Lucas Actually Let's Out A Chuckle.

Adrien stops pushing and looks up to see someone talking to him from a working car. One of the few in town. He recognizes him but can't remember his name.

"I mean if you're not busy," Adrien replies. "I'm just taking it to the Chop Shop to see what I can do with it."

Adrien smiles then takes a second to roll his shoulders, giving his body a short break.

Gabriel was driving to his shift at the diner when he spotted someone literally pushing their car down the road, obviously broken down. He didn't want to be late but then again he was a nice guy if someone needed help. He pulled over and rolled down the passenger window. ''Hey man, want some help? There must be something better than that.''

Adrien was chugging down some water when he'd stepped up next to the guy. Adrien's seen a lot of new faces, but even then, this guy looks even newer than himself.

"As far as I know," he replies. "Though, to be honest, I haven't really tried to leave."

He rubs the back of his neck. It's not that he wants to be trapped in town. It's more that even with the flesh eating monsters outside, he doesn't feel the urgent need to get out of town.

location: colony house

This was Gabriel's first full day in this town which happened to fall on Halloween. He had put bits and pieces together of where he was and it was no where close to New York City where he was trying to go. Someone also filled him in that it's impossible to try to leave so he was stuck. The house was having a big party to celebrate the holiday and even though he wasn't in the mood to dance yet, he stood by the side having a drink. ''Was the one who told me when I got here last night right..that there's really no way out of here? Not even a bus?

@fromcamadams

Lucas barges into Cameron's office, breathing heavy like an enraged bull.

"You'll never believe what those motherfucking monsters just pulled on me," he says, voice quivering with rage that's he's trying to contain. He drops the remains of the rotary phone onto Cam's desk.

"They think they can get away with this shit any longer? Well, I'm this close to just barging into those woods, guns blazing."

He paces the room, not wanting his anger to be directed at her.

@patroclusblossom (lucas)

You're sitting in the sheriff's station like you do most days, you sure do take your job seriously. It feels like any other day, just make it through and survive, that's what you've been doing for seven years now. Only something is different today; the phone rings. It's been sitting on the desk since before you came here but has never once rang, yet today it is. Do you answer it? Are you hearing things and just hoping that it would finally ring and give some sign of an outside world? If you answer the phone, you hear a voice you thought you would never hear again. "Hey Lu," the voice that sounds suspiciously like your brother says. But your brother has been dead for seven years, it was impossible. Yet it sounds just like him. "Miss me?" He asks through the phone. "You're doing a good job of watching everyone, making sure they're safe. Why couldn't you do that for me? Why couldn't you protect me?" Then the line goes silent. No matter how hard you try, you can't make the voice come back. What just happened? Was that really your brother? Or are you finally starting to lose it?

Lucas chuckles but does intentionally flex his stomach since he knows Rae is looking.

"It's one night i don't have to be sheriff," he says. "Might as well make the most of it. Show these kids we've still got it."

He leans against the wall, facing Rae and looking him up and down. He's not surprised to see the basic doctor get up, but he can't complain. Rae looks really good in it.

"So how have you been? I haven't been able to check up on you."

Being sheriff after a disaster really keeps him busy.

rae's costume, or his lack thereof, spoke volumes about his attitude towards the party. he stood there, his white lab coat hanging loosely over plain scrubs. the coat, usually a symbol of professionalism, carrying an air of nonchalance. it was clear that rae had taken the simplest route to participate.

his posture betrayed a certain weariness as he leaned against the wall, a weight that alcohol could temporarily lift. he glanced down at his cup, ruminating until he heard that familiar voice.

"hey," he greeted, perking up almost instantly. "you look… different," he observed, his gaze roaming over lucas' shirt, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "in a good way."

This is going well. At least, Adrien thinks it is. She hasn't indicated she doesn't like him, so that's a start.

"Tea sounds great, thanks."

He sits across from her, wiping the nervous sweat from his hands on his jeans.

He'd never really had any tea before, but when in Rome or however that goes.

"No, I know. I figured we wouldn't be here at all if you could."

He wiggles in his seat, trying how to best explain what he's thinking.

"So I grew up in a small town with small-minded people. I guess I'm just hoping to learn new things. Even if they're unusual or other people don't like it."

"Straightforward works," she finally says, her voice soft but firm, carrying that smooth cadence that makes everything sound deliberate. "Better than playing games, anyway. I can work with honest."

