A Family

Killian's place

  You reach the place you found some time ago. The leader here is named Killian and has been in charge since the beginning, everyone just calls it his place. You didn't spend a very long time at Killian's place, but everyone here still knows you from then.

  Ethan doesn't like him or anything about this place for that matter. So he wants to get back on the road as soon as possible. However, he knows Killian is gonna demand a lot more than what's fair to work for the amount of fuel and food you need before you move on. Unfortunately this place was the closest and best place to get what you need to go on for your journey.

  Driving up to their gates, Ethan talks with the ones guarding it. Getting granted access, they let you through their security and guide you to where you can park. Everyone gets out of the cars to stretch their legs.

  A group of men come out of the building and walk toward your group. Ethan goes to meet them halfway. He doesn't want Killian anywhere near you or his kids after last time. It was easy to tell he was attracted to you, he didn't really hide it anyway. But Ethan got very angry when he straight up asked if he would share you.

  Killian keeps glancing at your group and especially the new addition to it, Ryan's team. Ethan can tell he's calculating their worth and how he can get as much as he wants from your group. The team's outfits suggests military or at least guard experience, but these days they could've acquired the clothes by someone else or even taken it from dead soldiers, just to seem more intimidating. But their mannerism also imply their military experience.

  While they talk, Ethan notices his eyes lingering on you now. So he steps in the way to cover you from Killian's sight.

  "You know, a night with that woman of yours would earn you-"

  "Not happening." Ethan interrupts him sternly.

  His fists are clenched at his side, trying to keep his anger at bay. Ethan doesn't want to make it worse by fighting him. That will only make the stay here worse for your group.

...

  After talking with Killian, Ethan walks back to the group, who gathers to hear what they agreed on. With a sigh, he crosses his arms and look at them.

  "Okay. First job: They want us to eliminate a predator pack that's coming too close for their comfort." Ethan tells everyone.

  "What predator?" Carlos asks.

  "Coyotes."

  "How bad have they evolved?" Molly then asks.

  "The usual, more aggressive, bigger and stronger, but they're not sure if they're that much faster than they used to be." Ethan tells them.

  "And apparently they form packs now. That's new for coyotes." Carlos says. "But that could be an advantage in our case. If it's new, they might not be used to working as a group yet. I think that's how we should do it, not split them up. They're opportunistic predators. They're best hunting alone or with a partner. We take them out while they're in a pack."
(If this about coyotes is wrong, I'm sorry, I found two different answers when I did a quick search on coyotes to see if they form packs or not. And I didn't bother to research deeper. So I just decided to write that they didn't use to hunt in packs.)

  "Can you make a plan?"

  "Yeah, but I think we need more people."

  "Are they enough?" Ethan gestures to the team. "I rather not work with anyone here."

  He didn't trust anyone from this place. Carlos looks at the team standing beside the group, listening to the discussion.

  "If we teach them a few things first and you trust them, then I think we can make it work with this amount."

  "Alright. Get back to me on that. Second job: Two cars and a bike need repairs. They're gonna bring the vehicles here for us. Mitch, take Bonnie and find out what's needed and then we'll figure out who has the skills to be of assistance." He says and gets a nod in affirmation. Mitch is the one with the most mechanical and engineering experience in your group.

  "How about rooms? They willing to offer some beds or do we have to work for that too?" Bri asks. Her and Sam are the ones that has joined the group after you were here.

  "I don't like it here, it's better to stay in a group and with our stuff anyway." He tells them, then looks at the team. "We'll do whatever we can to make you as comfortable as possible."

  Ethan has been on missions with them where they've had to sleep in tight places and many other uncomfortable and dangerous situations with them, which makes him certain they can handle everything he throws at them out here.

  "Thanks, we'll be fine either way. And we wanna help work with whatever we can. Just put us to work, Ethan." Bullet tells him.

  "Don't worry, I will." He chuckles. "Carlos, did you look at the meat with Yn, how's the deer going? Can we trade some of it?"

  "Some." He answers and you nod when Ethan looks at you.

  "Yn and Molly, take Buzz and Bandit for protection. Get whatever we need for what you can trade."

  You and Molly nod to him in affirmation and then to the two men in acknowledgment. They didn't have a market here so it would be to go around and ask people if they have or know someone who has something you need.

  Ethan then looks at the team again. "Rule for everyone; Always keep an eye out for the girls. There are former convicts here, some that's been on death row. Killian has an extra eye for Yn. Has already today suggested I share her, so please just, watch out for the girls and kids." He tells them.

  They all nod in understanding, taking it seriously. Ethan had already warned Bri and Sam about what kind of place this was, before she joined the group, so she knew what she signed up for. She wasn't an easy target though, being the strongest girl in the group and she was tough, not easy to scare. So is Bonnie. He's not really that worried about them. Not as much as he is for you, Mia, Parker and Molly.

  "Jason, me, Dad and Bullet, we'll go with Carlos. The rest of you stay watch here with the cars. Bri, get them started on setting up camp and we'll help out when we get back."

  "Can I come with you Dad?" Mia then asks, raising her hand.

  Ethan thinks for a moment, he's been outside in this area before so it wasn't uncharted territory. And it might actually be safer than her being with you, also better for you to not have to watch her too while walking around this place.

  "Okay, but remember-"

  "The three rules! Expect the unexpected. Asses my options. Always move forward." She says enthusiastically. They all smile at her excitement.

...

  Before leaving with Carlos, Ethan goes to Jake and Bandit.

  "Watch out for the former inmates, you'll know when you see them. And Killian might try to approach Yn when I'm gone, so stay close. Alright?"

Then Ethan goes to Blue and also looks to Bolt and gestures in Breezy direction when they turn to him. They walk over to him.

  "I want you three to study the security system they've got here by the gates. It's different from last time we were here. Get as much information you can get and come back to me with all their weaknesses, any blind spots, lazy guards. I want all of it." He tells them, he wanted to be sure he had an escape plan just in case. They nod in affirmation.

  Carlos and Ethan bring Mia, Jason, Bullet and Edward out to check out the coyote pack and make a plan.

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