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Dakota steps aside to allow Rainier in front of the door. The mesh of the screen door doesn't filter the piercing gaze of the Huntsman, shadows darkening his furrowed features. "Did you read the sign." It's less of a question and more of a threat.

Thomas' throat feels dry. He takes off his hat and holds it to his chest, ignoring the thudding behind his ribcage. "I ain't here to cause no trouble. But my truck broke down a couple miles back, n' town's too far down to walk back. We could really use the help."

Out of the frame of his vision, a calloused hand traces the metal barrel of a resting rifle. "What're you doin' so far out?"

"Oh, me n' my folk are on a camping trip! Thought it'd be nice to get out of the city and connect with the scenery. The mountains are beautiful this time of season..." He rambles on more than he should've, more than Rainier could stand to listen. His hand abandons the gun.

Rainier's parents were abusive since childhood, mostly taking the brunt of it from his father. He had to meet his incredibly high standards, live an extremely restrictive life, and if he didn't meet his expectations- well, there wasn't an if.

He went no-contact as soon as he could move out, only ever talking to his sister. Rainier still cared for her, they've both been through a lot. He tried to support her the best he can, even being a part of her new family. But as the blood began to boil and patterns start to repeat, Rainier couldn't put up with it again, and left for good.

A little more about Dakota:

Dakota's family was always high tension. There's always a fight about something, with his mom usually at the center of it. She was an addict, emotionally unstable, and dependent on Dakota to take care of her. Dakota essentially served as her emotional punching bag. His other family members didn't fair too well either, just as bad as his mom. They only cared enough about Dakota to use him as blackmail against her.

Well, not for long.