She crosses her arms loosely, tilting her head as he talks about the rumors circulating around her—potions, tarot cards, and all the rest. The mention of fear doesn’t seem to surprise her, nor does the suggestion that others respect her. Raina knows how stories travel, how reputations morph in this strange town.

"Ah, the usual, then," she says lightly, with a shrug that makes it seem like she’s heard it all before. "People love to be afraid of what they don’t understand. And if that fear keeps them at a respectful distance..." She lets the thought hang, the smile curling just a little sharper. "Well, I won’t lose any sleep over it."

Her smile turns playful but knowing, as if she’s fully aware of how strange and intimidating this place must feel to him but finds some quiet humor in watching him navigate it. When she turns back to him, there’s an ease in her gaze—not an invitation exactly, but not a dismissal either.

"Tea?" she offers, as if that’s the most natural thing to ask after such a conversation bringing the kettle to her table with two mugs. Raina motions for him to take a seat, "What do you need a witch for? I can't wave my hands and you'll be free, if that's what you think."

Adrien kept working while El was quiet, thinking that the subject was basically done. Then he looks up at them to listen intently, noting how sure they seem in their words.

"Really? You wouldn't mind a roommate?"

He'd never had a roommate that wasn't family before. That's why he'd chosen the Colony House when he first arrived. Wanting a chance to meet new people.

But he's met new people now. Maybe, he's not cut out for a big house like that?

Ellington leans against the workbench, their hands loosely resting in their pockets as they watch Adrien work. They listen quietly, noting the way his words trail off and the subtle tension in his voice. Colony House clearly isn’t sitting right with him.

“I get that,” El says, their voice low but kind. “It’s not for everyone. Too many people in one place can mess with your head after a while.”

They glance toward the door for a moment, as if weighing their next words, then look back at Adrien. “I’ve got a place on the far side of town. Whole house to myself. Quiet, no one to bother you unless you want them to.” A small smile plays on their lips. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s solid. And it’s got space.”

They lean a little closer, their tone soft but sincere. “If you’re feeling like Colony House isn’t cutting it, you’re welcome to crash with me. No pressure—just figured I’d throw it out there. It might be nice having someone around who’s not... you know, always in each other’s business.”

Lucas grimaces. He almost wishes Adam hadn't said that. Now he feels the urge to run out and help. Which would be a terrible idea. He knows.

"Why do they want to torture us so much? What did we ever do to them?"

Seven years, and Lucas still didn't know the answer. It pisses him off so much. It pisses James off. Pisses Rae off.

Fuck it! The whole town is pissed off.

"Don't tell me I'm the issue? I just thought he was severely constipated." maybe he misread the look of utter annoyance and discomfort other had for him, for simple digestive issues. Then again, Adam's ego never did allow him to see himself as the issue.

"We drink." he clicks his glass agains the others, savouring the moment that was not likely to come again soon. Drinking on the job. Quite an influence he was. "Oh no the screams are definitely real. Rain ain't as loud as those things torturing people long enough for the rest of us to hear it and feel like fucking powerless pieces of shit for not running out there to help them and die in the process. Diabolical."

Adrien perks up even more. There's a little shop here? His fingers already twitch, wanting to get work done inside.

"So when it comes to these talismans I've heard about, they only work if there's like an unbroken 'barrier?' So no open windows or doors?"

He's noticed some temporary solutions already up, but he's also noticed a lot of residents give those wary looks. As if they're expecting something to jump through them.

"hey, that's better than a lot of these kids around here," cam said with a laugh before opening the front door of colony house. "come on, i'll show you my little make-shift shop." really it was just a shed on the side of the house where she keeps her personal stash of tools so that no one in the house can steal them. god know everything else in this house goes missing and stashed away.

Lucas bites back a laugh. He knows Marama wouldn't know what Target is, but it's still funny to hear it.

"Good to know. I'll tell them to meet you at the cemetery. Let's hope we get really lucky. Can I trust you to make sure none of my guys swipe anything for themselves?"

"i don't think it works like that," she says but honestly, she couldn't be sure. maybe ignoring pain is his way of healing. people were strange. "thanks, i appreciate that," she says with a nod. "that would be helpful. i think some of the cars has stuff we could really use around here. someone must have just come from the store. no food but there's bags with those red circles on them. looks like maybe clothes or towels. maybe there's something else in there but i didn't have time to check it out before coming back yesterday."

Tanner Buchanan via instagram.