[center][color=#ead2b2][h3]Darlene Kate Revie[/h3][/color][/center]For a few seconds Darlene didn't move, watching with wide eyes as Duncan led the way outside. But then she followed, staying as far as she could from Duncan without actually walking away. Being outside the house instead of in that site of death helped a little, but she was still far from calm.

She really tried to focus on what Duncan was saying, but it was hard when the person who spoke was the one who was the source of all her agitation. Happy times... crushes... crops... sales... all so irrelevant at this time. There wasn't such happiness anymore. Would there ever be? Answer: no. Everyone who had survived, basically two people, had sad pasts. She should have seen it coming, really, for since when was it survival of the weakest? Of course, she wasn't exactly strong, but she still had [i]some skill[/i]. 

But Duncan was strong. Too strong. Killed. 

The cycle started all over again, Darlene thinking too much about the death and past. She subconsciously tuned out the last part of whatever it was that Duncan was saying while she lost herself in her thoughts, until she heard him ask if she was going to be okay. Forcing herself to look at him properly and processing his words slowly, she didn't know what to say. 

[color=#ead2b2][i]Break it down.[/i][/color]

Duncan said he wouldn't ever lie to her. [color=#ead2b2][i]Honestly is always the best policy?[/i][/color] She wasn't so sure. He didn't start fights, but he never lost any. That was a mark against him, at least while Darlene was in this state. She was... scared. Of him just as much as she was scared of how she might not survive by herself.

Death, death, death. Death of family, friends, death of innocence. Death of happiness. There was the death that the person with her had caused. There was her possible death, which could happen so easily if she allowed it. 

[color=#ead2b2][i]Why did I decide to live again?[/i][/color] 

There was a reminder... she had a reminder as to why she had decided to live. Feeling as if she was swimming outwards out of sludge, she clutched tightly at the pouch around her neck with both hands so that it was now obvious that something was there. She wanted to sink to the ground and be left alone, but after a few seconds she let go and the wall came down again. 

Polite. Composed. Standing tall. The change happened so quickly it was absurd. Inside though, she was still unsure. Should she leave? She wanted to, wanted to leave this person who could remind too much of bad things that had happened. But he had so many supplies, had so much knowledge... teaming up for him would most likely mean survival for both of them.

Still...

[color=#ead2b2][i]Just for a little while?[/i][/color]

She looked him in the eye, so unnaturally composed on the outside. [color=#ead2b2]"I understand. Thank you for telling me the truth. I thank you for your hospitality, but I would like to leave."[/color] She raised her chin slightly. [color=#ead2b2]"I can take care of myself. I can pick locks, and I hotwired the car by myself. I have been by myself and made it this far, even while-"[/color] A slight hitch in her voice could be detected. [color=#ead2b2]"Even while taking care of another."[/color]

Darlene felt that she should specify that she might return some time soon-ish, but ended up saying nothing. Some part of her understood that he probably wouldn't turn her away if she came back, and if she didn't, well, at least she wouldn't have made any promises.

She continued looking at him, waiting for his response.