"Well, Unfortunately, I'm The Sheriff, So Yeah, I'm A Cop."

Lucas gives them a small smile.

"Neither do I. And I'd bet my stetson Stassi and Cam won't either. But it's still something to consider."

He cleans up the desk then looks back at them.

"Want me to walk you home?"

ELM CONSIDERS LUCAS FOR A LONG MOMENT THEN . their dark eyes bore into him until they're simply uttering an even, " ... i don't think that's a good idea ."

Lucas scowls. He knows she is probably just lashing out from fear, but that doesn't make her words any less true. Or infuriating.

"You're right," he says, voice bitter and biting. "I've done a shit job. I couldn't protect my brother 7 years ago, and I couldn't protect Emerson this week. I'm sorry if I don't inspire much hope in you, ma'am, but I'm just as human as you are and the leaders who asked me to check in and make sure you didn't try anything that would hurt you or any others."

He shrugs and takes a step back, feeling a little lighter, and a mix of happy and disappointed in himself. He'd unloaded onto a stranger that's just trying to control their life in a situation none of them can control.

"I'm not going to ask again: you can do whatever you want, just don't endanger the people that are trying to survive."

— GREER cannot help but roll her eyes at his gesture and his words , throwing the butt of her cigarette to the ground and crushing it underneath her boot as she only half - listens . “ protection ? from monsters ? ” she laughs hollowly at this , her expression unimpressed . “ if that's what's going , if you're here to protect us from ‘ monsters ’ , ” she drags out the word with a mocking tone , the venom in her voice practically dripping , “ then you're not doing a very good job , are you ? considering someone's only just died , haven't they ? so forgive me , sheriff , if i have very little faith in your correctional department . ”

Adrien smiles at El.

"Exactly. It's kinda beautiful to think about it like that. Tragic, but beautiful."

He moves back to the engine.

"So, you've been doing this as long as you've been here? Working in the shop?"

Ellington leans against the truck frame, wiping a bit of grease onto their already stained jeans as they watch Adrien pull out the valves. There’s a gleam of appreciation in their eyes as they examine the truck—it’s a solid piece of machinery, the kind that’s endured decades without much fuss.

“Yeah, it does feel a little wrong to rip her apart,” Ellington replies, giving the truck a gentle pat. “I mean, they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore, right? Sturdy, reliable… might’ve had a few more years left in her.” They shift, gesturing to the growing piles of parts. “But hey, every bit we pull is something that keeps this town running a little longer. Bet these valves can patch up at least two or three motors around town.”

There’s a sense of pride in their voice, and they flash Adrien a quick grin. “Besides, something about finding new life for the old stuff? Kinda feels like we’re doing right by her, even if she won’t be on the road again.”

Adrien clocks something odd in the way Cherry brushes off his offer but shrugs it off.

"I mean nice, really likes cuddles. Six-pack isn't necessary. A bonus but not necessary. And I guess willing to like be patient when I admit I'm new to stuff?"

Then he groans, blushing from embarrassment.

"I'm so cringe, aren't I?"

" OH, I'M — " CHERRY WAVES A HAND . " not really lookin' for anythin' right now, don't worry about me ." she tries really hard not to focus on the twist in her stomach, instead focusing on nudging adrien with her elbow . " but what about you, champ ? huh ? what's your type ?" a nod as she leans back to ask . "what am i lookin' for ?"

Adrien takes Charlie's phone and looks it over.

"Oh hey! I know this model. Come in, maybe I can get it sort of working again. Is it just not turning on at all?"

He holds the door open for Charlie to walk in, and then he starts walking around, trying to see what all kind of tools they have that he can use. He doesn't expect the fine tools a normal phone shop would have, but something that won't just smash the device is better than nothing.

"Of course, if it's just the signal or Wifi connectivity, then we're screwed but no harm in trying, right?"

after getting lost in the woods for a few hours, charlie finally made her way back to the town defeated. her broken phone was clutched in her hand as she made her way over to the mechanic shop, just about to knock to see if anyone was in when the door opens. "sorry, didn't mean to scare you," she says quietly. the boy was way too chipper for what happened last night. was she that bad yesterday? before reality set in? "um, charlie, also new. uh, so i broke my phone, not that it matters because there's no service or anything, but i thought maybe the parts could be used for something. i don't know, just, yeah," she held the phone out in front of her for him to take.

Lucas let's out a small wet laugh.

"That's actually really comforting."

He wipes his face and stands up straight. He turns to face the man.

"I'm Lucas," he says, holding out a hand. "One of the sheriff's. You're Hollis right?"

The mention of the blood trail sends a chill down Hollis' spine, but he tries not to let it show. Instead, he steps a little closer, careful not to get too close, but enough to feel present. "I'm sorry," he murmurs.

"I don't think...you ever really get to say goodbye. Not in a way that feels right, anyway." His gaze drifts back to the grave. "But...maybe that means they're still here, with you. Somehow."

It wasn't exactly comforting, but, it was the only thing he could think to offer. The same uncertain, fragile connection that he clung to himself.

Rafa via Instagram Stories (August 5, 2024)

Rafael Silva appears on Good Day LA

Lucas gives him a small smile, then takes a step back, sensing the man prefers a little extra personal space.

"I've seen you around too," he replies, blinking away the rest of his tears. "You keep to yourself a lot."

He says it as matter-of-fact, making sure to keep any judgment out of his tone.

He looks down at the headstone, considering the question for a moment. He remembers similar conversations with his mother, especially around Dia de Finados.

"I think for me, it helps me keep the grief in a safe space. If I took it with me out there," he gestures toward the main hub of the town, "I wouldn't be able to help people how I need to. Even if there's no body, it's still a place dedicated to him that can help me carry my grief."

Hollis hesitates for a moment, glancing down at the offered hand before slowly taking it. His grip light, unused to the gesture. "Yeah, that's me." he replied, voice quiet, especially once he learn the other was a sheriff.

He took his hand back, casually rubbing his palm against his jeans, trying to rid himself of the lingering weight of the grieving. "I've seen you around, didn't realise it was for this plot."

His gaze went back to the grave again for a moment, brow knitting in thought. "Does it help? Coming here, I mean? People say it makes things easier, but...I don't know if I believe it."

Task 002

Adrien lives in the colony house, so he doesn't have a set room or space necessarily. He roams around the house, enjoying the space as well as the company it allows him.

While he's impressed by what's already there, he does like to add his own touches here and there. Taking scraps from jobs at the Chop Shop that just weren't worth saving for practical use. Now, he brings them to the house to find new life as decoration or weird new purpose.

He also tends to just leave little things, particularly tools, behind as he works. Almost like a bread crumb trail of where he's been semi-recently. Sometimes, he'll even leave something behind because he'd set it down to pick up a different thing he'd left behind earlier.

He also tries to add some of his old farmhouse home to the areas of the house. He fixes or refurbishes things in the style he's familiar with, hoping it makes everything feel homey to everyone, not just him.