Topic: The Hatfields and McCoys

Mark Low

Date: 2015-09-06 10:58 EST
It were 11:04 when we was all in the jeep and leaving.

Keirra had taken the front seat on account of me losing our little race. The boys in the back pushed back their seat and shoved pillows under their necks, ready for sleeping. Was out so fast I wondered if they did a Nyquil cocktail. Whatever works.

Felt like I was driving into the mouth of somethin' instead of going down the open road. If we were smart and real careful we get in and out and they don't know til morning and then when they think about taking chase they gotta get tires replaced. Beyond that, they don't know where we're camped out. None of us got a stop station in Rhy'Din or ever really came there til Billie shut her eyes and poked her index finger at a spot on the map. That were how she picked Rhy'Din. Uncle wouldn't have got anything about that location in his book so it were more safe than any other place we could be.

I spent about fourty minutes on the phone while I was driving, making calls to all the caravan leaders, the ones that mind their groups in our extended family. It were the right thing to do if the McAveries looked for retribution. I don't want anyone caught unawares. If they still be like they were, I don't think they will. If they smart they tuck tail and make apologetic eyes and maybe some offerings. Last I knew we outmanned them in more than one way, so it were ballsy that they did this. If they get the map and use it, though, it would be like cutting our Achilles tendion. Weren't something that kills you immediately, just when everyone else can run from the bear but you.

Billie got something she needs to do and won't tell me about. If it were Billie it has something to do with Da or mom, since Da is here it must have to do with mom. Since dad were dying that side of the family maybe reached out to her, or something. Don't know anything about them, though, but I suspect that they got plans for Billie to be absorbed into their world of things. I don't right know what goes on between her and Levi other than they to like each other but weren't looking as though they were on the same page. Same book, different page. Still, I can't have Levi help me get that key back to the office box though I were wishing he was in the back seat. Having him look after Billie weren't ideal, but I trust him better than anyone else to do it. Naht a whole lot of people feel comfortable telling Billie no. Something about her makes people want to coddle her.

It felt like a disjointed going away party with the faces that were showing. Riya was there, looking better and giving me back the shirt BB had taken from my side of the camper. Reiko had seen me, too, and given me a blade and words of worry about Riya's situation. Thing is, I can't worry about anyone's issues but my own. My issues are with the campgrounds and my people. Part of me wonders if these new faces will bring spilt blood to the family. If Riya's got bad news hunting her, how long til that bad news hits BB or follows into the campsite? It were just there, apparently, at the Glen. Do these strangers warrant having any of the family at risk? If someone were to get hurt then it brings me into question for letting them near. Too many of us been jailed, conned and taken to not be a bit wary on their motives.

Then again, Riya being a doctor makes having her number and maybe a favor of her one of the most important things. Naht all of us are in a place where we can go to the hospital. Some of us gotta stay off the grid. Riya hadn't brought us real trouble and she made the offer. She's not bad to look at, either.

The road feels like it's never gonna end and most days, I like that. This weren't one of those times. I wanted to already be there, I wanted to have my hands in the issue and not worry about it.

Keirra. She sit right next to me but don't smell like booze. I got her at my side but she's a mixed bag. Da and everyone who ever had her for a job says she's the one yah want. I'll give it to her, she is fast. But she's a drunk and she's Gwen's sister. Felt a bit like getting punched when Gwen dialed Keirra up and her phone announced like it weren't nothing that Gwen was calling. We both kinda stopped and I knew that she knew, but I didn't say anything. Don't want to say anything about it, at all. Keirra must be likewise because we just kept talking like the little stutter never happened.

I'm not running all the things, yet. Da's still here, still marking shots and making the calls. In a way, though, this feels like doing my first job as a leader and that the campsite will get the impression of me, real strong, of whether or not they think I cut my teeth enough or were fit for the job. Gonna be a bit of clawing til the whole things settles out but in the mean time there were a lot of judgement on how I do things. No one says it, but I feel it

"You goin' to sleep?" I look at Keirra. Her driving shift is next, she'll be taking over in six hours. Some people like to brag about how long they can drive but it weren't a good thing. People get sloppy and make mistakes when they don't switch out like they should. If time weren't an issues I'd take a fifteen minute break after the first three hours.

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-07 05:48 EST
The first forty minutes of the drive dragged on as if they were going no more than one mile an hour while Mark made call, after call, after call. She could have made her annoyance obvious, could?ve shifted positions a thousand times, huffed out every breath, and acted like a spoiled brat. She didn?t, because it wasn?t in her nature. It impaired her ability to go to sleep, that was for sure?but all and all, she didn?t mind it so much. She?d simply listened to him talk, took the occasional glance to the rest of the slumbering party, and stayed curled up in her seat?all the while trying to stifle persistent thoughts.

Levi came to mind first; the thought of being in the same caravan as him made her stomach churn as if it had been infested with angry wasps. It was enough to make an idea cross her mind for only a second, before getting tossed away and replaced by guilt. That lone consideration was this; what if she screwed up the mission on purpose so that Mark wouldn?t want her? She couldn?t put her family at risk, though. Still, Levi thought he better than everybody?he?d proved that to her upon their reunion. They?d been friends once; but that was a cracked, distant memory tarnished by time and distance. All the pleasant feelings that had once come with his name had turned ugly. Maybe she was bitter.

Then there was Billie? Thoughts about that sugary girl were confusing to say the least. It was no secret that she was a kind soul with a big heart. She certainly didn?t seem like the type to get caught up in the twisted politics of the caravan?which begged a question. Why? Why did it seem like every time Billie?s eyes fell upon her Keirra put a bad taste in the poor girl?s mouth? There was no explanation that her beat up brain could come up with, nothing she?d understand, anyways. It felt like they should have been unlikely friends. Or maybe she just wanted a project. Billie cared?too much if one asked Keirra. There was a fine line between love, and weakness. Hopefully the princess would realize that in time.

