Bad Blood

Hey guys, got another chapter for ya! enjoy!

Ashlyn led her savior, Jason, through the derelict gas station, filled with the stench of rotting corpses and leftover gasoline, trying her best not to vomit. Jason however, did not seem to mind the stench as much. Sensing his ease with their current situation, Ashlyn cast a confused stare upon her hooded savior.

"Doesn't the smell bother you?" She asked amazed.

"Not really," Replied Jason, "I've been around plenty of rotting bodies and, well, other nasty odors. You ever smelled three-week old boomer bile? Now that, is an odor." Ashlyn just stared at him.

"You have seen a lot of action, haven't you?"

"My fair share, yes." He replied. "Every now and then we get broadcasts from up here, people asking for help, the works. Sadly, when we get there, the people are either gone, or dead." Jason let out a sigh, and cast an outwards glance towards seemingly nowhere. Sensing his sadness, Ashlyn placed a hand upon his shoulder.

"It's not your fault." She soothed, "We are in an apocalypse, people will die. It's sad, but that's the way things are now." Jason gazed into her face, his icy blues meeting her greys.

"It shouldn't be." He replied. "So, where are your brothers? I'm looking forward to meeting them. From all you've told me, they seem like solid guys." Ashlyn had been talking about her three brothers since the duo left the broke down supermarket.

"Close," She answered with a grin. "I bet they are worried too."

"So tell me," Said Jason with a light smile, "What are their names again? My mind tends to drift sometimes."

"Its okay," Ashlyn assured him, "There's Jackie, the oldest. He's a big boy, about six foot six, two-twenty plus. He's our "bodyguard", or so he thinks. Heh, he likes to think he's unbeatable, but deep down, he's a big baby."

"Most tough guys are." Chuckled Jason.

"Yep. Then," Began Ashlyn, "There is Rodney, our resident chef. He can make magic in whatever type of kitchen you throw him in. Doesn't matter what ingredients, doesn't matter what time it is, Rodney can cook almost anything, and make it taste good."

"That takes some skill." Laughed Jason.

"It does." She nodded. "Then, there is Andy, the youngest. He, well, he is the thinker. He gets picked on a lot because he reads, or likes building things. It's because of his traps and inventions that we are still alive. I wish Jackie would get that. But, Andy is a really quiet and reserved guy, I think this whole thing has affected him more than the rest of us." Ashlyn looked aside, rubbing her arm, to her surprise, Jason placed his hand on her shoulder, and smiled.

"This is a tough place to be in," He began, "There isn't really a way to cope with this, I guess, healthily. We've all seen people die, or lost someone close. But, its our will that keeps us going. And he has that, otherwise, he wouldn't still be here. None of you would, you are all strong, brave, and have my respect. This is a dangerous place, and for you to have survived three years in this hell hole, is an accomplishment not very many alphas could do." Ashlyn looked away, blushing slightly, then threw her arms around Jason, causing him to stumble slightly.

"Thank you." She said into his neck. Cautiously returning the embrace, Jason rested his head upon hers, chuckling to himself. Sensing the hug was over, Jason released the smaller blond form his embrace.

"So," Began Jason, "Shall we continue on?" Gesturing forward, Jason stepped aside, allowing Ashlyn to take the lead once more.

Ashlyn held onto Jason's arm, guiding him to the hidden entrance to her family's current hideout. Running her hand along the wall, she stopped when she found the out-of-place stone, pressing it and opening a small door directly in front of her. Jason, confused, gazed over to her.

"Andy?" He asked, to which the small blonde nodded. "Well, then, ladies first." Ashlyn rolled her eyes as she led the Alpha down the dark corridor.

"This leads to a basement beneath a med lab," Ashlyn said abruptly, "We stopped here for supplies, but as you can imagine, there weren't any, which is why-"

"You took a trip to hell city?" Asked Jason. Ashlyn nodded.

"Yep. Unfortunately, I found a hunter and a couple bandits. Fortunately, you found me." Jason looked down at his companion, and nodded in agreement.

"That I did." The two spent a moment smiling at one another, before a loud crash was heard down the hall.

"Oh no!" Gasped Ashlyn as she sprinted down the hall.

"Ashlyn, wait!" Yelled Jason as he took off after her, but Ashlyn did not hear him, she was to busy fearing the worst to pay attention. Reaching the end of the hall, she slowed and hid alongside the wall, pulling out her pistol.

"God Dammit Andy!" Yelled a deep voice within the dwelling. "Look what you did!"

"I-I-I-I'm s-s-s-sorry J-J-J-Jackie!" Stuttered "Andy". "I-I-I didn't mean to, I just wanted to help make this place safe!"

"Im the only one who makes this place safe, Dammit." Growled "Jackie", "You are just a cowardly little nerd who has his head into those damn books way too often! Quit being such a bitch all the time!" Hearing enough, Ashlyn stepped out from her hiding place, eyeing her taller brother.

"That's enough Jackie," She barked, "That is enough." Ashlyn watched as the large man turned to face her, shock in his eyes.

"ASH!" He said running to her, grabbing her into a bear hug, "You, you're okay?!"

"Yes," She growled, "I am. Now put me down and tell me why you were screaming at Andy." Stepping back from his older sister, Jackie pointed his a finger in Andy's direction.

"Dipshit here," He began, "Was tinkerin around with my hammer. He thinks he's doin some good. But he's not. He's just makin it worse."

