Lucas Gives Him A Dubious Look, Not Really Believing Him At His Word But Not Really Able To Call Him

Lucas raises an eyebrow. Ana had said the talk with Cam had gone... as well as can be expected for the two women.

"I can do that, but I'm still going to tell her what's going on. She'd skin me alive if I didn't."

He can see on Cam's face that she's in the same emotional boat as Ana; which is to say: an old dinghy that's got more leaks than boards in the middle of the ocean.

"Maybe I should just take this all to Santi," he tries, testing how Cameron will react. He reaches for the folders he'd just placed down.

cameron nodded, "yeah, i have a feeling that the next few days are going to have a lot of work in store for us." they've never seen a storm like this before, who knows what slipped through the cracks when they were all locked inside for twelve hours. there were bound to be things they missed and wont even know about until they do a full count of everything in town. more work. "no let's just keep focusing on keeping everyone calm. no need to scare anyone and have people panicking." she could only imagine how some people would react if they saw the deputies doing rounds and watching them. "but hey, um, if something big comes up, can you come to me or santiago first? ana...she's dealing with a lot right now, i don't want too much going on her plate." she thought back to the things she told her at the bar and how defeated she was about everything. she wasn't sure what was going on between them but she will always look out for her wife.

Adrien keeps his distance from the cow, eyeing it warily.

"You sure? I haven't had much personal luck with cows in my life."

His cousins and uncle were in charge of animal care back home. Adrien was never interested in that side of farm life anyway. Not to mention that first week after he moved in with them where the cow literally did bite him. He only got a massive bruise, but it still mentally scarred him for life.

Seems Maude is comfortable, though.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍 was where she spent the majority of her days, diligently ensuring that the animals were well cared for, nurtured, and as healthy as circumstances would allow. Though she had grown accustomed to the pungent odors that permeated the air, she couldn’t shake the anxiety that others might begin to associate her with that unsettling aroma. “You work too much,” they would often say, but for her, it was the only way to distract herself from the fear that threatened to seep into her very psyche.

With a stethoscope pressed firmly against the animal’s fur, she focused intently, striving to discern whether everything sounded normal. “So far, so good, I’d say,” she murmured, though she struggled to pinpoint the root of the issue—the newfound behaviors and erratic mood swings that troubled her. She frowned, glancing up at the observer. “Would you like to pet her? I assure you, she won’t bite.” / ( 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐋𝐋 )

"Of course," Lucas says, kissing the top of Rae's head. "You go clean up."

He slowly let's go once Rae's grip loosens then turns to push the cart. The door creaks open and he steps into the dimly lit storage space. They manage to make it cold enough that it doesn't smell like hot rotting flesh. Just regular dead bodies. He's spent enough time in here around Rae that it doesn't bother him as much anymore.

He slides the cart in place then looks around. The blanket covering Kina has slipped off her face so Lucas puts it back. Then he slides this body next to hers.

He flips the light as he leaves, hurrying back into the examination room. He steps up next to Rae at the sink and washes his hands.

"Ready?"

rae's sobs racked his body, a release of the tension he had been holding for so long. too long. with anyone else he might have felt exposed, but he didn't feel that with lucas. his arms found his way around him, holding on like rae would disappear if he let go. stubbornness had been lost, this time he nodded against luc's shoulder.

"we — we can go. can you just put the cart inside?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper. "she’s in there. i can't look...not again." could he stomach it? absolutely. but that didn't stop the pain. rae couldn't detach himself from all feelings like he did with the other bodies.

Lucas huffs a humorless laugh.

"I was going out of my mind and trying to make a sprained ankle heal faster."

He looks down at said ankle, still aching, but more or less fine. He kicks some small rubble off the side of the road.

"Is there anything I can help you with? Leadership wants a list of repairs or supplies that people need."

"appreciate, yeah," she agrees with a nod. in this place, all she knew was to enjoy the day light. things came out at night and the day time was the only time they were safe, at least as safe as they could be here. she looked back at lucas, face blank as she takes in his question. "fine, it was just another night." only it wasn't, it lasted longer than any she's seen before but she wasn't one to talk about the things that go through her mind during the nights. "what about you?" she didn't particularly care, but she knows it's polite to return questions.

"Survival instincts," Lucas answers. "Passed down from our ancestors to help us live on through the ages and the bullshit. Wish it wasn't so jumpy, but it is what it is. Just need more distractions, I suppose."

He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment, feeling the sunlight on his face. It feels nice. A warm embrace that would otherwise hurt.

"Alright, penny for your thoughts?"

Muz’s smile softens as he watches Lucas, noticing the flicker of tension as he talks about the storm. There was something brittle that the storm had stirred up in everyone. He nods slowly, leaning back, fingers absently tapping the bench.

'Storm’s got everyone a little on edge,' he admits. 'Makes sense, y’know, the way it just settles in the back of your head. You ever wonder why we’re all wired like that? Could be calm as anything, but you hear one little sound and bam—you’re back there.'

"Well then, I guess you need to catch up."

Lucas reaches over and grabs a bottle of vodka and a couple of shot glasses. He pours them both one and holds his up for a toast.

"To not being too old to party."

she groans because it's true, but becca waves him off for being too nice. "oh, come on- talking like you're someone's grandpa..." tonight wasn't supposed to be for complaining anyway. "or maybe everyone else is just sprinting ahead. i didn't make these drinks."

Lucas sighs.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish your team was part of the whole team too."

He offers a handshake as a formal apology.

"Sorry for wasting your time," he says. "If you hear anything about the missing stock, could you at least let me know who it was after you take it from them?"

CHERRY SIGHS JUST A LITTLE BIT . she gives lucas a look that's only half exasperated . " yeah, well ." the roll of cherry's eyes is halfhearted . " just cause i'm a trouble maker doesn't mean it's always me ." it just probably is, but somehow cherry doubts that now is the time to mention that . " and — i'm on a team ." the protest is accompanied by a lackluster shrug . " s'just ... mine ."

Lucas sighs, though he does raise his hands like he wants to help.

When he sees the face, he clenches his jaw. They're familiar, but he can't remember their name. Why can't he remember their name?

He looks back at Rae — his friend — clearly hurting.

"They're cruel," Lucas says in agreement. "It seems like they know how to hurt us in the worst ways."

He follows Rae as he pushes the cart toward the body storage.

"Let's me take you home," he insists. "You need to rest."

"no," is all that rae uttered before stepping away. wordlessly he brought the cart to the side of the table and pulled the white sheet under the body towards him, revealing more of it. the face, still intact, a reminder of the horror that unfolded during the storm. rae's breath caught in his throat, his mind replacing the stranger's face with kina's for a split second. but he pushed on. he rolled up the sheet, covering the body once more and made the final tug. the cart creaked as it took on the weight.

"they always leave the face, don't they? to taunt us. to remind us of what we've lost."

Lucas pulls his hand back with an eyebrow still raised.

"Ana isn't the only one going through shit," he says matter-of-factly. "But she knows her limits."

He leaves the "Do you?" unsaid.

He gets caught up in his own personal dramas and emotions, too. He's in no real position to judge or make assertions, but he's also more stubborn than most of the people he works with or even is friends with. So, making these judgments and assertions usually leads to people recognizing when he's right.

"oh, i don't mean lie to her or keep shit from her, she'd kill both of us if you did that. i just mean, like, come to santi or me first, see if we can find a solution before making her deal with more shit." she was sure anastasia would probably hate it if she knew cameron was doing this, but after everything she said the other night, she wasn't sure how much more ana could take. "no, no it's fine, i can handle it, don't worry lucas," she said as she put a hand on top of the folders.