OUTBREAK: ZERO is a semi post-apocalyptic pandemic roleplay set in the fictional city of Lethford, USA. Current season: Winter, 20/21.
March 2020. The world is in pandemonium as one month ago, GHNv-20 was confirmed, five months after the beginning of norovirus season. The number of the infected are in the higher hundred thousands, and the death toll is at an estimated 250,000, with about seventy percent of the rest of the population experiencing mild to moderate illnesses connected to the S. pyogenes bacteria.
The fear of the unknown has caused mass hysteria and panic.
In an attempt to provide a semblance of safety and control, military personnel patrol the streets, even here in Lethford City, and the police force is trying to keep up with the rising street violence, assault, and theft.
Welcome to OUTBREAK: zero. Will you survive?
HAYANA
SITE OWNER + HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I'm Haya. I'm pretty much your girl for everything! If you have any questions regarding our plot, membergroups, etc. don't hesitate to ask me. I'm also in charge of coding, graphics, anything skin related, and advertising/affiliates.
GENERAL INQUIRIES
CODING
GRAPHICS
ADVERTISING
CHARACTERS
ADDI
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey! I'm Addi. Hit me up if you need help with anything. I'm always for plotting so don't be shy. I like coffee, booze, and working out. I'm back from a long hiatus the dead so if you need anything, best ask the others until I get back into the groove of things!
GENERAL INQUIRIES
APPLICATIONS
THREAD MODERATION
MEDIATOR
CHARACTERS
FINNLEY
GLOBAL MODERATOR
Hi hello! My name is Finnley, or Finn, call whichever and I'll be there for you (yes like the FRIENDS theme song). I am in charge of the claims and helping with miscellaneous things. Let me know if you have any questions!
GENERAL INQUIRIES
CLAIMS
DIRECTORY
CHARACTERS
STAFF NAME
OPEN MODERATOR POSITION
outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
"Well, for what it's worth, your art reflects your hard work. Especially your rearview window decals."
She had decided in that moment that she really liked the way he looked in her home. The way he seemed to just fit in there. Looking around at her different art work and the fact that she just felt comfortable with him there. And that was saying a lot actually. Kins wasn't exactly the most social, go figure with her germaphobic behaviors that she had to keep top of mind. She normally wasn't, sure she had washed her hands more often before the whole virus outbreak, but she also wanted to enjoy life. And once the virus started, she had quarantined herself to her home. And when it got really bad, she couldn't leave. No where wanted anyone from Lethford to come into their areas.
The city was a walking virus in the worlds eyes. So the girl with the weakened immune system was forced to sit tight and just double up on protective gear, keeping distance, and pray for the best. Wash her hands a lot. It had made her feel uncomfortable around others as of lately, but Jude made her feel like she could take a deep breath. That she was safe. Though she really should get her head checked considering the man was running around without any mask or protective gear on when they first met. Like he didn't care about his well being.
A grin broke out over her face, one that was just a little impish in the fact that she had graffitied the back window of his cruiser. "I am glad you saw it." She mused, though she knew it wasn't likely to go unseen. She had specifically gone out and found car paint for her to do this specific drawing on his cruiser. "Do you know how hard it is to get ahold of car paint during times like this? Let me tell you, it's not easy. And when you kept passing by, I figured I'd best be prepared for when I had a moment to leave you something to smile about." Yes, she was admitted that she had seen him. He wasn't as smooth as he thought he had been.
"If things ever go back to normal, I might take a vacation."
She nodded earnestly. He really should. Hell, the whole world should pause and take a vacation after this. Maybe each city gets a designated shut down week and they all just take a vacation. Not stay at home and just have time off. Like actually go somewhere and enjoy the outdoors and drinks at a tiki bar and amazing food and sights. "You should. Beaches with models walking around the board walk. Fresh seafood if you like that sort of thing. Ocean air. Live music and art events happening all the time. It's quite fun. And if that's not really your thing, there is a lot of other things. Airboat ride through the everglades, boat rides on the ocean, travel a bit more north and you have amusement parks galore. Happiest place on earth." Her voice almost sing songy at the end.
When he thanked her for her condolences, she nodded. There was not much else to say because she knew that dragging it out or really asking how he felt about it wasn't the way to handle those sorts of things. At least not how Kins did. She listened to him with a gentle expression as he spoke on his father. Watching his facial expressions as he spoke on the man. "What changed him?" She was unashamed of asking. She wanted to know more. She was curious about Jude and what made him, him.
"What about your parents?"
She reached forward, palming her cider once more and she took a long pull from the bottle. "Mom is a tough cookie. She did her best to make sure we were taken care of as best as she could. Always had a roof over our head, some kind of meal in our stomaches when I was a kid. And she was my anchor in the storm. She was strong and faced everything head on. I heard her crying sometimes in the bathroom," A little warning flag went off in her mind somewhere that she was sharing too much. She didn't want him to pity her. "But she kept that behind closed doors. She's still in Florida. Living the beach life." She pointed to a photo that was hanging on the wall of the woman. "As for my dad? I never really got a solid answer on that one. So I'm convinced my mom had a one night stand and just doesn't know." She chuckled.
"So I guess I am."
Kins immediately felt the competitive side of her rear its head. "Game on officer." She said, raising her cider to him in salute before she downed the rest of it. "I won't go easy on you just because you have only played twice before. So bring your best game face." she taunted him. And then she reached forward and snagged the remove, her thumb clicking away until she found something that she figured was partially up his ally when it came to movies. "Hope you have a sense of humor," She flashed him a smile as Zombieland started up.
She twisted to sit so she was facing the TV, which put her within a foot reach of him. She didn't say anything, only peeking at him from the corner of her eyes. If he looked uncomfortable, she'd shift a few inches away from him. But if he seemed okay, she'd stay. This was the closest she had been to someone by choice in a long time. And for some reason, it felt quite alright to her.
"I can cook. Sometimes. Might be a little rusty. Next time... Next time we can meet at my place. And I can cook for you. Fair is fair.”
Kins felt her breath catch in her throat. A small bite to her lip as she found her eyes searching him for any sign of ‘I’m saying this to be nice’. But he seemed to say it with confidence. And that made her heart stutter in her chest. She was also glad that he didn’t bring up her awkward way of wording, almost making it sound like there was something for him to break off. They weren’t really even friends. Strange work acquaintances? They both had dealt with each other through work related purposes. Though she had saved his life before, and he potentially saved hers tonight. Who knew how bad that could have gotten.
“I’d like that,” She confirmed before picking up her drink and having another gulp. It would keep her from smiling at him too widely. Her eyes watching him as she took a sip before she leaned back on the couch. The conversation moving easily onto art. And at his comment, she gave him a small nod. “I mean, I started out like everyone does. Really bad finger painting and coloring outside the lines in a coloring book.” She laughed lightly at the thought. “But it grew more and more. And eventually when I couldn’t really go anywhere, I found myself getting lost in it. It was easier than dealing with constantly being poked and prodded.” She had scars across her stomach and hips from the treatments, but she was good about keeping those covered.
