He couldn't have been older than twenty. Clad in a black leather jacket, tall black boots, and blue jeans he gave off a casual air of intimidation. His hair was a bit messy, sticking up in the front, like he rain his hands through it often. I could not quite figure out what color. Such a dark brown that it could have been almost as easily black. His piercing eyes, the color of which I couldn't see at that distance, added to the intimidating nature. A pink birthmark stained his right cheek.

The smirk he wore dressed itself as mischievous, but even then I didn't like it. It could have been worse.

"There's our hitchhiker." He straightened up, walking over to me.

"Yup I guess that's me." I gulped.

Gods, I hated new people.

He towered over me, easily over six feet tall. A shadow fell over my face. He stuck out his hand in greeting.

"Got a name, short-stack?"

Anxiety was replaced with annoyance. My eye twitched. Short-stack?

I was not short. He was just a 6'4" asshole. Immediately scenarios played in my head where Nicole and I left the guy on the side of the road, taking his stupid hummer for ourselves.

"You can call me Locke Wood." I gritted my teeth, shaking his hand.

"Locke huh. Weird, thought that guy was dead. Pretty sure I learned about him in history class or something. Might have been math. The name's Jacob and this is my ride." He quickly returned to the car, petting it lovingly.

I rolled my eyes. Oh I could definitely take him. In a fight, that is.

"Uhhh..."

"Ugh, Jacob, why are you always such a freak?" Nicole muttered.

He stuck his tongue out at her. "You're just jealous cause I like Ducky more than you."

I blinked, simply staring at him in bewilderment. "You named that environmental monstrosity... Ducky?"

"The Lucky Duck, yes. Ducky for short. Hey, if you're riding with us you're gonna have to follow my rules." Jacob held up a finger. "One, respect the ride. Two, for your safety do not mess with me. I will shoot you."

"Seems fair enough." I stuffed my hands in my pockets.

"Good. Okay, new girl, you get shotgun."

I shrugged and climbed in the car. Nicole's eyes didn't leave her comic as she slid into the backseat. I sat my gun besides me, glancing out the window.

"So who's ready to listen to some banging road trip tunes?" Jacob turned the notch up, blasting the sounds of Billy Joel throughout the car.

I internally groaned. This was going to be a long drive.

Oh how right I didn't realize I was.

I know this was one of the shorter chapters but progress has been made. It felt right to stop it there. I hope you liked it and if you did, please let me know! Thoughts? Comments? Predictions? :)

~Oz