Stranded [ 5 ]

The Second Day.

>A horn hit you directly in the face.
>What a way to wake up.

"Fuck! Jennette... watch the horns!"
>You heard her gasp and sit up.
>"Sorry!"
>She had a guilty look across her face.
>You sighed.

>It was morning, slightly overcast.
>A slight chance of precipitation, the forcast said.
>Looking out the window, you saw the trees swaying in the wind.

"So, what are you up for today? Other than hitting me in the face with your horns."
>She thought for a moment before the sounds her stomach made decided for her.
>"Well, I`d like to have some food."
>Simple enough.
>She got out of bed and looked around for a moment.
>She took a glance at her clothing, which she had been wearing for at least a day.
>"Oh, right. I... need clothes."
>Food and clothing, you could do that.

"Well, I can go out and buy some stuff for you after breakfast, okay?"
>She nodded.
>The both of you went downstairs, her hand in yours to help her walk.
>She was healing up fast, though.
>She was moving a bit better every time you looked.

>She was sitting in the living room, pouring through the books you owned.
>You decided to make ham, bacon, eggs, and hash browns.
>It took a bit of time, but the look on Jennette`s face was well worth it.
>There was excitement in her eyes as they followed the plate of food.

"Come sit in the dining room. Table`s set and everything."
>Jennette quickly limped over and sat down in the chair across from you.
>She was waiting for you to sit down before she started eating though.

"Do you want anything other than water to drink?"
>She thought for a moment.
>"I... I actually don`t know much about human food. But I`ll try that 'orange juice' that you`re having."
>You poured her a glass.
>Then you both started eating.
>Once again, she used her claws to eat with, cutting the meats into pieces and scooping up the fried potatoes snd eggs.
>You would`ve told her to try to use the utensils, but she wasn`t hurting anything.
>She finished as you were almost done.

"So, how was it?"
>She leaned back in the chair, taking a moment to let the food settle.
>"Human food is... a lot better than I thought it would be. The meat we had last night was incredible, and all of this was really good. Monsters mostly eat different things than people though, so don`t mind me if I seem a bit wary."
>As expected, they were a different species from a different place.
>She didn`t seem wary when she was tearing into the food though.
>But you were happy that she liked your cooking.
>You hadn`t actually cooked in a while, but it seemed like you hadn`t gotten rusty.

>She went to lay down on the couch as you got dressed.
>You changed out of the sweatpants into some jeans.
>A red t-shirt and a jacket completed the outfit.
>Wait, where the fuck were your shoes?
>Maybe Jennette saw them somewhere.

"Jennette!"
>You called out down the stairs.
>An echoing reply came back.
>"Yeah?"

"Are my shoes down there?"
>There was a pause, then you heard her moving around a bit.
>"No, sorry!"
>Well, shit.
>You looked around for a few minutes before finding them under the bed.
>They were an old pair of running shoes, which you`ve had for a while.
>You slipped them on and headed downstairs.

"I found them."
>Jennette looked at the shoes.
>"Cool. So... when do you plan on going?"
>You still needed to grab a few things.

"Probably in a few minutes."
>She looked downwards.
>"Okay."
>She would probably be bored, just sitting here with nothing to do.
>You had something that could fix that.

"Jennette? Quick question, are you familiar with video games and computers?"
>She closed the book she had and looked at the small thing in your hand.
>"Yeah, I`m pretty good with games and stuff. I`ve played them my whole life."
>You handed her your old DS.

"This is called a DS. I think that means double screen. Anyways, the games are all here, and..."
>You trailed off as she turned it on and figured everything out for herself.
>She looked back up at you, small grin on her face.

"Now, use the stylus for the bottom screen. Don`t use your fingers."
>She nodded.
>"I mean, I can do this with my claws if I need to."
>She raised a hand to eye level and flexed her fingers.
>The claws retracted, only leaving slight points on her fingertips.
>From the cumulative things you`ve seen in her, now there was something feline floating about in there.

"Oh. Well, that`s pretty neat, I guess."
>A slight smile flashed across her face.
>"But... I`ll use the stylus."
>She slid it out of the side and looked at it.
>You handed her the pack of games.

"Now, please don`t lose any of them."
>"I think I can keep track of them."
>She sorted through them, then she paused as one caught her eye.
>Pokémon.
>Really, of all the things she could pick.
>Well, she seemed interested enough, so you let her be.

"Okay, I`m heading out."
>She put the game down, stood up, and wrapped her arms around you.
>Her head was against your chest, contrasting her height and yours.
>"Be safe. Please."
>You hugged her back, being careful to avoid the sharp points of her horns.