“I've never been to the beach.”
Ah, Florida. The land of the beaches and Disney and space. She lifted a brow her hands playing with the hem of her shorts. “You’re missing out. The waves and salt air are quite refreshing. Though the sand in every nook and cranny could go away without any complaints from me.” There was always sand for days, everywhere. A car alone was never rid of the sand that you’d track into it. It was like glitter. Taking over everything it touched. “It’d be worth the trip, if you ever find time to go.” She was careful to not include herself on that. She already was pressing for another time to see him. No need to be taken the wrong way by joking about them going to another state together.
Hazel eyes flipped to him as he started talking about his father. It sounded past tense, which made a small sadness build inside of her. She had personally never known her own father, but she had her mother. So she could only assume that losing a parent would be awful any way it was looked at. “I’m sorry to hear about your loss.” She offered him. She knew loss in other ways. Many patients that she was with in the hospital didn’t make it. One day they’d be sitting in their treatment together and then suddenly, gone. Kins had a hard time at first with it. But it was one of those things you come to accept. She had a near death experience twice in her treatment. By the second one, she was ready. “What was he like? Your father.” She didn’t think much about asking, but she was bracing herself in case he didn’t want to go further on the topic.
“I guess it depends on how good you are these days.”
A smile was sent his way, her hands stopping on the hem of the shorts as she crossed her arms over her chest casually. “I honestly haven’t played in while.” She told him, a small shrug of her shoulder. ”Are you challenging me to a round of darts one day?” She asked, brows raised on her forehead. A small bemused smile on her face.
Havyn sat forward in her seat at this point, a hand waving towards him. She couldn't imagine living in a place that was so plain. She'd feel depressed. Maybe that's why he was such a sour puss the first time he met her. He stared at blank walls every day. Nothing that showed signs of life. She shook her head at him. "Well, I know what we will be doing the next time we hang out." She told him matter-of-factly. Though for a moment her mind lingered one exactly what just came out of her mouth. 'The next time we hang out'. Well that was quite arrogant of her to assume he'd want to put up with her a second time.
"If you want a next time. No pressure there. Lord knows I wouldn't blame you for wanting to call it quits here." What the hell was that?! Call it quits? There was nothing to call quits was there? A blooming friendship? She had no idea, so a small blush built under her cheeks until she reached forward and downed the rest of her cider. She nodded towards his for a moment before she stood. "Another?" She asked as she made her way to the fridge. Wanting to give herself a break and not look like a fool. Maybe she should have kept a mask on. It would have hidden her blush. If he had agreed to another cider, she would have pulled two out of her fridge and made her way back to the couch. Taking her same spot. Close to him, well closer than she had been before.
"Especially these days."
She couldn't imagine being an essential worker during these times. She had worked with so many of them when she was younger, having to be in their care. And knew how much time and effort they put into things as it was. And now? Their lives literately were on the line every day. And Jude? He was the front line. She was glad to see he had a mask now, maybe in a way, she had helped him out in some sense. She reached for her remote and flipped the TV on. It wasn't her cutting off their conversation, but a way to show that she planned on him sticking around a bit. She flipped to a random show but muted it.
Her eyes on him as she waited on him to start telling her about himself. Though she found that blush rushing back to her cheeks as she realized he was staring at her. The smile on her face fading a bit. Her hand raised to her mouth as she wondered if something was on her face. But she was glad when he started explaining about himself. "Chicago style pizza, the Sears tower, and the Bean." She said, a small smile making its way back to her face. "And I'll tell you a secret, no one is good at art without working to be good at it." She had plenty of time to get good at it. Right from a hospital bed.
She was glad that he leaned back and seemed to get comfortable. And she found herself leaning more towards him as he finished up about him. A jock in high school. Played the piano. Likes art. Chicago. She made sure to commit it to memory.
"My turn. Where did you grow up? Any passions outside of art?"
She took a swig from her fresh bottle of cider. "Lets see. Grew up in Miami, which sort of inspired all the art." She started. Yep, the sickly pale girl grew up in the sunshine state. But the art there was absolutely stunning. "I sort of got to miss out on those important years where you find the other hobbies as a teen. It's when I found out about my love for art and creating things really. It was easier to imagine things and make them come to life on paper than facing the walls of a hospital that had posters to 'rate your pain'." She found herself chuckling lightly. "Those smileys still haunt me to this day." She joked, and truly it was a joke. "I used to really enjoy darts. If that can count as a hobby." She smiled at him, finding it funny really.
"It’s nice. Maybe I should get you to decorate mine."
A faint lift to her lips happened then. She could picture his place now. Plain. Blank walls. Maybe a couch against a wall that was a muted color. Gray or brown. Something that was just ordinary. Maybe he'd have a dining room table. Only big enough for maybe two people. But she pictured one end would be where he'd place his work items when he got home. The only magnets on the fridge would be for a local pizza place or something like that. A catch all drawer in the kitchen. "Be careful what you offer, I might just have to do that. Especially if you tell me your walls don't have anything hanging on them." She teased lightly, taking another swig from the cider.
"Not that there’s anything to make up for, but the food alone is certainly enough."
She wanted to argue that there was something to make up for. She had not extended the offer to her place so he could get rid of some creep. This was a freak accident. And she felt awful about it. Awful and beyond thankful. She briefly wondered if she had any desserts tucked away somewhere that she could continue thanking him with. She did take satisfaction as he seemed pleased at least with the dinner. She took another bite of food to keep herself from grinning at him like an idiot. His stern look had her holding a hand up in a surrender motion. "Fine, fine. I'll let it go for now." She muttered lightly.
She lifted her cider in the air when he mentioned that it helped before she took another drink from it and set it down on the table.
"I don’t watch movies very often anymore. I used to watch mostly war movies and action movies, though."
Havyn was almost disappointed in that answer. He didn't watch movies anymore? "Why don't you watch them anymore? Too busy?" Where Jude was hesitant to start asking questions, she was not. She wanted to get to know him, why this cop with a bad attitude seemed to have a decent heart to him. And after his heroic acts, two of them if you are keeping up, well, she was more intrigued by him every passing moment. She took a few moments to sit and finish off her plate. She hadn't served herself a large portion. She still had a few odd habits of eating sometimes. And her stomach never seemed big enough to finish off plates when she served herself. So she played it safe earlier.
"If you’re trying to figure out what to play, let’s watch your favorite movie in your collection. Whatever it is."
His smile was easy, and her own features softened a bit. Her favorite movie? She glanced towards the TV as if it would light up the screen and tell her what it was. She actually wasn't sure what her favorite would be. There were plenty she had enjoyed. And even more that she would sit and tell him 'Oh this is my favorite!' if it was to come up. But the true answer? She wasn't sure what it was. She let her shoulders shrug. "The movie is for later anyway." She said thoughtfully. "Right now, I'd rather ask more about you." Perhaps a bold statement, but that was quite alright in her book. "Tell me more about you. Where did you grow up? Have any siblings? Why did you become a SWAT cop? Hobbies? Give me something." She placed her empty plate on the coffee table before she sat back and gave him a bright smile, as if to encourage him to give her the answers. Her first real smile that he'd see in person.