Legs kicked out from her curled up position enough to stretch them for only a moment before pulling them back in. Painfully sober, Keirra rolled away to look out at the road. It was true, she was an alcoholic?though a functioning one. She knew better than to drink before a job this big; because if she failed, she only wanted to be able to blame herself. The drinking hadn?t started before the shunning, before she?d given up on herself.

A glimpse of her reflection was caught in the window, but crystal eyes were quick to dart away?and that was the end of the window. Keirra rolled back to face Mark again, staring him down with wolfish eyes. She wondered?wondered if he ever recovered from what her own flesh and blood did to him. Wondered if he ever looked at his reflection and didn?t recognize the face looking back at him. Most of all, she questioned if he had ever been surrounded by people and felt completely alone. Was he at all like her? Probably not? Still, it was eating at the girl in the worst way. Why was he the only one that was nice to her? If anyone was to be caught up in the politics of this place, it should?ve been him. It made her all the more curious.

Mark broke the unbearable silence in the car with his question. For that, and so many other things, she was in his debt. Lifting her head, the end of her ponytail clung to her throat causing her to shake slightly to flick it away. ?I?m going to try soon, but I feel pretty awake right now,? she admitted. Maybe some people had bragged about their ability to keep driving, but Keirra loved sleep almost as much as she loved booze?but they went hand in hand, really.

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-07 16:38 EST
"Sounds good," he reached over to turn the dial of the Jeep's music a little lower. He weren't worried about the boys in the back, they could sleep through storms. If she were going to get any shut eye before her shift it weren't going to be the radio that kept her from it, "You worried about this job?"

-

Keirra, curled up on the seat, watched his fingers with crystal eyes as he turned up the radio. That certainly wasn't a bother to him. For a rogue, the thing could sleep like a rock. "Not really.." Then, showing her inability to make a decision, she followed it up with a, "Kind of.. Not about me, about you. I'm worried that something's going to happen, and you're going to get hurt.." Keirra told him, and then sat up. "You have a family, Mark... I don't even know why you're here."

-

He slouched a bit deeper in his seat. His eyes were on the road then, watching as the short, white stripes flashed out of sight to the left. Major highways lacked distinction but were usually better maintained. Maybe a bit hypnotic. "Been in the circuit my whole life," then there were a meaningful look at her, the sort of smile that could reassure someone before a dangerous procedure, "we both have family. We got the whole family all around us at all times. Were no more or less in place to lose things than you."

-

"Why..?" Keirra asked, a bit dumbfounded. "Why are you the only person who's nice to me?" The elephant in the room fell right out of her mouth next, "My sister broke your heart.. I screwed up. Of all the people, you should hate me the most.. So why do you treat me like I'm not a gigantic screw-up?" she asked. The way the lyrics fell out of her mouth, it would become apparent that it had been on her mind for a while.

-

There were a wayward look over his shoulder when she spoke about those personal things. They were still asleep. Then his eyes shot her a small dose of the venom she'd been shopping for, "Couple reasons, Keirra, but keep it down. I been keepin' my business to myself a long time and it weren't by choice that you knew it." Then he took in a breath and exhaled, biting on his lower lip as if he weren't certain what to say to her.


What could he say? Nothing but what were on his mind cause none of them would buy a line of crap, anyhow, "Da told me that a leader inspires people with offering them a way, not condemning them. I could berate you all day and then at some point you would break and prefer to be with nothing and die than to linger with us. You got a right heavy weight upon you, but it weren't a permanent one. You got value and, eventually, yah will be square with the family and living like what happened never did." She looked a bit like Gwen, too, just enough to remind him. No different than a stranger with the same trait or random quirk. Weren't going to say that, though. Somewhere in the back of his mind were a graveyard where he liked to bury those sort of things.

-

Keirra let out a soft sigh of defeat. Why did he always say the right things? Why did it annoy her so much. Maybe it was because if she hated her soon to be leader, it would be easy to just up and leave. Still, she hung around, still she took it--because she'd convinced herself that she was garbage--or maybe everyone else did. To say that she looked a bit like Gwen was a compliment--most people said they were dead-on. Not twins of course, but the features were similar. Same wolfish blue eyes. A hand moved to reach at his shoulder, and give it a squeeze. There wasn't much affection to the gesture, merely gratitude; if he didn't shrug away from it, of course. Keirra looked back at the sleepers, before relaxing back down. "I'm sorry, thank you.. I guess I just felt like I needed to know why. That's all.."

-

He weren't one to shrug off affection unless it were too aggressive or from an unwanted source. She were part of the family, though, consoled by him about her place in the ranks. Made sense to him that she would literally reach out. Didn't mean that some part of it weren't bothersome for different reasons.


"Naht a one of us here is angels, yeah?" Cracked a smile, a thin attempt at humor. His eyes left the road for a second to meet her gaze and then he looked back at the road, "Yah worried you won't be able to pull this one off? Gypsies be far harder to take from than the regular sort ?cause they've been expecting what they have to be taken from them a long time."

-

Copious lips slanted up in a pathetically weak, half smile. "I'm not worried about that... If I get caught, I get caught.." Keirra told him with a nod, "I'd have got caught serving the family, and there's not a lot of dishonor in that. I know that I'm better than them, I know that I'm the best." Then she nodded, "I knew why you wanted me for this job; because if anyone can do it, it's me. I'm... Confident in my abilities.. I just have this sinking feeling in my stomach that something's going to go wrong.. That you're...going to get hurt. You're my only friend, Mark. I know you like to think the family is accepting, but they're not.. You're the only person that has treated me like a person. If something happened to you... I'd have nothing."

