Blackout Part 13
“You got shot,” Serena reminded him. “An’ I’m from here, an’ you’re lost.”
“All true but I have guns, various grenades, a combat knife and a willingness to use all of it. Besides if im crashing here I need to learn what here is.” Vas said, adjusting one of his fingerless gloves.
“You an your grenade near blew us up,” Serena reminded him. “An’ I have been here most of my years without a gun, grenade or combat knife, an’ I’ve not been shot. I think I’m safer alone.”
“Actually you're the one that dropped it and wasted a perfectly good grenade.” Vas clarified the facts. “And that's cuz you small and what? Ten pounds soaking wet? I could deadlift you, the cat, your brother and sister … probably with one hand. So … I'm an asset. Obviously.”
Serena crossed her arms and gave him a dry look. “You pulled a grenade on two Jaggs. You pulled the pin. You got shot. All I did was drop somethin’. An’ not get shot. But! Don’t feel bad. It’s your first day.”
“It was a calculated risk, the only real danger was the grenade which I had under control till I handed it to you. So I got shot, the situation was deescalated, and everyone literally walked away, including me. And I was the one shot.” Vas pointed out.
“If you woulda gave ‘em your weapons, they woulda gone away,” Serena told him. “Now they’re gonna tell other Jaggs which means more of ‘em will be around. An’ of the two of us, which one of us is the sore thumb? Less calibrated risk is that you lay low with Trashcat til things blow over. I’m tryin’ to help you out, an’ I thought you said you wanted my help? I’m even saying please on the end.”
“Calabrated?” Vas repeated the speed bump in her sentence. I would sooner rip my heart out with a spoon then have given those two jackass's my weapons.” Vas said firmly. “You never drop your weapon unless your hand is chopped off or you're dead, and even then …” Vas snorted.
“So let's go, we're waiting time and I doubt they're going. To respond like they do in movies. Like what are they going to report? We accidentally shot some weird dude in aviator sunglasses? I'm sure that will fly really well.” Vas cackled.
“They’re gonna say there’s a new fence that’s not payin’ any dues an’ he’s heavily armed, an’ they’ll give a description. Why do you wanna go with me so bad? Is this a hellhound thing?”
“No … maybe … I dunno … but standing still will drive me crazy. So … I'm going to keep moving. Including not looking like I just came back from overseas.” Vas said, looking at himself. He looked like he missed the LZ by a whole country or had an unhealthy love of camo.
“I can get you clothes,” Serena nodded. “Not camo, an’ I’ll get some food for you. Trashcat will keep you company, an’ I won’t be long, promise.”
Vas let out a long defeated breath. “Fine. Some walkie talkies. Like from the tool section not the toy section.” He grumbled.
“Walkie talkies,” she nodded, “An’ I’ll bring you back something to do. What do you like? Crosswords? Hint, it makes it sounds better than it is. I thought it’d be all cussing. Sudafed books, or reading books.”