As she showered, she ran through what had just happened. Of all the nights that he could have shown up, why tonight? It had been months. She had blocked his number. And he had only been there once to drop her off from their quite bad date. He had tried to force his way in then but thankfully her neighbor had been coming home and scared him off. And outside of him texting her and leaving drunk angry voicemails, she didn’t see him again. She ignored him.
Kins also had no idea why the hell he had chosen her to do this to. It wasn’t like they had been in some long term relationship. They talked for two weeks before agreeing to meet up for a date. It wasn’t anything that would cause this. And she dreaded to think about any other women he had in his life. And while she couldn’t understand why he picked that night, she was also glad that he had if he was going to be an idiot. Jude. Knight in shinning armor came in without any hesitation. Maybe not the shiniest armor but the one who meant business and took care of her.
As she came out of her room, her gray sweater almost longer than her shorts. She suddenly felt like maybe she should have chosen a pair of leggings or something. Her legs were tattooed and scared, but the heaviest scaring was hidden on her stomach and sides. She saw that he had served them dinner, bringing it to her coffee table. Which made sense, her dinning table was currently buried under art supplies and didn’t look like a place to eat.
She felt heat rush to her cheeks as he sat up, their eyes locked for a few moments. She had briefly shown her face to him before, but this was going to be a lot longer of a view. She raised a hand to rub the back of her neck as he cleared his throat. Both of them looking away for a moment as if to get a handle on themselves.
“If I’m drinking, you’re drinking.”
She felt a huff of a laugh leave her chest. “Deal.” She didn’t have to talk as loud for her voice to be heard, which meant it sounded a lot softer now. She approached him and while she tried to figure out how to keep six feet away, knew that she wasn’t going to be successful in that. So she sat down, about three feet away from him on her muted gray couch. His eyes were roaming her apartment as she reached forward and snagged the cider that appeared untouched. Her legs folding under her as she sat criss cross. “It’s a mess in a way. But I like it.” She commented lightly. Her eyes searching his face as he looked around. He was handsome, and not in the traditional way per se. In a way that just felt right.
The place had about ten different easels up. Each one with a canvas on it. Some blank, some with just a start of projects, some were bursting with color. Only one was missing a canvas completely. The one she had rushed into her room to hide. Outside of the obvious art freak, he’d see pictures on the walls. Actual photos of her friends and family. And a few with hospital staff that she had grown to love over the years. She still receives holiday cards from most in the pictures. And she sends them stuff as well.
“Interesting start to the night.” She laughed lightly, grabbing the plate of food and fork as she settled it into her lap. Her hazel eyes peeking at him. “Hopefully the food and cider make up for it in some sense.” She said, taking a bite of the food. It was actually pretty damn good if she said so herself. Her eyes were on her plate as she asked her next question, before loading another bite into her mouth. “What kind of movies do you like?”
While she should have been fully tuned into the cop in front of her, she was more focused on the one that stood in her apartment, watching her talk to them. She was embarrassed that this had happened. For her having such an awful taste in men apparently, back when she was even trying to date one. For her to have selected that fine specimen that was in the back of a cop car on his way to get booked for assault and breaking and entering. Part of her wished that Jude hadn’t been the one to save her. Because now she had to possibly talk about this. But the other part of her, couldn’t be more grateful that he had been there. That he had shown up just in time. Her hellish angel.
The tension in the air was thick when she closed the door. She stared over at him, wanting to close the distance herself and wrap herself in his arms. She had the strongest feeling that she would feel safe there. That no matter what, he would be the one to keep her safe as well. But with the kitchen timer and that casserole needing to be removed, she was quick to the kitchen. He moved in a lot closer than he had in the past, and her normal reaction crept its way to her throat. Something that was trained at this point, but then the back of her head hushed her. He had just saved her, literately, from something potentially life threatening on its own. So she didn’t say anything as he looked her over and responded.
“Starving, actually.”
A small smile, and she looked up at him then. “Chicken and rice casserole.” She stated simply, though she fell quietly as his hand raised towards her. Her hazel eyes moving to look down at where his hand had hovered on her skin. It was red, and she could tell that there would be a decent sized bruise there from Kyle’s grip on her arm. She almost pulled away and covered the mark. Especially as his voice sounded hard when he told her to not apologize again. She swallowed thickly, nodding her head that she understood. She wasn’t afraid of him. Just still ashamed for the whole situation that had happened. And when he apologized, she shook her head in disagreement. “If I can’t apologize, neither can you. You were there when I needed you.” She said, her voice softer than his had been moments before.
“Let me help. Where are the plates?”
She turned and pointed to a cabinet to his right. “There,” She didn’t stop him from helping, figuring this was a good thing for them both as she went to the silver wear drawer and pulled out forks. She placed it on the counter and went to the fridge, pulling it open and pulling out a longnecked bottle of cider. She held it out to him while she spoke. “Listen, I... I want to go shower. The food has to cool off anyway. Please make yourself at home and I promise to be quick.” She told him, motioning to her living room. There was a bottle opener magnet on her fridge for him if he wanted it. Once the bottle was out of her hand, she made quick work of heading to her room.
She shut herself in and took a deep, shaky breath. Making quick work to shower, scrubbing down every inch of skin and washing her hair again. And when she left the bathroom, she quickly dressed. She had now hit the ‘well, it can’t get worse now’ mind set, snagging a pair of soft black sweat shorts and a baggy gray sweater. She glanced at the masks that she had and, with a deep breath, decided she wasn’t going to wear one. When she re-emerged from her room, she tried her best to be as casual as possible when she looked around her apartment for him. Her next thoughts were on getting herself a cider as well, depending on what he was up to.
"Stop it! I said get out!" She struggled against him, except his grip was made of iron on her which caused her to wince. Her mind was starting to race on how the hell she was going to get him out of there. There were only two other apartments on her floor. And she was pretty sure that they had evacuated the city when numbers started getting higher and higher. Something that Kins really was wishing she had done at the moment. It had been months since she saw this guy, why now? Why was he suddenly now showing up? He yelled something at her, but she didn't hear him. Not as she caught sight of her front door flying out.
It was as if someone had unplugged the speakers to her world. Or switched on 'noise canceling' to her ears as her eyes looked up and locked onto Jude. Oh God, he was there. She almost cried out of relief because even though his face was terrifying in a way, it was not directed at her. No, if anything that was the most comforting sight she had ever seen. Even though his face was half covered with the mask, the mask he wore for her, his eyes screamed with the rage he was feeling. And then she was released.
Kins stumbled back, her hand grabbing where she just was held in a vice grip and she watched as Jude removed him from her and then a flash of red was running down Kyle's face. The red was so bright, it was as if the sun itself was staring at her in that moment. She turned her face to look away as they met the wall. If she didn't see anything, then she could claim that she didn't know what happened right? That way she could protect Jude from whatever was going to happen. Because she wasn't going to stop him. Kyle broke into her house, uninvited, and had attacked her.