-

"Nah, don't say it like that," one of his hands lifted up in a dismissive gesture, though they both knew it were mostly true. The people that were even half-and-half with her and not particularly angry would be forced to cold-shoulder her by those more passionate for the cause. And if she were the reason that Mark were out of commission, or dead? Well, lacking family might be the least of her problems.


"But, if something were to happen..." he looked at her sidelong, "Hypothetically... if it were me I would leave, start fresh with a different family. This might be the only life we get and yah can't spend it all kicked and paying never-ending dues. S'right thing to suck it up and roll with the punches to get resolution... it's tha stupid thing to get beat to death."


-

Blue eyes stared up at him, and she ran her fingers across her face to rub away at her eyes. "If something happens to you.. I'm not leaving you, you can bet on that." Keirra said with a nod. "If we get busted, I'm fighting by your side." The idea of her fighting was a funny one. Sure, she'd had her share of fights, and was a damn good fighter one on one--in a drunken bar fight. Still, she was small, not even making it halfway past the fifth foot--not to mention she held a meager muscle tone. But the fire in her icy eyes was enough to tell him she meant it.

-

"Yah can if the fight be internal, but you see the blue and white lights I want you to hit the road hard and track way back to the Rhy'Din campsite and find Levi for me. Were gonna need a lawyer, if I'm whole." He smiled and it were the sort that said he appreciated the moxy, but that there were also a limit. Naht so important that he were with the skins of so many others. Anyway, the subject were feeling deep like it wanted to cut on something so he gave it a redirect, "How're things been in the Hatchett caravan?"

-

"Quiet mostly... Aside from..." Keirra avoided saying the girl's name as if it were Voldemort. "You know, she just talks, and talks... Strangely enough, she might be the one I miss the least if this thing becomes permanent." Unless he was trading for Gwen, too. Somehow, she didn't see that happening any time soon.


--Keirra--Mark--

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-08 01:50 EST
"Yea, I remember," he paused and then his half smile appeared. It were a bit softer than normal, like the recollection weren't so bad that it was an instant frown, "Couldn't get her to be quiet for a moment of silence at a funeral. Gwen's mind were always going, in a million directions sometimes." Then as the recollection of it faded, so did his smile.


"You miss the least?" He arched his brow at her and his gaze were at the corner of his eyes to look at her. Then he muttered, "Be surprised how quiet the world gets when the person you're used to hearing is really gone."

-

Keirra turned to face him and raised a brow. A small scoff came out of her mouth as she pondered on his words, "I didn't mean it like that.." Then how did she mean it? It was true, she never did forgive Gwen for breaking Mark's heart.. She couldn't. The rogue would never understand the nagging need to destroy a good thing. It wasn't her business, though. She couldn't tell Mark, because he'd make her aware that it was just that. "I love my sister, I do. She's just always trying to fix me. I don't need to be fixed."

-

Sometimes people destroyed good things. Mark weren't no angel. He'd had plenty of opportunities to pick up something that were good and forget what was. Didn't seem to do that. That was the stupid of him, right? Even with revelations, he couldn't get off the tracks he were set on. Just where would those tracks lead him, anyway?

"People do that. Older siblings especially, I guess." He'd wink at her except she wouldn't have known it from a blink on account of it being his profile that she saw. Billie might have said the same thing about him. That he were trying to fix or protect her beyond what made sense.

-

There was a difference between protection, and trying to get someone to stop drinking. That was just wrong. Don't come in between a girl and her booze. That was a good way to lose a hand--then again, so was being a thief. Something of a hum came from her lips, as she adjusted in her seat and kicked her legs out once again. She couldn't quite reach the floor, so she propped them up on the dashboard. "Yeah, I know... It's her job or whatever... Still, it annoys me... If she tells me to stop drinking one more time, I'm going to... to... I don't know, but I'm going to do it."

-

"Yeah, well, yah drinking got meh worried first couple times I saw you. She's naht entirely out of line." But if Keirra weren't ruffling any feathers other than that of 'decency' he weren't going to pry into it. He adjusted in his seat and glanced at his phone with the GPS map on it still glowing. Seventy two miles til they switched interstates.

-

Keirra narrowed her eyes at the ceiling of the vehicle, and then rolled them. "I don't drink before a job, I just like drinking on my own time... There's nothing illegal about it. One hundred percent sober now, boss." Yes, there was actually a touch of sarcasm on her tone when she spoke those lyrics, if only because she'd heard it, and said it a thousand times.

-

"Nah, but you get sideways when you do too much of it." The sarcasm was caught and so he reached over, tugging at a lock of her hair and then chuckling, "You salty about it like the wound is deep and hurts plenty. Naht the first time someone told you to lay of the bottle, yeah?"

-

When he tugged on her pony tail, she felt her head lean in that direction. The rogue couldn't do much to get him back--if she caused the car accident that killed Mark, she certainly would never live it down. So instead, her arms flailed lightly at the air as if they didn't have bones in them, and then collapsed back down to her lap. "Uhhh.." A lazy groan came out of her mouth, in faux resistance. "...quit it, butthead." Oh yes, she went there. She went there, grabbed a lunchable, and came back.

-

"Did you just..." he paused and turned in his seat to look at her. He were all grins when he did it, eyebrows lifted up and a laugh in his eyes. He were calling her out on the preschool play, for sure. "Is this the part where I pull over and give you a wedgie?"

-

The rogue looked up at him, and her response was quicker than ever. Maybe she had a quick wit, or maybe she was telling the truth. Nevertheless, she let out a mocking laugh and shook her head. "Ha! Jokes on you, I'm not wearing any underwear.." It was definitely the truth. It wasn't a slutty thing, it was more that putting on underwear was another step she was not about to take.

-

The moment was incredibly awkward. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Couldn't remember the first time he blushed. Were it cause she caught him unawares? Maybe. Hoped she couldn't tell she caught him in a corner with the surprise cause it were late and the car was dim.


