Adrien Shrugs It Off.

Lucas let's out a small wet laugh.

"That's actually really comforting."

He wipes his face and stands up straight. He turns to face the man.

"I'm Lucas," he says, holding out a hand. "One of the sheriff's. You're Hollis right?"

The mention of the blood trail sends a chill down Hollis' spine, but he tries not to let it show. Instead, he steps a little closer, careful not to get too close, but enough to feel present. "I'm sorry," he murmurs.

"I don't think...you ever really get to say goodbye. Not in a way that feels right, anyway." His gaze drifts back to the grave. "But...maybe that means they're still here, with you. Somehow."

It wasn't exactly comforting, but, it was the only thing he could think to offer. The same uncertain, fragile connection that he clung to himself.

LORD HAVE MERCY

Lucas sighs and rubs his face.

"Yeah, it's freaking us all out. But trust me, all the signs point to it being the monsters. Somehow, Em just got caught outside too late, and there's very little we can do now besides grieve her and put her to rest."

He leans forward as if he's going to rest a hand on her knee or arm but doesn't.

"You don't need to worry too much. Just follow the rules, and we'll all be safe."

a flicker of a smile , like that of a flashing bulb , graced her porcelain features as she sank into the chair he had invited her to occupy . jo pressed the lip of the beer bottle to her own , rolling it so the amber glass clicked against her teeth . the smell of the ale infiltrated her nostrils , hoppy and aromatic , and she wrinkled her nose in response . she then nodded as he found her answer agreeable , wondering if she'd be invited to take her leave. . . until he was producing another question , her cheeks rouging as she dragged canines along the lower pillow of her lips .

" not really , " she exhaled , lowering the bottom from her mouth to rest its cool glass against the warmth bleeding from her face down her neck. her gaze found the bend of her knees , the hand not cradling the beverage picking at one of the tears in her jeans , twisting the frayed denim around the pad until it puckered from the pressure. not wanting to talk about herself , knowing there wouldn't be much of interest there , jo found something else to bring up instead . " sad what happened to that emerson girl , " josephine offered quietly , frowning . " i know death is commonplace in. . . this place , but , something about hers felt — " she lifted her eyes to the ceiling , as if the word she wanted would be imprinted upon it .

" odd . "

Task 002

Lucas lives in a residential house, one of the few that want to be alone.

Well, he doesn't want to be alone, but he is. Even after 7 years, his house doesn't feel anything like him. It's furnished as all residential houses are: simple, clean, all the necessities but no personality or charm. While it's not empty, it feels lonely. Like there isn't enough life moving inside it to make it feel like a home.

There are little touches of him: books left on tables, dishes in the sink, plants that he's trying to keep alive. But overall, it seems like one of the empty houses on the street, ready for some new unfortunate soul to move in.

The places he's more clearly left an imprint are the sheriff's offices and the homes of his friends. He's more interested in making the town his home rather than his house. Because then maybe he might not feel so alone.

where: outside, wherever when: day after the storm open starter

Lucas walks down the street, taking note of all the damage from the storm. So much to fix. It's starting to feel like it would be better just to rebuild the whole town from scratch.

He turns a corner and has to put his list away.

"Hey!" he calls out to the person. "You need help over there?"

Adrien nods. He was never too good at people's layers either. Too scared that they'd leave if he got too deep.

He perks up at the mention of the watch.

"Oh, do you still have it? Did you get it working? He promised to find me something to work on, too."

He smiles at El to show them he's hearing them.

"I wouldn't mind this becoming home. At least for a little bit."

Ellington pauses mid-motion, resting a hand on the side of the engine as they process Adrien’s words. They snort softly at his teasing, shaking their head.

"Yeah, Cherry is good folk. But good doesn’t always mean simple, you know?" They shoot Adrien a sidelong glance, their smirk faint but fond, as if already regretting how much they’re saying. "She’s... just got layers. And I’m not exactly an expert at peeling those back without making a mess."

They wipe their hands on a nearby rag and lean against the workbench, looking thoughtfully at Adrien. "Muz, huh? Yeah, he’s cool. He’s got good instincts. He brought me some busted-up watch to fix the other day—it was a cool project."

They tilt their head slightly, a touch of mischief in their smile, "stick around long enough, and this place’ll start feeling more like home... or at least something close to it."

"I can definitely handle that," Lucas replies with a snicker.

He looks up at Ana, smirk softening to a smile.

"And I appreciate you. Lesbian drama and all, because I know you've got my back too."

Anastasia smirks back, crossing her arms and giving Lucas a playful nudge. "Exactly. I expect a perfect balance of polite intimidation and subtle protectiveness. Think you can handle that?”

She raises an eyebrow, teasing. "I need you to be just threatening enough to keep her on her toes but not so much that she thinks she’s about to get ambushed every time she looks at you." With a laugh, she adds, “But really, you’ve always had my back and I appreciate you."

With his ankle now secure, he slowly moves to stand on it. It's just a sprain. It can't be that ba-

"Shit!"

He falls back onto his ass, relieving the pressure from his ankle. How is that only a sprain?

"Doesn't matter if they understand," he grits through the ebbing pain. "It's still my job."

He tries to stand again.

she rolls her eyes; sometimes the pain is more convincing. "alright, let's try it." becca stands and goes behind the bar, hoping for anything that could work. everything's a little messy, but she manages to pull out a couple of washcloths from behind a box. at least they smell clean.

"you won't be useful to anyone out there if you're limping along, too." with a handful of barspoons and folded towels, lucas' ankle is barely held in place as she finishes the knots. it won't do much if he's out running around. "jim will understand- everyone will."

where: edge of the woods | when: day time | whom: open to all

Lucas crouches at the edge of the woods, examining what could be tracks. Or could be nothing. He hates how smart the creatures are. They could've left this behind just to toy with him.

He hears rustling from footsteps behind him, and he doesn't bother looking up.

"The hunting woods are six miles that way," he says, pointing his left hand. "Signs and caution tape everywhere. You can't miss them."

Lucas slumps into the chair, a frustrated growl escaping him.

"Fuck, Becca! I can't just... fuck!"

He puts his face in his hands and tries not to cry from his frustration. So many people could be out there; Jim, Ana, Rae, even people who don't know about the creatures. Newcomers wander in all the time. Not in as big as a group as recently but still.

"Will it at least be okay in the morning? If the storm let's up by then, I have to be able to help."

she knows he's eager to leave and lets him stand, holding her hands out for support. but as quickly as he stood, he's back in the seat again. "well, that proves it. a sprain like that- if not properly healed- will weaken your ankle, forever." becca didn't like having to be dramatic with patients, but sometimes people just don't want to accept the severity without it.

"a job you can't do right now, and if you try to push through it, you won't be able to do it right ever again." she almost wants to push him over and make sure he stays seated for good, but keeps her hands out anyway when it looks like he wants to try again. "just sit your ass down, lucas. don't be an idiot."