The dull thud of Kyle sliding to her floor was what seemed to switch the noise back on for her. Suddenly, a small container of hand sanitizer was in focus for her. Her hazel eyes wet but tears were not pouring down her cheeks. She looked at it for a few seconds, her mask still hanging off of her ear and not covering her face. She had to tell herself mentally twice to take the sanitizer. Which she didn't even feel but she spread it over her hands and the whole arm that Kyle had grabbed. Once she was sure that she was okay, her hands lifted to her face and she secured the mask back over her nose and mouth.
"I’m going to call this in and have him picked up."
She looked at him then. Jude coming into a sharp focus as she looked him over. Had he taken any hits? She doubted it but god her insides twisted at the idea that he could have gotten hurt because of her. He seemed fine though, blood on his hand seemed to not be his but it made her want to rush him to the sink to scrub his skin for him.
"Kins? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Kins. Her nickname, one that he had not said before. In that moment, she realized that he kept every inch away from he that he could. He never touched her or got in her face. No. He even kept the hand that had drawn blood away from her. Her heart was racing and she could barely hear sounds over it in her ears. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to throw her arms around Jude and hold him. Hug him close. She wanted to kiss him and thank him a hundred times for being there and showing up, even when he could have easily turned around and gone home. He had worked a whole shift that day and was still there to see her.
She nodded then, her voice cracking at the first word before finding its footing. "I'm okay. I... I am so sorry... I opened th-the door and I thought... it was you. I didn't even check. He pushed his way in." And then it seemed to sink in, what could have happened. And suddenly her brain kicked in something it had heard when she thought the sound was gone. 'That bitch wants it!' she was mortified, angry, and above all, she was scared. "Can I please go wash up?" She asked, though she was already spinning on her heel and heading straight for her bathroom. She shut and locked the door, tearing the mask off her face and taking deep breaths. She scrubbed her arms, even though she already had spread sanitizer all over them.
By the time she let herself out, mask back in place, she realized that Jude had already made the call and there were some uniformed officers standing in her home. She went into the hall way with them as they spoke to her about what happened. She told them what she knew on him, and what happened so they could make the report. "Ms. Kinsley, I suggest you file for a restraining order when you can." She nodded weakly as she wrapped her arms around herself as they explained that they'd reach out to her if they needed anything else. She nodded before she walked back into her house. "Jude, I am so sorry." She said as she closed them in her apartment, her face still looking at the door as she calmed herself.
"I can't thank you enough though... I-" She turned to look at him as her oven alarm went off. She looked sheepishly towards the kitchen and then back to him before she quickly went over and removed the casserole. A laugh fell from her as she looked down at the dish. "Hungry?" Nothing has been normal about their meeting. Not since day one. So why should this be any different?
Kins found herself smiling when he said he didn't have cards. Well, maybe she would have to make him one. Wait, why was she constantly thinking of things to do for him? Ever since she first caught him at the wall when he thought she wasn't there, she had thought of him away from it as well. She thought about one day leaving some donuts on his hood for him. Or a note. Which she was glad that she got to do the drawing on his car this time. But now, thinking about making him some cards because what? It might make him chuckle or smile at her? What was that insanity?
"I’m SWAT. So that’s why my bedside manner is so bad. I’m used to kicking down doors."
Well, he was built like a fridge, so that made total sense. She tucked a loose piece of black hair behind her ear. "Oh come now. I am sure that SWAT has to talk to some people. Or are you only sent in to break doors down?" she teased, her voice not hiding the taunt at all anymore. She was thoroughly enjoying this now. This was a lot better than the first go around.
The mask was what really got her. When she had thought about crying, it was because she was touched. He had picked up on her almost psychotic behavior of keeping distance and showering his car in sanitizer. He picked up on her wanting to keep clean. And he thought of her. Just like she had thought of him. He thought of her enough to simply keep something stocked in his car that he hadn't had in there before. She hadn't seen anything when she dug around looking for the fire extinguisher last time.
"I really should be wearing a mask anyways. I’m sure if the city weren’t just plunged into chaos, I’d have been in trouble for it."
She nodded her head. "I knew they had to have some rules out there for you. I was still debating on whether you knew how to read or not though." Her joke briefly touching on the one they had during their heated exchange where she was amused at his small quip of humor. Saying that the young adults in the police academy couldn't read basically. Her hazel eyes drifted over to him for a moment before she had extended the invite to him. She stared at her wall as she listened to him stumble lightly.
She was nervous. She really had no right inviting him over. One, she hadn't let anyone in her apartment since the whole pandemic started. Only herself. Because she could only trust herself. But the fact that this man had gone out of his way to secure a mask for her. After she saved his ass. It made her think that he would respect her ways and actually show up clean and keep up the potential distance as well. And the act that he was a cop made her think that he would behave himself behind closed doors. That he wouldn't try and pull any funny business on her because he'd have a lot on the line.
A breath left her in a rush as he mentioned it sounded nice. Had she really been that ready for the rejection? It wasn't like she had a lot to offer. A beaten down body that had enough poison pumped into it years ago that she should be dead? Tattooed where people turned and looked at her funny sometimes for the things on her skin, no matter how much she loved it. Her hair was finally growing back, not in patches. Which is why it was still as short as it was. She was constantly having to cut it for years after the chemo to try and have it even so it didn't look like she was baldy in her low twenties. The radio crackled and thankfully ripped her from her thoughts and her attention turned to him.
"I have to go, but I get off at seven. Do you want me to come over then?"
A soft smile lifted her mouth, though the masks concealed it. "If you want to go home and get cleaned up, feel free. I normally don't go to sleep early." She offered. For them both really. She was the person that wanted to get out of her work clothes when she got home and be comfortable and clean. Which she'd assume he would feel that way too. It also meant that he could leave his work clothes at his house. Bring himself clean over to hers. But she wouldn't say that out loud. She jogged back to her bag for a moment and rummaged though it, finding the wallet that she had forgotten last time and opening it. She pulled out a small business card. Drawn by hand and it had her name simply on it with her cell number. It was in case she came across people looking for artists.
She held it up so he could see it, placing it on the ground next to her bag and motioning for him to get it as she walked back to the wall. "My cell is on it. Text me. For when you are on your way over." She said as casually as she could. Hoping the small amount of jitters she was feeling wasn't pouring through her words. "I'll see you later." She tacked on as she sent him a hidden smile before suddenly becoming very focused on her wall. She didn't want to watch him walk away. She felt that would look a bit pathetic on her end and perhaps give him the wrong impression. Though she had already invited him over for the night. She made a mental note to leave a good amount of time before seven so she could grab somethings from the grocery and get home in time to clean and shower before he arrived.
