Jillian and Rosie — To the lake

This story begins with several assumptions:

• Lyle was killed in Part 1 in the confrontation with Dylan, Driver, and Rosie.

• Rosie and Driver joined the group after the MC saved Jaime at Chipper Ridge High School.

• The story below occurs during Part 4, after Driver's death.

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Jillian watched Rosie and Jaime near the main gate of the junkyard, the redhead talking animatedly with Jaime. The morning sun glinted off the metal scraps, and rusted vehicles piled high around the parking lot where they stood. Jaime listened to her, his massive arms crossed over his chest.

"I'm telling you, Jaime," Rosie said, her eyes wide. "I saw a boat out on Sapphire Lake yesterday. It was just a glimpse, but I'm sure of it. Someone should go check it out."

Jaime furrowed his brow, looking past Rosie toward the lake. "We're stretched thin, Rosie. Everyone's got chores to handle. I can't spare anyone right now."

Rosie glanced around, biting her lip. "I can go. I'll take a camera and snap some pictures if I see it again. Just to be sure."

Jillian took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Bitch is going alone.

Jaime sighed, scratching his beard. "Alright, but be careful. We don't know who's out there."

As Jaime turned to walk away, Jillian quietly checked her revolver. She flipped open the cylinder, ensuring it was fully loaded, before snapping it shut and slipping it into the back of her pants.

"Hey, Rosie," Jillian shouted, pushing off the fence and walking over. "I'll go with you."

Rosie blinked. "Sure, why not? Two pairs of eyes are better than one. Not one eye. I guess two pairs of eyes are better than one pair of eyes because four is bigger than two. Anyway, let's go."

The two women walked out of the main gate, the heavy iron creaking as it swung shut behind them. They made their way through the overgrown path, skirting the junkyard's perimeter toward Sapphire Lake. The morning air was crisp and filled with pine and damp earth. Birds chirped overhead, their calls mingling with the soft rustle of leaves and the distant buzz of insects.

This might be my chance, Jillian thought.

As they approached the lake, the view opened up to a serene expanse of water, its surface shimmering under the early morning sun. The lake, framed by dense trees, lay still and quiet, with a faint mist rising from its surface. The reflection of the surrounding forest and the distant mountains painted a picturesque scene, untouched by the chaos of the world beyond.

Rosie stopped at the water's edge, scanning the horizon. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she murmured, almost to herself.

Jillian nodded, her eyes darting around, ever alert. "Yeah, it is. Let's keep moving. We need to find that boat."

They continued along the shoreline, the soft rustle of leaves underfoot the only sound accompanying their footsteps. Rosie took the lead and navigated the uneven terrain along the shore. Jillian lagged a few steps behind, bringing the revolver to the front of her pants, her fingers brushing the cool metal as she got ready.

They continued for another fifty feet before Jillian took the revolver in hand. She coughed a few times, the sound harsh, using it to mask the click as she drew back the hammer. Her eyes were fixed on Rosie's back, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't quite pin down.

Just as Jillian raised the pistol, Rosie suddenly stopped, her hand pointing toward the water. "Wait, Jillian," she said, her voice low. "I think I see a boat."

Jillian froze, the pistol heavy in her hand. She quickly lowered it, hiding it behind her back as she scanned the lake. The surface shimmered under the morning sun, a tranquil mirror reflecting the surrounding forest.

Rosie brought up her camera, adjusting the lens. "Over there. Just past those reeds."

Before Jillian could respond, Rosie crouched low behind a nearby bush. Jillian followed, her movements less fluid but equally intent on staying hidden.

Dammit! I almost had her, Jillian thought.

Peering through the foliage, they saw a canoe gliding silently across the water. Rosie squinted, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. She lifted her submachine gun to look at them through the scope. "Check out Baldy McBroad-Shoulders," she whispered, nudging Jillian. "He's paddling like he's in some zen state or something. Looks like he could row all day without breaking a sweat."

Her gaze shifted to the woman beside him. "And then there's Miss Graceful over there, with her perfect brown eyes and hair that flows like some shampoo commercial. Look at those hands, Jillian! She's handling that fishing line like it's a piece of art. And, wow, she's seriously hot. Like, make-your-heart-skip-a-beat hot."

Finally, Rosie's eyes landed on the redhead. "Oh, and don't miss Mr. Red and Ready with the farmer's tan. Damn, he's got binoculars. I bet he's in charge; he's just oozing authority. Probably doesn't even need to say a word to keep the other two on their toes."

Jillian stifled a laugh. "You always have a way with words, Rosie."

"Hey, I call it like I see it."

They stayed low, watching as the canoe continued its silent journey across the lake. As the three strangers drifted on the canoe, Jillian's eyes caught the glint of a military-style rifle nestled in the bottom of the boat. The leader picked up the gun, his fingers moving quickly as he checked the magazine, pulled back the charging handle, and released it.

A soft click reached Jillian's ears as Rosie released the safety of her submachine gun. "If they start firing," Rosie whispered, "you run. I'll watch your back. We need to get straight back to the junkyard and tell everyone to get ready for a fight."

She… she's looking out for me?"

Jillian's heart pounded in her chest as she drew her pistol again. Her hands trembled slightly, and the weapon snagged on her jeans, causing her to nearly fumble it. She managed to steady herself, eyes locked on the canoe.

Suddenly, the canoe turned away from them, drifting toward the far shore on the opposite side of the lake. Rosie let out a small sigh of relief and raised her camera, snapping a few quick photos. "We should get going. We got what we came for."

Rosie and Jillian backtracked along the edge of the lake, keeping low and retracing their steps along the trail toward the junkyard. The path seemed longer now, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs amplifying their tension.

"Were you really going to shoot me?" Rosie said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Jillian's breath caught, and she turned to Rosie, eyes wide with surprise. "How did you know?"

Rosie smirked. "I know a fake cough when I hear one."

They walked a few more steps in silence before Rosie asked, "Do you really want to kill me?"

Jillian looked away, her fingers tightening around the pistol. "I did want to kill you for what happened with Lyle, but maybe revenge doesn't matter anymore. We have bigger things to worry about, and we have to look out for one another."

Rosie nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, we do."