Nikki was wondering what Kyle was doing. She had come outside after breakfast and had no idea where he was. Maybe he took a shower or maybe he was taking a good long look at the property like she had.
Nikki walked up to the guard and the woman. "Who are you?"
Jacklyn felt she was doing well sweet talking the guard, and she was well pleased with herself. As a woman approached her, she smiled at her, trying to portray sweetness and innocence, but knew she would have to throw in a bit of toughness too. No one would survive in this world without being tough, after all.
"Oh, I'm Jacklyn, but you can call me Jackie if you wish. Who are you? Is this your farm? May I please stay? Its been so long since I last saw someone alive, maybe a week...I saw the cars and had to hope...."She trailed off, letitng herself look around the place, as if a little awed.
"Its been hard, trying to find cover...I slept in a police cell last night"After he had finished breakfast, Kyle went out to his impala parked near the house. He rummaged through the trunk and found his suitcase full of clothes. He brought up stairs to his and Nikki's room and changed into sweat pants and a sleeveless white shirt. He wanted to further pull security along the borders of the farmland but he needed to workout. They spent too long driving here, and he had too much too eat. He started his workout by doing a few sets of pull ups, push ups, and squats. After he finished he went for a run.
On his run, he noticed a fairly lacking amount of walkers. He smiled at this. The dead would always be dangerous and since there was no sign of the government doing anything or even existing, and no cure was made known yet. But right now, living in this moment, they were safe.
Kyle was returning from his run when he saw the guard, the stranger, and Nikki. He jogged over to them softly and quickly.
"Howdy partners. Whats happening?"Nikki smiled at Kyle's appearance by her side. "I was just meeting a new person who wants to join us." Nikki decided to let Kyle handle this discussion. Her alarms were going off in her head. There were too many questions she wanted answers too. She wasn't going to trust as easily as she had in the past. There was just too much at stake. Now she also had to think about her baby.
The woman seemed to distrust her, which Jacklyn had to admit was wise. She looked to the new comer, wondering if he was the one she had to answer to. Well, so be it.
"I'd love to join your group, my last group... We lost each other one by one, and then a small herd scattered us. I don't even know if they are alive or not. Please, can...can i just come in and get some proper sleep?" She asked, rocking back on her heels, letting her eyes widen, almost begging it seemed.
Kyle calmed his breathing and wiped the sweat from his forehead which was dripping. He sized the stranger up. She seemed....well he didnt know. Everyone was nice until they stabbed you in the throat then shot you in head. Killing you twice. Kyle thought she was decently cute, and if she was alone and her spirit was not broken then she was stronger than she appeared.
"Slow down there a moment. Now I would love for you to come inside and be part of our group. But before you can we need to make sure you wont kill us all in our sleep."Kyle laughed slightly, trying to keep the mood light.
"First a few questions. Whats your name? How old are you? How long have you been alone? Why are you alone?"Jacklyn expected te questions. She shifted, turning to the man, she waited for him to finish speaking before she said anything.
"I'm Jacklyn. I'm...hm. What day is it? Eh, probably 26 by now. I've been alone....lets see...the police cell was last night...maybe a week? The dead run us down, scattered us...Like I said, I don't know if they are dead or alive. We were six, now I'm one. I've been staying out of the way, hiding I guess, from the dead. They can't climb, or I've never seen them...You can hide pretty good in a tree" She gave a shrug, figuring that there would be more questions, and she waited for them.
Nikki looked at her rather coldly. "How many living people have you killed and why? How many of the undead have you put down? What are your fighting skills?" Nikki casually let her trench coat open a little showing the arsenal of knives and guns and her long sword among many other weapons show. "Why should we trust you?"
Kyle put a hand on Nikki's shoulder and kissed her cheek.
"Your very scary baby. I just got chills. But lets remember "fish are friends, not food." The analogy there is lets not eat this poor girl alive...or scare her half to death."Kyle turned to Jacklyn.
"Although I wouldnt mind asking the same thing. Have you killed a lot of alive people? Have you killed a lot of walkers? Do you have any skills that stand out? PLease know that we just wish to know, it wont determine if you join us or not."Jacklyn looked towards the girl, who seemed to have something against her. She was quite use to that. Most females hated her. Still, it wouldn't do to be meek around this girl.
"Its okay. I don't mind. After this long, your group must be like family and family is important" She managed a smile, although part of her didn't think this was going well for her now.
"I've killed one person" While it was a lie, it wasn't a flat out one.
"And that was because they were trying to kill me. I don't know how many walkers I've killed, i didn't stop to count. Skills? Well, I've gotten good with a knife and gun, I can cook somewhat. I'm probably the best damn organisor you can find. If I knew the end of the world was coming, I would have honed out my skills. I'm a fast learner though.