"I will. Also, what sizes do you wear?"
>She explained the sizes that she wore, and her preference in clothes.
>"And don`t worry about my wings and tail. I`ll cut holes in them myself."

"Alright. I`ll be back later."
>You waved as you headed out the door.
>You saw her face in the window as you pulled out.

>The ride was relatively long, but peaceful.
>You rode to the local mall and made sure you had the money to buy what you needed.
>There were many places to choose from.

>You ended up buying a few changes of clothes for her.
>One of the clerks gave you an odd look.
>He was a younger man, face still pockmarked with acne.
>Dressed in the latest style though.
>"You have a daughter or something?"
>The question made you a bit uncomfortable.

"No. A younger sister, actually."
>The guy smiled.
>"Well, she has a brother with good fashion sense. Good to see that sort of thing."
>You paid for the stuff and haphazardly carried it out to your car.

>There were a few collared shirts, some skirts, a pair of jeans, and various undergarments.
>It definitely looked a bit out of the ordinary, you buying those things.
>You let the car idle for a bit as you called home.
>One ring.
>Two, three, four, five...
>Six... you started to worry.
>Seven... you heard the click of someone picking the phone up.
>"Hello? Anon, is that you?"
>Holy shit, you were relieved.

"Yeah, it`s me. I`m coming home."
>"Okay. How`d the shopping go?"
"Good. I got some stuff for you. The guy at the register said it looked good."
>"Nice. So, when are you going to get back?"
>She sounded a bit worried, as well as having the slight tinge of fear in her voice.

"In... maybe a half hour or so. Don`t worry, I`ll be home soon."
>You heard her sigh, the sound crackling over the phone.
>"Okay. I`ll see you when you get here then."

"Yeah. Bye."
>You heard her mumble something.
>"... Bye."
>Click.

>You drove home.
>The chance of rain had been taken.
>There was a gentle drizzle that went along with the chilly breeze and grey skies.
>You were distracted by this, almost not noticing the blue sedan that seemed to be following you.
>Shit.
>You needed to get them off of your trail.
>You pulled into the furthest right lane, ready to take the exit.
>It appeared to work, until last minute, the guy took the same route.
>Well, you would have to deal with this.
>You took a look at the pistol.
>Thirteen rounds.

>You followed the road to a gas station.
>Then, you headed inside to buy some gas and a few snacks.
>The best way to get rid of these people is to decieve them, make them think you`re a normal person.
>You got some chips, gum, cola, and some chocolate.
>If Jennette hadn`t had chocolate before, then she was in for a surprise.

>You paid for everything, including some fuel, then headed out the door.
>The food was in the car, and you were standing outside of it while putting fuel in it.
>The cobalt sedan was now parked in a space near the front of the store.
>From what you could see, the men inside were in formal clothing.
>Likely professionals.

>You finished filling the car up, then got in.
>The people tailing you were still in their cars.
>You proceeded to fake a phone conversation, trying to wait them out.
>They weren`t moving.
>Shit.
>You didn`t want them following you home.
>What could you do except...
>You looked at your pistol.
>These people were criminals.
>You only took marks that were known criminals or corrupt officials.
>They fit into the sights, all you needed to do was to pull the trigger.

>You led them out to a place that was far from anywhere populated, a side road without anyone to interfere.
>You pulled over.
>They did the same, opening their doors and getting out with... shit, those were sub-machine guns!
>They unloaded on your car.
>You weren`t in a good position.
>Damn it.
>This didn`t look good.
>You... may die here.

>No.
>There was too much at stake.
>Jennette was back at home, and you would make it back to see her.
>Her face flashed in your mind.
>Your resolve was that of steel.

>Somehow, none of the shots had landed on you yet.
>Getting out of the car, you aimed at one of them while moving to take cover behind your car.
>You managed to get a shot off at one of them.
>The round hit them beneath the sternum, almost guaranteeing death.
>But your car wasn`t holding up well.
>A bullet went through the window and hit your shoulder.
>Fuck, it hurt.
>You bit back a scream.
>All of the built up anger you had came out.
>You leapt out from behind the car.
>Time seemed to slow as you dived.
>Aim,
>Fire.
>The second man was dead before his body hit the ground, missing a chunk of his head.

>There were two more.
>And you were out in the open.
>How reckless.
>You fired again as you landed, nailing another one in the head.
>You rolled into a crouching stance.
>Now it was just you and the last assailant.