Instinct

1 - Plans and Mini-Vans

 "Okay," I begin, my voice much more confident now than the angry growl and then apprehensive stutter it'd been just moments prior. "If we're going to do this, then we're going to have to do this right. We need to co-operate, communicate, plan thoroughly, stay alert, and above all else, refrain from taking any unnecessary risks. That's always my biggest cause of death with video games."

Mark nods along giving me his full and undivided attention which I appreciate immensely.

"As you said," I continue, "trust is going to be one of the biggest, if not, most important implication here. Without trust, we won't survive this. We need to know that we can trust one another to have our backs. I understand the apprehension with this one as we've both just been thrust into this with no prior knowledge of the other, so trust isn't going to come immediately, but I'm willing to work on it as best I can if you can."

I get a smile from Mark this time, his features fitting into the gesture nicely.

"I understand... You've... You've played a lot of horror games, haven't you?"

"Many too many, but I loved them. There's something about throwing yourself into that situation that's so exhilarating and addictive. This is a little different seeing as, if I'm assuming right, we're Hard Core Mode-ing this with our actual lives on the line but... we're video gamers, right? We've got killer instincts for this sort of thing!"

Mark chuckles as he folds his arms over his chest.

"You do know your entire personality just did a complete one-eighty, right?" he laughs.

I grin and reach into the car, my hands still shaking as I go.

"Yeah, look, I'm terrified, Mark... But, you're making an effort, so, so can I. I'm not going to have you drag my anxious-ass self around being the only one half-sane enough to actually get through this. I'm here too, which means there are two people to put the workload on." From the car I take out the papers, the note still resting on top, and shift said note to the back of the few other pieces.

I turn to see the shy smile on Mark's face, his eyes on the ground. I put my hand on his shoulder this time.

"We aren't in this alone... and I'm sorry for freaking out before. I'm sure you understand... We're going to be okay... I guess I just needed that little push of reassurance, so, thanks for that as well..." I smile back.

His eyes reach mine and his smile remains. I hand him the papers so he can look through them.

"Here, shuffle through these. I'm gonna take a look in the back of the car. See if I can find anything else." He nods, and so I leave him to it.

I move around to the drivers side where Mark's left his door open, reach in, and then pull the trunk lever. I hear the thunk of it unlocking, move back, close the door, and then move around once again towards the back of the car this time.

The trunk lid lifts easily, the paint somewhat spotted with small flecks of rust. Inside sits two identical, black backpacks, two flashlights, two prepaid burner phones, a few bottles of water, and a packet of crackers.

"Anything?" Mark questions as he approaches.

"Yeah, there's heaps of stuff here... I'm glad I checked actually. Here."

Mark watches as I methodically pack each of the bags divvying up the items equally, and pull both out, handing him one before slinging my own over my shoulder.

"I'm going to assume the phones are already set with whatever it is we'll be needing them for, hang on," I say as I flick mine open and slide through the contacts.