Afterlife (A7X)

Chapter 21: Back Again

~~~~CHAPTER 21~~~~

Back Again~~~~

"Decided to come along hey?" Jessie said with amusement as she walked over to where I was sitting outside Matt's place, regretfully taking a drag on the cigarette Jimmy had shamelessly thrown my way before he'd disappeared with Matt.

"Didn't really have much choice," I admitted, watching as she sat down next to me, not much distance between the two of us. I looked over at where the others were, Brian laughing and playing around with Nero as they waited for Matt and Jimmy to get back from wherever they'd gone earlier on. "Kinda guilted me into it actually."

Jessie followed my gaze and saw I was watching Brian.

"Brian guilt you into it?" she asked sadly, looking away and back to me as I shrugged, taking another drag on the cigarette.

"I dunno; it's kinda complicated," I said, finally looking to her. "I'm honestly s'prised they didn't pull the whole 'all or none' card on me again this time."

Jessie smiled in amusement and I smiled back before looking back to what Brian was doing; he currently had Nero in a headlock and was laughing as Nero struggled against him, clearly having fun himself as Johnny just watched on.

Jessie followed my gaze again.

"You all seem to be pretty close," she noted as she continued to watch Brian as well; Nero finally managed to get out of Brian's hold, grabbing him and knocking Brian's fedora off his head.

I watched as Brian laughed and Johnny picked the fedora up, placing it back on Brian's head.

"Yeah, we've just always gotten along well I guess," I said, glancing at her and seeing her just watching as her brother and Brian continued to play around. "Just one of those things."

Jessie nodded and we fell silent for a bit.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked after a bit, looking to Jessie.

She turned her gaze to me, the curiosity in her eyes.

"Sure; what's the question?" she asked, giving me a bit of a smile.

I gave a bit of an awkward smile back, making her smile that bit more. I looked down for a few seconds before glancing over at Brian who now had Johnny in quite the forceful headlock, Nero just laughing as Johnny attempted to break out of Brian's hold. I looked back to Jessie.

"I know it's not really any of my business or anything," I began, Jessie looking at me curiously again. "But I was just wondering where you and Jimmy stand; you guys seem to be getting kinda close and I know you guys share a lot of the same interests and whatnot..."

"Oh," Jessie said, looking rather caught off guard by my question. I saw her face start to go red as she looked down. "We're just friends; at least, I hope that's all we are."

I frowned. "Why's that?"

Jessie shrugged, still looking down as I watched her.

"I dunno," she said quietly, sounding a bit awkward about what she was saying. "I mean, I kinda like someone else..."

"Oh, right," I said, looking away as she looked up finally. I looked back to her. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't've asked."

She shook her head, that smile back on her face as she looked at me; I could still see she was a bit embarrassed still.

"It's ok," she said as I saw Matt and Jimmy headed back our way. Jessie followed my gaze and saw them too. "Guess we should get going then."

I nodded as she got to her feet, waiting for me as it took me a bit longer to get to my feet. Jessie gave me another smile as I followed her over to the others, Johnny still trying to break free from Brian. Jimmy gave me a slightly amused smile as Jessie halted next to him; I just shook my head and came to a halt near Brian.

Matt looked to everyone, giving Brian 'the look', which made Brian stop what he was doing right there and then; freeing Johnny who rubbed his neck a bit. Matt looked around at everyone again.

"We all good to head off?" he asked; no-one said anything in protest. "Good; now, there shouldn't be too many people around at this time seeing as there's something on this weekend, so hopefully we won't get pulled up by the cops or anyone. Alright, let's get going then."

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"So do you guys even have a plan or know whatcha lookin' for?" I asked as Brian steadied me, handing over my crutches.

He shut the car door and Nero appeared off to my side, Matt looking to me as Brian leant lazily against the car.

"We're looking for whatever we can find," Matt said, Jimmy already standing over near the gate and looking into the deserted property.

I just stayed silent and looked past Matt; it was a pretty dull looking day, so it didn't help to change my opinion on The House. It still looked like a place I never wanted to be and would probably still give me nightmares for years to come.

Matt looked to Brian. "You staying here with Zacky?"

Brian shrugged. "I'll do whatever I'm needed to do kiddo."

Matt rolled his eyes and looked over to Jimmy who was now already halfway towards The House on the other side of the gate. Matt sighed and indicated for whoever was going to follow along as he got to the gate and climbed over.

Brian looked to me as Johnny went over, Jessie waiting to see what Brian and Nero were going to do.

"You want me to stay here?" Brian asked, Nero loitering near us.

"It's fine; go ahead and help 'em out," I said, giving Brian a bit of a smile and getting one in return.

Brian looked over to Jessie and indicated for her to follow as he hit me playfully before heading over to the gate. I smiled in amusement and looked to Nero who decided to sit on the hood of the car. We both watched as Brian helped Jessie over the gate before following along behind, the others already spread out across the property.

Nero looked to me, making me return the look.

"Y'know she likes you right?"

I frowned. "What?"

Nero rolled his eyes and shifted his position; looking at me.

"Jessie," he stated simply. "She likes you."

"We're just friends," I said, still a bit confused; was he trying to hook me up with his sister as well?

Nero sighed. "I heard you guys talking before we came over here; you asked her where her and Jimmy stood and she said that she liked someone else. That's you."

"I highly doubt I'm the someone else," I scoffed, looking down at the dirt beneath my feet.

"Well I can guarantee it's you," Nero said, making me look back up to him. "She likes you man; I can see you like her too. It's kinda obvious she has a thing for you Zacky; maybe you should ask her out."

"Well there's kinda a lot going on right now, so I don't think it's the best time right now to be talking about this," I said honestly, Nero just shrugging.

"After this all finishes then," he suggested.

I shook my head. "Look, I don't know just yet, ok? I need to think it all over."

Nero gave a nod, clearly seeing where I was coming from. I gave a shrug and looked over to the property where everyone else was. I frowned, seeing Brian following along behind Jimmy.

"Jesus Christ, is he seriously heading towards the barn?" I asked, a bit shocked; but then again, it was Jimmy we were watching and talking about here.

Nero followed my gaze. "Looks like it; why? There a problem with the barn?"

I looked to him.

"Well seeing as that was where he s'posedly killed all his victims and then his wife and kids, yeah," I said, seeing the look on Nero's face. "I find there's a bit of a problem with the barn."