And there was one more. Why should you trust me? You shouldn't. I wouldn't trust anyone I just met, but I'm putting my life in your hands, aren't I? And I'm sure there are more of you then me. I'm one tiny girl. I'm not going to be much of a problem. Put a guard on me. I don't care. I just don't want to wake up with a walker eating my arm as a snack. I just want to be safe. Take my weapons" That she knew was a bold risk, but there were other weapons besides her gun, with its handful of bullets, and the knife she had.
"But if you aren't going to let me in, let me know soon. It takes a while to choose a good tree to sleep in"Kyle laughed and shook his head.
"Yea ok lets take the things that save lives. No its fine keep your weapons."Kyle motioned for the guard to listen to him.
"Please go back to the house and find a room for our new person. Clear it, make sure there isnt anything hazardous in there and tell everyone in the house we have a new arrival."After the guard nodded and walked back to the houe Kyle turned back to Jacklyn.
"Now because your new, and we actually recently just got here, there is still a ton of work to do. So I am going to be giving a little more work to do than others, kinda like proving yourself to the group. But your part of the group now, so stay loyal and we will treat you like family." Nikki watched the girl and the guard heading towards the house. "We should also be clearing this with Violet. It's her house. So what do you think of this girl? All of my senses are screaming and flashing red lights. There is something about her....I don't know what yet...but I don't trust her as far as i can spit at her." She dug the toe of her shoe in and said, "If she even looks at Gracie sideways or any of them for that matter...if I let her live she will regret it.
Nikki looked at her husband. "We need to find another school and get set up before the baby gets here."
Kyle wrapped his arm around Nikkis waist and pulled her into a loving embrace.
"I dont either. But our group cannot survive on our own for very long. We have a decent amount of people but....people die or get sick. We have to take chances."Kyle grinned.
"Plus the guard is hiding a one way walkie talkie in her room. While we were driving after the school was lost, I made a few plans with people who are assigned as guards. If I ever use the word hazardous in front of a new person wanting to join our group, they are suppose to put a listening device in that persons room."Kyle sighed.
"Its her eyes for me. I just.....see something in them that makes me suspicious. But its not enough to go on. I want to trust her, and im giving her a chance. But im arming the other hand as well."Nikki smiled and looked up at Kyle and hugged herself to him. "Just promise me that we pay attention to our instincts and each other. Mine have saved me and us all more than a few times. I'm still feeling crappy. This baby is intent on starving me to death. " She touched her baby bump protectively and realized how nauseated she was still.
"Let her think I'm cold and mean. She'll be more careful around me. I don't want her to know that I'm really weak right now. I'm probably still stronger than her but I'm not up to my usual and that makes me feel bad." Nikki closed her eyes against Kyle's chest.
"I hope there is some chicken soup in the house. Come on let's go see." Nikki steared them towards the house.
jacklyn was quite content, for the moment, to go dolicely into the farm house, and into whatever room they gave her. She tried for a grateful smile to both, before following the guard. She was certainly pleased that she had her weapons still, but there was something that was putting her ill at ease. She was sure there had to be something else going on, but she wasn't sure what.
As the guard led her inside, she glanced about at the farm house, at the people there. From the entrance, she could see people in the kitchen, which seemed to hold a few people, three from what she could see, and from somewhere, a child's laughter. That gave her pause. How did children survive in this world? They seemed an unnecessary burden to her, but she figured she couldn't just say that.
"I can chat while you get rid of any "Hazardous" Materials" she said to the guard, although just what there were in this place, she couldn't quite figure out, especially if there was a child. They wouldn't want the kid to hurt themselves given that they had kept them alive this long.
Matt zoomed around the corner flying Gracie like a superhero. Her laughter filled the house and Violet smiled at her and her expression tightened as she saw the newcomer enter with a guard. Matt flew Gracie back out of the room.
Nikki walked into the house and went into the kitchen and started opening cabinets looking for soup. She found a few cans and looked at Violet oddly. "Seriously? Split pea soup or vegetable beef? Okay vegetable beef it is...." She looked down at her tummy and said to it, "You'd better be nice to mommy. Let's keep this inside for a while okay?" She put it in a bowl and microwaved it.Sitting down across the table from Violet she looked at her and Nikki noticed her looking at the new girl and Violet's smile didn't reach her eyes. Nikki made a sound that got Violet's attention on her and she smiled.
"You okay Vi?" Violet smiled at the use of her nick name. "Yeah, I seem to be doing a little better. I realized that I'm going to have to use the muscles even if it hurts or they will stiffen up. Ethan was really sweet to me. I like him. He makes me feel....cared for and safe." Violet nodded. "Who is she?"
