Test Tag

[from_palmdale]

Allison knew that the dogs weren't pets, that they served a purpose and that when push came to shove they would get food only after the people ate, or even in desperate times became the food. She got the reason why and even agreed with it, but that didn't stop her from slipping food down to them at times, or taking them on a run through the tunnels

Comments

[not_johnconnor]

"It's okay," John said, unable to hide how he stared at her, just like Cameron, but so ... alive.

It was weird how being here felt like home, as much as he missed his mom. "Hi."

[from_palmdale]

"Hi, John." Allison's smile remained, even as she bent down to pet the dog on his side, the tongue hanging out in a dog smile to match hers. "I should have paid more attention to where I was going. This can be our little secret right?" Her expression turned sheepish, "I don't really feel like a look of disappointment from Derek or a ten minute lecture on how dumb an idea this was." Though the lecture would probably come from Kyle. Derek just gave the 'look'.

[not_johnconnor]

"Yeah," John grinned a little, watching her. "Derek's really good at that look. I won't tell. I'm, uh ... " he finally tore his gaze away and looked down the hall and back. "I'm still learning my way around down here."

[from_palmdale]

"You'll have it mapped in your head sooner than you think." Allison stood back up. "At first they all look alike, each bend in the tunnel but after a while you'll realize the subtle differences and know where you are."

She paused, then offered. "I have a map. It's old and some things have changed since I drew it, but it'll help you until you get the hang of them."

[not_johnconnor]

"... that'd be great. Thanks." John still wore Kyle's jacket (and don't think that wasn't really weird). He took a deep breath, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Allison." The name still felt foreign on his tongue.

[from_palmdale]

"Come on. My things are just down here, I'll get it for you." Allison used her head to motion in the direction that her 'home' was. Home being a flexible term.

"You know, I never did ask. Where are you from?" She assumed not Los Angeles or if he was, it was a very different area. Not that Allison knew everyone in the Los Angeles Resistance, far from it. He could have been from a couple of miles over and she probably wouldn't have known.

[not_johnconnor]

"We moved around a lot," John said, walking at her heels. "For a while , we were in New Mexico, but ... LA, mostly." All his mom did to keep him safe only to not come with him.

[from_palmdale]

"I'm from Palmdale originally." Though it seems like another lifetime ago, which it was. In some ways, that Allison had died the same day as her family.

When they reached her area, Allison bent down to pull out a map written on a very creased, very dirty piece of paper. The material was soft from the many times it had been in her hands as she unfolded it once more and handed it to John.

The dog sniffed at it and Allison laughed softly, pushing his head away holding it further up and out of his reach but still within John's reach.

"Sorry, he's used to me giving him a little something when I reach inside the backpack."

[not_johnconnor]

"Sorry," John told the dog with a small smile. He knew Allison was from Palmdale; he didn't say that though. Instead, he peered at the map. "This is great," he said a moment later. "Thanks for sharing it with me."

[from_palmdale]

"Sure and you can keep it." Allison tapped her temple. "I know it up here, now." Her smile turned wry, "hopefully we won't be forced to move to different tunnels before you get it put to memory."

[not_johnconnor]

"Right?" John laughed a little too. "... do you move ... often?" Since Derek didn't know him, he hadn't had a chance to ask many questions.

[from_palmdale]

"We've been here about five months." Allison honestly had to think about it. The weeks sometimes blurred. "The time before that it was almost a year. I've lost count the number of times I've moved." It wasn't said for sympathy or empathy, it was just a fact of life.

Her hand motioned down toward her belongings. "You learn really quick to travel light and travel fast."

[not_johnconnor]

John had nothing. "If I need advice," he offered, "I'll come to you."

[from_palmdale]

"I'll be happy to help." Allison said, "but in the mean time, if you want, we can take a small tour around this area. I need to get some supplies anyway."

[not_johnconnor]

"That'd be great," John all but breathed out in relief. He gave her a more sincere smile. Maybe he'd see Weaver. Or John Henry.

[from_palmdale]

"Want to lead the way with the map?" Allison's eyes lit with humor and then relented with a head cock toward the bend in the tunnel that they would need to take.