•Thicker Than Blood•

•Chapter 2•

Claire had already left the other two to inspect the vehicle. One of the cars in the lot seemed to be somewhat functional. A rusted pickup truck. Some of the windows were broken, but the tires were mostly intact. That's really the best they could ask for in the situation. Claire circled the truck, nodding to herself. While she did appreciate motorcycles more than any other vehicle, she still had a knack for the mechanic business.

"Hey, Leon. Why don't you try to find some supplies in the station? Sherry and I can manage the truck." Claire suggested.

Leon looked up, giving her a nod while he took a gun off his hip. Along with a flashlight, as it was getting dark. Hesitantly, he made his way to the station itself. Same one that he had met Claire in. He didn't quite have the time to scrounge for materials earlier, considering the shock of the apocalypse. He shined his flashlight inside, pausing in the doorway. He didn't hear the familiar guttural growls of the undead. So, he headed inside.

He browsed the isles, taking some plastic bags from near the register. He got some bandages, ointments, and rubbing alcohol so he could manage the team's injuries. He managed to snag some water as well. Food was much more difficult to find, considering most of it was spoiled. The most he could grab was canned. He put the items in the plastic bags and headed back outside to the truck.

Sherry was sitting inside the truck, in the backseat. Which was basically a bench seat that she laid down on. Claire's jacket was draped over her like a blanket. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. She hadn't even realized how tired she was while she was coming down from the adrenaline rush. At least, that was what Leon assumed. He took a glance around, confused when he didn't see Claire. Though it wasn't long before he heard rustling in the trunk of the pickup.

Soon, Claire jumped up, sitting in the trunk of the pickup. She held up a rusted toolbox, setting it on the side of the truck while she pried it open. She took a glance at some of the tools, nodding to herself. She barely seemed to realize that Leon was back from his supply hunt. That was until a sigh left his throat. She jumped, looking up.

"Oh! You're back. Good. I just found a toolbox in the cargo bed. Think it'll do us some good.. spare tire back here too." Claire explained.

"That's good. Is Sherry doing alright? She seemed to fall asleep pretty quick." Leon said.

"Yeah, if anything she needs sleep. Probably hasn't slept in a few days with everything that happened. I'm surprised she even had as much energy as she did."

"Probably adrenaline from fear. It can take a long time to come down from. Especially a child like her."

"Makes sense to me."

Claire hopped down from the cargo bed.

"I'm going to check and make sure the engines are good. Can you fill up some jerry cans?"

"You got it."

Once again, they went separate ways. Leon walked back and moved behind the gas station, where there was a closet he was able to get into. He picked up 4 empty jerry cans and walked back to the front where the gas pumps were. While he filled the cans, Claire popped the hood of the pickup. Resting her hands on the edges of the vehicle, she inspected it. Her ponytail fell in front of her shoulder, an intense stare engulfing the engine. Leon took notice of this, briefly stopping to watch her. To where he nearly overfilled a jerry can. Quickly, he capped it and set it aside, ready to fill the next.

Claire was a clever girl. Wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty with oil or rust. It was pretty unusual to see a woman so infatuated with machinery like cars. Wasn't something he was used to seeing. But, he gained a slight grin at the sight. She was no damsel in distress, she knew what she was doing. Could handle her own. Something he appreciated. He filled up yet another can, then hauled one over each shoulder. He carried them to the cargo bed, where Claire had placed a crate to keep the cans secure. He set both cans in the crate before heading back to fill up the rest.

The girl glanced over her shoulder when she heard Leon's footsteps. She had captured him looking her way not too long ago. As friendly as she was with the rookie cop, she couldn't fully trust him. Too many men had wronged her in her life. She'd had her way around the block. Never did her any good. Knowing how men worked, she assumed he thought she didn't know what she was doing. She rolled her eyes slightly, glancing back at her work before concluding the car would be able to drive just fine.

"Alright, the car's ready to drive." Claire announced.

"Perfect, just got the cans all filled up."

Leon got up, carrying two more jerry cans to the bed. He set them in the crate then dusted his hands off on his uniform. He headed towards the driver's seat, though Claire stepped in front of him. She shook her head and jumped in herself.

"Still don't trust me, huh?" Leon asked, head cocked to the side.

"Not after your first crash. I'd be best off assuming I know more about cars than you do, rookie." Claire rested a hand on the steering wheel with a sly grin.

"Alright, cas you wish, red." Leon put his hands up and strolled around the front of the car before placing himself in the passenger's seat.

Claire already had her hands on the wires. Carefully, she would connect them. The engine revved. She would pause every so often before trying again. This cycle repeated till the engine finally roared to life. With a satisfied grin, she laid back in her seat. Leon moved back a bit, gently moving Sherry to sit upright and buckling her in. Sherry stayed fast asleep, clearly sleep deprived. Leon moved back to his seat, buckling himself in next. Then he arched a brow at Claire.

"Seat belt." He seemed to command.

"Pffft, what are you going to do? Ticket me?"

"Don't push your luck."

There was a brief stare down before Claire cracked a smile, as if she were ready to laugh at him. Leon lifted his head and returned the smile, laying his arm on the center console. A chuckle escaped his throat while he leaned back into his seat.

"Alright, fine. As you wish, rookie." Claire repeated his words to him, buckling her seatbelt.

Just like that, the three hit the open road. Ready for whatever laid ahead of them.