Nikki's expression changed a little and she said quietly, "New girl, she just walked up to one of the guards out of nowhere. Kyle thinks we should give her a chance." Nikki took a spoonful of her soup and when it went down and she waited a few minutes and smiled. "Thank God! Baby likes veggie beef soup. I get to eat again!"
Sasha sat on the living room floor, making sure she wasn't in the way, frowning over the meager supplies she had managed to take with her from the community. A majority of the supplies had already been used, but she had a handful of herbs, dried, that if she could identify once more might be useful.
She glanced up every so often, and frowned as she saw a stranger with one of the guards. She should begrudge someone just stumbling upon the group, not when she herself had only just joined the day before, yet it seemed odd someone surviving by themselves. Shaking her head, she glanced back down at the herbs she was studying.
With a sigh, she rose, packing up the herbs and slipping them back into her pack, going into the kitchen, hearing Nikki say the girl had just walked up. She supposed that wasn't odd-the cars might seem weird on the property.
"Its not strange, someone surviving on their own, although I'd worry about their mental health" She said, her own two days stumbling away from walkers hadn't been fun.
Nikki smirked just happy that her tummy was settled. "I wonder if she has seen my hunky brother yet." She smiled at Sasha knowingly. "You might have trouble with her if she has. She seems like she gets her way a lot. I'm just saying."
Nikki nodded in the living room at Matt as he played with Gracie on the floor. He pulled his hair back and put it into a pony tail and even Nikki noticed how good he looked. She grinned. "I'm glad he is my brother. It would be too much energy to kick all the girl's asses."
She got up and took off her 50lb trench coat and put it over her arm and went into the living room and sat near him and Gracie who immediately toddled over to her and grabbed her hair.
Nikki's words caused Sasha to blush profusely, and she looked away from Nikki,
"Then maybe its time someone told her no" She said as Nikki left the kitchen. Shifting awkwardly, Sasha had absolutely no idea what to do now. Her thoughts roamed wildly, confused.
Excusing herself, so as not to be rude to Violet, she headed outside, wanting fresh air.
Matt left Gracie with Nikki and he followed Sasha outside and he caught her by the arm and lightly tugged her backwards and when she lost her balance he caught her and dipped her kissing her deeply like they did in those old musicals you saw on tv. He gave her a huge smile. "You okay? You seemed way too serious." Matt righted her and held her hand. He put his arm around her as they walked. "What's on your mind?"
Sasha couldn't help her smile at Matt's actions, but it faded at his words. She didn't know what to say, and she looked out over the grounds.
"Just something Nikki said" She said after a moment, knowing she had absolutely no right to be jealous of a hypothetical, not after the last few days especially. She didn't know what else to say, without sounding foolish.
Matt stopped and looked at Sasha. Then he looked back at the house trying to think what his sister might have said. "Should I go beat her up? I could give her the don't mess with my girlfriend speech." He brushed her hair out of her face and suddenly he stopped and asked her. "You are aren't you? My girl that is?"
Sasha had thought she couldn't be any more confused then she had been, but that was clearly wrong. She knew that those words sent her heart beating fast. She swallowed, and composed herself, for a moment, before smiling slowly,.
"Yeah." She nodded, and then said
"No, it doesn't matter what she said now"Matt was curious but he didn't care as long as Sasha was happy. Matt just wanted to be able to start his relationship off with Sasha as honestly and cleanly as he could. He just wanted to have as normal a life as they could get in this world. He smiled at her and he grinned mischeivously. "Climb on." He turned his back to her and knelt down.
Sasha wasn't sure what Matt was going to do, but she didn't want to take away his smile. She gingerly climbed onto his back, both worried and not worried that she'd hurt him.
Matt rose up and bounced her up making sure she was on good and tight. "Wow, you are nearly weightless. My pack in the military weighed more than you do. Let's go check out the property. He carried her around like that for quite a while. They noticed a building further up and when they got closer Matt put her on her feet and he approached the building and he looked through the one window.
He backed up as he heard the noise that they made. He headed over to Sasha and handed her a dagger that he unsheathed. He grabbed the crowbar he had tied to his belt. "There are at least 5 in here." He got ready, nodded and pulled the door open. The walkers piled out fast and Matt just went into killing mode and before any of them could get near to Sasha they were on the ground dead.
Sasha was ready to use the dagger, but it didn't seem like she needed it. Still, she weilded it, watching the door just in case there were more.
"How did they get in? This is still violets property, right?" She stepped closer as it seemed like there were no more, but she was ready to spring into action.
Matt nodded. "Yes it is still her property. It's highly likely that she locked them in so she could escape. Violet's pretty small so it might have been a necessity for her to get away." After making sure the area was cleared he smiled and took her hand and walked back towards the house.
