[@Sol Grim] [@Always]

"Yeah, we'll be lucky if we can keep that place for a year. World wide disastrous have a thing for taking what is keeping you alive." Reena began to think of the words Johnny gave, he seemed like a loner, but an opportunist as well. There were just so many that she had to keep tabs on, Ethan originally was fine, but the man just lost his family. People tend to grow distant after that. "Hey, listen, you saved mine and James lives in the time we knew you. I owe you, so tell me if you need something, or if you notice anything."

Than there was Dallen, "you seem to be full of surprises. Came from a few hundred acer ranch, been doing stuff like this before I could read. Minus the killing of humans and, well, whatever they are." It was only right to give up something, she was a survivalist. Not as good as a shot as Dallen is, the man was a marine, trained for this kind of combat, the kind of world when people turned on each other. It kind of worried her. The way he stood, he seemed completely at ease, everyone else faired well but they still had some kind of fidget or shuffle. Even herself, one could tell she was worried when she kept making sure her crossbow was still there. 
"Come on, faster we get back home the better."

It was a good thing they did, when they finally arrived at the end of the road to her farm. Reena began to spot the forms of Vader and Roach. "Guess they knew home was safe" jumping out of the car she began to look around, Epona whinnying from the barn, and Azazel inside. Now all that was left was, "Gandalf!" She called, trying to spot the gentle giant. He couldn't be that hard to find with his white coat and towering back. "Gandaaaalf!" Yet the horse was no where in sight, she was greeted by the mule instead, the animal nudging her with his head earning a pat. "James, take care of them would you please? We need to get some things settled, maybe go get Gandalf later, poor guy probably couldn't keep up and got lost."
Nodding his head, the boy left inside the barn, looking over his shoulder just in time to see Ethan once again vanish. 

----

When the stranger came, they were met with the narrowed gaze of a red head. "Sorry folks, this here is for family only, can't go trusting anyone else." It was an easy lie, even easier with the slight accent she held. Her arms crossed and voice not made to budge, she could see from the corner of her eye, James watching from the hayloft. 
"Your right, we do need to get this place secure. I got land, I got supplies, horses, everything someone would want and need." She couldn't be picky with her team now, Dallen was trained, he knew what he was doing. Johnny was a drug dealer, he had to have some kind of cut throat quality that would come in handy. 
"Back inside."

She was back at her table, maps showing her property she began to draw on them. "I use these for the new kids so they don't get lost. Now, I got three gates, here, here, and here." Circling each one, the size of the property began to sink in. "Don't need to focus on that large of a space, what we need protected is the barn, shed, house and garden, so all this right here." Drawing in a smaller circle she leaned back. 
"You got a good view in the hay loft, there is also a tree house right on the edge of the property. Thank gods this place is so far out of the way. But we're gonna need more guns. All I got is a 10mm, hunting rifle, and shotgun. Gonna need more than that, I'd say we could raid my ex's house......" 

She grew silent for a moment the memory of the light leaving someone that was once so close to her burned in her mind. Still, she leaned back, taking a deep breath and continues. 

" Johnny you met him, guy was crazy, but he was one of those game hunters and compensated with weaponry. It might be dangerous if his father or one of his buds are there looking for him. But his room is full of hunting equipment. Than there is the firearms store further in town, but that place may be cleared out."
Running a hand through her hair, she sighed. "Aright, who can I trust with going on weapon raids, and who wants to stay here and guard the place? I have to go track down Gandalf, if he's injured than he's going to start attracting something. If not, than we have a draft horse on our side still who's trained in pulling, great animal for this kind of work."



James was not paying as much attention as he should. Instead he was in the kitchen, cooking some eggs and toast. He wasn't the best, but at least it was something. Grabbing a bottle of ketchup, and filling a glass with juice, the kid walked up stairs to the guest room, laying the plat and drink down before knocking on the door and leaving. He knew Ethan needed space, but he couldn't let the man starve to death.
[i]"He's just a kid!"[/i]
Ethan saved his life in the city, same as Johnny, he had a family. He was a good guy. James himself was never really close to his mother, the woman was always drinking, forgetting him, forgetting she had a child sometimes and so had to rely on Reena. Why couldn't she loose a family she would never miss instead of Ethan?
"Just leave the plate outside when your done....." His voice off, he began to scurry back downstairs. For once, a small needle prick of regret was stabbing at his mind.