And Kins did just that. She actually had made a huge jump in her wall that day, like she was suddenly inspirited and motivated to work fast and well. She stood back and took a picture of the wall's progress, sending it off to Jason (who owned the wall) so he could see that she was actually holding up her end of their agreement. He paid a deposit and she wanted him to know she was working hard to fill her end of it. She swung to the grocery store, picking up a few extra things for snacks and refreshments because she couldn't remember the last time she had things like that around the house. And she didn't want to be a poor host. She paused briefly as she thought about what time he was coming. He'd probably be hungry. So she grabbed a few more things and before she knew it, she was walking home with arms full of grocery bags.
She got into her apartment and went immediately into cleaning mode. Washing everything she just bought and putting it away or placing it where she could prep some food. Cleaning all the counter tops and her living room before she rushed herself into the shower herself. Stripping her clothes off in front of her washer and dryer, immediately setting them to get washed along with her two masks. She showered, dried her hair and looked at herself in the mirror. She felt the weirdest urge to slap on some makeup suddenly. To make herself look nicer, but the longer she stared at herself the more she wondered why in the world she was putting that kind of effort in. And yet, somehow she wound up with just one swipe of mascara on. The only thing she could wear without the mask ruining it anyway.
As she set about to her room, she dressed herself in a pair of black denim shorts and a heathered gray tee. She didn't bother putting a mask on yet, but grabbed a plain black one from her drawer dedicated to masks and brought it out with her for when he arrived. No need to double up but still better safe than sorry. She set out to start dinner with about twenty minutes to seven. Meaning that dinner should be done long enough before he got there that it would be ready to eat and not burn their mouths. She stuck with a basic choice, not knowing what he might like. A chicken and rice casserole. Simple, most people liked that kind of mix. So she set to making that while she turned the radio on and danced along with the song that was playing.
Her phone went off not much longer, and she saw that it said he was on his way. She wasn't sure if that meant he was just now walking out of his apartment, or if he forgot to text her and was half way there. Or hell, even how far he lived was a mystery. But she had the casserole in the oven and finishing up as she waited. She straightened a few pillows on her couch and looked around to the art easels that were all over her open floor plan. She spotted one that she recently started working on and quickly ran to grab that one and hide it in her closet in her room. There was no need for him to see that one. That would be truly embarrassing. When there was a rather loud knocking at her door, she figured it was the SWAT man without bedside manners. She slipped the mask over her ears and opened the door with a laugh. "No need to hit the door so hard..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at who was outside her door. And it certainly was not Jude.
"Kyle?" She said, her hand immediate reached out the door handle to stop her door from opening all the way. She really was regretting not checked to make sure it was Jude. "What are you doing here?" This wasn't good. She had purposefully blocked him after their last interaction. He tried to force himself into her apartment and onto her after a second date. His hand smacked on her door, putting a little pressure on it as if he was going to rush through her door. "You haven't returned any of my calls or texts. I thought we had a good time last time." She huffed, her attitude immediately flaring. "No, we did not. I made that very clear. And I haven't answered you because I blocked you. You need to leave." Even though her voice sounded sure, she felt her hands starting to shake. Suddenly very scared at the fact that he just showed up. Unannounced. Though he could have said something to her blocked phone.
His hand roughly shoved her door, and she stumbled back with it as he pushed his way into her apartment. "Havyn, you are blowing that out of proportion. You had a great time that night. But you were just being a prude." She spun to him, letting her door shut behind her. Though she didn't realize the lock had turned at some point and it actually kept the door open. "A prude? You were trying to force yourself on me. After one date." He walked into her kitchen and opened her fridge, as if he was about to make himself comfortable. She rushed forward and shoved the door shut. "Get out, I don't want you here. I want you to leave me alone." He looked at her with rage in his eyes for a moment as he snatched her arm. Clearly, he was not thrilled with her actions.
Kins tried pulling back but he followed her, stepping back into the hall where her door was, keeping a bruising grip on her arm. "No, I think we are going to have a drink and talk about how rude you have been to me." God this was not going well at all. He stared at her face, "What's with the mask anyway? Are you seriously worried about this virus?" He mocked her as he reached up with his free hand and ripped it off her face. It swung clear and held onto one of her ears. Tears pricked the sides of her eyes as she pushed her free arm against him in an attempt to get him away from her. "Stop it! I said get out!"
She found herself laughing at that. “Well, perhaps you could tell this rude cop to come take the curse off of the wall.” She started, amusement threaded in her speech. “I would certainly appreciate it. A girl has rent to pay.” She joked, They both knew who that cop was. But they also were both aware that a certain tattooed woman hadn’t made it any better by copping an attitude the moment he approached her. And without really much thought, he was trying. She had to admit, that the whole foot in the mouth routine might have been a bit charming. Except it was delaying her. And she had already had enough of those as of recently.
She passed him and started up on the wall. The can spraying in her hand and she was careful to not let the nozzle start to drop, wiping it with a finger when needed and onto a rag that she had tucked into her short pocket. Her back to him, she had a feeling that it was easier for both of them to be like this at the moment. Besides the idea of social distancing and with her facing away, it was also easier to not want to stare at him. He was unusually handsome. Not the kind that one would usually see in the middle of a teen magazine as a ‘bonus poster’ that would be waiting for one in the middle. But the way he held himself, his tall presence and his dark eyes had something that pulled her to him. Though she wouldn’t admit that out loud for anyone to hear. Which again, was a good reason to keep her back to him. Giving herself a break.
“ I’m an ass, but I’m a reliable ass.”
She did turn her head to look over her shoulder at him at that. Her hand stopped with the can as her eyes lit up as she looked back at him. Well, look at that. He had a sense of humor after all. If that wasn’t proven earlier as it was. “Jude Colburn, reliable ass. Is that what is printed on the card you hand out?” She taunted him, brows rising for a quick moment before she turned back to the wall. She had the cop who arrested her before give her a card with her release ticket. So she assumed that all cops had some form of card that they would hand out. Showing which cop stopped them or something. And the fact that he was not just an average cop... “What is your actual position? Seeing as you are just filling in on this route.” She found herself asking. Curious to know more about him.
She stepped to the side as she moved to another spot, making her way down the wall. Maybe today would be very productive. If he stood there and talked to her, even for a bit, it might be enough of a boost to keep her going for the rest of the day. She was sure this wouldn’t be a long visit. He was on duty after all. She chuckled under her breath as he spoke on working on his bedside manner. Well, this was an improvement, for sure. “Well props to you. This is definitely better than last time.” She said. Lifting herself to her tip toes to reach a spot that was just out of reach. She hadn’t brought a step stool today. She figured she wouldn’t need it until a day or so from now as it was.
“ Actually. Since you’re here. I got something.”
Now that got her attention, she paused long enough to look over as she heard his footsteps receding. He was to his cruiser in no time with those long legs of his, and she briefly wondered if he was going to see her drawing. She watched with curiosity to see if he would turn and point to his back window, seeing the cartoon of himself with her in the background. But he seemed to be quick with his actions and was out of the glovebox with not much time spent away at all. And he didn’t give her any reason to think he saw her drawing. But what he was doing on his way back, made her stop her actions completely. The black mask slid into place on his face as he approached her, and then stopped six feet away. As if he had a tape measure burned into his brain and knew where to stop. She didn’t really believe what she was seeing at first. But as he gestured, she felt something swell in her chest.