Took a couple seconds to recover and know what to say to her after that, "Well, when I smell something funky I'll know who to blame." Juvenile humor were always tha way, yeah?

-

The rogue's cheeks puffed out lightly and her eyes narrowed on him. Oh she did not like that humor. Still, she couldn't help but let out a small cackle, and then snort almost right after. A hand came up to pinch her nose in annoyance, "Yeah it only took a year for you to come up with that... What's next? You gonna call me a doo-doo head?" she asked with a bit of uncontrolled laughter hovering over every word.

-

"Says the woman that just called me a butt-head?" He found he had the urge to reach over and tickle her while she was laughing, just to send her into over-the-top bouts of it. He didn't, though. His hands were stuck on the wheel and he felt, somewhere deep, that it weren't the best idea to have gone on this job. He should have sent someone that weren't him.

Fuck. Could keep it in his pants, couldn't he? One of his elbows pressed upon the console that were between them, "I was trying to be a gentleman, you know? Take the higher ground but you are sucking me into your black hole."

-

The snorting rogue raised an eyebrow. "You are a butthead. Your head is made of butts. Fact." Was her reply to his little argument. Then she look in a deep breath and sighed it out slowly, because she was likely to give herself an asthma attack with the laughter. "You can't be a gentleman around me. I won't let you." Keirra said, waving the thought of him in a bow tie and a monocle away from her brain with an actual--and pointless--gesture of her hand. "That would be weird, and we can't have that."

-
"I've never been told that I was made of butts before." The smirk not one that could be helped. There were a pain, though. He remembered laughing with Gwen that way. She used to tease him not much different than that. Brought tears to his eyes on more than one occasion. Still, it were good to laugh with her, even if it were a mash of her and memories of her sister steering him into that comfortable, juvenile place, "Yeah, the butts thing weren't weird but the gentleman... yeaaahhh.. none of that." He looked at her with a glint in his eyes that said his chuckling had brought glass to his eyes.

-

"Only your head is made of butts.. C'mon, Boss. Give yourself some credit.." Keirra told him, giggles tarnishing the lyrics that fell from her mouth. "You being a gentleman would totally weird me out.. Especially since I don't consider myself a lady. Hell, I can drink most men under the table." When she caught his glassy eyes, it brought a warmth that couldn't be explained to her. It was good to see him actually smile. It was good to actually be smiling. "Besides, I'm picturing a butt on a neck in a suit. Not a good image, boss."

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-10 22:40 EST
"Weird yah out, eh?" he quirked a brow at her because she were right, in some measure or another, about it. He shook his head at her, wishing he had a toothpick or something to toy with as they road. Butt in a suit, huh? Couldn't help but let out a little snigger at that. Some part of him were still taken to those jokes, "Well, I wouldn't want to be that. Besides," he looked sidelong to her, "You should get some shut eye. Won't be long til it your shift and then we swap out."

-

Keirra nodded to him, "You're right. Stop getting me all riled up then, yeah?" The rogue curled up, fitting perfectly in the seat. Wolfish eyes fell shut and she took in a deep breath. This might be the first time in a very long time that she hadn't fallen asleep without the aid of booze. However, she was committed to trying for both their sake.

-

"Riled up? Yes, ma'am," he did a two finger salute to her as well and then put his eyes back on the road, where they should have been the whole time. It were about when he was hitting the end of the seventu two mile stretch that his leg of driving were over. It was five am when he pulled the jeep over at a wait station and reached over, giving her shoulder a small shake, "Keirra? It's your turn." He swiped at the corner of his eyes to get the sleep out. His spine felt like someone were pressing on it with weights for hours.

-

It hadn't taken her long to fall asleep, and when she did, she was half-snoring, half mumbling. For a rogue, she sure slept like a rock. When Mark was shaking her, she began to toss and jerk a little bit. "Hey... That car stole me." The girl protested and then attempted to grab onto his arm and rest her sleepy face on it.

-

"Keirrrrraaaa..." he called at her ear, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to give her another nudge, "Wakey wakey... your turn behind the wheel." Couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of a car stealing her. That sounded like the sort of excuses Gwen used to say when things happened.

-

Where do you think Gwen got it from? Clearly Keirra was the brains behind everything. The rogue tossed and turned, before her eyes parted to reveal those husky blues. "Mm? Oh.." Legs kicked out as she worked her way into a sitting position.

-

His arm eased from around her, eventually slipping off her shoulders and away from the close-quarters nuzzle that woke her up. When her legs splayed out in a stretch he opened the driver door and hoped out, giving a full body stretch and then a twist to stretch his back. He stepped around to her door and opened it, propping one foot up on the open ledge of her doorway, "You gonna be able to drive, princess?"

-

Keirra smoothed out her face and shook her head violently to wake herself up. When he opened her door, she could do nothing but give him a big, stupid grin. Then she was attempting to step out beside him, losing whatever height advantage the RV gave her. "I'm sure, Boss. And, don't call me princess.." The rogue said, sticking out her tongue.

-

"Watch out," he said with a grin at her when she stuck her tongue out, "Might make you use that if you gonna be smart with me on it." Then he climbed into her seat, which felt like trying to fit into a small shadow. There was a weak outline of the warmth and shape of where she had been. She got her height advantage back on him, just then, until the door were shut. Damn. It was early morning and it felt like he'd just woke up and wanted a piece of action. Or it were her dark hair and blue eyes, same kinda blue that pried at his heart. He slouched deep into the seat and pulled out his cellphone, wanting to look busy or occupied with something, even if it were Angry Birds.

-

Keirra climbed into the driver's side, and shook her head once more. "Don't threaten me with a good time, Boss," she responded and then shot him a wink. Pursed lips twisted into a smile as she worked the vehicle to life and into gear. The poor thing had to adjust the seat to touch the pedals, but eventually she got herself settled in.

