3. Tell her a brief overview. Explain you're looking for Nicole and David.
"It's a long story," you say. "Can we go back inside?"
Jesse nods, absently brushing a blonde strand away from her eye. You follow her back into the cabin.
With both of you sitting, the birds still chirping away, you give a quick rundown of what's happened to you. Meeting David, Nicole and Jacob at the vet, deciding to leave town, Jacob's death, your near death, and then David and Nicole suddenly vanishing. Although you talk about your discovery of how alcohol has an effect on the infestation, you leave out Benny entirely, and likewise skip over the weird dreams.
Jesse listens silently, nodding here and there, asking a question or two along the way. Mostly she seems calm and cool, collected. The lapse that occurred just a minute ago is gone from her face.
"And then I pulled up into here," you say, leaning back in your chair. "And you know the rest."
Jesse cups her chin in one hand, and her eye drifts away from you, out the window. She also leans back on the couch.
"You're not telling me everything," she says finally.
You shift a bit, uncomfortable. Trying to think of something to say, you begin to open your mouth, but Jesse cuts you off before you can speak.
"It's alright, though," she says thoughtfully. "I wouldn't tell just anyone everything I've been through, either. And also..." she trails off, her gaze coming back to rest on your face.
You cock your head at her. "Also?"
"I think you're an OK guy," she says, and smiles a little. Just a bit. You raise one eyebrow at her and smile back, thinking how much better she looks when she smiles.
Christ, you think. I didn't know I had a thing for jail bait girls.
That reminds you. "How old are you, anyway?"
Jesse shrugs. "What does it matter? Worried I'm not old enough to do this?"
She reaches into a nearby cooler and pulls out a warm beer, pops the lid, and chugs it with visible distaste. After finishing, she reaches in again and tosses you another can.
"Heh. No. Just curious," you say, opening it. "So... what now?"
Jesse shrugs. "I guess you keep going. You know. Find your friends. That little girl needs your help. I'm glad she's got some people looking out for her."
You nod, plug your nose, and pour the beer down your throat, trying to taste it as little as possible. Again, there is a feeling of some sort of fog in your head burning away. This can goes down a lot easier than the first. Seems like your humanity is returning.
Jesse is still staring at you. Her eye seems to be measuring you. Like she's waiting for something.
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1. "Why don't you come with me? It's a lot safer for us to stick together. I promise, I don't bite."
2. "I'd be grateful if you could give me any supplies you could spare, especially any alcohol. And, uh, my flaregun back."
3. "So what's your story, then?"
4. "No, seriously. I'm curious. How old are you?"
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