[center][h3] Michael and Franklin [/h3]
Level 5- (6/50) EXP / Level 4- (10/40) EXP (+2 EXP)
Location: Ancestral Farmland, Land of Adventure ---> Lumbridge, Land of Adventure
Wordcount: 756 [/center]
[hr]
The ride back to Lumbridge was, thankfully, uneventful. Michael had, with Franklin's assistance, stumbled into a seat and put his head down, not saying anything during the ride as he tried to get some rest and recover from his injuries. Franklin had also taken the opportunity to rest, watching the scenery go by through the window as they made their way back to Lumbridge. He paid scant attention to the conversations of those around him, simply taking his time to rest and clear his head after the harrowing battle. As they got further onto the road, he closed his eyes, trying to drift off to sleep.

A while later, the two began to stir from their sleep as the monster truck came to a stop, the lights of Lumbridge visible from the windows. Groaning, Michael struggled to get up from his seat, Franklin coming over to help him out of the seat and through the door, taking a moment to unbuckle Baba from his seat and motion for the critter to follow him. As they stepped out of the truck, they were met with a number of the townsfolk gathered outside. One of them offered a cup of water and a blanket to Michael, which he took with some hesitation. As they walked further, Michael looked over the crowd with half-lidded eyes, a look of confusion on his face. [color=00aeef]"What...what are they doing?"[/color]

The pair stopped as the Houndmaster approached the group, Michael looking up from his daze to face him. He gave a slight nod as he congratulated the group. Next, another man approached, offering the group free lodgings at his inn. Michael shot a confused look to Franklin, who simply gave him a shrug. They followed along with the rest of the group to the inn, wasting no time in getting up to a room. Franklin lay Michael down on one of the beds, while Baba simply chose to sit in a corner of the room.

After a few moments, Michael turned his head to face Franklin, who had taken a seat on the other bed on the right side of the room. [color=00aeef]"...what was that about?"[/color]

[color=39b54a]"They're saying we're heroes. Giving us free stuff for a reward."[/color] Franklin replied, looking away from Michael as he took out his two pistols, unloading the nine millimeter and beginning to disassemble it. 

[color=00aeef]"...never heard that one before."[/color] Michael mumbled, pausing for a few moments as he stared off into space. [color=00aeef]"Frank, what the hell are we doing?"[/color]

[color=39b54a]"What do you mean?"[/color] He shot Michael a look, before going back to disassembling his pistol, checking if anything needed cleaning.

[color=00aeef]"Think about it, man...when were we heroes? We're...we're criminals, Frank. We steal. We kill people. And now we're, what? Running around, acting like we're some sort of knights in shining armor?"[/color]

Franklin shrugged. [color=39b54a]"...'cause there's no other way to get home?"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"...what's so good about home, anyways?"[/color]

[color=39b54a]"Oh, come on..."[/color] Franklin put his pistol down, looking at Michael directly. [color=39b54a]"Cut that dramatic shit out, man. What else are we gonna do? Go join Trevor and run around in the desert? Go rob banks, when money don't mean nothing anymore? It's a new world, new rules."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"We're still not heroes. I haven't done anything heroic in my life. These guys...they have all these powers and shit, man, and what do we have? A fancy gun and some..."[/color]

[color=39b54a]"That fancy gun took down some big targets. And if you want powers, just use one of those spirit things. Look..."[/color] Franklin leaned forward. [color=39b54a]"We're the lucky ones. Everyone out there- they're still brainwashed. Under the influence. You wanna be stuck in a world like that?"[/color] He took a deep breath. [color=39b54a]"It don't matter what we used to be. Heroes or not, we're doing this. And if you don't wanna? Then I'll go without you. Hell, if everyone in this group of ours dies or gets brainwashed or whatever, I'm gonna fight that Galeem asshole by myself if I gotta, because I'm not being stuck in this place for the rest of my life." [/color]

Michael was silent for several moments. Franklin went back to his pistol, re-assembling it, and placing it and the plasma pistol on the night stand. After a few more moments, he spoke up. [color=00aeef]"...I don't wanna be stuck here, either."[/color]

[color=39b54a]"Good. Now go to bed, you need to recover. Goodnight."[/color] With that, Franklin lied down, closing his eyes. Sleep came quickly for the two, tired after the long fight. Whatever happened tomorrow, they would worry about it then.