#brennan:oneshot

[neonbitemarks]

Like A Deer In The Headlights - Pt. 2

Chase should have known better.

He knew what they were and he knew what would happen if word somehow got back to their father that they hadn't put the girl down the moment they clocked her as not human.

But Brennan knew his younger brother was still young enough that the business hadn't completely hardened him yet, and the girl was younger still, blurring the line and making Chase a little more willing to overlook that she was technically an adult and therefore outside of their mother's rule of not going after kids.

Still, they were only supposed to be giving her a ride as close to whatever destination she was trying to reach as they were headed, but it turned out she didn't really have anywhere specific in mind, making it obvious she was a runaway.

In the days since they'd picked her up, they'd managed to at least keep her from knowing the truth about who they were, but the longer she stayed, the bigger the target she was painting on all of their backs, and Brennan was getting to the end of his already thready comfort on that front, deciding something needed to be done while they still had a chance of making it out of this with nobody else any the wiser to them helping her.

Brennan waited until his brothers were asleep before acting on his plan, quietly waking Jolene, who seemed confused about the whole thing, but he made it clear he wasn't fucking around as he told her to follow him outside.

No more lies.

He laid the truth out that they were hunters, and that Jolene was putting them all in danger if their father got wind about her.

Of course, Jolene was shocked initially, which was quickly replaced by fear, though Brennan was quick to point out that none of them wanted to hurt her, but she couldn't stay, or they'd all be in the firing line, and if that happened, both Jolene and Brennan would come out the worst for it.

However, Brennan also clarified that he didn't plan on leaving Jolene somewhere and driving off. He demanded to know where she came from and told her he was taking her back because, no matter why she left, it was safer for her there than out in the world on her own where she might not be so lucky next time with which hunters she ran across.

Jolene protested, but Brennan wasn't giving her a say in the matter, telling her exactly who would be coming after them if anyone found out she was with them. Hearing that name alone was enough to shut down any more argument as Jolene gave up the information of her home address and quietly grabbed her things as Brennan left a note for his brothers, then picked out a vehicle in the motel parking lot and hotwired it.

[neonbitemarks]

Like A Deer In The Headlights - Pt. 1

"6am? You're shittin' me, right?"

"Sorry, sweetheart. Last bus left a half hour ago. Ain't nothing else until morning."

Jolene looked defeated, though she wasn't going to blame it on the janitor at the bus station, the only person she found there after stepping off the bus that had brought her this far, having run away from home due to no longer being able to tolerate the situation between her and Waylon.

Muttering a thanks that carried on a sigh, she left the man to his duties before taking up a spot on a nearby bench, flopping down on it, and putting her head in her hands while she tried to figure out a gameplan that didn't involve sleeping on a bus station bench in an unfamiliar town.

The gas station across the street was still open despite the late hour as it was a chain-owned one that remained open 24/7, monopolizing any light night travelers passing through the area, including the late 2010's Ford pickup that was presently pulled up at one of the pumps and being refilled by one male while he conversed with two others that bore a reasonably strong visual resemblance that suggested they were related.

While the older two continued chatting, the youngest of the three had turned his attention to the scene across the street, noticing the petite redhead talking to the middle-aged man in overalls before she moved to the bench, the lost look on her face and the way she cradled her head giving away that she'd missed whatever connection she needed.

"Chase, are you listening?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Whatever."

Chase's brothers rolled their eyes at each other before following his gaze to the girl, then exchanging strong glances again.

"She's not our problem."

"I know, but it'd be a shitty thing not to ask if she needs help and then something happens to her."

Of course, little could be said in argument to that. After all, it was the middle of the night, there were several hours until the next bus, and this side of town wasn't exactly known for its low crime rate, but the brothers weren't in the habit of rescuing damsels in distress.

While this exchange took place, Jolene had gotten up from the bench and was crossing the street with the intent of buying some snacks and maybe some coffee to help keep her awake long enough that she wouldn't have to sleep on the bench, casting a brief, wary glance at the brothers as she passed by and entered the store.

"I'll go pay," Chase volunteered suddenly, moving toward the side of the truck closest to the store.

"Don't do anythin' stupid," Brennan, the middle oldest murmured, having caught the girl's scent as she passed. "She's a conflict of interest."

Ronan, the oldest and the one filling up the truck, eyed Brennan as he caught the emphasis on his words.

"What is she?"

"Best guess? Wolf hybrid. With what, I don't know, but it smells like somethin' that wouldn't play out well for us if shit went sideways."

Ronan looked back at Chase with a warning look, Chase acknowledging the risk but quietly weighing it up for himself before continuing to head toward the store.

"Where are you goin', Chase?" Brennan asked.

"Still gotta pay, remember?" the youngest brother replied, walking backward a few paces as he responded.

"Plus, I don't see the harm in just askin' where she needs a ride to," he added under his breath as he pushed open the door and ducked inside, knowing that Brennan would have heard his comment.