-

"Why? Weren't it a threat?" Why was he saying that to her? He didn't look at her when he did, just kept fidgeting with his phone like there were something important on it. There was a look over his shoulder to see that the two others were still asleep, one snoring rather noticeably.


-

The rogue shot a look over at him, and her teeth were displayed in a smile as she rolled her pretty eyes. "Didn't scare me any," she responded. Her phone had remained in her pocket, because she hadn't used it much.

-

"Yeah?" His left hand dropped on top of her thigh and he looked at her, a brow lifted. Were he calling her bluff, or were she calling his? "Gonna put us in drive, or what?"

-

Keirra never folded first, that's why she was so bad at gambling. When his hand dropped onto her thigh, she dropped her hand onto his and pulled it further to her inner thigh. "Mhm..." Keirra said with a smirk and shifted gears.

-

His phone got put away when her hand suggested more of him. A look over shoulder to the boys and then to her. His hand squeezed her inner thigh, "Don't want you to fall asleep while you're at the wheel." His heart thundered with an old love.

-

The squeeze left her body jolting lightly in the seat, and a shivering breath had been taken into her lungs. Keirra's eyes turned to him, and she shot him a dangerous look as the vehicle began moving. "Oh, yeah.." Pouty lips pursed playfully, "You should probably stay awake with me for a little while." The rogue told him with a grin.

-

"How we gonna pass the time?" His left hand slipped off her thigh so that the elbow of that arm could be at the shoulder of her seat. It were his right hand that they preyed upon her knee, working up the path along her leg anew, hesitating at the point the other had been before it pushed past his fingertips pressing against the seam of her pants. She were grinning, adjusting like she welcomed the surprise. Were she? There weren't any puppy-dog eyes for him in her gaze.

-

Just because she had husky eyes, doesn't mean she went puppy-eyed for anyone. "Oh, I'm not sure.." Keirra said, stifling the grin that twitched against her lips. "We certainly can't play Monopoly with me behind the wheel. We'll have to think of something, though." Keirra told him, shifting her gaze back to him and biting into her lip.

-

"We'll need to stop for gas soon." His hand slid off her to rest back atop her thigh. There was a nudge to the gauge, which hadn't yet changed colors to announce that fuel were imperative. When he looked at her, sure enough, blue eyes were asking a question about more than just fuel. They could just keep driving.

-

Keirra's hand rifled through her bag and nimble fingers grabbed a stick of gum and unwrapped it with a single hand. She bit off half and offered the other. Morning breath was a thing after all. Again, Keirra never folded first. She'd take this all the way before she even thought twice about it. "Just say the word..."

-

"There's a stop right there," his eyes pitched to the signs that were flying them by on the interstate, "There's a BP in a mile. Can stop there. Usually got clean bathrooms and what not." It were the word, if she were looking for it.

-

Eyes shifted to the sign. and she switched over lanes to take the next exit. "You got it," she said and pressed a little harder on the gas. The mile would be up in no time at this rate, and then she'd be pulling into the station.

-

Once she parked in front of the gas pump he turned around, shaking the knee of one of the guys, "Oi, you gotta pump gas and pay, yeah?" The man grumbled, half awake but agreeing. With slow motion he crawled out of his spot and to the side of the jeep, circling around to open the metal gas flap and work the pump to fill it.


Mark cleared his throat, "Gettin' snacks and paying up front and what not. Want anything?"


The other guy squinted and then nodded, "Yeah, canned coffee for when I gotta drive."


"Sure," Mark cut a grin and then swatted Keirra on the side of the arm before hopping out of the jeep. He started towards the gas station, looking over his shoulder and towards her, expectantly.

-

Keirra's boots hit the ground and she slung the door closed behind herself. "I'm coming, I'm coming.." The rogue told him, and glued herself to his heels. Walking in a heel-to-toe fashion, the rogue barely made a single sound as she walked behind him.

-

They looked like they were picking through the aisles for just a few minutes. Really just a show, if anything. Then he twisted around to the bathroom but waited in the stunted hall for her to show face. It was so early that the gas station were practically empty. It wouldn't be for another hour that the shift of truckers would populate.

-

Keirra split from him and meandered around for a moment, and then met him in the restroom hall. If there was any nervous air about the girl, she was hiding it behind an excellent poker face. Dangerous eyes stared up at him, and she tilted her head with anticipation.

-

His hand caught her waist and urged her into it with him, catching the door lock behind him and locking it. "Naht lookin' for a relationship, yeah?" He asked it as he kissed her neck, turned her 'round and pressed her up against the door with all the intention a man could have for a woman. She weren't playing with no make-out session but a quickie against the bathroom door in a gas station.

-

Half lidded eyes looked up at him as he pushed her around the bathroom, and she followed every direction his body gave. "F*** no," was the quick response that she half regretted after they left her lips. It was too quick and too snappy, made her seem as heartless as she was. Bright blue eyes turned to him over as her fingers pressed against the bathroom wall.

-

The length of him were pressed against her. He looked like he wanted to devour her lips, like he were ready to push her pants down and push in until she gave a whimper. The no were all he needed to hear to stop. The pressure of his body's weight against her eased, "Nah?" Searching her eyes to see what she were asking for.

-

"I'm not the relationship type. Don't play well with others.." The rogue told him, eyes staring back at him. Sucking in a breath, she reached to snap up his hand and push it against her chest. Her body wasn't all that impressive. She hadn't had the boobs or the butt that Gwen did, that was for sure. Her body pressed back against his and she wiggled slowly as she waited to see what was next.

