17.4 The Fields

Shivering slightly, you quickly walk away from the house. A slight grimace covers your face when you look over at the barn again. Neither option is particularly enticing, in fact you'd much rather just sleep outside than deal with either scenario. Shaking your head lightly, you silently make your way towards one of the surrounding crops. Staying out in the elements is also far from ideal, especially in such an unknown area. Still, it seems the safer and less uncertain choice. You keep walking until you're a good distance from both the house and barn. You figure the field might offer enough obscurance that you won't be bothered. After making your way deeper into it's interior you finally find a suitable spot. A fairly large patch of ground lies uncovered, giving you plenty of room to lie down.

Sighing softly, you wearily sit down and stretch. You quickly pause a moment later when you hear the sound of someone making their way through the field nearby. Inhaling softly, you silently pull out your weapon. When the sound grows louder you quickly scramble to your feet. A moment later, a figure emerges through the thick before you. You can't help but scowling slightly when you recognize it to be the man who first apprehended you. He seems to have cleaned himself a bit since your last interaction. His shaggy hair looks more tame and kept. The scruff on his face also appears to be more trimmed, just marginally softening his otherwise sharp features. Piercing hazel eyes stare down at you with unmasked annoyance.

"I gotta say," He says in a deep voice and folds his arms over his chest. "I'm surprised to see you here. Figured you would have stayed in the house."

You regard the man carefully, hoping this won't be a long interaction. While you did come somewhat voluntarily, you haven't forgotten his rough handling. Shooting him back an equally annoyed look, you not-so-subtly shift the gun in your hand around. His eyes briefly glance at the weapon before returning to your face. His expression appears to have grown more vexed at the sight of it.

"So, how did someone like you," He questions bluntly while taking a step forward. "End up with a piece like that?"

"Luck." You retort shortly, raising the barrel towards the man.

"Easy girly." He snaps irately, seeming more impatient than intimidated. "I'm not here for you or your weapon."

You raise a brow skeptically but remain silent. Keeping your grip on the hilt of the revolver tight, you continue to obverse him warily.

"Then why are you here?" You finally question after a moment of tense silence.

"Just doing my rounds." He replies brusquely while seeming to look past you.

Frowning, you find yourself unsure how to proceed. Though you're still unsure of the man, you're not quite willing to immediately turn to ****. Sighing audibly, you visibly lower the gun but keep it to your side. With your free hand, you absentmindedly push your hair back. The man's gaze returns to you as he seems to study your face.

"So," He remarks in a low tone, his voice sounding rather gravely. "You'd really rather stay out here, huh?"

"Seemed like the best option." You respond flippantly, keeping your eyes fixed on him.

His stern expression waivers briefly at your honest answer. Finally he gives you a small nod of understanding. A light breeze blows through, tugging at the hem of your shirt. Shifting slightly, you contemplate how to proceed. Before you can speak up, the man takes a step forward.

"The best option." He states in a low tone as you slowly back away. "Would have been to go back to wherever you came from."

"I'll be on my way tomorrow." You reply shortly, annoyed the man is showing no signs of leaving soon. "Not that it's any of your business."

One his brows arches, giving you the impression he's not pleased with your attitude. You hardly care at this point whether or not the man likes you. After all, you still have him at a disadvantage as long as you possess your weapon. Unfortunately, he either doesn't care or has forgotten about it as he continues moving forward.

"I think it's exactly my business." He retorts gruffly and swiftly grabs on to the collar of your shirt.

"Get off!" You exclaim, moving to press your weapon against his side.

He scoffs at your action and drags you closer to him. Leaning down over you, the man looks over your expression carefully.

"If you were gonna shoot someone," He muses sternly while reaching down to wrap his hand around yours. "You would have done it by now."

"I'm not scared." Your voice is barely above a whisper but remains even. "I will shoot you."

"Then do it." He directs, slipping one of his fingers over the one you have on the trigger.

Your eyes widen slightly as you consider what may happen should you do so. Even if you told the truth to the others, there is no guarantee they'd believe you. Exhaling in frustration, you eventually loosen your grip around the trigger. A smug look passes over the man's face before he speaks again.

"Now that that's settled." He states curtly, keeping his grip around your shirt tight. "I have some questions for you."