Grey lent against the edge of the van, staring balefully at the kymers as they went about, in their own fashion, getting ready to move again. A ghost of a smile touched his lips as he noticed the crouching shadow atop of the van roof. She was a showman to be sure. A devous grin and a tough attitude, fake as cardboard painted like steel and no-one would even question where she was or what she had been up to in the ninja attack.
Certainly not curled in a ball.
Certainly not mouthing her lover's name in terror.
Not Darkie, strong Darkie, perched ever-watchfully on top of the van.
Grey spat at her shadow as it shifted in the dust. One day... and coming soon. He took a crumpled cigarette from his coat pocket and struggled to light his nearly empty zippo in the wind. When he lifted his eyes up again once smoke finally arose from the glowing tip, Ancient was standing in front of him, with those wide, soft eyes that drove him mad.
"You have to let it go, Grey, for the good of all of us"
"Let it go... she's still alive, isn't she? How much more 'let go' do you want it?"
"Please Grey, leave her alone"
"She's putting us all at risk. She's weak. When she cracks again, who'll die of it, Ancient? You? Me? All of us? She's too much of a bitch to do the dying for herself"
"Well... where were you just before. How many ninja did you fight?"
Grey's eyes blazed at Ancient.
"Apathy is a mite different from cowardice, Ancient. When you need me, I'll be there, unlike..." Grey spat the last word. "Her"
Ancient lowered his eyes to the ground and spoke even softer as he walked away.
"I hope so, Grey, I really hope so"
Ancient joined some of the others as they filed past Grey into the van. Grey shifted his position, the heavy shotgun across his back clunking against the re-inforced sides. As the van's engine began to roar, a look of extreme discontentment clouded his smokewreathed features before he cast the burning half of the cigarette into the ground and stomped into the van.
"Lets just go, lets just fucking go" Grey muttered, half to himself.
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