“I figured this would make you more comfortable.”
Kins stared at him, probably longer than she should have. She was touched, truly. He thought of her enough to get a mask. He had known he was going to see her again, even when she thought she wouldn’t. And he thought enough about it that he wanted to make her feel more comfortable. She bit her lip, her breathing slightly uneven as she suddenly realized she was watching him. She had read him all wrong. He wasn’t an ass hole, underneath it all. She lifted the hand that wasn’t holding a paint can and ran the back of it across her forehead. Giving her something to break that staring that she might have been creepily doing. Depending on how he saw it. “You got a mask... for me.” She said lightly. She wasn’t even sure where to go from there. But she found herself smiling. “Thank you.”
She nodded to the wall, before she stepped back to it and started spraying again. She didn’t want to cry, because that would be ridiculous. But she was moved by the smallest damn gesture that that tall man had just shown her. “What are you doing later? I know the wall isn’t much to look at yet. But I do have some works you could see if you aren’t busy... if you want. No big deal.” She rushed at the end. What was she even offering? For them to hang out? Probably.
Kins was watching his every move. And she could see the way he tensed up for a moment. Good, so he hadn’t seen her approach or anything until she voiced her question. Which means he was going to be in for a pleasant surprise when he finally headed back to his cruiser. She wish she had taken a picture of it now. As a memory for her work on this pain of a wall. The one wall that was proving to be the biggest head ache she has dealt with this far in her career. Well, maybe besides the one graphic work she did for a website, but that was the customer being difficult, not the actual graphics.
As he turned to look at her, she almost laughed. He was trying to play it off cool. That he was just browsing but the ‘hand stuck in the cookie jar’ look was telling. He was busted. He didn’t want her to know about his visit(s) to her wall. He wanted them to be something of a secret. Which she didn’t blame him. Their first interaction hadn’t been the best. Though it ended on a decent note. And had a fiery middle. Literately.
“Does it normally go this slow in the beginning stages?”
Well, there was the first insult of the day. Right out the gates. Her brows shot up, as if saying ‘really?’ Without her voice having to say it. At least he was consistent with their kick offs it seemed. He seemed to stumble for a second before clarifying:
“I mean, this doesn’t look much more than when you were just starting.”
And that wasn’t any better. Though it was the truth. She normally would be close to done by now. And she had only gotten the outline finished. She was disappointed herself in how little was done. But he didn’t have to rub it in. It seemed like Jude was struggling though, his words were falling out of his mouth as they stood there looking at one another. Her brows still high on her face. Though his eyes shifted back to the wall, giving them a little bit of a reprieve.
“You said something about two weeks. So I just thought that I’d come to see how it was going.”
Her arms crossed over her chest as her brows started to fall back into place on her face. An amused smile under her mask was growing more and more by the minute. This man was nervous. That was all she could put together. Was it because he was caught? Was it because he knew he had probably insulted her? Was it her in general?
“So, how’s it going?”
Kins waited a few beats before she actually decided to contribute to the already strange conversation. “Glad to see you haven’t changed since I last saw you.” She joked, her head shaking lightly with the laughter that was quietly coming from her mouth. “Normally it does not go this slow, I will give you that. It seems this wall is cursed or something.” She grumbled as she crouched down to start grabbing out her supplies. At least if he was going to stick around, she was going to get to work. Hate to disappoint him with the lack of progress and all.
“Weather has been putting a hold on it mainly. Can’t exactly paint if the wall is wet or the rain threatens to wash away my progress.” There was a slight tone behind it, as if she was saying ‘duh’. Clearly he had driven through the weather enough these past two weeks to know that it wasn’t favorable weather. She held two paint cans in her hand as she stood back up to look at him. The sun was alright bright and she was glad she had made the decision to wear shorts for the day. Even with the slight attitude that might have been in her words, she found herself smirking as she walked past him, six feet away as always to approached the wall.
Removing the cap off the first can she was going to use, she tossed a glance over her shoulder at him. “At least I know when you say you’ll try to do something, you actually mean it.” She really had not expected him to try. He didn’t seem like the type to. He seemed like the one who when he hit the clock he went home to himself. Ordered take out for dinner, opened a beer, and mindlessly watched whatever he found on the TV until he called it quits for the night. Then he would get up with his alarms and do it all over again the next day. “So, how’s it going for you, Jude?” She asked casually as she started bringing color to her piece.
Havyn had unfortunately run into many road blocks after her first interuption. To the point that she was starting to think that the wall itself was cursed. And it all started with a certain officer who had a bad attitude. Though come the end of their interaction, she found herself curious if she'd run into him again. She figured she wouldn't. She wasn't in trouble a lot and she was sure after recent events that he would be busy enough with helping cover routes. Detective or something, she had decided. He didn't dress in the normal cop outfit. So she had a feeling he wasn't just some plain jane officer.
And yet, she had caught him at her wall a few times now. At first, she just saw the car pass by. Her eyes blinking as if she didn't really see it and the tall man in the driver's seat. He didn't stop at first. Hell, she wasn't even sure if he had even looked in her direction. So she had continued about what she was doing. The next time, she had gotten to the wall later than her usual time. It had just the ground workings of her idea drawn out with some dark marker. She saw him standing in front of it, observing it for a few moments before he went back to his car and left. So he was curious about it. His 'I'll try' was turning out to be quite successful from where she was standing. And she caught him a few more times. But still, the wall was way farther behind than she wanted it to be.
Today, she made sure to check the weather, make sure no rain was in sight. She got up early, checked the weather again in case a weird force came through and decided to push a heavy cloud her way. Nothing. She grinned as she got ready. It was hot enough out that she wore a pair of dark denim shorts, cut-offs some may call them, and an old band tee from a tour she went to a long time ago. An 80's rock band that her mother had listened to. They had both laughed a good amount at that concert, at the way that these fifty plus-year-olds still got themselves into tight leather pants and put on eyeliner to sing in front of screaming middle-aged women.
She supplied her bag once more, doing an inventory count, and made sure to keep a special marker in the bag as well. Just in case. Wallet, can't forget that after the last time, and she hasn't since, keys, phone, sanitizer, and iPad. She was good to go. Quickly slipping on her paint converse as she called them and she was out her door. Locking it behind her and masks already secured to her face. Kins found herself walking at a faster pace, hoping she might catch him again at the wall, he seemed to try and get there in the mornings before she would arrive. Was he avoiding her? Why would she care if he was? But she wanted him to know that she saw him.
Kins saw the familiar car and found her heart racing as a grin spread on her face under the masks. He was there. She slipped to the side facing the road, spotting him again looking at her wall that now had a dark outline on it. He didn't seem to spot her as she dropped to a crouch next to his cruiser. The special marker she had in her bag, a car paint marker. She grinned as she started to work on the back driver's side window. She drew him, cartoon style, holding a box of donuts and with a pair of sunglasses on. It was actually quite good considering she had to draw it as quickly as she did. And she drew a smaller cartoon of herself... distant but holding a fire extinguisher under her arm with masks in place. She made quick work and peaked through the window to make sure he hadn't spotted her before she casually went around the car and strolled forward as if she had done nothing.
