wickedchouette | (no subject)

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[When the car radiator overheats for the third time in a week, Alfie takes it as a sign that it's finally time for more than just another quick tune-up.

They're in a deserted area, which is both good and bad. On the one hand, most of the dangerous gangs are still in urban areas, the way they had been before the world had gone to shit. Out here in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles and miles of fields with only the occasional small copse of trees, they're not likely to run into anyone at all, much less anyone dangerous. But on the other hand, if they do come across anyone, there won't be anywhere to run to or hide. Alfie, as always, has his pistol tucked into his coat pocket, and they have more weapons stashed away in the trunk. But they're a small group - no match for the bigger gangs with armored trucks and heavy artillery. If they meet one of those, they'll be slaughtered.

With his sleeves rolled up and the hood of the car open, he leans in with his tools, carefully tinkering away. He can't afford to make a mistake here - replacement parts are rare and precious. When he hears footsteps behind him, he doesn't dare look away from his work as he says sharply:]

Stay back. You don't want hot steam to the face.

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[He pulls her close, tucking her securely under his free arm.]

Do you wanna tell us about it, or do you wanna talk about good things?

[ She curls up close, and Gwen reaches over to rest her hand on whatever she can of Mercy's. Mercy sniffs. ] Mom went away in my dream and we couldn't find her. I don't wanna talk about sad stuff. Can we talk about something nice and good?

Tell me what you wanna do as soon as your mum is better. Anything you like.

Really? [ Mercy shoots a glance at Gwen, who smiles a little and nods. ] Okay... well, I want us to all play a game. Can we all play tag? Or hide and seek?

You know you and your dad are gonna trounce us, yeah?

[ She giggles. ] Maybe.

[ Gwen laughs as well, another weak sound, and then murmurs: ] Truly the masters of hide and seek. It took me years to find your father the first time.

I'll play. But it won't be much of a fair game.

We'll go easy on you! [ Mercy says, giggling, and Royce finally speaks up quietly from the front: ] Don't be a sore loser, Solomons.

[ Teasing! Teasing. It's a break from the tension, but it won't last terribly long. ]

Don't go easy on me. Give me a challenge.

[He gives Mercy a wink.]

[ She laughs again, delighted, and babbles for a while longer at Alfie. Gwen falls asleep after a few minutes, and Royce falls silent, just driving as far as he dares to. It's hours before they get to the city, but they do arrive at just after dawn. Royce pulls the car around to hide it, and glances over to the backseat, looking exhausted. ]

Solomons. Awake?

[He's not - he'd fallen asleep curled up with Mercy, with his hand still on Gwen's forehead. But when he hears his name, he stirs.]

Yeah.

Gwen. [ Royce says, mostly to indicate he wants to know how she is. She shifts a little in her sleep, expression twisting slightly - her fever isn't getting any better. ]

[Alfie curls his fingers on her forehead, pushing them through her sweaty hair.]

No. No better.

[ Deep, slow breath. Okay. ] I can go scout for an empty, safe house. We can set up a camp and let her rest. It won't take me long.

[ He's already getting out of the car. A beat. ] Keep them safe. Please.

One of us needs to go look for that medicine, as soon as possible.

[He knows Royce will want to stay with her. But Royce is also the better scout, and the faster mover.]

[ Another hesitation. ] I don't - Alfie, I don't want to be away from her that long.

[ Alfie, not Solomons. Really only ever comes out when he's desperate or upset. ]

I know, but look at her. She's not...

[He glances at Gwen, trailing off.]

It's her best shot.

[ Royce climbs out of the car and slams the door behind him - it scares Mercy out of her sleep, and she grabs at Alfie, startled and wide eyed. Gwen stirs but stays asleep, shivering.

It takes a good minute for Royce to compose himself, and then he leans down to speak quietly to Alfie. ] One step at a time. Camp first. Then I'll look for people to trade with or somewhere I can raid.

[The shivering scares Alfie even more than the heat of her forehead. He picks up Mercy, leaning forward to kiss the top of her head.]

Right. Let's go.

[ There's an empty house not far. It's in good shape, and miraculously, the water works. It's kind of rusty looking, but it's water, and Royce will take it. The second floor is mostly destroyed, caved in, but there's a nice bedroom that's perfect for laying Gwen out, the abandoned bed left intact.

People stay here all the time, so Royce isn't surprised to find it. He is wary, though. People steal, cheat, lie and kill to get what they want; if someone wants this house, they'll try to take it. Nobody does for now, but the thought lingers.

Royce makes Gwen comfortable, leaves Alfie to look after Mercy. It only takes a few moments for him to set Gwen up and check the wound, and when he does, he goes a little pale. He comes out to find Alfie, intending to tell Alfie while Mercy is otherwise busy playing, expression grim. ]

Her leg keeps getting worse.

[Alfie is having similar thoughts, and it makes him double-check the ammunition in his gun before leaving the car. He's gentle and patient with Mercy, getting her settled somewhere safe inside - and then heading over to Royce to talk.]

She needs that medicine now. Royce--

[He can't wait.]

I know. [ Royce snaps, fear rising up in his throat. ] I know, I need to go. I can't - you need to sit with her. You have to make sure she doesn't get worse while I'm gone.

[ He's so scared of what might happen if he's gone for too long. ]

I won't leave her side. Not ever.

[Only immediate danger would drag him away.]

I - alright. [ He swallows hard. ] I need to - I'm going to go tell her. Give me a second.

[ And he does, moves back to her side to push her hair back out of her face and rest their foreheads together. She's awake, aware, and she gives him a smile, stroking the side of his face. They talk quietly for a few moments, and then Royce kisses her, more gentle than he's been with anything else. He pulls away, reluctant, and then goes to tell Mercy he'll be back, letting her hug him and pressing a kiss to the side of her head.

And then he's gone, slipping out the front door to try to find something, anything.

The girls are left behind, Gwen shifting to try and sit up so she can talk with Mercy, trying to look like she feels okay if only for Mercy's sake. ]

Gwen.

[Alfie puts a hand on her shoulder.]

Stay lying down, yeah?