fire in her fist

Amara didn’t want to use anything too loud in here and honestly, she didn’t have time – or maybe the energy – to unsheathe her knife. So instead, as Amara walked through the house with a torch, she picked up a fry pan, ready to hit any walker that made itself known. With enough force, it would still take out any walker she hit. When she caught sight of someone in the distance, she knew the stance was distinctly alive. “Hello?”

Layla was surprised to find a house that didn’t have boarded up windows and doors. Or one that wasn’t already ransacked, or even filled with walkers. She was lucky, and grateful. Entering, she did the usual sweep, and then started shoving things in the small bag she had. Once she saw a light she froze, but once a voice spoke, she somewhat relaxed. “Am I supposed to say hello back?”

Layla dug through the duffle bag that was falling apart. It was one she had found in some old building that she was scavenging. Too bad her focused was more on what was in the bag than the person coming up behind her. Until he actually said something, which caused her to turn around, her knife held up defensively. She looked at him, scanning him over, before lowering her knife. “Something you need?”

“I came here to get away from people. So jus’ bugger off, will ye?” 

“Sorry princess, but I don’t give a shit about what you want. I’m not here to bother you anyways, but you are near my camp.”

thomas had caught sight of the figure minutes before now. it wasn’t every day you saw a tree with hair sticking out of it’s trunk. ‘ i would, but i tend to stay away from unnecessary trouble. i do do a mean party trick. but that requires a certain level of trust. ’

Layla hummed, looking at the knife and then the target. “And what is this mean party trick? Does it involve robbing a person or is it even more exciting?”

‘ see? ’ thomas spoke, turning around from the target who now had a knife carved into the center of it’s head. ‘ not bad, RIGHT? i can carry myself. ’

So maybe Layla wasn’t very skilled in hiding behind trees and watching people. “Impressive--maybe you should try on a moving target.”

It took him a minute to process her words. She had to wash her shirt… “Oh,” he said aloud. “Do you want me to turn around? I mean I’m not quite done with this shirt, but like I can come back if that’s what you’re comfortable with?”

Layla shook her head taking a few steps over to the river. “No, you’re fine. I’ll just uh...wash my shirt over. Just don’t look...at me at least.”

“And I would know that how exactly? For all I know, you could’ve been bitten on your back or your leg. Somewhere I can’t see from here…” Truth be told, Veena wasn’t aiming at her because she could’ve been infected. Veena was threatening to shoot her, because she knew very well that she could already be surrounded. If shit hit the fan, the brunette would at least take one of them down before she’d bite the dust herself.

Layla sighed again and scoffed. “So hostile,” she mummbled and then held her arms out, and spun around. “See? Nothing’s wrong with me. So you can do us both a favor and stop pointing that arrow at me?”

Noah looked her up and down and slowly sunk back on his heels. “It’s all about perception.” He smiled, making a dumb joke. “Are you sure? I mean the creek is big enough for us both to use.”

“Yeah, perception...” Layla mumbled and crossed her arms. “Yeah, I’m sure. I’m cleaning my shirt, not my entire outfit.”

“Stop right there! Don’t come any closer, or I’ll shoot this right through your eye socket.” Veena drew her bow, the arrow’s head pointed directly at the stranger’s face. Her hands were shaking quite a lot, yet her facial expression left no doubts about her threat.

Layla sighed, rubbing her eyes. “Seriously?” She asked. “I’m clearly not infected, so what’s the point of aiming an arrow at me?”

He had been kneeling by the water for a while, trying to wash a top that had blood stains on it. He was starting to give up and wondering whether or not it would be a good idea to strip and just jump completely into the water when he heard someone approaching. The footsteps sounded too heavy to be a walker so he just laughed. “If I went swimming right now, do you promise not to steal all my clothes and run away with them?” He said with a grin. “Of course you’re also welcome to come with. The water isn’t too bad, but maybe that’s because I’ve had my hands in it for the past hour.”

Layla gotten sick of the same area that hardly changed, so she left for a while. But now she missed this one place and decided to come back. She got into a little hiccup on her way back, and now her shirt had blood on it. It was her only shirt, and the only way of washing it was the only way to get rid of the blood. Once Layla found the creek, she stopped in her tracts, twigs snapping under her feet. “Pretty sure your clothes are too big,” she responded, her fingers wrapping around he handle of her knife. “I think I’ll just wait for you to be done.”

“That is very true.” She agreed with a small nod. “It’s nice to meet you… are you from a group, or are you an outsider?”

“Nice to meet you too,” she muttered. “Um, I’m an outsider.”

“I’m not your honey, cupcake.” He scoffed as he looked at the girl in front of him. “No, it’s not cheating, not when those are the rules of this world. I’m not bluffing at all, sorry sweetie.” 

“I’m not your cupcake, friend,” Layla mocked. “Well, if I knew that you were going to bring a gun, I would’ve had mine out by now.”

“No it’s just an idiot from Southie.” He joked as he offered his hand for her to shake.

Layla looked at his hand, and then at his face. She didn’t shake his hand, but instead, nodded. “Layla.”

“Right, good… sorry I get nervous around new people.” She admitted looking at the girl in front of her. “That is very true, but I guess it means it’s a great way to figure out what is coming toward you. Thank you, that’s good to know. I’m Felicity.”

“Who doesn’t?” Layla said, shrugging. “Yeah, I guess. I’m Layla.”

“So it’s just you out here then, huh?” Jac nodded, curious as to how anyone could feel comfortable sleeping unguarded, but not prying on it. “I’m with the Reapers.”

“Pretty much,” Layla said with a shrug. “Of course there are other people out there without a group, but I don’t know who, or where they are.”