"What seems to be the problem officer?" She asked as she stood about ten feet behind him and dropped her bag with a thud. Her head tilted slightly to the side as she waited for him to turn and look at her. A smirk hidden under her masks.
That hadn't really crossed her mind. Not in the sense a certain sense. She just knew that she had to do something. She reacted, not sat there and planned what she was going to do. Havyn Kinsley was no hero. She didn't go out of her way for others. Not because she was selfish or heartless, but because she couldn't go out of her way for others. Her own sense of life coming into the factor there. She was cautious before. Always careful to not share drinks. Look for signs of someone who was sick and stay away. But when the pandemic hit, she was the first onboard with masks and purchasing stock in hand sanitizer. As selfish as it sounded, she wanted to live. She was already screwed out of several years of life, so she'd like to be able to stick around as long as she could. Perhaps one day she'd say forget it and give up living the way she was at the moment. And maybe she'd start enjoying life once more. Just... not yet.
She shrugged but didn't have anything else to say on potentially saving his life. She remained silent for the rest of the ride until they arrived at her apartment. She found herself chuckling lightly as he corrected her to drop the officer once more. He had already told her to call him Jude, and yet here she was teasing and taunting him with his name. "Okay, 'Just Jude'." Kins found it that she somewhat liked pushing his buttons, though she hoped he was starting to get a sense of humor now with her words. No longer bitter and harsh, but taunting and full of banter. Encouraging him to open up. "By the way, I go by Kins. My mother calls me Havyn." She told him before they made their way inside the elevator.
As he apologized, or in a roundabout way he did, about interrupting her work, she narrowed her hazel eyes on him. He refused to look at her. Maybe he felt weird about her saving him. Or the comment she made about him not making any funny moves. It was truly a joke, and she truly believed he wouldn't do such a thing. She felt like maybe she should say such a thing, but decided against it as they moved the conversation onto the wall. Something easier to land on. A safe topic of conversation.
"I’m not sure how long they’ll have me working this route, so no promises. But I’ll try."
Kins didn't believe him. He wouldn't be back. She had a feeling he would avoid that wall like the plague. Like she would avoid someone who was sick. She gave a small shrug. Her eyes on him once more as he looked at anything in the elevator but her. She settled herself to look back foward as the elevator dinged at the fifth floor. Signaling they were ready to get off, and she nodded at him as she stepped past him. Brick walls lined the hallway, and only two doors were on either side of the place. Open stairs surrounding the elevator that they had just walked up past. The floor was stained concrete which was a cheap way to make flooring, but it was quite neat to see. She arrived outside the door that was to the right when you exited and fumbled for a moment with her keys until she got the correct one to open her door.
Awkwardness set in. What was she supposed to say to him at this point? She glanced at him for a moment, a smile flashing but she remembered that he wouldn't see anything except a lift to her eyes thanks to the masks. She inserted the key into her door and unlocked it, opening it up just wide enough for her to toss her bag inside the door before she turned to him. From the opening, if he looked in, he'd see canvas across her whole living room area on different wooden stands. Some blank. Some with charcoal or paint across them. Random people, at least to him, almost like printed pictures would be found on a few, while others were just splashed of color that made her smile. She would briefly look at them and closed her door till it was just a sliver open. "And guess this is where I leave you, Just Jude." She said, awkwardly wrapping her arms around her upper arms as if to keep from extending a hand out for a shake. "Maybe I'll see you around? Hopefully not get my information run through your system..." It was a small joke, but it was there.
Had it been another time, she might have asked him to come in. For coffee or something. But it wasn't. So she would instead stand out front.
"If that’s the worst of it, I think I’ll survive."
She shook her head, looking back at the cruiser. Damn, she really wished she could remember what it looked like before she slammed it shut. "Yeah, I wouldn't say that till you see it." It was partially a joke. Though she didn't want him cursing her to next Tuesday when he actually peered back there. Though if she wasn't around, maybe it would be okay. He could curse all he wanted to himself. It wasn't like he could arrest her for finding a fire extinguisher right? Even if he did, he'd have to make a damn good case against her. Why was her mind constantly putting him as a bad guy? She really needed to give the poor man a break.
Clearly he was not that bad. A man with an attitude? Absolutely. She didn't doubt that one bit considering how they had started off. And even the way he originally came to her afterward. But what she was hesitating on, with labeling him a true asshole, was the way that he held that girl when they got out of the car. There was a gentleness, one that made her think he had a heart somewhere buried in his chest. The way their eyes had connected from the distance as if he knew she was watching and even if he wanted to not have her watch, he would not put that girl down until she was safely where she needed to be.
It was something that made her heart flip flop lightly. He seemed very much like a father in that moment. And it only made her see him in a bit of a different light. His answer that he was fine eased her a bit. She let out a small yelp of surprise as the cold rain really unleashed on them. Get her home, that sounded like a good idea. She jogged back to his cruiser and hopped in. A small shiver ran through her from the cold rain and the AC that had continued to run while they were out of the car. Seeing as neither of them had turned it off. And it also seemed like the normal thing when cops got out of their car.
"I’m sorry you had to be there for all of that."
She waited a moment, her eyes landing on his face as he drove. She studied him, something feeling off for a minute. He was going through something in his mind. And she wasn't sure if her answer would help him at all, but it came out anyway. "I've seen worse things in my life." She said lightly. Nothing to try and guilt him to focus on her, it was just the cold hard truth that she had lived with. "I'm glad it was the outcome that it was. You potentially saved those two kids' lives." Who knows what would have happened if he didn't get them out when he did. And that was just the facts of the day.
Before she knew it, they were parked outside her building. She was already unbuckling herself and collecting her bag when he asked to walk her up. She looked between him and the building. It wasn't a far walk, and she really could go by herself. Her building was one of those old brick apartments that held a freight elevator to get you up and down the different levels. Only three apartments per level. It wasn't the nicest place to live in, but it was also not the worse. He already knew where she lived, he had all of her information in that laptop that was screwed into his car. "Sure." She found herself answering him as she got out. "Don't get any funny ideas though, Officer Jude." She leaned down to look at him from where she stood outside his cruiser. The rain was lightly here but still steady. It was a tease, the smallest smile touched her lips. Though again, he probably wouldn't notice unless he really paid attention to the lift of her eyes.