After Nikki sat down and started to eat, Kyle had kissed her cheek and walked upstairs. He walked down the second floor, looking for Jacklyn's room. When he got there the guard seemed to have been able to place the walkie without Jacklyn noticing and he was on his way out. Kyle nodded to the guard and put his hand up to keep Jacklyn from leaving. He looked around then spoke softly.
"So..what do you think of my wife? Kinda aggressive huh? But I love her."Jacklyn was slightly curious when Kyle stopped her.She rocked back on her heels, thoughtful. Just why was he asking her about his wife?
"I think aggressive will help in surviving in this world, but that it can also get you killed. She's protective. I understand that" She shrugged, trying to sound like she was being reasonable,
"But I'm guessing you don't really want to know my opinion. you're trying to figure me out?"Kyle shook his head slightly.
"No I really want to know. I already have you figured out. It doesnt take much to figure out a survivor, especially for another survivor."Kyle narrowed his eyes.
"Now I am going to give you one chance. Stop pretending and answer me honestly. Its just you and me right now......you havent met everyone but you have seen almost everyone. You met....huh well my wife was the leader of our group, then I was, and from what I could tell her brother was like co leader. But I am getting side tracked. You have seen our people, the weapons they carry, the way the woman who was leader since the beginning acts. What. Do. You. think?"Jacklyn figured this was a dangerous game to play, but here she was. And she was sure she could win the game.
"Why? I could be honest, and say she seems a bit cold, stand-offish, but that that is understandable given everything thats happened. You say she has been the leader since this began? That shows strength. Courage. Bravery, whatever. But she clearly doesn't like me, so that makes me wonder why you are here, demanding answers to peoples character when I only met them for what, a handful of minutes?" She said, deciding that the innocent girl act would just be a waste here. She had to show she was willing to be strong, and to stand up against this sort of attack.
Kyle shut the door, then walked over to where he saw the guard standing. He reached around, and pulled out the hidden walkie. He pressed a button and shut it off. Then he put it in his pocket and turned around to Jacklyn.
"I told Nikki that we were gonna moniter you secretly. I turned off the walkie. See Nikki doesnt trust you, she can see a part of what I see when I look at you. But I see the real you. The innocent girl routine you tried to pull, I nearly laughed."Kyle took a few steps forward and stood in front of Jacklyn.
"You dont care about any of the lives here do you? You are willing to do whatever it takes for food and water, safety, the works. And you are willing to kill for it. I like that. Listen to my story and my offer."Kyle sighed.
"Long story short, recently we lived in a school. My wife found out she was pregant with a very bad mans child, who also found his own group when he left her group and used all his power to try to destroy our group. Nikki and I married, then soon after a very good women was killed by someone who left our group for the other mans group. This killer was someone who should have obviously been taken care of at once. Then he kidnapped Nikki. In the process Nikki lost the baby. I found her and got her back, killing many many men and horribly scarring her kidnapper. I did not kill him, but I am sure he is dead by now. So many things have happened because no one in this group, save one dead woman, was willing to do the hard choices. My question is.....are you?"Jacklyn was amused that he thought he knew her. She was quite content to let him believe he did, and she listened to his story, resisting the urge to just tell him to shut up. She wasn't surprised at all by the walkie, and given that she wasn't likely to talk out loud, it wasn't really a problem for her.
When he finally seemed finish, Jacklyn nearly sighed in relief. What did she care about some other woman's problems?
"So you are basically asking if I'll be you're assassin" that amused Jacklyn, and she decided that as long as he thought she was a chained dog, then she could have a bit of fun.
"Why not? I want to live, and yeah, I'm not afraid to do what needs to be done"Kyle nodded.
"Good. Believe it or not there is a reason I told you that boring ass story. Im not going to say I will be giving you daily targets to take out, but if there are any problems in the group, or any outside force attacks I need to know someone can discreetly...take care of any problems that may arise. I would do it myself but I am on thin ice in this regard. The people in this group......they are family to me but they can be dumb as shit sometimes."Kyle held out his hand.
"In return, I will make sure your place here is secure and you will basically be able to get away with anything. Just try not to cause too much trouble...and get caught."Kyle chuckled slightly.
Jacklyn took his hand
"Oh, i'll be sure not to get caught" She said, stepping back, she wondered just how much fun she could have with this. Tear the whole group apart, maybe. Still, she'd have to be careful about just what she did.
"Well. Pleasure doing business with you, but I'd really like to sleep unless there's someone you want me to kill right now" She walked over to the bed, unconcerned with turning her back on him. She sat down, well pleased.
Kyle laughed. He turned around and re placed the walkie but left it off.
"Nah. Your fine. Have a good rest. "Kyle gave her a two finger salute, and right before he left the room he turned around, fished something out of his pocket, and tossed it next to Jacklyn. He tossed her a milky way.
"Welcome to the group."Kyle walked back downstairs and looked for Nikki.
@wick@caits@josephb@kurai assassin