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-10 22:57 EST
After the fact there were claw marks, kiss marks, sweat with a small measure of blood. They washed up as best they could and then he scooted to the counter while she went back for the jeep. He had to square up the gas bill? By now the other two were bit annoyed at the wait, but it weren't anything that they weren't already NyQuil sleeping off in the back seat of the jeep. He were tucking his wallet into his back pocket when he came out, grinning when he made eye contact with her.

-

Keirra slapped his backside roughly on her way out, and had the vehicle started up by the time he got in. "Alright, Boss.. Get some rest." Waiting for him to get settled in, and then Keirra was driving back towards the main road. There was a newfound glow about her now, and she looked rather pleased with both herself, and Mark at the moment.

-

There were a smile for her as they started back on the road. It were always good to be spent and have that tension out of the body. It weren't long after that Levi were texting him and he adjusted himself to pull out his phone and text back the response, "Hoooly hell. Yah leave for less than a day..."

-

The rogue chuckled softly and watched the road, giving a quick glance to Mark before relaxing in her seat. "Place falls apart without you, huh?" she asked with a roll of her eyes. She felt the air leave her lungs as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

-

"Feckin' Levi," he muttered and shook his head as they continued to exchange, "Feels like I got to have one eye open all the time." It were, perhaps, a moment where he were actually confiding in someone. Maybe it were from just having sex, or from it being so early in the morning and him being tired.

-

Keirra sighed softly, and kept her opinions on Levi to herself. She knew they were friends, and she'd respect that...when she was sober, at least. "What's he doing this time?" Since he was still breathing, she'd guess that Levi hadn't violated Mark's sister just yet.

-

"Feckin' around with Billie like that ain't a thing." He snorted and then shoved his phone back into his pocket after their last message was sent, "Oi, you awake for the rest of the drive?" Left hand were hovering just over her knee.

-

Keirra's eyes turned to him, and glanced down at his hovering hand. An eyebrow was raised, and she smiled. "Yeah, I got this, don't worry," she said with a smirk. The girl was driving much faster than Mark had been, but that was her way. She always gunned it like she was running from someone.

-

His hand caught the seat adjuster and gave it a tug. His chair laid back and he shut his eyes, letting left hand stay lazy upon her thigh while she drove. He were up since eleven and having been tired and sated, didn't know how he managed to be awake much longer than he were. In a few hours she would be swapping out with one of the boys. It were balls to the wall to beat the McAveries.

-

Keirra's eyes kept darting to that hand. It wasn't like she didn't appreciate the affection... Keirra just couldn't help but wonder if his hand would be there if he hadn't rung her bell in a public bathroom...twice. An awkward pat was given to his hand as she waited for him to fall asleep, tuning out to the road and radio.

-

Keirra's shift ended and her and Mark slouched in the back seat together while one of the other two drove. It was like that for another fifteen hours. When the reached a Quik Trip off the side of the road his phone's alarm went off, which caused him to sit up and check it, "Oi, we're due to intersect them." It was 5 pm by then, the sun were just threatening to set, "We ready to slip into camp?" His eyes went to Keirra, waiting to see if she had a confident or piss-herself gaze.

-

Poker face, remember? Keirra never showed weakness, wasn't her style... When Mark called out, she'd already been awake, lacing the boots back onto her legs. "I'm ready when you are," Kerria said, fishing out a hairbrush and fixing the mess that was made by a mixture of sleep, and Mark's previous roughness. Blue eyes trailed over to him, and she gave him a quick nod. "Let's do this."

-

The McAveries. Their campground was such that it was on the outskirts of a truck stop on one of the interstate exits. It were ballsy to be there but they took refuge, anyway. There were toilets, sinks and a place with vending machines so it were ideal for them while they waited. When Mark pulled up in the Jeep they hardly stirred. He were surprised to see that they was only of three caravans and not more, but he guessed that they had intended on being extra-mobile the whole time. His eyes shot like razors on Keirra, "What we doing?"

-

"You guys are getting their tires slashed so they can't chase us," Keirra nodded and looked over the site, "And I guess I'm doing what I do best... Sneaking in there, and stealing the documents. I brought some decoy papers that I'll be holding, the real documents will be in my bag. If I get busted, I'm going to drop my bag, and cause a distraction." No... She wasn't planning on flash-bombing them blind. Nothing like that! "So if you see them chasing me, get my bag and run like hell. Sound good?"

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-14 00:29 EST
"Sounds good." Mark grabbed the door knob and opened it slowly. He didn't shut the door, not all the way. The overhead light int he jeep had been turned off. They were far enough away that the McAveries wouldn't have found their arrival to be strange. They had picked a public camp ground, cars arriving and leaving tended to happen.


Mark just knew what some of their Caravans looked like on account that they were once with an artist who liked to paint clouds on everything. Had happened when he were a kid, maybe fifteen years ago. Paint was chipped but he could still see that two of them still had the clouds on them.


The other two climbed out with him and they crouched low like they was dogs and worked way along the edge. Mark were first, it was like battle. Soldiers respected the general that was on the battlefield. He kneeled by the main caravan and pushed the knife blade into the tire tread, his palm at the backhand of the handle as he worked it back and forth so the hole weren't one that could be repaired.

-

Keirra watched them for a moment before giving Mark a pat on the back, and going in to do what she did best. She practically crawled, legs extending to drag her stunted little body closer and closer to the camp. A breath was taken after a bit of hesiation, her heart pounded away in her chest. It made her feel like that thumping alone would give her away. It wouldn't, but the thrill of a heist was always an overwhelming one. "Okay I got this.." she whispered to herself, and began to move.

-

"Oi," he whispered to the guy next to him, nodding towards the non-cloud caravan that were sitting there, waiting like a duck to be plucked. "Circle round to the back. Ease it in gentle."


"We done this before, boss."


Mark cut them a grin in the early morning darkness and nodded, "Get on with it, then. They be three caravans and three of us. Each one of us be at post. That way if things go sideways with Keirra, somebody be near to get to her."