"No I-m not!" Yelped Ashlyn's youngest brother while holding his hands up, "I was giving it an electric discharge, so it would hurt more when he hit people, honest! I didn't mean any harm!"

"Say," Began Jackie with a sick grin, "What say we test that? On, oh I don't know, you?" The large man reached for the hammer on a nearby table, with wires strewn along its handle and end, surging with electricity. Andy, now with a look of pure terror in his eyes, slowly backed away from the looming man.

Rolling her eyes, Ashlyn reached for a handful of Jackie's long black locks, grabbing and pulling his head back, so the two were face to face.

"Or," She began, "I could take this gun, and shove it so far up your ass you would taste lead." Jackie, now looking terrified, dropped his hammer, and fidgeted in her gaze.

"A-A-Ash," He stuttered, "I wasn't gonna do it, honest!"

"Whatever." She growled, releasing her hold on him. Unbeknownst to either of the three siblings, a hooded figure stood leaning upon the doorway.

"Damn, that's funny" Quipped Jason.

"Jason?!" Yelped Ashlyn, who had forgotten all about her hooded helper.

"Oh I am sorry, were you expecting the Easter Bunny?" Laughed Jason as he slowly made his way to the trio.

"Smart-ass." Smiled Ashlyn. "Well, if you didn't catch on, these are my brothers. Or at least, two of them. I'm going to guess Rodney is in the kitchen?" Andy nodded while Jackie stared at Ashlyn's companion.

"Who the hell is this guy?" He asked, pointing his hammer, which he had recently re-acquired.

"Someone who saved my life." Answered Ashlyn, turning her gaze towards her younger brother.

"And someone who just watched you get your ass owned by a girl." Chuckled Jason.

"What did you say?" Snarled Jackie, taking a threatening step towards Jason.

"Oh, I'm sorry, does karma not sit well with you? I mean a few minutes ago, you were gonna pound poor Andy's head in, just for trying to help." Replied a smiling Jason. Letting out a growl, Jackie sprinted towards Jason, raising his hammer high, and bringing it down hard. To his surprise, no one remained.

"Missed me!" Teased Jason now sitting upon the table, where Jackie's hammer had resided.

"I wont this time!" Growled Jackie as he attacked again, bringing his hammer down hard once more, but was surprised to see his arm's momentum had been stopped, as Jason had reached up and was now holding Jackie's hand above his own head.

"My turn." Grinned Jason, throwing a left hook into Jackie's gut, causing the big man to hunch over, allowing Jason to grip Jackie by his temples, and drive his knee into his forehead, sending the bigger man flying across the room, into a few shelves.

Groaning, Jackie rose to his feet, and charged Jason again. Jason, however, calmly sidestepped the bigger man, and threw his right elbow into the back of Jackie's head, disorienting him, and also allowing Jason to kick the back of Jackie's knee, causing him to slink to his knees in defeat. Or, so it seemed. The bigger man then grabbed a large brick and spun around, trying to smash Jason's skull in. Unbeknownst to Jackie, Jason was nowhere to be seen. Jackie, now on his feet, spun in circles, trying to catch a glimpse of his opponent.

"Come out where I can see you," Snarled Jackie, "COWARD!" Suddenly, Jason appeared behind the big man, smiling.

"I'm right here." He whispered. Jackie spun around once more, attempting to crack Jason on his skull, who in turn ducked from the hit, and proceeded to attack the bigger man with his own combination of attacks.

First, he threw a quick left jab to Jackie's abdomen, then following it up with a right uppercut, sending the bigger reeling. Sensing the end is near, Jason threw three quick jabs, a left, a right, and a left, then stepped back, and delivered a devastating roundhouse and following it up with a jumping twist kick, both to Jackie's jaw. Oddly enough, the big man still stood. Huffing in annoyance, Jason placed his left index finger on the bigger mans chest, and pushed, smiling when he slowly fell backwards onto the ground.

"Jason?!" Gasped a shocked Ashlyn.

"He attacked me first." Replied Jason holding his hands up. Ashlyn, however, said nothing, but kneeled to her brother checking to see if he was okay. "He'll be fine. Just a little woozy, and he will have a headache when he gets up. Other than that, he should be just fine."

"I suppose." Sighed Ashlyn. "Jackie, you are one dumb son of a bitch."

Jason, sensing his presence was not needed at the moment, strolled over to Andy, who stood slack jawed at the entire spectacle.

"I've never seen anyone beat J-J-Jackie up." He said with a slight stutter. "T-T-That was awesome!" Andy beamed at Jason, as if to thank him.

"Eh, he deserved it." Answered Jason with a shrug. "I don't like bullies all that much. So, Andy, Your sis tells me you're a smart guy. We could use a guy like you at Vault Charlie."

"Did I just hear the stranger say, 'Vault Charlie'?" Said a voice at the far side of the room, causing all those conscious to gaze at a bald headed man in a doorway.

"Yes, Rodney." Said an annoyed Ashlyn. "When Jackie wakes up, we all have a lot to talk about. But before we do anything, Let me introduce you guys to, Jason Cross. An alpha from Vault Charlie." The two conscious brothers both looked at one another, before turning their gazes back to Jason, who in turn, Awkwardly waved his hand.

"This isn't going to be awkward at all."

All righty guys! There ya have it! looks like Jason can kick some ass, huh? HA, anywho to all those looking to submit a character (thanks to those who have already, i promise they will be in there soon! But, if you need the form, here ya go:

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Family in vault (siblings, parents, friends, etc.):

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Hand to hand Combat skill (great, good, okay, poor):