Lucas Scowls. He Knows She Is Probably Just Lashing Out From Fear, But That Doesn't Make Her Words Any

Adrien is so fucking confused. He's pretty sure he's never seen this town anywhere near the hiking trail.

Now it's pouring rain and... what the fuck are those in the trees?

He immediately runs when the guy calls, slipping into the house. Literally. Slipping onto his ass on the hardwood floor. It hurts but at least he's inside.

"Ow."

He looks up at the man.

"What's going on? Where am I? What are those things?"

Then he notices the small girl peaking out from a door frame.

"Oh hi," he says, putting on a smile and waving. "I hope I didn't scare you. Didn't mean to."

location: kang household open: 0/3

it all happened so quickly. one moment, daehyun and his daughter were simply enjoying time out on the porch before the rain began to pour. it wasn't unusual to get rain every so often, but this storm in particular was very unnerving. the dark clouds that had rolled in had daehyun rising to his feet--and then he saw t h e m in the tree line. with color drained from his face and the lunch he had eaten only a short while ago churning in his stomach, the teacher snatched three-year old bella up in his arms without a second thought. " get inside! " he yelled out, directed mostly at the person passing by on the worn sidewalk. " come on! " he called again as he carried the toddler inside, looking back out from the open door to ensure the other was close behind. if they didn't get up on the front porch in a few moments, daehyun already knew he'd be locking the door without them inside. thankfully, it was but a second or two later that he was able to shut the door securely behind the other, latching the lock and ensuring the amulet was securely attached to the wall beside the doorframe.

Rafael Silva appears on Good Day LA

"So fucked," Lucas agrees, some heat behind his words. "And all we can do is react. We don't have any way of actually taking action. We're so fucked here."

He grabs the bottle from Adam and pours himself another glass that he downs in two gulps.

"And even leadership can't do anything because they know fuck all like the rest of us."

"I don't think it's about revenge. They probably feed on fear or torture or some shit, it's like water to them I...I don't know. I just wish we knew how they really functioned, wish we knew there were some genuine rules to this. What if tomorrow they start running? What if the talismans stop working? What if all of this is just them pretending...letting us feel 'safe' until our guard is low enough. for them to 'strike'? We need to be prepared....but we weren't even prepared for this....for today. It's fucked."

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.

Lucas laughs.

"Well, I'm glad I could keep that unique brain of yours from eating itself."

He nudges Muz with a shoulder.

"I don't know if I've got any good chat today. Too busy running around, making sure we don't fall apart here. Though I guess falling apart helps your job a bit, doesn't it?"

His tone isn't judgmental, more amused by the thought.

'Guess I’m growing roots. Whole five minutes of stillness. New record, I think.' He pauses, glancing at Lucas, the glint in his eyes settles into something quieter. 'Honestly? Got sick of my own company today. Felt like if I sat alone one more minute, my brain’d start eating itself.' He tilts his head, a grin breaking the seriousness before it can linger. 'And I know you've got good chat.'

"It was," Lucas insists. "That was probably more information than we've ever gotten. I really do appreciate it."

Lucas nods in agreement.

"I know, but sometimes even the illusion of safety is enough to help."

" ... I KNOW IT WASN'T USEFUL ." elm replies simply even after the encouragement . they move to get up with a gentle, " if i remember new stuff i'll say ." they shake their head at lucas' offer, quick to say, " it's okay . bruna gives me food at the diner . and marama's with me a lot ." a pause before she shrugs . " she's not an escort, but she kind of is ." a beat of consideration . "besides, if they wanted to take me i don't think much could stop them ."

adrien tags:

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《 ★ NSFW ★ 》

Adrien kept working while El was quiet, thinking that the subject was basically done. Then he looks up at them to listen intently, noting how sure they seem in their words.

"Really? You wouldn't mind a roommate?"

He'd never had a roommate that wasn't family before. That's why he'd chosen the Colony House when he first arrived. Wanting a chance to meet new people.

But he's met new people now. Maybe, he's not cut out for a big house like that?

Ellington leans against the workbench, their hands loosely resting in their pockets as they watch Adrien work. They listen quietly, noting the way his words trail off and the subtle tension in his voice. Colony House clearly isn’t sitting right with him.

“I get that,” El says, their voice low but kind. “It’s not for everyone. Too many people in one place can mess with your head after a while.”

They glance toward the door for a moment, as if weighing their next words, then look back at Adrien. “I’ve got a place on the far side of town. Whole house to myself. Quiet, no one to bother you unless you want them to.” A small smile plays on their lips. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s solid. And it’s got space.”

They lean a little closer, their tone soft but sincere. “If you’re feeling like Colony House isn’t cutting it, you’re welcome to crash with me. No pressure—just figured I’d throw it out there. It might be nice having someone around who’s not... you know, always in each other’s business.”

Lucas sighs. He'd gotten held up at the station, but he can only blame himself.

"I know, I just... maybe some company isn't a bad idea?"

He pulls a chair up and slumps into it with a huff.

"How was your day? Liking any of the new people?"

open to all. community kitchen.

She staid behind after dinner, wrapping up the dishes, sorting the rations. The place was getting dark and it won't be long before sun set into another night. Another living nightmare. -- Bruna smoked her joint, not bothering to air out the small room in the back as she settled into a cozy chair made out of old leather car seat and cracked open a book. "No food, dinner was wrapped an hour ago -- you should get home it'll get dark soon." she doesn't look up, and her tone is as monotone as it can get. "You could stay here and keep me company if you want but, I am not in my 'fun' mood today so I'd advise against it."

@hcartcorruptcd

Lucas barges into Anastasia's office and slams down the now broken phone on her desk.

"I'm going to hunt every single one of those monsters down and beat them into jam with my bare hands."

He clenches his jaw and paces around the office. He's trying not to cry even though he can feel the sting of tears in his eyes.

"Those motherfuckers," he mutters. "Sadistic motherfuckers."

@patroclusblossom (lucas)

You're sitting in the sheriff's station like you do most days, you sure do take your job seriously. It feels like any other day, just make it through and survive, that's what you've been doing for seven years now. Only something is different today; the phone rings. It's been sitting on the desk since before you came here but has never once rang, yet today it is. Do you answer it? Are you hearing things and just hoping that it would finally ring and give some sign of an outside world? If you answer the phone, you hear a voice you thought you would never hear again. "Hey Lu," the voice that sounds suspiciously like your brother says. But your brother has been dead for seven years, it was impossible. Yet it sounds just like him. "Miss me?" He asks through the phone. "You're doing a good job of watching everyone, making sure they're safe. Why couldn't you do that for me? Why couldn't you protect me?" Then the line goes silent. No matter how hard you try, you can't make the voice come back. What just happened? Was that really your brother? Or are you finally starting to lose it?