She grabbed her stuff, shut the door, and was quickly leading the way to her building, one foot sinking into a puddle with a curse. She shook her foot before she snagged her keys after a few moments of digging outside the door. He probably thought she looked like a mess, but she also was a bit nervous. She hasn't had someone walk her to her door in a long time. Not since her last crappy date tried to push his way through her door months ago. Before all the virus threats. He had been quite the pick. Que eye roll here. Once inside, she'd take a breath before leading him over to the elevator. "Thanks for the ride home. I know you didn't have to do that." See, she could be polite too. She got into the elevator and thanks to the space, she was able to stand the appropriate distance from him. Though her eyes kept looking at him. Just enough that it would be noticeable if he was as aware of her as she was of him. "I, ah. I had hoped to get further along on that wall today. So I can't really give you a time to come back to see that finished project. But give it a few weeks. Find yourself running that route again, you might just see the final project."
As Kins stood in front of his car, she was glad to have a clear shot of the vehicle where Jude was. She had been taken away just in time to see him crawling out of the car with the little blonde clinging to his neck. A breath rushed out of her in relief. Her heart still pounding from the fact that she had just been trying to fight back a fire from getting out of hand to ensure the two of their safety. So to see them both getting out, made her almost slump to the group. She had never done something so reckless.
The scene that folded out was like watching a movie after it. He was so gentle with her, comforting the little blonde without actually saying anything. It was the way he was. It made her wonder if he was a big brother or uncle. Perhaps even a father himself. Her eyes traveled the two from the distance, noting there wasn’t any blood or anything that seemed to be hanging on them in an odd way. Which meant that they were both okay, shocked or scared, absolutely. But they were okay. Her eyes connected with Jude’s for a moment. It was like everything came to a halt for two seconds as she focused in on him.
Her heart even stopped, and she realized she had never found someone as attractive as she found him in that moment. Her swallowing was what set the scene back in motion, or maybe it was the screaming mother who came forward from the back of the ambulance. Coming forward to take her daughter into a tight embrace. The briefest of thank you’s to the man who just potentially risked his life to save her. Had that fire gotten out of hand, had the car decided to explode instead of just ignite... they could have had a very different scene play out. And she wasn’t going to linger on that fact. Especially not as he turned towards her.
“What happened to ‘don’t get out’?”
She stared at him for a moment. Almost in disbelief. That was the first thing he had to say to her? After everything that just had happened. After the fact that she had potentially just bought him time and saved their lives? She inhaled a deep breath, as if preparing herself for battle as the rain picked up its pace again. Threatening to drench them. But he continued. His frustration draining almost into a look of concern. His features softening as he seemed to think over what had just happened. On her actions. His sigh leaving him had a small tug happen at the corner of her mouth under her mask. Worry wart.
“So thank you. Are you okay?”
Kins noted then that he had stopped about six feet away from her. Even in his little attitude and wanting to scold her, he had remembered what she had said. Something about that made her heart do another tap dance number in her chest. Maybe he wasn’t as bad at the whole social thing as she had originally thought. Verbally, awful. But he had good intentions underneath all that anger and jackass-ness. “I’m okay. Probably need a decontamination shower now but, I’m okay. The trunk of your cruiser might be a war zone for the next time you open it...” She admitted, briefly glancing back at his cruiser as if she could see through it to see the mess she had possibly made.
She didn’t linger much on it before she looked back to him and took a small step forward. Her hazel eyes now shining with concern of her own. “Are you okay?” She wrapped her arms around her chest to keep herself from reaching out to him. She was still the same woman underneath all the germaphobe behavior, under the masks and behind the hand sanitizer. Before the pandemic, she wasn’t so cautious. She was, but not like this. If they hadn’t been in the times they were, she would have been inspecting him over herself. So instead, she’d have to hold onto herself to keep her from making any sudden moves. Or embarrassing herself in general. He probably didn’t need or want her help.
She could have seen her day going in so many directions this morning. But ending up in the front seat of a police cruiser that was flying to the scene of an accident? Just because she was afraid of a little rain and lightning? She decided as they pulled to a stop that she should have just stayed home today. She should have checked the weather and decided to start tomorrow and not on a day that threatened a bad storm. That would have been the smart thing to do. But no. Kins decided today was the day. Her hazel eyes found him as he spoke to her. His tone harsh and very much full of the authority that she felt he would have.
"I can’t wait for anyone else to show up. I’m going to leave you here. Don’t get out."
She didn't plan on it. She planned on keeping her happy little behind right where she was. In the front seat. Seat belt on. And just watching the scene in front of her as if she was at a drive-in. He shot out of the car like a bullet and was in full-on rescue mode. She was quite impressed by watching him. From a sarcastic jerk to this... it was enough to make her heart stutter slightly in her chest. He was calm as the frantic woman grasped him, holding him back from actually doing something without even realizing it. His presence had the group backing off with ease, though as they started to crowd back around, he was over the hood of the car in the of the wreck. She couldn't see him. She unbuckled herself and tried to lean to watch, but couldn't get the right angle.
Without much thought, she was opening the side door, the rain was starting again here. A few drops here and there, the dark clouds threatening to come down on them. She stood up and even found herself standing on the side of the car to try and peer over. She wanted to watch what was happening. She wanted to make sure he was okay. As well as the children. She swallowed as he disappeared into the car and she ran her eyes back to the smoking hood of the last car. That couldn't be good. Where was his back up? She looked around, trying to find flashing lights or listen out for sirens but heard none.
The first child came out of the car and the young kid was safely placed into the mother's arms. She felt a small bit of relief, it lasted one a few seconds. As more time stretched out, she was starting to get more worried and found herself chewing on her bottom lip under her masks. The smoke was getting darker, which meant it wasn't going out. It was getting worse. And that alone made her feel like she had to do something. "Sorry Jude." She said out loud as she started looking over the car. Cop cars had to be prepared for any scene they pulled up on right? Whether that was a shoot out or a fire... where would there be a small fire extinguisher? She frantically started searching the front of the car. When she produced nothing, she saw the trunk button. Yes!
With a quick push, she immediately ran to the back of the cruiser and pushed the truck open all the way. There were a ton of things back there and she started shuffling through it, hoping to God she wouldn't set off a firearm as she rummaged through it. Her hands were shaking lightly as she kept going through it until she finally found the small red cylinder. It probably wouldn't put it out completely, but it would buy them time. She slammed the truck shut and bolted as fast as her legs would let her. She was taught this in school at some point. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. PASS right? That made sense.
Kins pushed her way through the people, mentally screaming for touching them but she had other matters on her mind. She would panic about that later. She watched the first burst of red flames shoot out from under the hood and she pulled the pin. Her eyes glancing back at the car that Jude and the other kid was in. She could hear his voice yelling at her now. She aimed the nozzle towards the flame and squeezed. Sweeping the nozzle back and forth as the rain started to really come down, helping push back the flames. Not completely extinguish them, but at least was holding them back to not engulf the car itself.
She was so focused on the task at hand that she never heard the approaching sirens of backup coming. She emptied the fire extinguisher by the time that hands landed on her arms and she looked back at the helmet of a fire fighter that had shown up on the scene. "We've got it from here! Go back to your vehicle." He yelled over the rain and sirens, and from the resistance that his helmet had for his voice. Kins nodded slightly as she stumbled back towards his cruiser. She turned before she reached it though, looking for the tall man. Hoping he was okay.