They had hushed whispered when they spoke and then disbanded. Mark took one look at Keirra slithering her way along and then worked way to the next tire on the outside.

-

Keirra had thrown a look back Mark's way, and then took in a deep breath. "Okay," barely whispered, "If I were something important... Where would I keep myself..?" she asked, and then moved into the camp. A string of profanities went over her lips, quiet as ever as she pressed her back against a camper and looked around. The biggest camper was noted, "Guess that's as good a place to start as any.." Slowly she moved up to the door, testing the lock and getting tools ready if it needed to be picked.


One knee was on the ground, the other almost pressed to his chest from how he crouched. He could see the back of Keirra's ankles near the door of the camper he was crouched behind. Think was big enough to warrant a large, separate truck which it were hitched to. He set to work on the truck tires.


The camper she entered were locked, but the lock were probably a piece of cake for her to pick. They didn't make those locks too sophisticated. Inside it were cramped settings like most campers, but it were the living quarters for four people.


The boss of the McAveries weren't there, this was a job for his trusted ones. There was Mason the mechanic, Barry the Gun, Jimmy and his wife Lindsey. There were in a section that looked like two sets of bunk beds on both sides of the camper, leaving an open hallway which lead to the back where a lounging and kitchen area were. Beyond that, just a bit further, were the door to the bathroom, shower and some storage for the food and what not.

-

Keirra had no trouble with the lock, she moved to open it quietly and stepped inside to observe. Great! This is going to be a piece of cake....not. The bathroom was looked over, she highly doubted that they were keeping it in a medicine cabinet. A deep breath was taken in, and she was moving without a sound. She moved towards the beds, eyes glancing around for a safe as she bit hard into her lip, the area around turning white.

-

One of them was a snorer. That'd be Lindsey, and chances were the guys weren't in a place to tell her a word about it. Jimmy would no doubt be onto them if they did.


It were the spare tire he found that were finally punctured. McAveries weren't to be giving any chase as soon as they were wiser about what happened. Best case scenerio they wouldn't even know it happened until they saw their tires been done with. Then they would be doing the math for it real fast.

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-14 20:43 EST
Keirra moved up to where Jimmy was sleeping, after she failed to find a safe. She'd actually been thankful that Lindsey was a snorer, because that meant that the others were heavy sleepers by nature, especially Jimmy. She peered around his neck but saw no key, or evidence of one. Great, she was going for the pillow. Fast hands moved gently beneath his pillow and felt around. A metal piece was caught and she curled her fingers around it, pulling it out to examine it. A smile spread across her features.

-

It were, at that point, that the fifth party who were in the camper was roused. Underneath the bunk had been a medium-sized half breed with a dark coat. Near impossible to see in the poor light and he'd been sleeping just as heavy as everybody else. But there was something that woke him, maybe it were that he was always peeking his head up when feet shuffled by. At any rate, it were that fifth step she took that caused him to open his eyes, sniff, and then let out a terrific howl. It simple weren't okay that some strange was leaned in over his family at the opportune hours of the night.


It were loud enough that Mark swore and looked to his right, edging to the nose of the camper to see if the other campers looked roused by the commotion. They were. Lights were starting to turn on.


"Keirra... get outta there..." He wondered how many seconds she got before he went in after. She were fast, were she fast enough?

-

Considering the howl had stunted her movements and made her freeze, Keirra took a little while before realizing the situation. "Shit.. shit!" the girl hissed, bagged the key and pulled out the decoy in a swift movement. Then she began moving towards the door, nearly tripping over her stealthy legs.

-

Mason jumped up and ripped the covers off. There was left over grease on his toned arms, and he looked around. He spotted Keirra and narrowed his eyes as he attempted to put a name to the face. "The hell?"

-

"Wha?" Jimmy wiped at his eyes and then looked at the bag and then to the person his dog was howling at. His hand searched immediately for the key, "She got it! Don't let her outta here with that!" He was in his boxers and not much else when he threw off covers and took pursuit. Lindsey were still a bit dazed from sleeping, "Come on, Mason, we skinned rats without that key!"

-

Keirra felt like a hunted deer. She scrambled across the floor with wide, bright blue eyes. "I'm keeping it, thanks!" the girl said, holding up the decoy. "F***ing guard dogs, he said nothing about dogs! If I make it out of this, I'm kicking him right in the shin!"

-

Mason hadn't yet recognized her, so he was snatching for the girl's shirt; but she was fast and more slippery than soap. "Damn it!" the man grunted, nearly falling over with the missed grab. Next time he'd have to just punch her lights out.

-

Mark cut around to the door of the caravan and opened it, sticking his head in to almost knock heads with Keirra on her way out. She got to slip past him but he and Mason were in world that collided. It were such a surprise that tangled that he fell to his back and took Mason with him.


"Get tah tha jeep with the boys! Head out! Move!" He was trying to grapple with Mason so he wouldn't catch up with her. It were the key that mattered, he figured he'd be bartered for later if this went to sideways. The guy weren't no slouch.

-

When Mason collided with Mark, the connection was put together after a few seconds of struggle. His arms stayed still, and he made no attempt to fight the man.

-

Keirra didn't know any of this, though. So when she started to run, and saw Mark grappling Mason, she took it the way it was intended. She looked towards the exit, and then shook her head. She wouldn't leave him... So she was circling back and moving to swing a well-placed boot right up against Mason's head.

-

It were after a few moments that he noticed a bruiser like the guy he were with wasn't laying waste to him with blows. He blinked and got to his feet, confused. Then there were Keirra kicking at him and he reached out to touch her shoulder, "Nat sure what his business is. We gotta go."


Other camper doors were opening. The other two had circled round, meeting up with them and pushing back sleeves if the brawling were to commence.

