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[color=darkgray]"I'll tell you more about it later just... trust me."[/color][sub][sub][sub][hr][/sub][/sub][/sub][/center][right][indent][indent][color=#598865][b][code]The Meeting Place[/code][/b][/color][/indent][/indent][/right][center][sup][hr][/sup][/center]

Convincing Miriam to assist hadn't exactly been a difficult thing to do. Which was a pleasant surprise.

Dexter considered himself to have a silver tongue. No one else agreed on this sentiment, but he saw himself that way and that's what mattered. Once time had unfrozen and Dexter called the '1,2,3 Go Wildcats' and the group dispersed, he had be-lined for the waitress. He had heard that the newcomer was well versed in hiking and if anything she would serve well as a way to avoid poison ivy and an extra pair of eyes. She had agreed with few questions asked, and her slight southern drawl had been more comforting than he had anticipated. Call it stereotypical, but he had the sense that she knew what she was doing.

When she rolled up to his house in an old beaten Ford Bronco with a hunting rifle and a Remington shotgun, he was a liiiiiittle bit less at ease.

[color=gold]"Are you sure this isn't il-"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Only need to be eighteen to purchase a rifle or shotgun. Montana is an open carry state."[/color]

And that had been the end of that.

The ride up and to the mountain had been quiet. Miriam's car smelt like coffee and the thought reminded Dexter to buy a new car air freshener because he was almost certain Ryu brought weed into his Masda at some point in the near-past. The early morning's sun beams happened to catch Miriam in a pleasing way- drawing his attention. She was very... attentive when she drove, no radio, no conversation. It was almost as if she was trying to burn a hole in the windshield. Dexter dragged his eyes away from her and peered into the back of the Bronco. He couldnt help but marvel at how prepared she was- were those...

[color=gold]"Are those flares?"[/color] Dexter questioned, submitting to his own curiosity.

Miriam tore her gaze away from the road for a moment, allowing herself to relax as the tension was broken. [color=9e0b0f]"Uh, yeah, just in case we're up shit creek with no paddle. I have a satellite locator too."[/color]

Dexter didn't immediately respond. He couldn't help but notice that she also had what couldn't be any less than [i]fifteen[/i] water bottles.

[color=gold]"Why all the water bottles?"[/color]

Miriam smirked and adjusted her ball cap. [color=9e0b0f]"Looks like I just preemptively saved your life."[/color]

[color=gold]"What do you mean?"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"A lot of people either dont bring water and pass out and dehydration and die from exposure if they're not lucky enough to be found. Sometimes people bring enough to get far enough to the point where they're fucked completely. Everyone gets two bottles. One for there, one for back."[/color]

Dexter turned back around in her seat. Damn. This girl knew her shit.

[color=gold]"Oh, uh, it's just up here."[/color] he directed, which Miriam followed, pulling up just behind a pick up truck. Miriam reached for the door handle, but Dexter stopped her.

[color=9e0b0f]"What?"[/color]

[color=gold]"Do you know about what's been happened in this town recently?"[/color]

Miriam opened her mouth to speak, but decided against it, opting to simply nod.

[color=gold]"There's a lot of rumors about this area. Scary shit, but after the things that have been happening, I'm starting to believe them."[/color] Dexter explained, sitting back in his seat. [color=gold]"I dont expect you to understand but... keep that shotgun really, really close. And keep someone in your sight at all times."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"I can handle myself, Dexter."[/color]

Dexter winced. [color=gold]"I know, I know, I-"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"You don't get to tell me what to do here man. I'm the-"[/color]

Miriam's words were cut off as Dexter's hand began glowing brightly against her sleeve. It was hot, as if it had a lot of energy, like a heat lamp. But it didn't hurt.

[color=9e0b0f]"What the fuck."[/color]

[color=gold]"I'll tell you more about it later just... trust me."[/color]

Miriam nodded. Dexter let go of her shirt.

Both slid out of the car, Dexter taking point to greet the group. [color=gold]"Hey everyone, I brought Miriam along. She's... she's good at hunting and hiking. I figured she could help."[/color]