[h1][b][i][color=CornflowerBlue][center]Jack Landry[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XvlJ2Vm.jpeg[/img]

[i]Location: West Caldwell Streets
Skills: N/A[/i][hr][hr][/center]

Jack supposed he couldn’t blame Shin-ae for declining his offer to ride along with him. Despite their situation, he was still a stranger. Their meeting was the result of a random circumstance, which certainly wasn’t enough for him to earn her trust. That would come in time. For the moment, he would respect her boundaries.

Nevertheless, Jack [i]had[/i] felt a little wounded when Kaitlyn questioned the versatility of the car itself, something that had likely also crossed Shin-ae’s mind. He would be the first to admit that it was far from dependable, nor did it hold any sentimental value. It wasn’t even [i]his[/i] car! However, it was his last connection to Ben’s memory. The young man had sacrificed himself to allow Jack to retrieve his car. That had to count for something.

But there was also the question of practicality, especially in terms of their safety. In that sense, perhaps Kaitlyn had a point.

With a quiet sigh, Jack ran his hand along the dashboard and frowned. [color=CornflowerBlue]"There [i]is[/i] a chance it could slow us down. I did notice a slight uptick on the temperature gauge on my way out of the city. There was no time to stop and diagnose the problem, but the best-case scenario? It simply needs an oil change."[/color] He angled his chin to meet Kaitlyn’s gaze. [color=CornflowerBlue]"I could take a look now and go from there? An extra set of wheels wouldn’t be such a bad idea—"[/color]

A revving engine announced the arrival of another car, a lavish BMW, which halted Jack’s thoughts. As he opened the door and rose to his feet, he watched the scene unfold with narrowed eyes, his frown deepening. A woman with fair skin and equally blonde hair emerged from the passenger side of the car, ran across the asphalt, and flung herself against AJ. The two embraced, the woman sobbing inconsolably. The driver, who remained in the car, was difficult to see through the tinted glass, though Jack could only deduce that they were the girl’s parents.

Good for her.

He allowed himself a small smile at the reunion, though it soon faded, quickly replaced with a pang of anxiety for his own daughter. Claire was still out there. Only then did he acknowledge Kaitlyn’s inquiry about whether he had tried to contact her.

[color=CornflowerBlue]"She called me when everything went to hell,"[/color] Jack explained solemnly, his blue eyes turning distant. [color=CornflowerBlue]"The line cut off shortly after I answered, and I haven’t been able to get a hold of her since. It could be as simple as her phone dying, or—well, I’d rather not consider the alternatives. Not yet, anyway. I’d rather maintain hope."[/color] He shook his head and scoffed at his own expense. [color=CornflowerBlue]"But I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try again. You never know."[/color]

With another wary sigh, Jack pulled the phone from his pants pocket and retrieved Claire’s information through his contacts.