~*Jerome*~

My mind races as I wipe down the counter, I barely notice the bell chime quietly. I'm too busy thinking about what Mitch told me earlier. He really does care.

"Excuse me," a man's voice interrupts my thoughts. "May you help me with something?"

"Oh, sure. What do you need help with?" I look up from the counter to see a curly haired brunette looking at some of the display items by the door, not noticing me. He seems familiar...

"I need some supplies. A few friends and I are heading out for an exhibition to the wasteland." He set down a packet of food before looking at me. "Say, are you a new employee? I've never seen-"

I interrupt him. "No, I'm not a new employee. I've been working here for almost ten years. You've probably been coming in while I'm on break." I say calmly, trying to figure out where I know him from.

"I see." His face had a slight grin. Why is he smiling? I don't think I said anything funny. "Anyways, could you help me carry everything? It's going to be a lot, and I came alone."

"Great friends you got." I joke. "But yeah, I'll help. You'll have to pay extra though."

"Speaking of money, is it possible that I can postpone the pay until after we get back? We are kinda low on funds."

"It depends on how long it's going to take. Our maximum wait time for a payment is six months. After that, you will be charged for robbery." He nods before rubbing his chin.

"Six months should be enough, but we don't know exactly how long we're going to be out there."

"I cannot let you take our supplies without a proper payment, or one planned within the allotted time."

"The old man is much easier to deal with." The man groans.

"Unlike my grandfather, I'm much harder to negotiate with; as stated by everyone who has visited this shop."

"As I can tell." The man sighs. "Fine. But can I at least show you what we're going to need?"

"What makes you think I'm going to give you the supplies?" I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow at him. He's so sure that he's going to get them, even known he lacks the funds to pay.

"Just trust me. It won't be much. We are good with rations." He holds the door open. "I have the list outside."

"Why didn't you bring it in with you?" This guy is strange... I feel like I shouldn't trust him.

"It didn't cross my mind."

"Right, right. So let me get this straight. You came into a trading shop without a list of your required supplies, and lacking the funds required to pay for the items; expecting me to let you take my family's products? You're either crazy for considering that I would vaguely consider it, or you're trying to kill me.
"Either way, I'm not leaving. So please, escort yourself out before I ask officer Leonheart to do it for you."

"You're a city brat with spunk. I'll say that much," the man snaps. "I'd like to see all that spunk when the sun isn't up."

"Don't make me repeat myself." The man glares at me for a few more moments before taking his leave. I better warn grandpa about him. Ever since I met Mitch, more and more wastelanders have been popping up. Maybe he's drawing them here...

~*Woofless*~

I should kill this kid now. Get it over with. I'm getting bored of the waiting game. Sighing quietly, I glare at Nooch as he rambles on about how important the piece of old metal in his hand is. No Robert, it's risky. His goons will try to get revenge afterward, I'll have to kill all of them, and it'll just be a big mess. But the again, I'm known for being risky...

"Woofless! Are you even listening?" Nooch's growl brings me out of my thoughts. His eyebrow is raised, and a foot is tapping. I smirk slightly at him. Someone is annoyed.

"Nope!" I state bluntly. "I don't find someone fantasizing about a piece of junk entertaining. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking a walk." Standing up, I walk out the door, not hearing what Nooch yelled after me. Probably telling me to get something while I'm out there. I'll bring back something stupid. Like whatever a flower is. Wait, no. I think I'll keep it if I find one those.

Whatever it is...

~*Frags*~

I step out of the building I've been staying in and look around. Many of those who used to run rampant during the nighttime left the city when they heard Woofless was here. Honestly, I wouldn't blame them. They don't know him as well as I do. I step on dead grass that attempted to grow from the waterless ground. There are stories that this city was once on a island in the center of a beautiful and peaceful river. Other stories state that the city grew up from a small farm town that was beside a rather beautiful lake. Either way, they're just stories. I've seen enough evidence in the wasteland that disproves both of them.

"Is that who I think it is?" A very familiar voice says from nearby. The short murderer and his giant blonde sidekick are here. Great.

"I never know what you're thinking about, Craft. For all I know, you probably think I'm Lone Wolf," I snap, rolling my eyes and turning to look at the duo. "What brings you two here?"

"We heard rumors that you and Benja are here, and we wanted to say hello to old friends." Star smiles at me before looking around. "Where's Benja? Shouldn't you be stalking him?"

"I don't stalk him." I cross my arms. "We just cross paths a lot. And as for where he is, he's probably with his city brat."

"Would you have any idea why he is hanging around the city brat?" I do have one idea...

"Kind of, but it's probably not important to you. The only thing I should say is that he told the brat his name."

"His name? You mean, his actual name?" Craft's eyes go wide. "How do you know this? Did you hear him say it? What is it?"

"Calm down, blondie. No I didn't hear it; he's too smart to just shout it for the world."

"Darn." Craft looks at the ground in disappointment while Star pats his shoulder.

"But that is interesting. Benja telling a city brat his actual name. You'd think he's trying to make them one of us." Star sighs and shakes his head. "Benja is one confusing man." Maybe he's on to something...

"You do have a point, Star. Benja wouldn't be hanging around somewhere this long if he wasn't trying to do something to help himself."

"So he's recruiting city brats to help him!" Star's eyes widen with realization. "That's genius! Why didn't I ever think of that? It makes our work so much easier."

"I guess so."

"Well, well, well. What have I stumbled into?" Woofless states with a laugh, walking over to us. "A Pack meeting that I wasn't invited to?" I roll my eyes at his lame attempt at a joke.

"You're not funny Woofless," Craft states bluntly. "Stop trying to be."

"That's not what you said last time we all were in the same place," Woofless snaps back at him.

"We aren't all together just yet," Star speaks up. "Benja isn't here."

"Benja isn't important. What is important is that I can tell you all what I've discovered about city born wastelanders."

"Which is?" Star raises an eyebrow at him.

"They're all idiots who trust too easily."
_______________________

I'm so sry for the late update guys!

I've been bombarded with homework, family events, and a lot more. And there is a lot more to come as the holidays are drawing closer.

So I might be updating later than I usually do.

Sorry again, but that's how it's going to be.

I'M A BUSY PERSON!

Anyways

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Much luv,
Mickey-Kenzie

2018 Mickey: The lies this girl tells is blasphemous. I'm 10x busier now, and yet I still post more often than I did previously... 😂😂