-

Keirra had already been reeling back for another kick when Mark touched her. "Oh... Alright, let's do this..." she said and then looked around. "Hey! Cock mongrels!" Keirra held up the decoy, "If you can catch me, it's all yours!" for a rogue, she sure was a loud little bitch when she wanted to be. Then she was moving to roll past an opening, and hopefully get some people on her tail.

-

Mason stood to his feet but remained stationary. It would hopefully be clear by the way he wasn't attacking Mark, which side the brute was on. He waited and watched, ready to keep as many off the enemy leader as he possibly could. Yay mutiny!

-

He weren't sure what it was when Mason stood and just looked at him. All he could say was, "You lookin' for a payoff?"


He backpedaled from him as soon as the others from their campers started to close in. They needed to be near the jeep and ready, but not swarmed, when it were time for Keirra to circle back around. Bit outnumbered, no doubt. Mark were in the center with a boy to his left and right when the McAvery crew descended their way.

Keirra Owens

Date: 2015-09-15 19:18 EST
A payoff? A curious glance was sent Mark's way, and then he scoffed and shook his head. Forever he grumbled about this camp; making him the muscle, always making him fight. Now was his chance. "Looking to jump ship, need a mechanic?" Mason muttered, and sent a fist flying for the closest of the crew to hopefully knock the person out, and prove to Mark the seriousness of his words.

-

Keirra began to lead the ones that she gathered off. It didn't take her long to circle and lose them, then she was running back towards where she saw Mark last. "C'mon..."

-

It weren't a situation he liked. Naht at all. He frowned and then backed up. It wasn't until Mason slugged the next three and they were held off, all swears and sourness at him, that he took to believing what was said. With a frown he jerked a thumb over his shoulder, "Yah sit in the back between the boys and one bit of funny business and we throw yah out the car while it moves."


The four of them, battling off curses and such, backed off. No one drew a gun, it were serious business to do that. McAveries and Barlows weren't liking each other, but it weren't open war or murder they exchanged. With a grunt Jimmy shouted, "Yeah, well, fuck you Mason and see if we ever take you back."


Mark looked left and right, trying to catch a sign of their light-footed compatriot.

-

Mason nodded to Mark, "Works for me!" a fitting answer to both Mark, and Jimmy. Then he was moving to follow after Mark. A favored finger had been shot back to Jimmy when he yelled.

-

Keirra's short, but fast legs were on the move. She circled back to meet Mark, then she shot him a grin. Wild crystal eyes peered at him, thinning out as her smile threatened to touch them. Then it faded, "What's he doing here?"

-

"Naht the time to explain, take the passenger seat by driver. Boys gonna be in the back with him."


They were piling into the jeep and then hitting dirt quick. It were about that time that the McAveries meant to give chase but were discovering the ill fortune of their tires. There were a lot of swearing and Mason's phone was being lit up like her were a celebrity. Mark took the driver's seat and looked at the rear view.


"What were your name?"

-

Keirra climbed inside, rolling down her window and flicking the decoy right on out. Maybe it would give them some false hope, that's what she was hoping for anyways... Her seat was reclined slightly, and she laid back, listening to the conversation but saying nothing. She didn't like him. Didn't trust him. Not that she liked or trusted just about anyone.

-

Mason looked at his phone and raised an eyebrow. "Mason Briggs," he answered with a nod. His shoulder was rolled slightly, and he turned to look around. He leaned over to get an eyeful of Keirra. Since she was the only one with a vagina, she became the most interesting.


-

Mason Briggs? Holy hell, that man coulda ground him into bits. Weren't a wonder that he took out those other guys like they were nothing. Had to feel like a sledge hammer descending when the blow landed. Mark frowned with the surprise and discomfort of the revelation.


"What were putting you on the outs of the McAveries?"


He was squeezed in tight with the other two men. Three full sized guys weren't meant to squeeze into the back seat. When he took in a look at Keirra Mark snapped, "Weren't foolin' around where you shouldn't be?" Thinly veiled warning.

-

The hint was taken instantly, and Mason sat back. "They constantly pushed me to fight, and since I been injured.." That was really all that need to be said. "No fooling around," he said in the most defeated of manners before settling back.

-

Keirra hadn't even noticed the look. Her legs were hiked up on the dashboard, and she was tuned out until she heard his name. "You got lucky... That dude's a monster..." Keirra whispered to Mark.


-

"Naht to tell me twice." Growing up he'd heard of some of the fights Mason Briggs had done. It had to of been about five years ago that he quit hearing the stories like they were new. Maybe it was three. Anyway, he never got to see the fights except the ones recorded and they always used shitty cameras and then tossed the footage so that there weren't any evidence the police could pinch them on.


"You say you were a mechanic?"

-

"Yessir," Mason answered with a nod, "After I quit fighting, I began to teach myself everything there is to know about our vehicles. Now I can fix just about anything," he said with a nod, before smirking at Keirra's remark. "You're not very good at being quiet for a sneak, are you?"

-

"I could steal everything you own from your pockets before you even had a chance to say my name." Keirra responded without any shred of embarrassment or fear. Then she was curling up and facing Mark. "We're probably going to have to stop for gas sometime tonight." Hopefully he'd see the meaning behind her words, if not, least the car would have a full tank...

-

"You see, we got us a mechanic so you gotta be good, real good, to take up place as that. We ain't makin' money in blood." He looked periodically in the rear-view mirror so that he could make eye contact with Mason.


It were clear Mark were keyed up about it. His left elbow was on the armrest ledge on the car door, his fingertips picking at the peeling vinyl that were at the end of it. His phone buzzed and there were an exchanged back and forth on it. Didn't look like the text messages were sweetening his disposition any. She made mention of the gas station but his mind were miles away from that, now. There were only the small promise of, "We'll see how far we get." His mind was carrying too much.